Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN The lead wolf leapt at Buttercup. Isla screamed as she saw its open mouth and its sharp fangs, but a second later it was flying sideways through the air. It landed with a howl, Freya and Honey standing beside it. Using Honey's super-speed, they'd galloped flat out into the wolf, knocking it off target. Buttercup was safe from the wolf– for now! "Way to go, Freya and Honey!" cried Rosa as she appeared from the trees with Violet, Ariana and Matilda. "Isla! I'm so glad you're all right," Buttercup said, racing over to her. "We were in the barn when I heard you shout at Valentina outside. When I went to the door I saw you running

towards the lake. I galloped after you and got there just as you grabbed Valentina and disappeared with her and Ms Willow! What's going on?" "Oh, Buttercup!" Isla jumped from Prancer to bury her face in Buttercup's mane. "Thank you for coming after me." Being with her unicorn, that was all that mattered! "I always want to be by your side when you're in danger," said Buttercup. "And I want to be by yours," said Isla hugging her. Ariana's voice brought her back to reality. "You've done it, Whisper!" Glancing round, Isla saw that Whisper had used her calming magic to free the wolves. The red had died from their eyes and they were now slinking away, shaking their heads as if they were dazed. The others crowded round, congratulating Whisper. "Come on, Golden Briar!" cried Valentina. "We need to free my aunt!" As Golden Briar cantered towards the cave, Matilda squealed, "Isla, you and Buttercup have

bonded!" Buttercup excitedly nuzzled Isla's head. "She's right. You've got a streak of pink, yellow and green in your hair. The same colours as my mane!" Isla felt like she was going to explode with happiness as she and Buttercup hugged. "I still don't understand how you got here to the lagoon," she said. "We guessed Ms Willow had taken you here," said Matilda. "Buttercup and Crystal worked together, combining Buttercup's finding magic with Crystal's snow magic and making the coolest snow twister ever!" said Rosa. "We weren't sure if it was going to work but the twister was like a massive tornado. It followed Buttercup's magical arrow and brought us to these woods." "We didn't know where we were and then you suddenly appeared with Valentina, Golden Briar and Prancer!" said Ariana. "So, what happened to you?" Isla and Prancer quickly explained. "I'm free now. I don't have to do what Ms

Willow says any more," said Prancer, delightedly. "Hey, everyone!" Valentina called from the cave entrance. "My aunt and Thyme are inside but I can't wake them up." "They're under a spell," said Prancer. "If we take them back to the academy, one of the teachers should know enough about spells to work with me to lift the enchantment." "Let's go!" said Rosa. "NO!" screamed a voice. There was a flash of light and a bolt of magic came shooting towards them. The unicorns leapt out of the way just in time. "I never should have trusted you!" Ms Willow hissed at Valentina. "Move, Golden Briar!" Valentina screamed as Ms Willow threw a firebolt at them. "I've got this!" Golden Briar slammed his hooves on the ground and, calling up his wind magic, he swept the firebolt to one side. It hit the tree and exploded with a terrifying bang. Flames and sparks shot into the air. Isla clutched at Buttercup's mane as they were blown sideways, crashing into Pearl. Another firebolt spun from

Ms Willow's hand. Golden Briar forced that one away too. The trees swayed, their branches creaking and groaning in the wind. "Everyone, over here," shrieked Violet. "Let Twinkle protect you." Twinkle had conjured a shimmering dome of starlight. It rose over him like a curved shield. Buttercup ducked behind it, along with the other unicorns and their riders. CRACK! CRASH! BANG! The firebolts came fast and furious, hitting the shield and pinging off in all directions. Nearby bushes and trees burst into flames. Ms Willow's face screwed up and she flung her hands to the sky. A black bolt of lightning forked down and slammed into the shield. It buckled and bent. Twinkle half closed his eyes as he tried desperately to keep the shield in place. "Keep going, Twinkle," urged Violet, stroking his neck. "I can't hold it for much longer." Twinkle was gasping with the effort. "We need a new plan."

Ms Willow cackled and an arrow of dark magic whizzed towards them, black smoke trailing in its wake. It speared the dome at its