Free Best Friends For Ever! by Chloe Ryder Page B

can’t give up now, not when we’re so close to saving Chevalia.’
    The Queen sighed in acceptance. Reaching out, she nuzzled Stardust and Pippa closer and hugged them tight.
    ‘Stardust, you’re the bravest foal I know. And you, Pippa, are the most courageous girl.’
    Pippa flushed red.
    ‘You haven’t met any other girls,’ she said modestly.
    ‘I don’t have to,’ the Queen said with a smile. ‘So where will your search take you today?’
    ‘The Volcano,’ Pippa said immediately. ‘That’s where the hooded pony ran to with the horseshoes we found yesterday, which suggests the eighth one is hidden there as well.’
    Pippa knew that if she said it was Divine, the apparently loyal courtier, who had stolen the horseshoes, the Queen wouldn’t believe her. Pippa would have to prove it.
    ‘Then you know your path,’ said the Queen. ‘Good luck, Pippa. Good luck, Stardust. Keep safe.’

Chapter 2
     
    Pippa rode Stardust out of the Castle and over the drawbridge, towards the base of the Volcano. As they began climbing the rugged Foothills the Volcano towered above them, its fiery top illuminating the sky. Now and then a puff of smoke rose in the air, spilling red cinders that drifted over the Cloud Forest and on to the lower slopes.
    ‘It’s getting hotter the closer we get to the Volcano,’ Stardust said, stopping to catch her breath.
    ‘I’ll walk,’ Pippa said, starting to slide from Stardust’s back.
    ‘No,’ the Princess Pony said quickly. ‘I like it when you ride me. It feels right.’
    She shied, narrowly avoiding a cloud of sparks as they shot to the ground.
    ‘Even the Volcano feels angry. Maybe this really is the end for Chevalia.’
    ‘Never,’ Pippa said vehemently.
    They continued in silence and soon they entered the mysterious Cloud Forest, home to the secretive unicorns. The forest felt cool and fresh. Pippa loved the way the sunlight filtered through the ancient trees, dappling the path with golden puddles of light. Stardust slowed down, weaving a careful path through the forest to avoid the enormous vines that trailed from branches like fantastic snakes. They were over halfway through the forest when the hairs on Pippa’s neck rose and her arms prickled with goosebumps. Convinced she was being watched, she looked around.
    ‘What’s wrong?’ asked Stardust.
    The forest around them was silent and still. As they stared into the cloudy gloom suddenly something jumped from a tree and stood on the path ahead. Stardust shied then burst out laughing.
    ‘Misty!’ she cried.
    Pippa appreciated once more just how similar Misty was to Stardust. The unicorn was almost identical to her friend, from the tilt of her head to the tip of her snow-white tail. The only differences were the pretty golden horn at the top of Misty’s head and their size – Misty was the size of a large dog.
     

     
    ‘Hello!’ Misty’s musical voice bubbled with excitement. ‘Is it time already? Have you come to get us for the Midsummer Concert?’
    Stardust shook her head sadly.
    ‘I’m sorry, Misty, but there might not be a concert now. One of the horseshoes is still missing.’
    ‘No!’ Misty gasped. ‘But it’s Midsummer Day.’
    ‘That’s why we’re here. We’re on our way to the Volcano – we think the horseshoe could be hidden there,’ Pippa said.
    They quickly told Misty everything that had happened since the unicorns had helped them retrieve a missing horseshoe from the Cloud Forest.
    ‘That’s awful.’ Misty’s eyes were wide with alarm. ‘I’m coming with you.’
    ‘It might be dangerous,’ Stardust warned her.
    ‘It’ll be more dangerous if the horseshoe isn’t found,’ Misty answered.
    The trio set off at a brisk trot. It was fun having Misty with them. She knew the Cloud Forest like the back of her hoof and showed them a much quicker route through it. But it was still a long way.
    Finally, they emerged from the treeline at the base of the Volcano and continued up its