Author's Note

Think of this as the first part of a two part season finale

A Ryde To The Hospital

It was in the month of January. The temperatures had warmed up a bit allowing the snow to melt. A thin layer of fog lie near the ground giving everything a heavenly glow as Ryder, Sonata and Scootaloo were in the car driving down the road. Ryder wore the jacket he had gotten from Equestria (The other universe) and a pair of jeans along with a pair of sneakers. Sonata wore a red coat along with a pair of dark skinny jeans and a pair of high heel boots. Scootaloo was in the back seat wearing a wondercolts track suit. She had her backpack and a gym bag sitting next to her. Sonata groaned a bit holding her stomach. "...I think something in our food was bad last night..." She said. "...Stomach's feeling all weird... not sure which end could be affected..."

Ryder sighed as he turned onto a side street. "Look Sonata I'm pretty sure everything in our meals last night were fully cooked!" He said. "I cooked the chicken thoroughly, made sure it was all white meat, I made sure I cleaned it and I made sure it was seasoned right! I followed the recipe exactly! If it weren't cooked all the way me and Scoot would be sick too! Maybe if you wanna cook something tonight I'll let you but seriously no fish! I know you like fish tacos but I'm strictly land meat!" Sonata looked over at Ryder giving him a ticked look.

"...We're going out for dinner tonight remember? Someone promised a date night and dammit I want the date night!" She groaned again as a loud grumble sounded out in the air.

Scootaloo leaned up and looked to her brother. "Ryder why cant you just turn around and drop Sonata off at home?" She asked. "She obviously isn't feeling well and I don't think you'd want to have to hose out the car again because she puked on the dashboard! Remember what happened with me?"

Ryder sighed. "Two hours in to a road trip with Dash, we stop and get some food at a gas station and I always told you those hot dog rollers aren't to be trusted." He said. "....Three hours of hosing out the car and making sure you weren't gonna puke again.... Nearly ruined the whole trip for both of us." He started to slow up seeing the school come into sight. "Sonata if I were you I'd get a lemon lime soda from the vending machine in the teachers lounge. I gotta get over to the ladies locker room. Dash needs me to help with something and I'm just lucky Scoot can send her out to me instead of invading the lockers." Scootaloo looked to Sonata.

"Arent you going to say anything about going home Sonata? I'm sure the principal would understand!"

Sonata looked back at Scootaloo as she lied back in the seat. "...Not that easy Scoot..." She said. "I call in and I don't even get paid. If I at least try and pull through the day she's gonna see I tried even when I wasn't feeling so good. It was pretty much how I was raised. Maybe you could even learn something from that... If you get hurt in some way that doesn't affect thinking, running or writing don't give up. Don't even let emotions get in-" She gagged a bit covering her mouth and swallowed a bit. "...Okay now I know where the hell shits coming out at... 'Scuze my language there...." She looked to Ryder. "...Please tell me we're almost parked."

Ryder gave a huff. "Pulling in to the parking lot now." He said. "I'll let you out and park alright?" Sonata nodded and he stepped on the brakes slowing the car to a halt. She opened up the door and got out closing the door before running off towards the school building.

Sonata quickly ran through the side door just as Aria opened it up. She sighed and followed her friend closely. Aria wore a black zip up hoodie with a band tee under it and a pair of jeans with the holes ripped in the knees. Even wore high heeled boots. She followed her through the halls and into the girls bathroom only to be stopped out of the stall Sonata ran into a stall and hurled. "OOOOOOOOKAY! Not following you in there!" Aria said. "Why did you come into work today if you knew you were sick? We only do your stuff on Tuesday and Friday! Last I checked it was Wednesday! C'mon get your head outta the toilet and go home!"

Sonata grabbed a few pieces of TP and wiped her mouth. "....No... Fuck that... Not going home... I'm good." She said. "...Just fucking get me to that teachers lounge.... I need something in my stomach and something to keep me from puking... Got any of those nausea meds from when you had that insane stomach bug?" Aria sighed.

"You know I do. C'mon. Adagio isn't here yet and I gotta check us in." Sonata gave a nod before she quickly closed the stall door and hurling again. "....Let me just go grab you something... You just need a second to keep yourself together. Think you can do it?"

"...Just go dammit... I'll be here... If you see Ryder tell him not to worry about me."

"Will do Sonata. If you can hold yourself together long enough get to the classroom. I'll be back if you aren't there." She got no answer from Sonata. Maybe a little burp or two. "Take some deep breaths and I'll be back." She sighed and left the bathroom. She stretched and yawned a bit as she started for the teachers lounge. "...Too early for this shit... why am I the one who's always taking care of Sonata lately? Ryder coming out, the sleepover, the stomach bug I had... fucking hell that was hell on me... at least she came out happy all those times..."

Just over with Ryder he was just coming out of the office with Principal Celestia behind him. She was wearing a white sweater with a sun on the chest with little yellow rays coming off of it and a pair of jeans with a pair of heeled sandals. "So you want to help your cousin put together a game of kickball to warm the kids up first period?" She said. "As much as I want to stop you from interfering with a teachers plan with her students I'm going to look the other way on this one. Dash needs to realize she needs more activities for her students to do and not just do the big stuff. Lifting weights could injure someone, running the whole time could cause someone to pass out and we have flag football for a reason, just so no one gets slammed and breaks something. One lawsuit and someone here's losing a job... preferably the one who did wrong and not their superior."

Ryder huffed. "Scootaloo has been complaining to me about Dash's plan and schedule for things." He said. "I don't really think any homework essays should be done and Scoot tried to ask me for help on sports stuff. I don't really pay attention much other than what I used to do in my baseball days. Really should've been on the team but you know the grades I had."

"Could've used you that year but too late now. Anywho thank you for coming in to speak about changing your cousins gameplan for class. Even I get annoyed by it but students don't really seem to complain. I'd come to back you up but I have to go and look into swapping Applebloom over into Woodshop. Mr. Toity apparently expects too much from her and thinks she can make an apple pie from scratch without a recipe just because her family members work by making ciders, fritters and pies. Typical from a man of his style." Just then the first bell of the day rang going throughout the halls. "...But first I've got to let the students in. You should hurry out to the locker rooms. A flood of students means a little chance of not talking with Dash." Ryder gave a nod before starting to run off through the halls.

When he neared the locker rooms he saw Scootaloo sitting outside in her gym clothes with Dash next to her wearing a Wondercolts baseball cap, a hoodie with a cloud and a blue, red and yellow lightning bolt coming out of it, sweat pants and running shoes. Dash looked to Ryder as he slowed to a walk. "Alright you moron why did you have Scoot pull me away from my office?" She asked.

Ryder gave a smile. "...Well she's been telling me today is a running day and Principal Celestia is helping me screw around with your schedule!" He said. "Your students aren't going to be running around, they aren't gonna have their phones out and we are gonna have ourselves a good old fashioned game of kickball." Dash scoffed.

"Really? Kickball?! You must be joking!"

"Wish I was. You in? Or am I gonna have to spice it up?" She gave Ryder an interested look.

"What you got then? You know I cant ever turn down a bet!" Ryder grinned and stood Scootaloo up.

"Well.... You and I are gonna head out to the baseball field with your class and choose teams. Scootaloo going to me, no questions asked. Once we pick teams we see who's team is better. Loser has to have Applejack slap them across the face three times and spanked by Big MaIntosh twice! Sound like a deal?" Rainbow Dash leaned against the wall and crossed her arms looking at the floor as students started to rush around them.

"...Been a while since I actually had any interaction with AJ... Physical anyways. We tried planning a little girl time letting you and Big Mac watch squirt and Applebloom. No luck there..." She looked up and smiled. "You get out there and wait for us. I'll have my class get ready and keep their phones in here. I see a phone I'll have you take it. I don't wanna be like the bad guy. Sound good?" Ryder gave a nod and Dash went back into the locker rooms with Scootaloo on her tail.

Not long later Ryder was outside at the baseball field just looking at everything gleaming in the morning light. He took a deep breath and sighed as he leaned on the gate leading in to the baseball field. Just then his phone rang. He took it out and saw it was Gilda. Her ring tone was just a guitar solo. He answered it and put it up to his ear. "Ryder! Hey you how's it going?" Gilda asked. "Is Dash at your place or something?"

Ryder laughed a bit. "Nah Gil. We're working right now." He said. "You in town today?"

"Yeah. Just fucking around in town. You up to anything later? I'm thinking about heading to that one taco place for lunch. You think I can meet you and Dash at the school and we can get some lunch?" Ryder hummed a bit.

"Dunno... Sonata's feeling a bit sick and I don't know what's going on with her. I might have to take her to her place and pick her up when I'm done. She's kinda pissy when she asks me to come get her and I come an hour later... Happened on Hearths Warming but I'm just glad I made it before the snow covered the road. I'll see what goes on and call you back alright?"

"I guess dweeb. I've really got nothing to do until... what three? Cant really spend my time loathing around until you get off. Mind if I stay at your place or something? I swear nothing is going to be missing or out of place! I can even clean the house!" Ryder gave a laugh as he looked out back to the school seeing a group of kids coming his way.

"I'll have Dash call her mom and I'll even text her to give you the key to my place. She always keeps a spare but... just know what I'll have Dash do if stuff is missing."

"Yeah you're gonna have her kick the crap out of me blah blah blah. I swear I don't know why you and I are as close as we are. Just text me soon dweeb Be nice and I might bring you something to eat for lunch and maybe a bit of medicine for that girlfriend of yours. I'll let you get back to work. Later." Gilda hung up leaving Ryder to send a quick text to his aunt telling her to give Gilda his extra house key.

Dash came quickly with her class behind her. She smiled at Ryder as he shoved his phone back into his pocket. "Alright got everything all set up, even snagged a soccer ball." She said tossing him the ball. "Couldn't get a handball. Coach Soarin' is using them for a couple dodgeball games in the gym."

Ryder huffed. "It'll do but you might need to call aunt misty after teams are split up. Gilda needs into my place." He said. "Oh and... Maybe an introduction to what's happening here?" Dash gave a quick nod and turned to her class.

"Alright class listen up! You kids are playing a game of kickball. Teams will be chosen by me and our guest Ryder. You all know him. New security guard to the school. Lucky him I got you guys split right up the middle so it's even. No advantage to one side or the other." She looked like Ryder. "You wanna take it from here?" Ryder gave a nod.

"Alright since you guys haven't really played kickball in a while I'm gonna explain it. Four people in the outfield, one pitcher, one catcher, one at each base and the remainder, if any is going to go somewhere in the outfield to cover more ground at attempt to get the person who kicks it out. But heres the thing about this game... This is a game is gonna change your teachers teaching plan. Whole new plan and you're going to be doing a lot more than running and writing. The rest of this week is gonna be kickball and next maybe basket ball. Might be able to change it up to play against other classes. Maybe make a tournament out of it. You guys ready to play?" The students cheered and the teams were split up.

Not long later Ryder was leaning against a fence near the dugout on one side while Dash leaned against the other dugout. There were to bases loaded and everyone looked ready. Ryder shot his cousin a grin and hit the fence a bit. Next thing you know Scootaloo came out looking ready. "I'll do my best Ryder!" She said before going up to the plate. She got herself readied at the plate. At the pitchers mound was Snails ready to bowl the ball. He bowled the ball quite fast and Scootaloo missed it. She grunted and readied herself again as Snips, the catcher was tossing the ball back. Again Snails rolled the ball quickly missing Scootaloo by a mile. Ryder huffed and got off the fence.

"Hold it!" He walked over to Scootaloo and knelt down next to her. "Scoot. Focus. It's just like those quick time events in the Candy Cane Sword game! A,B, Right Stick down and up. A to focus, B to be ready and get that ball to fly." Scootaloo gave a nod and Ryder got back up before going over to the dugout again. He looked to the mound. "Snail's try to slow it down a bit. Not everything needs to be fast pitch." He gave a silent chuckle as he leaned against a metal pole. Scootaloo readied herself again and narrowed her eyes. Ryder kept his eyes trained on Dash not even paying attention to the game. Just as the ball was rolled Ryder looked back to Scootaloo. She kicked it hard and it went straight for him. He didn't have any time to react before getting hit right on the bridge of the nose having the back of his head smack against the metal pole knocking him out cold. Scootaloo screamed as she rushed over at the same time as Dash did. Ryder's sister dropped to her knees at his side and shook him.

"RYDER! RYDER WAKE UP!" Tears came to her eyes as Dash pulled her away and put her ear up to Ryder's chest. He was breathing.

Dash looked to Ryder's face and saw blood trailing from his nose down his cheek and onto the ground. "....Shit...." She looked to everyone on the field and in the dugout. Some of the girls were ready to vomit. Even Snips looked like he was about to lose it. "EVERYONE OFF THE FEILD NOW!" She looked back to Scootaloo and wiped her tears. "Scoot look at me! I need you to get your ass to the office and have Principal Celestia call an ambulance!

Scootaloo nodded and hurried out of the field and ran towards the school. Once inside she was just fueled by adrenalin to keep running and not stop. She sobbed and sniffled just thinking about what Ryder would do to her if he came to and didn't see her. She quickly slowed feeling a gag coming on. She noticed a girls restroom coming on her right. She went in only to see Adagio leaning against the wall in front of a stall where Sonata was lurched over vomiting. Adagio sighed but gasped as she was pushed out of the way by Scootaloo only to see her run into the end stall and hear her vomit as well. "Uh... Sonata I think that was Ryder's sister..." She said. "Do you think you gave her what ever you had?"

Sonata spat into the toilet and looked back at Adagio fixing her hair. "...Fuck i hope not... Go check on her would you...?" She asked. Adagio gave a nod and walked over to the end stall only to have Scootaloo rush up and hug her scared.

"Woah there halfpint what's got you all grabby right now?"

Scootaloo sniffled and sobbed. "...R-ryder's hurt!" She said. "...He n-needs an am-ambu-ambulance!" She started crying more. Adagio walked her over to Sonata's stall just as she flushed the toilet.

"You hear what I heard Sonata? Big Brother down!"

Sonata came out and leaned on the stalls groaning a bit and looked at Scootaloo. She surveyed her teary face and saw the fear in her eyes. She gasped and knelt down hugging Scootaloo. "C'mon let's get her over to the principal! She isn't lying!" She said. Adagio nodded as Sonata came back up with Scootaloo now in her arms clinging to her.

They hurried down the hall and quickly into the office only to see Vice Principal Luna sitting at a desk in the middle of the room doing paperwork. Sonata sat the crying girl down in a chair right across from the VP and sat right next to her. "What's wrong with her?!" Luna asked. "Did she get hurt running?" Sonata shook her head.

"She say's Ryder's hurt! We found her in the bathroom while I was... losing my ginger ale..." She blushed a bit.

Luna looked at Scootaloo. She was about to say something when she got a call on her phone. She took it out and saw Ryder's face on the screen. She hit the green phone icon and put it on speaker only to hear someone yelling. It was Dash. "EVERYONE GO TO THE GYM NOW! I DONT WANNA SEE ANY OF YOU BUMMING AROUND HERE!" She yelled. "Principal Luna? You there?! It's Dash! Ryder is FUCKING OUT! HE GOT HIT BY A BALL AND GOT KNOCKED OUT! WE NEED AN AMBULANCE HERE NOW!"

Luna looked to Scootaloo as she clung to Sonata who looked frightened just hearing that. "Just stay there Dash! I'm going to have Sonata call an ambulance here. I'll be right out there to unlock the gate!" She hung up the call and tossed her phone to Sonata who jumped catching it. "Call your father and have him get out here with an ambulance. You need to leave if you're getting sick and Scootaloo cant stay here with her brother in what ever condition he's in!"

Sonata nodded and pushed Scootaloo over to Adagio who sat with her and hugged her as Luna got up and rushed out. Sonata put in her fathers number and quickly hit the call button putting it up to her ear. She heard it buzz a few times before a click. "Alright what the hell is wrong with Sonata? Her boyfriend lock his keys in his car?" She heard her father ask.

Sonata teared up. "...Daddy it's Sonata..." She said sniffling a bit.

"Sonata? What's wrong? Don't you have your phone on you? Why you calling me from the Vice Principals number?" Sonata sniffled as a sob escaped.

"...I need you to get your car and bring an ambulance down to the school... Ryder's hurt bad! And... I cant drive if I'm puking... Ryder's sister needs to go too... No ride home..."

"Oh shit... I'll be right there. Just hang on and stay where you are!" Sonata hung up the call and pressed the phone against her chest as she started to sob falling to her knees.

Adagio came around the chair and knelt down holding both Scootaloo and Sonata close. She sighed. "...C'mon you two I gotcha..." She said. "Let's get you guys to the nurses office... Lie you both down in a cot... You guys gotta calm down Ryder's gonna be fine..." She huffed and picked Sonata up taking the phone from her. She set the phone on the table and picked Scootaloo up before walking out of the room.

Not long later Sonata was sitting in the back of her fathers police car with Scootaloo lying down resting her head on her brothers girlfriend's lap. She watched as the ambulance containing Ryder drove off, sirens blaring. Officer Dusk could be seen talking with Rainbow Dash and Vice Principal Luna. Scootaloo whimpered and sniffled. "....I-it's all my fault..." She said. "....I just... I'm fucked..."

Sonata huffed and stroked Scootaloo's cheek. "...Hey don't beat yourself up over it..." She said. "...Don't use that kinda language either but... I'll let it slide for now... Dash said it was an accident.... No one can tell where a ball goes... Ball could've been lopsided for all we know... I mean... When I was a little girl I was screwing around with a basket ball. I gave it a hard bounce and it ends up hitting another kid in the head. She thought I was intentionally trying to hurt her but a teacher saw the whole thing.... Dash can even say it was an accident."

"...B-but the others... a-are just gonna say I did it on purpose... they hate me..."

"No they don't. They just haven't gotten to know who you are... they get to know you, they start to like you... Ryder knows that for sure... He started to date me after the battle of the bands... Just try and breathe... everything's gonna be okay... He'll be okay..."

Just then Officer Dusk walked over to the car with Dash at his side. They walked over to the back door and Officer Dusk opened it. Dash wiped her eyes as she knelt down to the side. "...Alright squirt..." Dash said. "...Noones going down for what happened to your brother. I'll change my teaching schedule just for him.... I'll even go to your place and keep you guys company. Guys in the ambulance almost didn't give me Ryder's keys..." Sonata sighed as she looked to Dash.

"...Dash why don't you just get some stuff for Scootaloo until Ryder can come home... until then Scoot's gonna stay with me and my dad..." She glanced at her father. "Right...?"

Officer Dusk gave a nod. "That's right baby girl...." He said. "...Been real quiet since... you know... I'd be glad to help you out. Even glad to help the girl you got there... I was good to her brother and I gotta be good to her too. I'll give her a good environment to stay in... make me feel a bit more at home..." He looked to Dash. "Why don't you just get back to teaching class. I'll make sure everything's okay with your cousin. I even gave the medics a note to give to his nurse for when he wakes up. Just a few phone numbers. Vice Principal, my little girl and my own number. You have a good day now. Don't let your mind get clogged up by worry." Dash leaned in and kissed Scootaloo on her forehead before backing away from the door allowing Officer Dusk could close it. Sonata sighed as she watched her father walk around the car and get in the front seat. She sighed just as he started up the car.

"...Dad? Do you think it's a bit too much to ask to get something to eat for both of us....? I wasn't the only one who lost my breakfast this morning..." Officer Dusk looked back.

"What that little girl get sick too?" Sonata gave a nod.

"Yeah... She was losing it the same time I was... we gotta keep our strength up. I can help pay for it if you want me to daddy." Officer Dusk gave a smile.

"Dont you spend a cent Sonata. I'm buying anything you girls need so meals on me." Sonata gave her father a weak smile.

"Thanks dad... If you don't mind i'm gonna lie down here... maybe take a nap...."

"Go ahead Sonata... I got a feeling I know what you like." Sonata huffed and sat Scootaloo up a bit before lying down with her on the inside of the seat. Scootaloo snuggled up to Sonata whimpering a bit. Sonata just shushed Scootaloo and held her close.

"...I gotcha.... just go to sleep and we'll be at my place before you know it..." Scootaloo nodded but didn't want to fall asleep. She waited for a while till Sonata just passed completely out before getting her arms off her and sitting up.

Scootaloo found herself just pulling into the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. She gave a sigh as she hung her head. "...I don't even wanna sleep..." She said.

Officer Dusk glanced into the rear view mirror at the girl sitting up in the back seat as she hugged her legs. "Not feeling up to just nap right now huh?" He asked. Scootaloo shook her head. "Let me guess... feeling guilty about what you did to your brother?" Scootaloo nodded. "Ah... Seen that look all too often... I had to switch cars just because I got no one left but Sonata there... Mother got arrested for molesting your brother.... Before I'd be hauling criminals all day going to the hooskow. One guy maybe in his thirties was just nabbed for shooting his best friend... Maybe about ten minutes from when I picked him up he broke down and fessed up to everything. He even punished himself by not eating anything. Please tell me you're gonna eat something uh.... Sorry I don't think I know your name... I do recognize you though..."

"...You do?" Officer Dusk nodded as he pulled into a parking spot.

"Yeah I do... Believe it or not I was there when your brother wouldn't let you go... I think you know what I'm talking about."

"...you were there after my mom and dad died...?"

"...Yep... Honestly I wanted to take both you into my family, with Sonata as your sister but your aunt just snatched you up before I could even do anything but.. you seem happier being close to your cousin... You uh... You wanna come in and show me what you want from here? Sonata's gonna be fine sleeping here."

Scootaloo gave a nod just before Officer Dusk got out of the car and opened the back door for Scootaloo to get out. While they were out Sonata started to dream. She dreamt she was sitting in a hospital room just sitting with Ryder who was still out cold. No one else but her. She grabbed Ryder's hand and held it as she sighed hanging her head. "...Ryder... please wake up soon... I want you to come home...." She said. "...Scootaloo feels so guilty for this... Just wake up and forgive her...." She let his hand go and she got up. She leaned over the bed and kissed his forehead when suddenly he started to fade away.

Sonata gasped as she yelped and fell back against the wall. Just then the environment around her started to fade away into darkness. Sonata just looked around seeing nothing but pure black. She saw herself but nothing else. "Dammit... This isn't right... How the hell did I get all the way out here?" A familiar voice said. "You there! You can speak right?"

"...V-vice Principal Luna....? Is that you?"

"Vice Principal?! What kind of hell is this? Father if thou art toying with me stop it now!" Sonata looked behind her seeing a light flick on and her heart dropped seeing a dark blue pony behind her with a flowing stary night mane. She was an Alicorn like Twilight. She was looking off into the darkness for a sign of some sort.

"...Wait.... You're from Equestria.... A-aren't you?" The alicorn looked to Sonata.

"Ah so you do know of Equestria! I sensed Equestrian magic in you yet you aren't earth pony, Pegasus or unicorn... Tell me why do you speak the name of a general in Equestrian guard!"

"....I-I fell through a portal with my own Ryder weeks ago and... Look just tell me what you are doing here!" The alicorn huffed.

"Well you already know I'm from Equestria. I am Princess Luna, walker of dreams and controller of the moon. I'm here to help you miss. Tell me thy name and.... what ever you are and I shall help no matter what." Sonata took a deep breath and stood up.

"...My name is Sonata Dusk... I used to be a Siren long ago but was banished here to another world.... I had been pacified by your very own Twilight Sparkle.... My magic was taken away but... why it's returning I don't know.... I've fallen through with my Ryder who.... well... he's now hurt and in a hospital... I'm just worried right now..." Luna raised an eyebrow and walked over to Sonata.

"...A Siren? Pacified by friendship? I recall Sirens being sent off long ago.... Nothing much for that but... I'm not here to help about the general. Ours is in the hospital for hitting his head. What I'm here for is a dream I've tapped into when I sensed your presence show up in Equestria... Does any of this look familiar?" Her horn glowed and the environment around her changed into Ryder's living room where she saw Gilda pregnant and Ryder on the couch looking weak.

"...This stuff was in my dream.... It happened when my Ryder was having me move in with him..." She looked to Luna. "...why are you showing me this stuff? I know it ends with Ryder busting down my door and uh... killing me..."

"I can tell you right now he wont kill you... that just isn't him... Everything is a sign. What happened, who was there, but nothing from the end is a thing. Hint for one of the signs... check once you're home. For now... I must talk with Princess Twilight... She could possibly tell me what a weird creature like you were doing in Equestria... Wake thyself and remember the signs from this dream." Luna's horn glowed and she started to fade away.

That's when Sonata woke up in the back seat of her father's police cruiser. She saw her father in the drivers seat and Scootaloo in the front passenger seat with a bag of good smelling food in her lap. She glanced out the window and noticed she was in her neighborhood. "You okay back there Sonata?" Scootaloo asked.

Sonata looked back and saw Scootaloo looking back at her. "...Y-yeah..." She said. "...just still a bit tired... did I talk in my sleep at all?"

"Not that I heard... Why? Were you dreaming?" Sonata gave a nod.

"...Just a teeny bit of panic.... Just gotta get something in my stomach...Did you guys get anything about Ryder?"

Officer Dusk shook her head. "Nope... Not yet sweetie but I've got a feeling he's gonna be awake soon." He said slowing up in front of their home. "For now let's just get inside and relax. Just give me a second and I'll let you out Sonata." Sonata gave a nod just as Scootaloo hopped out with her father. Just as her father opened up the door for her, her stomach churned and jumped. She got out of the car just in time to vomit right in the street. Officer Dusk sighed and rubbed his daughters back. "Here. Lets get you inside... Now what I want you to do when we get in is make sure you got everything out of your system. I'll get some water ready for when you eat." Sonata spat and nodded. She got her arm over her fathers shoulder and walked with him.

"...Dad do you think... I could get a pen and a piece of paper to write down some stuff Ryder could need when he gets out of the hospital? I'm thinking I'm gonna have to take care of him and let him rest... got a feeling he might've lost a bit of motor function for a while..."

"Sure just.... Give me a minute."

Not long later Sonata was inside the bathroom writing down things she remembered from her dream while Scootaloo was standing at the door leaning against the door jam. "Sonata? Are you sure you're okay?" She asked. "....I don't think you're okay if you're writing stuff down in a bathroom..."

Sonata huffed and looked to Scootaloo. "I'm fine! just go back downstairs with my dad!" She snapped. "I'll be down in a second! And close the door on your way out!" Scootaloo huffed and left the bathroom slamming the door behind her.

"Sorry about that Mr. Dusk! Sonata still seems a bit cranky!" She hurried down stairs just as Sonata banged on the door startling her.

Just down stairs Sonata's father was just setting drinks on the coffee table. He changed into a button up shirt and a pair of jeans. He sighed as he set a can of soda down near a box of what looked to be chicken fingers. "Don't worry she's just doing that cuz she's worried." He said. Scootaloo hopped up on the couch. "So... Scootaloo right?" Scootaloo nodded. "...Scootaloo I'm not sure how touchy this subject is for you but... I kinda wanna know what you were doing before your parents uh... went..." Scootaloo sighed and grabbed her chicken and the soda.

"...Well.... that day started like any other... My brother and I were driving to school... He wasn't in a good mood because of his exgirlfriend who basically tried taking everything he had... I actually bit the girl when she tried to have me give her money for lunch and got detention for a few days... Ryder actually talked to the principal and bumped it down from a suspension. Ryder and I basically had to wait about an hour after school and when we got home the front door was cracked open... Ryder told me to stay in the car and.... next thing I know he's just running out across the street like he saw a spider or something.... I... I didn't want to see them the way they were but... Ryder had to pull me out while the neighbors called the cops.... I think you know what happened from then on..." She closed her eyes and took a deep yet shaky breath before opening the soda. Mr. Dusk sighed.

"...Yeah.... It isn't easy seeing something like what you saw... I'm surprised you and your brother weren't scarred by that... guess it's worse if someone sees it while it's happening... Too many light pick ups since that.... You uh.... you need anything? I was gonna head back to the school and see if I can get your stuff... I just pulled you from the office and you're still in your gym clothes." Scootaloo blushed and looked down at herself.

"Well... If I'm gonna be staying here until Ryder can go back home... I um... May need something to save me from having an accident...." She blushed hard as she bit into a chicken finger.

"Needing some diapers huh...?" Scootaloo nodded. "Don't worry girl... Sonata used to be a little bed wetter when she was scared. I'll be good picking up some padding for both of you.... Right before Sonata moved in with you she was bawlin' one day and ends up wetting herself scared about those friends coming back to beat the snot out of her. She suggested them and... Honestly I wasn't gonna do it until I found her on her knees in the hall crying from not making it. You wanna stay here so you can be with Sonata? I'm sure that gym teacher of yours would get your things and not miss anything."

"...yeah she helps out anyways she can... She's my cousin so she's nice enough to let me use my phone when we run... Too bad today my brother had to step in... If he didn't step in this probably wouldn't have happened..."

"Hey c'mon now it aint anyones fault. Not yours, not your brothers, not your teachers. There's only so much you can try and blame but sometimes nothing makes sense. In this case blaming him wouldn't make sense. Sometimes things need to go a certain way for things to happen..." His voice dropped a bit taking a glance up stairs. "...Sonata's mother and I splitting up was probably a good thing because... Well... She was trying to rip your brother and her apart just to get to him... She was the one who caused the miscarriage, taking away your niece or nephew... Sonata just wanted to slap the nose right off her mothers face... I almost wanted to let her too but I gotta say your brother was quick on his feet noticing something was up with my wife... Called me right up and I rushed right over and not because I pulled him over and forgot to give him his license back... You know maybe I should get going before it's too late to get your stuff..." He huffed as he got up from the couch but before he could walk to the door Sonata screamed making everyone jump. Scootaloo dropped her chicken and vaulted the couch before running upstairs after Sonata's father.

"Sonata! Sonata what's wrong!?" Scootaloo asked panicked.

Just as they reached the top of the stairs rushed out of the bathroom in tears. She hugged her father and squeezed him just sobbing before she looked to Scootaloo. She broke off of her father and hugged Scootaloo giving her a smile. "...Rocky's back...." She said. Scootaloo gave her a confused look.

"Rocky...?"

"...Scootaloo don't you remember...? Rocky...? The reason why I was depressed the beginning of the school year...?" Scootaloo thought for a moment as Mr. Dusk walked into the bathroom.

"...Wait... You mean..."

Mr. Dusk came back out with a pregnancy test in hand with a '+' on the screen. "...My little girl's having a baby..." He said. He tossed the test back into the bathroom and hugged his daughter along with Scootaloo. "...Hopefully your baby daddy gets up soon so he can hear the good news..." He broke the hug and nudged the girls towards the stairs. "...Alright girls I'll be right back. For now you just get downstairs and eat. Spend a little time together if you need. Darling if you need me to get something for you please tell me now so I don't have to run back out again."

Sonata looked up at her father. "...Maybe... just call the school and h-have them... t-tell Dash to call her friend Gilda and meet her at Ryder's.... You... you remember where that is right...?" She asked. Mr. Dusk gave a nod. "...Just meet Gilda at Ryder's and... get me my phone... I left it there...." She sobbed more and held Scootaloo close. Mr. Dusk gave a smile.

"I'll just get you both a bag of clothes so you could stay here... Want me to spread the good news or...?" Sonata shook her head. "Ah alright. I'll be back!" Mr. Dusk rushed downstairs leaving both girls upstairs hugging.

Scootaloo blushed as she heard the door downstairs slam. "...Uh Sonata... You can let go now!" She said. "...I know you're happy and all but I wanna eat something and pretty sure you need something to feed Rocky...."

Sonata sniffled and broke the embrace. She wiped her eyes and looked to Scootaloo losing the small smile she had on her face. "...Sorry Scoot... Just... I just wish your brother could be here..." She said. "...Just for now only you'll know... when Ryder gets out of the hospital then everyone will know..." Scootaloo took Sonata's hand and walked with her down stairs.

"Don't worry... My lips are sealed until then..." Sonata gave a smile and sat down on the couch with her.

Not long later Sonata and Scootaloo were asleep cuddling on the couch with their empty food wrappers all crumpled up on the table next to them. As they slept Sonata started to dream. She dreamt she was sitting in her room looking over the list of signs from her dream. The list contained 'Pregnancy, Winter, Gilda, Hospital and Gilda losing her home' but one thing still sat at the bottom of the list faded. 'Ryder wouldn't be the same'. It looked almost as if it were erased a bit. Just then the sound of a picture frame being knocked off the wall and a huff was heard. "Damn my stature in small places...." A familiar voice said. "This is exactly why I empty the dream scape...."

Sonata sighed and got up with the list in her hand and walked out of the room only to see Princess Luna, the large alicorn standing in the hall. "Oh Luna! Sorry about this place being tight." She said. Luna huffed as she fixed a blank painting on the wall.

"It's fine... Dream distortions. I somehow always find myself in them." She walked carefully out of the hallway and into Sonata's room. Sonata followed and sat down on the bed. "Did you find your answer with the hint I have given you earlier?" Sonata gave a nod and sighed looking at the paper. A line was drawn through pregnancy. All the others were still clear except for the last one. Still erased. "Well congratulations on your new addition. And you're lucky Twilight vouches for you... My sister found the letter Twilight had sent me and nearly flipped her lid since she remembers your banishment almost clearly... Twilight also tells me about the little heart attack you gave your Ryder... But just so you know I have talked with my sister and.... We actually have decided to lift your ban but the others are going to be banned and stripped of what ever powers they have and tethered to that world... I still wonder how you managed to enter while not having your magic..."

"I'm actually wondering that too but... Not as much as this one part of the dream... how can I be sure that Ryder wont hurt me...?"

"Ryder is too nice to hurt anyone. If he cared enough to put a baby in you he wont go and hurt you at all. Do you want any other hints for what's on the list?" Sonata hummed looking over the list.

"...Gilda losing her home is pretty obvious.... Maybe... I don't know see if there was anything I missed in my dream... I don't remember much from it..." Luna sat next to the bed and used her magic to make a wall disappear into darkness.

"Other than the vulgar items you crave for sex.... you have a name thought up for the baby don't you? Male and Female?" Sonata nodded hesitantly.

"...Female but not male..." Luna gave a little chuckle.

"Since you're the first... creature I've spoken with in that form I guess I can give something for you to remember and... maybe a few more things to add to the list. Thy new additions names are Courage if a little colt or Rocky for filly... I actually like the name Rocky. Gives thy foal a personality from just hearing her." Sonata giggled a bit.

"I'm glad you think so! I just named her for the type of music me and Ryder like... I'll actually continue to call my little baby Rocky until I find out what she's actually going to be. Anything else Luna?"

"...Maybe keep an eye on Gilda... in our world shes a greedy griffon but she could just be greedy for a cock to grab a hold of with her claws... If she has any fun with your stallion make sure you either whip her into shape or get in to it with them... You seem too nice to have your heart broken. I would know because a mare here had gotten heart broken and went on a rampage long ago nearly taking her sisters life... Put her away after she tried taking over everything and keep everything under a shroud of darkness... I know of this because... That mare was me..." Luna sighed and hung her head. "...I was heart broken by a suitor who said he had liked the light more than the darkness... I wanted to show him I could make the darkness beautiful but... he just up and left me..." Sonata looked to her a bit surprised.

"...That was the start of Nightmare Moon wasn't it...?" Luna gave a nod.

"Yes... Nightmare Moon... Upon the arrival back she tried taking over everything again but Twilight had gone and put a stop to that... For the rest of time I shall not have any suitors in fear of attempting to overthrow my sister because of that heart ache." Sonata got up and hugged Luna.

"Princess perhaps you should go visit Ryder now.... Make sure he's alright... Don't get all caught up in your memories... It's not gonna make anything better for us... I should probably be waking up anyways..." Luna took a deep breath and sighed.

"Perhaps... If you want I can contact Twilight and set up a meeting between us soon.... Would you want that? It is the least I can do for you for being so understanding..." Sonata smiled a bit.

"I'd like to meet you and Celestia and thank you personally... You can go now..." She broke the hug and backed away from Luna. Luna gave a smile as her horn glowed making everything start to fade away. Soon Sonata woke up finding herself in what used to be her old room. She looked next to her and saw her things in a backpack with a note with it. She picked it up and looked at it.

'Sonata,

I took your boyfriends sister over to her cousins place after I grabbed her things and your things from the house. I actually had to head back to work on a call but I made sure you weren't gonna be alone. Should have that girl Gilda downstairs and uh... Sorry bout this but I couldn't help but blab about my grandkid to her... Hope that's okay with you baby girl... I'm still gonna be bringing Ryder's sister back home but just after I get a few tips to care for her... I'll be back I promise!

-Dad'

Sonata smiled and sighed as she got up from her bed giving a stretch and her belly a slight pat. She walked outside of her room and looked downstairs only to see Gilda on the couch just rubbing the back of her neck nervously. Gilda was wearing a camo tank top and jeans with a leather jacket sitting on the arm rest of the couch. She sighed. "...C'mon Gil... If you can come clean to your parents about you being Bi you can ask her..." She said. "...Just do it like you rehearsed... Don't slip up... be clear, confident and... fuck... they aren't gonna let me in with my rep..." She grunted and punched the couch. Sonata gave an audible yawn as she started down the steps. Gilda looked up and a closer look revealed she had dried mascara running down her face as if she were crying at some point. "Sonata!" Gilda got up from the couch and met Sonata half way up the stairs giving her a bit hug. "...Sorry if I look like shit... I just..." She hesitated. Sonata sighed.

"Is it about the baby or something bigger...?" Gilda broke the hug and backed up a bit letting her friend walk down the stairs.

"...Well... both kinda... First I just wanna say congrats on the kid... Cant wait to see what you and Ryder make... Second.... I just... I'm apparently being kicked from my room mates apartment because she found a few needles for insulin thinking they were drug needles..." Sonata sat down on the couch and picked up the TV remote.

"Insulin? Why do you need that?" Gilda sat next to her and dug into the pocket of her leather jacket and pulled out a little device and a pill bottle containing little strips in it. Sonata looked at each item and gave a little gasp. "...You're diabetic?" Gilda nodded and shoved them back into her jacket pocket.

"Yeah... I never told anyone because they think it'd be some cover up or that I can only eat certain foods... I can basically eat anything I want as long as I can keep my blood sugar normal... I actually had a doctors appointment today to see if I still need the insulin but when I called Ryder earlier to see if I can get into your guys' place I was gonna shower but didn't get an answer from Dash's mom... You mind if I hop in to your shower and maybe a new change of clothes? Lost my job and cant really pay for the washing machines in the apartment complex..." She blushed a bit rubbing her neck and leaned away from Sonata. Sonata smiled at her friend.

"Go on ahead and wash up. I've got a bag of clothes for tonight in my room just to the left of the bathroom so feel free to get some stuff on." Gilda smiled and blushed a bit.

"Not sure if this is your thing but...." She leaned over and kissed Sonata on the cheek before hopping up off the couch and rushing up stairs. Once she was alone Sonata felt her bladder tighten a bit. She hummed and thought for a moment.

"...Don't think a bathroom break would hurt... I know Gilda likes this stuff..." She turned off the TV and hurried up stairs. She came to the bathroom door and knocked. "Gilda? Can I come in? I got a little proposal for you!" She put her ear to the door only to hear a bit of a groan before a slight thud. She opened the door and gasped seeing Gilda trying to stand up using the counter to pull herself up. She was sweating profusely and looking a bit weak. "Gilda!" Sonata rushed in and picked Gilda up starting to drag her out of the bathroom.

"...Well... wish I had my insulin..."

"Just hold on I'll get you out of here! I am not letting my friend die from health problems!" Not long later Gilda was lying down in the back seat of her truck eating from a little chocolate bar. Sonata was driving down the road taking occasional glances in the rear view mirror. "Doing okay back there Gil?" Gilda gave a nod.

"...Definitely need the insulin... glad I got these candy bars in case of emergency... I'm glad you actually had the strength to get me in here... and.... thanks for driving ... I'm not in any condition to drive... damn room mate tossed the needles and contaminated them so I couldn't dig em out..." Sonata sighed.

"I'm just glad she didn't call the cops and actually put your life at risk... So who's your doctor and where do I go?"

"....Just head to the hospital dammit... all those fucking doctors... know me there since I'm there a lot for injuries I got when I was riding my dirt bike with Dash..." She gave a slight cough. "...Kinda helps if you don't happen to need a cast on your jaw which I had to have the first time because of my dumbass friend daring me to ride through the trees as fast as I could... surprised the branches didn't take my head off but hey... got a reason to live eh...?" Sonata huffed as she turned the corner.

"Guess so... I actually have a question for you Gilda... Do you uh... Do you think you can actually talk with Ryder about this once he gets back...?"

"...Sure... Dash told me what happened to him. I'll be fine telling him about my insulin and... maybe ask him about being put up in your guys' place... Hey you mind turning on the radio? Tryinta stay awake back here..." Sonata gave a nod and turned on her favorite rock station. This one was playing a song she knew Ryder liked. Caster Of Spells by Metallicolt. She gave a sigh and just listened to it the whole way out to the hospital and the first part of Paradise island by Gems n Tulips.

After they got to the hospital they had a nurse get a wheel chair and help get Gilda into it. They started to wheel Gilda down the hall way soon after. The nurse looked to Sonata. "Do you think you can tell me what happened to her?" She asked. "Anything wrong with her stomach?"

Sonata shook her head. "I just went to use the bathroom and she just fell..." She said. "She told me she needed insulin before that but she didn't have any on hand!" The nurse looked down at Gilda.

"No more insulin Miss Gryphon? Should've come to us sooner!" She looked to Sonata. "Don't you worry about her. She'll be fine once we get her into a bed for some rest and get her insulin. Is there anything you would like while you wait for her to get back to full strength?"

"...Well... I was wondering if you got someone that came in around eight this morning maybe...? His name's Ryder? Had a nose bleed and head trauma?" The nurse thought a moment.

"...Head trauma... eight in the morning... I think so but I'd have to check. Are you in relation with the patient?"

Gilda looked up at the nurse giving a weak smile as she moved her hair out of her face. "...She's carrying his kid..." She said. "...She just wants to know if he's gonna be okay enough to take a shock to his heart." The nurse gave a smile to Sonata.

"Congratulations then miss. Let me just get you to the closest room we have available. I'll go and check that for you after but would you like anything to eat or drink?"

"Maybe some water... Don't wanna upset my stomach to trigger the morning sickness." The nurse nodded and turned into a room on her left. Sonata stopped right at the door seeing the nearest bed. It was Ryder! He still was unconscious with dried blood still on his face. He had a bandage wrapped around his head covering most of his hair but Sonata could tell it was him by his face.

Gilda saw Ryder and had the nurse stop at the foot of his bed. "... Guess you can take finding this guy off your to do list..." She said. She looked back at Sonata. "... Ya think you can get him to wake up? Hearing a familiar voice might help..." Gilda looked up at the nurse as she wheeled her between the beds. "Think it could work?"

The nurse hummed as she locked the wheels on the wheel chair. "It just might." She said. "A lot of patients who are out cold like that normally wake up to a voice that he knows. A parent, a sibling, a girlfriend or just someone he knows. Since you're carrying his child he must recognize your voice the most."

Sonata walked over to the bed as the nurse helped Gilda out of the wheel chair and onto the bed before rushing out of the room. Sonata hesitantly stroked her boyfriends dirty face. "...Ryder? Ryder come on it's time to wake up sweetums." She said. "...I know you're in there baby... come on out of your room and give me a hug!"

Gilda watched as Sonata studied his face. They both saw no reaction. "Hey dweeb! Dash took my pants and wont give em back!" She said. "You let me in and I let you in if you let me borrow your pants!" Again they studied Ryder's face. A little twitch on his cheek. Sonata looked up at Gilda.

"Do it again! I think he heard you!"

"Come on Ry she just stole my panties! I gotta get something to cover myself up! And hurry up I gotta pee!" Ryder's face twitched again a little more. Sonata sighed as the twitching stopped again.

"...Shit... So close..." Sonata walked around the bed over to Gilda's bedside. "We tried something but nothing came as a result... At least we know he's in there somewhere..." Gilda huffed as she lied back in her bed.

"...I think that candy bar's actually keeping me up more than I thought... Where's that damn nurse....?" Sonata shrugged as she leaned on the bed a bit. "Well would you mind going to fucking get her? What happened to not wanting me to die?"

"Well excuse me for being worried about my boyfriend who you're sharing a room with... Either give the nurse a minute or just give me a minute to think of something to wake Ryder up..." Gilda dug into her pocket and gave Sonata her phone.

"...Just try music... seven four two five... Just look for songs he knows... I swear if that nurse doesn't come in the next five fucking seconds..." She mumbled a bit as Sonata walked around the bed inputting the code to her phone.

Just as she came to Ryder's bedside the nurse came in with a cart with a pitcher of water, a few cans of soda and a few plastic packages marked 'insulin'. "Alright Miss Gryphon I have your insulin here. Just a quick dose should get you back to strength but you really need to be careful." She said. "If you didn't have your friend there you might not be here right now." Gilda sighed as the nurse took a needle from its plastic packaging and uncapped it. "You know the drill Miss Gryphon. Turn away and count to ten." The bedridden girl nodded and turned to look at Sonata. Sonata was scrolling through the play list of a Gems and Tulips album that was downloaded on to the phone. She found a song that Ryder knew as Gilda started to count.

"....1 ....2 .....3 ....4 ....5 ....6 ...7....8 ....9 ....10...." Gilda covered her mouth as the needle was stuck into her arm.

Just then Sonata noticed movement in his face. His eyelids fluttered a bit and his mouth started to move a bit as the lyrics started. He started to move his head to the beat of the drum. Just then his eyes snapped open and he sat up. "WOAH GEMS DONT GO!" He yelled panting. Sonata screamed dropping the phone into his lap and hugged him. He looked around panting and took a deep breath sighing. "...Shit... thought there really was a concert going on... Why the hell does my head hurt.... and... Why am I in a hospital...?" The nurse took the needle out of Gilda's arm and bandaged it up.

"Got nailed in the head dweeb! Been out since this morning!" He looked over at Gilda as the nurse came over.

"Gilda? What the fuck happened to you to be in here?"

The nurse came between Ryder and Gilda's bed and handed him a can of soda. "She just needed a little insulin and apparently you just needed some music." She said. "You might have to stay the night to undergo a few tests to make sure you don't have a concussion." Ryder looked down at Sonata and tried pushing her away.

"...Who's Miss HugsALot here? Don't know who she is or why she's hugging me and I'd kinda like her to stop... it's making me uncomfortable."

Sonata gasped and let Ryder go letting him lay back down. "C'mon dweeb don't joke when you're in a hospital after a head injury!" Gilda said. Ryder looked over at Gilda as the nurse made her way around the bed.

"Joke? I'm not joking I don't know who she even is and what she's doing in here."

To Be Continued....