Jewel walked into the luxuriously clustered park. The 'park' was five floors above ground level. It was one of the many wonders of the Dell Mansion. He looked down at his crisp cream suit. He was richer than the richest bankers. He had all the electronic gadgets he could ever want. He had even been gifted a comfortable summer mansion of his own for his 12th birthday. Yet, he did not want to blow his head. He preferred education and observation. He only wanted to give, not take.

He looked down from the railing and could see the Sydney Harbor. He looked down and noticed a rabbit hole. It was creepy. He had never seen it before. Being a curious child, unlike his younger brother Diamond, he put his head into the hole. He was smart and knew that this hole would run right into the solid beam of the home cinema. That was if it ran straight. It could also join the sewer and run straight into Sydney Harbor. He had to explore. He squeezed his legs in and stood on a platform. It was then that he realized that rabbit holes didn't have platforms. He screamed like a little girl at the top of his lungs as the opening of the cylindrical elevator closed over him and the platform started moving down.

He was thrown into a shiny, metallic capsule. The capsule came to life with a roaring sound and lurched forward, gaining speed as it went ahead. He felt himself falling back into his seat as the walls of the tunnel opened up to reveal the sewers. He was right! He barely had time to celebrate when the capsule descended into the murky waters of the sewer and back into the modish tunnel as its opening hatch closed.

Suddenly the tunnel turned into glass and he saw the bottom of Sydney Harbor. He gave a final screech as the pod accelerated to an underwater city that came into view.

Jewel awoke to a prickly feeling on his toes. He looked and laughed. It was just a kangaroo.

"Hello mate," he said.

" 'Sup kid."

"Aaaargh!" screamed Jewel as he realized that it was the kangaroo that had spoken.

As he looked at him a little more closely, he realized that the kangaroo had square glasses. He was also wearing a helmet and a watch with a mini satellite dish. He activated a projection on his helmet, "We're late!" he yelped.

"Now I know what my parents meant when they said I was special," said Jewel.

"You're more than special, you have been chosen," the kangaroo said as he pulled him up and onto his feet. "Follow me please. It's time for your initiation."

The kangaroo began a speech as he walked along the edge of the lab.

"Long ago we animals were kicked out of the world for disagreeing humans. Those who supported us to stay were exiled. We were granted extraordinary technology by aliens. They even granted us the power of speech. You are one of the smartest humans. Your intellect is locked away in a distant part of your cerebrum. You just need to unlock it. We are devoted to the cause of bringing peace between humans and animals like our immortal leader D.T." He walked to a pod car and jumped in. "Our buildings are designed by something we call 'KART: Kangaroos Are Really Talented.'"

The Kangaroo got into the driver's seat and pressed a button. The roof slid away into the wall and the craft started up. Jewel realized that it was the roof that anchored the hover car. The car moved forward into an empty void where a million cars moved around following floating traffic lights and barriers.

Jewel barely had time to register what was happening when the animal did a barrel roll with the car and launched down into the humongous bubble in the middle of the city. They whizzed past different buildings until they reached a waterway. They floated on the water where many pods were stuck in a noisy and angry traffic jam. They floated down the river and through a chute. They bobbed past the turn of the community bubble and drove through a security checkpoint. Then they came to a giant waterfall that led straight down into an empty gorge. They anchored the pod and grappled to the base of the falls. It was an easy job to swing in. Jewel found himself with his wet bum on an empty carpet in the most hi tech hall he had ever seen. There was speaking surveillance camera: "Don't talk while chewing, and don't pick
your nose." At the far side of the unembellished hall was a lone desk. At
it's head stood a kangaroo.

He gave Jewel a stern look. "Welcome to the nest." He said. " I am D.T. I am in charge of the nest. You are here because you are intelligent and curious. The elders of your world have spoilt it. Now it is up to the youngsters to heal it. I will take you to the training center, provided you give me your word that you will not attempt to escape, otherwise we will chop you and bury you with all the procedures that are used to make Egyptian mummies."

Saying this he opened a door behind him and climbed into an elevator. He pressed a button and they shot up and out of an opening. The elevator rushed up through the water like a shark and made a grinding noise as it slowed down. It finally came to a halt and as Jewel looked out, he realized that they were on a fog viewed island. The kangaroo barged ahead and into the mist. Jewel had no choice but to follow.

He came out and gasped in amazement. He could see the exhibition hall of the Sydney Opera House through a glass panel. He became anxious when people stared at him. His gaze shifted to the kangaroo. Looking at his calm posture, he realized that they were behind an exhibit! It was the only way people would stare at them without getting surprised or worked up.

The mist suddenly cleared and he looked down at a huge grid where dozens of children were sitting at keypads, others were in stealth courses. Some were wearing suits and talking to older men in a mature manner. D.T summed him up: " This is where you will begin your training. I hope you will survive the test of skill and intellect. You are a smart child. If this is hell, then I am the devil. I will not spare your keen mind."

Saying this, he ascended the stairs and beckoned Jewel to follow. He took him to a door marked 'BRAINWASHER.' Jewel knew now that he would accept his new life very soon.

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