“But it is in the same room,” Brittany said. “So some of its magic will help you.”

“OK,” Rachel agreed. “I’ll just concentrate and try my best to make a basket every time the goblins are looking. It’ll be hard, but it’s not impossible.”

“Go, Rachel!” Brittany cheered, twirling around with excitement. “Here’s your new basketball.” She raised her wand and made a circle of purple sparkles in midair. Then the sparkles transformed into a basketball that shimmered slightly, just like the magic one. The ball floated toward Rachel, and she easily caught it.

The goblins had been taking turns shooting free throws, but now they were arguing about who was next.

“It’s my turn!” the smallest goblin screeched, trying to grab the ball from the captain.

“I’m in charge,” the captain growled. “I’ll decide who’s next!”

“I think it’s time someone else had a chance to be captain,” another goblin declared.

“No way!” the captain yelled.

As the goblins argued furiously, Brittany grinned at Rachel and Kirsty. “Now I can put the repelling spell on the hoop while the goblins aren’t looking,” she whispered.

Brittany pointed her wand at the goblins’ hoop, and a rush of purple sparkles streamed through the air. Rachel and Kirsty watched as the sparkles circled the hoop and quickly began to fade.

Just then, a tall, thin goblin looked up. “Hey!” he shouted, staring at the faint glitter around the hoop. “What’s that? It looks like fairy magic.”

Rachel, Kirsty, and Brittany stared at each other in dismay. Had their plan failed already?

Chapter 5 - Girls Go into Action

The goblins all stared up at the hoop, but the last few sparkles had already vanished.

“What are you talking about?” the captain snapped. “There’s nothing there!”

“You’re seeing things!” another goblin teased, and they all burst out laughing.

“But I did see some sparkles,” the tall goblin insisted. He rushed forward and stared up at the hoop, while the other goblins waited impatiently.

“OK, I can’t see any fairies,” the tall goblin mumbled finally, looking embarrassed.

“Your shot,” the captain ordered, shoving the ball into the goblin’s arms.

The goblin squinted at the hoop and then threw the magic basketball toward it. The ball curved toward the hoop in a perfect arc. But, as the ball dropped, it missed the hoop completely.

“What’s happening?” the tall goblin complained, looking confused as the ball fell to the ground.

“You’re useless, that’s what’s happening!” another goblin said rudely. He grabbed the basketball and launched a shot himself. But the ball missed again, even though it looked as if it was aimed right at the basket.

“The goblins are starting to look worried,” Brittany whispered to the girls as the captain took a shot and missed. “I think it’s time for you to do your thing, Rachel.”