CHAPTER 9

Make Like a Tree and Leave

Sasha and Kimani searched the sky. “Don’t worry, she’ll be back.”

Sasha had been saying this all afternoon. Now the sun was starting to set, and Collie and the hummingbird still hadn’t come back. Were they lost? Had Collie’s mom hated her idea?

Xanthos and Sapphire galloped onto the beach toward them.

“You shouldn’t be out here. It’s not safe,” said Sapphire.

“Tell them about the plant pixie,” Kimani urged Sasha.

“What plant pixie?” asked Xanthos.

“The one in the jar.” Sasha told them everything. She explained about her royal power to understand pixie language. She told them about pillywiggins and hummingbird rides. She told them about her new friend, Collie.

“It won’t work.” Sapphire shook her head. “Flying horses and plant pixies can’t be friends.”

“Oh yes, they can!” Collie swooped down out of the sky on the back of the hummingbird. She held the reins with one hand and waved to Sasha with the other.

“You’re here!” Sasha was so happy to see her.

“My mother loves the hummingbird idea. You have a deal. We will leave your horse feathers alone forever.” Collie grinned. “Guess what, Sasha? I’m a hero. All the pixies cheered for me!”

Sasha cheered for her, too.

“What’s she saying?” asked Sapphire.

“The pixie problem is over. The flying horses are safe!” cried Sasha.

Now everyone cheered.

Mercury and Crimson galloped over as Major Bill joined them. “The fields are green again! The flowers are blooming!”

“The plant pixies did that,” Collie told Sasha. “We stopped the goats from somersaulting, too.”

Sasha raised a hoof. Collie slapped her a high-five.

Kimani called over all the hummingbirds. The plant pixies were now gathered together, waiting in the meadow. Each plant pixie would pick a hummingbird to be his or her partner.

“Can I be partners with you?” Collie asked the hummingbird she’d been riding.

“I’d like that,” replied the hummingbird. “My name is Lucia.”

Xanthos took one of the medals that hung around Major Bill’s neck and put it around Sasha’s neck. “Sasha’s royal power and smart thinking saved the flying horses. We can now fly anywhere we want.”

“I’m flying home to Verdant Valley,” Sasha said, turning to Collie. “Do you want to meet my sisters?”

“Yes!” said Collie. “Let’s make like a tree and leave.”

“Can I come, too?” asked Kimani.

“I want all my friends with me.” Sasha flapped her wings and soared through the clouds.

Kimani flew next to her.

Collie leaped onto Lucia, and they took to the air. The plant pixie flew alongside the two flying horses.

“Wait! Stop!” Sapphire zoomed up to them. “You need to go to the Royal Island of Flying Horses.”

“Where is the island?” Sasha had never heard of it before.

“Under the clouds, around the rainbow, and over the sea,” said Sapphire.

“But why? What’s there?” asked Sasha.

“Someone special is waiting there for you,” said Sapphire.