Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN As the cheers faded, Violet was struck by a worrying thought. "How are we going to get back to the academy?" "I can try conjuring a twister again," said Crystal eagerly. She stamped a hoof. A few pink sparks flew up into the air, turning into pink snowflakes. They swirled together in a small tornado. "It's much too small," said Crystal in dismay. "Making such a huge twister before must have worn my magic out." "Don't worry," Rosa comforted her unicorn. "You did brilliantly just to get us here. We'll find another way to get home." They all exchanged looks. No one wanted to be the one to say it but how were they going to do

that? "Girls?" They swung round. Ms Nettles was standing in the cave entrance, swaying slightly, her glasses sitting at a wonky angle on her nose. Her unicorn, Thyme, was standing beside her, yawning sleepily. "Whatever's going on?" Ms Nettles

demanded, taking her glasses off and rubbing her eyes. "You're awake, Aunt!" said Valentina, looking relieved. "Are you all right?" "The bad magic must be fading. Prancer said the island would be safe again with Ms Willow a prisoner!" Isla said. Ms Nettles blinked. "The last thing I remember is heading off to a meeting about Ms Willow now a Whatever is going on?" The girls quickly told her what had happened. As they talked, Ms Nettles' eyes grew wider and wider. "Well, I never! You really freed Prancer and captured Ms Willow?" "Yes," said Valentina. She smiled at her aunt. "I'm so glad you're OK. When Ms Willow told me she'd kidnapped you, I was really worried." "You have a good heart, Valentina," said Ms Nettles, smiling back. "Even if it has been buried under a slightly questionable attitude at times. But I've always had faith in you and…" Her smile broadened as her eyes fell on the golden streak in Valentina's hair. "It appears I was right. You have finally bonded with Golden Briar."

Valentina beamed. "Isla and Buttercup have bonded too. We can all graduate– so long as we can get back to the academy in time." "Can you help us?" Ariana asked Ms Nettles anxiously. "Thyme does not have transporting powers," said Ms Nettles. "However, I have an idea. You say the Frozen Lagoon is on the other side of the trees? And underneath its surface there is all the magic that Ms Willow has stolen from the island?" They nodded. Ms Nettles vaulted onto Thyme. "Then maybe the island magic can help us. Come with me– there's no time to waste!" They followed Ms Nettles through the trees. "If my plan succeeds then by working as a team we can return to the academy and release the stored magic back to where it belongs," Ms Nettles explained over her shoulder. Isla felt her stomach twist with excitement. What were they going to do? They reached the Frozen Lagoon and followed Ms Nettles on to the thick ice. Underneath the

surface the multi-coloured magic bubbled as if it was desperate to be free. The unicorns slipped and slid but they kept on going until they reached the very centre of the lagoon. "Stand in a circle, everyone. Now hold hands," said Ms Nettles. "If we all unite, I believe we can direct our unicorns' magic into something different from their usual powers. Unicorns, you must touch each other too, and everyone must focus on melting the ice." "Melting the ice?" said Valentina. "But won't we drown?" "Trust the island to look after us," said Ms Nettles confidently. "Amazing magical feats can be achieved through love and faith. With your love of each other–" her look took in all the girls and their unicorns– "and your love of the island, we can do this. Are you ready?" Everyone nodded. "Then form a circle. Unicorns, call up your magic and focus on what you want it to do!"

The unicorns stood shoulder to shoulder, their muzzles touching as they drummed their hooves on the ice. Melt the ice, melt the ice, thought Isla, concentrating hard. To her astonishment, sparks flew up from the unicorns' hooves and joined together above their heads in a ball of glittering light. "Keep going, everyone!" urged Ms Nettles. Isla's mind filled with pictures of the ice melting. She felt Buttercup trembling as she