AN: Thanks for reading everypony.

The Seventh Element: The Element of Hope

Chapter 12

Secret Room

"Lavender," the elements and Princess Dusk shouted once the shadows dispersed. The elements rushed to the spot where Lavender had once been. The elements faces were varying expressions of horror disbelief and shock. Pinkie's hair had deflated from its normal bouncy and poofy look. Twilight started in a mix of disbelief and shock. Rarity and Rainbow Dash were both gaping at the spot while Fluttershy looked distraught that the girl who had saved her had been snatched so quickly from them. Though Fluttershy wasn't nearly as distraught as Applejack who rushed to the spot looking all over for a way to follow.

"What do we do?! We need to get her back! And this time she wont have a hidden switch to get her back to us," Applejack said frantically over the pony whom she was beginning to realize she had feelings for.

"We'll get her back AJ," Rarity said laying a hoof comfortingly on her shoulder.

"How?!"

"We will figure it out," Twilight said as she stepped up to Applejack and Rarity. The others followed suit and laid their hoofs comfortingly on the element of honesty.

"I can help you there," Princess Dusk said as she struggled to stand and move toward them. The shaky steps showing the extent of the effects of her sister's dark magic. "I gave Lavender something that will help you find the way to Demonica's secret room. There you should be able to find a way to get to Lavender." Princess Dusk led them to Lavender's room and entered seeing Silla pacing and Spike trying to console her worry. The two assistants looked to the door and noticed immediately that Lavender was not with them.

"Where's Lavender," Silla asked terrified.

"Demonica took her," Applejack said bitterly.

"And we are going to get her back," Pinkie said determinedly. The others nodded all determined to get their new friend back.

"It should be in here," Princess Dusk said going to the wardrobe that upon opening found only the dress Rarity had made a headband and the box that Princess Dusk was searching for. She took the crown out. "This is the Element of Hope place it at the bottom of the left wall in the common room and the passage should open. Keep it with you always the bearer will be able to use it when the time is right." Princess Dusk placed it back in the box and gave it to Twilight. Twilight too it and placed it in her saddle bags she had left in Lavender's room from their magical theory discussion. The other elements went back to their rooms and got anything they thought might be needed. Once everyone was ready they met at the common room. Twilight did as Princess Dusk had asked and the special passage way opened just as Spike and Silla rushed into the room. Twilight put the crown and box into her bag.

"We are coming too," Silla said.

"No. It's too dangerous I know Lavender would never forgive herself if something were to happen to you. Just like I would if something happened to Spike," Twilight said

"But she's my caregiver."

"I know but the answer is still no." Twilight's horn glowed with her magic and a barrier was erected between the elements and assistants.

"NO! PLEASE LET US COME WITH!" Silla pounded upon the barrier becoming hysterical in her worry for Lavender. The other elements looked at Silla then Twilight.

"Maybe they could come…" Fluttershy said gently to her marefriend.

"Flutters you out of any pony knows why I can't allow this," Twilight said. "Come on let's go." The others knew that if Fluttershy couldn't convince Twilight no pony could. The group headed down the stairs and the passage sealed behind them. The six entered the chamber and twilight and Rarity lit the candles throughout the room they had found with their magic.

"Any idea what we are looking for," Applejack asked looking about the messy room.

"Something with the element of hope on it." The elements spread out and after a while Pinkie Pie found something

"Found it," Pinkie Pie said excitedly grabbing the book with the heart marking on the crown.

"Let's see what we have," Rainbow Dash said taking the book and setting it on the table while rarity's magic opened it. The group gathered around the book to find it had been cut out in the center and in its place was a small rolled up piece of parchment.

"What is it," Fluttershy asked. Twilight's magic picked it up and opened it.

"It's not just a scroll Flutters," Twilight said.

"It's a spell," Rainbow Dash said from where she was reading over Twilight's shoulder. Rarity on Twilight's other side.

"Not just a spell it's a transport spell. We have to think of a place or a pony we want to go to while saying the incantation."

"So we just have to think of Lavender then," Applejack said happily.

"Girls circle up. We are getting out friend back," Twilight said as the others quickly did as she said. They thought of Lavneder and in a flash of blinding light they disappeared and reappeared in a dark room.

"Where are we," Pinkie asked looking about.

"Where ever Lavender is," Applejack said.

"Duh. But where is she?"

"Yes, she should be here didn't the spell take us to her," Rarity asked as the others began looking about.

"Did anyone not think of Lavender," Twilight asked as the others showed that they had through their looks of disbelief in being asked that. Suddenly Demonica's cold laughter filled the room.

"You stupid ponies don't know when to give up do you? You want your pathetic friend back? Fine go get her," Demonica said as she made six doors magically appear and open revealing Lavender in each chained up.

"Lavender," The elements shouted and rushed at a door causing all but Rarity to be shot backwards.

"Ah. Ah. Only one pony per door." The elements looked at each other worriedly and Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight.

"What do we do Twi," Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight looked defeated.

"We play her game," Twilight said bitterly looking at the doors. "What choice do we have? We need to save Lavender." The group nodded and each stood before a door just as they were about to enter Twilight made silver bracelets appear on each pony's left front leg. "These will allow us the reconnect once the real Lavender is found." With that the six entered the rooms and were swallowed by darkness as Demonica laughed maniacally. Suddenly the shadows by her seemed to spit out a being. The being was Lavender and once she gained her bearings she saw the horrors of what was happening to her friends.

"No," Lavender shouted rushing to door after door unsure where to go. "Girls! How do I get them out?!"

"You tell me where the Element of Hope is," Demonica told her cruelly.

"I told you I don't even know what it looks like."

"Fine. Have fun being alone!" Demonica moved to walk away from her but suddenly turned to face Lavender again. "You know we are a lot alike you and I. We both are alone and have unimaginable magical power. We could do anything if we would work together…" Lavender looked disgusted at Demonica. "So be it." Demonica disappeared leaving Lavender alone.

"Oh Girls what do I do? How do I save you now? It's hopeless," Lavender began to cry for her friends as her cutie mark glowed brightly pulling her to the door Rarity had entered. "What? What's going on? Do I go in there?" Lavender looked up and saw the torment Rarity was going through and without another thought raced into the room.

AN: Please Read and Review