"Class this is Atra. Atra, you'll sit behind Dib."
The girl standing at the front of the room gave off such a dark aura that most the class's hair was on end. She wore black sneakers and a t-shirt of the same color. Deep blue jeans graced her legs, and a dark gray fedora threw shadows over storm-colored eyes while covering jet-black, pin-strait hair cut in an A-line.
As Atra took her seat, Ms. Bitters drew something on the board: the yin/yang symbol. "Who can tell me what this stands for? Zita?"
"The balance between good and evil?"
"No. Atra?"
"The division between light and dark."
"Yes." Ms. Bitters turned to write this, but Atra continued.
"A being of darkness, a being of light. Both of them filled fathomless might. Beautiful separate, together, a sight. One creature of day, one creature of night." She paused. "When united, their powers are one. The glow of the Light shall rival the sun. The shadows of Darkness will challenge the deep. Then, the auras will fade, their mission complete." Another pause. "That's correct, right?"
Ms. Bitters looked at the child. "Do you know the legend?" Atra nodded. "Will you tell it?" The girl stood and walked to the front.
"The creators could not control the powers of light and shadow." Her voice seemed to flow like water, and the mysterious tone captured everyone's attention.
"The creators of what?" Zootch breathed.
"Of the universe. The creators decided the energies must be contained, and agreed to imprison them in a sentient being's body. As the energies were captured, they made a prophecy.
'This is merely,' said Light.
'A simple game,' continued Shadow.
'But you'll soon wish dearly.'
'We weren't contained.'
'Then you shall want.'
'That you'd never came.'
'And the universe.'
'Will never be the same.'
"The creators argued. Some thought the change would be beneficial, some said the revision would be devastating. In the end, one proposed a solution.
"The two energies would be placed on different planets, in different races. That way, they would never find the other, and, thus, could not combine their powers and alter the worlds current environment. That way, there would be no risk.
"The creators departed, returning to the worlds they controlled, and told their worshipers of the decree. What was said is remembered today: A being of darkness, a being of light. Both of them filled fathomless might. Beautiful separate, together, a sight. One creature of day, one creature of night. When united, their powers are one. The glow of the Light shall rival the sun. The shadows of Darkness will challenge the deep. Then, the auras will fade, their mission complete."
The classroom was silent, the students awed by the legend. All except one. No, his eyes were not filled with wonder. Zim's eyes showed only boredom, as if he had heard the story before, possibly many times.