Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE, "We could be wandering around in this maze for days," said Evie, going pale. "We've only got a few biscuits!" said Ivy. "Keep calm," said Lyra. "We'll find the way out if we work logically. Let's mark any paths that end up dead ends." Misty whinnied excitedly. "Wait! I've got a better idea! Why don't we use my bubble magic, Lyra? My magic's much stronger now than it used to be. I think I can make a bubble that will float us all out." Lyra hugged her. "Misty, you're a star." Everyone mounted their unicorns and formed a circle round Misty. She stamped her hooves, sending pink sparkles into the air. A gigantic shimmering bubble formed, surrounding everyone as it grew. Misty stamped her hoof again and the bubble rose slowly up floating over the top of the maze. Looking down, the girls could see the twisting network of overgrown paths and intertwined branches. The bubble came to rest on the grass near the maze's entrance. With a loud pop, it exploded.

Ivy and Evie burst out cheering and the other unicorns whinnied. "Your magic's amazing, Misty!" cried Ivy. "Just brilliant!" said Evie. Misty's sides were heaving from the effort of doing so much magic. "You're totally awesome." Lyra hugged Misty then fed her unicorn handfuls of sky berries from her bag. Sienna watched jealously. If only Sparkle had found his magic and saved the day! Nothing's gone right, she thought grumpily. Sparkle nudged her leg with his nose. "What?" she said. He looked pointedly at Misty. Sienna sighed. She knew what he wanted her to do but it was hard! Still, Misty had been pretty amazing. She took a breath and forced a smile on her face. "You were great, Misty!" she

called. Misty looked round. "Thanks, Sienna!" Lyra sent her a happy smile and to Sienna's surprise she felt her grumpiness fade slightly and be replaced by a warm glow. "I'm sorry I got us into a mess, guys," she said awkwardly. "You didn't," said Ivy. "It wasn't your fault the string got cut." "The diamond might have been hidden in this maze," Evie added. "It's not your fault," said Lyra. "We work as a team, remember?" Sienna fiddled with Sparkle's mane. "Yeah," she said uncomfortably. "We do." After they'd arrived back at the stables and settled their unicorns, they headed to their dorm, bumping into Sam. "Where have you lot been?" he said. "We've been trying to find you to see if you wanted a crossnet match." "We've had more important things to do," said Lyra. Sam looked interested. "You mean treasure hunting?" he said, lowering his voice. They nodded. He checked around to make sure no one else was there to overhear. "Did you find anything?" Lyra explained where they'd been and what had happened in the maze. Sam's face clouded with concern. "I bet you're right and Aunt Angelica cut the string. She really wants that diamond." "But why?" Sienna burst out. "She has to have the biggest collection of precious artefacts on the island. It's why she spends so much time supervising archaeological digs and exploring underground catacombs and labyrinths. She likes being rich too though. Sometimes, when she's found something really valuable, she'll sell it to the highest bidder." "But that means the diamond could end up in the hands of someone who wants to use it for evil," said Evie in alarm. "We've really got to get hold of it before she does," said Lyra. "The Unicorn's Diamond should only be used to wish for something that is good," said Ivy.

Her words made Sienna's tummy twist into knots. But I do want something good. I want Sparkle to have his magic. It's what my friends want too. They'll be happy if I make that wish. Will they? The annoying little voice in her head spoke up again. Or will they think it's cheating? "Are you coming to play crossnet?" Sam asked. "Or are you too chicken?" Sienna pushed her troublesome thoughts away. "Too chicken? In your dreams! Of course we'll play!" Lyra and Ivy nodded but Evie didn't seem to have heard. "Earth to Evie," said Sienna, waving a hand in front of her face. "Are you coming to play crossnet?" "No," said Evie, shaking her head abruptly. "I need to go to the library!" Then she turned and hurried off. The match was great fun. Especially, Sienna thought, because Ruby dorm won by two goals. When they finally got back to their room, they found Evie pacing around with an old dusty book open on her bed. "I've got it!" she exclaimed. "I've worked it out!" "What have you worked out?" said Lyra, confused. "Where the diamond is!" They all gaped at her. "It's in a maze but not the type we were thinking about," Evie rushed on. "It's in a maze that's under the ground!" She pointed at the book. It was open at a picture of a twisting network of tunnels. "Sam made me think of it. He mentioned catacombs and labyrinths, so I went to the library and found this book and it says there's an underground labyrinth of tunnels at the centre of the island, hidden under that green mound I showed you on the magic map."

Lyra gasped. "So you were right all along. That's where we have to go?" Evie's eyes shone. "I'm sure of it." Ivy squealed and Lyra hugged Evie. Sienna's mind raced. Although she hated to be wrong, what Evie was saying made perfect sense. She waited for Evie to say I told you so but she didn't. "When should we go?" Evie asked excitedly.

"Right now!" said Lyra. "Now?" Ivy echoed. "But it's almost dinner time and it's dark. Can't it wait until tomorrow? We could take a picnic with us then." "We'd never get there and back in a day," said Evie. "It's miles away." "How about we sneak out after dinner tonight when the teachers have gone to their rooms, fetch our unicorns, then ask the magic map to take us there?" said Lyra. "It didn't let us use it the other day but if we're right about the mound being the hiding place for the Unicorn's Diamond and it knows we're trying to stop Dr Briar, then it might work." She looked round at them all. "Let's try! We can't let Dr Briar get there first. Agreed?" "Agreed!" they all shouted.