It was early morning when Coltyn finished cleaning up the study Twilight let him use. With everything back in his cart he had one last thing to do before setting out. Teleporting over to Sweet Apple Acres he found Applejack just coming out of the house to start her work day.

“Hello, Applejack,” Coltyn greeted.

“Hey there, Coltyn. What brings you out this way?” Applejack asked.

“I was hoping to talk to Applebloom if she was awake.”

“I don’t know. She and her friends slept in their clubhouse last night. She told me that they were helping Big Macintosh with his chores. I guess they decided to sleep there together instead of heading home.”

“Thanks, Applejack,” Coltyn smiled, teleporting off to the Cutie Mark Crusaders’ clubhouse.

Coltyn appeared before the clubhouse and walked up to the door. He looked through the window to see the three fillies cuddled together, sound asleep. Coltyn knocked softly on the door. Applebloom opened the door, wiping the sleep from her eye.

“Oh, hey Coltyn what brings you out this way,” Applebloom yawned, waking Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

“I heard that three little fillies tried to match their teacher up with a work horse… using a potion,” Coltyn turned his head, looking at Applebloom.

Applebloom was snapped fully awake by his statement. “We didn’t mean for it to end up like it did. We just wanted Miss Cheerilee to have a special somepony on Hearts and Hooves Day,” Applebloom admitted, groveling at Coltyn’s hooves. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both looked away from Coltyn in shame.

“I’m not here to punish you. In fact I was rather proud to hear that my student and her friends made a high level potion, blunted as that pride was by the obvious failure to properly research the potion first. Still, it was an impressive bit of alchemy. Next time though make sure you read all the warnings that go along with it,” Coltyn praised, leaving the three fillies befuddled. “You were also willing to admit to your mistake and even try to fix them, which is why I’m not angry with any of you. You all will grow into fine young mares. But the real reason I came here was to tell you, Applebloom, that I will be leaving town for a while and that your potion training is going to have to wait until I can come back to Ponyville.” Raising a hoof to silence the filly as Applebloom opened her mouth to object, Coltyn explained, “This trip has nothing to do with your experiment… I already told you I’m not going to punish you. It’s a critical, and personal, matter that I need to resolve, and I must complete my research as soon as possible. Your training will continue when I return, and if your friends are interested, I will teach them as well.”

Coltyn left the three fillies sitting in their clubhouse nodding as their minds try to figure out what just happened. Coltyn teleported back into Ponyville and began to prepare his cart for the trip to Canterlot. Finishing the circle he lifted the cart into the center, letting his magic envelope the cart and him. In a bright flash he was gone.

***

Coltyn appeared before the towering gates to Canterlot on a beautifully warm spring day and proceeded to head for the archives. He made his way through the maze of streets leading to the castle. However, before he made it to the castle; he stopped - the air around him chill as his breath became visible.

“You!” an icy voice snarled.

“Greet…” Coltyn began, but was silenced by Thunder Snow hitting him.

“You have some nerve, leaving abruptly then showing back up,” Thunder Snow chastised. Coltyn lifted his head to look at her but was greeted by another hoof to the face. “I thought you might be different, but you’re like everypony else. Worthless!”

Coltyn turned away from her as a crowd began to gather. “I’m sorry.”

“So you think a simple apology will make it all better? It won’t!” Thunder Snow bellowed, the air growing colder.

“I deserve that. I understand your anger, but it was a matter of great urgency. I can’t explain yet, but I hope to have the answers you seek soon,” Coltyn explained, humbly.

“You will explain yourself now,” Thunder Snow commanded.

“This is not a conversation to have in public. Nor is it completely my decision, Princess Celestia must make the final call.”

“Then let’s go and pay her a visit.”

Coltyn lowered his head. “Lead the way.” Coltyn followed Thunder Snow - flanked by her two guards - to the castle gate.

***

Thunder Snow walked the familiar path to the Royal Audience Chamber. Coltyn followed, his head hanging as if he was being led to his execution. A small group of ponies were leaving as they approached. The elegant hoof-crafted double doors lead to a large and magnificently decorated room. Stain glass windows of recent events allowed the sun light in making the white tiled floor come alive. The room was divided by a long red carpet with golden silk trim that ran the entire length of the room. At the other end of the room atop a set of steps sat the princess of the sun who was tending to some business with a unicorn who levitated sheet after sheet up to the princess for her signature.

“Your Majesty! I would request an audience with you,” Thunder Snow called, stepping into the room.

“Of course, I can always…” Princess Celestia stopped, seeing Coltyn behind Thunder Snow, then finished, “…make time for my captains.” Celestia was a little shocked to see Coltyn but what puzzled her was the defeated look on his face.

“He claims to have information about me, but he will not talk. He said that you must authorize him to speak of it, and I would like to hear what he has to say,” Thunder Snow proposed.

Celestia looked at Coltyn as her mind filled with her own questions. “I will hear what he has to say in private. Any information I deem worthy to pass on will be done so.”

“I would rather hear it all now,” Thunder Snow requested harshly.

“You forget your place, Thunder Snow. I will tell you what you need to know when you need to know,” Celestia replied.

“But…”

“You’re dismissed,” Celestia ordered.

Thunder Snow turned and left, snorting in defeat. Coltyn raised his head to look at Celestia who glared at him.

“So what do you want?” Celestia asked.

“I wish to gain access to the Starswirl the Bearded wing,” Coltyn said plainly.

“And why should I let you into the room containing some of the most powerful spells known to pony kind?”

“For Thunder Snow.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity growing. “What does she have to do with your studies, Coltyn Pendragon? Of what interest is she to you?”

Tapping the tip of his own horn with his hoof, he offered, “She suffered a great injustice and long ago I dedicated myself to finding a way to correct it. Years of dead ends and fruitless research have given me no other choice. I humbly request access to the Starswirl the Bearded wing. I’m hoping that the answer I seek is hidden in one of his many texts.”

The Princess studied him for a long moment, and then began, “You are aware that she is…”

“Yes, Princess. I know precisely who she is, but I will tell no one. You will be the first to know, if I find what I seek.”

A fleeting look of hope crossed the white alicorn’s face, before being replaced by a pensive frown, as Celestia pondered his proposal for several moments. “Very well, you may use the archive as you need, but you will be accompanied by a Royal Guard who will keep me apprised of your activities.”

“That is all I can ask. Thank you, Princess Celestia,” Coltyn bowed. “I would like to start right away if I may.”

Celestia nodded, summoning one of her guards to take Coltyn to the library wing. He began the tedious task of going through the Starswirl the Bearded wing of the archives. He gathered useful scrolls and books and set to his studies. The guards seemed to pay little attention to him and basically acted like scenery until dinner time when they pulled him from his work to close the wing.

***

Coltyn spent the next week gathering and compiling notes but nothing stood out as an answer. He sent a few letters to Twilight telling of his meager progress. She also wrote back about the day to day life in Ponyville, commenting with pleasure on Rainbow Dash visiting the library more often to read her favorite book series. Another letter told of a misadventure that ended with Twilight wishing Pinkie would be little more tactful when new ponies, or in this case a donkey, moved to town.

Coltyn left for the day taking a book that seemed promising and headed out to the small restaurant across from the café where he first met Thunder Snow. He asked for a table where he could easily watch all the ponies passing by and even had a view of the café. Coltyn ordered and opened his book and began pony watching. He listened and watched picking up any random information. He was shocked to see Thunder Snow and Shining Armor round the corner in their armor, laughing. He couldn’t make out their conversation as they made their way to the café but Coltyn found himself bemused by this new aspect of Thunder Snow. The pair sat at a table outside the café, placing their helms next to them, continuing their conversation.

“He sure knew how to move up in the world,” the tan-coated unicorn waiter commented acerbically, placing Coltyn’s food on the table. “Went from seeing the pegasus captain to a princess.”

“Shining Armor is involved with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?” Coltyn asked.

“You’re not from Canterlot are you?”

“No, but I would like to know more about them,” Coltyn pressed.

“Well, Princess Cadence, as she prefers to be called, is dating Shining Armor. Evidently, they met after his relationship with Thunder Snow ended. From what I’ve heard, he’s about the only real friend the pegasus captain has, and the three of them meet at that café regularly, to have drinks, sometimes a meal, and just visit,” the waiter said, turning to leave.

“I see,” Coltyn said, taking a bite of his meal.

Coltyn observed Thunder Snow and Shining Armor talking and laughing, and not long after their drinks were served, Princess Cadence arrived, greeting Thunder Snow with a smile before hugging Shining Armor and giving him a quick kiss. An air of seriousness fell over the three as Thunder Snow talked to the couple, glancing casually over in the direction of Coltyn. He wanted to know what she was saying because he was sure it was about him. The somber tone of their discussion lifted after a few minutes, however, and he watched as they chatted for near an hour, their jovial conversation ending when a pair of guards walked up to the table. Thunder Snow and Shining Armor put their helms back on and tossed some bits on the table before hurrying off toward the castle.

Princess Cadence finished her meal with a contained elegance seen only in ponies who had attended finishing school, before paying her bill and heading back to the castle herself. Coltyn turned his attention back to his neglected food and slowly ate; his mind fixed on the three of them.

Coltyn pondered the potential ramifications of the bonds between the three ponies as he finished his meal, and left a sizable tip for the waiter allowing him to stay uninterrupted. He entered his cart and quickly wrote himself a quick note to study the possibility of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in some way helping to regrow Thunder Snow’s horn. As his research was at a bit of an impasse, he decided that the notion was worth examining. Perhaps he would find the right formula to use the bonds of friendship between the three as a catalyst. At the very least, he might find a way to help her control her wild magic long enough to find a real solution.

***

Early on Tuesday morning as Coltyn was waiting for the guard to come and open the library he felt a disturbance. It was strange because he was certain he recognized the shift in the fabric of magic that he’d sensed. Racking his brain, he sought to recall when he had felt a similar flux in space time before. Then it hit him, ‘when’ was exactly the key. Somepony had used Starswirl’s time travel spell. He paced in front of the gated wing, his mind racing, ‘who could have used that spell? What was it used for? I hope that this doesn’t affect the time flow.’ Coltyn continued to question the disturbance pacing back and forth until he heard the hoof steps of the guard approaching. Realizing that he couldn’t do anything, he focused on his research into using the ‘brotherly love’ references, and how they might apply to his quest. Coltyn was startled when Shining Armor turned the corner instead of one of the regular guards.

“Hello, Captain Shining Armor. To what do I owe the honor?” Coltyn asked, nervously.

“I’m here to check up on… whatever it is that you’re doing,” Shining Armor stated, opening the gate.

“Well I’m trying to further my understanding of how unicorn magic works, and how the bonds between ponies can influence it,” Coltyn answered, walking to the desk he had been using.

“I’m going to need more information than that,” Shining Armor insisted, locking the gate behind him.

Coltyn stepped back, looking at the captain. “Thunder Snow sent you to pump me for information, didn’t she?”

“No, this is for Princess Celestia,” Shining Armor responded not missing a beat.

“Very well. I’m looking for a way to repair the magic core of unicorns, in other words to repair any damage to the horn, and restore the magic abilities of a unicorn. I thought I found a solution but the sacrifice,” Coltyn shuddered, “would not be worth it. Defeated, again I came here to see if Starswirl had any information regarding the use of, as I’ve seen in text, ‘brotherly love’,” Coltyn explained, pulling books from the shelves.

“Thank you. Now I want to know why Thunder Snow is so adamant that you know some information regarding her.”

Coltyn was once again blindsided by his query. “She’s still angry that I left without warning at Hearth’s Warming,” he sighed. “I’m afraid that my pressing her for her name and then suddenly taking off upset her, for which I have already apologized.”

“That’s not what I asked you, Pendragon. Stop dodging the question,” Shining Armor scowled. “What do you know about her?”

“Nothing,” Coltyn answered coldly.

“Liar!”

“I’ve met her once and asked her name that is all.”

“Tell me what I want to know or I’ll…”

“Or you’ll what? Drag me away? Lock me in a dungeon? Torture me? Ponies today don’t know the true horrors of the past,” Coltyn snapped. “I’ve been through war. My past is not stained but drenched in blood. I have ended countless lives that still haunt me to this day. I’ve been a prisoner in your very dungeons and survived without leaking a drop of information. Do you understand?” Coltyn snarled, flaring his nostrils. “I’m a monster trying to find a small bit of redemption.”

“I understand that you shouldn’t be allowed here,” Shining Armor said calmly.

“Trust me; I didn’t want to come here before I had the answer.”

“Answer to what?” Shining Armor pushed.

“THAT is none of your business,” Coltyn replied, growing tired of his questions. “I have work to do and I’m sure you do as well.”

“Don’t think this is over,” Shining Armor threatened, leaving Coltyn to his studies.

Coltyn tried to focus on his work but the magical disturbance and argument with Shining Armor cluttered his mind. He realized that getting anything done would be impossible with his mind in disarray. He put the books back and headed to his cart. Using a technique he learned from a zebra shaman long ago, he gathered candles and placed them on the floor. Lighting them he pulled out a balancing staff and gracefully positioned himself balancing on his head upside down. Then, focusing his magic, his horn lit as he picked up the candles. Quieting his mind, Coltyn began to move the candles around him allowing the gentle warming glow to refocus his disordered mind.

***

Coltyn spent the week finding many references and definitions of ‘brotherly love’ but couldn’t figure out a way to use it. Feeling dour, he headed back to his cart Monday night and penned a letter to Twilight saying not much of anything important. He relaxed by the potbelly stove and began reading the books he borrowed.

Coltyn woke up during the night and feeling a strange urge to head back to the Starswirl the Bearded Wing. He made it to the castle just before sunrise and proceeded to the wing. He was shocked to see the door to the wing open. Peeking inside, he saw Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Spike. Twilight was casting the time spell. Coltyn didn’t want to interfere and let the events play out. Waiting for Twilight to return, he smiled slightly as he listened to her explanation of how she thought that she was trying to warn of some impending disaster but how it was her trying to tell herself not to worry so much.

“Oh, my stomach,” Spike groaned in pain. “I think it was all that ice cream. I thought the stomach ache would be future Spike’s problem, but now I am future Spike.”

Twilight and Pinkie giggled at the dragon. They turned their heads when they heard Coltyn chuckle, approaching the group.

“You look like you’ve seen better days, Twilight,” Coltyn chuckled.

“Yeah, let’s say it’s been one crazy week,” Twilight smiled, lifting Spike onto her back. “I thought you were going to check… your… You’re related to Starswirl?” Twilight asked, amazed.

“Yes, he was my grandfather. I grew up wanting to be just like him,” Coltyn sighed. “But I haven’t even come close.” Spike drew his attention, as the little dragon continued to groan in agony. “Come back to my cart, I have something that will take care of your stomach ache.”

“Hehe, thanks,” Spike moaned.

The group headed out to Coltyn’s cart and he began to rummage through his supplies. He pulled out a small flask filled with a viscous pink liquid. Pouring a small amount into a measure, he offered it to Spike who swallowed it, and sighed with relief as he felt his stomach begin settle. Pinkie Pie kept Spike company, while Coltyn and Twilight talked.

“So what brings you all to Canterlot? Other than experimental time travel,” Coltyn asked.

“Well, it began when I was visited by myself last week, and I got so excited about the idea of time travel that I didn’t let myself get a word in edgewise, so I ended up getting all worked up over an impending disaster that wasn’t even going to happen and… well, to make a long story short, I’ve learned that it’s best not to worry about the future and just solve problems as they come,” Twilight explained. Then, she cocked her head curiously, and asked, “So you’re the grandson of Starswirl the Bearded?”

“Yes, just like your lineage can be traced back to Clover the Clever.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Everypony in your line possessed the spark of greatness. However, not many were ever called upon to access it, and most have lived out their lives in peace. But, like you the spark of friendship ignited in Clover, allowing her to do great things that nopony thought possible.”

“So you’re saying I was predestined for greatness? I’m not sure how I feel about that. But Coltyn, Starswirl was so great, why didn’t this spark of destiny choose him?”

“That’s the thing to remember, Twilight. Destiny chooses those who will be remembered for all time. Starswirl told me that some are born great like the Princesses, some achieve greatness like he did, while others have greatness thrust upon them like Clover and yourself.”

“So I had no choice? I was going to become who I was no matter what?”

“No. You made choices that led you here. Granted, Princess Celestia helped push you in the direction that would lead you to greatness but in the end it is your choice.”

“I see. That is a lot to take in.”

“I understand,” Coltyn said, looking out the window, and smiling slightly. “The dragons will be migrating soon.”

“They will? When?” Twilight asked, intrigued.

“In a few days. I’ll bet you and your friends would enjoy watching it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. If memory serves, they fly over Ponyville right around noon.”

“That sounds exciting. I can’t wait to tell my friends,” Twilight exclaimed.

“Let me know how it goes since I won’t be able to attend this time.”

“I will. Come on, let’s go home,” Twilight said, picking up Spike and heading home with Pinkie Pie.

***

Coltyn retired to his cart after another long day with no progress. He settled in next to his potbelly stove and settled in slowly drifting off to sleep.

~Dream~

Coltyn stood in front of his grandfather.

“You have disgraced me, your family, and all that you claimed to stand for,” Starswirl criticized.

“I did what I thought was best,” Coltyn defended.

“You foolishly took my longevity spells and committed an atrocity to the natural order.”

“But with immortality I can forever…”

“You only weep for the past because you have no future.”

“You’re wrong,” Coltyn screamed, tears streaming down his face. “I’ve only tried to fix the big mistakes.”

“Yet with all your knowledge you still fail. You’re a failure and nothing will ever…” Starswirl was interrupted and cast away.

Coltyn looked to where Starswirl had been standing and saw Princess Luna.

“Princess L-Luna,” Coltyn stuttered, looking around. “This is a dream.”

“Indeed it is,” Luna soothed. “After our first meeting in Ponyville, I began to monitor your dreams, and your nightmares. You have much weighing on your mind causing your distressed sleep.”

“I apologize, Princess. I should not have concerned you.”

“Be untroubled, Coltyn Pendragon, it is but one of my responsibilities to care for the dreams of the citizens of Equestria. Thy nightmares are especially distressing, and there are many aspects of them that give me pause. In truth, there is another purpose to my speaking with you this night. I would ask you… I wish to know why you seemed to know me when first we met, and why it distressed you so that I did not know you.”

Coltyn felt his heart catch in his throat. “I… I don’t know where to start.”

“Why not the beginning,” Luna smiled.

“The first time I met you and your sister was during the war with the griffons. I told you where the griffon leaders were so I could lead a strike against them. What I never told anypony was how I got that information,” Coltyn cringed.

“If you wish the nightmares to stop you need to face your inner demons.”

Coltyn drew a nervous breath. “There was a camp of griffons not far from the base I was at. I listened in on the general’s meeting and found that they had raided what is today Manehatten and where my parents lived. I didn’t wait for orders and left to find the griffons. They hadn’t set up a secure watch and I was able to slip in unnoticed but what I saw shook my very core; skinned ponies beheaded and hung to let the blood drain,” Coltyn recalled, tears streaming down his face. “I saw the skins of my parents and went from horrified to enraged; I slayed their entire encampment… all except one of the leaders. I took him to the butchery and tied him down.”

Coltyn stopped weeping as a sadistic smile crossed his face. “I began pulling his feathers out and then shaved his fur off. I told him to tell me why they started the war but of course he didn’t speak so I tortured him. I tortured him and enjoyed it… I… I…” Coltyn choked. “I did horrible things to that griffon and I… I’m sorry. I didn’t want to, I just…” Coltyn couldn’t finish as sadness overtook him.

“Gave in to your darkness, you carry many heavy burdens,” Luna cooed. “Your past is not pleasant but do you not feel better for opening up to another.”

Coltyn nodded getting his breathing under control. “The next time we met was when you gathered my friends and I to help overthrow Princess Celestia. I was one of your generals who led your troops into battle. But we… I mean Nightmare Moon and I took it farther. We were going to bring about a new era of peace not as prince and princess but king and queen.”

“I see. You fell in love with the darkness that consumed me,” Luna deduced.

“Yes, I held onto the hope of seeing you… I mean Nightmare Moon again so we could overthrow Celestia and rule in her stead. But after centuries of reflection I saw that it would be folly and started to help others,” Coltyn said. “May I ask a favor, Princess?”

“What is it, my little pony?”

“Would you take on the form of Nightmare Moon so I… can say goodbye?” Coltyn asked, cautiously.

Luna understood his motive and changed her form to that of Nightmare Moon. Coltyn looked up to see his Princess of the Night. “I’m sorry. I should have never left your side; it’s because of me you were banished. It’s entirely my fault, could you ever forgive me?” Coltyn asked, hanging his head in shame.

“Of course, my friend. I forgive you of your past. Now let us work toward a better future,” Nightmare said in a deep feminine voice, her gentle smile seeming at odds with her fierce appearance.

“Thank you. Goodbye… my love,” Coltyn smiled as Luna shifted back. “Thank you, Princess Luna. I feel my burden has become lighter.”

“I’m glad to help and thank you for filling in some of the blanks for me. Now get something you have been denied for many nights, peaceful rest,” Luna smiled, and Coltyn’s heart felt lighter as the world around him turned black and faded to nothing.

~End Dream~

Coltyn woke the next day feeling lighter on his hooves than he had for many years. He also had something important to do, apologize. He left his cart and walked around Canterlot looking for Thunder Snow. He found her sitting at the café she frequented with Shining Armor and Cadence. Coltyn stopped considering what he was about to do. With a deep breath he approached Thunder Snow.

“May I join you?” Coltyn asked, approaching Thunder Snow.

“No, I have nothing to say to you,” Thunder Snow snorted.

“Then I ask that you just listen.” Thunder Snow raised an eyebrow but didn’t want to pass up a chance to get more information. She motioned for him to sit. “First, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave so suddenly during Hearth’s Warming but it was for a good reason,” Coltyn began, knowing he couldn’t tell her everything and choosing his words carefully. “The reason I’ve been spending so much time in the archives here is the same one that took me so abruptly away, and I was trying to be considerate when I sent a messenger to tell you I was leaving, but instead I managed to offend you somehow. For that I’m truly sorry, and hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” Coltyn sighed. “I was in earnest when I spoke to you in the café, but then I managed to put my hoof in my mouth. Again.”

The general state of melancholy Coltyn displayed was much different from the proud and silver-tongued pony she met at Hearth’s Warming. ‘Maybe I misjudged him.’ Thunder Snow thought as Coltyn continued.

“I wish I could tell you everything, but I can’t. Please understand that the secrets I’m keeping aren’t mine to tell, and sharing them could bring great harm to somepony else. I’m hoping maybe that we could start over?”

Thunder Snow pondered his proposal before slightly nodding her head, deciding to give him the opportunity to satisfy her curiosity. “I guess I could give you another chance,” Thunder Snow offered, with a half-smile. She looked at him, then looked down and poked the ground with her hoof. “Maybe,” She said cautiously. “You could join Shining Armor, Cadence, and I for tea sometime.”

“I’d like that very much,” Coltyn smiled.