AN: Thanks to everyone who stuck around for the second chapter. Especially Gracekim1 and Samantha613 for being the first reviewers.
Seventh Element: The Element of Hope
Chapter 2
Lavender and the Elements
"Is everyone okay," Twilight asked once they landed and regained her bearings.
"Yes I believe so," Fluttershy said as she stood.
"Any pony know where we are," Rarity asked. The ponies looked at their surroundings when they heard a crashing sound.
"I heard it from over here," Lavender said running in with three guards following.
"Who are you," Twilight asked her.
"I'm Lavender Heart and who are you? How did you get into the basement level of the castle library without detection?"
"We were sent by the Princess."
"Princess Dusk sent you? From where?"
"Princess dusk? Whose that? Princess Celestia the Princess of all Equestria sent us." Lavender looked at them skeptically before nodding to herself.
"I think you should come see the Princess. Follow me." Lavender and the guards lead the elements of harmony and Spike to the Audience hall. "Princess Dusk I've brought some ponies who claim Princess Celestia of Equestria sent them."
"Princess Celestia? So she felt it as well, I trust she informed you of what needs to be done," Princess Dusk asked them.
"Yes Princess…" Twilight said.
"Dusk. My name is Dusk."
"Princess Dusk we understand what is needed of us. But we don't know where to begin."
"That my little pony is where I come in. Lavender Heart."
"Yes Princess," Lavender asked the princess nervously as she stepped up to her.
"It is time for you to begin the next step in your training."
"Next step?"
"Yes. My dearest student you are to be tasked with helping these ponies in their quest."
"M-me? Are you sure?"
"Yes you are ready to begin."
"I'll do my best."
"I know you will. Now why don't you show our guests to the south chamber rooms." Princess Dusk smiled gently at her student.
"Of course Princess." Lavender turned to Spike and the elements of Harmony. "Follow me please." The ponies and dragon filed out of the room behind Lavender.
"Oh my gosh! I can't wait to know you better! We will be great friends! I can tell! It's my pinkie sense," Pinkie exclaimed as she pounced on the pink unicorn once they had left the princess's chambers.
"Pinkie don't strangle the girl," Apple Jack told her energetic friend as she got Pinkie away from the shaken unicorn.
"I believe introductions are in order since I will be working with you. If that's alright," Lavender asked uncertainly once she got a hold of herself.
"Of course, my name is Twilight Sparkle. This is my assistant Spike," Twilight said as she indicated the dragon on her back.
"That's Princess Twilight Sparkle you know the princess of friendship. And I'm Rainbow Dash feel free to bask in my awesomeness," Rainbow Dash told her as the pegasus puffed her chest out slightly.
"Rainbow Dash! Ignore her darling. My name is Rarity," Rarity told her shaking her hoof politely.
"I'm Pinkie Pie," Pinkie exclaimed grabbing Lavender's hoof and shaking it vigorously leaving her shaken up yet again.
"Howdy sugar cube, I'm Apple Jack and its mighty nice ta meet cha," AJ said as she steadied the unicorn.
"I'm Fluttershy," Fluttershy said quietly.
"Hello I'm-" Lavender began but was interrupted by her assistant as she came running down the hall.
"Lavender! Lavender," Silla shouted as she ran into the pony herself.
"Silla! Are you okay," Lavender asked kneeling to be eye level with her dragon.
"Huh? Oh I'm fine. But you'll never guess there are other ponies here! They appeared out of nowhere and… Oh my gosh they're behind you!"
"Yes Silla I know. These ponies were sent by the princess I'm to help them on their quest."
"Wow that's great!"
"Yes it is. Now if you'll give me a moment I haven't introduced myself to our guests."
"Oh. Sorry…"
"It's quiet alright." Lavender turned back to the group before her. "My name is Lavender Hear and it's very nice to meet you all."
"I didn't know you had an assistant," Twilight said as Spike stared at Silla.
"Yes I helped hatch her a few months ago." Silla looked at the new ponies and her eyes widened upon sighting spike.
"Another Dragon! Lavender! Lavender she has a baby dragon too," Silla said excitedly.
"Yes. Spike go introduce yourself," Twilight said nudging Spike off her back gently.
"I-I-I'm S-Spike," Spike stammered out embarrassed having never been around another dragon close to his age.
"Hi! I'm Silla! Do you like gems? Cause I know where to get a ton. Want to come," Silla asked him.
"Do I?! Where to?!"
"Silla, shouldn't you ask Twilight first? She might need him," Lavender told the pink dragon.
"Oh! Right." Silla turned to Twilight "Can Spike come with me?"
"Yes he can. Just be careful you two," Twilight said to her.
"Yes! Thanks Twilight," Spike said as Silla lead him off down the hall.
"Don't worry she is just taking him down to the west caves on the palace grounds. It's where the dragons from the royal hatchery go for gems when they tire of pony food," Lavender explained. Once the dragons were out of ear shot. "Anyway your rooms are right down this way." Twilight smiled softly at the unicorn.
"Thank you for showing us," Twilight said.
"It's mighty kind of ya," Applejack told her as the others nodded. The trip to the south wing also housed Lavender and Silla's rooms.
"Well here we are. This will be Twilights and Spike's rooms. Each suite has a common room, bedroom, and in suite bathroom." Lavender explained stopping at the first door on the left side of the hall which was lined with four doors on each side. "Next to hers is Rarity's then Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash your room is across from Twilight. Pinkie Pie your room is next to hers. Applejack your room is next to hers. If you need anything my room is at the end next to Applejack's."
"Thank you. Well, girls settle in and meet in my common room in an hour," Twilight said. "Oh! And Lavender?..."
"Yes?"
"You too." Lavender nodded.
"Thank you darling," Rarity said before entering her room.
"Thank you Lavender," Fluttershy said softly before entering her room and quietly closing the door.
"Thanks," Rainbow Dash said already closing her door.
"Thanks Lav," Pinkie pie exclaimed as she bounced into her room.
"Well that was odd," Lavender said as she and Applejack walked down to their rooms. Applejack tilted her head in confusion.
"What da mean?"
"Oh! Uhm... Well, I've never really been included in things before…" Lavender looked away and at the ground.
"What about your friends? Surely they include you in things?"
"I don't have friends… not really well, no one but Silla."
"Well that is going to change." It was Lavender's turn to look confused.
"What? I don't understand."
"Well, sugar cube you can count me as friend and I'm sure the others too." Applejack smiled at her as they came to her rooms. Lavender smiled back shyly.
"Thank you Applejack."
"Shucks you can call me AJ. That's what my friends call me."
"Okay… AJ. Thank you." Applejack walked into her rooms her mind muddled. Why in tarnation did I want to comfort that pony so much? She thought as she went about unpacking her things. Meanwhile Lavender was having similar thoughts. Why in Ponavia did I open up like that? I've never told anyone that! Ugh I need to focus on the issue at hand not AJ. Why is it that even thinking her name warms me? Am I getting sick? Lavender pondered as she walked to her personal library in her common room and began pulling books off the shelves. All too soon to Lavender the hour was up and she gathered her books and headed to Twilight's rooms.
"The rooms are gorgeous darling," rarity said once Lavender entered and set the books on the table in the sitting area of the room. "If only I could get my hoofs on a Poniquine and sowing equipment the outfit ideas are just streaming."
"If… If you'd like I'm sure the castle seamstress should be able to accommodate you. I could take you after we are finished here," Lavender told her.
"Oh! That'd be wonderful!"
"Yes. Great now can we get on to why we are actually here," Rainbow asked impatiently.
"Rainbow's right," Twilight said gathering the other ponies around the table. "We need to figure out just where the seventh element is and who the holder is. Any ideas?"
"I brought books I thought might be of help," Lavender said gesturing to the stack on the table.
"Oh great, another egghead. Geez do you spend all your in the Library too?" Rainbow Dash asked in a slightly harsh manner.
"I…I…" Lavender's eyes filled with tears but before anypony could do something she ran from the room.
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