Mylene: Why did this take so long?

Dream: Lync, list the testing schedule in 30 seconds.

Lync: *deep breath*DeometryGeographyandBiologyEOCthenFinalsine veryclassexceptGymandStudySkills. NotcountingthattheGeometryclasshastwoprojectsduebe forethisweekisover.

Dream: Thank you.

Yumeí: That was...unintelligable.

Volt: *mumbles* You're unintelligible.

Shadow: Where's the story? Hurry up! Four-day school week! And it's the last one!

Dream: Happy Summer!

It had taken a year of promises, threats, and persuasion to convince Volt to leave his family. Now, at eighteen years old, Volt was a legal adult. He was also Prince Hydron's personal servant.

"I still don't see why I can't have my own personal shuttle to New Vestroia," Hydron complained loudly, though no one was listening. "I'm worth more than all of the people in Alpha city, so why should I wallow with the commoners?"

Volt bit his tongue to stop a sarcastic comment from slipping out. It was his job to be vigilant, not judgmental. But it was so tempting.

Hydron, his tantrum unfulfilled, stalked off. Volt followed at a distance, not wanting to set him off. His guarding services were not required anymore once the irate prince had locked himself in his room.

With free time now available-Hydron wouldn't be doing anything for a few hours-Volt decided to leave the palace for a short time. The fresh air was almost overwhelming after so long trapped indoors.

As he walked down the long streets, navigating through crowds, he thought about his family. It had been three months since he'd seen Marret and the rest. With his plans now set for New Vestroia, he figured he might as well visit before he left.

The slums were much the same as he had left them: crowded, dirty, and on the edge of collapsing. He strode confidently down the familiar route to his old home.

"Well, look at this," Deru, who was sitting outsideCassidy loudly. "The high and mighty Guard of Royalty returns to his humble beginnings."

"Quiet you," Volt answered, grinning for the first time since last seeing them. Their words brought Marret out of the house, grinning from ear to ear.

"Big brother's home!" he yelled, seizing Volt into a hug around the waist.

"Did you grow again?" Isha asked, amused. "Maybe you should stop eating."

Tenik appeared silently, showing no emotion to Volt, negative or otherwise. The reunion was brief, and soon, Volt was sitting at the familiar dinner table from what seemed like not long ago. A better world. A happier one.

"So what's happening in the world of Nobility?" Deru teased. Volt's smile faded as his unofficial foster brother reminded him of the reason for his return.

"The whole situation with finding New Vestroia has gotten Hydron very excited," he admitted. "He's leaving soon. Maybe a week or two. And, unfortunately, that means me too."

"Ah, lucky!" Marret cried. "You get to go to NV! I'm jealous!"

"You're not...upset?" Volt asked, a little blindsided. "You won't miss me?"

"Well, of couse we'll miss you," Isha comforted him. "But it's not so bad. You can still call every once in a while...besides you're of age. It's about time you leave the nest."

"I'm kinda glad you're leaving," Tenik added, without shame. Volt was ready to snap at him, but then Tenik said something that caught him off guard.

"It's about time you did something worthy of you. You're too good for this place here."

Deru broke the long quiet following the unusually sincere comment from Tenik. Volt remained frozen, hardly able to process the new data.

Tenik thought he was better than them. That he deserved something more than a slum life. And there was no envy in his voice. None. Zero.

"So get on out of here already!" Tenik said loudly, smiling a little. Volt stood and left at the command. Then he turned around and waved toward his family. Waving goodbye.

Yumeí: Awwww...Family Love!

Volt: Shut up.

Dream: Don't worry, she's just being sentimental. Like me, because the last day of school is this week.

Shadow:*bewildered* Is it really over?

Mylene: Look at the calendar.

Ash: * Surprised* Huh, it is. *grins and starts cheerfully humming songs*

Dream: You too? Yikes.