This story is dedicated to the late actor River Phoenix

Unicorn Ryan enters Gemstone Glade, adventure skydiving through his soul, and the wish to once again connect with the magic tablet gifted to him in this Christmas story, followed by this Christmas story, and further pursued here: Griffin Gala

Steel resolve glows red in Ryan’s eyes, molten metal heating his heart. He is ready. Today, he nudges the magic tablet with joy, rubbing his unicorn horn slowly over the word Phoenix.  Flames flicker behind his eyes, as sparks rise from the stone tablet.

A huge ring of smoke appears. Ryan jumps gracefully through, arriving in a land of golden grass and towering trees with magenta pink leaves. Smoke snakes through the air, like the breath of a sleeping dragon. Piles of ash punctuate the grass with dots of grey. Then Ryan hears the birdsong, like an orchestra on fire, the rhythm of life itself, a disco of audible daylight, the music of forever.

Cautiously, Ryan approaches a pile of ashes within the grass, smoke massaging his mind with an incomprehensible message. As the air clears, a huge bird emerges from the ashes, with green, orange and magenta pink feathers. He is beauty incarnate, a pledge of gentle power in his eyes.

“I am Riviera, and I am a phoenix reborn. My first vision denotes my mission in this, my new life. And I see you, a unicorn. There is a prophecy about a lone unicorn, a story of hope reborn. My mission, then, to help unicorns.”

“I am Ryan, I have arrived here through a portal in Gemstone Glade.”

“Take me there.”

The phoenix stretches his massive wings, as Ryan jumps back through the portal of smoke. The phoenix follows, a majestic and surprise guest even for somewhere as magical as Gemstone Glade.

Riviera appraises the glade with his deep emerald green eyes. “There is another, smaller glade,” he says softly, “to the east of here. Take me there.”

Ryan is surprised. No new arrival in Gemstone Glade has asked for a smaller, less magical glade instead! “You must mean Sunstone Glade, named after the large crystal in its middle. Come with me.”

They arrive in the tiny glade, its large crystal glinting in the spring sunlight. Moonlight, Ryan’s great grandfather, lies against the crystal. His eyes are weary, and his breath is laboured.

“My grandson, it is my time,” murmurs Moonlight.

The phoenix begins to sing. Moonlight closes his eyes, the song stirring his soul, a silver spoon from heaven. His black wings flutter, then are still.

Flames suddenly appear around the ancient unicorn. “Moonlight!” cries Ryan. “Leave him, it is okay,” reassures Riviera. “I am saving him.”

The flames grow higher and higher, as the sunstone begins to sing. It is the sound of all the world’s secrets, and of all the love in the cosmos sighing for a better forever.

Higher and higher still, then the flames start to subside, forming ashes in their retreat. And at the heart of the ashes, lies a black unicorn foal.

“Moonlight!” gasps Ryan.

“I am now Stormlight,” murmurs the foal. “I have the soul of Moonlight, but the heart of a new born. I am reborn. Thank you, noble phoenix, thank you so much.”

“I didn’t know phoenixes could rebirth other species!” cries Ryan in disbelief.

“Technically, it’s not usually permitted,” confides Riviera. “But I made an exception. Just for you.”

Stormlight slowly totters to his feet, unsure in his new body.

“Your new life mission is determined by what you see,” confides Riviera. “A sunstone, and a phoenix. You surely have an interesting life ahead of you!”

“Thank you,” murmurs Stormlight. “Thank you so much.” He flutters his new black wings, and neighs in happiness.

“How can I ever repay you?” Ryan asks Riviera.

“All you need to do, is live your life. There is a prophecy that may come true. Ryan, you will see me again.” And with that Riviera disappears in a cloud of smoke.

Ryan and Stormlight slowly saunter to Gemstone Glade, where they are greeted by the crystalline fairies, always happy to welcome a unicorn foal. Stormlight drinks from the magical fountain, thirsty for its healing balm. Ryan walks back to the tablet, and ponders his next adventure. All is happy as time seems to stand still in Gemstone Glade, a mirage hidden from real life, a home to mysteries.

Far away, in Phoenix World, a party is commencing. The birds know that Riviera has performed forbidden magic, and they sing in delight. A new world of possibilities is born in their hearts. The rebirth of the unicorn heralds a new dawn, and a destiny as bright as a diamond.