by Julie Sykes
Despite the intense heat, Layla felt a chill seep through her. “The lava must be rising through the rocks. I read that happens just before a volcano erupts!”
“Maybe we should go back?” said Dancer anxiously.
“But we’re almost there! We have to go on,” Layla insisted, looking up to the summit.
“What if the volcano erupts?” asked Dancer.
“We’ll have to risk it!” said Layla.
Thick smoke billowed towards them as they scrambled up the final steep slope to approach the crater. Layla scanned the ground, searching desperately for fire beetles.
“There aren’t any fire beetles here,” said Dancer, reaching the crater’s edge.
Just inside the crater, Layla could see an oozing lake of burning lava that hissed and spat, spraying fiery globs into the air. Layla’s eyes were streaming. Where were the fire beetles?
“We should go,” said Dancer as lava shot past his nose.
“Wait!” Layla caught movement in the corner of her eye. Impulsively, she slid from Dancer’s back.
“Layla, what are you doing? Be careful!” whinnied Dancer.
“Sssh,” she whispered, crouching down and pointing to a chunk of rock. Behind it were four very strange-looking beetles. Her heart leapt. “Fire beetles!” she exclaimed, recognising them from the book.
The fire beetles were creepy with spindly legs, thick black shells, tiny heads and large pincers.
“Catch them!” urged Dancer.
As Layla steeled herself to pick them up their shells opened, revealing acid-yellow wings that shimmered as they vibrated.
“They’re going to fly away!” said Dancer. “They must know the volcano is about to erupt.”
There was no time to be squeamish. Layla tugged Ms Nettles’ beetle bag from her shoulder and opened it. She angled it over the beetles ready to scoop them inside but the beetles looked up and flew straight in.
“Brilliant!”
“Layla, we have to leave. Jump on my back, quick!” said Dancer urgently.
There was a deep rumbling sound and smoke erupted from the volcano, flinging molten lava everywhere. The ground began to vibrate more and more violently until Dancer could barely stand. Layla scrambled on to his back. The volcano was erupting!
“Go, NOW!” she shrieked.
BANG! The explosion almost blew Layla and Dancer away. Layla clung to her unicorn’s mane, gripping his sides with her knees as he galloped away from the crater, leaping from rock to rock to avoid the boiling lava that was now flooding out of the crater and down the mountainside. It seemed to be chasing them like a fiery monster.
“Faster!” cried Layla. Forgetting all about her fear of galloping, she urged Dancer on, shouting at the top of her lungs. Dancer raced on, out-galloping the lava behind them. Hope surged through Layla. If they could just reach some safe ground, then she could use the miniature model of the school to take them home…
“No!” she cried in horror as she suddenly realised that in front of them, two rivers of lava had curled inwards, flowing until they met in the middle to form a giant lake right across their path. “Stop!” screamed Layla, terrified that Dancer would plunge straight into it.
“We can’t!” cried Dancer. He headed for the lava lake at breakneck speed.
Layla felt a bolt of terror. He was going to jump! “Dancer, NO!” she yelled. No way could he leap something so big! He was brilliant at jumping but this was impossible. They would fall in and be burnt to pieces!
“Trust me!” he whinnied. “Please!”
Layla squashed her fear down and flung her arms round his neck. It seemed an impossible leap but her instinct told her to put her faith in her unicorn. If he thought he could do it, then she had to believe him. “I do trust you! I do!” she cried. “JUMP!”
As Dancer leapt into the air, Layla saw pinky-blue sparks and smelled something sweet. Magic! She felt something strange happening to Dancer’s sides as he suddenly soared high in the sky! Layla had never felt so weightless, so exhilarated. The jump seemed to go on and on and she screamed at the top of her voice, “Wow! I love jumping!”
“FLYING!” Dancer’s voice was full of shock and wonder. “I’m not jumping. I’m flying, Layla!”
Looking down in surprise, Layla realised that the strange movement she’d felt on his sides were huge feathery wings. The indigo wings, marbled with pinks and yellows, had grown out from his sides and were propelling them upwards.
“I’ve found my magic!” cried Dancer. “I can fly!”
Layla couldn’t help herself. A whoop of sheer delight burst from her as they soared up into the sky above the smoke and into the clouds. She didn’t feel scared at all. She was on her unicorn and he was flying! This was the most amazing moment of her life!
Layla threw her arms round Dancer’s neck and hugged him tight. She trusted him completely and felt all his love and trust flowing right back at her. It was the best feeling ever.
Beneath them, fluffy white clouds floated by and beneath that, through the smoke, she could just pick out a thick red line of lava rolling down the mountainside. They had the fire beetles and they were safe. Dancer flew on until they were away from the lava and then he swooped down in a graceful curve. When he landed on the ground. Layla half jumped, half fell from his back and hugged him again. “That was incredible!”
“Hardly any unicorns can fly!” Dancer said in astonishment. “I can’t believe I can. I—” He broke off and nudged Layla, catching her hair on his nose and tossing it over her arm. “We’ve bonded! Look, Layla, we’ve finally bonded!”
Layla’s heart swelled as she looked at the pink, yellow and indigo streak now running through her hair. “I love you, Dancer!” She felt stronger and more confident than she had ever felt in her life. “Now, let’s get back,” she declared. “We’ve some trees and a lake to save!”
There was no need to use the tiny model of Unicorn Academy to get back to the school. Dancer just flew! He was so good at it, flying steady and fast as if he’d been doing it all his life. They soared away from the volcano, heading over deserted tundra and then on over thick forests and grassy meadows. Finally the academy came into sight. Approaching Lake Sparkle, Layla saw two figures talking on its banks. “Look, it’s Ms Nettles and there’s Ms Primrose with her!” she said to Dancer in surprise. “When did she get back?”
Ms Primrose’s voice floated towards them, loud and angry. “I came straight back when I heard there was a problem. Frankly, I’m disappointed that you didn’t tell me about it sooner, Ms Nettles. We must close the school immediately. The students cannot go on living here with this foul smell, and the damage the flash flies have caused to the trees could leave them unstable, liable to fall at any time.”
“No, Ms Primrose! It’s OK!” cried Layla, as Dancer flew down. “The school doesn’t have to close.”
“Layla! What is the meaning of this?” demanded Ms Primrose. She blinked. “Dancer can fly!”
“Yes, he’s found his magic and we’ve bonded, but right now it’s the trees that matter. We can save them. Look!” said Layla.
She pulled the bag off her shoulder and saw a look of hope light up Ms Nettles’ pointed face. “Layla, you didn’t go to—”
“I did,” interrupted Layla. “I’m sorry I disobeyed you and I’m sorry I used the map without asking but I had to help. I went to Mount Fury and found four fire beetles!”
“Oh, Layla, well done!” Ms Nettles’ glasses jumped on her nose as she clasped her hands together. “With four beetles we can definitely save the trees.”
“And afterwards you’ll have four fire beetles for your beetle collection,” Layla grinned at her. “Should Dancer and I fly up and put the beetles in the trees?” She turned to Ms Primrose and was surprised to see that instead of smiling the headteacher was frowning.
“It was very clever of you to find fire beetles, Layla,” she said, her mouth tight, “but I’m really not sure they will help.”
“They wi
ll,” said Ms Nettles.
Ms Primrose shook her head. “No, no. I think it might be better if we keep them in a cage overnight while we do some research to check they won’t damage the trees further. Give them to me please, Layla.”
“But I’ve done the research, Ms Primrose,” argued Layla. “The book I read said fire beetles are excellent at getting rid of flash flies.”
“Layla’s right,” said Ms Nettles earnestly. “Fire beetles will not damage the trees.”
“I really don’t think we should risk it,” said Ms Primrose. “Please hand the beetles over, Layla.”
Layla glanced between the two – old, wise Ms Primrose and passionate, knowledgeable Ms Nettles. Who should she listen to? Instinct told her that Ms Nettles was right, and her adventure had taught her to listen to her instincts. “I’m sorry but I really think we should put the beetles in the trees, Ms Primrose,” she said. “And as soon as possible. Come on, Dancer!”
Dancer needed no encouragement. He flew up. Layla heard Ms Primrose give a sharp exclamation but she ignored her. She was absolutely sure she was doing the right thing. Dancer hovered above the top branches of the trees while Layla opened the beetle bag and let the fire beetles crawl out. One at a time she placed them into the branches.
“Get rid of the flies,” she whispered. “Please!”
The beetles split up and scurried towards the flash flies. They started to gobble them all up. The flash flies began to panic. Their wings whirred. As the beetles stormed through the branches, the flies rose into the air, swirling together in a buzzing mass. The beetles reared up, waving their front legs at them and snapping their pincers. The flies set off across the sky, leaving the trees – and the academy – for good.
Dancer flew back to the ground and tossed his mane proudly.
“It worked!” said Layla, relief surging through her.
Ms Primrose smiled. “Excellent! Well done, my dear.” Layla noticed her smile was slightly tighter than usual. She was sure it was because she had disobeyed her. Still, she knew it had been the right thing to do – it had worked!
Ms Nettles was looking delighted. “Well, I don’t think we need to send the pupils home now. Frankly, I think the academy is safer when they’re here, especially the girls from Sapphire dorm!” Her lips twitched and she actually smiled – properly smiled – for once. “Now the flies have gone we can make sure the fallen leaves are cleared from the lake.”
Layla heaved a happy sigh. The school could stay open and soon the unicorns would have fresh clean water to drink again so their magic would stay strong. Nothing else mattered as much as that.
“One more thing,” she remembered. “This appeared when I used the map but I didn’t need it to get home.”
Layla held out the tiny model of Unicorn Academy. Ms Nettles went to take it but Ms Primrose got there first. “Thank you, Layla dear,” she said, her hand closing tightly round it. “I’ll take care of that.” She turned to Ms Nettles. “Come with me, Ms Nettles. We should talk about these attacks on the school. They cannot be allowed to continue. Layla, why don’t you take Dancer to the stables?”
Layla nodded and watched as the two teachers hurried away. She stroked Dancer’s neck, her initial relief and happiness fading slightly. It felt strange standing there, just her and Dancer. She found herself wishing that all her friends and their unicorns were there so they could celebrate together.
Dancer nuzzled her. “Are you OK?” he asked.
“Mmm.” Layla sighed. “I’m really glad the trees are going to be all right but I miss the others a bit. I wish we could tell them about it.”
“Well, why don’t we?” said Dancer. “We could go to the woods and find where they are camping. We don’t have to stay overnight, we can just go for a few hours.”
Layla hesitated. She loved the idea of going to see the others but she didn’t want to go if Dancer needed to rest. “Are you sure? You’ve done so much today already.”
“I’m fine!’ said Dancer, tossing his mane. “Flying makes me feel great! Shall we, Layla?”
She grinned. “Yes!”
Layla got on to Dancer’s back and he flew into the sky. He headed back across the school grounds towards the woods. “We should be able to see their tent easily from up here,” he said.
“We don’t need to find their tent,” said Layla. “Look, I can see them!” She had spotted the rest of Sapphire dorm and their unicorns standing at the edge of the woods. What are they doing? she wondered.
Dancer flew towards them. As he got closer, Layla saw Rainbow stamp one of his front hooves on the ground. Multicoloured lights suddenly illuminated a path through the trees.
“Hello!” Layla shouted to her friends, excitement buzzing through her as Dancer flew towards them. What would her friends say when they saw Dancer flying?
“Was that Layla?” Isabel said in surprise.
Sophia was the first one to spot Dancer. Her mouth fell open. “Layla!” she squeaked. “Look up there, everyone!”
The other unicorns all whinnied in amazement as Dancer flew lower.
Scarlett’s eyes turned the size of saucers. “Oh my… Wow!” she breathed.
“Dancer’s got flying magic!” exclaimed Olivia.
“And you’ve bonded,” cried Ava, pointing at Layla’s hair.
“How did it happen? When?” demanded Isabel.
Dancer landed and Layla got off his back. Everyone crowded round asking questions and Layla and Dancer told them everything that had happened since they’d left school to go camping.
“Sounds like we missed a really awesome adventure,” said Sophia, when she’d finished.
Ava hugged Layla. “You’ve been so brave. It was amazing to go to the volcano all on your own.”
Layla grinned. “I wasn’t on my own – I had Dancer!” He nuzzled her hair. “So, what are you doing?” asked Layla, looking curiously at the path of lights.
The others exchanged looks. “Um… We were planning a surprise for you,” said Scarlett.
“For me?” said Layla in surprise.
Olivia linked arms with her. “We were missing you and we were planning to go back to school and see if we could persuade you to come back here with us.”
“We’ve done all sorts of things to try to make the woods less scary!” said Ava.
“Come and see what we’ve done for you!” said Isabel, pulling her over to the lights. “You start here on this path of light that Rainbow made.”
Layla glanced around at her friends’ eager faces and her heart filled with happiness. Sapphire dorm was the best!
Putting her hand on Dancer’s neck, she walked with him down the path of twinkling rainbow lights with her friends following. After a little way, the lights changed to small blazing fires.
“I made these!” said Blaze proudly. “They’re magic so they won’t burn anything they shouldn’t.”
The fires led back to a clearing on the edge of the woods where there was a large pale blue tent with a bright blue flag. A campfire was burning outside the tent and a pot of gently bubbling hot chocolate was warming above it. A rainbow arched over the tent and all around it bloomed jasmine bushes, the tiny white flowers giving off a sweet, heady scent.
“Star magicked up those flowers,” said Ava proudly.
“They’re beautiful,” said Layla, breathing in deeply.
“So, will you stay the night with us?” begged Olivia. “We’ve got a spare sleeping bag and pillow for you.”
Layla beamed around at all her friends. Her fear of camping by the woods had vanished now – if she could climb a volcano to do what she felt was right, she could do anything! “Of course I’ll stay!” she said.
As the sun set and darkness fell, the unicorns munched on fresh sky berries from a sky-berry bush that Star had grown, while the girls cuddled up in their sleeping bags around the fire, dipping strawberries and marshmallows on sticks into the hot chocolate. Layla didn’t think she had ever felt happier. She glanced across to t
he unicorns. As if sensing her gaze, Dancer lifted his head and their eyes met.
Layla went over to him.
“Do you like adventures now?” he asked her softly.
“Oh yes,” she breathed. “Especially when I’m with you.”
She wrapped her arms round him and hugged him tightly as high above them the crescent moon shone and the stars twinkled brightly in the night sky.
COPYRIGHT
First published in the UK in 2018 by Nosy Crow Ltd
The Crow’s Nest, 14 Baden Place, Crosby Row
London, SE1 1YW, UK
Nosy Crow and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Nosy Crow Ltd
Text copyright © Julie Sykes and Linda Chapman, 2018
Illustrations copyright © Lucy Truman, 2018
The right of Julie Sykes, Linda Chapman and Lucy Truman to be identified as the authors and illustrator respectively of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
A CIP catalogue record for this book will be available from the British Library.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Nosy Crow Ltd.
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A.
Papers used by Nosy Crow are made from wood grown in sustainable forests.
ISBN: 978 1 78800 166 3
eISBN: 978 1 78800 167 0
www.nosycrow.com
