The Last Unicorn: The Bull's Vengeance

Chapter 1

   The unicorn returned to her lilac forest, however this time she was not alone. Other unicorns were in the world again, after being freed from the shackles of the sea that held them for so long. Unicorns were scattered across lush, green forests, guarding them from the dangers that lurked in the world around them.

After her perilous journey to free the rest of her kind, the unicorn had lost much of her innocence. The world she experienced stripped her of some of her beauty, and her previous mortality haunted her still. Her mind could not escape the prison it was damned to. She only received solace from the knowledge that unicorns could roam free again, though she felt some regret for leaving the prince who loved her so.

While unicorns frolicked through the woods, enjoying their new found freedom, evil lurked far beyond their realm. In the land where Hagsgate once stood, he emerged. Still with his grand, fiery presence that struck everyone who laid eyes on him with blind terror, he was out for vengeance. Not for all unicorns this time, for he had no master. But this time, for only one. The one who managed to escape him. The one, brave unicorn who imprisoned him in the waves that once held the unicorns. He stepped out from the roaring waves, and the ground shuttered beneath him. For his new reign was just beginning. He was determined to find the one who escaped him, bloodthirsty for her. From the ruins of Hagsgate, he began his journey to hunt her down to the ends of the earth and nothing, absolutely no man or no creature, would stand in his way. He slipped out of the kingdom he once ruled under the cover of darkness, slinking towards the lilac woods that lay miles ahead.

The flaming demon made great strides, covering ground swifter than any mortal being would be capable of. The wildlife that stood in his way perished under his powerful, cloven hooves. Even the bounty hunters that took up camp in the forests scrambled in fear when he passed. Although he was miles away they could still feel his mighty presence. Then, somewhere along his path stood a woman and a blue-cloaked man. But they were no stranger to this beast, they could smell his foul aroma from miles away. Upon this, they trembled in fear. They thought his reign of terror was over when the unicorn drove him into the sea. For the two individuals walking his soon to be path of destruction were none other than Molly Grue and Schmendrick the Magician themselves. Fearing for the unicorn, they saddled their horses and bounded off, on a mission to find her lilac forest and save her from whatever fate rested in the hands of the great beast hunting her.

"This can't be," said Molly. "She conquered the Bull, at least I thought." Schmendrick looked upon her in agreement, saying nothing as his body shuddered in fear. He remembered everything of their last journey, and his mind raced thinking about it. For he was a true magician now, but was horrified of what danger lay on the path ahead of him. Nothing could tame the ferocious Bull now, for his wrath had made him grow too powerful. "The Lady Amalthea, I fear she is in grave danger. I don't think I can save her this time, no magic in the world can." the magician trembled as those words left his lips. He feared for his long lost friend, whom he cared greatly about.

When they reached the foot of Cat Mountain, Molly and Schmendrick smelled a dark reek, crawling through the night sky. They recognized that smell immediately, and knew danger was close by. Now, they had only days before the Bull caught up to them, most assuredly stamping them into the Earth so he could get to the unicorn. "We must hurry now," Molly said urgently. "She will be dead in no time if we do not get to her first. Please, we must go!" After her pleading cries, the pair climbed onto their horses once again, and raced into the night, stopping for nothing. For the Bull was drawing near, and his aroma was spreading so far that it reached the outskirts of the woods where the unicorn lived.