Loose ends

Genesis loved wearing cloaks.

If it were not for the fact that he didn't have regular contact with anypony but the princess, it wouldnt look as strange to everyone when a hooded pony in a cloak came waltzing into town, much the same as a zebra, and right through the center of the market.

But as such he was a new comer, hooded and cloaked, and was staying at the local in. The rumors flew before he had made it halfway across the main square. The tales seeming to gain an edge with each loud click of his hooves on the cobblestone.

"I love cobblestone too you know?"

"No Pinkie, I didnt know that."

Everyone watching scratched their heads. There was more things odd about that exchange than they had seen all day. For the first time Pinkie Pie had not caught someone unaware, despite popping into existence out of nowhere.

"Sooooo, You should come by Sugercube Corner later. You know the drill." Pinkie's ever cheerful smile prompted Genesis to lower his hood for the first time since leaving the castle. On his muzzle was a grin to match hers.

"It would be my pleasure Miss Pie. Now if you dont mind my absence, I must be getting back to the inn. Have to unpack and all that." He gave a broader smile and turned to continue towards the far side of the market district.

"Oh that? I already unpacked all your things silly! Just come on by later when you have the time ok?"

He answered with a simple chuckle and continued on his path, putting his hood back up.

Stepping into his rented room Genesis understood immediately that Pinkie may love a good prank, but was not always joking. His whole room (which he had requested specifically because it was an attic ; large, nothing in it) had been furnished, decorated with his belongings (what very few he had), and seemingly well stocked.

"If this is any indicator of my time here in Ponyville......Thank Titan and Terra."

With a sigh Genesis sat down heavily on the couch, readjusting to the side as he picked up a small wrapped piece of toffee he had seated himself on.

She just had to leave her mark I suppose. What a crazy gal. Well...might as well start making friends somewhere......but first...a nap.

Stretching out across the couch and slowly chewing on the toffee, he finished the delicious treat and drifted off to sleep. His dreams that afternoon were full of hope.

Slowly opening his eyes Genesis allowed his mind a moment to catch up with reality as he observed the dust motes floating through the late evening sunlight. It filtered through his window like a portal opening to the grace of the heavens and like a moth to flames he careened off the couch, catching himself on a coffee table he had no memory of ever owning, and staggered to the window sill.

The inn had been built no more than a minutes walk to the nearest neighbor, but still far enough that there were no other houses blocking him in. As such the view he had shot straight down one of the main roads of the town, allowing him a peek into the nights affairs as he could see couples grabbing a snack before heading out to what could be guessed would be their plans for the evening.

Resting for another space of moments on the window sill Genesis smiled in how refreshing the peaceful nature of this town was. Scuffing his hoof on the wooden floors of the main area, He couldnt help but feel he had forgotten to take care of something and meandered up the stairs to see if his bedroom had been unpacked. Upon reaching the upper level he found that Pinkie Pie had indeed been....That's what he forgot.

"Pinkie...she's probably been waiting this whole time." I best head over there now.

Grabbing his cloak he stopped with his hoof halfway to the door. Turning around he set his cloak over the back of the couch and walked back upstairs to the closet in his quarters. Walking back down the stairs he closed the door after slipping his jacket on and turned the key before placing it inside the medallion around his neck he had grabbed when in his room. As he descended the inns first set of stairs he hoofed the medallion.

The medallion was a gift from one of his best friends. It held a simple stick of metal inside it that he had had shaped into a skeleton key. All one had to do was twist the medallion clockwise from its face and the ruby over its front would click and slightly jut out of place, pull the ruby and it would reveal the small compartment that held a very old, very small rolled up piece of what was once bright orange cloth and the key.

closing the medallion with an audible click and turning it back counterclockwise into its locking position, Genesis took stock of his surroundings and adjusted, turning to the left to continue his path to SugarCube Corner.

No longer looking like a hooded ruffian, Genesis garnered far less attention from the residents of the peaceful town. In most cases, when a new pony came in, the only one who would approach them outright was Pinkie herself, so no one took too much time staring at him despite his altered appearance, strange as it was to see a pony wearing clothes.

Making his way up the wooden steps of SugarCube Corner he ruffled his aviator jacket before taking a breath and pushing through the door, a small ringing from the bell overhead marking his entrance to the suspiciously quite confectionery center of Ponyville.

"Over here Gene."

Looking out across the tables and skimming his view across the main counter of SugarCube Corner his eyes finally laid to rest on Pinkie sitting in the corner booth. Walking across the small expanse between them he took a moment to appreciate how much the once small candy shop had grown since his last visit. Pinkie had been the only other pony aside from Applejack and her family who had known he was even in town, passing through or otherwise.

As he sat down and an apple fritter slid in front of him on a small plate, still steaming, he looked up and saw a most disturbing image of the once bouncy pony.

Pinkie Pie's hair was flat, her eyes were watery and hollow, the muscles of her face seemed strained to even keep the wavering half small on her lips.

"Pinkie..." He whispered, slowly reaching out to her hoof that was on the table top," Whats going on?"

Just before his hoof would have touched hers she pulled it back gently and spoke "We need to talk about some things General Genesis Storm. When we are done things can go back to what they were....when we are done I'll need the comfort....but not right now. I would love nothing more than to pull out my party cannon and blast the frowns off of our faces, or throw the pie I have hiding in the lamp above at you. Any number of my normal jovial tricks to set the mood back to what I love. Happy. But before I can, there are some things I believe you need to tell me, and I need to tell you."

The uncharacteristic bout of seriousness had put ice in Genesis' veins, upon being called by his title replaced the kind shimmer in his eyes with a hard glint, reflecting as sharply as the mind that worked behind them.

"I dont believe this will get violent....What did you need to say my friend?"

"I dont know what is going on. But I have my feelings to follow, and they have never let me down, nor has my Pinkie Sense. Though there is not a specific combination of twitches that tell me when something on this level has happened, it doesn't take someone as magically attuned as you or I much to feel the difference when something fundamental changes. I am sure Princess Luna has told you about her suspicions?"

Pinkie took a second to pick up the mug in front of her and take a long drink, a flash of her poofy hair and trademark smile shone through before she put the mug down and was back to the conversation at hoof.

"Should anything go wrong. You can count on the Elements of Harmony to come to the aid of Equestria as we always have. But....I believe this is not something a simple blast of 'Spicy' rainbow can fix. I speak for myself in knowing that the pie family hasnt had The Sense passed from generation to generation for no reason. I will follow in my ancestors footsteps and help however I can just like I always have." She smiled and passed Genesis his mug of hot chocolate.

He took a slow sip and thought about what Pinkie was saying. He had heard of stranger things happening, heck, him sitting here was a 'stranger thing'. "Would it be safe to assume this Pinkie Sense I've heard about commutes memories?"

"I was there when she died Gene. So why do you keep carrying that scrap with you?" Genesis swallowed his drink audibly.

The silence in the facility was almost tangible.

"You were not actually there. Even if what you say is to be believed..."

Pinkie cut in "Only the elite of her forces wore bright orange cloaks. I even looked it up to be sure I wasn't dreaming it."

"If you knew about these things why didnt you come find me?" Genesis was starting to clench his jaw

"There was only one member of Celestia's armies that you gave a damn about Gene."

"Why didnt you come to FIND ME!"

"AND WHAT GOOD WOULD IT HAVE DONE!!"

Silence again.

"I could have saved..."

"No. You couldnt. And you know it. My family knew how much you loved her, or did you forget the countless times they risked their lives delivering your blasted love letters across a bucking battle field! Astor is dead, and you are lucky that her children even survived the catastrophes that followed after you went into exile and your best friend decided to usurp the thrones. Again."

"Are you any good with a blade like my friend was?"

A wry smile lit up Pinkie's features "The best there is with a saber or a candy cane."

Once again, silence reigned.  And in an instant the temperature seemed to rise as the pony across from Genesis seemed almost to burst at the seems, her hair poofed out and frizzed and the smile on her face gave him serious concern for her skeletal structure.

A few customers walked in on Que and Pinkie was behind the counter taking the order before Genesis blinked.

After a short exchange, a nod and a cheerful goodbye, Pinkie took up Genesis in a surprise attack-hug before dropping him and slamming the aforementioned pie into his face for good measure. As the crust and goop dripped off of his muzzle, a smile was revealed and laughter rang loud through the empty establishment.

"You know....I dont really care how, but I'm glad you're here."

"M'names Pinkamina Diane Pie sir. Or just Pinkie Pie for short sir.

"Well miss Pie. I do believe our conversation has met its end....though...if you don't mind..." Genesis shifted for a moment and looked around, at this Pinkie giggled and spoke out.

"Whats on your mind silly? come on, spit it out!"

"I would like it very much if we could have a meal together every now and then. There are...many things I would like to talk about." the last statement was punctuated by his hoof rubbing the medallion on his neck before Genesis turned and began walking out the door.

"Sure thing Sir! how about tomorrow at 1? also, duck."

"Sounds good Pinkie. Ill see you then. wait...what?" he called over his shoulder just before pushing through the swinging doors and catching a face full of feathers. The last thing he can clearly remember seeing before his vision faded was pinkie standing over him with a frantic pegasus.

Though Rainbow dash had had her doubts about attending the party with Rarity, she was now quite glad that she had. The ponies gathered around the tables or swinging to and fro on the dance floor were all regular. Not a single one of them was posh or uptight as she had imagined they would all be. Even Rarity was less dramatic that evening. And as the unicorn in question went romping by towards a refreshment table, Rainbow took the opportunity to strike up some small talk.

"Hey Rares. Thanks for the invite. This shindig is pretty cool If I do say so."

Rarity gave a lilting laugh into her hoof, "Well, now that my party as been given the official Rainbow Dash Seal of Approval I dare say the fun can really start." The statement was met with a giggle as Rainbow dash clinked glasses with the alabaster unicorn.

"Seriously though Rarity, thank you. I know you are the Element of Generosity and such...but this was just what I needed to relax a little. And the ponies here are not even bad."

Rarity's smile was as brilliant as ever, "Well, Rainbow Dash, You are more than welcome to stay here with myself and Sweetie Bell tonight. I must attend to the other guests and be a good hostess, posh and proper or not, I have an image to uphold." Rarity winked big at Rainbow to signal it was a joke and they shared another laugh before Rarity trotted off across the room, talking it up with guests all along the way.

As if on que, Sweetie Bell tugged at Rainbow's wing and grabbed her attention. "What is it Sweetie? whatsup?" she asked barely having to bend at all due to Sweetie's recent growth.

There was a moment of apprehension on the younger filly's part, "Can I talk to you for a minute Rainbow?"

The strange tone to Sweetie Bell's voice gave Rainbow a moment of pause before she nodded and was lead outside of the party to a balcony.

The balcony overlooked a well off residential district with beautiful architecture, some buildings still using smoke stacks and chimneys. The sight of an actual chimney sweeping pony brought a genuine smile to Rainbow's face. It was there for but a few fleeting seconds before she remembered the reason for coming out to the balcony in the first place.

Looking down at Sweetie Bell she realized a few things. The filly was no longer a child. Her head was at Rainbows shoulders now and she had become a good deal longer and more lean than before, Sweetie Bell was taking after her sister in all the right ways. The idea of such being compounded by the utterly serious look in her eyes when Sweetie looked up and made contact.

"Do you really think she would be happy that you are remembering her by drowning in alcohol every night?"

The question was like a hot iron through her chest, a tear instantaneously running down her cheek.

"W-What!?" Rainbow half cried in indignation.

"You know Rainbow. I always liked that she looked up to you. It made me happy knowing the role model she chose had been a strong, kind, and above all, loyal one.  That day..." Sweetie paused. Brushing a tear of her own away before putting a hoof to Rainbows chest.

"That day...sh....she was happy. Happier than I have ever seen her in all the years we were friends. Even as I watched you...You her hero, her mentor, holding her in your arms and weeping. Even I knew just by the smile on her face that the last things that went through Scootaloo's mind were the memories of her first flight, with her hero nonetheless, and her friends cheering her on. I know you try and blame yourself for what happened, but there's no way anyone could have known she had a disease in the bones of her wings. She....she.....No nothing will ever be the same, for any of us." A hiccup interrupted and was pushed aside, "But I dont think you are doing her memory justice by sitting at a bar stool. I'd know...she was my best friend. The least she would want is some trick named after her."

A few scant tears were illuminated by the lights from within the party as Rainbow picked Sweetie Bell up and hugged her, standing on her hind legs she laughed lightly at the small joke. "Yeah....I guess you're right kid....T-thanks."

An hour and many tear filled conversations later, Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Bell re-entered a party that was in the stages of winding down. Both walking in with huge grins and embracing one last time before parting directions.

Rarity caught the exchange and continued cleaning up with her magick as Rainbow glided over and assisted.

"So," Rarity began "The offer still stands. There will always be a place her for a friend, so why dont you stay her tonight with me and Sweetie?"

Rainbow twitched and looked rather uncomfortable all of a sudden. Turning around to face Rarity, she had a blush on her cheeks.

"Why, Whatever is the matter dear?"

"I...uh...I cant stay Rarity."

"And why can you not?" she replied in a friendly tone

Rainbow dash bit her lip, and the bullet "Because I cant leave Spike waiting for me back at the hotel."