It was the day before graduation and they were getting one last lecture, even though this particular lecture has been drilled into their heads since middle school. But really she didn't mind it at all as it has changed over the years. After all, the lecture was about when we started to control our ability and some of the safety stuff.

Of course, it had more to it since we as a whole race still didn't quite understand everything about this ability. But learning to use it is why they were all there at this particular college. It had a similar feel to that of a military school but a little less strict.

On top of learning how to use their ability, they also had to be proficient with at least one kind of weapon and master a martial art. Though of course there were some who had issues using their ability, that is to be expected from time to time. She just wished she would be out there already finding new and amazing planets!

In a matter of fact, she has always been ready since the night when she discovered just how good she was using her ability. Even if she didn't understand the full concept of your soul leaving your body while you sleep allowing you to do things once thought to be impossible. Like going across the universe in just a blink of the eye, or what she was there for to actually go to a whole other universe!

No one really understood how or why humans got this ability but some theories suggest that we always had it we just didn't know how to use it. They always said that when you dream your soul leaves your body and traveled around giving you dreams. Then one day someone actually somewhat proved it when they managed to actually fully take control.

It took that person several decades of their life to figure it out and then several more to teach it. Eventually, that lead to the first exploration of our own universe and of course, back then people who used this ability got attacked. But of course, the more people who used it and the more time passed the more accepted it was.

If not for one man they would still not know what's out there in both our own universe and several others. The most interesting part of this ability is the fact that their souls when they travel they actually go through wormholes, which at one point was nothing more than theories. To think that at one point they actually didn't think wormholes actually existed, they may be invisible to the normal eye but not a soul's eyes.

"Rie it would be nice if you could join us out here in the normal world and not the one in your head," Her professor said making her almost give her a dirty look before she decided against it.

"Sorry," Was all she said making the professor give a sigh.

"Rie, you may be one of the most talented students we've ever had in terms of how you are able to use your ability. But that does not give you the right to block things out even if you heard it several times before." Ms. Patterson said.

"Again, I'm sorry Ms. Patterson just excited," She said making the professor give another sigh.

"Rie, you are going into the Inter-Universal Exploration field correct?" She gave a nod knowing where this was headed. "Then you know that comes with a lot of risks, far more risks than any other position."

"I know I visit the Memorial Of The Forgotten every chance I get," She said making Ms. Patterson look her over and nodded.

"Good, and since you brought it up care to explain what the memorial is for?" Ms. Patterson asked.

"Yes, when you cross into another universe it puts a lot of stress on the soul. That's why most can only go to another universe once a month because that is the normal time span for your soul to recover similar to that of a diver decompressing from nitrogen before they surface. Also just like divers they can't just put on a new tank and just jump back in, they have to wait until all the excess nitrogen works its way out of the body.

Otherwise, it can kill you but with traveling between universes you just don't die. Your soul dies as well and that's where the memorial starts to come in at. For the reason why it's called the Memorial Of The Forgotten is that dying because you traveled between universes one too many times will start to make people forget them.

The process is slow so as not to burden anyone with just forgetting someone but it does happen. But for whatever reason, we found that carving their names in stone doesn't fade away. That is why the memorial is stone, but of course, by the time we discover this we don't have an exact number of those who died while exploring." She explained.

"Now to be clear, your soul cannot be killed by a physical being when it is outside the body. What kills it is the stress it gets from traversing between universes. A popular theory for this is because outside of the universe nothing can really exist, hence why souls use wormholes. It gives them protection from the nothingness but it still affects them. Just as you said it's like divers." Ms. Patterson said as the final bell rang.

Ms. Patterson let them go after telling them how proud she is to have taught one of the best and brightest classes in the school's history. Though she did feel sorry for the professor since this would be the last year she would ever teach at this college. Not that Ms. Patterson got fired or anything but she was just ready to retire.

"Hey, Rie what can I do for you?" Ms. Patterson asked as she walked up to her desk.

"I really just wanted to thank you for being my sponsor and mentor through all this time. You are and will always be my hero," She said making the professor give her a kind smile.

"Thank you, and you're welcome. I really enjoyed teaching you and your classmates, I really am glad this was my last year. Go out on a high note, just remember if you discover a sentient race just try to relax and remember that they can't actually hurt you." Ms. Patterson said.

"What about that old saying of if it happens in your dream then it happens in real life?" She couldn't help but ask, which is technically true.

"You already know the answer to that one, I taught you better than that but would you care to remind me?" Ms. Patterson asked in a quizzical tone, it's the same one she uses when she tells us about a pop quiz.

"You can interact with objects and even feel solid, but you have control of that as well. But if something attacks you it'll go right through you to a degree and it also matters how that world works. In most cases where explores get attacked, it won't have any effect on them.

There are some worlds and species that can do harm but it doesn't actually kill us or anything. Our physical body will react to it of course but when we go back there are no wounds. Sort of an in your head kind of thing with the added effect of the pain. But that is why they started the Monitors because there have been some cases where their soul was attacked and the stress of the pain actually killed them or the extremely rare world that for whatever reason gives our soul more mass.

In this case, it is possible for whatever wound your soul gets does transfer to your body and to actually die from it. Though in these rare cases only usually happens when the world has a certain level of magic. But that's only because it makes our soul be more solid, like having a second body," she explained.

"Right, just keep that in mind and try not to get cocky out there okay? We want a relationship with these other worlds," Ms. Patterson said.

"I know it's the first thing you taught me, not just there to do research but make friends with the natives and all that," She said making the professor give a nod.

"Good, and I'm looking forward to seeing you walk across that stage tomorrow," Ms. Patterson said before she walked around her desk and gave Rie a hug which she returned. "Just remember to stay safe out there, I know you're talented but it doesn't mean your experienced."

"Really thank you for everything," She said before breaking the hug and walking out of that classroom one last time.

She went her normal route back to her dorm room which always included the memorial. As she stopped to give her respect she still couldn't believe the dozens of names that were carved into the slate. Such a sad fate to have no one but a slate remember who you were.

They taught that after the death of the soul the universe that they were going to will seal off all wormholes that had been connected to it. No one really knew why this really happens just that they can't reconnect to that universe again, at least not for a while. But she knew that it didn't matter since someone died and there was no one to mourn them.

"I figured you would be here," She looked over her shoulder and saw her younger brother standing there.

"Hey, Mike, glad to see you!" She just couldn't help herself but put him in a headlock.

"Cut it out Rie!" Mike said managing to break free but he had a smile on his face.

"You know mom told me that you got your Masters in being a Monitor," She said making his smile grow bigger.

"Yup, and I already got an offer for work while I work on my Ph.D.," This made her practically jump on him wrapping him in a tight bear hug. "To... H-Hard!"

"Ops, sorry guess I let myself slip there," She said putting him back down.

"Y-yea think?" He said catching his breath. "A-are all travelers this strong?"

"It's apart of our college to take some form of martial art. I'm a black belt in Kimpo, I thought I told you about that?" She asked making him roll his eyes.

"You did but I guess I'm just a little jealous because I used to be the one who gave the bear hugs," He said making her shake her head.

"So you gonna tell me which division offered you a job?" She asked taking a seat on the bench close by.

"It's actually the same one you're going to," This made her look at him in surprise. "Yeah, I'm now an official Monitor for the Inter-Universal Exploration Sector!"

"That's great!" She practically squealed with excitement making him plug his ears.

"You know there are still somethings that your such a girl about!" Mike said a little loud.

"I'm sorry, but it's so difficult for someone to get in that division especially as a Monitor! It also means we get to work together!" She was practically jumping up and down on the spot but this was just her normal, she was always a bit of an easily excited and free spirit.

It has always been like that especially after they discovered her natural ability by taking control of her soul when she slept. Though the official term for it was Lucid Dreaming, even if a few generations ago it meant something different. But once she discovered her gift she became even more free like a huge weight was lifted from her.

She always said that leaving her body was freaky but the feeling of flying, her actually flying, just felt right for her. Her ability was definitely that of a prodigy because it only took an hour for her to be able to interact with objects, and another twenty minutes to give herself form. It normally took almost three months in order to do that, but it did drain her a lot back then which was no surprise given her age at the time.

"Okay Rie, time to calm down," Mike said as he flicked her forehead making her give a pout but she did stop bouncing.

"So did you come here for my graduation tomorrow?" She asked after cracking a smile.

"Yup, especially since you couldn't come to mine," He said making her roll her eyes.

"Hey, it's not my fault that they're strict here!" She said lightly punching him in the arm.

"Ow, I think you broke it!" He teased.

"You wish," She said giving a laugh as he also started.

"I just can't believe it takes this long for you to graduate from here, I mean I already have my Masters and you started before I did," He said making her give a sigh.

"Yeah, lots of training and learning procedures and all that," Though she couldn't help but think of how she just turned forty a few months back.

Used to that age meant going over the hill, but nowadays you were still considered young. Having discovered many advanced races both in science and even magic allowed them to extend their lifespan by hundreds of years. But that only reminded her of the one area she had trouble with, transferring objects from her own body to her soul and vice versa.

"You know you got the hang of that right?" Mike said breaking her out of her thoughts but that only made her remember he could always tell what was on her mind.

"Yeah, but still a little shaky though. But hey do you want to have dinner?" She asked giving him a smile.

"Nah, got to head back and help mom and dad, you know how they can be," At that she gave a sigh.

"Fine, we can always catch up later just go before dad breaks something again," She said and before Mike left he gave her another quick hug.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" He said taking off.

"Yeah, and tell the rents I love them!" She called out before she started her way to her dorm.

Once inside her room, she instantly started to undress to take a shower, grabbing a towel and activating the normal shower setting she hopped in. She couldn't help but relax as the warm water washed over her but despite how tired she was, she was still excited. This was always her dream to be an explorer and meet different creatures, to learn their culture.

After drying off and getting her pajamas on she laid down in her bed for a moment before she looked at her clock which read fifteen pass nine. She gave a sigh knowing she should stick to her schedule but she knew she couldn't get to sleep, which really sucked for her. For that meant she couldn't go traveling until then and that was always the best part of the night.

Sometime later her eyes finally started to grow heavy and she gave a little smile as she really did enjoy the feeling of flying. Soon her eyes closed and after thirty minutes she was out of her body looking over herself, and before leaving she covered herself up. Making sure her alarm was set she went out the window.

"Woah!" She yelled as her bed lifted to where she slid off the end.

She really hated that part because it was always so jarring and rude since she was talking to one of her friends. But that's just how the alarms are set because it was one of the only ways to wake a traveler up without getting punched. Though she quickly got up and cleaned up a bit knowing after today she would no longer live here.

After graduating everyone has a job lined up but they get a month before they have to start so they could get ready and to have a bit of a break. She was looking forward to spending that time with her family and friends. Everyone was looking forward to it.

She quickly packed her belongings into her luggage and put them by the door since they would be allowed to come back before they had to give up their keys. Looking around she remembered something and quickly lifted up the mattress pulling out what looked like a small book. How could she almost forget about it?

"I hope you're doing okay," She said as she opened the book looking at the pictures of her and her ex.

They had ended their relationship on good terms and this was her last gift from them. It was an old fashion scrapbook with pictures of them on almost every page, some pages had little sayings like 'Remember when you almost broke the bridge?'. It made her laugh because it was a swinging bridge and she very clearly remembers swinging a little too much.

Putting the book into her bag she left her room to go where this year's graduating class was told to go to get ready. Once she got to the dressing room area, which was one of the gymnasiums, she was guided to a dressing cube. The assistant took her name and marked her down and told her that her uniform would be there shortly.

Her excitement was building again to where she could barely sit in her chair and before she could get up and pace another worker came in with her uniform she was going to wear. Which she gladly took and as she looked it over it was the standard outfit for the Inter-Universal Exploration members. Your graduating uniform depends on where you landed for your job.

Only taking thirty seconds to really get her clothes changed she went where she was directed. Which was outside on the field in a section for the graduates and she was lead to her seat. Soon other students began to take their seat and not too long after families started coming in.

She took several deep breaths trying to keep herself from getting too excited and she managed for a little while. Though she then remembered something that helped her keep focus when they call people up to get their diploma's they say their full name. Not that she didn't like her full name, but she did get some flack for it.

But she actually didn't care about that since she knew she could handle most of the people around her. It was just a way to distract herself so she wouldn't make a fool of herself. One by one her fellow students got their diplomas, she was in the middle since they went by alphabetic order but things were moving fast.

"Now for our next graduate, she is among our best this year Garrie Maroon!" She walked up and shook hands with the Dean who gave her her diploma.

After things wrapped up she met up with her family and after giving her parents a hug she guided them to her room. Grabbing her bags and going to the front office to turn in her keys, and after a brief goodbye with Stacy who was the key collector and watcher of this dorm hall. But she was cool enough to turn a blind eye every now and again.

"You two working together, how long do you think before they'll snap each other's head off hun?" Her dad asked as he started the car which lifted off the ground.

"Now John no teasing them, they both worked hard for this and I'm so proud of both of you for sticking to your dreams! We got lucky in having two determined kids," Their mom said making them return her smile.

"Yeah, not to mention how stubborn they could be," Dad replied giving a chuckle as both she and Mike shook their heads. "Just be safe you two, especially you Rie!"

"Love you too dad," She said leaning over giving him a peck on the cheek.

"Yeah, yeah so what you wanna do when we get home?" Dad asked making her and Mike look at each as an understanding passed between them.

"Uh-oh John, I know those looks and I think we're going to set up tents again..." Mom said shaking her head as the two siblings nodded at each other.

"Just hope Mike can handle his liquor better this time," Dad said making Mike groan which made the rest of them bust out laughing.

Author's Note

Hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter! Don't worry the pony stuff is coming, but again hope you enjoyed and remember to smile, smile, smile!