Prologue: Field-trips and Matchmakers

I tapped the eraser end of my pencil against my office desk. It's been three years since the final battle with the Overlord and I was... completely bored. Maybe if I had actually figured out how to talk, I would be teaching a class like the others, but anytime I get a rather frightening nightmare, it was back to square one. The phone rang loudly and suddenly, snapping me out of my woe is me mindset. I spun my chair around so as to face Nya who was in the process of grabbing the phone.

"Hello this is Sensei Wu's Academy for Great Children Office. Nya speaking." Nya grabbed a pen nearby as she pulled up a piece of paper. "Really? That's great! When can we come over?" I arched my eyebrow upwards, wondering what that was about. "Today? That's a bit soon... no no. There's no problem with that. I just need to tell the guys and we'll be there." Nya scribbled something down, before glancing over at me. "Yep. We'll see you then. Bye!" Nya placed the phone down, a huge grin on her face.

The office door that separated us from Sensei opened as he stuck his head out. "Who was that Nya? And what did they want to know?"

Nya waved the note she had dotted down in the air, a triumphant smile on her face. "That was Mr. Borg's secretary scheduling in a field-trip for us all at Borg's Industries. It includes a private tour." She deflated slightly as she lowered the note. "Only problem is that they want us to come today."

Sensei peered curiously at her, before giving a quick understanding nod. "Drake... ring the recess bell now, why don't you?"

I nodded to let him know that I heard, before flipping the switch that would activate the bell. I'm pretty sure we could use an automatic one, but Sensei had the manual bell placed in so that I would have something to do, whenever the others didn't have something for me to do. I had barely flipped the switch when the intercom crackled to life. "Drake... we need a helping hand down in Zane's class. Again."

I bit back a silent sigh as I heaved myself up out of my chair to head down to Zane's classroom. A quick peek into the classroom was all that was needed to tell me that a certain smartaleck student of ours had once again hacked into Zane's harddrive and was controlling him. 'We've got to do something about that.' I signed as I stepped into the classroom, jerking my head in greeting at Cole who was in the process of wrestling the remote out of his hands.

Jay was already manually taking control back of Zane, though he glanced over at the door to see that I was there. "Good. You're here. Gene! You have detention with Drake after school today!"

Gene scowled as he glanced over at me. I was pretty good at keeping the kids in detention in line, to the point where detention was my responsibility. It was almost like I had done it before. He opened his mouth, most likely to complain about me, when he paused, finally registering the fact that the recess bell was going off. "Recess! Let's go!" Gene took off, leading the stampede to the playground.

Zane shook his head as he glanced over at me, his brow pinched with confusion. "Drake...why is the bell going off thirteen minutes early?"

'Staff meeting. Nya has arranged a surprise for the kids today and we need to get ready.' I signed back as I moved to leave the room.

...

"This is soo exciting!" "Cool! What does that do?!" I vaguely wondered if Sensei will yell at me if I strangle a few of the students. We haven't even been here for two minutes and already they were scattering everywhere and pulling our resources thin. With a groan, I turned to chase one of the kids, even as I pushed Zane into Pixal, Mr. Borg's android assistant.

"Drake! Stop pushing me into Pixal!" Zane yelped as he flung his arms wildly in an attempt to stop himself from crashing into her.

A yelp escaped Pixal as she suddenly stumbled as Nya purposely shoved into her, forcing her to crash into Zane. "Nya!"

Jay glanced briefly back at us as he ushered some of our students to where they were supposed to be. "If I didn't know better... I would think that those two were playing matchmaker with you."

That was all that was needed to be said. Zane and Pixal turned bright red even as Nya piped up. "Thanks. We are trying to set them up. Hopefully we won't have to go so far as lock them in a closet."

Pixal narrowed her eyes as she stared at her. "You do not even know where the closets in here are located."

'Third floor, sixth door on the right. Unless I'm wrong.' I signed casually, as if that should be common knowledge.

Thankfully Pixal was programmed to know sign language. "How do you know that?!"

I shrugged, failing to keep my face straight. 'I was just guessing...'

Zane facepalmed, his annoyance flashing through his eyes. "Drake... I'm sticking to the suspicion that you have a very strong sixth sense."

Nya rolled her eyes, before subtly signing in a coded version of sign language towards me. 'Remind me to remind Pix in the future once she takes over Borg Industries to not send you to get supplies out of that particular closet constantly...'

I knitted my brow in confusion, before shaking my head and turning my attention back to the others. Nya knew more than me about the future... though I still had no idea why we have so much knowledge on the future. Zane and the others reckon it was just a really strong sixth sense, though doubt nagged at me. Especially since Nya has her alter-ego told them that last she checked I didn't have a sixth sense.

I guess I'll figure out how that works later. Right now, I need to get ready for the rigged Tournament that really is a trap that we're all about to fall for. Wait...what!?

A/N: Done! Wait... where's Cole during the field trip? I have Zane, Kai, Nya, Jay... but Sensei and Cole aren't mentioned at all. Also, who loves Kai's response when Pixal announces that they don't know where the janitorial closets are?

I'm loving writing this chapter...and for a Guest review at the end of the last book: I laughed when I got your review. I was already writing this chapter and had the scenario that you suggested was the one that I was just finishing. Nya arranging for the field trip to Borg's Industries. Just...your timing with that review. I also agree with you... Zane without Pixal ain't allowed to happen.

Review!

SkyTalon