Princess Ponies 2 (7 page)

Pippa felt Blossom’s muscles contract as she bravely fought against the tide. One careful hoof at a time, she waded back to the beach. Clutching Blossom’s mane tightly, Pippa cheered her on until, at last, they were back on dry sand.

‘That was close,’ said Blossom.

‘Too close,’ agreed Pippa.

Stardust trotted up to Blossom and Pippa and gave the horseshoe to Pippa to hold.

‘I tried to call to you,’ she said. ‘Those Night Mares came out of nowhere.’

‘They were watching us,’ said Pippa. ‘And there was someone else watching too.’

‘Who?’ asked Stardust.

Pippa pointed to the top of the cliff, but the cloaked pony had vanished. She then turned to check on the Night Mares in the water – they were soggy and defeated, but wading clumsily through the shallows.

‘I don’t know,’ admitted Pippa. ‘But I do know that we should get this horseshoe back where it belongs – on the Whispering Wall!’

Stardust darted alongside Blossom and, side by side, they raced across the beach, leaving the Night Mares behind.

Pippa looked back to see the Night Mares emerge from the water. They started to come after Pippa and her friends, but the gap was too big for them to catch up. With an angry toss of their heads, they turned and galloped away in the opposite direction.

Blossom and Stardust began to climb the steep cliff path.

‘You did it!’ Stardust said, her dark eyes shining with happiness.

‘We all did it,’ said Pippa. ‘Together!’

‘I’m glad I have two best friends,’ said Stardust.

‘Look,’ Blossom cried suddenly. ‘The giant seahorses are watching.’

Pippa proudly waved the golden horseshoe above her head. The seahorses reared up in delight. Droplets of water flew from their spiky manes, falling like silvery fountains. Pippa sighed happily as she prepared to slide from Blossom’s back.

‘Don’t get down yet,’ said Blossom. ‘I don’t feel tired now.’

‘What about the race?’ Pippa asked. ‘Don’t you want to go back and finish it and get a medal?’

Blossom shook her head. ‘There’s always next year. I’ll definitely enter the Equestriathon again, but right now I’ve got something that’s much more important than a medal – two best friends.’

‘Best friends for ever!’ said Stardust.

‘For ever,’ Pippa and Blossom agreed.

Slowly, they went back up the path, stopping to pick up Pippa’s sandals.

‘Oh, I don’t even remember dropping them,’ said Pippa. ‘I’ll have to go barefoot. They’re no good to wear.’

‘Don’t worry, the royal blacksmith will fix them for you,’ said Stardust.

Triumphantly, they made their way back to the Royal Games grounds on the Plateau. It was impossible to keep the horseshoe a secret. When they approached the show arena a crowd of ponies quickly gathered to greet and cheer them. Pippa blushed deep red as some of the bolder ponies reached out to touch her with their noses as she passed.

The Queen and King were in the royal box watching the end of the Equestriathon. Pippa slid from Blossom’s back as Stardust led the way in. Quick as a flash, Cinders came out of her own box to block Blossom from following them.

‘Only members of the Royal Court are allowed in here,’ she said nastily.

But the Queen had already seen that Pippa was carrying a horseshoe and she excitedly waved Blossom in.

‘It’s not fair,’ Cinders hissed to her mother, Baroness Divine.

Divine narrowed her eyes. ‘Good things come to those who wait,’ she whispered back.

Pippa wondered why Baroness Divine never had anything nice to say, especially now, when they’d found another of the missing horseshoes. She soon forgot the Baroness, though, as she dropped a curtsy to Queen Moonshine. The Queen was the most beautiful pony she’d ever seen. Her golden coat seemed to glow and her pure white tail fell elegantly to the ground.

The Queen’s face lit up with joy.

‘The second missing horseshoe,’ she whinnied. ‘That’s wonderful news. I’m very proud of you all.’

King Firestar stamped his hoof in agreement. ‘We must put the horseshoe straight back where it belongs,’ he said gravely.

A look of worry crossed the Queen’s face. ‘But it’s almost time to award the prizes.’

‘Stardust and her friends have proved themselves trustworthy and reliable. They could take the horseshoe back,’ King Firestar suggested.

‘Yes, please do,’ the Queen replied.

Pippa was secretly pleased. There was something special about the golden horseshoe. Holding it gave her a tingling feeling that made her think the magic was rubbing off on to her somehow. It gave her courage.

When they reached Stableside Castle’s courtyard, Pippa stood up on Blossom’s back and carefully hung the horseshoe on the ancient stone wall. The three friends stood back to admire it as it sparkled prettily in the late afternoon sun.

‘Two horseshoes are safe,’ Stardust sighed, staring up at them in wonder.

‘Our quest isn’t over yet,’ said Pippa. ‘There are still six to find.’

‘You’ve done enough for one day, child,’ the King said, striding into the Royal Courtyard, accompanied by two ponies, with gleaming chestnut coats, who Pippa didn’t recognise.

‘Mum and Dad!’ said Blossom.

‘I thought you were staying to award the prizes?’ Stardust said to her dad.

‘When a father is proud of
his daughter,’ said the King, ‘he ought to tell her.’

‘And that goes for show ponies too,’ boomed Blossom’s dad. ‘You made your mum and me very proud today. We never realised how fast you were. If you want to carry on racing instead of doing dressage then you have our full support.’

Blossom beamed with delight. ‘Thank you,’ she whinnied.

‘Now let’s go back to the Games grounds,’ said the King. ‘You three deserve to have some fun – and we’ve got the evening’s entertainment ahead.’

‘A banquet, dancing and a huge firework display to end with,’ Stardust said happily.

‘Oh, I love fireworks!’ said Pippa.

Long troughs had been put up in the main arena of the Royal Games grounds and serving ponies were filling them with crunchy toffee apples, sugar-toasted oats and linseed-dipped carrots. Music was playing, coloured disco lights were flashing and lots of ponies were dancing together.

The three best friends ducked under the rosette-decked horseshoe arch but as they started for the arena Pippa heard someone shout, ‘They’re back!’

At once the music stopped and the disco lights went out. The dancers stilled and the crowd fell silent. Pippa flushed as all eyes turned towards her, Stardust and Blossom. The Queen was in the royal box and she beckoned them forward.

‘Your determination and courage has resulted in another horseshoe hanging back where it belongs,’ Queen
Moonshine said in a clear voice. ‘The Royal Ponies and the ponies of Chevalia
thank you. Blossom, you
have shown yourself to be a true friend
of Chevalia. By putting the island’s needs before your own, you missed out on winning a prize in the Equestriathon. For your courage and true selflessness you deserve a special award. Step forward.’

Nervously, Blossom did so. The Queen smiled as she placed a glittering tiara on her head. The sparkling gemstones were designed as a blue rosette, like a flower in blossom.

‘To Chevalia,’ said the Queen.

‘To Chevalia,’ cheered everyone, with Pippa, Stardust and Blossom cheering the loudest.