Working For Her

Chapters

Day 0: One Day of Freedom.
Day 1 (Part 1): Rude Awakening.
Day 2: Back In The Corner (Back to Ryder)
Day 3: A Meeting With Shining and Celestia.
Day 4: A gun and a stallion who lost almost everything. Almost. (Part 1)
Day 4: Trouble Finds Me (Part 2)
Day 5 (Part 1): Damn My Mind
Day 5 (part 2): Another Day of Freedom... or so I thought....
Day 6 (Part 1): Plans...?
Day 6 (Part 2): Plans Sugarcube? (AJ's Perspective)
Day 7: Not Working For Her... Working BECAUSE Of Her!
Day 8: A Time To Let Go
Day 1 (Part 2): Stupid Jokes From A Stupid Guard (Shining's POV)

Day 0: One Day of Freedom.

A knock at my door wakes me out of an almost dead sleep. I've been on edge since I shot and killed my ex on the front steps of my current marefriends house. For the past two weeks after I was released (And was allowed to go back inside my home since the murders and the carpets were extracted and intense cleaning of the crime scene) I've been having nightmares. The nightmares were about if I had gotten off work at an early time to pick Scootaloo up from school. I'd probably be six feet under instead of my parents. That's how I imagined it. I'd be dead. My sister would be screaming and pissing herself in the arms of my mother while my father tried to keep me awake. That nightmare was always cut off by the same thing. A knock at my door. Same as tonight but no nightmare. I thought it was gonna be a calm peaceful night. But no. I got up from my bed wearing nothing but my boxers and an undershirt. I clicked my light on and opened my door. Scootaloo came in and hugged me sniffling. I could feel her damp Pajama bottoms press up against my bare legs. "...Again Scoot?" I asked hugging her. She nodded into my stomach. I gave a sigh and took her hand before going out into the hall. It was dark and quiet other than my sisters soft crying. The moonlight shown through the window downstairs just behind the couch. I could see my parents bodies laying there, the door wide open, hearing the rain, crying and Scootaloo calling out for me. Although that being just a flash back it just seemed this nightmare didn't end in my head. Its like it spilled out and onto the floor.

When I got to my sisters room the thick smell of urine hit my nose. Scootaloo's grip on my hand tightened a bit. "...I... I miss mommy a-and daddy..." She said as I flipped her light on. She released my hand and allowed me to strip her bed. First few times I had to change her clothes while Dash or AJ would change her sheets. She never wanted to let me go when she was crying. I looked to her as I started stripping her sheets.

"...I do too..." I replied. "...Why don't you go get some new clothes and hop in my bed... I'll be there in a minute..." She nodded hesitantly and grabbed some clothes from her dresser. This was the one thing that always woke me from my hellish nightmare of death. Before waking up from the nightmare I was looking either down the barrel of Big Mac's shot gun, with a mirrored version of myself holding it or Berrie with her pistol to the head of Scootaloo, tied up so she sat almost even to my mom and dad. I wasn't sure if one bullet would do it but... that's what I believed. That scootaloo and parents triple murder was only about three times out of the entirety of the dreams. The other times I was shot BY Berrie. "...I gotta get a new bed for Scoot... This one is starting to smell..." Not long later Scootaloo came back into her room as I started to flip her mattress.

"...R-ryder..." She said making me look back at her. This time she had sweat pants and a tank top on. "...Why did Ms. Berrie do that to mommy and daddy...?" I sighed coming back over to pick her up. I almost didn't know what to say.

"...Berrie... Berrie had a lot of problems... One being she thought mommy was keeping her and I apart... I never wanted to be with her in the first place..."

"...So she... She had to kill mommy and daddy...?"

"I don't mean to scare you like this but... If you were here instead of at Rarity's you could've been with mommy and daddy... You should probably be glad I wasn't the one picking you up from school..." I started tearing up saying that. She sniffled just as I turned out her light.

"...Y-yeah... Maybe.... Can.... Can we just go back to bed...? I don't wanna think about mommy and daddy anymore..." I didn't even answer verbally. I just put her in my bed and lied with her. She just snuggled up to me. I lied awake for a while but not for too long. Passed out.

The next morning I woke up first. Scootaloo was facing the other way sleeping away. I reached over and grabbed my phone before getting up and going out of my room. I closed my door and started looking through what notifications I missed last night. Few texts, some game notifications and a missed call. Texts from Applejack and Rainbow Dash checking in on us. They checked on us almost every day making sure we were okay. The missed call was from Shining Armor. He just was out drinking with Big Mac. Probably called to want me to call back. Either that or have me join them after dropping Scootaloo off at Rarity's or some stupid stuff like that. He didn't even bother leaving a message. I swiped my screen on the texts. Applejack's said:

'Hey sugarcube how ya feelin'? U know if'n you ever need some company in that empty house just give me a call and I'll hurry right on over.'

I sighed and smiled replying: 'Yeah I know baby... Maybe you can bring Applebloom over tonight... Scootaloo had a bit of an accident and slept in my bed.... Maybe it's time to bring friends into this... Gotta have something to occupy her while I try and find a job.'

After I sent it off and went to Dash's text. It said the same thing except she was pretty much being a dick about it. Just as I got back to my home screen with all my apps and stuff I got a call from Big Mac. I answered it and walked down stairs. "Mornin' Ry." Big Mac said. Heard a sound of a TV in the background. "Shinin' n I tried callin' ya last night and didn't answer! Is everythin' okay over there?"

I sighed a bit. "Yeah... Everythings okay-ish...." I replied. "...Didn't have that nightmare... and sorry about my dang phone... Goes to silent mode at around eleven and I was just out of it at ten thirty."

"Ah just fine then! Listen Ry, Rarity's agreeing to take Applebloom to Manehattan with her to give us a break. I did put in a little word for Scoot but you'd have to ask her if she wants to go. Besides her being in that house hurts her more than you don't it?" My heart dropped a bit.

"...I... I'm not sure... Scoot... Scoot's been scared and hesitant on coming inside the house when I was bringing her home from school at first... She had an accident and.... I'm not sure if AB or Sweetie would wanna see that...." Big Mac sighed a bit.

"...Well I wouldn't worry about 'Bloom... She had a nightmare where she came home to the same thing there cept... It was me n AJ... SB stayed over and she seemed like a perfect bunk mate for her n helpin her calm down... Just ask Scoot, tell her what I told you and get back with me. I gotta get back to work in the orchard. I hear AJ coming."

"Before you go tell AJ I love her man!" I heard Big Mac chuckle before the phone clicked. I sighed and turned around. I stopped seeing Scootaloo about half way down the stairs rubbing her eyes. "...Hey sis you doing okay?" She nodded a bit weakly yawning. "Listen Scoot... I just got a call from Big Mac and... Well he told me Applebloom is going with Rarity and Sweetie Belle to Manehattan... You... You think you wanna go with them?"

Scootaloo gave a sigh stopping where mom and dad were killed. "...Maybe..." She said. "...Rarity told me I can do what ever with her as long as it was okay with you but... I... I kinda need you.... Mommy and daddy would've been there for me if I needed them..." I gave a sigh walking over and knelt down next to her.

"Scootaloo..." I said. "...I have to work soon to put out for you... Give you food, clothes and keep this house in a good condition... Mom and dad already paid the mortgage off... Good on that... What I'm saying is if I have to work late you might need to sleep at a friends house... I know what happened to mom n dad happened while I was at work and while you were with your friends but I cant just leave you at home alone.... Someone could break in and kidnap you... Or even worse..." I shook my head and hugged Scoot. "...Point is... I just don't wanna lose you.... If you got hurt while I wasn't here.... I just wouldn't forgive myself if I had to leave you alone... That's just why I punched that guard in the face when he was trying to take you away..." Tears came to my eyes. "...I don't like seeing you cry... And I don't like crying... You... Just... Just go spend time with your friends... Get away from this nightmare house... I'll be here when you get back though... Okay?" I sniffled as Scootaloo nodded still dry eyed. I didn't now how she'd be all dry eyed but... She was stronger than I was in that moment. Either that or she was still too tired to even cry. "...Now... Why don't you get dressed and let me get breakfast ready... And... Call Rarity... Just... Just go upstairs scoot I'll call you when stuff is ready..." Scootaloo nodded again and I released her. She almost immediately ran upstairs just as I broke down crying.

I took my phone and unlocked it going to my texts to where I started texting Rarity. 'Call me now!' I said. I went over to the couch and sat there holding my phone in my hand as I clutched a pillow. About a minute of me sniveling my phone started to go off. I didn't need to look at the screen to know it was Rarity. I hit the answer button and put it up to my ear. "Ryder darling!" Rarity said in my ear. "I take it you've heard from Big MacIntosh about me taking Applebloom with me and Sweetie belle to Manehattan?"

"Yeah... I... I need you to take Scootaloo with you... I honestly love her but waking up four nights out of the week to change my sisters sheets is kinda driving me crazy... It's like... It's like she's trying to keep me at her side at all times not letting me out of her sight... Its supposed to be me not letting her out of my sight and I don't know how I can find a job if she's doing this to me..."

"Ah no worries there Ryder! I'll be there for her as close as you were for her. I would say work out of the house but a mechanic working right out of his home garage looks a bit.... What's the word I'm looking for?"

"Sketchy?"

"Oh that's it! That's the word! Sketchy! It looks sketchy! Perhaps try going back to the garage in town?"

"No... They aren't even gonna let me near that damn garage... If my car breaks down I gotta fix it myself because scrapping that beauty isn't an option... I put too much hard work into it.... Um... If I ever obsess about my car just send Big Mac over to smack me a few times..."

"Alright Ryder have Scootaloo pack her things. We're gonna head out in about an hour so and I want her to be ready when we get there. Bye now!"

Rarity hung up the phone and I set the pillow down standing up. I went into the kitchen and stopped at the door. Another flashback. Saw me and my mom at the table with Scootaloo on my lap. It was just a few years before I had to move out. This was a good memory for me because it was my sixteenth birthday. And it was the first day my dad didn't have a beer in his hand. First day I had a car of my very own. My mom made him buy my first car. Little two door coupe. That soon faded away as my stomach growled. All I could do was grab a box of cinnamon sugar squares. Yeah it was that stupid generic crap. I didn't want Dash spending too much on us. She's gotta eat herself. Of course... Most of the food me and Scoot ate ended up in the can the first few days. Well... The first week after. Just as I got the bowls from the cabinet Scootaloo came in wearing jeans, high tops and a tank top. Her wings flipped a bit as she climbed in her chair. She looked at me as I poured the cereal. "...Are we having that cereal again...?" She asked. "Why cant we have any pancakes or at least go out...? Eating the same thing gets boring..." I sighed grabbing the milk from the fridge.

"I'd take us to Sugarcube Corner for donuts but I need money for that!" I snapped. "If you don't want this then you might as well spend this time to go and pack some stuff for Manehattan! Who knows Rarity could grab something before you go out of town!" I poured the milk into my bowl and set it down. "So you gonna eat what we got here or make Rarity spend money on you that I would have to pay back??" Scoot sighed hanging her head.

"...Just give me my cereal please..." She said. I set my bowl down in front of her and grabbed a spoon for her.

"Good cause that was the last of the milk. I'll eat mine dry." I grabbed the other bowl and a thought crossed my mind. "Wait... Where's my phone...?" I started looking around the kitchen. Nothing. Everyone must get panicked when they lose their phone right? Not me. I uh... I don't stay calm I start freaking out. I looked in the fridge, the cupboard, under the microwave, under the fridge and even my shorts. No pockets but the waistband was tight enough to fit and to hold something without it falling out or leaving a mark. Scootaloo cleared her throat causing me to look over at her. She had my phone in her hand dripping with milk.

"You glad you paid extra for the waterproof version?" I gave a nod taking it back. "How'd you manage to lose it in my cereal?" I gave a shrug grabbing a towel.

"...I guess I'm just distracted... Just... Don't worry about me..." I went to the door but Scootaloo tripped me. Yeah. Tripped by my own little sister. She got up and pinned me.

"What were you distracted with?" I averted my gaze. I thought how could I lie to my little sister without having her cry. I didn't wanna make her cry but I didn't wanna lie either. "Well? It wasn't naughty pictures from Applejack was it? You know how mommy and daddy feel about you looking at naughty pictures!" I could hear a weakness in her voice as her eyes glossed over a bit.

"...Scoot you know I don't ask mares to do that. Besides... I still have to listen to mom and dad even after what happened... I'm not gonna even TRY that when i'm with you... or ever...."

"Are you gonna tell me what had you so distracted or do I have to run away?"

"Scoot do you really have to threaten with me with running away? Mom and dad would-"

"JUST ANSWER ME DAMMIT!" I quickly sat up and forced her to her stomach and started to spank her. After a few swats I stopped. She whimpered as I sat her on my lap more shocked than she actually was. No one ever spanked Scootaloo. Not even mom or dad did anything.

"...I-i'm sorry I don't know what came over me... Please don't be mad at me Scoot..." She sniffled and hugged me.

"...N-no... You were right to s-s-.... you were right to hit me.... I... I shouldn't have yelled at you... or cursed.... I'm sorry..." I sighed.

"... It's okay... We're both going through a lot and we cant help but snap at each other... I'll let that slide for now but next time please try not to swear... okay?" Scootaloo nodded into my shoulder. I honestly felt bad. Stress makes each and every one of us act differently when under it. I did end up telling her what distracted me and surprisingly she didn't cry. Well... Not until Rarity came to pick her up. And by that time I had her all ready to go, and had my pants on.

After Scootaloo left I was sitting around the living room. I could swear voices were going through my head as I sipped from a beer I had to keep hidden from Scootaloo. It was the last of Dad's and I didn't want it to go to waste. Everywhere I looked I saw something that reminded me things old and new. I looked to the door. I saw Mom and Dad coming home with Scootaloo for the first time. I look at the stairs I see me as a ten year old boy standing there crying in wet pants with my mom comforting me. I was on the verge of crying but then came the ringing of the doorbell almost making me drop my beer. "Ryder!" A familiar stallions voice said knocking on the door. "C'mon open up! I don't wanna have to tow your car for being parked near a fire hydrant!" I got up giving a sigh knowing it was Shining Armor. I opened the door and sipped my beer seeing the armored stallion before me.

"What do you want?!" I snapped. "Cant a guy have a drink in peace and not be startled almost wasting a beer?" Shining sighed a bit.

"Sorry Ry but you might need to put that down. I cant have you drinking and driving. You could really get yourself killed!" I grinned and chugged the rest of my beer.

"Good. You're driving! Just wait here and let me get some shoes on and then we can go!" I left Shining standing there at the door as I went upstairs. Yeah I did realize I was just being a dick to my friend but at the time I just didn't wanna give a shit. After a few minutes I came down in sneakers, jeans and a jersey shirt. We hopped in his truck, me in the passenger seat and obviously him in the drivers seat.

"What's got you all screwy today? First it was from staying up all night playing that dumb fighting game, then it was a TV marathon you cared nothing for." I sighed leaning on the middle console.

"....Its just... Scoot had nightmares about mom n dad, I did too and... Its just all the fucking memories...It's messing with my mind... I cant move out, we'd have to take everything out and where else would we move? I cant take Scootaloo away from her friends... I don't even have the money to rent a house in the area..." We pulled away from the curb just as a few cars passed.

"Ah c'mon dude you're strong. If those memories get Scootaloo down you can bring her mood back up. If you could grab a gun and shoot somepony point blank without flinching that's what I call strength!" I looked over at Shining.

"...But I puked after... how does that sound like strength?" We stopped at a red light and he chuckled.

"I did that first time I killed someone. It was during my cadet days. My dad kept his decorative shields in the house. Someone ended up breaking in and I used one of those shields to keep myself from getting shot. Gave him a good hit with it and grabbed the gun just as my mom and dad came in with Twilight crying and wet. The guy tried getting his gun back but once in the face was enough to make me just lose it and spend the next few days bedridden with a bucket between my legs and a ginger ale next to my bed. All you did was put a murderer and a crazy obsessed mare out of her misery."

"And boy did I just fucking lose it with her... I wanted to get rid of her but I didn't think I'd be doing it on the front step of my current marefriends residence.... And in front of her too." I started to tear up and my stomach gurgled. "...You think we can get something to eat? All I wanted to do was drink my pain away..."

"I'll drop you off at Sugarcube Corner. Talk with Mr. Cake and Pinkie see if you can work for them again. I'll even give you forty bits to buy something to eat and to share with Scootaloo. You good with that?" We stopped at a red light and we met each others gaze. I nodded.

About a few minutes later I was just given forty bits. I watched Shining drive off with the siren going. Must've been a bit late to something. Either that or he got a call. He always had an earpiece in so no one would ever know a guard was around looking for a criminal. I turned around to the sweets bakery and looked inside. Saw Pinkie glancing at me without making it seem like she was looking. Mrs. Cake was working with her but I didn't see Mr. Cake. I didn't step foot here since the night mom and dad were killed. I felt if I did Mr. Cake would throw me out thinking I was trying to rob him. I took a deep breath and entered the establishment and Pinkie hopped over the counter looking worried. "There you are!" She said like she hadn't seen me in a month... Well... She kinda didn't... I tried to stay away from her. She hugged me and I hugged back shaking nervously. "I've been trying to get in contact with you for weeks! Dash didn't wanna say anything, Applejack was busy with work, Fluttershy doesn't know who you are, neither does Twilight and Rarity just kept not answering her phone and you just didn't come in and visit at all I was getting worried!" It felt like what she was saying would never END.

"Pinkie! Pinkie!" I said stopping her from talking. "Look sorry for not coming in but I've just been.... Well mourning.... With Scoot..."

"...Oh yeah that's right... You killed your parents murderer huh...?" I gave a nod shoving the bits in my pocket. "...Rarity told me you had to hit a guard to keep him from taking Scootaloo away... Is that why you got arrested?" I nodded hesitantly seeing Mrs. Cake looking at me. Cant lie. I pushed her away breaking the hug.

"Well... I did get the charges dropped... No felony and.... I'm kinda dying to get a job... Literally every month or so we run out of food and I have to drive to Sweet Apple Acres to ask for someone to buy food and if I can get some gas money. It's all I need but... it'd be nice to buy Scootaloo some new clothes or get her a new Scooter for Hearths warming! Or even her birthday but I cant do shit at the moment!"

Mrs. Cake came around the counter and approached me. "Well you might be in luck." She said. "Right now my husband is upstairs sick in bed. We pretty much need all the help we can get. I'll have Pinkie pay you something for your work!" I thought a moment.

"But... What if he comes downstairs and sees me working at the counter? I feel like I'd be getting my ass thrown out!" Mrs. Cake gave a laugh a bit.

"Please in his condition I would beg to stay in bed. He's still lucky he's getting paid!" My stomach gurgled a bit.

"...Can I get some food before I get to work? I cant focus on an empty stomach..." Pinkie smiled and nodded going back to the counter. I followed.

"What'll you have?" She asked.

"Two chocolate twist donuts and a chocolate milk... A soda and donuts don't mix, trust me I've tried." Pinkie smiled brightly as Mrs. Cake went around the counter.

"Two donuts and a milk! Cooooooming up!" She rang me up as Mrs. Cake gave me the food I ordered. I paid pinkie and sat down at a nearby table with my food.

About an hour after I ate my food I went and started working behind the counter serving patrons. A few of which I knew like my sweet heart AJ who just wanted a few cups of sugar for her apple fritters. Big Mac was just waiting out front with his truck but I gave him a wave as AJ got back in. Honestly I was still a bit freaked out thinking Mr. Cake was gonna waltz downstairs and see me at the register. My fears were kinda realized because he WAS coming downstairs. I didn't have time to hide anywhere good but I just ducked under the counter where you basically couldn't see while standing up. "...Honey? Pinkie?" Mr. Cake called out sounding weak. "...C'n someone make me some soup...? Please?" I saw his feet and sweat pants coming through the door to their personal kitchen.

Mrs. Cake went over to him and hugged him a bit. "Awww okay sweetums just go sit at the table and-"

Just then the shop door opened making the little dingle bell sound. "ALRIGHT NO-PONY MOVE!" Someone yelled cocking a gun. Sounded like a shotgun. The memory of Big Macs gun going off in my hands sounded in my head. "You three stay where I can see you! Pink one give me the money!" Pinkie screamed and ducked down with me. The guy with the gun shot out a window. The shot from the gun woke the cake twins. Heard them crying upstairs. "ALRIGHT BITCH YOU GET ME THE MONEY!"

Mrs. Cake whimpered and I took my shoes off as silently and as quickly as I could. I gave them to Pinkie and shushed her. She nodded and I started crawling under the counter. "...P-please.... Don't hurt us..." Mrs. Cake said frightened out of her mind. As I got to Mr. Cakes feet he subtly looked down at me. I shushed him too. He nodded. I came to the side of the counter still out of view for the robber. I peeked around the counter and saw him still aiming the shotgun at Mrs. Cake who was fidgeting with the register. He wore a bandana over his face, black hoodie and a pair of camo shorts. I stood up just as Mrs. Cake shoveled money into a plastic bag. She saw me and ducked at the same time I rushed the robber grabbing his shotgun, taking it from him and used the butt of the gun to knock him out.

"Stay down bitch... No pony fucks with my friends like that..." I said. I kept the gun aimed at him as I looked over to the cakes. Mrs. Cake hugged Pinkie, both crying. Mr. Cake wasn't there. He went back up to his kids. "Pinkie. Call the guard! Get Shining over here NOW!"

Pinkie nodded before pushing Mrs. Cake away into the back. After a while I was sitting with Pinkie hugging her. The guards that came with Shining were carrying the still unconscious stallion out. Shining handed over the shotgun to another guard and came over to us. "Hey you guys okay?" He asked. Pinkie held me close as I nodded. "Ryder I have to say that's what I call bravery! That's the second time you stopped a criminal..... Well... DURING the crime this time but... Maybe I'll talk with Celestia again. I could tell her you're all sane and that we could use you in the force!" I gave a smile.

"Thanks Shining..." I said. "...Did you call AJ and Big Mac like I asked?" Shining nodded. "Thanks... You should stay here while I check on the cakes upstairs..." He nodded again as I got up. Before I walked away Pinkie grabbed my arm.

"...C-can I come with you....?" She asked. "....I think I tinkled in my tights under the counter...." She blushed hard averting her gaze. I pulled her up and pushed her along. The seat of her pants were soaked. Of course I had to follow.

Once I got upstairs Pinkie ran into her room. The door next to hers was open and I could hear crying from their foals. I came in and saw Mr. and Mrs. Cake caring for their frightened foals, Pumpkin- a little unicorn filly- and Pound -a little Pegasus colt. Don't ask me how two earth ponies can conceive a unicorn and a Pegasus. It's like asking how I can do a handstand on a cloud. (I say sarcastically as I flutter my wings a bit) Mr. Cake looked up at me. "...R-ryder...." He said. "I... I take back everything I said about you.... To your face and behind your back... You can have your job back... I wont object to it... You can have anything to take home for free!" I smiled.

"Thanks Mr. Cake but... How about I just pay half price for a cake for my little sister?" Mr. Cake nodded and went back to his foal.

Mrs. Cake got up setting Pumpkin down. She came over and hugged me. "...Thank you...." She said nuzzling me. "....Th-things could've been much worse..." She was right. Things could've been much worse. Mrs. Cake or Pinkie could've gotten shot. That guy could've fired a shot through the ceiling hitting one of or both of the twins. If I hadn't hid I'd've been pissing myself frozen until I got shot. Someone could've died. Pinkie. One of the cakes. Me. Me... All she has left...

Day 1 (Part 1): Rude Awakening.

It was about 10 at night. I was sitting alone in my living room since Scootaloo was still in Manehattan. I did give Rarity a call but she told me Scootaloo was asleep. I didn't want to sleep. Felt as if someone could target me, break in and slit my throat in my sleep. That and I'd probably be huddled up in the corner crying the whole night thinking of that night where mom and dad were killed. I could imagine Scootaloo just sitting next to mom and dads dead body with Berrie standing over her with a knife. If I had taken Scootaloo back home she would've been dead and I'd be inside of an insane asylum... Probably along with berrie... I know Berrie used a gun with only three bullets (still unsure why she didn't have a full clip) to kill my parents and AJ but... I think for multiple situations sometimes. Just like a time travel movie if you do something different it'll change the outcome in the future. If I took Scootaloo home, Berrie could've came and slashed the throats of everyone I loved- starting with Applejack first and ending with Scootaloo possibly... Well what took me out of my slump was my phone ringing. It sat on the coffee table in front of me next to a half empty (Yet still cold) root beer two liter. I picked it up seeing Big Mac's face on the screen and answered it. "Big Mac? Whats up?" I asked.

Big Mac gave a sigh. "Nothin' much..." He said sounding a bit down. "...Well... Applejack n I were talkin' and we thought you might wanna spend the night here with us. It's so quiet without Applebloom and well... We figured you'd be a bit lonesome over there." I sighed.

"...Yeah... Sounds about right...." I replied. "...You got anything good to eat there? I uh... I didn't eat dinner... I normally cook for both me and Scoot but she and I always finish what I make..."

"Sure bud. We didn't have dinner yet cuz we cant really decide what we should eat. Applebloom would've broke the tie. You wanna help us with this? Its a fifty fifty between a Pizza or I can cook us some hayburgers."

"...Judging by the time i'd say hayburgers. Pizza places aren't even open at this time I don't think... So... Just start grillin' I'll be on my way over."

"Alright now see ya soon."

That was just the moment that just gave me chills. I was hesitant on leaving the house feeling as if Rarity would come back home with Scootaloo saying she ran out of clothes to wet and was wearing Sweetie Belles clothing. I was hesitating on calling Big Mac, telling him I'm not coming but my heart told me to go no matter what. I honestly didn't want to stay the night here. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my gut. Not like the house was going to catch fire while I'm here bad feeling but like my memories were going to push me over the edge. I got dressed in sweat pants and a white tshirt and stuffed jeans, my phone, my phone charger, a new shirt and some socks before I got my shoes on. As uncomfortable shoes are without socks the memories of my parents hurt worse. After a while I was lying on the couch cuddling with Applejack. Big Mac was in the kitchen grilling the hayburgers. AJ wore short shorts and a tank top. Big Mac had a black short sleeved tee that hugged his muscly body and a pair of shorts. "Thank you for comin' over sugarcube..." AJ said a tad sadly. "...You must be so lonely in that house when it's so empty... I did tell ya you n your sis could come here live with us... Right?" I gave a sigh.

"...Multiple times AJ... And I'm sorry... As good as that Idea is I don't want Scootaloo waking up at four in the morning to help with the apple stuff and end up hurting herself because she lifted something too heavy or sprained a wing trying to climb a tree that Applebloom dared her to climb... It'd be like i'd have to be by her side just to help her with getting a few Apples from the tree and protect her from getting hurt like that..."

Big Mac cleared his throat a bit. "Uh Ry you didn't tell AJ what you're going to be trained for yet right?" He asked. He glanced over. I had to meet his gaze and not AJ's. You'll see why in a second.

"...What were ya gonna tell me Ry?" AJ asked making my heart slow down. "Y'know you can always share anythin' with me... Its all safe with me." Big Mac kept his eyes on me while I stayed silent. AJ took my hand and put it on her flank. "Y'feel that right there sugarcube?" I looked to her blushing. She gave me bedroom eyes like never before. "...That right there is ALL yours if'n ya just tell me what's got ya so hot n bothered..." That made my heart start racing again. Oh yeah... Here's why I had to meet Big Mac's gaze. I cant say no to a lovey face, or a puppy dog face from the mares I love the most.

I looked around seeing if there was some way I could get myself out of this predicament but no luck. I cleared my throat looking back to Applejack taking my hands back. "...I uh... I'm thinking of... J-joining the guard..." I said. There. Right there. The moment I could hear something inside AJ snap. She got up slapping me breathing heavily.

"Why the hell are you thinkin' of doing something crazy like that?!" She asked. "I can think of you killin' your ex who threatened to kill me, getting drunk off your nut and streaking through the orchard, waking up naked reeking of dog shit and rotten apples the next morning and even firing off a gun KILLING that fucking dog who took that shit on you but going into the guard? Do you want your sister to come home to Shining in your living room with an order to take her away to an orphanage?!" Yeah... right there... She HATED the idea of someone she loved to go into the guard.

"Well what do you want me to do?" I replied. "Tell Shining 'Sorry I cant take the offer because my marefriend doesn't like me working to protect AND feed my sister at the same time?' I NEED this. Do I need to compare my situation with you?"

Big Mac looked back to the stove. "I wouldn't if I were you Ry." He said. I sighed.

"Cant you please realize that this is a job opportunity I didn't ask for but I desperately need. What happens if say Scootaloo gets hurt and I have to take her to the hospital? I don't have the insurance to pay off a broken leg. No I don't wanna lose you and no I don't wanna keep having to ask for fucking handouts from you, Rarity and Dash! IT'S ALREADY DRIVING ME INSANE ENOUGH!" No one said a word. The only things I could hear were AJ's sniffling. I gave a sigh and looked to the ground. "...Maybe I'll just eat here and see if I can sleep at Dash's place... I think I've done enough damage to this family..."

"...N-naw sugarcube... Please stay..." AJ said turning around. She had tears running down her cheeks. "...I shouldn't have snapped... I just... I just don't wanna see that little sister of yours cry again cause someone else she loves is dead... Besides.... We called ya here for a reason..." I tilted my head.

"...And not for dinner? Right...?" Applejack shook her head as Big Mac shoveled the hay onto buns.

"...We brought ya here just cause we cant handle a night without Applebloom after what happened with you... Makes it seem all... Well scary..." I got up hesitantly and hugged Applejack. She hugged back whimpering. "....Thank you for protectin' me that night..." I started to shush her.

"...It's okay... calm down..." I brought her back to the couch where I sat down with her. Big Mac brought our hayburgers over.

"There..." He said. "Let me getcha both a drink. You seem like you both need something."

What happened after that didn't really seem important. Well... Other than when I went and slept in Applejack's bed. I started to dream. Again the multiple situations. I saw two different sides to my dream. One where I did become a guard. And the other where I didn't become a guard. For the one I did become a guard I saw myself armored up and busting down a door. Almost instantly I took a bullet to the head. It faded off and became a scene where Scootaloo was clinging to Applejack while Shining helped load my body into a body bag and into an ambulance. The one where I didn't become a guard had me and Scootaloo sitting in our living room, dilapidated by the elements of the outside. We hadn't bathed for a while, and there were scraps of rotten food everywhere. We had nothing. I basically stood between the possibilities dressed in only my pants. I've woken up butt naked even with boxers on the night before. Everything mixed together as I curled up into a ball about ready to cry. Then thing went silent and they faded away. "...You must be Ryder... The stallion who lost his parents to a sadistic murderer ex...." A mare said. I sniffled and looked up. Nothing but darkness.

"....wh-whos there?" I asked sniffling. I suddenly felt an embrace. Warm yet there wasn't anyone there. I blinked for a moment and a mare suddenly appeared. She was taller than I was. Long blue dress and dark starry mane flowing with magical force. Wings of deep blue feathers extended feet beyond even my wingspan. I was speechless when the mare broke the embrace and backed away. I was staring into the eyes of the princess of the night herself. "...P-princess Luna...." I dropped to one knee putting my fist against my chest. "....And... Y-yes.... I am R-ryder...."

"Rise young man." She replied. I got back to my feet still in shock. "Now I hear from my sister you are the same Ryder who quote 'wasted her time by trying to kill thyself. Am I correct?" I gave a hesitant nod. "Ah... Thou were in deep sadness about the loss of your parents and the near loss of your sister... But thou hast been worried more about providing for thyself and thy sister?" I nodded again.

"Yes princess." I said. "... Ever since I was fired from my mechanic job I want to work and Shining Armor has offered me a job working for the guard but... Applejack says it's dangerous and that I'd be in danger of dying and leaving my sister alone..." Luna hummed a bit.

"Applejack is right Ryder. Working for thy public safety officials is a dangerous job but perhaps a job with the guard doing thy local princess a favor?" I gave Luna a confused look. "Didn't thy know Shining's sister is the Princess of Friendship?" I shook my head. "Well she is and since Shining cant always spend his time with his sister I suggest thy try and go work in the castle. Thy sister wont be far but thou shalt not worry about the dangers of being a guard. If thy should talk with Shining I'm sure something could be arranged." I gave a thought about what was said. No one dared attack a princess, whether it were Celestia, Luna, Cadence or Twilight. Although... There were a few nuts out there.

"...I should talk with Shining... Well.... After I check on the cakes.... They were shaken up when I left.... Uh... Thank you princess... I am greatful..." I bowed in respect again as Luna shot me a smile.

"Oh cut thy formalities. This is a dream not thy visit to Canterlot. Why not hug thy princess of the night?"

"...Why hug a princess at all?" She sighed.

"Well times have changed and would thy not feel better than to have a comforting hug after all thou hast been through? Come. Nopony is here but you and I." She opened her arms wide. I dare hug a princess? Well yeah. I do dare. I hesitantly approached and hugged her. Almost felt like my mothers hugs when I was a sad little kid. "There we go... Doth thy feel better?" I gave her a nod. "Good.... Now thy must wake up for a big day. If thy gets through training without a hitch I shall send a gift welcoming you into the guard."

"...You really wouldn't need to. Its I who should be providing gifts for you or... Something like that..." I broke the embrace once more and backed away. "Now... May I wake up please? It would not look good if I was laying in a quote 'sweaty bed'..." I could feel myself blushing hard admitting I've had a.... few accidents in my sleep... One being right after I got out of the precinct. All I can say is nightmares SUCK!

Luna gave a nod and everything started to fade. I bowed in respect one last time because well... I felt I needed to. When I awoke it was about five in the morning. Lucky me today was an off day for AJ and Big Mac. Applejack was still asleep and cuddled close to me so I couldn't move much. I could how ever move my arm. I was on the side with my phone. Lucky me Applejack and I shared the same cellphone style. Also means we share the same charger. I clicked the lock button and my phone lit up near blinding me. The sun had barely risen but I honestly wanted to go back to bed. I pulled up a chat between me and Shining. My last entry read 'I'll do some thinking about the job working for the guard... Celestia knows how Applejack might react.'

Shining's reply: 'Let me know soon. I wanna know now so I can ask the princess for a second chance.' That was about three hours after I saved the cakes from getting shot. So 7:25 in the afternoon or at night. Which ever you want to say. I started to type slowly with my thumb since Applejack had my other arm pinned under her. She's a cuddler. What else do you expect?

'Shining. I wanna work for the guard. The ROYAL guard. Like protecting your sister. Give me a call in a few hours so we can discuss.' Yeah. I was that tired when I sent that off. After that I just blacked out but in a good way.

I woke up about an hour later to the sound of sirens. Applejack was sat up, clinging to her pillow scared. All she wore was a bra and her panties. These ones were the ones I loved. Red laced. Bra wasn't laced but her panties were. Anyways I sprung up to the window and saw three trucks on the road. Black. Guard trucks. "Sugarcube what's happenin?!" Applejack asked scared as she wrapped herself in sheets.

"I.. I don't know..." I said feeling just as scared as she was.

Just then Big Mac hurried through the bedroom door. "Did one of you two call the guard in your sleep again?!" He asked. Again. Yeah.... I was drunk, Big Mac wouldn't let me have another beer and I called Shining up telling him to arrest Big Mac but I passed out and that's how Big Mac lied to Shining so it was a fake call. At least that's what I remember. Both AJ and I shook our heads. "Then why the hell do we got guard trucks barreling down the drive?!" We both shrugged.

We hurried downstairs getting what ever we needed on. I got socks on, AJ got a shirt on, and Big Mac was already dressed. Forgot to mention he just passed out on the couch. We got to the front door as the trucks came to a dusty halt, one being just feet away from my car. Dangerously close for my taste but I was more worried about what ever was going on. Four guards hopped out, two from each car but all with some sort of gun in hand. Two pistols, a rifle and a shotgun. They didn't aim them but it was enough to make Applejack hide behind me and Big Mac. They went to the middle truck and opened the back door and out stepped another guard. He approached us and looked me in the eye. "Are you Ryder Wheeler?" He asked. I nodded. "Come with me son. Someone needs to speak with you." I nodded. Before I could step away Applejack grabbed my arm but Big Mac pried her off. I looked back at them.

"You guys go back inside... I'll be okay... I think...." Big Mac nodded and threw Applejack over his shoulder. I saw a look on her face I hadn't seen since that night... I couldn't see anyone inside the truck we approached. The one he came out of. He stopped me at the door and turned back.

"Spread em. We need to check you for anything that can be used for a weapon!" I wanted to say something but I just spread my feet apart and held my arms out. Even had my wings extended. They patted my legs down, turned out my pockets and even grabbed the jewels. "Alright. You're clean." He opened the door as I stood straight again. I was scared. I literally thought once I stepped into the truck I was going to have a gun to my head or be instantly handcuffed. It was something I was a risking but took anyways.

I stepped in hesitantly and sighed seeing Shining Armor sporting a smile with his sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle sitting right next to him. Twilight was Applejacks friend. She never wore jeans, a tank top and smart sensible shoes like she was just a normal unicorn. I actually never met her before but AJ has told me about her... Not to mention I've seen her on TV and saw that castle she lived in sprout up from the ground. I was just up a tree in town with 'sweat' in my pants. That was one of the times I had an accident in bed. "Sorry about all this Ryder." Shining said as I sat across from him. "It's protocol when someone wants to join the ranks. Anyone inside think it was something worse?" The text. I forgot about the text.

"Yeah... Big Mac thought I drunk dialed again or something..." Shining chuckled.

"Well sorry for the scare." He said. "Ryder this is my sister and whom you're going to have to call 'Princess' from now on." I bowed in my seat.

"It's an honor princess... Working for you might be the best thing I've done... For the good of myself and for the well being of my only immediate family left..."

Twilight gave a sigh. Almost like I made her depressed or something. "Well I really cant let a big brother and his little sister go hungry." She said. "Especially when that big brother is the cousin of a great friend of mine." Rainbow Dash. She was talking about Rainbow Dash. I sat back up.

".... It doesn't help when you feel as if you owe someone something after they do something nice for you..." I looked to Shining. "By the way I owe you a dinner and a few breakfasts... Speaking of which... You mind if we stop by sugarcube corner? Got me up from a dead sleep... You mind if I at least have a bit of breakfast with my marefriend before I start training?" Shining gave a nod.

"Yeah. Take Twily to see AJ, get dressed and lets get out of here. You might need to do transport and your car doesn't seem suitable for transport." I snickered a bit. Twilight blushed hard.

"...Shining do you REALLY have to call me 'Twily' in front of a recruit?" Twilight asked. Shining rubbed his head as I opened the door and stepped out.

"Sorry Twily... Its a habit..." He replied. He started laughing again. I stood off to the side as Twilight stepped out.

"I am so sorry you feel embarrassed princess! I promise I wont say anything to anyone!" Twilight gave a sigh closing the door behind her.

"No no it's fine... He's been calling me 'Twily' for years... He's my BBBFF and sometimes he can get carried away." I gave her a confused look as we started walking back to the door.

"BBBFF? What's that?"

"It means Big Brother Best Friend Forever. We came from Canterlot and he always played with me, allowed me in his bed when I had a nightmare, even uh..." She blushed a bit harder after we stopped at the door.

"Princess you don't need to say anymore! I know he means a lot to you. Just like how Scootaloo feels about me now that mom and dad are..." I stopped myself feeling my lip quiver. "L-lets just get inside and go... It's still a bit cool... Too cool for me..." She nodded and we hurried inside.

Didn't really have to wait long for everyone to get moving. I was dressed again and was sitting next to Applejack as we rode right in the middle truck with Shining and Twilight. Big Mac followed in my car. "Thank goodness it was you Twilight..." Applejack said "Y' nearly had me pissin' my panties! I thought Ryder was gonna get arrested again!" Twilight looked to me and I looked away blushing.

"I did hear he got arrested. Until I knew for what I wanted to release him. He's just lucky that the guard dropped the charges of assault and that I'm willing to look past it. Celestia isn't willing to look past it but she is willing to give you another chance for this."

Shining sighed. "I'm lucky for that too." He said. "If I didn't say anything about your family situation Ryder I'd probably be out of a job working for Princesses and would probably have to be a bouncer at a bar or nightclub. Even Cadence would not be happy I got fired. Sure she'd keep me in the castle but all the guards would only listen to her..."

I gave a hefty sigh looking at Big Mac in my car. "...Well at least tell me I wont have to get rid of my car to have one of these things..." I said. "I put too much work into that car and I'm worried it's just all for nothing..." Shining reached across and rested a hand on my shoulder.

"Dont worry about that. That car can be parked where it's safe. There's a good parking garage just near the entrance of the castle. Underground, heavily fortified so no cave ins happen and well I actually pushed to get you a spot nearby mine. That thing wont have any problems down there."

We took a right turn. "Sir!" A guard in the front seat said. "Sugarcube Corner is ahead. Are you going to escort the Princess inside yourself?" Shining looked to them.

"No. I'm letting the new recruit escort her inside." My heart dropped. Was he seriously letting me take his sister inside by my self?! I even had my 'what the fuck are you thinking' look. There was seriously A LOT to go wrong here. I could take her in, there could be another robbery and she could get shot, the oven could be leaking gas and it could explode, Twilight could start choking while I'm in the bathroom or something or Mr. Cake could puke on Twilight, she could get sick and die slowly! I didn't know what to think other than trouble.

"A-are you sure it's wise to leave me alone with your sister Shining?" I asked. "Do you WANT me to crack and change my mind?! AJ doesn't even want me being in the guard and-" I kept talking. I lost track of what I was saying thinking of what ways this would go for me. Some being fired, the other being shot in a fucking drive-by. Well that death one was pretty low chance but instantaneous firing? I wouldn't be able to face AJ, Pinkie, Rarity, or Dash. Let alone my own sister telling her I found and lost a job in the same day by injuring a princess. Shining held me by the shoulders while Applejack slapped me across the face snapping me out of my panicked state.

"Ryder!" Shining said. "I want you to listen and listen GOOD! Are you going to freak out again? Because if you do I might just leave you here with a free breakfast and we can try again when you're not gonna freak out! My sister isn't just a princess. She's a warrior! She's taken down Nightmare Moon, A changeling army, Discord TWICE and Tirek. You remember Tirek don't you?" Of course how could I forget?"

Twilight gave a confused look and looked to her brother. "I only stopped Discord once." She said. "Where did you get twice? Were you drinking last night?" He looked to his sister.

"I only had one drink last night and that was just a shot! The rest was just sodas since I had to work today! Besides it was just a dream... I think..." He averted his gaze trying to get his thoughts together. "Yeah! Yeah it was a dream! Luna was screwing with me that night! I almost thought I was crazy." I huffed a bit and mumbled under my breath.

"...You are crazy..."

Applejack tapped me on the shoulder. I looked to her and she pulled me close hugging me. "...Listen sugarcube." She said. "What if I went inside with you? Sure I'm already going in but..... What if I just help ya cool yer jets? All ya need is just a drink, some food, a few deep breaths and a good talkin' to. You think you can roll with that?" I gave her a hesitant nod. "There we go... Just know if ya start freakin out I will have Big Mac give you a gut check or a kick between the legs. So ya better not freak. Got it?" I nodded again.

Not long later Princess Twilight, AJ, Big Mac and I were inside Sugarcube Corner. We were lucky Pinkie was sweeping up what ever little shards of glass were still around. She let us in. I couldn't help but look around. More memories. It was where my seventh birthday party was. It was ruined because Dash had an accident on my cake. My parents had the cake on the floor away from me, Dash got scared by the clown I had and wet herself. I didn't like that clown either. I was so deep in thought I didn't know where I was going and ended up tripping over a chair. Pinkie hurried to my side along with Big Mac helping me up. "Is everything okay Ryder?" Pinkie asked sitting me in the chair I knocked over. "You aren't messed up by that robbery yesterday are you?" I shook my head. "Well you still gotta be careful silly!" Applejack sighed sitting next to me.

"Hey don't worry Pinkie." She said. "I know that 'I miss momma and poppa' face anywhere..." Yeah... She read me like how Twilight reads books. Lying in front of her really isn't the best thing since she has the honesty element. She tells the truth, she can tell when anypony is lying. She's almost a mind reader but with no magic. You'd have to say something that would fit with the conversation to have it make sense otherwise your lies will seem like you were thinking them up on the spot. I gave a hefty sigh leaning on the table.

"This is going to be a looooooooooooooong day..."

Day 2: Back In The Corner (Back to Ryder)

I awoke in the morning dazed and confused. My head was pounding but at least I was alive. I found myself inside of a hospital looking area and I was in bed with nothing but a hospital gown on and between my legs felt sticky like I spilled my soda last night but that's all I remembered. I looked around the room and saw it was my own little room but I had to share it with Shining Armor who was passed out on the couch just feet away from my bed to the left of me. I wanted to hit him but me waking up confused made me think why did I want to hit him. I looked to a tray next to me with a remote on it. Up in the corner was a TV and my first thought: Turn it the fuck on and wait for Shining to wake up. I grabbed the remote but the first button I pushed made the bed shift to a sitting up position. Apparently that was the wrong remote. The real remote was on the ground by Shining. I looked at the other remote again and saw a 'call nurse' button and pressed it. I waited a few minutes and a guard came in. He took one look at me and sighed. "You're the new recruit this asshole brought on." He said pointing to Shining.

I hummed a bit. "Why are you calling him an asshole...? All he's doing is sleeping is there anything wrong with that?" I asked. He huffed.

"He devised a prank that completely backfired which is exactly why you're in here." He replied. "He told us to hide Princess Twilight so you'd do something either heroic or something stupid. He basically made you hit your head." I looked back to Shining. THAT was the reason I wanted to nail him between his legs.

"Hey you mind waking him up please? I need to have a talk with him." The guard nodded and nudged Shining. He gasped and woke up almost instantly. "Well mornin' you jackass! I got some info that SOMEONE should probably be getting paid for some medical leave for not telling Celestia about this cruel joke you played last night."

Shining groaned sitting up. "...And how do you expect to do that...?" He said yawning. "You cant exactly get close to Princess Celestia... And how do you know that? Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn't come in here and tell you what I did did they?" I shook my head and pointed to the guard as he handed me the remote. The guard looked back at Shining and sighed.

"Sir I must say I'm sorry for revealing this information to him but I'd have to inform the princess of this accident if not handled right. I mean... He could sue us for his injuries that you caused inadvertently through your own words." Shining gave a sigh.

"Okay Ryder look I'm sorry!" He said. "Maybe I was wrong when I thought you were cut out for this job... You had it when you took down that robbery but maybe handling protecting my sister was still a bit too much... Your sister is just a filly and easier to protect than my sister who's a high priority figure..." I saw tears come to his eyes.

"What are you saying...?"

"....I'm... I'm saying you're... you're..."

"What? I'm FIRED? FIRED for YOUR stupid mistake?! That right there is enough to report it to Princess Celestia! The head of the guard fucks up and an underling gets fired for it!" Shining clenched his eyes shut.

"STOP IT JUST FUCKING STOP OKAY?!" The guard and I jumped a bit. "JUST GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! YOU ARENT FIRED! YOU ARENT GOING TO CELESTIA JUST FUCKING GO!" He got up breaking down and ran out like my sister after she had an accident in front of her friends at school. I gave a sigh and looked to the guard.

"You mind getting me Applejack and something to drink please? I just.... I need some time to myself here..." The guard nodded. "And... I... Thanks for letting me know about last night... Better from you than from him..." He shot a smile and nodded again before leaving me in the room.

I had to wait a while after I got my drink. A box of orange juice. He even brought me a little plate of pancakes to eat. I would've expected oatmeal or a mini box of cereal and a tiny milk carton. Didn't really say anything because well I was hungry. As I ate and watched TV Applejack came in all worried. She had my phone in hand and hugged me as I put the juice down. "Sugarcube! You're okay!" She said nuzzling me. "Oh I thought ya would've been laid up for days! Scoot woulda been wonderin where ya were, I had to answer Rarity because Scoot had an accident in a guest bed at one of Rarity's friends place and I couldn't just say what happened to ya all I could say was you were asleep!" I gave a sigh and hugged Applejack.

"Hey calm down... That was the best thing you could say AJ..." I replied. "C'mon and help me up... I don't wanna be in the same building as Shining... I just... I wanna go back to Sugarcube Corner and work there..."

"...Too much stress on ya...?" I shook my head. "...Just not likin' your first day here I take it?" I nodded. "...Well I hear ya. That prank Shinin' pulled ruined last night for me... Had to get Pinkie to uh... Cuddle so to speak..." She blushed hard. "All that aside lets getcha dressed. Big Mac should be here to letcha get your car back. Hope ya don't mind that he had to raid your drawers at home to getcha a change of clothes after last night... Ya wet yourself thinkin' you let Twilight get kidnapped but I wouldn't worry she's just fine other than being pissed at her brother." She went and helped me up from my bed.

About a half hour later me and Applejack were sitting out in front of the castle. I had a plastic bag with my wet pants inside of it. I honestly felt really embarrassed but I didn't have the feeling of crying like a kid. As I looked on the street I started to remember something that happened around here. I was walking with my mom and dad. It was raining and the worst part there was thunder and lightning. Being a Pegasus you'd think I wasn't afraid of that stuff but it's the fact that the first time a thunderstorm happened in about five years after I was born I wet my pants. Yeah. I was still peeing myself at five. This little flashback was say about two years before Scootaloo was born. I don't remember what was said but I saw Big Mac walking home from shopping for his family. I think his family's truck was broken down or something. A clap of thunder scared me into- spoiler alert- wetting my pants. I was so embarrassed I didn't talk with Big Mac for about a week until my parents forced me to have a sleep over with him. Everything in that flashback suddenly disappeared when a honk startled me. Just in front of me I saw Big Mac in my car pulling up. "C'mon hop in and lets get outta here!" He called out. I sighed and got up grabbing the bag next to me. Applejack climbed into the back seat and I got into the front seat where I just threw the bag between my legs on the floor. Big Mac had country on the radio but I pressed the button putting it on my rock station. "Well someone aint in a good mood! Y'all only force the channel change when you aint in a good mood. Wanna tell me what's wrong?"

I gave a hefty sigh as I closed my door and crossed my arm. "....Just... Take me to Sugarcube Corner.... I don't want anything to do with Shining..." I said. "...Made me look like a fool faking his sisters kidnapping... You... You wouldn't hide AJ from me as a prank... Would you?" I glanced at him as he pulled away from the curb.

"Nah you'd go and kill someone just to get her back and I'd probably have to keep Scoot away from ya until you were stable enough for visitors."

Applejack leaned forward and rested a hand on my shoulder. "If he even thought of a stupid idea like that he'd get my boot shoved so far up his ass he'd have to go into the labor ward just to get that thing out!" She said. "I'm sure Twilight'll have a chat with her brother, talk with you see if there's somethin' ya can get just as a little apology from him!"

"Bullshit!" I snapped. "A little apology isn't going to cut it! A princess is a big deal and a little apology from that doesn't mean shit! I'd need some time with Cadence or a MAJOR promotion!" Big Mac gave a grunt.

"Dammit Ry I am not bringing your sister into our house if ya get in trouble for rapin' his wife!"

"BIG MAC!" Applejack snapped. "We are bringing that filly to our home if ANYTHING happens to Ryder! That means if he ever got hurt or he was gonna be late getting home from somewhere that girl is going to be in our room on a cot in Applebloom's room!" She looked to me. "But in all seriousness you are NOT getting to Princess Cadence while I'm around! If I were you I'd be going for that big ol' promotion. Less chance of catchin' a charge and less chance of me NEVER talking to you again. And I mean NEVER so you'd try to talk with me and I'd be as silent as a mime! You wouldn't even get me to talk with ya even if ya tried getting Fluttershy or Applebloom or even your own sister to talk with me."

"ALRIGHT ALRIGHT I GET IT!" I yelled. "I get it! You'll be fucking pissed can we just get to fucking Sugarcube FUCKING CORNER?!" I looked at Applejack and Big Mac. Both were silent. That's when I looked out the window. "...I... I'm sorry I don't wanna talk... Just wanna listen to music..." I could hear Applejack scoot over in the back seat getting herself behind my seat where she wrapped her arms around my neck like she was putting me in a headlock. I looked out the window again. We passed the old ruins of the Golden Oaks Library or 'The Treebrary' as I used to call it. It was burned down when Tirek went on a rampage and I was hiding up that tree. (and when Twilight used to live there) I remember walking into that library one day (yes with my parents.) and I got a book from there that I actually still have to this day. It was a book about a griffon who had a breezie companion. She was his voice most of the time. The memory felt as if I was reliving it. Then I started hearing a voice. Applejack's.

"Sugarcube? Sugarcube wake up!" Her voice echoed and everything started to vanish. "C'mon Ryder wake up! We're at Sugarcube Corner! ...D-do ya think that fall gave him a concussion at all Big Mac?"

I heard Big Mac sigh. "Sis that concussion woulda happened last night." He said. "Besides... I think he'd need to stay in there until the doc gave him the okay to leave."

I groaned a bit and found I had passed out. As I came to I saw Big Mac looking back at Applejack. She looked a bit worried. "...Big... Mac? AJ?" I said rubbing my eyes. "...How long was I out Applejack sighed and nuzzled me after giving me a kiss on my cheek.

"You were out for a good while sugarcube!" She said. "I honestly thought your music woulda kept ya awake! You sure your head still don't hurt?" I shook my head stretching.

"...Damn memories again... I feel more messed up than Pinkie after somepony tells her a cake was bad."

Big Mac huffed a bit unbuckling himself and me. "Yeah I hear ya bud." He said. "Honestly I had nightmares after you shot Berrie on our doorstep... Sure that first night didn't phase me but after you got back out of jail and spent that one night with us I honestly thought I woke up to ya aiming my gun in my face ready to blow my brains out. Next thing ya know I'm seeing my walls fall apart and I'm awake!" I sighed.

"Well... At least my memories are good memories... About me... Mom and dad... One being something about my mom taking me to your guys' place for this big lug to watch me when we were younger." I patted Big Mac on the shoulder.

"I remember when ya wet yourself right outside the back door. Had AJ come run n tell me you had an accident and I had to call well... Y'know who." I blushed a bit feeling my heart sink a bit. "Anyways lets just uh... Let's getcha inside. I'll take your car back to our place and just call me when you're done here okay?" I nodded and we all got out.

Big Mac walked me and AJ up to the door. We went inside and he left us there with Mr. and Mrs. Cake working the counter. They both looked up at us. "Oh Ryder! Applejack so nice of you to drop by!" Mrs. Cake said. "If you're here to see Pinkie she's at the Princesses castle!"

Applejack sighed as I sat down at a table and put my head down. "Yeah we just left there." She said. "Wasn't much of an enjoyable night as I thought it'd be... You know Shinin' Armor that guard who's married to Princess Cadence, brother of Princess Twilight?" I saw both of them nod out of the corner of my eye. "Well that guy is a JERK! Y'wanna know what he did? He faked his sisters kidnapping and scared this boy half to death!" She pointed to me.

Mr. Cake gasped and rushed over. "You poor thing!" He said.

I huffed a bit sitting up. "You mind if I work here for the next couple days?" I asked. "Shining has me WAY too pissed off to even go back there."

"Eh sure... I've been up half the night making sure everything was locked up and put away in our new safe. That robbery had us a bit shaken up..."

"Also... You think it might be too much to ask to... Maybe spend a night here? It's too quiet in my place and... Just... It kinda scares me thinking about if I was too late to get Scootaloo..." I put my head back down.

Applejack sighed and put a hand on my back. "He's one of them stallions that think of multiple situations see how a situation could go down." She said. I heard her pull up a chair next to me. "I'd bring him to the orchard but he would not like any of the situations there either.... Y'do remember what happened there dontcha?" I looked up to see both Mr. and Mrs. Cake nod.

Mrs. Cake looked to me. "Ryder you are welcome to stay here for the night." She said. "Just know you.... May or may not get a wake up call from Pinkie. It's kind of why we have Pinkie go and sleep over at the princesses castle or where ever else that isn't here!" I looked over at Applejack.

"You uh... You want me to leave ya here?" I shook my head feeling my lip quiver. Everything that was spoken of here hit me where it counted. My heart. I wanted to force out some tears but I just felt like I didn't have any tears left. Like I used them all crying over my parents, over having no real job and just Scootaloo having me or Dash to go to when she's scared while I have no one. Yeah you're thinking I could talk with AJ over the phone or just listen to my music hope it all goes away but no. None of that works. I needed someone who I could go to... Seek as a parental figure... I thought of Shining as a fatherly type but I wanted to keep my cool for a few days. Make sure I didn't go and kick the crap out of him. Not only that I uh... I didn't really want to call him, ask for him to come over just because I wet my bed being scared awake by a loud thunderclap.... Don't uh... Just forget that last part.

I basically sat in that one place with Applejack for a while. Well only until Pinkie came back. She came back through the door with her bag thrown over her shoulder looking tired. I looked past and saw a black truck drive away from Sugarcube Corner. Fucking Shining. She yawned. "...Morning everrrpny...." She said slurring her words. "...I'm just.... Imma snoozy..." Scratch 'tired'. She crashed HARD. I've done this before. Got all hyped for or from something and then boom, out of it.

I got up away from Applejack and put Pinkie's arm over my shoulder. I looked to Mrs. Cake who had a bit of a smile on her face. "...I'll get her upstairs and... I might need to nap a bit... My night wasn't so quiet..." I said. Mrs. Cake nodded and had Mr. Cake open the door into the back for us. I had to get her plump ass on my back (nearly breaking it I might add) to get her up stairs. I went into her room and set her on the bed. She grabbed me and cuddled me like I was a stuffed toy. Couldn't help but stay there and fall asleep. I woke up about an hour later to Pound and Pumpkin crying. Pinkie had let go of me and I got up throwing off a blanket one of the Cakes threw onto us. I stretched a bit and went into the foals room to see both of them sitting on the floor crying about a toy between them broken. It was a little toy train with the wheels off. I knelt down giving a sad aw. "...This must've been your guys' favorite toy.... Here just give me a second." I picked their train up along with the wheels and put them back on giving each a good push getting them to stay on. I set it back down and pulled it back. It clicked a few times before I let it go. It went past them and their crying stopped as they saw their toy go between them.

I heard a laugh behind me. "Well... Seems you got to them before even I could." Someone said. I looked behind me and saw Mr. Cake leaning against the door jam smiling. "Good to see you awake and... Yeah that pretty much was their favorite. They always mess with that thing and looks like it finally broke on em. Thanks for fixing it." I stood up and sighed.

"No worries. I had to do that for Princess Cadence when she had a job in town once. Honestly felt good bringing a smile to the faces of the little ones... Even my sister..."

"Can you fix anything? There are a few things here that we need fixed." I grinned.

"Show me whatcha got. Fixing things is my specialty." He nodded and lead me out of the room. "So... You just... Leave your kids alone up here?" Mr. Cake sighed.

"Not usually. We normally have them downstairs but... after the other day we were kind of afraid one of them would wander out into the shop area and.... Well it's just scary to think about..." I sighed as we stopped at a door just down the hall.

"Yeah... There could be many possibilities... I could've not been there, Pinkie could've gotten shot, I'd've been there but I would've gotten shot.... Too many possibilities to think of. So... What do we have here?" Mr. Cake opened up the door and revealed a room with shelves lined with broken things lining each. There was a desk against the walls with a bunch of tools on the wall above it.

"Well... This room is filled with a bunch of things either me or my wife broke along with a few things our kids broke. I was going to get someone to help me fix these things and well... Didn't really know someone who did this for a living." I smiled.

"1993 Opaque Mini Van, cream interior with third row seating and cassette radio. Came into the shop I worked at last year. The owner, being you, said it needed a tune up and a new carburetor. Guess who figured out it wasn't the carburetor that needed fixing."

"No way you worked at that Garage!" I nodded.

"True stuff."

"Why aren't you there working on getting your job back?" I sighed.

"Big Mac came in with his family's truck, I misbalanced it and it was the reason I got fired. He... He got pissed at me just before my parents were... Y'kno... Tried calling him for bail and he didn't pick up... To be honest I wanted to call you but... Something would've told me I would not be coming back in here at all..." He rested a hand on my shoulder.

"When you were arrested I said you weren't allowed to work here, not come to buy a few things for that sister of yours. Say how's about I tell you something that happened with Scootaloo and your parents?" Did he stutter? I thought so for a moment. I actually had to think for a moment.

"...Yeah... Please sir it'd make me feel a bit better I think...." He walked with me inside the room and sat me at the desk.

"You sit here. I'll be right back. Get my wife to close up shop since we aren't that busy. Alright?" I gave a nod and sat back as he left the room. What was he going to tell me? What was gonna happen while I'm fixing this stuff? Would I stab myself with a screw driver as he spoke of my parents? These are things that rushed through my head as I looked around the room.

I heard someone stomping up the stairs. I was so engrossed in my thoughts I only heard those. "Hey Ryder? Can you uh... Can you help us down here?!" Mrs. Cake called out. She sounded a bit panicked.

I got up from my seat and rushed out the door and down the hall. Mrs. Cake was at the top of the steps with her mane a mess. I went down half the steps and jumped the rest narrowly eating it. "W-well I'm not leavin' till I get mah Rum Cake!" A stallion said slurring his words a bit. I came through the door and saw this old homeless unicorn with raggedy clothing. Mr. Cake was behind the counter.

"Sir I told you this isn't a fancy bakery and there are no alcoholic beverages on premisis this is a family establishment and I'm going to have to ask you to leave!" The stallion gave him the stink eye.

"What if... If I refuse to leave? Y-you cant kick me out! I am a paying customber..."

"My wife said you never paid for a damn thing! I can kick you out!"

I grinned a bit and approached the drunken stallion. "Sir you need to leave! You don't leave on your own I'll have to throw you out!" I snapped. He looked to me.

"What the fuck d'ya think yer gonna do boy?" That's when I grabbed him by the arm and the horn and proceeded to drag him out. "LEGGO OF ME! I WANT MAH RUM CAKE!" I tossed him onto the curb.

"Sir unless you want the guard to come here and arrest you I'd go back to what ever bridge you came from! Maybe come back when your sober and buy something!" I huffed and walked back to the door where Mr. Cake stood holding the door open. "Let me get cleaned up before I go and touch anything else... That guy reeks of garbage and booze..." Mr. Cake gave a nod and locked the door as I hurried upstairs.

About a half hour of scrubbing that assholes scum off of me I was back to work. I sat in the room with the shelves. I was trying to fix an old lamp with a pair of pliers trying to get an old busted light bulb out. There was a knock on the door behind me. I looked back and saw Pinkie Pie. "Didn't know you were here Ryder!" She said. "You working on Mrs. Cake's anniversary lamp I got her?" I gave a nod.

"Eeyup... I would've had Mr. Cake in here telling me about Scoot and our parents but they went out with the foals leaving you and me here..." I looked back at the lamp and started to unscrew the rest of the busted light bulb with my hand. Pinkie hummed a bit.

"I wonder if it was about Scootaloo's birthday last year... Did you go to that?" I.. I didn't. I couldn't.

"Nah... I was... I was busy." Lying to Pinkie. How much worse could it get? Not much but... She noticed.

"Your father didn't send you an invite did he?" I shook my head. "I see... I bet your mother sent a text or something inviting you." I nodded. She came in and pulled the chair away from the lamp and she sat on my lap. I was frozen. "I remember your sister having her friends and your parents in here for her birthday. I stayed near Scoot all day and all she asked was: Where's Ryder? Your mother just said she didn't know. Your father said you were busy but I knew that was shit... Your father even told the cakes AND me to watch out for you and not let you in but I just wasn't sure why.... Really hurt me to see your sister hurt not being able to see her big brother..." She hugged me. I gotta say that really hurt hearing that. Gave me chills. I thought it was either Pinkie's icy cold arms touching my wet arms (Took a shower so what?) or my father giving me a hug from beyond the grave. Saying he was sorry for that. That's what I believed.

"...Well... Thanks for telling me that Pinkie... I... I'm just glad I get to be there for her next birthday..." Was I really? Yes. Was I hurt knowing that? Again... Yes. It hurt deeply. I started to cry into Pinkie's shoulder. She shushed me as I sobbed.

"...go on... let it all out... cry for auntie Pinkie... You want a soda...?" I gave a nod. She patted me on the head making me snicker a bit and got off my lap. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket after she left and pulled up a text chat with Rarity and tapped a little microphone icon at the bottom.

"...Tell Scootaloo I love her and I always will." I said. It copied each word as said. I sent it off.

A little bubble popped up and I saw she was already typing a reply. It popped up just a second later. 'Surely I will darling! Right now she's taking a nap. She stayed up with me until midnight because she was worried about you. Twi told me what happened. I wouldn't give Shining another second of your time.' She replied. I smiled shoving my phone back into my pocket. Oh the hug I would've given Scoot if she were here...

Day 3: A Meeting With Shining and Celestia.

It was near midnight and I was fixing one last thing for Mr. Cake. It was the bridge to an old acoustic guitar. He found it in the garage and it used to belong to his great great grandfather. I gave a yawn as I glued down the broken piece. A desk lamp right next to me made it hard to not keep my eyes open. Bright light plus tired eyes equals a bad sight line. I was lucky to glue the bridge on straight before setting it down and shutting the light off. I went back to Pinkie's room where she had the light on for me to find my way back. As I entered I saw her making up a little cot for me. "Hey... Done fixing that guitar..." I said alerting her.

Pinkie looked up at me as she set a pillow down. "That took a lot longer than it should've didn't it?" She asked. I gave a nod sitting on her bed.

"I had to loosen each tuner key to get the strings off, then I had to look on my phone how to take the strings off the broken bridge and that took a while and ooh... that was about two sodas, a water and maybe a shot of whiskey I don't know..." Pinkie came over and sat next to me.

"All that sounds like a potty break to me! I'd never be able to get through one soda without running to the bathroom! You still feeling okay from earlier?" I gave a nod and a yawn.

"...Gave me a reason to smile about how lucky I am to have Scoot... I actually have a question Pinkie..."

"Go on and ask it." I looked over at her.

"Did you uh... Did you ever have contact with Scootaloo after I left that night... they... died...?" Pinkie nodded.

"Applejack and Rarity called me after you got arrested... I heard Scootaloo crying in the background when AJ was talking... I had to go to visit with Scootaloo in the hospital. Dash called me and told me to meet her at the hospital in the middle of the night, I got there, saw Scootaloo in a bed, wet, shivering and covered in puke... After Dash told me what AJ told her I felt so bad for her and spend the entire next day with her... Gave her a few things to play with but when I kept her here in my bed I had to diaper her up to keep her from wetting the bed... She slept almost soundly next to me.... Almost because she woke up crying and wet..." I put my finger on her mouth to keep her from saying anymore. I saw tears come to her eyes.

"C'mon... Let's just go to sleep but... You want me in your bed or you think you're good by yourself?" She looked down at her bed blushing and back up at me. I already knew what that meant without her saying anything. "Alright... Lets just get settled in... Later we stay up the less we'll be doing tomorrow." Pinkie nodded. We got up both feeling a bit shaky nervous about sleeping in the same bed with one another. Well... That was mine since I had AJ and I didn't wanna lose her. Pinkie's was.... WAY different....

"D-don't turn around.... I need something..." I heard her drop her pants but I didn't really know what she was doing until I heard a plastic package being ruffled through and something almost equally as plastic sounding crinkle. "Just a second.... P-please don't laugh when you turn around..."

"...I promise I wont..." I heard a drawer open and shut along with the mini rattle of a loose zipper flipping around. I heard a grunt and a sigh.

"...Okay... I'm uh... I'm ready... You can turn around now..." I hesitantly turned around blushing thinking I'd see... well I didn't know what i'd see. What I did see was Pinkie in a candy pink adult size footy pajama's with the zipper all the way down where you could see the waistband of a diaper. Yes A DIAPER! She blushed hard and averted her gaze. "...Th-the cakes know I w-wear these... I have to when I tell stories like that.... Or when I see stuff like that on TV... I actually tinkled in my sleeping bag when Fluttershy invited me over and well... She's the only one that knows from our friends... You'll keep this secret wont you?" I nodded hesitantly not being able to avert my gaze from her crotch area. "...You know you're welcome to use one if you like..." I thought for a moment. I put my hand on my stomach.

"Well... I'm really tired but... I really gotta go... But... then there's the fact of being caught with one on by the Cakes..." I yelped and shoved my hands between my legs blushing insanely as I felt a leak. "Just give it here please! I don't wanna piss my pants again..." She pulled another diaper from the package and handed it to me. I yanked my pants and boxers down and opened the diaper between my legs and... Well that's not important... All I can say is I slept next to Pinkie dry as a bone after that.

As I slept I was dreaming. Dreaming about my little sister. She was sitting around with me on the couch, we were playing some games on my C-Sphere. All this game was, was a family friendly racing game with other characters from different games. Of course we both picked the same character. As much as I wanted to pick another I had to do this to 'play fair'. It was just a phoenix behind the wheel of a car. Suddenly the TV went black. A figure started to come from the TV and I tried protecting Scootaloo. All she did was fade away. "Thy must really have feelings for thy sister just as I do..." A familiar voice said. "Is that why thou hast abandoned training?" The figure made from the darkness of the TV was Princess Luna. Her color faded in. She was much more beautiful this time. Wearing a silky looking dress. I shook my head.

"...No... I abandoned my training because that 'head of the guard' bullshit Shining is pulling..." I replied hanging my head. Luna sat next to me.

"Thy hast brought news to my ears. What hast thy friend been doing?"

"...That asshole is NOT my friend! I don't mean to yell princess but... He scared me so bad I just.... Well... I didn't go to bed dry..." I blushed and looked away.

"Thy can share what he did. Couldn't be that bad can it?" I stayed silent. "...Oh right... Thou hast been swimming in bed.... Would thy still consider telling me?" I hesitantly nodded.

"...Well... Everypony reacts different ways to different things... The reaction, passing out and pissing myself.... The thing.... A fake kidnapping for Princess Twilight... I don't take sudden scares well... It's why I don't go to scary movies with anyone...." Princess Luna sighed.

"...Shining thought that was his training but it was just the other guards playing a prank on his wedding night... but that's no way to treat thy friends! Thy training must still go on!" I looked up at her.

"Sorry Princess but there is NO WAY I am going back to him after THAT! If I go back I want something BIG for an apology.... Had to talk it over with Applejack and Big Macintosh and they suggest I get a big rank up in the guard. The other option was Cadence but.... Too much to go wrong with that..." Luna shot a smile my way.

"Thou hast good judgment and friends in that department. Sleeping with a princess against her will, whether it be a gift from her husband or be it against her own will she's entitled to have you locked up. She's the princess of love but what ever you call it to her it's rape."

"...Exactly the way I saw it... Well... After... Applejack and Big Mac said something..." I averted my gaze again. "...Can I speak to you about one more thing.... Princess?" She rested a hand on my shoulder and brought my chin up.

"You can talk with me about anything you'd like whether it be about another problem or maybe it's a level on a video game because thy princess of the night has hobbies in her free time." I chuckled a bit and smiled. I didn't really know she played video games being a princess and all. But something else struck me.

"Princess you're talking more different than before... Are you still trying to fit in?" She nodded.

"Why yes Ryder. My vocalization has been rather hard to change since some of the natives of Manehattan could barely understand my dialect. Now what were you going to ask?" I sighed.

"Well... I wanted to ask why you want me to become part of the guard...? Princess Celestia didn't want me in the guard after what happened when I was jailed.... I nearly shot myself when Shining brought me into a shooting range..."

"I would say something but perhaps ask Celestia that question herself. Twilight called Celestia telling her of Shining's shenanigans. She's coming to Ponyville to discuss it with him since Cadence is on business trying to fix a Saddle Arabian Leader's marriage and cant punish him. They have to go to neutral territory being Sugarcube Corner. Neither Celestia or Shining have ties there. Well... I'm pretty sure Pinkie wouldn't take either side unless one of them bought something."

"...I'm not sure Pinkie would even side with Shining after what he did. Of course... I might have to step in since I'm at Sugarcube Corner... Let's just hope I can keep my cool..."

"Dont worry Ryder... I'm very sure you will. Now... I have to go deal with a little colt in Fillydelphia. Take care now." I gave a nod and she stood up. "Oh and... Before I go I must say this is a beautiful house you have here. If you become a guard you may just get a visit from me so I can see the real thing." I smiled nervously.

"...Well you may still visit if I don't become a guard... It would really be an honor...." She giggled a bit and faded away along with everything else. I now sat in darkness. An alarm clock went off echoing in my ears. I opened my eyes and saw nothing but Pinkie's mane covering my face. She was cuddling me again. "Pinkie! Pinkie wake up!" I nudged her a bit. Nothing. That's when I started to struggle a bit. "Pinkie I swear if you don't let go of me right now...."

I would've said something about the diapers and Twilight but she did end up letting me go. "...Okay Mr. Candycane... You can go pet the puppy..." She mumbled still asleep. I rolled out of bed and onto the floor giving a thud. I got up wearing only my boxers and went to Pinkie's side of the bed and slammed my hand on the top of the alarm clock ringing off its hook. Yes she kept her alarm clock on an actual hook. It shut right up giving me a minute to actually think.

I got dressed in a white tshirt and a button up with jeans and stepped out into the hall just in time to see Mrs. Cake and Mr. Cake both sitting in their foals room feeding them. Mrs. Cake had Pound, Mr. Cake had Pumpkin, both parents had bottles in their hands. Mrs. Cake looked up at me and smiled as I came in. "Well it's good to see you awake. You sleep well?" She asked. I gave a nod. Hesitant but more sure of it than anything. "Pinkie was cuddling again wasn't she?" I nodded again. "Well she'll do that. Why don't you wait downstairs? We'll be down after we get these two fed and changed." I gave a nod and backed up.

"Well... What about Pinkie? She gonna be up soon?" I asked stopping at the door.

Mr. Cake looked up at me. "Just go in there, mention a party and she's up like THAT." He said. "If she uh.... goes... Just promise her a party for later and have her invite her friends." I gave another nod and went back to Pinkie's room.

I didn't have to do much to get her up. I did as Mr. Cake said. Mentioned a party and she was up. She got changed and we went downstairs and sat at the dining room table. She sat next to me and I yawned a bit. "Sorry again I cuddled you Ryder... It's just so warming feeling somepony next to me and I just cant help but hug them!" I gave a sigh.

"Dont worry I'm a bit of a cuddler too but... only when I actually need to cuddle like during a thunder storm.... I always keep a stuffed rabbit near my bed just for that reason." Suddenly my phone went off. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw it was Rarity calling. "'Scuze me I gotta take this." She nodded and I answered it. "Rarity morning!"

I heard a heavy yawn. "...G'morning... Ryder..." Rarity said. She was REALLY tired. I mean REALLY REALLY TIRED. It's like she slept for a minute and stayed up the rest of the night. "...Scootaloo.... Wanted me to call you this morning and I just haven't had my morning espresso... Well... Here she is... Sweetie Belle! Have room service give me a coffee!"

I heard a rustling and a little bit of a laugh. "Ryder!" I heard my sister say. I smiled and laughed a bit. "Ryder thank you for letting me go with my friends to Manehattan! Applebloom got her uncle to let us sleep at her cousins place! She's got a game room, a full service massage parlor and get this: next years Bass Baddie! It's not even out yet! I wish you were here to play it! You at home at all?"

I gave a sigh. "...Sorry Scoot I haven't been home for the past few days..." I replied looking over at Pinkie. "...I tried napping after you left but... it was just too quiet for me to even stay there... I miss you sis and... I kinda want you home soon... You are coming back soon aren't you?"

"Yeah Ryder I'll be home tonight but... You think I can stay at Rarity's or Applebloom's? Please?"

"...Okay but I... I want you home tomorrow morning alright?"

"Alright! Maybe I'll see if Rarity or Big Mac can have you sleep over too!" I smiled tearing up a bit.

"....O-okay... I gotta go now Scoot... Love you sis..."

"...Love you too Ry... See you soon!"

Pinkie rested her hand on my shoulder as I hung up and set my phone back down. "Hey come on don't cry!" She told me. "Scoot's coming back soon isn't she?" I gave a nod. "Why are you crying then?"

"...I-it's just liquid pride...." Liquid pride. That's what HE called it when HE cried. 'He' being Shining Armor. A name I didn't even wanna say, let alone hear.

Suddenly Mr. Cake came rushing down stairs getting his bow tie on. "C'mon c'mon we need EVERYONE out there NOW!" He said. Pinkie looked up at him.

"Why? We haven't even had breakfast yet!" He stopped at the door going into the shop.

"Because Pinkie Princess Celestia is outside right now waiting to come inside!"

My heart stopped... Either that or it just sped up to machine gun rate. Either way this was sudden. I didn't realize that it would be THAT soon for them to show up! It's like ordering a pizza and getting all the ingredients from the delivery guy. Maybe that wasn't the best analogy but just know it sucked. I went out into the shop area with Pinkie and Mr. Cake. I had to stand in front of the counter with Pinkie as Mr. Cake unlocked the door. I saw Princess Celestia standing there in her white dress with golden designs on it with- you guessed it- Shining Armor standing armorless next to her with a bunch of guards surrounding her cutting off access to anyone else for entrance into Sugarcube Corner. Shining looked like shit. Like he slept drunk. He wore a button up shirt that looked sloppy. Not to mention stained with sweat and something else. Didn't know what but I didn't even wanna know. Mrs. Cake came out of the back just as The Princess and Shining were let in and we all bowed in respect to her. "Welcome princess! It is such an honor for you to be here!" She said as we all stood back up.

My eyes locked onto Shining. He just looked away looking defeated. Princess Celestia looked to me. "You there!" She said. I jumped and pointed to myself. "Yes! You come here! I need to speak with you as well as him!" She pointed to Shining. I hesitantly walked over but sat at a table away from Shining. "Come closer!"

I sighed. "Princess I'm sorry but I need to stay here." I said. "Any closer and he's on the ground bleeding! I'd like to keep my cool and my fresh job here!" I crossed my arms giving Shining a death stare. He whimpered and sat down at a table a few feet away. Princess Celestia sat next to me.

"Ryder it has come to my attention that Shining Armor here has done something after you joined the ranks behind my back! I didn't want you to become a guard after that little stunt you pulled in the range! But Shining here keeps vouching for you after the things that you've done and the things that happened to you. The murders of your parents, the shooting of your criminally insane ex-marefirend, you having to work to pay off debts to your friends after they help you and having a sister, whom you've had to care for like a father for a month or so. Maybe what Shining did was enough to prove you aren't guard material!"

Shining stood up. "PRINCESS! I know he can do something for the guard and for his sister!" He said. "I admit my idea was the worst way to show Ryder how easy the job is! That was just an idiotic attempt to test Ryder's capabilities with a sudden scare which I forgot he doesn't take well.... Tirek's rampage... I'll explain that later but he has potential! I know he does he protected his marefriend AND himself from death by his ex not to mention he saved the cakes from getting shot from a robbery a few days ago! I DIDNT MAKE HIM PROTECT ANYONE HE DID IT HIMSELF!" He breathed heavily with Celestia looking at him a bit shocked. She looked to me.

"I want you to explain to me why you keep trying for a spot in the Royal Guard even AFTER I told Shining not to let you after what happened!"

I took a deep breath and sighed. "Princess... I do this because my little sister only has me to protect her." I said. "I'm in Shining's position. I have a little sister who looks up to me just like Twilight to Shining. Shining messed up and something tells me Princess Twilight wont even talk with him." I looked over to him. "Right?" Shining gave a nod. I looked back at Celestia. "May I ask a question Princess?" Celestia gave a hesitant nod. "Princess Luna. Does she or does she not look up to you?"

"Well... Yes but I don't see why-"

"What if you lived in my life and had to provide for her?"

Mr. Cake came over seeing my face. I was getting angrier. "Ryder why don't you go into the back and I'll send Pinkie to give you something to eat okay?" He said. "I want to save you from saying something you shouldn't... Stay calm and we'll handle everything out here." I gave a nod feeling my own rage building. Like I could snap at any moment.

Right as I was walking away I heard Shining speak up. "Princess... If I may I'd like to speak with Ryder alone..." He said. I heard no answer as I went back into the Cakes personal area. But I did hear him follow. I sat down at the table and waited. Just waited. Silence felt great before hearing that door open again. "...Hey... Ryder can I uh..." I looked back at him. He had a few donuts and a soda in his hand.

"Sit with me?" He nodded. So did I. He gave a smile and came over sitting next to me. As he set the donuts and soda down I looked up at him. "You look like shit dude. How bad did Twi rip into you?" He sighed.

"...Pretty bad... She took my armor and got Celestia to agree I wont get it back until I apologize and bring you as proof we're friends again... I mean... What I did was just too much... I've known you since I was just a little colt... Cadence introduced us, we played together and... Well I just... I didn't wanna lose that friendship we had." I cracked open the soda and chugged half of it.

"Well.... I say we haven't lost our friendship... We just lost touch with each other. You've been busy and you just kinda well... I feel as if you and I lost touch..." He sighed averting his gaze.

"...Maybe we have... I could probably get a day off soon for us to spend some time together.... That is if my sister, the princess and Cadence give me a break... But being the head of the guard has a lot of responsibility like being a full time guardian for a filly. Of course you don't have to deal with domestic disputes over something stupid almost every day. I had to go to a home just down the road from your place just because they were fighting over a fucking spot on their cable box. I mean can you believe this shit?" I shook my head giving a smile.

"Believe it or not they brought me in to the debate on who was getting their show on the thing about a week and a half ago. I really didn't answer I just left them to deal with it like civilized adults after I gave a few choice words on why they shouldn't be bringing my ass into something at four in the morning. They were lucky it was a weekend or else Scootaloo would've been on my ass for being late for school... Just to get something straight tomorrow is Monday... Right?" Shining gave a nod. "Good... I must've bounced when you had me faint."

"Let's just get done here and get going. I feel naked without my armor..." I gave a nod and hurried finishing my breakfast.

Shining and I did go see Princess Twilight but I ended up leaving there with a gift basket from her apologizing for her brothers awful joke. It had a bottle of wine, a nice box of assorted cheeses and crackers, chocolates, a few wine glasses and a little something from Shining. A new game for my C-Sphere. The new Alley Brawler with DLC character Socket from that Socket n Junk series. Two different games come to one. Anyways I went home, moved my C-Sphere into the living room and played it the whole day until I got a knock at the door. I sighed pausing the game and got up. I opened the door and was instantly met by my little sister! "Ryder!" She said laughing.

I laughed and looked up as Rarity came to the door with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. "Well it seems someone missed their big brother!" Rarity said. "How was the alone time?"

I sighed. "Honestly it was quiet with her not around." I said picking Scootaloo up. Her little wings fluttered with excitement. "I know I okay'd the little weekend trip but I actually didn't stick around here... Too quiet and I just went crazy with all the thoughts about... You know... Going through my head." Rarity sighed as Sweetie Belle and Applebloom went and sat on the sofa.

"She wasn't too happy being away from you the first night. She actually thought you wanted to get rid of her and didn't want to speak with her Saturday night. What happened?"

"Well... It's a long story. You uh... wanna stay for a drink? We could talk about it over a glass of wine." The purple maned mare in front of me laughed.

"Oh Ryder I didn't know you drank wine! Such a sophisticated colt!" I blushed and set Scootaloo down.

"I actually don't drink wine... I'm more of a beer from a can kinda guy." Rarity entered the house and I closed the door.

"Well come now why else would you invite me inside?" I said nothing as I picked my C-Sphere controller up and quit my game saving the progress before shutting it down and turning it back to the TV for my sister and her friends.

"I just uh... I just need somepony to talk with alright?" Rarity gave a nod and followed me into the kitchen. I had the bottle of wine sitting in the middle of the table with the wine glasses along with a lot of the other stuff from Princess Twilight. I hadn't gotten to putting them away because... Well laziness is my thing when it comes to new games. I actually finished an entire zombie game set in a busted down Canterlot in about 12 hours. I sat down and dug into a nearby drawer pulling out a wine cork remover thing... These things have a name but I don't remember it. She used it and popped the cork out. She poured us both a glass being ladylike.

"Well what would you like to talk about?" I sighed and sipped my wine. It tasted like shit but I didn't wanna be rude.

"...About Scoot... I feel like I made a bad decision letting her go with you... Sure she was happy where you went but there's a lot of memories here with our parents including the one I came a bit too late on... She's a little filly and just lost her parents... I'm an adult thinking I'd be rid of my parents just... Not like that!" She hummed smelling the wine.

"Ryder let me share something with you. I had to take care of Sweetie Belle for about two years. She actually cried for about a week knowing our parents just left her here with me thinking they didn't love her. They've moved out to Fillydelphia and they did think about Sweetie Belle not wanting to be separated from her friends. I'm sure your parents would've wanted you to take care of Scootaloo after they had passed. Do you think you're a good care taker for Scootaloo?" I hesitantly gave a nod. Honestly I had no fucking clue what I was doing except for the fact I was living life with Scootaloo. I cooked all the meals, I had to work.... I mean I had to pay... Okay I had to do things just to keep her from going hungry or getting sick!

We continued to talk after that. I had only had about one glass of wine before stopping. Rarity had three and I had to lie her down in... their room... to have her take a nap or something. I even allowed Sweetie Belle and Applebloom to stay the night. Of course I had to call AJ and Big Mac to get their permission but they agreed as long as Applebloom didn't come home with anything coming out of her mouth swear wise. I expected something less but what I got was a bit shocking. I got a call from a restricted number. I didn't answer it but they called back. Again I declined. Again they called and I just answered. "Is this Ryder?" Some mare said.

"...Yeah... Who's asking?"

"Princess Celestia! That's who!" My heart dropped.

"...P-princess? Forgive me!"

"Yeah yeah cut the crap. I need you over at Twilight's castle tomorrow. We need to talk." That's all I heard from her because after that she hung up. Something told me it was going to be hell to pay or more gifts from Shining. Had to wait and see.

Day 4: A gun and a stallion who lost almost everything. Almost. (Part 1)

It was late at night and I had just lied Rarity, who was drunk off her nut on the wine Princess Twilight gave me, in my parents room. I had put uh... I put a diaper on her... I always have some handy. Got these when Scootaloo was out of the house and kept them hidden in my room just for uh... Reasons during my sleep. I didn't know how being drunk would affect her but she was a sleepy drunk so far. I didn't know if she'd stay asleep and piss herself or not but I left a note for her apologizing for putting that on her but I didn't want the bed wet and a crying mare in the corner for Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle or Applebloom to look at when they wake up. I had actually been in my room texting another mare who was up at this hour. Dash's friend Gilda. She's a griffon. A hot one at that. I know I'm dating Applejack but sheez... She does one thing and I cant keep my wings down. She was pretty nice to me most of the time but that was when she wasn't drunk. She was a heavy drinker. 'What's on your mind Ryder? You only text me if you're having trouble sleeping.' Was her first text.

I, in turn, replied: 'Well I'm going to censor names here. I'm supposed to be meeting somepony important tomorrow for my new job and I am metaphorically shitting myself scared.'

'What? New job? What happened to your job at the mechanic's?'

'...Long story... Can you please give me some advice or am I gonna have to stay awake all night?'

'Hm. Sure. In this case I would've asked for a couple bits but for you I'll always do it for free from now on. Still sorry about the loss of your parents.' Oh uh... Forgot to mention I did tell her about what happened. So did Rainbow Dash.

'Thanks. Whatcha got?' I waited for a moment. That moment felt like an eternity. Then I saw the '...' bubble. It stayed for a moment before blowing up into actual words.

'Ryder you just go in there and act the way you usually do. Oh and I'm going to be in town this weekend to hang with Dash. You up to hang out if you get the job?' I sighed and texted back.

'Sorry Gilda. I got nopony to watch my sister and I really don't think it would be a good idea leaving her at home alone... Maybe some other time.' As I sent that off I started to feel tired so I sent another text. '...Alright I think that did it... I'll text you later see if I have an update on that. Night.' I hit send and just turned my phone off saving what the charge was.

After just a few minutes of laying in the dark I was out of it. I mean completely out. No feeling what so ever. But I did start dreaming this time standing in Princess Twilight's castle before Princess Celestia who was sitting in Twilight's throne. "Ryder." She said. "I expect a few things from you. Big things, huge things, ENORMOUS things!" She took a breath but froze up and started to fade.

Just then a sigh was heard. "Ryder do not worry about my sister." A familiar voice said. I looked to the door (right between Applejack's throne and Rarity's throne. Yes they have thrones, same as Twilight, Pinkie and Dash. Oh and Fluttershy too.) and I saw Princess Luna approaching. "I've been entering your dreamscape a lot lately... All this fear about being a guard is really messing with your head isn't it?"

I gave a nod as I went and sat down on the arm of Rainbow Dash's throne. "...Celestia called me and said she needed to speak with me tomorrow at Princess Twilight's castle." I said. "I don't know what for, I don't know what I'm going to wear, I wasn't given a time to go there and I certainly wasn't given a 'perfect ladder' achievement on fucking Alley Brawlers even after finishing a ten rung ladder without getting hit once!" I growled and stamped my foot. I really wanted that achievement. Luna sighed.

"You have to beat the ladder on medium difficulty or higher and I suggest using Reckless. His spear attack will daze each enemy fifty percent of the time. The other fifty percent you might as well try and combo them. Just a tip." Again shocked Luna knows gaming. "Now for that I over heard my sister talking with Shining. Apparently you're going to be sent two cars. One to drop the girls off at school in the morning and one to take you to Twilight's castle. Oh and I would suggest you leave a spare key under the mat. Fluttershy is going to be at your place to watch over Rarity. Last time she was drunk on wine she slept until noon the next day. She didn't even know where she was."

"...Noted Princess but uh... How did you know Rarity was at my place?" She giggled a bit.

"I passed a room seeing Rarity asleep almost naked in a childs nappy. Trust me, Fluttershy is the only one who can calm somepony down who just sobered up and wondering why they were sleeping in a nappy. Doth thy want me to inform Rarity about that?" I actually got scared but I nodded anyways.

"Just... Tell her I'm sorry when you do... and... tell her the reason why I did that... just don't want her sister or mine seeing a wet bed and a grown mare crying." She nodded. "Oh and... You're still slipping between 'Old Thyme' speak and Regular speech." She blushed a bit and covered her mouth.

"...Sorry it slips sometimes. But please don't worry my sister will be nice to you. I'll even send a gift with her that she MUST give you. Custom made and a gift from yours truly just because there's something about you I like."

"And... What's that?"

"The fact that I can talk gaming with you and not get a look as if I'm insane." I gave her a smile.

"...Permission to hug princess?" She gave a bright smile and nodded opening her arms up. I hugged her and she nuzzled me. I was so happy I actually didn't see things changing around us. Suddenly she just pushed me off and flew up as I fell into a pond. She looked down at me scared as I came up from the water after about ten seconds staying under there wondering what the fuck just happened. I slicked my wet mane out of my view and looked up at her. She looked a bit scared.

"Ryder... I am SO sorry I did that... I'm going to wake you up... You need to get up... Change your sheets, get a shower and flip your bed... Since it's my fault I'll send new bedding..." I looked up at her after crawling out of the pond and shivered ruffling the feathers on my soaked wings as I extended them.

"What do you mean by all that...? Are you saying I..."

"Wet the bed...? Y-yes..." She averted her gaze blushing. "...I'm just going to go... Again I'm sorry..." I didn't have a chance to say anything before waking up in a puddle of my own piss in my dimly lit room. I started tearing up feeling very embarrassed being a grown stallion pissing myself in bed like a little colt fresh out of potty training. I grabbed my phone hearing it vibrating. I looked and saw Fluttershy calling me. I picked it up and answered it quickly.

"...F-fluttershy a-are you here already...?"

I heard a little hum. "Oh hi Ryder did I wake you? I'm sorry if I did..." She said. "Um... Can I come in...? I didn't know how early you'd want me over...." I looked at the time on my phone. It was around four forty five. An hour and fifteen minutes before my alarm was supposed to go off.

"...Okay uh... I'll let you in but... Just wait a few minutes... I gotta get changed... But maybe you can help me do some laundry...? Please?"

"Awww of course Ryder I'll help you after Applejack told me what Shining did."

"Thanks 'Shy... I'll be down in a few." As I said I was down in a few minutes just in a bathrobe. I felt sticky and ashamed. But mostly I remembered a time when my mother came in to comfort me after I wet my bed. I'm sitting against the wall wrapped in a blanket while mommy changed my bedding with daddy waiting on standby for flipping the mattress.... Wait what...? Did I just... Fuck I did... I miss them more than I thought. Anyways I had to go downstairs in a bathrobe to open the door for Fluttershy. She was dressed in jeans and a tank top. "Here just... Come in and please don't laugh... I didn't want ANY of this to happen..." She came in and I pulled her upstairs trying to keep myself from crying. We came in to my room and I had my sheets stuffed into my hamper sitting on the floor next to my stained bed. She looked at me.

"...You need me to clean your bedding?" I nodded blushing. She must've noticed the tears in my eyes because she hugged me. "Don't worry Ryder.... everypony has an accident at one time or another... You just go clean up I'll take care of everything here."

I gave a nod and hurried to the bathroom. After a shower and putting my bed back together I fell asleep on the couch in boxers and shirt. After about an hour of sleep I heard someone groan coming down stairs. I woke up and saw Rarity walking with Fluttershy down each step. "...Oh shit... What the fuck did I do to get diapered...?" Rarity asked Fluttershy. Fluttershy shrugged. "...Well... What ever it was I have to thank Ryder for doing this..."

I yawned a bit and sat up. "...Someone call me....?" I said acting like I just woke up from a sleepless night or something. Rarity broke away from Fluttershy and came over falling on me to hug me.

"Oops... Sorry about that...." She said pushing off of me. I sat up and sighed.

"...Don't worry you're still a bit tipsy... it's expected. Now uh... what about me?" She grabbed my hand as she moved herself to the open spot on the other side of me.

"...Ryder I want to thank you for getting me diapered last night... If you hadn't I would've had an accident... Fluttershy said you too had an accident right...?"

I nodded hesitantly blushing. Fluttershy came over and sat on the arm of the couch. "Sorry but I had to tell her so she didn't start freaking out..." She said. "Please don't be mad at me!" I sighed. So did Rarity.

"Don't worry Fluttershy dear I think he's grateful you said something otherwise I'd be taking this house from him and I don't think he'd like it if I took it away from him." She was right I didn't. Me and Rarity talked for a while as I got dressed which took all of about five minutes just to get jeans, my sneakers and a button up on.

After ten minutes Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom were awake and I poured their cereal for them. I sat off to the side eating a sandwich. Applebloom yawned as she took a bite of her cereal. "...I'm actually glad I brought an extra set of clothes like AJ told me to... I'd've had her or Big Mac bring me somethin' else to wear..." She said.

Sweetie Belle took the last bite of her cereal and drank the milk. This girl may act ladylike but she eats fast. "I wish I had a change of clothes!" She said. "All I've got is what I've been wearing the past few days!"

Scootaloo looked over at her. "Puh- LEEZ! That was seven outfits INCLUDING the one you're wearing!" She said. "That's going to be okay to wear for school so please don't worry about it!"

I sighed setting what left I had of my sandwich down on a nearby paper towel. "Girls come on you shouldn't be doing this early in the morning you've gotta get to school soon!" I said. Scootaloo looked back at me.

"You're taking us?" I shook my head. "Then... How are we getting to school? Rarity cant take us because she's puking upstairs." Just then my phone started to ring. I put a finger up and pulled my phone seeing it was Shining. I answered.

"Shining just the guy I wanted to talk to. What's the plan dude?"

I heard a huff. "Bit of a problem. One car went to a call and that was the car YOU were going to be in." Shining said. "So you'll be riding with me and the kids. You ready for today? Oh and if you haven't done this already you may wanna wear a shirt that contours your body. We're hitting the range again and hot shell casings are NOT fun to get out of your shirt. More burns that way trust me."

"Well alright then... Uh just honk when you're here. I need to do a quick change then."

"Alright you get going now alright! See ya soon!"

I hung my phone up and looked at the three fillies before me. All of them looked at me. "So? How are we getting to School?" Applebloom asked. "The truck doesn't have room for all of us in the cab." I took a deep breath.

"Well..." I said. "... Shining Armor the older brother of Princess Twilight is coming to take you to school. And I guess I'm going with you guys since uh..." I looked to Scootaloo. She was staring right back at me. "...Can I talk with you in the other room Scoot?" Scootaloo gave a hesitant nod and walked out of the kitchen. I knelt down next to Sweetie Belle and Applebloom and whispered to them. "You guys just keep on stand by if she freaks out about my new job... okay?" They both nodded and I got up before going back out into the living room where Scootaloo was sitting on the couch.

I walked up and sat next to her as she flipped the TV on. "...So why did you want to talk with me Ryder?" She asked. "Is it something about mommy and daddy?" I shook my head and turned the TV off.

"Sorry but I need your full attention here..." She looked up at me displeased but at least I had her attention. "What I needed to talk to you about is my new job..." She looked at me a bit worried.

"...You got a job...?" I nodded. "...But wont that mean you and I wont spend a lot of time together...?" I sighed.

"Scoot you and I can always spend a lot of time together... I'll just have to ask for a flexible work schedule to where I can work but still keep watch over you..." I took her hands in mine. "There's always time for us to be together and have our fun. Still gotta make ends meet just in case either of us get sick okay?" She gave a nod and hugged me.

"So what are you doing for work?" A part of me wanted to say 'Royal Guard' but I actually didn't know the status of employment.

"Well... I'm still doing training but it's training for the uh... the guard." She pushed off of me and looked me in the eye. I couldn't tell if she was shocked or surprised but... It was something. "...So do uh... Do you like the choice?" She stayed silent and shrugged. "Well i'll give you till after school today for thinking about it okay?" She nodded. "Alright now go back and eat your breakfast. Shining's gonna be here any minute to get us." She gave a nod and went back to the kitchen. That's when I went upstairs and grabbed another shirt.

Not even about ten minutes later I was sitting in the front seat of Shining's truck while my sister and her friends sat in the back and we were about half way to the school house. Shining glanced over. "You ready for your first real day of training?" He asked. I gave a nod just staring out the window. Flashbacks again. This time it was when my mom took me out to breakfast before going to school. She only did this because dad accidentally threw my homework away just before a test day. Went to get me a foal feast meal. "Doing okay Ry?" I looked back at Shining snapping out of my trance.

"Oh yeah!" I said. "Just a little distracted."

"Memories again?" I nodded. "Well don't let those clog your mind. I really don't want a remake of last time you were in the range." I quietly shushed him pointing back at Scoot and her friends.

Scootaloo leaned up and tapped Shining on the shoulder. I hate forgetting to mention stuff like the fact this was transport for princesses and innocent civies ID'ing a perp. Shining glanced back. "...Wh-what happened last time?" She asked. I looked back at Shining seeing he was thinking.

"Well... He uh... He didn't pass the test I gave him. Kept thinking about something and he missed every target." He looked to me as we pulled up to the school. "Right Ryder?"

I gave a nod before getting out and opening up the door for Scootaloo and her friends. "Alright you guys have fun at school!" I said acting as if nothing was wrong. Scootaloo gave me a hug before running off. Felt nice. I closed the door and hopped back in the truck giving Shining a dirty look. "What the fuck do you think you are doing?! I cant let Scootaloo know I nearly shot myself!" Shining huffed as we pulled away.

"Sorry I panicked okay?! I had to tell somewhat of the truth! It wouldn't have made sense if I said 'oh Ryder was in prison and I gave him a gun after your parents were murdered and he nearly fucking shot himself forcing me to take you away!!' She'd've shat herself!"

"Shitting herself would be the least of our problems! She'd have to be taken home and I'd have to stay by her side until she calmed down! I wouldn't leave for a job for another month! Now I need to talk with you about Celestia and Luna... I spoke with both last night one metaphorically shot me with scare, and the other dropped me into water rubbing salt in the wound!"

"You pissed the bed after Celestia called you huh?" I gave a hesitant nod. "Well don't worry I'll keep quiet. And about Luna she sent a few things for you one being your new sheets and I wasn't allowed to look in the other but it's supposed to help you. Now just wait till we get to the castle." I gave a nod and crossed my arms looking out the window. Not long later we pulled into the garage right into his spot and we both got out and went to the back of the truck. He gave a sigh and rested a hand on my shoulder. "You ready for a second chance here? This one doesn't put as much pressure on you and this one allows you to have ear buds in. That last one uh.... Well lets just say you may not be able to go back there after you nearly shot yourself."

"Yeah... I'm ready." I said giving him a smile. "Uh... May I speak with your sister first? I didn't thank her when she gave me the gift basket oh and uh.... Thanks for the game. Already half way through the story mode." He hummed a bit as we walked to the elevator.

"...Maybe that wine made you piss the bed. You're more of a spirit and beer kinda guy right?" I gave a nod as he pressed the button. "Well let's rethink a gift basket for you and maybe non-alcoholic." I sighed as we stepped in. Maybe it was a good idea to not have alcohol in me. I don't wanna get ripped and have Scootaloo just be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Trust me I've done some things drunk with Big Mac and I found out in the morning.

As we went up I actually clung to Shining's arm. I wasn't fond of closed spaces such as elevators. My mom got stuck in one with Scootaloo and I was actually afraid they wouldn't get out of there. After a while we were in Princess Twilight's dining hall. She sat at the far end of the table with Princess Celestia. Each gave a smile as we bowed. "Good morning Shining. Ryder." Princess Twilight said. "Come have a seat with us! Anything you two want to eat?" Shining pulled up a chair for me across from Celestia.

"Just a couple sodas please. Nothing inebriating."

Twilight gave a nod and got up from the table walking towards a door. Celestia gave a sigh. "Still adapting to Princess life." She said. "I cant understand why she doesn't have the guards get her anything." I looked to Shining. He had an embarrassed look.

"Well she doesn't like the royal treatment sometimes. I do it for her when I'm here just because I've done it since she was little." He rubbed his neck averting his gaze.

"Ah well what can you do?" She looked to me. "Were you a bit intimidated after my call last night Ryder?" I gave a hesitant nod. "Oh well I can be a tad intimidating. I do have a few gifts from my sister for you one of which is a set of bedding and... Not sure why but she seemed a bit sorry for what ever it was. Oh and this one may help you since you cant afford your own weaponry. My suggestion is keep it with Shining so your sister doesn't try anything. Trust me I've seen a lot of news stories about little kids finding their parents weapons."

I watched her as she set a plain box on the table and slid it my way. I kept my eyes on her as I slowly opened it. "...No trickery?" I said. She shook her head.

"Is this because I told you to not become a guard?" She asked. I gave a hesitant nod. "Hm... Well you're right not to trust me... That isn't even your gift from Luna. All it is is rocks." I opened the box and sure enough. Rocks. I pushed it to the side and she set another box on the table but opened it herself before pulling out a gun in a holster. The gun was a glock. It was in what looked like a Kevlar holster. She slid it across the table. "Be lucky it's unloaded... I don't want your blood on any royal hands. I'm even positive that Twilight doesn't want your brains all over the place." I pulled the gun from the holster and held it by the barrel looking at it before shoving it back in the holster.

"I'm not mentally unstable anymore. That was one time Princess and I can handle a gun possibly better than you can!"

Shining quickly took the gun from my hand and slapped me on the back of the head. "Ryder!" He snapped. "You shouldn't talk to Celestia that way!"

Celestia sighed. "It's alright. I deserve it for trying to give him rocks instead of the gift... Why Luna did that I have no clue." She said.

I sighed just as Twilight came back with a few cans of cola setting them both next to me and Shining. "Possibly Luna just wants me to have this job because she wants me to provide for my little sister since you had to do the same for a while right?" I replied.

Silence fell as Shining, Twilight and Celestia looked at me in shock. I just cracked my soda open and sipped from it. I drank it down until Princess Twilight spoke up. "...Uh... Should I have him ejected or something Celestia...?" She asked glancing over at me. "I mean... he's going against authority... isn't he?"

Celestia gave a hesitant nod. "Yes he... is going against authority but he is right about me having to provide for Luna..." She said. "...I want you three to promise none of this leaves this room..."

We all sighed. "Cross our hearts, hope to fly stick a cupcake in our eye." We all said. Celestia took a deep breath.

"Alright... about a few thousand years ago our parents went to control the heavens and the underworld... Sure we had our castle but it was empty around dinner... normally our parents would be talking with Luna and I about important meetings and things like that but... After they went I had to eat with Luna inside her quarters... some times she never ate but I would overlook and see that she ate something. A few times I had to go out on my own under a cloak just to find her gifts to get her to smile but she only wanted something mom or dad could give her. All I could say was the best gifts they gave us was the good memories we had together. I also told her that we could do something to remember them by. Something that would show our love. In my sisters absence when she was nightmare moon I had cried each anniversary of the time I was supposed to spend with her to remember our parents. Luna does this because she sees a bit of me in Ryder's situation."

I teared up and hid my face. "...Lets hope Scootaloo doesn't rebel..." I said. Shining hugged me as I started to sob realizing why my memories are coming to me. Apart from that first memory about the murder all I saw were good memories. It's not because I missed them. It's because I was glad I had spend all that time with them. It felt good to actually cry this time.

Princess Twilight sighed. "That was a beautiful story princess... Thanks for sharing that with us." She said resting a hand on Celestia's shoulder.

Celestia sniffled a bit wiping a few tears away. "...You're very welcome..." She said. She looked to me as Shining passed me his soda and opened it for me. "Ryder... I want to apologize for the way I acted towards you... I had forgotten how hard I fought to get Luna to smile..."

I sniffled. "...Apology accepted..." I replied giving her a smile. "...I'm actually sorry for giving you all that shit..."

"...No no I deserved it but... Lets just go do your test before anyone needs to eat again..." I gave a nod and got up from the table attaching the gun holster to my belt. Shining walked with me and Celestia back to the elevator with Princess Twilight behind her. Again. Felt good to cry. Even better to get a well deserved apology. Also felt better to actually have a gun and not having the urge to blow anyones brains all over the ground.

Day 4: Trouble Finds Me (Part 2)

It was just an hour after Celestia told us a story about how she had to comfort Luna after her parents left them. Similar to my parents minus the murder but I was in the shooting range. I stood in a concrete room with the far rubber wall down the range all torn up from bullets. I had earbuds in to muffle the sound of gunfire in an enclosed area. Shining stood off to the side as I fired a few shots into a target about three yards away. Music was playing. Good music too so I stayed focused. Gems n Tulips. I set the gun down after the chamber stayed open after launching out the last bullet casing I had in it. I waited a moment before taking the earbuds out and my phone from my pocket stopping the music. Shining came over. "So you got a feel for that thing now?" He asked. His voice echoed through the empty range.

I gave a nod sighing. "Gotta aim down a bit just to hit my mark..." I said. "Speaking of my mark...." I pushed a button at my side pulling the target towards me. It was just a normal target almost like a dart board. Shining only loaded about eight shots into the clip so there were two near dead center, four on the next ring out and two in other areas. "...Shit... So close..." Shining looked at my shot placement and hummed.

"Damn... Better shot placements than me! I was planning on giving you captain's rank but... Maybe you deserve something better." I smiled and took the holster off and put it down.

"What do you say about getting some food? Half a sandwich can only do a man so good for so long." He gave a smile and nodded taking my gun and putting it in the holster.

"I'll hang on to this just so no one thinks I let a civilian in here who's armed with a gun near the princesses." Shining clipped the holster to his side and patted me on the back. "You go wait outside here for me. I gotta make a call real quick." I gave a nod and started for the door. As I opened the door I hear Shining speak again. "...Shining here... Yes I'm in the castle. Shooting Range, basement level... Why what's wrong? The school?! What's going on? Stranger trying to lure fillies. Fuck... I'm on my way." He came back to the door and I acted like I was tying my shoe. "Come on we gotta roll. We'll get you a spare set of armor and we gotta get to the school. Apparently a lock down order because of a stallion trying to lure kids out of the school yard. No reports of kids gone missing but it may help your sister to know her brothers there."

"Food comes later. Scoot comes first!" I replied. My heart was racing. I wasn't sure if I was scared or pumped. I just knew this was my first real call to action.

Not long later I was in the passenger seat of Shining's truck, sirens blaring. Yes I did think back to that night but I kept my mind on work. As we made turn after turn I grew more and more nervous. I didn't know what awaited me. Were we gonna find some guy in the bushes masturbating furiously to a class filled with kids? Were we gonna see a weird truck with a guy, a bottle of chloroform and a rag and some filly clothing? Nope. Neither right. We came to the school house and nothing but silence. The principal, Miss Jetlag was her name, stood out in front with another teacher there to stand watch over her. I think he was the Vice Principal, Mr. uh... Okay I don't know him I never had a meeting with him at all. Miss Jetlag saw us get out and she hurried over to us. "There you are!" Miss Jetlag snapped. "We are risking ourselves out here to catch a creep and the guard cant get here quick enough! Were you two just sitting inside your truck jacking each other off?"

Shining looked over at me. "Don't worry the locals that are really scared." He whispered. He looked back at Miss Jetlag. "I apologize. Training exercises you see." He pointed over at me. "Why don't we go inside and talk? My partner here will take a description from the colt or filly that reported it."

I saw Miss Jetlag give a nod and turn back to the door as the VP was opening it. He went in, we followed but he went down the hall. "I'll be right back with the filly who reported the stallion." He said. I gave him a nod and waited by the door as Shining went towards the office with Miss Jetlag. I looked back and saw the VP walking back with Silver Spoon, one of the fillies Scootaloo had problems with. Only reason I knew her is because she walked Scootaloo home one day about a week and a half after 'it' happened. She looked shaky and scared. I knelt down as she clung to the VP's hand. "...Hey there..." I said as I removed my helmet. "I understand a weirdo trying to get you into his car. You wanna come with me and tell me about what you saw?" Silver gave a nod. I held out my hand giving her a reassuring smile. She took my hand and I stood back up. I walked her back to the office which was just a room at the end of the hallway.

We went in and saw Shining Armor sitting with Miss Jetlag at a desk. He looked to me and pointed to an open desk. I gave a nod and went over and sat there with Silver. The principal came over and sat near us. "Alright Miss Spoon." Miss Jetlag said. "Tell this nice guard about what happened. I'm here if you need me."

Shining came over brought me a pen and paper. "Write everything down you can." He said. "I'll record things with my phone just in case we miss something okay?" I gave a nod and readied up. He looked to Silver. "...Alright...just start talking and we'll get that bad man off the street."

Silver spoon nodded and took a few deep breaths. "Well..." She started. "...I was late to class because my daddy had me walk today... I had to walk with my friend who was also late... While we were walking a b-blue truck pulled up and the stallion inside asked if we wanted some candy... We both said no and started walking faster... He followed us all the way to the school kept trying to get us in his truck... By the time we got in he tried getting out and grabbing us but we already got inside... We came straight to the office and he just vanished... We don't know where he went..."

"Do you remember what the stallion in the truck looked like?" She nodded and started to tear up.

"...He... He had no pants... White undershirt... red mane and dark grey fur... Unicorn I think..."

I wrote down each and every word said. Blue truck, white undershirt, red man and dark grey unicorn. I looked to Silver. "Was it a pick up truck?" I asked. She nodded and I wrote that down. "...Okay. You have nothing to worry about Miss Spoon. We'll get that sicko out of here!" She whimpered and hugged the principal. I got up and gave the clip board to Shining. "Here. I gotta check on something real quick." He nodded and I looked to the Vice Principal. "May I speak with a filly in Miss Cheerilee's class please?"

The VP gave a nod. "Follow me sir." He said. I gave him a nod and followed him out while Shining consoled the filly with the principal. He led me down the hall and looked over at me. "I've seen you before. You're the older brother of Scootaloo Wheeler aren't you?" I gave him a nod.

"Yes I am. I just need to speak with her and make sure she gets to her destination safe going home. I don't know how long I'll be working today and I really need someone to keep an eye on her until I come back home." He gave a sigh.

"I understand you're a loving caretaker. You'd be nice to stay for Miss Cheerilee's show and tell." We stopped outside room 4.

"Uh... Sir I have a job to do. I may stay for a moment but I have to go and catch that perv..."

"Perhaps you could stay just incase that guy comes back. Give the kids some relief knowing a guard is around to protect them. Their teachers have them sheltered in place because of that filly's report."

"She also mentioned a neighbor walking her to school? Do you know who she showed up with?" He thought for a minute.

"...I think her neighbor is Diamond Tiara. They live on the same street but that's all I can disclose. Now you want to go inside and pull your sister out or may I?" I thought for a moment. Did I want to frighten kids more by entering? Nope.

"Sir I think you should go in and pull my sister out of there... Maybe Sweetie Belle and Applebloom as well just as a little buddy system thing..." He nodded and entered the classroom as I waited. He left the door open.

"Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Scootaloo. The guard would like to speak with you three outside. He just wants to know if you've seen anything." I heard a few deep breaths and screeching chairs.

As I waited the VP stepped out of the way. I remembered I accidentally left my helmet in the office but I couldn't hide who I was. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom instantly noticed me. Each filly looked scared out of their mind. "...R-ryder? You... wanted to speak with us...?" Scootaloo asked. I knelt down and nodded. She hugged me whimpering. "...I-I wanna go home.... I don't wanna be here with that... sicko out there...."

I pried Scootaloo off of me. "Yeah! I wanna get back to the orchard with AJ n Big Mac!" Applebloom said.

Sweetie Belle latched onto me scared. "...I want Rarity!" She said. "We wanna go home!"

I sighed and pried Sweetie Belle off me as well. I stood all three in front of me. It didn't help they each had tears in their eyes. "Look guys I cant take you home." I said. "You guys stay here and I'll stay here and keep watch just in case that guy comes back. If he does I'll lock him up and throw away the key. I promise you guys'll be safe."

The vice principal came to my side. "Girls why don't you guys go back inside and get back to class." He said. "I need to talk with.... Ryder... Alone for a moment."

The fillies sighed looking at the Vice Principal. "....Yes Mr. Arrowhead..." They all said. That was his name. Mr. Arrowhead. He actually used to be my middle schools archery teacher. I don't know how he made his way to Vice Principal.

As Scootaloo and her friends went back inside I stood back up looking to Mr. Arrowhead. "Well now what's there to talk about?" I asked. "I mean... I know what I said earlier about needing to be out of here finding that guy but... I changed my mind. I have a sister to protect."

Mr. Arrowhead huffed. "Ryder I know you... Always failing to complete a simple task." He said. I looked at him a bit ticked. "I've had you for two months in middle school... Each time you went up and shot that arrow you were way off your mark. You weren't focused, you didn't let the arrow go the right way and I had to send you to the office about ten times in one week. You keep these kids safe and I will let you keep that job of yours. You seem like the new guy in the guard. Why else would you have a partner?"

"Sir let me go in and watch over the class. Yes it's my first day on the job but it's an important job I choose to be serious about. All my work in school and in life I've been serious about yet no one tried to stand by me and help me. I have encouragement from my sister, my friends sisters, even that filly crying in the office with another friend of mine who believes I can do this job. That psycho substitute teacher you hired to teach my sister could have easily killed her if Miss Cheerilee wasn't working. That day I had to do the guard a favor and put the suspect six feet under... The suspect was that bitch you hired. Do you believe I could do this?"

"I believe you could screw up somehow. And believe me I knew she was a nutjob when she kept your sister near her during lunch and recess to talk... Your sister came to me and told me she kept her there without letting her go and play with her friends. I fired her and she must've snapped." Just then a torrent of screams came from the room. I looked inside and saw Ms. Cheerilee rushing the door. She grabbed my arm and pulled me in. What I saw made me see blood red. Almost as red as the 'confession' from Berrie. There was a stallion, matching the description Silver Spoon had given me, standing in the middle of the room trying to go to the window with SCOOTALOO. In. His. Arms. I broke off quickly and tossed desk aside away from scared colts and fillies rushing to the other side of the room and almost immediately I found myself covered in glass, outside the window. The stallion was under me trying to get out. I didn't let up for a second.

"You piece of shit!" I snapped. "You have a sick fucking desire to have sex with fillies? Sick! Fucking SICK!" I looked back at the window the best I could. I saw Mr. Arrowhead hopping through the busted out window carefully trying not to cut himself. Same with Shining who had a pair of handcuffs ready. I got helped up by the VP and looked him in the eye as Shining cuffed him. "Still don't believe I could do this job?"

"I'm sorry I doubted you but you need to get back in there and check on your sister. I've sent all the others into the hall away from the damage. You may need to take her to the hospital, she had glass shards fall on her and it seems you could patch up too." My heart dropped as I just felt something running down my cheek. I wiped it away but it kept going slowly. Blood. I saw blood. I went back to the window and saw Scootaloo sitting in a chair holding her arm as she bled from her cheek, her arm and forehead. She shook scared as I approached her and knelt down.

"Scoot? You okay?" She sniffled and nodded not being able to speak a word. "Alright.... Did that guy touch you when he was trying to take you?" She gave a hesitant nod and hugged me starting to sob lightly. I hugged back. "...Okay... I'm gonna get you bandaged up. Shining and I will take you back to the castle, I'll have Shining record a testimony against him... I-if you want I could... I don't know stay home with you and look for something else to do."

Scootaloo sniffled and looked at me. "...P-please... don't... You saved me..." She said. "...Again... C-can we go home now....?"

"...Not after we go to the hospital see if there isn't any glass in us. Shining may get a few medics to help us out. I cant tell glass in my arm from a bubble of blood." Scootaloo grabbed my arm and I flinched feeling pain. I looked and saw a shard of glass sticking out of it. "...Well... Guess I really cant tell..." I looked back to her. "C'mon.... We gotta get someone to call an ambulance.... just gonna say now it hurts more than scraping your knee on the ground..." She gave me a nod and took my hand as she got up.

Not long later, say about a half hour or so Scootaloo and I were sitting in the back of an ambulance holding each other's hand. A medic for each of us, used wet rubbing alcohol cotton balls and tweezers to get each glass piece we had in us. I had to even take my shirt off. Had glass in my wings and some on my chest. Hurt like a motherfucker too. I was actually close to crying from pain but had to hold back for Scootaloo. Shining came up to the back door of the vehicle and hopped in. "HA that's my boy!" He said. "Princess Celestia is going to be thrilled you took down a known pedophile. Your sister okay?" I looked over at Scoot. She was getting bandaged up.

"...I hope so..." I replied. "Why does trouble always seem to find me? Why does it always come my way?" I looked back at Shining. He shrugged. "Well... What's gonna happen after we're done here?" He gave a sigh.

"Well first I'm having Big Mac pick you and Scootaloo up here. He's probably gonna take Applebloom back home and yes I will file a report on your status, maybe see if Twilight could maybe give you a dinner for a job well done and... Well who knows where that could go from there."

"What about the window?"

"Ah it's fine. I get paid enough to do stuff like that. I called up another car, they came and got the guy, leaving me enough time to have me call up a window repair and a cleaning service to replace this stuff. Cadence likes it when I do stuff like that."

"...You think you could just take us back to the castle, save us some time?" Shining thought for a moment.

"...Dunno dude... All the guards would be wondering why you had your sister there at Twily's..." I brought him in and a medic bandaged my wounds.

"Look dude if I just go back home with her I'm gonna feel as if I'm gonna mess up somewhere and she's gonna freak out just because someone came up and knocked on the door. With all the guards around she's gonna feel like Celestia and Twilight until I do bring her home." Shining sighed and looked up at me.

"Okay I'll give Twilight a call and see if she can do something to accommodate for her. If she says she cant, I'm sorry. She can only do so much." I gave him a nod and he got out.

I looked to the medic as he handed me back my shirt and my armor. "Here you go sir!" He said. "Again fine job on protecting this community!" I gave him a smile and nodded taking my things. He looked to Scootaloo. "Is this nice guy gonna give you a ride home little filly?"

I pulled my shirt over my head and huffed. "Well I'd hope so." I said. "She's my little sister!" Scootaloo hugged me carefully as not to hurt herself again or hurt me. I wouldn't care if she did hurt me. She's okay, I'm okay. She's hurt, I'm hurt. The medic gave me a surprised look as Scootaloo climbed out of the ambulance.

"Well look who was here at the right time then! Good job on keeping these little ones safe." I gave a bigger smile as I got my armor on and hopped out of the ambulance.

As I turned around I saw Miss. Cheerilee approach me with Sweetie Belle and Applebloom at her side. Both had their bags while Cheerilee had Scoot's. Both fillies she had came to my side and hugged me along with Scootaloo after she grabbed her bag from her teacher. "Ryder thank you for rushing in like that..." Miss Cheerilee said. "Out of any of the children he could've taken he took the wrong one and in front of a new guard! You have my highest honor for protecting my students!" I gave her a nod.

I thought this attention was going to my head but.... It just felt bittersweet. Why? Why did it feel bittersweet? I pondered that for a while. A long while. I pondered it while we got into Shining's truck. I sat in the back with Scootaloo on my lap, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom next to us. Even after we arrived at the castle I pondered. I had actually gotten so hypnotized by the thought I was snapped out by a loud growl of my stomach. Lucky me Shining and I were walking towards the dining hall for lunch with the princess. Scootaloo and her friends were right behind us. "Sounds like someone kinda forgot to grab something to eat." Shining said. "Seems like I did too. You're lucky Twily's in a good mood and is including your sister and her friends. Celestia wouldn't have allowed it." I sighed as he looked back at the fillies. "Well you three are lucky enough to join Princess Twilight for lunch. She never gets visitors unless.... Well unless it's your siblings I guess. Just letting you know now you bow to the Princess showing respect. First watch us then do the best you can. Okay?"

The three fillies nodded. Sweetie Belle came up and took my hand. She was still a bit shaky. I looked down at her. "You still scared from school Sweetie?" I asked. She nodded hesitantly. "Don't worry you're safe. Maybe you know anything about this?" She shook her head. "Ah... well I'll give Rarity a call tell her I gotcha here." And speak of the devil my phone rang. Rarity called. Her ring tone was a live version of a Metallicolt song that had a symphony orchestra in it. I stayed back and answered it as Sweetie Belle and the girls went with Shining. "Hey Rarity wha-"

Rarity cut me off with a scream. "RYDER! SWEETIE BELLE IS MISSING SHE ISNT AT THE SCHOOL HOUSE!" She yelled. Something tells me I was supposed to call AJ and Rarity telling them I've got both their sisters... Fuck.

"Rarity! Calm down she's here with me at Twilight's castle. Miss Cheerilee gave her over to me and-" My phone beeped in my ear. "....Give me oooone minute...." I looked at my phone and saw Applejack's face. I didn't waste time shooting on over to Applejack's call. "...AJ before you-"

Applejack ended up screaming in my ear. I could swear I heard Big Mac bawling in the background. "APPLEBLOOM'S MISSIN!" She yelled. I huffed.

"APPLEJACK LISTEN!" I yelled. "Applebloom is with me! Sweetie Belle's with ME! Some jackass tried kidnapping Scootaloo, everypony was scared and since Miss Cheerilee knew our sisters were friends I had to go and get them away from the school and they're all at Twilight's castle! Now if you just contact Rarity and bring her here I promise we can let them go with you after a few witness statements." I heard Applejack take a few deep breaths and call out to somepony in the background. Either Big Mac or Rarity or both.

"Dammit Ry y'had Big Mac pissin' himself! Now he's gotta sit in the bed of the truck to dry off. Why didn't someone tell me you had our sisters? I was gonna kick some flank but you're glad I can forgive my sweet sugarcube since you have my sister. Whatcha doin' at the castle anyways?"

"Lunch break. If you hurry maybe you and I can spend some time together. And uh... Maybe something for a congratulatory first takedown?" Applejack laughed a bit.

"Maybe not there but tomorrow I might have somethin' ready for ya. Now I'm gonna give Twilight a call and make sure you're actually givin' us the right word."

"Would I ever lie to my big blondie baby?"

"Woah woah hold up you callin' me fat or something?"

"No no! You have the best curves a mare could ever have! Now uh.... Just hurry over here I think i'm about to faint or something...." I hung up on Applejack without an I love you or goodbye. Yeah.... Bad idea... But I wasn't scared. I had my mind on other things. Injuries and other fillies and colts.

After a few minutes of walking and thinking about why the hell it felt bittersweet. It was because I nearly lost Scootaloo. It was awesome that I got her but just thinking about all the other ways I could lose her made me feel like it was a D-rated save. An F rated save would be actually losing Scootaloo. She's my sister, she's all I have left, she's basically my life! I lose her I AM DEAD! I came into the dining hall almost in tears and saw Shining Armor sitting at the end of the table with Scootaloo and her friends. Twilight sat at the very end. I walked to an open seat directly next to Twilight and bowed to her before sitting. "Is something the matter Ryder?" Twilight asked. I hesitantly nodded. "Is it the fact you forgot to tell my friends about their sisters being here?" I shook my head. "Well what is it?" I looked over at Scootaloo who was just talking up a storm with her friends. "....You wanna just talk later about it?" I looked back over and nodded. "Well why don't you order something to eat. Shining's gonna have the chef cook us all our favorite dish." I gave a nod and wiped away my tears.

After about a half hour of eating and filling ourselves I had to carry Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo all to a bedroom. Shining walked behind me helping Sweetie Belle stay on my back even though I did have her gripped in my wings. After we set each filly down on the bed he looked to me. "Hey you just go back to the dining hall." He whispered. "Twily needs to talk with you. I'll watch over these fillies for you." I gave a nod and hurried out of the room. Here's where tears started to pour from my eyes. I came back into the dining hall seeing Princess Twilight sitting at her seat at the end of the table. I didn't bother sitting down. I went to my knees and cried. She helped me up and hugged me.

"Ryder calm down! I thought you would be happy about your first day on the job!" She said.

I sniffled and looked at her. "....y-you don't understand..." I said. "...I could've lost my sister.... One of us could've been hospitalized.... I had a shard of glass two inches deep in my arm! Do you know how bad that hurt? Do you know how much pain I had to endure to make sure my sister didn't see me cry?" Twilight sighed and pulled out a chair for me.

"Ryder I know you nearly lost your sister but.... Shining knows how it feels. When I was younger Shining and I weren't allowed to talk with each other for a while. That and.... Well.... He saved me from nearly getting shot..." She sat down in her chair keeping my hand in hers. "...He told you how he got his cutie mark right? The shield? The guy who broke into our house in Canterlot?" I gave a nod. "He and I had to be put in therapy for a while.... I even had to go to the hospital a few times to get pumped full of fluids and such after waking up screaming and hurling...." I saw tears in her eyes. I wanted to do something but I didn't know what.

"...Princess... May I ask for a day off maybe...? ....It's gonna take a bit of getting used to but.... Scootaloo might need me all day tomorrow...." She gave a nod and got up from her chair sitting on my lap. She hugged me shaking scared. Well... I couldn't tell. I couldn't tell whether it was me scared of someone walking in and thinking I was taking control over Twilight or it was all her just freaking out about what she told me. All I could do would be to hug Twilight and shush her. I couldn't even get up to move her and try and hand her off to Shining. I was a Royal Guard. Might as well do an easy job.

Day 5 (Part 1): Damn My Mind

Author's Note

I know so many 'parts' to each day. I seem to write more than I should with each day. I just have to find a way to plan it out better.

Day 5 (Part 1): Damn My Mind

After a scary day I was lucky enough to get to spend the night at Princess Twilight's castle with Scootaloo. Applejack and I were walking through the halls with our sisters in our arms just out of it and in their pajamas. Scootaloo had a tanktop and basket ball shorts, Applebloom just some dark blue Princess Luna themed pajamas. I was in sweat pants and a white tee. AJ looked absolutely sexy with a white bra on and short jean shorts. I was glad I could keep myself controlled in a public area. She gazed over at me as we entered a guest room. Two beds, one for each filly. "...Thanks again for keepin' my lil darlin' sister safe Ry..." She whispered. "...Sorry Rarity was yellin' atcha earlier. She was just scared."

I sighed and looked over at her after I lied Scootaloo down in her bed. "Scared was an understatement." I said. "I was actually surprised she let Sweetie Belle say goodbye before being taken back home... Man I still feel awkward after Sweetie wet herself during that nap...." As we left the room I took Applejacks hand. "Do you know how it feels to hold a sticky, wet and crying filly wrapped up in a towel until her caretaker comes?" Applejack pointed over her shoulder at Scootaloo before closing the door. I blushed walking to the other side of the hall. "Oh uh... Right..." Forgot that I let her take care of Scootaloo for a weekend giving me time to cope with our parents death. She called me up telling me Scoot pissed herself after she had a nightmare and well guess who had to get dressed and bring Scootaloo some new clothes and stay the night to make sure she was actually dry the rest of the night? Me.

"Well you didn't know if it was right or wrong for just bein' on the force for a day or so. It was just that brotherly attitude that kicked in and you were just trying to keep Sweetie Belle calm and happy." She came over and took my hand and gave me a kiss. "Now let's get next door. Twi's got us a room all set up to relax after today." As she pulled me to the door I took my hand back and sighed.

"Maybe we could get some tea or.... hot chocolate or something. My nerves could use something to calm them..." She looked into my eyes and could tell I was stressed. She gave me a warm smile and took my hand again.

"Sure sugarcube.... If we hurry we might be able to get Twilight in on this. Shining should still be here too right?" I shrugged and we started down the hall.

"...You know I'm glad you're a forgiving mare AJ... Dash doesn't forgive me for something little like eating a sandwich she kept in her fridge and yet you forgave me for mashing up your families vehicle. Why?"

"Well.... Granny always said no matter if it were big or small losin' a friend is way worse than losing what ever possession that was lost, busted or taken from ya. Why else you think I let Fluttershy keep my sock garter's?" I gave her a confused look.

"Wasn't that just because you were being nice?" She shook her head.

"Nah she said she lost em and got all sad about it. I gave her a hug and said 'hey don't worry if y'find em you can keep em.' Gotta say I didn't wear em much anyways."

"And I gotta say I think you'd look cute in it! Maybe for Hearths Warming this year I can get you an outfit that uses sock garters. Short skirt... cute character print panties that show off that cute butt of yours..."

"I swear if you say it's a school girl outfit I'm calling Big Mac to take me home."

"So you want tea or hot chocolate?" I gave a nervous smile acting like I never said anything before. She smiled back and kissed me on the cheek.

Not long later we sat with Twilight and Shining both in their bed wear too. Shining wore just shorts and a tee. Twilight wore a yellow night gown. We sat in the TV room on cushions on the floor. I had a tea cup on the coffee table in front of me, same with the others. "I'm glad you two are still awake." Princess Twilight said as she poured her brother a cup of tea. "I know today was frightening for a few of us but it's well worth it for others." She meant me. "Earlier after you two went home to grab a change of clothes I made a call and come morning we'll be having breakfast with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna! Luna insisted on coming because that some one who they are coming for to congratulate is getting a large gift from Luna herself. Again." I blushed a bit as I sipped my warm tea. Felt soothing.

Shining chuckled a bit. "Well this time the gift is pretty big from what I hear." He said. "Not car big, but it's gonna be big." I completely forgot about the gift. My first encounter with Luna. She said something about giving me a gift welcoming me to the ranks. What the gift was I had no idea. "Anyways just for you guys I'll be in the room with Scootaloo and Applebloom so you guys don't have to worry about them. You guys get into a room and relax. Cadence has me getting up sometimes when she had to bring home work a few times. I'm a trained foal sitter in my own wifes eyes."

I rolled my eyes sipping my tea. Applejack sighed. "Thank ya Shinin'. I gotta send you some of my family's apple products." She said. "I'm sure Princess Cadence would love a taste of some of my family's sparklin' apple cider!"

I gave a hefty yawn. That tea was warm and it made me too calm. Calm enough to where I wanted to fall asleep. Twilight sighed. "Chamomile tea. Always good enough to get to sleep..." She said giving a yawn as well. "... My suggestion and I don't mean to sound like a parent..." She looked to me for a moment. "...Use the potty before bed... Trust me I made that mistake first time I drank this stuff..." She blushed hard looking to her brother giving him a nervous smile. Applejack nodded and noticed I nearly set my tea cup on a non existent table. Like literally I was that tired. Although not too tired to not remember what the hell was going on thank goodness.

"C'mon sugarcube let's getcha into my bed... Hope ya don't mind that I help you use the toilet..."

I groaned a bit as she helped me up with Shining. "...B-but I don't have to go AJ..." I said. My body was actually numb I was so tired. I couldn't tell.

"Ry you are usin' that toilet I am not havin' you in my bed if you're gonna wake up wet!" She looked to Shining Armor. "C'mon help me with him! He's real heavy!" One hundred and ninety five pounds. Give or take. Anyways Shining hurried to my side and slung my arm over his shoulder. He could really carry a fully grown stallion. I remember being carried a few feet out into the hall but then I just went and passed out.

I knew I passed out when I found myself sitting in my dining room with my pajamas on. I heard a little squeak of a floor board behind me. I always sat facing away from the kitchen fixtures. I turned to see Princess Luna in her same blue dress, with her wings extended and her special mane color. She held her arms open for a hug and I couldn't help but stand up and hug her. "Oh congrats on becoming a guard Ryder!" She said. She sat me back in my chair and sat right next to me. "How did your first day go? I heard you took somepony down who was trying to kidnap your sister. Is that true?"

I gave a nod and a sigh averting my gaze. "Yep.... Got him right at the window.... and through it." I said. "...You should've seen how scared Scootaloo was.... It was like a more dangerous version of what happened that night... Cept I did the arresting. I was so pumped full of adrenaline I had to get a shard of glass taken from my arm that was about three inches long. I didn't even feel it until Scoot pointed it out!"

"Well you look to be fine. Doth thy want to connect dreams with Scootaloo? See what she's thinking about today?" I gave a slight nod and grasped Luna's hand. "Thy comfort is expected. Don't worry you'll be fine. So will your sister. If she's frightened you can hug her and comfort her from inside out but remember if any pool of liquid appears stay away! That's how that happened a while ago... Again very sorry for that. Are thy new sheets comfy?"

"Dunno... I'm not even at home but I can say they are lovely. Thank you again." She gave me a smile and her horn started to glow. "And... Thanks for the gun. I'm having Shining Armor keep a hold of it. I don't own a gun safe. Besides... If I got drunk or something I do not want that in the house." I looked to her. She gave a warm smile.

"Well it's good to see someone has a good head on their shoulders!" I smiled as everything changed around us. This time we were in sugarcube corner. I looked out into the shop and saw Scootaloo sitting with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. "Ah... Forgot I combined their dreams earlier. Sweetie Belle was worried about her friend and... Well I had to do something for them." She released my hand and got up. "Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle, Applebloom! Couldst thy come here please?"

I watched as each filly looked at us. Scootaloo smiled a bit looking at me. Sweetie Belle too. Applebloom got up and stopped just feet away as a stain appeared on her pants. She disappeared and Sweetie Belle sighed. "...Well I was right one of you would've done that..." She said. I looked to Luna as Scootaloo hopped into my lap hugging me. Luna looked back at me as she picked Sweetie Belle up.

"Applebloom must've wet her bed. That happens sometimes but I wouldn't worry about her. Applejack or Big MacIntosh should help with that."

Scootaloo looked up at Luna. "Uh... Princess?" She said. "Ryder, Applebloom and Applejack are with me at Princess Twilight's castle! I think I hear Shining Armor...." Luna sat down setting Sweetie Belle on her lap.

"Ah well that's good somepony's watching you. Besides Applebloom is everypony here okay?"

"I'm okay thanks to Ryder for saving me!" Scootaloo said.

Luna and I gave some loving aw's. I had to hug Scootaloo. "Makin' me feel all warm and fuzzy inside sis." I said. "You don't know how bad I wanted to kill him!" My voice cracked a bit. Scootaloo didn't notice but she gave me a kiss on the cheek. I was hiding something I didn't want her to hear. I looked to Luna acting a bit worried. "...Maybe you should wake Scootaloo up... Make sure Applebloom isn't embarrassed." Luna gave a sigh and nodded telling I had something on my mind. Scootaloo groaned a bit.

"But Ryder! I wanna talk with you and Luna!"

Luna pried Scootaloo off of me and brought her away from the table with Sweetie Belle. "You will have enough time to talk with me and Ryder tomorrow morning." She said. "Right now heed thy brothers advice and check on your friend. She might need somepony other than somepony she barely knows. Go please and no whining!" Scootaloo sighed and nodded before disappearing. Luna looked to Sweetie Belle. "Thy should wake up and try and use the toilet... No pony wants to wake up wet. I'm starting to hear drips."

I heard the drips as well but by the time Sweetie Belle disappeared a large splash of water came down on me. Woke up before I had the chance to speak with Luna about what was on my mind. I woke up to being in Applejack's bed. Yes I did wet the bed but Applejack wasn't in it. She wasn't in the room. Had a dim light with the door opened a little. Tears came to my eyes. My marefriend was here, I was in Princess Twilight's castle, my sister was here, Celestia was coming and I cant hide my accident. My mind was going crazy. I was thinking about what I was getting myself in to. I was thinking about what I'd do if i'd actually lost Scootaloo. Just saying... Not good. I got up and went over to the corner curling up starting to cry. I didn't even see the one mare I didn't want seeing me like this come in. Yep. Princess Twilight. You probably thought AJ but she was probably with her sister. "Ryder? Ryder don't tell me you're wet too!" She said kneeling down next to me. I said nothing just like she asked. She sighed. "C'mon, get up... You're in good hands..."

I sniffled as she grabbed my arm and stood me up. "...Am I...? Am I really...?" I asked. "...Or... Is Scoot the one who's in good hands here...?" She looked to me as she flipped on the light.

"Ryder you and Scootaloo are both in good hands. What's got you doing this? You're supposed to be a strong guy here..."

"...I-I... I'm scared princess.... I don't wanna lose my sister...." I leaned on the wall and slid down the wall slowly sitting down. "...that moment... When I saw Scootaloo in that guy's arms.... It nearly made me wanna take a glass shard and cut my throat with it... I wanted to die... I still want to... Celestia said I couldn't do this... I should've listened..." Twilight came back and sat with me.

"Ryder.... She says that to all new recruits to see how much willpower they have. You have a ton of willpower. You've saved the cakes from getting robbed and shot, you saved Scootaloo from living life in an orphanage and even though you shouldn't have done this you killed a suspect in a murder before she tried killing my best friend. Celestia says everyone has their own plan but we never know what it is. You could be doing one thing for yourself but Dash could call you and ask to spend a few weeks in your home because she's late on rent and the land lord might boot her just for a week of late pay. I could even be sick in bed with AJ helping me and something happens to where Shining gets hurt. Nopony has control over their fate. Not even I do. Celestia doesn't either. Now why don't you get yourself changed, get AJ's sheets off and... I don't know maybe find some place to sleep. You've only been asleep for two hours and... I did tell you to use the toilet before bed. I wont hold you against it. That tea affects everypony differently."

It was true. That tea affected me way differently. There's a reason why I'm a soda guy. Anyways I had to change into- now don't laugh- I had to change into a diaper. Yeah. Princess Twilight put me in a diaper. I was lucky enough to borrow a pair of pants from Shining to hide it. I sat in my own bed with a room I had to share with Applejack blushing like crazy. She sat at the foot of my bed. "Alright... I forgive ya for that accident but I don't think we're gonna give ya any of that tea again." She said. I blushed hard pulling the covers up. "So what if you're up n padded? Big Mac had been pissin' the bed since he was four. Everypony has an accident here n again. Shoot I've shat myself on occasion in the orchard. You're among friends n family here. Aint no pony gonna laugh at ya!"

I gave a sigh. "....I guess..." I replied. "...But.... Diapers? Why diapers?"

"No foal wet themselves only once in a night Ryder."

"...I'll be nice and wear them but come morning I wanna be back in boxers... No chance of cuddling?" I looked up at Applejack. She sighed giving me a smile.

"Sorry but I'll be in my bed here just in case of a second wettin' and then some. Just get to sleep. I'll be right here if you need me."

I gave a nod before she turned out the light. I was glad to sleep through the rest of the night dry and calm. As I said morning came, I changed back to my boxers and got into a pair of shorts. I wore a tank top as I walked through the halls, contemplating my stupid thoughts. I didn't want to leave the castle to ask Pinkie for a little something to get my mind off... Well... My mind but what helped was greeting Princess Luna and Princess Celestia in the dining hall. They were the only ones there. Celestia gave me a smile as I knelt down. Luna looked a teeny bit worried. "Good morning Ryder!" Celestia said. "Congrats on taking down your first criminal scum. I hearby take back everything I said about you. I'll even forget you popped one of my guards."

Luna approached. "Sister might I take Ryder into the hall?" She asked looking back at Celestia. "I was trying to have a talk with him last night and he got a bit of a rude awakening before I had a chance." I saw Celestia give a nod. "Thank you sister. I'll be fast with him." Luna quickly grabbed my hand and walked me out of the Dining Hall and into a room across the hall.

The room was just a storage closet. Had shelves full of cleaning products and utensils. There was an old school desk in there. The one where it was connected to each other. She sat me down in it and knelt down in front of the desk. I blushed a bit as she looked me over. "...You could tell I had something deep to think about last night didn't you?" I asked. Luna gave a nod. "...You could tell I pissed the bed too... right?" Luna stood straight up and nodded again.

"I see everything in the night Ryder. Why else do I keep myself occupied with helping everypony with their problems?" I gave a shrug. "Ryder please be honest with me... Just before you woke up I caught a glimpse of something sitting at the back of your mind... Judging from what happened yesterday you want to die... What I saw was you wanted to shoot yourself dead! Are you keeping that as an option if that happens with your little sister again?" I thought. The thinking lasted forever as it felt. Tears came to my eyes.

"...Y-yes princess... It's... It's mom and dad all over again...." I started to shake. "... I....I lost mom and dad.... And almost lost Scootaloo.... I had this thought while I was in jail... that a guard grabbed Scootaloo and took her from me... From AJ from everypony... I only knew Scootaloo was okay after I talked with her.... Yesterday I got that same image.... This time I thought.... 'I''m dead... I'm all dead if he gets away...' You don't know how bad I felt..." Luna's horn glowed and a revolver appeared in mid air. Snub nose. Still powerful. It lowered onto the desk in front of me.

"Pick it up. Pick it up and show me you really want to do that!" I gave Luna a shocked look. "You heard me! Pick the loaded gun up and put it to your head!" I sniffled and hesitantly grasped the gun. Then turned the handle towards her.

"...No..." I replied. "I wont shoot myself... It's not that I'm pussying out its that my sister is expecting me to be out there at that table! As long as I know every morning I'm seeing my sisters smiling face or teary face or horribly disfigured face I want to live to see it!" Luna grinned using her magic to make the gun disappear.

"Ah... There it is. There's that reason. You're afraid that this job is compromising your sisters safety. Am I right?" I gave her a nod. "Well let me tell you... Nopony fucks with a generals family. Especially when he has the head of the guard just a phone call away." Her horn glowed and a black wallet like thing appeared floating in front of my face. I took it and flipped it open. Forty bits and a silver badge reading 'GEN. RYDER PONYVILLE UFG'. I knew it was real because it was in a shield shape and not a comical cartoonish star shape. "Well general? What is your thought on everything now?" Still dark.

"A-awesome... So high in rank yet... Don't I need some training and a lot of experience...?" Luna sighed.

"Well yes but in this case your experience is outside of the guard. Not to mention there's a goal in this. You've killed, arrested, you handle a gun like a pro, and that goal you work for is your sister. Thy sister is the most important thing in your life at the moment and you should be able to work for her and with her to make birthdays and hearths warming all the best without.... You know... Perhaps we should get back out there?"

I gave a nod shoving the badge into my pocket. Not long later I sat directly next to Scootaloo and Luna. Celestia sat on the other side between Celestia and Twilight. Applejack sat on the otherside of Scootaloo with Applebloom next to her. "So we do have some fillies joining us." Celestia said. "I wasn't expecting this but... It is nice to see such young faces in a princesses castle. Of course... A small castle means less chance of getting lost unlike Canterlot... Even I get lost there sometimes."

Twilight gave a slight laugh. "Well I would've had three fillies here but Rarity doesn't really want to greet the hero until she's calmed down." She said. "Rarity basically blames Ryder for her little sister nearly being kidnapped. I called her see if she could join us for breakfast but... Well she's trying to keep herself from vomiting more on just thinking about her sister. But enough on the bad things at the moment we are having breakfast. Since it's for Ryder maybe he would like to say a few words before ordering food?"

I looked down at Scootaloo. She looked happy yet hungry. "...Guess the faster I do this the faster we all can eat." I said standing up. I took a few deep breaths looking at everypony looking at me. Scootaloo reached her arm up and I took her hand. "Well... I'd like to thank a few of you for helping me get to this point... Shining being one. He pretty much inspired me to go and fight for what I hold near and dear to my heart... Friends and Family. Another one i'd like to thank..." I knelt down a bit and picked Scootaloo up sitting her in my arms. "Right here. My baby sister Scootaloo." I saw Scootaloo blush. "Without her... Where would I be? Probably six feet under... She's something to fight for... With all the stuff I did after I got back into town I was reminded of her... Berry with... that.... The cakes getting robbed.... Until yesterday I was scared wondering what would happen if I ever lost her.... Almost found out too. The last one... Or last few... Big MacIntosh and AJ.... Without them being there for Scoot I probably wouldn't be here holding her in my arms, giving her hugs or kissing her goodnight for... for them...." I started to tear up a bit and sat down keeping Scootaloo in my arms.

Scootaloo hugged me. Her wings trembled. She always showed emotion through her wings. Happy she had her wings extended. Sad her wings were lower. Mad her feathers frizzed. Scared or worried she had her wings trembling. She was worried. Worried about me. Worried about my emotions. "....Ryder" She said. "....Don't ever leave me...." I sniffled.

"....I wont... I wont leave you.... I wont let you go hungry.... I wont let you be ignored..."

Luna rested her hand on my shoulder. "A hayburger with habanero's, chipotle sauce, deepfried and cheese stuffed jalapenos for Ryder and waffles, whipped cream, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, lemon-honey syrup for his sister and two soda floats, Senor Salt for Ryder and a cherry cola for Scootaloo. That should cheer you both up."

I was surprised. Luna knew both of our favorite foods for breakfast. Why a hayburger for me? Trust me cereal, waffles, noodles, cold toaster pastries, toast and pancakes all get boring after a while. Anyways after I ate my burning burger and Scoot her waffles I used a truck to drive Scootaloo and Applebloom to Rarity's. Had to because AJ and Twilight needed some girl time together and Shining is elite guard that had to look after Celestia and Luna. As I pulled up I gave a sigh. Applebloom leaned up from the back seat. "Everything alright with ya?" She asked. I said nothing as I got out of the truck. Went around to the sidewalk and opened the door for the fillies. Scootaloo hurried up to the door and I just leaned on the truck. Applebloom tugged at my hand. "Just come on. Talk with me. Scoot tells me you're always quiet when you got somethin' on your mind."

Well it's true. I am quiet when I'm thinking. And Scootaloo is a bit of a tattle tale sometimes. Perfect to be an investigator. "Alright you got me...." I said with a sigh. "I want to talk with Rarity but she's gonna slam the door in my face... Any chance you could make Rarity stay at the door?" The filly at my side grinned.

"Alright I got somethin... Just keep on our side cuz we still wanna see Sweetie Belle. Okay?"

I gave her a nod and we walked up to the door. Scootaloo rang the doorbell a few times before stepping away. I saw Applebloom whisper into my sisters ear. They both giggled just before the door opened. What were they planning? Something good. Good enough to give me a big chance. Once they went inside as we saw Rarity they pushed her out into my arms, slamming the door and locking it. Rarity looked a mess. Ratty mane, pink bathrobe with ice cream stains on it. She didn't even fight to get the door back open. "....I deserved that...." She said standing herself up. She looked at me. Her face was covered with dried runny mascara. "...Ryder... I stayed up late last night, ruining my perfect figure thinking about yesterday.... I didn't open my shop or answer my phone all morning to take clients.... I... I wanna say I'm sorry.... You never know when something's gonna happen... I shouldn't punish you for somepony elses grabby paws.... I shouldn't punish Sweetie Belle for being such a cute target for something like that... You uh... You want to come in?"

I thought for a moment. "Eh... You do look like you could use a nap..." I said. "Why don't you go on up to bed, I'll wake you up in a few hours?" Rarity gave a nod and allowed me to go to the door. I knocked a few times. "Girls! Let us in! Scootaloo I will ground you if this door isn't open in the next three seconds!" We waited a moment but the door did open. I had to carry Rarity upstairs. She felt so relieved she passed out. Don't worry Sweetie Belle didn't freak out. Neither did Scootaloo or Applebloom but I did have Scootaloo call AJ and tell her where I'd be. Lucky me Princess Twilight gave me the day to spend with myself, Scootaloo and who ever I feel like.

Day 5 (part 2): Another Day of Freedom... or so I thought....

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Day 6 (Part 1): Plans...?

Okay... Late at night, had to go pick Scootaloo up because I left her at Rarity's (She wasn't happy at ALL.) and Pinkie stayed over to make sure Scoot and I stayed dry during the night. She basically diapered us both. Me because I've had that feeling nothing was gonna go right tonight and Scoot because... "Scoot..." I said as I tucked her into bed. Pinkie stood over me looking over my shoulder holding a package of filly diapers opened. Scootaloo was blushing and a tad teary eyed. "....Look... I'm not going to lie here... I'll never lie now or ever to you... Now.... Earlier I was with Princess Luna... She showed me something and... I want you to Pinkie Promise you wont say anything to anypony else...."

Scootaloo looked up at me. I was in my basketball shorts, a diaper and a big shirt hiding the waistband to the diaper. "...Is it about seeing Mommy and Daddy?" She asked. I nodded. "...I already know. She already told and showed me." Duh.

"Oh... Well... She showed me and.... Well I had Pinkie do this just because I didn't want you to wet your bed again when I told you... They said they miss us... Dad even told me to sing you that lullaby but... I don't think I can bring myself to do it..." I saw Scootaloo give a tiny smile.

"...Well... You don't really need to Ryder... It's just nice to hear you saw them too... Lets just go to bed... I got school in the morning. Goodnight big brother..." I gave a smile tearing up a bit.

"Night sis... If you need me... you know what to do." She gave a nod and snuggled a teddy bear as I got up. Pinkie hugged me before walking with me out of the room and shutting the light off. I sniffled and hugged Pinkie again. She shushed me. "...Thanks for staying..."

Pinkie gave a smile. "You're welcome... Always happy to help a friend." She said walking my hidden diapered flank to my room. "You're lucky you have Princess Luna to help you through this. I only had Mr. Cake. Mrs. Cake was always busy dealing with her baby plans." We sat on my bed and I got rid of my shirt. Just the shirt. Didn't want Scootaloo coming in and seeing me in just a diaper with Pinkie cuddling the shit out of me.

"...Pinkie can I ask you something...?"

"Ask anything! I'm open to questions and favors of all kinds!" She giggled and snorted giving me a bright smile as she got down to her panties. No bra.... Yikes... I had to look away there.

"...Uh... Why do you get diapers to wear...?"

"Two reasons! One being I drink so many sugary drinks during the day once my body gives out it gives all the way out where I don't have control over my bladder and two, it just feels nice to just sit on my butt and just wet myself like a little foal! Always makes me feel young! A party pony has to feel as young as ever to cater to their clients who still wear nappies while napping! You my friend just need someone to show you how great they feel to relax in! Twilight told me you were tense when you slept at the castle! Don't worry though we wont tell anypony about that!" I blushed looking back at Pinkie as she turned away putting her feety pajama's on.

"...Well thanks for the reassurance... Now hurry up... Gotta go to work tomorrow." Pinkie nodded and tackled me into bed rolling over me onto the other side. I sat back up and shut the light off before Pinkie cuddled up to me. It actually felt good to get to sleep on my own and not black out.

As I slept I met with Luna again. This time no dream, no pain, not even any vomiting. Luna used her magic to make a bench appear. She sat down and I joined her. "Well it seems somepony feels better now that they got to say a proper good bye to their mother and father." She said. I gave a nod. "I did say I was going to call but... Perhaps this is a better way. Some who use their cellular phones don't really remember anything afterwards. So... About that favor I asked of earlier."

"Anything you need Princess I'm there for it." She smiled.

"I don't want to take control of your helpful nature but just for this one favor I need you to do something. I need you to pick up a package I had ordered to your address. You should be getting it in the morning. No one touches it but you. I don't trust any of the guards at Twilight's castle OR our own.... countless packages have gone missing but you are a trustworthy one. I'll be with Shining armor to come pick you up along with that package. Is that clear?" I saluted.

"Yes Princess! Any time I'd be able to expect you?" She gave a nod.

"About nine in the morning. That will give you time to eat breakfast, take your sister to school but that package needs to be signed for and picked up! Do I need to repeat anything for you?" I shook my head but started to think.

"...Would you be able to give me a good dream after you leave?" She sighed.

"I would but after I leave you'd have to wake up. Perhaps I could try and do that tonight. Anyways I should leave you. I should be checking on Sweetie Belle. She's still having nightmares about the stallion breaking in to her classroom." I nodded and got up from the bench. She just waved at me as her horn glowed and made everything fade.

When I woke up I found myself pinned under Pinkie. She and I are both heavy sleepers... Kinda sucks... Kinda... She was really warm with her pajamas. Either that or she drank so much liquid she peed and it overflowed her diaper. I rolled over and she plopped right back down on the bed. I got up and removed my diaper. Felt used. Didn't care anymore as I dropped it through the leg of my boxers and my shorts. As I left my room I heard a little yelp over in Scootaloo's room. Giving a sigh, I walked over to my sisters door and listened closely as I heard little sobs. I opened her door and saw her sitting in her bed blushing insane with her covers thrown off and a large urine stain under her. She looked at me and sprang up hugging me. "...Ryder... I-I'm sorry..." She said.

I pried her off of me and knelt down. "Scoot I thought you were wearing a diaper last night!" He said. "What happened to that? It was supposed to keep this from happening!" She sniffled looking into my eyes.

"...I... I took it off... I don't like wearing one... It makes me feel like mommy put it on me when I was younger...." I did remember something like that. When Scoot was turning six she was potty training still. Always had to wear training pants. I remember one night I was on babysitting duty and my mom had to put a full on diaper on her just before she went to bed... Didn't help that I had to change her half way through the night. Can you say nothing can fix a mind after a traumatic incident. That incident was her not really finishing emptying her bladder in the diaper. Instead she finished on my legs making it look like I went in my pants.

"...Ah Scoot... I was afraid of this... Just go on and get changed. I gotta take care of something okay...?" Scootaloo sniffled and nodded before giving me a quick hug and kissed me on my cheek. That actually made her apology to me better. It went from an apology unheeded to an apology accepted. I stood up and left the room closing the door. I leaned against the wall and waited. Just waited. Wondering how and why she did that without me finding out until now. But then again... I had other things to do. I had no idea when that package is going to arrive, but then theres the fact I could compromise the privacy of the package with Scootaloo and Pinkie. Worst part it was only six thirty. I had to dress for work, take Scootaloo to school, hurry back here and probably get Pinkie to leave or something.

As I thought the door bell rang and I gave a sigh before going towards the stairs. I didn't waste any time as I jumped the second half of the stairs to the ground floor. Nearly tripped and fell but thank goodness for my wings. I've actually had dreams with me as an Earth Pony. Stuff like that happened and I slammed into the fucking wall, floor, sometimes I was hit by a car, rocks, a baseball at one point but eh... Love to have em. "Hello? I've got a package for uh.... a Mr. Ryden?" A stallion said. I huffed as I opened up the door to see a mail delivery pony. He had a clip board and a fairly large package behind him on one of those package lifting things... the name escapes me at the moment.

"It's Ryder and here I am." He handed the clip board and I signed for it. I gave him the clip board after I signed for it and he wheeled the thing in. I had to step aside so it could make it inside. He sighed looking around at everything.

"...Y'know it's a shame what happened to the ponies who lived here before... I always used to deliver the fathers package.... What's worse is they had a daughter... Wonder if she's alright where ever she is...." I sighed.

"...I'm still trying to forget that a murder happened in this house... It's disturbing enough to walk through where the bodies were every day after I get home..." He actually didn't say a word after that. Just took the wheelie thing for the box and left the house. I could swear I heard him gag when he got out to his truck after I closed the door. I laughed a bit as I went up the stairs. "...Talk about that stuff and I either gross you out, scare you or just ask to leave but... That's not fun." Just as I got to the top of the stairs I saw Scootaloo come from her room dressed in capris pants, a short sleeved Tshirt with her hamper being dragged right behind her with her bedding and pajamas in it. "...Alright you just leave that there. I'll get Pinkie to clean that. I still gotta get ready for work." Scootaloo nodded and went back inside her room as I went into mine.

Inside I saw Pinkie actually half naked now. You could see bare back, diaper and... Ugh I just couldn't look at it without thinking about fucking Applejack AND Pinkie at the same time. I don't think AJ's the type of mare who shares boyfriends well. I took some of my sneakers near by and clapped them together. I thought she would jump but she woke up just like her alarm clock went off. She yawned stretching as she sat up on my bed facing away from me thank goodness. She looked back at me. "Moooorning Ryder!" She said. "You sleep okay?" I gave her a nod and tossed her bag over. I sat on the bed just picking my pants and a tshirt. Didn't feel like grabbing new clothes.

"Pinkie I need to ask you a HUGE favor..." I said. "...Well... Two... One... I need you to do a load of laundry for me. Don't have time to do one before work and trust me it NEEDS to be done after Scoot piddled her bed... Two is I need you to take her to school and please don't make her sit in the back, listen to that techno music but maybe just talk with her see what she'd do to stay dry during the night if she knows she has to be diapered..." She threw a shirt on and got some shorts on not even taking her diaper off. Tired or lazy was my bet.

"Why not? I can do both of those for ya no problem at all!" She got up and hopped across my bed tackling me off pinning me on the ground. "You just gotta say the magic wwoooooords!" Magic words. I could either say them or it was too early for this shit. Guess which I said.

"...Pinkie can you please get off me? I still gotta make myself presentable for Princess Luna." Oh right... Yeah... Nearly forgot that. She let me up and I tossed my pants and shirt to the side before going to my closet. Believe it or not when I opened it I was nearly hit in the head with a dart gun I don't even wanna get rid of. Kept it in a suit case it fit in. Big sniper. Stock, barrel a few other components. Even a few clips ready with darts. Its those stupid foam and plastic ones but it's always good to act like a kid sometimes. Havent played with it since.... Well a few weeks ago when Big Mac was trying to cheer me up while Scoot was off with Pinkie and her friends. Big Mac hid in the orchard with a paintball gun and if I didn't hit a target within an amount of time before I saw him he'd shoot me... hurts like a bitch when your ass is almost fully visible.

Pinkie watched me as I grabbed a button up shirt and a pair of suit pants. Didn't wanna seem like a know-it-all vigilante. I threw em on as fast as I could without getting them backwards and without missing a button. Not long later I was sitting in the living room alone. Pinkie left with Scootaloo. I wasn't watching TV, I wasn't on my phone, not even my music was on. I was staring at the box. Wondering what was inside. Was it a hidden gift for me? Doubt it. She would've had a tell. An eye twitch, a gesture something like that. But as I thought I went through another flashback. This one was about me coming home from school one day and sitting on the couch. Worst part was it was on my birthday. I got into a fight after school. Yep. With Big Mac. It was just before his parents died. I ran home, my mom saw me and gave me some ice to put on a black eye while I told her about Big Mac. Few hours after that I was inside Big Mac's living room waiting for an apology that I didn't get until two days later when he came over after his parents died. He warmed up to me when he saw me being there for him. Not to mention I was letting him beat me at my Alley Fighter Nitro video game. That heart breaking yet heart warming flashback was soon ended by the door bell ringing. I leaned back and looked outside saw a guard truck. Shining and Luna stood at the door. Even though Luna wore a cloak I knew it was her. Her starry mane poked out of the side. Plus... I saw her long horn. No known unicorn has a horn that big. I got up and walked over to the door opening it. I smiled and bowed to Luna seeing her smiling face. "Good morning Ryder." She said as I got up stepping to the side. "I see you received our package."

I gave a nod as Shining and Luna walked in. I closed the door and leaned on it. "You made sure no one peeked inside?" Shining asked. I gave another nod as he inspected the package while Luna looked around my home. She sighed.

"It is nice to see the real home of yours Ryder. Some things are missing but... It is missing a few things don't you think? Your dream home showed a few things I don't really see here except your C-Sphere." She pointed to my game console I never bothered to move back to my room.

I gave her an odd look confused. "...What do you mean?" I asked. "...I'd normally remember anything in my dreams. Differences, abnormalities, missing items. Everything I'd see." Luna gave a smile as she let down her hood and sat on the couch. An honor.

"Well I saw a little something inside of your dreams I thought you'd've noticed."

"...It must've been a small change for me not to notice it... Perhaps you might tell me?"

"Well... It was about the carpet and the wall paper... It wasn't such a small thing to me as it is to you. Plus there was a lack of a few photos, possibly of a memory or something but I cant remember what those pictures were of exactly... I'm sure they'll be in here soon if I can replicate that dream in my personal dreamscape and tell you what they are of." She looked to Shining armor. "Alright get something to cut that open with and get it opened! I want Ryder to get a good look at what was delivered!" Shining Armor saluted just as I sat on my couch giving a yawn.

"Grab me a soda from the fridge if ya can Shining... I need a pick me up..." I got no answer from Shining as he disappeared into the kitchen. I looked over at Luna as I rubbed my eye a bit.

"I take it thy didn't sleep well last night?" I shook my head.

"I got to sleep at around midnight just cuz of my sister fighting me because she didn't wanna be diapered... Sucked hard...."

"Ah that's understood. A filly her age thinks she shouldn't be wearing stuff like that but she doesn't know there are fully grown ponies out there that need to wear them twenty four seven. She cant just wear them once just so you wouldn't have to change her bedding." Shining came out of the kitchen with a knife and a can of soda for me. He tossed it and I cracked it open not a second after catching it. "Be careful with that Shining! Any damage and you'll be paying for it along with that pony who brought it in." Just as he gave a nod my phone went off. Just an odd song meaning it was from a number I did not know. (Yeah... Friend hacked it so it would do some of that.)

I took it out and answered it but I didn't say anything to hear someone on the other side. "C'mon what do you mean you cant help me with the plan tonight?" A stallion said. "You just have to be that goody fucking horseshoes you always were!" I heard another voice. Couldn't make out what they were saying. "Look tomorrow night is the only night we can get into that fucking castle... It's either you're in this, you get someone to help me with it or I do this on my own and risk getting killed!" That made my heart drop. I quickly muted my mic and put it on speaker as I heard the other voice speak. Still nothing. "What are we doing? We're gonna poison the fucking princess you asshole! I told you this day one and you still ask the dumbest of questions. Ever since that castle popped up where I wanted to build my kid a playset I wanted that fucking bitch dead!" Again the other voice as Princess Luna gasped and Shining stopped cutting the box putting us in complete silence. "I DONT GIVE A FLYING FUCK IF TIREK WAS ATTACKING OR THAT MY KID WASNT BORN YET I WAS PLANNING ON BUILDING A PLAYSET THERE! Now look I'm gonna make a few calls and-" Right there I thought we were fucked. I just quickly hung up and blocked the number from calling me back. Thank you hacker friends.

Shining took my phone and looked at the number. Not to call back but to memorize. I know his face when he's memorizing something. Twitching cheek, raised eye brow, his mouth moved along with his thoughts as he quietly recited the numbers. Once he was done he gave my phone back he huffed. "Wrong numbers can go so right sometimes." He said. "Twilight's probably catering a dinner tomorrow night. Don't know from where but they want to kill her."

I gave a sigh. "And something tells me this is gonna put me on high alert at the castle...." I said a bit frightened. "...What am I gonna do with my sister... I cant bring her with me and put her in danger... I don't want her to feel like I WANT to give her up by dumping her on Rarity or AJ... I had to do that a lot lately but that's just because of my own mentality... I didn't know if id go insane again like when I was in that jail cell..." Shining rested his hand on my shoulder as I hung my head.

"Ryder your mentality is fine now. I can vouch for that. If you need someone to watch your sister or something I can make one call and trust me it'll be worth the hundred bits!" Hundred bits. I knew what that meant. Cadence. His wife. He was going to call his wife to watch my little sister while I protected Princess Twilight.

"...Can you at least leave a few bits for me to feed myself and Scoot? I haven't even gotten my first paycheck yet." Shining groaned a bit as he went back and cut the box open.

"Of fucking course how could I forget?!" He didn't sound sarcastic. Actually told the truth there. His tell is he does something else when talking. He slashed the rest of the tape holding the box lid together before he opened it and pulled out a bunch of old game consoles. 80's 8-bit ones, first memory systems instead of passwords consoles like that.

Anyways I questioned those, Luna said she got one for me and for her of each console but told me I'd have to buy the games myself but was nice enough to tell me where to buy them. Later that day about three o'clock, I was in my own car which felt like heaven to drive. I was going to pick Scootaloo up. That wasn't the only reason. Kinda wanted to check on the window and Miss Cheerilee. See if everything was okay. As I pulled up to the school I saw Applejack walking out with Applebloom and Big Mac behind her. Applebloom was on her brothers back looking tired as hell. Just as I stepped out of my car I saw Applejack turned to her brother and nod to me before running over hugging me. "Sugarcube! There ya are you haven't called me in a few days!" She said before giving me a kiss.

I laughed a bit and sighed. "Yeah sorry about that. New job has me running ragged." I said. "Training takes a long time especially when you have a call coming in to grab some naked guy who's jacking off to little fillies." She patted my back.

"Well that should be over soon since ya got that guy away from here. Saw that damage y'did in that classroom." I rolled my eyes a bit chuckling nervously as we went inside the school house. "So Ry... Maybe tomorrow you think you can get the day off? I wanna go and give us a night alone and give you a good meal and... Well maybe we see where the night takes us." She growled sensually moving her hand to my flank. We stopped at the classroom door and I turned around grabbing her hand.

"Wish I could but... Training day to learn a few tactics if I find myself in a sticky situation." Yeah. Lied. Right to her face.

"But sugarcube why cant you just have Shining train you out in the field? You n I haven't had a night alone since you got outta jail!" I averted my gaze thinking of an excuse.

"AJ... My training cant really be put off... I miss one day and I could be fucked right where the sun don't shine with the stock- not the barrel- of a gun. It's important I go and do this... More skill I have less chance you guys get hurt." I looked back at her and saw her teary eyed expression. It hurt seeing her like that but I couldn't tell her. I thought for a moment. Do I risk security for the princess or lose AJ.....? "...Alright fine... We can cuddle tonight but tomorrow I have to work... Now uh... Please wait out here for me or... who knows go back home with Big Mac and grab some things and meet me back at my place. Just please keep it all PG for Scoot..." Applejack nodded and hugged me giving me a lukewarm kiss on my cheek. She slowly broke the hug and walked down the hall. I took a deep breath and turned back to the classroom door opening it up.

I was immediately met by Ms. Cheerilee who pushed me back out into the hall closing the door behind her. "Ryder I am so sorry I have to do this but I really have to thank you for your heroic work here." She said. "Everyone's almost done with their little thank you cards I had them working on for the last hour. A few fillies want to thank you personally and yes one of those is your sister. Do you want me to send them out here or do you want to thank the class yourself?" Great. Another thought. This one was a bit easy to answer. I gave a smile.

"Bring me in. Seeing all their smiles is probably gonna make my day even better." What the fuck was wrong with me? Lie after fucking lie. I couldn't believe myself. It was a fake smile, a fake thing to say to AJ. Inside my mind I was going insane juggling every lie to keep it as real as possible.... Okay maybe the kids smiles weren't such a lie.

Once I got into the classroom I was greeted by my sister, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Yeah. Another filly bullying my sister. "RYDER!" The all said.

I gave a laugh picking Scootaloo up as the other students rushed me. Even Sweetie Belle. Rarity was probably a bit late. Diamond Tiara tugged at my shirt as Scootaloo made her way to my back. I knelt down. "Uh... Thanks for saving us from that creep Mr. Ryder..." She said. "I'm sorry I gave your sister all that trouble... And... For pushing her in the dirt before your uh..." She cleared her throat averting her gaze. Good choice.

I gave her a smile. "Really nice to hear you say that." I replied. "Maybe I could rent a few movies, get a pizza and invite you and Silver to have a sleep over with my sister sometime. Would that be okay?" Diamond Tiara looked to Silver Spoon and I saw a big smile on their faces as they nodded. I looked back at Scootaloo. "C'mon go grab your stuff. We gotta get going home." She nodded and hopped off my back cushioning her fall by flapping her wings. She almost never did that. Last time I saw her do that... Wait I never saw her do that. Why am I saying she did that? Oh right my mind is all screwy. The threat against the princess, lying to my marefriend, and all these fillies and colts handing me little thank you cards with drawings of handcuffs, badges and even little guard drawings... Most of me falling through the window on top of a guy with his junk censored.

Scootaloo's thank you was the best one I could get. She didn't make me a thank you card. Once we got back to my car she gave me a big hug and a kiss on my cheek before saying the words: "I love you Ryder!" Gotta say.... I almost cried. I couldn't help but reach over and pull her in for a big hug. I actually had thoughts about blowing AJ off and sitting here the rest of the day but... Well AJ's already pissed enough at me for 'not being able to blow off training'. If she knew she'd freak out. Freak out. That's what I'm doing I'M FREAKING THE FUCK OUT!

Day 6 (Part 2): Plans Sugarcube? (AJ's Perspective)

I was honestly depressed leaving the school house with Big Mac and mah sis. I was sitting in the bed of the pickup leaning against the cab just looking back seeing Ryder and Scootaloo leaving the school. Sure training takes a while for a job like his but I'd be thinkin' he'd be gettin' private training sessions from Shining or maybe Twilight or somethin' but I think Shining would be better. Twilight would have him doing homework and not physical training. Physical training makes the mare- STALLION! Physical training makes the stallion. Sorry I've been workin' hard and that's been my 'mantra' as Fluttershy calls it when she's meditating. My big brother was lucky enough to get a back window that slid open after it was fixed. I opened it and poked my face in. "Big Mac... Ya think Ryder still loves me?" I asked. "I tried getting him to do something with me tomorrow but he just brushed me off like he's got more important things to do."

Big Mac took a glance at me as he stopped at a red light. "Well his job is important sis." He said. "Would you want him in bed with you or something missing an entire day of work and end up having Twilight or Celestia shot while they're out n about?"

Applebloom blushed a bit looking out the side window clutching her bag. "....Yeah... I'm gonna pretend I aint hearing a thing you guys are sayin'..." She said. Big Mac sighed as he started off again.

"Yeah you better 'Bloom... But in all seriousness AJ he's making the right choice over you. When he was with Berrie he was getting less and less of a checks just because he was so seduced by her. He actually told me Berrie sent him a pic that day our truck got smashed. He told me he never made sure it was even when he lifted it up and that actually made more sense than I had when I tossed him out. You only took his side because he had the apples to tell us. I took my own side because this was you-know-who's truck."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah. I know who's truck it is. But that don't matter." I said. "You aint answering my question neither."

"I did answer it. He loves you, he's just doing his own job to protect us and put out for Scoot. After Shining told me not to help Ryder out with his money troubles I went to sleep that night thinkin' what would happen if Ryder tanked. Somepony'd be dead, Scoot'd be missing and he'd be dead!"

"....I think you listed Ryder bein' dead twice."

"Oh yeah... I did kinda... Dunno what I was thinkin'."

Of course he didn't he never does. But at least I knew what was on Ryder's mind at the time. I sighed and went back to sitting as I closed the window. I looked back to the road behind us and holy shit I thought I was going down. There behind us was a fuckin' guard truck. Yeah. Guard truck with the lights and tinted windows. I just pulled my hat over my eyes and knocked on the window. Big Mac didn't open the window. He just pulled over without having the damned truck behind us light us up. As we came to a stop I heard a door open and shut. Looked up for just a quickie and saw fucking Shinin' Armor. He pointed to me and beckoned me out of the back and I had to comply. I got up and just jumped over the side. Shining grabbed my arm so hard I thought it was nearly gonna snap. I didn't even look up at Big Mac as he rolled down his window. "Big Mac!" Shining snapped. "You are lucky I was behind you instead of somepony else. Tickets, an arrest and who knows what else. Now I'm taking Applejack in my truck but next time get her inside the cab. Understand?"

"Yeah... Understood sir..." Big Mac said. I heard Shining huff.

"This is your one and only warning Big Mac. I see this again and you get one big friggen ticket. Job first, friends second." I started to whimper as I heard my brother roll his window back up. Shining released my arm and there I wanted to run. But I just froze. I couldn't run. I didn't know where to go. Probably would've ran straight to Ryder's. Either that or I'd be hiding in my favorite place to hide. Pinkie's room. Instead of running or being dragged off but Shining grabbed my hand and walked me back to his truck sitting me in his back seat. He climbed in to his drivers seat and pulled off. "Alright. What's on your mind? You only sit in the bed of the truck when you're thinking."

I sighed lying down in the back seat. "...I just.... I saw Ryder and he blew me off like I was just some dust on an apple..." I said. "...I wanna go out on a date with him tomorrow but.... He acted like I just wasn't his marefriend... I tried to grab his ass, promised a 'fun night' and all I get from him is work work work and we can cuddle tonight but... I just cant tell if I aint attractive enough to go at it or if he just lost interest..." Shining sighed.

"Applejack you're a very attractive mare. I'm sure Ryder loves you very much but... Tomorrow is just a very important date for the guard and he needs to be there. I-If not he's fucked and so am I for not having him there!" I wiped a tear from my eye as I sat up. Something didn't smell right and I showered this mornin'.

"...Alright... I believe you when you say Ry loves me but... If he aint there why're you in trouble?" Shining stayed silent. As silent as Applebloom when she's concentrating on one of Big Mac's video games. "Shinin' I believe I asked you a question. You wanna give me an answer or am I gonna have to call Twilight to see what's going on tomorrow? I know she'd tell me..."

"Applejack I'm sorry but I have to keep this one secret. Guards only." I huffed and pulled my phone out. He took a glance back at me. "Applejack I'm gonna have to ask you to put that away! Otherwise Big Mac will get ticketed for not having you in the cab of his truck! Do you want that? Taking money away from your family's business just because of a fucking ticket that is NEVER too late to give. So put it away."

"Well what stops me from calling her after you leave? I aint gonna call if you tell me what the fuck is going on!" I saw him reach for a button and press it starting up the siren. He was pulling Big Mac over again. Yep. Saw my brother pull the truck over and saw Shining pull behind him before getting out of the truck. Damned doors were locked so I couldn't get out and with a criminal cage unlocking the door wasn't an option. I waited and watched as Shining brought Big Mac out of the truck.

Big Mac didn't even waste time rushin' over to the truck and pulling open the door. I tried getting out but he pushed be back in. "AJ. No. Give me your phone!" He snapped. "You shouldn't push a guard to tell you private things and threaten to call someone higher up!"

"Fuck off Shinin's lying his godforsaken ass off! I need to know why the hell my sugarcube is acting like this!" Big Mac grabbed for my phone and I just kicked him. He didn't go back but he sure as hell needed my phone so fuckin' bad because he just jumped inside, pinned me and ripped my phone away from me. He rolled me onto the floor as he climbed back out. I just lied there. Honestly wish Shining could arrest him. Felt as if I should have bruises on my fucking ass. Shining pushed my feet in and slammed the door.

I barely moved the whole ride back and nearly cried being treated like this. Getting lied to, getting my phone taken away and well... It reminded me of my daddy... Back when I was a filly I just wasn't such a good girl since my baby sister was being born. Got jealous, thinkin' I wasn't gonna be loved anymore. My daddy took away my favorite doll when I was breakin' things. Last thing I ever said to my momma was that I didn't want a new sister... But... That all changed after daddy hung himself in what's now my new bedroom. When it came time to move rooms I.... Found my doll in a box in his closet along with a note. Kept it taped to the underside of my bedside drawer. After I got home from being in Shining's truck (Which I don't remember the fucking ride after my phone was taken.) I went to go read the note but Applebloom came in. "Sis...? You alright?" She asked me. I just shrugged as I took the note from where I had it. She hopped up on my bed and sat next to me. "Whatcha got there? Someone write you a letter?" I nodded a bit giving a sigh.

"...Yeah... Long time ago... Daddy wrote it when you was little...." I looked over at her. "...You wanna hear what it says?" She gave a nod and scooted closer to me as I straightened the note out. "...Dear AJ and Big Mac... Granny probably had you clean out my room.... Granny if you're reading this I'm sorry I just couldn't take it... To AJ and Big Mac... I leave you each your things but for AJ... I leave you my favorite hat... I know how much you wanted it but... This aint how I wanted you to get em... AJ... What you said to your mamma was unforgivable but.... You have to love your sister... She's an apple no matter what. Big Mac did the same thing you did but.... Hey your mama loved you... I loved you.... Apples all the way... No matter what you girls gotta stick together and love each other... Not only AJ and Applebloom but Big Mac too." I glanced over at Applebloom. "...You kids please be nice to each other and be there for each other when ever you need someone... Love you now, before and forever... Daddy..." Applebloom hugged me seeing me just tear up but I just didn't smile. Usually that'd bring a smile to my face but... Felt like this didn't matter for shit....

"Daddy wrote that for all of us?" I nodded sniffling as I set the note aside. "...Well... It's almost nice to hear somethin' daddy wrote about us... Why you have it and not Big Mac?" I gave a sigh and brought Applebloom onto my lap.

"...Its cuz... When I was just about your age daddy... Daddy died... He gave me and your brother our things he took before he went with momma... She died... Well... She died givin' birth to ya.... If we didn't give ya antibiotics in a hospital we woulda lost you too... Till this day I regret ever saying I didn't want you but... I just thought I was gonna be ignored and stuffed away somewhere while you got all my things, my room and all mama n daddys love.... Now here... Take the note to Big Mac... Please be careful with it. I gotta get ready to go over to Scoot's place... Maybe Ryder can let her have a sleep over here while I'm gone." Applebloom nodded and took the note before leaving me alone. I made it quick to pack my things but I didn't even pack my phone charger. Just grabbed my clothes and started to walk over just thinking to myself. Didn't even get stopped by anyone leaving.

I ended up walking all the way to Ryder's place. Almost wanted to go to fuckin' Pinkie's to cheer myself up and use her phone to call Twilight see what the fuck was up. Ryder would tell me everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. On the day he got released from jail he asked me before we fucked if it was alright to fantasize about Daring Do. I said it was alright but hell now I'm starting to regret it. Just a bit. Guess it depended on how much I'd have to dig to get Ryder to tell me. Surprisingly it wasn't long. Just a bit after I knock on his door he flings it open almost crying his eyes out. Lucky him he dropped Scootaloo off with Rarity after leaving the school. Wanna know what he says to me in that moment? He said "AJ... I... I'm going insane here... I cant tell which stuff I can say to friends and what I cant say to the guard...." I looked to him as he pulled me in and sat me on the couch.

"So it is guard stuff just.... Not training?" He gave a nod before just falling to his knees. "...Well shit... Now don't I feel like an asshole sugarcube.... I thought you was just blowing shit off." I felt so bad for him I pulled him up onto the couch and hugged him. Part of me still wanted to pluck a few feathers from his wings but that was still a small part. "...Ry... you know if you just told me it weren't training I'd understand... Yet you got me so hot under the collar I nearly thought it was over between us..." I felt his grip tighten on me. "...Lucky Big Mac just gave me a little something else to think about... Attacked me, took my phone and couldn't just fuckin' talk it out with me... Took it like I was Applebloom after being grounded..." He sniffled. I lied down and lied his head on my chest. He did calm down a bit and a smile did come to his face. "...There we go... Y'can lay there all ya want but no grabbing unless I say so. Okay?" He nodded just rubbing his face against my big apples. "Maybe Twilight's right... you actually might've regressed in your mind... Still don't change what I think of ya... To her you seem like a big baby but to me... You're the perfect package of sweet, handsome, heroic and... Well... kind all around... It's like you lived with Fluttershy your whole life, you were made from a cake Pinkie made, but... Hell I know that aint true but I'm willin' to believe it." He looked up at me.

"...Well you're just the best AJ... Thanks for being here for me...." He pulled himself up and just kissed me. Made me smile for once. We lied there just cuddling and he just passed out lying right on my chest. While he slept I felt somethin' right on my leg and I thought dirty but... Nah... He had his phone in his pocket. Best part about this is I know how heavy a sleeper he is. I was lucky enough to have my arms freed just in case I needed to either fix somethin', yank something out, smack an ass cheek or two or even to put him in a head lock... Did I say that out loud? I meant give him a massage with my fists and 'accidentally' leaving a bruise. I reached down and started to nudge his phone up to the rim of his pocket, just enough for me to pull it out and set it on the coffee table as I carefully shifted laying him down on the couch before I just snatched it up taking his phone. Lucky me I got in with no password. He had it disabled about a week after he got released from the slammer just in case he was with Scootaloo and he needed help.

So I decided to send a few texts out. First one being to Big Mac. I said 'Big Mac is AJ hurt by what I said? She hasn't showed up yet and I'm starting to get worried.'

Big Mac texts back not even a minute later. 'What? She didn't go to your place? I swore I saw her leave with her things.' He replied. I started to text back.

'I'd've texted her earlier but I didn't wanna make it seem like I was rushing her!' See now this is true about Ryder. He doesn't annoy the hell out of me wanting to see where the hell I am or something. He does text me he's thinkin' about me showin me a pic of his.. No! No I'm not getting off track! About a moment later I get a text back from my brother.

'Ry I'm on my way out to see if she went to sugarcube corner. You think you can call Dash up ask her if she's seen her?' I grinned feeling just a vile plot to get him all freaking out.

'Alright I'll call her up but... What about Applebloom is she okay?'

'Yeah Rarity came by and got her with Scootaloo. Supposedly what ever you got planned nice job on getting Cadence. What's that some sort of gift for saying welcome to the guard?' I let out a sigh knowing my own sister wasn't freaking out. So heres what I do after Big Mac's freak out start up. I text each and every one of my friends telling them Big Mac's looking for me and just in case he tries to call the guard stop him at all costs. Even if it does mean taking his phone like he did with me. Hopefully Big Mac knows not to fight back against a mare half his size.

Ryder started to shift a bit feeling for me. I sighed and just woke him up bumping the couch with a swift kick. He snorted and woke right up. "...Whozit...?" He said shooting almost straight up. He rubbed his eye looking at me. "...AJ...? How long was I out...?"

I gave him a smile as I sat with him on the couch. "Just about a half hour or so." I replied setting his phone down. "Hope you don't mind but I used your phone to tell my brother I made it here okay. Mine dropped into a water glass and now it's just sitting there in rice." He gave me a smile and leaned on me.

"You can do what ever baby... I just hope we can agree on something for food and I am not in the mood to cook." I gave a sighed and nuzzled him. Might as well tease him a bit to distract him long enough. I grinned as I stood up and drew the curtains hiding us away from anypony. He just looked at me curious to what I was doing.

"...You did say I could do whatever I wanted and well... Maybe I wanna give you a little gift for coming out to me like that..." I sat down on the table crossing my legs. "Whatcha wanna see first sugarcube? Wanna see my milk makers or my big apple bottom?" He gave me no answer. He was just blushing as hard as hell. I gave him an easy choice but... Hey what's stopping me from just getting completely nude in front of him? Well... My own mind. I aint one to just get nude unless I'm alone. I fucked him that one time but I was just letting him fuck me right through my panties... Gotta say he was actually a beast... Pent up as fuck though... First off I just pulled my pants around my ankles giving him a good view of my favorite pair of red panties. Not a thong but with my ass I think it's close to. I saw him go from excited to just hypnotized. If I can hypnotize him with my ass I think I got a real keeper here.

Just as I pull my shirt up I hear the screech of tires out front. I paid no mind but... Probably should've... Just as I got down to my matching bra I hear banging on the door. "RYDER! RYDER OPEN UP!" Someone yelled. I recognized the voice and if I had anything to let out it would've been EVERYWHERE! That voice belonged to Shining Armor. The EXACT stallion I didn't want showing up.... But at this time? Seriously?! I grabbed my pants and covered my flank as Ryder got up and opened the door. Standing at the door- in full fucking uniform was Shining looking panicked as hell. "Ryder get dressed we need to go NOW! Big Mac called me and told me that-" He stopped dead in his tracks. I covered myself blushing.

"Would it kill ya to let me at least make sure Ryder aint got something in his pants that no other stallion needs to see?" Ryder shoved his hands between his legs like he just pissed himself... Although I haven't seen that yet but it comes close when you have Big Mac do it barely making it from the orchard... He cant just unzip and let lose like I do? Anyways back to Shining... He was livid...

"Applejack what the HELL!?" He snapped entering. "You've been here the whole fucking time?!" He looked back at Ryder who looked a bit confused still hiding himself. "Was she always here?!" Ryder nodded hesitantly. "I want explanations and I want them NOW DAMMIT! I GOT BIG MAC SITTING AT HOME FREAKING THE FUCK OUT, A TON OF FUCKING CARS OUT LOOKING FOR YOU, I WAS WITH MY SISTER AND SHE'S FREAKING OUT HEARING YOU WENT MISSING AND... FUCKING ANSWERS!!!!"

Ryder came over to me not even trying to cover himself anymore as he knelt down next to the table. "AJ do you know anything about this?" He asked.

I had to think. FAST. "..Uh... I thought I told Big Mac I was leavin'..." I said. "...m-musta not heard me..." I gave a nervous smile.

Shining grabbed Ryder's phone off the table and unlocked it. "Big Mac told me he got a text from Ryder saying you weren't here." He said looking through my own boyfriends texts... Hopefully he would still be after this... "And from what I'm seeing here all these texts are from Ryder... Either Ryder wanted to play a joke or someone wanted to get back at her brother for snatching her phone..." He looked to Ryder. "It's either a guard who's new and COULD slash WILL be fucking punished by Celestia herself..." Now he looked at me. "Or the mare who could possibly be banned from seeing my sister for weeks unless I say she could!" I just couldn't take it. I... I loved seeing Twilight but I knew I'd be in trouble one way or another.

Ryder looked to Shining and took his phone back. "Shining. Get back to base and cancel the punishments..." He said sounding serious. "I'll punish her... I'll apologize for the text but she's not staying here..." I swallowed as Ryder stuffed his phone in his pocket and looked at me as Shining left the house. He grabbed my boots, pulled em off along with my pants and stood me up. He walked me to the open door. Just getting to dusk here. "AJ... I'm sorry I'm doing this but I'm being the nicest I can be... Now what you're going to do is come back in a few days... I might forgive you or it could take longer... Time heals all wounds... who knows how this one heals... Ripped through my trust..."

I didnt have a chance to ask for my clothes but... I felt guilty... He shut the door in my face leaving me out in my underwear... Glad this was the one day I wore a bra... I ran all the way down to Sugarcube Corner. Not a smooth run... Hot asphalt, tears and ponies yelling something like 'HEY SLUT GET YOUR CLOTHES ON!' or 'PLEASE! THERE ARE CHILDREN AROUND'... I deserved all that... Once I was inside it was empty in the sugar shack. Empty but I saw Pinkie wearing a sugary blue tank top and cotton candy pink pants, Mrs. Cake wearing a deep blue dress and Mr. Cake wearing his usual getup. They were all staring at me. I dropped to my knees and Pinkie rushed over. "AJ what happened?" She asked. "You feeling so guilty about the joke you cant wait to see Big Mac? No... You'd've been clothed... Did Ryder rape you?!"

I shook my head. "...I... I think he hates me...." I said. "...He... Never touched me... or violated me... I... I just fucked up..." She stood me up and hugged me.

"...There there auntie Pinkie's here... You wanna go upstairs and put my clothes on? Might make you feel better..." I looked to her.

"...No... I... I... I deserve this.... My joke backfired... Big Mac called Shinin' before he left... Prolly told Applebloom I was missin' and... Now... I'm in deeper shit than a pig durin' feeding time... My phones gone.... I had to run here in my underwear... I just need... I just want somewhere to sleep the night away.... I just..." I broke down crying burying my face into Pinkie's shoulder. She shushed me as she walked me all the way up to her room where she just covered me in a blanket. It was warm... Something my cold heart desperately needed... I sat there wrapped in that blanket feeling as if it were my only friend... Well... other than Pinkie... Ryder'd tell Dash to punish me, Fluttershy wouldn't think of me doing somethin' so mean, Rarity's probably calming AB down... The only one I got is Pinkie... I'm leaving Twilight out cuz Shinin' probably told her.... I wish Ry woulda just took the fall saying I didn't get there until after he sent the texts... But Shining just had to go for me... I was busted from the start... All my fault... I never noticed Pinkie left the room but she came back with a cupcake.

"Here...You need something to make you smile so this ones on the house." I took the cupcake as she sat next to me. "Sorry I was gone so long. I had to make a few calls. Dash was with Fluttershy trying to reassure her that you aren't missing and Big Mac to let him know you're here. It wasn't my idea but Mrs. Cake kinda didn't like it seeing you in your panties.... She was going to call the guard but I just said you took a nap and went sleep walking and you woke up somewhere and freaked out so you ran here." I sniffled just looking at the pink frosting of the cupcake.

"...Thanks... But... You think you can call Big Mac one more time just tell him whatcha said....? I don't want him spoutin' off otherwise the cakes wont let me stay here..." She smiled at me and nodded getting up from her bed. She gave me a quick flip of her hips and she was out the door leaving me to eat the cupcake in peace. The cupcake was sweet... Tasted of bubble gum with the frosting. It almost made me smile... Almost but I was real hurt... Too hurt by my brother and my boyfriend to smile... I'm still trying to figure out where Ryder was nice in this other than not beating me or having Shining haul me away... Or yell at me... But making me run around town near naked? That was probably the worst thing I felt today... I just hope he does forgive me... I already do forgive him for taking my clothes...

Day 7: Not Working For Her... Working BECAUSE Of Her!

Applejack... My own girlfriend faked being missing just to get back at Big Mac for taking her phone away. Just around eleven at night I was out on my couch with Applejack's clothing strewn across the coffee table. I was pissed but I know I fucked up here. I'd forgive her for pissing me off and using my phone for lies but she wouldn't forgive me for stripping her and shoving her out. But that wasn't why I was up. I still had a lot on my mind. That and I was waiting for Big Mac to come back from his place. He was so shaken up I supposed I could let him stay here to say sorry your sister scared you. "...AJ... why betray me like that...? I let you into my home... I offer dinner.... And cuddling..." I said. "...Yet you take all I give you and do for you and just light it ablaze... It's like taking a baseball bat and nailing me where the sun don't shine... Except the bat is on fire..." I started to fold Applejack's clothes up as best I could and then a knock came to the door. "It's open!"

The front door opened and in came Big Mac with a bag slung over his shoulder and dried tear marks on his face. "Hey..." He said. "...Before you apologize, I did the same thing to AJ before... She pissed me off so I got her in her underwear and locked her outside... She ran around the orchard in her panties trying to find a key I hid somewhere. She found the key, she got in and got her clothes back..." I gave a sigh and hid my face tearing up.

"...She probably hates me for that... I... I messed up..... She could be out there somewhere... Just.... Pissed off at me...." Big Mac sat right next to me and slung an arm around me.

"...Nah she don't hate you bud... She probably understands I hope... First I saw you together I thought it was a bit cute the way you two were... Granted I was pretty pissed off I just couldn't help but let her go with you and make you happy the way things were going between you n me.... I see you as part of the family sometimes but with what happened the night you got arrested... Friend is just a word I think might be best saved for Shining and Fluttershy but you n me are unofficial kin..." I sniffled giving a small smile. Almost unnoticeable.

"...I appreciate it but... I just... I tried calling her up but she didn't answer... That's a sign I know she's pissed at me..." Big MacIntosh gave a sigh.

"She didn't answer cuz I snatched her phone after we left the school house when Shining pulled us over for her being in her usual thinkin' spot while I'm driving. Besides not too long ago I did get a call from Pinkie saying AJ was there in tears. You maybe wanna call Pinkie up and apologize to AJ? I can let you use my phone if you think Pinkie aint gonna answer ya." I gave a moment for a thought. On one hand I apologize for what I did to AJ and feel a little bit better... On the other I wait until I meet face to face.... Apologize then and maybe get my ass handed to me by her.... I looked to my big burly friend.

"...Yeah... Lets just do that..." He gave me a smile and got up. I got up as well and went for the kitchen. "I'm gonna grab a drink... You want one?" He gave a nod just as he put his phone up to his ear. I went to the fridge and grabbed a few beers. I hid these behind all the things Scootaloo would never dare to eat. My hot peppers, my hayburgers from McHoovians, my own cans of soda she downright hates, a few of my favorite candy bars and a bottle of fruit punch soda. Saving that for some time I can drink something hard but I haven't found the right mixture yet. As I came back he was sitting on the arm of the couch talking.

"...Yeah I know I'm sorry for taking your phone but... C'mon at least stay on to talk with Ryder! He's right here and he's been beating the shit out of himself over what he did and yeah I did tell him what I did and now he feels even more like shit having you go out in public risking an indecent exposure charge... So you wanna talk with him or are you just gonna ignore him?" I huffed as I sat down next to him and took his phone from him after setting the drinks down. I felt myself tear up again as I put the phone up to my ear.

"...Aj... Please listen...."

I heard a gasp. "...R-Ryder...? You sound... Like you're cryin..." I heard Applejack say.

"I am... I... I'm sorry I did what I did.... I was blinded by my anger again... I never thought on instinct... I punched a guard saving Scootaloo from being taken away... I shot Berry outside your door... That was instinct but.... Taking your clothes wasn't my instinct... It was just a fit of rage I had to do something about and.... I'm just sorry okay...." I started to cry. Just cried as I gave Big Mac his phone back. I wanted to grab my drink but I just thought back to when my mom took my beer and threw it at the wall... I couldn't take it and just zonked out...

Again... I found myself in a dream sitting near my parents graves as a child. Again I found Luna walking towards me. She knelt down next to me and sighed as I hugged her. My little wings trembled. "...I guess some things cant ever be let go with you..." She said. "...All these emotions made you crack didn't they?" I gave a nod into her shoulder. "...Do I need to do the thing again...? You need to get yourself some sort of method to get your mind off of them... Maybe you should talk with me save me the trouble... Want to try that...?" I gave a nod and she broke the hug with me taking my hand. We started to walk away and I started to grow up. "Alright... What happened Ryder?" I sniffled wiping my eyes as I came to my full age.

"...AJ got her phone taken away after she was pushing me to ask what I was hiding from her... She came over, put me to sleep and took my phone to scare Big Mac after I told her it was just guard stuff... Shining showed up and I got so mad I took AJ's clothes and pushed her outside... It... It's not me... It's just not me..." Luna sighed as she hugged me again.

"...I know it isn't you... Your anger spikes these past few months aren't you... They were never you... Killing your parents killer... Punching that guard and dislocating his jaw... That kidnapping with Scootaloo and that incident with Applejack... Same with that attempt at suicide after your arrest... All this was done not because of your parents or your sister... You still had feelings for Berrie and those feelings are still getting in the way... Maybe I will do the thing again but we go see my father so you can give Berry what for! Yell at her, beat the undead shit out of her DO SOMETHING MAN!"

That was it. I wasn't working because I wanted to keep Scootaloo fed, clothed, dry or happy... It was because I wanted to keep ponies like Berrie off the streets... She was the reason I snapped like that. Each time I saw something going on I thought of Berrie. Well.... Other than the first time I saw her... When Scootaloo was screaming for me in that guards arms... I saw Berrie about to kill her. When I saw that stallion try and take my sister I saw Berrie again. Applejack. Berrie. Fucking BERRIE! Before I go on let me explain with Berrie on that last one. Before I got booted from my apartment I had my favorite signed CD I bought SHATTERED! Berrie ended up doing a strip tease to cover it up but I found out and broke up with her. She tried getting me back so many times it wasn't funny. She sent me that nude and all hell broke loose! That's what started this fucking chain of events. Back to the story I growled and punched myself in the face twice. Figured if I'm in a dream with Luna it wouldn't wake me up. I was right. I got SUUUUPER pissed off. Luna saw the fire in my eyes and grabbed my hand as her horn glowed. I could feel a bit of heat engulf us as the pitch black turned into a demonic castle. A throne appeared before us and there sat a stallion with the wings of a bat and two curved horns jutting out of his head. He had a black mane and a red coat. He wore a bathrobe and slippers as if he were a rich father relaxing in his study with a glass of brandy. In fact that was exactly what he was... Minus the study and the brandy. He gave a grin as he stood up. "Ah... You brought me a sacrifice daughter..." He said engulfing me in some sort of magic. His voice reverberated. Not echo off he walls. It's like what ever he said had an immediate echo that spoke every word. I struggled and spat right in his face. He didn't even dodge. "Ooh! A feisty one! Perfect for a return to the sacrifices!" Luna charged the stallion a.k.a her father and punched him in the stomach causing him to double over, dropping me.

"FATHER! HE IS NOT A SACRIFICE! SACRIFICIAL RITUALS HAVENT BEEN USED SINCE I WAS A LITTLE FILLY!" Luna huffed and helped me up to my feet with her magic. "Father doth thy remember a mare with two shotgun blasts to her torso region?" Her father stood up and coughed.

"How could I forget? Snickering like a maniac, reeking of shit, filth and...." He chuckled a bit. "...lust... Not just sexual... BLOOD Lust!" He laughed like he had heard the funniest joke ever. Luna smiled as she jumped back with the use of her wings.

"Well I'd like you to meet her killer! Ryder. A guard for me and Celestia. Mother has who that mare murdered in cold blood." Luna glanced over at me. "Ryder I'd like you to meet my father, Hellfire!"

I grinned as he approached me and held out his hand. "Well it's good to see who has that slut of an ex under fucking lock and key over a burning pit of fire!" I said laughing a bit as I shook his hand. "So where is that bitch? I wanna laugh at her and maybe aid in a little torture...."

Hellfire gave a laugh. "AH! YES THERE IT IS! THERES THAT FIRE I FELT WHEN SHE DIED!" He yelled pulling away from me. "Why don't we visit her own personal hell so you can beat that little shit into submission... Granted I have been raping her on my breaks..." TMI Dude! But... Actually good in this case... Crazy bitch deserves it. He flew up. Same with Luna so I guess I had to fly up and follow them.

I was right to do so. When we landed it looked just like Sweet Apple Acres... Just dead trees, broken and burnt home. Berrie was right where I shot her dead in a tattered dress. Chained to two concrete pillars, forced to stand there for all eternity. A red bat pony stallion stood there in black armor whipping her. Luna glanced over at me. "You ready to rid her from your mind forever?" She asked. I gave a nod as the stallion whipping Berrie noticed us and stepped aside as he bowed to the king of the underworld and his daughter. Hellfire approached him and the hell guard stood up.

"You. Leave us and bring either a semi-auto or automatic blunderbuss based weapon. Something similar to what this sex crazed whore was shot with."

The hell guard gave a nod and ran off just as I picked up the whip. "...I am going to enjoy this...." I said twirling the whip a bit.

Luna came to my side and yanked the whip away from me. "Not yet!" She said tossing the whip to the side. "You my friend... Oh you have to do something before unloading into her.... I will allow smacking her about but thy must tell her off!" I gave a nod as I cracked my knuckles and my neck approaching my chained ex. I grabbed her jaw and I looked her right in the eye. I couldn't tell if she could look back.

"...You fucking bitch... Everything you did... YOU FUCKING BROKE ME!" I came up with a right hook giving her a good punch to the face. I grabbed her face again. "You shot my fucking parents causing the fucking guards to try and take Scootaloo from me! YOU NEARLY GOT ME TO KILL MYSELF! I DIDNT WANT TO FUCKING JOIN YOU! I WANTED TO ERASE EVERY FUCKING MEMORY I EVER FUCKING HAD OF YOU! WITH FUCKING BULLETS NONETHELESS!" I came over with a backhand leaving a big fat red handprint on her face.

Hellfire came over and rested a hand on my shoulder. "She cant see you but I bet she can at least hear you." He said. "You seem to have had a history with her. Maybe if you want a go at her I can let you but why not cop a feel before you blast her tits right off but I wouldn't worry... They grow back PAINFULLY! I would give you a sample but you're mortal still so I cant let you have that as an experience... Trust me I got the old thing clipped by an axe and I was bedridden for a few days. Had me throwing up into a bucket because of the pain."

Berrie brought her head up and groaned. "...R-Ryder... I... I'm sorry..." She said.

I moved Hellfire out of the way and stretched a bit. I had to stretch my legs because there was always one thing I wanted to try and copy from Alley Brawler... I think Hellfire knew what I was thinking... And I did just come from a dream. So why the fuck not? What I did was did the splits and give Berrie a few quick punches to the cunt. I laughed as I got back to my feet hearing her whimper in pain. "THERE WE GO! YOU FUCKING BITCH YOU DESERVED THAT!" I yelled. I looked to Hellfire. "Where's that gun I wanna fucking unload a bunch of fire rounds into her!"

The demon bat pony gave a grin. "OH I just live for this type of torture!" He said. "Maybe after you go I might have a job for you down here."

Luna came to her fathers side. "Father! He must go with mother and spend his afterlife with his parents!" She said.

Anyways cutting that short because it felt like I was there for hours just lighting Berrie up with some fucking shells. Luna took me back to my dream realm, asked me if I was over Berrie now and I gotta say I felt great! After she woke me up I found myself in my bedroom... Awkwardly next to Big Mac... Actually... Kinda scary being next to my 'kinfolk'... Maybe why I yelled and fell out of bed. Big Mac sat up yelping. I was very lucky knowing I was in sport shorts. Same with Big Mac being in his boxers... I can never EVER unsee that. Big Mac looked around scared. He saw me just upside down and on my head and sighed. "...Shit... You scared me half to death..." He said helping me back up on the bed. "...Y'all had me panicking after you blacked out... Pinkie said pick you up and hold you down because you actually struggle quite a bit in your nightmares... She weren't kidding I got bruises on my back..."

I took a deep breath and sighed. "...Dude... NEVER.... EVER... sleep in the same bed with me..." I said. "...You want me to not give you bruises you wrap my ass in a comforter tight as ever." He gave a huge sigh.

"Well sorry there Ry I didn't know what else I could do other than what Pinkie told me! What were you dreaming about anyways?" I started to breathe normally.

"Well... I didn't much dream as much as I did have a nightmare... I realized why I put AJ out without her clothes... It wasn't because I was pissed off at her... I was pissed off at Berrie... She did the same thing to distract me from a bad thing.... Me reacting to the robbery... Punching the guard, smashing through that window at the school taking down the kidnapper... Sure I'm doing this for Scootaloo but... I was doing it more because of Berrie... She pushed me over the edge when I heard she killed my parents... That time when I tried killing myself was me trying to erase all the memories of Berrie... Not grieving over my dead parents... Well maybe part of it but Berrie took most of that up." Big Mac sat next to me and felt my forehead.

"Temperature feels normal but I think you've lost it!" I stood up and looked back to where my phone should be.

"I didn't lose anything except my phone... Where is it?" Yeah... Turns out that was in between the couch cushions. Lost it there during the freak out last night. Anyways about a half hour later I was at Sugarcube Corner all dressed up. White polo shirt and jeans with sneakers... I don't have any nice shoes okay? I was waiting out in the front with Pinkie Pie eating a few donuts and drinking chocolate milk... Delicious... As I brought the bottle of milk down from my mouth I gave a sigh. "Feels good to have my mind cleared of that stupid slut.... She's dead and so are the memories I have of her. What's her name? How should I know she's dead to me figuratively and literally!"

Pinkie gave me a smile as I bit into my glazed sprinkled donut. "Well I think its good you're over Berrie!" She said. "You know she threatened me to stay away from you before she died? I told her I didn't have any interest in dating you but I guessed she didn't listen." I took a deep breath.

"...Okay that's another thing you probably should've told me... Oh uh... Did you have to pad up at all with AJ here...?" She gave a slight nod having Mr. Cake walk by with a mop. "Ah... Well I hope that everything is all good in that department and... I actually wanna say thanks for the other night... Keep me dry but hey... Cant be the same for everypony." She gave a smile and rested a hand on my shoulder.

Moments later I see Big Mac come out from the back with Applejack at his side. She had her boots on but she wore one of Pinkie's dresses. It was a cute cotton candy blue. Came up almost as if it were for a call girl in the old west but... She looked cute in it. Pinkie stood up allowing Applejack to take a seat. She gave a sigh taking my hands. "...Sugarcube... I'm sorry I took your phone last night..." She said. "I just..." I stopped her right there.

"...I know... I forgive you but... question is... Do you forgive me for shoving you out? I took your clothes and... It just didn't feel as right as I thought it was... I don't even forgive myself for things like that..." I averted my gaze. She took a deep breath and released one of my hands.

"...I did some thinkin' sugarcube and... Well... I can forgive you but only on one condition." I looked back at her seeing a seductive smile on her face. "You take me out on a date at that new Canterlot restaurant down the road sometime soon. Sound like a deal?" I gave a relieved sigh.

"...How can I say no? I cant ever stay mad at you... You helped me through these tough months and... Losing you would be almost like that night... Almost being minus a gun, rain and a bunch of guards everywhere..." She shot a smile taking back both her hands.

"Speaking of guards don't you got somewhere to be officer?" I gasped a bit just before I started to chug the rest of my milk leaving a donut on the table.

"AGH I'M LATE!" Lucky me those donuts were on the house because I just got up and ran to the door. "SORRY AJ YOU CAN GET A RIDE HOME WITH PINKIE! I'LL CALL YOU LATER!" Busy morning suggests Luna was right about that dumb dead slut being my issue. I was pumped, I was ready to save a life and... Hopefully we figured out where that call was from... That was on my mind the whole car ride to Princess Twilight's castle. Where did that call come from? Who was the stallion that made the call? Would Princess Twilight appreciate it if we ruined a dinner she had catered tonight? That last question I'll say yes because we are saving her life. As I get ready to pull in to the parking garage three guard trucks pull out. You know who I see in the drivers seat of the lead truck? Shining. I would've honked but as soon as I saw him they were off, sirens blaring and lights flashing. I see this and I'm late to the party? If this were a real party Pinkie would NOT like it if I came late! Exactly why I drew my phone and put it on speaker as I called Shining up.

The phone buzzed a little bit and almost immediately it clicked. "You are SO lucky you called me!" Shining snapped. "Where the fuck are you?! Did you fucking sleep in again?!" I huffed stepping on the gas, speeding off after them.

"I had prior engagements dude! Breakfast and an apology sound weird to you because it sure doesn't to me!"

"Okay look I got an email from an anonymous source and apparently that caterer we heard on your phone is planning to move soon. We have the location but no one to prove it and since you didn't show up we have to be lucky and NOT fuck up!" I gave a grin and sped up passing the two following cars and pulled to the side of Shining's truck. I saw him with his phone up to his ears.

"Sir I'm gonna have to ask you to pull over! Cant use a device unless its a handsfree!" I gave a laugh hearing him sounding very confused. He glanced out the window for a second and huffed putting his phone on speaker setting it in the cup holder.

"Dude! You really scare me sometimes! Give me a second. Units! Cut the noise and make room for the general!" General... I liked the sound of that. At that second the two trucks following Shining Armor cut their sirens and lights. Shining did too. The trucks slowed down a bit giving me room to merge in. Now I was directly behind Shining. My engine roared following the speeding truck. Makes me wish I could do this all the time. "Alright Ryder here's what we're gonna do. The other guards and I are going to pull off and let you pull in to a parking spot just outside the catering company. Keep me on the line but mute your speaker. Better we hear you than you hear us. Getting caught isn't an option but PLEASE... fucking stick to the line of being pissed off at the Princess... Mention a job as a personal chef or something. Now hurry and go silent we cant keep speeding without our sirens forever!"

"Gotcha. Just flash your fourways when you're going off." I didn't get an answer but I could tell Shining was good to go because almost immediately he turned his fourways on. He pulled off to the side of the road and I went on.

"Alright... The name of the place is 'Steuropean Delights'. You're up bud. Good luck."

I gave a smile and muted my phone as I slowed up seeing a giant sign I've passed so many times. The garage I worked at was out this way. As I pulled into the parking lot of that catering company I shivered a bit. My wings wanted to puff up but my damn back against the seat said stay the fuck down and keep your fucking cool. I took a deep breath as I took a parking spot right in front. From the outside it just looked like a standard donut shop. As I stepped out of my car I put my phone in my pocket and looked inside seeing a few stallions talking inside behind the counter. Both earth ponies. One had a short spiked silver mane, steel grey coat. He wore a black button up and from what I could see slate suit pants. The other had a longer red mane, longer than mine. He had it up in a ponytail. His coat was a redish orange color. He wore a blue tshirt and some black jeans. I entered and the stallion who had the black button up on gave me a smile. "Ah welcome to Steuropean Delights would you like to cater a party?" He asked.

I huffed. "Yes but I... I need a minute right now!" I said acting pissed off as I looked at a case full of birthday cakes, cupcakes and all these other pastries.

The red maned stallion leaned on the counter near the register. "What's got you steamed?" He asked. "Seems like you got a lot on your mind. My therapist says you always need to vent to whoever to bring your mood down. Helps a lot. C'mon. What's on your mind?" Was I about to lie to these guys? Fuck yes. I sighed.

"...I just got fired from my job at that fucking Princess Twilight's castle... I was her chef and I accidentally put a little too much bell pepper on her pizza and she flips the fuck out at me! The worst part is my parents expect me to throw my little sisters party and now that I'm on a budget I cant rent out Pinkie Pie and Sugarcube Corner for catering!" The stallions swapped confusing looks. The red stallion looked back at me.

"Why would you have to rent Pinkie to throw a party? Bitch loves parties she throws em for free!" I had to think quick. Sometimes not my best thing because... Improv not my thing. Believe it or not back in High School I took a theatre class and somehow managed to pass by doing all scripted work. It's like a video game manual... That or blueprints on something. Put it together in your mind you can put it together in word or in physical form.

"My advice is to NEVER let your toilet clog up after Pinkie chugs seven sodas. Otherwise you better have extra pants she can wear, a poor sense of humor, polite party guests and you might not have to pay to get her. Four hundred for a few hours. Not a good price!" The stallion in black went to a ringing phone in the back. The red mane gave a whistle.

"Sheit! That's harsh! Hey maybe you can help us out today. I'll give you half price on that party for your sister. That sound good to you?" I gave a smile.

"How can I say no? My sister has been dying to have a rich Saddle Arabian Chocolate cake! I say no to that I can basically kiss my wings goodbye. My dad is a bit of a brute when it comes to having his little girl cry." The stallion backed away and motioned me to follow him. I gave my wings a good flap and hopped over the counter almost clipping it and the register but I was just an inch from eating shit along with a few of my own teeth.

As I landed behind the counter I gave myself a quick look by acting as if I fell off balance for a second. Right under the register was a huge case of rat poison. I mean huge. They were under half of a trash bag which was ripped showing a dead rat and a skull and crossbones. I flapped my wings once more and got back to my feet. I blushed a bit as I fixed my mane thinking that red maned stallion was looking at me. Nothing but the soles of his shoes going to the back which now I clearly saw as a full kitchen with a big cart of covered trays on it. The silver maned stallion was screwing around on his phone with a box of that rat poison on the counter behind him. "Hey kid!" He called out beckoning me over. The red maned stallion passed him and took the box of rat poison. "I got a question for you." I shot him a smile.

"What can I do for ya? Make a pasta? Bake a few cupcake batches?" He laughed shaking his head.

"Nah nah nothing like that. Y'see I accidentally butt called someone the other day and I am just a little scared they're gonna try something with an empty threat I shot this jack ass!" He pointed to his red maned friend but I was more focused on knowing they were in a bull faced lie. Wait... Not bull face it was just a fucking rock wall of lies. But I was also freaking out. I was about to get caught. "You mind calling that number back and apologizing on my behalf?" I looked to a chair just sitting against the wall with a few pots and pans stacked on it I went over and picked them up.

"Sure just let me move this stuff and make a place for me to sit down. Feeling a little light headed... Hope that's okay."

"Oh that is more than fine. We still have a bit of prep here and you falling down back here is not a liability we can take without you having to sign some forms verifying your employment here. I did hear you were a cook and we do like to have extra hands." I gave him a smile and walked the pots and pans over to an empty table but just before I set them down my phone goes off. Full on ringtone. It was a nuclear alarm. Not siren. It was from a video game though. I look back and I see the two stallions looking at me in shock. "...I-it's you! You're the guy we called!" I grunted and threw the pots to the ground with a large clang.

"Eeyup... You might as well give up now because I wasn't actually fired... Not actually a cook but I am working for Princess Twilight... The princess you two said you'd poison for something as stupid as a playset... I got four words for you. Guess them and give up." Each stallion backed up a bit still shocked as I approached them. "No guesses? Well then... You are under arrest." I swear I had my badge somewhere... Either that or I didn't get one... Past week has been REALLY confusing... Especially after that hit to the head first night of this damn job... Just then the stallion with the red mane charged me with a knife. Instinct kicked in and almost in slow motion I grabbed his arm, pushed it away and bashed him in the face with my head. He dropped immediately getting knocked out. I think the knife went into his arm. The silver mane wasn't an easy customer. This guy charges me and manages to push me back.

"YOU HAD TO BE A FUCKING GUARD HOW THE HELL DID I MANAGE TO BUTTCALL THE ONE FUCKING GUARD IN THIS TOWN WHO KNEW WHERE WE WERE!?" I grunted getting to my feet picking up a skillet.

"Lucky shit! Now get on the floor and I don't crack that skull of yours egghead!" He picked up a rolling pin and flipped it in his hand.

"Make me dough boy!" Puns... Why? Honestly one liners go to the professionals. Anyways we charged each other and I came within a few inches of having a dent in my head. I came back around just missing him and hitting the counter. The loud clang stunned us both but what ever. I came back with a quick jab to his side before coming back with the frying pan hitting him in the back. He dropped the rolling pin but he didn't go down. I wanted the fight to go on for a while so we can at least get one guy to at least go through interrogation. I tossed aside the frying pan and got into a readied stance. Good thing I did because he came at me with a few punches, two of which I manage to block and another I had no time to react to and I took that right in the gut. Gotta say it hurt but I wasn't taking it lying down. As he pulled back my whole world went in slow motion. He threw another punch, I dodged it. Same with the next one, and you wanna know who I see run in at the last possible second? Shining and the other guards. After I see them I do something that just nearly gave me a heart attack. I manage to do the splits and give him an uppercut to the testes. I stayed in my splits position as the stallion fell over crippled by the pain.

Shining came over to me as the other guards went and put cuffs on the two stallions. "Duuuuuuude! What the fuck did you just do?!" He asked.

I fell back and straightened out a bit shocked. "I.... I don't know..." I said sitting up. "...That... That hasn't happened before except..." I gasped. "...The dream... I cunt punched Berrie in my dream last night... How did I do this...?" I glanced at Shining. "...Do you have Princess Luna's number at all? I... Need to ask her something... Clear my fucking mind again..." Shining nodded and helped me up. We went over to the back door of the shop and went outside where he gave me his phone after unlocking it.

"Go ahead. You deserve it." I gave a smile and took his phone.

I scrolled through his contacts until I found Princess Luna's contact. Didn't bother looking at the info I just hit call. I put the phone up to my ear and waited as it buzzed in my ear. I just thought about what just happened and if it was a dream. Soon the phone clicked and I heard a yawn. "...Shining what the hell...?" I heard Luna's voice say. "...Calling me at this time of day...? What the fuck happened did Cadence kick you out or something?"

I took a deep breath. "P-princess it's Ryder...." I said nervous as hell. "I apologize for waking you but.... I'm just a bit scared and confused at the moment... The thing we did last night with Berrie... I cunt punched her like a character in Alley Brawler.... Yet... I just did the same thing to the guys who were trying to poison Princess Twilight... I've never been able to do that shit before..." Luna gave a sigh and grunted a bit.

"...Ah Ryder... My father must've given you that ability as a gift... He did seem to like you very much so.... Yeah... I'll call you later Ryder....Sorry... Early morning gaming session..." I smiled giving a laugh.

"Alright. Sleep well Princess." I hung the phone up and gave it back to Shining. He still looked confused. "Well... A deal with the devil went right I guess... That's how I did that."

Shining looked at me like I was crazy. "...A dream? Calling Luna? What the hell is this all about?" He asked. I took a deep breath and leaned against the wall.

"First up a mini freak out caused me to black out and start to remember what was going on before the murder. Luna came, calmed me down and she saw that I wasn't losing my shit because of my parents. It was because I was losing my shit because of Berrie. What the hell have you seen me do since the murder?" Shining thought for a moment.

"You... started to beat the shit out of every criminal you came across that either threatened you or your friends because...."

"Because when I shot Berrie I lost my shit because my mom told me to stay away from her and I didn't get a chance to say I just wanted to be friends but it saved me the trouble because I would've gone and probably said something I shouldn't have. When I shot Berrie I saw nothing but red... Same with the robbery, the kidnapping and... Well AJ... She did something that reminded me of her... Strip tease to hide trouble...."

"So what did you do?"

"Luna basically brought me to hell where I met her father and just unloaded my anger at Berrie... Kinda weird that I went to hell and got a job offer..." Shining gave a huff.

"No shit. That is weird." He smiled at me and opened the door back up. "You get on back to the castle. I'll get a hazmat team clear this place of all the poison and.. Maybe see if you can get a new phone. You lost connection when you went inside. We waited as long as we could but we were glad to come at that time. Someone could've lost the fight and it could've gone either way."

I basically spent the rest of the day at the castle. I even got to meet Princess Cadence who apparently was just about to go and pick Scootaloo up. Come to find out that dinner Twilight had catered was for me. She was giving me a proper welcome into the Royal Guard as a general. Shining kept that secret up until this morning and... Gotta say... It was a good thing I did this guard thing. Nopony fucks with someone high ranking in the guard. Gives Scootaloo a bit of relief knowing I'm there to protect her. Fuck Berrie and start fucking doing something that gives me a shot to pay everyone back.

Day 8: A Time To Let Go

You're probably wondering why I'm going on about my new life as a guard. Its because there were a few lose ends I needed to tie up. And no that doesn't mean I'm killing anyone or myself. Today Princess Twilight let me get a day off. I managed to keep Scootaloo out of school and ... Well I brought Dash along with us. I was wearing a presentable button up and dress pants. Scootaloo had a dress on and somehow I convinced Dash to put a dress on too. What we were doing was... Well... We were going to pay our respects to my mom and dad. Scoot n Dash were in the back seat just being close together afraid one or the other would start crying. They were close to it but they were holding up good. Scootaloo leaned forward tapping my shoulder. "...A-are you sure you want to do this Ry...?" She asked. "...I mean... I cried hard when I had to go to Dash's... Applejack wasn't making it any easier on me and I threw up..."

I sighed glancing in the rearview mirror. "...I know how hard you took it Scoot... We both did..." I replied. "...But I'm sure I wanna do this... The way we saw them wasn't a good way to see them... Better we go and say our good byes properly... And Dash... I brought you along not because of Scoot... It's because you're a big part of this family... Sure you give us shit sometimes but what I have you doing all the time is keeping both of us happy while I keep you and your friends safe."

Dash sat Scootaloo back and leaned up hugging my neck. "...When I saw Scoot with AJ and Rarity on TV talking about a murder I thought the worst but... Here you are keeping that squirt near her friends. I thought the guy who murdered your guys' parents was going to jail not you Ry... AJ just came with Scoot and left... Didn't really hear much about you until Rarity called me crying her eyes out scared saying you got arrested because they thought you were the killer or something..." I sighed.

"...I was just all broken up... Berrie tried killing AJ, Scoot almost got taken away... I just didn't wanna be left alone when I saw the guard trying to take my sister... I didn't want her alone, away from me and her friends... Sure I sacrificed my freedom, my car and all my friends and what they think about me but... I did that for you Scoot. Ever since I came here you've been the best sister I could ask for... Been right there for me to have a reason to smile... Love you Scoot... Always and forever..." My eyes welled up with tears as we pulled into a funeral home parking lot. Almost forgot Princess Luna is helping me pay for a proper burial soon and... Saying goodbye to them in the afterlife isn't the same. Scootaloo crawled over the seat just as I broke down. She hugged me full on while Dash just hugged me from behind the seat.

"...It's okay Ry... We gotcha... Always gotcha..." Yep... they always had me. Whether it were on strings making me their puppet doing all my movements for me or cuddling me like I was a teddy bear or something. What ever it was it was good they were supporting me and holding me.

As we did I see a red SUV pull up next to us. Why am I saying this you ask? I'm saying this because that truck belonged to my aunt and Dash's mom. She was a blue Pegasus mare with a green and blue mane almost as if it were a green scale or something. Aunt Misty (as me and Scoot call her) wore a deep navy blue dress. She was the type of mare who would rock the fuck out to Gems n Tulips or Metallicolt yet somehow managed to conform to society again the next minute. I look out the window and I see my uncle. Uncle Red, Red Flare and as I like to call him Big Red. His mane was a fiery mess sometimes but here he actually slicked it back. Still looked like shit but... Shit with glitter on it. I see both my aunt and my uncle bend down to look into the window giving us humble smiles. I nudged Dash and Scoot prying them both off of me and pointed them out. Scootaloo didn't care. She just went right back for me whimpering while Dash pushed up the passenger seat and opened the door. My aunt and uncle instantly hug Dash. I reach back and opened my door carefully getting out with my sister sobbing softly into my shoulder. My uncle breaks the hug and moves the mares out of the way closing my door. I nudge mine shut holding Scootaloo close. Big Red comes up to me and hugs me and Scoot holding us both tight. "...So sorry you two..." He said. "...Those parents of yours were good... Sucks big time to lose em the way you did..."

I sighed sniffling a bit. "...Thanks Red..." I said. I pushed him off a bit and set Scootaloo on the ground nudging her towards Aunt Misty and Dash. She ran over and hugged them "Red... Gotta say it was hard for me... I almost thought I had to be set into a mental institution the way I was... Night zero I... I killed their murderer..." Big Red gasped a bit. He would've said something but I just nodded knowing what he was gonna say. "...The murderer was my ex... She killed them... I found her right outside my girlfriends house and shot her with my best friends shotgun... I was almost too late for Scoot... She saw them dead... I freaked so bad I ignored every possible sound but... One of my friends... She... She yelled at me and I punched a guard getting Scoot back... I ended up getting arrested and stayed in a holding cell for almost three days..." I hugged him again seeking comfort. He hugged and shushed me feeling me shutter.

Dash came over and rested a hand on my shoulder. "...C'mon you guys lets just get inside and get this over with..." She said. I broke the embrace and nodded wiping away my eyes. I walked over to the curb and picked Scootaloo up expecting the worse.

My aunt rested a hand on my shoulder as I walked on towards the door. "...you be brave for your sister." She said. "...A filly who goes through that isn't gonna take it well..." I would say something here but I just hugged Scootaloo. I barely kept it together just hearing my sister sob softly into my ear. She was hurting a bit too much. I almost wanted to take her back home. Almost.

We walked inside of the funeral home. All the inside of it was was just a small church like area with two caskets sitting near the podium. A stallion wearing a black suit came and greeted us. Uncle Red went over and talked with him while me, Scoot, Dash and Aunt Misty walked over towards the caskets. The caskets with mom and dad inside. Dad had a black suit on with a peaceful look on his face. Mom had that same look in the black dress she had on. I set Scootaloo down and held her hand giving a sigh. "...I... I'm sorry I couldn't have stopped her sooner guys... You guys didn't need to go out like that..." I said. "...I just wanted to... I just wanted to apologize for all the problems I gave you guys...."

My tears clouded up my vision. I felt Scootaloo tug at my hand a bit. She was going up to say goodbye herself. "....I hope y-you guys sleep well..." She said almost crying. "...I didn't like seeing you guys like that... You didn't deserve this.... I...I...." The little filly that I called my only family started to cry hard. I picked her up and hugged her.

"....It's okay... I gotcha... Mom and dad are proud of you for being so brave like that.... I am too sis... They're really happy... you said that..." Scootaloo sniffled and sobbed into my shoulder.

"....M-mommy... Daddy...." That. That right there.... Just by saying that I wanted to cry.

Rainbow Dash gave a whimper. "....Y-you guys were the best aunt and uncle I ever had..." She said. "...I wish I had visited m-more... I wouldn't have asked for cash... I wouldn't take advantage but... I... I just wanted to spend more time with you... I coulda gotten us together for dinner... Maybe to just play some mini golf or something... But... Now I just... All I can do is be a good sister figure to your daughter..." She broke down crying and hugged me and Scootaloo. She looked to me in the eye. My teary eyes. "...Thanks for calling my mom and dad... Th-they needed to be here..." Yeah.... I found my aunt and uncles numbers stashed away somewhere in my mom and dads room and put em in my phone... Ended up telling them mom and dad died. They asked how long and... Well I said about a month or so... A bunch of shit got in the way but... I only cleaned the room out first week I was back at home... Not to mention that was the first week I had to explain to my little sister big brother peed his bed but she knew why I did.

My aunt walked over and joined into the hug as my uncle walked over from talking with that stallion in the suit... Didn't know what he was, didn't know who he was, all I know is that he worked here and prepped their bodies I think... I don't know I only cared about saying goodbye to mom and dad... "...I cant believe you both went without us makin' up for my dumb fuck up..." Uncle Flash said. "...Your boy... You raised him right... You guys made the boy who fixed stuff for us... But only after it was too late to hug it out and for me to say I'm sorry... Sis... Hope you and mom are having fun up there... If being up there aint as painful..." Yeah... He wasn't as good with words. I know what he meant though. "...I'll be kickin' my own flank for not apologizing sooner... Now until we meet at them pearly gates..." I sensed a weakness in his voice. He was just about to break. Break like a two by four under a thousand pound weight while someone tried to lever it right up and right off. Takes a lot of stress but it will eventually break. He broke in under thirty seconds of saying what he had to.

Wanna know what we had to do? I had to drive back to my place, same with my aunt just to get into bed, diapered- because Scoot was very embarrassed and... Dash was too but she had her parents put it on her because I couldn't trust her to put it on herself making me and Scoot the only diapered ones. Having Dash and Scootaloo at my side made it easy for me just to fall asleep. Guess where I found myself? With Luna. I appeared in a white shirt and basketball shorts. She gave me a smile. "Well... Someone seems at peace with themselves..." She said approaching me. "You didn't have a nightmare last night. You've woken up dry multiple nights and thy cousin and her parents are talking again. You are doing great things."

I gave her a smile as I hugged her. "...Thanks again for letting us bury our family members..." I said. "They deserve a burial and not cremation... Being shot is enough for them." Luna held me tight.

"...You deserve it general. You have the skill for taking down any criminal that threatens you, your family, Me, Celestia and anyone who needs protecting. Is there a set date to lay them to rest?" I gave a hesitant nod breaking the embrace.

"We were thinking of doing so with in the week. Make it fast for me, Scoot and Dash just so we don't have to go through the stress of figuring that out. May I ask a favor Princess?" Princess Luna gave a nod making a few chairs appear. I took a deep breath as I sat down. "Princess... It may be a bit too much to ask but... I'd like to see my parents one last time but... I want to do it with Scootaloo.... I want to feel as if the family was still together than feuding... I was yelled at by my dad in the beginning and my mom almost had me cussing her out... I want to bring some memories back to life. And yes. Good family memories." Luna smiled.

"I can do that for you. Think of this as Celestia's gift welcoming you into the guard." She stood up and helped me to my feet just as the chair disappeared. "Now give me a second. I need to tap into your sisters dream." I gave a nod and she closed her eyes having her horn glow. The dream realm around me started to morph around me turning into about half a grave yard. Half being one full grave yard and two separated graves. Sitting at those graves was Scootaloo.

I sighed and started to approach the graves. Luna followed but kept her distance. I came to my sisters side and saw she was crying a bit. I knelt down and rested my hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me for just a second before hugging me. "...I miss mommy and daddy..." She said. Luna came to my side as I stood up with Scoot in my arms.

"We know you do... right now we have something to do that involves you both." Scootaloo looked to me confused.

I gave her a smile as I wiped a tear from her eye. "...Luna's gonna bring us to see them up in heaven..." I said. "...It's best we do this just to rekindle some good memories.... Who knows we could have new memories to take back."

Scootaloo whimpered a bit. "...C-can we bring Dash too?" She asked.

"...I dunno Scoot... I only asked for you to come and not Dash..."

Luna gave us a warm smile. "I'll just throw this one in as a freebie to you and bring Dash over." She said. I gave a sigh.

"Thank you princess.... I did say she was just as much family as me and Scoot are..." I held Scootaloo close. She nuzzled me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Luna's horn glow yet again and everything changed into a public street area with ponies all crowded around in one area. It sounded like they were laughing... and behind that I heard someone yelling. I gave Scootaloo to Luna as I started off towards the crowd of ponies who apparently didn't have any faces.

The yelling became clearer and clearer as I came closer. "STOP IT! STOP LAUGHING AT ME!" Someone yelled and yes. It was Dash. Just as I tried pushing past the other ponies I fell right through almost as if they weren't even there. In the middle of them I saw Dash trying to cover up a gigantic pink diaper that looked way too big for her flank. It did hug her legs but it was WAY too poofy. I gave a snicker as I stood up. Dash looked up at me as everypony disappeared.

"Really embarrassed about Aunt Misty putting some padding on you huh?" Dash wiped her eyes as Luna and Scootaloo walked up.

"...Y-you... you aren't here to laugh at me too are you...? I hate this fucking thing... I haven't been in diapers since potty training..." I grabbed her arm and yanked her up onto her feet.

"...I can laugh about this at any time but right now why don't you get changed into something else." I pointed to the side and a wardrobe popped up with a little changing screen. She didn't waste any time by pushing me to the ground and rushing over to the wardrobe. Gotta say I did laugh seeing her waddle away before breaking into a sprint-ish run. As she changed I looked to Luna who was blushing a bit. "She's just doing this for Scoot, same as I am."

Scootaloo blushed a bit. "...Ryder can you not embarrass me in front of the princess...?" She asked hiding her face.

Luna set Scootaloo down and knelt next to her. "Can I tell you something Scootaloo?" She asked. Scootaloo gave a hesitant nod. "Ever since my return from the moon, I had to adapt to the new life style you live. I've been playing video games during a time I'm not doing anything. One day last week I was playing an online game against Ryder and I might have played a bit too long. By the time my console shut off I was in a pool of uh... You know.... Due to a few energy drinks, a soda or two and a generous amount of coffee... Every pony has accidents and with accidents happening often some precautions have to be made. Every time you have an accident while sleeping, are out in public and even when you just quite don't make it just remember even a princess like me and Celestia have accidents okay?"

Scootaloo gave a smile and nodded before hugging Princess Luna. I smiled as well as Dash came back over dressed in a wonderbolts jump suit. She sighed. "...Only in our dreams I guess." She said. "So... What are you guys doing here anyways? Other than saving me from an embarrassing nightmare..." She blushed as Scootaloo joined me back at my side as Luna stood up.

"Well Dash we're going on a little trip to visit somepony. With your dreams connected I can bring all three of you to the higher realm and visit some of your relatives. I've done it with these two but they want to do it again bringing you this time. Do you accept the offer?" Dash looked to me and Scootaloo confused.

I gave a hefty sigh. "Luna took me and Scootaloo to see mom and dad in heaven." I said. "Do you wanna come with or not?"

Dash gave a moment of thought. "...Whatever... Might get my mind off you-know-what..." She said going into a little pout.

Luna gave a smile and nudged Dash closer to me and Scootaloo. "Alright now stay together you three." She said. "I tried this once with a stallion long long ago and I managed to lose him in limbo. I found him he just came back with a little problem with a few bodily functions. Technically he died." Scoot whimpered and clung to me tightly. Luna huffed. "Little filly... why do I always mess up when little ones are present...." Luna closed her eyes and concentrated as her horn started to glow. Scootaloo buried her face into my side while I hid Dash's eyes from the bright light which kinda stunned me a bit. Didn't have time to put my hand up in front of my eyes... Probably would've been faster to close them but... shit it was worse than a fucking flashbang grenade in one of my C-Sphere games. I basically watched a whole world form around us before we found ourselves in the middle of my living room. Once that happened I leaned onto Dash feeling as if I nearly lost control of my legs. Luna rushed to my side as Scootaloo backed away. "Don't worry I gotcha!"

I gave a groan as Dash and Luna helped me over to the couch sitting me down so I could just get myself out of my stunned state. "A mortal reacting to the fast changes around him and a bright light and still awake." A voice said. "Now I've seen everything. You need me to fix everything there?"

Dash yelped and tackled me onto the couch, scared. Luna looked behind her and there stood her mother, Heavens Light. "P-Please tell me I didn't have a heart attack in my sleep..." Dash said. "I don't wanna die just yet.... I've got so much stuff I wanna be awesome at!"

Scootaloo came over and yanked Dash's arm pulling her onto the floor. I sluggishly sat up and gave a nod trying to get some words out. Nothing but gibberish. Heavens light picked me up with her magic and in a flash I found myself standing straight up and perfectly fine. I knelt down bowing my head in respect. "Thank you. Didn't have time to block my vision before your daughter brought us here... Sorry if we're intruding again..." Dash got up sitting Scootaloo on the couch.

"Daughter? Intruding again?! What the fuck is going on in here? This better not be some fucking drug trip! Did I poke myself with a needle you have hidden under your pillow Ryder?!"

Luna huffed as I got back to my feet. "Dash first off this is my mother and you are in her realm!" She snapped. "Thy should treat my mother with respect, apologize for talking out of turn and bad mouthing your cousins good name!" She never even looked at Dash as she said that. I looked to Dash as she crossed her arms and sighed.

"Sorry for that stuff but... Can someone still tell me why we're in a more... Cleaner version of your place Ryder... PLEASE?!"

I took a deep breath giving a sigh. "Dash... I told you once...." I said. "We're in heaven and everything up here is better than what's down there and in between... Trust me I've seen the underworld too and its a long story so please don't ask." I looked back to Luna's mother. "...Again very sorry if we're intruding. We just wanted to visit with our family members one last time before finally laying their bodies to rest!"

Heaven gave us a smile. "No need to be sorry." She said. "Thy can come up here at any time since my daughter speaks highly of you... And that you have met my husband and I understands he has a liking towards you." I gave a relieved sigh.

"Well... Might be the last time for me but... not too sure about my sister... I might be here when she's here but not by myself."

"A good sibling you are. You stay right here while I bring your parents. They're visiting with thy grand parents. Unless you want to visit with them as well. I understand you never got to meet them but it might be a good idea to meet them." I gave this a moment of thought.

"Not right now. Maybe another time. Hearths Warming perhaps. Right now we just want to meet with our mother and father... Sorry if it feels as if i'm rushing you." Heavens Light gave a nod and flashed away. I went and sat down on the couch, putting Scootaloo on my lap as Luna and Dash sat down next to us.

Dash took a deep breath and gave a sigh as she put an arm around my neck. "...I think Luna's mother is actually right." She said. "You're just being the best brother you can be if you actually saved your sister risking your own freedom... I mean you held up okay after you went back into that house..." She nuzzled me whimpering a bit. "...I thought... I thought I was gonna lose more than just Aunt Airway and Uncle Rubber... I see Scootaloo and not you.... I thought you died...." I gave Dash a hug seeing her tear up.

"...I'm not dead just yet... We all have our times, mines just not now or yours for that matter..." I actually had a tear come to my eye as I hugged Scoot and Dash. "...Thank you both for giving me a reason to keep on kickin'... Love you..."

Scootaloo and Dash nuzzled me each giving me a kiss on the cheek. Luna gave a bit of a laugh. "...You are a true family no matter who's lost and who's gained." She said having a seat on the coffee table. "Now dry those tears or else those diaper nightmares are going to get worse Dash." Dash quickly broke the hug and rubbed at her eyes wiping the tears away as best she could. Me and Scoot... I guess we just didn't wanna have each other wake up wet. Kinda hard to have Scoot stop crying when she starts.

Time almost stood still as I hugged Scootaloo and held her as close as I could without crushing her. I guess we were there for so long we didn't notice Heavens Light enter again but with our mother and father this time. Mom saw us crying on the couch and hurried to hug us, ignoring Dash almost completely. Almost being she pushed Dash over to the side and sat in between us. "....C'mon you two don't cry... momma's here..." My mom said comforting both of us. "...you're okay... You're holding up fine...."

Dad came over to us and knelt down putting a hand on my lap. "Yeah... Come on... please stop crying." He said.

I sniffled and gave Scootaloo over to mom and wiped my eyes. "...S-sorry..." I said. "...It's just... It's hard to know you guys wont be there to see Scoot grow up... You wont see any grandfoals... Not even see Scoot get off the ground... I mean... I got Aunt Misty and Uncle Red to come over... They... they're just trying to cope with knowing they didn't have a chance to make up with you guys..." Dad sighed standing up.

"...Dont worry.... I kick myself now just feeling like I should've done something... I actually would've done something behind your mothers back since she's not one to budge on stuff like that."

Dash sprang up and almost tackled my dad to the floor hugging him. "...I-I'm sorry I didn't visit... My mom would've gutted me and fucked me up the ass with my own entrails...." She said starting to break down. "...D-don't h-hate me please...."

My mom got up and gave Scootaloo over to Luna and hugged Dash and my dad. "...Dash we could never hate you... You and Ryder worked together to get us back together and... We're at fault because we didn't listen...." She said. "...When you go back.... Please.... Tell your father to take Ryder and dig into my closet... He's got something in there that I've been meaning to give back but never got the chance...."

I glanced over and saw Luna whispering into Scootaloo's ear. Scootaloo wiped her eyes giving Luna a smile nodding before climbing onto my lap whispering to me. "...Luna tells me we're still dreaming here." She said. "....You think you can get mommy and daddy to sit down? I wanna try flying here.... Make them at least see I can do it... You can probably help me to fly for real when we wake up. Please help?" I got a warm feeling from hearing that. She wanted me to teach her to fly... She hasn't flown at all... I flew at her age but she needs to work her wings out which Dad had me doing... Didn't fly since I got stuck. Flew right up a flag pole and gave myself a wedgie... This pole was twenty feet in the air and even pegasai can have a fear of heights.

I went back and whispered into Scoot's ear. "...Scoot... If you promise to do what I say i'll teach you." I said. "Go on Scoot... get ready and I'll sit em down." Scootaloo gave a nod and got up off of my lap. I got up and pried mom and dad away from Dash. "Here guys take a seat. Got you a special surprise." I sat them down as Princess Luna got up off of the table and stood off to the side with her mother. I went back to Dash and hugged her shushing her as she sobbed softly into my shoulder. I looked over to Scootaloo and gave a thumbs up. She smiled nervously as she faced mom and dad.

"Mommy... Daddy..." She said. "...I feel kinda sad that you wont ever get to see this for real but... I want you guys to see what you're missing... I want you to at least root for me from here.... Well... Here goes...." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath extending her wings. She fluttered them a few times before hopping off the ground grunting as she stumbled a bit. She was flying... My sister was in mid air flying.

I looked over at mom and dad tearing up a bit knowing I'd be one to teach her how to actually fly. They started to tear up as well. "...Scoot..." My dad said. "...Sweetie... Y-you're flying...." That she was...

Heavens Light walked over to my father. "...Thy must have a reason that she hasn't yet flown on the realm of the living." She said. My father looked over at her.

"We... We blamed a foalsitter for her not being able to fly but we don't know which one did it...." The heavenly goddess looked to Scootaloo. "Couldst thy land and move away from the TV?" Scootaloo landed on the ground and hurried to me giving me a hug in tears. A remote appeared in Heavens hand and she turned it on. "Apparently a foal sitter by the name of Mariner Might had left Scootaloo alone when she was just a foal. Her wing got caught on a toy and when Mariner had found out she accidentally pulled a few vital feathers from one wing."

We all looked to the TV and saw Scootaloo as a cute little baby. She had a pink shirt and matching flowery skirt with a diaper poking from underneath. She was sitting around different toys. Cars, trains, little wagons and stuff. A blue maned unicorn mare sat off to the side looking as if she were texting on a phone not paying attention. That's pretty much how it was. We couldn't really hear what was being said but all I could watch was my own baby sister. Her cute mane with a little pink bow in it, her teeny little wings ah! I could go on forever but I wanna go on with this shit. As the foalsitter left the room Scootaloo tried standing up but fell back onto a toy train getting a few feathers caught in between the wheels. She cried, the foal sitter ran back in and took it off her wing. Wasn't much to that but... My mother freaked. "No wonder she couldn't fly!" She said. "I knew she was bad news from the first day when she wanted her money up front! That little.... UGH!" Heavens Light turned off the TV and made the remote disappear.

"Yes. Without those feathers she wont be able to grow as a Pegasus filly. Perhaps if you wish I can allow the feathers to grow back?"

Scootaloo looked at me as surprised as I was. She looked back at Mrs. Light. "Will you really Miss Light?" Scoot asked. I saw the heavenly mare nod and kneel down.

"Yes. My wishes come at a price. Nothing like my husbands." Oh shit.... "If I give you those feathers they'll start small. Over time they will grow to their full size and you'd be able to fly for real. You and your family would be able to fly to Cloudsdale without help and from what I've seen with you I know you love thy flight team The Wonderbolts correct?" Scootaloo blushed and nodded.

I huffed. "C'mon don't keep the kid waiting anymore! I'm getting excited just to teach her!" I said. Heavens Light gave a nod and with a flash everything was done. I wasn't stunned, I didn't see double. It was quick.

"There... Scootaloo. Thy have been given the gift to fly. One day you will be able to go as high as they would take you. But for now... I think it might be time to say your farewells. If thou can consult my daughter you can come here at any time and I welcome thee with open arms."

I sniffled and picked Scootaloo up. I was still affected by seeing my baby sister fly even if it was in a dream. Mom and Dad got up from the couch and hugged us. "...It was... great seeing you guys..." Dad said. "...You guys were the best kids we had.... You guys were trouble at times but... You guys did good..."

Mom kissed our cheeks. "....Remember Ryder.... Uncle red needs to get something back... He'll know what it is when he sees it." She said. She glanced at Dash. "Dash honey? You wanna go back with them or can you stay a little longer?"

Princess Luna approached us. "If Dash wishes she can stay a little longer." She said. "I can take Ryder and Scootaloo to their own dream sharing realm and wake them up."

Dash sighed. "...Why don't you just do that Princess... I wanna stay here and tell my aunt and uncle something...." She said. Luna gave a nod and Me and Scootaloo kissed our parents goodbye and... Yeah all that other lovey dovey shit.

Not long later we were awake, I changed back into my own grown up clothes and Scootaloo was in her room just dressing herself back up. Dash how ever was still asleep and get this: She wet herself. I went out of my room dressed in basketball shorts and a tank top. As I came to the banister I saw my uncle and aunt sitting on the couch watching TV almost as if they were mom and dad just in some other bodies. I stepped down the stairs and gave a sigh. "Just seems so empty without them huh...?" I said alerting them.

Aunt Misty looked up at me as Uncle Red turned the TV off. "Yeah... Such a shame you had to come home to.... that stuff..." She said. "...I'm surprised no one here is mentally damaged from that..." I sat down on the coffee table.

"...Well you obviously haven't seen the surveillance video from the local gun range I'm banned from... I got arrested saving Scoot from CPS and... Well look at me now I'm the general just because I got a second chance and because Shining Armor fucked up. But hey... I got the know how to protect everyone and take em down with no shots fired. Took down a robbery at Sugarcube Corner but... It did cost them a broken window and a bit of an accident from somepony who had the gun aimed at them. Twelve gauge and it was not good to some foals... nap time was interrupted." Yeah I didn't know why I said that.

Uncle red took a breath and sighed. "Well... I'd say you had something done to that nut of yours." He said. "Dash up yet? I gotta apologize for snickering while her mother diapered her up. Speakin' of which why do you got those?"

"Long story... But... Aunt Misty you might wanna get up and maybe change Dash... Your baby girl had an accident. Uncle Red you and I need to do something in their room..." Aunt Misty nodded and got up hurrying upstairs. I helped Uncle Red off the couch and walked with him up to the door of mom and dad's room. I looked to him. "So uh... You wanna d-do the honors?" He looked at me as I started to shake. We didn't ever go into their room since they died.

"I think you're afraid of goin' in there because of all the memories huh?" I gave a nod. I remember going into my parents room during a storm. I uh... had a little accident and hid it as a nightmare and climbed into their bed after changing. "Aw well go on ahead and hang onto me if you feel like crying." I gave another nod just as he started to open the door. When the door was open I saw a large bed with red sheets on it. Two night stands were at either side of the bed and a dresser sat against the wall near the window looking out over the street. Just opposite the dresser across the room was a large sliding closet door. Right there was where my mom said to look for Uncle Red's gift. "...Damn... Hard to believe this was where you and your sister were made..." I walked in clutching my uncles shoulder. The air in the room felt still yet cool. It was like mom and dad were standing with us as we looked around the room. "So... what'd we need to do in here? Did you wanna do something here or did you want me to come in here with you to support you?" I sighed shuttering.

"...Both kinda...." I said. "....I know you wont believe me when I say this but.... Mom and dad had us brought to heaven and... they told me to find something that I had to give back to you but... I didn't really know how to approach the room without freaking out.... Trust me first week back after cleaning and my jail time Scootaloo kicked something across the hall and landed right at the door... I pissed my pants bending over to pick it up..." I blushed as I went over to the closet. "...A-anyways... I think what they wanted me to give you is in here..." He gave a hum as he came to my side and opened the closet door. A lot of hanging clothes. Mostly moms but... As long as I thought I would take to look for Uncle Red's gift it was right in plain sight. I only say that because a lighter fell on top of my head. He just snatched it right up.

"Well this might've just been it! My lucky lighter! I knew your father took it from me! Always smoking them 'grits." I actually never saw my dad smoke. Well... He never did because Scootaloo had asthma for a while. "This thing got me together with your aunt, got us through our first date and kept us warm during a storm. Lit us a fire that burned until morning and even then it kept going." You know this lighter wasn't just any flick a flame lighter. This one had the latch that sparked the lighter fluid sending a flame a few inches. "Say Ryder you don't smoke do you?" I shook my head. I actually huffed a bit of weed back in high school (not a pun) and I freaked out I vowed I would never touch a cigarette, cigar or anything that is smokeable again. "Well... That's good son... I don't want your little sister to pick anything up. But... Here..." Uncle Red grabbed my hand and set the lighter in my hand. "...You take my lucky lighter. My luck has given me a beautiful wife, a loving daughter and a niece and a nephew that actually wanna be part of our lives after my sister and brother in law passed on... You might be able to find someone to spend the rest of your life with, have a child of your very own and maybe get lucky enough to live long enough to see your own grand foals get their cutie marks." I sniffled and looked at the lighter. Golden rectangle. Painted flame on the side.

"...You sure Uncle Red?" I looked up at my uncle. He gave a nod. I smiled and gave him a hug. "...Thank you... I'll hold it close to my heart..." He smiled and hugged me and patting my back. I basically spent the rest of the day with what family I had. Scootaloo, Dash, Uncle Red and Aunt Misty. We watched TV together, joked together, shared memories of what mom and dad did with each of them. I even called over Shining and had him bring a couple beers for me and Uncle Red to share. Aunt Misty wasn't much of a drinker and Dash only drank shots with spirits and shit. I only drank hard stuff like Vodka and whiskey depending on who I was with. That night Uncle Red and Aunt Misty stayed over. I had Scootaloo in my bed while Dash took over her room. Scoot lied down in my bed as I was just putting some deodorant on. I looked back at her just dressed in one of my shirts. She was kinda cute that way. "So... You happy from today?"

Scootaloo sighed kicking back in my bed. "Yeah... I still miss mommy and daddy but.... why should I cry about them when I still have you...?" She asked. "You were the one who I cried over the most the night daddy and mommy died... You saved me from waking up in an orphanage and with someone else in a different place away from my friends...." I went and sat in my bed.

"...It was worth it Scoot... Mom and dad actually nearly got you and I taken away when we were younger. Someone thought dad was beating me up because I went to school with a black eye that Big Mac gave me. Maybe if you work hard enough to help someone and get to know them you can change the way they feel about you. Big MacIntosh used to be my bully but when his mother and father died we took him and his sisters in for a few weeks and he ended up protecting me from another bully. Those fillies at your school that reported that creep that almost kidnapped you were bullies to you right?" Scootaloo nodded. "Well... Why don't you go to school tomorrow and invite them over for a sleep over? Show them you aren't afraid and want them to know you want to be friends!"

"You think I should?" I gave her a nod. "...Can I invite Sweetie Belle and Applebloom too? I'm pretty sure Diamond Tiara is still a bit of a bully to me.... Silver Spoon is being nice but Sweetie Belle is a bit afraid of her still."

"Say no more. I can be there to supervise and make sure there are no pranks that can happen to embarrass the others. Just in case you can hide a bathroom break as a little info swap."

"Ryyyy don't do that I wanna do what I want!"

"Okay but one prank and its the last one you have for a while! Got it?" Scootaloo gave a nod and just as I lie down she hugs me and nuzzles me.

"Love you Big Brother..." I smiled and kissed her head.

"...Love you more little sis...."

Day 1 (Part 2): Stupid Jokes From A Stupid Guard (Shining's POV)

Okay Shining here. I'm here to share what I saw from this point. You'll see why. Ryder's memory is all weird now but I got this. We just got to Sugarcube corner and I just let Ryder out. I could tell he was scared out of his mind. What he didn't know was this was an easy job. Twilight has been in Ponyville since Nightmare Moon attacked and nopony messed with her. She's friends with everyone in Ponyville. I didn't want him to know that. We sat outside, I was on my phone trying to keep Princess Celestia in the loop about what was happening. "Ryder's really nervous doing this Princess." I said. "I didn't give him a gun. He's unarmed and in Sugarcube Corner."

The princess sighed. "I still don't trust him." She said. "His mental breakdown in the shooting range was enough to convince me that he wasn't fit for this job! What if he goes crazy again and hurts your sister? He's going to jail for a long time if he does that and there wont be any more chances! At least tell me you're inside with him!" I gave a sigh.

"No princess I wanna show its an easy job!" I replied. "The Urban Force Guard is different from the Royal Guard. Protecting you and Luna is like protecting a nine inch thick glass vase made by StarSwirl himself. Nothing will harm you at all and if someone tries which is a rare occasion they will be taken down by the guard that protects you. He needs to learn on his own. It's how I learned with you and how I learned with Luna. You must keep him with this task. " Just out of the corner of my eye I saw Big Mac coming out of Sugarcube Corner. "I've gotta go Princess. I'll contact you later to inform you on any changes in Ryder's mood."

"Okay but know I'm waiting for him to mess up..."

I hung up my phone after the harsh words of Princess Celestia. Big Mac approached me with a bottle of iced coffee and a donut. Just a plain glazed. "Here." He said. I took the donut and gave him a nod before taking a bite out of it. "Y'know we might have to think of a better thing for Ryder to do. He obviously aint lookin too good..." I sighed.

"Had a feeling..." I sipped from the iced coffee. "He at least holding it together as best he can?" Big Mac nodded. "Well that's good. You maybe wanna get Pinkie and head back to the castle? With Rarity in Manehattan with your sister and his sister it could be a time for a little tour of where he'd be working."

"Maybe even put together a little sleepover for Twi and her friends?" I shrugged unsure. "C'mon he needs some familiar faces in an unfamiliar place. He goes on a tour he's just gonna lose it all thinking of things that could go wrong. Keep him in one place with his cousin to smack some sense into him, keep me there to hold him down if he gets a bit violent, Pinkie incase he's cryin' cuz of his parents and well... Fluttershy and AJ just to keep him feeling calm. Ya think you can try that?" I huffed sipping the coffee again.

"Fine... We're gonna do that but one rule!" He looked at me confused. "No booze! He has to be sober to watch over Twilight in future days. I know he can do this but he needs to do it without us holding his hand. You and I have been bringing him food and you've been paying him a little of your profits every few weeks or what have you so he can keep his phone on and his car up and running. It's time he starts moving on his own! So he asks you to work on the orchard say no. But that's ONLY if he fouls this up which is a slim chance! Now.... Just get him. Do you know if he got a good sleep last night? I wanna say this freak out of his is due to lack of sleep but I don't wanna seem like Cadence with a foal sitting job." Big Mac leaned against the truck and scratched his chin.

"Well... Now that ya mention it I went up to check on em last night and he was tossin' fer a bit until AJ held him in place. I almost woke his ass up with a smack of his chest. Of course.... That'd get worse if I had accidentally smacked AJ lord knows I aint ever doing that again after last time... Still cant believe she whooped my ass..." I shook my head eating my donut again.

"Just go and get them... I'm not getting paid to eat a fucking donut..." He gave me a nod and hurried back inside.

I waited outside for only a few short minutes until Ryder came out with a box of a dozen donuts, a plastic bag of soda cans, Applejack on his arm and a little frown on his face. He sighed taking a soda from the bag as Applejack took the box of donuts. "...Don't worry..." Ryder said cracking the can open. "Twilight is up with Big Mac and Pinkie grabbing a bag for Pinkie.... She told me it was okay that I just come back out here... I objected but Applejack bought the donuts and brought me back out here... That.... That doesn't mean I've failed does it?" I sighed and shot him a smile.

"Nope. But don't you see how easy this is?" He nodded as he sipped his soda. "Do you wanna know something that'll make you want this job even more?" He nodded again. "Twily tries every month to get a gift for a guard and his family to enjoy. If that guard is alone she might go with him, takes me and one of the guards choice of friends. Of course the newer guards always get the gift after they are brought on that month but the next month is just a grab bag of guards. You'd wanna hit up that Gems concert don't ya?" He nodded again. "That's this months gift. She gets the tickets for that thing you're going and Big Mac could go too!" He brought the can down from his lips letting out a huge burp almost in my face. Stunk. I don't know if he even brushed that morning.

"But... What about Scootaloo? I cant just leave her at home alone." He replied. "I had to stop drinking a lot just to know what the fuck I was doing! That first night I came back home I spent the whole night drinking from a bottle of wine and the morning Dash found me hugging the toilet bowl, sitting in a puddle of my own piss and the empty bottle next to me... Do you know how fucked up I felt when I sobered up? I felt like I just fell from the top of the Foal Mountains straight down and survived... That concert is going to push me to drink while rocking out... I don't wanna drive home that night, get killed or kill Big Mac..." I saw tears in his eyes. Probably should've stopped him after he mentioned Scootaloo. Applejack hugged him after I took his soda.

I saw how bad he felt just by looking into his eyes. This guy had it hard since his parents were killed. I had to get Cadence to come to Ponyville and use her magic to have him stop crying when he was back in his house. She even had to do the same to Scootaloo as well as change bed sheets and a pant load. Scootaloo thought she saw someone outside when she got up to get a drink of water and messed herself screaming. I nearly punched Ryder going down the stairs that night. Cadence and I had to sleep inside their parents room. Anyways before I get lost I saw Big Mac come out moments later with Pinkie Pie and my sister at his side. Pinkie had a pack filled with spare clothes, a pillow and a blanket, and a stuffed toy. Adult on the outside just a kid at heart and... Sometimes the outside... Don't ask. She shoved into Big Mac's chest and hurried over to Ryder and Applejack. "Ryder! No don't cry!" She said. But he just kept crying. I huffed.

"Big Mac get him into the car and follow us. He's gonna fall hard. I can tell." Big Mac nodded and walked Ryder and Applejack back to Ryder's car. He had to lie them in the back seat just because Ryder didn't wanna be separated from Applejack. I turned back to my sister and Pinkie. "I swear he's like a baby sometimes...."

Twily sighed. "Shining he had his parents murdered in cold blood!" She said. "I've read in one of my books that if someone loses their parents they will act like a child thinking that their parents would come and comfort them. In other words he has a regressed state of mind."

Pinkie tilted her head. "...I thought that regressed state of mind made him act like a baby all the time." She said. "Shouldn't he be wetting his pants or speaking gibberish?" Twily huffed.

"I don't think that's how it works but.... That only happens when that somepony gets scared so bad. Now just hop in and call everypony BUT Rarity up. Remember she's in Manehattan with the Crusaders." Pinkie gave a nod and I opened the door on the truck allowing my sister and her friend to get in. All the other guards around rushed to the trucks getting into their assigned vehicle. I looked to the guard getting into the drivers seat of my vehicle.

"You must let the recruit's car into the parking garage. We may need to get a room ready for him and Miss Apple. Understood?"

He stood in attention and saluted me. "Yes sir!" He said. He climbed in along with me getting into the now almost empty back. I sat next to Twily and sighed.

"Don't worry Shining Ryder should be fine if he just lets it all out." Pinkie said lying back on the seat across from me and Twily. "Pound Cake cries and he's all better after a nap! Of course he needs a change after a nap but.... Hopefully nopony needs to change a full grown stallion."

Luckily nopony did. When we got to the parking garage Big Mac had Ryder on his shoulders sleeping like Twily when I had to carry her upstairs when we were younger. Riding piggyback, arms wrapped around the neck gently and head off to one side. He sighed approaching me as Applejack walked off with Twily and Pinkie. "Brings back memories don't it?" He asked almost whispering. I gave a smile and nodded. "You wanna show me where I can put him? I don't just wanna keep him in his back seat the whole time..." I sighed.

"Just.... I don't know put him in Applejack's personal bedroom. Have your sister show you where it is." He nodded and we walked together after our sisters. "AJ! Twily!" They both stopped just before the elevator. Something I know Ryder hates. He doesn't hate them he's just afraid of one getting stuck with him inside of it. "We're going to put Ryder in AJ's bedroom. Either that or we put him in Rarity's bed. Which would you rather have?"

Applejack sighed. "Just put him in my bed." She said. "Any foreign oils or somethin' in Rarity's three hundred count sheets or some shit she's gonna blame each and every guard in this damn castle and I don't think she'd shut up about it until the truth came out. Not to mention I'm feelin' that boy just needs someone there to wake up to so he don't freak out wonderin' what fresh hell he's in."

"Well it's settled then... Get him in AJ's bed." Big Mac nodded and Ryder moved his head to Big Mac's other shoulder as his wings ruffled a bit.

He basically slept for a few hours, a lot longer than how Cadence's 'bring homes' go. A special filly(or colt), like my sister, gets chosen to come spend a night at the castle, sometimes the little ones that need naps only stay out for a half hour or even forty five minutes top. I was just walking around with Pinkie. She was going downstairs to meet with her friends while I just checked on Ryder but it was on the way towards the stair case. "So Ryder wont wet him self while in this state he's in?" She asked. She kept asking my sister the same thing. I sighed.

"He wont and better not." I said. "May I ask why you keep asking that? Are you really hoping he's going to piss himself?" She blushed and nodded a bit. "Well I'd stop that if I were you. More guards that hear that the more he's gonna be made fun of and we do not want a remake of that time he spilled his beer at the Apple Family reunion Big Mac brought him to... Damn his cousins are dicks sometimes..." Pinkie sighed.

"...I-I should just get going to check if Fluttershy and Dash made it here alright... If they're here....." She ran off feeling a bit embarrassed or at least that's how I saw it. I stopped outside of Applejack's door which basically had her cutie mark on it. I knocked.

"Applejack, Ryder. You guys awake in there?" I said before putting my ear up to the door.

I heard rustling around inside. "Yeah just give us a minute!" I heard Ryder call out. "Just uh.... Just come in we're covered!" I sighed and took a deep breath before opening the door. Inside I saw Applejack and Ryder covered by the sheets blushing, Ryder looking a tad ticked.

"I interrupted an intimate moment didn't I...?" Ryder nodded. I pinched the bridge of my nose and grunted. "Okay! This is unacceptable. If you guys want to do this try to start a little earlier... Right now it's time to take the tour so get dressed and I want YOU to take control of the night shift to serve Twily so that means no running off without a replacement guard for Twily to be protected by. You sneak off with Applejack while on duty you can kiss your job goodbye! Understood?" He huffed.

"Well since you've ruined the mood I guess I've got no choice... Just as punishment I'm going to you to replace me so don't go to sleep!" I admit I deserved that. Didn't even say another words to push him. He just got up and got dressed. Had to look away. His cutiemark was something I didn't want to see.... Fucking gears and two crossing wrenches are awesome but not on a grown stallions bare ass.

The tour took a bit. It was dark when we came out of it. I had him get into a bullet proof vest but still no gun. I had to stand with him inside of my sisters TV room while the girls watched TV in their pajamas. I saw Ryder watching the TV not even paying attention to everything around us. I couldn't help but take a few glances myself but I still had to keep watch over my sister. I saw Fluttershy look back at me and Ryder. "Uh... Would it be too much to ask to have some snacks and some drinks? Please?" She asked. I glanced at Ryder.

"Ryder. Snacks. Drinks NOW!" I snapped. He sighed and hurried to the door rushing out. I looked back to the girls in the middle of the floor. Mostly fixated on Twilight. "Say girls why don't we have a little fun with Ryder since he made me feel like an ass earlier?"

Twily looked back at me. "Shining you better not cause Celestia to jail him!" She snapped.

"No no it's nothing like that!" I replied. "I want to play a prank on him." Pinkie gasped getting a big smile on her face. "Pinkie I might need you to leave the room and distract Ryder just... Don't say anything about this okay?" Pinkie nodded. "This prank requires EVERYONE to keep composure. Any other guards that get word of this are going to get panicked and a panicked guard means complete and utter chaos. Not Discord 'Haha' chaos but scary no one knows what's going on chaos. Understood?" Everypony nodded. "Okay good. What I'm gonna do is make him think my sister went missing during the night. We're going to hide her away in a safe room this and every castle is equipped with. Sure uh... This was made artificially with the help of that box you girls found but... surprisingly it came standard. Pinkie, you have distraction duty, AJ, you and Fluttershy need to walk around the halls and act like you just went to find a bathroom. Dash uh..." Dash looked at me waiting my command but I knew what she could do. "Dash you're with me on escort duty. I'll pretend Twily just went to bed okay?" My sister blushed hard.

"...Shining... Call me Twily one more time in front of my friends and maybe Ryder will have your job!" I gave a sigh.

"...S-sorry Twi-" I stopped myself. "Sorry princess..." Twily gave me a smile.

"That's better! So lets get to work!" I held up my hands as everyone tried getting up.

"Stop! I hear him coming. We'll do it later okay?"

The girls nodded and got back into position watching TV. Not even a second later Ryder walked back in with a cart with tea, a bowl of potato chips and a few six packs of soda's. "Okay sorry if that took long I had to ask another guard to help me find the kitchen..." He said. "Sorry again if this wasn't what you girls wanted but this is the best I could think of." Twilight stood up and surveyed the cart. I looked to Ryder's face and saw he was nervous.

"...Wow... You actually got everything right... I could tell Fluttershy wanted chips and tea is perfect to wind down after a busy day. And maybe the guard's watching over us needed a soda? There's nothing wrong with that!" Ryder sighed feeling relieved. I gave a smile.

"See Ryder not as hard as you think it is!" I said. I put a hand up. "Toss me a cold one!" Ryder took two cans from one of the six packs and tossed it over to me. I flicked it a few times and cracked open the can knocking it back. He did the same but sat in a chair. I didn't say anything because I didn't expect him to stand in place for a few hours. Only time I saw that was when he was waiting in line for the new Alley Brawlers game.

After about an hour Twily just fell asleep on the floor, Ryder in the chair half asleep (Perfect right?). Applejack woke Fluttershy up and had help from Pinkie who still was wide awake surprisingly. Although she did have four sodas. But then again she's always that hyper... I think... Anyways I went and picked Twily up and put her on my back. She clung to me just like old times which made me smile. "Y'need help there Shinin'?" Applejack asked. I nodded a bit trying to get Twily to stay on my back but she just was out of it.

"Just wrap her arms around my neck, she'll cling on to me!" I replied. Applejack nodded and let Pinkie help Fluttershy out of the room. She helped hike Twily up and put her arms around my neck. She instantly cuddled up to me. I didn't know whether to take her to the safe room or just walk around with her on my back like that. Big Mac was right... I did miss that. I took my phone from my pocket with my magic and gave it to AJ. "Here... Before you leave I need a picture of this..." She gave a nod taking my phone and she took the picture. I looked at the picture and saw a little smile on my sisters tired face. Gave me a smile as I walked with her over to her study, which was where that saferoom was (Say anything to anyone and yours truly is out of a job and my sister is somewhere else biting down on a rag while being tied to a chair.) and it was just long walk for me bringing her there. I left her there and sighed going to my com. "All guards on this channel the new recruit Ryder is about to be 'initiated' into the royal guard for Princess Twilight. Her friends and I are faking a kidnapping so no matter what you hear do not raise the alarms. Now I need a few guards to be inside Princess Twilight's study for when I give the word to bring her out. Shining out."

I stepped out of the study and almost immediately there were a few guards rushing me before going inside the study. I love it when they listen to me otherwise its more fun for me or Princess Celestia to fire them. Mostly Celestia. Anyways I went back to Ryder and saw Applejack sitting next to him just waiting for me. Pinkie too. "Hey Shining we ready for fun?" Pinkie asked. I nodded. Applejack got up.

"We may or may not have a slight hitch in the plan there Shinin'." She said. "Fluttershy had to be carried to her room and Dash cant really do much with an upset stomach so uh... All ya got here is me n Pinkie then..." I sighed.

"Shit... Well I got distraction duty. You two just start wandering near Twily's room. And... tomorrow morning don't tell her I said that. Okay?" Pinkie and Applejack both nodded getting up. I let them pass me going out the door as I approached Ryder. I nudged him. "Ryder! C'mon wake up your shift isn't over yet!"

Ryder groaned a bit shifting. "....Cant I just pet the puppy grandpa...?" He mumbled. I snickered a bit.

"No Ry! No petting the dog its got rabies!" He groaned again. That's when I just punched him in the arm. "RYDER!" He yelped and nailed me in the face. I do admit I deserved it again. (What don't I deserve for doing shit to this guy?) I rubbed my cheek as he looked up at me.

"Oh! Shining! I am SO sorry! You should know I wake up swinging..." He said. It's true he does. I had to wake him up a few times after he went back home. I had to wear my armor just to do it too. One time he grabbed me and tried to headbutt me. Face first into my armor. I grunted.

"...Dude it's fine I should've known I'm sorry!" I replied helping him up. "Your job isn't over yet. We have to get in place for the night guard to come and take our place. Twily just went off to bed not even fifteen minutes ago and we gotta guard her door until the night guard gets here alright? C'mon you can take a few sodas with you to stay awake until then!" Ryder yawned and nodded grabbing what was left of a lemon lime soda six pack. It was five cans left and... Well in that hour I did sneak one. He followed me out the door stretching. "You're lucky Twilight is going easy on you tonight. That little nap you had should be good for you. Anymore like that and you actually might have to answer to Celestia but don't worry... That's a low chance of that happening!" He nodded before cracking open a can and chugging it.

We looked back forward and saw Applejack and Pinkie looking scared. "RYDER! SHINING!" They both said. Pinkie nearly tackled me while Applejack hugged Ryder.

"Whats wrong?!" Ryder asked looking a bit worried.

Applejack looked into Ryders eyes shuttering. "T-twilight... Sh-she...." She said.

Pinkie looked over at Ryder and AJ. "TWILIGHT'S MISSING!" She yelled.

"WHAT?!" I said acting like I had no clue. AJ looked back at me.

"W-we went to her room to see if she's got extra blankets but.... She wasn't in her bed... Pinkie checked the bathroom, the dining room, I checked the throne room but she wasn't in any of em!" Ryder suddenly shoved the cans of soda into Applejack nearly spilling the open one all over her and just booked it. I grinned and gave the thumbs up to both of them soon following Ryder. I followed almost closely but he used to be on the hoofball team back in highschool (and where he got his cutie mark in shop class. Wanna guess where his car came from? He won it in the end of the year raffle the teacher held. Lucky him huh?) and I could barely catch up. We got to Twily's room which was just a few doors past her study. The door was opened a little bit by Applejack (Smart mare) and Ryder checked it open. I followed and stopped at the door seeing Ryder drop to his knees in the messy room. Applejack and Pinkie didn't ransack it Twily just never cleaned... And Spike? He's in Canterlot helping Celestia write since she got carpal tunnel and it hurts when she writes. Don't ask how she got carpal tunnel... Too uh... Confusing.

"..Sh-she's not here... I.... I'm fucked..." I went to his side and tried helping him up but he blacked out and smashed his head on the floor.

"Fuck fuck FUUCK!" I said lying him out on his back. I checked his head. No bleeding, no open skull but he did have a big bump. Now you know why I'm talking and he isn't. I went to my com a bit panicked. "Bring the Princess out of the safe room and get a stretcher! The rookie is down! I repeat ROOKIE DOWN!" I couldn't believe it. I'd've thought Ryder would've taken control of the situation or pissed himself but instead he slammed fainting AND pissed himself. I noticed just before Applejack, Pinkie and the two guards in Twily's study showed up. I had to stop them at the door. I looked to the guards first. "You two get a mop and bucket!" I looked to AJ and Pinkie. "You two. You guys just... Just follow him into the infirmary. I'll call Big Mac see if he can bring Ryder something to be changed into when he wakes up." They all nodded and split up. I pulled my phone and instead of calling Big Mac I texted him four times. That's how his notifications wake him the hell up.

'Big Mac you've got Ryder's keys and he needs a change of pants! Drop by his place and pick up some stuff for him I'll be downstairs to let you in.' I texted. Thank you copy paste action.

Hours later I had to stay in the infirmary with Ryder. I had his clothing next to me. A pair of jeans and the shirt he had wearing with a change of boxers. My sister came in looking tired and pissed. "...Shining I told you this would go wrong!" She said. "You had to go and pull this fucking prank!"

"Twily I'm sorry!" I said looking up at her. "And you didn't tell me it would go wrong! Just... Please don't tell this to Celestia! You still want your BBBFF to be the head of the Royal guard... Don't you Twily?" I smiled nervously. I actually was afraid of my little sister who loved the fuck out of me since we were little. She huffed.

"Look keep your job but I want you to do something special for Ryder! Now carry me back to my room! You're going to PERSONALLY serve me until Cadence gets back. Got it?" I nodded before getting up lowering myself allowing her to get on my back. I had to walk out my head hung in shame and my sister pulling on my mane a bit. Even worse it felt like she was trying to crush me with her legs.

Thinking of some way to apologize. That was going to be my real trouble but it had to wait till morning.