A/N: This theme is broken up into two parts: one that takes place before the two "Gatekeeper" episodes and part of it afterwards. Therefore, Clare is featured heavily. Sorry it's so short. Enjoy!

A/N #2: I hope that you all had a Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday season!

"…": characters talking to each other

'…': characters talking to themselves

(…): extra facts about something in the story

(Takes place during "Gatekeeper I" and after "Gatekeeper II")

Theme 55: Wish

Rootcore, October 24, 2006, 7:30 AM – Briarwood, CA, USA

Clare's POV

I couldn't help but stare. That simple headband was so elegant... and to think that it belonged to my mother, Udonna's sister, well, that scares me. I mean, does that mean that I will become the Gatekeeper? Does it mean that I have the power to seal and unseal the gates of Infershia, of the Underworld? Clumsy, can't-get-a-spell-right-to-save-my-life Clare? An enchantress of the highest caliber and daughter of the most famous Gatekeeper in the Mystical Realms? Please, don't make me laugh. I'm sure that the circlet's meant for someone who's stronger, like my friends. I sure hope it's not me, 'cause with my luck I'd wreck everything.

As I tilt my head to more closely examine the circlet that Udonna's forbidden me from ever touching, I can't help but wish that I was strong. I want to be strong, like the rest of the Rangers, like Vida and Madison. They didn't grow up with magic but are already using it to save the Human and Magical Worlds! Me, well, I've been a Sorceress-in-training for most of my life and yet I still can't get a simple Transfiguration Spell right. It's so not fair... Wait. What was that? That beam of moonlight, it's like it's winking at me, but that can't be... right? I mean, moonbeams don't just appear and start winking at people... right?

Man, I am so seeing things, which doesn't exactly make my day. Maybe I just need some more sleep...

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Rootcore, October 28, 2006, 7:30 am – Briarwood, CA, USA

Four days later, and I still can't believe it! I'm the new Gatekeeper! Me, Clare! I've been tasked with the responsibility and power to keep an eye on the Gates of Infershia to ensure that no other icky creatures from below escape. I finally have the chance to be strong and prove myself to my friends and the entirety of the Mystical Realms, who've long made fun of me for my clumsiness and inability to perform one spell correctly. The Journal that Chip and the others gifted to me is helping a bit, but most of my passages right now are really just incantations in numerous languages, put down to help me remember them. I guess I should write a real entry soon...

So. My first wish came true: I was given the powers needed to prove myself a strong and capable witch. I am here now, watching my inheritance twinkle at me in my room. Udonna wanted to keep me away from it, but for once I won an argument with her. I will train myself efficiently and effectively so that I will be worthy of my mother's legacy. However, in that respect, I do have one more wish.

There it is! That same beam of moonlight that gave me the opportunity to do something spectacular with my life! Now, if only I can harness its power again... yes!

As I stare into the ball of moonbeams collected in the palms of my hands, I can't help but wish that my friends and I find happiness with others. I guess I am what Udonna calls a "romantic;" I just so love seeing people together! It's not right when someone's miserable without their soul mate. I blush as I think of Chip, my knight. I do so hope that he sees me as a lady someday... oh, and Nick and Maddie so belong together! She likes him and, I mean, when someone is able to convince a random stranger to stay in town and then ends up being a column of support for said guy that has to mean something!

Xander and Vida, well, I love them both to death. Vida's one of my best friends and Xander is such a flirt that I find it funny when he starts up with me. He's like a brother to me. Therefore, I guess it only right to wish that they both find someone that they can depend on for life... I mean, if I'm happy, then they deserve to be as well. Then again, maybe if they'd stop fighting and picking fights with each other all the time they'd realize that perhaps, just maybe, they belong together...

As I release the ball of moonlight back into the sky, I pray that the spirits answer my wishes and make them come true. For now, though, I think that I'll start working on that new spell that Udonna's told me to look at; hopefully, this time, without turning myself into a sheep.