The Message from Zogtron

Leo was trying to balance his pencil on his nose when the classroom lights started flickering like a broken disco ball. The familiar electric taste filled the air — the kind that made your tongue tingle and your teeth ache.

"Not again," Aisha groaned, shoving her perfectly organized notes into her backpack. Her stomach dropped the way it always did right before Zogtron appeared. Like riding a roller coaster, but with more aliens and less safety equipment.

Jack perked up immediately, his boredom evaporating. The stuffy classroom suddenly felt charged with possibility. "Please tell me we're going somewhere with decent food this time. That freeze-dried astronaut stuff from the space supplies is terrible."

Emily's hand froze over her sketchbook. The hairs on her arms stood up as static electricity crackled through the room. She could smell ozone — sharp and metallic, like the moment before lightning strikes.

BZZZZZAP!

The familiar green hologram materialized, but Zogtron looked frazzled. His usually neat appearance was disheveled, like he'd been running his hands through invisible hair. Static made his image flicker and jump.

"Emergency situation!" Zogtron's voice crackled with urgency. "Zaz has been spotted in Japan. He is —" The hologram sputtered. "— disrupting a very important cultura l—" FIZZ. "— technology everywhere —"

The image cut out completely.

Mr. Carter blinked at the empty space where Zogtron had been. "Well, that was helpful."

Leo's fingers tingled as he grabbed the teleportation device. "Japan it is. At least we know where we're going this time."

Jack was already bouncing on his toes. "Sushi! Ramen! Actual good food!"

"Focus," Aisha said, but she was smiling despite herself. Her heart hammered with excitement and nerves. "We still don't know what Zaz is actually doing there."

The portal shimmered open, casting blue light across their faces. The familiar pull of otherworldly energy made their skin buzz.

"Only one way to find out," Emily said, stepping toward the swirling light. Her stomach fluttered — part fear, part thrill.

They jumped through together, leaving behind the quiet classroom for whatever chaos awaited them in Japan.