Middleton High was no longer a school; it was a demonstration of "Localized Student Sovereignty."
As the "Possible" shuttle pulled into the bus lane, I was greeted by a sight that made the "Campbell" part of my brain feel like it had finally won the cosmic lottery. The front lawn was covered in students from across the animated spectrum, all holding signs that featured a stylized, glowing 'P'.
"Sheila," I said, my "Producer" glasses scanning the crowd. "Tell me this isn't a riot."
["It is a 'Non-Violent Pedagogical Re-structuring,' Danny,"] Sheila replied. ["T.J. Detweiler has successfully argued that 'The Possible Protocol' provides more practical life skills than 11th-grade Trigonometry. He has officially petitioned the school board to make 'Protocol Field Studies' a credit-earning elective. And he's brought in... experts."]
I stepped off the bus to the sound of a rhythmic, military-style chant led by Lori Loud, who was currently using a megaphone to direct a group of strikers.
"I LITERALLY need a 'Logistics' credit for my college apps!" Lori shouted. "And the Protocol is the only thing that literally makes sense! Who's with me?"
"WE ARE!" a chorus of voices roared.
I saw the "Recess" crew at the front line, but they weren't alone. Standing next to T.J. was a group of kids I recognized instantly: The Kids Next Door. Numbuh One (Nigel Uno) was currently consulting with Lincoln Loud on a map of the school's ventilation shafts.
"We've secured the cafeteria, Numbuh One," Lincoln said, clicking his walkie-talkie. "The Loud sisters have established a 'Bake-Sale' perimeter that is currently funding the entire movement."
"Excellent, Numbuh Lincoln," Nigel replied, his sunglasses glinting. "If Barkin doesn't recognize the Protocol as a legitimate educational branch, we'll have no choice but to deploy the 2x4 technology."
"No 2x4 tech, Nigel!" I yelled, sliding into the center of the crowd. "Low-stakes! Remember the mandate!"
"Danny!" T.J. cheered, hopping down from a concrete planter. "You're just in time! We've already had twenty-five sign-ups for the first semester! We've got Kick Buttowski for 'High-Speed Infiltration,' Eliza Thornberry for 'Non-Human Communications,' and even Phineas and Ferb are interested in 'Advanced Infrastructure'!"
"Phineas and Ferb?" I blinked. "Where are they?"
"They're currently building a 'Zero-Gravity Study Lounge' behind the gym," Mabel chirped, handing me a 'Strike-Sparkle' cupcake. "They said they knew what they were going to do today!"
I looked at the 'Low-Stakes' meter. 18%. The school board was currently in an emergency session inside the gym, surrounded by The Teen Titans (who were acting as 'Monitors') and Danny Phantom (who was currently phasing through the walls to ensure the board members had plenty of 'Focus-Boosting' snacks).
The gym doors swung open. Principal Barkin stepped out, looking like a man who had just tried to argue with a brick wall and lost. He was followed by Jazz Fenton, who was holding a 400-page 'Educational Validity' report she'd co-authored with Lisa Loud.
"Possible," Barkin growled, though his voice lacked its usual bite. "The board has... reached a decision. Given the 'Overwhelming Student Initiative' and the fact that you've somehow managed to get the KND to agree to a 'Non-Hostile' status... 'The Possible Protocol' is officially a sanctioned elective. Room 23-B. Starting tomorrow."
The crowd erupted in a cheer that could be heard in Retroville.
"We did it!" Jenny laughed, her jet-boosters letting out a small, celebratory puff of steam as she hugged me. "We're 'Educational' now, Danny! My 'Social-Integration' database just hit a 100% completion milestone!"
"You're the teacher's pet, Jenny," I whispered, kissing her metal cheek.
As the sun set over the now-official 'Possible Protocol' campus, the new recruits began to sign their names on the digital roster.
[Nigel Uno - Sector M Liaison]
[Kick Buttowski - Stunt Coordinator]
[Phineas Flynn - Engineering]
[Ferb Fletcher - Silent Operations]
[Eliza Thornberry - Xenobiology]
I looked at the list. It was a roster of legends, a "Possible" future that I'd built one low-stakes mystery at a time.
["Danny,"] Sheila's voice rang in my ear. ["I've updated the syllabus. First Period: 'Principles of Non-Disclosure.' Second Period: 'Vending Machine Ethics.' Also, Principal Barkin just asked if he can audit the class. He says he wants to know how to 'literally' manage ten sisters without a nervous breakdown."]
"Tell him he's welcome to join, Sheila," I said, taking Jenny's hand and looking at the sea of heroes on the lawn. "But the first lesson is 'Low-Stakes.' Always."