Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8 The academy was quiet. The halls were unusually empty. Lily and Aisha went looking for Zara and Phoebe and found them in the lounge, huddled beside a roaring fire. Zara was writing furiously in her notebook, and Phoebe was pacing up and down. "What's happened?" asked Aisha. "Chaos!" said Phoebe with a dramatic sweep of her arm. "Our beautiful island is being destroyed by purple tornadoes. They're whirling across the land, destroying everything in their path!" "Enough with the drama, Phoebe," said Zara. Pushing her hair behind her ears, she explained. "There were more purple tornadoes last night, closer to the school. The teachers have gone to check it out. I overheard Ms. Nettles talking about it with Ms. Rosemary. They also think it's someone using dark magic." "But why didn't they take us with them to help

clean up?" said Aisha. "They're worried that another tornado will hit nearby while they're out, and they thought we'd be safer here at school." Lily caught her breath. "But what if a tornado hits the academy?" They all looked at her. She rushed on. "I told you what I'd seen on the map. It looked like the tornadoes are zigzagging across the island, and if they keep going, they'll reach the school! The teachers must not have realized this!" "Let's go check!" cried Zara. They raced to the hall. The force field protecting the map stopped humming and let them through right away. It's as if it wants us to help, Lily thought again. She hurried closer, and her heart sank as she saw how damaged the map was now. "You're right, Lily!" Zara breathed, pointing. "If the tornadoes keep happening, it looks like one will hit the school today!" "What should we do?" Aisha's eyes were huge. "The teachers are all gone!" "We need to warn everyone," said Zara. "There's still time for us to get out of the way." "But what about the academy?" Lily couldn't

bear the thought of it being smashed to pieces. "There has to be a way we can save it!" "There's nothing we can do," said Phoebe. "None of our unicorns have magic yet, except Feather." Feather! A plan sprang into Lily's brain. She bit her lip. Should she say it out loud? Would her friends just laugh at her? She shoved her fears down. She'd decided she was going to speak up from now on and she would start right away! "Feather might be able to help!" she burst out. "She could try to use her moving magic to steer the tornado away from the school and push it out to the ocean." "Oh yes!" Phoebe cried, clasping her hands, and Aisha nodded. Zara frowned. "Lily, I really don't mean this to sound mean, but is Feather's magic strong enough to do something like that yet?" "She was awesome this morning!" said Aisha. "She was moving whatever she wanted." Lily shot her a grateful look. "Look, it may not work," she said to Zara. "I can't promise she'll be able to do it. But I believe in her, and right now we don't have any other plans. This might be our only

hope! We have to try!" "Okay," said Zara, taking command. "If you believe Feather can do it, then I believe it too, Lily." Lily glowed inside. "Let's call a meeting of the whole school in the stables, and Lily can tell everyone what the plan is." Lily's stomach sank. It was one thing speaking in front of her friends, but the whole school? "Oh no," she whispered, shaking her head. "I can't speak in front of everyone. I just can't. Could you please do that part, Zara?" "If you're sure?" Zara looked happy when Lily

nodded. "Okay, I'll do that. You go tell Feather what's happening, and we'll get everyone to the stables! Come on! There isn't a moment to waste!" As Lily ran to the stables, she felt a curl of panic inside. Should she have asked Feather before offering her help? But there hadn't been time. She ran faster. "Lily, what is it?" Feather left her hay as Lily ran into her stall. Panting for breath, Lily explained. For a moment, Feather was silent. Then she asked quietly, "Do you think I can do this, Lily? Do you really believe my magic is strong enough?" Lily didn't hesitate. "Yes. I do. You can help save the school, Feather. I know it." Feather took a deep breath. "Then I'll try." "I'll be with you the whole time." Lily said. "And if anyone dares to say anything mean, they'll have me to deal with!" The students gathered in the stable yard, shouting and calling out, wanting to know what was going on. Zara stood on a mounting block and addressed

them. "Listen up, everyone," she called, clapping her hands like a teacher. "This is an emergency." She quickly explained about the tornado and how Feather was going to try to stop it. She'd barely finished speaking when Skye interrupted. "As if that will work," she scoffed. "Feather's magic isn't strong enough to move a cart, let alone a tornado!" "Oh yes it is!" cried Lily. Feather gave her a grateful look. "Feather was tired yesterday because she'd only just got her magic, but she's been practicing this morning and she's really good at using it now. So you can just… just be quiet, Skye!" There were a number of gasps. Skye gaped, lost for words for once. Feather nuzzled Lily's shoulder, and Lily felt a happy glow. "Lily's right," called Aisha. "Feather can do this." Silver whinnied in support and the rest of the unicorns joined in. Lily felt a rush of triumph. "Then what are we waiting for?" she shouted, courage rushing through her as she saw the look of love that Feather was giving her. "Let's save the school!"