//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Passing of the Stars // by A SketchPad //------------------------------// Prologue Light shined through the windows of the castle, spreading a multitude of colors against the marble floors. The sound of trotting echoed along the halls as guards patrolled the halls or toward their destinations. Their golden armor against their alabaster coat accrued to the amount of luminosity within those specific halls, making them appear to be balls of light from a distance. The red carpet wouldn't add any shimmer. Though the guards or any guests walking through the castle would appreciate their existence when they followed them from either the throne room or to the courtyard. The purple alicorn opened the doors and cantered through the halls in scholastic abandon. She tried to keep a regal look as possible as she did so, but couldn't ignore the fact that she was personally invited to see Princess Celestia. A few days ago, she received a letter that informed her of a secret that she wanted to share with her and her only. Not even her number one assistant was allowed to come. Not even her six friends. Just her. But that didn't stop the Princess of Friendship. The last of the aristocracy and politicians left the solar court as she passed them by. The door to the throne room, wide open, let her in. Princess Celestia smiled as her former student walked through those doors. "Princess Twilight Sparkle!" Celestia bowed, giggling as she saw the way Twilight Sparkle reacted when being called that title. She looked up and cantered down her throne, closing the door and ordering the guards to leave. The drapes on the windows fell, making the white walls turn azure. Princess Luna walked in, her dark mane sparkling from nothingness, and bowed to Celestia's protege. "I take it thou art-" "Lulu, remember our talk yesterday." Celestia gazed upon her sister's eyes. Luna blushed and stuttered a little bit. "I take it...uhh...you're taking Twilight Sparkle to-" "Ah, ah, ah!" Celestia giggled as she interrupted Luna again. "Don't say anything and let me take care of it." Luna snorted and cantered onto the throne room. "Very well, then. I'll occupy the court in the meantime." The lunar princess voiced. Celestia and Twilight Sparkle trotted out of the court room. The solar princess hummed happily as she lead her protege to the Royal Archives. She stopped suddenly and looked up, as if trying to remember something. "Hmm, where is it, where is it?" She repeated these words aloud. This increased the suspense that Twilight had. Where was she leading her? It doesn't seem really important since she's acting so informal. The humming, talking to herself, it seemed so out of place to see her mentor act this way. With a gasp, Princess Celestia walked towards one of the locked parts of the library. Her Royal guards that were socializing a bit too loudly stood at attention as the two alicorns walked toward them. Her continued humming garnered raised eyebrows from the two guards, but they kept their stature as she unlocked it and walked in the Star Swirl the Bearded wing. Her horn continued to glow, examining the hourglass that was in the middle of the sectioned library. With her magic, she lifted the hourglass, revealing a little compartment within the pedestal that held the artifact. She lifted a book out of the little space and placed the time keeper back in its place. The book was dirty and time worn, but it held strong. The pages looked ancient and there were some ink spots along the edges of the page. Her magic expanded around her, looking for another book. She smiled as she took the book out of its home shelf. "Take this, Twilight Sparkle." She said, giving her the dirty book. Twilight inspected the book and cocked her head. It was...just a plain old book. There had to be some importance to this. "Princess, why did-" "That's all for today. I'll teleport you back home. I have to send this to Princess Cadence. For her to learn more about her new kingdom. Goodbye, Twilight!" Celestia interrupted quickly. The purple alicorn's vision turned black as she felt vertigo. Her head ached a bit as her vision suddenly gave way to the Golden Oaks Library, startling her young dragon assistant, Spike. Twilight felt dizzy for a second, but the dizziness subsided. Her common usage of teleportation magic made her used to the side effects. She was confused about the whole situation. Princess Celestia requested her presence, only for her to leave just as she came. And what was that book that she said that she'll send to Cadence? Twilight sighed and sat down for a second, giving her academic mind a rest. She was thinking too much. After sending Spike out to go to Rarity's, she placed herself on her bed and sighed as she inspected the book a bit more. She couldn't decipher why her mentor gave her this book. Shrugging, she opened the first page carefully. "Within the pages of this weary book, you'll know a memory that is forsook. Huh, iambic pentameter. That's interesting." She noted. She continued to read, "The name of Radiance is what you'll learn. The name of my identity forgot, until you came upon this diary. Star Swirl the Bearded.". She stopped. It was on a lone line by itself, with the name being written in the style of his books. It broke the rhythm of it, but with great purpose, she suspected. "You may have heard of this sweet name before. I am, authentically, the pony named. With great and utmost care, I write to you. The future gone but always in my heart; you, Twilight Sparkle, are the last I see." Her heart thumped with jubilation. Star Swirl the Bearded was writing to her! In iambic pentameter, no less. She grinned and started jumping around, cheering excitedly. If Pinkie Pie were to see her now, she would be proud to see Twilight Sparkle acting the way she is. Calming down, she sat back on her bed and continued. "I have an inkling that you're overjoyed. But nonetheless, this page is getting bland. I'll start with my encounter in the north..." Twilight Sparkle flipped the page.