As the smoke cleared Rarity started to hear music as the temperature started to get colder. Soon she was surrounded by pillars of ice that rose from the ground in time with the music. She quickly turned her head to try and follow each voice as they seemed to dance around her in wisps of snow that cut against the ice, yet felt gentle against her body.

The faster the beat got, the more ominous the words became. Each word seemed to hammer itself into her as if she herself was the ice. Or was it, the words were sharpening her to break the ice? Whatever the answer. She didn't know. Nore did she feel inclined to ask.

As the song came to an end the fog was gone leaving her in a forest of ice trees. "Hello Rarity." A gentle voice called, as a tree lit blue. "Ready for your test?" Another tree lit up, this time turning green.

Taking a deep breath Rarity nodded. "Indeed." She replied noting with each sentence the voice said, another tree lit with a different color.

After a few moments a charming stallion trotted over. "Hello my dear."

Rarity instantly recognized the stallion. "Fancy what brings you…"

"You do of course." He replied cutting her off. "I just couldn't stop thinking about how beautiful you looked." He levitated a ring from his mane. "What do you say, Rarity? Will you marry me? Come with me to Canterlot and we can even bring your little sister. I can give you two the lives you deserve."

At first Rarity was flattered and forgot this was a test. However, the comment about her moving pulled her back. "Excuse me? What about my business?"

"We can hire ponies to do it. With your reputation as it is, it won't matter who they get the dresses from. All that'll matter to them is that it has your name on it."

Rarity blinked. "Even if that was true. I can't just let anypony run my shops. And I definitely won't stand for MY customers getting anything but the best." She slowly started stepping closer to the stallion as the ice around her started to melt. "Furthermore, I won't simply move just to marry or for popularity. And I won't expect my little sister to leave her friends for my sake. Lastly, even if I am the Element of Generosity, I would rather keep what I have than be a wife."

Blinking the stallion smiled as he slowly started to melt away as the female voice from before came from his lips. "Well said."

Sweetie Belle looked around as the smoke faded and saw a hippocampus sitting on a nearby rock smiling at her.

"So… what's my test?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Good question." The hippocampus replied. "How about this… to fully accept the power as the others no doubt will. I will make you older and give you a test that will show the true you."

"Or?"

"Or I can simply ask you a question and give you a gift in return."

Sweetie Belle thought about it then smiled. "I'll take the test."

Smiling the hippocampus waved a flipper at her causing her to glow. "Then go into the ocean and find me a peril that sings."

"Sings?" Sweetie Belle asked as the water around her got higher.

"You'll know when you see it." The hippocampus reassured.

As the water covered Sweetie Belle she found it surprisingly easy to breathe. To her amusement it was surprisingly easy to swim.

The deeper she swam the darker it got… and yet she never seemed to lose track of where she was. Sweetie felt more than seeing how far from the bottom she was. It was as if she was connected to the water around her.

She looked around and listened. Soon she heard music. With a nod she swam over to the sound. It didn't take long for her to see what looked like several orbs. Blinking, she looked over each as if each one was singing. However, she noticed only one voice seemed to reach her.

Closing her eyes, Sweetie Belle followed the sound. Extending her four legs she ended up feeling an orb in her flippers. Smiling, she couldn't help but to sing along with the orb as she started swimming for the surface.

"Well… she did it faster than most children her age." The hippocampus said excitedly. "The prince knows how to pick them."

As Sweetie Belle breached the surface she looked around excitedly before noticing the smoke rolling in as the voice called. "Well done child. We shall teach you all we can."

"I can't wait." Sweetie exclaimed eagerly.

Phoenix paced back and forth as he looked at the table. "You can feel it too. Can't you?" He huffed. "The darkness grows. If the girls don't pass… you know what I'll have to do." The table seemed to pulsate softly at his words. "Yes, even if they do pass the test. They still have more to do." He sighed. "I may have to…" He stopped and looked at the table. "Yes. I'll give them a chance. But only after they ALL pass, and know what they are against."

As the smoke started to clear a young hippogriff looked around to see familiar faces. "Terramar?" She asked. "Is that you?"

He nodded slowly before looking around. "Ya… any idea where we are or how we got here?" He asked.

"Not really. But it feels… right." She replied.

"Indeed." A voice called out. "The map agreed that the two of you will be needed for what is coming."

"Who or what are you?" The female hippogriff asked. "And what do you mean?"

"A war is coming and you'll need to be taught how to use your powers properly." The voice explained.

"WHAT!" Bothe hippogriffs shouted.

"Fear not children. We have much to go over. And luckily for you. We have all the time we need." With a gulp and nod the two stood ready.

It took me a bit to decide how best to do the trials. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that thinks the outcome fits.

Coming up:
Wind, fierce and gentle
Earth, frail and mighty
Fire, humility and pride

Non ponies joining the fight:
Hippogriff & hippocampus
Two dragons(not including Spike)
One changeling
Maybe more

Who would you like see the fight? What side or element might they be?
Should we look at what has come of the other places?
Do you even care or do you just want me to shut up and get to the action already?