January 18th, year 1800 and 53 of our savior Queen Luna
The campaign today went well as always, after returning back to my tent I wrote out the days events and......
the pages were organized neatly with hoof writing, something most unicorns forgot at a young age once they mastered their magick. Genesis' teachers had refused to allow him what they believe a disadvantage, especially with his condition, one never could tell if he would be using magick tomorrow or not.
He brought a hoof up to the rough circular outcropping above his forehead and smiled. He liked the nickname the wound had earned him, "The Forsaken Mage." It was nice to hear it whispered in terror or reverence whenever he walked hidden into towns or among his soldiers. After all, Genesis had an unbreakable habit of wearing a hood and cloak at almost all times.
In the field earlier that day there had been a skirmish he was required to report on. What had begun as an outing with his new training squad had ended up with them in the middle of a village under attack by Celestial troops. Groups of specially trained earth ponies and pegasi trained to use blades seemed to be the order of adversary this time. It was unfortunate that the fight had broken out in a village but this was war, there was scarcely time to argue over the ground of a battle with the enemy baring down upon your forces.
It had been fortunate that today he had decided to take the squad himself instead of allowing one of his captains like he usually did. It was his personnel policy that he needed to spend time with each unit and not just be an untouchable commander to them. The way he looked at it, any one of the ones he spoke to on a daily basis could end up in his legion. Best to have forged a bond with them before the matter and strengthen it on the field then worry about a weak link during combat. Though some of his most loyal friends know him only in battle and at occasional fireside chats; the conversations can be lacking when your subordinates are afraid to speak with you whether out of respect or not.
Genesis ground his teeth. He loathed the word subordinate. It may as well have been a curse the way she always spat it at him.
Tilting his head back and resting on his haunches, Genesis allowed his mind to wander, the attack today had reminded him of his training. To put it lightly, it was quite different from any other recruit in the armies...save for one.
It was during a time of peace when the sisters lived together under their parents, that their father Titan had ordered the princesses to pick a favorite among their company to be their companion. Whether their father knew that the two the sisters chose would be so delicately intertwined in the fate of Equestria is unknown, Titan may have killed the two if he had known.
Celestia waited for the first solar eclipse in history (a gift from their mother Terra) and chose a female from the longest magickal lineage present at the time, a very powerful unicorn having been born on that day.
Luna, waited for the first full moon, (A gift from Terra as well, a week before the eclipse) and chose a male unicorn who had been born with his cutiemark. A half silver, half black four point star. A sign that the alicorns all new meant immense talent in a field of magick, or magick altogether.
Her name was Astor Coruscare.
His name was Genesis Storm.
One day during an all out training session the princesses began a heated argument, in a flash both Genesis and Astor were at their respective master's sides, horns ablaze and ready to unleash the multitude of war spells they both had mastered. Before the argument between the sisters could spiral any further downward, the two subordinates launched forward and attacked each other in place of their princesses.
At the climax of the battle Genesis mortally wounded Astor with a shard of his own horn that had been fragmented, spearing her in the chest with the projectile. In a flash Celestia had appeared and shattered what was left of Genesis' bleeding appendage and in retaliation Genesis' CutieMark activated for the first time, releasing the energy that would have been cut off in his horn into his body as potential energy.
The sudden barrage of war spells and strikes from Genesis nearly tore Celestia in half wounding her in a dozen places before a regenerated Astor earned her CutieMark by casting an impossibly complex shield and rushing Genesis with her new blade of pure energy.
It was at that moment that Luna had stepped in and cancelled all magic in the area, as Celestia was about to attack (unaffected by her sisters spell) Titan exploded onto the scene, slamming everything loose including the two unicorns and two alicorns, into the walls among other debris.
From that day forward, Genesis, the only living unicorn able to use magick without a horn, and Astor Coruscare were trained by the princesses, not the appointed trainers.
It was a small victory in his mind. And it would most definitely not be the last time he would wound the perceived god known as Celestia, but even then he had had no idea just how much further the sisters fighting would go.
Closing the book, Genesis walked out of his tent, in the valley below this plateau a battle was raging and the patch of bone above his forehead itched at him to join. Magickally finishing the entry in his journal, Genesis leaped, landing among several troops with a roll before firing a dozen spells.
August 27th, year 1800 and 53 of our savior Queen Luna
Thought I had lost this old book, found it today going through the ruins of....
The entire city they had once used as a home base was less than a desolate ghost town upon their return. It had been nearly three quarters of a season since the battalion last laid eyes on their would-be grave and it was a humbling sight to see it so easily destroyed.
Genesis stood at the head of a legion three times the size of any battalion he had controlled before, having been recently promoted to the general of Luna's Elite Army, the very force that stood behind him. Each soldier with enough training and capability to be a captain or lieutenant in any military force under Queen Luna's control. However these soldiers cast aside the rank they had earned for one of more importance.
The Elite Army was, for all intents and purposes, Luna's hoof across the land. Usually the first agents onto the scene, the last to leave, the ones to carry out guerrilla warfare tactics, assassins, and when the occasion called for it, the only force other than Luna that ever met Celestia on the fields of battle.
Though that was mostly left up to the general himself.
It had just so happened to have been one of those days, Genesis was reminded by the trickling of blood from his right side. Celestia had attempted to spear him with her horn during a bout of close combat, had it not been for his experience training with both queens in his youth, it would have done more than spear him behind the shoulder.
The queen had apparently been notified that the Elite Army had appeared within the town and proceeded to send her troops in to flush us out. The only thing she was rewarded with were the screams of battle and then silence as my legion walked out from the streets to meet her in front of the city, myself bringing up the rear before stretching my hind legs and walking casually to the front. My soldiers were always very good with guerrilla warfare tactics.
The stretch was something I did every time I saw the queen. I knew it made her angry that I could take such a casual moment in the face of imminent death.
As usual a moment after I finished stretching a battalion or two of Queen Celestia's soldiers came flying, diving, running, and blasting spells from over the hills behind her and my legionaries met them, giving the queen and I a large circular birth of space.
The queen had nearly killed me enough times that everyone knew things became messy, or...at least I did.
After all, I may have been trained by both queens, but I was not a god, even being one of the highest rated unicorns alive didn't make me a true match for the goddess Celestia.
Thankfully after Celestia speared me, Luna had made her presence known by the screams coming from the back of Celestia's charging battalions. The sight of ponies of all races flying through the air, several being fried by the dark bolts of lightning occasionally ripping through the sky, was always quite heartwarming when my life was in danger.
The battle was ended in an anticlimactic fashion as the queens exchanged words and decided to end the bloodshed, Celestia's forces having suffered a much larger portion of the casualties than my legionaries.
A good day to be sure.
That was the day that our Queen first asked me for council, and birthed in me a connection to her.
A connection I had no idea the implications of.
June 4th, year 1800 and 54 of our savior Queen Luna
My birthday, the day of the death match with Astor, and what a gift she gave me today.....
The last year had been interesting, looking back on the many pages of the journal that I have torn out, I wonder to myself why I kept the ones that I did. But I do know why I kept this one. Today was one of the most anticipated days of the war. The day that could have been the end of all our fighting.
The queens had remembered how long ago myself and Astor Coruscare had been companions driven apart by the rage of two sisters, they saw injustice in this and decided, in some twisted way, that the way to settle this war was with us. With a fight to the death between the two generals. In essence we had agreed because further war meant many more lives would be taken, we both knew our lives were not worth thousands. As well, even the two most powerful mages in the known world would not do a quarter of the damage as two true goddesses unleashing havoc in a death match.
We met with the entirety of our respected armies, queens included, at our backs.
Celestia's army had been ordered to stand at the ready, Astor's personnel guard a hundred or so feet out in front of the rest of the army.
Luna's army was basking under a cloud front brought forth by their queen, each soldier in a sitting stance, ready at a moments notice, but still relaxed. Genesis' Legionaries were in a similar position to Astor's personnel guard.
As for the two generals. They stood twenty or so yards apart, about 300 yards from each of their personnel forces.
The two generals stood at the center of a war, having miraculously never met in combat during the war. Two generals who had been corresponding for over a year through letters and had met under the same tent, not for combat, but in companionship.
The two generals who were in love.
--
After fighting near till sunset, destroying most of the land between the two armies, and making every attempt not to kill each other, Astor finally went in for a kill on Genesis as he slipped. Taken by surprise by the sudden serious attack, Genesis was slammed to the ground, Astor atop him, her blade cut into two shearing halves ready to sever his head from his body and end the war. The blades weren't moving.
Everything froze, both armies even the queens had the smallest look of apprehension, this could, after all, turn on either at any moment.
The blades at Genesis' neck began to quiver and one cut a small gash in his throat as he swallowed hard, thinking the finishing blow had come. At the sight of the blood Astor whimpered and dispelled the blades, Genesis let the building magick behind his spell dissipate and just stared at his nemesis.
Tears streaming from her eyes, down her muzzle, and dripping onto his collar. Slowly, very slowly, Astor craned her neck down and tentatively licked the wound she had made on his neck.
He jolted but leaned his muzzle lower against every instinct in his head screaming to kill her.
There was a more powerful energy inside him, one that pulsed for her and her alone.
They looked into each others eyes as Astor Coruscare, the General of all of Celestia's forces, met with Genesis Storm, the General of all of Luna's forces, and kissed.
A hoof slid up from the dark and rubbed his shoulder. "You know...If It had not been for you and Astor having fallen in love, that war may never have ended. It was that show of love that reminded me and my sister that at one point we had lived side by side."
Genesis remained silent as he looked up into Luna's piercing eyes, allowing a moment to pass before speaking, "Why didn't Celestia tether her like you did me?"
Luna smiled sadly and sat as the breeze played with her starry mane. "Because, like you, Astor had a part to play in our fates. Had it not been her time, she would have lived Gene, but as things stand you survived for a reason."
Genesis smiled, remembering the plans Luna had included him in, it seemed the feelings of comradorie between them had not faded even after a thousand or so years. "I should be happy, If she were still alive...everything would be different right now..." looking down at what was left of his apple, Genesis took the last bite and spoke, "Now on to the part where I wake up."
Genesis stood from his haunches and walked to the rampart edge, looking out across the valley, stopping to stare at specific points. This had become routine in the past few months, it felt good for him to fall into one again after so long.
Luna followed and placed a wing over Genesis in comfort "If it does not sit well with you my friend, you do not need to continue."
He laughed looking back at the princess. "Its not that my Lady. I'm actually quite fond of these next memories.....allow me to start."
It was a little rough when I first woke up.....
It started with a spluttering noise and a dry, almost wheezing scream of a cough.
I could barely move, there was no light and I had just enough sense to magickally drag air from what I believed to be outside of my perceived boundaries. Breaking a small hole through what I now realized was wood above me in my confusion. It was the moment following where a stream of dirt began flowing into my face that I started to panic.
I didn't know what was going on and began to hyperventilate, my air quickly began to thin and in my dizzying confusion I unleashed a war spell towards the source of air and dirt. Luckily for me the groundskeeper had been making rounds, lucky for him he had not been standing anywhere near the small hill that my grave had occupied.
The ground began to churn and fold in upon itself as rays of energy broke through. In moments the path my magick was creating was liquefying everything it touched until the blast left a large rift and shook the loose earth left above me.
The groundskeeper was the first soul to see me. At the time I couldn't understand why he turned pale and fainted upon seeing me crawl from my prison...until I took stock of my surroundings and realized I had just crawled forth from the very earth, matted with dirt, and what likely looked like a progressive case of horn rot.
After a quick spell to wake the groundskeeper I explained I was indeed not a zompony or any creature from the dark depths of tartarus. He was much more willing to speak since I had cleaned the dirt off and graciously told me the date and time....to which I had a less than favorable reaction sending the groundskeeper screaming into the night.
You can imagine how I reacted when he told me that it was February 14th, in the year 2800 and 57 of our lady, Princess Celestia. A little over one thousand years since I had walked away from the tattered Elite Army.
At first I was quite eager to discount his antics for simple lunacy, no offense meant. But as I made my way towards the nearby village and read the sign that stated Trottingham, things became increasingly more strange. The ponies around me were dressed drastically different, I supposed maybe this was because of the end of the war, more casual lifestyles prevailing in the absence of bloodshed. But there was honestly something more to it.
Every pony that I struck up a conversation with seemed to think I was some kind of beggar or blackguard. It was not until I saw myself in a shop's window that I realized why.
I looked the very image of death. My normally hay colored mane was nearly brown from all the years of mud and musty air, my normally peach toned eyes seemed to have almost turned white with fatigue and my coat was heavily matted with all manner of debris. Not to mention I wore no cloak on a cold spring evening and stood almost a head above most other ponies.
Immediately I found cover in a back alley and cast a restoration spell in the off hand chance I had been in a malnourished state or injured. Before walking back out onto the street I opened the spatial rift I used to store all of my belongings when I went into exile. pulling out my armor, my rucksack, my midnight blue cloak, and one of several pouches full of bits, I began the slow process of getting the rust and dents out of my armor, and counting out the bits. It took a while due to my meticulous nature as a soldier but was well worth it to look like myself again.
It was as I was walking out of the alleyway that I felt relief for the first time since waking up. The moon was hanging high in the sky and I could feel that invisible line to my chest gently pulling at my soul.
I knew my queen was alive.
My ecstasy was short lived as I heard several gasps in short vicinity to me. Looking around I realized I was catching quite a crowd. Murmurs ran through about why a guard was in Trottingham, if it meant the princess or her sister was there, why a Lunar Guard would be stationed in a city so far from Canterlot. The comments went on and on, not many I could understand shining through.
If my chances of getting out of this city and back to my queen were going to be bolstered by these townsponies thinking I was a guard, I would act like one.
--
"Quite resourceful of you Gene." commented Luna, "It's a wonder that after all those years you can still feel our connection through my astral body."
Genesis simply nodded, looking out across to a very familiar town. "It was not shortly after that that I first met her."
Luna raised her brow and regarded Genesis with a look of wonder "Finally you decide to tell me." a light chuckle followed
"Indeed. Shortly after I had donned the demeanor of a Royal Guard and marched through the crowd, I was attacked...."
The little ball of fluff that had hammered into my plated chest suddenly began to stir, as I looked down to discover what had slammed into me was a small filly. Big honest eyes stared up at me in wonder as her mouth fell open and the bow atop her head bobbed ever so slightly. In an instant the little filly's mouth was moving a mile a minute with apologies and prayers before another hoof shot out and closed the filly's stream off, pulling her in at the same time.
A scene broke out very quickly in the next few moments.
First, the filly's saddle bag dropped and spilled a few loafs of bread halfway out. The hoof that dragged the filly back was not a gentle one, and its owners opposite was moving back in a striking motion, the owner screaming something indecipherable. Almost right afterward a very large stallion and a quickly moving mare had burst upon the scene only moments before when the shouting had begun. Both moving towards the other stallion holding the filly.
Without thinking I acted on reflex.
The stallions hoof swung down aimed at the back of the scared fillies head. In one fluid motion I blocked his arm at the elbow, spun on my other foreleg, and bucked him in the chest upward with one rear leg, bringing my other rear leg down behind his shoulder and smashing him to the ground in a heap.
Utter silence rained everywhere around us as the stallion groaned.
Looking down to the filly I addressed her "Young one, art thou wounded? Didst this stallion harm thee?"
The stallion began to rise very slowly onto wobbly knees as Genesis stepped over the filly. Being larger than a regular pony, the small filly's bow brushed against his throat as he placed his forelegs on either side of her body and stood. She had been crying too hard to answer him.
"I know not what transgressions have willed thee to attack a child miscreant. But if ye attempt to harm this filly again without reason I will stop thee." He tensed his back legs as the filly pushed against them, instinct telling her it was the safest place.
The stallion looked dumbstruck "She is a thief! and you are protecting her! You are suppose to be a guardspony of Canterlot, Where is your hono-" The stallion was lifted into the air, Genesis' hoof at his throat.
Genesis narrowed his eyes and stared at the stallion "I shall set thee to thine hooves. Whence I have done this, Ye will explain to me why it is thee calls this innocent a thief."
By now the little filly was clutching onto Genesis' other foreleg and shaking, tears streaming down her face. "Ah'm not a thief mister guardpony! Ah'm not!"
The stallion recovered when he was put down and began "This little whelp came to my stand to buy bread, placed the bits down and then when I handed her the bread, the bits were gone and she was running away from my stand! She is a thief and I will have my money or recompense!"
He raised a hoof and peered down at the filly, "Enough. Little one, Didst thou steal from this stallion?"
The little filly looked up at Genesis and began sobbing "N-no! ah s-set the bits down a-ahn they fell through ah crack in the stall, ah swear Mister guardpony ah s-s-swear! Ah was only runnin' away from tha stall ta catch up with mah family! Ah didnt want ta get lost!" The filly broke down into complete sobs as Genesis looked back up to the stallion.
Addressing the crowd that had gathered Genesis spoke up "If thee be relative to this youngling, step forward and let thyself be known."
The two he had seen arrive earlier stepped forward, the smaller one spoke up "We're her brother an' sister sir."
"Come with me." picking up the stallion, Genesis spoke softly "I do give thee my apologies, I will not stand for abuse of a youngling in any happenstance. Lead me to thy stall, vendor."
As the five made their way to the stall three streets down, the crowd dispersed aside from a few following along at a safe distance, still curious as to how the situation was going to play out.
Arriving back at the stall in question the vendor spoke up "This is my humble stall sir, bread and mixtures for different breads, I am only a simple baker making a living."
Genesis wordlessly lifted the stall with one hoof, sifting around with his other while lying on his side. After a moment there was a familiar clattering sound and the filly smiled wide. Another second and the dragging of coins was plain to all around as Genesis pulled forth the bits in question. Taking a closer look up at the stall there was a hole in the warped wood of the stand far wide enough for the bits to have fallen through.
Quietly he handed the bits to the vendor and placed a hoof on his shoulder, "I may not know thee or the times ye have suffered through, your struggles never go unnoticed by those in your life. Live better by bettering those around you with your every action, wouldst thine kin find it valiant to have seen ye strike a youngling? Think on my words, and find faith in the world around ye."
The vendor wordlessly took the bits and nodded, giving a half smile before turning to the filly and her family "I...I apologize for my behavior...this guard is right, I should have been more trusting before jumping to conclusions."
The mare spoke for the group "Yew had every right ta react, 'twas just ah simple misunderstandin'. No harm thanks ta our protector here."
Genesis simply nodded, looking down at the filly who ran forward and leapt up to hang around his neck. Nuzzling into him despite the plated armor. "Thank ye kindly Mister Guardspony." she dropped from his neck and walked back over to her family as he turned to walk down a street leading east.
He only made it a few hundred feet when he was stopped by the two ponies and the little filly shouting for him to wait.
Stopping and allowing them to catch up quickly he gave them a semi quizzical look as if to say "Yes?"
"There's no way we're lettin' yew get by after somethin' like that without some kinda thank you." the mare spoke up first.
"I kindly thank ye, but I helped the little one, all the thanks I need has been given."
Not in an unkind manner Genesis began walking again, "Well shucks, cin we at least give yew something, how about a nice juicy apple or two?
Genesis stopped mid-step and spun around faster than they could blink "Did you say you had an apple?"
"Well I'll be darned, he cin talk normal."
"Big Mac! Dont insult 'im! He jus helped out Applebloom an he deserves our respect."
"Its quite alright miss....?"
"Her name is Applejack! Ahm Applebloom, and that there is Big Macintosh! they're my big brother and sister!" The filly exclaimed with pride
"Well Big Macintosh, I can indeed speak like a normal pony. However in a situation as the one I found myself in I thought it more pertinent to speak the way I though a guard would speak. As for the apple. I don't mean to sound greedy but If you are offering me one I will gladly take it, I haven't had an apple in so long I can hardly remember what they taste like."
The mares let their jaws drop, the stallion gave a chew of the hay stalk in his mouth.
--
"Well, that was very clever of you Gene, I would expect no less. Also very kind-hearted, you never do cease to amaze me."
"It was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted....at the time. I don't think you ever knew but apples are my favorite...never were any apple tree's on the battle field, if their had been I might never have survived."
A moment of silence passed as they both allowed for brief thoughtful remembrance.
"So...what happened after that?"
"I recognized something in Applejack, was already fond of Applebloom, and wanted to see how much I could get Big Mac to talk before he bucked me or something."
"so...what really happened?"
Genesis laughed loudly and scratched his head with a hoof absently "They mentioned never having seen a royal guard so far from Canterlot and how it was so close to the town they lived in. I realized the direction of their town was the same direction the tug was coming from, so they bribed me into sticking with them quite easily with the apples. Either way my goal was being achieved. I was getting ever closer, and probably in a safer manner, and I was getting apples and good company on the side." he sighed lightly, a smile playing across his lips. "It took us a few days to make it to Ponyville and when we did they insisted I stay at the farm for dinner to help make up for the trouble caused back in Trottingham...it was all very strange how everything was working in my favor...I was really not used to that kind of thing."
"These were much more simple times Genesis. No one has experienced the bloodshed of battle since The Great War of Equestria.....You, Discord, Myself, and my sister are the only ones with any memory of what it was like to live in a time of war. Another reason that I am so glad to have you back in my company. Your experience, loyalty and faith are invaluable to me."
Taking another apple from his cloak, Genesis bit into it, again taking his time to savor every ministration as he chewed before continuing.
"Well it wasn't long after being at Sweet Apple Acres that I began to grow roots I didn't know I had. But not even that could stop me from seeking you out on the night of the New Moon. By the by I was wondering when the topic of little miss Sparkle was going to be brought up?"
Luna gave him a look of feigned innocence "Why I have no idea what you are talking about. What ever do you mean?"
"My Lady....I know she is my kin. Or did you forget that I can sense Astor....even when its only in her descendant....I just didn't know she bore my child and the line went on....I suppose her families line is the longest in Equestrian history."
Luna studied Genesis for a moment, his gaze had turned from the small hamlet in the distance to a particularly clear patch of sky housing the northern star. His eye twitched and she could easily see the tell tale signs of recent events catching up to his figure. She took a small breathe and continued.
"The line is indeed the longest. And no...I did not forget, I simply wished for you to figure it out on your own. Now humor me with the rest of the story."
"My Lady you were there for the rest. I found you in the gardens regarding the statue of what was once a dear friend of mine."
"Discord."
"Perhaps it was only because he was not fully grown yet that he never caused problems in my time. I'll never know, though I earnestly hope to see him again someday...under friendly circumstances. But as it were I found you in the gardens with him and you filled me in on all the details of the past one thousand years. And with me as your confidant in the new plans, how could I have refused to take up my position beside you once again?"
Luna waited a beat "You know I will eventually want to hear about the times between Trottingham and our reunion, perhaps a story for another night. Which leads us to where we are now."
"Indeed." *crunch*
Luna regarded Genesis munching his apple with a smile. It was wiped from her face as she turned to watch the sun slowly fading behind the mountains and hills, determination flashed across her muzzle.
"Things are going to become very interesting, very quickly. It sounds so ironic coming from me but dark times are ahead Genesis. The time for you to draw your blades again is coming fast, as this land will be changed forever by the moves we make, its time we started setting up the pieces and established the board. Our old foe is returning to us, and this time, it will not end as easily as it had before. Ill leave the excuses you give your loved ones or your reasoning up to you. Although Im sure you will be happy to know, General Genesis Storm, that our game will begin soon."
"For glory, and for my only Queen....I have one request my Lady. I've never asked for anything in return for my services...but now I must make a request...neigh...a demand."
Luna turned to face Genesis after raising the moon and setting it on its path, "Hmm, brash General, but not unwarranted, name your price."
"When this is over. I want to sever my connection with you....I want to be mortal...I want to live and die beside the one I choose."
"Consider it done upon the day of our victory."
*Crunch* "Thank you. I've lived long enough. One lifetime more with the mare I love is all I want. One chance to actually live."
Turning to look at the orchards in the distance, illuminated by the moon Genesis could see the farmhouse and barely make out what looked like the flicker of a light. Even though he knew the distance was too great to see, and the light likely a figment he imagined someone must still be up.
"Go Gene. Be back by weeks end."
With a fizzle and a spark of blue he was gone.
Looking out across the rampart like she had done a hundred times that earlier afternoon, Princess Luna gave a smile and enhanced the moons light before taking flight to a tower nearby.
Might as well set the mood for them. she thought to herself and chuckled as she landed in her room.
Several hundred feet below in the gardens, a steady pulse of magick flowed from a familiar statue.
No ominous laughter, no throaty chuckle, no cracks in the stone.....only the pulsating magick of someone still alive and trapped in stone.
Author's Note
Well, there it is, finally edited and set up for the sequel Loose Ends, and it's sequel A New Perspective.
Loose Ends, as of 02/22/2016 is being written as the main project. It focuses on our new found character Genesis and his interactions with the characters of Ponyville, as well as his reunion with Princess Luna, discovering Discords fate, and settling into his new role. It's a filler that, as its name clearly suggests, will tie up loose ends before we progress with the real story.
Dont be fooled, there will be important parts to Loose Ends that explain much for it's Sequel.
