The unlikely siblings

It was the next morning and Ryan was on the couch half covered by a blanket. Babs slept on the floor right next to the couch. The coffee table was moved more towards the TV. A ring of the door bell woke Babs up making her snort and jump a bit. She opened her eyes and rubbed them as she sat up. The door bell rang again as she got up and stretched. "...Hold on there..." She said as she sluggishly walked to the door. Just as she unlocked the door she gave a yawn before opening it. "....Yeah? What'dya need?" She looked outside and saw Scootaloo alone and expressionless. She pushed her way in and went for the kitchen table. Babs closed the door just as she sat down. "You doin' okay Scoot?"

Scootaloo hesitantly shook her head. "...Dad's alright but Ryan and I have to be alone here for a few days..." She said. Her voice was almost as expressionless as her face. "...Mom told me to go to sleep and that she would be there when she woke up... She was right but... I only woke up to hear her say goodbye..."

Babs sat at the table giving a sigh. "...Well sorry 'bout that... Your brother wasn't takin' it well either." She said. "I woke up to a pillow in my face, him crying a bit and... Well lets just say that soda he had went through him so fast he couldn't stop it and I had to clean it up for him." She looked to the couch and pointed. "Got him on the couch getting him away from his now stripped bed, the smell of his own piss and possibly a better sleep environment so he cant roll over and hurt himself again."

Scootaloo looked back at her brother and sighed getting up from the table. "...You mind if I wake him up?" She said looking back at Babs. She shook her head and motioned with her hoof. Scootaloo looked back at Ryan and slowly approached him. She sat by the couch and nudged him a bit. "Ry? Wake up Ryan... I need you right now... "

Scoot nudged her brother a bit harder and he groaned a bit. He stretched as much as he could before sitting up. He rubbed his eye looking at his sister. "...Scoot? Where's dad? Is he okay?" He asked. Scootaloo nodded and got up before sitting next to him. "...Mom's gone isn't she...?" She nodded again. "...Well I hope you had fun while it lasted... Just wish I could've been there to see her off..."

The mare rested a hoof on her brothers lap. "...Trust me... If you were there you'd probably be crying..." She said. "...When we got to the hospital I spent most of the night with mom... Even she wished you were there..." She let out a little whimper. "...She... She also told me to tell you she loved you... and that she wants you to keep making me smile..." She looked to Ryan. "...Well? ...You think you can make me smile?"

Ryan forced a bit of a smile and nodded. "...You mind helping me get dressed first? I kinda wanted to get out of this house." He said. Scootaloo gave a nod standing up. Ryan pulled himself up off the couch using his sister as leverage. "Thanks..." He looked to Babs who was just looking at him blushing seeing him only in his boxers. "...Babs maybe you can join us? I'd actually want to thank you for helping me last night..."

Babs blushed and smiled. "...Happy to help a friend of my cousins..." She said. "Besides... You seem pretty awesome compared to most of the guys who just want one thing with the mares." Ryan gave a smile blushing. He bent down a bit as he continued walking with his sister. "You seem like you don't want me to see what your packin'! Trust me I've seen it and doesn't matter to me!" She gave a laugh along with Ryan who just laughed nervously.

As they entered Ryan's room Scootaloo looked to the stripped bed and the sheets piled into the hamper with his stained boxers and stained pants and shirt on top. "...Wow... You really must've wet bad..." She said as Ryan opened up his drawers pulling out his camo shorts and Metallica Tshirt. "...When we get back home I'll help you with your laundry... Dad might need to know about this too..."

Ryan sighed as he stepped into his shorts pulling them up to his waist still a bit low on his back. Scootaloo went behind him and pulled the rest up. "Better him knowing than anyone I'm trying to make friends with...." He said. "... By the way... Do you have anything in mind for bringing a smile to your face? I don't want to do something and just bring you down more..."

Scootaloo thought for a moment helping her brother put his shirt on over his cast. He pulled the rest on wincing a bit. "...Well... I've wanted to spend a lot of time with Rainbow Dash but... She just never had the time..." She said.

"Did you even ask her?" Ryan asked pulling socks from his drawers. He looked at Scootaloo who blushed averting her gaze. "...I'll take that as a yes..." He went back over to the bed and sat down as Scootaloo brought his shoes from the wall. "Scoot if I get you time to hang out with Dash will you do a few things for me?"

Scootaloo gave a nod helping him take his balled up socks apart. "Anything you can think of within my ability I can do..." She said.

Ryan pulled his socks on using one hand. "...Well... While I heal up you think you can help me with things like getting dressed and undressed?" He asked. Scootaloo nodded. "...Also with making some food too?" His sister nodded again and lifted his shoes up helping him put them on.

Scootaloo looked up at her brother helping him up. "That's pretty much all I can do for you." She said. "You think we should hit up Sweet Apple Acres or Twilight's castle to find Dash? She finishes clearing the clouds around nine in the morning and its what... Ten? Ten thirty?" Ryan shrugged. "...Oh right I forgot to give you the alarm clock dad bought the night you were staying with Octavia and Vinyl." She looked to the door. "Lets just get going to Twilight's castle. She might have an idea on where Dash is." Ryan nodded and walked out the door.

A little while later Ryan rode on Babs' back going up towards Twilight's castle. Scootaloo walked next to them. Babs looked over at her friend. "Why aint you flyin' 'round here?" She asked. "...You bein' a Pegasus 'n all would really make me think you flew places."

Scootaloo sighed. "Nah... The only time I fly is when I need to get somewhere fast." She said. "That and when I go over to Cloudsdale with my dad to see the wonderbolts. Sure they do shows near here but I think it's better experiencing them at their own area." She looked towards the castle door and saw two guard's standing there. Scootaloo hummed a bit. "...That's weird... Usually there's only one guard here... What the hell happened?"

Ryan sighed. "...Well I think I might be in a bit of trouble with the princess..." He said. Scootaloo and Babs looked to him. "I... May or may not have told a guard to lie about where he was just so he could catch less hell from her..." He blushed a bit as they approached the guards.

Scootaloo looked to the guards. "Um... May we talk with Princess Twilight? Please?" She asked.

The guard on her right looked at her. "Sorry but Princess Cadence and Twilight's brother are here." He said. "Security has been doubled everywhere just so nothing goes wrong."

Ryan sighed. "Look all I need to do is ask about borrowing Spike for help with my busted arm." He said. "Twilight has me writing in a journal and I need him for a new update... Well... One that I haven't really finished."

The guards looked to each other. The guard on the left shrugged and looked back at the trio. "Alright you may go inside but the mares stay out here." He said. "But before you go in we need to frisk you just incase you're carrying any weapons."

Ryan huffed stepping on to the ground. "Look I'm injured. If I had a weapon I'd need both hands to properly use it." He said. "You can ask Fluttershy, Big Mac, Applebloom and Babs here about my injury!" He pointed to Babs who blushed a bit coming under the spotlight.

The guard shook his head and sighed. "Alright sir just go on in. No frisk, and still no mares!" He said.

Ryan looked back at Scootaloo and Babs. "I'll be right back you guys." He said. "You two think you can wait down here while I go get Spike?" He winked at them. Both Babs and Scootaloo nodded. He smiled and turned back inside entering. He climbed up the stairs passing by a few guards who didn't seem to flinch as he walked up. He passed about six guards before stopping and turning to one. "Um excuse me?" The guard looked down at him. "Can you tell me where I can find Princess Twilight? I need to ask her if I can borrow Spike from her."

The guard nodded and pointed up the stairs a bit more. "Once the stairs end here just go down the hall and into the throne room." He said. "She should be in there with her guests. I warn you do not startle anyone there. Princess Twilight's brother is a guard and he will remove you from the premises if he is startled." Ryan nodded and started up the stairs again.

As he climbed he thought to himself. What's Twilight's brother doing here anyways? What is her brother like? Would the guards downstairs be suspicious if I didn't come back down with Spike? He gave a sigh as he reached the top of the stairs. He looked down the hall with guards standing between every other door. He walked past them his arm pulsing with pain as he took each step. No faking relaxed here. "...C'mon Ryan just calm down... You've talked with Twilight one on one before..." He said to himself. "...Just ask the questions and leave... If you don't like the pressure of a princesses brother in the room ask if you can be alone...." He took a few deep breaths stopping before the throne room. He heard talking from inside.

"Twily you know mom and dad would want you to at least invite them to your castle as well." A stallion said. "If you're worried they'll want to stay here just let them spend a night here and send them back home. It's what I've been doing."

Ryan heard a feminine sigh. "...Shining it isn't that I don't want them here but they think just because their daughter is a princess means I can get them anything they want!" A mare said. Sounded like Twilight. "Mom would want me to get her dinner with Princess Celestia, Dad would want to sleep with your wife and obviously they would want new outfits, a new home and even grandfoals from both of us!"

The stallion sighed. "Look just tell them what you can and cant do as a princess." He said. "Cadence told me the same thing I'm telling you. I couldn't do anything to give them nice things but I really couldn't tell them. Cadence brought me and mom and dad together and I told them if I were to do anything Celestia would strip me of my rank and I could start a riot that I'd have no power to help stop. You on the other hoof would have to come up with another reason." Ryan heard no answer from Twilight. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to check on Cadence. She should be coming back from the bathroom by now."

Ryan started to panic as he heard hooves coming towards the only door in and out of the throne room. He looked down the hall and knew he couldn't dart inside any of the rooms because of the guard. He started pacing back and forth but froze seeing a white unicorn stallion clad in golden armor. He had a blue mane and tail and a cutie mark of a blue shield and a pink star similar to Twilight's cutie mark. The stallion saw Ryan shaking a bit. He turned back into the room and whistled. He looked back at Ryan who grew more and more nervous as he heard more hooves. Soon Twilight came to the side of the stallion who pointed at Ryan. She gasped. "Oh! Ryan!" Twilight said surprised. "What are you doing here? You doing okay with your arm?" Ryan nodded hesitantly not even answering. Twilight looked to the stallion she had called Shining. "Shining... This is Ryan he came here running away from his hectic life. Forgive him he's a bit nervous on meeting new ponies here."

Shining hummed a bit. "Well it's nice to meet you Ryan but... Just so you know when you come in front of a princess you're supposed to bow to her." He said.

Twilight nudged him. "Shining can't you see he's a bit scared right now?" She said. "Go find Cadence to help calm him down." Shining nodded flashing away. Twilight looked back to Ryan. "My brother can be a bit intimidating cant he?" Ryan hesitantly nodded. "Well come on in and take a seat in any throne. Well... Any except mine I guess." Ryan nodded again and entered the room. He went for the throne right next to Twilights. It was Rainbow Dash's throne. Twilight followed him and sat in her throne. "So you definitely must be here for something important right?"

Ryan took a deep breath and nodded. "...Y-yeah..." He said. "...Scootaloo and I are pretty much home alone while our dad is in the hospital after he fell down the stairs into the basement... Now that mom is back where she was Scoot just needs something to put a smile on her face and she wants to spend time with Rainbow Dash." He averted his gaze a bit. "And... I actually wanted to thank you for having Spike come over and help me with an entry. Would you mind if I borrowed him again tonight? I forgot I had an entry I never finished when I was being thanked by Vinyl and Octavia... Kinda turned into hell when I was being fought over who would have me sleep in their bed to thank me about what had happened."

Twilight sighed. "Those two never argue about anything." She said. "But given the terms I guess it'd be natural to freak out..." She looked to the door. "Did Scootaloo get split up from you on the way up here or did she just not come in?" She looked to Ryan.

Ryan sighed. "Scootaloo is downstairs with Babs, Appleblooms cousin." He said. "The guard wouldn't let them inside and... Really all this heat is making me nervous when I'm by myself... Last few times I came up here was when I was with someone at my side."

Twilight giggled a bit standing up. "Well there isn't any reason to be nervous unless something illegal was done." She said. "You think you'd be good staying up here while I give the guards down stairs the okay to let your sister up?" Ryan nodded before Twilight ran out leaving him alone.

As Ryan sat there he looked at his arm and then to Applejacks throne which sat just across from Dash's throne. "...Hope you go easy on me after I'm healed." He said. "You probably got injured before and it took a while for you to get back into the swing of things."

Not even moments after speaking to himself Ryan heard hooves coming towards the door. He got up acting like he wasn't invading on anything that might've gotten him in trouble. "Ryan? You in here?" Someone said. It was Shining.

Ryan looked around Fluttershy's throne which blocked the door where he came from. There he saw Shining with a pink mare with a pink, yellow and purple streaked mane. She was also a princess. "R-Right here sir!" Ryan said.

Shining laughed a bit as he and the princess at his side approached. "Good. Saw Twily on her way out and she said you were still in here." He said. "Ryan I'd like you to meet my wife Princess Cadence!" Ryan tried to bow a bit but his cast stopped him. Shining used his magic to stand Ryan up straight. "Don't worry about that most uh... Injured beings cant do much if they get to meet a princess."

Cadence giggled a bit as Ryan blushed rubbing the back of his head. "You are just the cutest little human I've seen!" She said. "Well one of the first humans I've seen up close!" Ryan blushed harder stammering now making Cadence giggle again. "Stop being so cute and say something!"

The stammering stopped and Ryan just stayed silent. Shining sighed looking to his wife. "No worries Cadence. Twily says he was a bit shy." He said. He looked back at Ryan seeing his casted arm. "How'd you get that battle scar? Fall down the stairs?" Ryan shook his head. "I would say you got in a fight but then I'd see more bruises here and there... You must've fell off a ride of some sort." Ryan nodded this time. "Ah. I've been there. Me and my family went snow boarding after my sister was born and I ended up wiping out. Busted my leg pretty bad."

Before Ryan could try and answer the sound of multiple hooves came from the door. Shining and Cadence turned around and were greeted with Twilight, Scootaloo and Babs. As Shining and Cadence greeted the mares Ryan caught a glimpse of Cadence's cutie mark which was a blue gem heart with identical golden decoration on either side. After Babs and Scootaloo bowed Cadence looked at Scootaloo closely. "...Wait a second... I remember you!" She said happily.

Scootaloo tilted her head as Babs went over to Ryan. "...How could you remember me?" She asked still feeling emotionless. "...I remember you but only because I've seen you addressing town folk, holding weddings and even foal sitting..."

Cadence giggled. "Scootaloo that IS how I know you!" She said. "I've foalsat you while your parents went on their honeymoon! You were trying so hard to fly!"

Scootaloo perked up a bit giving a confused look. "...But... I haven't been able to fly until I was sixteen..." She said. She actually had a bit of emotion in her voice.

Cadence sighed and hung her head a bit. "...There's a reason for that Scoot..." She said. "...While your parents were out of town I forgot I had some important business to attend to... I had a few of my guards watch you while I did that business... They.... may have accidentally left you alone for a second and you fell back on a block that hurt your wing... You only cried when someone moved your wing a certain way and I didn't know why until those guards confessed." Tears came to her eyes. "...I... I should've been better with this... I'm sorry..."

Ryan watched as Scootaloo's expression turned from confused to shocked and sad. "...W-why haven't you told me until now...?" She asked.

Cadence sniffled and averted her gaze. "...It's because I was afraid..." She said. "...I was afraid of your reaction... I didn't know if you would be mad... Sad... Or just disappointed in me...." She looked up as tears rolled down her cheeks. "...Tell me... Do you hate me...? Do you want to cry...?"

Scootaloo sniffled. "...I want to cry..." She said. "...And... And an apology to my dad... He's in the hospital right now and he NEEDS to know..."

Ryan looked to Babs. Then back at his sister breaking off from the city mare. "But Scootaloo!" He said. "What about Rainbow Dash?"

Scootaloo sniffled and looked to her brother. "...Dash can wait..." She said. "My dad needs an explanation on why I couldn't fly... He should hear it from someone who he thought was watching me... Too bad he couldn't sue the guards that caused me so much emotional pain..." She turned to the door and started off. Shining and Cadence followed. "...If you need me just look for me in the hospital..."

As the three ponies left Twilight walked over to Babs and Ryan shocked. "That... That was surprising..." She said. Ryan backed up towards Babs. "...What's say we go on a walk through town to try and find Rainbow Dash and see if she can at least surprise Scootaloo...?"

Ryan and Babs gave a nod. As Babs lowered herself Ryan gave a wince in pain. "Ah! Damn it..." He said. "...Painkiller is wearing off..."

Babs helped him up giving a bit of a sad aw. "... You just wanna stay here n rest?" She asked. "Me n the Princess here can fetch that Rainbow gal o yours."

Ryan shook his head as he brought his cast up a bit. "...I'm fine!" He said. "...I think I just need a sling... Left so fast this morning I didn't grab my sling..." He looked to Twilight as Babs stood again. "Alright Twi... Lead on..." Twilight nodded but instead of going on she used her magic on Ryan's arm. The pain faded making Ryan sigh and pant like he was really holding something back. "...Holy shit that was BAD..." He rubbed the cast and looked at Twilight. "What'd you do anyways?"

Twilight sighed and averted her gaze. "...I may accelerated the healing process to relieve you of the pain." She said a bit nervously. "I wasn't supposed to do that but with what we just heard I don't think Scootaloo would enjoy getting up in the middle of the night to help you to the bathroom or hesitate to hug you and hurt you... I'll remove the cast later but we should really get going!" Both Babs and Ryan nodded again before following Princess Twilight out of the room.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs Ryan thought for a moment. "...Where would Dash hang out?" He asked. "Yeah she's a Pegasus and the only one who can fly here is you Twilight."

They exited the castle and had the guards bow in respect to Twilight. "Yeah Princess how're we supposed to find that Rainbow Dash?" Babs asked.

Twilight looked back at Babs and Ryan. "I know two ponies she hangs out with the most." She said. "Applejack and Fluttershy. Since you're AJ's cousin you go on back to Sweet Apple Acres and find Dash. I'll head out to find Fluttershy and who ever finds Dash just goes to the other one."

Ryan hopped off Babs' back and went to Twilight. "I'm going with you then Princess." He said. "Yeah I hate to leave Babs alone but if something were to happen to you someone would be to blame and it'd be one of us who left with her."

Twilight smiled a bit. "Good thinking!" She said looking at Ryan. She looked back at Babs who looked a bit worried. "Babs you go back and snag one of my guards to take to the orchard. If they have a doubt you just tell them I said to go with you! You got it?" Babs nodded and hurried back towards the castle. Twilight looked back to Ryan. "You might want to hold on. My flying might not be fast but it's stable enough to keep us both in the air." Ryan nodded and leaned on his casted arm wrapping his arm around Twilight's neck. The princess flapped her wings and started lifting off the ground. She was about five feet off the ground before starting to move around.

As Twilight flew a bit higher Ryan buried his head into Twilight's neck covering his eyes. Twilight didn't seem to notice. It seemed like only a few minutes in the air. Once Twilight landed he heard the sound of hooves on a stone path. Ryan hesitantly opened his eyes and saw they were near Fluttershy's. He sat back up and hopped off now walking by Princess Twilight's side. "Well... That was a short ride..." He said trying not to sound like he was scared. "Must really come in handy if you're almost late for something..."

Twilight looked down at him as they walked up to the door. She shot him a smile. "Well we are in a hurry Ryan." She said. "And you are small compared to us ponyfolk." She knocked on the door. "Speaking of flying if Dash ever asks you to go flying with her I would see if you can get either Fluttershy or Scootaloo to go with you. I don't want Dash flying so fast she just loses you to the wind!"

Ryan laughed a bit nervously. "...Y-Yeah that's probably not going to even happen anytime soon..." He said. "...I might stay on the ground as long as my dad is in the hospital." He smiled at Twilight just as the door opened.

Both Twilight and Ryan looked back at the door and saw Fluttershy looking a bit scared. "Fluttershy?" Twilight said. "Is everything okay?"

Fluttershy looked around outside and beckoned them both to come inside. Ryan walked in curious and Twilight followed a bit worried. The yellow Pegasus mare gave a relieved sigh turning around as she closed the door. She looked to Ryan and Twilight as they sat on the couch. "Twi... Gilda is back and she and Dash are flying around pulling pranks..." She said. "....They pranked me last night and I couldn't even leave the house this morning.... P-pinkie invited me to go with her to have breakfast but when I stepped out they hit me with water balloons..." She teared up whimpering.

Twilight sighed. "Well you can blame me for that." She said. "I had Dash invite Gilda here so Ryan could try and make friends with her. Did you see where they went?"

Fluttershy nodded as she sat next to her friend. "...They went towards Sweet Apple Acres..." She said. "...Must be trying to prank AJ next..."

Ryan's stomach gurgled a bit. "...Uh... Would it be too much to ask for some food and a drink...?" He said. "...I didn't have time to grab anything before I left the house this morning...." He blushed a bit giving a nervous smile.

Fluttershy's stomach gurgled too. As well as Twilight's. Both mares blushed looking at each other. "...Quick stop by Sugarcube Corner for breakfast?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yup." Twilight replied. She looked to Ryan. "I'll buy you something to drink while we're there if you promise not to tell anyone about what you heard at the castle about Cadence!"

Ryan sighed. "I'm not one to snitch and I'll be fine until we get to Sweet Apple Acres." He said. "...That Cider Applebloom gave me tasted good." Fluttershy and Twilight tilted their heads looking at him. "What? It's not like its vodka or something."

Twilight looked to Fluttershy. "You wanna tell him or should I?" She asked.

Fluttershy sighed and looked to Ryan. "You... Do know that Applejack's cider is alcoholic right?" She asked. Ryan hesitantly shook his head. "Well Big Mac and Applejack slip a bit of beer into it and sells it. Us ponies have a larger tolerance than humans do for alcoholic beverages. What's just a shot to us is about half a bottle to you."

Ryan averted his gaze confused. "...So... How much beer do they put into it...?" He asked looking back.

Twilight thought for a moment. "...I think its only a fourth of a can so not much I guess..." She said. "But you really shouldn't drink anymore of that cider!"

Ryan sighed. "Just a regular cola it is then..." He said getting up. "...Now lets just go please... My arm is killing me..." He rubbed at his cast acting as if it were still injured.

Both mares got up from the couch. Fluttershy lowered herself and helped Ryan get on. "Here you'll be good with me." She said. "If I know Dash she wont prank anyone twice." Ryan gave a bit of a smile as she walked to the door opening it for Twilight. "So um... Is everything okay? With your arm I mean."

Ryan nodded hesitantly blushing as she stepped outside locking the door behind her. "...The pain isn't as bad but its still hard to move around with..." He said. He leaned forward a bit. "...Between you and me... Last night wasn't so dry for me..." He blushed harder averting his gaze.

Fluttershy blushed. "...You didn't make it did you?" She whispered turning towards Twilight who waited patiently at the end of the path. Ryan hesitantly nodded tearing up a bit. She used her wing to wipe his eye a bit. "C'mon don't cry. I actually had an accident after we had movie night at the castle... Twilight helped me clean up and hide it from the others..." She looked towards Twilight. "Twi! You go on ahead I'll meet you at Sweet Apple." Twilight saw Ryan blushing and teary eyed and nodded before flashing away.

Ryan sniffled wiping his other eye. "...W-why'd you do that?" He asked. "...I was supposed to stay with her..."

Fluttershy shushed him nuzzling him a bit. "You don't have to worry about Twilight." She said. "Twilight has been here in Ponyville for years. She's one of the most likeable ponies here. The whole town is like her personal guard. They wont let anyone hurt her just like I'm too cute and fragile to hurt." She started to walk away from her home. "We both said we'd go to Sugarcube Corner and a promise is a promise."

Ryan whimpered a bit looking at her wings. They were tucked at her sides keeping room for Ryan to sit and not obstruct them. "....A-arent you going to fly...?" He asked a bit scared.

The yellow mare shook her head. "I wouldn't put anything on my back and fly around with it." She said. "Last time I flew with something I was carrying groceries. A bird flew by and hit the bag knocking it off. Poor thing had a hurt wing... I needed to fix his wing fast so I just brought him home an did what I could just like I did you."

Ryan gave a sigh as they came more into town. "...Thanks for that by the way..." He said. "...Would there be anything I can do to thank you? Help with anything at home...? Escort you places...? Anything you need I can pretty much help with..."

Fluttershy giggled a bit and shook her head. "I don't need any help at the moment Ryan but thank you for the offer." She said turning a corner. "Besides having you work with that arm isn't good. Just ask Big Mac. He threw his back out one day and when he tried bucking AJ had to get Twilight, me and Dash to help carry him back inside." She looked back at him. "I wouldn't want you to clean anything and end up being in more pain."

They stopped outside of Sugarcube Corner and Ryan looked inside. He saw Pinkie at the counter looking as if her whole day was ruined. She had a sad look on her face as she stocked the glass case. "...I think before we ask anything you should at least apologize for not being able to do the breakfast thing..." He said hopping off Fluttershy's back. "Pinkie knows of Dash's shenanigans?" Fluttershy nodded a bit. "Well just tell her Dash and Gilda pranked you and you just got scared you didn't want to leave the house."

Fluttershy looked to Ryan and gave a smile. "Pinkie cant ever be mad at me for long anyways." She said opening the door for Ryan. She followed him in and took a deep breath before approaching the counter. "...Um... Pinkie...?"

Pinkie looked up to her as she placed a few fresh muffins into the case. "....N-no need to explain..." She said bringing her head up and closing the glass case up. "...I saw Dash and Gilda..... They... Pranked me.... Bad..." She teared up a bit blushing. She pulled Fluttershy close and whispered in her ear.

Ryan watched from a seat as Fluttershy and Pinkie had a little private whisper. As they talked a little filly and colt came up behind Ryan. The filly was a unicorn with a long orange mane with a blue bow near the end. The colt was a Pegasus with a short yet puffy brown mane. They looked at each other and nodded. They looked back to Ryan and pushed his chair over causing him to tumble to the ground. He yelled startled just before he hit the floor groaning. The colt and filly laughed and clicked hooves. "THATS WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT!" The filly yelled.

Fluttershy looked over and saw Ryan on the floor. So did Pinkie. Fluttershy quickly went to Ryan and helped him up as Pinkie vaulted the counter and went for the young ponies. They tried running off but she grabbed both of them. "Not so fast you two!" She snapped. "You need to apologize to him right now! Cant you see that he has a broken arm?!"

Pinkie sat both of the ponies down as Fluttershy sat Ryan up. They both sighed hanging their heads. "....We're sorry...." They both said.

The boy sighed as Fluttershy dusted him off and picked up his chair for him. "You two are lucky I'm here to make friends..." He said. "...And that I'm injured... Possibly even more now that you two knocked me outta my chair...." He sat down and groaned.

Pinkie gave a sigh and put the filly and colt into chairs at another table. "You two stay here until your parents come back from the store!" She snapped. She looked to Ryan. "Sorry about that Ryan.... Pumpkin and Pound are really mischievous sometimes especially towards new ponies and... People in town." She smiled a bit nervously. "Y-you aren't hurt to bad are you? Mr. and Mrs. Cake wouldn't like it if their kids injured someone in the shop!"

Ryan sighed and shook his head. "Nah... I'm fine." He said. "Just... Set us up with a few donuts and a drink each.... It's why we came here in the first place."

Fluttershy gasped. "Ryan no we cant just do that!" She said scared. "Mr. Cake and Mrs. Cake are very nice ponies and we cant take that stuff from them. Its basically stealing!"

Pinkie went towards the counter. "Don't worry Fluttershy it isn't stealing." She said hopping over again. "Its just bribery so whoever was injured on site wont sue us."

The yellow Pegasus mare tilted her head. "Yeah Fluttershy." Ryan said getting up and rolling his shoulder a bit. "My mom 'fell' a lot before the stores she went to caught on. I never went but my dad always went to say 'He vouched for her injuries as a witness'. My mom would even have to fall a certain way to injure herself so the cops wouldn't be suspicious of fraud. If I got hurt in a store I'd just get free stuff and not get money out of it. I made my money from running packages." Lucky him he knew how to censor himself. "We'd always get packages from our neighbors ordering something and I'd basically deliver them for the neighbors."

Fluttershy gave a bit of a smile following him up to the counter. "Well that's really nice of you Ryan!" She said just as Pinkie sat two bags one marked 'F' and the other 'R'. Ryan took his and pulled out a bottle of chocolate milk. Pinkie nudged Fluttershy's bag forward giving a humble smile. Fluttershy reached into her mane and pulled a bit bag. "I'll be paying for mine Pinkie. I wasn't the one affected by the cake twins jokes." She pulled three bits and set them on the counter before taking her bag and shoving the bit bag back into her mane and braiding it up.

Ryan sat the bag on his cast as Fluttershy lowered herself allowing Ryan to get on. He grabbed her bag and held them both as Fluttershy left and started into a trot down the road. Over with Twilight she was at Sweet Apple Acres sitting in the living room of the barn with her guard at the door, Applejack and Big Mac sitting next to her on the couch, Applebloom standing between Rainbow Dash and a griffion whos head feathers tapered off into a violet color. Both looked a bit damp. "So! You tow see what happens when you mess around with water balloons and my friends Gilda?" Twilight asked.

The griffon sighed a bit. "Yes princess!" She said mumbling something under her breath.

Rainbow Dash reached over and conked her friend on the back of the head. "I even told you not to even try and hit her with those balloons!" She snapped. Applebloom pushed Dash away a bit. She looked to Twilight. "Twi c'mon why cant I go dry off? You know my mane frizzes!"

Twilight's eyes locked on to her friend. "You can air dry yourself!" She snapped. "You need to head over to the hospital for Scootaloo's sake. She's with my brother and my sister in law crying over her father!" Dash rolled her eyes and went to the door without saying another word. Twilight looked to Gilda. "As for you I know you were brought here for a meal with me and a few friends but since it was canceled due to an injury of who you were brought for. You were brought to cook him a meal of... Well meat... so he could get something to eat other than ramen noodles, donuts, breakfast pastries and a salad with those weird tasting noodles don't go together! Trust me!"

Gilda rolled her eyes. "So what do you want me to do?" She said. "Take him somewhere and cook him a meal like some sort of personal chef? I'd need to get paid to do something like THAT!"

Twilight sighed. "Fine you'll be paid a hundred bits for one meal for him!" She said. "The boy I'm talking about should be here any minute now. He should still be with someone who you need to apologize to for hitting her with water balloons!" She looked to Applebloom. "You may go now but you take Babs and make sure Dash isn't hiding anywhere! I know how she likes to avoid doing anything relating to work. She clears the clouds and then she just sleeps the day away!"

Applebloom nodded and went for the stairs. She climbed the stairs and went for her room where she found Babs looking out the window. "Babs. C'mon we got work to do!" She said. Babs looked back at her. She had a sad look on her face. Applebloom sighed and sat down next to her. "Alright what's wrong?"

Babs sighed looking back out the window. "....Just... I'm just feelin' sorry for what I did to my dad before he sent me off here..." She said. "...You think he'll forgive a fuck up like me?"

Applebloom rested a hoof on her cousins back. "Yeah Babs." She said. "Uncle Orange can forgive his own flesh'n blood for something like that. AJ and I got into a fight one time that I started and she ended up losing having to be rushed to the hospital. Big Mac grounded me but... During the night I got grounded I snuck out and ran all the way to the hospital just to apologize to AJ... Lucky for me a nurse snuck me into her room and let me apologize and stay with her..."

Babs looked back at Applebloom. The yellow mare had tears in her eyes. "...What about Big Mac...? What did he do?" She asked.

Applebloom sniffled. "...H-he saw me escape... He was outside when I climbed out my window...." She said. "...He tailed me for as long as he could without spookin' me... When I woke up I saw him sleeping on the floor next to the futon I was on... I got scared and rolled on top of him... He woke up grabbed me... I thought he was gonna tan my fur but... He just hugged me and told me never to get in a fight with AJ again..."

Babs got up and helped Applebloom up hugging her. "...C'mon... You said we gotta do some work... Lets talk while we do it." She said. She broke the hug and gave her cousin a smile. Applebloom wiped her eyes and smiled back. They both left the room and went down stairs where they saw Gilda sitting at the kitchen table with her claws on a mug of water. Applejack and Big Mac still sat on the couch watching TV with Twilight. The guard still sat off to the side not even breaking his gaze from Gilda and The Princess. Applebloom went to the couch kissing both her brother and sister on the cheek before hurrying out the front door with her cousin.

Twilight laughed a bit at the blushing siblings. "Aww someone seems to be happy with her family." The purple alicorn said.

Applejack sighed a bit. "It aint every day she does that... Feels kinda nice..." She said. She gave a smile.

Big Mac smiled as well. "Eeyup... I honestly haven't seen her like that since she beat the livin' daylights outta you Applejack." He said. He looked over at his sister. "...You think I should go talk with her? She might be hidin' somethin' she's doin'."

Applejack looked to her brother. "Ah leave it." She said looking back at the TV. "If she's hidin' somethin' I'd've figured it out before she even went back up stairs."

Gilda looked over at the ponies. "Maybe you can stop me from doing what I'm ABOUT to do." She said getting a claw ready.

"You best keep that talon down if you don't wanna lose it!" Applejack said not even breaking her gaze. Gilda sighed and went back to her water. "Y'know you're lucky I'm lettin' you into this house after what you did all that time ago. I'm one to forgive whoever's done my friends wrong but since Dash seems to keep letting you come around I guess I aint one to keep friends from seeing other friends."

Gilda glanced over again. "...Thanks for that I guess." She said before sipping her water. "Dash and I do go way back... Not to mention she has stopped me from offin' myself... Multiple times actually..."

Twilight and Applejack looked over at Gilda. "...You're joking right....?" Twilight asked a bit hesitantly.

Applejack nudged her friend. "...I dont think that was a joke sugarcube... I think she's serious about it." She said.

Twilight looked closely and saw a tear drop from Gilda's eye. "...Oh... Um... I-I'm sorry...." She said. "...Now I know why Dash hangs out with you a lot... Just making all the time count...."

Gilda sniffled and gave a nod. "...y-yep..." She said. "...She caught me one time while I had the rope ready... My drinkin' got the better of me... Thought about my stupid father in law... Just... Violating me... Making me choke on his... Stupid... fucking... GOD DAMNIT!" She threw her mug to the side splashing water everywhere before lying her head on the table crying hard.

Big Mac got up along with Twilight. Both went to the table. Twilight hugged Gilda feeling really bad for her. Big Mac stayed at her side just in case Gilda got violent but this didn't seem like the time for that. Twilight looked over at her guard. "You go and grab something to dry up the water. I don't want anyone breaking their necks because of that spill!" She said. The guard got up and saluted before hurrying over to the kitchen.

Just outside Ryan was just walking up with Fluttershy at his side. He held Fluttershy's bag and his own bottle of chocolate milk (Which was empty by the way) with his own bag stuffed inside. Fluttershy looked over at Ryan as they walked up the dirt road. "You really must have been hungry! You really could have allowed me to buy you a few more donuts!" She said.

Ryan laughed a bit. "I've got a big appetite when it comes to good food." He said. He sighed looking up at the yellow Pegasus mare. "...You think Dash can get Scoot to smile...? I really would hate to come home and have her be depressed until Dad comes home... I'm just worried for her you know?"

Fluttershy sighed. "I honestly know how she feels with her mother..." She said. "You just have to learn to move past it. ...Maybe if you'd like I can keep you two at my place until your father comes back home."

Ryan smiled a bit sighing. "...That would be nice and hopefully Scootaloo will actually come with me..." He said. "...You would be able to get her to your place... right?"

The Pegasus mare nodded as they stopped before the door. "I'm pretty sure I can get her to come." She said. She averted her gaze as she knocked. "...I-if I do bring her you can sleep in my bed I'm okay with sleeping on the couch.... That is if you wanted to sleep in a bed..."

Ryan set Fluttershy's breakfast on his cast. He patted her on her back. "It's nice of you to offer but you can use your own bed." He said. "I should be fine sleeping on the couch... That and I think Scootaloo would be easy to wake up..." He blushed averting his gaze as well just as the door opened revealing the guard.

"Ah Fluttershy! Ryan! The princess said you would have been here faster!" The armored stallion said as both Ryan and Fluttershy pushed past. He turned back into the now empty room all except from themselves and Big Mac who sat on the couch. "Twilight is upstairs with Applejack along with that griffon who tried ambushing the Princess. I insisted on taking that griffon to the precinct but she wouldn't allow it!"

Ryan sat next to Big Mac setting Fluttershy's donut bag on the table. Big Mac looked down at Ryan as the boy sighed. "Somethin' on yer mind?" Big Mac asked as Fluttershy sat on the recliner. Ryan nodded hesitantly. "...You wanna talk about it or you just wanna keep it to yourself?"

Ryan glanced at Fluttershy and then the guard who went over to the kitchen. He beckoned the big red stallion and he lowered his head a bit. "...Y-you mind if I just talk with Fluttershy about it...?" Ryan asked hesitantly.

Big Mac gave a nod and looked to the guard as he got up. He whistled and the guard turned around. "You think you can go patrol with my sister and cousin and make sure Dash aint still around?" He asked. The guard saluted and hurried for the door. He looked back at Ryan giving a bit of a smile. "If y'need me I'll be upstairs with Twi n AJ. Hopefully they get Gilda calmed down before you're done with your little chat."

Fluttershy watched as Big Mac climb the stairs disappearing upstairs. She looked to Ryan who looked embarrassed. "Are you alright? Is your arm hurting you?" She asked getting up from the recliner. Ryan shook his head scooting over letting Fluttershy sit next to him. "...Is it about what happened at Sugarcube corner? Or what's going on with Scootaloo?"

Ryan shook his head again tearing up a bit. "...I-its... I really feel like my life is worse than from what I left..." He said hesitantly. "...Before I left I had someone at home who would keep me company if I was injured or uh... recovering from fatigue..."

Fluttershy rested her hoof on his leg. "Ryan you don't need to hide the fact that your parents were druggies." She said. "Scootaloo told me while you were with Big Mac and AJ on your birthday... I actually think you're too nice for drug dealings."

The boy sniffled and wiped his eyes. "A-anyways...." He said. "....L-last night I had an accident... I kinda wanted t-to have Scootaloo... Help me clean up and tell me dad was gonna be okay... But... She was at the hospital... I was stuck with Babs..." He whimpered burying his head into Fluttershy's shoulder.

The yellow Pegasus mare gave a sigh and nuzzled him. "Awww there there Ryan..." She said. "...Everyone has an accident one time or another... If you can keep this secret.... Last night Gilda and Dash pranked Pinkie and they put her hoof in warm water making her pee the bed too... Can you promise me you'll keep that secret?" Ryan sniffled and nodded sobbing softly into her shoulder. "...It's still early and taking a nap might waste the whole day... Why don't I go see if you can have Big Mac run you over to the hospital? Would you like that?" Ryan nodded again pushing off of Fluttershy and lying back on the couch facing away from her.

Fluttershy got up and flew over the couch flying upstairs going down the hall. Ryan lied there embarrassed and crying. He started to remember being back at school after he just got his ass handed to him by a bully. It was just his sixth grade year and he was on the ground holding his stomach from being punched. The kid standing over him was just a foot taller than he was. He always wore a studded bracelet but that's pretty much all Ryan could remember. He had to push that way back into his mind because of all the drug deals he had done after that. The bully standing over him gave a grin. "...What a little PUSSY!" He said before spitting on his victim.

Ryan just sat there with his arms covering his stomach. He just watched as his bully ran off away from a teacher. Kids around him just either laughed or just continued to talk amongst each other. "Ryan? C'mon stop crying!" Someone said. Ryan looked up and saw a teacher coming and helping him up but the voice was deeper. He slapped himself and found himself back at Sweet Apple Acres. He looked up and saw Big Mac sitting him up. "C'mon you're alright... Lets get you outta here. Gilda decided to pass out but don't worry y'all're gonna get a chance to make a friend outta her."

Ryan sniffled and climbed onto Big Mac's back. "...L-lets just go see my dad... and Scoot..." He said wiping his eyes. Big Mac nodded and hurried out the door.

After a while they came into the hospital. Ryan had stopped crying but still looked depressed. Big Mac looked back at Ryan. "C'mon there perk up boy y'dont wanna greet your father with a look like that."

Ryan gave a sigh. "...My dad probably wouldn't care... Neither would Scootaloo..." He said hanging his head. "...I just want someone to live with who cares about me..."

The red stallion looked around the ER. Ponies filled most of the seats. Most. Big Mac moved around trying to find somewhere to sit with Ryan. He saw a nurse coming towards them. "Excuse me miss!" He said alerting the nurse. The nurse came over to him. "Uh can I ask where a Mr. Rubber's room is? He should have his daughter with him."

The nurse smiled a bit. "Yes his room is right down the hall there!" She said pointing just behind Big Mac. "If you cant find it just look for Prince Shining Armor and his wife. They were with his daughter and they're here looking at potential foal sitting jobs for the Princess!" Big Mac nodded and turned around. She noticed Ryan on his back and stopped him. "Sir? Is this boy experiencing any pain? I remember seeing him after you and a few others brought him in."

Big Mac looked back at Ryan and sighed. "He's just all sad 'bout his dad n his sister." He said. "He was pretty quiet on the way over here. Now uh... Is it a bit much to ask for a drink for him? Just a water should do it." The nurse smiled and nodded before running off. Big Mac looked back down the hall and started to walk. "You know you should thank me for keepin' your arm a secret." Ryan gasped a bit. "Yeah that's right! Twilight told me about your arm and I'm pretty sure she's telling Fluttershy too!"

Ryan averted his gaze. "...I-I never asked her to do that... She just did it on her own..." He said peering into some of the rooms as they passed them. "...If it were her brother or Celestia... I'd probably have to do something big to thank them... BIG..."

Big Mac saw Shining sitting outside of a door with a nurse at his side keeping him company. "Shining!" The red stallion called out. Shining Armor looked up at the stallion and the boy with him. As he walked up Ryan looked into the room. Inside he saw Scootaloo sitting off to the side hugging Princess Cadence who was crying softly. He saw the bed where his father lied staring at them. Big Mac lowered himself looking back at him. "You go on in there Ry. I need to have a word with Shining."

Ryan nodded and got off his back before hesitantly stepping into the room. He crept in slowly as not to alert anyone. Why even I don't know. Cadence looked up sniffling and saw Ryan. She tapped Scootaloo's shoulder. As the mare looked up the crying princess pointed at Ryan. Scootaloo looked over and gasped seeing her brother. "...Ryan? I thought you were with Princess Twilight..." She said.

Mr. Rubber looked over and saw Ryan starting to tear up. "Ry... If you're here about your mother we're sorry we couldn't bring you here so you could say goodbye..." He said. "It was just a decision of Scootaloo's to make and your mother didn't want to put you through any more pain than you already were!"

Ryan sniffled. "...I... I thought I was part of the god damn family..." He said as a tear came from his eye. "...You left me at home... You booted me from the house when I wanted to spend more time with mom... Scootaloo even left me with the PRINCESS!"

Scootaloo sat Cadence back and got up. "...Ryan you are part of the family." She said. "...Me and mommy left you at home because we didn't know Dad would have amnesia or not... I was afraid if he did he wouldn't remember adopting you... And... Yes I did leave you with Princess Twilight... I'm sorry but... I really needed to bring this problem to his attention..." She looked back at Cadence. "...Yes it messed with my life but... I forgive her for that..." She looked back at Ryan. "....Can you forgive us for doing that stuff...?"

Ryan looked to his father. "...Only if I can get an apology for dad kicking me out after giving me that scooter..." He said.

Mr. Rubber sighed averting his gaze. "...I'm sorry Ryan..." He said. He looked back. "...It was an honest mistake but... It's just that... I wanted Scootaloo and myself to feel as if our family was whole again... Just to... You know rekindle the nostalgia of what our family used to be... Honestly... You aren't the only one that wanted to spend time with your mother... I kinda figured... You and her just bonded so much in a short amount of time that you didn't need to spend any more time with each other..."

Ryan sniffled and looked back at Scootaloo. "...O-okay... I forgive you...." He said. "...Just... Please... Don't do that to me again... Don't leave me alone... At least come to Fluttershy's with me tonight... I want to feel comfortable knowing I can wake someone up right quick..."

Scootaloo sniffled and ran up to her brother. "Scoot don't!" Their father snapped.

Scootaloo stopped in her tracks remembering the injury Ryan had sustained. Ryan looked to his father and smiled. "... Dad don't worry..." He said. "...Twilight fixed my arm with her magic... It doesn't hurt anymore! I just... I just need someone to take the cast off..." He looked to Cadence and approached her. "...Princess would you like to do the honors?"

Cadence sniffled and looked away. "...I would but sadly I wouldn't be the one to help you with that..." She said. She looked to Scootaloo. "Can you... Go get Shining for me Scootaloo? My crying has gotten me a tad light headed..." Scootaloo nodded and hurried to the door.

Seconds later she came back in with Shining Armor. Shining looked to Ryan who still looked a bit nervous. "Why didn't anyone tell me my sister fixed that arm of yours?" He asked. "She must've fixed it after we left the castle. Now I think you need someone to get that thing off right?" Ryan nodded. "Alright give me one second with that!" Ryan held his arm out as much as he could. Shining used his magic on the cast. It started to split from the hand up to the forearm. It cracked open and dropped to the floor setting Ryan's arm free.

Ryan flexed his arm a bit. It was sweaty and a bit smelly. "There we go..." He said. He looked to Shining. "Thank you Prince Shining. I really appreciate what you and your sister have done here today."

Shining smiled. "Ah don't worry about it." He said. "I kinda owe it to you for kinda scaring you earlier. Feel free to get to know my wife, comfort her just as much as you can alright?" Ryan gave a smile and nodded before going over to Cadence and sitting next to her. "Cadence do you need anything? I can get you a drink if you'd like!"

Cadence wiped her eyes a bit. "That would be lovely Shining..." She said. "...Maybe you can get a few drinks for your sisters friends here as well...? Some friendly hospitality could do them nice for things that happened..." Shining nodded and left the room leaving the three ponies and one boy in the room. Cadence looked down at Ryan. "So... You wanna tell me what all that was about?"

Ryan nodded hesitantly. "Sure..." He said. "...I came from a busted up life at my old home... I ran away and what happened was I ran into Scootaloo... Nearly uh... Thought she was a bear or something in the forest and... Where I came from I had to be armed where ever I went... My parents who were drug dealers pissed a lot of people off and sometimes while I was out on deliveries I'd get chased by them... Before I came here I stole a boat to a known gang who did most of the attacks... They even knew I was some sort of danger...."

Scootaloo sat down next to her brother. "He's just here to turn his life around, start a new." She said.

Cadence hummed. "Well I'd say we have ourselves a hidden guard." She said. "Twilight did tell me of a boy taking down a robber who also rapes any mares hostage or the clerk at the establishment he was robbing. She said boy and not colt. Makes me think that was you."

Ryan smiled a bit. "Well... Yeah... It was on my birthday I did that..." He said. "...You think something like that would ruin a day like that but... I feel it made it a bit better... Getting as lucky as not even getting a scratch during a knife fight really made me feel lucky..." He looked back at Scootaloo. "Although... I did ruin that day for Scootaloo when I scared her...."

Scootaloo hugged her brother. "Don't worry Ry... I'll forgive you for ANYTHING from now on...." She said.

Cadence gave an adoring 'Aw'. "You two are great as a brother and sister!" She said. "If you were a bit younger Scootaloo you and him would be an interspecies Twilight and Shining." Ryan smiled and nuzzled his sister.

Bad start into a loving end? You think it's gonna stay that way for long?