Above the Stars: Part Four

by with_baited_breath

Stars, like the rest of the pets, screamed in stunned fear. And suddenly the pets were no longer in a crowd. They had broken up, and were running, stumbling over each other, desperate to get inside the school building.

All except Edgarton and Clenching Fist. They were both injured now, and fighting furiously. It was as if they hadn't heard the terrible hushed roar of the evil creature so near them. Stars stood planted to the ground, staring at the pale, translucent lion in horror. She couldn't just leave Edgarton. But what-

Suddenly the Ghost Lion was moving. Fast. Stars backed away one small step. The lion was moving towards her! She felt a horrible fear swell up in her chest, and the Faerie Poogle began to cry. This couldn't be happening!

But it was. The Ghost Lion stood so close to her, she could see the glaring, see-through black of his eyes as he stared at her. He tilted his head to the side, as if he were thinking about something, and she stared back, frightened. She was shaking, and she suddenly thought of her bouncing rock. The little dress, the happy face, the quick, upward bounce…and she knew! She suddenly knew what Blue Blittzer had meant.

"You can do a lot with rocks. A lot…"

Stars looked down, searching the ground for a rock. The biggest one she could find! She forgot about the Ghost Lion in her frantic search, and so she didn't see as he moved away from her and strode toward the two fighting pets. She found a large, smooth rock, and hugged it to her. Standing, Stars began to whisper. As she did, she saw the Ghost Lion. He was staring at Edgarton, and beginning to growl.

Edgarton!

And she knew. The Ghost Lion had come for Edgarton, not her. The little Korbat pretended not to be bothered by the constant teasing,, but he was more affected by it even than her! No! She had to stop this from happening!

Stars enchanted the rock with a very special purpose. She released it from her hands, and it floated in the air. Suddenly, it disappeared. The rock was invisible. She looked up at the two fighting pets. Edgarton had just ducked from a burst of flame, and now he was calling forth another streak of lightning. Stars waited…one…two…three! "Go!" she whispered fiercely to the unseen rock.

And the little bit of earth hurdled across the courtyard. The lightning grazed Clenching Fist, but the invisible rock slammed into the buzz's head, knocking him to the ground. He was not quite unconscious, but he was moaning in agony, and unable to fight anymore. Stars stared at Edgarton. Would this work?

"WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Edgarton shot up into the air, flipping over and over again. He had not seen the rock. He thought he'd won the fight.

Stars looked to the Ghost Lion. He had turned to look at her. They stared at each other for a moment, but the Ghost Lion was graceful in defeat. He gave what appeared to be a cold smile, and faded into nothingness. He was gone.

Edgarton zoomed down at Stars, grabbing her and dancing around. "I did it, Stars! I beat him! I did it!!"

Stars laughed happily. She knew now that things would be different for them. KadeyD and Clenching Fist would never say another word. The thought of KadeyD surprised her. Where had the invisible Grarrl been? She heard a door softly close, and she spun around. Nothing was there. Had it been the Grarrl?

Edgarton was flying around in circles, laughing. Stars couldn't help but laugh, too. Even if it had been KadeyD, she now realised that all along, it had been Edgarton's fight. He was the bravest pet she knew. Even braver than-

"Blue Blittzer! I have to tell Blue Blittzer! He'll be so impressed! He'll make me his best friend!" Edgarton shot off toward the double doors, but they were already being pushed open. The crowd of pets ran out, cheering and screaming with joy. No one really like the two bullies, and to see one defeated was as good as birthday presents! They gathered around Edgarton, cheering.

Stars smiled and shook her head. Blue Blittzer rushed up to her. "Are you okay, Stars?"

"Yep," she said softly, blushing from his concern.

Blue Blittzer winked at her. "Some of us realise what happened out here, Beneath-the-Stars." She started to speak, but he stopped her. "Don't worry, those of us won't say a word to anyone else."

Stars smiled. Mrs. Cranton had finally made her way outside. She was screaming louder than the Ghost Lion could ever roar. But even in the chaos that followed, Stars was happy. Blue Blittzer stayed by her side, Edgarton was overjoyed, and she had proven that her rocks were the best kind of magic in the world.

She was so happy, in fact, that for one second, she thought she could spread her sparkling wings and fly up, above the stars.

The End