I mumble in my sleep when I feel something soft nudge my side. So, logically, I roll away from it in an attempt to continue sleeping. After a few peaceful moments of rest I feel the soft annoyance return to my back, gently rubbing just below my wings. I give a few more mumbled protest before I finally wake up enough to roll back over and see the intruder.

"M-mon?" I groan with a yawn as she smiles down at me. "What's up?"

"Hmm, I've got a surprise for you," she whispers to me with a smile. The aspect of getting something is enticing, but sleep sounds just as good. "We're going to Canterlot for the day."

"Canterlot?" I ask, still not fully awake. "Why?"

"I have some work I need to get an early start on, and your father has to be there for work as well. So we're all going there for the day."

"Mmm... cool." I mutter as I turn around. That's cool I guess, spending the day with Mom and Dad at Canterlot.

...

...

...

"Wait... WHAT!?" I throw the sheets off and jump up, making Mom laugh at me a bit. "Are you serious!? We're going to Canterlot to meet with Dad!? We're leaving Ponyville!" Mom laughs at me as she reaches over to give me a peck on the cheek. I don't even care right now, this has to be the best day EVER!

"Brush you teeth, take a shower, and comb your mane. We're leaving after breakfast. Oh, and one last thing," she says as she leans in never to my ear. "No vest."

"*gasp* really!?"

"Really really. Now hurry up and get ready." You don't have to tell me twice! I jump (fall with grace) out of bed and rush through getting ready. I brush my teeth while showering, use magic to dry and brush quickly; only giving my mane a few swipes to get it as presentable as needed. Done, I run out my bedroom, glide down the stairs and meet Mom in the kitchen. "Well, that was quick."

"Is Dad really going to be there? What does do you both need to do in Canterlot? Why don't I have to wear my vest? How come-"

"Easy there," she cuts me off before setting a bowl of oatmeal in front of me. "Your father and I have meetings to attend to. But, our meetings are at the same time. So at first you're going to be with your aunt. Then with me so your father can rest; he was working late last night. And the rest of the day will be just you and him. Sound good?" I think about it for a second before nodding, getting her to smile. She takes a seat at the table and begins to eat her own breakfast, when a question comes to mind.

"Where are you going to be later today?"

"I have work, remember? I'm the consultant in the Equestrian courts."

"Oh yeah." I mumble as I look down to my oatmeal, poking it with a spoon. "Why was Dad out late last night?"

"He was on another mission outside Equestria. It took all night to get things settled." She tells me before scooping a spoonful of oatmeal into her mouth. I lift up a spoonful as well, but pause when something else comes to mind.

"Is Shadow coming to see Dad?"

"No, she has school."

"But, it's Dad. I'm sure she'd want to see Dad rather than go to school. Besides, she's smart enough to miss one day." I try to argue, knowing she'd want to see Dad as well.

"If she could miss a day of school she would, but they're very strict about the number of days you can miss. Now save your questions for after breakfast." I frown a bit at that but drop it. I guess that's one of the perks of being home schooled. We eat breakfast in relative silence. Shadow passes through when we finish, but it was a simple hi/bye moment. Mom told her what's happening, but Shadow doesn't press it that much. I guess she just doesn't want to go.

Once we finish eating Mom brings me to her room and heads to the mico platform inside her closet... not that I know about that. I fake being intrigued enough to avoid questions. A quick flash and we're in the random furbished cave that I like to take naps in. The bed here is amazing. Plus, nobody bothers me and it's quieter that Ponyville. I've been here plenty of times before, but I never knew it was in Canterlot before. Maybe next time I'll actually leave the cave. When we step out into the cold wind we're met with an amazing view of Canterlot below. Pegasus fly over head as the ponies below move like tiny colorful ants.

"Wow."

"Stay close to me Tempestive, and mind your manners. The ponies here aren't like those in Ponyville. Call stallions by sir, and mares by ma'am." Mom lectures me as we begin to walk down the mountainside, following a light, thin trail.

"Even auntie Celly?"

"Mmm... no, not family. Just anypony else. No gliding down stairs, no belching contest with your father-"

"That was one time!"

"Either way, it would be frowned upon by the ponies below. If somepony tells you to do something, don't. You only listen to family. The only exception are the Royal Guards. But they shouldn't talk to you unless it's an emergency. If a staff member asks you if you want anything... try to be reserved about it please."

"Okay Mom." I groan, lowering my head a bit. I hate being lectured to. It's demeaning. It's not like I'm going to start demanding mountains of... I don't even know what to hypothetically demand! Food? Toys? ... I'm six, I guess my list isn't very long. Mom stops and looks back to me, making me shrug back to her.

"Hey... walking is going to take too long. Why don't we fly down there?" She asks with a small smile as she turns to me and opens her wings. I perk up at this and look down the mountainside. The wind is strong and the updraft something fierce... but I think I could do it.

"Can we?" I ask, hoping she doesn't suddenly doesn't change her mind.

"As long as you think you can do it, sure." I nod enthusiastically to her, fluttering my wings in excitement. She smiles to me before launching straight into the air, making me nearly fall back from the whiplash of air. I look up and watch her roll over and and zipping back, turning in tightly to curve around the mountain. I always forget how good of a flier she is. I look to my own wings before taking a running start. With a few flaps I take off into the air and begin to gain air as well. Not as flashy as Mom, but I'm still a relative new flier.

I get off to a rough start, but after some minor adjustments and quick panicking I regain control and fly out over the city. Mom glides down to my side and smiles to me. I smile back and begin to accelerate, pulling ahead slightly. She quickly pulls ahead of me, smirking at me. I smirk back and push myself to get ahead of her, knowing I'm just at my limit. Instead of pulling ahead of me, she twists and rolls over head, taking her place on my left now.

"We'll have to finish our little race another time. Take my hoof," she says, reaching out to me with a knowing smirk. I smile back and take her hoof tightly.She pulls me into her chest before rolling to the right and diving straight down. I let out a cheer of approval as we drop through the air at high speed. The only sound I can hear is the wind whipping past me ears as I cheer Mom on to go faster.

The castle quickly comes into view as we race towards the open grounds below. The large, pristine walls shine brightly in the morning sunlight as guards in golden armor march about here and there. Just behind the large towers a large blimp begins to rise into the air, casting a large shadow over the castle and city below. I stare out in awe of the city and castle. I never seen anything like it before. It's all so pristine and ornate, nothing like Ponyville.

My head snaps down when Mom suddenly pulls up, heading straight for the castle. I notice two pegasus guards move in and flank Mom. Are we in trouble? Maybe we aren't suppose to just fly in on the castle. I'm sure the owner will understand... maybe? Mom is a consultant, so maybe that comes with some perks. I hope so at least.

Mom glides around one of the tall towers to reduce her speed before continuing her decent, the guards following closely. I was about to ask Mom about it when she dropped suddenly, twisting slightly to make her way through two large doors. When we make it inside she comes to a hover before dropping to the marble floor. She lets out an loud sigh as she gives me one last hug before setting me down. I give a quick stretch before I turn and look up to her, smiling along with her. It was fun while it lasted, we should do it again.

"Ma'am!" One of the guards salutes as he lands behind Mom. "With all do respect, do you really belie- be.... um..." Before he finished Mom stood up and moved aside. Now, with me in view, he stares down at me while trying to continue what he was saying before. So Dad was right, ponies do find it odd to have wings and a horn. I guess the vest makes sense now... though I still hate it.

"Do I really what, sir?" Mom asks. It sounds polite, but I've heard her use that voice with Dad before. Usually it meant that you where in trouble, but not outwardly. I've asked Dad about it once, he just said that it's a mare thing that I'll blunder into later.

"Ma'am! I uh... I believe your sister is in a meeting at the moment!" He says quickly, snapping to a salute. Huh, so consultants are to be saluted to, interesting. Mom nods to him before turning to me, motioning to follow. I trot after her, giving one last back at the staring guard.

The castle interior is even more stunning than the exterior! Marble covers every inch of the floors, walls and ceiling as amazing paintings, tapestries and framed documents cover most of the walls. Any furniture that we do pass by is made of the nicest woods, carved to perfection, and don't look as if they're ever used. Every other window is stained with various moments in Equestrian history. Most of the ones here depict life back during the three tribes. We pass a few guards again, meeting similar reactions. They snap to a salute to Mom and then stare at me in disbelief.

"Why do they all keep staring at me?" I whisper to Mom when we're out of ear shot of those guards.

"Well... you're the second alicorn foal to roam these halls Tempestive. It's... not a common sight."

"Oh... were you the first?"

"Oh no, this castle was built well after my foalhood." She tells me as we round a corner and come to a stop before a set of doors. Two guards stand by the doors and eye me a bit, keeping their faces on the wall opposite of them. "Now, Tempestive, we're going to walk into the middle of a meeting. Don't speak unless I tell you to. The ponies in here are... old-"

"Like, old like you or old like Granny Smith?" I ask, getting one of the guards to snicker. Mom smirks down at me, shaking her head slightly.

"Like Granny Smith. Now, stand straight and keep close. Stoic." She nods to the guard, who goes a little wide eyed before opening the doors for us. I straighten out a bit before I follow after her.

The room inside smells of old ponies and paper. A long wooden table fills the center as ponies fill the two sides. At the far end I see Aunt Celly sitting at the head, reading over something. When the doors shut behind us, every eye turns on us. I slump slightly from all of the attention. Every critical eye, raised eyebrow and gasp of surprise seems to directed at me. I look back to Celestia and her still looking down at the paper work before her, mumbling what she's reading quietly. Without a word Mom starts to walk off, so I scurry after her. Everypony keeps their gaze on me as we take the long journey down the conference room, a few chairs squeaking as those on the other side try to keep their gaze on me.

"Sister." Mom says quietly when we reach her. She nods and looks up, smiling to her. "A word?"

"Of course, let me finish up here and I'll-"

"I think Tempestive will break into a nervous sweat if he stays in here any long." Mom points- hey! I'm doing pretty good for having every old fart in the room staring at me! Celestia tilts her head slightly before looking down at me. I manage a weak smile and wave-

"TEMPESTIVE!" She practically yells as she lifts me up with her magic and brings me in to squeeze me in a hug. I feel the air forced out of my lungs as she continues her death grip around my mid section. I start to tap out as everything begins to go blurry. Goodbye world, I hardly knew you...

I love my aunt... but she needs to stop these death hugs of hers. Just as everything was about to go dark, the pressure stops as she lifts me up to get a better look at me. "Look how big you've gotten!"

"Auntie Celly!" I yell as I look over to see everypony staring at me.

"And what a wingspan! You get that from your grand father easily-"

"Auntie Celly!" Eyes! Eyes everywhere! Why!? WHY!?

"Six years old and you're almost-"

"Sister." Mom states, getting her to pause to look over to her. "Why don't you set him down so we can talk real quick? I'm sure everypony in here would rather-"

"I have no qualms. Please proceed." Some old fart in the back says out loud, getting the rest of the old farts to agree and snicker because they're all old farts. I don't even care if the blonde one is younger, they're all old farts. All of them.

"You heard them." Celestia says before bringing me back in for another death hug. I gasp as begins to rock me back and forth, still adding pressure to her inescapable grip. I grunt and pant as I try to escape, but only receive freedom when she finally sets me down, giving me a kiss on the cheek as well. Mares. "*sigh* Well then! I have sated my Tempestive smothering, for now. What can I help you with?"

"Can we step aside real quick?" Mom asks while motioning to the corner of the room. Celly nods and follows her over. I started to head over, but was quickly levitated to Aunt Celly's chair. "Stay put for one second please honey."

"Yeah... sure." I say before folding my legs. Always with the secrets. Where's Dad? I miss his bluntness. I glance over to see every eye is back on me. I don't get it, why are they staring!? I'm just a colt from Ponyville! Is that really that odd? I get tired of the stares before finally asking, "what?"

"What's your name son?" The closest stallion asks, getting the others to lean in.

"Tempestive Mortem, why?" I ask, getting a few of them to write something down. Why... why are they writing my name down?

"Curious. What school do you go to?" He asks, getting all of them to stop writing and lean back in. Apparently anything I have to say is of tremendous intrigue to them... hmm...

"Well... I go to- *cough cough fake cough* oh! Sorry, it's hard to speak when you're thirsty, ya know?"

"Get him a glass of water!" The stallions snaps at one of the ponies in the back, making them panic before running out of the room. "Or would you prefer some juice? A soda pop maybe?"

"Um... water-"

"Where's that water!" he demands with a pound of his hoof to the table, looking back to the front doors. I sit back with a smug smile as I wait for my water. I have no idea why they're so interested in me, but I guess I'll run them through a loop before anything further. Not even twenty seconds later the stallion comes back with a glass of water with ice. I thank him for it, getting him to grovel as he backs away, and take a sip.

"Ah! Thanks for that, it really hit the spot." I tell them before taking another sip.

"Of course your maj-ma-er... laddy! Of course laddy! So, your school-"

"I don't go to school." I tell him, getting him to tilt his head slightly. "Well, not public school that is. I'm home schooled."

"Oh! And whose your teacher? Or do you have multiple teachers?" he asks as the others begin to scribble away at their notes.

"My Dad does math, magic, flight, science, the arts, as well as various other vocational things. That mostly means going out and trying various things to try and trigger my cutie mark-"

"What do you think your cutie mark will be?" he asks suddenly. They all pause again and lean in, watching me closely. I set my glass down and think about it for a moment. Rampant and Jet are always trying to help me get my mark, and Dad does too. But... I never really thought about what I would want it to be. Truth be told, I don't really care. It's just something that tells everybody what I'm good at, and where's the fun in that? I like it when ponies walk up to me and ask me questions to know who I am. Getting my mark... sounds like it's going to take that away from me. Then again, that could just be Dad talking in my head. He doesn't care for marks either.

"Tempestive," Mom says, getting my attention. "I have to run some errands for a bit. So while I'm out I'm leaving you with your aunt, okay?"

"As long as the near death hugs end, I'm okay with that." I say, eyeing Celly slightly.

"Then that settles it!" Auntie Celly cheers. "You'll stay with me until two, then your father should be up."

"Okay then, behave you two." Mom says before leaning down and nuzzling me. I nuzzle back a bit before she turns and leaves the room. Once she leaves, every eye turns to me and Celestia.

"So, I will have to read this proposal later today. I hope you don't mind." Aunt Celly says as she rolls the papers on the desk up.

"Of course not your high... your maj... um..."

"Thank you, you are all dismissed." Celestia says. They all bow to her, to which she bows back. Oh, okay! I thought it was weird that everypony was bowing to us, but if Auntie Celly does it, it must be the norm. I'm not bowing though. Like Dad says, 'bowing means submission. Submission means lack of freedoms.' Whatever that means. "So, Tempestive, what do you want to do while we wait?"

"Um... I dunno. I've never been here before. What is there to do here?" I ask, getting her to think about it.

"Hmm... how about I give you a quick tour around, show you what's what?" She asks with a warm smile. It sounds a little boring... but I nod along with the idea. It'll at least give me an idea of what there is to do around here. "Great! Hope on and we'll begin right now!" She lowers herself enough for me to hop onto her back. I jump on and hold onto her neck as she starts to trot away, adding some extra bounce to her step.

"Onward to... er-"

"THE LIBRARY!" Celestia cheers.

"THE LIBR- wait really?"

.......................................................................................................................................................

I open the door to my room slowly and peer inside, seeing the figure asleep in my bed. Six hours of sleep should be enough rest for the rest of the day. It's not like anything big is going to happen. I step in and shut the door quietly before silently stepping towards the edge of the bed. Like the guards told me ahead of time, he's still in his human form. I take a seat and begin to slowly nuzzle his cheek, getting him to mumble a bit. I love watching them slowly wake, they make the cutest faces. After a few more mumbles he lets out a slow groan before his eyes slightly open.

"Mmm... Luna? What's up?" he asks quietly, still teetering between alertness and sleep.

"Nothing, I just wanted to wake my hero." I whisper quietly back to him. He rolls to face me, keeping his head on the pillow.

"Heard about that huh?"

"Mhmm. Word is spreading pretty quickly about it. I'm proud of you." He nods to me, slowly falling back to sleep. I bite my lip as I begin to weave to the reason I'm here. "And it's not just me that's proud of you. Celestia, Cadence, Dusty Dunes -the noble from Saddle Arabia- all of Equestria is proud of you."

"Hmm." He's barely listening. Time to up the ante.

"The goblins want to know who this King is... as do all of the others... Miles?"

"Hmm?"

"I think it's time the King made an appearance." This wakes him up. His eyes shoot open and he tenses up a bit. "Miles-"

"Fuck no." He groans as he sits up, rubbing the sleep from him eyes.

"Miles-"

"Celestia put you up to this didn't she? Or was it Blueblood? It was probably him, the bastard."

"Miles, it's my idea." He stops and looks at me in bewilderment, trying to say something that won't come out. I crawl onto bed and lay on his lap, resting my head against his bare chest. "Miles, it's time Equestria learned of its new ruler. You can't shirk these responsibilities forever."

"I think celebrating an operation the day after its completed is a bad idea all together. It's unprofessional and boastful. Not to mention it would be taking credit away from those who deserve it." He wraps his arms around my neck lightly, leaning against me slightly in a warm embrace. I sigh into him, enjoying the contact for a moment.

"I agree with you, I really do. But you name dropped, kind of. King, what were you thinking Miles?"

"I was thinking that he wouldn't who the fuck I was talking about and chase after a ghost. Who leaked?" I shake my head, not knowing. "Well... fuck."

"Yup." He starts running his hand through my mane, sighing in irritation. I nuzzle him a bit, waiting for him to come around. There isn't really anything that be done now besides hiding. And I won't let him do that."What do I have to do?"

"It's not much, I promise!" I tell him quickly, sitting up to look at him. "There are a few functions that are coming up that I have to attend, just come as my plus one!"

"You're enjoying this way too much," he deadpans, making me chuckle.

"Are you kidding!? I get to go to all these fancy balls and gatherings and have a meat shield! I'm the happiest mare around!" I laugh as he buries his face into my mane, letting out a long groan. "Oh don't be such a baby Miles. I'm being nice and easing you into this."

"It's not that Luna. It's the fact that I have to go and be something that I don't necessarily agree with. Being king... it just feels wrong."

"Hey, you signed the deal-"

"I couldn't even read that deal when it was presented to me-"

"You married me-"

"Technically you became Terradisian-"

"And, no matter what you say, no matter how much you fight it, I know Equestria holds a place in your heart." He goes quiet at that, looking away in thought. "This is your home Miles, just as much as Terradisia was-"

"Is."

"And I know you care enough to suffer a few nobles in a fancy suit. It's not much. A social gathering of nobles tomorrow... the Grand Galloping Gala the week after, not much-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Now, some gathering of nobles, I can handle that. But... the Grand Galloping Gala? That's... a bit much. Even if I was willing to go."

"I know it's asking a lot, but it would relieve some of the political tension from me if you did. All the nobles ask about you, how you could rule without being present. If you came, even just to a few high key events, it could make my job a lot easier. Please Miles." I start hugging him, batting my eye lashes at him with the sweetest smile I can muster. Shadow taught me this one. Miles can't say no to a pretty smile.

"Luna-"

"Please?"

"I don't know-"

"Please?"

"What about-"

"Please!? For your loving wife?" He stares at me for a second, so I keep up my charade. I know he's going to say yes already. So much so that I already have his suite being made by Rarity. It's a real problem actually, his inability to say no to family. One day we'll address it, just not today.

"*sigh* fine," yup! That's my man, folding far too easily to some pretty eyes. "But if I'm going to G cubed, I'm bringing an entourage for protection."

"Oh... okay. Who did you have in mind?" He smirks down to me, making it click in my head. "Miles, no-"

"I need my own meat shields-"

"Miles! This is-"

"The only way to get me to go. Take it or leave it." Yup... that's my man alright. Always finding a way to make things more complicated than they actually need to be.

"So you want to take the Spartans... all of them?" I ask carefully, getting him to nod along. "You realize that could only en in disaster, right?"

"What could happen? I'd be there to keep a lid on them."

"What could happen? I don't know, let's put an orc, three apes, two griffons, a changeling, a zebra, a jade hound, and the strangest assortment of ponies in all of Equestria together in a room filled with the upper crust of Equestria. Most of which fret at the sight of a common earth pony. Yes Miles, what could happen?" He smirks at that, I don't like that smirk.

"It get even better, Damian's coming too."

...

...

...

"Okay fine, you don't have to go."

"Yes!

"Wait! No... UUUGH! FINE! Deal! He better not ruin this night for me though! Promise me you'll keep him under control!" I point a hoof at his chest, narrowing my eyes in anger. As if the rest of the group wasn't going to be hard enough, now I have to deal with... him. I swear, if he brings that stick of his...

"I promise to try. We both know there isn't much more I can do... unless you let them bring their significant others. CC can control him far more easily-"

"Deal... actually, that's a good idea. Their spouses will help me control them. You've got a deal Miles Eremita!" I say with a smile, holding my hoof out. He chuckles as he takes my hoof and shakes on it.

"It's a deal Luna Eremita."

When Celestia brought me to the library I was a little unimpressed. Yeah, it's huge and has a lot of fascinating books... but it's still just a library. That is, until she brought me to the the Startswirl the Bearded section. First off, it had guards at the doors. There must be some powerful tomes in there to have guards. Or, maybe they're just there because of the historical significance. I wonder if Auntie Celly knows the history of Starswirl like Mom and Dad do. Well... I'm sure she does.

"Now, I know it's really tempting to read these books, but you can't. Sorry, but they're really old books." Auntie tells me as we walk down one of the corridors of books and scrolls. I nod to her as I scan some of the titles. Mingling with Manticores. Ten Toxic Tonics for the Alchemicly Impaired.The Nether and You, exploring trans-dimensional shifting and blinking. Now this is literature!

"Can I at least read one of them? Please?" I beg, eyeing more and more fascinating books.

"Now Tempestive, you know we can't-"

"Just one book, please! You can't bring me into this well of knowledge and not let me even glance at one page, please, please, pleeeeeeeease!" I bounce a little at the end of that. Just one book and my curiosity will be sated... for now. I'll have to come back here another day.

"Well..." She bites her lip as she thinks about it. I pout a bit and give her my best puppy dog eyes, seeing her fold a bit. "Okay, but one book only and with my supervision-"

"YES!" I hug her leg real quick before running into the depth of the library. I don't even know where to begin! A new spell? Some sort of brew? Maybe some notes on magic itself, I don't know!

I lose track of time as Celestia and I roam the halls of the library. I can't make my mind up on what book to read! There are so many choices, and they all seem too much to pass up on. Every time I come up to a book that might be the one, another one is in view, just as tantalizing as the last. Maybe if I try now I can convince Celestia to let me read two books... but then I'd have to pick two books! That's twice as complicated!

I don't really know how I noticed it. It was hidden between a stack of dusty books and aging scrolls. It was a small journal, half as wide as a normal book and a third shorter. It was bound in leather and didn't look to be anything special. Something about it stuck out though. Like... I don't know, but I want to read it. I need to read it. I pull it out and look it over. It doesn't have a title. It doesn't have any form of identification other than the leather wrapping the pages inside. It's not special in any other way, yet I'm hooked.

"What's that?" Celestia asks, leaning down to get a better look.

"I don't know. It just... stood out." I mumble as I run a hoof over the smooth surface.

"Hmm... that looks like one of the journals from Starswirl's early days! How could something like that end up here?" I unfold the journal and take a look inside, seeing the aged in on the pages inside. It actually looks like a personal diary of some sort. Maybe field notes?

"Can we read it?" I ask Celestia.

"Hmm... are you sure? I don't know if this will actually have anything you can learn from it," she warns me. I look back to the journal and look at the date on the top of the page. October ninth, 1164.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Can we?" She nods and leads me to a nearby table where we take our seats. She takes the books and holds in front of me so we can both begin to read.

Fall harvest is around the corner, or so the Earths tell me. My studies will have kept me so preoccupied that I almost forgot what season it was. It's hard to tell when the days blend together, thanks to our benevolent ruler Discord. I still await for the day for the two heroes my elders spoke of to arrive. I've tried every argument and every trick to let my wield them, but to no avail. They say it's not my destiny to do so. Bah, destiny. The world is ours to shape, what power does destiny have over me?

Fall is coming, that means we're that much closer to winter. I hate the winter. You can't mount an expedition with snow being chest high. Food runs low, especially now due to God of Chaos. Who knows, maybe I'll succumb to the cold this year. Roam isn't the warmest of places, but it's home. Mother worries that there won't be a Roam in the years to come. That we'll 'revert to old ways' if we aren't careful. Whenever I ask her about those days, she simply tells me about my father. I think it's a trick. She knows I won't question further when he's mentioned. It hurts her too much to do so. She isn't well this year, I'll be sure to stay with her this winter to keep her warm. I know she'll like that.

Starswirl the Bearded, still beardless.

I love expeditions! Braving the unknown, searching for answers, it must be the single most exhilarating thing in life! I've heard rumors of an ancient settlement near the crystal mountains. Mother tried telling me there wasn't anything there, but that's why I'm here now. To search out the unknown and find fact from fiction! The mountains here were beautiful, a river flows in the south, the Everfree holds the west, what a site! Once we're finished here, I'll have to remember this place. It'll make for a great settlement.

It was almost all for not. Nearly two months of digging, and we nearly didn't find anything. As we were getting ready to pack up one of the diggers found something. It was a skull. To what kind of creature it belonged to, I have no clue. We dug out the rest of the remains and found several more remains. What ever this thing was, it walked on two legs, had arms, and died to a blade to the gut. Fascinating! We spent two more weeks searching around and found several more remains. Nothing to annotate a civilization here, in this location, but a new species all the more! Who were these beings? Where did they come from? Where did they go? So many questions! Just in time too! I needed the distraction.

Summer is coming. We'll know for sure by then. I don't know if I'm ready for something like this. Mother is happy, but I don't know if I'm ready to be a father.

Starswirl the Bearded, still beardless.

It's late, I'm writing this in a hurry. I can't believe what happened, it was... I don't even know where to start!

We found a... craft, of some sort. Made of metal with strange markings on it. Further inspection revealed that it was some sort of... ship, that the 'Mirum Esse' -or 'strange being' as I've come to call them- used to navigate. We know this due to the remains in the foremost seat. I'd have more to say, but our site has been shut down. Discord arrived on scene, calling the Mirum Esse demons and blaspheme against pony kind. He didn't kill anypony, but a few workers were made an example of. He toyed with them for hours on in. I don't think I'll ever get another group together again. Not after this.

These Mirum Esse, I have to find more about them. They struck a cord with Discord. He seemed... almost scared of them. Even a god can fear, that's strangely comforting. Luckily for me, he didn't search any of us. Otherwise he would have found the artifact I hide in my tail. It was just a small slate of metal, but it might be the single most important artifact in pony history. All I have to do is discover what the runes on it mean.

Starswirl the Bearded, getting fuzzy.

I can't even begin to fathom the kind of society that could create this... this... I don't even know what to call it. The runes on this metal, they speak in a language or raw energy! Not the primordial language of the Elementals, but of magic itself! It is the reality of... of reality itself! Whatever the text says within these rings, speak ultimate perfection. These Mirum Esse new magic like no other. So much so, that I've made an interesting discovery. The piece of metal had a function. When energy was fed into it, it relayed the energy. I don't know the significance of that, but what's interesting isn't what it does, but how.

I've only felt an energy like that from one being. One.

I'm onto you Discord. All I need is more time studying this artifact. But isn't that always the case? There's never enough time is there. For now that is.

Starswirl the Bearded.

Mother passed away today.

It's been awhile since I've written in this darn book. Personal notes that I've nearly forgotten about. Nowadays it's nothing but studying, creating, work. I wish I had more time to study what interested me. But with the three tribes waging war (of sorts) I've had to move my focus.

I miss mother. She always had a way with words that made things seem easier. I'm a grown stallion now though, a father at that, I can't afford to waste time on being sentimental. I have to provide. Spells earn money. Money pays for housing. Housing keeps the Windigos away. Money puts food on the table.

I miss mother.

Discord is gone, and I'm sad to say that I miss the bastard. He was the closest thing to the Mirum Esse's magic. When he was defeated (good riddance all the same) I had to quit that wild goose chase. There wasn't anything else I could do. If they'd let me use the Elements I could do so much. I'd have the world in my hooves. I'd take it all back! I need to be like the artifact that held my focus for so long. I need to strive for perfection. I need to be infallible. The Sun Tyrant seems to think other wise, but her Lady Nightmare supports me. I'll endeavor. I must.

Starswirl the Bearded.

Huh, the last page doesn't have a date on it.

Time flows like a river. If you try to dam it up, it simply goes around . There are laws to time. And they follow as such.

1. You cannot change your history. What you know will keep you from changing the reality of that knowledge.

2. You cannot stop time. Time is perfect. Time always flows. And thus, it cannot be stopped.

3. Tempus governs time. You do not deviate from his plan. The better outcome will come to bear.

4. You will never go into, or beyond the Purge. Only time without His presence can be tampered with.

5. Never blink. Time is held to your reality. Our dreams hold no reality. Never blink.

6. Tempus Governs Earths time. Tempestive safe guards. Celestia and Nightmare Moon dictate the flow.

Are you ready?

At the bottom of the page is a drawing. It looks.. familiar. Almost like a mico platform. Two rings with archaic text going between the two rings...

I can't explain it, but... it's calling to me. I can feel my horn lighting up as I engulf the drawing with my magic.

"Tempestive, what are you doing?" Celestia asks cautiously.

I can understand it, somehow. It... it's just coming to me. Like, things are just clicking together. Falling into place. It's like a river. You have to pick a place in it to visit. We're the water flowing down it. If you want to go to a past point, you have to move upstream. Time. All I have to do is-

FLASH

I blink a few times as I try to take in my surroundings. I'm... outside? I'm outside and in the air... wait-

"AAAAHH!" I scream as I start to fall. Where'd the castle go!? Did I teleport somewhere? What's going on!? I flap my wings as I try to correct myself, easing into a glide. With the fear of falling to my death gone, I take a look around. There's a mountain behind me, a forest in front of me, and not much else. No cities, no castle, just a river down the way. "Okay, okay. Calm down. I probably just... teleported?"

"But you were reading notes on time travel, were you not?" A deep voice asks from my right.

"Well, yeah. But time travel should require tremendous amounts of... of..." I lose my voice as I stare at the massive white alicorn next to me. He chuckles at me, cracking a large smile.

"Hello Tempestive. It's about time we met."

"You... you... you..."

"What? No hearty hello for your grandfather? I'm almost-"

"AAAAAAHHH!" I scream and dive away. I don't know what's going on right now, but I want get out of here!

FLASH

"Hold on there little guy!" DIVE DIVE DIVE DIVE!

FLASH

"Will you just wait one second!?" GOT TO GO, HAVE TO ESCAPE!

FLASH

"TEMPESTIVE!" I stop trying to escape when we suddenly appear on the ground, Tempus standing over me. "I need you to calm down. I'm not going to hurt you, promise."

"But... but... but..."

"I know, it's a lot to take in. Time travel can do that to a pony, especially one so young." He tells me with a warm smile. I take a few deep breathes as I try to calm down. If he really is my grandfather, than I really shouldn't have anything to fear. But, that does raise the question, WHERE AM I? "Hehe, go ahead and ask."

"Where am I?" I ask almost instantly.

"Canterlot of course. Now, get ready for this question, because you will encounter it often." I think about it, but can only come to one other question that actually matters.

"Are you actually my grandfather?" He face falls for a second, obviously not expecting that. I hear a feminine chuckle from the side, and see another alicorn step into view. She's all black with ethereal white energy for hair. Her cutie mark is of a constellation swirling in on itself. She looks down at me lovingly, her eyes tearing up slightly.

"Yes little one, he's your grandfather. And I'm your grandmother. Now come, we have much to discuss."

It's good to update, I like updating. Especially when it's these kind of chapters! In other news, I just recently found something on Itunes that I didn't know about before. If you're interested in buying Brony made music, look up The Dessolation of Archie. I recently found it and have been jamming to it ever since! Living Tombstone, Silva Hound, Archie as well as several others coming together making some pretty dam good music. (No, I wasn't paid to say any of this. I just feel that Bronies should promote other Bronies when they can).

Brony on!

P.S. My favorite song from the album is Violet Eyes.