How does one become the Element of Magic?

[Akemi Homura 7,681]

Twilight Sparkle is the element of magic, as we all know. From a young age, she displayed phenomenal magical ability (though, inadvertently from a Sonic Rainboom), and thus was taken upon by Celestia herself to study magic perhaps for her entire life. Between the time she got her cutie mark and her arrival to Ponyville, her lack of a social life must have had a big impact on her magical ability even more - she was able to tame that magic instead of unleashing all of it in a single stroke. That said, she was too busy to make any friends. However, she finally understood what it all meant after letting "true friendship into her heart" right before she and the Mane 6 defeated Nightmare Moon.

 

We know the phrase "Friendship Is Magic" - is it possible to be the best friend one could hope for, and that alone can constitute as being the Element of Magic? Can a unicorn become so gifted in Friendship alone that he/she can suddenly possess unbelievable magical ability?

[Musix 237]

One does not simply

Become the Element of Magic

But seriously, Maybe you are just born with it, Or one has to acquire it with special ability's by unlock all the achievements getting themselves 11405 gamer-score.

Hope it helped.

Edited September 25, 2012 by Musix

[silvadel 1,393]

1) You need to have the natural talent for it.

2) You need to have the desire to be it.

3) The position needs to be open.

4) It needs to choose you for the task.

 

There will be another element of magic after twilight...

[PrinceJehal 21]

Twilight became the Element of Magic because magic is her special talent. Celestia, who preceeded her, was also very skileld at magic, being able to raise the sun. As silvadel said, the next Element of Magic will be a pony who is also skilled at magic, though probably not one with that specific special talent.

 

Twilight also used magic to create the second generation of the Elements of Harmony (as I call them, at least). I don't imagine Rarity could've done this. And it's possible neither could Celestai herself, seeing as she sent Twilight to go and make some friends to retrieve the Elements with.

 

So to get to the point: Twilight didn't become the Element of Magic because of her friendship, but because of her skill at magic.

[Zygen 6,066]

I think of being one of the elements as having a cutie mark really. Its something they are born with, its just they have to realize what they posses.

Its true twilight studies alot, but it is implied told and shown that she has amazing raw magical ability. Just being able to study a lot would not grant her with that.

[Clarity 3,094]

Twilight became the element of Magic, because, I believe, NOT because of her magical talent, but because she had five great friends; Honesty, Loyalty, Laughter, Kindness, and Generosity to form Magic. After all, Friendship is Magic.

 

Twilight could be an Earth pony, but I think she would still represent that element nonetheless.

[AegisReflector 886]

That's very quite simple.

 

First, dive into your own heart, like Sora here.

 

 

Then, when asked by a mysterious voice to choose a power between a sword, shield, or staff, pick the staff.

The power of the mystic. Inner strength. A staff of wonder and ruin

 

And, viola! You're now an element of magic! It's so simple!

Edited October 3, 2012 by AegisReflector

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,695]

It just happens, baby.

 

Seriously, I think Twilight being the most promising magician Celestia ever saw is part of it. But making friends has also allowed her to focus those abilities and use them for a greater purpose, to protect ponies other than herself. Therefore, friendship is magic.

[Akemi Homura 7,681]

It just happens, baby.

 

 

 

 

 

I guess you would need pretty sharp magical skills in order for the Element of Magic to even consider you. If handling them counts for anything based on your magical prowess, I'd assume that prowess has to rival Celestia's potential.

[One 498]

Hasbro has to pick you to become it, there is no other way...

 

But I guess have 5 close friends and yourself that match the job description, and your forcefully signed up.

[sweetolebob18 728]

IMO, there are a lot of ponies who could have become any of the Elements. You just have to have the potential & be in the right place at the right time.  There are probably fewer candidates for Magic than for the other Elements, but it could have been lots of folks.

 

That being said I don't think it was a coincidence Twilight just happened to be at the castle with 5 other ponies who (surprise!) just happened to fit the needed Elements. 

[EmeraldStar04 250]

You become the element of magic by being the strongest magic user on the planet. EMBODYING magic.

 

Suelight Glimmer is someone's garbage OC. Ignore her.

[Concerned Bystander 2,904]

Twilight got the position because she was destined for it since time immemorial.  Her cutie mark was present on the Tree of Harmony long before she was even born.

[Lil Pip 775]

She is more like a prophet of friendship, than the god of friendship. I hope that makes sense.

 

Also its because in terms of friendship she went from zero to hero, so she knows just how powerful a force it is better than others, even if she cannot wield it as well as others, like Pinkie Pie.

[Luminance 2,187]

She foretold an ancient prophecy that everypony else had forgotten, endowed as a star pupil in Celestia's school of magic and ironically didn't have friends so her shortcomings became her advantage to mustering the Element's true nature.

[Thrond 3,264]

No matter how much the show writes it off as predestined, I maintain that it's little more than being at the right place at the right time with the right people. It's probably hard to assemble that by coincidence, but I struggle to believe that six other ponies couldn't have awakened the elements.

 

I think the actual process is for each potential element bearer to display that element when close to the elements' resting place. Friendship is a certain type of magic, so a pony who comes to exemplify it - or perhaps, as in Twilight's case, learn about it - would then have control of that magic.