That Night....

Chapters

Day 1: Homecoming.
Day 2: Memories...
Day 3: My mistake.
Day 5: Heaven turned Hell in the blink of an eye
Day 6: A lot of thought. (Big Mac's Perspective)
Day 7: Release and a Relapse. (Ryder's perspective again.)
Day 4: Sweet Treats and Sour Feelings

Day 1: Homecoming.

Ryder. That's my name. I'm a Pegasus pony. Right now I'm in my cousins place sitting here holding my little sister Scootaloo who had a traumatic experience not even a few days ago. It really hurt to know my parents-- OUR parents- were murdered in cold blood. Lucky for me neither me or my sister were at home. I was out at work and she was at school. ...Maybe I should tell it from the beginning... I was on the way to my parents house with a friend's moving truck right behind my car. Classic. Humped wheel wells in the front and an exposed engine in the front with a triple opening bug catcher blocking the middle of the windshield. I had bought it about two months ago. My friend Big Mac who was in the moving truck right behind me helped me fix it. Found it browsing a catalog trying to find an article about Metallicolt- My favorite band. I had Big Mac on the phone that was sitting in the cup holder and had him on speaker phone. "Big Mac?" I said.

"What?" My phone replied giving me a deep voice with a slight drawl.

"My parents place is just up here to the right. With the boat you see it?"

Yes. My parents had a boat. It was a speed boat hooked up to my dads truck. His truck was a classic too. Pick up. Never kept it in good condition. No front bumper. Rusty tailgate. Surprisingly he actually let my sister sit in the passenger seat when my mother wasn't in the car. I pulled over in the front of the house and stepped out. I remember I wore dirty grey coveralls. Work boots. I used to work as a mechanic but because I fucked up one time on parking a car on the lift I got fired. Big Mac told me I had enough wit to work as a guard but my mother never liked me getting violent with anypony. Not even as the twenty three year old I am. Big Mac pulled up about a full cars length in front of me and parked the truck before stepping out himself. He wore his jeans and a red plaid flannel. He approached me with a humble look. "Ry if you ever need somepony to talk with about Verie Berrie I'm here for ya." He said.

Verie Berrie was my exmarefriend who broke up with me that day. Told me I wasn't good enough to even look at her. Sure she never said anything about calling but that's always implied... Right? Anyways I gave a sigh. Not one of boredom but one of sadness feeling my broken heart twitch a bit. I said to him, "I know... She's a bitch and... And... I've learned to accept that." I felt tears in my eyes wanting to come out.

I held back as Big Mac gave me a smile. "That's the spirit!" He told me. I shot him a smile before giving him a hug to ease the pain I felt deep inside. He even walked me up to my door. He stopped just half way down the path. I walked the rest of the way.

Just as I knocked on the door I heard a little filly inside scream, "Ryder! It's Ryder mommy!" That was my sister Scootaloo. She had turned twelve not even a moth ago.

The door flung open and I immediately get down on one knee. Ready for her. But what I see is the crotch of my father. An earth pony. My sister was a Pegasus just like me. My dad is half Pegasus and there was only a 30% chance that he would have a foal that was a Pegasus even with my mother. My father wore khaki shorts and a white tshirt. He looked down at me giving me a weird look. "You proposing or what?" He asked.

I gave him a grunt as i got back up. Not to mention an added dirty look. His humor to me was as funny as a prop comic in a pitch black room. "I heard Scootaloo. I assumed she was going to come out and give me a hug." I said. "She with mom or something?"

My father nodded looking right through me. He was looking at Big Mac. A stallion who he deemed 'Better than his own son'. He ACTUALLY said that. He told me when I was seventeen. I didn't have a job at the time and he had the audacity to fucking run me down like that instead of helping me look for one and support it. "What the hell are you doing here?" He asked me. "I told you working on that car was a waste of time and money!"

"Dad shut the fuck up! I fixed this car with my own hands and it was worth it!"

He rolled his eyes. "Alright just get in here and stop being such a little shit about it."

Again not in any way, shape or form happy with my dad. He didn't even want me here but my mom and my sister did. Just as I pushed past my father I was met by my sister. Her purple mane and orange wings. She wore a tank top with jean shorts almost like our cousin Rainbow Dash. "RYDER!" She screamed.

I gave a smile. A real one this time. Not like the one I had to give Big Mac. My broken heart mended a bit but some of the fragments still remained. Time would heal those. That and a few shots of whiskey or maybe some tequila. "Scoot!" I said giving a laugh. "There you are sis I missed ya!" She looked up at me after I kissed her on the forehead. "Hey sorry I never brought a gift for your birthday... I was a bit short on cash and look where that got me..." I blushed looking back at Big Mac who was opening up the moving truck. The ramp he took out was just feet from the front end of my car. Scootaloo giggled a bit and nuzzled me. Felt warm.

"That's okay Big Brother! You coming was present enough for me!"

My father knelt down. "Scoot you go get your mom." He butted in. "We might need a bit of help getting your brothers things into the guest room." Sometimes I wish he would chop my arms off so I wouldn't be able to hold her and sew my lips shut so I'd never be able to call for help. Scootaloo nodded and pushed her way out of my arms. My father grabbed my arm and pulled me up looking at me giving me a stern look. He pushed me out the door where I stumbled a bit. Lucky me I used to have a chopper. Balance was perfect. Perfect enough where I could catch myself about fourty five degrees into the fall. Stupid coveralls blocked me from using my wings. As I looked back to my dad as he closed the door I pulled the zipper down about half way down my torso. "Look Ry I know why you're here. And I'm not happy. Neither is your mother."

I huffed pulling my arms out of the sleeves letting my body breathe and my wings stretch. "Look if the landlord had a heart to at least let me sell a few things or let me get the time to find a new job I wouldn't be having this damn problem." I snapped.

"I'll agree to giving you three meals, a roof over your head and a warm bed to sleep in but when it comes to gas money and going out to dinner with mares you're on your own."

"Dad... You have been treating me like shit my whole fucking life. What did I do to piss you off?"

Before my dad had a chance to answer the front door opened back up. Scootaloo ran out and so did my mother. Scootaloo stopped just short why my mother ran up, hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. "Oh my baby boy came back!" She said. I heard Big Mac laugh at me. It made what my dad said seem like a lie. It WAS a lie! I remember when I was about to move out my mom told me: "Ryder if you ever have problems with paying the rent or feeding yourself you are always welcomed here no matter what your father says!"

My ears dipped back and I blushed pushing my mother off of me. "Ma!" I said. "Not in front of Big Mac! I don't want him cracking jokes while we get my things inside!" My mother gave a laugh and rested her hand on my shoulder.

"Oh I'm sorry Ry I get carried away with things like this."

I rubbed my neck just as Big Mac came up behind me and patted me on the back. "C'mon enough visiting lets get this stuff inside." He said. Saved from embarrassment. Well... Further embarrassment. I turned and gave him a bit of a smile.

"Sure..." I replied giving a bit of a yawn. "Faster we get the stuff inside, faster I can take a nap... I spent the whole night packing up..." I actually did spend the whole night packing my things and pissing my neighbors off by playing my music loud, the night before getting Big Mac to bring the truck. I even told him I'd be doing work out at the orchard to pay him back for getting the truck. He would've used his families pick up if it weren't in the shop.... The shop I should still be working at... and... The truck I idiotically managed to bust the axle on. Lucky for me the garage I worked for didn't give out my name to him. Do I feel guilty I did this to my friends truck? Yes. Do I feel like instead of working for the moving truck by itself I should be working off both the truck and their family vehicle? Yeah. Yeah I do. That vehicle was handed down to him by his own father. He told me he saw his youngest sister born in the bed of that truck which uh... Lead to some sort of infection and their mother died from it. Father ended up hanging himself... Wanna know how I know this stuff? I was there when I was just a little colt playing 'war' with Big Mac. Mother screamed out. They tried starting the truck up and nothing. I ended up staying the night just for Big Mac and Applejack... Well... With the help of Rainbow Dash for Applejack's sake... In the morning me and Rainbow Dash were picked up by my mom. Later that day my dad found Big Mac at our door with Applejack and a few backpacks full of clothes sitting in a wagon and they ended up staying a few days till their grandmother came to get them and take control of the orchard. You don't know how weird it was to share a bed with your best friend.

Anyways it took us a while to get all my things from the moving truck into the house. Some bulky items like my wardrobe. Yes I had a wardrobe. My apartment was a one bedroom, one bath. The wardrobe went in the basement along with two dressers, a standing lamp, an entertainment center and a C-Sphere that I had to go retrieve because of my jackass of a father who took it while I was napping. Lucky me I heard him and grabbed it before going back to sleep. After I woke back up it was about four in the afternoon. My dad was watching one of his action movies. He was yelling: "YEAH YEAH FUCKING KILL THAT BASTARD!"

I huffed sitting up in my bed. I stretched and looked around my room. My TV and C-Sphere were set up on the dresser across from my bed. Boxes sat stacked in the corners. My mom told me I can sleep before putting it away. I swung my feet from under my sheets. I managed to change into some basketball shorts. My feathers on my wings were a bit messy but preening wasn't my thing... Although... Verrie Berrie had gone to great lengths to help me with that... She lightly brushed my wings out. Always felt good. "...fuck..." I said wiping my forehead. My room was muggy since it was hot that day. No fan in my room. My windows could be opened but there was so much wear and tear there I could do nothing to keep it up. As I got up from my bed I said to myself: "Ryder... Talk with Dad.... You tried digging for an answer but mom kicked dust back over it.... Get an answer no mater what." I opened up my door and saw a cute picture drawn by Scootaloo. It was a crudely drawn- but still adorable- picture of me and her flying. Something mom told me she hasn't gotten yet to do. I sighed and just left it there. My room was upstairs. Exactly why most of my big things that went into the basement. My sisters room was right between mine and our parents. That actually used to be my old room. I looked over the banister and saw my sister coloring. My dad and my mom sat on the couch. Dad with a beer in one hand and the remote in the other. "...Great... Buzzed..." I descended the stairs. A creak alerted my family making them look up. Well... Everyone except my dad... Damn movie.

Scootaloo sprang up and went for the stairs. Her smile made me smile as well. Just as I reached the last step she lunged at me. My instinct was to grab her and hug her. "You're awake!" She said. I laughed getting her onto my shoulders.

"Yeah... Nap felt great! That picture you made me feel even better." She blushed a bit and slid down to where she Piggybacked me. Nearly pulled a few feathers too.

"I'm glad you like it Ryder! Mommy helped me think of it!" I looked to my mother. She blushed a bit giving me a smile. I lowered myself and got Scootaloo off my back.

"Mom? Can you take Scootaloo into the other room? I need to talk with Dad... Alone..."

My mother gave a nod and got up. She grabbed my sister and went into the kitchen. I had walked to the TV and shut it off. "What the hell Ry I'm missing the best part!" My dad snapped as I turned back at him. I crossed my arms.

"I asked a question earlier. Why do you always treat me like I'm trash? Ever since I was small you yelled at me for almost everything I did. Why did you make me seem like I was a failure?" My father gave a sigh. He patted the seat next to him. I hesitated. I didn't know if he was going to hit me or if he was going to up and toss me right back off. "I think i'll be good standing. Just tell me."

He sighed yet again. "Look." He said. "Before I met your mother I was doing great in my life. I had a multistory house. That truck outside used to be supped up. Best damn truck on the block. Once I met your mother we uh... Had a one night stand and well... The safety failed and there you are.... I was pissed about that... ended up having to come back each and every day for six months to drop food off for your mother since she ate everything in the house. When the rent came due I either was late or forgot. Once I got two and a half months late on the rent I was booted. Next thing you know I'm out doing a drag race. The engine blew and I wasn't able to fix it right. It either caught fire or a part broke inside..." He swirled his beer around. "You want one? Bought a fresh case."

"...Fine..." I said. "...Celestia knows I need a drink... Gonna fix this damn thing..." I pounded on my chest a bit. He gave a smile. Something I rarely saw on his face. Was I dreaming? Was this some fatigue, heart wrenching nightmare? Is some sort of jump scare gonna get me? Well... Sorta... I walked around the coffee table where my father set his beer down and -get this- He actually got up and went to the kitchen to grab me one! I couldn't believe it. Just as he went through the kitchen door I pinched myself. Nothing but pain. Blunt from my sore muscles. Sharp from the pinch.

Then I heard something from the kitchen. My mother and my father talking. "You are not bringing our son a beer!" My mother said. "Go and put that back! He hasn't touched an alcoholic drink at all since he left!" I didn't have the heart to tell her about the moment after she left me at my place on my twenty first birthday. Big Mac was over. Same with Berrie when she did live with me. Big Mac brought over his friend from the guard. Yes. The guard. His name was Shining Armor. At the time he lived with his sister who now is living here in Ponyville in the Golden Oaks Library. I went there to grab a book about how I could build a motor from the ground up... Damn car... Reliable though... Ended up getting smashed. Woke up slumped over the wall of my bathtub with my head on the toilet seat. Thank Celestia it was closed.

"C'mon the boy's 23 now! Just let him have ONE beer! It aint gonna kill him!"

"Okay! One beer! If I see him throw up or stumble you might as well SLEEP in that truck of yours!"

My father sighed just as he came back from the kitchen with two ice cold cans of beer in each hand. Tossed one to me and set the other on the table before sitting back down. "Ma doesn't want me to drink does she?" I asked. My father shook his head. I gave a sigh. "I'd say something but I don't want to be on her bad side... I mean she was the one who agreed to let me in here... Anyways continue..."

He gave a bit of a smile as I sipped it. No coughing or distasteful gag. Whiskey however... Sheesh. "Anyways... When I tried finding a new part the stores were out..." He said. "...And when I did find them your mother would call me saying I needed to pick up diapers, baby food or something else to please you I missed out on buying it!"

"And you took it out on me for THAT?"

"No no I didn't give a shit about that engine. What I stayed pissed at you for is that one day when you were five... I was outside playing ball with you. You ended up throwing the ball to hard and you started a chain reaction of things in the house breaking that ended up giving you amnesia which... I didn't take you to the hospital for because.... Well I didn't think the lamp hit you that hard... Your mother came home seeing a bit of blood going down the back of your head and we rushed you to the hospital using your moms car... That costed me more than it did to give birth to you... Not to mention one of the things that was broken was my prized signed record from Bronze Blimp..."

I thought about what he said. I remember the catch but nothing after that until when I got into Tee-Ball when I wet my pants on the field and started crying. I started tearing up. I set my beer down. "...Dad..." I said. "... What you're saying is that you got ticked off at me for breaking a plastic disk with ink on it... But what I'm hearing is that a record was more important than I was... And... That was years ago... That anger should have died down when we went to my first game...." My father looked away with tears in his eyes.

"I... I know... I was planning on selling it to go for your college fund... I hated not being able to help you with that engineering class.... I could've even helped you learn to fix cars by giving you some experience..." He sniffled and wiped his eyes. "...I... It... It just... FUCK!" He turned around and hugged me. I hugged him back starting to cry. "....I'm sorry Ry... Starting now I'm going to be nicer to you..."

"Oh Daddy..." I said. Daddy. Yes. I called him daddy. I was so moved by it I said something to him I haven't said to him in about ten years. "...I love you daddy..." ... Yes when I was 13 I still called my dad daddy.

My mother and sister heard our cries and they hurried out. Scootaloo joined in on the hug while my mom grabbed my beer and threw it at the wall. "NOW LOOK HE'S WASTED!" She said prying Scootaloo off of us. My father looked up at her.

"....S-sweetie... He only had a sip! Don't be so hard on him!"

"He shouldn't have ever touched that beer! He needs to set a good example for Scootaloo while he's here otherwise she could start copying everything he does!"

I sniffled and broke the hug with my father. As I looked up to my mother I wiped my tears away. "...Mom..." I said. "...One beer didn't do this... It's why dad was giving me a life time of shit that got me like this.... I was young I didn't know what I did...." It was true. I had forgotten all about that until my father had told me. My mother looked to my father. Then the beer splatter against the wall and the can pouring beer onto the floor. She sighed and just walked back into the kitchen. I looked back to my dad who gave me a smile and hugged me again. It felt good knowing my dad apologized for years of negativity towards me. Also felt good that my mom brought me another beer feeling bad for wasting the one that my dad got me.

"...Here...." She said handing me the beer. "...I'm sorry I snapped like that... Big Mac told me what had happened with you, your marefriend and your home... Honestly I didn't like what I heard but... You might need to relax a bit... Mend that broken heart.... Just... Please try not to drink so much..." I gave a nod taking the beer and cracking it open.

Later that night I was just putting Scootaloo to bed. Mom and Dad went out for a night to themselves. My sisters room was covered in Wonderbolt posters and pictures of her and our cousin. There was only one picture which I was with her. It was framed sitting on her dresser. It was after she was born and I was holding her for the first time. I even remember what I said that day because mom had dad record it on a video camera. I said: "Scoot... If and when you ever need me I'll be there to protect you, hug you and even change you..." Just as I tucked her in she looked up at me.

"Ryder?" She said.

"Yeah scoot?"

"Can I pleeeeeaaase stay up a little longer?"

I gave a sigh. It was a few years since I was back here with my sister. She actually cried when I left. I played with her. Walked her to and from school before I was able to drive. She was obviously happy. Yet I didn't know how to answer. I held up my finger digging into my pocket. "Let me call Mom and Dad see if you can spend a bit more time with me before going to bed." I replied pulling out my phone. Scootaloo nodded and grabbed a nearby teddy bear. ...It uh... It used to be mine at one time but my mom took it when I was fourteen because she said I was too old for them.

I pressed a button on my phone turning the screen on. Swiped the screen making the sound of a quick strum of a guitar. Contacts found the contact info for my mom- Sparing some details because I know you don't need to hear EVERYTHING I did. As I put the phone up to my ear Scootaloo asks me: "Cant I just stay up and you could say you put me to bed at this time?"

I shake my head just as my phone clicks. "Hello? Ryder what do you want your father is almost ready with the parking spot!" My mother answered. I wanted to make it quick.

"Yeah mom uh Scootaloo is kinda wanting to spend some more time with me..." I replied. "I mean... I spent most of the day moving, unpacking, sitting with dad and crying and.... Well maybe I should spend some more time with her." I heard a sigh.

"Okay she can stay up but only for an hour! She has school in the morning! I want you to take her before you go to work for Big Mac."

"Alright Ma I'll be good with that. Have a good dinner!"

I hung up my phone and looked back to my sister. She looked a bit excited. "Well? Well?" She asked.

I smiled. "Well," I said mocking her a bit. "You can stay up one more hour to spend time with me. I'm driving you to school tomorrow before I go to work!"

"Ooh! Ooh! Can we give a ride to my friends too big brother?!"

My heart jumped. She called me 'big brother'. Not like 'Big Brother is always watching' but... Like she was excited to have me as a big brother. Before I answered her my phone went off. This one was a fiddle sawing almost like a phone ringing. Not sure how that was done but I thought it was best not to question it. I stood up and yanked my phone from my pocket and saw it was Big Mac. His picture was him sleeping at my old apartment drunk off his ass. I clicked the green button and put it up to my ear. "Big Mac what the heck?" I asked censoring my language. Lucky lucky little sister.

I heard a sigh. "Look Ry I'm sorry but I need you to get your ass over here." Big Mac said. "I just got the new Alley Brawler game! This thing is so SICK with the death sentence sequences! AJ says I cant have Applebloom play it cuz it gets real bloody! I'm just dying to go two player!"

"Big mac I cant right now I'm watching Scootaloo right now."

"C'mon man cant you let your old lady and your old man watch her?"

"No Big Mac! We'll play that on break tomorrow. Right now my parents are paying me to watch her and I need gas money to last me for a while. Trust me I need to get to and from work in my car. My dad's car isn't going to cut it. That thing is a deathtrap! Now I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

I was awaiting an answer but Big Mac just hung up on me. Probably pissed. I'd be too if I weren't spending time with Scoot but she was the reason for me to smile. Big Mac and I were just dying for this game to come out. Hopefully he just lets it go... If he doesn't I'm gonna let him kick my ass a few times in the game... Or just buy him some DLC characters but WAIT! I have NO FUCKING MONEY! Anyways as I put my phone in my pocket and looked back at Scootaloo. "Did Big Mac want you to come over for something....?" She asked.

I nodded and sighed. "He wanted me to come over and help him.... I said I didn't want to right now." I replied. "Now... About your bed time.... You got an hour before you really have to. Alright?" Scootaloo's face lit up. Something I wanted to see from her. "So uh... Anything you wanna do?"

Scootaloo thought for a moment. I could see she went real deep in thought. She looked back at me with a smile. "I wanna do anything you want to Ry!" She replied. I was at a loss for words. I only asked because it wouldn't look good if mom and dad came home seeing me and Scootaloo playing poker or watching one of my TV shows that's normally on. And some of my games on my C-Sphere? How about no. Games I have are entirely too violent for my sister. Blood, gore, language... God the language. Scootaloo repeats one word to her friends, mom and dad and I am SUNK! Well... I would be...

Anyways I sighed. "Alright lets just go downstairs and watch some TV..." I said. "Best to spend time the simple way." I saw her give a smile before hopping out of bed and into my arms. Felt so warm and comforting.

She only stayed awake about half the time allowed. I didn't seem to notice since she was lying on my stomach as I lied on my back. My attention was just diverted to cartoons. These are the shitty new kind. Ones that actually had violence. Not some stupid 'Fantasy violence'. That's only good with video games. Not TV shows. Not even as the credits ended lights moved across the wall from the outside. Moments later our parents came in. My mom wearing a dress, dad wearing a suit. My dad carried a bag with styrofoam boxes inside. Each looked a bit displeased. "I swear that was THE worst service we've had!" My mother snapped.

Dad shushed her seeing Scootaloo on my stomach. He came over to me and knelt down setting the bag down. "Thanks for watching her." He said. He took Scootaloo off my stomach allowing me to sit up. "You get on up to bed. It's been a long day. Work is gonna be better when you're wide awake." I gave a nod before shutting the TV off. Deep inside I wanted that moment of comfort to last forever... It was probably the wrong thing to even want.

Day 2: Memories...

It was about two in the morning when I woke up in a cold sweat after a nightmare. The whole house was silent other than my heart pounding, my uneven breathing and snoring coming from my parents room. Hope dad had some ear plugs... My phone sat next to me on the charger with a glare of moon light coming off the screen. I snatched it up and slid up on the lockscreen bringing it straight to the number pad. Pressed and held 4 to call Big Mac. Speed dial... Wish it were faster. "C'mon pick up pick up!" I whispered putting my phone up to my ear. It buzzed about six times before hearing a click and a yawn. "Big Mac? It's Ryder."

Big Mac shifted a bit pushing his phone to his bed while he moved. "...What the hell Ry...? I just got comfortable..." He said. "...What'chu doin' callin me this early anyways...?" I gave a sigh.

"...It's about Berrie..." I replied. "...I had that nightmare again.... That one where instead of leaving me she sends armed assassins after me and I get crushed under my car while working on it..."

"....Dammit Ry how many times I gotta tell you Berrie wouldn't do shit like that... Just... I don't know go splash some water on your face, grab a drink and get back to sleep.... Now let me sleep... I'm walking Applebloom to school in an hour...."

"Uh... Yeah about that... Scoot wants me to take her and her friends to school... You wanna just get her back to sleep n I'll get her?" A moment of silence.

"...Well shit... Sounds about right... My sleep schedule is way off and I need to fix it... Just do what I said n go to bed..."

It wasnt that easy. Berrie was my life before we split. I did everything for her. Hell for our one year anniversary of going out I got her a necklace with matching bracelets. The last words she spoke to me weren't 'we're through' or 'it's done between us.' It was 'Ryder.... You'll find someone better than me one day and we might as well start now...' It crushed me. My heart shattered to pieces. That's why doing what Big Mac said isn't so easy. Splashing water on my face would make me wanna drown myself. The only drink I'd want would cause my mother to boot me out. I just got dressed and went downstairs just to sit there thinking. Thinking about where I went wrong. Thinking about who Berrie went for. As I thought hours had passed. 5:30 came around and my mom was the first to wake up. She came from the stairs wearing some warm fluffy Pajamas her mane was a mess and she stretched her wings a bit. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs seeing me sipping from a soda can. I didn't know who these sodas belonged too but coffee wasn't ever my drink of choice. "Ryder? Are you alright?" She asked me. I shook my head before finishing the soda. She came over and sat down next to me. "You got something on your mind sweetie?"

I nodded and sighed hugging my mom. "...Berrie..." I said. "...I just... I want her back..." My mother gave a sigh.

"Ry... Berrie wasn't as nice a girl as you thought... I didn't want to say this but I saw her one day outside the mall with another stallion... She kissed him on the lips and well... Let's just say she took him around the corner for a ride..." We both blushed a bit. I tightened my grip around her sniffling.

"...She.... She cheated on me...?" My mother gave a hesitant nod as I started tearing up. "...That... That cant be true..."

"I'm sorry but it is Ry... She cheated and hid it by breaking up with you... It's best you found out after and not during... Most stallions who find out they're being cheated on during a relationship beat their significant other because they're enraged... You aren't mad are you?" I shook my head sniffling. It hurt finding that out. Split the few pieces of my heart that were already broken making it harder to fix. "Maybe you want some warm tea or some hot chocolate to drink? Might help you outta that slump."

I gave a nod and we both got up from the couch. I even grabbed the last can of a six pack to put it back into the fridge. As I sat down i wiped my eyes. "...I remember when I used to come home after a bad day at school... You'd always make me something sweet as a desert no matter if i ate dinner or not..."

"Your father always thought you were trying to get that on purpose. I always called your teachers when you were at lunch seeing if you were really having a bad day or not and most of the time you were. I just had to make it seem like you actually were having a bad day. What do you say instead of desert some breakfast?"

A smile came to my face. I nodded just as soon as i heard a yawn from my father. He came into the kitchen with the five empty cans in his arms wearing nothing but tight boxers showing off where I came from... wish i hadn't seen that... I averted my gaze just as he asked: "Was someone drinking Scootaloo's sodas?" My heart dropped a bit.

"Those... Were Scootaloos...?" I asked looking back hesitantly. "I swear those were moms! The light was bright, I was half asleep and it was all i could have without putting me in the bathroom or back to bed." I looked to my mother who was waiting for the waffle iron to warm up. This waffle iron was actually something from my apartment. Made big waffles. "Mom why didn't you tell me those were Scoot's?"

My mother looked back at me as she poured the batter. "Well you never asked who's they were!" She replied. "But I wouldn't worry about it Ry I'll buy her some more after you drop her off at school."

My little sisters soda. Really? As if I wasn't scared about starting work for a friend after dropping his sister off at school. I don't want to just pass out during my shift and wake up yelling and crying about Berrie. The first night after I was broken up with I was alone in my apartment just days before I was fired. I stayed up all night. Called in sick to work. I was just so broken up I didn't even wanna get up to use the toilet. I get up take a few steps before collapsing and just letting it all go. Lost a few pairs of pants but that didn't even compare to the break up. Just after my dad threw the cans away my ear flickered hearing a door open upstairs. "Daddy....? Mommy?" Scootaloo called out. She sounded a bit scared.

I stood up and stopped my dad from leaving the kitchen. "I got this. You guys just relax." I said. My dad nodded and I went out into the living room. I looked up and saw Scootaloo at the banister wrapped in a wonderbolt blanket from the waist down. "Scoot? You okay there?" Scootaloo hesitantly shook her head as I climbed the stairs. I knelt down next to her and saw tears in her eyes. "What's wrong? Why're you crying?" She averted her gaze a moment and clenched her eyes shut as she opened up the blanket revealing her pajama bottoms soaked. She blushed hard and whimpered a bit.

"I... I peed my bed... I didn't mean it..." I gave a little smile. It was kinda cute how she was trying to hide an accident. I stood up and took her hand making her drop the blanket and drag it like a little foal coming out of their room during the night to sleep in mommy and daddies bed. Once inside her room there was a large stain on her bed. Almost like she just poured two cans of the soda I drank right onto the bed. "...I... I dreamt I was using the bathroom at school... When I went back to class Diamond Tiara laughed at me.... I even looked down and saw I just peed my pants..." She sniffled and started crying softly. I sighed and started moving the pillows.

"Aw c'mon don't cry now. Just go clean yourself off and get dressed. I got everything in here."

Scootaloo nodded throwing the blanket down before running out of the room. I stripped the bed of its sheets and the covers. Just as I was flipping the bed my dad came in. "Scoot wet the bed again eh...?" He said making me jump a bit. I looked back at him and tilted my head. "Yeah this'll be the fourth one this month... Keeps saying something about some of the fillies at school picking on her just because she accidentally spilled her juice one day."

"Diamond Tiara one of them?"

He looked at me a bit confused. "Yeah... how'd you know?"

"Told me before I had her go clean up. You take her some clothes to change into and I could look into this problem with this filly see if I can get this to stop."

My dad gave me a nod and started digging through Scootaloos drawers. "Ry... maybe you could call in to Big Mac give you an extra day to settle in."

I didn't know what to reply other than an annoyed sigh. He left as I sat on the flipped bed. Thought about Berrie again staring off into space. I must've sat there for a few minutes because Scootaloo came back in with dad. He had her wet clothes in hand. Scootaloo now had jeans on and a purple long sleeve. She hugged me sniffling making me snap back to reality. "Guess we both had bad dreams huh Scoot...?" I said.

Scootaloo looked up at me as I stood up and picked her up. Her tail tickled my arm a bit as she wagged it wrapping her arms around me. "...You had a nightmare too?" She asked. I nodded.

"It might not have made me pee but... I didn't get back to sleep... Spent the whole morning sitting in the living room drinking uh... Your sodas... Sorry sis..." She sighed burying her head into my shoulder.

"...It's okay.... Daddy told me he'd get me more..." She looked up at me. "...Can we go eat breakfast now? I hate school breakfast... they never have anything good."

I nodded and set her down. She took my hand as we went back outside the room. I honestly felt bad for her. Having her big brother be at home not two days be the one who cleans up an accident she probably didn't want him finding out about. Must be embarrassing. She sat on my lap as we ate breakfast. Waffles, whipped cream, cherries and even some hot chocolate to warm us up. After breakfast Scootaloo and I had to head out. She sat in the back holding her bag tight. It was silent other than the motor. Didn't have the time- or money- to fix the radio. I looked in the rear view mirror at her just as we stopped at a red light. "You gonna be okay Scootaloo?" I asked. She shrugged. "Well I hear that filly who you mention is giving you a lot of problems. Anything I should know?"

Scootaloo whimpered a bit. "...She walks around with another filly Silver Spoon... They're always calling me blank-flank just because I don't know what my special talent is..." She said. "They even do it to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle... The teacher doesn't even do anything to stop them... You don't even want to know what they were saying to the others..." I started off again turning the corner. A car came screeching to a stop just feet from my passenger door. Scootaloo screamed and fell on her side. I rolled down the window and gave the driver in the car the finger.

"WATCH IT I GOT A KID IN HERE!" I yelled out. Just before I looked back my heart dropped clean out of my ass. That car looked familiar. Like... I've either worked on it before, drove it before or rode shotgun... probably because I did. The driver stepped out and I realized the car belonged to Verrie Berrie my ex! She owned a sports car, silver paint job and a black rag top. Gave me rides after I sold my 'Dominator' as I liked to call it when I used to drag race behind my parents backs.

Berrie came up to the window and bent down looking pissed and scared. "Why don't you watch where-" She said stopping as she saw my face. "...Going...? Ryder uh... Are you okay?" I nodded hesitantly. She looked to my still raised finger and put it down for me. She saw Scootaloo cowering at the corner of her eye and gasped. "Oh fuck I am SO SORRY! Thank Celestia you installed those breaks before our... 'break'..." A car honked behind me. She looked up and put up a hand before backing up to her car. "You pull off and make sure she's okay I'm already late for work!" I gave a nod and drove off towards Sweet Apple Acres again.

I had to go to the outskirts of town to get there. Why else would it be called 'Sweet Apple Acres' if it was here in town? I pulled up to the gate just to see Big Mac standing there with his little sister at his side he leaned down to the window and I just opened up my door, unbuckled myself and got out. He looked at me confused. "Where the hell you think you're goin?!" He asked. I looked at him and beckoned him over. He came to my side as his sister, Applebloom wearing overalls and a yellow Tshirt under it, climbed inside and got in the back. "You look like you just seen a ghost!"

"W-we would've been... If Berrie didn't stop in time..." I replied. He gave me a confused look.

"...Ry I hope you still aint on about that damn dream this morning. She aint one to kill ya."

"I'm not talking about the fucking dream! She nearly slammed into me back there! Even ask Scootaloo!" Big Mac looked back into the car. He saw Scootaloo clutching Applebloom tightly looking scared out of her mind. I should've stopped and took Scootaloo back home then and there. But no I don't wanna explain to my parents about nearly getting in a car wreck and injuring their daughter and myself. He looked back at me.

"I already called Rarity said you were giving rides to the girls. Just so you don't freak I'm gonna come with ya. Give ya directions too."

I gave a nod and went back to my car. Big Mac went to the passenger side and put the seat back up- something which his sister forgot to do- and sat down. In the back seat Scootaloo sniffled into her friends shoulder. Applebloom saw her brother and groaned a bit. "Big Mac aint you supposed to be staying here?" She asked. "Applejack aint gonna like it if she has to make her own breakfast!" Big Mac strapped himself and me in embarrassingly enough.

"Look Ryder here didn't get enough sleep last night and you remember AJ wasn't thinkin' right when she bucked all them trees by herself when I bruised my back right?"

"Yeah... So he shouldn't be driving should he?" Big Mac took one look at me but that was all I remember. I had actually fallen asleep right there in the drivers seat.

I woke up an hour later on the couch at Sweet Apple Acres to the sound of my phone going off. It was on the coffee table along with my shoes and the keys to my car. I was covered by a blanket in my shirt and no pants. I picked my phone up and saw it was my mother calling and sighed answering it. "Ryder? Ryder are you okay?" My mother asked. "Big Mac called me with your phone told me you passed out at the wheel. Is Scootaloo alright?"

"Yeah..." I said rubbing my neck. "...She's fine... I do know I got her here safely... Those soda's made me crash...." I looked under the blanket and saw different boxers than what I had on the night before. "...And possibly wet myself... Look uh... I'm at Sweet Apple Acres so don't worry... I'll be home after two okay?"

"Alright you be careful and..." She sighed. "Your father heard you may have wet yourself... HONEY STOP LAUGHING! Ry if you cant get back to sleep tonight please stay in your room! YOUR FATHER WILL BE SLEEPING ON THE COUCH!" She hung up leaving me blushing hard. I set my phone down thinking. Did I really piss my pants? I felt my legs thinking they'd be sticky. I was right. My legs were sticky and smelled a bit. The boxer shorts I wore had to be balled up at the waist just right to where I didn't get them up my ass giving me a wedgie.

The front door opened up and I quickly covered myself. I became even more embarrassed because Applejack, Big Mac's OTHER sister came in with a laundry basket full of clothes. She wore short shorts with a tank top. Always while she worked. She saw me and smiled a bit resting the basket on the table. "Well g'mornin' there sugarcube!" She said. Sugarcube. Always called everyone that. Some didn't know if she was flirting with them or if that was just something she called everyone almost like a waitress at a diner. "Big Mac had to drive our sisters to school. Told me y'werent sleepin' well. Even saw a little bit of you that even Big Mac didn't wanna see."

"...I... Pissed myself huh...?" I asked averting my gaze.

"Yeah. I didn't do nothin' to ya like take yer seed, mess with your ass or draw a smiley face on your flank with a piece of paper covering your cutie mark!" I looked at her confused. Really? Why did she say that? Take my seed? ...wait what? You were thinking I was gonna say something about that last one? You get your mind out of the gutter! She blushed hard. "...Ignore that last one... Happened at a party, I was drunk, your cousin Dash says I passed out and next thing you know I'm half naked with papers on each cheek and the mare that threw that party was using my legs as a pillow."

Damn Pinkie Pie. Always making those adult parties fun enough to just get plastered and not remember a thing. I actually had her throw my twenty first birthday when I was allowed to get drunk. Lucky for me it was outside my parents home. "Who uh... Who cleaned me up...?" I asked looking back at her. She looked at me blushing a bit. "Oh... right... Big Mac was dropping Scootaloo and Applebloom off at school..." I teared up a bit. Almost to where I cried. Applejack came over and sat with me resting a hand on my shoulder.

"C'mon no tears there Sugarcube. I'm sorry I invaded your personal areas but I didn't want to have you get a rash like a foal who hadn't had his diaper changed."

As much as that sounded like me she did have good intentions. I hugged her shaking. The front door opened again and in came Big Mac looking a bit worried. "AJ? He awake?" He asked. She nodded as I started to sob. Big Mac dug into the laundry basket finding my pants and boxers tossing them on me before sitting next to me. "Boy you must've not heeded my advice last night. I had to drive your car up here with you in the passenger seat with your sister trying to wake you up. Said something about you needing to talk with the teachers about that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon the girls had problems with right?" I nodded. "Well I did talk with the teacher, she said she'll keep an eye on them. If anything happens she's sending them both right to the principal."

Applejack lifted my head off her shoulder and wiped my eyes. "Y'see Ry? Everythin's gonna be fine. You just relax today. We're gonna even let that truck payment slide." She said. "You're still welcomed to work here to get yourself a little spending money. Aint nothing to be ashamed of." That's it? I didn't have to pay for the truck? Sounds great right? WRONG! I live by a code. Had it since one of my friends bought me a ticket to see The Wonderbolts preform. I felt bad because he always took me places and my dad told me that he wasn't gonna take me and my friends anywhere other than too and from school. After that I had vowed to do as much as I could to pay him back.

I didnt sit on that couch all day though. I did insist on carrying bucket after bucket of apples to the back of the house where they set up different things to make cider, apple sauce, 100% apple juice, jam's, apple fritters and anything else you can make apples out of. I actually grabbed an apple fritter to take home. Just as I got in my car to go home it was about 2:30 in the afternoon. Big Mac and Applejack gave me a jar of apple jam to give to the family. Big Mac rode shotgun as we went to pick up our sisters. As I get to the gate I looked over at Big Mac. "Hey uh... Thanks for taking the girls to school this morning..." I said. "I promise I'll do it tomorrow.... and that I'll be fully rested too!"

Big Mac gave me a smile. "You better listen to me then!" He said. "Y'gotta know Verrie Berrie aint the right one for you. She aint fit to even sit in your mind and make herself all you think about!" I started off turning into town. "Think of it this way. Berrie is a piece of shit that I gotta keep Winona from eating. Sometimes she don't listen and I gotta hit her with the hose before washin' it away. If this keeps going you're gonna act like Winona going after that shit tryin' to get a taste of it. I don't wanna hit ya with the hose now do I?" I shook my head and turned a corner.

Not too long later I pulled up to the school. Colts and fillies were pouring out of the gates. I stepped out and leaned against the car. Big Mac sat inside messing around on a game on his phone. I some kids were on their phones calling their parents about either where they were going or asking where they were at when they were going to a nearby park. Suddenly my horn honked startling me and a few kids. I bend down and look inside to see Big Mac pointing behind me. I look up and you know what I see? I see my sister face down in the dirt two fillies laughing at her and Applebloom and a unicorn filly, her friend Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle wore a light violet dress. Any darker it would be half her mane color which was Pink and a deep violet. I hurried over and helped my sister up to find her with a nosebleed and dirt all over her tear-ridden face. "Scoot? Scoot c'mon you're okay we need to get you cleaned up!" I said.

Applebloom went and tackled both the laughing fillies causing them to scream as they hit the ground. One filly had a silver mane and glasses on. She wore a pearl necklace, a grey sweater over a short sleeved shirt covered in sequence and tights under a skirt with slip on shoes. The other wore a similar outfit but in pink and purple. She had a tiara on and a violet mane with a white streak through it as it came to a pony tail. "SWEETIE BELLE GET A TEACHER!" Applebloom called out.

Just as Sweetie Belle ran off Big Mac ran up. "APPLEBLOOM WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOIN' GIRL?!" He yelled. Applebloom didn't budge. Big Mac looked to me. "Get Scootaloo to a bathroom inside. I gotta deal with this!" I nodded and got up with Scootaloo in my arms, her back pack hanging by her shoulder. I heard Big Mac yell out "DAMMIT APPLEBLOOM" still trying to get her to release them. I looked down at Scootaloo as she held her nose.

"Scoot what happened? Who were those girls?"

She looked up at me pinching her nose. "...D-diamond Tiara and Silver Sp-spoon..." She said through her tears. Diamond Tiara I heard of. She was the little 'nightmare filly'. Silver Spoon must've been her friend. I grunted.

I was just about to say something but as I came into the school house I stopped cold seeing Sweetie Belle running down the hall with- believe it or not- Verrie Berrie. Berrie stopped and looked at me. "Ryder..." She said. She looked to Scootaloo and gasped. "Call me later! I really need to talk with you but right now I've got a few fillies to punish!" I nodded and hurried back down the hall towards the restroom. I went into the colts bathroom with Scootaloo and set her down near the sink. She tilted her head back trying not to get blood on her shirt which was already too late for that. I grabbed some paper towels and wet them before wiping away some of the blood on her face before having her pinch it on her nose.

"Scoot... I want you to tell me what happened..."

"....I-I went to the bathroom after school let out.... Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were going to wait for me... Just as I stepped out... Diamond hit me... I ran and Silver t-tripped me..."

I gave a sigh. "...Anything else? Did you start anything?" She shook her head. "Did Applebloom or Sweetie Belle start anything you think?" She shook her head again. "Alright keep that there. Let's get back to the car okay?" She nodded and took my hand still holding the paper towel pinching her nose with it. Thoughts crossed my mind about Berrie. She told me to call her. But... Scootaloo heard it. I looked down at her. "...Scoot promise me you wont tell mom about this but.... I have to call that mare that we saw in the hall..."

"...Miss Berrie? Why?" She asked. It was at that moment I realized Berrie was a substitute teacher. I didn't know that. She never told me she was a sub in our relationship.... Although that was probably why she couldn't answer me during the day when I sent 'I love you' texts.

"Well... I think it's because she was the one who nearly hit us this morning... You were okay after that right?" Scootaloo nodded as we came back in the halls. "Did she apologize to you at all?" She nodded again.

"...Sh-she apologized before I went out for recess... Can we just go home now...? I don't feel too good..."

I nodded and before long I had dropped Big Mac, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle off before going home. Scootaloo stayed silent not telling anyone. I just told Big Mac I missed Berrie when I went inside. I even kept quiet to my mother about her. Dad I know didn't care about my love life. After I got home I had to carry Scootaloo inside. She passed out after we hit up Sweet Apple acres. Big Mac was even kind enough to set me up with a six pack of Cider. Scootaloo piggybacked me holding me tight, I had her back pack and the cider in hand. Our mother opened up the door and took Scootaloo off my back. "Aw.... Somepony's glad to get to their afterschool nap..." She said softly.

I sighed. "After what she went through I'm not surprised..." I said. "...Bullies had her running away with her tails between her legs..." I saw Scoot's wings flutter a bit. "And... Why would they hurt her? Theres nothing to beat her up about..."

"Aw those bullies again...? That needs to stop but the school wont do anything about it."

She was right. Schools barely help with fixing a problem. I used to be bullied. Kept going to the teacher, they'd send the bully to the principal, next day the bully is back doing it again. It never helped that I kept doing that. One day I snapped and lashed out at my bully. Caught him right on the top of the head. Nearly knocked him out. I ended up getting in trouble and getting suspended. I basically spent the rest of the day (present not my damn past) in my bedroom napping as well. I was tired.

Day 3: My mistake.

It was just after ten at night. I was the only one awake. Sat in my room at the foot of my bed, contemplating whether or not to call Berrie. I had her number still in my phone and a contact for her. I was so broken up I had actually forgot to delete it. On one hand I talk to Berrie, ask her if what my mother said was true and risk smashing my heart up even more. The other hand has me going to bed and waking up like Scootaloo this morning. Wet and afraid of a girl. "...I have to call her." I said. I brought the phone up and hesitated pushing the icon next to her number. You know the little green one. Looks like a phone. Anyways I ended up throwing the phone on my bed sighing. "No... You promised yourself and mom you wouldn't talk with her again! And... Big Mac too... But... You already said you'd call her..." I got confused for a moment. Didn't know one way from the other. Then I thought: Why don't I flip a coin? You're thinking this jackass doesn't have any money. How is he gonna flip a coin if he doesn't have one? Well I do have a coin. This coin was a souvenir from a concert I went to. Shining took me. Metallicolt. I always kept the coin in a box under my shirts in my dresser. I took it out and took a deep breath looking at both sides. One side had an M on it with the two bottom ends barbed almost like a taser hook. The other a guitar head. "Heads I leave it alone. Tails I call Berrie..."

I tossed the coin in the air. It almost flipped in slow motion. I caught it just about half way to the floor. I opened my hand and saw it was tails. I put the coin back in its box and set it on my dresser next to my C-sphere and went to the door snagging my phone. I had to go out of the house before I called Berrie. Mom always liked to drink a lot of water before bed. Made sure she was hydrated through the night. Most time she actually got up and went to the bathroom. Other times she'd barely make it. I didn't want her to hear me. I hit the call button as I went out the front door and closed it near silently. The air outside felt cool. Cars still drove on the main roads. Just as I take a few steps away from the house my phone clicks. "Ryder? Is that you?" Berrie said. Must've deleted my number.

"Yeah..." I replied hesitantly. "I... You.... Why did you want me to call you...?"

"Ry..." She started. "I wanna say I'm sorry for nearly wrecking your car this morning. I didn't even know that your sister was in the class I was subbing for! She looked so scared walking into class I just had to do something!"

"BERRIE! LISTEN!" I snapped. "I know you're sorry about that! I thought the light was green on my end I never slept last night!" Nothing but silence from the phone. "Okay... Now... I need to ask you something and I want you to be 100% truthful with me... Do you understand?"

"Yeah..." She sounded hesitant.

"Berrie!"

"Okay okay fine I'll be truthful!"

I huffed. "Now then... Earlier my mom told me she saw you with another guy when she was out getting groceries. I want to know if you did or did not cheat on me while we were dating."

Berrie whimpered. "Yes... I did cheat on you..."

"I knew it!"

"WAIT let me finish! I did cheat on you and I'm sorry! That colt was rotten! He felt me up in public, groped me at the movies and he always wanted to have me come to his place and... do things I didn't want to... The first time I actually wanted to do it but the second he got rough and I busted his balls before grabbing my clothes and running out... He harassed me with calls for days... Left me messages calling me a slut and a whore.... I had to call the cops on him saying he raped me and... he technically did..."

For the first time in a while I heard Berrie cry. And... I kinda felt bad for her. "Berrie... Listen to me..." I said. "... Tomorrow I'll be working and you probably will be too... Maybe after I drop Scoot off at home you and I could... I don't know get a coffee together?"

"...Th-that... That sounds great... Maybe you can come meet me at the diner down the road from the school... I'll be there around four... Don't be late."

Then and there she hung up not wanting to have me hear her crying. My heart must've skipped a beat as I shoved my phone back in my pocket. I had a date. With my Ex. Either that or this dream was so realistic that I saw my mother standing at the door making me yelp because she did not look happy. "Ryder you get your ass in this house this moment!" She said. "What I'm about to do is not permitted in public!" I hurried actually being scared of my own mother. She closed the door and looked at me as I stood behind her shuttering. She pointed at the couch saying "Sit" like I was some sort of dog or something. And like a dog I listened. She paced in front of me giving me an intimidated look, and tapping her fingers against each other. "There are rules to this house. You should know them. One of them being....?"

I whimpered and averted my gaze. "...A-always listen to you and dad..." I said.

"Right! And you should've listened to me when I said stay away from Berrie!" I looked back at my mother.

"But how could I?! She nearly crashed into me and she was at the school substituting for Scootaloo's class!"

"Okay I'll let those slide but you will not be going to that date tomorrow! I want you home with Scootaloo! No going out unless you have me OR your father with you! Now you go up to your room and go to SLEEP! I don't want to see a light on in that room or a sound coming from your TV or else I will call Big Mac myself and tell him to set up a room JUST for YOU!"

I nodded and scrambled to my feet hurrying up the stairs. I hurried past Scootaloo's door and darted back into my room closing the door, locking it and barricading it with a door stop. I didn't even bother getting undressed as I climbed into bed and plugged my phone in. I was that scared of my own mother. Some of the noise must've woke Scootaloo up because I heard her door open. I listened as close as I could and heard Scootaloo say: "Mommy? Is everything okay?"

"Scootaloo go to bed! Mommy needs some alone time!"

"But... I heard yelling..."

"GO. TO. BED!"

Next thing you know I heard my little sisters door slam. That was the last of what I heard that night, not to mention that being the night where I actually got some sleep. I woke up the next morning to the sound of my dad knocking on my door. "Ryder c'mon get up!" He said. "You're supposed to be driving your sister to school today! Hope you're fully rested to not fall asleep at the damn wheel."

I groaned getting up. My clothes felt wrinkled and sweaty. The saliva in my mouth felt thick and the air around me felt warm. I moved the door stop and unlocked my door and opened it poking my head out just as my dad went down stairs. "I'll be out in a minute!" I called out. I went back inside getting no answer and proceded to change my clothes. Came out minutes later in digital camo pants, boots, and a black band Tshirt with the sleeves cut off. Band wasn't metallicolt but it was an old 'Gems N Tulips' Tshirt. I didn't get a chance to see the band in concert but I did get lucky and meet Gash their guitarist. Anyways I went downstairs seeing my sister on the couch watching cartoons eating from a bowl of cereal. I went into the kitchen where my dad sat at the table having his morning coffee, grabbed the apple fritter I brought home the day before and went back out. Now I saw my mom coming down the stairs. I sat next to Scootaloo and started to eat my pastry.

Scootaloo looked up at me as she sat her bowl down. "Ryder...?" She said hesitantly. I looked down at her. "...You can drive me and my friends today right...?" I swallowed the bite I took and smiled.

"Yeah Scoot I'm wide awake." I said. "You gonna be okay today?" She shrugged looking back at the TV. "Scoot what I want you to do today is walk with your friends to Sweetie Belle's place. If those two fillies are there and they follow you try going to Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie wont let anyone hurt anyone else. Oh and have who ever call me when you get there okay?" Scootaloo nodded.

I was about to say something else but no. Mom had to come in the living room with two cans of soda. "You two better be home before three thirty then!" She said. "And Ryder remember what I told you last night!" How could I forget? She practically had me on a short leash. "Now get going you two Applebloom and Sweetie Belle wont be happy if they're late for school!" Had to listen. Like. A. FUCKIN' dog!

A little while later I had Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle in the back seat of my car. We were going to pick Applebloom up. "Thanks for giving me a ride again Ryder!" Sweetie Belle said. "Rarity's working on three outfits at the moment and she cant take her attention away from it for even a minute!" I glanced in the rear view mirror at the fillies stopping at a red light.

"What does she do if she has to go to the bathroom?" I asked.

"Trust me you do NOT want to know."

"Eh.... Okay then... You guys gonna have a vacation coming up soon?" I glanced in the mirror again. Scootaloo smiled.

"Yeah! We got spring break coming up!" She said. "Two weeks and no homework! It's gonna be great! Mommy and Daddy were gonna take us to the beach!" Her wings flapped hard. I was sure she'd lift right out of her seat but mom told me something while Scootaloo was camping with Applejack, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle that she fell down the stairs trying to fly and injured her wing. Not to mention she does get a little scared when mom has to carry her up to the clouds. I sighed a bit smiling.

"Well that's good. I can come right Scoot? Mom and dad gonna want me there?"

"Of COURSE you can big brother! Mommy and daddy should let you if they're bringing Applebloom and Sweetie Belle too!" I gave a smile and took the turn towards Sweet Apple Acres.

My smile died down as the gate to Sweet Apple Acres came into view. Big Mac stood solo leaning on the fence with a regretful look on his face. He gets up off the fence and comes to my window as I roll it down. "Got some bad news for ya Ryder, girls..." He said. "...After you got Scootaloo cleaned up the principal drove by without us knowing and she saw Applebloom wrasslin' in the dirt with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon... She called AJ this morning and told her Applebloom was suspended for today. Had her ask about the other fillies and these two got nothing to worry about." He pointed to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle who looked shocked. "Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were suspended until next week. You should get going and drop em off. Hurry on back here alright?"

I gave a nod and made a U-turn driving back to the school. As I pulled up to the school I see some of the kids looking at my car and a few teachers out front, one being Berrie. I had to get out and open the passenger side door to let Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle out. Neither of them had told me goodbye or see you later. Kinda hurt a bit but not as much as the pain I felt as I saw Berrie walking towards me. "Hey Ryder we still on for later?" She asked.

I sighed and shook my head leaning on my car. "...My mom doesn't want me seeing you at all." I said. "...I didn't even get a chance to even tell her it was just a friend thing..." I at her blushing a bit. "...It... Was a friend thing right?" Berrie gave a nod. "Anyways... She doesn't want us seeing each other at all... I basically have to be home before four... Like a fucking curfew..." Berrie sighed.

"She never liked me... After you introduced me and you had to go to the bathroom she basically told me-" Suddenly the bell rang. Berrie sighed. "...I'll text you later. I gotta get going." She hurried back to the school leaving me alone at my car. I sighed and went back in laying back in my seat thinking about how much my mom was missing.

Next thing you know my phone went off. I pulled it out and saw it was Dash, my cousin. OUR cousin. I answer it with a hefty sigh. "RYDER!" Dash yelled startling me. "Why the fuck did you not tell me you had to move back in with your parents? You know I could've set you up at my place!"

"Yeah but you'd be pushing me to tell you about my car and how it has to do with the wonderbolts wouldn't you?" I asked. I heard her mumble something but I couldn't make out what it was. "Listen I gotta get to work. The more I'm not at work the more my mom think's I'm with you-know-who. and don't play dumb I know you know."

"Oh just because I spend most of my time working out means I'm dumber than a sack of hammers. I know you and Berrie broke up. You never stopped bitching about it to me that same day! Just get your ass down here! I've got something for you!"

"WOAH! You're at Sweet Apple Acres? What the hell are you doing there? Aren't you supposed to be clearing the clouds?" Suddenly a siren went of behind me and I grunted. "You know what hold that thought I got a guard to fucking deal with..." I didn't even give her a chance to answer before hanging up and putting my phone in the cup holder groaning silently as I hear a truck door open and shut. The sound of boots and the sound of armor rang out in my ears.

I didnt even look up as the sounds stopped. Then I hear a knock on my window. My windows had to be rolled down manually with that damn crank. I rolled it down and heard a grunt seeing a hand enter my vision. "License and Registration RYDER!" The guard said. He had a familiar voice... And... Only one guard knew my name. I looked up and saw Shining Armor geared up and on patrol. He wore golden armor that just covered his torso revealing the sleeves of a white Tshirt. He even wore jeans surprisingly. I gave a relieved sigh slumping in my seat.

"Dude you scared the SHIT outta me... Don't ever do that again!" Shininig laughed a bit.

"I'll try not to if you aren't parked illegally." He said. "Now how about that license and registration dude?"

I huffed and dug into my pocket pulling out my wallet and then to the glove compartment. "I guess casual day doesn't mean letting your friend off with a warning?" I said handing over my registration and my license. He sighed.

"Sorry Ry but I gotta do my job. Besides you really wouldn't want a 500 bit ticket for talking on your phone while driving would you?" I shrugged averting my gaze. "Anyways just sit tight I'll be right back.

As he walked back to his truck I picked up my phone and swiped up pulling up the key pad to hold two which then dialed up Big Mac. I put the phone up to my ear and waited for a moment. The phone clicked. "Ryder? Where are you? You didn't go to the bar did you?" Big Mac asked.

"No! If I was in a bar I'd have a fucking reason. Shining is ticketing me for parking illegally! I haven't even left the school yet! I'm gonna be a while."

"Well alright then. I'll give Shining a call see if'n he cant step away from that job long enough to get a damn drink tonight. Think your mother could let you out for that?"

"Who the hell knows. You might as well come with me when I drop Sweetie Belle and my sister off at my place. Can probably tell Rarity to grab Sweetie if I'm doing that." I looked in the rear view mirror Just as Shining was coming back. "I gotta go. Shining's coming back. See you there!" I hung up and set my phone back in the cup holder looking back to the window.

Shining handed me back my drivers license and the registration. "Gotta say Ry you did a really nice job with this car." He said pulling out what looked to be a note pad. "Okay so that's 50 Bits for the illegal parkjob. I'll agree to pay half of it if you wanna help me with something. Just text me later and I'll tell you what I need done."

"Will do but uh... I actually wanna ask you something and cut out the wait."

"Well c'mon do tell I'm not gonna stay here forever!"

"You think you can join me and Big Mac for a drink tonight?"

"Sure but might wanna have a contingency plan just in case one of us wants to drive back home. Either that or someone's gonna have to be sober enough to drive us home. But seriously you need to pay this or else I'm gonna have to jail you for a few days and your mom and sister wouldn't like that."

I shot a smile his way. "Yeah trust me my mom snapped at me for just having a sip of beer. Anyways I'll text you if there are any change in plan!" He nodded and gave me the ticket before going back to his truck. I put the ticket right under my phone pinning it before rolling my window back up and driving off.

I arrived at Sweet Apple Acres not too long later. As I drove up the road I sighed wishing I had the radio working. I always used to listen to this talk show. Stuff they said was funny. They actually did go and play music when they needed to break for a bit but what I came for was the actual talk show. I'd even call in and rant about how shitty my day would be going. One time I actually called in and got a free 100 bit gift card for a popular clothes shop in town. Bought a few things including that Gems tshirt I cut the sleeves off. As I pulled up to the house I saw Big Mac waiting outside. He walked over as I parked near the trees. I opened my door and stepped out putting my phone in my pocket. "Well there you are!" He said. "Any longer and I'dve thought you'd be in the back of Shining's truck in restraints!"

I huffed stretching a bit. "Honestly if I were there you'd know Shining would be calling you telling you I'd be so many days late." I replied. "Now where's Dash? I need to slap a bitch." Big Mac laughed a bit closing my car door as I walked toward the house.

"I wouldnt say she needs to be slapped but I might have something better than that!" He said as we both stopped at the door. "Before you start work AJ thought it might be nice to give you something nice for all this shit going on with you and your sister. She brought Dash over and Dash brought Pinkie and well..."

He opened the door and we were both greeted with the sound of party cannons, kazoos, and a big "SURPRISE!" Yelled by three mares and one little filly. Yep. Applejack, Applebloom, Big Mac, Rainbow Dash AND Pinkie Pie were throwing me a party. Rainbow Dash wore her sweat suit and tennis shoes. The sweat suit was a dark blue and she wore a wonderbolts shirt under it. Her mane was tied up in a ponytail. Pinkie had a white short sleeved shirt with pink cotton candy and a cupcake side by side. Her mane was all puffed up. Her capris pants hugged her plump butt quite nicely and... I'm losing track aren't I? I am? OKAY BACK TO THE STORY!

A big smile came to my face as Dash came to hug me. "There you are! It's about time you got here!" Dash said. "I was just about to get on my bike and find you myself!" I sighed a bit returning the hug.

"Thanks but... Why do this for me?" I asked confused. "I haven't done anything worthy of a party..."

Pinkie walked up and joined in the hug. "Everyone deserves a party silly!" She said. "Big Mac and Applejack told me you were having a bad couple of days and I wanted to see you give me a BIIIIIIG Smile!" I did smile as a matter of fact. I looked over to Big Mac and Applejack.

"I'll still have time to do todays work right?"

Applejack nodded came over and pried her friends off of me. Pinkie took a few tries (Even with Big Mac helping) to get her off of me. "Well sure sugarcube this'll be just a small shindig!" She said. "It's only a selling day today and we need someone to haul the goods into town since someone mashed the damn truck up." That's where I sighed losing my smile.

"Can I talk with you and Big Mac alone real quick?" I averted my gaze. Was I really about to do this? Tell them what really happened to their truck? Guilt ate me up faster than a formula racer.

Big Mac tilted his head. "You okay Ry?" He asked. I shook my head hesitantly. He looked to Applejack who was already pushing her friends up stairs. Even Applebloom. He pulled me inside and sat me on the couch. I immediately stood up and went to the kitchen table where they followed me. I hid my face as Big Mac and AJ sat down on the ends of the table. "Alright now... What did you wanna talk to us about?" I sniffled and hesitated to take my hands away. Applejack took my hands and held one wiping tears away from my eyes. "...What ever it is you seem like it aint at all good." I sniffled.

"C'mon Sugarcube," Applejack said. "Just say it. You need something to drink? I can get you something."

"NO!" I snapped. "No more ciders! No more rest! HELL NO MORE FUCKING SYMPATHY!" I pushed AJ's hands away. "I did it! I crashed your truck in the shop! ME! Not anyone else! I got fired and left before they called you!" That's when I broke down and cried. I mean literally broke down. I fell to the floor and curled up bawling. Nothing came from Big Mac and Applejack that I heard but Big Mac did grab me by the shirt and pants giving me a wedgie before going to the still open door to throw me out.

Right before he slammed the door I heard him yell out: "GET OUT OF HERE AND DONT COME BACK!"

I wanted to lay in the dirt but if I stayed there any longer I'd probably be pelted with empty bottles and apples. It's why I got up and hurried to my car and drove off. As I pulled up to my house I turned my car off and just sat there. I must've lied on the horn because within minutes my dad came outside and pulled me out. "RYDER! Ryder calm down son!" He said. "Here c'mon get inside!" He took me around the back of my car but I pushed him away and puked on the curb. Not even one dry heave. He grabbed me again and shushed me as he walked with me like I had an injured leg. Once inside he lied me on the couch where I just curled up with a pillow. "Son! Son what the hell happened? I thought you were at work!"

I sniffled and turned away. "...B-big mac.... He... He threw me out... Even though he h-ha-had Pinkie throw... A fuckin party...." I said. I took my phone out and gave it to him. "...Call Dash.... Lock my fucking car up.... First a break up... Then I'm here again.... NOW a fucking t-tick-ticket... and no more job.... At all... He's not forgiving me..." He took my phone.

"What is he not gonna forgive you for?"

"....Cr... Wrecking.... I wrecked his family truck... I-it was an accident... and... How I got fired from my mechanic job.... go.... Get my keys.... I left them in.... Ignition...."

My father gave a nod and hurried back outside. In that time I got up and hobbled to the kitchen feeling dizzy. Next thing you know I black out. Felt nothing. No pain. No emotion. Not even any breathing I was doing. "Ryder?" I hear a voice echo. "Ryder? C'mon wake up!" Then a sudden cold woke me up. I found myself in my room with the blinds shut but with the sun peeking through the tiny gaps. I even saw my mother with a wash cloth dripping cold water on my pounding head.

"...M-mom...? What.... What happened?" I ask.

"Sweetie your father told me you showed up here worse than how you showed up in the first day and I rushed home. He even found your parking ticket. You don't worry about that I'll give you the money for it." I tried getting up but she forced me back down. "You stay right there. After your father got your keys and ticket he found you face first on the floor in a pool of your own puke and uh... He had to change you into other clothes..." I blushed hard and groaned.

"Ma... Can you get me a drink please...? I... I feel like shit..."

My mother nodded and folded the wash cloth before putting it on my forehead leaving me there. I sat up just enough to lift the blanket to see I was in my boxers and a plain white shirt. Definitely felt sticky in some places. Made me even more embarrassed. I looked over and saw I had my phone on the charger with a note on it. I took it and stared to read it.

'Ryder,

I called Dash earlier after putting you in your bed and she said she'd be over with Pinkie with a few things for you before Big Mac kicked you out. I told her she should drop by tonight when you're all rested. Maybe by the time you read this Pinkie should still be here. She drove up saying she followed you as close as she could without thinking it was Big Mac trying to kill you. Anyways she's here and worried about you.

Dad'

I huffed and grabbed my phone. I unplugged it and looked at the screen as it lit up. Two game notifications, texts from Shining, Dash, Applejack, and a bunch of social media stuff. Even one of Big Mac defriending me. I tapped Applejack's text and it brought up a key pad telling me to input password. 'WonderD00' I typed. Yes the combination of The Wonderbolts and Daring Do. I love both okay what's wrong with that? It brought me to the messages AJ sent me.

'Ryder sugarcube I forgive you for wrecking our truck. We know it was an accident but... You know Big Mac... Always defending the family's honor n what not... Don't tell him I'm texting ya. He loved that truck, he loved our daddy and wrecking that truck meant you hated our daddy in his eyes.'

I sighed just as my bedroom door opened. I look over and there's Pinkie coming in with a glass of water and saltine crackers. "You're awake! Good!" She said setting the water and crackers down. She sat me up and moved me back to where I was leaning against the wall. "You feeling okay?" I shook my head as she sat down. "AJ and Dash told me to come here for you. I am so sorry Big Mac did that!"

"...N-no... I deserved it..." I said reaching for a cracker. Pinkie grabbed one and popped it in my mouth. "...Thanks... But... Now I think I'm better off in jail... That ticket Sh-Shining gave me... I cant pay it..." Pinkie gasped.

"Ryder you cant say that! No pony wants to see you in jail! Not even your sister! I already spoke with The Cakes and they agreed to help you out with work. You and I are gonna share a shift at Sugarcube Corner. They even said you can just work the register or clean the ovens. You okay with that??"

I nodded before swallowing my poorly chewed cracker. It felt as if a knife was sliding down my throat ready to end me. I would've wanted it if Pinkie hadn't put hope in my heart. She waited on me hand and foot the rest of the day because she wanted to see me happy and see me get back to my feet.

Day 5: Heaven turned Hell in the blink of an eye

This day... That night... That's when it all went IMMEDIATELY to hell in a fucking hand basket... I got up the morning after a great day of work, paying off a parking ticket and getting a marefriend better than Berrie. I woke up to my favorite song that morning. My phone sat nearby on a side table. One close enough for me to wake up to my alarm and close enough to a power outlet. I had my new clothes for that day set on the coffee table right next to my keys, a soda and a package of toaster pastries. I got up throwing the blanket covering me off as I got up. Pajamas: Basket ball shorts and a tshirt. Just as I picked up my phone to turn the alarm off I hear a door open upstairs. I looked to the stairs and see Scootaloo walking down with her stuffed animal. "Morning Scoot!" I said. "You feeling better?"

Scootaloo gave me a nod as she rubbed her eye. "...Mommy and Daddy up yet?" She asked. I shook my head. She hopped up on the couch and took the blanket wrapping herself in it. I came back and turned the TV on sitting next to her.

"You know you did look cute in that picture mom sent me yesterday." I said. Scootaloo blushed a bit. "Didn't mom tell you about that?" She shook her head. I knew she was embarrassed but hey I cant help it. That picture was so cute! Another door opened up stairs. This time mom came down. She wore a bathrobe this morning. I didn't even want to ask what was going on the night before but I had a good clue as to what. "Morning ma!"

Our mother yawned. "....Don't talk to me... I need my coffee..." She said. I gave a laugh getting up as I followed her to into the kitchen.

"C'mon ma not in front of Scoot. You didn't sleep well last night?" She shook her head.

"...Don't blame me... Blame your father... He did nothing but ride my ass last night and wasn't very gentle..." I sat down at the table laughing a bit as she went to the coffee pot.

"Mom keep it PG! Was he kicking you in his sleep again?" She nodded as she waited for the coffee to brew. "Anyways I have GREAT news! I mean really REALLY great news!" She looked back at me as the coffee started pouring into the pot.

"What did you catch Pinkie Pie's crazy?" I shook my head. "Excited for work today?" I shook my head again. "Ryder don't tell me you talked with Berrie behind my back! I told you she is bad news!"

"Mom it isn't her! I don't even know who she is anymore!" My mom tilted her head as she poured her coffee. "I am in love that is true but this mare just took my heart from the first day I got back!"

"Who is this mare you're talking so much about?"

I took a deep breath but before I could answer Scootaloo came in dragging my blanket in. Dad followed her. "...Mornin' everyone..." He said yawning. "...You waiting on the coffee Ry?" I gave a sigh.

"No Dad." I said. "You know I get jittery with coffee. I was just about to tell mom that I was in love with Applejack!!"

My parents and my little sister looked at me shocked. I'm lucky mom put the coffee pot down and hadn't even picked her coffee up yet. She probably would've choked on her coffee. "Ryder?" Scootaloo said. "Why do you love my best friends sister?" I laughed a bit and picked her up.

"I'll tell you after you get ready for school. I'm gonna try and pick Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to go to school." Scootaloo smiled.

"Okay Ryder! And... Can you put me down? I gotta go to the bathroom." I nodded and put her back on the ground. She ran out and I sighed feeling great. Like I was important to her somehow. I didn't know how true that was. Not until now. My mom cleared her throat.

"...Applejack?" She said confused. "I thought Big Mac would've scared you away from her..." I sighed.

"He was pissed at me because I busted his truck and he's always blinded by how much he loved his truck. Applejack forgave me right then and there while Big Mac just yelled at me... She was even the one who just had me rest the first few days I was back home... It honestly felt nice... I just....Hell if I was scared of Big Mac I wouldn't be here as a sitting duck ready to be beaten to apple sauce..."

My dad laughed and patted my back. "Atta boy! Get away from that dumb bitch berrie!" He said. "Hey you might need to get dressed too. I'm pretty sure Sugarcube Corner has a dress code and it isn't your PJ's! Go on get out of here! Get yourself ready for work!"

I gave a nod and went back out of the kitchen. I picked up my phone again and saw I had a few texts. One from Applejack, one from Rarity and another from AJ. I read the one from Rarity first.

'Sweetie Belle is wondering if Scootaloo is okay to go to school today. And I'm wondering if I have to take them to school again. Applebloom nearly stained my seats with a half eaten apple.' It read.

I sighed and replied.

'Rarity Scoot is fine, I can pick the girls up before work. Hey maybe come visit if you aren't tending to a client. Might actually need your help going out to a restaurant with Applejack <3'

Yes. I did use the '<3' emoticon. Do I have to explain everything? After I sent that text off I checked my texts from Applejack. The first one read: 'Hey sugarcube! Big Mac is punishing himself for scaring me out of the house the other night. I told him I stayed with Pinkie and she backed me up on that. He's doing all the work himself today and he has done it before which means I'm free the whole day! Maybe come pick me and Applebloom up at the gate and I can help out at Sugarcube Corner again!'

The other said: 'Oh and by the way... Love you~'

I blushed and replied back.

'Sure thing. I'll be by in a bit. Love you too my little apple-bite.'

Afterwards I got dressed and was out the door with Scootaloo. Today she wore a pair of jeans and a blood orange colored short sleeved tshirt with a grey hoodie on. The breeze outside made the air colder than even I expected. "Ryder?" She said. "Can you please tell me why you love my best friends sister?"

I sighed closing the door before hurrying to the drivers side door. I glanced in the rearview mirror after I started my car. "Well Scoot... She's just cute... Her accent just gives me the chills and when ever she calls me sugarcube.... OH it just makes me wanna melt!" I said. "Lets pick her up first before Big Mac suspects something alright? We'll get Sweetie Belle on the way to the school." Scootaloo nodded and I pulled away from the curb. I really wish I had a radio to keep my mood going. I'd call the rock radio station, request an up-beat happy song to listen to but it wouldn't do any good with my radio still broken. I looked back at my sister as we stopped at a red light. "Is Ms. Berrie substituting again today?" Scootaloo shook her head.

"Nope!" She said. "My usual teacher Ms. Cheerilee is teaching again! Ms. Berrie only had to teach two days."

"Thats good. You might wanna tell Ms. Cheerilee about your bully problem. We don't want those bullies coming back and starting problems again." I looked back to the road just seconds before the light turned green.

"I think the principal told Ms. Cheerilee about Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.... I think...." Scootaloo grunted. "THOSE STUPID BITCHES!"

"SCOOTALOO! WATCH YOUR MOUTH! Do you want me to turn this car around?! I will take you back home so mom and dad could punish you!" She screamed a bit covering her mouth.

"SORRY SORRY SORRY! PLEASE DONT TELL MOMMY AND DADDY!"

"Then dont curse! No matter HOW mad you are. Got me?" I glanced in the rear view mirror seeing Scootaloo shaking with tears in her eyes as she nodded. "Scoot take a few deep breaths and please don't ever do that again! I know Mom and Dad wouldn't wanna see me punish you for doing something like that."

Scootaloo nodded and took deep breaths wiping her eyes. By the time we got to the gate of Sweet Apple Acres she had her hood on as she hugged her school bag. She was still a bit frightened but not as bad. As we pulled up to the gate I saw Applejack and Applebloom. Applebloom had a yellow flannel shirt on with her overalls. Applejack had a leather jacket on. It looked a bit old but still warm. Applebloom hopped in the back with her friend before Applejack sat in the passenger seat and gave me a big kiss. "Mornin' there sugarcube!" AJ said. "You sleep well last night? Hope my strummin' your heartstrings didn't keep ya up much!"

I whipped around going back towards down giving a laugh. "You can do that all you want Applejack and it wont affect me!" I said. "I hope your brother doesn't mind I'm taking you to dinner tonight!"

"Well I hope you have a coat. Supposed to get a bit of rain tonight!" She said. I glanced into the sky as we got into town. Saw what she meant. Clouds were moving in. My sunny mood blocked out the bad weather. I even laughed a bit nervously.

"...Maybe I should swing by the house grab a jacket for myself... Maybe Dash could even grab one for me... Don't wanna be stuck in the rain!" Applejack laughed a bit.

"Thatcha don't sugarcube! I'll give her on the horn after you drop me back at home! Give her something to do before the rain gets in! ....Why them damn Cloudsdale pegasai gotta schedule rain I got no clue..."

Applebloom yawned a bit stretching. "...Sis can we stop off for somethin' to wake me up...?" She asked. "...I didn't get much sleep last night.... You can probably guess why..." Applejack looked back at her sister.

"Applebloom you n I both know them teachers are gonna keep an eye on ya after what happened but they aint gonna punish ya worse than what me n your brother could! If they did that then that school wouldn't existed and you'd have me and who ever else to teach ya stuff you'd need in life." AJ looked over at me as I was going through a few green lights. "'Bloom's been having nightmares about getting into another fight and them teachers smackin' her ass up n down the slide. Anyways Scootaloo okay? Seems all mopey this morning." I gave a sigh.

"Yeah she just said the wrong thing to me and she's just scared that I snapped at her. It was pretty much an empty threat. Just like the blanks in a gun. Loud but wont hurt you for anything."

I kinda did feel bad for snapping at Scootaloo when I dropped her off at school along with her friends. After Sweetie Belle's place it started drizzling a bit and the clouds hadn't even covered the whole sky. By the time I parked at Sugarcube Corner it was lightly raining. Being a Pegasus you'd think I'd love every type of weather. Wrong. Thunder. Hate it almost like I hate getting my heart broken. Of course it wasn't that hard of rain for that. Anyways I had to get out of my car and hurry over to the passenger side. Applejack opened and shut the door while I covered her with my wing. I didn't care about the cold with her smiling face warming me up. As we stepped inside we were greeted by Pinkie. "Hey guys! You ready for work today?" She said. We both nodded barely breaking away from each other. "Ryder you go upstairs and change! Sorry but Mr. Cake thought you looked weird yesterday but he didn't say anything because he was trying to be nice!" I huffed a bit.

"Well I don't really have a change of clothes...." I said losing my good mood. Pinkie gave me a smile.

"Don't worry!" She replied. "Mr. Cake found a few things in his closet that don't fit him and work perfectly for work! Now go on get up there!"

Pinkie pushed me towards the Cake's personal kitchen and towards the stairs. Not long I came back down looking like Applejack's cousin Braeburn but a classier looking version. Dress shirt, dress pants and a black vest Mr. Cake gave me the option of wearing a tie but... Me and ties not the best together. I had most of my clothes in a plastic bag which Pinkie had to put in my car. Lucky me I could keep my sneakers on. I felt like some sort of casual Friday laid back guy. Sneakers and half a monkey suit. REALLY casual huh? As I came out into the shop I saw heavy rain outside, Applejack sitting with Pinkie pie and my cousin all having a soda. Rainbow Dash. My cousin. She wore a rain coat with sweat pants and canvas shoes. You know with the white toe. She looked at me and busted up laughing. "Sweet Celestia you look like a DWEEB!" She said.

Applejack looked up at me and laughed a bit. I wanted to slap the shit out of my cousin. Too bad it was during business hours. "Dash!" She said. "C'mon lighten up he didn't wanna wear that! Pinkie kinda made him wear that! You still got his jacket don't ya?" Dash sighed and tossed me a thick jacket. I caught it and put it on. It was a triple layered fluffy one. Felt really nice. Just then Applejack's phone rang. She dug into her pocket and pulled her phone out. "...Damn... Thought he'd've kept working through the damn rain!" She looked up at me. "Big Mac's calling me. My ATV's prolly there at the house." Then she looked over at Pinkie as she stood up. "You think you can take me home sugarcube? Dash's bike is all wet, and Ryder cant be near my brother on a count of the truck." Pinkie nodded and stood up before going into the back. AJ got up and hugged me giving me a kiss.

I blushed hard and enjoyed the kiss. We must've shared that kiss for a few minutes because Pinkie came back down stairs in a long rain coat and an umbrella. She pried her away leaving me alone with Dash. I sighed lovingly as I sat with my cousin. "...Damn... That AJ sure knows how to make me feel like her families Zap-apple jam..." I said. "...Glad she hasn't told Big Mac about me and her..."

"What'd you do anyways?" Dash said kicking back. I sighed.

"Remember when I called you because I got fired from my job at the garage?" I replied. She nodded. "Well... I crashed a car because it wasn't balanced properly... That car was actually Big Mac's truck... Told him a few days ago... AJ forgave me while Big Mac almost made me eat dirt."

"Woah... Heavy stuff Ry... Didn't realize that's why you got booted from the party... Thought you just didn't want it... Big Mac even paid for something just for you and he couldn't return it. He didn't even say what it was to me, Pinkie or AJ. Lucky Pinkie was nice enough to give him a refund for the party."

"You're kidding right...?" Dash shook her head. "...Fuck... Just fucking great... He probably broke it or is probably selling it for at least half what he bought it for... You up to pay for something easy so I don't have to make you leave?"

Of course Dash nodded. I grabbed her a soda but as a bit of pay back I grabbed one for myself and she paid double. When Mr. and Mrs. Cake asked I told them I quote 'had the nicest cousin a guy could ask for.' We didn't have a customer all morning. Even after Pinkie got back from dropping Applejack off which took about fifteen minutes. Dash stayed around till lunch time which was around 11:00. Not too early and not too late. Just that right time to where you're distracted by hunger but not to where you're complaining. Mr. Cake was in the kitchen making some tomato soup and grilled cheese for Pinkie and I. Dash was just having a little granola bar. Mrs. Cake sat at the table with me, Dash n Pinkie. "Ryder!" She said. "Pinkie tells me you and Applejack are going out for a dinner tonight!" I blushed and nodded.

Mr. Cake looked over at me as he dished our meals. "I did already give you that outfit to keep. None of it fits me and I'm not sure if anyone would buy it off of me." He said. "The tie is still up for the offer and it might do wonders for that date tonight!" I blushed even more.

"Yeah... Mr. and Mrs. Cake do you think I can get paid for yesterdays work? Not much business today and no use getting paid for no work." Mr. Cake sighed.

"You're not wrong there." He replied. "Days like this keep ponies inside and away from sweets. They only go out for a movie and maybe a drink but me personally I'd take my beautiful cupcake there to the movies and right back here to snuggle!"

Mrs. Cake blushed and laughed a bit as her husband came over with a few bowls of soup setting them in front of me and Pinkie. "Thanks Mr. Cake!" Pinkie said giving a bright smile. "Don't worry about paying him! I'll give him a bit of money for helping out with everything lately! I'll wait till we close to pay him!"

Right there. That's when something stopped inside me. Not my heart but my mind. Scootaloo was on my mind. Yesterday SCC closed at seven. If I wasn't gonna be there to pick Scoot up I had to get someone to do it. Rarity. She was the only one who had a car and that could pick up the girls. I got up from the table and took my phone from my pocket quickly dialing Rarity. I put it up to my ear leaning against the wall. The phone buzzed a few times before a click. "Ryder I'm very busy at the moment! This dress needs to be done with in the hour!" Rarity said. "What is so important that you'd have to interrupt me?!" I took a deep breath.

"Rarity listen." I said. "I want you to pick Scootaloo up along with Applebloom when you pick Sweetie Belle up. Keep her with you until I can come pick her up. Have her with you until I can pick her up. I'll text the old man, tell him he and mom can have the place to themselves tonight." That was probably the best thing I had said that day. Rarity agreed to pick our sisters up and I hung up. I went and texted my dad.

'Dad, I'm working late tonight, you and mom relax. You can probably have Scootaloo stay the night at her friends place. Alright with you?'

I waited a moment and my Dad replied with: 'Yeah its fine. I cant even go anywhere anyways. Damn truck doesn't work right in the rain.' I smiled and put my phone back in my pocket.

I thought it was gonna be just that. Going home to parents just to be happy and warm. Nope. A warm night with my marefriend is another thing but... I can say it didn't go well. On the way over to Applejack's I had her on the phone. I was shaking. Not sure if I was cold, awaiting a thunder clap, or excited. It was probably all three. I didn't even bother turning on the heater. "Ry I'm just so excite yet so nervous at the same time!" AJ said. "Excited cuz you're gettin' dinner for both us and nervous cuz.... Well Big Mac.... He don't exactly know we're a thing and I cant really say I'm going for a walk at night and in the damn rain!" I pulled up to a red light and just then a car pulled out of my street. A familiar car. It was a car I've seen many times before yet I could barely see inside. I had other things on my mind. "Ryder? Ryder sugarcube you there?"

I shook my head snapping out of my mind adrift in thinking about that car. "Yeah! Yeah I'm here AJ." I said. "I was uh... Trying to get my radio to work. It actually worked earlier but... Stupid rain must've messed with the signal." My heart pounded a bit as a bit of thunder rolled. The feathers on my wings ruffled just as the light turned green. "AJ I'm gonna let you go. I need to concentrate on the road. Be there soon baby! And I'll handle Big Mac when the time comes."

"Alright Sugarcube you be safe now. I'll be in the living room watchin' TV. Just knock."

I smiled and picked up my phone hanging up. My mind went back to the car. The rain and the darkness made it hard to make out the make and model. Every turn it made, I made. I studied the car. License plate. B34413. The way it handled in the rain. Well but hesitant on turns. Made it harder than it seems to think about who owned the car. Just as the car went through a light going out of town I took the red. I hit my steering wheel and looked around. Nothing. No cars ANYWHERE other than mine and the mysterious car. Well... There were cars just not even anywhere near me. I just blew it. Fuck it. I drove through the red light. I needed to know who the hell was driving this car. I pulled into the mud starting to get a bad feeling in my gut. I was right. I saw the car turn down Sweet Apple Acres and speed up. I sped up too. The car stopped slinging mud into the trees while I stopped just at the mouth of the opening. Lights were on in the house. Enough to shed light on who it was. A shadow stepped into the light from a window. I saw a mares body. Hoodie, sweat pants and- a gun. A pistol. That's when I took my keys from the ignition hopping out of my car and started to run towards the figure. I tackled her and the gun went off as we hit the ground. It flew from her hands and landed in the mud. I heard commotion inside as I punched and pinned the mare. A lightning bolt lit up the sky and the gun woman. Berrie. It was fucking BERRIE! I stopped hitting her and just sat there as the front door opened up. Big Mac came out with his shotgun and Applejack with a flashlight pointed right at me and Berrie. Berrie looked up at me. "RYDER! Why'd you do that?" She asked.

"Why'd I do that?!" I replied. "Why the fuck are you here at my marefriends house with a GUN?!"

Big Mac cocked his shotgun and stood us up. "Make one god damn move and someone here is getting splattered over the damn ground!" He said. "Now tell me why you're both here!"

Applejack picked up the pistol and found it was empty, clip and chamber. "I-I was here to finish the job!" Berrie said. "But SOMEONE RUINED IT! All I had was three bullets! I thought it was all I needed!" I looked over at Berrie.

"Finish the job?!" I said. "What the hell did you need to finish?!" Berrie turned to me and looked into my eyes taking my hands.

"I wanted us to be together..." She said. "I needed to remove those who stood in our way... Your parents and HER!" She looked over to Applejack as my heart DROPPED. I felt like something snapped in me. I quickly took my hands back and punched berrie in the gut, kicking her in the face and I head butted Big Mac for his shotgun and.... I ... I shot her.... Twice... I wanted to fire one more but by that time I threw up dropping the gun.

Applejack helped me up and away from my vomit and from her brother. "C'mon Ry work with me we gotta get to your house quick!" She said. "And I mean NOW! Your ex just killed your parents and I got a text from Rarity askin if my sister can stay at your place and she's on her way to YOUR house and if Scootaloo sees those bodies before we stop her she's gonna freak!" I had to move but I couldn't. Frozen. I was paralyzed from my now dead ex's words and from what I did. She slapped me and I started to move my feet. I ran to my car and hopped in with Applejack getting into the passenger seat. I peeled out and booked it down the road while Applejack called 911. "Hello? Yeah There's been a shooting at Sweet Apple Acres and at 3644 Farnet Way! Both are related! In what way? A mare just killed my coltfriends parents and was trying to kill me! Where am I? I'm with my coltfriend going to stop his little sister! JUST SEND SOME CARS DAMMIT!"

AJ hung up the phone and I slowed down to make a turn. With my adrenaline going I thought it was only just a few minutes. Turns out it was about ten. Right when I pulled up I left my keys in my car and got out. I was too late. Scootaloo sat near the front door crying her eyes out with Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Rarity holding her there. I ran to the door and Rarity looked up just as I looked in. She pulled me away but I've already seen enough. Blood pools under my parents bodies and all over their faces. They fell and landed just right to where they were hand in hand. Rarity looked at me and pinned me against the wall. "Ryder! Ryder snap out of it!" She said. I shook. "Ryder please! Go to your sister!" I didn't wanna move. I just lied against the wall and slid down where I broke down crying. I sat there the whole time until I saw Red and Blue lights flashing.

I heard nothing. No sirens. No crying. Not even my own voice. My parents voices rang out in my head as if they were screaming for help. Then the gunshots. Both from the pistol. And the Shotgun. I snapped back to reality hearing someone call my name. I looked up and noticed the rain had died down from a shower to a lighter rain. Not as light as a drizzle but- Fuck i'm getting off track! That yelling came from Scootaloo! I saw her struggling in the arms of a guard. "RYDER!" She screamed. "RYDER! DONT LET THEM TAKE ME!"

I got up and rushed the guard giving him a good punch to the face making him drop Scootaloo. "GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF MY SISTER!" I yelled. I picked Scootaloo up and hugged her. She cried hard into my ear.

The guard I punched got up and wrapped his arms around my neck. "You let go of the girl and I don't fight you anymore." He said. Other guards saw this and drew guns. They didn't aim them. Not with my sister in my arms.

"You let my sister go with my marefriend over there and I go peacefully." I said. "You don't do that I start giving you guys the fight of your fucking life." I looked to Applejack who looked as if she were just pissing herself worried. "AJ! Come here and get Scootaloo out of here! Use my car!" I brought Scootaloo up off my shoulder. "Scootaloo! Scoot look at me! Look at me!" She didn't even want to open her eyes all the way when she met my teary gaze. "...I'm gonna be fine... I'm giving you to Applejack and she's taking you to..." I thought a moment. Another body would fuck her up more. "...She's gonna take you away from here... Have her call Dash so she can let you in... Can you please do that for me? Please?" Scootaloo hesitantly nodded as Applejack pushed through guards.

"...I-I love you Ryder..." She said before Applejack took her.

That's when I broke down crying. I watched as Applejack hurried over to my car with my little sister in her arms. Rarity stood off to the side speaking with a few guards with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle hugging her scared. In that time the guard released me as I put my hands up. He took each hand and put them behind my back cuffing me. Arresting me. He sat me in a truck similar to Shining's. Another guard approached with a blanket. "Here." He said draping it over me.

"Wait!" I said before he tried stepping away. He looked at me. "...That was my sister he tried taking.... She's all I have left... Don't... Don't take her away from me..." He looked me in the eye.

"In most cases I would say no." He said. "But since you have good company... I'll let her stay.... But you wont be out for a while for assaulting an officer. A year to ten. You might be lucky if you post bail before your court date. You're gonna have a few weeks for that." I sniffled and nodded before he closed the door. Something tells me you're confused on how I was in jail yet able to be there for my sister. Don't worry. Big Mac can tell you that.

Day 6: A lot of thought. (Big Mac's Perspective)

Author's Note

I'm writing this from Big Mac's perspective. Asked an admin if it was against the rules to swap one perspective to the other with chapters. Admin said no. So It's all cool here :rainbowlaugh:

Thanks again Meester! :yay: :scootangel:

Day 6: A lot of thought. (Big Mac's Perspective)

Eeyup... Big Mac here. Guess'n Ryder sent ya here to find out how he got a hold of his sister again. Lucky you I'm willin' to talk about it. It was the same night. I just got done speakin' to the guard about the dead mare on my property and how Ryder shot her for our protection which they said was still considered self defense. Guard's took my gun and the shells Ryder fired off. Had me sitting in my living room. Covered in mud. All wet from the rain. I thought I'd take myself and give myself something to clean after the mess outside that I felt I caused somehow. It was my shotgun. It was my ammo. It was my land. I watched news on TV. Said they just arrived on Ryder's home. "We're here at the scene of a shooting." The news mare said. "There has been an arrest but of a different matter. Apparently the stallion arrested was keeping a CPS agent from taking his sister whom is on her way to somewhere else. We asked the local tailor who was here dropping off the filly to pick up things for a sleep over with her friends whom we also spoke to."

Just then Rarity appeared on the screen holding an umbrella. "Well I pulled up and went out with the filly to her door." She said. "I had no idea her parents were murdered! I couldn't even stop her brother from looking inside." That's when I turned the TV off. I didn't wanna see my own sister talking about what little Scootaloo went through in them few moments.

I sighed sitting up resting my head in my hand as I leaned on the arm rest. "...Ryder..." I said. "....I hope that damn jail keeps you away from my house..." I really meant what I said at the time. Almost made me want to burn the ground he walked and drove on. I heard a car pull up and honk. Thought it was Shining as I got up and walked to the door. What I saw when I opened it was Ryder's muddy car with puke down the side and my sister in the drivers seat. Gave me chills. Wait... That was the cold outside mixing with my wet clothes. She got out of the car and came to me with tears in her eyes. I held my arms open for a hug but she shoulder checked me right out of the way. I turned to her as she took her boots off. "What gives AJ? Cant a big brother hug his sister feelin' bad for another little filly who just walked in on her-"

I'd've said more but she grunted and cut me off. "I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY!" She screamed in my face. "YOUR BEST GOD DAMN FRIEND IS IN THE SLAMMER WHILE HIS LITTLE ORPHANED SISTER IS AT HER COUSINS PLACE CRYING HER FUCKING EYES OUT! NOW I GUESS HE'S GONNA STAY AWAY FOR GOOD!" I stood there. Not shocked but kinda hurt. My sister always hugged me when ever she was crying. This time she threw her mud covered boots at me and stormed upstairs. I sighed closing the door. Set her boots next to the door, took mine off set em next to hers and took myself into my bathroom and washed up.

I could barely sleep. Couldn't help but remember what happened to me n Aj when we were young... Our mother died giving birth to our baby sister Applebloom. Course me and AJ didn't know till the day he brought AB home. He sat me and AJ down on either side of Granny Smith, our uh... late grandmother.... Our father sat us next to granny told us: "...Big Mac... Applejack... Momma aint coming home..." AJ asks him why while I just sat there gettin' misty eyed. He tells her: "...She's uh... She's going to work with your auntie..." She asks him.... Forgive me this part's kinda hard.... She asks if our momma loves us... He just gets up and leaves the room in tears. He comes to me later while AJ's taking a nap.

"Daddy?" I said. "Aint momma gonna come home?" He takes me into my room and sits me on my bed.

"Mac..." He says. "...You're big enough to understand this but... Please don't repeat none of this to your sister... Understand me?" I remember clearly I barely gave a nod. "...Momma aint with your auntie... I just said that so AJ wouldn't cry... She's.... She's not coming home because she's with grandpa...." It was an indirect way of saying 'mommy's dead'. I couldn't help but feel like wanting to cry... AJ thinks mom went off to Appleoosa to work for my aunt while I know she's in the hospital morgue with an exhausted look on her face and a toe tag stating her name, what number specimen she was, date and time of death and cause.

About a week after that my sister knew the real truth... I'm sitting in the living room with Granny... She goes upstairs to ask daddy something... Next thing you know she's screaming, crying and asking why daddy's in the room hanging by a rope... Our father hung himself leaving us to join momma and grandpa. I spent the whole day with my sister. Took a nap with her, watched cartoons with her.... Even uh... I even wet myself so she wouldn't feel embarrassed alone... I just felt so bad having AJ see that. Kinda fucked her up for a while... Granny was thinkin' about putting her back in diapers she wet herself so much... Anyways I ended up passing out that night. Woke up hearing my phone alarm go off. Five in the morning. Although I didn't feel like getting up to work. That and just outside my window it was raining. I grabbed my phone and saw I had a missed call from an unknown number and that it left a message. I unlocked it, put in the code and called my voicemail. "....Big Mac..." A sniffly stallion said. It was Ryder. He was calling me. Like Shining was gonna be any help. "...Big Mac... I wasted my ONE fucking phone call on you... And you're ASLEEP! If you haven't deleted this message.... Just... Just hear me out please... I want you to check on Scootaloo... and... If you've forgiven me... I need about 200 to pay a fine or... I'll be stuck in a jail cell for years... I don't wanna leave Scootaloo alone for that long.... Please man... You're the only one who can help me here... If you cant... At least tell AJ I love her..."

Why he didn't ask AJ to bail him out I got no clue. Something deep inside me compelled me to get up and get dressed in a green flannel shirt, a black hooded jacket, a new pair of jeans and sneakers. Even went and called up Pinkie. I went out into the living room with my phone up to my ear and saw AJ mopping up the muddy mess by the door as the phone buzzed in my ear. Then a click. "Big Mac...? What're you doing calling so early..." Pinkie asked sounding tired as all hell. I gave a sigh.

"...You hear the news?" I asked. "...Taint good news either..." I heard Pinkie gasp as I went to the kitchen.

"Bad news? What happened? Are you guys okay?" She asked.

"Eeyup... Well... One of us is and it aint me... AJ's taking her new coltfriend's arrest pretty damn hard..."

"RYDER GOT ARRESTED?! What for?!"

"...Not sure... I wasn't there when it happened.... He called n left a message from the precinct telling me to check on his sister and bail him out.... Guess which one I'm NOT gonna do..."

"As much as I hate to say this... Please tell me it's checking on his sister..."

Applejack came over and took my phone from me. "GOD DAMMIT PINKIE HE ISNT GONNA BAIL RYDER OUTTA JAIL!" She snapped. "THIS GOD DAMN SUNOVABITCH DONT CARE ABOUT HIS FAMILY ALL HE CARES ABOUT IS THAT FUCKING TRUCK HE WORKED SO FUCKING HARD ON IGNORING EACH AND EVERYONE OF US!" She hung up and shoved my phone into my chest. "There! That's all you needed to say!" I sighed shoving my phone in my pocket.

"What the hell AJ you know I care about you just the same as everyone else!" I said. She looked at me pissed getting teary eyed. "What's wrong? Cant bail your boyfriend out?" She wound up and punched me catching my jaw. I held my jaw as she took Ryder's keys and forced my hand off my face, shoving the keys into my palm.

"GET OUT! JUST GET THE HELL OUT OF MY FUCKING HOUSE I WANNA BE ALONE!" She yelled before running upstairs crying.

I sighed and stormed out. Todays rain wasn't as harsh. There was still a bit of blood in the dirt where Ryder killed Berrie... Honestly should've kept a hold of my gun so Ryder could'a beaten Berrie to death... But he probably would've lost his sister to the guard. You ask me why I let him take my gun I tell you I didn't want her to die by my hand. I said to not move. She moved. I didn't shoot. Buckshot does a ton of damage close range but with two targets in one crosshair aint good if its a spread weapon. Anyways I stepped out in the mud and walked toward Ryder's car. As much as I wanted to bust that thing up it was all I had to get around. Trudging in the mud wasn't my plan. Though it was an option I didn't wanna end up getting my clothes wet again and risk getting sick. My phone went off again just before I pulled out. Saw it was Pinkie and I just screened her. I didn't mean it but I needed to call someone. Dash. As the phone buzzed in my ear I started thinking. Maybe this was Ryder's way of getting back at me or AJ's way of saying he's more important than me and my truck. It was just about four short buzzes before I got sent to voice mail. "Hey! You got the coolest mare in ponyville! Leave a message!" Dash's voice said. I sighed.

"Dash... Big Mac... I gotta check on Scootaloo soon and... Cant say I was made to do this but I'm just kinda worried about that lil filly..." I said. "...What I heard n saw last night... You'd be able to talk with me alone but.... I just don't want Scoot hearing something I saw with someone she knew... She's prolly got her mind on her big brother and... Yeah... Just... I don't know see if you can get her with Rarity... I'll be at Sugarcube corner drowning myself in something I cant get drunk off of... Poured my damn whiskey down my throat and in the orchard after I got in a fight.... Anyways... I want to talk with you and Pinkie... Gotta get shit off my mind.... Come by Sugarcube Corner... If Pinkie will let me in... Anyways... Tell Scoot I'm there for her.... I'll buy her a few things just to keep her happy... Just... Please dammit talk with me..."

I sent the message off and put my phone between my legs before starting the car. I started to tear up as I drove off. The memories I had in this car. With this car. I remember when Ryder first got this. Picked me up took me way out there and raced this thing. Hell I had to drive him home with this thing when we went out drinking that night. Flipped a coin and I came up designated driver. Glad I did... He nearly started a bar fight and he wanted to quote 'get the hell out before the heat comes'. That meant Shining. I didn't even wanna talk with him. Of course life has a funny way of making you do things you don't want. As I pulled out of the gate Shining pulled me over. Reason I knew it was Shining? He always had the deeply tinted truck. He always had to transport princesses n shit. Lit me up as I got out of the gate. Pulled over immediately. I rolled my window down and he comes out of his car like he's freaking out about something. I was right. "Ryder!" He called out hurrying to the window. "What the hell the news reports say you got arrested and-" He stopped short when he bent down at the window seeing me inside. "...Big Mac...? What the hell are you doing in Ryder's car?" I sniffled.

"...My sister brought it home after Ryder did get arrested..." I said. "...He... he didn't want this to happen but... I mean.. He had to do what he needed to do..." Shining shushed me.

"Big Mac calm down!" He said. "Now look, AJ put in a call last night, you could've seen something. I need to talk with you. We can head anywhere to talk. Just say it and we can go there. Looks like you wanna get somewhere... Right?" I gave a nod.

"....I-I was heading to Sugarcube Corner to talk with Dash... She's got Scootaloo and... And she got no one but her cousin n friends..." That's when I cried. I actually started crying.

"Big Mac! Big Mac look at me!" I looked up at him and wiped my eyes a bit embarrassed. I never cried in front of my friends. Well... Ryder... But that's only cuz of my truck. "I want you to drive this thing up to the house and leave the keys with your sister. Okay?" I nodded and did just as he said. I had to leave Ryder's keys on the table. Applejack was up in her room crying. I had Shining go up and talk to her to tell her I was going with him to talk about what happened that I saw.

When we got to Sugarcube Corner he had Pinkie close up shop until they were out. Already said he'd give a couple hundred bits for his time in there. I sat at a table alone drinking a soda. I didn't wanna kill my liver even more. Pinkie came over and sat with me as Shining greeted and hugged Dash at the door. Dash looked defeated. Like her heart was shattered in the blink of an eye. "...You doing okay Big Mac?" Pinkie asked. I shrugged not knowing how to answer. I had a lot of shit going through my mind. "Well... If you ever need to talk auntie Pinkie is here..."

Shining came inside with Dash and locked the door behind him. Dash approached me and I could see the pain in her eyes. She sat next to me like Pinkie. She hugged me tight. Couldn't tell if it were about Ryder or hearing her aunt n uncle being murdered. "...Sorry I was late... I had Fluttershy come pick Scootaloo up..." She said. "There's no way I could keep calm with her there... She kept talking about Ryder... Mommy and Daddy... I didn't know what to say... All I could do was... Just cry with her..." I sighed.

"...I know how ya feel..." I said. "...I did the same thing with AJ a long time ago..." I sipped my soda trying to keep myself from crying again. Felt close but I kept it back. Shining sat down with us just across from me.

"Alright... Now that we're all here... I need to ask each of you a few questions..." He said. "...Let's start with Big Mac since he was involved the most with what went on..." He looked at me right in the eye as Pinkie got up to get a few more drinks. "What happened last night at Sweet Apple Acres?" I looked at my drink and swirled it around.

"...Someone got shot... I didn't even pull the trigger..." I said. Dash and Pinkie gasped.

"You didn't shoot Ryder did you?!" Dash asked. I looked to her.

"No I didn't! Y'can ask AJ and Scootaloo! They'd know if I did cuz Ryder wouldn't have made it to get his sister n AJ would've gotten me arrested...." I looked back to Shining. "...'Sides... Shinin'd also know... Prolly woulda heard from someone in the guard cuz I'dve wanted to speak with you... Getcha to put me outta my misery or something..." Pinkie came back over a bit shaky with two more sodas. One for Shining and one for Dash. "...Anyways... I didn't shoot anyone... Ryder did..."

"Who'd he shoot?" Shining asked. "Was it anyone you know?" I nodded.

"Eeyup... We all did... Even you Shining... You knew her, Dash knew her, even Pinkie I think... Hell... Even my little sisters knew her... Scoot and Sweetie Belle too... That mare was Appleblooms sub a few days ago... It was Berrie... The same one who murdered Ryder's and Scoot's parents... Heard her as clear as day... She killed their mom and dad... Then she was gonna kill my sister... Ryder ripped the shotgun I came out with cuz the gun Berrie had went off scaring the shit outta me and AJ... Two shots... One in the chest... As she fell another in the torso.... Right there's when he just puked... Never saw him get that mad to where he killed someone... Especially someone who he loved before..."

Pinkie hummed a bit. "...I do remember a car speeding off at closing the other night when AJ and Ryder hooked up..." She said. "I heard it but only saw tail lights. Maybe that was Berrie speeding off after seeing them kiss." Shining used his magic to make a note pad and a pen appear. He wrote down things Pinkie and I said.

"... Okay... Anything from you Dash? Did you see anything weird or off about Berrie?" He asked looking to the rainbow maned mare next to me.

Dash sighed a bit. "I knew there was something wrong with her the first day I saw her with Ryder..." She said. "Ryder never introduced me as his cousin. Just kinda introduced me as a friend would... She confronted me a few days after and popped my front tire on my bike... Well... I wasn't sure if she did it but she did tell me I should stay away from him..."

"Threatened..." Shining said as he wrote something down. "Well... She must've toyed with Ryder so much if she wanted him and was doing anything to win him back after he denied her... She was always sketchy around me... Like she was actually trying to hide something. I never said anything about it but it really made her uncomfortable with me being around..."

I chugged the rest of my soda giving a sigh. Why did I feel bad? Ryder was a no good, secret hiding piece of shit. Yet he got arrested. On my way back home he told me what Ryder got arrested for. Aint what he did with Berrie. I told the guards it was out of self defense for the family so they mustn't've charged him with murder. I basically spent the whole day out back hosing off his car. Lucky me the rain stopped. Sun shone through the clouds as the mud and the puke came right off. Did I wish I was cleaning it with fire? No. I was thinking.... Hell that's my best friend and I was such an asshole to him... I could've blown his head clean off when I saw him out front. I spared him. For all I knew he could've been here to kill me since that gun went off. Just as I popped the trunk to check the engine Applejack came out with a case of beer. I didn't even notice her till she spoke up. "Big Mac...?" She said sniffling. I looked up and saw her dressed in her sweat pants and a flannel shirt buttoned up. She never had it like that except for when she was being lazy which was rare. Had tears in her eyes. "...I-I'm sorry about earlier... I just.... I just didn't like seeing them takin' our sisters friend n my boyfriend... I was lucky just to get Scoot but... Ryder...He just had to punch a damn guard for his sister...."

I walked over and took the beer setting it down next to her. Gave her a hug. "...Look AJ..." I said. "...He was thinking about his family which... I probably should've been doin' since the start... That time when 'Bloom fell out was completely my fault... I was toying with that horn for a while and when I saw her in the back and.... Well I tried having some fun by making that horn go off but I didn't know how close she was to the back... I was trying to get the horn to stop but by that time you were already there getting her up... In other words.... Daddy's truck got us bustin' up, friends and all, worse than Ryder's heart right now... I'm sorry sis... You uh... You think you can forgive me...?" She nodded and hugged me. Full on embrace making us both cry. We ended up going inside and passing out on the couch.

Course about an hour later I get woke up by my phone going off. Lucky me I'm the one who wakes up right away. AJ's a light sleeper too but she was up late last night. I moved her to where I could get up so I could answer my phone. Took it from my pocket and saw it was the mechanic Ryder used to work at. I answered it. "Uh Hello Mr. MacIntosh?" A colt said. "This is Gear Head from the garage in town. I want to let you know that your car has been fixed. All we had to fix was the door hinge, the window track and replace the oil in the engine. Yes that colt that damaged it was fired so you wont have to worry about him anymore if you need to bring your car back!" I sighed.

"Thanks sir... But... I gotta question to ask." I said. "How much to fix a car radio?"

"Well the radio on your truck works fine. Fired it up just to see if everything was good and it is!" He replied.

"No not my truck. My friends car. He's away doing somethin' work related and carpooled with a coworker... Left it with me and I'd say I should do somethin' special for him."

"Well then should be about 50 bits to fix it. Bring it by picking your truck up. You'll only have to wait a half hour. Radio's are an easy fix for those who don't know what to do." I gave a smile.

"Thank you sir. I'll be there soon." I looked to Applejack and nudged her hanging my phone up. "AJ! Aj c'mon sis wake up! We got somewhere to be!"

AJ groaned and swatted at my hand. "...Big Mac no.... Cant we jus' bring Ry with us?" She said still sleeping. "...Can I just stay here wif em....?" I sighed crossing my arms.

"No AJ I gotta send him out. You n I gotta get going to Appleoosa! Brae needs us!" I replied. She started to toss and turn whimpering. Was it mean that I was doing that? Yeah but karma has a funny way of coming back atcha. She yells at me and pushes me out, I mess with her dreams. Dreams ya can control are my favorite just cuz that reason. Anyways she woke up with a yelp. She looked up at me as I went n grabbed her boots by the door. "C'mon the trucks ready and I need somepony to drive Ryder's car back here. Doin' a little something for him just to say I'm sorry." She huffed a bit rubbing her eyes.

"...Cant ya just bail him out to say you're sorry?" She asked. "...I want my sugarcube back in my arms... Or at least his sisters arms... It's just hard to know on the way to Dash's she just loses her lunch right on the side.... I had to carry her up to the door... I almost couldn't give that filly to her cousin y'kno...? I wanted to take her back to our place but with the guards around she'd've needed a change of pants... I wasn't gonna just invade a crime scene just to get her any..." She put her boots on. "...Why aint you gettin' Ry outta the slammer? Dash told me that she had to go out buy a few things of undies for Scoot n she had to get Fluttershy to take her and that filly to the nearest department store that was still open..." I sighed.

"....Look Aj... I wanna get Ryder out of there but... It aint a sellin' day and all we have from week to week is about two fifty each... I spent half of mine on stuff before all this and you probably don't have much since you bought that new TV from when I got drunk and busted it..." She sighed.

"Yeah... Taint nothing I could do then.. Only got about Twenty bits to myself..." She gave me a sad look. Honestly hated it. "...We... We cant ask Dash... She needs the money for helpin' with Scoot... Pinkie helped him with date night money.... I don't even wanna ask Rarity... She still thinks I ripped her dress on purpose... Cant get Twilight cuz well... She'll think I'm tryin' to play the system and Fluttershy don't need to be anywhere near the jailhouse..." I hugged her as she stood up.

"Hey c'mon now... Ryder'll get out no problem... I'll call in a favor okay? Just calm yourself, grab a soda n you drive us to the garage while I make the call. Think you can do that for me?" She nodded into my shoulder.

Not even a few minutes later I was sitting in Ryder's passenger seat while AJ drove. I had my phone to my ear. I was talking to Shining. "No Big Mac that favor was revoked almost like your license when you got drunk and started fighting me!" He said. "Ryder ASSAULTED a guard! He didn't hug him, he didn't trade his sisters wellbeing for his... Scratch that last one but he went to jail! It's out of my hands!"

"C'mon Shining do this for my sister and his sister! Just... I don't know consult Celestia or your wife or somethin' if you'd be able to do that! The boy's just in shock! AJ said he just saw his parents same as Scootaloo! I mean- How the hell would you feel if your parents were murdered when you and Twilight was with ya? You'd be scared to the point of wettin' yerself!"

"BIG MAC! I AM NOT DOING ANYTHING THAT MIGHT FUCK MY JOB UP! Now stop fucking calling me today!"

Before I had a chance to answer he hung up. I gave a grunt and hid my face in shame. Applejack glanced over at me for a quick second. "...He aint helpin' is he?" She asked. I shook my head. "Fuck... Now what the hell're we gonna do...? Do I seriously have to ask Rarity or somethin'?" I looked up at her.

"...Afraid so sis but hey it aint all that bad... Worst you could get is a 'heavens no' or something like that. Just say you did rip the dress and you're sorry! Alright? I'll call her, you can do the talking!" She sighed.

"I don't know... She could just hang up on us when I start talkin'..."

"Aint gonna hurt to try AJ. Just do it and Ryder could be back in your arms as late as tonight!" Boy was I wrong. The damn idiot mechanic took forever, tried ruining the car when he found out it was Ryder's. Threatened to sue even though I just got my truck fixed for free after it took a fall. Honestly that truck has a center of gravity that's off. Stock cab made of metal and a wooden truck bed. Aint his fault it's made like that. Anyways the damn mechanic took forever. Lucky us Rarity wanted to give us money to get Ryder freed for his sister but by the time we got to the precinct the guards told us to go home, said 'visiting hours are over' and we couldn't even TRY and explain ourselves. Pushed us right out the door and even made my sister cry! All we could do was wait till morning. I uh.... I ended up having to sleep with my sister in her bed though. She had a bit of a nightmare about Ryder gettin' executed right in front of everyone. Told her it wasn't gonna happen but she just wanted to have someone to cuddle. Had to do it. Just had to.

Day 7: Release and a Relapse. (Ryder's perspective again.)

That fucking holding cell.... Spent most of my time on the floor near the toilet. Stayed there just incase I needed to puke at the thought of what I saw and did. I felt like shit that night after what I had went through. Glad I had Big Mac tell you what he went through yesterday? Trust me it've been me pleading with guards to speak with Shining Armor, or to give me another call that I could work for. Not to mention I'd be puking my guts out four times each hour after I tried eating something. It wasn't really late at night but I was tired. Crying all morning and tossing my cookies here and there. I tried taking naps but I'd wake up screaming having dreamt I had the barrel of Big Mac's shotgun in my face that night. Berrie wasn't around. Nor was Applejack. I tried running but heard the cock of the shotgun, next thing you know I get shot which actually wasn't why I wake up. It was what I saw before I woke up. I saw my parents dead in front of me with Scootaloo screaming for them to wake up. Big Mac walks up, clears the chamber and puts her out of her misery. I got up from the floor and hobbled to the door I was behind. Heavy and made of metal. Guards patrolled cells making sure everything was alright. With me nothing was alright. My mood, my stomach or even my sense of security. I knocked on the shatterproof and bullet proof glass window next to the door just as a guard past he looked at me and I motioned I needed something to drink. Saw him roll his eyes at me. "...Well fuck you too..." I said to myself as he turned and walked away.

The guard returned moment later with a plastic cup of water that he put through a hole in the door. "Here. Stomach problems since you came in." He said. "Wouldn't wish this on anyone to where they can barely keep anything down. Wouldn't even think someone like you would be that broken up about being arrested." I sighed taking the water shakily.

"...That's half of it..." I said. "...Left my sister alone out there... That's why I hate it in here... The other half... What I saw... What I did... I... I killed a mare... I killed her to protect my friends... I've never done that before..." The guard sighed as I sipped my water.

"You must be the guy who did the kill at Sweet Apple Acres. Substitute teacher. Who knew?"

"...I did... I knew.. She was... She was so close to my little sister... If I didn't work so late and my sister was at home... She could've been in the crossfire... Not to mention that sub was my ex... Told me... She did it for me.... For her and I... I didn't want anything to do with her..." I looked at the guard. "...Can you please give me another call please? I need to have my sister know I'm okay!" The guard shook his head.

"Sorry. Cant do that. But I'm sure your parents can tell her." I gave the guard a frightened look and turned away.

"...No... No they cant... Who do you think the two bodies were where I was picked up at...? Those WERE our parents! That fucking guard tried taking MY sister! MY only immediate family now!" I started to cry immediately. "...Why the fuck do you think I punched him? It was to keep my sister out of foster care and still be with her friends! I gave up my freedom so she could have hers!" The guard just looked at me shocked and afraid. "...Just go... Leave me here.... " The guard nodded and left me alone as I collapsed on the floor. Drank the rest of my water and passed out. Stayed out of it. No nightmare. No screaming waking up. Not even a guard to bang on my door just to spite me or make me lose sleep. I slept through the night but woke up to the smell of my breakfast which was served inside a Styrofoam container.

"Breakfast time Ryder!" A guard said. Guard sounded a bit familiar. I got up rubbing my eyes feeling like I could go back down at any second. As I looked up I saw Shining in my cell sitting on the bench where I was supposed to be sleeping. He had a humble smile on his face with my breakfast open and ready for me. A warm grilled cheese sandwich, side of some soup with a can of ginger ale. He gave me the can of ginger ale as I climbed up onto the bench. "...Good to see a familiar face huh?" I gave a nod.

"Yeah... About time I get someone to fucking talk to..." I said. "...Wonder if it was through those thick skulls those guards have..." He laughed and sighed a bit.

"Some guards do have thick skulls but that's not why I'm here." He replied. "I'm here to talk with you. To see what's going on in that brain of yours before what happened. And don't start with that whole cliché beginning of the universe crap. Heard it too many times." I nodded and took a deep breath.

"...Can I ask a question first...? Please?" Shining nodded. "...Do you think after I tell you... I might be able to call Dash to check on Scootaloo? Please...?"

"It's against protocol but.... I'll see what I can do okay? Now what happened?"

"...Well... I just... I was at lunch, I knew I was gonna be late to pick Scoot up so... Called up Rarity, had her pick her up... I texted my dad and... I think Berrie just wasn't there yet... When I got off work I was going to Sweet Apple Acres to get AJ for a date.... Saw Berries car come from my street and paid no mind... Didn't even know it was her or what was going on.... Basically followed her up to the house... Once I saw the gun she had I got out and tackled her starting to beat the crap out of her... As I said before I didn't know it was her... Well... Until Big Mac opened the door and had us staring down the barrel of his gun... Berrie told me she killed my parents because they were getting in the way of her and I but there was nothing between us... She was trying to kill AJ too but when I knocked her down the gun fell out of her hand and it went off... Only two in the clip, one in the chamber... Two used, one at the ready... But when she told me that I flipped... Saw nothing but red... I didn't know if she were joking or not but... I wasn't taking any chances... Glad I didn't take the chance... She did... But... I was too late for Scootaloo... When I got to my place Scoot was being held by her friends... Rarity did nothing to stop me from looking at the horror... I just didn't know what to think but... Just saw the guard taking Scoot as she screamed for me... I just... I gave the guard a punch and picked her up not even wanting to be close to letting her go but.... He just... The guard put me in a headlock like he was going to break my neck... I told him to let my sister go..."

"Wait so this guard that tried taking your sister threatened to break your neck?!" I hesitantly nodded. "Now that is STRICTLY against protocol, worse than what I could do! I have a report of all the guards that went to that call on your house and I can find out who did that. That was no way to deal with an innocent man!" I gave a gasp and a smile. "You sit here and finish up the meal, I'll deal with this okay?" I nodded and continued to eat my food. Took it slow cuz I didn't wanna over fill and lose it all. After a while Shining had me in handcuffs as we walked down the hall. I wanted to ask but he was on the phone with someone. "Yes. Yeah I know it's against protocol but at least give him a chance! He's got no job at the moment since he got fired from the local bakery since well... They don't wanna employ criminals but He isn't a criminal he was just scared and confused. You wanna talk with him? Alright but you're going to have to wait a moment. Walking through the halls right now and I need to get him to a private area for a quick call. Yes. Yes. Okay fine if he does that then can we drop the charges? Uhuh... Well okay. Speak with you soon." He hung up the phone and looked to me.

"So? What's going on?" I asked. He didn't answer. He didn't say anything until we got into what looked to be an empty meeting room with a table and two chairs. It was an interrogation room but not the kind you see on TV. He disconnected the camera which made me a teeny bit scared. Although friends don't hurt friends... Most of the time... (That's right I'm talking about that headbutt to KO Big Mac). He looked to me as he turned me around and unlocked the handcuffs.

"Alright... You sit down, I dial up Dash and then i'll tell you what that call was about. Okay?" I nodded and sat in one of the chairs. He pulled his phone from his pocket sitting into the chair near me. I think he had Dash's contact number just in case his sister's phone was dead and he was trying to reach her. Not only that but he gave me the phone real quick.

I put the phone up to my ear and grew excited as it buzzed. Then it clicked and I nearly fainted. "Shining? Twi's phone should be on considering I'M WITH HER NOW!" Dash yelled in my ear. "Fuck if you wanted to talk with her just hang up and call her!"

"Dash! I'm NOT hanging up!" I said. The phone fell silent. "...A-are you there Dash? It's Ryder. Please! Answer me!" Two beeps from the phone. Fucking call dropped. I set the phone down and put my head down like a kid taking a nap in class. Shining took his phone and sighed.

"Want me to call my sister? Might be easier if we do that." I gave a nod and Shining did the same thing. Except this time he put the phone on speakerphone. We heard the buzzes loud and clear before a click. "Twily? You're with Dash right now right?"

A sigh was heard. "Yes Shining." A mares voice said. Twilight. Princess of Ponyville although she's very not important to the story. "What do you need? Is it having to do with Scootaloo? I've already given her a bit of time with The Wonderbolts yesterday. What more do you want?"

"Well yeah it kinda does have to do with Scootaloo. Is she around?" He asked.

"Yes she's sitting with Spitfire eating an Ice cream. Why?"

"Well I need to talk with her right now. It's important!"

Twilight grunted and started walking with the phone. I could hear Dash and a few others asking what was going on but just barely. I hear a few doors open come with some more talking about flying and stuff. Then I hear sniffling and some light sobbing. "...H-hello...?" A filly said. Scootaloo. Shining motioned to me to say something but... I just didn't want to just say something... I just wanted to hold her and speak with her. "...Is... Is anyone there...? Hello...?" Shining sighed.

"Hey there Scoot. It's Shining, Twilight's older brother." He said. "I got someone here who wants to speak with you!" He looked to me but I had tears in my eyes. I was gonna say something but I couldn't. I just... I broke down okay?! I wanted to talk with my sister but I fucked up! "....And there he goes crying.."

"...Is that Ryder...?" Scoot asked. "...Ryder? Ryder... Please... If that's you please answer me... I miss you... I... I want you here...." Shining punched me in the arm and pointed to the phone.

I sniffled a bit. "...Scoot...." I said. "...I... I'm sorry... I just... I needed to save you... I didn't want you being separated from me or your friends... But... Look where that got me.... I'm sitting in jail.... You... You are okay right...?" I heard a weak but audible 'mmhmm'.

"...I... I had an accident last night... I... I cant believe someone would do that to mommy and daddy..." She replied.

"...I know who did it but... I just wanna say... I'm glad I didn't pick you up from school... That pony who did it could've.... You know... I'm... I...." That's when I just fell onto the floor curling up in a little ball. Shining picked his phone up.

"Sorry Scoot I gotta go back with Ryder. I promise you'll see him again and talk to him again. By the way Twilight's sister in law is coming over to give you a few things okay? You be good now alright?"

I heard Scootaloo sniffle but have the crying fade off. "Shining its Dash. Is that why you called me earlier? Just cuz you wanna talk with Scootaloo?" Dash said. Shining was about to answer but Dash cut him off. "Ah dammit! She just pissed herself again. I gotta go and just saying now Ryder should not be in jail he didn't do what you think he did!"

Yeah... Dash never did know about me punching a guard. She thinks I was the one who shot mom and dad. It was the fast thinking that got her into bad situations and bad grades at one point. Shining picked me up and put me in the chair again before leaving the room. I wasn't sure what he was doing until he came back with two coffees from a break room. Gave one to me and told me to drink up. He had to put me back into my cell but didn't want me to take a nap or anything. I sat on the bench with my coffee drinking it slowly. Didn't want that coffee but had to be nice. What was he pulling? I thought. Was he going to get me to ID the guard that put me in a head lock? It'd do no use since I never saw his face. Also thought he was trying to get me something more comfortable but I deserved it. No. You want to know what he did? He brings Princess CELESTIA. Didn't bring her to my cell. He brought me out of my cell in cuffs and walked me out to a waiting room where I see her in her long dress with guards at both her sides. She sat in a seat just looking at me. I was paralyzed with her presence. I hesitantly bowed in respect to her. "This him?" She said. Her voice was like a cello being played one note at a time slowly. A. C. A. D. Kinda like that.

"Yes Princess." Shining said kneeling down. "This is Ryder, he was the one I was talking about giving a job to." A job? Did I hear that right. "I know it's against protocol to give someone in his position a job in the guard but he has a little sister to take care of who he had to keep from going into foster care after their parents were murdered! A job at a bakery isn't going to pay any bills and since he was fired from said job I really suggest we give him something I know he can do! He helped me handle a drunken stallion at the local orchard." The princess sighed and pinched her nose as I stood back up. Nearly fell to my knees too.

"Okay I'll give him a chance but if he messes anything up he's going back into that cell! He has to listen to EVERY order given!" She snapped making me jump. "If he doesn't I will force my hand and DOUBLE his sentence!" I gulped and yelped scared falling onto my flank. Shining helped me up with the help of another guard but... I.... I kinda kicked the guard making him jump back and pull his gun. Shining used his magic to take the gun.

"WOAH! Don't you DARE do that!" He said. "Now we just get him to the truck, NO WEAPONS until we get to the range and when we do hit the range the only one that goes in is me and Ryder! Is that clear?" Silence from the guards. "I SAID IS THAT CLEAR?!"

The guards stood in attention quickly, the gun still floating in Shining's magic. "SIR YES SIR!" They both said saluting. Shining put the gun back in the guard's holster and helped me up.

"Good. Anyone talks to him, clear it with me." He looked to Celestia. "You ready to go Princess?" Celestia nodded and waited for the guards to check outside before she got up and went out with him. I was just about pissing myself from the Princess, the gun almost in my face and the fear of guards attacking me while Shining isn't looking or just in close quarters such as the back of a truck. Not much later I was in the back of a truck sat across from Shining and Celestia. I had my gaze averted to the floor. My sneakers, Shining's boots and Princess Celestia's pure white high heels.

"Mr.... Ryder is it?" Celestia said forcing me to look up. "I want to know... How did you get yourself in such a predicament? In a precinct with an outfit like that? Drunken date night?" I quickly averted my gaze again just as Shining gave a sigh.

"Forgive him Princess. He's just in a bit of shock still from the other night." He said. If I could plug my ears I would have. "He was going to meet with his marefriend for said date but a cross with the murderer of his parents kinda sent him over the edge. He wasn't sent here for murder but he was sent here for uh... Punching a guard here in the face trying to keep his sister where she was supposed to be but in return for that guard brutality came into play when that guard he punched put him in a head lock. The uh... Reason for that was it was his parents who were murdered and his sister was the first to know... Felt so bad for her I had her put up in my sisters castle until Ryders... Possible release if things go well..."

I whimpered a bit. "...I... I just wanna go home..." I said sounding just like a little colt lost in a mall telling this to a security guard. "... But... What home do I have....?" Yeah... What home DID I have? At the time no where but spoilers will not be good for this story. Shining rested his hand on my shoulder.

"Hey hey you still have your sister dude. She's fine. No one is taking her away from you and my sister and your cousin are taking care of her!" He said. "Just take a few deep breaths and we'll be at the range in no time." He looked to the front of the truck with both the guards there in the front seats. "You two, I want you to go inside, clear the range of everyone before you get us out. No one inside except for the clerk at the rentals counter but watch him closely." Shining looked back to me. "You just... I don't know take a few deep breaths and calm down."

Fact is I couldn't calm down. My heart ached for my sister and our parents. That's all I could think about that whole time. I still kept my mind on the prize but... Something went awry. I blanked out. Didn't even know what I was doing until I woke up hours later back in my cell. My head was pounding like I just got the shit beat out of me. As I got up off of my bench I looked to the window. Saw clear tape with the words 'Suicide Watch' in big lettering and backwards from my view. There was also a note taped to the window so only I could read it. It was from Shining.

'Ryder,

I'm sorry I had to knock you out but I didn't want to lose you or have your sister be left here alone. Princess Celestia wanted to put you into a mental asylum but they would've made you a fucking vegetable. I'm not having my friend become a vegetable. I'm actually glad I stopped you when I did. A second later I'd've been delivering a notice of adoption to a few of her friends places and giving her the worst news of her life. I hit you pretty hard and I'm not sure what damage I did but it was what I had to do to keep you from shooting yourself dead. You'll be checked on by a guard to see if you're alright hourly. You might be given an assessment on what's going on in your brain to make sure everything is working fine. But remember: You try something like that again PLEASE try and think of Scootaloo and how she would feel if she lost her whole family leaving her alone. If you want to take that assessment immediately just try and get a guards attention. By the by I did end up firing that guard that put you in a head lock and got him to drop the charges against you. You're free to go but not until you pass that assessment okay? When you get out call me. I needed to get back to my wife. See you soon I hope.

Shining.'

Yeah. That's what happened. Went to the range and I tried blowing my brains out because of the deep despair of knowing I 'wanted mommy and daddy back.' Honestly that's putting it short. I was having a great time with my mom and dad these past few days. I was actually thinking of taking them out for dinner next week but... Fucking Berrie... She took em away not even THINKING about my fucking sister! I'm GLAD I shot her! GLAD! G-L-A- FUCKING D! After I read the note I was just scared knowing I did that. Not scared enough to puke but I was scared enough to piss my pants a bit. I looked down at a small stain cursing under my breath as I looked back up. Just in time to see a guard walking by. I knocked on the glass and he looked right at me. I pointed to the 'suicide watch' tape and gestured with my hand trying to see if he could give me the assessment. He came to the door and opened the little hatch. "You obviously want something..." He said. "What do you want some sort of fucking rope to hang yourself with?"

I grunted and facepalmed. "No you jackass I want the assessment to prove i'm not suicidal anymore!" I snapped. "Just let me take it so I can get the fuck out of here!" He sighed and nodded before closing the hatch and walking away. He took a few minutes giving me time to use my toilet and try and hide my shame. He came back with another guard who had hand cuffs and a folded paper and a pen in hand. They cuffed me and took me into the meeting room where Shining took me to talk with Scootaloo. I sat in the chair I had sat in before. The guard I spoke to sat in the other chair while the second one had to lean on the door.

"Alright answer these basic questions and you're good to go." The guard said. I gave a nod and started with the questions. They really were basic questions. What's my name, what happened for me to become suicidal, where I lived. Even what my friends names were. That one confused the hell out of me. I didn't what to say other than, Rarity, Applejack, Shining Armor, Pinkie Pie and my own cousin but I was just wondering if I should be putting Big Mac's name there. All I knew is AJ still had my car and who knows what Big Mac could be doing to it. Could be cutting the brake lines or selling it to some fuck who wanted the car. That is what I thought at the time.

After they released me I stood out front making sure my things weren't tampered with. Wallet, phone and... Well that was pretty much all I had. I checked my phone and it must've been turned off for the few days I was in there. Had about a thirty five percent charge. I had texts from Applejack asking if I was okay, texts from Pinkie Pie telling me she had my jacket in her room and that I was fired from working at Sugarcube Corner but wasn't forbidden to come back and buy things. I scrolled through my contacts. Passed slowly by my parents contacts before tapping on Shining Armor's and put it up to my ear as it started calling. Buzzed only two times before a click. "Heeey Ryder! They let you out huh? How you feeling?" Shining asked. I gave a smile and laughed.

"Yeah... I'm feeling okay just uh... A bit confused on where to go..." I said.

"You hold up a few minutes. That letter was a biiit of a lie. My wife Cadence has me staying here while she's with Princess Luna in Saddle Arabia. I'm nearby grabbing a bite. And don't say no because I'm getting you something to eat. Beats that crappy food you had earlier I bet." How could I say no?

"Yeah dude come on and bring me what ever you're getting. I am STARVING!"

"Well I bet you are because when we were leaving the range you lost it all over the ground. See you soon man."

I was honestly excited. Real food. Hayburger, fries, a cola and sweet fucking freedom for desert! I walked through the parking lot and sat myself on a power box looking up and down the road. I sat there waiting for what felt like an eternity but turned out to be only just about five minutes. That's when I saw Shining's truck pull up with a familiar car behind him. My car. My baby. I was kinda shocked to see it sparkly clean, tires and all. Big Mac sat in the drivers seat with a smile on his face. He got out and I cant believe what I heard. Music. Actual music. Electric guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals. "It's obvious you like what you hear bud!" Big Mac said. I rushed past him and popped my head into my car.

"HOLY SHIT!" I said. I looked back at Big Mac who just laughed a bit. "Dude did you do this?!" Big Mac nodded a bit as Shining stepped out of his truck.

"Well I paid for it at the mechanic pickin' up my truck but... Hey what's losing a truck compared to a friend and my family?" He asked giving me a hug. I hugged back. "You're comin' back with me n Shinin' to the orchard to get a few things and to munch down on some o' these here hayburgers!"

Shining held up a paper bag and gave them to Big Mac as I hugged Shining. "Good to see you outta there without handcuffs!" He said. "And uh... Most of that note was a lie... That guard didn't drop the charges but he was fired. I had to talk with him about something to get him to drop the charges. Needless to say I had to pay him off with some charges of my own with that arm around your neck. He agreed to drop it if I didn't drop him." We broke the embrace and I gave a sigh.

"Serves his ass!" I said. I looked at Shining nervously. "...Do you... Do you think you can give me another chance on.... What ever you were doing with me earlier at the range please?" Shining smiled.

"Sure but lets give that a couple of weeks so things can calm down around here. I don't want you becoming a guard just yet. Now lets get back to Sweet Apple Acres and get you outta that monkey suit."

I gave a nod and quickly hopped in the drivers seat of my car. Big Mac looked at me with a smile but it was enough to convince me to let him drive. And... Yeah I was shocked to hear he was trying to make me a guard. But I was more excited to see those who I love. Mostly my little sister who was all I had left. She needed me more than anything but then again... Someone kept me from getting to her right quick. Applejack. When we got to Sweet Apple Acres she was out front with a basket in her hands, tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. Applebloom must've been with Scootaloo at Twilight's castle. Again a lot not having to do with what the hell was going on with me. Sure Big Mac told you something but.... Yeah... His part gave him a bit of hell and thought to put everything behind us. As I stepped out of the car she set the basket down and ran up and hugged me. We shared a kiss. She looked into my eyes as I teared up. "...W-welcome back sugarcube..." She said. "...Y'did a good thing savin' your sister from that guard... You don't know how hard she cried when I had to get her into your car..." I sniffled a bit.

"...She have any accidents at all...?" I asked. Applejack nodded hesitantly. I sighed. "...Well.... After what she saw I wouldn't be surprised." She broke off of me and took my hand brining me to the basket. There were jars of jam, six packs of cider, hard cider for me and the normal for Scootaloo, a few bags of candy (wasn't sure if it were for me or Scoot but I just gave them to Scootaloo), and a bottle of whiskey.

"Here... Take this with ya when you go Ry." AJ said. "You get all this for what happened... Also just... just so ya know you n scoot are always welcome to stay here till ya find a place..."

Shining Armor walked up. "I don't think that can be a problem but it could do till the crime scene is cleaned up." He said. "I had to find the land lord and he told me he'd hold off on the rent till everything settles with you two and... Hell if you need someone there with you I'll be there as quick as I can be with my wife. Now what do you say we get inside and eat?"

It didn't take long for me to eat my food but uh... You don't know how I made it till nightfall just sitting there... Applejack was so glad I was back that I couldn't make it out the door with my pants on. Meaning we uh... we made some noise and passed out nude in her bed. I swear I could hear Big Mac's skull crack down stairs. I'm just lucky she was prepared for that moment. Protection. Anyways I woke up at around 11 at night and grabbed my clothes getting them on (Lucky me it was the clothes i had bagged and in my car thanks to Pinkie) before I grabbed the basket and went out the door. I got back in my car putting the basket in the passenger seat and sighed turning it on. The radio came on with some song that I really didn't know but liked for some reason. Gunfire in the background as a symphony played. Then came the guitar. Must've been a live version. I sat for a few minutes enjoying the music before pulling off. I took my phone out of my pocket and turned it on and went to my contacts."...Alright Dash... Hope you have my little sister..." I said to myself as I tapped Dash's contact and turned down my radio as my phone buzzed.

It buzzed a bit but then came a click. "...Hello? Ryder? Where are you?" Dash asked sounding a bit tired. I sighed and smiled.

"Sorry Dash... I shoulda called..." I replied. "I'm just leaving Sweet Apple Acres... Is uh... Is Scootaloo awake?"

"Nah... You want me to wake her up?"

"No... Just... Just let her sleep... Can you let me in when I get there? Please?"

"Yeah... I'll TOTALLY let you in..." She sounded sarcastic. I knew how to deal with that.

"Daaash I got AJ's cider!"

"Give me one second and I'll open the door! Just come in and give me that cider!" I yawned a bit.

"Please tell me you at least have somewhere for me to sleep... Maybe... Close to Scoot?"

"Yeah I'll get you an extra pillow and some blankets and you can sleep on the floor in there. Just hurry with that cider! Oh and tell me that you got something else to change into than what you got arrested in. AJ was freaking the hell out about you!"

"Dont worry... I'm good there... Now uh... I'll be there soon.... Just wanna... Just wanna take a quick detour."

I hung up the phone before she said another word and turned the music back up. This time it was just some commercials talking about this new air freshener for stallions. Bullshit right there. And that detour I was talking about was going past the house. Two guard trucks sat out front with a Carpet cleaners van, the whole yard was covered in police tape, and the lights inside were on. When I got to Dash's place I pulled up and saw Dash out front wearing a basketball jersey and some sweat pants sitting down on the front step with the porch light on her. I turned the car off and sighed. I grabbed the basket and stepped out setting it on the roof of my car before shutting it. Dash came over and met me at the curb hugging me. She felt tense and shaky but still calm as ever. Even more calm than how I was. I didn't know if I were going to walk into a reminder of what had happened or into a new life. As we stepped inside Scootaloo screamed upstairs and started crying. I set the basket on the couch, Dash closed the door and we both hurried up the stairs. Dash bolted into her guest room where I saw Scootaloo crying her eyes out in a moist bed. That's where this story began. It's where I sat down and hugged my sister. "...R-ryder..." She said through her tears.

"...Don't worry... I'm here.... I'm.. I'll always be here..."

Author's Note

I know I have many versions of my OC and Scootaloo being left alone together but this was the one that I felt was a better story. I hope you liked reading it as I liked writing it.

Day 4: Sweet Treats and Sour Feelings

That night I was lying in my bed. I still felt emotionless with Pinkie lying next to me. How my mom allowed that I have no clue. She was cuddled up to me so close and a bit snug for me to try and get out of. I sighed and nudged her a bit. "Pinkie? Can you get up Pinkie? Please?" I said. She mumbled to herself and released me flipping over. I got up and steadied myself before going out of my room and down stairs.

My dad sat on the couch watching a late night talk show. He looked over and saw me at the last few steps. "Hey you've got work in the morning!" He said getting up. He followed me into the kitchen and waited till I grabbed the only soda I had left in the fridge.

"...Look I know I'm carpooling with Pinkie but I cant sleep knowing Big Mac is pissed at me... I mean... He invited me over to his place tonight and have a few drinks with Shining but... Pinkie threw me a party I did nothing to deserve... And kinda didn't even want." I cracked open my soda and sipped from it. "...Why I got fired from the garage is because I wrecked his families truck and I cost the entire garage money to fix it...." I went back out and sat on the couch setting my soda down. My father sat next to me.

"Well at least you said something about it too them and admitted it... Normally it's a 'Thanks for telling me, I forgive you, have a beer on me' or it's 'You gotta work off that thing you broke, see me how this will go.' You got the shit end of the stick." And didn't I know it? My friend. My BEST friend yelled at me, kicked me out of his home after paying money to throw me a party to make me happy and have a drink after work with another friend who gave me a ticket for an illegal park job. I thought guards didn't give tickets to those who were still in their running cars.

Just upstairs I hear a yawn and a ringing phone. "....Ryder!" Pinkie called out. "Your toast is done...." My dad got a little laugh just as I got back up. I looked at him and silently shushed him before hurrying up stairs.

I went in my room to see Pinkie still asleep holding my phone that was still on the charger. The picture on the screen was Shining Armor. I didn't know whether to screen it or answer but... Knowing a guard he could think something is wrong. I took my phone and unplugged it tossing the cord over Pinkie, hitting the wall. I tapped the green button and put it up to my ear just to hear Shining say: "Where are you?" I huffed.

"Fucking Big Mac doesn't want me around the house." I replied. "What's up with you why are you calling me at..." I look at my phone seeing it read 9 at night. "...N-nevermind..."

"Dude I need you down at Sweet Apple Acres NOW! Big Mac is drunk off his ass and he's getting beligerant and he's too big for me to handle and I cant call other guards on him."

"Why the hell should I help you? You gave me a ticket! I wasn't even parked I just dropped my fucking sister off!"

"OKAY FINE! I'll help you pay the whole ticket! JUST GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE AND-" The phone cut out. I huffed and looked to Pinkie. Then my phone. I went and grabbed my keys off my dresser and got my pants on and a pair of flip flops standing by before putting my phone in my pocket and going down stairs.

I looked at my father. "Dad. C'mon we gotta get going." He didn't even say anything before shutting off the TV and following me out the door to my car. Not long later we pulled up at Sweet Apple Acres with Big Mac struggling with Shining Armor on the ground with Applejack trying to pry them apart frantic.

We both ran up together. My dad pulled Applejack away and I jumped on both stallions pushing them apart. That's when I pinned Big Mac and head butted him knocking him out. That is something I thought I'd never have to do. Even though it is something Shining and I had agreed on if this ever happened. Big Mac gets drunk and starts knocking us around, we'd double team him and i'd try and knock him out without doing serious damage. I'm glad I held back in this case. Shining panted and got up. "You... Are LUCKY you showed Ryder..." He said dusting himself off. "Any longer and... This could've t-turned into a fucking domestic thing..."

I got up and Applejack ran up and hugged me. "I could just kiss ya sugarcube!" She said. "I didn't want him to do any of that.... Shining mentioned one thing, then it lead to talkin' about you... God I swear for a moment he was gonna get his shotgun!" Shining brought AJ over and looked into her eyes.

"You go get some things and go to Ryder's place. I'll stay here and keep Big Mac tied down just in case he wakes up..." He looked back at Big Mac who had a slight nose bleed and a black eye. "...IF he wakes up...."

I knelt down and put my ear to Big Mac's chest. Heart beat, slight breathing. "Yeah... He should wake up..." I said standing back up. "What about Applebloom is she safe?" Applejack nodded.

"Yeah... Dash took her over to Rarity's after Big Mac tossed you out... I called her and told her things might not be all good but... Shit was I right..."

My dad walked over to Shining. "If you don't mind I'm actually gonna help her get everything she needs... She seems shaken." He said. Shining nodded and my father took her hand walking her inside.

Shining bent down next to Big Mac and sat him up. "C'mon Ryder help me with this." He asked. I walked over and grabbed Big Mac's legs. "On three. Ready? THREE!" At the same time we both lifted the big stallion up off the ground, me at his legs, Shining at the head.

I sighed starting to walk towards the door going backwards. "You know I almost didn't come because of this asshole." I said. "But then I thought, this is my friend I'm talking about and Big Mac is a violent drunk at times. Your phone die or something? I could swear I was too late when the call cut."

"Yeah. My phone decides to crap out on me while I'm dodging punches and running my ass off. He downed an entire bottle of whiskey. When he said we'd only be having a few drinks I thought it would be shots and a few beers but not entire bottles." We put him on the couch. "Alright you clean up the blood off his face, I'll go to my truck get some restraints." I nodded and went into the kitchen just as he went outside. I looked at the kitchen table seeing empty beer cans and an empty whiskey bottle. Before I grabbed some paper towels I looked in a cabinet and grabbed the coffee grounds and opened one of the dishware cabinets hiding the container in there.

"Hope your hangover hurts like hell you jackass..." I said. I returned to the couch with wet paper towels and I started to wipe the blood off his face. It felt like I was cleaning his face off in slow motion. Probably because I didn't want to wake him up so he could kick my ass for even being here. With my luck Shining came back before I was done. Just as he latched the handcuffs on Big Mac groaned making me jump backing up. Quickly Shining shackled his legs and hurried outside with me. "Shit... I thought I was dead there...." I leaned against the wall.

"You just wait here for your dad and Applejack. I'll watch Big Mac."

I nodded and just before he went back inside I told him where the coffee was for when he wakes up. I waited for my father and Applejack to come out. Took but just a few minutes before they came out. Applejack was in tears with her bags in hand. My dad walked up to me. "I'll drive. You get in back with her." He said. I nodded and took Applejack's hand. Kept her close as we went back to my home. I gave her my bed with Pinkie while I took the couch.

The next morning my mom was the first up. Dad crashed from the loss of adrenaline and stayed out. My mom went down stairs and saw me sprawled out on the couch. She came over and nudged me getting me awake. I jumped and yelped thinking it was Big Mac coming to kill me. Why do nightmares feel so real some times? "Were you being smothered last night Ry?" My mother asked. I shook my head sitting up yawning. "You feeling okay today? You really should've stayed upstairs."

I sighed. "...Well its hard when you get a call from a friend saying theres a problem needing to be fixed..." I said. "I got a call last night saying Big Mac was drunk trying to fight Shining. I took dad out to the orchard and I ended up knocking Big Mac out and bringing Applejack here because she was freaking out... So now I got Pinkie and AJ in my bed... And... Why did you have Pinkie in my room instead of the guest bedroom?" My mother sighed sitting next to me.

"It's because she's a nice mare I know wont even try anything with you and she wanted to help you and not hurt you." I gave a smile.

"Yeah... Always keeping everypony happy any way she can." I said. "I'll see if Pinkie can get Applejack to come with us to Sugarcube corner. There is no way in hell I'm letting her go back home with Big Mac still probably feeling an entire whiskey bottle in him."

"Oh I could not agree more Ry. When ever grandpa was drunk I had to go with grandma to stay with my aunt until the next morning but even then we didn't go back home. Maybe you should wake both Pinkie and Applejack. Make sure they both know what could be happening."

I nodded and stood up. Just as I got to the top of the stairs Scootaloo's bedroom door opened and she walked out rubbing her eyes before going in to the bathroom. I went into my room and looked in at Applejack and Pinkie from the door. AJ looked like her crying took a lot out of her. I hesitantly nudged her and Pinkie. Pinkie woke up with a jolt while Applejack shifted and pulled the covers up more. Pinkie yawned looking over at me. "....Ryder? Already time for work...?" She asked. I nodded. She noticed Applejack in my half of the bed. "....Where did Applejack come from? Is Big Mac coming to get her?" I shook my head.

"No." I said. "We are taking her to Sugarcube corner with us... Big Mac got drunk and started a fight with Shining Armor and I dont want him to do anything to her. He drank an entire bottle of whiskey and I had to knock him out. Shining is with him now making sure he doesn't do anything stupid... Frankly I'm glad I didn't stick around for that drink. We probably would've ended up in the drunk tank or me out in the orchard hanging by my boxers..." Pinkie gave me a weird look. I blushed a bit. "Just... Get her up... I gotta get ready for work." Pinkie smiled.

"Get something colorful to wear! The more sugary you look the more you fit in!" I nodded and went immediately to my dresser.

Dont ask me why I have this outfit but I came out minutes later in what looked to be a pink shirt too small for me with ice cream cones with smiley faces, wrapped candies around them in a heart shape and cotton candy blue jeans. Lucky for me I didn't have any hair below my chest. Berrie got me to bring myself to clean myself up from looking like a bum from off the street who got into a mares dresser. As I left my room Pinkie and Applejack followed. It's obvious Pinkie needed to change clothes because hers were wrinkled. Applejack yawned. "...Damn... Bed's lumpier than a burlap sack full of hay..." She said. "But... Greatful nonetheless... Thanks for letting me sleep here... Ry... And... Pinkie I never knew you were that much of a cuddler..." Pinkie blushed.

"Sorry AJ. You know I normally sleep with a stuffed toy. I might be a grown mare but I still enjoy a nice stuffed animal in bed with me."

Applejack chuckled a bit as she followed me down stairs. On the couch where I slept I saw Scootaloo curled up still in her Pajamas shivering lying on our mothers lap. My mother looked up at me. "Ry you just go to work." She said. "Scootaloo's staying home. She got up last night and threw up and again this morning. I'm surprised you didn't hear her!"

I did hear her losing her dinner while I was getting dressed but I had other things on my mind. I knelt down next to the couch and put my hand up to my sisters head. "Oh... She's burning up..." I said. "...and... I think Rarity might be driving by to snag Scoot since Applebloom was staying there last night. I don't even wanna be near Big Mac after last night." I looked to Scootaloo. "You can stay in my room, watch some TV. I'll call in on my lunch break and see how you're doing okay Scoot?" Scootaloo weakly nodded coughing a bit. "Try and stay away from the soda unless its a ginger ale okay?" She nodded again before I stood up. I felt my pockets and remembered I still had my keys in my pocket. I took them out and put them on the coffee table. "You guys use my car if you need anywhere to go. That truck worries me that something is gonna break and you're gonna crash. If you do have to... Please be careful that car is my baby!" My mother nodded stroking Scootaloo's cheek.

Not long later I was in the back of Pinkie's party van. I sat on where the wheel well was with a bunch of party supplies I had to keep up so it wouldn't fall down on me. Applejack sat up front in the passenger seat with a candy bar in hand. I sighed as we came to a stop at a red light. AJ looked back at me because Pinkie was too busy brushing her mane so it looked poofier. "'S wrong sugarcube?" She asked. "Need something to eat? Pinkie still has some candy in the glove compartment!" I looked up at her.

"I'm good AJ thanks...." I replied. "It's just... I told both of you about the truck and Big Mac flips out while you tell me you accept my apology that I never gave.... Sure that truck meant a lot to the family but.... Why doesn't he accept the fact that I fessed up to doing that and forgive me instead of wanting to beat the living crap out of me?" Applejack sighed.

"He basically thinks that truck is better than the family...." She said. "...He was working on the truck himself one day, Applebloom climbed in to the back... One wrong cut and the damn horn goes off and our little sister falls out of the bed and on to her back. He was so busy trying to stop the horn to even stop and check on her! I had to call Fluttershy to bring her car over to help me get her to the hospital but thank Celestia 'twerent serious. That truck was where he was born, I was just short of being born in the front seat and we managed to get Applebloom to that hospital right before she popped out of momma and took the life outta her... A shame Daddy followed..."

"Well please dont cry thinking about your parents AJ. Pinkie would want us both happy." And how right I was. Pinkie cranked the radio up blasting music from Vynil Scratch. She always kept a CD. Always. She never takes it out of the CD player. I yelled for her to turn it off but she couldn't hear it. Not long later we pulled up to Sugarcube Corner.

"Pinkie...." Applejack said as Pinkie shut the van off. "Did you have to do that...?"

Pinkie nodded. "Get's your mind away from the bad stuff doesn't it?" She said. AJ and I nodded as we had our fingers in our ears cleaning them out. "Well that's great! Ryder I'll be around to get you out." I groaned a bit as both Pinkie and Applejack stepped out. My ears felt as if they wouldn't ever stop ringing. You'd think because of the little area I had it would be muffled but no. Pinkie had a sound system hidden behind the boxes that I guess she had hooked up to the radio and forgot to turn off. The door opened and I stumbled out. I didn't have time to get anything to drink before I left the house. "There we go! You guys go in and sit down. We aren't open yet to the public. I'll send Mr. and Mrs. Cake down to tell you what to do!"

What it actually turned out to be was just a five minute rules session with a soda in my hand. Pinkie offered me one of her energy drinks but the last time I had a Blue Buffalo I was in high school and I got sent to the principals office for distracting other students with my movement. I was hopped up on caffeine and I had to be sent home. In other words it wasn't my cup of coffee. or preferred drink in particular. I worked the register while Pinkie and Applejack waited tables and stocked everything. About fourty five minutes into the shift the one stallion I did not even want to talk to for a while. Not even through the phone. Yep. Big Mac. He was with Shining looking like shit. I left the register and went for the door to a storage room. "Hold it Ryder!" Shining said forcing me to stop. "Outside. Now."

I hesitantly turned around. Shining had his arms crossed and he looked at me ticked. "I'm busy." I said. "Come back later without him and I'll be happy to talk." Shining huffed digging into his pocket. He huffed and I went right in to the room. It was the cakes personal dining room and kitchen back there. I sat down at the table and put my head down giving a sigh. The door opened again and this time Shining came in.

"So this is being busy huh?" He said. "Walking away to put your head down?" I blushed averting my gaze. "Look I didn't bring Big Mac in here, he's with AJ apologizing for what he did. He's got a huge hangover and he couldn't find the coffee for about an hour this morning so I basically let him do that and showed him the coffee. Told him it was payback for even trying to fight with me. Doesn't even remember you came over and did what you did."

"Fine... What the fuck do you want? I'm supposed to be working here." He pulled up a chair and sat next to me.

"Ry look I came to give you the money for the ticket for helping me. I told Big Mac not to even go near you or I'd toss him in the drunk tank." He dug in his pocket and pulled out a bit bag placing it on the table in front of me. "Just take this and pay the ticket down at the court house. If you need call me, I'll give you a ride down there to do it. Okay?"

I gave a bit of a smile and nodded taking the bag and stuffing it into my pocket. A few hours later after he did that I was just going on break. Just as I sit down with Applejack my phone went off. I took it out of my pocket to see my mom calling. I answer and put it up to my ear. "Ryder?" My mom said. "You said you would call during lunch its 10:45!"

I sighed. "That's because I just sat down to lunch." I said. "I was gonna call you. Anyways how is Scootaloo? Is she doing okay?"

"Scootaloo is taking a nap in your bed. She just ate some soup and your father went to get her some ginger ale. I actually think she might be going through a twenty four hour flu. I had it the other day and she must have caught it."

"Well you need to send me a picture of Scoot. Been a while since I've seen her asleep in my bed when I wasn't in it. Now I gotta get go-"

"Alright I'll text it to you just-"

"Mom Pinkie's brining us-"

"Ryder mommy doesn't like it when you-"

I grunted and just hung up. Yeah. I hung up on my mother. Applejack chuckled a bit. "Mommy getting on your nerves?" She asked getting me to blush embarrassed. "I'm sorry sugarcube! Pinkie's puns got me joking with ya too!" I sighed and lied my head down. "Aww don't fret Ry. You know my big brother aint gonna hurt ya!" I looked up at AJ.

"It's not about Big Mac! It's what Shining did! He knows I don't like getting things without working for them! If I didn't need the money to pay off a ticket I'd've tossed it right back in his face... But... Then again he'd make me take it or put me in the back of his truck in hand cuffs.... It makes me feel like a beggar on a street corner..."

"C'mon Ryder lighten up! It aint a handout. He's just being nice and I'd say you did work for that money by helping last night. You can probably chalk this day up as work for that money." Applejack turned around and looked out the window just as Pinkie's van pulled up. "Anyways lunch is here." She looked back at me and stood up. "You think about what I said. If you need to talk with me or Pinkie just take one of us in the back and chat it up."

I nodded and she left me at the table. It felt sort of nice being left alone but that would soon come to an end when Pinkie walked up with paper bags from a local fast food place. Hayburgers. Mine had peppers on it along with some fries. Pinkie's was just a plain cheese hayburger. Applejack the same. Even had drinks with it but we just grabbed what we could from the fridge. Pinkie paid for it all. Guilt: Plus ten. As we ate Pinkie looked over at me. "Everything okay there Ryder?" She asked. I nodded having a mouthful of peppery hayburger. "That's great! I've arranged for the cakes to give you a little 'get well' package for Scootaloo." Applejack looked over at me.

"No worries about pay, I got the whole thing paid for!" She said.

"Yup! It's got medicine, cupcakes, cookies and even a little something for both of you to share!"

I gave a smile swallowing what I had in my mouth. "...Thanks girls..." I said. "I... I honestly don't know how I could thank you..." As I went back to eating my phone went off. I held my burger with one hand and took my phone out to see my mom's text with 'New Picture Message' as the text. I swiped and it pulled up a picture of Scootaloo with one of her stuffed animals curled up in my bed asleep. I gave a little laugh and sighed.

"What's gotcha laughing sugarcube?" Applejack asked. I showed her the picture of Scootaloo and she laughed same as me. "Aww sugarcube that is so cute!" Pinkie looked at my phone too.

"Awwww that reminds me of me when I was little! Heck that reminds me of me now!" Applejack and I gave Pinkie a weird look but she didn't seem to mind. "Sleeping with stuffed animals has ALWAYS been my thing! I think I even saw Fluttershy sleeping with a stuffed bunny rabbit! Either that or Angel was just cuddly."

"...Pinkie I'm as right rain when I say she's been sleeping with stuffed animals since she was just a filly. Besides I'm pretty sure each one of us had one of them sleepy time snuggle buddies but I haven't had one since we first got Winona." I gave a sigh taking my phone back.

I texted my mom back.

'Sorry I hung up like that. Mrs. Cake was trying to talk with me. That's why I needed to go. Anyways give her a little kiss for me. Bringing home something just for her.' I texted.

I put my phone on the table and went back to eating my hayburger. I spent my last few hours at Sugarcube Corner working harder than ever. I mopped floors, I cleaned the ovens, counters, took more orders and even stayed till close. Applejack waited with me. It was about seven at night. Lovely spring night. Cool but not freezing cold and not too uncomfortably warm. Pinkie could still be seen inside with Mrs. Cake at her side putting together the basket mentioned earlier. The stars above me and Applejack making me sigh. "...Beautiful night isn't it?" I asked blushing a bit. I heard AJ give me a 'mmmhmm'. I looked over at her. "...can I ask you something Applejack? Something.... Kinda personal?"

Applejack looked at me. "Everythin' okay sugarcube?" She asked. I took a deep breath and grabbed her hands.

"...Applejack... I... I want to thank you for helping me out of my slum these past few days..." I said. "...You forgave me for a mistake I made... You brought me in for work and even said screw it to what I owed multiple times.... Maybe here I can actually get a paycheck and do things for you..." I saw Applejack blush. Her eyes looked deeply into mine.

"W-what're you sayin' here...?"

"....What I'm saying... Would you want to... I don't know... Mend this stallion's heart by being his marefriend?" She smiled brightly and hugged me.

"Course I will Sugarcube! Why the hell've I been doin' all this stuff for ya anyways?" She brought her head up and kissed me on my cheek.

I felt my heart skip a beat as the shards came together. Tears came to my eyes as a warm feeling came over me. If it weren't for my mother and my sister at my place and Big Mac at hers I'd be getting her in bed I was so excited. A car squealed by startling me and her forcing us to break the kiss. That and Pinkie had just come out the door with the basket wrapped in plastic. "Oooooh! Somepony's having a makeout party without the party pony here!" She said giggling. Applejack and I blushed. Thank goodness for those pants. Tight enough to hide what I was packing. Almost too tight. Pinkie gave me the basket. "You two want a room to use for fun?"

"P-pinkie aint that far yet..." AJ said. "Besides we gotta get home to our loved ones! Maybe you could take us home!" Just then a black truck pulled up and honked its horn. Yeah it was Shining's truck.

"That's my ride girls." I said starting for the truck. "Maybe I can take you to dinner tomorrow night AJ? I'm pretty sure Mr. and Mrs. Cake can give me a two day paycheck first." Applejack smiled.

"I... I'd like that but.... Let me get myself to your place. I'm supposed to be getting an ATV tomorrow and I can test it out by riding up to your place."

I smiled brightly and gave Applejack a quick smooch before hurrying to the truck and hopping in. As said earlier Shining took me to pay my ticket and then back home where I actually had a great night sleep but on the couch. My mom didn't want to move Scootaloo. How could I say no?