Gemma and the Ultimate Standoff

by Ahmet Zappa

  Sage grinned at the news. Gemma knew she was excited to spend some time with her mother.

  “One more thing,” Lady Stella added. “As the twelve Star-Charmed Starlings, you may have powers that have not been discovered yet. We’ll have time to study and practice and determine exactly how charmed you all are.”

  Leona spoke up. “You said that someday everyone will know about what we did. When do you think that will happen?”

  Lady Stella nodded. “I cannot tell you exactly when, but someday all of Starland will know just how special you are.”

  Leona stole a sidelong glance at the other girls, a funny half smile on her face. “I guess…” she began slowly. “I guess it would be nice, but the truth is that the twelve of us—and you, Lady Stella—knowing it, somehow that’s enough for me.”

  Gemma stared at Leona in disbelief. Was she serious? Didn’t she want the glory and the accolades? Gemma did! But then a feeling of warmth and joy flowed through her. Actually, it was enough.

  Lady Stella pointed into the heavens. “Not to mention that, thanks to you girls, Starland is once again twinkling brightly in the sky, beckoning Wishlings to continue to make wishes.”

  The girls stared down at Wishworld, a bright beacon in the dark sky. Gemma imagined that she could feel the power of all the wishes—good ones, of course—making their way to Wishworld for granting.

  Gemma could hold her tongue no longer. “We’re the Star Darlings—one for all and all for one!” she shouted.

  Leona reached over and gave her a quick hug. “You can say that again,” she said.

  Gemma grinned. “We’re the Star Darlings—one for all and all for one!” she repeated.

  Several of the girls gasped. Tessa grabbed her arm. “Oh, no, you’re taking everything literally again!” She stared deep into Gemma’s auburn eyes. “Are you okay?”

  But Gemma just laughed and laughed. “Too soon?” she said. “Hold your stars, big sis. I’m just kidding!”

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

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

  Astromuffin: A delicious baked breakfast treat.

  Babsday: The second starday of the weekend. The days in order are Sweetday, Shineday, Dododay, Yumday, Lunaday, Bopday, Reliquaday, and Babsday. (Starlandians have a three-day weekend every starweek.)

  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.

  Ballum blossom sauce: A sweet sauce made from the fruit of the ballum blossom tree and used to add flavor to Starlandian food, somewhat like Wishworld ketchup.

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

  Bitbat: A small winged nocturnal creature.

  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.

  Briteflowers: Small white twinkling flowers often used for decorations.

  Celestial Café: Starling Academy’s outstanding cafeteria.

  Chatterburst: Gemma’s Wish Blossom—an orange flower that turns to face whoever is near to capture attention.

  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.”

  Flash Vertical Mover: A mode of transportation similar to a Wishling elevator, only superfast.

  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.

  Glion: A gentle Starland creature similar in appearance to a Wishworld lion but with a multicolored glowing mane.

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

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

  Glowball: A pink fluffy flower with a sweet scent that promotes relaxation, often used in incense.

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

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

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

  Holo-text: A message 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.

  HOS lanes: High Occupancy Starcar lanes; only vehicles with four passengers or more are allowed to use them.

  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.

  Jellyjooble: A small round pink candy that is very sweet.

  Kaleidoscope tree: A rare and beautiful tree whose blossoms continuously change color. When someone is said to extend the kaleidoscope tree branch, it means that they are making peace with someone else.

  Keytar: A musical instrument that looks like a cross between a guitar and a keyboard.

  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.

  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.

  Moogle: A very short but unspecific amount of time. The word is used in expressions like “Wait just a moogle!”

  Moonberries: Sweet berries that grow on Starland. They are Lady Stella’s favorite snack.

  Moonium: An amount similar to a Wishworld million.

  Ozziefruit: Sweet plum-sized indigo fruit that grows on pink-leaved trees and is usually eaten raw or cooked in pies.

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

  Scatterite: Gemma’s Power Crystal—an orange egg-shaped stone with a smooth, sparkly surface.

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

  Solar metal spike: Similar to a Wishworld nail.

  Sparklehammer: Like a Wishworld hammer, but it sends out a shower of multicolored sparks whenever it strikes something.

  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: T
he caverns underneath Starling Academy where the Star Darlings’ secret Wish-Cavern is located.

  Starf!: A Starling expression of dismay.

  Starkudos: An expression used to give credit to a Starling for a job well done.

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

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

  Starmin: Sixty starsecs (or seconds) on Starland, the equivalent of a Wishworld minute.

  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.”

  Star-sandwiches: Elegant star-shaped sandwiches with various tasty fillings.

  Starshine: An endearment used by loved ones, similar to “sunshine” or “darling.”

  Starshine Day: A special holiday when students get the day off from school and celebrate with food, music, games, science and art fairs, light shows, parades, sporting events, and more.

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

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

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

  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 New Beginnings: Similar to spring on Wishworld, this is the season that follows the coldest time of year; it’s when plants and trees come into bloom.

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

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

  Twinkelopes: Majestic herd animals. Males have imposing antlers with star-shaped horns, and females have iridescent manes and flowing tails.

  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 fashions for Starlings to wear to blend in on their Wish Missions.

  Wishworld Surveillance Deck: A platform located high above the campus, 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.

  Our team…Devon (pony pants) and our Monsterfoot crew—so grateful. Richard Scheltinga—our angel and protector. Chris Abramson—thank you! Special appreciation to Richard Thompson, John LaViolette, Swanna, Mario, and Sam.

  To our friends old and new—we are so grateful to be on this rad journey that is life with you all. Fay. Jorja. Chandra. Sananda. Sandy. Kathryn. Louise. What wisdom and strength you share. Ruth, Mike, and the rest of our magical Wagon Wheel bunch—how lucky we are. How inspiring you are. We love you.

  Last—we have immeasurable gratitude for every person we’ve met along our journey, for all the good and the bad; it is all a gift. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for touching our lives.

  Keep reading for a sneak peek at Star Darlings: Good Wish Gone Bad!

  Starling Academy was positively glowing. The buildings, the fountains, the trees, and even the moving Cosmic Transporter sidewalks looked more dazzling than they had in recent memory. Off in the distance, the Crystal Mountains also appeared to stand a bit taller, prouder, and brighter as the reflection of their multicolored peaks bounced off the shimmering azure surface of the Luminous Lake below. All signs of the negative wish energy that had been plaguing everything from the fruit orchards to the Starling Academy students themselves had faded away, almost as though it had been nothing more than a bad dream—and it was entirely thanks to the twelve star-charmed Star Darlings!

  “Have you ever seen the campus look more beautiful?” marveled Sage. Her long, lavender braids were also shinier than they had been in quite some time, and they bounced behind her as she and the other Star Darlings hurried past classmates who were heading to the Celestial Café for dinner.

  Instead of going to their own evening meal, however, the girls were on their way to Lady Stella’s office. The headmistress had summoned them on their Star-Zaps, instructing them to join her right away for an important meeting. In spite of the urgent tone of the holo-text, Sage felt certain that Lady Stella simply wanted to congratulate the Star Darlings on the successful completion of their top-secret wish missions. Together, they had collected enough positive wish energy to help ensure that everything on Starland would be powered for countless staryears to come.

  “I’ve never seen the world look more beautiful,” said Sage’s roommate, Cassie, her eyes widening with delight b
ehind her star-shaped glasses as the girls continued along the Cosmic Transporter.

  “It is super celestial—but how long do you think this meeting is going to last?” Tessa wondered. “I’m hungry!” Just like her gourmet chef mother, the emerald-haired third-year student was almost always thinking about food.

  “Do you think she’s got more wish missions for us?” asked Libby. It had been a long while since she’d gone on her journey down to Wishworld and, as exciting as it was to know that all twelve Star Darlings had completed their missions, she couldn’t wait to go on another one.

  “I doubt it. We’ve already done all we can,” scoffed Scarlet, shoving her hands into the front pocket of her sparkling red hoodie and rolling her eyes as the girls made their way into Halo Hall.

  A few moments later, they arrived at the door to Lady Stella’s office, which was cracked open in anticipation of their visit.

  “Girls!” The elegant headmistress stood up from her desk, breathing a sigh of relief as she smoothed down the fabric of her sparkly silver gown. “I thought you’d never get here. Come, let’s go down to the Wish-Cavern at once.”

  “I knew it!” Libby tossed her long, bubblegum-pink hair proudly and shot a triumphant smile in Scarlet’s direction as Lady Stella opened the hidden door in her office wall. Why else would they be going to the Wish-Cavern unless she had more missions for them?

  The girls followed their headmistress down the secret staircase to the dark caves beneath the school, shivering as they made their way through the chilly air, past the dripping rock formations and toward the door to their own secret Wish-House. It was a special room that had been built exclusively for the Star Darlings and their uniquely powerful wish missions.

  But unlike the times they’d been in the Wish-House before, this time, at the foot of a large golden waterfall in the gleaming light-soaked room, a round table had been set up with all sorts of treats—including an enormous zoomberry cake and fancy crystal glasses full of sparkling puckerup juice at each place setting. Above the table, a giant holo-banner floated in mid-air, emblazoned with large, glittery gold letters that spelled out the words CONGRATULATIONS, STAR DARLINGS!