Magic Ballerina 13-18

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Lila’s magic whisked them away in a cloud of purple sparkles and set them down behind a tree in the grounds of a forboding grey castle.

Holly peeped out. “Look, there’s the White Cat!” she hissed, seeing her friend looking out of the tallest tower. “Oh, Lila let’s go to the tower and then you can fly up there with one end of the ladder.”

But just as she said this, the castle door flew open. A big fairy dressed in tatty black clothes stomped out. Holly and Lila quickly shrank back behind the tree.

The Wicked Fairy had cruel dark eyes and a long warty nose. Her grey hair was piled on her head and there was a long black wand in her hand with a crystal ball at the top. Lizards dressed as footmen scampered around her. She flicked her wand. Immediately, there was a flash of green smoke and a carriage appeared. Instead of horses there were four more lizards pulling it.

The Wicked Fairy cackled as she climbed into it. “Take me to the Royal Palace!” Picking up the reins, she lashed them down on the lizards’ backs. “Onwards, you fools!”

The other lizards fearfully leapt up behind her and the carriage set off down the drive.

“Come on!” Holly said as soon as it had disappeared from sight. She raced to the tower with Lila flying overhead.

“Oh, my shimmering whiskers!” The White Cat called down from the window. “It’s Holly and Lila!” Two girls joined him, one in a red cloak, the other with long blonde ringlets.

“We’ve got a rope ladder,” Holly called. She saw a strange look flicker across the cat’s face.

“Oh, but …” his voice trailed off.

“What?” The cat hesitated and then shook his head. “Nothing.”

Lila flew up to the window and passed one end inside. “Quick!” As soon as it was secure, she flew down with the other end. Holly held it steady.

The White Cat helped Red Riding Hood over the sill and out of the window. She climbed nimbly down. “Thank you!” she gasped, jumping the last few metres.

Goldilocks came next. “We’re free!” she said her blue eyes shining. “Thank you!”

“Come on!” Holly urged the White Cat.

He started to climb over the windowsill and then he hesitated.

“What’s the matter?” she called as he climbed back inside.

“I … I can’t do it. I didn’t tell you, but I’m not just scared of water. I’m scared of heights as well! You’ll have to go on without me.”

Holly looked at him in dismay. “But what about when the Wicked Fairy comes back?”

“Don’t worry about me,” he said bravely. “You have to get back before people realise we’re all missing. Go!”

Holly shook her head. “No way! I’m not leaving you.” She swallowed hard and then did the only thing she could think of – she started to climb the rope.

“Holly stop it!” he shouted anxiously. “You’re scared of heights too!”

Holly ignored him. Gritting her teeth, she climbed higher and higher. Not daring to look down she stared at his shocked face. Her heart was pounding and her legs were shaking, but she had to get him down from there. “If I can do it, so you can you,” she gasped as she got near to the window.

But just as she spoke, her foot slipped. With a cry of alarm she grabbed hold of the rung she was on with both hands. Her legs dangled free. With one bound the White Cat was out of the window and racing down the rope ladder towards her head and arms first. At the same time, Lila shot into the air.

The White Cat reached Holly first. He held her hands on to the ladder as she found the lower rung with her feet.

“Thank you!’ she said weakly, gazing into his green eyes.

Lila appeared beside her. “Come back down. I’ll go behind you. If you slip again, I’ll catch you.”

Holly slowly backed down the rope ladder, Lila behind and the White Cat above. When they all reached the bottom she sank on to the ground, her legs too shaky to hold her up. The White Cat collapsed beside her and she stroked his soft fur.

His eyes blinked up at her. “You know for someone who says they don’t have any friends, you’re very good at being one, Holly.”

Holly blushed.

Lila danced forward. “I’m just glad you’re both safe.”

“It was so scary,” said Goldilocks.

“Thank you so much for rescuing us,” said Red Riding Hood.

“We’d better get back,” said Lila. “I just hope the others haven’t realised we’ve all gone. You three go with the White Cat. I’ll fly up and untie the ladder and follow with my own magic.”

The White Cat helped Holly up as Lila flew to the top of the ladder, but just then a loud shriek tore through the air over the sound of carriage wheels.

Holly gasped. The Wicked Fairy was coming down the drive!

“No!” the fairy shrieked, her wand raised and pointing straight at them!

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Holly and the others froze in fear. The Wicked Fairy yanked the lizards to a stop and jumped out. “I saw you in my crystal ball!” she cried, her black eyes burning as she brandished her wand. “I saw you trying to escape. Well, you won’t!” She pointed the wand at them again. “With this wand’s strongest power, I banish you all to my highest …”

She broke off as the end of a rope ladder came flying down from the sky and conked her on the head. “OW!” she shrieked.

“Lila!” gasped Holly, looking up.

“What’s happening?” hissed the Wicked Fairy, as Lila started flying in rapid circles, winding the rope ladder around the fairy. She flailed her arms and they got caught in the rope. “Help me, you fools!” she shrieked at her servants. But the lizards just stood there.

“Let’s see how you like being imprisoned!” Lila flew around her legs at lightning speed.

The Wicked Fairy screeched and fell over on her back. The rope ladder was wrapped around her like a cocoon. She looked like a giant beetle struggling on the ground!

“Oh well done, Lila!” Holly cried. “That was brilliant!”

“Get me out of here!” yelled the Wicked Fairy to her servants as she rocked from side to side.

“Well, shimmering whiskers, it looks like no one is going to help you,” said the White Cat with a grin. “Maybe you should have said please!”

The Wicked Fairy shrieked in fury and drummed her feet on the ground.

Holly looked at the sky and realised that the sun was setting. The Wicked Fairy might be trapped, but the dance had to be performed or her curse would still work. “Come on everyone!” she cried. “Let’s get back to the palace!”