The Rise and Fall

It's been about a month or so since I was with Luna and Dash checking out what life would be like if I werent even born. I was fine even after Dash blabbed to Gilda... And AJ... AND Celestia... And Twilight... God you cant tell her ANYTHING without her blabbing. I wasnt mad about it with anyone. Though... Dash was on a shit list for about a week before we made an agreement to get my forgiveness. Twilight used a perspective spell making her look like a random pony (that we made sure didnt live in Ponyville or even exist via guard databases and even a citizen database of a census) and Dash would go out to a mall, stand in the middle of where she was and just piss herself acting like nothing was wrong. Yeah... didnt last long... she broke down crying and I had to act like a guard and help her away acting like she was suffering from some horrible cramp. Sure when we were out of sight I got punched but she deserved it. Anyways... Tonight... I had to wake up at midnight and drive a half hour into town. Why? Let me paint a picture. Basically about... oh say before the war I was called out to a domestic disturbance and found a father abusing his wife and his son. The father went to jail for assault, sexual assault, child abuse and drug possession. He had some cocaine on him. After I had him hauled away, I had drug dogs sniff out the house only to find a few packages with a good sum of drugs in them. Wasnt much to the untrained eye- like my own- but it was worth a good couple thousand. Anyways after everything was checked out, things were replaced and nerves were calmed I went to check on them and they became good friends, even the kid. The kid's name was Button Mash. Huge gamer. Kid's got everything he could ever ask for. Even a few new games I had Luna deliver under my name as a favor a few months back. His mother, Cream Heart, just the sweetest- and dare I say sexiest- mare i've ever seen besides my wife. But tonight I was called out of a dead sleep by some underlings because of this address. I drove down to the scene and holy shit... You think this was a heist gone wrong. Two swat vans, three guard trucks and rifles, pistols and flashing lights everywhere. I parked right next to a swat van and got out of my car tired as hell, pissed and in nothing but basket ball shorts and a tank top. I approached the first guard I saw just at the drivers side door of the van. "What the hell did you wake me up for?!" I yelled.

The guard shuttered a bit looking around at the house. "It's this house sir! There's someone inside that called in a hostage threat and threatened to kill anyone or anything that moved including himself and his mother!" I pinched my nose and huffed.

"YOU FUCKING IDIOTS! ALL OF YOU! GUNS DOWN AND AWAY!" I looked to all the guards around me. The gravel under my feet felt coarse but I didnt give a fuck at this point. "COME ON GUNS DOWN AND AWAY! NOW! THAT IS AN ORDER!" I looked to the guard at the door of the guard van and huffed as he put his pistol away. "Open it up! Now! And put the PA on this fucking truck on NOW!" He nodded and scrambled to open the door and hopped inside fiddling with the radio before we hear a loud feedback sound. I climbed up on the side holding on to a metal bar to aid on getting in. He handed me the talking part. I looked to the house that had spotlights aimed at it. Blue paint, rustic new from renovations and even artificial turf. "Button! Cream Heart! This is General Ryder. I need you both to come out nice and slow! If everyone out here knows their place, they know not to touch you at all! Just come outside, hands up if you can, and I'll send them away. Alright?"

We waited a couple moments. Felt like forever when you're as tired as me. That door opened and out stepped two earth ponies. A mare and a colt. The mare, cream coat, brown mane looking like a mess wearing a white bathrobe and the colt wearing an eight bit bath robe. Brown coat, lighter brown mane both looking scared and tired. I got down from the truck and huffed. The guard looked to me from the drivers seat. "Uh... Order's sir?" He asked.

"Everyone back in their vehicles and get out of here! NOW! Anyone lingers around for more than five minutes, their jobs are as good as forfeit!" The guard nodded and closed the door to the van fiddling with the radio again turning the PA off. I heard his voice echo through everyone elses walkies.

"All units, attention, false alarm. Everyone back to base. General's orders! ASAP!" He said. I quickly got back into my car, pulled into the family of twos driveway and watched as everyone drove off.

When I got out of my car, Cream Heart rushed me and hugged me. Same with her son. "Oh thank you Ryder! They kept yelling at us telling us to come out with our hands up..." She said. "Button... He just said not to... I... I didnt know what to do so... we tried letting it go on until they got you..."

I sighed rustling Button's mane. Poor thing was crying and shaking. "Next time something like that happens you both have my number." I replied. "Call me, tell me the situation and I'll be right down here to assess the situation..." I looked to Button and then back to his mother. "Miss Cream Heart, could you just go back inside and try to calm down? I need to have a word with Button. He's not in trouble but I just wanna hear what happened from him okay?" Cream Heart nodded and broke away from us before hurrying back inside. She hurried so fast I may or may not have seen the black laced panties she was wearing. I looked down at button prying him off my leg and kneeling down in front of him. "Button... What happened this time? This isnt the first time you've been swatted..." Yeah.. This is some stupid 'craze' that people are doing. And the one time it happened to Button before? I just came over to check on him but when I did, the same thing happened... Though I was there to turn everyone away. Turns out some hacker called the guard. The hacker?? Some kid across town who learned just how bad what he did was. A month in juvi. Kid came out scared.

Button whimpered. "...I-I was just playing Black Heart online and... I wasnt even doing anything... some guy just targeted me, my shipments and all my cars blowing them up.... but when I killed him he just..." He said. He started whimpering letting a few sobs escape. I sighed.

"Toxic Tryhards.... Sometimes it's better to just leave the lobby at that point... find another or use that trick I show you okay?" He nodded. "Good... Now head back inside and go to bed.... I'm gonna see if your mom will let me stay the rest of the night.... Too dangerous for me to be driving all the way back home..." The colt nodded and hurried back inside as I dipped back into my car grabbing my phone and my keys before locking it and heading for the door. The inside of the house was a little bit of a mess but its more than what a single mother can do among juggling her own work, the mortgage, her son and even house work. I closed the door behind me and went over towards the kitchen where all I see is a dim light lighting up the table where I saw Cream Heart sitting with a bottle of water in her hands. I pulled out a chair and sat next to her. "Sorry if I just invited myself in Miss Heart... I got woken up out of a dead sleep to drive over here..."

The mare sighed. "...It's fine Ryder... Rather would have you than the others..." She said. "...I just... why the hell does someone think its funny or okay to waste the guards time and put lives in danger...? I've seen those news stories about what just happened... I just hope the guards responsible for the father of four are jailed..."

"Dont worry. They are jailed and everyone in that entire sector is getting retraining on gun safety and every range is getting training targets. Some have weapons, some dont. They're getting better and better with seeing the weapon before firing." Every target hit with no weapon is another day they need to train. Train until they get it right... Hell we weeded out two to four ponies every other who purposely went for zebras either when they had guns or not. Same with only griffons. All fired on the spot when they saw the pattern. I huffed. "Once you calm down go back to bed... I'll be out here on the couch." I just started to get up before she grabbed my hand.

"Ryder wait! Why dont you just... Come share my bed with me? I could use the company... plus... this house gets kinda cold sometimes and we barely have any clean blankets to spare." I stayed silent for a moment feeling her shake a bit. She was scared still from what happened. Adrenaline was running high. "Please Ryder? I... I know you have a wife but... We dont have to touch each other... we can just lay in bed and just sleep... I just cant stay in that bed alone after something like that... it reminds me of..." I sighed.

"I know... It reminds you of the day you were freed from your abuser. I know the feeling of having something like that remind you of something worse.... Day I had to go off to war, I saw my sister get carried away by a guard as she screamed for me to not go... Just glad Celestia got her to calm down... but that reminded me of the day my parents died... seeing my sister get carried off... screaming for me again..." I started tearing up. Cream Heart grabbed a hold of me and hugged me shushing me.

"Ryder sweetie... come on dont cry.... those days are long gone... you're okay... you're just tired...." I just latched onto her. "It's okay.... it's okay shhh....." A few small sobs escaped. "...Come on now.... it's okay... just breathe and just know you did for your sister was the best thing to do.... Happened long ago yes but... I understand how it plagues your mind... Traumatic events are almost never forgotten... no matter how hard you try to forget...." She took my hand and brought me over to the fridge grabbing a bottle of tea out for me. Cold chamomile with a hint of cherries. She brought me out of the kitchen and over to her room where she turned on a light. The bed she had was king sized. Most of her exhusbands stuff still hung on the wall. Even saw the shadow of where a rifle once hung. It wasnt used but it was still taken in for evidence. Drug dog checked out this place too didnt find anything, what was here she sold to help her get on her feet and pay bills. She sat me on the bed and sighed. "...The night you took that asshole away.... I started thinking about what he'd do if he either escaped or had one of his 'friends' come after me... The first thing that came to mind... Button... Years before I was forced to marry him he... did things to me... and gave birth to button... During pregnancy he abused me still and I was worried my sweet little boy wouldnt be coming out alright... or at all... I was just glad he was born alright but that still didnt stop him from being abused... At two, he was slapped and I had to take him to the hospital with a broken arm and when the doctor asked what happened I said I tripped with him in my arms... I wanted to say what really happened but it felt like he had a gun in my back..." I sighed as I sipped the tea.

"...Well that wont happen... He's gone... you know what his friends look like and if you see them anywhere near here... just call me and the guard. Me first though. I wanna be there to keep you guys safe from the inside while the guard gets em from the outside." I sniffled a bit. "...Cream Heart... can... can I be honest with you?"

"Go ahead and talk. I'm here for you..." I sniffled and kinda choked on a sob.

"...when I was in prison I was bailed out by my friend who said I did nothing wrong... knew how my mind worked... He took me to a shooting range and.... I... I was so distraught about finding out my parents were murdered I... tried to... shoot myself... to this day I was scared shitless to pick up a gun fearing that thought of shooting myself would come true... I know I have family to keep me from doing it.... friends and my boss' trust and care.... but... I'm scared if one day I lose those thoughts and then...." I motioned to my head with my hand acting like it was a gun. She grabbed my hand and put it to her side on her hip.

"Ryder... Listen to me... Any time you think about doing that think about what you'd be doing to your sister... What your wife would be like... Nobody wants a dead brother or husband... Now just breathe, finish your tea and lets just go to bed. No more tears, no more scary things... Okay?" I nodded and chugged the rest of my tea. Before even getting in bed I went straight for the bathroom and did my thing. Texted AJ while I was at it, letting her know what happened and where I am. Also an apology if I somehow woke Winona when I left.... She's still a bit startled by someone doing things. Like seriously I fucking went to the bathroom one night, closed the door as gently as I could and she still started barking.

As I slept I actually couldnt help but cuddle up to Cream Heart... Her motherly aura helped very much. As I slept I came into a dreamscape with Luna. We were in the middle of a field, me on a bench under a cherry blossom tree. Her, just standing in front of me clothed in a dark blue kimono with little moons everywhere. She sighed as I leaned back in the seat. "Ryder... Something's amiss... I can feel it..." She said. She sat next to me. "Come on. Tell auntie Luna what happened."

I sighed. "...Where do you want me to start? The swatting incident or me spilling my brains to the victims mother about dark thoughts?" I asked.

"Ryder...."

"Alright alright..." I lied down on the bench using her lap as a pillow. "I was woken up out of a dead sleep from the guard here in Ponyville... said there was an incident at a domestic abuse victims house where they were swatted but the guards were too scared to go in because the caller apparently said they were ready to shoot anyone who comes in. I knew the address, I knew who was there and I got everyone to go home and to calm down... now that I'm here I started talking with the victims and... Just kinda started talking darkness again... I need you to take my gun away again... Take it and just keep it away from me." She sighed.

"I was afraid of that... I thought I had hidden your darker thoughts but.... I guess there are some things that need to be remembered even if they are dark reminders.... I'll have Twilight confiscate your weapon until you think you're alright. And as for the family... Are they alright? Who were they?"

"Cream Heart and her son Button Mash. Kid got in with a tryhard hacker and he basically swatted him. They're alright... just shaken up... I'm probably gonna stay around for the day, make sure they're gonna be alright." She smiled.

"Good. I'd ask that Button Mash kid if he remembers the screen name of the person who did it. If you send it to me, I can get it back traced by going to the company of what ever he uses. Teach em a thing or two on what it means to waste guard resources."

"I'll go through his game stuff when I can. I just hope he recorded the incident before he dipped off the console to hide with his mom or tell her what was happening... Kid's smart but sometimes he can be like me when playing games...."

"Rushing in, guns blazing, failing a mission because you did the harder thing?" I hesitantly nodded.

"Lets not forget accidentally blowing up the objective you're trying to save...." She huffed.

"Well... Sounds like he learns from the best. Just go get what information you can from his account, if he has anything, and send me what ever you can. If not, please request he does take a screen shot or a clip of what happens if it happens again. Not only will the one who did it lose their account, but a few years in jail should teach them." She became tense for a moment. "Uh... Ryder... Could you possibly come with me for a moment and aide me in something... It's Babs..." I sighed as I sat up.

"Sure... Wonder what's going on now..." She stood up and helped me off the bench before covering my eyes with her hand. I heard everything change around us. Things cracked, something smashed and I even heard glass breaking. Yeah... This wasnt gonna be good. After a moment Luna uncovered my eyes... All I saw was just a broken down house... Not her old home, not mine. Just some random house. Busted out windows, burned chairs and tables. Babs was sitting against the wall looking a bit bruised, her clothes a bit burned here and there. She was just wearing a black and white long semi long sleeve and jeans. She was wearing only one sneaker. Black running shoe. She sobbed a bit hiding her face. I ran over to her and knelt down in front of her. She clenched up hiding her face. I rested a hand on her shoulder. "Babs! Babs its okay it's only me!" I said. Babs took one look at me and latched on starting to cry in my shoulder. I looked to Luna as she knelt down next to me.

"Babs honey it's alright... You're alright.... What happened? I thought you were happy about your new home!"

Babs sniffled. I... I am... I'm just... I just got scared.... Th-The guards here had to put the p-place we're staying here on... on lockdown... Said there was something happening in Ponyville..." She said. "...I... I didnt know what was happening... I thought something like what happened to my old home was happening there...."

I sighed holding her close. "Everything's okay... it's over... Just someone trying to play a very mean joke on one of Sweetie Belle's friends... Applebloom and Scoot are safe at the orchard so dont worry about them." I said. "But... Guess that's what happens to anything owned by the Princesses..." I looked to Luna. "After we're done here, check on Twilight see if she's okay. The castle probably went on red alert as well." Luna nodded as I turned my attention back to Babs. "...Good thing is those guards are there to keep you safe... Kinda like how i was..."

Luna grabbed the filly from me. "That's right Babs. You're lucky to be at my sisters Summer Home..." She said. "Those guards had to get Scootaloo and my sister out of there safely when the earthquake hit. I know this wasnt an earthquake but it shows how skilled they are in keeping you guys safe. Where did they put you?"

Babs sniffled. "Th-They barged into the room I was in... brought me and my family downstairs and hid us in a hidden room.... I... I was scared... I still am...." She said.

"Any accidents?" Babs whimpered a bit hiding her face. Luna huffed. "Aww... it's okay... as long as you dont go and have an accident in bed...." Her ear flickered. "Uh... Speaking of which...." She quickly set Babs down only for a stain to quickly pour down her legs as the filly buckled a bit blushing hard. Luna sighed looking to me. "I'm gonna wake you up.... Need to have Babs stay calm as best as I can.... Say your goodbyes quick."

I nodded and got to my feet. "Babs it's gonna be okay... Accidents happen... Remember even I have accidents... I'll try to get with you later alright?" I said. She nodded trying to hold it together. "Alright... See you later sweetie. I'll be just a phone call away." I looked to Luna. "Take care Princess." She nodded and used her magic making everything start to fade out.

I woke up to the smell of pancakes and tofu bacon... Havent eaten tofu bacon since the war and that's how I got bad food poisoning... Still felt bad for quickly hanging up on Celestia that day but she knew what was going on. I grabbed my phone from the charging pad I guess Button's mom had.... Kinda didnt know my phone did that kind of charging but... now I do.... But I got up from the bed and walked out into the hall and looked around. Things were still dim but most of the windows were either facing away from the sun or they were closed. I walked out to the kitchen just to see Cream Heart at the stove wearing a tank top and Capri jeans. I checked my phone as I stretched and yawned. Nine AM. She looked back at me from the stove and smiled. "Ah good morning Ryder. Sleep well?" She asked. I nodded as I grabbed a glass from her cabinet and ran it under the faucet. "You kinda mumbled in your sleep... Hope you dont say anything bad when you're in bed with your wife."

I filled the glass half way up before chugging it before setting the glass in the sink. "Well... If I do she hasnt said anything..." I said. "But listen... Does Button do his HoofToob stuff still? I know you grounded him a bit after he got that stuff but I need to know if he was recording anything last night."

"He puts videos up every now and then. You can ask him after breakfast. You're able to stay for breakfast arent you?" I smiled.

"Of course. Little breakfast cant hurt... Pancakes and tofu bacon?"

"Yep. Got blue berries in the fridge and some strawberries too. I can get them ready if you want to go wake Button up. He might've been up late last night after what happened. I dont want him sleeping until noon again. Last time he did he missed an important test at School.... Was lucky enough to get the teacher to hold him back afterschool to have him take said test..." I sighed.

"Dont worry I'll wake him up. I'll try to wake him up like I wake Scootaloo up if things dont go the way I wanna."

"Please dont be too rough with him. He likes having you around and I dont wanna see that ruined!" I gave a silent huff as i left the kitchen. I went back down the hall and stretched my wings a bit before stopping at Button's door knocking on it.

"Button? C'mon Button wake up! Breakfast time bud. Mom made pancakes!" I listened at the door for a moment. Nothing. I knocked more. "Come on lil dude, get on up. Dont make me come in there." I heard shuffling and a groan. "Three seconds. Door better be open on the count of three. One.... Two.... Two and a half...." Just then I heard feet hit the floor, stumbling a bit before the door opened revealing Button. He didnt open it much. Only to where you can see his face. "Good. C'mon dude. Breakfast is almost ready."

Button looked back into his room, his tired eyes looking a bit red. "C-Can I at least get a minute to get something to wear?" He asked. I huffed.

"Alright but hurry. I dont think your mother would appreciate you letting food get cold, nor make a guest wait."

"Y-Y-Yes sir..." I glanced back at the end of the hall way towards the kitchen. Nothing much going on. I looked back at the colt and just held the door open as he tried to close it on me.

"Everything okay? You still look kinda scared." He nodded a bit. "Can I come in? If you're in your underwear just grab something to cover yourself with. It'll just be a second. Alright?" He nodded a bit more.

"Just... Make it quick..." I held up a hand and looked back down the hallway.

"Miss Heart? Give me a minute. Gonna have a man to man talk with your son."

I looked back as Button blushed a bit. "Alright but hurry! I dont want all this food going to waste!" His mother called out. That's when Button backed away from the door and I entered. His room was a good size. Some toys scattered the floor, a desk against the wall with a custom built computer (that Luna pitched in for parts), a racer seat with cushioned arm rests, a headset I bought him and a few consoles on his dresser, all hooked to his TV- A thirty two inch flatscreen. There were clothes on the floor here and there. Underwear here, some socks there and an upside down shoe. Button grabbed a pair of shorts from his drawers and quickly put them on before digging into his dresser again to grab a shirt. I leaned against the doorjam crossing my arms.

"Alright... What's up Button? Still afraid from last night?"

Button huffed putting on a Nukes Galore shirt. Red Nuclear Fizz soda shirt. The best and only soda of the game. Well... The latest ones. There was an earlier one where they had a rival soda company but they didnt last long. "...I dont know if that guy last night is still after me..." He said . "He seemed pretty serious when he said 'you'll regret that' and... I dont know if the swatting was all he had or more but... I... I'm just scared Ryder...."

"I know you are.... That was scary for me too... I didnt know what was going on until I heard what was happening and where. I would hate it if I came only to see you or your mother and not the other... But that should be the only thing he throws at us. Now... I got another question for you. Were you recording anything last night?" He nodded.

"I was recording last night when it happened... I quickly shut the recording off and shut the computer down after it happened... Why? Do you wanna see it?"

"Yeah. Might need to review it just to send off to see if we cant trace that guy back to where he is and jail him. Fabrication of a call to the guard and endangering civilians is a serious offense. Show it to me after we eat. If I see anything that needs to be sent to the guard I'll send it. Though when you post it, you're gonna have to wait until long after its all done. Dont want any trouble because it's gonna be evidence used against him in court. You'd be alright to talk about this in court right?" He hesitantly nodded. "Good... Now come on, lets get to the table. After breakfast we get that footage, then try to play a few matches of Alley Brawlers.... Maybe see if I cant beat you again!" The colt kinda smiled a bit.

"Alright you're on! First one back to the table gets first pick at the characters!" He quickly charged the door and nudged me out of the way. I chased him out only to beat him to the table by a fraction of a second. Long arms do the thing. Though he kinda argued he won... His mom backed him up just to shut us both up. Anyways after breakfast Cream Heart had me go through her closet just to take clothes that was her exhusbands that she couldnt sell. Both because she couldnt fit some clothes she bought in her bedroom closet and because nobody would take em. Weird enough the guy was just about the same build as me... Give or take pant size. Lucky there was a belt I could use. Anywho I picked out a black long sleeve button up and some jeans. Even let me take a pair of sneakers that was left behind. Wasnt the best fitting but they did the job.

Not long after I was back in Button's room sitting on his bed, C-Sphere controller in hand button mashing to my hearts content while Button himself beat me over and over and over again... I chose my main and he always chose a different fighter to beat my sorry flank into oblivion. We played for... Oh well about an hour before I hear something break in between screens. Yeah... Ears are as sensitive as Winona's at times. No joke. After I was swapped back with Winona and stuck around for her training, Fluttershy used a dog whistle to correct bad behavior and I actually heard it... High pitch but annoying as shit. Anyways I looked to button and set my controller down putting one finger to my mouth shushing him silently. He nodded and muted his TV and went to go hide under his bed. Taught him that after I picked up his father just in case any trouble was had. Anyways I opened the bedroom door and listened closely only to hear his mother cry out a bit. Quickly I ran out only to see Cream Heart on the floor with a broken glass nearby. I quickly came down at her side as she whimpered and whined looking to be in pain. She looked to me, tears streaming from her eyes. "Ryder... C-Call an ambulance... please... it... it hurts so much!" She said.

I nodded and took my phone out starting to call the guard precinct number I even put it on speaker and set it down looking at Cream Heart. "What happened? What hurts?" I asked. All she could do was tap at her gut. I lifted her shirt up a bit and started surveying her stomach. "Alright... no lacerations... no open wounds in general... One sec."

Quickly I picked up the phone and just at the perfect time. The guard on the other side picked up. Mare. Ponyville Guard, what's your emergency?" She asked. I sighed standing up.

" Delta foxtrot niner. I need you to dispatch an ambulance to Sixty seven twenty Talon Lane. Got a mare in dire need of medical attention. No open wounds, no bruising on her but she's experiencing crippling abdominal pain. There's a colt here, age ten that I'm gonna extract once the mare is taken care of."

"Understood General. Over and out." She hung up and I shoved my phone back in my pocket kneeling down next to the single mother.

"You're gonna be okay Cream Heart. Just... Try not to move. I know it hurts but moving will only make it worst. I gotta go make sure Button gets everything he needs together. I'll watch him until you're out of the hospital. Ambulance is on its way... Hope it gets here fast...." I quickly hurried over to Button's room once more bursting in... Kinda scaring him to where he screamed a bit. I looked to the bed and knelt down. "Sorry dude but I need you to get a bag together. Clothes, a few games, school work if anything and one of your smaller consoles."

Button hesitantly crawled out from under his bed. "Wh-What happened? Where's my mom?" He asked.

"Button. Just do what I asked. She's gonna be okay! Dont worry." I could see him glance to the door for a moment. "Button... Please... Do as I ask... I promise she's gonna be okay." Button nodded and hurried over to his closet grabbing a suit case. I admit that was a little too much but... The kid is scared. "Alright. When you're done, stay in here. I'll come to get you. But no matter what you hear... Please stay in here... I'll explain everything after that. Okay?" He nodded whimpering a bit just before I went back out of the room closing the door behind me. I ran back to Cream Heart and just stayed at her side when the ambulance came. I opened the door, got the glass cleaned up as best I could and waved down the drivers who acted quickly getting Button's mother from her home to the ambulance itself. After that I went back to Button's door and knocked. "Button. Ryder. Coming in." Hesitantly I opened the door only to see him sitting in his computer chair holding a pillow hiding his face in it. I knelt down at the foot of his chair and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Button it's okay... She's gonna be okay... All it is is just a bad stomach ache...." He brought his face up from the pillow revealing tears coming from his eyes.

"...I-I-It's the hackers.... th-they wanna ruin my life... I.... I want mom..." I sighed.

"We can talk with your mother later... Right now just... try and calm down... I need to make a call real quick... Make some arrangements back at my place.... You'd be okay sleeping at my place right?" The colt hesitantly nodded. I could see it in his eyes that he didnt want to at all... He wanted to stay here but was afraid to. "Alright... Just go out to the living room, sit on the couch. I'm gonna call up my wife, see if we cant make room for you... okay bud?" He let out a sob and nodded. "C'mere..." He hopped out of the chair as I opened my arms up. He leaned into me not even releasing the pillow. Just hugged him around it. "There we go... I gotcha bud... You're alright... Everything's gonna be okay..." I let him go and took his pillow from him tossing it on his bed. "Dont worry dude. I'll grab a few of the other pillows before we go. Just get to the couch and wait." He nodded grabbing his suit case rolling it out.

I stood up and pulled my phone from my pocket looking at the texts. Few of em. One was from Twilight asking me what happened. Quickly answered with a swatting. Another was Babs wondering if I'm coming over or not. Texted her I will and for her to ask her father if she's willing to have a sleep over at the house. Last one being AJ. One part wondering why I went out here during the night, second being a realization and wondering when I'll be home. I hit the call button and waited just thinking about how to calm Button down. She answered a moment later with a sigh. "Ry, if you're calling to apologize it's alright. Luna told me when she was talkin' with Babs in her dreams... Poor thing..." She said. "What's the situation over there? Is everyone alright?" I sighed.

"Yes and no... Yes being nobody was hurt last night and no being.... Button's mother had to go to the hospital this morning. She just left with the ambulance due to some serious abdominal pain. Button's kind of a wreck thinking it was the Hackers doing for this to add on from last night. I'm just thinking until his mother gets out of the hospital we could let him in to the house and make him feel comfortable. Was kinda thinking we could invite Babs too because I did promise her I'd come visit with her later." She huffed.

"I guess so but... when it comes to that sleep over I'd ask Twilight, see if y'cant move it there. We barely got enough room here for us... And if we're gonna be bringin' a young'n into this world soon we gotta do a little expanding... New room, bigger rooms... Maybe make Applebloom and Scoot share a room but they aint talked about it at all...."

"I'll have a talk with em later. Pretty sure we just wanna have a guest room just in case right?"

"Right. Now hurry on over with him. I'll have a nice bottle of cider ready for em."

"Alright. Tell the girls what's gonna be going on. And tell them to be nice about it. He's real scared."

"Okay I'll let em know. Just c'mon back." She hung up on me letting me go grab a few pillows for Button. After that I went back out to the living room. I saw Button just sitting there scared. I went over to him and offered him my hand. Hesitantly he took it and stood up grabbing his bags. Without a word I walked out with him grabbing the house keys as I went, locking it up.

The drive home was kinda quiet other than the radio. Hard rock. Good songs for me but Button didnt like it. One song was 'Hack and Slash' by some new band. I wasnt a fan of it either so I changed it to a big band station which was a bit better. It seemed to have calmed him a bit before we got to the house. As I pulled up I saw Big Mac out front. He was wearing jeans and a white teeshirt. He came over to the car and opened up the door on Button's side. He smiled as he knelt down at my doorside as I killed the engine. "Hey there bud... Names Big Mac. I'm Applebloom's older brother. Seen ya around the school yard." He said. "Why dont you come along with me? I'll be showin' ya where you're gonna be stayin' until your momma gets out of the hospital." He looked to me. "I gotcha from here. You wanna get on to Babs?"

I shook my head as he took the colt out from his seat with his bags. "Not just yet. Just wanna make sure he's gonna be good." I said. "He was up late last night... Fatigue might still be fueling the paranoia." I quickly got out of the car and ran around the car to help with Button's bags. We went back inside just to see Applejack coming down with the girls.

"Alright Button, you're gonna take my bed. I'll be out on the couch, everyone else is upstairs and we're more than happy to make ya feel comfy here." He set Button down on the couch and took his bags. I sat down next to Button and threw an arm around him as my brother in law set the colts bags in his room and went to the kitchen just to open the fridge and grab a bottle of cider out of it. He brought it over after cracking it open handing it to him. "Here. Drink up. Gonna help ya." Button hesitantly took the bottle. I just patted him on the back as Big Mac sat down too.

Applejack came over with the girls. Neither of my sisters said anything to Button. Just rested a hand on either shoulder from behind the couch. "Anythin' you need sugarcube we are all here for ya... I'm sure your ma's gonna be alright." She said. "Why dont you sit here with Big Mac and the girls while I talk with Ryder hm?" Button barely even nodded. He just sipped his drink hesitantly. I got up from the couch and Scootaloo and Applebloom took my spot real fast.

Applejack led me upstairs and into our room only to sit down on the bed. I sighed. "...I.... I feel like the guard who tried to take Scootaloo away... Cept this isnt permanent but... hurts just as much..." I said giving a sigh. Applejack kissed me on the cheek.

"You're doing alright sugarcube... You're just doing a mare a favor while she's gettin' looked at. I know he's scared, I know you're worried but things are gonna be good... I talked with the girls already and they wouldnt mind sharing a room if it were big enough and I'm sure if we got our friends and family together we can-"

"AJ can we not talk about a remodel now? I just wanna focus on getting things straightened out for Button. Might need to check in with the hospital somewhere between picking up Babs and asking Twilight to see if we cant host a sleep over there. Can it please wait until Button is out of here?" Applejack huffed looking away crossing her arms.

"Fine." She replied. Sounded more stern than the side of a boat. "Just stay until he goes down for a nap or somethin.... Boy looks tired as Big Mac after a day of hard work."

"Alright I will... But seriously I dont mean any disrespect but I really dont wanna talk about this while I'm basically working." I got up from the bed and went back to the door. "Maybe I'll get someone to draw out a floor plan for both downstairs and upstairs when we get to that."

"Just git.... we're gonna talk about this some day and I will not hesitate to tie ya down with Twilight's help... And I know she'll help me... owes me one after changin' you into a foal..." I huffed....

"Look, I'll agree to sit down and talk to you about this all civil like, maybe over a drink or so. But tying me up? That feels like more of a sex thing if another mare does it with you." She turned around real quick and grabbed a pillow from the end of the bed, tossing it at me. I just let it hit me and sighed. "Alright... I'm going I'm going... Jeez dont get your panties in a twist..."

"Boutta twist em around your neck Ry...." She mumbled. I pretended not to hear her as I went back downstairs. As I descended the stairs, I saw the girls sitting off to the side on the recliner while Big Mac and Button were still on the couch. I came down and leaned on the couch. Button was just engrossed into the cartoon on. Was just an old racing one I like.... Maybe I diaper up and watch it but its really interesting. Anyways I sighed as Button sipped from the bottle of cider which was half gone at this point.

"Everyone all good down here?"

Big Mac looked to me. "Yeah... Still breathin..... Looks like he's calmin' down..." He said. I came around the couch and sat back down.

"Atta boy... just keep breathing.... I got some things to do soon but... I'm gonna make sure you're gonna be okay enough to nap for a bit... You were up late last night and you look like you could use the sleep." Button didnt answer but I saw him fighting sleep. Even with a cider in his hand. I slowly grabbed the bottle and took it from him setting it on the table. He didnt even put up a fight. "Here.... Dont want you to drop it.... Talk to me Bud.... tell me what's on your mind...."

Button looked at me and just leaned into me. Just without saying a word he just whined a bit. Scootaloo came over and hopped up on my lap. "I think he's still worried... Y'know...?" She said. I nodded a bit. She looked to Button. "Everything's gonna be okay Button... My big brother's gonna take good care of you..." I looked to Big Mac as Scootaloo hugged us.

"Mac. Button's got a game console in his bags and a few games for it. Why dont you go on and set it up for him? I think I'm gonna put him down for a nap..." Big Mac nodded and got up heading for his room grabbing Button's bags. I just got up putting him on my arm. He might look light but this kid is heavy. Even compared to Scootaloo. I laid him down in Big Mac's bed and he just went out like a light. Couldnt fight it anymore. I covered him up and tucked him in nice and good.... Hell Big Mac even let him borrow Mr. Smartypants. He cuddled the hell out of that thing. I knelt down at the side of the bed and sighed. "There we go... Sleep well Button... I'll be back later.... If you need anything dont hesitate to ask." I got back up and left the room. I closed the door most of the way before heading straight outside past Big Mac, Applebloom and Scootaloo. Didnt even bother saying anything before hopping into the drivers seat of my car and pulling off.

I decided to call the local hospital as I stopped at the entrance to the farm. I put my phone on speaker and listened to the buzzing which lasted a moment before somepony picked up. "Hello, Ponyville Hope Hospital how can I help you?" A mare asked.

"Code Golden Giant." Code for guard call.

"Ah guard. What do you need?"

"I need to know the status of a mare that was brought in maybe a little over an hour ago. Name is Cream Heart and she was experiencing severe abdominal pain. Just checking on her status for her sons sake." I heard her type on a computer for a moment. She hummed.

"Cream Heart.... Ah yes. Mid forties mare, mother of one. She was checked in as soon as she got here and she's waiting on an XRay. She's under medication right now but let me check with someone if she's okay to speak with. Hold please." I turned my phone on speaker and set it in the cup holder as I pulled out to the right. I drove for about a minute before the phone came back on. "Alright she's still in waiting but she's cognitive, making sense and not slurring her words and all that. Patching you through now."

"Thank you miss. Have a wonderful day."

"To you as well sir." And then came another hold. Music this time. Smooth jazz sounds. Sax, trumpet or what ever the hell it was. I stopped at a crossroads just before the phone clicked again.

I heard rustling and a slight grunt. "Hello? If you're calling about the incident of last night its alright... All forgiven..." I heard Cream Heart say.

I smiled a bit pulling forward again. "Cream Heart? It's Ryder. Calling to check on you. Everything okay here?" I asked.

"Oh Ryder.... Thank you for checking on me... I'm okay.... Just... Feeling good from the painkillers... Dont worry... wont go popping em like candy or... You know... Nose candy... How's Button doing? Is he alright?"

"He's still freaking out from last night... thinking hackers did that to you what ever it was... Right now he's at my place in bed taking a nap. Looked like he was just gonna pass out the whole ride there. I'm out right now trying to plan a sleep over so he feels safer... Kinda need to get away from the wife for another night... nearly got into a fight again."

"Oh... That's normal.... My last relationship... it wasnt all like that... what you saw... when I first got married things were nice.... They werent perfect... we argued a lot, disagreed with each other and I even had to go to my mothers place to spend the night.... Sometimes just a night, sometimes a few days... rarely a week but it happened... Find the middle ground, talk with her... See what can be fixed... I dont wanna see you guys fall into an abusive relationship... I'd rather see you guys thriving and... Ooh... I... I need to go... Pain killers.... wearing off... Tell B-Button mommy loves him.... NURSE!"

I hung up on her after that and turned the radio on just rocked out. Gems, Metallicolt and even some other bands I loved. Rock stations are amazing. I drove for a little while before I pulled up to the gates of Celestia's summer home. A guard at the gate came over as I rolled down my window. He saluted. "General. Here to visit the family here?" He asked. I nodded. "Alright. Give us a moment to open the gate, pull to the right and take your spot." I nodded and rolled my window up again.

After a little bit I parked and got inside. The aura here was mixed. Felt a mixture of happiness, sadness, a bit of rage and mostly uneasiness. A chandaleir hung over the lobby as an intimidating set of stairs lay before me. To the left was leading towards the kitchen and then straight ahead to the left was the media center. I was here for a bit when Scootaloo was still here for a week with Celestia. She gave me a grand tour and I admit it's pretty solid. Easy to find things, a lot of space and they even took what Scootaloo's old room before the fire and remade it here. I think Babs is using it for the moment. I went over to the back left towards the entertainment room. Right outside was Uncle Orange talking on the phone. He gave me a smile as I just put a finger to my mouth. He nodded and pointed me into the room. I nodded and walked in only to see Babs standing at the front of a few rows of seats playing Bass Villain. Paradise Island too. I looked over as she was just hitting note after note and saw a controller hanging on the wall. The good thing about this game? Drop ins. Meaning multiplayer any time. Just have to have another controller hooked up and automatically player two. My favorite kinda guitar. One that Gash used basically. And yes... After what happened I tested it to make sure it wouldnt happen again. Had Shining on standby with a few sleep darts. I snagged the guitar without her noticing and started it up dropping in just in time for the solo. Practiced this solo a lot when I had the game but when I got my new C-Sphere I had to get rid of the old games I had for the old one. Once my track popped up she faltered a bit but kept going focusing on hers. We played until the end of the song where I just came up next to her and she just full on hugged me. "Ryder!" She said.

I chuckled a bit as i pried her off and set our guitars aside. "How ya doin' Babs? Doing okay after last night?" I asked sitting down with her.

"Yeah but... Dad says I might have to wear diapers tonight and we dont have anymore.... He said we'd pick some up before tomorrow but... Hasnt happened yet..." I sighed.

"I'll have to take you then... As awkward as it's gonna be I dont wanna have you have an accident tonight... We're probably gonna be having to go to Princess Twilight's castle for a sleep over and we're gonna have one of Sweetie Belle's other friends there too... Just letting you know here because his mother's in the hospital and he's freaking out a bit from what happened last night that sent this place on lockdown... Guess that's one of the drawbacks living here. But it keeps you safe nonetheless... But would you have a problem padding up in front of him?" The look on her face turned from worried to downright scared.

"A-A boy...?" I nodded. She averted her gaze. "...You, dad and Big Mac are the only boys who know I wear diapers... I think one of the guards here knew when I tripped in front of him... He didnt say anything but... My pants were kinda falling a bit... I hope he didnt notice them...."

Just then my phone rang. Applejack's ringtone. Country guitar rock riff. She turned the song on once and I fell in love with it. Used it for her. I set Babs aside and grabbed my phone just to answer it on speaker. What I heard wasnt good. I heard sobbing. Button. Applejack huffed. "Ry you gotta get home quick as ya can. Maybe stop by to get a bit of protection..." She said a tad nervously.

I huffed. "Are you kidding me? Did he do what I think he did?" I asked.

"Unfortunately... But it aint the first time Big Mac had to change his own sheets...." She shushed Button as he sobbed a bit harder. "It's alright sugarcube... accidents happen... believe you me when I say even Ry has his accidents at times...." Yeah... that was kinda payback from earlier. I huffed.

"Button bud. It's alright! You're okay! I called the hospital and they tell me your mom is gonna be just fine.... Just calm down, take a few deep breaths dude... AJ, why dont you go get him cleaned off? I'll be home with some stuff in a bit... needed to stop anyways."

"Alright but hurry up... I dunno if he's gonna be alright with me cleanin' him... Just... Dont want charges I dont deserve...."

"You're good AJ. Just... Can he hear me?" I heard as things kinda changed sound a bit. His sobs were a bit clearer.

"You're good now. Just tell him."

"Button it's okay... It happens I understand... You need to get cleaned up... You want to do it yourself or you want Applejack to help you?" He mumbled a bit. "C'mon Button take a deep breath. I cant understand you while you're crying." He stuttered with his breathing... He was really scared and really crying hard. I heard him mumble something more. Still couldnt make it out. Applejack sighed.

"...He just wants his mother... I'll just clean him up... He's cryin' too much and he still looks tired.... probably aint gonna do much in the tub other than that... I'll have Big Mac text ya his drawers size... See ya soon sugarcube." She hung up leaving me with Babs. I gave a sigh.

"Well... That was the boy who I guess we're gonna have to pad up too... Just... Be nice to him please. His mother's in the hospital and he's taking it hard."

Babs just looked to me worried. "Is she gonna be okay? She's not gonna... y'know... is she?" She asked. I shook my head. "O-Okay good... I dont know how to deal with somepony after someone they knew uh..." I stood up and took her hand.

"It's okay. It's never easy. Still remember the day Granny smith passed away... Dash and I had to take AJ out of the house and cheer her up... You dont know how many times I had to grab a hold of her and hug her while Dash had to do what ever it took to keep her from crying." And for a pony who cries a lot on the inside she cried a lot that day... Both out and in I'd say. She sighed a bit after taking a deep breath... Probably not a good idea to mention her granny in law... I think? She took it well though.

"Can we just go now? Talking about this stuff makes me uncomfortable...." I gave a small smile and walked out of the room past her dad.

"Course. Sorry about that..." She bumped me a bit before we set foot on the stairs.

"It's fine. It happens... Just try to stay positive. Things will be okay!" I gave a smile knowing she learned that from me as we both went upstairs. I think I've kinda rambled on a bit here for too long.

TO BE CONTINUED