Episode 1: A Muse Star in the Making
Two thousand years after the muses' demise, Lapis Lazuli was reborn as a human girl to live the happy life that was taken away from her. She was fourteen years old with fair skin and chestnut brown hair to contrast her royal blue eyes.
Her life story is actually quite interesting too. Lapis was orphaned as a newborn after her biological mother died from childbirth. At the hospital, she attracted the attention of one of the nurses, Rose Quartz Universe who also happened to be three months pregnant. When Lapis was sent to an orphanage, that same nurse adopted the newborn despite the orphanage's unscrupulous attempts to make her reconsider. Lapis also got a new dad in the mix, Greg Universe who ran the local car wash.
Months after the Universes welcomed their baby girl into the family, they welcomed another little miracle. Rose had given birth to a son named Steven and Lapis gained a new brother.
For fourteen years, the Universes lived a very peaceful life and it didn't matter to Lapis that she wasn't related to the rest of her family. She knew that she's loved regardless.
And today, Lapis and Steven were starting school at Saint Dewey Academy. Their mom now worked as the school nurse in the infirmary so she would never be too far away from her kids.
"Lapis, are you almost ready?" Rose called to her daughter. "You don't want to be late for your first day of school."
"Don't worry, Mom!" Lapis yelled from her bedroom. "I'm coming down right now!"
The teenage girl came down the stairs wearing her Saint Dewey school uniform: a jungle green blazer jacket, a blueish gray skirt, a cerulean bow tie, knee-height socks, and brown loafers. She also carried a satchel with all her school supplies.
In the kitchen, her father and brother Steven were at the table eating breakfast.
"Good morning, sunshine." Greg said to his little girl. "Why don't you sit down for some breakfast? It is the most important meal of the day."
"Sorry, Dad." Lapis answered, grabbing some cinnamon toast. "It's going have to be a grab and go for today. Can't be late today."
"Do you want me to drive you there, honey?" her mom asked.
"That's okay, Mom." she said. "I think I'll walk. I need the exercise. Besides, the school's not that far."
"Alright, I'll see you there." Rose complied, kissing her daughter's forehead.
"See ya, Mom." the teenage girl said, heading out the door. "Bye, Dad!"
"Have a good day, sweetie!" Greg replied.
"And don't forget to make some friends." his wife encouraged.
On her walk to school, Lapis saw something in the middle of the street. When she got closer, she saw that it was a cat and an incoming car was about to hit her. The driver of the car wasn't paying attention to the road either. Without any second thought, Lapis jumped into action and grabbed the cat as the car came speeding through. How she landed on the other side of the road without a scratch, the world would never know.
"That was close." the teenage girl sighed with relief. "Are you okay, kitty?"
She could now see that this cat was a one-eyed calico with a distinguishing mark on her forehead.
"Is that a treble clef?" Lapis gasped as the cat got up and stared at her. "I'm glad you're safe, kitty; but I have to go to school now. Bye!"
She grabbed her satchel and ran back across the street to get to her school.
"I wonder if that girl could be the one." the calico thought.
At Saint Dewey Academy, Lapis, along with other students was on her way to their first class when she came across a familiar face.
"Jamie?" she said.
"Lapis!" a boy around her age cried as he ran to hug her. "I didn't know you were enrolled at Saint Dewey's."
"It's so good to see you." the brunette replied, wrapping her arms around him.
Jamie was a boy that Lapis had been close friends with since they were little kids. They loved doing everything together. Once she became a teenager, Lapis became smitten over how charming and sweet the boy was. Now whenever Jamie was around, she would be tickled by the butterflies in her stomach.
"It looks like you and I have most of the same classes together." said Jamie, looking at his friend's schedule sheet. "They're definitely going to be more fun with you in them."
In response, Lapis gave a giddy/nervous giggle. She then covered her mouth with her hand in embarrassment. Her friend was showing some slight concern.
"I mean, yeah; that's awesome." the girl composed herself. "Let's get going."
"Oh, someone was handing out these flyers in the lobby and they made me think of you." Jamie brought up, showing her a piece of neon yellow paper.
Be discovered at the Saint Dewey's Back to School Talent Show. We can take any talent you have. All grades are welcome. Auditions today after school.
"I think you should try out for this." the boy suggested. "I know you have an amazing singing voice. It's time this school knew it too."
"Jamie, have you forgotten I have serious stage fright?" Lapis told him. "One little slip-up and the only thing I'll be known for is being a laughingstock."
"Lapis, your parents were the best singing duo in the country." her friend disputed. "Music is one of the things that makes you happiest. You can't let your shyness keep you from sharing your special gift. Can you at least promise that you'll keep the audition in mind?"
"I promise." the teen girl nodded.
During the whole school day, the talent show along with Jamie's encouragement was racing through Lapis' head. Part of her wanted to chicken out and just go straight home, but she knew that she would regret it if she did.
"I really should try." the brunette thought.
So after informing her mother, Lapis arrived at the double doors that led into the auditorium. That was when she saw that other kids were also lining up at the doors. A lot of people must've really wanted to be in the show. After the line escalated to the point where Lapis was now in front, she saw Jamie walk up to her.
"Jamie, are you trying out too?" the brunette asked.
"Nah, I'm just going to offer you moral support." her friend replied, winking. "I'll be silently cheering for you in the seats."
Their conversation was interrupted by the ear splitting sound of a tonedeaf person singing very off-key. The two friends peeked through the doors to see the source of the noise. The person singing was clearly a diva who didn't know from an octave and scale.
"Maybe I won't be the most embarrassing person on stage." Lapis commented.
"Okay, thank you for your time." one of the judges said, stopping the horrible singing. "Next!"
"Looks like it's your turn." Jamie told Lapis, "Go get 'em."
Once the diva marched off the stage in a huff with her nose in the air, the shy girl made her way up front. The twins who were judging the auditions, Jenny and Kiki Pizza seemed to be too busy conversing with each other to notice.
"I don't know, Kiki." Jenny said to her sister. "Maybe we should call the talent show off."
"We can't give up, Jenny." Kiki argued. "We've only seen like nine people today."
"And so far, none of them seem to make the cut." her twin replied. "They all chose to sing, but they sound like dying animals."
"Maybe the next kids will be better."
"If they all sound like the last nine, I'll have to get my eardrums replaced."
Lapis saw that the judges seemed to be a little distracted so she cleared her throat to get their attention. Kiki and Jenny turned to see the arrival before them.
"Hi, my name is Lapis Lazuli." the brunette smiled and waved. "I'm here to audition for the talent show. My choice of talent is singing."
"Great, another vocal disaster." Jenny mumbled, rolling her eyes.
"Jenny!" Kiki scolded her sister. "Okay, Lapis. Just start whenever you're ready."
In the back, Jamie was giving his best friend a thumbs up. Meanwhile, the cat from earlier was spying on the girl from the west exit door.
Lapis slowly approached the microphone, took a deep breath, and started singing:
Something has changed within me.
Something is not the same.
I'm through with playing by
the rules of someone else's game.
Too late for second guessing.
Too late to go back to sleep.
It's time to trust my instincts
close my eyes... and leap!
It's time to try defying gravity.
I think I'll try defying gravity.
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity
and you can't bring me down!
As the brunette sang, the twin judges were caught off guard by how beautiful her voice sounded. The one-eyed cat was equally amazed, especially when blue sparkles started to surround the young girl. Just then, a blue burst pulsed and shook the auditorium. The singing also attracted someone sinister from a dark, faraway place.
Lapis got out of her singing zone and gasped when she saw the mess she made of the auditorium. Jamie, Kiki, and Jenny were frozen in surprise and completely speechless.
"Oh no!" the brunette said. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"
At that moment, she sobbed as she stormed off the stage and went out the west exit.
"Lapis, wait!" Jamie cried out to his friend and rushed after her.
Lapis ran to hide in the corner of the basketball court in the back of the school. Good thing basketball practice was over a while ago.
"That's it." she wept, hugging her knees. "I'm never singing for anyone ever again."
"Well, that's a shame." a snarky voice said. "Because I know someone who's very interested in the sound of your voice."
The girl looked up and saw a green haired woman wearing black perched on one of the basketball nets. And then, she unleashed a bolt of black magic at the teenager who dodged just in time.
"Sing for your life!" a small voice called. "Come on, sing!"
Lapis looked to the right and saw the one-eyed calico and a pink lion was with her.
"Ah, how are you talking?!" she yelled in surprise. "Why is there a lion with you?!"
"I'm her brother." the lion simply answered.
The young girl shook her head, thinking that this was a weird dream.
"Come on, Lapis." the cat told her. "You gotta sing. It's your only hope!"
So, Lapis let out a high, but melodious D major; a blue treble clef appeared on her forehead and a burst of blue magic pushed the green woman with great force. This provided her and the animals a chance to escape.
"Oh, I'm going to be in for an earful after this." the evil woman sighed.
In a secluded part of the east side of the school, Lapis stopped to catch her breath; as did the cat and lion.
"Okay, I need answers." the teenage girl panted. "Who are you two? How do you know my name? Who was that person that attacked me? And how did I do... whatever that was?"
The cat cleared her throat and said, "My name is Melody and Tenor is my brother. And we have been looking for you for a very long time."
"You are the chosen one, Lapis." Tenor added. "And after Melody told me how beautifully you sang at school, we now know for sure that you are the Muse Star of the treble clef."
"This is crazy." Lapis said, covering her eyes. "I must be having some weird dream or something."
"No, Lapis." Melody disagreed. "This is very much real. It's your destiny to protect music and the world."
"How am I supposed to do that?" the young girl asked.
That was when she heard something land at her feet. She uncovered her eyes and saw a sparkly blue heart.
"What's this?" she inquired.
"That's a magical locket." Melody answered. "It'll help you when you need to confront evil forces."
The brunette took the locket in her hand and studied it. But, Tenor could tell that she was still a little apprehensive.
"I know this is all a little hard to comprehend, but this is your destiny." the lion said.
"My destiny?" Lapis echoed. "No way."
"Yes way." Melody disagreed. "Just repeat after me: 'Treble Melodic Power!'"
"Alright." the young girl agreed, standing up. "TREBLE MELODIC POWER!"
In a swirl of blue magic, the blue treble clef reappeared on Lapis' forehead as a marvelous transformation began. A mini toga with a blue sash appeared on her body held up by her blue locket. A pair of gladiator sandals appeared on her feet with golden ribbons that wrapped around her legs. Her hair turned from chestnut brown to ocean blue and a blue mask appeared over her eyes.
When Lapis saw her reflection in the window, she was shocked by her new look.
"Ah, what happened to my hair?!" she yelled. "Why are my clothes so skimpy?!"
"Lapis, calm down!" Melody urged the girl. "I know this feels weird now, but you'll get used to it."
"Used to it?" Lapis repeated. "I don't want to get used to this!"
"Come out, come out wherever you are." "Be a good little girl and come to Emerald."
"It's that crazy woman again." the new heroine gasped.
"You don't have to hide from her anymore." Tenor said. "You've got powers now. Go face her!
"Um, okay." Lapis complied, still feeling uncertain.
Gathering whatever courage she had, she marched out in the open where Emerald could see her.
"Who are you?" the villain asked. "And where's the girl that ran through here?"
"Oh, my name is-" Lapis started before getting into a more confident and heroic stance. "I am Treble Star, protector of music! And I'm here to flush away evil with my song of justice!"
"Huh, never heard of you." Emerald scoffed unimpressed. "Now, where's the girl with the brown hair?"
"Out of your reach." Treble Star answered vaguely.
"You won't tell me?" the bad guy said. "Well then, maybe my friend will be a better interrogator. Autotune, it's showtime!"
She raised a hand and a black hole appeared. From that, a humanoid creature covered with amp speakers rose up. Treble Star was immediately freaked out by this newcomer.
"What is your will, master?" the monster spoke in a techno tone.
"This new superheroine is keeping a secret from me." Emerald told her minion with a sneer. "I think some audio torture would be a suitable punishment."
"Consider it done." Autotune agreed.
"Audio torture?" Treble Star said, not liking the sound of that.
With no reaction time, the monster pinned the young heroine to the asphalt; leaving her without any mobility whatsoever. Then, Autotune opened her mouth to unleash high-pitched feedback similar to the sound of a microphone pressed up against a speaker. It was hurting Treble Star's ears as she screamed and cried tears of pain.
"Now, I'm going to ask you one more time." Emerald said impatiently. "Where is the mousy schoolgirl?!"
But, the heroine was sobbing so hard that so couldn't even talk and feared that she would go deaf. All of a sudden, the creature was knocked off her and she was swept up in someone's embrace. She looked up and saw a young man had come to her rescue.
This young man had brown hair and a mask made of pheasant feathers that obscured his eyes. He wore a white dress shirt, a dark teal vest worth gold lining, a blue-green belt, a blue cape, khaki pants, and coffee colored boots. Lapis had never seen anyone so dashing in her life.
"You saved my life." she breathed. "But who are you?"
"You may call me, the Masked Minstrel." the stranger answered, kissing her hand as a sign of respect.
The gesture sent tingly electricity throughout Treble Star's body as a blush glowed on her face.
"Hey, cape boy." Emerald interrupted. "Who asked you to crash this party?"
"This party's over." the Masked Minstrel said, pulling out a set of panpipes.
He started to play a lovely song and the two bad guys covered their ears and groaned in pain. Lapis, on the other hand was almost mesmerized by how beautifully the instrument was played.
"That music is so sickeningly sweet!" the green villain complained. "I can't stand it!"
"It's up to you to finish this, Treble Star." the Masked Minstrel told the young heroine.
"But, how?" she asked.
"With this." Melody declared, tossing her a pretty blue stick. "This is your magic baton. Take it and say 'Rushing Treble Symphony!'"
Treble Star gripped the baton with determination and after some graceful twirls, she drew a treble clef in the air and cried out, "RUSHING TREBLE SYMPHONY!"
A stream of blue musical notes came slamming into Autotune like a ocean current and the monster screamed out in pain as she shriveled into dust.
"Whoa, did I really do that?" Lapis gasped.
"You made an enemy of me today, Treble Star!" Emerald growled. "When I come back, I will have my revenge on you!"
The two heroes watched as the green villain disappeared in a puff of black smoke.
"Well done, Treble Star." Masked Minstrel congratulated. "Now that monster can't hurt you or anyone else. There will be other challenges along the way, but you will not have to face them alone. I will be there with you. Farewell, beautiful heroine."
The masked man made his leave and disappeared as the sun started to set.
"Treble Star, are you alright?" Melody asked, joining Lapis' side.
"He called me beautiful." the girl smiled with hearts in her eyes and heart bubbles circling her head.
Back inside the school, Lapis had turned back to her civilian form and was discovered by Jamie and her mom.
"Lapis, Jamie told me that you ran off and we searched the whole school for you." Rose told her daughter. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay." Lapis nodded. "I just needed a good cry is all."
"Kiki and Jenny wanted me to tell you that you made the cut." Jamie brought up.
"What?"
"The girls said that you were the best singer they've heard all day." the boy explained. "You get to be in the show next Friday!"
"I am so proud of you; baby." the school nurse beamed, embracing her daughter.
"Mom, don't call me baby in front of my best friend." Lapis muttered, blushing with embarrassment and Jamie stifled a giggle.
"Come on, you know that you will always be my baby girl." Rose countered.
The schoolgirl brushed the embarrassment and the fact that she was a superheroine just a few minutes ago. Because right now, all she could think about was, "Wow, I'm going to be in a talent show."
Meanwhile in a shadowy dimension, Emerald was being reprimanded for her recent failure.
"So, the girl escaped you?" a husky masculine voice. "You know failure is not something I take lightly, Emerald."
"It's not my fault, Your Excellency." Emerald pleaded. "A new superheroine named Treble Star came out of nowhere and stopped me. If it weren't for her, the girl you heard singing would've been mine. I mean, yours; of course."
"Some human in a superhero costume isn't going to stop my plan to destroy all music." the voice replied. "You must terminate her and anyone else like her."
Emerald said nothing, but nodded in response as her master emerged from the shade all dressed in black with wild white hair, glowing amber eyes, and orange skin with scarlet stripes.
"Soon, the earth will never utter another note of music again." the bad guy proclaimed. "For I am, the Silencer!"
He cackled so loudly that you could hear him from 20 miles away. If this madman wasn't stopped, there would a grim future awaiting the human race.
