Isla and Buttercup

by Julie Sykes

  Isla saw the wolves’ muscles bunch. They were about to spring! She tensed, and then suddenly a little unicorn came bursting out of the nearby trees and charged recklessly at the wolves. “Buttercup!” Isla shrieked, her head spinning. Whatever was her unicorn doing there?

  To Isla Rose Nicole –

  may all your days be filled with magic.

  “Oh, wow! That’s amazing, Matilda!” said Isla. Matilda from Diamond dorm had covered the back wall of the stable block with paper and was drawing an enormous mural that showed the last year at Unicorn Academy. There were pictures of everyone arriving; being paired with their unicorns; galloping through the grounds and camping in the woods. The other girls from Diamond dorm – Rosa, Freya, Ariana and Violet – were painting the background, while Unibot, the robotic unicorn that Freya had built, was helping the girls by trundling around with pots of paint.

  “It does look good, doesn’t it?” said Rosa.

  Isla nodded. “I bet the parents will love it!”

  Every student who’d bonded with their unicorn – and discovered its magic power – was about to graduate. In just a few days’ time, all the students’ and unicorns’ parents would come to the academy for the graduation ball. Students who weren’t graduating, like Isla, would watch the ceremony, then go home for Christmas and return for a second year in January.

  Matilda looked round. “Do you want to help us, Isla?”

  Isla shook her head. “I’d only mess it up.”

  “Don’t be silly, I’m no good at painting so I’m just doing the grass,” said Violet. “Come and join me!”

  It looked like fun but Isla didn’t want to risk ruining their beautiful mural. “It’s OK,” she said cheerfully, “the others from my dorm will be here soon. We’re making snowflakes to hang from the ceiling.” She grinned. “That’s about my level when it comes to art!”

  “Come and sit with us anyway,” said Violet, waving Isla over with a paintbrush.

  Isla smiled again. “Thanks.” The Diamond dorm girls were always so friendly to her. She was going to miss them when they all graduated.

  Her own dorm, Ruby dorm, didn’t get on quite as well as Diamond dorm. Molly and Anna were nice but they were best friends who did everything together. The fourth member of Ruby dorm, Valentina, had rich parents who were governors at the school and she often acted as if she was better than everyone else.

  I wonder who’ll be in my dorm next year, Isla thought as she settled down to work on her snowflake. She wasn’t sure how she felt about returning to the academy on her own and was glad that Buttercup, her confident, energetic little unicorn, would be with her.

  “We’ve been trying to think of where Ms Willow could be hiding out,” said Violet, including Isla in the conversation. “What do you think?”

  Pretty, friendly Ms Willow had been the school nurse, until Diamond dorm had discovered that she’d been draining magic from around the island as part of an evil plan to take it over! A month ago, Ms Willow had kidnapped Violet and her unicorn Twinkle, and had taken them to the Frozen Lagoon where she was storing all the magic in the water under the ice. Thanks to a tip-off from Isla, the Diamond dorm girls had gone to Violet and Twinkle’s rescue, and they’d all escaped. Now Ms Willow had vanished without a trace.

  “She might have gone back to the Frozen Lagoon,” said Isla. Her face reddened as everyone turned to look at her. She hadn’t meant to voice that thought aloud. Would they all think it was a stupid idea?

  “Of course! That’s a brilliant thought!” said Violet.

  “You clever thing, Isla,” said Matilda.

  Isla, who found it embarrassing when anyone complimented her, turned even redder. “I don’t know. I bet everyone else has better ideas.”

  Rosa grinned at her, “You shouldn’t always put yourself down. It’s obvious when you think about it. Ms Willow is bound to be hiding at the Frozen Lagoon, she’s got lots of magic stored there – the magic she has stolen from around the island – and it’s a secret place that no one else knows how to get to.”

  “So, how do we catch her if she’s there?” said Freya.

  Just then Molly, Anna and Valentina arrived carrying paper and scissors.

  “Ooh, I like your snowflake, Isla!” said Molly.

  Anna nodded. “Can you show me how you made it and I’ll do another one just the same?”

  Isla felt a sudden tingle of happiness but it was quickly squashed by Valentina.

  “It’s too big,” she declared, with a swish of her long, dark hair. “And it’s wonky.”

  “Don’t listen to her, Isla!” Rosa rounded on Valentina. “That was a really mean thing to say!”

  Valentina looked surprised. “But the cutting out is wonky in parts.”

  “So? No one will notice at all when it’s hanging up,” said Freya.

  “I actually think it’ll be good to have snowflakes of all different sizes,” added Molly.

  “We’ve got some glue and glitter over here, Isla,” Matilda called. “Why don’t you start decorating the one you’ve made?”

  “Can we help?” Anna asked Isla.

  Anna and Molly fetched glue and glitter and sat down with Isla to decorate the snowflake.

  Valentina gave them a cross look. “What about me?” she said, clearly feeling left out. “What am I going to do?”

  No one answered her.

  Valentina huffed and started to draw some snowflakes on her own. Isla glanced over at her. She just didn’t understand why Valentina said the things she did. If she wanted to have friends, why didn’t she try harder to make people like her? Valentina was in her second year at the academy, and although her unicorn Golden Briar had discovered that he had wind magic, the two of them still hadn’t bonded. Valentina would be the only student staying on for a third year.

  I’d hate that, thought Isla, feeling a sudden rush of sympathy for her. If it was me I’d do anything to graduate with everyone else.

  Just then, there was a clatter of hooves and the unicorns came trotting into the stables. They had been outside in the meadow, enjoying the winter sun.

  “We want to go for a cross-country ride,” Whisper, Ariana’s handsome unicorn, announced.

  “We won’t have many more chances to all be together,” said Honey, Freya’s unicorn.

  “Can we go too?” Buttercup asked, trotting over to Isla and nuzzling her as everyone started putting the art equipment down. Buttercup was a very pretty little unicorn with a pink, yellow and green mane and tail, and a sparkling white coat that was patterned with flowers. “There are some new cross-country jumps that I can’t wait to try.”

  “They’re not too high for you, are they?” Isla asked. Buttercup was one of the smallest unicorns.

  “Nothing’s too high for me!” Buttercup declared confidently.

  The others were already leaving the stable block but Isla noticed that Freya was searching the ground and Honey, her unicorn, was walking slowly around, her muzzle touching the floor.

  “Have you lost something?” Isla asked.

  “A tiny screw from Unibot.” Freya pulled a face. “It’s so small you’d hardly think it matters. But without it Unibot can’t travel backwards. Look.”

  The robotic unicorn was now stuck in a corner, a basket of paint pots in its mouth.

  “Buttercup and I will help you look,” said Isla.

  Buttercup nodded. She liked being helpful just as much as Isla did.

  Freya smiled. “Thanks. It has to be here somewhere.”

  “Find the screw, find it!” Buttercup sang out while rapping a hoof in time to the beat.

  There was a loud pop and Isla saw a pink spark drift down to the floor.

  “Oh!” said Buttercup in surprise. “Did you see tha
t? What was it?”

  “Is it your magic?” said Freya in excitement. “The first time Honey found her super-speed, magic pink sparks came from her hooves.”

  “Do that again, whatever it was you were doing,” urged Honey.

  “What, this?” Buttercup thumped her hoof on the floor. “Find the screw! Find—!” she chanted, breaking off as a flurry of pink sparkles swirled up from her hooves.

  Isla hardly dared to believe what she was seeing as the sparkles twirled and danced, then rose up together to form an arrow. It quivered in the air then dived, its tip pointing at a crack where the stable wall joined the floor.

  Buttercup trotted over and peered into the crack. “Here’s Freya’s screw! I did find it!”

  “You’ve got your magic!” squealed Isla, throwing her arms around Buttercup’s neck. “It’s finding magic!”

  “Awesome!” said Freya. “You’ll be able to find things whenever they get lost.”

  Buttercup’s eyes shone. “Let’s go and tell the others straight away!”

  Freya and Isla vaulted on to their unicorns and galloped after the others. Isla was buzzing with excitement and couldn’t wait to share the news that Buttercup had found her magic.

  “Wait!” Buttercup whinnied to the other unicorns.

  They slowed to a halt.

  “What’s up?” demanded Rosa. A look of alarm crossed her face. “It’s not Ms Willow, is it?”

  “No, it’s not Ms Willow,” said Freya.

  “What is it then?” said Violet.

  “It’s Buttercup!” Isla burst out. “She’s just discovered her magic!”

  She told them what had happened.

  “It was amazing!” enthused Freya. “A magical arrow appeared in the air and pointed to where the missing screw was.”

  “I’m so pleased, Isla!” Violet exclaimed.

  “Finding magic’s so cool!” said Isla, thinking of all the people she and Buttercup could help.

  Valentina frowned. “Don’t think that just because you’ve found Buttercup’s magic you’ll be able to graduate!” she snapped. “You’ve still got to bond, remember! Come on, Golden Briar. Let’s go.”

  “But…” Golden Briar started to protest.

  “Now!” exclaimed Valentina, clapping her heels against his sides. With a sigh, Golden Briar cantered away.

  “She’s so mean,” said Matilda. “She could at least have congratulated you.”

  “Take no notice of her,” said Violet. “I bet you’ll bond really quickly and be able to graduate after all.”

  “Yep!” Buttercup declared happily. “I bet we will too.”

  Isla patted Buttercup’s neck as they rode on. She was very glad that her unicorn wasn’t upset by Valentina’s comments but she couldn’t help feeling a little deflated. She’d been so excited to find Buttercup’s magic but of course they still might not graduate. Oh, I hope we bond soon, she thought. I really do!

  They all had a great time on the cross-country course and returned to the stables chattering and laughing. Golden Briar was already in his stall, next door to Buttercup’s.

  “Did you have fun?” he asked.

  Buttercup nodded. “It was amazing! I jumped a huge log pile.”

  “I wish I’d been able to come with you,” said Golden Briar.

  “Next time you must. Tell Valentina it’s your turn to decide what you do. Isn’t that right, Isla?” said Buttercup.

  “Valentina often lets me do what I want,” Golden Briar said firmly. He turned back to his hay net to show that the conversation was over.

  Isla suddenly felt sorry for Golden Briar – and for Valentina too. How would it feel not to have bonded after two years at the academy?

  “Buttercup!” Matilda called out. “Can you use your magic to help me find my favourite blue pen? I lost it last week.”

  Buttercup lifted her head. “Coming!” She and Isla went to the Diamond dorm aisle. “Stand back, everyone!” Buttercup gave a theatrical bow, clearly enjoying herself. She lifted her hoof, then smacked it down on the ground. “Find Matilda’s blue pen!”

  Everyone gasped as a rainbow of sparks shot up and arched above her head. The arrow hung in the air for a second, then shimmied its tail and darted out through the stable door.

  “After it!” cried Buttercup. She cantered out of the stable then skidded to a halt. “Whoops! Sorry, Isla! I almost forgot you!” Isla ran up to her and vaulted on. The others mounted their unicorns and cantered after the arrow.

  It sailed over the stable roof and into the meadow, stopping by the stream. Buttercup trotted over to where the arrow hovered in the air, pointing at the reeds.

  “I’ve found your pen!” she exclaimed. She thrust her muzzle into the reeds.

  CLUCK!

  With a flurry of wings a pale blue bird burst indignantly from the reeds.

  “Whaaa!” cried Buttercup, staggering backwards in shock.

  Rosa burst out laughing. “Your magic found a blue hen not Matilda’s blue pen, Buttercup!”

  Isla turned hot with embarrassment for Buttercup as everyone rocked with laughter, but Buttercup laughed just as loudly as the others.

  “Oh dear!” she snorted. “I think I need to practise a bit more.”

  “Don’t worry,” said Violet kindly. “Most unicorns find it hard to control their magic properly when they first discover their powers.”

  Matilda’s unicorn, Pearl, nodded in agreement. “I found it really hard to hold glamours at first.”

  The other unicorns nodded too. “You get tired easily as well,” said Twinkle. “But it gets better the more you practise.”

  “I’ll practise lots then!” declared Buttercup. She nuzzled Isla. “You’ll help me, won’t you?”

  “Of course,” said Isla, leaning in to bury her face in Buttercup’s long pink, yellow and green mane. When they bonded, a strand of her brown hair would turn the same colours. Oh, please make that happen soon, Isla thought again.

  After lunch, Isla went to find Ms Nettles to tell her about Buttercup’s finding magic. The head teacher’s study door was shut and there was no answer when Isla knocked. Ms Rosemary, the Care of Unicorns teacher, looked out of her room. “Are you looking for Ms Nettles, Isla?”

  Isla nodded. “Buttercup found her magic this morning.”

  “That’s wonderful news!” said Ms Rosemary, beaming. “But I’m afraid Ms Nettles was called away last night on urgent business. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to hear about Buttercup’s magic when she gets back though.”

  Isla smiled and headed to the stables.

  “Can we practise my magic?” asked Buttercup when she arrived. “Pleeeeeeease!” she added, fluttering her eyelashes.

  Isla grinned. “Of course we can.”

  “Yay! Miki lost his ball last week and Golden Briar wants me to find Valentina’s favourite scarf, and Monsoon said Ms Bramble lost—”

  “Whoa!” said Isla, holding her hands up. “Maybe we should just find one thing at a time!”

  “Oh, OK,” Buttercup said with a huff. “We’ll start with Miki’s ball then. He was on the sports field when he lost it.”

  They went out to the sports field. Buttercup took a deep breath. “Miki’s ball!” she exclaimed. “Find it!” A glittering arrow formed. It looped the loop then darted away.

  “My magic’s working! Yippee!” said Buttercup as she raced after it.

  The arrow flew in the direction of Sparkle Lake but as it got closer it whizzed from side to side as if it couldn’t decide which way to go. Buttercup galloped after it. Isla began to feel alarmed. “Slow down, Buttercup!” she cried.

  The arrow flew over the fountain then darted to the right and pointed at some rushes close to the bank. It stayed there for a second then it shot to a nearby bush before flying back to the fountain.

  Buttercup pricked her ears and increased her speed.

  “No, Buttercup!” Isla gasped. “We can’t follow it into the lake! Stop!”

  The arrow suddenly r
eturned to the bush. Buttercup swerved to go after it but she was galloping too fast. Her hooves slid from under her. Isla shrieked as they skidded towards the multicoloured water.

  SPLASH!

  Buttercup’s hooves hit the lake and a tidal wave of ice cold water splashed over them. Luckily Buttercup just managed to stop herself falling in completely.

  “Whoops!” Buttercup regained her balance. “Are you OK, Isla?”

  “Well, I’m pretty wet,” said Isla, shivering. She had water dripping from the ends of her hair and droplets were already freezing on her clothes.

  “Sorry!” said Buttercup sheepishly. “I was just trying to catch up with the arrow.” She looked around. “Oh, it’s gone,” she said in disappointment.

  “Why was it jumping around like that?” Isla asked.

  “I don’t know. It pointed at the bush before it vanished. Maybe Miki’s ball is there.” Buttercup trotted towards it.

  “Wait! There’s something in those rushes,” said Isla, spotting a flash of colour.

  Buttercup went over. “Valentina’s scarf!” she said, pulling the scarf out of the rushes with her teeth. Isla leant over her neck and took it from her.

  “Valentina will be happy to have it back. I wonder why the arrow pointed to it when we were looking for Miki’s ball.”

  Buttercup frowned. “I guess I was thinking about both things at the same time – the ball and the scarf. Maybe it confused my magic.

  Let’s see if there’s anything in the bush.” She cantered over. “Miki’s ball! Hooray!” Buttercup nudged it out with her nose. “Aren’t I clever? I found both things!”

  Isla hesitated. She didn’t want to hurt Buttercup’s feelings. “That’s great but you need to practise controlling your magic. Perhaps you should concentrate on one thing at a time?”

  “I think I did very well,” said Buttercup, slightly huffily.

  Isla patted her neck. “You did, but let’s start with small things first.”