The Unicorn's Journey - Episode 1

The Unicorn has returned from her homeland to learn how to defeat the darkness that threatens everything. With the help of a Wizard and an Amazon, she will do everything she can to save her people

  

   A thin tendril of mist seeped out through the crack in the sewer grate, giving off an oddly colourful hue. The tendril grew slowly thicker, and brighter, its rainbow colour glowing in contrast to the dark shadows of the deserted alley. Then, suddenly, the sewer grate shifted, rasping against the asphalt as it slowly moved aside.

   A figure climbed slowly out of the sewer, its entire aura lit up with the same rainbow glow. Almost instantly the glow began to fade until the alley was dark again and the figure was close to indiscernible amongst the shadows.

   The Unicorn looked around, taking a moment to adjust to her new surroundings. As soon as she’d steadied herself, she reached out for her two friends, but nothing was there. Frowning, she tried again, putting more of her unicorn power into it.

  

   There was nothing. She couldn’t feel them.

   The Unicorn let out a sigh. She’d been away so long, and she’d known they might be long gone. Still, some part of her had hoped…

   A chill breeze swept through the alley, and the Unicorn shivered, glancing down at the thick, hooded cloak hanging from her right hand; the only thing she’d brought with her from Unicorn-land. She felt warmer the instant the cloak settled over her shoulders, and she gently touched the green cloth, memories of its owner making her smile.

   The sound of a distant car horn startled the Unicorn from her thoughts, and she was reminded of the reason she’d come back.  The best way for her to accomplish what she needed to and save her homeland was to find her two friends. They would know more than she did about the demons, and could help her.

   Closing her eyes, the Unicorn drew upon her power and allowed her surroundings to dissolve. In her mind, she pictured where she wanted to be, focusing hard on the image and summoning as much detail as possible. When she opened her eyes, the Unicorn was across the street from the bar.

   Just like she remembered, the warm glow from inside spilled out onto the pavement and inside its patrons were all smiling and laughing. The Unicorn crossed the square in quick strides and opened the door to the bar, feeling the warm heat soothe her chilled body. Almost as soon as she stepped inside, however, she knew that her friends weren’t there.

   Disappointment flooded her so strongly she froze for a moment, her hand gripping the handle as she leaned against the door for support.  The distraction had been momentary, but long enough for the Unicorn not to notice the two men coming up swiftly behind her.  The first she knew of the attack was a strong arm wrapping around her neck, and a thick, sweet-smelling cloth being pressed over her nose. Then all she knew was blackness…

 

   The Unicorn had no idea how much time had passed before she woke.  When she did, she felt groggy and slightly ill.  Pain throbbed in her shoulders from where her wrists had been pulled back and bound tightly behind the chair she was sitting on.

   “Who are you?”

   She looked up, blinking the blurriness from her vision, searching for the source of the voice. After a few moments, she could make out another young woman across the room, similarly tied to a chair.

   “My name is Steph.”

   “You’re a unicorn, aren’t you?”

   “On my better days.” The Unicorn winced as she tried to move her wrists and only succeeded in rubbing already raw skin. “How could you tell?”

   “You were glowing there for a while.” The girl paused. “They call me the Hacker.”

   “Why are you here? Do you know who kidnapped us?”

   “I haven’t a clue,” she said cheerfully. “Brightened up my day, though. I was getting bored at home. It’s been a while since anyone’s been able to compete with my coding.”

   The Unicorn peered at the girl, wondering if she was entirely sane.

   “Can’t Unicorns move wherever they want?” the girl asked suddenly.

   “You know a lot about Unicorns,” she noted. “There’s something in the walls of this room blocking my power though. It’s something demons often do.”

   “Demons?” the Hacker asked blankly. “Did they give you some type of drug? Are you feeling all right?”

   “You know about Unicorns, but not demons?” the Unicorn asked. “What sort of person are you?”

   “I’m very sheltered,” she announced proudly.

   Further conversation was prevented by the sound of a heavy thump from just outside the door. The Unicorn froze, staring intently at the door. There were no further sounds, but the Unicorn kept watching, heart beating faster, anticipation rising…

   Bam!

   The door was kicked open with enough force to rip it off its hinges and send it clattering to the ground. The unconscious (or dead) form of a demon lay slumped on the floor outside. Hope flared suddenly in the Unicorn’s chest as she instantly recognised the dark clothing and mask of a ninja, but no…. this one was too tall.

   The ninja paused at the entrance and glanced coolly between the two women in the room, her gaze lingering just a second longer on the Unicorn.

   “If you two would like to get out, I’d suggest you get moving before they come back.”

   “That’s such a lovely offer, but…” The Hacker began, but the Unicorn cut her off.

   “Our hands are tied.”

   “Oh, right.” The Ninja pulled a knife from the sheath at her waist and crossed the room in long strides to swiftly and efficiently cut the ropes binding both women’s hands. The Unicorn stood instantly, flexing her aching wrists.

   “Follow me.” The Ninja was already heading out the door.

   The Unicorn and the Hacker followed the Ninja as she led them down a narrow hall and then up a dim flight of stairs. They passed three more demon bodies along the way.  The door at the top of the stairs was unguarded, and led through into another corridor. From here they exited out into bright afternoon sunlight.

   “Why did you help us?” The Unicorn asked the Ninja, blinking rapidly so that her eyes could adjust. A warehouse stood behind them, and the entire area looked deserted.

   The Ninja shrugged slightly and passed the Unicorn a folded scrap of paper. “I have my reasons.  Good luck to the both of you.”

   By the time the Unicorn had glanced down at the paper in her hands, and then back up, the Ninja was gone.

   “I think I’m going to leave too,” the Hacker said. “It was nice meeting you, Steph.”

   “It was nice meeting you too,” the Unicorn said faintly, still wondering exactly what was going on.

   “Look me up if you’re ever in Boston.” The Hacker smiled and began walking away. After a few moments, she paused and turned back. “Oh, and my name is Rose.”

   The Unicorn unfolded the paper in her hands, taking a few moments to decipher the scrawled handwriting. It was an address.  She crumpled the paper and let it drop to the ground, feeling lost and frustrated.  She hadn’t been back more than a day, and already she’d been kidnapped and then rescued by a stranger.  There was no trace of her friends, and her homeland was still in terrible danger.

   Sighing heavily, she leaned down and picked up the paper, reading the address again.  Closing her eyes, she summoned her power and focused hard on the address.  The sound of beeping horns and car engines surrounded her as she opened her eyes to find herself standing on a busy road in the middle of a city.

   Turning around, she saw the doorway to a small shop. The number on the door matched the one written on the scrap of paper the ninja had given her. Straightening her cloak, the Unicorn pushed open the door and walked inside.  Bells over the door tinkled at her entrance, and it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the dimness inside.  When they did, it was to see a young woman with tied-back blonde hair coming towards her.

   “Welcome, welcome,” she said pleasantly. “I take it you’re looking for someone?”

   “Excuse me?” the Unicorn asked.

   “Oh, you’re a Unicorn,” she said delightedly. “I haven’t seen one of your kind in many years. So who are you looking for?”

   “I’m not…I mean, how do you…?”

   “I’m a wizard whose specialty is looking for things,” she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

  

   “Why else would you be here?”

   “I don’t even know why I’m here, to be honest. My homeland is in danger, and I came here to try and save them, but I need the help of my two friends, but they’re gone, so…”

   “Oh, I see. Well…” The Wizard patted her pockets until finding what she was looking for inside her jacket. It was a long, slim wand. She focused carefully on it, and a spark of blue light shot out of the wand and hit a nearby stack of books. The stack toppled to the ground and a faint burning smell filled the air. “I can help you save the world.”

   The Unicorn stared at her, trying to work out how to respond, when the bells over the door sounded again and someone else came rushing in, breathless.

   “Steph, I finally caught up with you! Phew.”

   The Unicorn eyed the newcomer, who couldn’t have stood taller than her shoulders, in astonishment. “Who are you?”

   “I’m Levs, the Amazon.”

   “I’m Ami!” the Wizard pushed past the Unicorn to offer the Amazon her hand.

   “Hi, nice to meet you!” They shook hands enthusiastically, and then the Amazon turned to the Unicorn. “I was told your world is in danger and I’m to help you.”

   “Told by who?”

   “No clue. The orders were in a letter pushed under my door this morning.”

   “I’m helping too!” the Wizard said excitedly.

   “Great. Should we get started?” the Amazon headed for the door.

   The Unicorn sat on the nearest chair and took a deep breath. “I’m going to need a coffee first.”

 

   Across the street, a hooded watcher saw as first the Unicorn, and then the Amazon, walked into the Wizard’s shop.

  

   This was an interesting development indeed.

   “Fred, are they inside?” his partner appeared to relieve his shift.

   “They are. Should we take action now?”

   “No, our orders are to keep watch for the moment.”

   “All right, fine. Enjoy your shift, I’ll see you in a few hours.”

   Fred drew the hood of his cloak further down over his face, and then turned and walked into the convenience store…

   To be continued...

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Author's Note

All constructive comments welcome!