Glitter Force: Shining Stars!

Chapter Four - Cold Hard Game

The three of us seemed to talk for hours! There was so many things we needed to tell Clover, but so little time. Eventually, though, Ace brought us back to the more important topic at hand.

"AHEM! Now that we've gotten our third member, it's time to set our sights on Glitter Force Member number four!!" Ace hops up and down in excitement.

Lilah switches the leg she's crossed over the other and leans in to focus. "Since our hypothesis about Clover was correct, should we start with Rosie or Blanche next?"

Claire pitches in. "Well, Rosie hasn't shown up to school recently either... so it might be a bit difficult to find her..."

Clover raises her hand, without question, and yells, "I vote Blanche!!"

"That's okay with me!" Claire says. "Is there a reason why?"

"Cuz there's a volleyball game tomorrow night." Clover sips on the third energy drink she's been downing all night.

"I see, that does make sense." Lilah smiles. "We can meet her after the game to try to talk to her then."

"Yeah! She's always booking it out of school, so there's no time to ask her after class anyways..." Clover sighs.

"Hopefully it's not the same for volleyball then..." Claire complains.

Clover takes another swig. "I don't think so. I mean, I tried soccer once, when I lost a bet so my friends could make fun of me... Well not in a mean way! And ah! she'd always stay late practicing waaaaaay after everyone else left."

"I don't know how she handles two sports at once..." Claire shivers just thinking about it. "That sounds awful..."

"Well, as long as she's there practicing we should be able to catch her!" Lilah clasps her hands together.

Claire hops up, hopeful that their idea will work out. "Okay! It's a plan then!"

They hang around for a bit longer, but soon enough it was time to go. Lilah and Claire said their goodbyes and headed out the door to meet Charles. In the car, Claire gave them directions to her own home before eventually, she had to part ways with them too.

~-~-~-~-~

"Claire, you've done it again!!" Ace giggles and dances in circles around the bathroom as she brushes her teeth. "Princess Claire is Debonaire~ She'll beat the dark prince fair and square~~" He repeats over and over again.

Claire spits out her toothpaste and giggles. "You sure are excited tonight."

"Of course I'm excited!!" Ace continues to hop around while Claire washes her face. "You've got three glitter charms and found two Glitter Force Members!!"

"Well... it's not like I had any other choice..." She dries her face. "Besides, where would I be without my trusty bear companion to help me along the way?" She giggles and picks up Ace to bring him back to her room.

"Hmm, you're right! I am pretty awesome too!" Ace smirks self-assuredly.

"Yes you are." Claire chuckles and yawns. "Goodnight, Ace."

"Night Claire!" Ace cuddles beside her and she turns off her bedside lamp to go to sleep.

~-~-~-~-~

"Mom..?" Claire finds herself calling out. It's so dark. She can barely recognize the happy kingdom from her previous dream at all. "Mom!" She calls out again.

Claire feels a hand wrapping itself around her neck as she hears a young boy's voice whisper, "Claire." She stays silent, struggling to break herself free from his grasp. "Remember me."