Julie Sykes - Lyra and Misty

Lyra rode Misty into the cave. Misty picked her way cautiously over the rubble, her hooves slipping and sliding. Follow us, everyone, Lyra said in excitement, and keep your eyes open for the next piece of the map!

Chapter One

It was a frosty afternoon and the new students at Unicorn Academy were chatting and laughing as they groomed their unicorns. Lyra pushed her long light-brown hair behind her ears and put down her brush. Now for your hooves, she said to her unicorn, Misty. Would you like gold, purple or pink hoof polish?

Misty had been staring into the distance, lost in thought. She blinked. Oh um I dont mind, she said, nuzzling Lyra. You choose. Im not very good at making decisions.

Well, I love making decisions, so were a perfect match! Lyra said, putting her arms round Misty and breathing in her sweet unicorn smell. Lets use gold!

Misty was a very pretty snow-white unicorn patterned with swirls of purple and spring green. Lyra had been thrilled when, the day before, Ms Nettles, the academys strict headteacher, had put them together in the Pairing Ceremony.

Lyra picked up the tub of sparkly gold hoof polish and a brush. I still cant believe Im actually here at Unicorn Academy, she said happily.

She glanced around her; the academy stable block was clean and shiny, with stalls for the unicorns on either side of the wide aisles. Automated trollies ran up and down carrying bales of straw and buckets of sky berries, the unicorns favourite food, while the drinking water came from silver troughs that magically filled with multicoloured water from Sparkle Lake.

Lyra had wanted to go to the academy for as long as she could remember. Her cousin, Scarlett, had also been a student a few years ago and she had told Lyra all about the amazing adventures shed had with her friends and their unicorns.

I am definitely going to have adventures while Imhere, Lyra thought, as she painted Mistys hooves.

Misty gave Lyra a look from under her long eyelashes. Are are you missing your family at all, Lyra?

Lyra considered it. She had thought she would miss her parents and sister loads but there had been so much going on from the moment shed arrived at the academy that she hadnt missed home much at all. No, not really, she admitted.

Misty hung her head and Lyra wondered if Misty was homesick. She decided it was best to distract her by talking about something different. I wonder what magical power youll have, she said, and when youll discover it. Itll be so cool to be able to do magic!

Before they could graduate and become guardians of Unicorn Island, students had to bond with their unicorn and each unicorn had to discover their magical power. Sometimes students and their unicorns needed more than one year to complete everything and had to return for a second.

I really hope you have the power to do something super exciting, like being able to fly or turn invisible, Lyra went on. Those powers would be awesome! She glanced across the aisle to where Sienna, one of the girls she shared Ruby dorm with, was plaiting her unicorns mane with blue and purple ribbons. Hey, Sienna, if Sparkle could have any magical power, what would you choose? she called.

Sienna was tall with corkscrew curls that reached her shoulders. Her brown eyes lit up as she considered the question. Id choose for Sparkle to be able to gallop at the speed of light so we could beat everyone every time we raced!

Sparkle, a very athletic unicorn, stamped his hoof. That would be fun!

Siennas words gave Lyra an idea. Why dont we go and have some races? Or, better still, go exploring. Ivy? Evie? she shouted to the other two girls in their dorm. What do you think? Shall we go for a Ruby dorm ride?

Evie was carrying a bucket of water towards her unicorn, Sunshine. She looked round as Lyra called her name and promptly tripped over her feet. She cried out as she fell, dropping the bucket and sending water splashing everywhere.

Evie! Are you OK? cried Ivy.

Im fine, said Evie, blushing bright red as they all dashed over and helped her up. Im so clumsy, she groaned. Look at this mess. She tried to grab a nearby broom to sweep the water away but her fingers fumbled with the handle and the broom fell into Sienna. She gasped. Oh no! Sorry!

No problem, said Sienna with a grin. But maybe Ill do the sweeping up!

Yes, you should go and get some dry clothes, said Ivy to Evie. Youre soaked through.

And when you come back, we can all go exploring! Lyra said eagerly. There are so many places we havent been yet the maze, the cross-country course, the woods

What about the safari trail? I want to see that, interrupted Ivy. There are supposed to be some really interesting animals there.

Ive heard there are some incredible creatures in the woods, said Lyra. Shed also heard the woods were dangerous and the thought of checking them out made excitement fizz through her.

Arent they out of bounds? asked Sienna.

It doesnt stop us from going to the edge of them and having a look, though, does it? said Lyra with a grin. I definitely think its time for Ruby dorm to go exploring!

Chapter Two

A little while later, the four girls trotted their unicorns away from the stable block. The air was frosty and the grass crunched under the unicorns hooves as they skirted round the edge of Sparkle Lake.

Sparkle Lakes water had magical properties. It sprang up from the centre of the earth, cascaded through an ornate fountain in the middle of the lake and then flowed away around the island. The water helped all the people, plants and animals on the island flourish and it also strengthened the unicorns magic.

Lyra grinned as they left the lake and headed towards the lush green meadows. Here she was, with her own unicorn, out on an adventure at last! She loved exploring. When she was older, she wanted to be an archaeologist who discovered unknown places and found precious artefacts. She couldnt think of a more fun job!

So, where are we going to go? Sienna asked her.

The woods, said Lyra instantly.

Are you sure, Lyra? said Misty. They sound dangerous and we shouldnt go in if theyre out of bounds.

Well stay on the edge. Itll be fun, said Lyra. Thats if we can find them, of course!

You mean we might get lost? asked Misty anxiously.

Lyra ruffled her mane. Yep! Thats the best thing about exploring you never know whats going to happen!