Princess Ponies 2 Read Online Free

pony, his neck stretched and steam rising from his body as he struggled to catch up. Next there was a tight cluster of four ponies who were bumping and jostling each other as they fought to overtake. The rest of the racers were spread out behind, with a group of stragglers bringing up the rear.
     

     
    ‘Look – Blossom’s so far ahead of the pack!’ said Pippa.
    ‘No one can catch her now,’ Stardust whinnied. ‘I’m sure she’ll win.’
    Excitement fizzed in Pippa’s stomach. She couldn’t wait to see Cinders’s face when Blossom won the Equestriathon trophy. And what would Blossom’s parents say? They might be show ponies but Pippa felt sure they’d be thrilled and proud of their daughter.
    ‘You can do it, Blossom!’ Pippa called.
    Stardust joined in, chanting, ‘Blossom, Blossom, Blossom!’
    She trotted on the spot, bouncing Pippa up and down. It was so much fun that at first Pippa didn’t notice that something was moving out at sea. Faster and faster, two shapes were swimming towards the shore, where they started dancing in the water. That got Pippa’s attention. She put her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun.
    ‘The seahorses are back,’ she gasped.
    But what were they doing? Suddenly, Pippa realised that they must want to speak to her.
    ‘Who are you waving at?’ Stardust asked, as Pippa threw both arms in the air.
    ‘Rosella and Triton,’ Pippa answered, sliding from Stardust’s back. ‘They’re calling me.’
    ‘I’ll take you down to the path to the beach,’ said Stardust.
    Pippa hesitated. Riding Stardust would be much quicker than going by foot, but what about Blossom? They had promised to watch her race.
    ‘Thanks, but you’d better stay here. If Blossom gallops past when we’re on our way down the cliff path, she won’t see you cheering her on and she’ll be so disappointed.’
    ‘You’re right,’ Stardust said with a big sigh. ‘Why does being a best friend have to be so difficult sometimes?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Pippa. She climbed down from Stardust’s back and, stroking her softly on the nose, added, ‘But it’s worth it.’
    ‘Definitely,’ Stardust agreed, nudging Pippa’s hand.
    ‘I won’t be long. With any luck, I’ll be back for the end of the race.’
    Pippa set off at a run, haring across the headland as if she were racing in the Equestriathon herself. The ground was bumpy and covered in long, spiky grass that whipped against her legs. She gritted her teeth and ignored it. She ran so fast, and with her head down, that she almost missed the path. Pulling up sharply, Pippa turned left and stumbled down the steep track. Stones rattled under her feet, and once she slipped and nearly fell. Throwing her arms out to save herself, she flushed hot with panic. Luckily, she regained her balance and carried on, more slowly this time.
    Far away, the seahorses watched, bobbing up and down in the water so urgently that Pippa thought this must be an emergency. The path turned abruptly, catching Pippa totally unawares and causing her to trip up. One minute she was running, the next she was pitching head first down the path. She was so shocked that her heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, she curled into a ball. She tumbled to the ground, hitting the path with a dull thud and rolling a short distance, until she stopped.
     

     
    ‘Ouch!’
    Now her heart was banging like a crazy drum. Everything ached. Gingerly, Pippa sat up and tested her arms and legs. She was amazed and relieved to discover that nothing was broken. Dusting the dirt and grit from her clothes, she took several deep breaths to steady herself then stood up slowly.
    Out at sea the seahorses seemed to be still now. Pippa waved to show that she wasn’t hurt. But as she started off again something pinged against her ankle. Stopping, she stared at her foot.
    ‘No!’ Pippa said in dismay.
    The strap of her sandal had snapped, leaving the shoe hanging uselessly off her foot. Pippa stared at