//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Road to Royalty 
// by Cassandra 
//------------------------------//

Reaching the barn outside the skirts of town, every pony was out of breath. Candance had a look of disgust but knew it was the only place safe for now. Luna rushed in a hurry, and the other ponies, suspecting something she knew rushed in as well. Celestia and Luna got to fixing up the place and getting some beanbags they had bought and stored in the barn. After the place was fixed up, the young ponies sat on the beanbags, while Granny Pie took her place in front of them.

"Girls, what I'm about to tell you will shock you. You are not proper ponies," Granny Pie started. Celestia just laughed. Candance snorted in laughter, while Luna was rolling on the floor crying from laughter. Granny Pie stood still. She knew that this reaction was to come forth. After some minutes, the young alicorns noticed Granny Pie's expression and immediately regained their composure.

"Thank you, girls. Now where was I, oh yes," Granny Pie continued. "You girls are all related, Celestia and Luna being sisters, with you Candance, being their cousin. All your parents died during the war that broke out. Celestia and Luna, your father was a very strong man being the leader, with your father Candance, being second in charge." Celestia opened her mouth but Granny Pie immediately cut her off.

"And yes, you are part of the royal family," Granny Pie quickly added. The young ponies gawked. They were part of the royal family, in Canterlot! How come no one ever told them. Celestia realized that their escape meant much more with Luna and Candance contemplating the same thing. Granny Pie smiled. They were ready.

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"Wait, do you mean we are princesses and that we were in an orphanage nearly our whole lives!?" Luna questioned. Granny Pie just stared with wide eyes at her. Luna's whole body was shaking in excitement. Celestia noticed Granny Pie's composure and immediately went to drag Luna away, who had frozen in the spot.

"Sorry about that Granny Pie, she tends to do that when she gets excited or angry, you must have noticed it once at least, that time when we threw her that big birthday party and how she was frozen for like 5 minutes until Celestia went up to her and using her magic lifted her and shake her about," Candance laughed. Everyone just looked at her with the most unsatisfied looks. Granny Pie, coughed and continued.

"Well, let me continue. Candance, you are Princess of the Crystal Empire, and you have the power of love. That's why your cutie mark is a crystal heart and we have seen plenty of times when you used your magic. Celestia and Luna, you both are Princesses of Canterlot. Celestia, you are the princess of the sun, raising it and lowering it, while you Luna, are the princess of the moon, and all have seen you both perform your duties wonderfully."

The three alicorns blushed. They had never received much attention before in their lives and this was a wonderful thing for them to have and witness. Granny Pie continued her story of the girl's history.

"There was a war between the Zebra Empire and Equestrians. Your fathers immediately went to the battlefields to fight, but sadly, both died, saving Equestria. Your mothers were left all alone to take over the kingdoms. The Canterlot castle wasn't the same without your father Celestia and Luna and Candance, all the residents of the Crystal Empire missed your father very much as well. Both lone queens had to do their duties and look after their young children. They both agreed to take you three to an orphanage, but as they were traveling, Candace's mother felt very ill. Celestia and Luna's mother continued taking all of you girls only to collapse on the front steps. I saw her. She was all disheveled and thin. I took you, girls, in and looked after you until now."

The silence around the room was hard to contain. All three alicorns, couldn't keep in their tears. Candance squared her shoulders and walked to an old crate and stood on it. The other ponies look with surprised and wet eyes. Candance faced them and started.

"We escaped this orphanage for a reason, to leave and be free. Now that reason has increased to something more. We are princesses and we need to go help our kingdoms. It is our responsibility. Who's with me!?" Celestia, Luna, and Candance placed their hooves together and promised to continue the journey to help their kingdoms. Granny Pie started to cry a bit. She had known these ponies since they were small. She was proud that they had finally chosen to leave and fulfill their destiny. They had realized who they are.