Scarlet Discovers True Strength

by Ahmet Zappa

  “We’re going in today. Right now,” said Scarlet as she worked to unlock the entrance with her mind. She clasped Arden’s hand more tightly and pulled her toward the door. “We’ve come this far. We can’t stop now. C’mon, Ophelia. You too.”

  “What? How? But we can’t. It’s closed!” said Arden, confused but stubbornly holding her ground.

  “Um, Scarlet. Scarlet.” On the other side of Arden, Ophelia tried to get Scarlet’s attention by waving wildly with her hand. “Scarlet!”

  “What? It’s no big deal. We’ll go in and come right back out.”

  “But that’s just it. I don’t think we have to,” said Ophelia, pointing.

  Scarlet followed her finger to Arden’s shoulder….

  “Freakin’ fireballs!” she gasped.

  Ophelia grinned. “I know! Right?”

  “What? What is it?” Arden asked. She started to turn her head.

  “No, no. Don’t move,” Scarlet calmly warned her.

  Arden froze. “What is it? Tell me, please.”

  “Okay…there’s a…there’s a butterfly on your shoulder,” Scarlet said as gently as she knew how.

  “What?”

  “It’s very small.”

  “How small?” asked Arden.

  Scarlet held up her first finger and thumb two inches apart. “It’s kind of light gold,” she said, “with black outlines….There’s even some orange and a little blue.”

  “It sounds kind of pretty,” said Arden.

  “Oh, it is!” said Ophelia.

  “I think…I don’t know….Should I look?”

  “Yes!” said Scarlet and Ophelia together.

  “But slowly,” said Scarlet. “Don’t scare it away.”

  Slowly, very slowly, Arden swiveled her head to the right, until she could just barely see the butterfly out of the corner of her eye. Her heart must have been racing, Scarlet thought, if her own fluttering heart was any gauge. And Ophelia…Scarlet glanced at her and saw she was smiling at Arden. How excited she must be….

  “How do you feel?” asked Ophelia gently.

  “I feel okay….” Arden’s eyes left her shoulder for just an instant to flit from Ophelia to Scarlet. “And you know what’s even better? What I don’t feel is afraid!”

  Scarlet was ready for the wish energy to flow out of Arden, but she wasn’t prepared for such an intense and powerful stream. It burst forth with such force that Scarlet staggered back, and Ophelia did, as well. Arden just stood there, oblivious, as Wishlings always were. She could only assume it was the butterfly they were reacting to, so she smiled and said, “Don’t worry. It won’t hurt you.”

  Of course, that was the last thing Scarlet was worried about. The first thing was making sure every drop of energy made it into Ophelia’s Wish Pendant, which Ophelia seemed to have forgotten all about. Scarlet held her own hand out and pointed to her wrist to try to remind her, but Ophelia replied by shaking her head. That was when Scarlet realized the wish energy was already flowing into a Wish Pendant.

  Not Ophelia’s at all—but Scarlet’s.

  Scarlet was so happy about all the wish energy she had collected that she didn’t even mind giving Ophelia a ride back home on her star. Scarlet hadn’t planned on holding Ophelia’s hand the whole time, but somehow it turned out that way, and they were still holding hands when Lady Stella’s door opened to welcome the returning Starlings in.

  Maybe that was why every jaw in the room seemed to drop. Or maybe it was Scarlet’s smile, which she couldn’t hold back and for once didn’t even try to.

  “Scarlet…” Lady Stella walked forward, her stardust-flecked silver robe flowing behind her in a shimmering diaphanous cloud. “I owe you star salutations and, more importantly, star apologies.” She stood before Scarlet and humbly bowed. “Clearly, you always were—and always will be—meant to be a Star Darling. If there was any doubt whatsoever left, this resolves it once and for all.”

  With that, the headmistress extended her arm. In her upturned palm was the Wish Orb, which she handed to Scarlet. It felt heavy and warm and then began to transform into a flower. “It’s a punkypow,” said Scarlet with a smile. The burgundy star-shaped petals were aglow.

  And then her Power Crystal, the ravenstone, emerged. It was so beautiful and made Scarlet feel very special, indeed. “Take it, and hold it dear,” said Lady Stella.

  “Oh, I will. I will,” said Scarlet. Her own heart seemed to stop as she received the gem and felt the pulse of its energy through her hands.

  Meanwhile, Lady Stella, still smiling, but more sadly, turned to Ophelia. As she spoke, she shook her head. “To you, Ophelia, I must also offer star apologies. It is clear you are not a Star Darling, as we had believed.”

  Scarlet looked down. She remembered how those words had crushed her, and she could only imagine they’d wound Ophelia the same way. When Scarlet finally made herself look at the Starling, however, the words seemed instead to have lifted a great weight off Ophelia. Her whole aura had changed. Not only was she brighter and more sparkly, she looked almost happy—content and relieved. Her eyes skipped from Lady Stella to Scarlet, then around to each of the dumbstruck Star Darlings, who hadn’t moved since the two Starlings had glided in.

  “What the stars? Who’s next?” Gemma suddenly blurted. “Starf! Hey!” she cried as Tessa elbowed her ribs.

  Lady Stella clasped her now empty hands tightly in front of her, as if in prayer. “I know this is quite a lot for you to take in, particularly on such an…intensely emotional day. We’ve all been through quite a lot—especially, of course, Scarlet and Ophelia—which is why I think it’s best to retire for now. Rest assured that Lady Cordial and I will work diligently to ensure that nothing like this happens again.” She turned her head respectfully toward the admissions director, who’d stood off to the side in semi-shadow throughout the whole Wish Blossom presentation.

  Lady Cordial took a step forward and bowed to the headmistress. Her deep purple bun looked especially tight. “We most c-c-certainly will,” she said, her eyes still on the floor. “No mis-s-stakes like this. Ever again.”

  As fast as Scarlet had fled from the other Star Darlings when she’d learned she’d been dismissed from the group, she fled even faster now that she was back in. She could see everyone waiting to congratulate her and embrace her (ugh!) outside Lady Stella’s office, and suddenly, it all seemed too much for her to bear. She would deal with them all later—be sociable—Scarlet thought as she rushed past them, but right then, more than anything, she needed to be by herself. She’d already hugged and held hands more in one day than she had in the whole rest of her time at Starling Academy. She was overwhelmed. She needed to breathe.

  The holo-text came as she was descending the spiral staircase into the Star Caves.

  WHERE DID YOU GO? it flashed as Vega’s picture appeared in the upper corner of the screen.

  Scarlet almost didn’t answer, but then another line came through…and another after that:

  WE HAVE TO TALK!

  YOU WERE RIGHT!

  AND SO WAS CASSIE!

  THE LAB RESULTS CAME IN WHILE YOU WERE GONE!

  And…? Scarlet waited. Well? she thought. What had they found out?

  Finally, she texted back:

  WHAT DID THEY SAY?!

  She realized she was holding her breath as she stared at her Star-Zap, waiting for Vega’s reply. At last, the screen flashed again, this time with both Cassie’s and Vega’s faces, one in each corner. Cassie’s picture coyly winked.

  HERE’S A HINT: ISLE OF MISERA.

  FOR MORE, MEET US IN THE HEDGE MAZE.

  ASAP!

  So as fast as possible, Scarlet spun and ran back up the stairs.

  The Isle of Misera? That sad, barren, negative-energy dumping ground? Could it be that the Star Darlings’ flowers had come from there?

  Afterglow: The Starling afterlife. When Starlings die, it is said that they have “begun their afterglow.”

  Age of Fulfillment:
The age when a Starling is considered mature enough to begin to study wish granting.

  Bad Wish Orbs: Orbs that are the result of bad or selfish wishes made on Wishworld. These grow dark and warped and are quickly sent to the Negative Energy Facility.

  Big Dipper Dormitory: Where third- and fourth-year students live.

  Boingtree: A shrublike tree with tickly aromatic needles.

  Booshel Bay: A vacation destination.

  Bot-Bot: A Starland robot. There are Bot-Bot guards, waiters, deliverers, and guides on Starland.

  Bright Day: The date a Starling is born, celebrated each year like a Wishling birthday.

  Celestial Café: Starling Academy’s outstanding cafeteria.

  Cocomoon: A sweet and creamy fruit with an iridescent glow.

  Cosmic Transporter: The moving sidewalk system that transports students through dorms and across the Starling Academy campus.

  Countdown Clock: A timing device on a Starling’s Star-Zap. It lets them know how much time is left on a Wish Mission, which coincides with when the Wish Orb will fade.

  Crystal Mountains: The most beautiful mountains on Starland. They are located across the lake from Starling Academy.

  Cycle of Life: A Starling’s life span. When Starlings die, they are said to have “completed their Cycle of Life.”

  Druderwomp: An edible barrel-like bush capable of pulling up its own roots and rolling like a tumbleweed, then planting itself again.

  Floozel: The Starland equivalent of a Wishworld mile.

  Flutterfocus: A Starland creature similar to a Wishworld butterfly but with illuminated wings.

  Galliope: A sparkly Starland creature similar to a Wishworld horse.

  Garble greens: A Starland vegetable similar to spinach.

  Glitterbees: Blue-and-orange-striped bugs that pollinate Starland flowers and produce a sweet substance called gossamer.

  Globerbeem: Large, friendly lightning bug–type insects that are sparkly and lay eggs.

  Glorange: A glowing orange fruit. Its juice is often enjoyed at breakfast time.

  Glowfur: A small, furry Starland creature with gossamer wings that eats flowers and glows.

  Glowsow: A large farm animal that is prized for the light it emits at night—perfect for working after dark.

  Good Wish Orbs: Orbs that are the result of positive wishes made on Wishworld. They are planted in Wish-Houses.

  Green globules: Green pellets that are fed to pet glowfurs. They don’t taste very good to Starlings.

  Halo Hall: The building where Starling Academy classes are held.

  Halo-harp: A melodious stringed instrument played by striking its strings with a small mallet.

  Holo-text: A message sent or received on a Star-Zap and projected into the air. There are also holo-albums, holo-billboards, holo-books, holo-cards, holo-communications, holo-diaries, holo-flyers, holo-letters, holo-papers, holo-pictures, and holo–place cards. Anything that would be made of paper or contain writing or images on Wishworld is a hologram on Starland.

  Hydrong: The equivalent of a Wishworld hundred.

  Illumination Library: The impressive library at Starling Academy.

  Impossible Wish Orbs: Orbs that are the result of wishes made on Wishworld that are beyond the power of Starlings to grant.

  Isle of Misera: A barren rocky island off the coast of New Prism.

  Kaleidoscope tree: A rare and beautiful tree whose blossoms continuously change color.

  Keytar: An instrument that is held like a guitar but has keys instead of strings.

  Lightning Lounge: A place on the Starling Academy campus where students relax and socialize.

  Little Dipper Dormitory: Where first- and second-year students live.

  Luminous Lake: A serene and lovely lake next to the Starling Academy campus.

  Microjoule: A tiny amount.

  Mirror Mantra: A saying specific to each Star Darling that when recited gives her (and her Wisher) reassurance and strength. When a Starling recites her Mirror Mantra while looking in a mirror, she will see her true appearance reflected.

  Moonium: An amount similar to a Wishworld million.

  Old Prism: A medium-sized historical city about an hour from Starling Academy.

  Power Crystal: The powerful stone that each Star Darling receives once she has granted her first wish.

  Shooting stars: Speeding stars that Starlings can latch on to and ride to Wishworld.

  Shortsnip: A tiny unit of measurement, generally referring to distance.

  Silver Blossom: The final manifestation of a Good Wish Orb. This glimmering metallic bloom is placed in the Hall of Granted Wishes.

  Solar Springs: A hilly small town in the countryside where Tessa and Gemma are from.

  Sparkle shower: An energy shower Starlings take every day to get clean and refresh their sparkling glow.

  Star ball: An intramural sport that shares similarities with soccer on Wishworld. But star ball players use energy manipulation to control the ball.

  Starcar: The primary mode of transportation for most Starlings. These ultrasafe vehicles drive themselves on cushions of wish energy.

  Star Caves: The caverns underneath Starling Academy where the Star Darlings’ secret Wish-Cavern is located.

  Starf!: A Starling expression of dismay.

  Star flash: News bulletin, often used starcastically.

  Starland City: The largest city on Starland, also its capital.

  Starlicious: Tasty, delicious.

  Starlings: The glowing beings with sparkly skin who live on Starland.

  Star Quad: The center of the Starling Academy campus. The dancing fountain, band shell, and hedge maze are located here.

  Star salutations: The Starling way to say “thank you.”

  Staryear: A period of 365 days on Starland, the equivalent of a Wishworld year.

  Star-Zap: The ultimate smartphone that Starlings use for all communications. It has myriad features.

  Stellation: The point of a star. Halo Hall has five stellations, each housing a different department.

  Supernova: A stellar explosion. Also used colloquially, meaning “really angry,” as in “She went supernova when she found out the bad news.”

  Time of Applying: The very busy time of year when Starlings work on and send out applications to schools.

  Time of Letting Go: One of the four seasons on Starland. It falls between the warmest season and the coldest, similar to fall on Wishworld.

  Time of Lumiere: The warmest season on Starland, similar to summer on Wishworld.

  Time of Shadows: The coldest season of the year on Starland, similar to winter on Wishworld.

  Toothlight: A high-tech gadget that Starlings use to clean their teeth.

  Wish Blossom: The bloom that appears from a Wish Orb after its wish is granted.

  Wish energy: The positive energy that is released when a wish is granted. Wish energy powers everything on Starland.

  Wisher: The Wishling who has made the wish that is being granted.

  Wish-Granters: Starlings whose job is to travel down to Wishworld to help make wishes come true and collect wish energy.

  Wish-House: The place where Wish Orbs are planted and cared for until they sparkle. Once the orb’s wish is granted, it becomes a Wish Blossom.

  Wishlings: The inhabitants of Wishworld.

  Wish Mission: The task a Starling undertakes when she travels to Wishworld to help grant a wish.

  Wish Orb: The form a wish takes on Wishworld before traveling to Starland. There it will grow and sparkle when it’s time to grant the wish.

  Wish Pendant: A gadget that absorbs and transports wish energy, helps Starlings locate their Wishers, and changes a Starling’s appearance. Each Wish Pendant holds a different special power for its Star Darling.

  Wishworld: The planet Starland relies on for wish energy. The beings on Wishworld know it by another name—Earth.

  Wishworld Outfit Selector: A program on each Star-Zap that accesses Wishworld fashi
ons for Starlings to wear to blend in on their Wish Missions.

  Wishworld Surveillance Deck: Located high above the campus, it is where Starling Academy students go to observe Wishlings through high-powered telescopes.

  Zing: A traditional Starling breakfast drink. It can be enjoyed hot or iced.

  It is impossible to list all of our gratitude, but we will try.

  Our most precious gift and greatest teacher, Halo; we love you more than there are stars in the sky…punashaku. To the rest of our crazy, awesome, unique tribe—thank you for teaching us to go for our dreams. Integrity. Strength. Love. Foundation. Family. Grateful. Mimi Muldoon—from your star doodling to naming our Star Darlings, your artistry, unconditional love, and inspiration is infinite. Didi Muldoon—your belief and support in us is only matched by your fierce protection and massive-hearted guidance. Gail. Queen G. Your business sense and witchy wisdom are legendary. Frank—you are missed and we know you are watching over us all. Along with Tutu, Nana, and Deda, who are always present, gently guiding us in spirit. To our colorful, totally genius, and bananas siblings—Patrick, Moon, Diva, and Dweezil—there is more creativity and humor in those four names than most people experience in a lifetime. Blessed. To our magical nieces—Mathilda, Zola, Ceylon, and Mia—the Star Darlings adore you and so do we. Our witchy cuzzie fairy godmothers—Ane and Gina. Our fairy fashion godfather, Paris. Our sweet Panay. Teeta and Freddy—we love you all so much. And our four-legged fur babies—Sandwich, Luna, Figgy, and Pinky Star.

  The incredible Barry Waldo, our SD partner. Sent to us from above in perfect timing. Your expertise and friendship are beyond words. We love you and Gary to the moon and back. Long live the manifestation room!

  Catherine Daly—the stars shined brightly upon us the day we aligned with you. Your talent and inspiration are otherworldly; our appreciation cannot be expressed in words. Many heartfelt hugs for you and the adorable Oonagh.

  To our beloved Disney family. Thank you for believing in us. Wendy Lefkon, our master guide and friend through this entire journey. Stephanie Lurie, for being the first to believe in Star Darlings. Suzanne Murphy, who helped every step of the way. Jeanne Mosure, we fell in love with you the first time we met, and Star Darlings wouldn’t be what it is without you. Andrew Sugerman, thank you so much for all your support.