Lost Years

Stella started at the sharp rapping of a hoof on her door. She glanced mournfully at the line her pencil had streaked across her notes, and stood up as she used her magic to open the door. Her father’s best friend and most trusted advisor, Esra, stood on the other side of the door. The zebra’s eyes were a bit red on the edges, and Stella thought she could see dried tears in the fur on their cheeks. “What happened?” she asked, alarmed.

Esra’s lips trembled. “Stella,” they choked out, and closed their eyes, tears leaking out from under their eyelids.

“Esra?” Stella said weakly, suddenly terrified. “What happened?” she asked again, moving toward them.

Esra’s breath caught, and they almost whispered, “Stell, your father’s dead.”

Stella stepped back. “What?” she said, her voice involuntarily quiet.

“I’m sorry,” Esra gasped. “I’m sorry,” they said, small sobs escaping.

Stella was crying now too, and she sat down hard on the floor. Esra sat down with her, and hugged her next to their body. “How did… how?” Stella tried to ask through her tears.

Esra understood, thankfully. “There was a train accident,” they said carefully. “I don’t know exactly how it happened, but the train caught fire and crashed. They’re saying most of the- the deaths are from smoke inhalation, but some are from impact.” They swallowed hard. “Nine ponies died, Stella. And seventeen more were injured. Some still might die. They believe Peri died from internal bleeding after they impacted with the wall in the crash. But it could also have been from smoke inhalation.” They shrugged heavily. “There’s just no way to be sure yet.”

“Oh,” Stella said quietly, trying to take in that information without breaking into sobs again. It didn’t seem fair, that she’d lost her biological parents in a fire, and now Peri too. “Did, I mean, um, what do we do now?”

Esra turned their face away. “There’s going to be a funeral, of course,” they said. “There will need to be preparations for that. And then there’s the matter of your coronation.” The zebra looked back at Stella, their features carefully serious. “Stell, ponies are going to be mad. You are the first non-alicorn to ever be ruler of Equestria. Ponies won’t like it. They’re going to say hurtful things about you, and I need you to be prepared.”

Stella gulped. She knew she was sensitive, and she’d always had a hard time with criticism. But… “I’ll try my best,” she said, trying to be brave. “And, I mean, you’ll be here, right?”

Esra pulled her into another hug. “Of course,” they said. “I will be here for as long as I can be. Stella, you are my daughter, if you want to be, regardless of anything like legality or relation. I love you.” They kissed the top of Stella’s head. “I love you,” they repeated, whispering.

Stella’s eyes welled up again. “I love you, Esra,” she choked out. “And you are my parent as much as Dad was. You’ve always been there for me, and for Dad.” She stopped talking, tears leaking out again. “I miss him already,” she whispered.

“Me too,” Esra said, standing up. Stella followed suit. “I’ll leave you alone for the rest of today, if you want,” Esra said. “You could come out for food later if you want, but I won’t force you. Is that okay, or would you rather not be alone right now?”

“No, that’s fine,” Stella said, her voice still rough. “I’d like some time alone.”

Esra nodded. “See you later, then,” they said softly, and left, shutting the door quietly behind them.