A meeting was scheduled this night in the Canterlot Castle, and the topic was not a happy one. Four princesses sat around a table, Celestia at the head, all morose, though none more than Twilight Sparkle. “Friends, once more a darkness has descended upon us.” Celestia spoke. “And once more, it has targeted the bearers of the Elements, and overtaken them.” At these words, tears began to stream down Twilight’s face. Luna put her arm around the younger princess. “Weep not, Twilight, for there is still hope.” She said gently. “The Elements have chosen different bearers before and always triumphed, they must do so once more.” Celestia shook her head. “No, something different must be done. History has repeated itself in this form one too many times.” She said. “But what can we do?” Cadence spoke. “The Elements are the only weapons we have against a darkness like this. To develop something with the same amount of power would take many years, and afterward the battle may last longer.” She said. Cadence had not bothered to decorate her hair in the ways of her kingdom this night, leaving it informal instead. Suddenly Twilight stood, her hooves making a definite bang on the stone floor. “No, we do not have the time for that.” She said, wiping her tears quickly and beginning to pace. “No, the Elements are the right weapon, something else must be changed.” She said, staring down at the ground as she walked, her brow furrowed. The Princesses sat in counsel late into the night, talking about different things that may need changed. Finally, as it was nearing the time for Celestia to raise the sun, Twilight looked up, her eyes bright rather than tired. “It’s the ponies.” She said quietly. “We know that already, the elements must choose new bearers.” Cadence said, appearing quite tired. “No, no, the ponies!” Twilight said, beginning to pace once again as she had before. “The ponies!!” She said loudly once again, and appeared frustrated as the others stared at her. With a loud crack and a flash of purple, she was suddenly gone, but before the others had time to do more than look at each other, she returned with one of her many tomes. She slammed it onto the table and flipped through it quickly, stopping on a page with a large title in ornate script:
“It says here that once, many centuries ago, ponies weren't the only inhabitants of Equestria who earned cutie marks in their youth!” Twilight read aloud before looking at the others. “A war resulted in the leaders of three other rather secluded and hidden species renouncing these marks as something only ponies should have, but they still retain the ability to display them if we can awaken the hidden magic in them! This can be done through a series of trials that play to their special talents! The Elements are tied to the cutie marks, but have always chosen ponies because that’s all they've been presented to since Princess Celestia and Luna have ruled!” She said, standing up excitedly. “You believe if we bring out the cutie marks of these other species, the Elements will fit them properly and break this cycle?” Celestia questioned. Twilight looked to her mentor. “I have to, Princess.” She said, her eyes shining with determination. “For my friends.”
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“Congratulations, everypony! You have been chosen to be given the chance at a very high honor!” Twilight spoke to the young Equestrians before her. They were standing upon a pedestal in front of all of Canterlot and more. The Equestrians, twelve of each species in equal parts male and female, had been chosen as the most likely bearers by their respective rulers. The group stood nervously as Celestia unlocked the chest the held the Elements of Harmony. The group; perspective bearers, Princesses, guards, subjects, and Discord (who seemed to only be there out of boredom,) watched as the elements glowed and lifted of their own accord. They floated among the group until, finally, settling upon the necks and head of six Equestrians, one male and female of each species. The others left graciously to great applause, and the chosen ones followed the Princesses into the castle.
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Once inside the throne room, the Princesses stood before their bearers. “You have all been chosen by the Elements. With this honor comes a great responsibility, and a dire mission.” Twilight spoke. “However, we have decided that, unlike past bearers, you shall be trained before going on this mission.” She said. Celestia stood by her one-time student. “Your training shall begin tomorrow, but tonight we invite you to enjoy the hospitality of Canterlot.” She said, smiling down at the nervously excited Equestrians before them.
