Elements

Two guards lead the Prince and the Princess down the stairs of the Crystal Castle, then left the room as requested by Cadance. "Twilight!"

"Cadance!"

"Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" they chanted in unison while performing the movements for the hoofshake. Cadance gave Twilight a hug, then let her return to her spot by her friends. She cleared her throat, beginning to speak. "It seems...that we've come across something of much importance. I was reading a book on the further research of the Elements of Harmony, and the book spoke of a seventh Element. I gathered my friends here today to visit you, and preform any necessary searches of the Crystal Empire for the seventh artifact. The book stated that not even Princess Celestia herself knew much about it, and always thought them to be simple rumors. The book also states that said Element was never found, possibly hidden away by Equestria's founders. Of course, we planned to visit here to get your okay on the matter. We were not going to search without you knowing."

"First of all, Twilight, don't be so formal! I'm your sister! And second of all, how do you even know what this book says is true?"

"The book is official. No doubts about it. It is possible many ponies worked on it over the years, so there's no name on it, but we know for sure it's official."

"I don't think it'd be here, but search if you must. I'll help." she said, then moved aside to let Shining Armor greet his sister.

"Twily!"

"Shining!" she grinned, and hugged him. She pulled away, and looked at him. "So, you heard about the matter at hoof, right?"

"Yes, and I'd be willing to help you and Cadance any way I can. Do the princesses know about this?"

"Not yet. I figured it best to visit Canterlot...later in our searches if we're gonna find the Element. What better place to look for an Element than here, right?" He looked at her in confusion, but then shrugged it off.

"Guards!" called Cadance, and in an instant, the guards came in the door and awaited their orders. "Prepare the Crystal Empire for a search. The Element bearers are going to search for another Element that was spoken of in a book done on the further research on the Elements." The two guards that entered simply nodded, and rushed out of the room at once. Whatever Cadance or Shining ordered, they would attend to as soon as they could, if not instantly. They truly honored their Prince and Princess, albeit Cadance not wishing to have to be treated so formally. She eventually decided there wasn't a thing she could do, so she played along. Eventually she got used to it, and she didn't mind it so much anymore. Shining was the same way. He was just a normal unicorn, until his sister became an Element bearer. Then he started getting a bit of popularity, and at first, he was enjoying it. Then he realized he wasn't able to go anywhere without being bombarded by the paparazzi. Then, he married Cadance, and things went way over the top. Now he couldn't leave the castle, though that wasn't to say he disliked being in the castle. He was happy that he had ponies who would take care of things he normally would by himself when he was just a regular stallion, like get his own food. He also appreciated the ponies who helped him, so he was as nice to them as he could manage while still being casual about it. By this point, he was friends with most of the staff members that worked in the castle. Sometimes, he'd call someone into his room with an excuse, then get them to talk normally with him as if it was just one if his old college friends, and he liked doing that. It made him feel like a normal pony again. "So, we should get to work." said Twilight, and lead her friends out the door. One by one passed by her, then as they did she walked out herself. Cadance and Shining followed behind the six mares, and met ten guards by the door of the castle. "Is this enough guards, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?" The guards also insisted that they call her by her full name. She kept telling them they didn't have to, but eventually she gave in. "Yes, these are fine." she said, and nodded her head at him, telling him silently that he can return to his post. He nodded back, and walked away. Cadance raised her hoof, then the guards trotted out of the castle. Shining, Cadance and the six mares followed behind them. Cadance told them to split up while Shining and Cadance would look in places only the Prince and the Princess were fit to see. The Elements of Harmony were directed to wait in front of the castle doors and be reported to by the guards if they found anything. Twilight had protested, but Cadance told her that if they were to find anything, they had to have someone to report to. She agreed reluctantly, and sat with her friends by the castle door. Ugh, I hope this doesn't take too long. Eventually, the ten guards came back and told the six that they found nothing. Twilight sighed heavily, and thanked them as she dismissed them. "Well, what do we do now?"

"We go to Canterlot, ah guess." suggested Applejack.

"And tell Celestia?"

"Perhaps we should search for the Element first, darling." Rarity reasoned.

"Why would we do that?"

"Because we can tell the Princess either way, but I just though perhaps if we searched first, and found it, it would be easier than going to the castle, telling her, returning to the base of Canterlot then searching, then once again returning to the castle to report to her and tell her if we found it or not." Twilight paused, then nodded.

"I guess you're right. To Canterlot!"