Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR The following morning, the first lesson was geography with Ms Rivers. "Today we are going to learn about tornadoes," she told the class. "Mr Longnose is an expert on weather conditions and has offered to show us an experiment. He's waiting for us outside." They followed Ms Rivers out to the stable yard. Zara nudged Aisha. "An expert on weather conditions," she muttered darkly. "Do you think that includes using weather to wreck the island? I wonder what he knows about hailstorms!" Aisha had to admit that it seemed suspicious. As the class gathered around him, Mr Longnose clapped his hands together pompously. "Today we shall look at tornadoes and the effects of combining magic and science. As I hope you know by now, some magic reactions and some scientific ones are reversible, but not when the magic and science are combined." Aisha started to think about her piece of music as Mr Longnose droned on. She was pleased with the additions she'd made the night before and couldn't wait to play it to Silver. Zara nudged her and she realised everyone was following Mr Longnose to a nearby water trough. "Firstly, I'm going to demonstrate how we can create a mini tornado in this bottle using science." He picked up a large glass jar with a screw-top lid from beside the trough. It was filled with water. "Watch carefully, please." Mr Longnose unscrewed the lid and added a

few drops of green liquid. "What's that, sir? Is it a magic potion?" asked Spike from Topaz dorm. "No," said Mr Longnose in his usual clipped tones. "It's a simple detergent and the sparkly powder I'm adding now is purple glitter to help you see the tornado." He screwed the lid on to the jar tightly and, turning it upside down, he spun it in a circular motion then held it still. "Observe, a mini tornado in a jar." He brought it closer so they could all see. "Look, Aisha," said Zara, nudging her. Aisha stared at the tiny glittering tornado whirling in the water, momentarily distracted from her music. "That's so cool!" Mr Longnose looked pleased at the response. "Spinning the jar as I did created a water vortex that looks like a mini tornado. Science is a wonderful thing, and when scientific knowledge is combined with magic, the possibilities are endless!" His eyes lost their usual sharp, disapproving expression and his face lit up. "What do you mean, sir?" asked Johan, Spike's friend.

"We can use science to amplify magic, or magic to amplify science, making the effects bigger and stronger!" Mr Longnose said enthusiastically. "When I was a researcher, I worked alongside the brilliant Count Lysander Thornberry." "Not him again," muttered Phoebe. Mr Longnose was always going on about the count, a scientist and inventor who lived as a recluse. "The rain machine he made was a major breakthrough in using science to amplify magic," Mr Longnose went on. "The count took rain seeds– magic seeds from the ocean that can make it rain– and created a machine that not only amplified the effect of the seeds so that more rain fell, but that also allowed the count to direct the rainfall wherever he wanted. It was astonishing." He sighed. "The count could have achieved so much if he hadn't decided to closet himself away in his castle, refusing to share his work any further." He shook his head disapprovingly. "A brilliant but flawed man." Zara put up her hand. "Sir, are you going to combine magic and science today?" "I am," Mr Longnose said. "Phoebe, please will you fetch Shimmer from his stable?" Looking surprised, Phoebe went to get her unicorn. Mr Longnose beckoned to him. "I need your help, Shimmer. Will you please use your magic when I ask?" Shimmer nodded and blew his long pink and blue forelock out of his eyes. "Everyone, observe the mini tornado." Mr Longnose spun the jar again then held it up for everyone to see. The water tornado twirled gently. "Now, Shimmer, please use your energy magic to make the tornado spin faster. Just a small amount will do." Shimmer stamped his hoof. A small ball of energy shot into the air and hit the jar. The bottled tornado immediately grew bigger and spun faster. "See!" cried Mr Longnose, as the jar vibrated in his hands. "Keep back!" he ordered. He put the jar down and backed away. "Again, please, Shimmer!" he called as the jar rattled. Shimmer stamped his hoof. A larger ball of energy hit the jar. A sharp crack rent the air and the jar's lid flew across the yard. Everyone gasped as a glittering funnel of whirling water shot upwards, drawing in water from the nearby trough and growing to two metres, before suddenly bursting into a cloud of sparkling raindrops that soaked

them all. "Behold the power of magic and science!" Mr Longnose bowed and held out his hand, motioning for Shimmer to bow too. The class whooped and cheered. Mr Longnose beamed, looking nothing like his usual stuffy self. "Putting science and magic together is amazing, sir!" said Spike. "I want to have a go!" said Phoebe.

Mr Longnose's eyes gleamed. "There is practically no limit to the amazing things that can be done when a unicorn who has Shimmer's extraordinary power combines his magic with science." Even strict Ms Rivers looked impressed. "That was a fascinating demonstration, thank you very much, Mr Longnose," she said warmly. "Now, inside, everyone and I'll give you some homework!" When Ms Rivers dismissed them for break, Aisha didn't go with the others to get something to eat. Instead she hurried straight back to the stables to see Silver. "I made some changes to my music last night. Can I play it to you?" Aisha was already pulling her flute from its case. She blew softly into it, closing her eyes as the music took her over. When she'd finished, she smiled to herself. "What do you think?" Silver rubbed his head on her arm. "It's brilliant." "Really?" Aisha's chest swelled with pride. "You're not just saying that? Which bit did you like best?" "All of it. It's perfect," said Silver. "But…?" prompted Aisha, sensing there was more. Silver let out a long breath. "I can't stop thinking about what Moonbeam said about me vanishing. It scared me. You said we could talk about it today, but you haven't mentioned it." Aisha tried to hide her disappointment– she'd thought Silver was going to say something more about her music. "I really wouldn't worry about it. Moonbeam's visions are hard to interpret. I'm sure you're not actually going to disappear." "But what if I do?" said Silver doubtfully. "What if I'm kidnapped or something?" "Aisha!" The rest of Amethyst dorm called her. Aisha went to the stable door. "I'm here. What's up?" she said, seeing their excited faces as they came piling down the aisle to the Amethyst dorm stables. "Ms Nettles just made an announcement," said Zara. "Because of graduation being early, lessons have been cancelled so people can practise their displays. Then tomorrow there's a picnic ride to the ruined tower."

"Or students can spend time with their unicorns, trying to bond and find their magic," put in Lily. "I know," said Phoebe suddenly. "Ms Rosemary said she's got some new mane crayons that we can use to decorate our unicorns for the display. They're like hair dye only better because they wash out. Let's ask if we can practise with them. It'll be fun and it'll give you and Silver some time together to try and find his magic." "Oooh, yes," said Silver, tossing his mane. "I'd like that." "Sounds good to me!" said Zara. "OK," sighed Aisha. She could tell from Silver's hopeful look that he liked the idea of having a pamper session and going on the picnic ride the following day. "I'll go and ask Ms Rosemary where the crayons are," said Phoebe. Five minutes later, she came back with a big box full of hair crayons and glittery hoof polish in different colours. "You just rub the crayons on the mane or tail, Ms Rosemary said, and then after half an hour they set. They'll wash out with hot water. It sounds simple enough! I'm going to turn Shimmer's mane and tail gold!"