Princess Ponies 12

by Chloe Ryder

  “Love can do all that? It sounds amazing! Divine hasn’t been here, at least not that we know of, but we’ll take you to her old laboratory just in case,” said Eclipse.

  “And if you find the spell book, then we’d like some love too,” said Nightshade hopefully.

  Divine’s old laboratory was in a cave hidden deep inside the volcano. Pippa’s heart thumped loudly as they approached the thick stone door. What would they find on the other side? But as they drew closer it was obvious, from the thick layer of dust and cobwebs, that no one had been near the laboratory in ages.

  “Eew,” squeaked Nightshade as she opened the door and walked straight into a long, sticky cobweb. “Help me.”

  Eclipse and Stardust backed away in disgust. Pippa didn’t like cobwebs either, or spiders, but she gritted her teeth and moved to help Nightshade. The webs clung to her hands as she tried to remove them.

  Nightshade squirmed and wriggled.

  “Stand still.” Pippa ran her hand along Nightshade’s dark neck to calm her. She plucked at the strands of cobwebs until there weren’t any left on the pony. It was all on her now. Covered in cobwebs, Pippa tried not to feel upset by laughing at herself instead. Her giggles made Stardust and Nightshade laugh too. Pippa cleaned herself up in the big stone sink.

  “Thank you, Pippa,” said Nightshade. “That was a kind thing to do for me.”

  “Oh!” she added. “I think I’m beginning to remember what love is. It’s being kind and putting others first, isn’t it? It feels so good! I’m going to be like that from now on.”

  “Me too.” Eclipse joined in. “Love sounds wonderful. I’m going to be especially nice to every pony today to remind them about love and kindness.”

  “That’s a great idea,” said Stardust. She rushed over and nuzzled Nightshade and Eclipse on the neck. “But we still need to find Divine’s spell book. We might as well search the lab now that we’re here. Divine’s clever; she might have used a cobweb spell to disguise her visit.”

  Chapter 6

  Pippa, Stardust, and the Volcano ponies conducted a careful search of Divine’s old laboratory. They lifted up every single object in the room and looked under it. Pippa sifted through the drawers and Stardust emptied out the cupboards. They found lots of curious things, including a fluffy horseshoe, a hoof pick with bells on it, and a whistling body brush, but not the spell book.

  Pippa’s lungs were clogged with dust and she couldn’t stop coughing until Nightshade kindly brought her a glass of water.

  “Thank you,” she gasped.

  “You’re welcome. Being kind is much more fun than arguing.”

  Pippa was disappointed that they hadn’t found Divine’s spell book but relieved when the search was over. As they left the castle, she stared down at Chevalia, spread out in greens and blues like a map. The sun was sinking, casting long fingerlike shadows across the land and the sea beyond.

  “It’s beautiful here,” she said and sighed. “But it won’t be the same if love has gone for good and no one remembers how to be kind.”

  Stardust nuzzled her nose against Pippa’s neck. “When I returned to the island today, even I started to forget what love was. But you reminded me, Pippa. Whatever happens, I won’t forget that. Even if we never find Divine’s spell book. The moment I start to forget what love is, I’ll think of you. I love you, Pippa MacDonald.”

  Pippa wrapped her arms around Stardust’s neck, breathing in her sweet pony smell as she hugged her back. “I love you too, Stardust. Every single second of every day.”

  It was a long, cold walk back to Stableside Castle. Stardust walked slowly, her eyes straining in the fading light, as she worked out where best to place her hooves to avoid slipping on the slushy volcano path.

  It was ages before they finally arrived at the Cloud Forest. It was dark inside, but Stardust managed to find her way by using the light from the fireflies, and the shimmering wings and fiery breath of the dragonflies, as they flew back to their treetop nests.

  “It’s so quiet. I can’t hear any arguing.” Stardust sounded hopeful.

  Pippa listened. She couldn’t hear any singing either, and that wasn’t good. The unicorns loved to sing. What if they didn’t manage to reverse Divine’s spell? Would the unicorns ever, ever sing again?

  Stardust didn’t seem to be in a hurry to go home. Once they were out of the Cloud Forest and had crossed over the Grasslands, she made a detour to Mane Street. The normally busy street was almost empty. Stardust pressed her nose against the glass window of the beauty salon.

  “It’s shut,” she said miserably. “It never closes this early. I thought relaxing in a strawberry-scented hoof bath might make us feel better.”

  Along the road, the other shops were closed up too. Stardust tapped her hoof on the ground. “I know! Let’s go to the fairground. That stays open really late.”

  She set off at a fast trot along the street, but as they drew nearer, the music stopped abruptly and the rainbow-colored lights decorating the rides went out.

  Stardust marched up to a tall horse wearing a turquoise neckerchief who was parking the bumper carts.

  “Why are you closing so early?”

  “Nothing to stay open for,” the horse named Rocket answered. “There have been so many arguments here today. We fairground ponies are too tired to deal with any more. We’re going back to our stables to relax and put up our hooves.”

  Pippa stared around in dismay. The silver horseshoes, strung between the old-fashioned lampposts, were tarnished. Weeds were sprouting among the carrot beds. Litter blew across the fairground rides like old leaves. If the fairground and Mane Street looked this tired and unloved, how long before the rest of the island went the same way?

  I’ve failed, Pippa feared. The thought was like a cold wave drenching her with sadness. Stardust had put her faith in Pippa to save Chevalia. She’d even come to the human world to get her. Stardust loved Pippa now, but how long would she remember what love was when everyone else in Chevalia had forgotten it?

  “I’m not a quitter.” Pippa couldn’t bear to be beaten. She snatched up a piece of litter and put it in the trash.

  “What are you doing?” asked Stardust.

  “Tidying up.” Pippa darted along the fairground, picking up bits of litter.

  “Eew! Litter’s dirty,” Stardust called after her, turning up her nose.

  “Exactly. It’s spoiling Chevalia and making it look unloved. That’s why I’m putting it in the trash can.”

  Stardust stared at her for a while, then a slow smile lit her face. “I’ll help,” she said, reaching into a carrot bed and pulling up a weed.

  As the ponies started to trail out of the fairground, they stared at Pippa and Stardust in astonishment.

  “What are they doing?” one asked.

  “No idea,” said another. “Don’t care either.”

  “Out of the way. I want to go home.”

  “Wait.” Rocket blocked the exit as he removed his neckerchief. “I think I get it.” Standing on hoof tips, he began to polish the silver horseshoes hanging from the lampposts, using his scarf. “See how that shines. Doesn’t it make you feel better?”

  The fairground ponies whispered to each other, then as one they began to help, picking up litter, pulling out weeds, and polishing the decorations with their neckerchiefs.

  It didn’t take long before Mane Street and the fairground were sparkling again.

  Rocket stood back to admire it all. “Doesn’t everywhere look lovely!” he sighed.

  “Love!” voiced another pony. “I remember love! It’s what we’ve missed today. It’s the reason why everyone has been grumpy and miserable.”

  “Let’s reopen the fairground. Free rides for everyone tonight!” called Rocket.

  At first there was only a trickle of ponies who headed back to the fairground. But as the lights came on and the music blared, more ponies began to gather. Soon there were shouts of delight, and laughter rang in the air.


  As Pippa and Stardust watched a group of foals having fun bumping each other in the bumper carts, Rocket waved to them. “Thank you,” he neighed. “By reminding us what love is, you’ve made everyone happy again.”

  Pippa felt happier too until the moment they entered Stableside Castle and the feeling evaporated. They might have cheered up the town, but they still hadn’t found Divine’s spell book and banished her bad spell from the island for good.

  The castle was lit by burning torches mounted on the stone walls. A rich smell filled the corridor, but it made Pippa feel sick as she followed Stardust to the Royal Court.

  “Yummy,” said Stardust, inhaling deeply. “It smells like pony nut roast for dinner.”

  Pippa’s stomach was so tightly clenched that she wondered how Stardust could even think about food, but a quick look at her friend’s face told her that Stardust was trying to be brave. It made Pippa love her even more.

  Silence fell as they entered the Royal Court. All eyes turned to them. Pippa’s cheeks felt hot as she approached Queen Moonshine and King Firestar. She dropped to one knee in a low curtsy. Stardust did the same, her white mane trailing on the floor. “Your Majesties,” they murmured.

  Pippa drew a breath, ready to confess that she’d failed in her mission to save Chevalia. But before the words could come, Queen Moonshine said, “There you both are! I’ve been waiting to speak to you since my three visitors arrived.”

  Queen Moonshine nodded to the corner of the room.

  “Cupid! Mucker! Nightshade! What are you doing here?” Pippa stared at them in confusion.

  Mucker stepped forward. “I came to thank you and Princess Stardust,” he said. “Your kindness to me today was the best thing ever. Not only did I enjoy your visit, but I’ve sowed my fields and made friends with my farm ponies again.”

  “I came to say thank you too,” said Cupid. “Your quick thinking and bravery saved me from the quick-stick mud. Then, you gave me this wonderful ruby heart as a present. It made me feel so loved. I won’t forget it.” Cupid touched the heart-shaped ruby hanging around his neck.

  “You were kind to me too,” said Nightshade shyly. “Friendship is important to the Volcano ponies. We don’t get many visitors. I was sad that Eclipse and I kept arguing but didn’t know how to stop it. Then you came along and showed us how to love each other like friends should.”

  Queen Moonshine beamed at Pippa. “Pippa MacDonald,” she said, “you and Stardust have done it again. You’ve saved Chevalia from Divine and her evil plans.”

  “But we haven’t,” Pippa blurted out. “We didn’t find the spell book, so we couldn’t reverse the spell.”

  King Firestar, wearing his best royal red sash, stepped forward. His copper coat shone in the torchlight. “Who says you need a spell to put things right? By being kind and acting in a loving manner, you’ve reminded the ponies of Chevalia what true love is, and that’s stopped Divine’s spell from working. There’s an old pony saying: actions speak louder than words. Your actions, Pippa and Stardust, have been much louder and more powerful than Divine’s spell.”

  “Yes,” said Queen Moonshine, nodding her head so vigorously that her long white tail swept the floor. “It’s important that we continue to be kind to each other so that we never forget how to love again. Come and warm up by the fire. You both look frozen. I hope you’ll stay for dinner, Pippa. I hear the cook is preparing a carrot-topped pizza especially for you.”

  As Pippa stood warming herself by the fire, she couldn’t help wondering at how easy it had been to fix Divine’s spell. But would the love in Chevalia last? Pippa worried that it wouldn’t. Then she had a bright idea.

  “Stardust, do you have any paper and pens?”

  “What for?” asked Stardust.

  Pippa whispered in her friend’s ear. Stardust whinnied excitedly.

  “That’s a brilliant idea. Come to my room. We’ve just got time to do that before dinner.”

  Chapter 7

  “That was delicious.” Pippa put her knife and fork together and pushed away her empty plate.

  “So was the pony nut roast,” Stardust said as she turned to look at the Royal Trough. “Mom and Dad have finished eating. Shall we show them what we’ve been up to?”

  “Okay.” Pippa’s hands were hot and sticky from her nervousness. She wiped them down her jeans and crossed her fingers tightly. Would Queen Moonshine approve of what they’d done?

  Pippa cleared her throat. “Your Majesty,” she said, bowing her head. “In my world, February 14 is known as Valentine’s Day. It’s a special day where you give cards to people you love. Stardust and I have made Valentine’s Day cards for all the Royal Ponies. The cards are to stop the ponies from forgetting love ever again.”

  At the back of the dining hall a door crashed open. A stocky pony dressed in a long cloak galloped into the room. She reared up and her hood fell back.

  “Divine!” gasped Pippa.

  “Pippa MacDonald, you are the most infuriating and interfering girl in the whole of the pony universe.” Divine gave an evil cackle. “But you can never beat me! Each time the ponies of Chevalia remember love, I’ll cast another spell and wipe it out again.”

  Pippa stared at Divine. Her mouth was turned down in a scowl and her hard eyes bulged with hate. Pippa felt a sudden flash of pity. Being so mean wasn’t making Divine happy. Reaching into her pocket, Pippa pulled out a sparkly gold pen. She selected the homemade Valentine’s card with the biggest heart and wrote Divine’s name on it before handing it to her.

  “What’s this?” Divine’s eyes widened in surprise as she studied the card.

  “It’s a Valentine’s card, for you. Everyone needs to be loved and this card says that you are.” Pippa pinned the card to Divine’s cloak.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day, Divine,” said Stardust.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day,” chorused the ponies of the Royal Court.

  Divine’s mouth fell open. For a second, Pippa thought she saw tears in her eyes. Divine recovered herself quickly. Pulling up her hood, she reared again, waving her front hooves dramatically. Then she was gone, her hooves drumming on the stone floor.

  The Royal Ponies cheered loudly. “Hooray! Pippa and Stardust have saved the day again. Happy Valentine’s Day!”

  When the cheering stopped, Queen Moonshine addressed everyone. “Valentine’s Day is a lovely tradition and one we shall adopt here. Next year, we shall all send Valentine’s Day cards to each other.”

  The horses cheered and stamped their hooves. Under the cover of the noise, Queen Moonshine said to Pippa, “You must have lots of friends at home. It would make me very happy if you took these cards with you and gave them to your friends instead.”

  “Really? Thank you,” said Pippa, her eyes shining with delight.

  Her heart sank a little as she spotted Cloud hovering outside the window. It must be time to go home, she thought.

  “Don’t be sad,” said Cloud, swooping inside and floating in front of her. “We love you, Pippa. You’ll be back to see us again soon.”

  Cloud rubbed noses with Stardust. There was a flash of sparkly pink light and a soft pop, then Stardust grew a feathery pair of wings.

  “Climb on my back, Pippa,” she called.

  The snow fell thickly as Stardust and Cloud flew Pippa back to her home. When they reached the school playground, time was standing still. Snowflakes hung in the air and the wind was still. A set of footprints marked the path Pippa had taken across the playground to reach Stardust.

  Stardust hovered above the end of the prints and Pippa slid from her back.

  “Thanks,” she said. She stretched up carefully so as not to drop her new cards as she hugged Stardust and Cloud good-bye.

  “’Bye, Pippa.”

  Pippa watched until Stardust and Cloud were tiny specks in the sky. Then, clutching her cards, she ran inside. Ms. Tilley looked up in surprise as Pippa threw open the classroom door.

  “That was quick!”

 
“Yes!” Pippa beamed and held out the Valentine’s Day cards. “Guess what?”

  “You found your Valentine’s cards?”

  Pippa shook her head. “I made new ones. There’s one for every single person in class!”

  “When you went to your special pony place?” teased Ms. Tilley.

  “Chevalia,” said Pippa, grinning back. “May I hand them out?”

  “If you’re as quick as a pony!” said Ms. Tilley.

  Pippa handed out her cards, giving the best one to Cody. She was about to put the extra ones in her bag when she remembered Divine’s reaction to her unexpected Valentine’s card. Shyly she handed cards to Peter and Lucy.

  “Thanks, Pippa!” said Peter. He grinned. “Valentine’s Day is great! Next year, I’m going to make cards for everyone.”

  “Me too!” Lucy beamed at Pippa. “Will you take me to Chevalia one day?”

  “Maybe,” said Pippa kindly.

  Pippa took a seat at her desk. The lesson started and Ms. Tilley asked the students to make up a Valentine’s Day story. Pippa picked up her pen and opened her creative writing folder. She knew exactly what story she wanted to share.

  Princess Ponies: An Enchanted Heart, she wrote.

  JOIN PIPPA AND THE PONIES FOR

  ANOTHER ADVENTURE IN THE

  WONDROUS LAND OF CHEVALIA . . .

  SOMEONE HAS STOLEN THE PONIES’

  GOOD LUCK!

  CAN PIPPA AND PRINCESS STARDUST

  SAVE THE DAY?

  Turn the page to read a sneak peek . . .

  It was March 17, lucky St. Patrick’s Day, but Pippa MacDonald was not having a good day.

  At breakfast, Pippa’s older sister, Miranda, had finished off her favorite cereal, leaving only the dust at the bottom of the cereal box.

  “Bad luck,” Miranda had said. “The early bird gets the worm.”