//-------------------------------------------------------// 7th Element: Thoughtfulness -by Emerald Sunshine- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 Some ponies might tell you that the 7th element is made up. Some might call you crazy for even believing it in the first place. Well, they are wrong, for the story I'm about to tell is of how Dash and I found the pony who possesses the 7th element. It was an average day in Ponyville, just a normal outing. I was on my way home from the local grocery store when Dash came crashing into me. The impact sent me flying into the ground having all my food fall out of my saddlebags. I groan as I get up."Ow...D-dash? What was that for?!" I moan. She seemed to have a worried expression on her face which then had me confused. "I just got a letter from Princess Celestia, she wants to see us both right away!" she exclaimed. I picked myself up off the ground and brush myself off. "Did she say why?" I ask. She shook her head, "No, just that she needs to see us both immediately." I was lost, why would Celestia want to see Dash and I? "Was it just you and me she asked for?" "Yes, just us." she answered. Now I was really confused, why just us two? Why not the other five ponies? Wanting answers, I told Dash that we should leave for Cantorlot straight away. Dash and I got train tickets and headed on the train for Cantorlot. The train ride seemed to be a long one so I asked Dash her opinion, "So, what do you think it’s for?" Dash replied, "Who knows, could be anything. I'm just as lost as you are probably." I went back to looking outside as we rode along. It didn't take long to reach the station. The conductor walks down the aisle to check our tickets. "Tickets please tickets." He stopped at the seat Dash and I was in. I handed my ticket to him and he checked it, same with Dash's and we headed off the train. I never really go to Cantorlot, mainly because I've never had a reason too. So on our way to Celestia's castle, I did a little sightseeing. I must admit, Cantorlot was gorgeous! So many buildings were a lot bigger than the shops in Ponyville. It really was amazing to see. Anyways, it took Dash and I awhile to reach Celestia’s castle. As we approached the castle we, of course, were stopped by castle guards, "Hey, where do you think you’re going?" Dash and I looked with worry when it was Dash that spoke up, "We are here because Celestia has summoned us." She answered, showing the letter that was sent to her. The guard took it and read over it before saying anything. He then looked to me and asked; "Are you...." he looked to the note, "Emerald Sunshine?" He had a very attention grabbing voice and I answered him with a simple, "Yes." "Alright the main throne room is straight down the hall. Don't go into any rooms other than that. Got it?" He said. Dash and I nodded our heads as we walked though the huge front doors leading to the long hallway, which was also, very big. It was a very elegant castle, with the floor made of marble and the great stone pillars ion each side of the hall. As we walked up to the doors leading into the throne room, I was shocked as they opened up by themselves. Dash looked to me and I looked to her and we both simply nodded our heads. We entered and walked up to Celestia's throne where the goddess ponies, Celestia and Luna were sitting. "Your highness, we are here." I knelt down in respect. "Thank you. I suppose you two are wondering why your here?" she asked. I stood back up, as did Dash. "Yeah what are we here for?" Dash questioned. Celestia cleared her throat, "There is a 7th element of harmony." //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2 My jaw dropped in disbelief. Was Celestia serious?! Dash was first to speak “Wait wait, you mean to tell us that aside from Twilight, AJ, Rarity, Fluttershy and myself, there is another pony who is a Element of Harmony?” Celestia only nodded in confirmation, “I know this must all seem like a lot to take in, but it is true…” Celestia sounded as if she had kept this a secret from them. I don’t know why though. My curiosity got the best of me so I asked, “Celestia, I don’t mean to sound rude, but how long have you known about this?” She looked away; it was obvious from her expression that she did know about this for some time. “Much longer than you two should know.” “Hmm, well that aside, what do you need us for? Like, how does this concern us?”  I wanted to know why she would just be telling us, and only us. “Yes, ahem, I need you and Rainbow Dash to find it. I know this is sudden but we must retrieve it as it would strengthen the other elements.” I was quick to ask another question. “But, don’t you need the pony that represents the element to retrieve…” I stopped mid-sentence, because I realized that Celestia knew that I was the Element.  She looked at me and knew that I had realized why I was here. “I-I’m the element?” I stutter only because I was still soaking in the fact that I was a very important pony. “Yes, I know you must be very overwhelmed with that idea, but we must not waste a moment” Celestia protested I snapped back to focus “Yes, your right. Do you have any ideas as to where this Element is?” “It is either in the Forest of Leotta, or the Crystal Mountains.” Celestia answered. Dash and I looked at each other. “Uh, where’s that?” Dash asked. Celestia hoofed her a map. “I’ve marked the locations of where the element could be located.” She walked towards the door where Dash and I had entered. “I wish you two the best of luck on your journey. And a safe return.” We both nodded and walked out the door and she closed it behind us. We then left the castle and went to a nearby café and sat at one of the tables outside. I spread the map out on the table and noticed that there were red circles around a big forest to the east and another around mountains that looked like they had a lot of snow on them. Those must be the Forest of Leotta and the Crystal Mountains. “So Emerald, Where to you think we should go first?” Dash asked. I was looking at them both; deciding where would be the most likely place that this Element could reside. “Hmm, I’m not entirely sure…” I look over it again. “I’m thinking we should go to the forest first as it seems like it would be there.” I state. “Um, why do you think that?” She replies. “Because, wasn’t that where you first found the elements in the Everfree?” Dash thought for a moment before saying, “Oh yeah, you make a good point there…” “Then shall we head off?” I say with a sort of adventurous voice (whatever that means). “I’m ready if you are Emerald.” Dash replies. With that we headed off to Leotta. It was quite a long flight as it was far beyond the Everfree. Let me just say that the Everfree is a very creepy place, even from flying above. Quite a few things tried to grab Dash and I from the air. Somehow, though, we managed to avoid the dangers below. Now, if you are wondering where The Forest of Leotta is, just picture this; you have the Everfree next to Ponyville and beyond the Everfree lies The Forest of Leotta. It took about 1-2 hours but we finally reached Leotta. And I might add that Leotta is just as scary, if not scarier, as the Everfree. Dash and I circled around the top of Leotta for a while before coming to the conclusion that we had to go inside the forest to find the elemental stone. “Dash, did you happen to see anything while flying above?” “No, I can’t find anything.” She said with disappointment. I sunk my head, not because she didn’t find anything but because I knew that we would have to enter Leotta. I knew I might regret it but Dash and I had to as Celestia needed us to retrieve the Element. Dash looked to me; I could tell she was thinking the same thing as me. “Well, I guess we should get this over with right?” I said. “Pfft, I'm not scared.” She said as she quickly zipped down to the ground and trotted around. I followed out of fear of being left alone. It really was a scary place and I didn’t want to be here longer than I needed to be… “Dash, c-can we please leave? This place is extremely creepy.” I say with a shaky voice. “Are you kidding me right now? Pull yourself together Emerald. We got to keep searching.” She says with a courageous voice. “I wonder where it could be though…” She mumbled. I follow short behind her jumping at every crack and rustle of the wildlife of Leotta. I was getting very stressed and just wanted to leave, that was until dash came to a clearing. It wasn’t big but big enough to have a big rock in the middle. The clearing was shaded by the trees above, guess that’s why we couldn’t see it when we were scanning the forest overhead. Dash slowly approached it and walked around it. “Dash! What are you doing?!” I yell in a whisper. I didn’t want something to happen and Dash gets hurt or something. “Emerald! You got to come check this out!” Dash exclaimed. I rushed over to her and looked to where she was pointing. I noticed what it was right away. It was the element…only it wasn’t there. It was just the symbol. Was the element inside the rock? After looking at the symbol for a minute it suddenly and quickly faded. As shocked as I was, I was wondering one thing. What now? I told Dash we should leave but she insisted that we keep looking. I finally convinced her that the element was not there and that we should try looking in the Crystal Mountains. Seems like our adventure is just starting. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3 We got back to Cantorlot just as the sun was setting. Dash and I had a long day and I can safely say that we were both exhausted from it. I just wanted to rest. I slept the night away pretty soundly but I did have a nightmare. Probably from being in those creepy woods for the whole day. I awoke the next morning feeling somewhat better. I walk into the room Dash was in and see that she is still sleeping. “I’ll let her sleep in.” I thought to myself. With that being said, I walk back into my room and hop on my bed. I then take out my map and unroll it on my bed. “Hmm, now where are the Crystal Mountains?” I thought to myself. I continue scanning the map when there came a loud crash from the room next to mine. I quickly hop off my bed and rush into Dash’s room and she had fallen off the bed. What a feather brain she can be. “Morning, Dash.” I say with a chuckle. “S-shut up!” She rubs her head with a fore hoof. I walk over to help her on her hooves. “So, how long have you been up for?” She asked. “About 10 minutes.” I reply. “I was just looking over the map, and I can’t seem to find the Crystal Mountains.” “I thought Celestia had marked it?” Dash questioned. “Well, there aren’t any marks on the map anymore.” When I said this I started to wonder why they had disappeared. I decided to ask Dash to help me find the Mountains. After a bit of searching we found them. They were in the far north, just a ways past Galloping Gorge. I started to ponder on what dangers lay out there. Because I did notice that there was a forest at the base of the Mountains. Would the Element be there? Or would it be somewhere on the mountain. Only one way to find out. -//- “You know Dash, you should’ve dressed warmer” I say to a shivering Rainbow Dash. She just had a scarf on and was chattering up a storm. “S-shut u-u-up” She stammered. I chuckle under my breath. We have been walking in this wide open snow storm and could start to make out the shapes of trees. “Dash, look! It’s the forest!” I say with a bit of excitement. I think I was excited only because we could finally get out of this snowstorm. Dash then took this as an opportunity to bolt for the trees. I followed quick behind her. “ Is it really that cold out here Dash?” “Y-y-yes!” She said shivering. I chucked a bit. “Well you should have dressed a bit warmer then.” It was after I said this that I heard a lot of rustling coming from the bushes around Dash and I. I quickly glanced around as did Dash. “Hey, who’s there?” Dash yelled out. Then, as if coming out of nowhere, a giant wolf jumped on Dash and I, making us immobile. “Who are you two and why are you here?” The wolf said. He had a very deep and intimidating voice. Dash was struggling to get out of the wolf’s grip but was having no luck. “Answer what I said and I might let you live.” He then licked Dash’s neck. “Because you look and taste amazing.” I was shaking like I had never shaken before. “I-I’m Emerald S-sunshine and t-this is Rainbow Dash.” I whimper. I was scared beyond thought. I think this might be how we. “Alright, get up but don’t think about flying away or we will kill you.” The wolf said as he stepped off Dash and I. I stood up and looked at the wolf. “What do you want from us?” The wolf look to me and gave me a menacing look, “I was about to ask you the same thing.” “Well, we are looking for an element of harmony and it’s at the summit of the mountain.” I stated. “No you’re not. No pony disturbs Princess Hibernis.” The wolf growled. “Princess Hibernis? Who’s that?” I asked. “And what’s your name anyways?” “My name is Kujo.” He replied. “And Princess Hibernis doesn’t need to be bothered by you two so get out of here.” “What? We aren’t here to see Hibernis or anything like that. We are here to search for the element.” Dash exclaimed. In the next moment we all heard a loud yell. “Kujo! What are you doing?” Somepony had said. Kujo twisted his head and looked behind him to see a figure. “Y-your highness!” He quickly bowed his head in respect. “Is something wrong?” She looked over to Dash and I. “Who are these ponies?” “I’m Emerald and this is my friend Rainbow Dash.” I replied “Why are you here?” “To find the 7th element of harmony.” Dash answered. Hibernis looked from Dash to me and then back Dash. “7th element?” “Yeah, its what we are looking for.” Dash replied. “I’m sorry, but there is nothing like that here.” “But your highness, we need to search the mountain to be sure.” I protested “I’m sorry but I won’t allow it.” Hibernis stated. With that, Hibernis began to accend back up the mountain. Seems as though we are at a standstill. We need to search the mountain, even if Hibernis didn’t want us to. But for some reason I felt like she was hiding something. I digressed and that different of it. Dash and I turned around and started walking to the edge of the forest. “Dash, when we get close to the edge of the forest, we run to a different spot along the forest and enter there. That way we can get past Kujo and accend the mountain and look for the element.” Dash thought for a second. “Hmm, sounds like a good idea. Lets do it.”