Loose ends

The events portrayed in this story  take place shortly after the Summer where Applejack's family met Genesis and he leaves to return for the Castle. To make it even more clear, their meeting was at the end of Spring, the meeting between Genesis and Luna in Faith Unwavering was at the end of Summer.

Rolling hills and gently swaying grass, roads worn and cracked, forests, villages, towns, cities, lakes, mountain ranges. A beautiful land woven perfectly into the tapestry of time. Each stitch of destiny bringing the ever growing threads towards their inevitable ends; the intricate patterns they create. Such is the way of existence, And as with all works that stretch on through the creations of time, colors fade, patches darken, stains remain permanent, edges tear and threads become bear and frayed.

Every once in a great while, something happens to change the destiny, the pattern, of the tapestries of time. Or to put it more simply, a single line, impossibly complex in the number of lives it effects, will fray upon its stitching long before its time. In that moment alone it is possible for the individuals involved with the silent cataclysm to change their fate, the frayed ends no longer leading towards the ends that had been set.

In a valley that all of existence in this land know quite well, a breeze stirred. Nothing out of the ordinary on such a warm summers day. Even the strong tug of a gale blown off course from the neighboring country had little effect other than to refresh a few hard working bodies in the out skirted farms. But instead of welcoming such a simple gust, the tree's seemed to rattle violently in the sunshine, dust kicked up here and there where once strong roots could no longer hold their earthen charges.

The winds of change had been bellowing for centuries in calm defiance of the natural order. Any creature that felt these stirrings felt similar ones in their hearts, and knew that the time had come to take action.

These simple stirrings came in many ways to each affected. Some woke up that morning and felt a new vigor for an old flame, others felt their ingenuity flowing at all time highs or their bodies to be younger and more spry. Even more still, others felt their deepest desires to be within their grasp.

As such, when the light breeze in question thoughtfully caressed the fur of a blue pony standing upon a high rampart of Canterlot Castle, fate made no small show of blowing from the direction of the very object holding his attention.

The small town had played him like a violin...And what a beautiful symphony was left on his heart.

The beginnings of a new day had seeped away and the sun hung just before noon as Genesis looked down upon the town again, replaying his hopes for the community and what it might hold.

"Maybe I can finally settle. Have a place to call my own and live a normal life."

"My, My, General! Growing fond in your old age? I would hope your mind is not going soft." The tone was playful as he ever remembered, turning from the sun and facing the moon, there stood his one time queen and eternal ruler of the night, Princess Luna

A smile broke his thoughtful expression and the gesture was returned. Luna's wings tucking into her sides after the short flight from her quarters.

"Just allowing myself a moments reprieve from walking in the shadows. I figure I should visit soon and scope out the area."

"Genesis. You "Scope out the area" almost daily. You really think your princess would not notice your absence?" The playful smile on Luna's lips spoke volumes.

Ever the one for jokes and jibes, even centuries ago. Genesis let out a sigh "I heard some ponies are getting superstitious of me?"

Her laugh was light, like the chiming of a few silver bells. "Yes, This is correct. Apparently there is a 'Ghoul of Canterlot Castle' I do believe that one of this times greatest authors has gained an audience with Celestia to see about an investigation. You might just be the star of a murder-mystery novel Genesis."

He nodded. A faraway look in his eyes as he yet again turned to face the small town. "Did you know they replaced all the roads within the town with cobblestones? I almost didnt leave, what with how much I love the atmosphere the town has developed. speaking of, it really is moving along."

"Well, there are quite a few influential characters within that town. Soon to be yet anoth-"

"You know where I got my love of cobblestone from?" The question flowed softly but hit with the force of a waterfall.

Her smile began to fade as she followed his gaze to a special garden below on the castle grounds.

"This may come as bad news to you....take it how you will Gene, But my sister and I have noticed changes in him. And not just subtle ones anymore. We are beginning to think there is a chance that he could be released...rehabilitated--"

"He never would have needed to be turned to stone if not for your damned sister!"

"Enough General!"

There was no need for an exchange, Luna had dealt with Genesis' contempt for her sister for longer than could be truly recorded. She knew all of his reasons, and they were all well placed.

"Request granted. You may leave the castle and continue your duties elsewhere in Ponyville at your leisure, regular correspondence with your princess will be expected in whatever form you see fit. I wish thee the best of luck in your endeavors, both great and small General."

With a smile he trotted over and hugged the princess, slowly walking further towards the rampart before vanishing in a deep blue haze. His last words echoed "Thanks Lu-Lu."

A sorrowful smile danced across the midnight princesses face "Dammit Gene. How many times have I told you its not natural for a unicorn to lose their horn and still be able to use magick?"

Noon had broken no more than an hour ago as far as this unicorns eyes would tell her. That or the dragon waving around a scroll of parchment in her face and yelling about as much.

Sighing deeply and rolling over, Twilight Sparkle jolted as recognition dawned on her, there was a letter from the princess being held in her assistants claws.

With a flash and a sudden pop of purple magick, Twilight was standing in front of Spike and reading the script. The seal was different than she was use to seeing, not the large Sun and Clouds insignia of Celestia, but it was one she recognized nonetheless. The Moon and Clouds of Princess Luna.

Twilight began reading in earnest, the expressions on her face ranging from happiness, to something similar to insanity, to worry, to happiness all over in different patterns. To Spike it was a little more than worrisome.

Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, Spike  attempted to busy himself with the astounding act of breathing while waiting for Twilight to finish and let him in on her silent thoughts.

Much had changed for Spike in the last few years. Now almost six feet tall, able to breathe fire normally, and well past the intelligence and maturity departments of most those he knew, Spike was on his way to becoming a very well thought of adult dragon. Though no one had called him a "baby" since his first growth spurt had brought on a pair of lustrous purple wings, three feet of growth in height and brawn, and a deeper voice. All of his friends fondly referred to it as his "puberty", much to his chagrin.

Just as he had finished taking care of a particularly defiant itch on his belly, Twilight handed him the scroll to read.

Most faithful subject, Twilight Sparkle

I request your presence in Canterlot. To be more forward, I request that you arrive at the castle post haste. There have been worries uprising in my heart for my dear sister and your beloved mentor, Princess Celestia. I have found that in times of strife it is best to work with friends to resolve the turmoil in ones heart. It is this intent that has lead me to believe your presence will ease that which is troubling our dear friend. I will be expecting you upon the night of your arrival, you will find in this letter the ticket for yourself, I have been informed that Spike has grown much since our last encounter and can function of his own devices. I make the simple request that upon your arrival you not seek out our sister, but instead await our appearance after the raising of the moon.

Princess of the Night, Luna Equinae

"Well," Spike said, casually breaking the silence, "I guess that takes care of what you'll be doing while I'm gone."

Twilight turned back to Spike, having walked back to her bed to begin packing, ever the fore-planner. "Spike...We've been over this. Isn't Rarity old news to you by now?"

"Yes. Who said anything about Rarity?"

"Well, it should be old ne-...what?"

"Twilight. I'm going to Canterlot to shop for Fluttershy's birthday, not to go looking for Rarity, I didn't even know she was out of town." He sighed before continuing "Look...I know a lot happened in the past, when she rejected me it was a wake up Twi, It really was. You know me better than anyone, you've seen me when I'm hung up on her. Do I really look like a dragon that's down in the dumps?" He flicked her a genuine draconic smile and Twilight's heart warmed.

"No. No you don't Spike...I just wish you would tell me what else you are going for...I know you're not lying to me, just not telling me the whole truth."

With how tight Spikes jaw clenched and his face fell you would have thought a brick had just landed on his crest.

"Twi. Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"

"Fine. I'll drop it." she walked up and hugged him around the neck, "But don't think for even a second that I don't know something is up, and I'm here for you if you need me, at the castle, in the library, anywhere in the world. You will always be my number one assistant Spike."

A sisterly kiss on the snout and they split directions. Spike heading out the front door to Sugercube Corner, and Twilight to the back of her closet to finish packing. There were a few places at the castle she wanted to visit again before meeting with Princess Luna.

Believe it or not, Magickally warmed coffee has a different taste than any other kind of warmed coffee, and for the past estimated twelve hours she had been able to refine her taste buds to it. If she had to guess why she knew it had been twelve hours, it would be the unicorn bartender than had been re-heating and re-filling her drink since yesterday afternoon. The notion of how long she had been here prompted the twenty extra bits that rolled across the bar top with a flick of her well practiced wings. The bartender nodded and returned to the stereotypical action of drying glasses off to the side.

Rainbow Melinda Dash was not the kind of pony to drink.

Despite the rumors, the gossip, the columns across Equestria that named her a premier party pony alongside such 'greats' as Vinyl Scratch, Berry Punch, and Rose Thyme, She hated to drink. Though she could always let the rumors go, since most of them were based off of her adventurous nature and willingness to never back down from a challenge.

Today, and not to lie to herself, the past few weeks, had been an exception as she had indulged almost every moment of her time she could spare with a mug of heavily alcohol laden coffee. More often than not she would be seen nursing a well poured glass of rum sitting on the same stool she occupied now in Mcoltnee's.

True she was in town for the Wonderbolts, duh. But that didn't mean she had not purposefully jumped town almost a full week before the show would even start setting up. She came early to get away from the memories, from the pain. And after the fifth round of drinks she couldn't even lie to herself, she never intended on attending the show.

And that is why she drank. The bitterness took away from the stinging in her chest and the alcohol numbed her thoughts. Both which seemed at a constant war, the victor being the one that hurt her the most.

A short conversation with the unicorn behind the bar about some legendary kind of moonshine that glowed like her mane was about the only kind of talking she had done other than ordering drinks and turning down the stallions that came her way. For once she wished her Rainbow-Maned stereotype would kick in. At least mares used tact most of the time when trying to pick another mare up.

"Speaking of Discord." Rainbow could hear the short steps approaching her from behind and decided now would be a good time for preemptive action. Flaring her wings out aggressively she spat "I'm not looking for a good time, take your smooth talking stallionhood elsewhere and find a floozy like you deserve."

From behind her came a very familiar, very unstallionlike voice.

It had most definitely been one of those mornings. Things just felt...off. For one, she didn't have her assistant there, though he had outgrown that job when he had begun to grow larger and taller than the ponies around town. This however, was not the problem. Something else felt amiss in one of her favorite places and it was not the room she was in.

She had been well received at the same hotel she had booked each time visiting the city, the management and services having always been above a superior and friendly nature. The breakfast had been brought to her room and even the waitress had been a wonderful conversationalist, still, something was just not right about the day.

After what seemed hours of wondering from shop to shop in search of what may be piquing her inner worries, she found herself standing in a five way intersection outside of a very welcoming cafe. Her stomach howled its agreement at just how welcoming the plethora of aroma's coming from the building truly were. The very last thing she had expected, was to see Rainbow Dash sitting at the bar, looking for all the world completely smashed and dejected, rolling bits to a unicorn bartender.

Slowly making her way towards Dash, she was greeted in a non-to-friendly manner and retorted.

"Rainbow Dash, my my. I see you for the first time in a month and all you can do is accuse me of being a lowly stallion looking for a roll in the hay? I should be offended..." Rarity paused as Rainbow Dash turned on her stool and stood with surprising grace, not an ounce of alcoholic influence showing in her movements. The look in Rainbow Dash's eyes spoke volumes as she jerked her head in a motion that said 'outside'.

Before leaving Rainbow Dash stopped, hopped over the bar, gave the extremely surprised unicorn stallion a sincere hug and thanked him for watching out for her, slipping a fifty bit piece into his vest pocket as a token of thanks.

Once outside, Rarity began again "As I was saying I should be offended...but I missed you so much."

Upon seeing the tears already falling down her friends face, Rarity hugged Rainbow and held her tight as she quietly sobbed into her shoulder.

"Thank you Rare...How did you find me?

"Followed my feelings darling. They lead me straight here." She finished with a smile and a squeeze. "Please tell me you will spend some time with me Dash, I just cannot leave you like this, and after so long."

"Rare....I...Yes. What did you have planned?" The look on Rainbows face spoke of pure gratitude.

"I..uhm....that is to say...."

"Manticore got your tongue Rare?"

"I..have a party planned....its not what you think. Not something I would be known for attending."

"Well then, what kind of party is it?"

"Its just a get together with a few old friends...please come?"

"If its too prissy i'm leaving and we can meet up afterwords." the words were sincere despite the jab as Rainbow wiped a tear off of her slightly damp cheek.

"Fair enough dear. We need to get going, come along. Perhaps we can grab something to eat along the way, I'm simply famished."

Picking the second road to the left of the five way intersection they began trotting away from Mcoltnee's, the comfort of its atmosphere and the alcohol fading from Rainbow Dash more with each step.