Royal Heights

{Part One: Autumn Scented Paranoia}

"You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintery light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen. When the cold rains kept on and killed the spring, it was as though a young person died for no reason." ~Ernest Hemingway

Chapter One~ Invitation

The moonlight poured through the glass of an overhead window. The pearl structure more awry with books than matching stones was coated in a faint gleam. But the young girl walking through paid no mind to this. Her only visible eye that wasn't covered by her dark hair remained shielded by the hood of her cloak.

Air can be so threatening to the most fragile of lungs…The heart can be injured when it's not loved enough…

She stopped for a second, identifying the low tune and the towering door she had grown familiar with over the past few months. Her mentor was singing to herself again, per usual.

Knocking would have been more polite but she'd rather be in and out of the library before being sentenced to another touchy story or lecture.. Rising up one arm from the fabric, a violet coiling spread from her arm, forcing the doors open with an uneven plunk! plunk! Without command, the doors shut themselves, seemingly aware of the brutal force the child carried with her. She continued to walk, heading down the short set of steps that led to the library, mostly baked in the moon's whitish glow and hints of candlelight.

That's why I'll protect you from yourself, my darling. My sweet child of mine…

Ahead sat a woman behind a desk, tending to her usual activity of reading, ripping out pages, and collecting notes into messy clusters on her desk. Clearly older with wisdom, often hidden by a personality the girl deemed too sugary and polite to be taken seriously.

The desk was a dark auburn, lightly dusted and often weighed down with paperbacks and hard copies and that same, worn notebook the woman always had around. There were towers of volumes hanging near her, staying upright by whatever force of gravity allowed it. The woman herself was engrossed in the thickest of the books, barely noticing her pupil's arrival.

She smiled, half embarrassed at her rudeness, "Miss Aves, nice to see you again. You're even exactly on time."

Zoe returned her smile. "Tonight's robbery was pretty easy. I just took a few gems and bolted out of there in no time. You know this magic sure comes in handy with my other work."

The woman nodded. "You are certainly becoming very skilled with my powers." She turned back to the thick book in her hand, running a pen connected to a chain around her neck under large passages.

Zoe removed her hood, sharking out the short, dark hair beneath it. "So why exactly did you need me?"

"It's quite simple actually, you received an invitation to Royal Heights Academy, right?"

Zoe leaned against the nearest library shelf, more interested in the oversized amethyst gem she pulled from her cloak than her mentor's question. "Yeah, my mom's makin' me go just so I can grab some stuff from the city. She says that place is just loaded with antiques or something."

"Your mother certainly knows what's best for you. And I feel that this will work brilliantly with your first official assignment as my apprentice."

Zoe nodded. "I'm listening."

"I want you to attend Royal Heights as an average student and watch over a few kids for me. You remember why you accepted my magic to begin with, right Zoe?"

Zoe's smile soon became a grimace at the reminder.

"Suarez," She said, her hiss of a voice making the name sound like a slur.

Zoe had always despised Frida, enough to make the insolent girl her punching bag for years. But something that always brought up their eternal status as rivals was one...certain factor.

Manny Rivera. The mighty El Tigre working as a menace and hero since childhood. And it was just recently that their longtime friendship became something much more serious. A romantic relationship to put into simpler terms. Zoe saw herself as above envy, but she knew Frida was only pulling this out now for the sake of attention. But the cheek kissing and flirting and touching was something purposely concocted for Zoe's eyes alone. A way to rub it in Zoe face. To show Zoe had lost the prize that was Manny's undivided affection.

There were attempts of distractions: more late night robberies, roof hopping, a few convenient pranks for anyone unlucky enough to pass her by...It never seemed like enough to truly make her forget. She wanted any of the pain and regrets to be washed out entirely, ripped away until it was just a foggy memory, or not a memory at all. But during one particular night, when she was only half done with shoplifting checklist, she came across an ally she had never gone done herself.

It seemed like an average place with recurring homeless people and stray cats hungry enough to chew on the broken glass of beer bottles. It was a disgusting, vile place and yet Zoe had only found herself there that night. Something had changed. There was life, but not ones of humans or animals. Only that of a significant glow in the distance. A tree colored a deep, dark scarlet and growing out branches coated in paper leaves. And in the middle was a vortex, or a door, or some sort of entrance Zoe couldn't entirely describe.

All she knew is that she had entered it and the whispers and buzzing of bees had found a way to soothe her anguish. And she could feel something thick and black coiling around her form, singing some of her clothes but not enough to make her stop walking. She had to keep going. She had to see the light at the end of the tunnel and the woman standing there with a smile and skin that neatly blended into the white pallet behind her.

And that woman said her name was Embry.

Embry was not a creature Zoe had come across before. Any encounters with the supernatural were scarce but memorable. But Embry was different. She was a witch and the wielder of the magic that created such a strange tee. And she had so many things to say about Zoe. It was over tea and a book, if Zoe could recall correctly, and Embry had multiple stories and explanations and theories dealing with a perfect town off in a distant dimension. There was talk of a school and how many people got invited to it. But the thing that truly piqued Zoe's interest was the promise of magic lessons.

Without knowing, Zoe had been implanted with an ancient force called the Darkness. By the time the words were out of Embry's mouth, the gun on Zoe's wrist came alight and pointed in the woman's direction. A threat more than anything but enough to get Embry laughing and going into another explanatory lecture.

And from there, Zoe had been attending something similar to a summer school. A magic summer school she slipped away to when her mother and grandmother weren't watching. From what Zoe knew, the Darkness was something almost anyone could wield and the touch of a witch could offer a generous amount. There were some things Zoe was incapable of doing since how much she had was only good enough for specific spells but a wide variety nonetheless.

Any rituals necessary to have her entire soul-er, Soul-consumed would be too dangerous and a waste of energy since such a process was in store for someone else. Zoe didn't know who but she had developed some tolerance for Embry's recurring vagueness.

Zoe had still preserved her humanity, something a few past students had lost when Embry had offered them the power. And that, in a strange way, made Zoe feel positively honored to have the power as her own. And yet her mind was still intact, though it did get a bit foggy from time to time. Foggy was the best way to describe it. Not in a forgetful way, but in a way that made her think of things far more outlandish than she was too.

Not pranks or robberies, but what she could do in between them. What she could destroy and mutilate and perhaps some things she could finally take for herself. From a certain person the foggy thoughts revolved around.

"Yes, that one." Embry replied.

"What about her?"

"Miss Suarez is one of the students I'd like you to watch over. Her and many others have been invited to the school and I want you to observe them and retrieve any information you know."

Zoe raised an eyebrow. "You train me all summer to use this magic and you just want me to people watch?"

Embry stood from her desk and walked towards Zoe. "Please be patient, Miss Aves. I'm sure you've gotten use to careful planning due to your lifestyle as a thief. And besides, you'll get all the time you need to use your magic, but only when necessary."

"So when will it be necessary?"

Embry smiled and pat Zoe's head. "I feel it's best I give you more details."

Embry dug into her blouse, presenting a long, beaded chain that held her beloved pen around her neck. It looked normal, nothing that made it stand out aside from the green gems and bee inspired etchings. It was like a wand of hidden power disguised as a pen only to underestimate those who saw it.

Slowly, Embry ran the pen's ballpoint before the air as if it were an invisible canvas. A visual began to form within a few strokes and tracing and some small calligraphy along the edges. As Embry continued, Zoe could see the image of three cities, differing greatly in architecture and people.

Even simple things like the sky and amount of suns were drastically different than the others. In the center was Zoe's own hometown in excruciating detail, nearly reaching sunset. Embry capped her pen and wrapped her arm around Zoe.

"Watch closely Miss Aves and observe your prey. All you have to do is remember their faces and everything will go perfectly."

That noise was still going. There was a loud blaring, making his dream burn in the heat of daylight and a drool stained pillow. It was right next to him, taking on the stare from his half weary anger. Pellets...

A furry blue hand reached for the accursed plastic alarm clock. His hand slapped down on the snooze button and his arm hung limply by his bed. The beeping came to an end and he could finish his rest for at least ten minutes. That was all he needed-"Get up!"

A familiar voice called to him, making his long ears twitch from annoyance. Now the clamor of his alarm clock sounded far more pleasing than the nagging tone of his sister, Yin.

"We've got to get going or we'll miss the jet." The rabbit boy opened one drooping violet eye at a pair of enthusiastic sapphire ones.

"Why should I?" he groaned, hiding his face deeper into his pillow.

Yin made a noise that sounded like a gasp. If it was his own mind playing with his consciousness was a possibility, but he knew his sister well enough to take the response seriously.

"Yang, this is important," she said. "An opportunity like this doesn't happen every day." She pulled up the white sleeve of her new school uniform and peered at her watch. Something picked up fresh at the Twonicorn Watches and Stuff Emporium.

"Now we only have an hour and a half until the jet comes to pick us up. Master Yo already made us some breakfast."

Yang finally sat up, yawning. "Wait, Master Yo, cooked? That explains the smell of burnt oatmeal."

"Yeah, and he's sure gonna miss us when we're gone. So let's give him a proper goodbye." She said, slinging a pink bag over her shoulder. A Twonicon charm-bought from the "And Stuff" section of the Twonicorn store-tied at the bottom sparkled in the sunlight peeking through the bedroom window and made Yang's eyes sting.

"I've already got your uniform on the closet door. Get ready."

Yang looked over his twin sister to see she was already dressed. A white dress shirt and black necktie was worn under a buttoned blazer. A dark miniskirt covered in gold, cobalt, and thin white lines formed a plaid pattern along well ironed pleats.

Ever since the uniform arrived days after the invitation, Yin was practically begging for the summer to conclude just so she could wear it. He remembered the afternoons she'd spend holding the clothing up to her chest and waist and smiling to herself in anticipation. This was a daily routine along with reorganizing her school supplies in her book bag and rereading the acceptance letter pinned up on her side of their bedroom, her face going red each time as if it were a lover's ode to her.

Unlike his twin, Yang lacked the excitement his twin had towards going to the academy. He had been taught to be hands on, take on challenges with his fists and feet rather than a pen and paper. Sure, homeschooling came with that too, but it was easy to skip out on it do the things he actually cared about.

When the letter and uniform had arrived in the mail for some unexplained reason, he was certain Master Yo wouldn't allow it. He was an irresponsible parent but could be a no-nonsense, rule abiding pillar of wisdom whenever he needed to. For once, Yang was hoping for some proverb similar to "there's no place like home" or "the apple shouldn't fall so far from trees because it'll get lost and eaten by squirrels".

But the letter, to Yang's horror but Yin's delight, had him smiling and on the brink of tears from sheer delight. A silent, disappointing approval. Yang sighed and rubbed at the sleep in his eyes.

"Alright, alright..."He murmured. "Just get out."

He reluctantly slid himself out of bed when his sister left. Yang looked over the uniform that was the male equivalent of the one Yin wore: a long sleeved dress shirt, black necktie, pants, and a dark blue blazer with gold buttons and white trim along a notched lapel. Yang grabbed the clothing from the hanger with an expression not even able to fake the enthusiasm racing through his sister's muffled voice from the other room.

He dressed himself slowly, sometimes lying on the floor for a quick nap only to have his door banged on repeatedly to wake him up. As he fidgeted with his tie, Yang dragged his feet into the dining room to eat with his family. The realization of Master Yo being their biological father had caused a slight change in the atmosphere of the dojo. The elderly panda was still adjusting to his role as the official parental figure he never knew he was. In a sense, he still seemed more like a teacher than a father, but his attempts at bonding beyond lessons and training was welcoming.

There was all the more time to go to water parks and watch movies when the crime in the town went down. Ever since defeating Eradictus, even the strongest of villains backed down from their plotting for world domination or anything petty as theft. The current peace was becoming unbearable for Yang. With no crime and a promising army put to little use, Yang was certain his mind would eventually split in two from boredom. Attending Royal Heights Academy, a school far off from his own plain of existence, would only strip away what sanity was left lurking in his underused brain.

With how popular they were around the town, they were easily qualified to learn there. If it was all a popularity contest was beyond him but it seemed likely. Due to his lack of intelligence, all of Yang's classes were Beginners. His know-it-all sister had gotten herself in all of the Advanced classes without even trying. He was barely aware of how they knew where to place students in terms of intelligence, but that was the last thing he was worried about.

"I'm going to miss this place…" Yin sighed, poking the already runny yolk of her egg until it bled onto the plate. "Are you sure you won't get lonely all by yourself?"

Master Yo chuckled and pat his daughter's head.

"I'll be fine, Yin. You and Yang try your best in that school. Don't worry about me."

Yang stuffed the first thing his fork could touch in his mouth to keep from gritting his teeth. Which was difficult since whatever it was had been way overcooked.

It was only him and Yin that would be attending the school from their own dimension. His girlfriend Lina and friend Rodger would be left behind in this town that lost all things engaging about it. Therefore, he'd be forced to make friends with whatever arrogant rich kids would be his classmates. He'd seen the movies and he knew all of them would be stick-up-your-ass, freaks with posh British accents and heirs to really dumb, pointless companies.

"You know, this pretty much counts as child abuse." Yang said with his mouth still brimming with chewed food.

Master Yo rolled his eyes. "What would you know about abuse? I'm giving you kids a proper education beyond Woo Foo. It's healthy for your subconscious and will prepare you for adulthood at an early age...or something."

"Oh, what parenting self-help book did'ya get that from?" Yang asked before he shoved something else in his mouth. Toast, maybe. If toast could be scrambled.

"Come on, Yang," Yin said. "This is the first time we're ever attending a real school. You could at least show some gratitude. Besides, Royal Heights is the most exclusive of exclusive boarding schools ever known. And you won't believe the city it was built in-"

"Yeah, don't care."

The thundering sound circling over the dojo cut off any retort Yin had. The three looked beyond their home to see a silver gleam of something slick and shiny from their window.

"The jet's here!" Yin said. She hopped down from her seat, gripping her suitcase in one hand while her other hastily pulled up the strap of her tote over her shoulder. Yang's suitcase halfheartedly filled with clothes and toiletries he packed this morning dragged along the carpet. The motivation to hold it properly would never arise.

Master Yo gave his children assuring pats on their shoulders. "Now you kids do your best and work hard. That goes for you especially, Yang."

"Whatever,"

The Zim household was in its usually state that morning. Through the creeping sunlight of the Irken constructed base, a small robot sat comfortably on the living room couch. His metal hands drove into a vat of homemade slime meant to be a proper meal. A show only a creation with his lack of intellect would enjoy played on full blast, filling most of the base with heavy, shaking breaths of a diseased looking primate. Farther off was a toilet placed as its own independent accessory. And with a faint flushing sound arose a small being, dawning a proper outfit that heavily contrasted his uniform.

"You look great, master!" the robot said, stuffing more of the yellow slop in his mouth.

"I know, Gir." Zim replied, stepping off the toilet and to the center of the living room.

"My jet should be arriving soon to take me to this filthy school. There I shall find the weaknesses of the students and destroy it!" At that, he broke into a booming laugh. Gir laughed as well, although he wasn't aware of what he said.

"How idiotic of them to invite me. Does they not know the power of the mighty Irken race?!"

"I don't know." Gir said.

"Ah, I deserve to go that school anyway," Zim continued with his arms behind his back as he paced around the room. "I truly have enough intelligence and amazing athletic ability to be a part of it! It truly is a shame this will be its last time standing."

Zim was fairly confused to find an invitation within his mail a few weeks ago. It was his job as an Invader to keep a fairly low profile and as far as the letter explained, this school took place in a different dimension. The address couldn't be found by any means, clearly something far beyond his reach from where he lived.

He had decided to attend for other reasons at first. More for information and decoding just how high profile their systems if were if they could find him. It took only a few hours of grunting and heavy thinking for him to realize just how lethal this dimension could be. The city clearly had a hidden power he had to unveil. No. To destroy.

Destroying the accursed earth he stood on and the world of the school would prove to his leaders how competent of an Invader he was. He already knew they were aware of his abilities, but making them even more proud of him would only ensure their respect.

He took a look into the letter that provided information about the "advanced educational and entertainment technology" the school contained. The words themselves made Zim laugh. The inferior humans of this new world seemed much more prideful in their unimpressive life's work.

The brochure that came along with the invitation for new students was the first example of technology he had seen from the city. The brochure used holographic images to project a miniature sized city and formerly dressed woman gesturing to the landmarks while speaking about the school. Throughout her long lecture, she would mention something about a Grid and a Headmaster, but Zim had already lost interest at that point.

It was the work of amateurs. Zim remembered how to create holographs not long after his time as a smeet and the Irken's approach was used for far more beneficial purposes than for advertising.

Zim would have to mock intrigue in whatever feeble contraptions they so openly admired. Perhaps if it was of good use, Zim could mold it into his plan. But this was only a possibility.

"How long are we going?" Gir asked his master.

"A year, though I do plan to destroy the academy much before then. When my work is done, we can return home," Zim summoned a small piece of metal from his PAK with the Irken logo glowing on the front. "There's no telling how long our stay will be, so I feel it's best to take caution during our absence."

"What's that thing?" Gir asked.

"It's a monitoring device linked to the home as a form of surveillance. I'll need to plant this in your system so you will be able to report any occurrences."

"Ooh..."

"Now, stand still." Zim opened up Gir's head and placed the small device inside. The flat square automatically laced itself into Gir's head, making it close to impossible for the SIR to remove it.

After the hazardous effects of Gir tampering with his guidance system before, Zim was especially cautious with this form of implant. To make sure Gir didn't attempt to get rid of the device, Zim created a watch directly linked to it, informing him whenever the implant would receive any harm. The watch also helped find a way to communicate with the Tallest without his base. It took him some time to create but his efforts would all be worth it once he annihilated the city and every last human in it. Bringing Gir with him wasn't originally a part of his plans, but having him stay at the base wasn't the most desirable option either. It was best to have Gir in his sights at all times and perhaps the idiotic robot would actually come of use. He was only coming for the sake of the base's safety.

Zim did want to bring along Minimoose but the most recent addition to the team had disappeared without explanation. Only a few weeks after X-mas, his creation had left the base entirely. Searching for him around the city soon became a useless attempt. Minimoose would do greatly on such an important mission and it would be the perfect opportunity to test out his other features. But due to the unfortunate circumstances, Zim would have to stick with his inadequate sidekick.

Zim closed Gir's head and the SIR said with a grimace, "It feels funny."

"You'll have to get used to it, Gir. If you remove or damage the monitor it could interfere with the connection to the base. Change into your dog disguise. We'll have to keep up our human appearances for safety." Zim looked out the window to see the jet to the academy landing.

The saccharine female voice of the jet said, "Welcome to Utopia Airlines, this jet is reserved for student Zim and will transport you safely to Royal Heights Academy."

Gir's eyes widened upon spotting the jet, the lustrous gleam of the silver and gold making him forget whatever discomfort the device was given him previously. Gir ran towards the couch and grabbed his squeaky green dog suit from underneath the cushions. Once in disguise he gave his master and cheerful smile and thumbs up. Zim picked up his suitcase and marched out the door.

"Good morning, student Zim." The jet said as the front door opened automatically. Zim stepped inside, grimacing upon seeing the jet's interior. It consisted of four golden seats and small windows with a plush, white carpet and cream colored walls. It was starkly different than the ships Zim piloted all his life. This jet would be the first to go down during the plight of warfare, making Zim feel even more prideful of his self-assigned mission to destroy the city. It was apparent Utopia's life work had no chance against him.

Gir stepped inside the jet with admiration still filling his eyes behind the false dog head.

"We aren't here to stand by and stare," Zim said as he sat down. An automated seat belt fastened over his waist. "I need you to stay focused enough on this mission. Understood?"

Gir saluted. "Yes, my master!"

In only a split second he slipped back into his usual, giddy self and hopped onto the seat across from Zim to have a seat belt keep him in place. The door shut closed and the jet began to lift into the air, going at a calm pace through the atmosphere for a bit of time.

"Your flight is now beginning. Please remain seated until further instructions. In a few hours, you will arrive to your new school safely. Thank you for choosing Utopia Airlines."

The jet picked up in speed, throwing Zim's head deep into the soft cushioning of the seat. His eyelids squinted as he attempted to move his gaze towards Gir. This on its own was impossible.

The pressure forcing down his body wouldn't allow the simplest of movements. From the corner of his eye he could see earth's murky skies growing darker. Stars and swirls of vibrant colors mixed into a confusing water painting that brought fast but excruciating headaches.

He shut his eyes as a grunt escaped his clenched teeth. Soon enough the pulling of his skin and forced pressure on his thin physique began to slow. Zim opened his eyes to see the jet now flying at a steady pace in a blue sky clear of clouds.

"Eh?" He looked towards Gir to see the small robot waving his arms around eagerly.

"Let's do dat again!"

The voice of the jet spoke, "You are now free to move around the cabin. If there's anything necessary to make the ride more comfortable, please inform me right away. Once again, thank you for choosing Utopia Airlines. Enjoy your flight, student Zim."

In the same neighborhood, a few houses away from Zim's, the home of Professor Membrane and his two children stood amongst a row of mundane suburbs. In the bathroom of said home, the professor's son eagerly prepped himself in the mirror.

"Alright, you can do this, Dib. You are going to walk into that school and be the best student Royal Heights has ever had." He felt a grin forming at the words yet he still felt a growing pinch in his stomach. He didn't feel nervous often but today, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with the pressures of attending the most advanced academy in existence.

Royal Heights Academy was for the best of the best, meaning that they found potential in him. They knew he had the capabilities to do well and the thought on its own was rather flattering. The kind of pick me up he needed to step through the doors.

Dib gave himself a quick once over in the mirror. The blue and gold of the uniform was a much brighter arrangement of color than he normally wore, but this was a time for change and wearing it only signified just how far his intellect had taken him.

Dib could say he felt pretty happy at the moment. He knew he was the only kid in his neighborhood attending the school which made him feel both honored and worried for the condition of the town when he was gone.

What would Zim attempt without him around? Zim often ruined his own plans, but Dib was the only real reason the other ones didn't succeed. No one else certainly wouldn't try to defend themselves. It was already registered he had to attend so simply not going wasn't an option.

Dib sighed, rubbing his temples to ease away the building stress. Maybe Zim wouldn't try anything with him gone, but there was no way that idiotic Irken would stand by for a whole year. Dib would hate for his absence to cause the world's demise...

"The jet's here, son!" The voice of his father interrupted his thoughts. Dib ran out of his bedroom and down the stairs with a suitcase in hand.

"Coming!"

Dib walked down to the living room to see his father by the couch while his younger sister Gaz violently moved her thumbs across her game console. It was one of the few times Dib saw his dad and he appreciated that his father took the time out of his busy schedule to see him off.

Dr. Membrane gave his son a supporting pat on the shoulder. "I know you'll do great son. Keep in mind you'll be representing our family so please strive to be the most proactive and mentally stable student in that academy."

"Thanks Dad,"

Dr. Membrane looked towards his daughter. "Don't you want to give your brother a proper goodbye? He will be gone for some time."

Gaz peered up from her game console, giving more of a glare than a proper look. She glanced back down, unpausing her game. "Don't get killed."

Dib forced a smile. "Love you too, Gaz."

Dr. Membrane opened the door and Dib walked down the path to the opening jet. Dib stood in the entrance and gave a wave only to have his father quickly wave back at him. But Dr. Membrane's phone went off and he soon became too occupied to offer any final words of encouragement. As the plane set off, Dib tried not to stare at his home for too long. It was a dump in every sense of the term but he hoped it wouldn't look like a war zone by the time he got back. Hope was the only thing he could hang on to now.

"Man, this place has everything," Frida Suarez rested her hand on her cheek as she watched the holographic woman on the brochure describe feature after feature of the city and academy. "I hear that the city has the best arcade known to man or something. They even have access to titles not even published in our place yet."

"Really? Lemme see!" Manny Rivera replied walking over to her seat to get a closer look of the hologram.

"Yeah, and we get a student discount just for attending the school. The kids here sure live in luxury."

Manny chuckled, "This place is way different than our town. A hear Utopia doesn't even have a crime rate."

"So I take it you won't be using that anytime soon?" Frida pointed at the silver "T" on Manny's belt.

"Probably not," He said with a shrug. "Dad said he wanted me to make a good impression. He doesn't want me in detention or to piss off teachers-"

"But you always do that."

"That's what I said! But in a city that has no crime in it, I have no reason to use my belt anyway. Now it just keeps my pants up."

Though his father had high expectations, Manny could only do so much. Utopia was the exact opposite of Miracle City so that eliminated the task of becoming El Tigre to stop any criminals. And with no thieves or evil overlords to worry about, that left him with the task of doing well academically. He rolled his eyes at the thought. There was no way he'd spend his time away from his own dimension to concern himself with school subjects. He could pull through a C average at best in his classes and enjoy the futuristic paradise Utopia was in the meantime.

"Hey Manny," Frida said.

"Yeah?"

"I know this is weird but did you get a...uh, zap when you opened up your invitation?"

Manny furrowed his brow. "What? The letter zapped you?"

Frida dug inside her bag and gave him the dark blue envelope that looked entirely similar to his aside from one feature. The color of the RH crest wasn't the golden color he had and instead shone silver, slightly duller than the actual jet's color.

"Right when I opened it up the thing zapped my finger," Frida explained. "It was trippy. Like something out of a movie-Ah!" Frida snapped her fingers and pointed at the letter. "I bet they put a nano-chip in me or some small camera. Y'know what I'm talking about."

"Actually I don't," Manny said as rubbed his thumb over the crest. "I don't feel anything. It's probably nothing."

Frida chuckled, "Sure, whatever."

The voice of the jet said, "We are now approaching school grounds. Please remain seated until we have safely landed." Manny handed the envelope back to Frida and sat back down in his seat. He watched from the window as the jet glided away from the pink waters to the buildings just up ahead.

The city's design was far beyond anything he'd ever seen. Glass buildings and curved bridges decked in gold accents were filled with waving citizens. Children threw rose petals and confetti from windows of the highest towers, letting them ride the autumn wind and fill the air with a vibrant mix of colors that glided pass his view.

There were men and women smiling and waving, holding banners, and looking just as eager as those actually invited. Manny couldn't quite make out their faces but they had all had similar structures. They looked so…clean. None had sunburns or any noticeable details like bad hairstyles. Not even those in dark clothing had the slightest hint of sweat. Just very clean, polished looking people.

The school eventually neared Manny's perspective and leaned over to get a better look from his window. It was like a castle, glimmering a solid gold with towers coated in rose covered vines reaching upward. The structure even from his perspective looked strong and sturdy, too heavily protected by gates and tall walls to ever be broken down. A garden and dense forest surrounded the building and attracted attention of insects. And right in front was a long pearl colored pathway leading up to honey-brown double doors.

This was only the front of the school and what lied ahead or inside would remain a blue holograph until seeing it with his own eyes. The parking facility placed in the far back of the school was quickly approaching and more jets flew in a straight line down the tunnels.

Each of the jets parked and the students evacuated from the oversized glass dome to the long pathway. Manny and Frida made their way into the crowd of children wearing similar uniforms and eagerly chatting amongst their peers.

"We made it," Frida said, giving her friend a grin as her hand inched towards his. Her fingers interlocked with Manny's and he returned the gesture with a soft squeeze. "My dad says he wanted me to call him as soon as I get here."

"Has he gotten use to us dating yet?"

"No way," Frida said with a laugh. "He was actually hoping you wouldn't be invited to the school since you might 'ruin my education'."

"Well, why don't we head over to the arcade later for...educational purposes? We can learn how many games we can play free with the student discount."

"It's the only math I'll care about."