AN: I DON'T OWN THE PICTURE ABOVE

The hoofsteps of a crystal pony guard echoed throughout the hallway, filling it with a steady click, click, click. His expression was emotionless as he made his way to the room he knew Princess Cadence and Shining Armor were in, making eye contact with both guards posted outside the doorway. With firm nods, both earth ponies allowed him to pass and each pushed open the door on their side. The Prince and Princess ceased all conversation and gave their attention to the unicorn.

"Pardon me your highnesses, I realize that you are busy with your letter to Princess Celestia, but you have a visitor. By the looks of it, it seems important." The guard's eyes softened, and a faint worry played across his golden-brown eyes.

Shining Armor and Cadence looked between each other before she spoke, "You may send them in and we'll be sure to address their needs. "

"Yes, Princess."

When the guard returned, a rather panicked looking crystal pony accompanied him. Her eyes were wild, and there were faint scratches on her green coat. Immediately she galloped up to the two of them. While she frantically thanked them for seeing her, Shining Armor discretely waved off the guard, allowing him return to his duties. As the doors closed the mare told them about the situation.

"Earlier I was leaving my house to go to the market when I felt a presence behind me. When I turned around to s-see who it was I could've sworn that I saw... that I saw..."

"It's okay, tell us who you saw." Cadence prompted.

"I thought I saw King Sombra!"

"What?" Said Shining Armor, trying to keep himself calm.

"I don't want to believe it either but I know I would recognize him! He can't be back... can he?"

Shining Armor was about to say something when there were shouts of guards and clamoring sounds that were coming from the other side of the door. Telling Cadence to stay behind him, he walked toward the door and flung it open with his magic. He looked left and right only to see both guards that had been posted outside the doors had crumpled to the floor, laying in an unconscious state. He looked down the long stretch of hallway, but nopony was around. And then there was a break in the silence that hung about them - buzzing.

Horror struck the unicorn Prince as he made a quick connection. Out of no where, several changelings rained down upon him from above, dropping and diving down from the ceiling and covering Shining Armor
as they began hissing while they covered him in green slime. His magic surged, and a dome of his magic formed around him before suddenly expanding, sending the changelings soaring into the wall with multiple thuds. Cadence turned to the mare behind her to let her know she would be protected, but she was no where to be seen. Before she could do so much as glance around, a gooey substance landed on her horn, dripping down and covering Ti from top to bottom. A blur of black zoomed straight for her, and she barely managed to fly away in time. The changeling that dove at her changed courses before it aimed right for the alicorn again. She pointed her horn at it, but her magic wasn't working!

With the upper hand, the changeling pinned her to the ground, she was able to shove it off, but without her magic, it wasn't long before she was in the same position. With the green slime almost covering her entire body, she yelled for her husband, but his promise to save her was cut short, and when she turned her head, he was meeting the same fate as her. As she attempted to wiggle free, she cried out for the guards, but her changeling captor looked into her eyes with its own gleaming blue pair.

"It's too late Princess, my troops have already taken care of your husband, your daughter, and your guards. You don't stand a chance." The female changeling spoke. "You shouldn't have let me into your castle in the first place."

"Wha-"

In a flash, the changeling became the frightened mare from before, smirking and puffing out its chest, it's eyes radiating her pride.

...

Each pony looked up at the tree, both admiring it and staring in disbelief. Any worry, skepticism, or criticism anypony had seemed to disappear, forgotten all together. Remarkably - and unexplainably - each element was shaped just like their cutie mark. A gust of wind, a clump of crystals, a flame, a curling wave, a leaf, and a snowflake.

Winter Frost took a deep breath, and looked at the tree. If she was right, she knew exactly what to do to connect each of them to their Element of Wilderness. If she was wrong... well she was about to look pretty ridiculous in front of everyone. Her gaze hardened as she prepared herself, hoping for the best.

Winter spoke confidently, "Whirlwind, for her ability to create wind currents and control them, even without the use of her wings represents the element of air."

At her words, the purple gem in the shape of a gust of wind removed itself from the tree, flying over to Whirlwind, were it began to orbit around the mare. With her mouth hanging open, she looked between the purple gem and Winter as the alicorn continued to stare forward.

"Geode, for his ability to grow crystals, bend them to his will, and find them with ease, represents the element of earth." Winter Frost said as the pale gray gem went to Geode and also began circling him.

"Blaze, for his ability to conjure a flame and control fire, represents the element of fire. Tidal Wave, for his ability to control even churning water, represents the element of water. Flora Blossom, for her ability to grow, heal, and manipulate all sort of plant life, represents the element of nature."

Each respective element went to the names of the ponies she called out. With glances all around, everypony knew that these elements were now linked to them. To think, a ancient magic they had never even heard of until just recently was now linked to them. Them, the ponies that knew they were about to go from nopony special, to bearers of the one and only Elements of Wilderness! At last, Winter spoke the final sentence she needed.

"And me, Winter Frost, who can make and control all that is ice and snow, I represent the element of ice!"

The light blue snowflake gem separated itself from the center of the tree and flew straight toward Winter. White light flooded the cave, spilling out of its mouth as the elements linked to each bearer. When everypony was able to open their eyes after the blindingly bright magic spell had ceased, each of them had silver metal necklaces with their element in the center. Winter Frost however, had a silver crown atop her head, with little white gems imbedded in it, and the element of ice at the very top.

"Did that... really just happen?" Flora asked hesitantly.

"Who cares?! Just look at the way these gems are cut! They're flawless!" Geode gushed. "If this is a dream, I don't ever wanna wake up! They're all in perfect likeness with each of our cutie marks! No rough edges either. How is that even possible when we-"

Whirlwind interrupted him, "Um, Geode, not to rain on your parade, but time is kinda at stake here. You can talk about how cool they are later."

Geode's sparkling face grew pink, "Oh, um, yeah of course."

Flora spoke up again, "Does anyone else feel like... I don' know..."

"Tingly?" Blaze suggested, observing his hooves. "I know I feel a little different."

"I feel like I could easily hold up two water spells right about now." Tidal Wave added, nodding.

"Well, dissimilar to the Elements of Harmony, the Elements of Wilderness don't grant us our power and instead enhance it." Winter explained. "As long as we're wearing these, we're stronger, and will have more stamina."

"Woah, seriously?" Whirlwind questioned.

"What else do they do?" Tidal Wave asked.

"That I'm not sure of. I read the reference guide for the elements twice but couldn't find anything else on the matter."

"So... What now? We just find the bad guys and fight them?" Blaze speculated, his voice unsure.

"Well we'll need a plan of attack before we do anything else."

"I'm ready for this! Let's save Equestria everypony!" Geode shouted, grinning and getting into a mock fighting stance.

Whirlwind laughed, "Of course you are."

...

"I haven't seen them all day!" Said Pinkie. "None of them showed up to Sugar Cube Corner and I didn't even pass them in the streets!"

"Winter and Whirlwind weren't in Cloudsdale either." Rainbow Dash commented, shaking her head.

"Maybe they went to the park? It's lovely out today, and I know that's were I would be." Fluttershy offered.

Twilight thought for a moment before making a guess, "Perhaps they went looking for the Elements of Wilderness."

"Yes, you mustn't forget, darling, you put your notes out for Winter to see. Surely she took advantage of them." Rarity reminded her with a smile as she flicked her mane. "After all, you have been saying that she's rather curious!"

"I think we should check the outskirts of the Everfree Forest." Said Twilight. "I need to see if they're on the right track. Equestria needs them."

"If that's what ya want ta do, then we're behind ya one hundred percent!" Applejack announced.

AN: Wohoo, things are picking up! Hope you enjoyed PLEASE vote and comment. Tips are appreciated (there's always room to improve) and comments about favorite parts in the chapter are adored!

PS: I know Wednesday is not usually a day I update, but I simply just couldn't stand holding this chapter much longer!