Working For Her

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..."