The Stars in the Scroll - Prologue

I'm sorry to hear about your parents...

Th-thanks. It–it was a shock. I keep going over it in my head. Day after day I stay away from Canterlot, I really didn't think... I never considered for a moment they wouldn't be there if I ever came back.

You mean you didn't know if you'd ever come back?

No! I mean, I don't know. I've made so many changes in my life, that I hadn't thought that far ahead. I guess it's all so overwhelming.

I understand. It's hard losing someone so close. To lose two is just, ugh, I don't want to imagine it!

Well... I feel awful saying this, but I was never really... close, to my parents. Don't misunderstand me, I love them, and... there's a hole where they should be, but, ugh, I'm sorry, you must think I'm a terrible pony.

No. I think you're in shock.

That's just it, though! I don't feel like I'm in shock! I feel, I dunno, empty. No, that's not right. Less than I should be, but still more than I should be. I don't know how to put it. I know I should cry, but I'm not. I feel like I should be but the tears won't come!

You're not making any sense.

That's the frustrating part! Nothing about anything has ever prepared me for this. I've surrounded my life in books and not one has ever touched on what I feel now. This... sadness. A loss that I feel is completely understandable and I should be devastated!

Look-

My parents are dead, for Celestia's sake! Shouldn't I be a pile of fur and tears? Died when I was off galavanting, seeing a view that can't be mustered from inside the city of Canterlot – a place beyond the castle walls. I should feel worse. I shouldn't– I shouldn't... Ugh!

Shouldn't what? Shouldn't be angry? Confused? It sounds like now is the time when you should be all those things.

It's not that. Luna knows I'd be content if it was that. It's something else.

Something else? Like what?

My parents... well, you know how many books we owned. Rare scrolls. Unicorns are known for that kind of thing. Magical tomes is something we do, but, well, when I got in, I noticed a couple things missing.

Missing?

Some ancient heirlooms passed down in our family. When I got into town, the house was just as I'd expect it, but there was a royal seal on the kitchen table. 'Certain procedures had to be taken in behest of the Princess following the unfortunate deaths of your parents.' More like somepony got it in their head that priceless heirlooms belong in a rotting museum than kept under the care of the rightful owner!

Really? That's kinda messed up. Isn't that, like, stealing?

Apparently not when the Princess is involved!

Uh, which Princess?

I dunno, it was marked with the Solar seal, so I'm betting it's Celestia's bidding. But that is my heirloom, not something to be put in the royal archives because they want it there.

Well, the nobles and stuff like you, why can't they just let you in? I'm sure if you made a fuss, or appealed to the right pony...

With my family– with who I am, I should be the right pony all by myself! The years I spent, living in this castle! No, I know who I have to talk to. She's the only one who can help me now.