Sparky's Arc

Chapter 3 of 10

The first guest had barely tucked away the pouch when the sky cracked open. A lightning storm rolled in fast, yanking distant travelers off course. Sparky could see their tiny lights drifting sideways in the dark. He had to act before they were lost for good. He ran to the fireworks workshop and hauled out his strongest rockets. Melody Starling helped him aim them straight into the heart of the storm. A warm-glow moth landed on the roof of a small stone cabin nearby, anchoring itself there. Its soft yellow light pulsed in time with the moth's song, ready to guide. Sparky poured a wide mound of shimmering stardust powder onto the open ground. It glittered like a second sky, bright enough to spot from far away. "Now," he told Melody. She sang. The moth glowed. The fireworks shrieked upward and burst inside the storm, splitting the clouds with color. The drifting lights turned. One by one, the lost guests found the glittering mound and floated down safe. The storm rumbled away, beaten back. Sparky's tiny welcome had grown into a true gathering — and more were still coming.