The Rise and Fall

It's been a few days since the incident at the castle. Button was happily back in the care of his mother. Even laid some ground rules down with him about what he had done. Only talked to him away from his mother as not to get in trouble myself. He did apologize to Applejack and Applebloom and even did some coop with Babs before he had to leave. I had to wait a few days to get to the WBTF just because apparently as I was getting ready yesterday Mama Spitfire called and told me they were going through extensive training drills and just told me to stay back and not get caught up in that with some other recruits asking why I wasnt training. Totally understood. Went to stay with Dash for a night just to cuddle with Gilda. Was a nice cuddle. Woke up with her hand in my pants.... maybe one in hers as well. But I got up early early. Stole one of Dash's energy drinks after I got up and got dressed. Got dressed in the Wonderbolts uniform mom gave me. The one made from the tougher material. I drove through the dark and even until sunrise when I arrived at the training facility. When I arrived I took a parking spot closest to the office. Didnt seem like anyone was awake. Gate was closed, locked, no indication of the office being open. I even tried to open the door but nothing. Though while I waited I took in the sight from the parking lot. The sunrise glistening off Canterlot in the distance and even Princess Twilight's castle. After I had enough of the cool morning wind I got back in my car and eased the seat back sipping on the energy drink while listening to the radio. Local station. Couldnt get anything from Ponyville from here. After maybe about... an hour or so of nothing I saw movement inside the office. Lights turned on and I saw shadows. I hopped out of my car and headed up to the doors only to knock and wait a moment. When the door opened it wasnt anyone I was expecting... mostly Soarin and Mama Spitfire if anyone else. But no. It was Thunderlane who opened the door. He was still in pajamas. Sweats and a teeshirt. Nothing big. He took one look at me and smiled. "Hey Ry. Why are you here so early? Your mother said you werent supposed to be here until later." He said.

I sighed smiling. "Well I wanted to get a head start. Alright if I come in?" I asked. He nodded and backed away allowing me to enter the office.

"Spitfire and the others should be up soon. Want anything while you wait?"

"Bathroom and breakfast if you can spare it. Nothing in my stomach and with an energy drink... Yeah I'm gonna be dealing with that later..." He gave a sigh walking around the counter towards the door out to the runway and such.

"Sure. Bathroom's right on the otherside of your mother's office. Mess hall should be opening up in about a half hour. Roam, fly, do what ever but be boots on the ground and ready for a meal. Hope you like pancakes. Someone IE ME bought a shit ton of pancake mix... and now we just gotta take it all down before rats start infesting the place for it."

"Sounds good. Meet ya there!" I watched as he walked back outside before I quickly ran into the restroom. Honestly was in there for a while. That energy drink went right through me. That and.... Well... The morning piss. If it werent for Gilda not having any diapers or bedwetting pads I probably would've used her before I went out. She probably would've loved it too.

After I was done I ran out to the tarmac and saw everyone piling out of the barracks. Soarin, Mama Spitfire, Cloudchaser and Fleetfoot. Even had a few others. I ran a few feet before taking off. As I flew I watched them carefully. Everyone was in their pajamas. Soarin was in shorts and a teeshirt, Cloudchaser and Fleetfoot were in Wonderbolts themed track suits and Mama Spitfire was wearing grey sweats and a tank top. Thought I was slick but Cloudchaser noticed me. I shushed her silently from the air then pointed to my mother and motioned her to fall back a bit. She did as such and I carefully tried landing... Guess what didnt happen? I landed kinda stumbling a bit but surprised my mom for a hug. She looked back at me and smiled. She was definitely tired. "Ryder.... What are you doing here this early? I wasnt expecting to see you until later..." She said. I broke the hug and sighed just as Soarin stepped off giving me a high five.

"Couldnt wait. Guess I was just too excited to see you." Her and the other 'Bolts gave me an aw that made me blush. She just kissed me on the cheek.

"Aw thats sweet of you! Well while you're here I think its about time we had a talk about letting everypony know you're my baby boy... We've hid it long enough and many of your friends already know." We entered the mess hall at this point.You can just smell the tofu bacon here. That and everything else going with pancakes. It was just amazing. I sighed.

"I suppose so... It's definitely gonna be a shock to everyone in Equestria when revealed. Probably gonna have some naysayers and what not as well... But as I always say if they hate you, thats because they're jealous."

Soarin and mom both gave a slight laugh. "Yeah. Guess that's what I should think when everyone here's mad at me for something." Soarin said. Everyone just kinda laughed at him as we all sat down at a table closer to the kitchen.

Spitfire sighed a bit. "No offense Soarin but other than staying with the Princess for an extended period of time I dont think anyone here's jealous of you for anything you do." She said.

I gave a smile as everyone chuckled a bit. Even put my arm around him. "Dont worry dude. Still appreciate you staying by my sisters side." I said. "I still owe you a case of beer for that and then some!"

Soarin gave me a smile just as Thunderlane brought out a tray of short-stacks of three to four pancakes. Even had bowls of chocolate chips, berries and even had a can of whipped cream. Oh you dont know how good all that tasted. Chocolate chips with strawberries and whipped cream oh dear lord take me now if this was a sin. After that I had to split off from everyone again while they got dressed and showered. I stayed outside and sat up on the roof of the barracks. Just looked over everything. Even checked my phone for texts and calls. Apparently I got a missed call from Gilda and she left a message. I called my voice mail and put it on speaker. "Hey Dweeb.... Just... Called to check how you were...." Gilda said. "...Left with so much as a kiss goodbye... not even a call letting me know you got there alright? ...That's... That's honestly kinda annoying... I hope you're okay... Call when you can..." I sighed and hit the option for a callback.

"Sheesh Gil... Give me a bit to get things in order and wait for everyone to wake the fuck up..." I waited for a moment listening to the waiting music Gilda had put instead of the buzzing. Guess she got tired of it. That's when she answered with a groan.

"Ryder... What the fuck? I was still asleep...."

"You called me, wanting to know if I got here alright and I did. Also... I see you tried to have a little fun last night while I was asleep. Care to explain?" she sighed.

"Ah... forgot to take my hand out of my pants didnt I...?" I chuckled a bit.

"And mine dont forget." She sighed.

"Ah... yeah... I kinda was havin quite the dream last night... Felt you up and dreamt of you just railing me on a bartop... everypony looking at us and some even bought us drinks to have us keep going at it until you were spent. Doesnt explain why I had my hand in your pants though... guess I needed to feel the real thing to imagine it." I couldnt help but grope myself through my suit.

"...If I could get away with it you know I'd probably do it Gil... Maybe if I ask Cadence to get me and AJ a secret sex spot I can see about you getting in on it. You'd like that wouldnt ya? Can you imagine being in a public setting, naked and just begging for someone to rail you on a park bench or maybe on a blanket on the grass? Or... maybe you'd wanna get caught... Maybe a movie theater or a mall... I can just imagine you in the cutest skirt with a vibrator strapped to your leg..."

"Dweeb! Stop it! My sheets are getting soaked! Stop telling me and just do me when you get back!" I couldnt help but laugh a bit.

"Oh you should've heard what I was thinking about this morning if you were wearing a diaper or something."

"Ryder... I'm gonna hang up now... Call me next time when you're not making me horny as hell..." I chuckled.

"Alright alright... Maybe when I get back we can go for it. No holds barred."

"Agreed. Later." After she hung up I couldnt help but just laugh... Mostly because I made her wet. But deep down I felt horrible knowing I couldnt be there to help her. I kinda peeked over the edge a bit and looked around. Part of me wanted to handle business right here I was so horny but then again... dont want anyone seeing me... especially my mother... Not like she's seen me do it before but now its just awkward. I managed to cool off a bit by just thinking about saggy granny tits... Definitely helps when just uttering it makes you highly uncomfortable.

After I was done I hopped off the roof and glided to the ground just as Soarin came out of the barracks in a new set of clothes. Jeans, sneakers and a Gems and Tulips Tee. He sighed stretching a bit. "Nothing like a good shower in the morning to wake ya up." He said resting a hand on my shoulder starting to lead me away down the runway. "Hows things dude? Everything going okay at home? Hows Scootaloo doing? Not bugging you to see me is she?"

I sighed. "Things are a bit rocky at the moment with the wife.. kinda why I'm here..." I said. "Wife still wants to talk about a kid... I'm still not ready... I did say I was still open for the talks but... every time she does wanna talk I just dont wanna... I dunno if its the way she's saying it, or the things I'm doing but... I just cant talk with her about a kid yet."

"C'mon dude just talk with her about it. Maybe you wanna get some support for it?"

"...Not sure... I just.... You know how I am... Something good happens and I just feel like it's all gonna be taken away from me.... I dont wanna know if it's gonna run in the family but... AJ's mother passed away during childbirth... I'm afraid that... if I do have a kid with her... that kid is gonna take the life out of her like my sister in law did to her mother... I just dont think I can stomach losing her." He huffed.

"I'd talk with a doctor and search up on that topic. Make sure you have precautions in place just in case but that's my advice. But back to my questions before. Scoot doing okay?" I nodded.

"Yeah. She's been alright. Bit of a bullying problem at school from one of the new kids but that kid shut right up when I pulled up one day in a guard truck the day I was supposed to pick her up. Theres still the occasional name calling and such but it doesnt happen as often as it did. She's just starting to not care as much. Even been doing better with not needing diapers while she sleeps. No nightmares, no accidents and certainly no late night calls to Luna... Could only assume she's handling it herself every chance she gets..." I looked over at him. "You wouldnt mind on coming down to fly around a bit with Scootaloo would you? Give her a little friendly visit. I'll even pay if you wanna take her to an arcade or something." He smiled.

"Good she's keeping her pants dry. Honestly cant forget the day I get to Celestia's summer home... Your mom is chewing me out and the guards had to get Celestia out just to stop us... Between then and now I'm sure I've helped change her and keep her happy by doing anything I could... I'm pretty sure one of those nights she even had an accident and crawled into bed with me after everything was said and done.... Cutest thing I ever saw was her just her curled up and trying to cuddle with me." I smiled and sighed looking up to the clouds.

"Yeah... Celestia told me she could swear she saw a bit of me in you every time Scoot was at your side. That true?" He nodded a bit.

"Yeah... She almost had me by your name a few times. Was kinda cute but kinda sad given the circumstances at the time. Thankfully she only came out a bit embarrassed and not crying." He started leading me towards the edge of the training course where we looked over most of Equestria. We were facing east. Saw the Rainbow Falls and a few far off cities. "I still cant help thinking of a day you would be coming home... maybe on your feet... maybe not... That day you stumbled in I just.... I honestly thought you actually had gone and died from what the Princess were telling me.... I was sat off to the side with Shining... just kept trying to keep me as calm as I could be until they could get Scootaloo out of the way... Couldnt believe it when you walked in...."

"Almost didnt make it that day dude... Narrowly missed a plane crash, narrowly escaped death... Hell if it werent for the near professional bandaging I would've possibly died from infection or blood loss. Could've been a lot sooner if my sanity was weak..." I looked to him. "Did... Did I ever tell you about before I became a guard?" He thought for a moment... Shook his head as my heart kinda shuttered at the mention of it. I looked out to the falls. "Well... it was just after the murders... Shining saw guard potential in me... Convinced Celestia about giving me a chance after I punched the hell out of her guard... She did and had me brought to a shooting range in Ponyville I'm banned from even if I am a guard... Shining had me at the shooting line... gun in hand and ready... Didnt even fire a shot off... Just put the gun to my head... only saw that part through security footage that was destroyed... At that time I didnt know what I was gonna do... where I was gonna go... Thought I wasnt gonna see anyone I loved ever again... Just end it right then and there... if it werent for Shining helping me to have a new look on life... dont think anyone would ever be the same again..." He turned me towards him and just hugged me.

"...Sorry that happened... Dont need another scare like that at all..." I hugged him tight.

"...I regret ever doing that... thinking I had nothing left in life to get but... Look at me now... married, friends with such awesome ponies and I'm making something for myself. Thanks dude... for being one of those reasons." He broke the hug and smiled.

"Any time dude. Phones always on. Call, leave a message or text me. I'd make my way to where ever you are just to hang out. Even if it was after a show and you were in the area." He turned me back around towards the barracks again. "C'mon. Lets head back and see if your moms out of the shower yet. Wont say anything about that stuff to her."

"...Better not... She might as well handcuff me to one of the beds in there..."

"Easy dude... Just breathe... calm down... I can tell you're gonna lose it if you keep that on your mind. Just... I dont know... think of your sister or that one kid you brought around trying to get over your fear of heights... Think of how happy they are to see you everytime you show up to school or something." I nodded starting to take deep breaths and thinking of Babs and Scootaloo... All the fun we have and everything I've done for them. Even just the thought of them saying 'I love you Ryder' gave me a big smile.

I did calm myself right down while Soarin leaned me against a wall before heading on inside without me. A moment later both my mother and him come back out. My mom got dressed in a track suit. Sneakers and all. She gave me a smile as I hugged her again. "There's my baby boy!" She said kissing me on the cheek. She was definitely more awake. "Soarin tell you what we're gonna do before we even start practicing?" I shook my head. We both looked to Soarin, Mama Spitfire being a bit disappointed. Soarin just smiled nervously.

"Ah... I... I had a feeling I forgot something.... Is it too late to fix it?" Mama Spitfire rolled her eyes before looking back to me.

"Well first off we're gonna run a few laps. Get the blood pumping and keep ready for anything! You're alright with a little morning jog after breakfast right? Your tummy isnt too full is it?"

I blushed a bit. "Uh... Not really but... Do we have to? Last time I ran after eating I almost couldnt finish... Can blame Dash for that one." I said. "Wasnt that bad but... I did nearly piss myself and had to hide away just to use the toilet... almost had to run home with a stain on my pants. That and she expected me to keep up until we were at the castle in Ponyville... We were barely half way done." She gave an aw.

"Well if you do need to stop I totally understand that. Anything else before we get going on this run? " I thought for a moment and shook my head. "Alright well lets go. Run to the end of the tarmac and follow me from there!" I nodded and she just started off. I looked to Soarin digging into my pocket before tossing him my keys.

"Grab my stuff from my car will ya? Meant to before I got in but... Breakfast y'know?" He nodded and took flight heading towards the office. I turned back and broke out into a jog towards my mother who was already a ways ahead of me. She had me follow her to the end of the tarmac where Soarin and I were looking over the falls only to turn left and go towards the gate, then follow back up towards the other end of the runway. That run sucked and I didnt even have my earbuds to keep a pace. We had ran up and down that tarmac a few times.... Pretty sure I lost feeling in my leg for a stretch of that. Guess they have to account for how big some groups of their trainees are. After we were done I had to sit down inside the Barracks with a bottle of water. Even had to have half the uniform hanging off me like I was under a car in the summer back when I was in that garage... I should go back there... see if everyone is still there. Maybe not 'Greaseball' as we called him. Basically the supervisor that hated being one upped by us. Me especially. He was the one who fired me after I toppled Big Mac's truck. 'Greaseball' -real name Sprocket- basically didnt like anyone straying from the way he wanted to do things. He 'fixed' someones car but forgot a bolt and they were back an hour later with their car on a tow truck. Cant really get him for vandalism unless I can get footage from the garage of him doing something illegal...

Anyways I had to sit with Thunderlane while Soarin and Mama Spitfire were doing something that apparently needed her attention in the office. Thunderlane was fanning me off with one of those oriental fans that folded up. Love those ones. Anyways he fanned me off as I sipped from my water trying to cool off. Thunderlane sighed. "Guess that run was a bit too much for ya huh?" He asked. I wiped the water dripping from my lip.

"...No... I just havent done anything like that for a while... I tried to do something like that before my injuries but I havent been able to since the war... Makes me think someone is just gonna pop one in me thinking I'm someone entirely different... Happened during the war... Was flying a bit off the way of the shooting range we had, some idiot thought I was an enemy doing recon and grazed me... Let him know what for but... It kinda was my fault to begin with. Guess since then I've been getting lazy." He huffed setting the fan down.

"Happens to the best of us. Soarin too. He was away from here on leave with the Princess and your sister and when he got back here to do routines we had to make sure he was still top shape to do it. His mile times were off, his flight cooridnation was shoddy at best. Worst part was when anyone came up behind him he'd have to turn to us just to keep us from touching his wing even after it was healed. Took him a bit even then to not sleep on his stomach... snoring and everything keeping a few of us up that werent taking sleeping pills to do so."

"Heh... Sounds rough. Only one who snores in my house is my brother in law and my sister though they're still kinda quiet about it. Was kinda the same way with my injuries. Wings being busted and my bullet wound. Always felt weird when my prosthetic touched my back after a shower." I glanced over at him. "Cant tell which is which now can ya?" He took a good look at both of my wings. Touched em and even lifted a few feathers here and there.

"...Cant tell... Which one is it?" I flapped the right one.

"That one. Celestia has a spell on it to make it look and feel real just so I can feel better... Makes me think its really there..." It is... keep lying my ass off about it. Oh well.

"Nice of her. You deserve it after everything you've been through. Kinda feel like some of us even owe ya something for everything you've done in the guard." I gave a chuckle getting up.

"Dont let my mother hear that. She's already ripped into me a bit for getting free stuff whether it be for my sister or that filly I brought over for a bit of help getting her fear of heights over with. Guess that and her being my mother is thanks enough." I huffed tightening the belt a bit on this thing making it stick to my waist before starting to hobble out. "What say we just check on em and make sure they're getting everything handled alright?" He gave a shrug and started following me.

We walked out into the now warmer air. Spring finally hit and the air was getting a tad warmer. Sure in places there was still snow but Cloudsdale was getting a warm up. Wasnt supposed to get too warm nor stay too cold but it was somewhere in between where shorts are out of the question while pants and a teeshirt were just fine. We walked all the way to the office just to stop outside the door only to listen closely. "....You dont think I'm being too rough with him already do you Soarin?" I heard my mother ask. "I know he's a fully grown adult but he could barely keep up with me..."

I heard a chair scoot across the floor screeching a bit. "He's not used to doing this stuff. Think of what he's got going on." I hear Soarin say. "He's got a wife, a sister, work at an Apple farm on his days off if he can be spared the time from his work as a guard with Princesses. He should be at the top of his game for the guard gig yes but he doesnt see a lot of action from my understanding. Relax and we should be alright. No need to worry about him. All he needs is a bit of rest and then back to the warm up! Want me to go get him or do you?"

"You just.... I dont know.... I think I'll sit here and... just..." I heard Soarin sigh a bit.

"I get it. Just relax, think of the routine... if anything take from an old routine you did when you used to run duos instead of whole squads worth. It's simple stuff and I know a perfect song to have played! Slow and steady but its something you both would love!" I quickly stepped away from the door joining Thunderlane just before the door opened. Soarin stepped out and smiled seeing us. "Speak of the devil! Why dont you just c'mon in! We were just talking about you!"

Both Thunderlane and I ducked inside before Soarin closed the door behind us. Mom was just sitting at a desk with her track jacket off and sitting off to the side. She even had a water bottle in her hands. Thunderlane huffed. "See Spitfire? He's alright." He said. "He does well but he knows not to push himself. Just needed a bit of a rest and some water."

Mama Spitfire got up and hugged me. "I guess he did... Please tell me next time if you need to stop honey I dont want you to pass out from heat stroke!" She said. "Do you still need to sit down and rest? I can have someone get you an ice pack to cool down more!"

I nudged my mother off and sighed. "Mom dont worry about it I'm fine!" I said sitting her back down. "We should at least have a cooler nearby just in case we need to take a break and hydrate." I sat down on the desk and looked to Soarin. "So what's next? You guys have something planned?" She huffed.

"Well... Yes and no... No because we dont know what we're doing after that and yes because Soarin wants me to go into the archives and pull a duos routine for us for a reveal... We've got time before this reveal... Friday is when I wanna do it during one of our shows but I'm not sure if that's enough time..." I looked to Ma as she sipped shakily from her water bottle.

"If it makes you happy I think its plenty of time... Todays only what? Tuesday? I've learned things in fewer days. Mainly something I had to recite for the Princess as an oath but I learned it within a few days. This shouldnt be too far off." I took my mothers hand seeing how uneasy she was. "Lets relax for a bit longer then start training again. I think we wanna be in top shape for the event. When you're ready just come find me. I'll most likely be with Soarin seeing what we can do to pass the time to wait until you're ready... I'll be fine I promise. If I start feeling anything but normal I'll tell you okay?" She hesitantly nodded. I kissed her hand and released before I got up from the desk. "Alright... Just relax mom...." I looked to Soarin as I pulled away from her. "C'mon Soarin. Lets go. I kinda wanna get more of a taste of your guys routines to get yourselves ready for a show."

Soarin nodded. "Already experienced the run so now its time for a few wing exercises!" He said following me out. Gonna skip the next few exercises because they were boring. All we basically did was lift weights with our wings (I can lift a hell of a lot with my wings... super strength is cool.), we did a little tight turn training course which he had to set up first. Cloud rings that we couldnt break otherwise its a fail and even barrel roll training where we flew back to back and we could not fault each other. Meaning if one of us stumble in the air its a fail and we have to do it again. Kinda failed once or twice there because I apparently dont know boundaries. Or at least spacial awareness. Same difference. Lucky us we had a thick layer of clouds to fall onto just in case we did. Did once or twice. And last but not least we had a bit of a race. Nobody was keeping track of who was where. Just had to combine what we were doing while we went through the course that Soarin set up. Guess it keeps you on your toes because theres always a lot of different things you gotta keep track of during your performances as a Wonderbolt. First one being know where your teammates are, then how to correct yourself if the routine was forgotten (because sometimes the next move reminds you, sometimes it doesnt but the team will adapt and try to draw away the look from you while you at least try to reorient yourself. That honestly took a few hours. When me and Soarin were back boots on the ground we tried looking for Mama Spitfire but no such luck.

When we just gave up we decided to go back to the barracks and play games on his console. Just played a classic Alley Brawlers game where they only had 10 characters to choose rather than 50. Always trust myself with the Orange Hurricane! I still gotta talk with Luna about getting in contact with that game dev that said I could be made into a game character or at least voice one. At least that's what Luna told me... Though I was beating Soarin badly and just loved every minute I got a perfect game. Orange Hurricane, Sai and Ripper are my mains. Didnt figure that out until I kicked his tail. As we were getting into our... probably tenth match we heard the door open up behind us. "Soarin? Ryder? You guys in here?" I hear a mare call out.

I glanced back a bit taking my eyes off the screen for a second. "Yeah! C'mon back!" I called out. I turned my attention quickly back to the TV just as Soarin unleashed Rockbreakers combo. Rockbreaker was one of the boss characters this game allows you to play as if you get all endings to every character. I watched only in disappointment as his character grabbed mine, flipped me to my back and stomped on me a few times before slamming me down on the other side of him. Once I heard my characters death scream it was over. "Oh come on! I was distracted!"

Soarin chuckled as Cloudchaser came and joined us, sitting on the couch arm. "It's not cheating if its fair! You kept spamming the same move over and over again as Orange Hurricane! Didnt hear me bitching about that now did you?" He asked. He looked to Cloudchaser. "What's up? Here to get in a few rounds against the General?"

The mint blue headed mare smiled shaking her head. "Nah. Spitfire just told me to come find him. Just got back from a shopping trip to help calm her down." She said. "Said she picked up a few things for you guys. Mostly for you Ry. Snacks and some... other things since you're staying but I wont say anything more."

I huffed getting up and setting my controller down. "I have a feeling I know what they are... Guess its like it for my mom to do something like that..." I said looking to her. "So? What did my mom get me? Clothes? Gifts for the family?" She shrugged.

"Dunno. She just said she got you some stuff. Didnt show me what was in the bag. Why dont you just go off and meet her in the office? Should be at her desk." I gave a nod and hurried out.

I just jogged across the way towards the office minding every crack, every hole and every pebble on the ground. Nearly wanted to fly around to the front to surprise her in case she was standing at the door. Decided against it just in case I trip off some sort of silent alarm. I stopped at the door and fixed my tied off jumpsuit giving a huff before opening the door and walking in. I went towards my mothers office and stopped hearing her just humming along to a song and rifling through bags. Paper, plastic and all. I knocked on the door and waited a moment. "Ryder? Is that you? Give me a second. Mommy's just gotta clean up a bit here!" She called out. I waited a moment just hearing paper and plastics crumple up, things drop off her desk on to the floor and incoherent mumbling. "Just one more second! Gotta... Get a place for you to sit!"

I huffed. "I'll be fine standing Ma. Just stuff what ever trash you got back in the bag and let me in. I'll even take it out for ya." I said. "If you need help I can help just let me in!" I heard her drop a few more things before just giving a sigh.

"Alright... Come on in Ry... Just... Try not to trip okay?" I sighed and opened the door and saw tissue paper, plastic packaging and items from her desk peppering the ground. I first helped her clear off her desk of all the packaging before picking up the items. Pen, package of diapers... yeah... for me... and a few other items still in bags. The padding was just plain medical diapers looking to be from a local pharmacy. Must've been weird for her to buy them with ponies around seeing her do so. She kept the still contained items nearby her as we stuffed more of the plastic stuff into a big bag. I huffed sitting down in the now cleared chair across the desk from hers.

"So? What is all this stuff?" I asked.

"Stuff both for the routine and you. Did a bit of spending and I brought Thunderlane and CloudChaser with me." She replied. "Also... Wasnt sure if you needed them but I picked up a pack of diapers for you just in case... Dont wanna have any accidents in the cots... Especially when your cousin had to stay here." Oh yeah that's right! Dash slept over because mom invited her and she wet the bed! Yeah she was embarrassed and had to sleep with one of the spares Scootaloo had to wear when Celestia brought her here (and that I'm surprised Dash even fits in the first place) for the rest of the night. You dont know how much I laughed. Same with AJ... Glad it wasnt to Dash's face though. She definitely would've killed us. I sighed.

"Understood there. Dont know how much energy this stuff is gonna take out of me. What else? Some stuff I can take back to Scoot? Clothes to wear? Maybe some snacks if we need to stop and refuel?"

"Thunderlane and Fleetfoot took the snacks and are prepping a cooler while putting extras in the fridge and cupboards. Granola bars, fruit and sports drinks are alright for you right?" I nodded.

"Yeah... So... if they have the snacks... what's in that?" I pointed to the bags as she got them ready. She swallowed a bit nervously.

"Well... I... I only got these because well... What we're doing is gonna be a bit dangerous for you.. no time to teach you to roll if you hit the ground... It's only a precaution so... here..." She slid the bag towards me and I dug into it. I pulled out a bike helmet, gloves that had a hard plastic part if I fell forward, elbow pads and knee pads... Even a medkit just in case of scrapes and roadrash... Peroxide, bandages and all that. I huffed stuffing some of it back in the bag.

"I'm sorry but... I'm not wearing these ma. I'll be fine! My flying is the best between Dash and I! You know this!"

"Oh come now Ryder cant you please wear this for me? I just... I dont want you to get hurt and we're gonna be flying pretty fast and it might require fast reactions and I just want you to be safe for this! I just want this to be done the best way I can and the only way I can get you ready fast is if we just fly with training wheels first and as time goes on we start taking those training wheels off. Please? Do this for mommy?" She just gave me puppy dog eyes... made me feel like an ass if I tried to say no again... I sighed rolling my eyes.

"Fine... but when I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of things I choose to take things off okay?"

"That's fine but... check with me before you do that though... okay?" I nodded. "Alright. Just meet me outside in about an hour. I'll be at the tarmac end overlooking the falls since I know you love looking at them so much. Tell Soarin he needs to be out there too to help give pointers if needed." I nodded again.

"Alright... Still need me to help with throwing things out? Just point me towards the dumpster and I'll go toss that stuff."

Mama Spitfire ended up pointing me towards the back of the mess hall. Apparently they have a chute that goes all the way down the cliffside and they make sure its maintained so no bags of trash get caught or break before they hit the bottom. Also make sure no creatures get into it there's a lever to open a hatch at the top and its almost automatic when it gets to the bottom. Almost meaning the bag is going fast enough to hit the bottom door and have it open to dump what ever into the dumpster down below. Even then theres a sensor that tells the ponies who get the trash that there's something in the chute there at the bottom. Dont ask me how they know and service it if needed but they do. Anywho I wasnt too hyped on the protective gear but I was when it came to the routine my mother and I were doing. I know my mother said to wait an hour but I wanted to just get it over with. I told Soarin and he said it was cool that I was excited but still made me chill out and watch TV just so I didnt go and pass out. Had some stunt movie on. Five idiot stallions who did all their own stunts and always did em wrong... even got family members involved by either beating the shit out of them, hitting them with a hose and even messing with their cars. Dont worry. Just basically getting all the air out of their tires. But after that hour Thunderlane had to come get Soarin and I away from the TV or the 'brain rotter' as he called it. He brought us outside and... I thought it was just gonna be me, Soarin and Mama Spitfire... nope... Us and a peanut gallery which did include Cloudchaser and Fleetfoot as well as Thunderlane... Thunderlane gave me a smile as we joined everypony. "Alright quick tip before you get in the air: Dont be afraid of anything. Means when you get in the air dont flinch if you feel like you're getting too close to the ground or if you feel like you're getting too close to the other performer. Got me?" He asked.

"Yeah... Well... What do I do if I do flinch?"

Cloudchaser smiled. "Just focus on keeping yourself in the air. If you do find yourself dropping try to throw yourself sideways so you can roll." She said. "Saves you from getting seriously hurt if you tuck your wings in tight." She glanced at Soarin.

The stallion at my side huffed. "Oh come on I barely had time to react!" He snapped. "Next time dont ask me to try a triple barrel roll near the ground!"

"You had five foot clearance! There was no way you could screw that up but you did!" Soarin sighed not wanting to argue anymore.

"At least the Princess appreciated my company..." I huffed flying over to a nearby cloud just to sit down on it and look over everything. I just felt a calmness wash over me as I saw the falls... Kinda wish I would've gotten married under that instead of in a church or Celestia's dining hall with dead family members backing me so I wouldnt just breakdown more than I already had. Speaking of the marriage me and AJ still gotta plan out a honeymoon... Maybe see if I cant pay Cadence to come watch the girls and give Mac a break... Either that or see about dumping them on Celestia. Soon... Soon. I sat there just loving life... Wish I could've actually flown down to the falls with Soarin but too late now.

I heard nothing but the wind and the bickering behind me but I ignored it for the most part. Sat there for about a few minutes before I heard a loud whistle behind me. I looked back to see everyone falling in line with my mother in her wonderbolts jump suit before them. I flew right over and joined them in line. Closer look revealed she had the bag of protective gear with her. "Alright! Big day coming up and our guest needs to be seen doing his best!" She said. "We all know the usual routine so far and we have a lot of work to do to fit this routine in here. Might be at the beginning and it could be at the end but we wont know until it happens." She looked to Soarin. "Soarin! You and Ryder on me." Then she looked to Thunderlane and the others. "Thunderlane! Take Fleetfoot and Cloudchaser with you and get the cooler ready. Get to it!" Everyone nodded and dispersed while Soarin and I stayed where we were. "Ryder, Soarin... Are you two ready for this? This act is gonna be simple. First Soarin and I will go through the first movements and Ryder I want you to watch closely. Its simple. Total of ten movements to demonstrate your flying capabilities. Gets faster from the start all the way up to a spectacular finish! Any questions?" Neither Soarin or I had questions. Just stayed silent... either that or in thought... pretty sure neither of us could tell. "Alright. Soarin you remember the Basic Alpha flight routine dont you?" Soarin nodded.

"Yes ma'am! Burned into my mind since you had me perform it time after time!"

"Good. I'm gonna need your expertise in this and give pointers to Ryder if he needs it." She looked to me. "Ryder, put your gear on. Mommy doesnt want to have to bandage any injuries large or small."

I gave a huff. "Do I really have to? I'm a great flyer! I can fly just about as well as anyone here! Even Soarin knows I've gotten better with flying!" I said. I watched as Mama Spitfire crossed her arms giving me a stern look.

"Ryder... Put the gear on now... Dont make me tell you again!" She tossed the bag to me and I had no choice but to catch it. Even hesitated trying to put it on. Started with the knee pads then went to the elbow pads and kinda struggled with the gloves because they had extended hardened plastic on the palms near the wrist. Then came the helmet.... This thing might've been black but it was the most humiliating thing about this set. I felt like if I fell at all I'd be dragged to the infirmary by my mother even if I had no injuries and then I'd be bubble wrapped with a kevlar vest underneath. Either that or have me in full ballistic gear... In that stuff you couldnt even tell if someone was a stallion, mare, unicorn, pegasus, or even earth pony. That means no holes for extrusions from wings or horns meaning EVERYTHING is protected. Not gonna be like when I had to bail from a plane.

Soarin gave me a bump on the shoulder. "Dont worry dude once you get this down you're gonna be flying without that stuff." He said. I looked over at him giving him a sneer.

"I want it off now..." I whispered to him. He huffed.

"C'mon you'll be fine! Just chill, we'll be okay.... Buy you a drink later if Spitfire wants to head out to dinner."

"Better be cold and hard...I'd rather forget this than remember the humiliation here..." He sighed before heading to my mothers side knowing she was about to yell again... Can really tell too. She taps her foot a bit.... its a slow tap and once she hits five there comes the yelling. He saluted my mother.

"Ready when you are ma'am!"

Mama Spitfire smiled and nodded before turning her attention to me. "Ryder I want you to watch carefully. Mostly on Soarin's movements since you're gonna be in his place." She said. "Just dont get comfy. You're gonna be up here soon enough!" She looked back at Soarin giving me enough time to roll my eyes without her noticing. "Ready Soarin? Basic Alpha is a go!" Soarin nodded and they both took off together. They slowly started flying around in a circle reaching their arms out to one another before they both started to spin while still going around in the circle as if to some invisible beat that I couldnt even hear or even feel... couldnt even match anything up to it. I just watched until I heard the plastic grinding sound of a cooler being dragged along the ground behind me. I glanced back only to see Thunderlane, Cloudchaser and Fleetfoot coming our way. I blushed seeing Fleetfoot snicker a bit. I quickly turned my attention back to my mother and Soarin who had moved higher in the air just to reach out towards each other. They stopped just a few moments later when my mother said something before coming straight back down with Soarin at her side. They landed in front of me and smiled. "Did you catch all that Ryder?"

I shook my head. "No I uh... Got distracted...." I said glancing back at the rest of the peanut gallery here before looking back. "Think you can do it again? I'll try to be more focused here!" Mama Spitfire sighed.

"Alright since you're honest I'll get back up in the air for you. Just try to pay attention! Grab a drink or a snack if you want!" I nodded and turned to the cooler as Thunderlane set it down. Just filled with bags of fruit, sports drinks and even a separate compartment for the more crunchier snacks like chips and granola bars. I grabbed a bag of whole wheat grain chips and a cherry flavored drink. Love cherries almost as much as I love Apples... Okay more than I love Apples... Watermelons too... Love my wifes watermelons though if you get what I mean. Of course you do.

Anyways I turned back around after grabbing my snacks only to see Mama Spitfire and Soarin back in the air doing their circles again. I could only watch for so long before the noise of snickering distracted me. I tried ignoring it before I looked to Thunderlane giving him an annoyed stare. He was just grinning like an idiot. "What's wrong? Mommy's little soldier boy need his armor? Think you forgot your chestplate!" He said. I turned my attention back to Mama Spitfire again.

They were just doing their spins. Counted three times. "Maybe he needs a diaper change before he gets in the air? Better tell mommy he wet himself!" Cloudchaser said with everyone snickering along. Again they laughed. Tried to ignore it. They just kept laughing.

Then Fleetfoot had to chime in. "Careful! Dont make the baby cranky before his nap!" She said bursting out laughing more.

That's kinda when I snapped. I took that helmet off and spiked it towards the ground looking to the three pegasi at my side. "SHUT UP JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I yelled. "I'M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE HERE YET YOU THREE COME ALONG AND MAKE FUN OF ME! I'M A FUCKING GENERAL FOR FUCKS SAKE! I DONT HAVE TO TAKE THIS SHIT! NOW IF YOU THREE ARE DONE LAUGHING WHY DONT YOU MAKE YOURSELVES USEFUL AND FUCK OFF?!" I started stripping the other articles of plastic armor off... Tossed the kneepads aside, Thunderlane got my elbow pads to the chest and nuts and I just threw my gloves narrowly missing the mares before just walking off towards the cliffside. Nobody stopped me. I sat down on the cliffside looking out over everything, drink still clutched in my hand shaking with rage. I sipped from it as I looked over everything from here to the clouds now blocking the falls...

It was only maybe about a minute before I hear someone land behind me. I look back only to see it was my mother. "Ryder? Is everything okay sweetie?" She asked.

"...Just leave me alone..." She stopped a bit from me.

"E-Everything will be okay Sweetie just... put your gear back on and step away from the edge." I huffed standing up.

"I said leave me alone! I'm not putting the helmet back on, I'm not putting those pads back on and I'm not gonna fly with those assholes sitting there!" She stammered a bit.

"But... Ryder I..."

"Do me a favor and dont follow me... I need to calm down." She could only watch as I turned back around and jumped from the cliff. Fell straight down for a bit before flying away with tears in my eyes. I flew all the way down to the falls. The sun was glistening on the cloud islands it cascaded down... the colors ran clean, pooling at the bottom. I landed a few yards from the water line if you could call it that. Sat down at a rock just staring at the falls above... Even took glances at families who had come from all over Equestria to gaze at this spectacle. Some saw the jumpsuit I was wearing but didnt recognize me as a Wonderbolt. It's fine if they didnt. I wasnt complaining. As I stared at the roaring falls I started to break down a bit... realizing I just yelled at friends and snapping at my own mother.

I felt like I was sitting on that rock sobbing forever. Ponies around me just looking on as I did. I honestly was expecting nobody to bother me but... Someone did... It was the last few ponies who I would've expected... "Ryder? Ryder is that you honey?" A mare asked. I looked over only to see none other than my aunt and uncle standing there looking a bit surprised and worried. My aunt was wearing jean shorts and a wonderbolts tank top. Loves em as much as her daughter. Uncle Red was wearing a white tee and camo pants. I got up and just rushed them hugging them both. "Ryder what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

I couldnt answer. I was crying that much. I was trying my hardest not to cry so hard where it ruins someones trip out here. Uncle Red sighed. "Misty look for the nearest restaurant or snack shop... Think he needs a drink..." He said. "Worked when he was younger... Now? Worth a shot...?" He pried me off them and took my arm. "C'mon bud lets get going... Just breathe.... Dont want ya to get sick now..." I sniffled almost wanting to grab onto my uncle and bury my head into his shoulder. We walked from the falls to a nearby shopping mall. Sat outside of a little pretzel stand... Uncle Red bought me a strawberry lemonade and a bag of pretzel bites which I hesitantly ate. Aunt Misty got a bit sidetracked by a store after we entered. My uncle and I sat for a few minutes in silence until he broke the silence. "Alright bud... You good to talk now? Havent seen or heard from ya since the dinner... Judging by the getup you're wearing it seems like the guard thing didnt pan out and you're now trying for the Wonderbolts..."

I sniffled a bit wiping my nose with a napkin and sipping from my sweet sour drink. I set it down and looked at him rubbing my eye a bit with a free hand. "...Jobs fine... I just.... It's... It's a long story...." I replied.

"Always got time and an ear kiddo... Both for you and your sister... Speakin' of which how is she? She getting along with her sister in law?" I nodded.

"Yeah... She's fine... Just been getting good grades and such... But... As for the thing I'm crying about..." I started to think.

"Yeah?"

"You... Remember the dinner dont you? Where we had dinner with my mom and dad at Canterlot?" He nodded. "Well... After you guys went to bed mom and dad got me and Scootaloo together.... sat us down and..." I sniffled tearing up more remembering that day. "...They sat us down and... broke some news to us that just... well... it destroyed the mood for both me and Scootaloo almost..." He hummed a bit.

"Well? What'd they say?" I hesitated a bit dipping one of the pretzel bites into a thing of cheese. So good.

"...Well... I... How well do you remember the past...? Like... Before Dash?" He hummed thinking deeply.

"Well... I do remember when your mother called me in the middle of the night with you cryin' in the background.... Told me someone had gone and left you right on their doorstep and something.... Well... They told me they'd care for ya since they'd been trying for years to get somethin'...Guess they didnt stop trying because there maybe... A good time later here comes that baby sister of yours."

"They tell you if they found out who my real parents were?" He shook his head.

"Nah... Said they didnt know... They were gonna tell you when you were older but somethin' tells me they got very preoccupied with your sister and forgot about it."

"They did but they didnt.... The night of that dinner they brought me and Scootaloo over to a place away from everyone and told us we werent real brother and sister... I... Kinda flipped out when they told me they had a letter explaining who my mother really was... Told us it was in their room but didnt realize the house burnt down until I told em... think I stormed out after they did.... Celestia had to take me aside to work rage out until I broke down and had to be brought back to the room in cuffs just to apologize for running out of the room... I didnt fight to stay there... They were pissed sure but... I asked them why I didnt know sooner? Why they couldnt have told me when I was with them moving back in.... They.... were but.... I just hurt them... Hurt Scoot too... She lost her dinner all over me after that I hurt her so bad.... I had to assure her I wouldnt give her up to another family because I didnt love her... I had to tell her time after time that I loved her no matter what..." I stopped a bit tearing up more. Uncle Red handed me more napkins to wipe my eyes away and blow my nose. "Thanks... But... One day I went to Las Pegasus with one of my wifes friends and her little sister.... Thing is we didnt have enough room to make for bags and stuff so I used connections to Celestia to get me a better ride... Turns out one of the Wonderbolts who was helping me get over my fear of heights- I'll explain that later- told me someone was on their way to Las Pegasus anyways and said she'd be good for a detour."

"Wonderbolts connection eh?" Red interrupted. "That why you're dressed like that?" I nodded.

"Yeah... I got it as a gift.... But back to what I was saying... We hooked up with that Wonderbolt... she was happy to pick us up and even let me share her room since the room my wifes friend and her sister only had two beds but.... That... That wonderbolt turned out to be my mother after she got a letter from a courier who had gotten information on her whereabouts. That letter was a result of a dna test and... well... guess I was in the right place at the right time...." I could see in his face that his mood changed from interested to surprised.

"...You... You aint pullin' my leg are you Ryder? Sounds like you just.... well... Sounds like ya just snorted some crazy juice and laid out something that aint smellin' right.... but... you aint lyin.... you have a tell and that aint at all there.... Who is it? Who's your momma?" I huffed looking around.

"If I tell you you can NOT tell anyone at all... Nobody other than Aunt Misty. Understand?" He nods. "Repeat after me..." He sighed.

"Alright... Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye now tell me!" ...Yeah he remembered the oath... Guess Dash taught it to him... Betting that.

"Its... Spitfire... She's my mother..." He just looked at me in disbelief. I nodded. "You wanna go find Aunt Misty? Maybe talk with her after we walk around?" He nodded. He helped me finish my pretzel bites before we got up and went to Aunt Misty finding her at a clothing shop. She bought a few tank tops and more dresses for work... Uncle Red tells me she always dresses to impress but she's been getting a bit pissed off because her manager hired a lesbian mare... My uncle knows about Dash but hides it both from her and his wife. Fearing the worst from his wife. Glad my uncle knows some restraint and some manners towards mares who like the same. After we got my aunt we decided to go to a more far off area where we know nobody goes. Old closed down furniture store. Just sat outside it.

My aunt was talking with my uncle to get it with the word of mouth of what we were talking about before while I looked for a spot to sit and tell her. Once we sat down she grabbed my hand and just pulled me close. "You're related to WHO?!" She asked kinda loudly. I shushed her.

"Aunt Misty please! Be quiet! I swear you shouldnt spread word like your daughter otherwise you're going to get me in trouble!"

"Why would you get in trouble? Is your mother that secretive?" I nodded.

"Yes but not for long... You see... I was at the training facility up on the cliffs before I yelled at everyone and came down here.... We were preparing a performance to do a big reveal but well.... she made me wear kneepads and stuff to keep my body parts safe... You guys know how good I've been at flying right?" They both nodded. "Well... She made me wear those, the others made fun of me and I kinda snapped... then I just jumped down here...."

"Aw... sounds like that time in middle school... I think you know what I'm talking about..." I nodded. Not gonna go too into detail but middle school was a dark and weird time in my life... Was made fun of a lot. "Well... Are you at least gonna go back? I mean... they have to be worried sick about you!" I sighed looking at a shoe store nearby...

"Please... They dont care about me... if they cared they would've came after me... Probably would've found me before you guys did...."

"You should at least go back and say something! Just talk with your mother and tell her what happened! I'm sure she'd set her troops right like you do yours." I crossed my arms and just threw my feet out.

"I'm not going back until I feel like they're good and ready to apologize... And with the way they acted I think an apology isnt coming any time soon... Not even if someone sat them down to do so. Plus i'd rather not be in a bad mood to hear assholes try to apologize...."

My uncle huffed. "Sounds a lot like the time Dash pinned somethin' on ya when you were younger and you got grounded." He replied. "You didnt wanna listen to her until you worked out that anger of yours. Had to get your parents to watch Dash while you played video games until they found you slumped over in your chair looking bored out of your mind." Yeah... Dash stole something from my dad, broke it, hid it under my bed and he found it while I was at school. Came home to a grounding because they thought i was lying and it took two weeks for Dash to be caught red handed. Or kneed perhaps. She cut her knee with what she broke and it took her THAT long to get caught because she hadnt taken a bath for a while and the cut on her knee got infected. She had to have rubbing alcohol applied to the cut, bandages AND a hospital visit before coming to me after I had gotten out from that grounding. Anyways my Uncle looked around. "Say... Aint there an arcade in this mall? Definitely been a while since I could treat my favorite nephew to something he'd enjoy." I smiled a bit.

"You dont have to Red... I just feel like it'd be something I wanna pay for myself... Not arguing but... I hate it when I feel like I'm mooching off someone..." He nudged me.

"Come on! They got a new Bass Villain machine last I checked! Should have some Gems n Tulips songs! And last I played... I could whip your butt on it!" I gave him a side eye... a serious one. "Oh? Somethin tells me you dont like that... Up for the challenge? Paradise Island... Ask your aunt, I did that on expert and finished it full. One hundred percent... See if you cant beat me on that. Winner buys the other a drink at the bar." My aunt kinda groaned a bit. She didnt like her husband boasting about things nor making bets related to those things... Kinda gave me my tell I'd get a drink out of him.

"Alright you're on old man! Lets find that arcade!"

My aunt groaned more. "If you guys find it... I'm going to the nearest shop...." She said. "I am not taking part in any bets nor am I getting anywhere near Alcohol... I'm the one who needs to drive home..." Understood there. We ended up just going around the mall for a bit, my uncle stopping at a restroom for both him and I and even at a nearby store where I may or may not have bought a bag full of candy for my sisters and certainly not myself.... and yeah I'm gonna have to hide it from Applejack but oh well.

We ended up having to wander around and play other games before we had a chance to play Bass Villain. Apparently there was a little party hogging it. We had enough credits for a few plays each. I only played a few racing games. He played everything even a basket ball game. He had to excuse himself to a restroom while I played a few other songs... Even one of my favorites from Metallicolt. The stupid thing was this was a double sided machine so you didnt know who was on the other side. Couldnt even play the same song unless you were challenged which most of the time you were... I even was at this point. I huffed as a little alarm sounded on the machine before having to wait a moment. Challenger has choice of song. The song that they picked? Paradise island. Thought it was my uncle. But since this was a later title in the Bass Villain series you could use power ups to try and hinder your opponent. String snap, speaker feedback, drummer threw his stick and nailed you so you started seeing double for a few moments. I was hit one after the other since you can stack power ups. Worst one was the stick throw and the string snap because you can not see the button you have to tap to get it back on. Didnt really hinder me all that much because it was mostly the yellow string. That song lasted maybe.... seven to eight minutes because apparently the challenge is to play the whole song while the solo is just the full song up until the five minute mark. All I know is we were fighting to win this barely missing a note each. The only thing that fucked me was he threw a stick at me and I missed notes like crazy because it was the red button that I needed to tap. When the song was over and I lost I hung up the guitar and went around the machine giving a huff. Though i froze... Why? Because I realized it wasnt my Uncle playing. It was Soarin. He was dressed in plain clothes with a ball cap on. He may have been incognito but I saw right through his disguise. Worst part is my uncle was sitting behind him with a smile on his face. Soarin hung up his guitar and fixed his cap. "So... Drinks now or later?" Soarin asked.

I huffed looking at my Uncle. "...Alright... How the hell did he get here?" I asked.

My uncle smiled. "Found him in the bathroom, asked him to play for me just to get you boys together to talk. Be it over a drink or not I want you boys to sit down, figure out what its gonna take to get you back up there!" He said. "Now c'mon. You boys are gonna sit down and talk like men. I'll buy you boys drinks."

We followed my uncle as he led us to a bar area inside the arcade. Bar wasnt that busy. All the patrons were there at the machines playing away. We sat down at a table a bit far from where everyone could see us. Soarin huffed looking at me. "Ryder I can assure you nobody is mad at you for running off like that. Everyone fessed up to what they did though your mom is deeply worried." He said. "Got them all scrubbing the restroom with toothbrushes and having them take shifts watching your mother making sure that she's okay. She had a panic attack when she saw you dive off that cliff. Tried telling her you were okay and that I would bring you back personally."

I leaned back in my seat against the wall. "Those assholes need to learn some manners... Both to their superiors son and the general of the royal guard... if I wasnt around mom I would've lost my shit and went on an ear blistering rant and make sure they know their words still hurt." I said. "I'm almost thirty four years old yet both my mother AND the others treat me like I'm five. I understand that I'm making my mother worry but would it kill her to look at how old I am and treat me that way?!"

"She only found you recently dude. She missed out on a lot of time with you in your younger years and didnt get to see you grow up. Of course she's gonna be worried like that not to mention all she's heard you've been through either through the princess or your own mouth. She's only doing it to make sure you're gonna be safe and that you arent gonna hurt yourself too badly! You can talk to her, make sure you guys can have an agreement on what you can do to prove your worth and safety even while having her know you're safe. Something I had to do with my mother was to call her every day after a job well done or a performance just to make sure I didnt strain anything or if I did crash that I wasnt hurt. I remember the one time I did crash and did get hurt my mom called me later that day but I was so hopped up on pain killers I didnt answer. Lucky me she had Thunderlanes number and when he told her about me she flipped and came to the hospital I was laid up in. I had to explain to her I was fine and that it was due to a bird that I crashed. Point I'm making is if you do anything and go anywhere just call her, tell her you're alright and that if you are hurt, tell her how you feel, where you are and if you need anything from her. Simple as that?"

I huffed as my Uncle came back with the drinks. He just set three bottles of beer down on the table. "Here boys. Would've sprang for something better but apparently they've got a limit because of the boy in uniform right here." He said gesturing to me. "Something tells me someone up there got hammered here and made an ass of themselves." Soarin chuckled blushing a bit as I sipped from my bottle. Nice and cold. Actually tasted better than what dad drank.

"Yeah... Was hard to explain to Spitfire after that... Lucky me I wasnt banned from this place because I paid off the damages.... Only broke a token machine because I was so plastered I thought it took my bits. It did but I was so far gone I didnt see the tokens deploy."

I huffed setting my bottle down. "Guess that didnt stop you from coming into this place in disguise right?" I asked.

"Do I wanna have everyone mob me because I'm down here in uniform looking for you? Nope. I wanna bring you back without getting torn up by horny, excited, screaming fans. Only fans I can take screaming and grabbing onto me are you and your sister." He and my uncle laughed a bit as I sipped my drink again. "So. You gonna come back up and show your mom you're okay or are you gonna just be a sour puss who needs a time out for a bit longer?" I let out a burp. Stank to shit because of the beer.

"I'll come back. I just want those assholes to apologize..." I glanced at my uncle and then back to him. "But... Maybe as a favor I can bring my Aunt and Uncle for a bit of support? Even though I have a while to learn it this performance has me a bit nervous...."

Soarin glanced to my uncle and then looked back at me. "I suppose so... Gives you a reason to get things underway and maybe some extra muscle if you think about running off again." He said before sipping his brew.

"Trust me... I dont think I'll run off unless its to a bathroom later...." I held up my drink before sipping from it.

We did end up finishing our drinks and went off to find my aunt. She didnt seem like she wanted to drive three not even drunk stallions but when I told her where she'd be driving us and who our friend was she kinda flipped like Dash does. The 'omigoshomigoshomigosh' thing. Yeah. She gets that from her mother. Took us maybe about ten minutes to get back up top because my Uncle had to make a pitstop at a fast food place... Yeah... Again for the restroom. And no he didnt bring anyone out. Once we got up there I broke away from the group when Soarin took my Aunt and Uncle on a tour of everything. Knowing them they're gonna send Dash pictures. I hurried from the office back over to the barracks seeing the cooler outside with the now cracked helmet and the other padding on top. I stepped carefully through the door sneaking my way in. It was kinda dark inside. Lights were dimmed quite a bit and I saw the still discernible silhouettes of everyone gathered around my mother who was curled up in a cot sniffling away. As I got closer Thunderlane noticed me first and just got up fast almost as if he were going to salute. I snapped my fingers and pointed out the door. I watched as Thunderlane took each mares hand and they all walked out. I felt the fear they held within them. As I heard that door shut I knelt down and rested a hand on my mother's shoulder. She jumped a bit before looking to me. Didnt take her but a second to pull me in for a hug. Tight and tearful. That lasted for about a minute before I was shoved into another cot across the way. Nearly didnt make it without hurting myself. Now my mother was standing over me still crying but mad. "RYDER!" She snapped. "HOW DARE YOU MAKE MOMMY WORRY! I thought I had watched my own son take his life! If Soarin hadnt brought you back I probably would've been calling your wife telling her what went on and that she'd have to tell your sister you're a pancake on the ground! I was even expecting guards to come knocking at the gates asking everyone here who you were and why you jumped..." I sighed.

"I'm sorry Ma.... Its just that..." I stopped thinking of what to say next. Looked around my mother trying to avoid eye contact. "...Ma... I know you never got a chance to raise your baby boy.... you'd take that chance in a heartbeat if I could convince one of the princesses to use a spell and bring me back to an age where you could raise me and have my wife and sister be okay with it.... But since I cant its just very embarrassing having to wear bike protective gear just to fly around even when I know I can fly pretty damn well... both because of Soarin AND you.... When the others started making fun of me, calling me a baby, asking if I need a change before I even get in the air just was too much... I am still your baby boy but I've grown up. I can still wear some protective gear but maybe we can rethink the routine... sound alright?" She sniffled a bit.

"...I just... When I saw you jump.... I.... I saw that day you tried to kill yourself...complaining nobody loved you... I... I try to protect you like that... so I dont lose you... My baby boy... to see you gone in an instant.... I just.... I dont think I'd be able to take it...." I reached my hand out. She took it and held it close.

"I still regret that day... making you cry, making my friends scared... even making Soarin punch my lights out... Remind me never to get into a fight with him throwing the first punch." She sniffled a bit giving a slight laugh.

"...Noted.... I.... I think it might be time to go get something to eat... I dont think I could stomach anything after that...." I'm gonna cut out more of this. Basically we went outside to see everyone who made fun of me just sitting against the wall. Each of them apologized and both me and my mother gave them what for. Apparently our minds are very much alike. Mom is making them pay for dinner for all of us (Soarin, my aunt and uncle included. She loves meeting part of my old family apparently.) During dinner me and mom talked things over and we decided to make it a fake race between her and Soarin. Every day we had to run the course, rehearse until we had it down pat. With Mama Spitfires okay my Aunt and Uncle came around just to make sure things were going well with me and even brought us Pizza. Though the day we were doing the race I had to be placed in the cloud tunnel before everything though I could watch a livestream from my phone. There were a few performances. First being mom showing off the new recruits in a few races and some performances. Then came Thunderlane and Cloudchaser doing a routine where they ended up carving a few clouds to look like the emblem of the 'Bolts. Then came the race. I was kinda nervous as I readied myself. I watched mom and Soarin race past me twice before the last time mom let Soarin pull out ahead to hand off the helmet to me and send me on my way and with how my flight speed was I was able to match Soarins speed for a while until I intentionally missed a turn letting mom catch up. When we landed at the podium I came in just behind growing more and more nervous as mom pulled her helmet off giving a sigh as she clipped on a mic to her uniform. I forgot to mention I had one too but we had to keep it off to cut the feedback. The crowd cheered as I kinda fiddled with my helmet pretending to have trouble with it. "Well then... That was some race! Hows that for a close call?" The crowd cheered loudly as she looked to me. "You good Soarin? You almost had me there!"

I pointed at my helmet, tried taking it off a bit before shrugging. Mama Spitfire sighed just as Soarin turned his mic on giving a huff and groaning. "I'm good... Head kinda hurts but I'm fine... Race over already? Did I win?" He asked. We both turned to look at him just as he came from the tunnel where we swapped. Mom gave a confused 'huh?' as he joined us. He pointed to me. "Whos the new guy? He a part of the next act?" Mama Spitfire looked at both of us trying to keep a convincing face.

"Wait... If you're there then... whos this?" They both looked at me. Soarin and Mom met gazes before they both grabbed at the helmet and yanked it off and you could tell the crowd was confused as hell seeing this random pegasus who they had no clue who it was.

I turned my mic on and huffed. "What? Dont recognize your own son?" I asked my mother. The crowd almost fell silent. Mom kinda laughed a bit before looking at the crowd.

"Well of course I do now! Ladies and gentlecolts I present to you my little boy General of the Royal guard Ryder!" They cheered almost half heartedly. Mostly confused but it's understandable. That's when I looked to the crowd.

"Hey come on now you can do better than that! This has been years in the making! I was given up to loving parents and when I was told I was given up just to make sure this day happened I couldnt be mad! Not when I knew my mother was THE Spitfire of the wonderbolts!"

"And I couldnt believe it when my son came to me after crossing paths many times just to call me his mother... You really dont know how it felt to have him back in my life...."

And then Soarin chimed in. "C'MON GO WILD EVERYPONY! YOU'VE GOT A MOTHER AND SON DUO TO CHEER ON!" He called out. And that's when they ROARED. I teared up a bit seeing mom tear up too. We just hugged it out in front of everypony and even did a little meet and greet after. Neither of us dared to say what really happened but it was for the best... Not gonna lie when I say some rape victims are called harlots and whores just because they had been raped. Even stallions out there who will even justify the rape with what the mare is wearing saying they were basically asking for it. We did have one or two ponies who did doubt it during the meet and greet but we had the paper work. Yes with all the stuff blacked out that said any addresses and such. They did have doubts still but they did go with it. The thing that felt the weirdest was having some kids come up to us and telling me we couldnt be mother and son because I was taller. And when I say kids I mean younger than Scootaloo and such. That night mom and I had a little champagne to celebrate all of equestria now knowing the news. I do know in the next few days or something a news reporter would be by for that but mom said I'd be long gone before they came. She was right. Over the weekend I was back home cuddled up with Scootaloo watching TV and there was the interview... They asked about my father but mom just said he wasnt important anymore and that he's off elsewhere....