"On a bridge between two worlds,

Looking for adventures, living mysteries,

Building disasters, triumphs,

challenges, impossible bets,

By submitting to tests over and over again,

And again, learning about love "

ー JIMMY NEUTRON ー

The return of the 976 rocket

ーPre-Christmas gift. ー

It was still a couple of hours until dawn in the city of RetroVille, when Cindy Vortex took one last look at the sky through the lens of the telescope. She was focusing the coordinates of one of Jupiter's moons, while making small notes in her pink cover binnacle.

Just before she finished writing down the details of her observation, she felt a cold breeze stirring her fringe, covering part of her eyes. She stopped writing for a moment, and tried to quickly rearrange her hair to concentrate on what she was doing; However, upon discovering her eyes, she could not avoid to give a small view along the long dark and quiet road between the houses of the neighborhood lit by public beacons.

Everything was very lonely.

When looking towards the front house and dedicating a few seconds more than the others, she could not help feeling a kind of annoying feeling that he did not know how to define.

She put on the hood of the green raincoat, which she had put on in case it rained and began to dismantle the small observatory she had organized with his telescope and a laptop with an internet connection.

She began by keeping each of the books in a kind of wheeled case, looking from time to time at each of the titles she had selected and a list with colored sections on the computer. As she placed each of the books in place her mood seemed to improve one by one until she felt almost triumphant when closing the suitcase.

Not long ago she was committed to more scientific research work, planning so that her mind would continue in a constant intellectual improvement, of course to avoid neglecting their sporting activities, school, social and family life, she only had to cut her hours of sleep a couple of days a week. Only then could she cope with her advanced study plan. And that would continue like this until she was accepted at Oxford, so maybe later she could take things more calmly.

Having already removed the umbrella and also stored the computer on its own deck, the only thing that remained outside was the telescope. She took one last look at the sky that was still dark and just when she was about to put on the cover of the contact lens and return home to rest a little more before going to school, she had a small feeling. Knowing in advance that she had always had a certain instinct for that kind of thing, she decided to follow her hunch and refocused towards the sky, not quite sure where she needed to focus.

As if it were an indication of her premonition, the lights of the lighting began to tinkle. She was surprised to see a luminous object almost immediately moving at high speed through the sky followed closely by a series of smaller lights; she was startled to notice that the larger object was getting bigger and bigger.

She only had a couple of seconds before realizing what it was and being able to react.

ー ¡CAUTION DOWN!

Cindy was able to jump on time to one side of her garden and avoid the impact of the luminous object that now lay only a couple of meters away from her.

ーMy telescope!ー Cried Cindy when she saw the disaster in her yard.

Without delay Cindy ran through the yard to try to put the pieces of the telescope together again.

Meanwhile in a small crater caused by its landing, the newcomer could begin to get up by shaking off his pants and taking off his helmet by throwing it roughly to one side. Up to that moment he could notice that he was hooked with a series of Christmas lights that were still illuminated by one of the straps.

Jimmy looked around trying to locate himself and it did not take him long to realize that had it been for the good reflexes of Cindy, who was now more concerned with rebuilding the parts of the telescope than with it, he could have hurt her.

ー Sorry Cindy, I had a little bug with the JetPack and when I tried to repair it ー the genius began to explain.

ー Neutron! You are a threat to public safety!

ー ¡I already said I'm sorry! I had a small fault with the cooling system in one of the JetPack's thrusters. It is a common breakdown in this type of second-generation artifacts ー the genius emphasized, approaching where she was, and that despite everything, she did not seem to hear a word of what he was sayingー Besides, to whom besides you can I watering at- ー he said rolling up his own reddish raincoat and looking at his watch ー four in the morning ?!

For a second Jimmy touched his forehead and gave a brief but hasty walk from one place to another. It was not until she stopped a little more, that she could see Cindy, head down, holding the pieces of her telescope in her arms. Knowing beforehand that it had all been his fault, after all, he tried to take the contact lens, but she closed her arms to avoid it.

ー Will the day come when you stop creating disasters with your inventions near me? ー she reproached her looking at him with enough anger to which he only felt slightly alluded and protected himself with his hands in front of him.

ー Come on Cindy, let me see ー said the genius trying not to upset her ー Maybe I can repair it.

With some initial surprise, Jimmy saw the blonde extend the telescope to his chest with some brusqueness.

Concentrating on his task, immediately, the genius tried to focus his eyes on space, but all he got was a kaleidoscopic vision of the universe. It was evident that more than the broken lens, the angle of the telescope had also been damaged. It was practically useless now, but even knowing it beforehand it was not if he felt fully capable of announcing it immediately.

ー And can I know- ー Cindy started talking, making Jimmy startle and focus with the broken lens ー -what were you doing up there at this time?

It was evident that some of that question bothered the genius, because he returned to focus the view of the lens towards the sky, turning his back pretending to look for the flaw.

ー¿Are you sure this telescope was used before? His scope of vision seems too small, I can not even see Pluto and that in this season should be simple. Also its quality is quite bad ー he said almost without thinking. Hoping she would get upset over his random comment, Jimmy shrugged automatically.

ー It's funny that you mention it ー Cindy began to say, standing next to him and looking towards the starry skyー I bought it a while ago from a wooden toy with great aspirations to improve for fifteen cents. Apparently belonged to a presumptuous genius who gave life to him and who liked to paint his logo everywhere. I suppose it's the best you can expect from one of your trinkets.

In making sense of his words, Jimmy moved his thumb to the right of the lens, discovering a logo in the form of an atom that was almost completely unpainted. He tried to look indignant for a second before he saw Cindy smile slightly to finally return a smile to the floor.

ー Do you think you can repair it? ー Cindy questioned, looking, instead, towards the sky.

ー No. It's a lost case ー the genius answered more sincerely now that he knew the origin of the telescope.

ー I thought so. Anyway it seems that my parents have the intention to give me a new one for Christmas ー said the blonde beginning to stretch her arms ー Well, I guess now I can give it back to you. You can take it as a pre-Christmas gift.

ー I guess I'll give it to Goddard. He would like to bite the aluminum ー he replied.

An absolute calm was maintained for several seconds in which even the wind also seemed to stop in the air. Suddenly the genius seemed too tired to continue standing and pretended to sit on the grass in the yard, when in fact he had practically fallen by his own weight. Cindy remained standing by his side and although she did not look at him directly, it was obvious that for her those details did not go unnoticed.

ー I can ask ー dared to speak Jimmy also directing this time the view to the starry sky ー Why the sudden interest in astronomy? Were not you the one who had decided not to travel to space again?

ー I do not intend to leave the earthly atmosphere again ー she paused a little before continuing and Jimmy could not decipher her expression, although perhaps because he only looked at her out of the corner of his eye ー But there is something out there that is intriguing. By studying the universe we can learn a lot about ourselves as humanity. ¿How not to feel special seeing the stars if we are the result of millions of years of evolution among thousands of species that stayed on the road?

ー Mmmm ー started by saying Jimmy what caused Cindy's eyebrows to arch in a sign of discomfort, without him noticing ー I think instead that the study of astronomy demonstrates character while teaching us to be humble. Can you imagine how many space civilizations there are in the universe? How to feel the great thing if we are only a point in the universe ー Cindy barely glanced at Jimmy and gave him a chill.

Both looked away momentarily from the sky to cross a challenging look before sighing with resignation and sharing a brief crooked smile.

ー ¿And can you tell me what you did up there at this time? ー Cindy asked, trying to change the subject.

ー It's just a little experiment with the weatherー the genius clarified, standing up again, which Cindy emphasized to help him get up, but that rejection immediately with subtlety.

ー "Experiment with the weather" ー she repeated funny but with some disdain ー It is the oldest excuse of the "book" when scientists are caught with their hands in the dough.

ー But it's- ー he seemed to try to defend himself.

ー But if you do not want to tell me it's okay ー she interrupted him without more ー You have to see the amount of secrets that you keep in these days. You can barely show yourself at school and it almost seems that you now live in your laboratory.

Jimmy smiled crossing his arms touching his elbows in an almost enigmatic way, apparently not being the first time he was questioned by his behavior.

ー If you have not discovered what I'm doing maybe it's because you've lost the ability to find out on your own ー that said it seemed to reflect again touching his chin with mock deductive air ー Or maybe you're just pretending indifference to me.

ー ¡Ha Ha! As sure of yourself as always, right, Neutron? In any case, why should I pretend? ー Cindy questioned him.

ー I do not know. Why would you pretend? ー he continued taking a step toward her. For a moment the genius's hand remained in the air about to touch her cheek. Cindy looked at him closely and at the sight of Jimmy her eyes seemed really resplendent in the moonlight, until he seemed to wake up from a small illusion and when he changed his mind he closed it again and put both hands in his pockets apparently with too cold.

ー It would be better if you enter your house. You will not want to catch cold. I think I'm already caught one ー he said looking away and now touching the back of his neck with one handー Do you want me to help you carry your things?

He started to raise a hand again towards her.

To the genius's surprise, she took a quick half turn and the wind returned to its regular march. The course of the air that came between him slightly raised hand and she made him return his hand to himself; her green raincoat stirred and for a moment she gave him the impression as if she had gained lightness and now it seemed as if she had risen a few inches above the grass. That was accompanied by a kind of layer made up of tiny snowflakes that shone like crystal around her. Jimmy had to wipe his eyes, telling himself that maybe he had not been sleeping for long enough and his mind started to show him things that did not exist.

ー I don't need youーshe said calmlyー I can manage it by myselfー she continued, lifting her laptop and her wheeled suitcase to start walking down the cobblestone road to her house.

Jimmy hesitated a second while watching her leave. He looked at his watch and as his feet changed direction twice, he finally gave a small run.

ー About this- ー he started by saying ー You won't tell my parents that you saw me at this time outside, right Cindy? ー said the genius walking next to her, picking up the helmet with Christmas lights that continued lighting, and they must have gotten hooked on the decoration of some house they had gone through when they lost control of their JetPack.

When he did not receive a reply, he repeated his question, but this time standing in his way with his hands raised. She seemed momentarily surprised, perhaps because the lights had rolled around his neck and now looked like a decoration of her garden, which ended up entertaining her internally.

ー ¿You did not see me, right?

ー Whenever someone asks me about you I pretend not to know you, so you do not have to worry, ー she allowed herself to answer.

ー Ha - it's very funny ー said the genie not taking her words seriously ー But seriously. Do not say anything. I'm supposed to sleep in one of the boys' houses.

Having reached the front door of Cindy's house, she looked at him for a moment with some weariness at his insistence.

ー It's fine. I'll do as if this had not happened ー she said.

ー Thanks, Cindy. I really appreciate it ー replied the genius and having said that he quickly turned to the direction of his house or perhaps more specifically to his laboratory, but even before descending the first stairs of his porch, he seemed to remember something important and saw it cut out that small stretch of travel. ー Almost forgot it ー said being one step away ー Happy Pre - Christmas.

In a second the genius placed a small object in her hand and pressed it for a few seconds until she reflexively stayed with it. Long before she could turn to look at the object in question, by the same hand for which he made the delivery, this time almost without thinking, he allowed himself to lean toward her and gave her a brief kiss that lasted only a brief moment.

ー If you want ... you can also omit that in this story ー he said as he separated.

Even though she barely noticed his touch, perhaps because of the speed of the action or because of the cold, she felt so suddenly blushing that she had to cover her eyes with the hood of her raincoat, somewhat disturbed by having been surprised by her good reflexes and maybe also a bit annoyed that he ended up having the last word always.

When she looked back in his direction, he was already on his way out of his yard and his pace seemed rather hurried, although he still was not running.

¿Would he have something important to do?

With that in mind was that finally in a carelessness was allowed to observe the object that had given him the genius. As she looked at the object and then back at Jimmy who continued to light up on the road in the glow of the Christmas lights, she felt a strange sensation that told her that the lights would suddenly turn off and he would disappear in the darkness.

ー ¡Wait!ー she shouted so suddenly that she even seemed to surprise herself ー Would not you like to ... stay a little longer? ー she asked suddenlyー We can keep looking at the stars ... until the sun comes up.

ー I would like ー Jimmy answered raising his voice but without losing his step and without looking at her ー But I still have several things to do in the laboratory before going to school ー something in his voice seemed important enough.

ー Besides that, he is ready fromー the sound of Jimmy's alarm clock sounded three times in a row like an echo and a huge breeze that made him close her eyes to Cindy.

After a sudden change of temperature in the environment. The blonde observed the genius who had finally stopped his step on the street and now seemed to be watching the temperature drop on his watch's thermometer.

ー So an experiment with the weather…ー repeated in a whisper the blonde watching as the vapor of her breath became visible. A second later she extended a hand out of her portico. Almost instantly in her hand the first snowflake was placed.

Even when Cindy had the impression that nothing could surprise her now, she suddenly heard a loud sound on the roof of her house that made her take a little jump.

With skepticism, she leaned out from her portico and watched a robotic dog shake off some snow and descend gracefully in his yard flying with a small propeller on his head. After observing her for a moment, the dog ran away and in a very short time was able to reach the genius who stroked Goddard's head before continuing on his way and disappearing in the direction of his backyard.

Finding herself alone again, the blonde opened her hand again to observe a candy cane. Without deciding to enter her house, she still keep it in her pocket and almost without realizing it, she began to hum a kind of song. In a few moments she was able to retrieve her pink observation log. Only at the end of her notes, she looked back at the overcast sky and wondered if they were hiding a mystery in the stars behind them.

ー 5:00 A.Mー

From here to the stars.

Take candy canes with him.

Rides a kid with a knack for inventions

With a super powered mind.

A mechanical K-9.

He saves the day from your sure destruction.

So many things to do, and not much time ..

With a head too square to be oblong.

He's gotta save the world and get to school on time.

So many things to do, and not much time ..

Oh so off the ground

Up in the air.

Out into the atmosphere.

And his name is Jimmy Neutron

A landscape opening from the depths of the universe, empty and hollow sound, remains static and in total darkness. Without a trace of life.

Suddenly, a hole crowned by rays of light opens and a red, blue and yellow rocket comes out. The hole closes after its passage without leaving a trace.

Although it did not seem so, the rocket is still moving and flying at great speed. And it will continue until the moment arrived

Two years later

In a distant place, the gigantic ice towers rose under the glow of a diffuse nebula that made it tinkle with constant flashes.

If you try to get closer by the frozen ground, passing through the cold breezes of the Arctic, you will see the reflection of the night sky in its structure and if the time for enough time you will see it disappear as an illusion. In a soft tinkling, the solids and the intangible debate.

The teenager checked his wristwatch again and looked expectantly at the sky for a signal. With the exact change of time on his watch, he saw an almost imperceptible spark in the distance. Intoning his eyes and waiting patiently, he caught a second flicker that set him in motion.

He adjusted his coat to cover most of his face. He took his knapsack almost to the touch of the ground, and already being in a kneeling position, he ended up reaffirming the knot of the laces of his snow boots.

Perhaps, losing a moment's concentration for a moment, he take some valuable seconds to taking a final look at the room that until now had been the function of his bedroom. Quiet, dark and impassive, not really too far from the landscape that was outside. As such, as an irrational fear, which arises unexpectedly when looking towards an empty and gloomy space, even if only for a moment, he felt the imperative need to get out of there as soon as possible.

Almost without thinking he opened the window wide, and without much difficulty climbed the frame, leaving it a step away from the elements of what, some time ago, had calculated the average of the Empire State building in vertical distance.

In a single movement, he brought up a small mirror, which until then had remained inside his right glove, and which, reflecting the Moon, gave an identical response to the flicker of light that he had already lost sight of among infinity of the starry sky.

He only had to wait a few seconds, before the point of a bright object that was approaching at high speed was highlighted.

Although he smiled under his hood when he had it in front of him, most likely the metallic dog that was held in the air with a small propeller on its head could not notice it; he simply tilted his head with obvious curiosity.

The adolescent, who was still holding on the window frame, wondered if that robotic canine intended to jump the stretch between them, or if it was a premeditated action to delimit space between them.

ー Goddard, it's really you. What a pleasure it is to see you again, friend, ー the teenager spoke, trying to show security.

The dog looked at him impassively, for what he felt was too long, but finally ended up shortening the missing distance and showed him a pink tongue that imitated very well the salivation of a conventional dog.

ー I was worried that you had not received the correct coordinatesー he said, stretching out his hand, to which the dog answered offering one of its legs.

As soon as he had it properly secured, he jumped with confidence into the void, knowing in advance that his weight would not represent any problem for that robot to maintain its flight.

ー Well ... now we have to fly. I know it will not be as easy as it seems. It never is ー he warned so that the canine will start its flight at a choppy angle.

He flew through a few pious gusts of icy wind for several minutes, and once reached a distance that he consider prudent, which was now visible as the side of a set of large towers that rose on that frozen stage, gently pulled the canine by his metallic leg, indicating that he finished his descent, in order to reach the ground level.

ー That was ... too easy. Well, I guess it means that they do not care if I leave ーhe said that last thing raising his voice, as if it were a permit at the last minute, even knowing that at that distance and nobody could hear him inside that building.

Then he looked at his companion, who had also finished his descent. He acquired a decided air before daring to speak. After all that first encounter with the dog he had left something worried, and felt a bit of insecurity about whether the robot would continue to lend his help. Although he had to do it. It was how he had programmed it.

ー Goddard ... please, change to ski mode ー he ordered and without any hesitation and he observed happily as the metallic canine, after barking twice affirmatively, he turned his legs into a kind of sliding boards, with a special elongation in the rear, which had as a function to take a passenger on them, in addition to retract their ears to simulate a pair of handles.

The young man did not delay in going up to them.

ー Good boy. Now take me home.

The canine opened its rib cage and from it came a pole with a huge red candle, which with the first gust of icy wind opened, revealing the symbol of the atom stamped on it.

That was how he started the boy and the dog at full speed on the frozen Arctic ground.

The field that stretched far and wide seemed to be almost infinite. And while it was likely that the boy knew in advance the long road ahead, he was happy to finally be on his way.

So, he let his robot guide the course while he reclined his head momentarily contemplating the reflection of the stars in ice under him, and in turn confronting the greatest of the infinity of the universe that now also seemed to take its own movement.

Above the sky, beyond the frozen landscape, passing through the highest surface, the clouds and over the Earth's own atmosphere was a huge object that mixed with the shadows of outer space.

Dear reader:

This is my first translation of a Fan Fic from Spanish to English, so I ask that if any reader finds significant flaws, write me a message to correct them. I would appreciate it very much.

It must be said that this story has not yet reached its end and this first chapter corresponded to a series of stories parallel to the main plot.

Without a doubt it is one of my funniest written projects so far, so I would like to know your opinion.

As usual, your comments are welcome.

Thank you for reading.