Based on the Unicorn Academy books written by Julie Sykes and Linda Chapman, illustrated by Lucy Truman and published by Nosy Crow Ltd.
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UNDER THE FAIRY MOON
PROLOGUE
MAGIC IN THE AIR
Morning sunbeams skipped along the pearly rooftops of Unicorn Academy, and the flags on its spires and turrets fluttered merrily in the breeze. The magnificent school building shimmered like a fairy-tale castle in the morning light, framed by sparkling, crystal-blue fountains and pretty blossom trees. Upstairs in Sapphire dorm, Sophia Mendoza quietly opened her bedroom windows and stepped out on to the balcony. There were no lessons today, and she had stolen a moment to enjoy the view before her friends woke up and the day truly began.
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Sophia breathed in the fresh ocean air and looked around her. She had only been a student at Unicorn Academy for a short while, and sometimes it still didn’t quite feel real. She had loved horses forever, of course, but never in her wildest dreams had she believed that one day she would be invited to study on this faraway island, following in the footsteps of the greatest Unicorn Riders. Saying goodbye to her mum and brother at the start of term had been tough, but at the same time her heart was full of happiness. Inside, she knew that Unicorn Academy was her destiny.
From her balcony Sophia had a perfect view over the grounds and the countryside beyond, all the way out to the academy stables. She liked to think of Wildstar resting close by in her stall, the incredible rainbow-maned unicorn that she had bonded with just a few weeks before. That bond was the most precious thing in the world – a
unique connection that had unlocked the unicorn’s magical powers. Wildstar was brave, strong and loyal; and Sophia trusted her with her life. They had already been through so much together.
A tiny dot of magenta suddenly swished past, catching Sophia’s eye. The dot came close just long enough for her to see it was a Fate Fairy.
“Oh!” she whispered. “Good morning!”
The little creature’s wings flickered silently as it gazed, gemstone-bright, into the girl’s eyes, before soaring upwards again in a trail of fizzy-pink light. Sophia leaned further over the balcony and spotted more Fate Fairies fluttering through the sky. One after another popped into view, clustering into a cloud of brilliant yellows, peaches and blues.
Sophia wasn’t surprised to see so many Fate Fairies. Unicorn Island was always an amazing place to be, but today felt different, even more
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special. The air seemed to tingle with magical energy. Down in the academy gardens dozens of Dwerpins, enchanted helpers no taller than a unicorn’s knee, scurried in between the statues, laden with armfuls of fairy lights, gorgeous party decorations and garlands of flowers. Bridges were being swept and windows were being polished until they shone even more brightly than before. Every so often a teacher would appear clutching a long list, ticking off jobs and checking carefully that everything was just-so.
Sophia smiled to herself as she tiptoed back inside to get dressed. Today really was going to be an extraordinary day. Today, Sophia was going to gaze up at her very first Fairy Moon.
CHAPTER ONE
“Layla,” gasped Isabel, as she frowned in concentration, “are you telling me that the moon is going to change colour tonight?”
Layla smiled. “Not actually change. It’s just going to look like it because of the glow from the Fate Fairies.”
She was spread out on their sofa, reading from the Sparklebook. Isabel was on the floor beside her wearing electric blue jodhpurs and riding boots, powering towards her hundredth sit-up of the morning. As she huffed and puffed through her daily fitness routine, Isabel’s blonde ponytail
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flicked out in so many unpredictable directions, Layla nearly lost her place.
Sophia shot a wink across to her best friend, Ava. Their Sapphire dorm-mates had very different ways of starting the day! Ava shrugged a silent – I know! – and sent a twinkly smile back to her.
Layla edged out of Isabel’s way, then turned to a new page in the Sparklebook. She had found the magical encyclopaedia on her bookshelf on the first day of term and was still only just beginning to learn some of its secrets. The cover was decorated in mysterious signs and symbols, with a starry unicorn silhouette in the centre. It was as ancient as Unicorn Island itself, and held enormous power. She spread the book flat on her lap and began to read out loud:
“It says that the Fate Fairies are at their most magical right now, and there are some rarer
types that will only appear at this time of year.”
As Layla spoke, a golden mist rose up from the pages, swirling and dancing in circles. Sophia leaned forward, keen to see more. The mist spun a little longer before parting to reveal a cluster of miniature Fate Fairies. There appeared to be other enchanted creatures also twirling around in the shimmering haze, green fairy-like creatures that the girls had never seen before.
“Wow,” swooned Ava. “When Ms Primrose told us about the Fairy Moon, I thought it was just a made-up expression. You know, like ‘once in a blue moon’.”
Isabel leapt to her feet and started a set of energetic star jumps.
“Ahem … actually Ava,” said Layla, “blue moons are real, too.”
Ava’s big brown eyes opened as wide as saucers. “What?!”
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Sophia chuckled. Ava knew lots about plants and flowers, but moons with unusual names –not so much. As for her, horses and riding were definitely more her thing. Which was lucky really, because Sophia’s journey to become a Unicorn Rider had tested her skills in ways she could never have imagined. It wasn’t just learning to care for Wildstar and getting to know Ava, Layla, Isabel, Valentina and Rory – her new friends in Sapphire dorm. Sophia’s arrival at the academy had unleashed a terrible dark magic, with the power to destroy unicorns forever. After years of peace on Unicorn Island, Queen Ravenzella had returned.
Sophia couldn’t help but give a little shudder when she pictured the evil Queen of Grimoria. Ravenzella was the opposite of everything Sophia believed in, a wicked soul who was determined to shatter the close bond between the academy’s
students and the magical unicorns that lived alongside them. A long time ago a courageous Unicorn Rider had banished the queen to an enchanted prison cell deep in the Crystal Caves, taking away her Grim Magic powers and locking her out of sight. When Ravenzella managed to use her wit and cunning to break out, Sophia and all her friends were placed in terrible danger.
It was shocking and scary, but Sophia had refused to give up. Wildstar depended on her, and she wouldn’t let her unicorn down for anything in the world. After a fierce battle at Starglow Lake, Sophia had helped Wildstar use her diamondbright Light Magic to turn Ravenzella into stone, sending the queen crashing into the waters below. For a while, the island was safe again.
Sophia hadn’t done this on her own, however. She could never have defeated the wicked ruler without the help of each of her friends, as
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well as their amazing unicorns – Leaf, Glacier, River, Cinder and Storm. Trusting others wasn’t something that came easily to Sophia, but she was starting to learn that magical things happen when you work as a team.
Just then, Ava gave her hand a squeeze. She always seemed to know when she needed one of those! Ava had decided early on that Sophia was her BFFFF – her Best Friend Forever, For always, For realsies. At first, Sophia had struggled with letting her get so close. For someone who was used to being on her own most of the time, Ava could be a lot. And how did she know her new friend wouldn’t let her down, leave the academy or worse? Sophia blushed as she remembered the times that she had pushed Ava away. Despite it all however, the sweet girl had refused to give up on her. She had proved to Sophia that sharing problems didn’t make you weak, but instead gave
you endless strength. Sophia held out her wrist to admire the latest friendship bracelet Ava had made for her. She felt truly lucky. And she would never do that to her BFFFF again.
While the other girls relaxed, making the most of their free morning, Isabel had moved on to push-ups.
“You do know it’s a holiday, right?” said Sophia, suddenly getting a mischievous glint in her eye. “You can take the day off.”
Isabel continued to face the floor, carefully counting each repetition.
“Evil doesn’t take days off, and neither do I!” she insisted. “You’ve got to be strong if you want to be an ace Unicorn Rider.”
No one could deny it. Isabel liked to win, and she definitely put in the work. Slowly and quietly, Sophia inched her body towards the far end of the sofa.
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“If you’re so strong,” she piped up loudly, “then how come I’m going to beat you to the stables?”
Isabel raised her head just in time to see Sophia scramble to her feet and race towards the open door, shrieking with excitement. Ava and Layla burst into fits of giggles.
“What? No way!” bellowed Isabel. “Get back here, Sophia!”
CHAPTER TWO
Sophia and Isabel made it down to the Sapphire stable in record time, bursting through the doors side-by-side. A few moments later, Ava jogged in behind them, a little dizzy and out of puff with the effort of trying to chase after the speediest girls in class.
The stable was lovely and cool, a large dome-shaped building framed with beautiful stained-glass windows. Six spectacular unicorns lifted their heads up and snickered gently to greet the arrivals. Each of them had their own special area, decorated to suit their unique personality.
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Curling flowering vines twisted up around the columns between the stalls and an intricately carved fountain in the middle bubbled gently with fresh, turquoise water from Starglow Lake.
Layla was the last to appear, as usual. Why run, she would argue, when you can walk and read at the same time? She had wandered all the way down from the dorm with her nose stuck in the Sparklebook, soaking up every fact she could about the coming Fairy Moon. Her beautiful ice-white unicorn, Glacier, stepped out of her stall and gently guided Layla with her nose so she didn’t stumble straight into the water.
Glacier was used to keeping an eye out for her rider. Bookworms weren’t the greatest at looking out for danger, but Layla was as loyal and brave as the best of them. The girl and her unicorn complemented one another – teaching each other something new every single day.
“Hey Valentina.”
Sophia waved at another Sapphire student – a girl with fiery-red hair briskly running a Carebrush through her unicorn’s mane over and over again.
“I’m busy.”
She didn’t stop brushing or even turn around to say hello, but Sophia didn’t fuss – that was classic Valentina. She must have been here for hours already; her unicorn, Cinder, was gleaming from head to tail. He looked magnificent, and from the way he was flaring his nostrils and swishing his tail he clearly knew it, too.
Sophia pulled a couple of Sky Berries out of her jacket pocket, then went up to see Wildstar.
“Here you go, girl,” she murmured, holding her palm out flat so the unicorn could take the tasty snacks. She loved the tickly feeling as Wildstar snuffled up every last morsel. The unicorn looked down on Sophia with soft violet eyes, thanking
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her in her own sweet way.
“MORNING!”
Rory poked his head out of Storm’s stall and tapped Sophia briskly on the shoulder. He was the only boy in Sapphire dorm, but he made enough commotion for at least half a dozen students.
“How much are we loving having a day with no classes?” he shouted. His unicorn, Storm, stamped her hoof enthusiastically. She was a sparky creature that could turn heads, just like the lightning bolts zigzagging across her vivid purple coat.
Layla finally closed her book and looked up earnestly at her friend.
“It’s not a day off, Rory,” she explained patiently.
“The Fairy Moon is a big deal. Today is all about honouring the Fate Fairies’ magic.”
“Good!” said Ava, wrapping her unicorn in a big squidgy hug. “I’d do anything to thank them
UNDER THE FAIRY MOON
for matching me with Leaf.”
Sophia agreed. “Me too. They led me and my dad to Wildstar.”
When Sophia first arrived on Unicorn Island, she had been shocked to discover a statue of her father, Miles Mendoza, standing in pride of place in the academy gardens. She had always been told that he had died in an accident, but the truth appeared to be much more mysterious. Ms Primrose, the headteacher of Unicorn Academy, had finally explained to Sophia that Miles had also been a student many years before her!
Sophia’s dad had bonded first with her own unicorn, Wildstar, and he was the legendary Unicorn Rider who fought Ravenzella, trapping her in the Cell of Eternity. He had been the one to make Ravenzella vanish, but his bravery had cost him his life, or so Sophia had thought.
Sophia rested her head against Wildstar’s
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withers and felt the comforting rhythm of her beating heart. They shared so much, and both missed her dad terribly. They had always believed he was gone forever, but only recently had found out that perhaps Miles wasn’t dead after all…
Ravenzella’s battles had crushed her powers down to almost nothing, but they hadn’t entirely disappeared. Grim Magic had begun to seep back on to the island. One day, Sophia and Wildstar rode out to a strange forest, far beyond the Shimmerstone Wall. There, in a pool hidden behind a waterfall, they had encountered a vision in the shadowy depths – the face of their beloved father and friend, desperately trying to reach them. Sophia was astonished, not knowing whether to trust what her eyes were showing her. Was this a ghost, some kind of trick or a mixed-up memory? Her father began to speak, explaining
that he was trapped in another realm connected to this one by the thinnest of magical threads. The vision had only lasted an instant, but Sophia and Wildstar were convinced. Miles Mendoza was alive! No matter how far away he might be, someday they vowed to find him and bring him back again.
Sophia didn’t know how she was going to do it, but one thing was for certain – this time she and Wildstar wouldn’t be alone. Ava and all of their buddies in Sapphire dorm were there to rely on. Even moody Valentina could be counted on to show up when she was needed! In the meantime, Sophia had promised to keep learning and riding, and enjoying everything that Unicorn Academy had to offer.
Rory tightened up Storm’s saddle, and beamed across at Layla.
“I am grateful to the Fairies,” he said, with a
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cheeky grin. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have the day off school!”
Isabel clapped her hand on River’s stall, a saddle swung over the other arm.
“The Fairies are great,” she retorted, “but I think that we all know what today is really about. The Flower Foraging is where it’s at and we’re going to win it, aren’t we, boy?”
River’s ears shot back. Sophia couldn’t help thinking that he wasn’t too convinced by Isabel’s suggestion, although the loyal unicorn was trying his very best not to show it.
Layla shook her head. “The Flower Foraging is not actually a competition…”
“Not with that attitude!” snorted Isabel, looking around for someone to challenge. Her eyes fixed on Valentina. She could always be counted on for some good old-fashioned rivalry. “Val? Valentina? Yes you, Sparky. Are you
ready to lose?”
Valentina was concentrating on plaiting Cinder’s tail. “Lose what?” she said, irritably. “We’re only picking flowers. I’m focusing on things that actually matter.”
“Like honouring the Fate Fairies?” suggested Layla, brightening.
Valentina grimaced. “What? No. I’m obviously talking about the Fairy Moon Masquerade Ball tonight.”
“Oh yes!” gasped Sophia. She had been so busy thinking about the mysterious new moon, she had completely forgotten about the celebrations in the Grand Hall. That must have been why the teachers and the Dwerpins were rushing around so much this morning! They were all working hard to make everything party-perfect.
“Cinder and I are so going to be the bestdressed at the party,” added Valentina, explaining
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how she had ordered matching outfits for her and her unicorn that were so dazzling, everyone else would be left in the shade. She turned, caught her reflection in the stable windows and flashed a smug “I can’t help being exceptional” smile. Cinder puffed his chest out too, whinnying at his own handsomeness.
“Per-lease!” said Rory, pretending to yawn. “No one’s going to be looking at you two once Storm and I rock on to the scene with our cool dance moves!”
To Valentina’s disgust, Rory immediately jumped to it, boogying to an imaginary beat. Sophia and Ava squealed with laughter. He was an even goofier mover than they had expected! Rory danced round and round Storm, lurching and wriggling in odd directions as if he had spiders in his socks. The unicorn joined in the best that she could, matching him hoof for hoof.
A trumpet sounded in the distance. Toottooooooottttt!
“It’s time for the Foraging!” cried Isabel, jumping into River’s saddle and leading him outside. “Eat my unicorn dust!”
