SPOILERS!
Astra-Star Darling who loves sports! Has super fast speed powers. Also energy manipulation to pass the ball. Not the only one with energy powers. Plays in the Glowin' Glions.
Astro-Astra's alias in this story.
Star ball-The sport in similar to basketball and soccer. But all the sports at Starlings Academy are the Glowin' Glions in this story.
Geeta-Trainer of Glowin' Glions.
Griffin-Trainer of Galloping Galliopes in this story.
Grayson-Trainer of Twinkling Twinkelopes in this story.
The Glowin' Glions-Sports teams at Starling Academy.
The Galloping Galliopes-Sports teams at Star Prep in this story.
Glion-Similar to a lion.
Glarry The Glion-Starland Academy's Mascot.
Adora-Star Darling and fashion scientist.
Radiant Recreation Center-Gymnasium and a place for sports to play.
Galliope-Horse-like creature.
Giada The Galliope-The Galloping Galliope's mascot in this story.
Twinkelope-Deer-like creature.
Tiny The Twinkelope-The Twinkling Twinkelopes's mascot.
Star Prep-Starling school for boys.
Starshine High-A school for both genders. In this story.
Grayson-The trainer for The Twinkling Twinkelopes in this story.
Goalkeeper-Protects the ball from meeting the goal. Both in Starland and Wishworld. Similar to soccer. Vivica holds this position. Then Astra.
Shooting Guard-A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for their team and steal the ball. Similar to basketball. Position on Wishworld and Starland. Astra holds this position. Then Vivica.
Radiant Recreation Center-Starling Academy fitness and sports center. P.E.-Physical Energy Class. For health, and fitness classes. There's a large gymnasium for exercising, running track, gaming areas, and a sparkling starpool. Outside is a playing field with bleachers on both sides.
Brenna-A friend of Vivica. All in purple in this story.
Star bases-A Starling sport similar to baseball this story.
Energy volley-A Starling sport similar to volleyball in this story.
Star Salutations-A Starling way of thanking people.
Star Apologies-A Starling way of apologizing.
It was raining outside. Astra, a Starling and Star Darling was running in the rain, her red ponytail moving behind her, the other half of her hair, tied up in a braid. She was in her school team uniform, a red dress shirt. She normally dressed in a normal dress shirt, only the uniform had Glarry The Glion on it, the mascot to all the sports at the academy. She wasn't wearing her wristbands because she wasn't on Wishworld.
She went outside after P.E. (Physical Energy Class). Before that, she did push ups, sit ups, rope climbing, ran track, threw galliope shoes (like horse shoes), and swam laps in the sparkling starpool.
But Astra wouldn't have to sparkle shower before or after swimming. The pool water was sparkling enough. It was treated with a special sparkle that kept it clear. The different-colored swimsuits didn't change the water. The suits also stayed the same.
Then Astra realized she better hurry. There was a practice game being held that day. Star ball! Everyone on the team had waited until the rain stopped. The grassy field removed the mud from the field, automatically leaving a fresh lawn.
But the rain wasn't like the pool. It wasn't treated for color-sustaining.
The rain more than caused water to fall on her, it ran the red colors out of her hair and outfit, similar to her darker clothes when she first went to Wishworld.
Astra normally changed her clothes via her Star-Zap, which was a device that had many abilities. One involved switching between clothes. But Astra usually had an outfit in her locker. It wouldn't fit in with the rest of her clothes.
Then she saw Adora of all people. She was in her usual sky blue outfit, her wish pendant on her wrist. She kept her pendant with her because it doubled in the fact it told time.
"Adora!" Astra called. "What are you doing here? May you please help me?"
Adora frowned. "Vivica told me I'm too girly. I spend too much time with fashion."
"But you're a fashion scientist!" Astra said. "A scientist! Ignore Vivica!"
Adora smiled. Slightly. "Then I'm here for no reason."
"Why do you think you're here?" Astra asked.
"To be more tough! This is a practice game after all," Adora said.
"I like you just the way you are, Adora!" Astra said.
"Star salutations!" Adora said in thanks. "Now, how may I help you? Do you need drying off?"
"Yes! You create clothes, r-"
Astra stopped. The clock tower struck the time to participate in sports. Specifically star ball.
Then Adora realized something, herself.
"I have to go! The new club, 'Fashion Club,' is being held. I was going to skip it but I feel better. You may get dried off with help from your coach, as far as I know."
Then Adora walked away.
No dry clothes. No sparkly hair.
Astra approached the bleachers and sat next to the nearest girl. She had silvery-blue hair. Then Astra realized something. It was Vivica!
"What are you doing here?" Astra grumbled.
"Trying out," Vivica smirked.
But she had on no uniform!
Astra thought she should tell Coach Geeta, the trainer of all sports in school-trainer of The Glowin' Glions!
She didn't have to wait. Coach Geeta sauntered up to her. She had on a red shirt and red pants. It even had a Glion on the front of the shirt.
"Why are you all wet?" Coach Geeta asked Astra.
"Um. I like running in the rain?" she said, unsure of what else to say.
Coach Geeta rolled her eyes. "Hold on, I'll get you a towel."
Coach Geeta quickly ran inside with the speed as an average athlete. Then she returned with, indeed, a red towel.
"I brought you a red towel for your favorite color," Coach Geeta said. "It will both dry and restore your colors."
Astra dried off and asked, "Why haven't we been drying ourselves with these so far?"
Coach Geeta smiled warmly. "Because none of the other girls end up this way. They also sparkle shower. You have no time."
"Star Salutations, Lady Geeta! Viv-"
But Coach Geeta walked away to begin an announcement.
"Girls!" she began. "This is your new teammate, Vivica!"
Vivica stood up and bowed. The other girls exchanged looks then slowly, they began to clap.
"But Coach Geeta!" Astra exclaimed. "Vivica is. Well. She is. MEAN! Plus she has no uniform!"
Vivica sneered. "You're the mean one!"
Coach Geeta frowned. "Girls, girls! There should be no arguments amongst students! Vivica, I'll let your infractions slip by since you're new to the star ball team. I'll get you a uniform soon. New athletes don't get a uniform until their first official game. But Astra! I'm disappointed in you! I would punish you, but you've behaved so well since you first arrived at Starling Academy and in star ball, so, I'll let it slide."
"Star Salutations and Star Apologies, Coach Geeta," both girls said, meaning thank you and sorry.
"Now, let's begin," Coach Geeta said. "Vivica, I want you to be goalkeeper. You'll stand in front of a net and try to catch it with energy so it doesn't go in the net. Astra, I want you to continue being a shooting guard. I don't even need to tell you to move the ball with energy. Go straight for the net. And steal the ball if needed. Now, Vivica, protect the red net. Be on the red team. Astra. the blue. And Astra, treat the ball like a yoyo."
Coach Geeta pointed to each other girl and told them their positions.
Now, it was time!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Astra ran across the field, and quickly stole the ball from the other team. But she didn't run as fast as she possibly needed in a starsec. Being too fast that everybody couldn't catch her wasn't allowed. That would be cheating.
Vivica was busy pacing front wards and back wards while still holding out her arms to both sides.
"If she wasn't such an awful person, I'd congratulate her for being so good so quickly!" Astra thought.
Then something happened.
The ball passed over Vivica's head! Vivica fell!
But she wasn't hurt.
Still, Astra ran as fast as she was able to help her up. She might have a mark.
Vivica got up, said, "Don't bother me, Star Dipper!" Which was the insult Vivica called Astra and her friends.
Then Vivica pointed at the ground.
It was a mud puddle! A red mud puddle!
Astra hadn't dried off properly!
Only she would worry about that later. She needed Vivica to be healed, regardless of the severity of the nature.
Then Astra noticed somebody off in the distance.
"Adora!" Astra yelled in greeting.
Perfect timing!
Astra left the field, picked up Adora and guided her to Vivica.
"Adora! You have to heal Vivica! Vivica! Stay right there! Adora will help you!"
"I don't need your help!" the mean girl said.
Astra and Adora ignored her.
Adora looked all over her. But nothing was wrong.
"Hmm. You appear to have exaggerated," Adora said.
"No I haven't!" Vivica argued. "You must've dripped on the ground after the field automatically cleaned it up! And you went on with your super speed! That's cheating!"
"But-b I was trying to help you! Adora, too!" Astra said.
"Too bad!" Vivica said. "I didn't need it!"
Coach Geeta rushed over. "Girls! Girls! What's wrong?!"
The girls explained what had occurred.
"I want these two to report directly to Lady Stella!" Vivica said.
Coach Geeta whispered in Astra's ear, "Uh-Oh. She's pulling The Headmistress Card!" Then out loud, "Okay, Vivica. But you're seeing Lady Stella, too!"
"No way!' Vivica said.
"WAY!" Lady Geeta said.
So, the girls were sent to see Lady Stella.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Hello, Astra, Adora!" Lady Stella greeted.
Astra and Adora sat at the long table.
"Vivica," Lady Stella said, all business-like.
Vivica also seated herself as well.
"Why are you here, girls?"Lady Stella asked.
Vivica jumped right in and pointed to Astra. "This girl caused me to fall on the sports field!"
"Are you okay?" Lady Stella asked.
"Yes! But. But,' Vivica said.
"Yeees?" Lady Stella asked.
"Astrs also cheated!" Vivica said.
"Cheated?!" Lady Stella said. "Astra, is this true?"
Astra hated being on the spot when she wasn't dealing with hundred of screaming fans. That, surprisingly, was easier.
"Yes," Astra said. "I accidentally dried rain water on my clothes without changing. Then I ran as fast as I should and found Adora. I thought Vivica was hurt and Adora has healing powers. But she wasn't hurt at all."
Vivica cut in. "You should punish Coach Geeta, too! She failed to dry off Astra properly when she got all wet! And I didn't get a uniform! She told me new players only get uniforms in until their first game!"
Lady Stella put her fingers to her chin and slumped in a seat. "I think we have a problem."
"What will we decide on, "Lady Stella?" asked Adora.
"On kicking Astra off the team and Coach Geeta fired! In fact, I think all the sports in the academy should be banned! And how about Adora? Sh-" Vivica was interrupted.
Astra jumped up. "Vivica! I cannot believe what you're saying!"
"Well, Astra there is some reasoning in Vivica's words," sad Lady Stella. "She already complained of Libby, this year. Now, she blames you three.
"But I'm the one who dripped rain water on the ground!" Astra yelled.
"But I didn't dry her off very well!" Coach Geeta also yelled.
"Choose ME!" the Starlings said in agreement.
"Hmm. Well, it seems Adora is innocent. But," Lady Stella turned to Vivica. "Vivica, what do you say?"
"Hmm," Vivica said in deep thought. "I changed my mind. Coach Geeta. I think she's a good teacher. And Adora only wanted to help. I think Astra needs to be in trouble."
"As in?" asked Lady Stella.
"That Astra be kicked off the teams! All of them!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next day, when she wasn't attending classes, Astra just sat in her room. It was very different since Clover had left. The entire room was just for her. Everything was for an athlete.
But she wasn't practicing with her holo-net or built-in court that day. She didn't even celebrate the fact that a wall in her room showed something like a full-sized star ball court, or even a star bases stadium. She just didn't feel like it.
Then she heard a knock on the door.
"It's Libby!" said the pink girl. "And Ganymede! May we enter?"
"Sure," Astra said.
They opened the door and walked in.
"Why is your boyfriend here?" asked Astra.
Libby blushed. Ganymede grinned.
"Well, we wanted to help you!" Libby said. "Remember how Ganymede is class president, now?"
"No," Astra said. "I mean, I heard he was running at Starling Academy. I didn't remember him winning."
"Now you know!" Libby said.
"It means different teens may participate in activities in different schools!" Ganymede said. "You should try out at the sports in Star Prep!"
"The Galloping Galliopes?!" Astra yelled.
"Yeah! After all, I'm class president at Starling Academy!" Ganymede said. "We should be able to allow you in at any sports you choose!"
Astra got up quickly. "Let's go!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Libby, Ganymede and Astra arrived at Star Prep, immediately.
Ganymede showed the two girls to the sports teacher, who was currently in his office.
"Coach Griffin!" Ganymede said to him.
The man was dressed in a blue top and pants with a Galliope on his shirt.
Coach Griffin was surprised. "Why are there two girls with you?"
Ganymede gestured towards Astra.
"This is a girl who wants to try out for the sport teams in our school, " he said. "Her name is, "Astra", and she currently studies at Starling Academy."
"And why doesn't she play sports at her home school?" Coach Griffin asked.
Ganymede had to tell him. "She was kicked off all of her other teams."
"B-but it was an accident!" Libby yelled.
"What happened?"
So, the students explained.
"It sounds like Astra truly deserves to participate in sports," said Coach Griffin.
Astra grinned.
Then Coach Griffin frowned. "But she shouldn't be allowed to play alongside boys."
"Why not?" Astra frowned.
"You're a GIRL!" Griffin yelled.
Each teen Starling was amazed at him.
"But I was allowed to be the student body president of Starling Academy!" Ganymede reminded the coach.
"And your mascot, Giada, is a girl mascot!" Libby also reminded.
"And there's both male and female teachers at both schools!" Astra said, thinking of Coach Geeta.
"My decision is final," Coach Griffin said, quite sure of himself. "Astra will no longer play at Starling Academy or Star Prep."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Astra was busy at P.E, (Physical Energy Class), which didn't involve normal sports. So, she should still exercise without being apart of any official high school sports.
When her class was over, Astra ran, (literally), into Adora.
Adora backed up.
"I created a new outfit for you!" Adora said as she got out her Star-Zap. "Libby told me you wanted to try out for Star Prep's sports! Let me send this to you."
Libby pointed at her special cell and Astra's own beeped.
Astra transformed into an upright Galliope costume!
"Isn't this Star Prep's mascot, Giada The Galliope?"
"Yeah! I was thinking that-" Adora almost said.
"I may be apart of a team in disguise?!" Astra exclaimed. "Wait. You want me to try out for Star Prep's mascot? Why?"
"Because you've already been in in the Academy, so far. Not in Prep. Besides, only Prep has an opening. The last male Starling who played the mascot just graduated."
Astra thought. "But I want to play in sports! Not cheer people on!"
Adora thought as well. "Then I'll create a Prep outfit!"
"And I'll put my hair entirely in a braid!" Astra said.
"Astra?" asked Adora.
"Yes, Adora?" asked Astra.
"Are you going to tryout for Star Prep's sports?"
"Yeah!" Astra yelled. "As a boy!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Astra was going to Prep, but before that, she needed an explanation. A reason she should have to transfer there.
Then she got an idea. She called Coach Geeta on her Star-Zap.
"Meet me in the hedge maze," she texted.
Astra entered the ever-changing place on campus. She knew that it would be hard to find her teacher. But it would be worth it.
"I found you, Astra!"
"I'm happy to see you, Coach!" each Starling greeted one another.
"It's nice to see you outside of P.E. Why not meet me in there, or in my office, instead of here?" Coach asked.
"I couldn't meet you anywhere else but here," said Astra. "I'm trying out for the sports teams at Star Prep."
Coach Geeta was elated. "That's good news! But how did you manage to apply?"
Astra frowned. "They wouldn't let me. They said they wouldn't allow me because I'm a girl."
Then Coach Geeta put her hands on her hips. "That's not fare!" Then she thought. "I may guess you already have a plan?"
"Yes!" said Astra. "I'm going to dress as a boy!"
"Hmm. I think I'll tell Coach Griffin you were a student that failed to apply for sports at another school," Coach Geeta said. "You will study at this school, but play at Prep. Meanwhile, you will attend at another school. But not really. I'll call in a favor at this place. They are at yet another school. I'll tell them about you and if Griffin asks, I'll have them say they participate there. How about my old school? Starshine High. It's for boys and girls. They're teams are The Twinkling Twinkelopes. And the mascot is Tiny The Twinkelope. And the coach's name is Grayson."
"Star salutations, Coach Geeta!" Astra said in glee.
"Now, we should bribe the students and teachers at Sunshine High, so they may not tell on you." Coach Geeta said.
"Are there fruit trees around campus at Starshine High?" Astra asked.
"No," Coach Geeta said.
"It might cause a stir if we have students or other teachers find out about it, but if you and Coach Griffin carry the fruit, people of Starling Academy may not notice!" Astra said.
"Good idea, Astra!" Coach Geeta said. "Next, we need to convince Griffin."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next day, Astra met with Coach Griffin in his office.
"I must say," Coach Griffin said. "I don't usually bother with Geeta, but I do quite like having long chats with Grayson. We both like him, though."
"Grayson?" Astra asked.
Coach Griffin raised a brow. "Aren't you aware of your own Coach's name?"
Astra stopped. She had forgotten. "Um. Isn't, 'Grayson', a nickname of his? I don't know of any other name for him."
"It's his name. His actual name," Coach Griffin corrected. "Now, what is your name?"
Astra thought. She had yet to pick a new name!
"A-" she stopped again. "Astr- Um. Astro?"
"Good name, Astro!" Coach Griffin said in praise. "Today, be ready. We start practice, immediately. And you must tell me later how you already acquired a team uniform."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The first sport Astra played was called, "energy volleys (similar to volleyball).
Astra was the setter. Some say it's the most important part. It was her job to watch all the other players. She would set and spike the ball.
Today was Astra's first practice match since playing with the Glions. The team was split in two.
She was the first to start the game. She spiked the ball with energy and it went over the net, hitting the ground on the other side.
Astra did this so well, she kept at it till her team had won!
Coach Griffin approached her and clapped his hands.
"Good work!" he said. "You should be our permanent setter! Anyone else agree?"
All the students said, "Yeah!". After all, "Astro" was on their team.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Then they played star bases (similar to baseball). Only it wasn't practice. They were to play against The Twinkling Twinkelopes of Starshine High! Tiny The Twinkelope was dancing a strange dance off the field. But the students were staring at Astra.
Coach Geeta and another Starling man were staring at then.
Then the students looked away and started eating sparklecorn (similar to popcorn), and other sweets or cheered their friends.
Astra played as the pitcher.
Each time, Astra would hit a small ball with energy. This energy poured forth from a floating wooden bat.
She hit it out of the park! Again. And again! And again!
She ran around the bases with ease. Astra won this second game! A real game!
Coach Griffin and a man approached her in the seats.
"Out of all the students at this school," the man said. "You are the best. I think you may be a professional."
"You think?" Astra asked the man.
"Yes," said the man. "Indeed."
"I agree, Grayson!" said Coach Griffin.
Astra realized something. "You're the coach to
High!"
"Don't you know your own coach?" asked a confused Coach Griffin.
"Um-"
"She must not recognize me without my purple Twinkelope jersey."
Coach Griffin stared. "All right."
"I just wish I may play star ball," said Astra. "It's my most favorite sport and it's my best."
"Then you should know were due for another game, Astro," said Coach Griffin. "You're going to play against The Glowin' Glions from Starling Academy!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was the day of both most well-known schools playing against each other.
Glarry The Glion had everyone participating in, "The Wave", in the bleachers.
Astra was waiting in the stands. She wasn't in her uniform, yet.
She felt unready. She didn't know why.
"Maybe it's because I'm playing against my home school?" Maybe it's because of Viv-"
"Hey, Star Dipper!"
It was Vivica. She had on a uniform.
"What do you want?" Astra asked.
"Oh, just a reminder that you won't be playing today. You'll be in the cheap seats!"
She smirked and walked away.
Then Astra felt a hand on her shoulder. "Like you said to me, you shouldn't let girls like her bother you."
Astra turned around.
It was Adora!
"Why are you here, Adora?" Astra asked.
"I'm the official sports healer for The Glowin' Glions," Adora said. "You still off the teams?"
"Keep a secret?" Astra asked.
"Sure," Adora said.
"I'm on the other teams, now. The ones for Prep. I'm Astro," Astra said. "No one may know, though. Especially Coach Griffin. I'll be kicked off of the team!"
Then another girl in purple popped up from the other side of the stands.
"I just got your conversation on my Star-Zap!" she said.
"Brenna!" Adora said. Then to Astra, "She's one of Vivica's friends."
"Vivica told me to spy on you!" said Brenna. "Now, you have to quit!"
Astra wouldn't have it.
"Tell Vivica I will reveal myself if Starling Academy wins. If we win, I get to keep my identity a secret."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was soon time to get ready for the game. Astra recited her Mirror Mantra to give herself courage. "Challenges make you stronger. Time to get glowin'!"
Coach Griffin walked towards Astra.
"Another girl from the other team requested that you be a goalkeeper," Coach Geeta said. "You should see our newest shooting guard. Her name is Vivica," said Coach Griffin.
Astra was shocked!
But she knew better than to ask. Even if meant she would get another position. Even if she preferred shooting guard. And, by now, she decided it best not to object.
The game began.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Vivica guided the ball with energy. It hovered in the air, traveling up and down.
Astra caught the ball. Again. And again. And again.
Vivica kept up the ball without passing to her other teammates. She just didn't want to rely on others to win.
Astra's teammates played their best. They always hit the other team's net.
Soon, The Glowin' Glions won!
"THAT'S IT!" Vivica yelled. "BRENNA! GET OVER HERE!"
The purple girl walked over, Star-Zap in hand.
The Starling cellphone played Astra and Adora's most recent conversation.
"'Astra', is it?" asked Coach Griffin.
Astra frowned.
They had lied!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Soon, Astra, Adora, Brenna, Vivica and all three coaches were in Lady Stella's office. They told the headmistress everything.
"Well, I've talked to the heads of all three schools," said Lady Stella, "And we've decided to do three different things: Vivica will be kicked off of the Starling Academy sports. All of the sports. From all schools. While we're at it, also Brenna. Second, Asra is allowed to play in all sports. In all schools. Finally, all three schools will accept students from all different schools. They're won't be an exchange of studies, but it's a start!"
"Star Salutations, Lady Stella!" everyone but Vivica, Brenna and Coach Griffin said.
And so, Astra, returned to sports at not one, but three different schools! Maybe even more!