The Element of Time FAQ's

Prologue:

Q&A 1: Who is Speaking?

The Archivist is the one who is speaking.

Q&A 2: So it seems Khaoios may have survived? You said he was a fire-type of alicorn that cannot handle water,so why would you have him live?

Well, I'm not an overly big fan of killing off characters, especially this one. However, I didn't want to kill him off that fast b/c [SPOILER CANNOT BE REVEALED]. So yeah.

Q&A 3: Nautilian? What is that?

Nautilian is an ancient language that was spoken centuries before. It is the "Ancient Latin Language of Equestria", and before you ask, yes there will be different languages throughout the trilogy, and each one has a reference to historical ancient languages like "Anglo-Saxon/Germanic, Mongol, Egyptian, Greek, Aztec, Mayan, Inca, etc.". But when you see them, you'll notice something I did. Example, when the character speaks Nautilian, they are reffered to as the Nital Ponies. Nital is Latin spelled backwards.

Chapter 1:

Q&A 1: So Luna seems to be absolutely frightened by the unknown sound? What was it?

You'll find out towards the middle.

Q&A 2: Twilight tries to speak a language written in one of the books, then the Archivist takes it and burns it? Why?

As she said, "It is illegal to speak the ancient language". For those who are LotR fans, at the meeting with Elrond in Fellowship of the Ring discussing what to do about the One Ring, Boromir steps in drawn to its power until Gandalf backed him off by speaking the "Black Speech". That point Elrond replied it is forbidden to speak the language. I took that same approach at that moment between the Archivist and Twilight.

Q&A 3: Now six pegasi ponies went into the cave and saw the creatures red eyes? It has to be another dragon only deadlier?

Dragon? Nope? Far more deadlier...

Chapter 2:

Q&A 1: Twilight hears a voice that says Beware? Who was it?

That will be revealed later in the story. Don't want to ruin the suspense.

Q&A 2: Princess Celestia still doesn't seem to trust the Archivist, even after she saw her memories from that night?

Yes. I wanted Princess Celestia to continue this unsteadily feeling on the Archivist. Since she's the one who's holding all the dark secrets of Equestria. Later, she's proven wrong that there was a major reason why the Archivist hasn't spoke a single word to her.

Q&A 3: Now they are going to go back up the mountain, just like in the episode Dragonshy. What could possibly be so important that they would have to go there?

The Hobbit reference, with going to the Lonely Mountain and they will encounter a dragon. However, like I said they think its a dragon, but you'll notice its not.

Chapter 3:

Q&A 1: Whoa...Timaeus, Master of Time? What made you come up with that?

Well, first off, Timaeus is a reference to Gallileo's theory on Time, and in addition for those who have watched Yu-gi-oh in the past, one of the three dragons is named Timaeus. However, I chose this also because the letters in the name does have strong connection to the word Time. Pretty obvious.

Q&A 2: Time Halt? Like freezing time?

Yes, Timaeus has the ability to alter time. Reversing, Halting, and even Time Traveling (no, there is no going 88 MPH in this story). You'll notice also that he is also an astrologist since most of the things he speaks of have a strong reference to the subject of astrology itself.

Q&A 3: Windegos now? Nice to see them return, but what's their connection with this story?

The Windegos serve as slaves. In this case, the creature hiding within the Mountain controls them. You'll know more about it in the next few chapters.

Chapter 4:

Q&A 1: Tower of Kronos and a mysterious Princess?

Yup, Greek Mythological reference right there. Chronos as in the Father of Time, but I reversed it intentionally. As for the Princess, I wanted to bring about the story about the Element of Time with a very minor character who is obsessed and spoiled that when she found the Element, it came with a heavy price.

Q&A 2: The Fossilization Spell unleashed from the Element of Time? What's that?

Well, don't want to go all science here, but look at the Dinosaurs. When they died, they became fossilized over time. In this case, the Fossilization Spell, unleashed by the Element of Time is somewhat of a "Death Sentence" to those who are seen unworthy. They turn to stone, but the form of a fossil.

Q&A 3: Timaeus created the Element of Time? How did that occur?

Simple. Ask yourself, what is the "key formula" of a living, breathing planet. Answer is Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire. Now ask yourself this...what is the "key formula" for creation (as in the birth of the cosmos if you are into astronomy, and yes this is a theory). Answer is Time, Space, and Distortion.

Chapter 5:

Q&A 1: Doctor Hooves mentions that the force that scared off Luna and the six Pegasus ponies did not react to them? How's that?

You see...

Q&A 2: A sarcophagus? Containing the body of the princess that was fossilized?

Yeah, I took similar approach again from LotR's with Gimili running into a room containing the sarcophagus of Balin, in Moria. In addition, that's when they realize that the Smokey Mountain "is" the Tower of Chronos. They did not know because that part of history was removed, because of the Element's resting place.

Q&A 3: So this whole time they were in there was a set up?

Exactly, and yes you can bring about the Admiral Akbar quote "Its A Trap"...because it was.

Chapter 6:

Q&A 1: Xenxus? Who is that?

Xenxus is the youngest of the Bronco-Titans, representing the Master of Momentum (yes, he is a flyer...a very fast flyer). Yet, his appearance is an alicorn, but him having different features, I call him an "alicorn-hybrid". He is a mix of a alicorn, a pterodactyl, a snake, and a electric generator (why you ask, I'll tell you later). In addition, he does not breath carbon dioxide, but sulfuric dioxide as well as drooling sulfuric acid. That's the "snake" part about him only this one is far deadlier than venom. Also he has scales of a snake and the wings of a pterodactyl. I will try to post bios of each character on a separate blog. Unfortunately, you won't see an image of him in the chapters, but he is half blind, forcing him to turn his head to look straight (he can't see straight), however the purpose of his name is what he's capable of. Xenxus has senses that quadrupled. In this case, he has an extraordinary sense of smell, hear, and taste. You could say he's like a bat, using echo-location.

Q&A 2: Judging by his words, he sounds very sinister like listening to Starscream, Venom, or the Joker?

Yes, and I even voiced tested it myself to make sure I give him the "terrifying tone". For the most part, he is the second deadliest of his brothers (the oldest is first), but deadliest in terms of slow death. Xenxus is quite capable of being like that.

Q&A 3: Wow, Xenxus was able to smack Twilight away? Kind of violent?

You could say that, but that's the way I wanted the character to be shown. Give him the "violent" type, but not like a blood-thirsty one. I tried to tone it down a bit.

Chapter 7:

Q&A 1: Canterlot under attack by this Bronco-Titan? And to destroy the Castle with explosions? That's crazy?

Yes. I went all "Bayotic" on this part (Michael Bay + Chaotic = Bayotic). Explosions everywhere.

Q&A 2: Xenxus unleashes an Electro-magnetic Pulse by stomping his hoof on the ground, doesn't that sound like the Muto's from the new Godzilla film?

Yeah. Going back to what I had said about Xenxus being an electrical generator. He is the ONLY character to have spell conversions. Spell conversions is magic being converted from magical to scientific. Basically convert magic into electricity. Yet, when he unleashes it, it greatly weakens forcing him to take flight to recuperate.

Q&A 3: Twilight seems to be very defensive now compared to the way she was in the show? What are you doing to make her change?

It will be revealed in Element of Space, but since you asked, "everything has a good side...and everyone has a dark side". I want to slowly review a dark side of Twilight, because later I am going to do something. Remember this is only the beginning and want to continue growing the suspense for readers.

Chapter 8:

Q&A 1: So a crazy battle ensues between Twilight and Xenxus?

Twilight fighting Xenxus in this case is much more intense that it was against Tirek. That is, with Canterlot up in flames and her getting thrown into walls and windows. Basically show some intensity.

Q&A 2: Timeus saves Twilight and hits Xenxus into the Castle with his Lightning Bolts? Badass!

Yes, Timaeus being the youngest of the three guardians is the most respected character I made and the most fatherly of the Alicorns I made. When Xenxus charged to Twilight, Timaeus knew that he rather put his own life on the line to protect anypony. In this case, he protected Twilight

Chapter 9:

Q&A 1: So now they went back in time to retrieve the Element of Time? How did that occur?

Reference to Back to the Future Part 2, when Marty and the Doc had to go back to 1955 to change back the 1985 they belonged to. So in this case, they went back into time to retrieve the element before the Princess does.

Chapter 10:

Q&A 1: Xenxus is now wounded from the last chapter, forcing him to retreat? How weak is he?

Xenxus, like Paguseus are the weakest of both the Guardians and Bronco-Titans. Hitting them with magic is like hitting your elbow against a door knob.

Q&A 2: Timaeus tries to be peaceful when he speaks to Xenxus, but Xenxus becomes very angry by his words?

Like I mentioned before, Timaeus is the most well-respected character and feels that fighting doesn't solve problems. Yet, reasoning with Xenxus changed his mind later.

Q&A 3: Now that Twilight with her friends traveled further underground, its like they are repeating from the first trip within the mountain?

True. However, its not like when they first traveled within the mountain. You'll notice as you continue to read that part.

Chapter 11:

Q&A 1: Back to the Future, as a chapter? Nice.

Yeah, I wanted to through that in as another reference to one of my favorite sci-fi films. Not to mention, there are lots of references from BttF throughout this entire story.

Q&A 2: Now Xenxus has taken Seaddle? Reasons?

Seaddle because of its mountainous area. Xenxus, even though he's a flyer finds it easy to hide in them as well as digging through them. Also, I did that because the Space Needle acting as a "observatory" for Xenxus. Though he can't see clearly, he gives off pulses to scan what lies on the bottom.

Q&A 3: Who was that mysterious pony that said "good luck" to them?

That pony is a secret, thus I don't want to reveal it until Element of Distortion.

Chapter 12:

Q&A 1: Battle of Seaddle sounds like a monster film, like Pacific Rim?

Well, that wasn't the attention, but you could think that. The battle between Timaeus and Xenxus is supposed to be somewhat destructive and intensifying.

Q&A 2: Now Spike is involved? Why didn't you mention him since the beginning?

No worries, I like Spike, but I wanted him to feel worried to a point where he must go after her. So you could say where ever she goes, he will follow no matter the danger.

Chapter 13:

Q&A 1: Battlefield Seaddle? Reminds us of Battle: Los Angeles?

Yeah. Xenxus is quite a chaotic character, but is a dwarf to his second brother, Titannus. When you read his story, he's far worse. Reminder that the Bronco-Titans believe that Chaos is the only way, whereas the Guardians believe in Order. Its all about power and supremacy.

Q&A 2: Now Xenxus is weak and Twilight and her friends summon their Rainbow Powers with the combination of the Element of Time? Why didn't they use it before.?

Reminder as well, Nothing is Invincible. That includes friendship. The Rainbow Powers without the use of the Elements of Creation will not work on the Bronco-Titans because they understand friendship pros and cons. They know how to get around it.

Chapter 14:

Q&A 1: Twilight was turned to stone? Why does that sound like Ash turning to stone in the first Pokemon film?

Yes, you can let it all out on this one. What occurred was the element viewed Twilight as unworthy thus taking affect by using the Fossilization Spell, that was irreversible.

Q&A 2: Timaeus had the power to reverse the effect? Why wasn't that mentioned before?

That's because Timaeus wanted to conceal it, but after noticing how much the ponies cared about her, he decided her life should be spared.

Q&A 3: Seems this part ended with questions and answers as it said on the chapter title? Will we be seeing more?

Oh yes...a lot more.

Epilogue

Q&A 1: For a second there with the structure of the bridge being on the sand reminded us of the ending of Planet of the Apes?

Exactly. And no, I was not going to have a pony stomp their hoof on the sand, yelling out damn you to hell. What I did in this part is have animals scavenge the wreckage only to have a surprise awaiting them.

Q&A 2: Khaoios survives?

Yes, like I said before. I don't like killing off characters easily. If I am to kill them off, I would kill them off by giving them a "good death".