Sage began her Wishworld cram session, speeding through the what, when, where, and how to blend in on Wishworld. It had been a while since her last mission, and she wondered how much Wishworld had changed since then. She instructed her Star-Zap to send her holograms of the latest trends and styles. Sage also pulled up a list of the most popular vocabulary words Wishlings her age used day to day.
There was a knock at her door. “Yes?” Sage asked hurriedly, busy preparing for the imminent journey to Wishworld.
“MO-J4 here, Miss Sage. May I enter?”
Her eyes remained transfixed on her Star-Zap, absorbed in all that was startrending on Wishworld. She barely acknowledged MO-J4, murmuring, “Door is open.”
MO-J4 zoomed in and immediately zeroed in on Sage. “Many congratulations to you on being selected by Lady Stella to go to Wishworld for this important mission. Your star aura is shining so brightly.” MO-J4 showed great enthusiasm for Sage’s upcoming journey. He seemed to be as excited as she was, which was unusual for a Bot-Bot!
Sage looked up from her Star-Zap vocab search. “How are you doing since your tech rejuvenation visit?” she asked.
“Kind of you to inquire, Miss Sage. Wires checked out just fine, as a matter of fact.”
MO-J4 wasn’t used to such personal questions from a Starling. Sage was oblivious to the unique way in which she treated this Bot-Bot. She talked to him almost as if he was a Starling, too.
“And no more problems with your Star-Zap?” he asked.
“Yep. Works great. Just in time, too.”
MO-J4 tried to minimize his concern for Sage and her new mission. “You’re ready then. Good luck, Miss Sage.”
Sage looked up at MO-J4. “Thanks! I’ll see you at Light Giving Day.”
“That’s right. You’ll be back by Light Giving Day.” He paused, then said, “Safe journey to you. Miss Leona and Miss Scarlet, too.” Then he quickly zoomed out.
Sage didn’t even hear the door close. She could only think about her mission. She stood up, walked over to the mirror, and recited her Mirror Mantra one more time. “I believe in you. Glow for it!” A rush of positive energy filled her body, head to toe. She was overwhelmed with a warm, comforting feeling that her destiny was now aligned with Starland’s future, her mission part of a bigger plan.
Leona, Scarlet, Sage, and Lady Stella stood at the edge of the Wishworld Surveillance Deck, surrounded by the rest of the Star Darlings. Lady Stella checked the sky for shooting stars. There were many brightly colored stars that evening, which boded well for the mission. Two Star Wranglers stood behind her, ready to catch them for the three Starlings.
Lady Stella walked up to the raised podium and announced to the twelve Star Darlings, “We are soon approaching this important mission. Please, Leona, Scarlet, and Sage, step up to receive your Power Crystals. The Star Wranglers are ready to lasso your three stars, and then you’ll be off to Wishworld.”
Each Star Darling had a Power Crystal created just for her. They were now safely stored in the underground Wish Cavern on campus, but on occasions such as this one, when a Starling traveled to Wishworld, the crystals were brought out and placed on a necklace for each Starling to wear throughout the mission. Each girl’s Power Crystal intensified her unique powers on Wishworld.
Lady Stella first placed Leona’s glowing yellow glisten paw around the Starling’s neck. It shone brightly, sending a wave of warmth into Leona. She giggled with delight.
Scarlet stepped up to the platform next to receive her Power Crystal. Her ravenstone necklace triggered a powerful surge of light throughout her whole body. She was overwhelmed by the sense of confidence she felt. She knew that this mission would be different from her last one. Something special awaited her there. She could just feel it.
Sage was the last of the trio to receive her Power Crystal. Lady Stella looked her in the eye. “This healing lavenderite will protect you, and give you the strength and power you need to stop the bad wish from being granted. It is unique to you, and it suits your powers perfectly. Sage, good luck.”
When she placed the crystal necklace around Sage’s neck, Sage filled with a positive glow. She smiled and bowed. “Celestial gratitude, Lady Stella.”
Lady Stella stepped away from Sage. She addressed all three Star Darlings now. “Remember to be mindful of your Wish Pendants, too.” As she spoke, Leona’s golden metallic cuff, Scarlet’s star boot buckles, and Sage’s sparkling star necklace all lit up and sparkled under the starry sky. Lady Stella continued. “They will tell you if you’re close to the Wisher, and they are also vessels for you to store any positive wish energy you collect on Wishworld once you have stopped the bad wish.”
Vega stepped away from the others, up to the podium. She handed each Starling a pair of safety starglasses.
Lady Stella continued, more rushed now, since the Star Darlings’ journey was only a few starmins away. Even though each girl had been on a Wish Mission before, she reminded them what to expect. “Remember, when you enter Wishworld’s atmosphere, your Star-Zap will signal that it is time to change your appearance. You’ve each viewed the Wishworld Outfit Selector, so you know your fashion options. Remember that your Wishworld wardrobe will help you blend in with the Wishlings. This mission is of great importance to Starland. Your true identity must be kept a secret at all times. If you find yourself making friends or growing close to a Wishling, that is not a bad thing, but remember to stay true to your mission. You must find and stop Vivica from granting a Wisher’s bad wish. Pay close attention to the Countdown Clock on your Star-Zap, too. The bad wish must be stopped before your collective wish energy runs out.”
Lady Stella signaled to Libby, who revealed three star-shaped strapped bags, one for each Starling. As Libby handed out the bags to Leona, Sage, and Scarlet, Lady Stella further explained, “As you know, Wishlings call these bags that strap around your back backpacks. Most Wishling students wear them. This will be another way for you to blend in on Wishworld. You may also use these sacks to collect useful objects and artifacts from the mission.”
A Star Wrangler abruptly rushed up to Lady Stella. He whispered in her ear, pointing urgently to the sky. A shooting star began its graceful descent toward Wishworld. The timing couldn’t have been more suited to catching a ride.
Lady Stella concealed her emotions and concern for the Star Darlings who were about to journey to Wishworld. She held each of the three Star Darlings’ hands in her own and warned, “We will be able to monitor your wish energy reserves through your Wish Pendant. If you absolutely need to communicate with us through your Star-Zaps, you can, but each time will drain your energy reserves, so use them sparingly. Other than that, you’ll be on your own once you break through the atmosphere to Wishworld.”
Sage tried but was unable to contain her excitement. “To Wishworld!” she shouted.
“To Wishworld!” Leona and Scarlet echoed.
Then the Star Wranglers expertly caught three perfectly aligned shooting stars. One by one, the three Star Darlings—first Leona, then Scarlet, then Sage—hitched to their stars and rode down to Wishworld. It was time to save Starland.
DAY ONE
Wishworld at last!
A hooded figure stood before a super modern structure on a hilltop that overlooked a bustling coastal port town. Rain poured from the gray sky, where dark clouds hung overhead. It was all very mysterious.
Vivica looked around, unimpressed with the land of wishes she had heard so much about ever since she was a wee Starling. “It’s raining?” she muttered as she adjusted her hood to protect her long hair. This was her very first time on Wishworld and even though she had just arrived, she was already annoyed by the downpour.
She stood under a covered area, staring at the entrance of the building, which had a sign engraved on it that read NORTH COAST PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. When the rain finally let up a little, the cloaked Starling dropped her hood, revealing pale almost white-blond hair, with just a lock of her Starland silvery-blue in fro
nt. Vivica lifted her hand to touch the teardrop necklace that hung around her neck, just to make sure it had survived the trip in one piece.
A small group of chatty girls hurried together to the arts center entrance. They were dressed alike, wearing identical leggings, long wooly socks and tie-up boots, bulky sweaters, and colorful scarves.
As they walked by Vivica, she quipped, “Didn’t know there was a dress code here.”
The leader of the small clique, Whitney, flipped her long bangs and adjusted her woolen hat. She turned to stare down Vivica. “No dress code. We all just have really good taste.”
Vivica hadn’t realized Wishlings would be so smug. She hadn’t learned that in Wishling Relations class. She knew she should slide her way out of the conversation and find her Wisher, even though she was enjoying herself. “Excuse me, I’m on a mission—” She stopped herself mid-sentence. She was still adjusting to being on Wishworld. Then she noticed a motivational plaque on the front wall of the building. TO BE OR NOT TO BE—THAT IS THE QUESTION. She repeated it to the girls. “I’m on a mission…to be or not to be.”
“Okay. Weird, but okay,” Whitney said, turning to her friends and making a silly face at them, mocking Vivica. They all giggled together.
Vivica hissed. “Not laughing, Wishlings.”
They turned to her again. In unison, they asked, “Wishlings?”
Whitney rolled her eyes, then turned her back on Vivica. “Let’s get to rehearsal. Wordsworth is going to kill us if we’re late!”
“He’s crazy strict.”
“Let’s get out of here.” Whitney turned to peer back at Vivica, then said to her friends, “Who is she, anyway?”
“Don’t know. Don’t wanna know,” replied Nelle, another girl in the group.
“Must be the new intern from down the hill. I heard Wordsworth just hired one for the Spring Variety Show,” said a third girl.
Vivica overheard the girls’ conversation as they walked away. She repeated to herself, “Intern. I’m the intern!” She flipped on her Star-Zap that was disguised as a Wishling cell phone and asked for a definition of the word intern. Her Star-Zap quickly answered: AN APPRENTICE WHO WORKS WITHOUT PAY TO GAIN EXPERIENCE. “Okay, I could totally be that.”
Vivica knew it might take a little while to adjust to Wishworld. She reminded herself she was just a first-year student, so there could be a learning curve she hadn’t anticipated. Still, she felt she was ready for whatever Wishworld had to offer, even this group of girls. Just for the fun of it, and to test her skills away from Starland, she levitated Whitney’s water bottle from the outside pocket of the girl’s backpack and poured it over her head. “Nice, Vivica,” she whispered to herself.
Whitney screeched. “My new beanie is ruined!” She turned to the other girls in her posse. “What just happened?”
“No clue, but I’m seriously keeping my distance from intern girl,” Nelle said.
Whitney looked at Vivica and then back to her friends, the whole time trying to fix her hair and wring out her hat.
Vivica smiled at them, then murmured to herself, “Totally love those girls. They remind me of someone.” As she slipped into the arts center, she thought, Oh, yeah…it’s me!
Vivica arrived on Wishworld with just a description of her Wisher from Rancora. All she had to do now was cross Clara’s path, and her Star-Zap was programmed to do the rest. She followed Whitney, Nelle, and the other girls to the main theater. Just as she entered it, her teardrop necklace crackled.
Vivica took that as a good sign and slipped into the darkened theater, quickly grabbing a seat in the back row.
A man with long salt-and-pepper hair barked at the students, “We’ve got a show to do, people!” Vivica realized he must be the director, Mr. Wordsworth. He was dressed in baggy jeans and a crinkled red-and-black plaid shirt. He marched down the center aisle, clapping his hands. “Actors and singers. Dancers, too. Don’t try to hide from me. Why are you dancers so shy?” he asked playfully. “Time for rehearsal. Let’s start with a run-through of the acts.” Then he shouted, “Is my intern here?”
Whitney spotted Vivica in the back row and pointed to her. “There she is!”
Vivica quickly slipped behind a column.
“I don’t see anyone,” Wordsworth grumbled impatiently. “This is the theater! We don’t have time for fun and games!”
Whitney looked around the room, confused. She assured the temperamental director whom she desperately wanted to impress that she was telling the truth. “She was right there!”
“I need her here, now!” the director demanded.
Vivica slunk over to another part of the theater. This time, she knew not to call too much attention to herself. She discreetly found a seat in the dark corner, where no one would notice her. She wasn’t ready to play intern yet. First she wanted to find Clara.
While the director gathered the cast and crew to start leading a run-through of the show, Vivica’s icy blue eyes scanned the theater for her Wisher. Her teardrop necklace crackled and sparked. She knew her Wisher was close. Her eyes darted around the room, and her heart started racing. She saw a girl sitting by herself just across the aisle. Vivica had a feeling this was Clara. The cold aching in her bones told her so.
While the other cast members sat attentively waiting for Wordsworth’s next direction, the girl who Vivica guessed was Clara had separated herself from the others. She sat alone with a pair of giant headphones on.
Vivica practically flew over to Clara. Flying was fine on Starland, but Vivica reminded herself she had to act like a Wishling now. She brushed past a small group of students, leaving a stream of blue-black light, invisible to Wishlings, in her wake.
In a soft, silky voice, Vivica asked her unwitting Wisher, “Anyone sitting here?”
Clara didn’t hear Vivica at first. Her headphones were still glued to her ears. She moved her head back and forth to an inaudible beat. It looked almost as if she was trying to tune out the whole world.
Vivica ran her fingers through her long hair, still adjusting to the newness of Wishworld. Her teardrop necklace sizzled and released a puff of dark smoke. Finally, Clara took off her headphones and looked in Vivica’s eyes without blinking. “I haven’t seen you around. Are you new here?”
“Yeah, I just kind of arrived in town a little while ago,” Vivica said as calmly she could. “Is anyone sitting here?” she asked in a soothing tone.
Clara responded warmly, “No, have a seat. Welcome to Port Harbor.”
“Thanks,” Vivica said, wondering just how long the negative energy stored in her teardrop pendant would remain active and powerful. She knew it would slowly dissipate if she didn’t grant the bad wish soon. But before she could grant the wish, she needed to earn her Wisher’s trust.
A stagehand, dressed all in black, stealthily wheeled in a piano, while another stagehand also dressed in black brought out a microphone and adjusted it. Wordsworth stepped onstage and tapped the microphone to test the volume. He cleared his throat loudly to get everyone’s attention and waited for the students to quiet down. “I have an important announcement to make,” he began. “I guess word has gotten out that this theater has some incredible talent, because I learned yesterday that a producer from one of the biggest singing competitions on TV will be at our show on opening night!”
He waited a beat as the news sunk in. The room echoed with shrieks of joy and chatter as the students buzzed to each other about the news, guessing which show it could be. Whitney shouted out to Wordsworth, “Which show is it?”
“It’s Song and Chance,” he replied, and he couldn’t help cracking a small smile as the room once again erupted with excitement.
Vivica had obviously never heard of the show, but she could tell from the look on Clara’s face and the others’ reactions that it was a huge deal.
“They’re scouting talent for their televised auditions,” Wordsworth added. Before his performers could completely spiral out of control, the director clapped
his hands for attention and spoke loudly into the mic. “Students! If you want to impress this producer, let’s run through the show—now! I must figure out the timing and best order for the acts.” He was all business. “Miss Holly, why don’t you try out your song? Let’s hear what you prepared for the variety show. I’m sure it’s as spectacular as ever.”
A bubbly blond student stepped onstage. She wore her hair in an oversized side braid with a ribbon woven into it. Even Vivica was taken in by the girl’s natural charisma. She stopped talking to Clara the moment the girl stepped up to the microphone. Clara turned away from Vivica, sighed, and put on her headphones again.
Vivica turned back to her Wisher. “Who’s that?” she asked. She could almost guess the answer, but she wanted to hear it from Clara herself.
Clara took off her headphones. “You say something?”
Vivica pointed to Holly onstage. “Who’s that?” she repeated.
Clara took a long deep breath. “You really did just arrive here. That’s Holly. And knowing her, I’m sure she’ll get that television producer’s attention.” Clara’s eyes drifted toward the stage, where Holly was just about to finish the romantic pop ballad. “She’s supposedly my best friend, but I’m kinda over her lately.”
Vivica’s necklace crackled and vibrated. She had already found the Wisher, Clara, and now here was the Wisher’s best friend, the one who clearly inspired Clara’s jealous feelings. Vivica was pleased with herself. Now she just had to figure out how to help Clara push Holly out of the spotlight.
Stealing Starlight Page 4
