CHAPTER 6
The unicorns followed the trail of red string, walking nose to tail through the crackling fog and storm clouds. Underneath their silent hooves the dark clouds rumbled. The cloudscape was changing fast. When they came to the end of the red string, Evie searched the horizon but the Unicorn Stables were nowhere to be seen.
After a few seconds, the sound of neighing filled the air.
“It’s the other unicorns,” said Raphaela. “They’re calling us back.”
The unicorns pricked up their ears and neighed back to their friends joyfully. Before Evie and Sparkles knew it, Diamond and the other unicorns were racing over the snarling black clouds back to the Stables. Soon, they were in view.
“We’ve made it!” cheered Wanda.
Raphaela led Evie, Juno, Wanda and Storm into the stable yard just as the first flash of lightning lit up the clouds beneath them, making the clouds shudder. All the other unicorns and riders welcomed the rescue party back, relieved and happy to be together again. Professor Nimbus and Madam Mariposa were standing at the front. As soon as they dismounted, Professor Nimbus rushed up to Storm.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” she said, giving her niece a big hug. “I’ve been so worried.”
“I’m all right,” replied Storm, “thanks to Misty. You should have seen her jump. She was amazing!”
“Well, maybe you’ll make the Olympic team after all!” said Professor Nimbus, stroking Misty’s mane.
Storm told her aunt all about how she and Misty had been stranded on the cloud island. While she listened to her niece, Professor Nimbus glared at Raphaela.
“Please don’t be angry with Raphaela,” said Storm, as Raphaela led Galaxy to her stable. “I wouldn’t have been able to get off that cloud without her help.”
“Don’t you worry yourself,” said Professor Nimbus. “Just settle your unicorn in and then come to the Great Hall. I’m sure you and your friends need some cake after all that excitement.”
All the cloud sprites had fed and settled their unicorns so Professor Nimbus took them to the Great Hall for tea. Juno, Wanda, Storm and Evie took off their unicorn’s tack, brushed out their coats and helped them to recover from their adventure with a gentle massage.The unicorns settled quickly and enjoyed the fresh water and hay that Skye and Madam Mariposa brought them.
“Well done for today,” said Evie to Storm. “I could never have jumped over that gap. You and Misty are an amazing team.”
“She’s the best unicorn ever,” said Storm, giving Misty a gentle hug.
“Your aunt seemed very proud of the way you rode today,” said Madam Mariposa as she helped Storm brush out Misty’s mane.
“I never thought my riding would be good enough for her,” said Storm.
“Is that why you wanted a different unicorn?” asked Evie.
Storm looked embarrassed.
“I’m sorry, Misty,” she said. “I thought you weren’t as good as the other unicorns but today I realised that it was me that was stopping us from being a team. I wouldn’t bond with you so you couldn’t trust me.”
“Trust is the key,” said Madam Mariposa. “You learnt that just in time and it saved you and your unicorn from being lost in the sky.”
“I’ll never forget it,” promised Storm. “It’s not about being the boss like my aunt said, it’s about getting to know each other, listening to each other and being the best team you can be.”
“That sounds like good advice,” said Skye. “Not just for riders and their unicorns, but for friends too.”
Storm smiled at them all and then took Wanda’s hand.
“I know it won’t make up for what I did,” she said, “but I’m so sorry about the way I’ve treated you and Zephyr. I won’t ever make the same mistake again.”
“I’m so glad you’re bonding with Misty,” said Wanda. “You make a great team.”
“I think we all make a great team,” said Evie. And everyone cheered.
