In the year 3000, Manhattan, New York...

“Grace! It’s time for school,” yelled her mother.

“Coming,” replied Grace. The street she was on was jammed with fuel-powered cars. Grayish smoke swirled around her. Trash was everywhere. For Grace, in the year 3000, it was normal—just part of the landscape.

One day, her mom announced, "We're going on a cruise around the Atlantic Ocean this weekend!" However, the ocean was extremely polluted.

Suddenly, Grace spotted a single, huge patch of water that was bluish and clear of trash. Out of curiosity, she leaned over the edge of the cruise ship to get a better look. But then, a powerful wave struck the vessel and knocked her overboard. She screamed, but no one heard her—everyone was too busy playing and having fun.

She fell—down and down she went. She no longer knew which way was up or down. Her arms flailed, her legs kicked. She couldn’t breathe. The ocean water stung her eyes. All she could do was close them and wait for it to be over. Slowly, she felt herself sink deeper and deeper into the darkness.

Grace awoke with a start. She appeared to be in an underwater cavern, deep beneath the sea, with a giant bubble encasing the space—allowing her to breathe. Suddenly, the memory of what had happened came rushing back to her like waves. It meant… she hadn’t died. But… how? For now, she decided to explore.

Unexpectedly, a deep, rumbling voice echoed throughout the cavern. "Stop right there!" A massive whale emerged, an elderly smile on its face and delight dancing in its eyes. "We want your help, and I am King Keto," the whale finally declared.

"You are our only seed of hope. Only a young, strong mind like yours can help. We believe that with you, we can achieve the impossible—reducing the effects of climate change. I’ll show you what I mean," King Keto explained in a sentimental, resonant voice.

King Keto began muttering strange, complicated spell words while facing a stone wall adorned with delicate carvings. A portal grew larger, accompanied by a sweet, musical tune escaping from within. Eventually, a glowing portal remained in sight.

Left by our ancestors, the portal a fine line,

to remind us of the good old times,

When the sound of liveliness chimes,

but then one day, changes in climes,

causes the ecosystem to decline,

But we shall fight, till the end of time,

Until again the ocean is sublime.