by Chloe Ryder
With special thanks to Julie Sykes
Contents
The Pony Royal Family
Map of Chevalia
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chevalia Now!
Extract from Princess Ponies 3 - The Special Secret
Early one morning, just before dawn, two ponies stood in an ancient courtyard, looking sadly at a bare stone wall.
‘In all my life this wall has never been empty. I can’t believe that the horseshoes have been taken – and just before Midsummer Day too,’ said the stallion.
He was a handsome animal – a copper-coloured pony, with strong legs and bright eyes, dressed in a royal red sash.
The mare was a dainty yet majestic palomino with a golden coat and a pure white tail that fell to the ground like a waterfall.
She whinnied softly. ‘We have so little time to find them all.’
With growing sadness the two ponies watched the night fade away and the sun rise. When the first ray of sunlight spread into the courtyard it lit up the wall, showing the imprints where the golden horseshoes should have been hanging.
‘Midsummer Day is the longest day of the year,’ said the stallion quietly. ‘It’s the time when our ancient horseshoes must renew their magical energy. If the horseshoes are still missing in eight days, then by nightfall on the eighth day, their magic will fade and our beautiful island will be no more.’
Sighing heavily, he touched his nose to his Queen’s.
‘Only a miracle can save us now,’ he said.
The Queen dipped her head regally, the diamonds on her crown sparkling in the early morning light.
‘Have faith,’ she said gently. ‘I sense that a miracle is coming.’
Chapter 1
Pippa MacDonald blinked sleepily and stared around the unfamiliar room. For a moment she didn’t know where she was. She remembered going on holiday to the seaside with her family, but this wasn’t their holiday home. The bed next to hers was huge, with a straw duvet and a horseshoe-shaped headboard decorated with rosettes. And fast asleep in the big bed was a pony – a Princess Pony!
All at once Pippa’s memory flooded back. She had been on holiday, until two enormous seahorses had whisked her away to the island of Chevalia, a magical world inhabited by talking ponies, where no human had ever set foot before. Time existed in a bubble there, and Pippa wouldn’t be missed at home, for no time was passing in her own world.
There she’d met Princess Stardust, and learnt that Chevalia was in grave danger. Eight golden, magical horseshoes used to hang on an ancient wall in the Castle courtyard. Once a year, on Midsummer Day, the horseshoes’ energy was renewed by the sun. But the horseshoes were missing, and if they weren’t returned by Midsummer Day then Chevalia would be no more.
Pippa had been amazed to learn that she’d been brought to Chevalia to find the magical horseshoes. Yesterday, after a long, exciting and dangerous search, she and her new friend, Princess Stardust, had rescued one horseshoe from the foothills of the spooky Volcano. But there were still seven more to find and there were only five days left until Midsummer.
Quickly, Pippa got up and looked for her clothes. She’d hung them on a chair the night before but now in their place was a new outfit – a white top patterned with pink and blue horseshoes, a smart pair of pink jodhpurs and some matching sandals. Thrilled, Pippa put the new clothes on, then borrowed one of Stardust’s combs to untangle her dark, curly hair.
Stardust was still fast asleep.
‘Wake up, lazy hooves,’ Pippa said, gently shaking her.
Princess Stardust opened her eyes, yawned and closed them again.
‘There’s no time for sleeping in,’ said Pippa. ‘Chevalia is still in danger.’
‘I was having the most wonderful dream,’ mumbled Stardust. ‘I had a pet girl.’ Her eyes flew open and she sat up. ‘It was true!’ she exclaimed. ‘I really do have a . . .’
Pippa scowled and crossed her arms over her chest.
‘I mean, a new special friend,’ said Stardust hurriedly. ‘Today’s a very special day – we should get ready.’
Stardust went to her dressing table and combed her long, white mane. Then Pippa placed Stardust’s pink jewelled tiara on to her head, between her ears. Pippa smiled as she adjusted the sparkling tiara into place.
‘Let’s get going then,’ Stardust said excitedly.
Stardust’s room was at the top of the eighth turret in Stableside Castle. They hurried down the tower’s spiral ramp to the ground floor and were just heading towards the dining room for breakfast when Stardust’s big sister, Princess Crystal, appeared, going in the opposite direction.
Crystal had an apricot-coloured coat with an inky black mane and tail and a white blaze running down her face. She was extremely pretty and spent many hours making sure she looked her best.
‘Hurry up,’ she whinnied impatiently. ‘There’s a family meeting in the courtyard.’
‘A family meeting about what?’ Pippa whispered to Stardust.
‘We’re always having family meetings,’ she said vaguely. ‘I’m starving – are you? What about breakfast?’ she called after Crystal.
‘You should have thought about that when you were sleeping in. It’s a good thing you’re not going to be Queen one day.’ With that, Crystal trotted ahead, towards the courtyard.
Pippa put her hand on Stardust’s side.
‘Don’t mind her,’ she said. ‘Big sisters just don’t understand.’
‘She still treats me like I’m a foal,’ said Stardust.
‘She may have a bigger tiara,’ Pippa said, smiling, ‘but you have a girl for a best friend.’
‘Yes, I have,’ Stardust said, smiling back and following her sister.
Reaching the wooden door that opened on to the courtyard, Crystal stopped and turned around. ‘It’s Royal Family only,’ she said haughtily. ‘Your pet should wait here.’
‘Pippa’s my best friend and she’s here to save Chevalia,’ said Stardust. ‘That makes her the same as family!’
Crystal rolled her eyes. ‘You exhaust me,’ she neighed, leading the way.
Stardust and Pippa joined the Royal Ponies gathered in the courtyard. Crystal and Prince Jet stood to attention, nudging each other for the best position to greet their mum and dad. Prince Comet had his nose buried in a book. Honey was doing twirls to show off her glittery new hoof polish, while Cloud was mumbling grumpily. Prince Storm strode in last, covered in mud, causing Crystal to snort crossly.
‘Storm, you could have washed. You look like you just trotted off the farm!’
‘I did,’ he replied. ‘The fields won’t plough themselves.’
‘Stop bickering, children,’ chided Mrs Steeplechase, the royal nanny. She pushed the Royal Ponies into an orderly line, ready to welcome the King and Queen. ‘I trust you’ve all had breakfast and are ready for the Royal Games?’
Pippa’s stomach rumbled noisily as she looked at Stardust in alarm.
‘Games?’ she asked. ‘But I thought we were going to search for the missing horseshoes?’
‘Was that your stomach, Princess Stardust?’ Mrs Steeplechase tutted crossly. Dipping her head inside her satchel, she brought out a shiny red apple and tossed it to Stardust, who deftly caught it in her mouth. She threw another apple to Pippa.
‘Thank you,’ Stardust and Pippa said.
‘Hmmph!’ snorted Mrs Steeplechase. ‘Just don’t be late for breakfast again.’
Pippa stared at the stone wall, where one lonely golden horseshoe sparkled in the sunlight. There were still seven empty spaces lef
t to fill. Suddenly she didn’t feel so hungry any more.
Stardust followed Pippa’s gaze to the Whispering Wall.
‘The Royal Games are very important –’ she started, but she was interrupted as the Queen and King trotted regally into the courtyard.
As one the Royal Ponies straightened up, with their ears held forward. Bowing their heads, they whinnied, ‘Good morning, Mother. Good morning, Father.’
The Queen looked up at the wall and then turned to address her children. ‘The annual Royal Games are taking place today and, although Chevalia is in danger, it’s important that we keep up with our traditions. The whole island will be looking to us for how to behave. If we panic about the missing horseshoes, then everyone will panic. Do you understand?’
The Royal Ponies nodded and chorused, ‘Yes, Mother.’
‘Stardust,’ Pippa whispered, ‘if the Royal Games are so important then maybe I should look for the horseshoes on my own?’
‘Don’t do that,’ said Stardust. ‘You’ll miss out on the fun. There are so many great events – dressage, showjumping, horseshoe-tossing, polo, and the Equestriathon race around the entire island!’
‘The Games do sound amazing,’ said Pippa.
‘They take place on the Plateau,’ explained Stardust, ‘on the far side of Mane Street. It’s not too far from the beaches, so we can search them afterwards.’
‘OK,’ Pippa said, feeling a little happier that Stardust wasn’t completely forgetting about the horseshoes. ‘We’ll stick together.’
‘Like best friends,’ said Stardust.
‘Like best friends,’ Pippa agreed, stroking Stardust’s long, soft mane.
Queen Moonshine whispered something into her husband’s ear then turned and nodded at Pippa.
Pippa flushed and her stomach did a cartwheel. She could guess what the Queen had said. The Royal Ponies and the ponies of Chevalia were depending on her.
‘We will find the missing horseshoes,’ Pippa said determinedly.
Chapter 2
Queen Moonshine lined her family up in age order. Princess Crystal was first, perfectly groomed and dressed in her best tiara, looking every bit the Queen-in-training. She was followed by her three brothers and three sisters, with Stardust, the youngest Royal Pony, at the end.
‘What a fuss,’ Storm said quietly. ‘I don’t know why I have to go to the Royal Games when there’s so much to do on the farm before the harvest.’
‘But the polo team needs you,’ said Stardust. ‘You’re their best player.’
‘Do you play polo, Stardust?’ asked Pippa.
‘I wish I could play but Mrs Steeplechase won’t let me. She says I’m too young.’ She sighed crossly. ‘The only game they let me play is horseshoe-tossing, which is for babies.’
The King and Queen led the Royal Family from Stableside Castle to the Plateau at a smart trot. Pippa was glad that Mrs Steeplechase had allowed her to ride on Stardust’s back or she might not have kept up. Pippa looked out for the missing horseshoes as she rode towards the Royal Games grounds. Away to her left was the Wild Forest. She was surprised to see that three ponies were gathered by the edge of the trees. The largest, a stocky pony, was cloaked in a dark grey coat and hood, with a few strands of chestnut mane showing. There was something familiar about it.
‘Stardust,’ Pippa whispered urgently, ‘who’s that over there by the Wild Forest?’
‘Where?’ asked Stardust.
‘Right there,’ Pippa said, pointing. But when she looked again, the ponies had disappeared into the woods.
‘Was it the wild ponies? They’re brilliant fun. I wish I was allowed to play with them,’ Stardust said wistfully.
Pippa fell silent. They hadn’t looked like wild ponies and Pippa was sure she’d seen the large, hooded animal before. If only she could remember where.
As they approached the Royal Games grounds, the delicious smells of warm bran mash and steamed carrot juice drifted towards Pippa. An enormous horseshoe arch marked the entrance. It was decorated with red, blue, yellow, green, pink and purple rosettes, and their silk ribbons fluttered colourfully in the light breeze. One by one, the Royal Family ducked under the horseshoe arch, to the rapturous hoof-stamping of the hundreds of gathered ponies. The Queen led them into the royal box, which was higher than the rest of the audience and gave an excellent view of the entire show ring.
Conscious that the whole crowd could see her, Pippa carefully slid off Stardust’s back. There was a loud crackle followed by a shrill whinny, then a deep voice sounded over the tannoy system.
‘Ponies and foals, please show your appreciation for the arrival of Their Majesties Queen Moonshine, King Firestar, the Prince and Princess Ponies: Crystal, Jet, Cloud, Honey, Comet, Storm and – not forgetting the little foal of the family – Stardust. Plus our very special guest Pippa MacDonald.’
There was a thunderous roar and the ground shook with even more stamping. Pippa’s face felt hot and her chest tightened as she stared shyly at the enormous crowd. She’d never seen so many ponies all in one place. There was every kind, from tiny Shetlands with shaggy manes covering their eyes to magnificent thoroughbreds with highly polished coats.
‘Mmm, can you smell that carrot juice?’ said Stardust. ‘I could drink a whole trough of it.’
‘You’re only hungry because you slept through breakfast,’ Cloud said irritably.
‘I could drink a troughful of carrot juice too,’ said Honey. ‘Let’s go and get some together. Do you like my hooves by the way? I wasn’t sure which colour to paint them.’
‘I love your hooves,’ said Stardust.
‘They are pretty,’ Pippa said, taking in Honey’s glittery pink-and-purple-striped hooves.
‘Where did you get the polish from?’ asked Stardust.
‘The Mane Street Salon. Excuse me!’ Honey said indignantly, as Crystal and Jet pushed past to get to the front of the royal box.
‘Out of my way, Jet. The crowds are here to see me,’ said Crystal.
‘No, they’re not,’ Jet said, winking at a group of young fillies and grinning when they blushed. ‘It’s me they’ve come for.’
‘Well, they’re certainly not here for me,’ Storm said, grinning at Pippa.
‘I’m not surprised,’ Crystal said moodily. ‘You might have cleaned up your hooves at least, Storm, if you’re going to stand in the royal box.’
‘Don’t worry, Storm,’ Stardust whispered. ‘No one’s interested in me either.’
Pippa sighed. Stardust seemed to have forgotten they had an important job to do.
‘I’m going to start looking for the horseshoes,’ Pippa said impatiently.
‘Wait for me! Sorry, Honey, I’ve got to go,’ added Stardust. She hurried after Pippa, stepping out of the royal box and into the crowd.
‘We’ll never find anything here. There are too many ponies around!’ Pippa said in despair. Then she thought of something. ‘Do you think the crowd would help us?’
‘That’s a great idea!’ said Stardust.
Stardust’s enthusiasm was infectious and she soon had a group of eager ponies helping her to search the showground. Pippa tried asking for their help too but many of the ponies just gaped at her in awe. They had never seen a real, live girl before. In the end she gave up asking and searched alone, keeping her head down to avoid all the curious stares.
The dressage competition started and many of the ponies lost interest in searching for the horseshoes and trotted over to the arena to watch. The Royal Family were settled in their box, enjoying the Games. Honey had a large bag of roasted pony-nuts that Stardust kept looking at longingly.
‘Let’s go and watch the dressage for a bit,’ she said at last, when she couldn’t resist any longer.
‘We can’t,’ said Pippa. ‘There are only five days left until Midsummer.’
Stardust nuzzled her nose in Pippa’s dark, curly hair.
‘I know,’ she said softly. ‘But you heard what Mum said about the Royal Ponies
needing to carry on as normal. Let’s search for a bit longer and then we really have to go and watch some of the events.’
Among the trees at the edge of the showground was a temporary stable block for the competitors. It was packed with ponies combing their manes and painting their hooves. Sashes and tail bandages fluttered from the trees and there was a strong smell of hoof oil.
A flash of light caught Pippa’s eye. It was coming from a hollow in a wizened old tree. Something shiny was hidden inside. Her heart quickened as she went towards it and pulled it out.
‘It’s just a hoof pick,’ she said, her shoulders sagging with disappointment.
‘That’s my lucky hoof pick!’ said an excited voice. ‘At least, I hope it’s lucky.’
Pippa turned around to see a solid, chestnut pony, with a neatly plaited mane tied with blue ribbons, trotting up behind her.
‘Blossom!’ Stardust whinnied, blowing through her nostrils at the pony.
Blossom blew back, giggling as they touched noses.
‘Are you competing in the junior dressage?’ asked Stardust.
‘I can’t get out of it,’ Blossom said sadly. ‘You will come and watch me, won’t you? Pleeeeease! I know I’ll mess it all up if my best friend isn’t there to cheer me on.’
‘I’ll try,’ Stardust said casually. ‘But Pippa and I are busy right now. Pippa’s here to find the missing horseshoes and I’m helping her.’
A hurt look crossed Blossom’s face, but she swallowed and said bravely, ‘I know. Everyone’s talking about her – a real, live girl here on Chevalia.’
‘She’s my best pet ever,’ Stardust said proudly.
Pippa rolled her eyes and cleared her throat, hoping that Stardust would remember that she wasn’t a pet.
‘I mean, Pippa’s my best friend,’ Stardust said hastily, realising her mistake.
Pippa noticed that Blossom’s big brown eyes glittered with tears.
