Spark

Just before sunrise, Mina jumps out her window onto Pixit’s back and leads the others north. Seeing dark clouds, she worries that the celebration is starting early. Beyond the peaks, the storm is intense, and she is glad no one questioned her instructions to bring ropes as harnesses. They descend to the outpost. As they scream for Neela, Varli, Eione, and the others, they spot a tornado in the west. Pixit’s roar alerts those hiding in bunkers. Neela emerges and grabs Mina’s hand when she realizes that the Alorrians are risking their own lives to save them.

The storm intensifies, so they hurry to secure their passengers in nets. Pixit cannot dodge all the lightning, so Mina must catch some of it to protect Eione, who is in the net below her. Scared but determined, Mina rises and extends her arms above her head. As Pixit flies straight through the storm, she screams and holds the lightning high and away from Eione. Then, they burst into blue sky. Eione shouts that she is okay, and Mina releases the lightning down to the earth. Looking back, she sees that everyone made it safely. All the storm beasts are glowing a bright yellow from the lightning they absorbed.

They land in Alorria and celebrate. However, those from the outpost worry about their proximity to the storm. Zek and Ferro explain how wind guardians create a barrier so the storm will not move beyond the mountains. When they realize wind guardians might see them, Jyx comments that it would not be terrible for them to see who they are hurting. Then, everyone begins to argue. The non-Alorrians fear for their homes. Ferro suggests bringing them to Mytris. Mina tries to interrupt, but no one listens. With Pixit’s help, silence ensues as Mina explains her idea: She suggests flying to the capital so everyone in Alorria can see “the outsiders” and hear about the storms. Everyone agrees, so, once again, they mount the storm beasts.

They approach the city unseen. There, they see gorgeous spectacles ranging from rainbows to ice rinks in the sky. With crowds roaring below, the lightning relays begin. Then, Mina spots the capitol building with its open roof, surrounding bleachers, and the archway where the prime minister sits. Remembering the speaking tube and projector—both powered by lightning—Mina has an idea. Because everyone is watching the lightning relays above, no one sees them land. When Mina explains her plan to Neela and Eione, the latter gets angry that Mina is going to speak on their behalf. While summoning lightning from Pixit, Mina clarifies that all she will do is make sure that everyone sees and hears Eione. Once powered up, the speaking tube emits a squeal, and a hesitant Eione introduces herself. Then, she tells the crowd how the festival is killing her people.

Eione speaks until the lightning power depletes. Then, the crowd erupts. People talk about how “the outsiders” are part of their world and how the rumors are true. Then, Mina and her group fly away without anyone stopping them. When they near the mountains, they see that the storm is dissipating. Despite the damage to the outpost, Neela’s house and a few other buildings have survived. After hugging everyone, Mina and the students fly back to Mytris.

Upon their return, they are punished for sneaking out to see the festival. No one knows what they did. Werrin banishes them to their rooms, assigns essays, and restricts free time. Exhausted and dirty, no one protests. The next morning, Mina tells Professor Dano everything, and he buys them more time to rest. Later, a group of students asks Mina if they saw the agitators in the capital. Careful not to correct them, Mina states that the essays were right, for she saw “outsiders” that had clearly endured a terrible storm. Then, she adds that she hopes the prime minister “does the right thing” (296). A few days later, they receive news that the festival has been canceled while experts investigate Alorria’s connection to the storms. Additionally, aid will be sent across the border. Mina runs to Dano’s library, where he reveals the weather data collected over the years; now, he can make it public. Despite this, he warns that there will be opposition to change.

Before lights out, Mina talks with her friends about Professor Dano, graduation, and future assignments. As chatter begins about the lightning relays at the capital, Mina listens contentedly and dreams of helping those outside of Alorria.

On graduation day, all 18 students gather in the entrance hall. Mina’s family is jubilant to see her while Jyx’s parents admire their class’s sculpture instead of saying hello to their daughter. After welcoming everyone, Professor Werrin notes that this class is especially strong. Then, the headmistress instructs the students to begin. They stand in a circle. With one hand on their storm beast, and the other lifted high, each student crackles with electricity. They summon a white ball of energy, which they hurl together into a pit of sand. Instantly, a glass sculpture depicting a series of lightning strikes emerges.

Then, the students’ first assignments as lightning guardians are posted. As everyone races to look at the list, Mina and Pixit admire their class’s sculpture and hug their family. When Gaton suggests she check out her assignment, she responds that she knows she will be okay no matter where she is assigned. Moments later, Jyx and Chauda race toward them with the news that they will be together in their assignment beyond the mountains. Excited, they know that things are truly changing. Mina and Pixit share in the joy that they will help make the world a better place.