Best Friends For Ever! Read Online Free PDF Page A

evil plans.’
    Pippa leaned forward and spoke into her friend’s ear.
    ‘Stardust, we have to go.’
    ‘I know,’ said Stardust. ‘Hold on tight, Pippa.’
    The Princess Pony’s white wings flapped gracefully as she rose up and out of the Volcano and, in a straight line, headed for home.

Chapter 6
     
    With the sun setting behind her, Stardust flew straight to Stableside Castle. Pippa urged her to fly faster as the sinking sun fell towards the horizon. As Stableside came into view, the sun was merely a golden sliver above the darkening sea. With a burst of energy, Stardust flew over the Castle walls and came to land in the Royal Courtyard. The moment her hooves touched the ground her wings disappeared. Pippa had to hold on tightly.
    ‘There’s not much time left,’ Stardust said as she approached the ancient Whispering Wall.
    Pippa was dimly aware of the rush of wings as the entire Royal Court returned behind them. All but Cloud landed in the courtyard – she remained above the ground, keeping her hooves tucked up beneath her.
    The last rays of the sun lit the seven golden horseshoes on the wall. The magic crackled as it renewed itself but Pippa could see the bare patch of wall where the eighth horseshoe needed to be placed.
    As Stardust came alongside the wall, Pippa stood up on her back. A smile tugged at her lips as she remembered how scared she’d been the very first time she’d stood on Stardust. That had been to rescue the first golden horseshoe. She’d never completely got rid of her fear of heights but she’d come a long way to managing it. Proudly Pippa reached up and hung the golden horseshoe back where it belonged.
    A sunray slanted towards it and, reaching down, kissed the horseshoe with its buttermilk glow. There was a moment of complete silence, then the Whispering Wall seemed to let out an electric sizzle. Suddenly it was as if someone had lit a thousand sparklers. The horseshoes glittered brighter than the noonday sun as their energy was fully renewed.
     

     
    A huge cheer rose into the air, along with cries of ‘Chevalia for ever!’
    Pippa slid from Stardust’s back and threw her arms around her friend’s neck.
    ‘We did it,’ she sobbed. Happiness welled inside her like a mountain stream. ‘We found all the missing horseshoes. We saved Chevalia.’
    Stardust nuzzled Pippa’s hair.
    ‘Thank you, Pippa,’ she whickered. ‘And thank you for being my best friend.’
    As the very last ray of sunlight disappeared, a warm, amber light bathed the whole island. The energised horseshoes were charging the island’s magic for another year. Stardust stood very still, drinking it in. All of a sudden, for Pippa, time froze. The courtyard became sketchy like a shadow, and through it she could see her family on the beach in the horseshoe-shaped cove. Her mother, brother and sister were stiller than statues, sitting with a picnic half laid out before them. A wave of longing swept over Pippa. She missed her family so much it hurt.
    The light disappeared, leaving Stardust and Pippa in the darkness. Time moved on again.
    ‘I love Chevalia,’ Pippa said softly, ‘but I love my own home too. It’s time I returned to my family.’
    ‘Of course,’ said Stardust. ‘You can’t leave just yet, though.’
    Pippa raised an eyebrow, making Stardust giggle.
    ‘You can’t miss the Royal Concert or the Midsummer Ball.’

    There was so little time to prepare for the concert that everyone mucked in and helped. Pippa smiled as Queen Moonshine rushed past her with a huge bunch of wild flowers for King Firestar to hang around the Royal Court.
    Just as the last garland was put in place the unicorns arrived from the Cloud Forest. They were greeted by courtiers who’d hurriedly changed into their best sashes and who ushered all the guests to the courtyard.
    The opening bars of music soared in the air and Pippa’s heart flew with it as she was carried away by the exquisite voices. Honey’s coat looked pale