“Much has happened since the days of Earth. Of course, since then, humanity has been able to escape the Earth, which, as we all know, has become uninhabitable. Humanity was able to land on this planet only recently, arriving eight thousand years ago after three million years of space travel. When humanity first arrived on this planet, settlers were surprised to discover that its animals could harness different forms of energy in ways animals on Earth could not. Electricity, plant energy, and fire energy, to name a few, could be stored in the body and manipulated for the user’s benefit. Three thousand years after their arrival, humans developed the same ability. What was once considered magic or fantasy was now one of the mysteries of the universe. Today, nearly two out of every one thousand people can use at least one type of energy, with some individuals known to use up to a dozen energy types.”

  At twenty-seven, Mr. Lloyd loved his job as a schoolteacher and took it very seriously. He always practiced his lectures, was punctual, and was presentable. This was Mr. Lloyd's third year teaching, and this year, he had his hands full with Axel and Spliff, who happened to both be in his class.

  “Axel, what are you doing?” Mr.Lloyd asked.

  “I'm trying to keep this egg warm,” said Axel in between, breathing hot air onto his Chameleopus egg.”

  “Ohhhkay,” Said Mr.Lloyd. “And why are you doing that?”

  “So I can hatch it.”

  “Ah, of course, Axel… Axel, is Spliff sleeping?”

  Axel turned to look at Spliff, who was clearly asleep, his head on his desk and his arms wrapped around him.

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  “I dont know,” said Axel, which made the class erupt into laughter.

  Axel wouldn't tell on a friend, even if they got caught red-handed, and Mr. Lloyd, who had mostly given up on trying to keep those two focused or proper, simply moved along with his lecture.

  For the remainder of the class, Axel did his best to keep the egg worm and fantasized about being a strong adult fighting alongside the eventual Chameleopus.

  After class, Axel approached his friend Aimee, who was packing her things and getting ready to walk home.

  “Aimee, you gotta help me,” said Axel. “I got this egg from my mom, and I'm supposed to hatch it, but I can't keep it warm on my own. Doesn't your family have a fire-type creature that could keep this worm for a few weeks?”

  “We do. But what's in it for me?” she said with a smirk.

  “Oh, come on, Aimee. Can't you just do it out of the kindness of your heart? This thing is gonna die if you don't.”

  “I‘ll do it on one condition, but you won't like it, Axel.”

  “What is it?” asked Axel.

  “You have to let me dress you up like a doll.”

  “No way,” said Axel

  “Then I’m not helping you,” said Aimee, “and you won’t get your pet.”

  Axel looked down at his egg. If the boys find out that I got dressed up like a girl, I’ll never hear the end of it… But who really cares what they think? I need this thing to hatch, that's all I know.

  “Ok, I’ll do it,” he said.

  And so, Axel followed Aimme to her house to fulfill his promise and give her the egg.