AN: Thanks everypony for reading
The Seventh Element of Harmony: The Element of Hope
Chapter 7
Demonica's Fun
"Did you have fun at the party," Lavender asked the pegasus.
"Oh, yes. Twilight made sure I had fun. Well, until you and AJ disappeared. That was scary. I'm glad you are both okay though." Fluttershy smiled softly at Lavender who returned the smile.
"I am too. I'm glad AJ was with me. I'm not sure I would have gotten out had I been on my own."
"I would have been the same way. AJ is really brave."
"So, what do you do Fluttershy?"
"Oh me? I care for the animals of Ponyville and sometimes the Everfree Forest."
"You care for animals? That is so cool. It must be hard though."
"Sometimes but I love it. It's really very enjoyable."
"I'll take your word for it. Since the only creature I have ever cared for is Silla and she can talk so I know what to do to care for her."
"Have you always lived in the capitol?"
"Yes actually. Ponavia is all I've ever known."
"I grew up in Cloudsdale but I prefer Ponyville myself."
"Cloudsdale? Where's that?"
"It's a pegasus city that makes the majority of the weather for Ponyville."
"Oh? Sounds like our Nimbus City. It's where Ponavia's weather is made."
"When did you become a student to the Princess?"
"When I was a filly I read and studied as much as I could. All so I could one day get out of the orphanage I had been in at the time. I don't know about orphanages in Ponyville or Canterlot or Cloudsdale but the one I grew up in was not the greatest place for a child to grow up in. Anyway I was placed under the Princess's tutelage when I was 12 due to my powerful magic ability. Back then there were 20 other students with me but as time wore on the others found things that pulled them away. Soon I was the only one left."
"Were you friends with any of your classmates?"
"No not really. You see I was terrified of being sent back to the orphanage so I studied as much and as often as I could so the others began to mock me for studying all the time calling me egghead, among other things."
"Oh?... Well, I know what it's like to be mocked for being who you are. When I was at flight school in Cloudsdale the other ponies would chant 'Fluttershy can barely fly.' Due to my inability to fly well. It wasn't until Rainbow befriended me and challenged the bullies that they stopped."
"I'm sorry but on a brighter note we are here." The two walked into the library and once Lavender had the book checked back in they made their way down the stairs in the center of the room to where Lavender and the elements first met.
"I wonder though about the clues in the book? What if the clue means somewhere around here?"
"Hmm. Maybe. We can get the others and search around the library. Come on, the book goes back over here." Lavender placed the book away and as they were walking by the stone structure where the elements had come through a dark purple tendril of magic shot out and tripped the two sending both crashing into the structure itself. Demonica's laughter quickly filled the air around them as the dark princess appeared from the shadows.
"What pathetic ponies you are," Demonica taunted the two. "Oh! And look you don't have the others to protect you." Demonica's horn glowed a dark purple and she aimed her magic at Fluttershy. As she shot her beam Lavender jumped in between the dark beam and Fluttershy sending Lavender sailing over the pegasus into the center of the structure.
"Lavender," Fluttershy cried out when she saw Lavender hit the stone ground and not get back up. She rushed to the fallen unicorn and found her to still be unconscious. The magic surrounding Lavender seemed to flow around her like water before dissipating away. Demonica watched the scene intently never taking her eyes from the unicorn's body and watched as her magic seemed to not work on the unicorn.
"Well, it looks like there is more to you than I thought."
"Lavender?! Lavender?! Oh! Please wake up!" In Fluttershy's commotion two guards heard and rushed to them just as Demonica vanished back into the shadows.
"What's going on," One of the guard ponies asked.
"Oh, please help. Get the elements of harmony from the common room in the southern chamber rooms."
"You heard her. Go!" The other guard pony rushed off and a few minutes later the rest of the elements of harmony rushed into the room.
"Flutters what happened," Twilight asked as she and the others took in the sight of an unconscious Lavender before them.
"Demonica. She used her magic on Lavender when Lavender jumped between us."
"We need to move her to her room before I can do any tests."
"I'll carry her," Applejack said as she stepped toward the fallen unicorn.
"Pinkie Rainbow can you two help get Lavender onto AJ's back please?" The two moved quickly and gently lifted Lavender and placed her softly onto AJ's back. The elements rushed to Lavender's room where Applejack placed her on her bed. Immediately Silla rushed from besides Spike and to her caregiver's side upon seeing the ponies bringing in Lavender.
"No Silla. You need to let Twilight do her work," Rarity told the pink dragon.
"Why don't you and Spike go to the dragon hatchery we will get you the second we know something," Fluttershy told her.
"Come on Silla," Spike said as he lead the girl from the room.
"Rarity go inform the Princess what happened. I'll preform some diagnostic spells to see if the magic affected her adversely."
"Right," Rarity said as she rushed out of the room. Soon Princess Dusk and Rarity entered the room.
"What happened," Princess Dusk asked.
"Demonica was aiming to hit me when Lavender jumped between us your magisty," Fluttershy said quietly.
"I see. Thank you."
"Do you think you can help her Twilight," Applejack asked worry and concern clearly evident in her voice.
"I do," Twilight told her friend.
"Well, then I leave her in your capable hoofs Princess Twilight. Please inform at once of any changes and of your findings. I will be in the audience hall should you need my assistance," Princess Dusk said before she left the room.
"Of course." Once Princess Dusk left Twilight's horn glowed and she cast her healing magic on the unicorn on the bed. Colors light up above Lavender's body. An icy blue color being the strongest followed a few moments by a golden yellow color and finally a pink color appeared. "Well, good news girls. The magic Demonica used on Lavender somehow had very little to no effect on her. According to the blue color the dark magic only wrapped around her and was unable to enter her body. The yellow shows the fall had no lasting damage she is badly bruised on the side she fell on but after a few days that should go away. The pink shows she hasn't been getting enough rest but that can be said for all of us right now and with a night or two she will be right as rain on that aspect."
"So, she'll be okay then," Fluttershy asked as she looked at the pony who had risked her life to save her.
"Yes Flutters she will be fine and will be waking up in a few hours. Somepony should be here for when she wakes up."
"I'll do it sugar cube," Applejack said quickly.
"Okay, here." Twilight handed over a box that fit in Applejack's hoof easily. "Tap the top of the cube when she wakes up and it will alert us. We need to know if she remembers anything about the magic used on her."
"Aright you got it. I'll hit it faster than bucking bull in a rodeo." Once the other elements had left AJ pulled a chair over to the side of Lavender's bed and sat down. Applejack took the time to really look at what Lavender looked like. Applejack took in the light pinkish lavender coloring of the unicorn's coat and the soft wave within her mane mixed within the two tone colors. AJ what are you doing?! Staring at the girl like some love struck sap from one of Rarity's books. Snap out of it! This instant! ...Besides what if she doesn't feel the way you do? What will you do then? AJ thought as she quickly looked away from the sleeping mare. "I don't rightly know." AJ spoke to the quiet room answering her own thoughts as she looked back at Lavender her gaze softening. "But I'm willing' to try."
AN: Read and review please