Keepers

Aevum felt the wind blowing around him as they went to their final location. The last trial had been quite a confusing mess, first with the fake versions of ponies, then the fact Cael had actually passed even though she had died, or at least nearly died.

What worried Aevum most was what happened to his father's copy. He hadn't done anything when his false father suddenly turned grey and died.

Aevum had also found out that the cyan pony Flain was fighting used to be his marefriend from a while ago. Flain explained how she had left to find her missing parents and didn't return. From what Aevum gathered the copies were based on ponies the victims cared about.

He was afraid to think of how chaotic the next trial would be. Considering how bad space was there was a good chance of time being even more complex.

The wind stopped abruptly this time. There was no die down, it just suddenly stopped. The land around them finished changing, and Aevum sighed as he saw where they were.

The landscape was covered in collapsing buildings. They ranged from massive structures to small stone homes. Either way everything was mostly stone, including the ground. What annoyed Aevum the most about this was the everything was frozen in time.

Buildings were caught in the middle of collapse. Rocks floated in the sky and massive concrete pillars were littered all over the ground and in the air in mid collapse. It looked like an ancient civilization that had been stopped while it was being destroyed.

Aevum hoped that was all, but he was wrong. Not only was it frozen in time, but the silence around the place was ridiculous. It made Aevum shudder.

He hated it when time was frozen. Everything felt so dead, mysterious and freaky. It made sense that this was included in his trial. The ruins were just a base for the real environment.

"So, the final trial." Aevum said aloud. "If we can complete this, we'll unlock our powers and be able to defeat Discortunal." Cael then said what everyone was looking forward to. "We've already learned so much, who knows what our full power could do?" Madia said, clearly imagining the potential. "We can't back down now. Let's do it for Luna and Celestia, for their parents, and for all Equestria." Flain said, filling everyone with that determined flame.

They all nodded and got a look at their surroundings. There was definitely no grass or life here, it was mostly rock and stone as far as the eye could see. It was a strange, unnatural environment, and Aevum figured that was why it was his. He hated unnatural things.

"This place creeps me out. Hopefully we can find the crystal quickly." Madia said. Cael just shrugged. "Doesn't really matter to me, so long as we complete it." She said.

They all began walking through the ruins cautiously, keeping an eye out for anything dangerous. The only dangerous thing that Aevum could see was the boulders looming over head. Even those didn't pose much of a threat.

Aevum quickly recognized what each building was at one point. There was a tall building that had collapsed in on itself, that looked like a town center. There was a building with bars for windows that Aevum assumed was a jail.

"They are living..." A voice suddenly spoke, it was long and drawn out, almost like a moan. "They are not like us..." Aevum looked around nervously. "They are blessed... who are they?" The source of the voice was nowhere to be found.

"They have come to free us..." The voice came from behind them now, it was a female voice this time. "Who's there?" Aevum said out loud, looking around frantically. "They fear us... they do not understand us..." The first voice spoke again.

"Then let us help them understand... spoken heroes, your worst nightmare... it is Equestria's remains... turn and discover..." The second voice spoke to the four of them.

The keepers all turned around at once. Aevum couldn't believe what he saw. Standing there, tall proud and completely in tact, was a statue of Discortunal.

"You think you understand... however you do not..." A third voice was speaking now. "Around you lays what is left... of a once glorious creation, now corrupted by pride..." Flain's eyes suddenly widened, and Aevum knew that was a big deal.

"Aevum, Discortunal said while he was fighting the king and queen that he was the ruler of a failed Equestria." Flain remembered. "Are you telling me the trial of time takes place in a failed version of Equestria?" Aevum put the pieces together quickly.

Flain nodded. Madia seemed to have figured out something too though. "Guys, the trials aren't literal locations. We aren't actually sent anywhere for real from what I've gathered. This location is just based on the original." Madia said

She seemed to have a habit of figuring things out that almost no one else would. Then again as the keeper of dream she was naturally smart and could sometimes see and understand truth with little evidence.

"This one is smart..." The first voice said. "They are seeking something... perhaps we may assist them..." The second voice spoke. Aevum's ears perked up at this. "It could prove dangerous... the hunters will surely kill us..." The first voice said.

"Please, explain to us and maybe we can help each other!" Aevum suggested to the voices. There was a pause where the voices didn't say anything.

"Perhaps the lad is willing to strike a deal..." The third voice finally spoke. "Let us reveal ourselves... they cannot touch us anyways..." The first voice said to the others.

Suddenly four transparent figures walked out of the ruins. Through the ruins in fact, like ghosts. The ponies looked experienced, probably around Aevum's father's age.

The first one was a male, he looked the oldest and was coloured a dark mustard yellow. He was clearly an alicorn, because he had a horn and wings. The wings were like a bats, and the horn was curved at the end like Discortunal. His hair was long and draped over his eyes slightly. It was coloured a greyish brown. He approached them with a look of understanding, a look that reminded Aevum of Alaria.

The second one was a mare, she was blue and had the same wing and horn design as the first one. Her mane was a light orange, almost white as it hung behind her head pinned back like a tail. She looked serious and calm.

The third pony was a colt coloured dark red, with a blond mane mixed in with grey. His mane was combed back slightly, but some of it fell forward in front of his face. His wings blended in with the rest of his body because of his colour. His eyes were half shut lazily and he walked forward without smiling.

The fourth pony however, shocked Aevum. Unlike the others, she was young and looked like she was only ten or eleven. She was green with dark hair that seemed to fade from blue to white. It was curled and combed neatly, as if in preparation for a big event. Her bat-like wings were closed, but she walked with her head held high towards them. She smiled slightly and looked happy to see them.

"Allow us to introduce ourselves." The blue ghost said. "My name is Caelylia." She said. Aevum's heart skipped a beat. "My name is Flainetrav." The maroon pony said. No... it can't be...! Aevum thought to himself. "My name's Madianulai." The young green mare said. "And my name is Aevumentrial." The yellow pony said.

Aevum stared in disbelief at the four ponies now standing before them. Their names were simply larger versions of the four Equestrian ponies names. The others did the same.

"We were once the keepers of this land we called Equestria." Aevumentrial said to them. "Before you can understand you must hear our story." Caelylia said. Aevum gulped. "Alright, please tell us." Aevum encouraged nervously.

Aevumentrial nodded. "Back about five thousand years ago, we were the keepers of the four elements of Equestria. I controlled time, Caelylia controlled space, Madiaulai controlled dream, and Flainetrav controlled law. We had been bestowed our powers by our creator, who started the world with us and a few extra ponies who ruled the world."

"The main ruler of this land, was the black alicorn known as Discortunal. He was one of the four other ruling ponies created at the start of our race. In total there were eight of us ponies created as alicorns. While we keepers governed the elements, Discortunal and the others governed the nation." Caelylia explained.

"Unfortunately Discortunal and his fellow governors were more than just rulers. We discovered after some time that for everything that exists, there is an opposite that pushes against it. This is how balance is formed. With too much of one thing, it collapses. That was the significance of Discortunal. Him and the others were the negative elements of Equestria." Flainetrav explained.

"Wait, negative elements? Are you telling me there's elements which cause problems in the world as well?" Aevum asked. Aevumentrial nodded sadly. "This was something we didn't find out until it was too late. While we controlled the positive elements, Discortunal and his companions caused trouble in the world with their negative elements."

"We discovered that there were four negative elements. These elements were death, emotion, decay, and the most powerful of all, chaos. Discortunal controlled chaos, and used this to oppose law. Tennebris, the commander of Discortunal's army, controlled death, and used this to oppose dream. Grillula, the most powerful witch in Equestria, controlled emotion, she used this to oppose space. Nellurai, Discortunal's advisor and wife, controlled decay. She used this to oppose time." Caelylia told them.

"As it turned out, Discortunal became proud of his strength and went mad with power. He had discovered a way to take other ponies life force, magic and skills from them and use them for himself. He murdered Grillula and his own wife, Nellurai, and took their powers. However, he did not touch Tennebris. Discortunal feared for his own safety. He believed if he took on the power of death, he himself would die." Flainetrav went on.

"He searched and found us here in this very city. We were not prepared for his overwhelming power, nor did we expect him to turn against us. We never had any training in our powers and couldn't figure them all out ourselves. We were defeated and he stole our powers for himself." Madianulai suddenly spoke.

Aevum was surprised to hear the young pony suddenly speak so wisely. "Discortunal was still afraid of us however. Even in death, we remained. Apparently a last resort that our creator had set in place in case this was to happen. We haunted his dreams, his life and he was driven mad not just with power, but with fear." Aevumentrial explained.

"Seeking to put a stop to this, he had Tennebris bless eight individuals to have strength over us. Because we were dead Discortunal could not harm us, however Tennebris could using his powers. Discortunal came back a laid waste to our city, and froze it in the middle of its destruction as a constant reminder to us. The eight ponies Tennebris had blessed became known as the hunters. They are constantly seeking us, but even in death some of our power still remains." Caelylia said.

"However we are dead. We cannot harm the hunters, yet they can harm us. While we are away from the hunters, we continue to torment Discortunal. He has been cursed with this. Now, seeking an escape he has left this world entirely. We know of not where he went, but we can't reach him wherever he is. He has proved cunning and devious and found a place we can't carry out our curse." Flainetrav told them.

"We are aware that Discortunal threw all of Equestria into chaos when he gained our powers. Not knowing how to control the many over complicated elements, they fell apart and the entire nation entered a state of paralysis much like this city is now. Wind no longer blows, physics do not flow and react at all, nightmares and dreams don't happen at all, and time has completely stopped across the world." Aevumentrial said.

"There isn't a single word that can describe this once beautiful land and how it has fallen. Even though Discortunal is out of our reach, we cannot rest until he has met his demise and the curses original intent is completed." Caelylia said determined.

It took Aevum a moment to process everything, but it all made sense. "Keepers, your curse is still living on." Madia suddenly said. The original keepers all looked at her awaiting an explanation.

"We also know our world as Equestria. However this Equestria has not fallen. We are Aevum, Cael, Madia and Flain, the keepers of new Equestria's elements." Madia told them.

"We are currently passing through trials, and this is the final one. After this we can fully unlock our powers and defeat Discortunal. Discortunal's curse carries on through us." Flain explained to the ghosts.

The looked at them a moment, then Aevumentrial smiled. "Curses cannot be stopped. They always find a way through some way or another. That is why I believe you." He said.

"Thank you, now before we can unlock our powers we need to find a crystal. Do you know where one might be?" Aevum asked. Caelylia looked puzzled. "I haven't seen anything of the sort. If anyone has it would be Madianulai." The old keeper of space said.

"Yes... I recall seeing one inside the lower level of the jail. It is very dangerous there though." Madianulai told them. "What sort of dangers?" Flain asked.

Flainetrav sighed. "That is where the hunters reside. They stay in the lower level of the jail and hide there, waiting for something, or someone to use their powers on. They underestimate our knowledge however." He explained.

Aevum looked towards the jail nervously. "You said these ponies have power over death, can you tell us what they can do?" He asked the ancient ponies. "Their touch is lethal. If they hit you and they intended to do so, you will die instantaneously. That is why we avoid them." Aevumentrial pointed out.

Aevum shuddered. That was the last thing they needed. In other words they could kill all four of them quickly if they get a chance to strike.

"Wait... you four are already dead. How can they do anything to you at all?" Madia asked curiously. "Their power over death allows them to strike ghosts. If they were to strike us we would fade permanently." Caelylia explained.

"Well I don't know about you, but I think it's clear what we need to do." Cael said to the new Equestria keepers. Madia nodded and smiled. "Beat these hunters, reach the crystal and save Aevumentrial and the others all at once!" She said energetically.

The specters smiled. "Thank you, I hope that drives you to success." Flainetrav said.

"Come on, let's go. You four stay out of sight, we'll handle them." Cael said confidently. Madianulai smiled faintly. "Thank you keepers, please stay safe." She sounded unnaturally mature for her age, like she was hundreds of years older than she looked.

Aevum led the way as they walked over the the jail. Aevum could see the crystal through some bars on the ground connected to the wall.

"I believe we have visitors..." A wispy voice suddenly said. "Who do they think they are walking so confidently into our territory?" A slightly higher voice also spoke. "Why don't we make their confidence grow weary?" A mischievous female voice said.

"Do you know who we are?" The wispy voice asked. "The hunters, you have power over death. You have hunted for the four old keepers of Equestria for around ten years now." Madia said.

Three black ponies walked out of the building. "Interesting, you four are not phased by our power." The first voice said. "Arrogant ponies like this need to die." The second voice said.

Flain chuckled. "Ironic how your own master is so arrogant." He said to them. "Discortunal is not our master, we are only ordered by Tennebris, the one who bestowed these powers to us." The first older pony responded.

"Look, little girl, you've walked into your own death. I can smell your fear, you want to go home don't you?" The mare asked Madia.

The smaller male pony sniffed. "This one's afraid too! He's almost shaking!" He said gesturing towards Aevum.

He was right, Aevum was terrified of what might happen. He knew he had to come up with a clever way to strike them down without them having time to notice and activate their deadly touch. There were so many possibilities Aevum was feeling overwhelmed.

"He's panicking... it's annoying me. Let us destroy them quickly and get back to dinner before it goes cold." The female pony said. "Their colours are too bright for my liking, I want them gone!" The younger pony said.

"I think this calls for-" The first pony began to say, before Cael cut him off. She appeared above him and hit him so hard and so fast, he fell flat on his face in the ground. "Shut it." Cael said. The other two ponies jumped back in shock. The first one spat up dirt and turned to look at Cael.

"You're going to regret that one missy." He said looking at her angrily. Suddenly he gasped and lifted up off the ground. He was struggling and heaving as he tried to breath. Cael's hoof was lifted up towards him. "Call me missy again, I dare you." She said looking directly at him.

The old black pony struggled for a few moments, then he grinned at her. "It's going to take a lot more than a threat to stop me missy." He said tauntingly.

Cael bared her teeth, and the old ponies eyes suddenly widened and looked to the blackened sky. He tried to grab a few breaths of air, but he failed to do so from the lethal choke Cael was causing some how.

Aevum watched in horror as the ponies movements slowed down and finally ceased. Cael let him go and he flopped to the ground limp and lifeless.

"Cael watch out!' Madia called out. Aevum saw the black mare suddenly launch at Cael. Cael turned to react but the villainous creature was quick. She was still coming, so Cael made a desperate leap to get over top of her.

Aevum noticed that at the current rate, Cael's back legs would hit the hunters outstretched hoof before getting over top! He began to think quickly of a way to stop it. There isn't enough time, she won't make it! Aevum thought desperately.

It took way longer than it should have for Aevum to realize the solution. He focused his magic and slowed down time. The only ones that kept to their natural speed was the keepers.

Cael went soaring over top, narrowly missing the hoof reaching for her and landing behind the mare. She looked at Aevum thankfully a moment and then turned to the third pony.

Aevum felt his panic return though when the black mare spun around to look at Madia, who was focused on something else using her dream powers. The pony smiled mischievously as purple mist gathered in front of her hoof.

It went much faster than Aevum expected. A ball of cloudy mist suddenly went launching at Madia. Aevum suddenly lost his control over time as it went rocketing towards the keeper of dream.

"Madia!" Aevum called. Her eyes shot open to see the haze shooting towards her. Aevum tried to concentrate but he couldn't focus from all the different things happening. There were too many possibilities.

Right then, Flain was there. He ran to Madia's side and they both suddenly fell into the ground. The ball tried to follow, but it broke apart and faded when it hit the ground. Flain and Madia popped up a moment later beside Aevum.

"Aevum, what happened there?" Flain asked confused. "I... I don't know I couldn't concentrate!" He responded. Aevum looked out towards Cael who was battling with the younger pony now. He was quick and light on his hooves which made it difficult for Cael to keep up.

Aevum looked around frantically. Flain had gone off to fight with the mare and Madia was concentrating again. What do I do? If I try to help by slowing time I might lose concentration and they could be killed! He thought worrying for what might happen.

Aevum. Suddenly there was a voice in his head. It was Madia's. The very reason you lost concentration last time was because you were thinking too hard. She said to him. Aevum realized she was right. Everything fell apart once he started to panic.

Relax... Aevum thought to himself. He focused on only doing what he needed to. He would let Madia do the thinking, and have himself just do the work. Stop, we need time. Madia's voice said. Aevum responded and stopped time entirely. Their opponents seemed to resist slightly since they still moved slowly.

Cael took advantage of the timing and struck the younger colt on the side. He began reacting to the blow but it was slow because time was stopped. Meanwhile Flain came crashing down on top of his opponent with such force it should have killed her on the spot.

Madia opened her eyes and looked at Aevum. They smiled at each other confidently and watched as their comrades defeated their enemies with their help. Madia nodded at Aevum, and he released time.

Aevum couldn't think of a word to describe how quickly the two black ponies were sent crashing. One into the ground, the other into the jail wall. Cael walked up to the evil pony. "Pitiful, you can't even kill us on your own, you need help." He said panting.

Cael was clearly unimpressed, and her horn glowed green. The black ponies eyes widened and he suddenly vanished. What did she just do...? Aevum wondered.

Meanwhile, Flain was standing on top of the mare, who was somehow still alive. "I'll let you decide, life or death." Flain said trying to strike up an offer. She smiled coldly. "I hope... you die slowly..." She said to him.

She gasped as Flain suddenly crushed her underneath his weight, clearly using his law powers to increase gravity for himself.

Something seemed a little off though. His friends were being unnaturally cruel. For some reason they were showing next to no mercy. It didn't feel right. Madia looked at Aevum nervously, obviously concerned about the same thing.

Cael and Flain walked over to Madia and Aevum. "That's the end of that. Let's get out of here." Cael said sounding moderately annoyed. "Cael... the way you killed that first pony was awfully cruel..." Madia said quietly.

Cael shrugged. "A pony like that deserved it." She said defending herself. "Flain crushed the mare with his own weight, that's more cruel than what I did." Flain sighed. "Well it was the quickest thing I could think of." Flain said annoyed.

This isn't right... they aren't getting along very well and aren't acting normal. Aevum thought. "Let's get this over with and head to the crystal." Cael said yawning.

They decided to just move on, and went into the jail. Aevum didn't like what he saw. All over the walls were pictures of ponies that apparently once inhabited the town. All of them had X's across them, but most of them had circles too. Aevum quickly deduced that all the towns citizens were dead, and the circles showed which ponies spirits had been eliminated.

Then Aevum noticed Madia was just feeding him thoughts again. He was beginning to get freaked out by that concept.

There were four pictures of the ancient keepers. The images were faded and filled with holes and tears. The X's on them were written in blood.

Madia shivered beside Aevum as they saw them. It was a very dark and scary place. Aevum could never imagine living here like this.

"Looks like those ponies had a hit list." Cael said. "The four old keepers are probably their prime targets." Flain guessed.

"Come on, the crystal is on the lower floor, I already know what I'm going to say." Aevum said. Madia smiled as Aevum exchanged a glance with her, and the four of them took the stairs behind the counter down into the basement.

It felt more like a dungeon than a jail. It was musty, and there were six cells all separated by metal bars. One of them had the crystal in it. It glowed red faintly and grew brighter as Aevum approached.

However the gate was locked. They couldn't get in and the keys were nowhere to be found. "Looking for something?" A voice said behind them. Aevum whirled around and saw the first pony that they thought was dead. He was holding on to a ring with keys on it.

"You! I thought I killed you!" Cael said stepping forward. The black pony chuckled. "You did my dear. Once." He said calmly, a smug grin on his face.

"What are you? Surely more than a normal pony." Flain asked curiously. "I am a pony blessed by the powers of death itself. I can return from the dead so long as my injuries can be healed." He explained.

"Thank you, you just told us how to kill you." Cael said grinning. Aevum instantly realized what she was about to do as Cael raised her hoof. Madia did too, since they both reacted. "Cael wait!" Madia said taking a step forward. Aevum moved up as well.

"That's not necessary Cael. We don't have to kill him." Aevum said trying to remain calm. "What are you talking about? If we don't kill him he'll just keep tormenting the others!" Cael said angrily.

Aevum was a little caught off guard by her angry response, she wasn't acting entirely herself at all. "We need to get rid of him before he completely ruins the trial!" Cael pointed out. Aevum wanted to snap some sense into her, but he wasn't bold enough.

"Cael please listen!" Madia said desperately. "I agree with Cael, he needs to be killed, permanently this time." Flain said. Madia looked at him horrified. "Flain, you of all ponies should know about mercy!" Madia cried.

"Oh no, go right ahead. Do as you wish, don't let her stop you from your goal!" The evil pony said jeering. Aevum watched as Cael, Flain and Madia argued with each other. Madia was trying to convince them that there was another way to take care of him without killing him, but Cael wouldn't hear of it, and Flain only back Cael up.

Aevum looked at the pony with the keys. He was smiling maliciously as the ponies argued.

Finally Aevum was fed up. "Enough!" He yelled. The three friends immediately stopped arguing and looked at Aevum confused. The smile on the black ponies face faded.

"Cael, Flain, both of you are not behaving properly with this situation. If you kill these ponies you are no better than Discortunal and his army. This villain is manipulating you, he wants us to split apart!" Aevum told them.

Cael and Flain looked stunned at Aevum's sudden outburst and explanation. They exchanged nervous glances as they both realized Aevum was right. "Madia, you too. You're supposed to be the strategist! That means you consider everything and use evidence to figure things out. Don't let emotion distract you from that." He said to Madia.

Madia looked towards the ground, since she clearly figured as much. "You're a clever one aren't you?" The black pony suddenly said. They all turned to face him.

"You seem to know how to keep things in order. Your logic and reasoning are quite keen." The strange pony seemed to be complimenting Aevum. "I'll reward you with a hint. Whenever you, or one of your comrades comes in contact with somepony with power over death, than they will view killing, or murder, as the only solution to a problem." He told Aevum.

"That's why your friends are bent on killing me. Makes sense doesn't it? That's all you're getting. I hope you don't plan on getting in that jail cell though." The black pony said smiling again. "It's going to be awfully difficult without the keys." With that, the keys suddenly melted and fell to the ground.

"So basically, it immediately makes us want to kill the target with no mercy." Flain said putting the explanation simply. "Isn't that a little dangerous for yourself?" The black pony just shrugged. "It doesn't truly matter to me. I've learned not to care by this point." He pointed out.

"Also, do you think melting the keys will stop us from getting in? We have other ways." Cael said to him. "Not when it's protected by a magic-proof barrier." The dark pony responded smiling. Cael swore under her breath.

"Come on then, how are you going to get to it?" He taunted. Aevum looked around trying to think of a way to get in without magic.

Aevum, we need you to direct us. Madia spoke in his head again. You know our strengths and weaknesses better than most of us and can judge time well, so you should be able to figure out what we should do! Madia encouraged him.

Are you sure? I don't want to look like I'm trying to act superior. Aevum responded within his mind. He never liked to lead because it made him feel higher than he should be. It had made for some awkward and embarrassing situations in the past and he didn't want to do that now.

Aevum, you are among friends now. You are more capable of leading than any of us! You discovered the prophecy first, you saved the princesses from Discortunal, you figured out all the runes and now you dominate through the trials! Don't tell me you aren't fit to lead! Madia convinced Aevum.

Aevum sighed. She was right about that. Maybe it was time he stopped being paranoid of reactions and just do it.

"Madia, see if you can find a way to break through the bars. The gate is the weakest spot, so keep it focused on that." Aevum suddenly said aloud. Madia nodded and smiled, acknowledging his directions.

"Cael, keep the enemy busy and be ready for other things to do from us." Aevum then spoke to Cael. "Got it." She replied, appearing between the black pony and the rest of the group.

"Flain, anything Madia asks you to do, play along. If she figures out a way through she'll need some of our help to work with it." Aevum finally turned to Flain. "Sounds right." Flain responded.

"I'll make sure the other ponies stay down in the meantime." Aevum said to all of them.

"I was starting to think I was the only strategist in the group!" Madia said playfully. Aevum smiled, then turned and ran past Cael, who was now confronting her opponent and ran to the upper level.

Once Aevum reached the top of the stairs, he nearly crashed into the mare that Flain had killed earlier. "Hello love." She said smirking.

Aevum reacted instantly. He whirled around and kicked her right in the nose with his back legs, sending her stumbling back. Aevum felt the effects of the death element quickly. He wanted to kill his opponent and reasons to do so kept flooding into his head.

Trying his best to brush it aside he kept his focus on his enemy. The black mare had an offended look on her face. "Come now, you wouldn't hurt me. All I want is some friendship here, it gets so boring being with the same ponies for ten years in a row." She said trying to talk to Aevum.

Aevum resisted the urge to charge, and watched as the second pony walked in. "Don't make me laugh, you're always after more than friendship." The younger colt had come back too. Great, now I'm faced with two enemies, and one of them is a temptress... Aevum thought to himself.

"Do you have a problem with who I am Dren? That's not something that can be changed!" She said winking. "Shut up, we need to help Galt." The younger pony, apparently named Dren responded. The mare got that hurt expression on her face again.

"Shut up? I really don't appreciate ponies as rude as you. After all that's not how you talk to a lady at all!" She said sounding sarcastic, but still somewhat annoyed.

Aevum on the other hoof, had had enough. He sped up time for himself and hit them both as hard as he could. There was a slight delay because he was moving so fast, but once they react they both were caught completely off guard and fell back out the door of the main room.

"Ow!" The mare cried. "This is ridiculous, we're hunters not fighters..." Dren said sounding like he was more than just a little ticked off. "If that's the case why not leave already?" Aevum said.

The mare laughed. "If only it were that easy dear!" She said. "We are bound by oath to stay here, we cannot run away." Dren explained.

Aevum's opinion of the three hunters immediately changed. This whole time, they were practically held here against their will hunting the dead, who could only hide and not fight back.

"You mean, you have no choice with this?" Aevum asked. "Pfft, please. If we had a choice do you think we would live in a place like this hunting dead ponies for somepony like Discortunal?" The mare answered.

"So, you don't like to do this job you have." Aevum said. "It was fun for the first year but now it's only spirits here. We don't want to kill ponies who are already dead." Dren sighed.

"So, why don't you just break your oath?" Aevum suggested. "It's not like he can do anything to you by this point anyways." He pointed out. The mare burst out laughing. "Ha! Break the oath? You speak like it's a feasible thing! You don't know the half of it dearest!" She cackled.

"This is a magical oath, one which cannot be broken except by the oath starter, in this case Discortunal." Dren pointed out. "We would love to be anywhere else but here in front of you, but we don't have a choice really."

Aevum thought for a moment. "What happens if you try to break it?" Aevum asked. "We're stripped of our powers and we would die immediately. Not that it matters much really considering the state of this dead world." Dren told Aevum.

"If you don't care for this world and don't like your position, why not just defy Discortunal by breaking the oath? If you hate him so much, what better way to defy him than to show he can't control you with fear?" Aevum offered.

He wasn't sure if his urge to kill them was what made him suggest it, or just plain logic. Either way it seemed to make them pause a moment. They looked at each other, the mischievous mare, actually looking less crazy and more curious, or interested.

"You know, I think the lad may have a point." She said to Dren. Dren smiled slightly and nodded. "I would love to see Discortunal's face when he finds out the old keepers will be haunting him for years to come." He said.

"Alright then, but why should we listen to you?" The mare said turning to Aevum. "My name is Aevum, I am from another world and me and my friends are the keepers of that world." Aevum began to explain.

The mare's eyes widened, and so did Dren's, just not as much. "Discortunal has invaded our world, and we are going to defeat him. If you try to stop us here it will only delay Discortunal's defeat. Not to mention if you defy him it will hurt him more." Aevum explained to them.

The mare smiled, but this time it was more of a warm smile than a grin. "Ha! Well I'll be, the keepers curse lives on in a completely different way!" She said. Dren nodded. "I think that sounds like a good enough reason to me." He said.

"You hear that Discortunal? If you want to get rid of this 'curse' you can do it yourself! We refuse to do it for you!" The mare yelled at the sky happily.

That apparently did the trick. Aevum's urge to kill suddenly vanished and the mare slowly started to turn to stone. "Hah, I guess it worked." She said smiling.

She lifted her hoof up to the sky and looked up, before the stone completely covered her, and she was gone. "Slightly more peaceful than I was expecting..." Dren said sounding satisfied as the stone crept up towards his head.

"Dren, what was her name?" Aevum asked before the hunter was completely stone. "Her name was Salla. Why?" He responded. "Just for future reference." Aevum responded half sarcastically.

Dren smiled and looked at Aevum, a look of gratitude in his face. "Thank you Aevum. Teach Discortunal a lesson in humility for me." He said. With that, he sighed and wore a face filled with defiance before it turned grey.

Aevum didn't have the heart to tell him this was just a trial and wasn't real. It would have only caused complications. Of course, now that he knew how Discortunal's own subject felt about him, perhaps he could use that to his advantage in the future.

Aevum silently promised that he would put Dren and Salla's true burdens to rest once Discortunal was defeated.

He smiled, and turned back towards the jail. At that very moment though there was a crash. Aevum, get down here we need your help! Madia suddenly said in his mind. "On my way." Aevum said outloud trying not to worry too much.

When he got down, he saw that Galt was still standing, but he looked a little confused, almost disappointed. He turned around when Aevum entered. "I don't understand. Has our existence been for none then?" Galt said staring at Aevum seeking an answer.

"If this isn't real, what have we been doing the last ten years of our lives?" Galt asked. We had to tell him about the trial. He wanted to know why we wanted the crystal. Madia explained. "Look at it this way, you've been helping with the defeat of Discortunal all this time. Hunting the old keepers and protecting the crystal. It's all meant to train us. Without you, we likely wouldn't be able to defeat him." Madia tried to tell the confused pony.

"Yes, but why? I don't know what's real anymore, and I don't know what to believe." He responded turning to Madia.

Aevum stepped in now. "Think hard Galt. When did all this start? Can you remember when you arrived here?" He questioned Galt. He paused for a moment at this. "No... I don't recall it actually happening. All I know is I came to this place ten years ago... like it's a simple fact." He answered.

"Then how do you know whether or not you have actually been here ten years? How far back can you remember clearly?" Aevum said next. "I... I can only remember what has happened in the last hour... nothing farther."

Using his inner clock Aevum immediately realized that it was only one hour ago that the trial began. "The reason you can only remember that far back, is because that's when the trial began." Aevum explained.

Galt's eyes widened. "That... makes sense... so really, I've only been here an hour." He said. Madia smiled with relief. "Yes, exactly." Aevum responded. "Hm, interesting... well I guess that leaves me no reason to fight you." He said beginning to smile.

"If my existence and defeat contributes to Discortunal's death, I'll gladly surrender my life to the cause." He said. "I refuse to hunt the spirits of this town's inhabitants." He said. The oath acted immediately and his back legs turned to stone.

He smiled and looked at Aevum. "Make sure the real me finds out about this. Make sure he knows when Discortunal is dead." He said before the stone overtook him.

There was a silent moment when everyone just stared thinking, then they all seemed to let out a sigh at the same time. "Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that to be how they were defeated." Cael said, sounding a little mystified.

"No kidding. I was afraid we would never get to execute our plan." Flain said. "Plan?" Aevum said to Flain, beckoning him to elaborate. "Madia and I figured out a way into the jail cell, but we need your help." He added.

"Yes, we need you to start time flowing again around here. If you do that then rocks and everything will come crashing down. We believe this will break the jail cell." Madia explained.

Aevum nodded. "If we're going to do that then we better get out of here. Come on." Aevum said gesturing to the stairs behind him. They all nodded and ran out of the jail.

This is going to take quite a bit of energy... starting time like this will be difficult when it was caused by someone else in the first place. Aevum realized. He just shrugged it off though. It shouldn't be too straining.

He stood in front of the jail, looking around at the fallen town. He knew it could be dangerous to start time again considering the falling buildings, but it was likely the most effective way to do it. Not only did he get to practice, but it lay the frozen place to rest.

Aevum smiled as his energy began to build up. Focusing his magic on the world around him, he closed his eyes and started time again. Rocks and boulders slowly began to resume their fall as they lurched from their long sleep.

"Watch it!" Cael said. Aevum opened his eyes just in time to see the green flash as he was teleported a short distance to the side. Aevum watched as a cement boulder crashed where he had been standing a moment ago.

"I know you need to focus to use your magic, but maybe you could be a little more careful next time?" Cael said jokingly. Aevum just smiled as his energy drained away. He looked to the jail and saw the entire thing practically implode as all the walls came crashing down.

He could faintly see a red light shining through the rubble, which he guessed came from the crystal.

The four keepers watched as the whole city was leveled within only a minute. When everything stopped, Aevum let out a sigh and looked at the ruined town around them. The wind was blowing again, and everything seemed to be a little more alive, even with all the chaos of fallen buildings.

"Right, let's go and finish this trial." Aevum said. "Keepers." A voice said behind Aevum. He quickly recognized it, and turned around to face Aevumentrial. "You defeated the hunters, and I must say, if we could we wouldn't have hesitated to kill them." He said sounding impressed.

"The fact you talked to them and had them choose their fate, is something I couldn't have possibly foreseen." Aevumentrial went on. "It's nothing much really. Just mercy and compassion." Madia pointed out.

Aevumentrial smiled. "Yes, something this world seemed to severely lack." He said looking to the sky. "Either way, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this, whether it's real or not." Caelylia said walking out of a pile of rubble to join her companion. Madianulai and Flainetrav came out too.

"I'm glad you were older than I was Madia. It's not something I enjoy, being a child for all my life and there after." Madianulai said to Madia. Madia just smiled. "I'm not worried about age so long as Aevum has control over time." She explained.

"Age is a difficult thing to control, but because of how you are learning while we did not, I think altering someone's age is a very possible reality with your powers, Aevum." Flainetrav added.

"Go on. You have a trial to complete, and a world to save keepers. I wish you great luck." Aevum said. "We all do, may you stand far better a chance against Discortunal than we ever did." Caelylia said. With that the four ghosts images faded away.

"Let the next generation of keepers carry on far greater lives than the first." The four old keepers voices said in unison.

Madia let out a sigh. "I feel so terrible, knowing now what they went through." She said. "Let's keep their wishes alive and give Discortunal a surprise then." Cael said smiling determined.

Aevum turned and approached the rubble of the jail. Rocks and bricks lifted up from the site as he came closer. Aevum saw Flain's horn glowing, as he lifted the rocks using the law of gravity. Aevum nodded at him in thanks and looked into the smashed and bent up bars of the jail cell, and the crystal lying in wait within.

Aevum walked up to it and place his hoof on it. "Keeper of Time, what have you discovered about yourself?" A male voice said.

Aevum knew exactly what to say. "I discovered, that I shouldn't let my own doubts who I am. I shouldn't let fears of other opinions and reactions change my personality or what I do." Aevum looked at Madia, who was smiling happily.

"I also discovered that I am not limited to one thing. Just because my signature is time, doesn't mean I can't contribute to strategy and leadership." He finished.

The crystal glowed brightly and the wind blasted into Aevum. He barely even flinched though, as the grey ruins grew darker and spun and twisted until everything was black.

The four keepers stood there side by side in the pitch darkness, waiting for something to happen.

Finally, Nocturne came into view. He was grinning proudly, and almost looked overjoyed. "Well done keepers!" He said.

The area suddenly went from black, to grey. Alaria formed from the air and stood beside her husband. "Aevum, Madia, Cael and Flain. You have completed the Keepers trials, and have earned your right to your elements full power, and to become Equestria's Keepers of the Elements!" She said excitedly.