Genesis: The Skeleton Keys

I cowered away, trying to shield my face. I couldn’t see it, but I knew that Rainbow Dash had a confused look upon her face.

I got up, and ran away from the party. As soon as I was out the door, I took off, heading towards my home. I could not bear telling her the truth, nor could I bear seeing her face ever again. Those thoughts were ones that I would regret thinking.

Back at the party…

Pinkie sat there, a look of surprise on her face. Everypony knew that nopony ever ran away from one of Pinkie’s parties before.

“Hey, Pinkie…you okay?”

She still sat there, appalled.

Rainbow Dash walked over. “Don’t worry…I’ll go get him.” She reassured, putting a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder. Rainbow then took off, scoping Ponyville trying to find Star Blazer.

She eventually found him, walking towards the Everfree forest. As soon as she sighted him, Rainbow Dash began her descent, falling towards the ground. When she got towards him, she called for him.

“Star Blazer!”

No answer.

“Hey! Star Blazer, could you wait up?”

Rainbow Dash flew next to the Pegasus.

“Dude…you okay? You flew out of there real quick. Why?”

Star Blazer began walking a little faster, obviously trying to get away. Rainbow Dash just increased her speed as well.

“Hey…could you just stop!”

Star Blazer still didn’t stop, but still increased speed. Rainbow Dash was fed up, and tried pushing him to the ground.

“Could you just wait a moment?”

She pushed with so much force that it could stop an enraged Applejack. Their muzzles met inches away from each other, and Rainbow pulled away just a little.

“I asked for you to wait.”

“Why bother?” He responded, in a rather angry tone.

She hesitated. “Because I came to ask why you left Pinkie’s party!”

“I left…because…” Star Blazer didn’t know what to answer with. He couldn’t bear telling the truth. He settled on an uneasy answer. “I don’t know why.”

“I don’t know isn’t a good answer, and you know it! What’s the real answer?”

Pinkie had caught up, after calling the party off. Something she’d never done before. She was still upset, but pushed those feelings away.

“I said answer me! Why did you leave?”

Rainbow Dash was really mad now, almost letting her full rage out on Star Blazer. She could swear that she’d punch him.

“I…ugh…left because…you were there.”

The last thing he said was quiet and recessive, like Fluttershy when she talked. Neither Pinkie nor Rainbow Dash could hear what he said.

“What? You went quiet.” Pinkie said.

Star Blazer spoke a little more forcefully. “I said…I left…because…you were…there.”

“Who? Pinkie? She’s at every party! She hosts every one of them!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

“Not her.”

Rainbow Dash looked at him with a confused look. “Me?”

“Yes…” He responded shyly.

“But why? Rainbow Dash is one of the best Pegasus ponies I know! What’s the big deal with her being there?”

“…” Star Blazer was silent.

Rainbow rose off him, and backed up.

“Yeah. What do you have against me? I’ve never done anything to you!”

“That’s not the problem.” Star Blazer finally spoke, a little recessiveness in his tone.

Rainbow cocked her head to the side, before answering. “Then what is?”

Star Blazer paused, and then replied with a strain in his voice. “I…can’t tell you. Sorry.” He took off, speeding into the night.

Rainbow Dash opened her wings and prepared to follow, before she was stopped by Pinkie. She looked to Pinkie, who had a hoof on her flank.

“Let him go. There’ll be another time. It’s getting late.” She pointed to the sky. They both walked off, each going home.