Title: The Seventh Element
Rating: T (slight violence)
Chapter: Chapter 20 Sloth
AN: ALRIGHT!! The big 20! Usually when I hit 20 chapters, I get lazy, lose interest, or just plain forget about a story. But seriously, if I do that with this baby, I sure people will be very angry… VERY ANGRY… BREAKING A PINKI PROMISE TO PINKIE PIE ANGRY!!! *shivers* Well this time, this chapter… AH YOU’LL SEE WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!! I really do hope to at least get a single review. I’m such a review whore! :D
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Sky Light had just entered the dining hall when he was greeted by the sight of the other guests of the Celestial Palace. He shoved his hands into his pants pockets and made no indication he had just arrived. He really does not need another scene with another pony.

But as fate would have it, he was noticed quite quickly, being that he was a new face, wearing a torn up Wonderbolts uniform, had an eye patch, and only one wing. Total mystery why he was noticed so quickly. The first pony to meet Sky Light was Apple Jack, who held out her hand, “Howdy there partner’! Name’s Apple Jack! Part o’ the Apple Family who own n’ run Sweet Apple Acres.”

Sky Light decided to be hospitable to the new ponies. That way he won’t have to go through the same scene like with Drop out. He grabbed her hand and kissed it gently. “My name is Sky Light, General of the Celestial Palace Air Force, Commander of the Wonderbolts and licensed Pegasus Flyer.” Apple Jack blinked at the long introduction she was given.

“I’n’t that a mouth full?” Sky Light cracked a small smile at the joke. “Why would we need a General here anyhow? Is somethin’ wrong?” Apple Jack let go of his hand, and shoved her thumbs under her belt.

“I was called here by Princess Celestia to arrive here and keep the peace. She fears that we may be all here for a long time. So just in case, I was called here to make sure nopony does anything rash to destroy the peace.” Sky Light answered with an almost bored tone. “By the way, I noticed your legs…” Apple Jack looked down at her legs, her jeans clung tightly to them practically showing every muscle in them. “I noticed how lean and muscular they are. I can presume you kick harder than most ponies?”

Apple Jack shrugged, “my bucks are a lot strong than any Pegasus I know. No offense.”

“None taken.” He rubbed his chin, “I believe you would be a great addition to the ground ranks. You could easily be ranked a corporal, maybe even a sergeant.” He nodded to himself, “yes, I can see that happening. Please, the choice is yours, you can join the army for your stay here, or you can continue one with what you were doing before. I am not here to force you to be a slave to the army.”

“Army huh?” Apple Jack bit her lip in thought, “well, ah don’ know. Ah am part of the El-o-ments o’ Harmony, so ah don’t know if it’ll get in the way…”

Sky Light then looked mildly interested, “Elements of Harmony? Aren’t those the stuff of legends?”

Apple Jack gave him a weird look, “uh, yeah. Ah don’ mean to be rude or nothin’, but do y’all live un’er a rock?”

“No, I can’t say that I do.”

Apple Jack chuckled, “well it was a coupl’ o’ years ago. Me an’ my friends used the El’ o ments o’ Harmony to get rid o’ Nightmare Moon an’ Discord.”

Sky Light nodded slowly, “I see. So it’s safe to say that you all are powerful, correct?” Apple Jack nodded, “then how about joining the Guard? We could use ponies with your talents. And an even bigger plus…” He stepped back and rubbed his chin as his eyes wandered lower to her legs, “I can easily tell you can easily send a pony flying with one of your kicks, am I correct?”

Apple Jack smirked, “course I can! And you can take my word for it, what with me bein’ the Element o’ Honesty.”

Sky Light chuckled, “I admire the audacity of you actually telling me that.” He started to circle around her, “I’m not trying to sound lecherous, but I cannot stop thinking about your legs.” He stopped in front of Apple Jack and brought his hands up, “care to show me how hard you can kick? And don’t worry, I won’t break.”

Apple Jack thought it over, then stepped back. She ran forward and jumped into the air, performing a drop kick onto Sky Light.

Sky Light had caught her boot before it touched his face, sending him backwards from the sheer force behind her kick. He twisted her leg and soon had Apple Jack on the floor, face down. “I have to admit, you had me reeling back. I’d be honored to have one as strong as you in my ranks.” He held out a hand to help Apple Jack up. Apple Jack wanted to bite his head off for sending her to the floor, but she soon remembered that he asked her to kick him. And that she almost kicked his face in. She brushed it off and grabbed his hand, pulling herself up. “I hope you forgive me for that. I still have my reflexes.”

“Aw shucks… It was nothin’.”

Big Mac had seen the strange pony throw Apple Jack onto the floor, so he had rushed over to set this pony right! Even if Apple Jack was mad at him, that doesn’t mean he isn’t supposed to protect his younger siblings! He was about to strangle the pony, when he saw that Apple Jack was smiling as he helped her to her feet.

What’s going on over here?

“Uh, AJ? What’s goin’ on here?”

Sky Light didn’t turn around, he simply waited for Apple Jack to introduce the large male that was behind him. “Apple Jack showed me how hard she can kick. I accidentally deflected her. However, she seems to forgive and forget, and so am I.” He cleared his throat, “Apple Jack, if you would be so kind as to introduce us, so we may have a better understanding of each other?”

Apple Jack sighed, “that there behind you, is my brother, Big Macintosh.”

Sky Light then turned around to greet him, but was given the sight of the largest male he had ever seen in his life. “Well…” He cleared his throat, “I see why they call you Big Macintosh.”

Big Mac replied with a simple, “Eeyup.”

Sky Light nodded to himself and extended a hand out to Big Mac, “I do hope you accept my deepest apologies. I had asked Apple Jack here to attack me so I may measure her strength. But I had accidentally countered her blow. It was a force of habit actually.” Big Mac grasped his hand and shook it.

“No harm done, ‘less AJ is hurt?” Apple Jack waved it off, she’d been through worse punishment. “Well, seems AJ is a’right. So no harm no foul.”

“Well I’m glad I didn’t do any lasting damage. My name is Sky Light, General of the Celestial Palace Air Force, Commander of the Wonderbolts and licensed Pegasus Flyer. I was just telling Apple Jack here, that she would be perfect for combat, or as a guard for the castle during her stay here. And with looking at you Big Macintosh, I can easily tell you would be perfect for the job.”

“Ah can take down a whole tree with just a single leg. Or punch.”

Sky Light smirked, “I like an honest pony. Shows respect and understanding.” He brought his hand back from Big Mac, “With your build, it seems like you could easily decimate an entire squadron by yourself. That, or easily intimidate any soldier within a five feet radius.”

Big Mac nodded, “Eeyup.”

“I hope it wouldn’t be too much trouble to ask you to join the soldiers in morning training? I would be very pleased to have you and your sister in my ranks. Trust me when I say this,” he lightly smiled, “most of the guards here in the Celestial Palace wouldn’t be able harm a single fly.”

Big Mac shook his head, “ah’m sure that ain’t true.”

Sky Light chuckled, “I assure you, it’s in their eyes. If I was still here in the palace, I would have whipped them all into shape and made all of them elites. I think Celestia is lacking in military.”

“Ah don’ think it’s wise to say that abou’ the Princess.”

Sky Light waved a hand, “she’s used to my criticizing. So do we have a deal?”

Big Mac thought it over, he liked working with Rarity, but this was something that would benefit all of the ponies in the palace. He could do good for everypony, and since it was in the mornings, he could spend the afternoons with Rarity. It could also repay Celestia for looking after the farm in Ponyville. “Eeyup.”

Sky Light nodded, “great. Apple Jack?”

Apple Jack shrugged, “sure, ah guess.”

“Great! Training starts at Five O’ clock in the morning sharp. If you or anypony is late by a minute, you have to run or fly a hundred laps around the entire Celestial Palace.” Big Mac and AJ audibly gulped at the thought. “So now that we know the consequences of being late, are you going to be late?” Both farm ponies shook their heads. “Good. Then we have an understanding. However, don’t take me as a cruel leader. I am fair, and always try to look at the bigger picture. I am an honorable pony that hopes to have honorable ponies in his wake.”

Big Mac and AJ nodded.

“Dahlings? I saw Apple Jack get flipped! What, ever has happened?” Rarity appeared by Big Mac’s side, her eyes landing onto Sky Light. “Oh! Were you the one who did that to Apple Jack?”

Sky Light nodded, “I’m sorry. I have already apologized to Apple Jack and her brother. I hope you don’t hold this against me.” At the words, ‘hold this against me’, Rarity and Apple Jack then noticed that Sky Light was running around with an open jacket with nothing underneath.

Rarity blushed as her eyes travelled down his lean frame, tanned muscles and slightly grayed hair. Rarity had to stop herself from practically drooling all over herself. She cleared her throat when Big Mac’s jealous face appeared in the corner of her eye. “I-I am Rarity. The element of Generosity.” Rarity stammered out.

Apple Jack rolled her eyes and muttered, “yeah, you sure gave him a generous eye full.”

Rarity ignored the insult from her friend, “I’m sorry. That was terribly rude of me. I do hope you would forgive me.”

Sky Light smirked, so he did still hold some attractiveness. “Not at all. Of course, being given the eye by such a beautiful mare…” He took her hand and gave it a gentle kiss, “it makes me honored to be in the presence of your beauty.”

Big Mac’s face flushed red in anger, while Rarity’s flushed in embarrassment. “Oh! T-That’s so sweet of you…” She pulled back her hand, “but I am spoken for.”

“Oh really? By whom may I ask?” Sky Light asked, genuinely interested.

Big Mac nearly growled at his new commanding officer, “by me.”

Sky Light nodded, “I see. Have no worry, that was a sign to show respect for a beautiful or strong willed mare. I am in no way threatening you.” He straightened, “so please, do not be offended or take it as a challenge. I merely respect innocent mares.”

Rarity then noticed his clothing, “Dahling! Whatever happened to your uniform!?”

Sky Light looked down, his Wonderbolt’s uniform ripped in half, the top ripped in the front to be used as a jacket… He didn’t really see anything wrong with it. “Is there something wrong with my uniform?”

“Yes! It’s torn, tattered, and overall a complete mess! And its magical fibers! Do you have any idea how hard magical fibers are to weave into cloth, much less stitch!?” She sighed, “please, disrobe so I may fix it!”

Sky Light gaped, “I’m perfectly fine with it like this! I thank your offer, but I prefer it to be like this. A very generous offer, but I must decline.” Rarity was about to insist on fixing it, but he raised a hand to stop her, “I like my uniform like this. Please.” Rarity eventually gave up and just accepted the fact that he preferred his clothing to be torn.

Before another incident happens, Sky Light excused himself from the Apples and Rarity, off to greet the other ponies nearby. As he walked towards some other ponies having a chat, Sky Light was almost tripped by something on the floor.

Or someone.

He looked down and saw Pinkie Pie planking on the floor, scribbling away on her paper. “Um… Are you okay?” Sky Light tentatively asked after a moments silence. Pinkie Pie merely grunted in response. She made no inclination that she was going to move anytime soon. “If you continue to lie there, you could trip another pony.” Again, she grunted. “May I at least have a name?”

She growled, “My name is Pinkie Pie! Now will you leave me alone!?” She quickly went back to ignoring him.

Sky Light blinked at the pony at his feet, this pony’s hair had deflated right before his eye. He then noticed a graying of her colors, which caused some nearby ponies to instantly rush towards them. “Pinkie! What happened to you!?” Twilight Sparkle questioned as she crouched by Pinkie. Twilight looked up at Sky Light and asked, “What did you do to her?”

Sky Light shook his head, “I didn’t do anything to her. I was going to introduce myself to you, when she tripped me. Then I simply asked her why she was on the floor and what was her name. Then she got like this.” He crossed his arms over his chest as Twilight used her magic to start levitating Pinkie.

“Come on Pinkie. At least sit somewhere.” She placed Pinkie on a chair at the dining table.

Pinkie barely moved except for her fingers and eyes. Pinkie had no idea why she was acting like this. She’s usually much more active than this! The whole time she had been there in the Palace, she hadn’t found any work to really do. Not only that, her friends had found something to do all around the palace, leaving her behind and alone. Pinkie’s eyes flashed red then back to her light blue as she continued to write.

Yeah…

That’s all I can do now. I’m useless Pinkie that was abandoned by her friends. I’m nothing. I’m nothing without everypony else. All I’m good for is just sitting around and doing nothing…

Back in the cavern…

Another blow to the pulsing wall was dealt. “Sloth.” Was all that was said as the word in green smoke collided with the wall.

The shadows inside were now wide awake. They all started scratching at the wall, all of them chanting in a demonic language, each one trying in vain to get closer to the cracks. The endless pairs of red eyes all narrowed into slits in glee.

“Our insanity is overwhelming. Soon… Soon we shall walk again! My brethren! The time is almost upon us! Our lord and master is trying so hard to bring us back!” Numerous voices screeched in delight. “I see that most of us have gone off the deep end. That is most pleasing.” The loudest of the voices laughed as the many much smaller voiced continued to screech.

“The master loves us! The master will make sure there is much food for us!” The smaller voices inside cheered.

“Yes. The master does love us. He loves us enough to drive us insane. And with insanity, comes true power.” The loudest and largest of the shadows let out a roar of delight that shook the very mountain they were contained inside, “And soon! SOON!! WE SHALL FEAST UPON THE DWELLERS OF THIS EARTH!! We shall rule once again and lead this world to ruin!” All voices and shadows inside cheered and screeched in happiness.

Back in the Palace…

If things do not change soon… All shall be lost.

Spit Fire grasped her head as this thought burned into her memory, soon after the sharp pang of pain she felt in her heart. As the thought passed through her mind, she released her head, not even seeing or hearing Soarin beside her.

“Spit! What happened? What’s wrong?”

Spit Fire didn’t answer him. For some reason, this has been happening to her for awhile. It started during the Gala when the pain in her heart started happening. So far this was the fourth time this happened. But it was the first time that a message was also delivered.

What is wrong with her?

She shook her head as the pain ebbed away, “Nothing. C’mon. Dinner will start soon.” Spit Fire started to briskly walk to the dining hall. She didn’t want to dwell on what happened.

Soarin stared for a couple of seconds, “Fine. Be all secretive…” He then started to follow her again.

Not too far away from them, Venom Mix was just entering the Dining hall. However, like Spit Fire, he had felt the pain and had heard the message as well. He simply sighed and said quietly to himself, “we’re doomed.”

Sky Light just watched as Pinkie slumped into the chair, ignoring everything Twilight said or did. “Pinkie! Are you listening to me!?” Twilight sighed and stood, “well, she’s ignoring me. But I don’t get it. I don’t get why Pinkie is acting like this. She’s usually so hyper and cheerful! What could have caused her to become this?” Twilight monologue to herself.

Sky Light pondered the subject, “I really don’t have any clue. I’ve only been here for a few hours, and already I have to deal with another problem.” He ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair, “I feel as if I should have been here earlier.”

Twilight shook her head, “no. It’s fine. I really don’t think anything you could have done would have stopped this. No offense.”

“None taken, miss…?”

Twilight chuckled, “My name is Twilight Sparkle. I’m Celestia’s star pupil and one of the Elements of Harmony. I’m the Element of Magic, and Pinkie here is supposed to be the Element of Laughter.”

“I can see that.”

Twilight lead Sky Light away from Pinkie, “she needs to be alone.” Once they were away from Pinkie, they noticed a slight poof of her hair. “I don’t get it. Pinkie is usually bubbly, energetic and loves to meet new ponies.”

Sky Light shrugged, he doesn’t know Pinkie well enough to give his input. “How many Elements are there?”

“Oh! There’s Generosity, Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Laughter and Magic. Six in total.” Twilight kept glancing at Pinkie, worried that Pinkie might do something.

“So far I’ve already met about four of you. And before I forget, I am Sky Light, General of the Celestial Palace Air Force, Commander of the Wonderbolts and licensed Pegasus Flyer. I was brought here by the order of Celestia. I’m here to keep the peace amongst the populous inside these walls.” Twilight’s face was the epitome of shock once she heard why he was there. She started to back away from him.

“I’m sorry… I need… Need to… Be somewhere.” She turned and quickly walked away from Sky Light.

Sky Light’s eye was locked onto Twilight. Her body language, speech and her quick getaway was all he needed to know that something was wrong. He was determined to keep the peace, and to do that, he’s gonna need to do some major work. He let out a sigh of exhaustion. First Drop out and now this? I have a feeling I should have said no to that letter. He was pushed forward slightly as someone bumped into him. He growled and whirled to see who dared attack him.

What met Sky Light’s eye was not what he expected. He expected somepony exactly opposite from who was standing before him. Butterscotch looked as if he was hiding inside an imaginary turtle shell, covering the bottom half of his face with his sweater and covering his left side with his long pink hair. He shook as he stared at the intimidating figure of Sky Light. “Soldier! Relax!” Sky Light winced as he realized he had used his loud voice, making Butterscotch squeak and hide himself amongst his sweater. “Soldier, please. At ease.” Sky Light said, much softer this time.

Butterscotch continued to shake under Sky Light. He sighed, “Don’t worry, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m Sky Light. And you are…?”

Butterscotch whimpered and said softly, “I… I’m Butterscotch…”

“I see. Butterscotch, I noticed you are a Pegasus. Do you do work with the air, or do you do other kind of work?”

“Oh… No… I’m a very poor flyer…”

Sky Light sighed, “Did Rainbow Dash tell you that?” He already dreaded the answer.

“Oh no. I’ve always known that. Even in Flight school, I was the worst flier there. I could barely get one full point of wing power.”

He smirked, “don’t worry. Not all Pegasi are meant to be strong fliers. What’s most important, is how you use your wings. Not how much you use them. I’m sure with practice, you could become a great flier.” Sky Light patted Butterscotch’s head, “take it from me. Stay on the quieter path in life. Sometimes, it’s just easier that way.” He smiled sadly down at the male in front of him, less heart ache…

The doors to the dining hall were burst open. In the doorway, stood a battered and beaten Rainbow Dash, whose eyes were locked on the figure of Sky Light. She roared in anger and grabbed what was closest to her and dashed towards him and swung with all her might.

Rainbow had hit Sky Light in the back with a chair!

The Gryffin Town…

Glenn was currently packing his notepad with a quill and ink. He had been trying to find another way into the mountain mines, many priceless jewels were hidden in the soils that they walked on. But upon his small journey around the mountain, he had found something that needed some notes. “Gilda!” He called out as he stuffed what he needed into a brown satchel. “I’m going out! I’ll make sure to be back before dark.” He was going to leave the hut for the cave he found, but Gilda, who was on the roof fixing the straw, poked her head out from the top.

“What do you mean you’re going out? What’s up?” she asked as she jumped down to him, crossing her arms over her chest.

Glenn smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek, “Don’t worry. I’m just going to be down the mountain. I found a cave a little ways under the village.”

Gilda blushed deeply, “I-I was not worried… I just… You’re not very strong, so I was sure that you’d need me to protect you.” Gilda scowled, even today, not very comfortable showing her true emotions to Glenn. Glenn just smiled in turn, him being used to her stubbornness.

“If you’re so worried about my safety, why not come along? I’m sure you did enough work on the roof.”

Gilda scratched her cheek with a heavily furred arm, “W-Well… Our wedding will be coming up soon… The diamond is almost ripe… And for some reason, I just got to clean and make sure the hut is all in order.” Glenn nuzzled her.

“You’ve done enough work. C’mon. Why not take a little trip with me to the cave? It’s really dark and creepy.”

Gilda perked up when she heard, ‘dark and creepy’. Her being such a daredevil and her love of adventure spurred her to agree. They took to the sky and Gilda followed Glenn as he lead her down the mountain and into the clouds. Gilda took a deep breath as her wings touched the fluffy white clouds, allowing them to calm down her wrecked nerves.

If things do not change soon… All shall be lost.

Gilda grit her teeth, she didn’t know what that meant at all. All she knew that was lately, ever since the day she agreed to marry Glenn, she had been having pains in her heart. So now that she was flying high in the air with him, she felt as if the pains were forgotten, and all that was there was the air surrounding her and Glenn’s smiling face.

She barely registered that she landed with Glenn at the mouth of a cave. She did, however, notice a dark aura coming from the cave. Unlike most caves, this one had a flat floor and smooth walls and ceiling. And straight ahead was a pitch black darkness, with a faint light in the back. “What did I tell you? Creepy right?” He fished out an amulet from his pocket and chanted, “lumos!”

A light came from the amulet, shining forward. Glenn smiled as he started to venture inside, “Come on Gilda!” Gilda stayed rooted to her spot at the mouth of the cave, a dark fear of this cave made its way into her very being. She could practically feel shadows trying to grab at her, making Gilda audibly gulp. “Gilda? Is something wrong?” Glenn was somehow invulnerable to the dark auras.

Perhaps it’s just her?

“N-No! Nothing is wrong.” Gilda blushed in embarrassment as she stomped into the cave, each step causing a shiver to run its way through her being, as if to chase her out. “Glenn? Are you okay? Are you getting creeped out?”

Glenn shook his head, “No. I feel fine.” They soon came upon the back wall, at this point, charred black and the red scriptures pulsing and slightly dripping down to the floor, where already a pool of the red liquid lay. “Now what is this?” Glenn questioned as he came closer to the wall. He touched the wall, going over the cracks on the wall. They were cold to the touch. “It’s Lodestone.”

“Lodestone? Isn’t that the white rock that has magic in it?” Gilda cocked her head and tried to repress the dark feelings seeping into her.

“Yes. But for some reason, something is making this Lodestone cave black. The Magic in it must be depleting.” He saw that some Lodestone crumbled under his fingertips as he lightly ran them over the wall. “And it seems like everything is falling apart.” He lifted a clawed foot and saw the Lodestone floors they were walking on were crumbling under their feet. “This is truly fascinating…” He took out his notepad and started to write in it about the cave. “Gilda, this place is amazing. The scriptures on the wall are actually very complicated runes!”

He squinted at them, “Does that say… Lunaris?”
DONE!!
That was the big CHAPTER 20!! Hope you liked it! Wish I could have posted it earlier, but as it turns out, when I wanted to post it, my internet got cut off! How weird is that? Hope all of you enjoyed this chapter! Hopefully, the next one will be out by next week. Depending on the feedback I get from this….
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