The Rise and Fall

I gotta say it's been a while since I spoke on anything happening in our lives. It's been about... what a month since I was balls deep in my own sister in Canterlot? It was definitely a good thing... She did forgive me after we spoke to Cadence about why we were there. Said it werent nothing to get me into trouble since AJ told me I paid for it real bad already.... Even told her about what Ryder did but I gotta say... after what happened with him at the time I'd say I'm forgiven both by myself, by my sister and by Ryder. He did look cute as a mare though... Almost wanted to see how tight she was at that moment but with things going on I'm pretty sure I'd've gotten a kick to the nuts. As for today I could arrange for that if I asked... But not any time soon. Its late at night right now and I got Applejack, Scootaloo and Applebloom all holed up in the bathroom crying their eyes out scared. I had Ryder bring me up to the roof with his gun and I was following him back and forth on the ground to watch his back with a flashlight. Why? Timberwolves. These things are ravenous things.... Applejack heard the howls after the girls had gotten to bed and grabbed both of them bringing them into the bathroom to make sure if we fell she was the last line of defense. Not if I had anything to say of it though. Ryder and I were both in our pajamas. I had the flashlight trained on him with the gun ready as he was ready below with his hammer that the Elements of the Brotherhood gave him. He was looking into the trees and we could hear the pack barking on their way. "Be ready Mac! I can see their green glowing eyes in the trees!" Ryder called out.

I huffed. "Remember Ry if you feel overwhelmed get up here and I'll try to scare em off with a few shots!" I called back. He readied his hammer and stood his ground in the middle away from his car. Lucky that thing is damage proof from even him. Twilight told me when we were in Canterlot when we lost our minds due to her spell accident guards shot at that car and it did nothing. Pissed em off good but I guess that's what a cocky Ryder does... The first wolf came and Ryder gave that thing something to think about it. Knocked that things head clean off and all that came down was just a pile of wood. Two more came from the trees and Ryder backed up a bit hitting one and dodging the other. I popped off a round at the one he dodged and the shot grazed it. Pissed it off even more. Ryder came back around with the hammer hitting it on the side crippling it a bit. The other wolf growled, leveling itself growling at Ryder. I watched as he swiped at it with the hammer narrowly missing. Few more sprang from the trees looking as if they came from the branches and I fired off a few rounds at one of em hitting it a few times. Brained it once and it just exploded into leaves and wood while the other went for Ryder. He swiped at that one too missing it. Then he went for the other that was still on its feet. Same thing. I shot again narrowly missing one of em having the bullet ricochet off the ground.

"WATCH YOUR FIRE! THEY'RE CLOSING IN!" I huffed.

"THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!" He swiped more at the wolves in front of him. They just kept dodging his attacks and even tried swiping at him a few times with their claws. He dodged back and even tried smashing them with the hammer. Clipped one of their paws but other than that it did nothing more than dent the dirt. But we didnt realize they were distracting us until the one that was injured turned around and came back pouncing on Ryder. I shot the ground around Ryder before drawing my axe and tossing it down at one of them. I shot the axe causing sparks scaring them off. Quickly I made my way to the side of the roof and carefully made my way down via the open window Ryder left. I shot a few times into the trees making sure they kept on running as I went for my friend. When I got to Ryder his clothes were torn to hell. Tank top ripped half way off his body, blood running down his back with bite marks on his shoulder and claw marks in his arms. He was trying his hardest not to cry out in pain. I grabbed my axe and sheathed it before going to his side. His wings trembled with the pain I could tell he was going through. "Ryder! Ryder c'mon get your ass up! They're gone but we gotta get you outta here.... Get in the back of the truck! I gotta rush your ass to the hospital!" He grunted and used his hammer as a cane to stand up. He looked to me, tears ready to pour from his eyes.

"....G-Get the girls outta the house... They... They could return.... Tell them to take my car...." I nodded.

"Alright you just get your ass in that bed of the truck and I'll be back as fast as I can." He nodded and made his way towards my truck. I quickly ran upstairs and put the gun back in the safe Ryder kept it in. Only trusted us with the code. Didnt trust himself for obvious reasons. I ran to the bathroom and banged on the door a few times. "Aj! Applejack give us a few minutes to get out of here and get your asses to Rarity's or Fluttershy's! Dont ask! Dont worry! Everything's fine just get the hell outta here!" I quickly ran back downstairs and scrambled to stuff a backpack for myself full of clothes and grabbed my keys. I even grabbed an old flannel I hadnt worn for years and didnt know why I was keeping it. I ran back out to my truck with the flashlight and saw Ryder in the back on the edge. I climbed up and wrapped my flannel around his wounds tying it tight around his shoulder. He did wince and whine a bit as I pulled him back but lord knows he's already done and felt a stronger pain than this. I leaned him carefully on the truck cab before hopping the side and getting in. Engine kicked in first turn and we started driving out of this place as safe but as fast as we could. I reached the window and opened it up as we made the turn outta Sweet Apple Acres. "C'mon Ryder talk to me! Let me know you're okay!"

"FUCK THIS IS COLD!"

"Just keep this up! We'll be at the hospital in no time!" He groaned loudly as we hit a bump. Didnt mean it and dont blame him.

"N-No! Take... Take me to.... THE CASTLE!" I huffed. Didnt wanna take him to the castle but I'm pretty sure Twilight wouldnt mind that we do this.... Might be easier to take him there compared to a hospital. All I gotta say to Twilight is there was an attack by Timber Wolves while at the hospital I gotta say there was an attack, fill out paper work, make sure I didnt get sick from all the fucking disease and sickness running amock there.... I cut through lights and took some turns where I went over into the other lane just to get Ryder to the castle. When I pulled up I slammed on the brakes and honked my horn at the guards at the front door. I quickly opened my door and stood on my seat.

"GET OVER HERE AND HELP ME! GENERAL DOWN!" And with that the two guards rushed over.

They both jumped into the back. One looked to me. "Get by the elevator in the garage! We're getting a gurney ready at the first floor!" He called out. I nodded and drove down into the garage. The elevator was right at the end of the garage and I had to back up to it almost as one jumped out calling the elevator while the other helped Ryder out of the truck. I quickly parked it and grabbed my pack before hopping out and rushing to the elevator just as it closed. Caught it just in the nick of time slipping my way in and hitting the close door button. One guard was checking Ryder's pulse and making sure he was breathing alright. The pain looked unbearable to me. The elevator ride felt long with the adrenaline i had dying down. Once we reached the top I pushed myself to the side as they stood Ryder up leaving a bit of a bloody smudge on the wall... seemed it seeped through my shirt. Didnt care none about that... only cared about my friend. They quickly got him onto the waiting gurney and started rushing him down the hall. I tried to follow but the guard stopped me. "Due to this medical emergency you can not follow. It's to protect from infection because of the open wounds."

"Well you better fucking keep me in the loop that is my brother in law there! His wife doesnt know shit about this nor does his sister! Now git and get some disinfectant on those wounds!" The guard nodded and hurried after the gurney. I just turned around and started walking through the halls. I went through my bag as I walked and realized I left my phone. I huffed tossing my backpack over my shoulder again and just looking somewhere to hole up for the night. Passed a few guards that looked like it was during a shift change. Saw pegasai and unicorn going one way, bat ponies going the other. Genetics got a way with fuckin' with ponies but they dont mind. Them bat ponies still get the same treatment as any of us. It's rumored that long ago a pegasus was bitten by a vampire bat and they ended up transformin' into a bat pony. In reality these guys've been around since Celestia's mother and father were in power long long ago. The father turned many pegasai into bat ponies and at first there were different feelings towards them. Some unicorn got racist until they came down upon them telling them to accept the guards as part of them. It was tough at first but with adaptation bat ponies are a necessary part of society. Both in and out of the guard.

I wandered the halls until I found the media room. The room with the entire wall TV where Ryder was basically trapped by spike in his game. Oh that boy learned not to mess with us. I apologized after he got done with his grounding and we took him digging for gems. Oh you should've seen Spikes face when Ryder lifted a boulder out of the ground and smashed it with his hammer. Half the gems inside that went to Spike, the other he gave to Rarity who promised him a few outfits... one of which she picks out for him... the others he picks. And with his mothers permission he got a new wonderbolts jumpsuit that gives him a slightly militaristic look. She's been working on it for a while because of the materials she's had to get but with the outfits that ponies have been buying because of a certain Princess's suggestion she's been making bank. Anywho inside the room was Twilight and Spike both watching something on the TV. They were in the front seats and I might've startled them a bit dropping my pack at the door. And here? My emotions got the better of me.... Twilight got up as I fell to my knees. She was wearing a grey Manehattan sweat shirt and a pair of pink sweat pants. "Big Mac? Big Mac what are you doing here? What's wrong?" She asked just as Spike hopped up from the seat and came to my side. I just looked to Twilight having tears run down my cheeks.

"....R-Ryder's hurt... bad...." She gasped. "...G-Get to the damn infirmary... I... I just..." I couldnt keep it together. She just teleported away leaving me with Spike who tried keeping upright but couldnt. He just pushed me over to my side and hurried out to get a guard who helped me into a chair and pulled a blanket out from a hidden compartment behind the chair before draping it over me. Spike just hopped on my lap and hugged me making sure I was stable... couldnt help but hug the boy myself. I dont act on my emotions all that much but... this was an exception. He even had to have a guard grab me something to drink to calm me down just enough to get me to a bedroom. Spikes room had a guest bed just in case Twilight needed to watch over him. He even got into bed with me and just cuddled up to me. We ended up passing out together.

The next morning I woke up in a cold sweat all because of Spike's alarm clock... Damn near six in the morning. Well... six thirty. I walked over to his bed, hit the thing to stop it and left the room. Boy was still fast asleep in the bed. I found my bag at the foot of his bed. Grabbed it, fished some shorts and a teeshirt outta it and threw those on stuffing my other clothes inside before heading out into the halls. I felt like hell honestly. I walked myself all the way to the dining room where I just raided the cabinets trying to find the coffee. Found the ground beans and just loaded them into the machine that was just waiting. While I waited I sat down at the table, head hung in just complete disbelief... My friend getting attacked like this. Getting injured like this... And here I thought the damn Timber Wolves wouldnt even come back. Guess that spell needs an extended work... either that or they dug a hole under the detection field. As I sat there waiting for the coffee to brew I heard crying from down the hall. Didnt sound like a filly or a guard... Sounded like my sister. I got up from the table and went to the door only peering out down the hall. Just saw Applejack walking down the hall with Twilight at her side. Both mares looked worse for wear than I did. Applejack was wearing her silk pajamas still from the Crystal Empire and Twilight didnt even bother changing out of what she was wearing last night. I hurried out and met em half way. Applejack broke away from her friend and hugged me tight, bawling into my chest. "....Ryder... Oh god Ryder...." She said. I shushed her holding her close.

"He's gonna be alright sis.... He's not going down without a fight...." I looked to Twilight.

Twilight sighed. "Fluttershy told me she was up half the night freaking out wondering if Ryder was okay... she... only found out how bad the damage was when he got here...." She said. "He lost a lot of blood but not enough to warrant an emergency transfusion. We have him in sedation, getting back his blood. He's had to have stitches and splinters removed from the scratch marks and bite wounds. They had to sedate him to even get the stitches in but he's stable."

"She tell you at least where she left our sisters?"

"Nope. Can only assume they're still with Fluttershy... At least I hope so... I dont think we want Scootaloo here with him the way he is.... We'll keep an eye on him throughout the day. You two just try to relax. If you dont wanna stay around here go see about getting to the spa in town. Just tell them I'll pay for what ever it is you two needed to get to relax." I sighed taking my sisters hand and pulling her into the kitchen.

"I'm good on that... Think I'll be fine... Just... I might just go see how he's doing later... If I can get into his room that is." Twilight helped me sit Applejack down at the table before going for her fridge grabbing a bottle of tea out for her.

"You'll be able to see him. Dont worry. The injuries arent as bad as they looked. With his high heart rate that's what uh..." Applejack whimpered more. She set the bottle down and my sister just grabbed it. "Well... You already know.... She told me what happened... Damn things are smarter than they look... I've got guards surveying the area and making sure they clean up what remains of what happened." I nodded. I looked back at my sister and sighed.

"Hopefully they find how the hell they got in... Boutta put an electric fence up to keep em out. Maybe see about buying a new shotgun so I can get those things put down and have em stay down!"

Applejack whined a bit sniffling as she sipped her tea. "...W-We dont need more guns... them things brought too much pain to this here family..." She said. I looked to my sister.

"But AJ you know how powerful those things are!"

"BUT NOTHING!" She snapped slamming the bottle down on the table getting tea just about everywhere. "Them things is powerful yeah but Ryder n you didnt need to go out to 'scare em off' like ya said!"

"That's the point AJ we did! You remember the one night we had to hole up the way we did they messed up half the harvest and damn near put us out a good profit! Not to mention Applebloom was scared outta her britches that night and thought they'd still be lurkin' around or something! That's why I had that gun! It gave her peace of mind that I was there to protect ya both!"

"But... What..."

Twilight forced us back into chairs with her magic. "Both of you STOP talking about this!" She snapped. She looked to me. "You dont need a gun. You need to call the guard first and tell them first! Second you need to stop worrying about the harvest! Keeping safe is number one priority!" Then she looked to Applejack. "Yes we understand that guns shouldnt be near your family! You dont want to remember that night, nobody does. Not you, not your brother, not Ryder, Not even your sisters or our friends. Now I'm gonna leave you two here. Talk like civil adults, not kids. I'll be right back. Gotta wake Spike for breakfast anyways..." She released us both and teleported out of the room. I just got up without a word to my sister. Went over to the coffee maker as it started filling with coffee and I just grabbed a mug waiting.

I went and poured myself a cup when it finished up a few minutes after it filled. Spike ended up making us a breakfast of muffins, butter and some diced fruit. He does love cookin' for us despite everything going on. After breakfast I just decided to go see Ryder with Spike as emotional support. It took him and me to let Twilight let him see Ryder. Though Twilight had to keep tabs on my sister making sure she ate somethin'. Barely touched her muffin. As we walked down the hall I just couldnt help but hold Spike's hand like I was leading a lost child to his mother. He huffed. "Big Mac Ryder's tough! He'll pull through!" He said. "I mean... He fell from the sky, got shot and lopped a wing off. This isnt gonna put him down for good!"

I huffed. "...I know it aint... he's strong... damn boy can rip a car apart and walk away without even much as a scratch." I said. "You remember that time you woke up in Canterlot without any memory of the night before?"

"Yeah. Clothes torn, Celestia, Ryder and Twilight all looking scared, Ryder even crying after he called Applejack..."

"Well Celestia took a few pictures of the damage Ryder did just so you'd be able to remember that moment. He ripped apart some guard trucks and broke weapons and even injured a few guards that intended to do them harm. Celestia gave him the okay for the damage but when she had to come to the gate after being told 'a dangerous criminal' was at the gate she werent to happy... Definitely gave him what for though... Just accepted it like he was caught red handed." We turned the corner and started heading to the infirmary wing. We walked on until we hit a front desk. Around us were guards either in armor, plain clothes or there with their kids. I looked to the stallion behind the desk wearing a mask. "Here to see the General... just need to check on his condition."

The stallion nodded and pointed to the right down a hall. "He's got a secluded room right down the hall. Just tell the guard at the door all your information and you're good to go in." He said. I nodded and walked with Spike down the hall. I just gripped his hand a bit tighter. He just patted the top of my hand. There were doors left and right, some marked with quarantine, others with testing going on and the rest with nothing but 'vacant' or 'occupied'. Didnt see anything about 'eleventh hour' and I'm glad of it... Dont wanna think about it.

As we neared the end of the hall we came upon a door with a guard at it. Door was marked private. He looked to me. "State your name, occupation and relation." He said.

I released Spike's hand clearing my throat. "...B-Big MacIntosh, Apple farmer at Sweet Apple Acres and he's my brother in law." I replied. "I just came to see him... make sure he's alright...." The guard nodded and stepped aside. As Spike and I walked to the door he stopped Spike.

"Sorry Spike. You know the rules. No seeing patients especially with injuries like the generals." I looked to the guard.

"He's here for me mostly.... Aint too keen on going in alone. He aint my first choice but... he's grown up a bit... Plus that's his friend in there... Boy aint gonna grow up anymore than he is if he dont help me with this..." The guard looked at Spike... then to me. Then back to Spike.

"Alright. If the Princess asks, you were warned Spike." Spike nodded and swallowed a bit before taking my hand again and following me into the room. Inside the room we saw Ryder with bandages around his torso, a respirator mask on and sleeping peacefully. The machines hooked up to him beeped and clicked while the ventilator he was on sighed a slow sigh. I looked to Spike. I could see his eyes just locked onto the stallion laying half naked in a hospital bed. Didnt even notice the doctor sitting in the corner watching us. They were just typing away notes on their computer.

"...Let this be a lesson to ya Spike... pick your battles wisely..." I released his hand. "Here. Just... sit on by... if y'cant handle it i understand. I need to talk with the doctor real quick." Spike hesitantly nodded and stepped towards Ryder carefully. Didnt wanna wake him I guess. Either that or was just that frightened. I turned my attention to the doctor. Closer look saw it was a mare. I grabbed a chair at the side of the room and sat a few feet away from her. "So... How bad is it Doc? He gonna be okay?"

The mare typed on a laptop she had. "The General will be fine. Wounds healing nicely after last night. Forty two stitches, bandages and rest. No muscular damage miraculously and he's had a dislocation in his shoulder which he nearly put back in place himself." She said. "Of course me and a few other nurses had to finish the job but gladly there's no damage. I didnt find anything in his system but I'm unsure why he has so minimal damage from such a large creature!" I huffed.

"Would've been a hell of a lot worse if'n I hadnt intervened. Few shots from his gun and them Timberwolves went off runnin...." The doctor looked at me.

"Ah so that's why he had splinters in his wounds! He didnt say much after we administered drugs to steady him. How many shots did it take to scare them off?"

"Almost a clip full. Got a few and put em down but the others didnt go down as easy the way he was fighting... Damn things almost cornered him. Werent for that gun scaring them off him I'd've been coming down to bring you a corpse rather than that fighting spirit." I looked back at Ryder and Spike. Spike was just holding Ryder's hand and I could tell he felt somewhat content. "Think he'll be waking up any time soon? I mean... Kinda would like to talk to him... see how he's doing..." The doctor got up from her seat setting her computer down before going over to the machines.

"Unfortunately no. He's so drugged up to not feel pain he's been out since last night. But now that you say it we should try to wake him up, ask him some questions.... You wouldnt happen to have his blood type would you? The guards bringing him in told me that there was a lot of blood both on him and in the back of your truck... Guards are cleaning it as we speak and if needed will get it repainted for free just in case it stains."

"That I dont miss. Dont even think he knows. Cant take a sample and analyze it?"

"We can but it will take a few days... He's stable so I cant see anything wrong with it... I'll have a chat with the Princess later to decide if we should do that..." She looked to me. "As for now why dont you take Spike and get out of here. I might need to call in a nurse to help with a bedpan..." I gave a nod and looked to Spike.

"Spike. Let him rest dude. Getcha outta the castle to do something... get our minds off him for the time being..." He hesitated but nodded releasing Ryder's hand and coming to my side. We spent a good chunk of the day together. Went out to lunch together after hitting an arcade and then I took him to go find gems. Dug for a few hours outside of town at a rock field we always go to and we found him a good ammount. He kept wanting to dig just to find some for Rarity. We did for about an hour more and found a few big ones. Sapphire, Amethyst and a ruby.

After we were done I had to hold on to them while Spike snacked on some of the ones we found for him. And just because I knew he'd eat em if I forgot to take em out of my pockets when I slept in his room tonight I had to stop at Rarity's to give em to her. Pulled up to the boutique, told Spike to stay put in the truck while I ran up to the door to give em to her. Though... When I knocked I wasnt expecting to hear multiple screams- familiar sounding screams I might add- from inside. "Girls! Calm down!" Rarity called out. "Timberwolves cant ring door bells! Just go upstairs and PLEASE try to get some sleep!" I waited a moment hearing some crying and feet tromping up stairs as fast as they could go. When the door opened there was Rarity. She was wearing jean shorts and a tank top that... Honestly didnt seem too bad on her. She smiled. "Oh Big Mac! I heard about what happened at the orchard. I'm sorry to have had that happen. You and Applejack are welcome anytime along with the girls. Speaking of which Applebloom and Scootaloo look like they didnt even sleep last night. Poor things are scared half to death!" I sighed.

"Yeah... Guess'n they didnt even bother trying to sleep last night... or if they did it werent much... Were they here all night or did you just get em this morning?"

"Fluttershy dropped them off before breakfast. Apparently Rainbow Dash was on her way over and you know what that means." She brought a hand up to her mouth parting her fingers before licking in between them. I blushed a bit.

"Y-Yeah... The wolves are definitely getting belly rubs... But... I just hope they aint gonna be too much trouble here. Try to get em to drink some of that chamomile tea and get them to pass out. Stuff's supposed to be strong eh?" She hummed thinking and glancing into her kitchen.

"I suppose so... Perhaps I will in a bit to give them a better nights rest after dinner..." She looked back to me. "But that isnt why you're here... What is it you want?" I dug into my pocket and pulled out the gems.

"Well... Spike and I went gem huntin' and he thought you might like these." I handed over the gems and she took the few I had and looked at them closely.

"My Spikey Wikey picked these out for me? Oh I have to do something sweet for the dear!" She looked to the truck. "Is he still with you right now?" I nodded. "If you can go upstairs and reassure your sisters everything's alright while I speak with Spike about this I might make something for you or if you want... Probably we can go out sometime if you're willing to do a bit more than bring me a bit of gems... Model a few suits perhaps?"

"Well.... As long as you aint gonna make me model them bathing suits you had Ryder model...." Yeah... She had Ryder model some bathing suits and they were uh... Steuropean style. Didnt leave anything to the imagination. It was only because she had a client about his body size and he didnt wanna wear them himself... body issues... Even had some lingerie made for after hours and well... Ryder couldnt help but dress up and tease me a little bit. Rarity even gave him a dress to wear even doing his makeup too. Only way I knew about it was those pictures.

"Dont worry I wont. Suits, casual clothing and maybe if you're willing some new boxers I'm making that caress your form rather than around it."

"As long as I aint wearin' what feels like my own sisters panties I aint gonna argue what you want me to wear. Now... Spike and my sisters?" She nodded and nudged past me before I ran upstairs and went for Rarity's room. I tried opening her door and it was locked. The same screams came from inside. "Girls! It's just me! Big Mac! Open up!" And just like that I heard em scramble to unlock that door. Scootaloo already knows what me and AJ can do but even I'm not gonna break down Rarity's door. Once that door was open Scootaloo and Applebloom came rushing out still dressed in their pajamas, both their manes looking like rats nests. Scootaloo just IMMEDIATELY started breaking down. I picked her up. "Hey hey... it's alright... Ryder's okay.... He's just as scared as you were.... Aint no more of them Timber Wolves gonna hurt anyone...." I looked down at Applebloom who just had her head dug into my leg. "You girls need to get some sleep... You're safe here... Rarity aint gonna let anything happen to ya... C'mon girls lets getcha down to the kitchen, getcha something to drink... Cryin' all this much aint good for ya...." I took Applebloom's hand and she just rubbed at her tired eyes with the other hand. "Rarity tells me you girls havent slept at all... That true?" Neither of them denied it. They both nodded sniffling. "I know it was scary... You girls were as safe as anything while me and Ryder were outside facing them things.... They aint gonna come back unless they know what's good for em."

I carefully walked downstairs with them before ducking into the kitchen. "....I... I want Ryder..." Scoot said. I pulled out a chair for Applebloom to climb up into then one for her. I sighed prying her off me.

"I know you do but Ryder's alright... He's just resting right now. Once he's awake I'll have him call ya... Okay?" The filly sniffled and nodded. "He loves you. He aint going down without a fight. He'll be right as rain when he's better.... I know you're afraid to lose him... we all are... You gotta be strong like he is... Get me? Have your friends look to ya like I look to him. Think of it this way... No matter in what state he's in he's gonna hold that hand of yours and never let go... And you? You're a strong filly when you hold his hand." I stood up and nudged her chair in. "Now you girls be good for Rarity. I gotta get going here. Just remember y'all're gonna be okay here." I tousled each of their manes before just turning to the door and walking out. Went back out to the truck just to see Rarity coming back with a smile on her face. Met her a few feet from the door and smiled. "Got the girls outta your room and they're at the table now. Hopefully they got the picture but uh... I'd see if they need something to wear if'n you get my meanin..."

Rarity huffed rolling the ruby in her fingers. "Totally fine darling! I'm always prepared for Sweetie Belle and she is sleeping like a rock!" She replied. "I should wake her so I can see what kind of pizza she wants... Dont exactly feel like cooking." She huffed looking back at her home. "Well... I'll be in contact about the modeling and I hope you'll be in contact for a date." I blushed and nodded just watching her walk back in. I guess my heart kinda flutterd a bit knowing damn well I got a date but... Aint gonna mention it to Spike. I went back to the truck and drove us back. Spike had a little love struck look on his face. Didnt really respond to me until we got back to the castle. Had to nudge him to snap him out of it.

"You doing alright there Spike?" I asked as we pulled into the parking spot near the elevator. Spike just snapped out of it and smiled at me giving a nod shoving the rest of his stash of gems into his pockets. "Good. Just let me know if there's something bothering ya... whether it be about Ryder or something personal like. Just offerin' a hand through all this..." We both got out of the truck. I couldnt help but peek in the back of the truck where Ryder was laying while I was waiting for Spike to come around the truck. I could see the stain a bit and it looks like they tried to wash it off best they could but I still saw it. Free paintjob I guess. When he came around we went upstairs. I almost felt like Ryder was there laying against the back of the elevator. Even looked and didnt see any blood. When we got to the top me and Spike parted ways. He just needed to go take a nap because I tuckered him out. I went and showered up a bit and went to go find my sister.

When I found her she was passed out in Twilight's bed. Twilight found me in the halls and led me to her. I couldnt help but sit down on the bed only to carefully move my sisters mane from her face. Twilight sighed. "She wet herself about an hour after you left." She whispered. "I tried getting her to sleep with how hard she was crying but she didnt wanna even try. Ended up getting so weak she lost it all over the floor... Had to use Cadence' spell to calm her down, a spell from Luna to get her to sleep and get her wiped down, and padded her up. Got her things in the wash. Do you need to go back home for anything? I think you need to be here for tonight with her... I'll be here to keep her content as long as I can. You can go find a room for yourself or go back to Spikes room to rest up with him." I sighed getting up from the bed and looked at her.

"I think I'll stay with Spike... Feel like he needs me as much as I need him... Been a good friend keeping me strong when I went to see Ryder... Brought him in with me... Sorry... But if it makes it better he was strong about it." She sighed and walked me out of the room.

"It's fine.... You figure out where the girls went?"

"Yeah. They were at Fluttershy's but since AJ left she dropped em at Rarity's.... Dont think they got bags... Would you mind if I had a guard run me back to the house so I can pack em stuff and grab a few things? Left in a hurry last night." She smiled and carefully shut her door.

"Sure. I'll have a guard meet you downstairs. You just get on down there and get what you need from the house."

I nodded and just hurried on back to the elevator. I spent a good ten to twenty minutes laying in the bed of my truck and looking at the other trucks... Even saw Ryder's car parked a few spots up. Even thought to check inside for a moment to make sure they didnt leave nothin' in there and there werent nothing in the front nor the back seat. After about a half hour after I got down there the elevator finally opened up and out came a guard. Pegasus guard, stallion. I hopped out of the bed of my truck and looked to him. "Sir. Princess Twilight told me to escort you back to your home and collect a few things for you to bring to your sisters. Is this correct?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. Should be real quick." I replied. "Lead the way." He nodded and went for one of the nearest guard trucks and loaded me into the back and we were on our way. Gotta say its kinda strange being in the back of a transport alone... Least it werent a guard truck with the cage in the back. Ryder told me it was hell just to not only be in that cage with the mind set he had but them seats with his hands behind his back? Good lord must have been uncomfortable. We drove through town going towards the orchard... Though as we neared the orchard I just had a sense of fear wash over me like something was still here... Like I was putting myself in danger in broad daylight. I looked out either side of the truck and even checked behind us making sure we werent followed. Nothing. Though as we've neared closer and closer to the house that feeling kept getting more and more prevelant. The truck stopped just at the mouth of the road and the guard got out just to open the door from me. I got out and just looked about. Saw where the piles of timber wolf corpses were and even some of their 'sap' staining the ground. Not minding that I went for the door and unlocked it going inside. Went straight for my room first grabbing my phone from the charger AND my charger shoving both into my pockets before running upstiars. Went to Applebloom's room first grabbing her bag and filling it with extra clothes for her, then went to Scoot's room filling her bags with her clothes before ending up at my sisters room. Gotta admit its strange going through your eldest sisters drawers grabbing fresh panties and pants for her, shirts and other articles of clothing. Even snagged her phone and her charging cable too. Even took Ryder's phone just to give to the nurse to make sure he's got something to do laid up that way. Though as I exited my arms full of baggage for my sisters I looked to the ground and saw a bit of red... This was to the right of the door a few feet and I remember Ryder getting attacked just to the left of the door.... Didnt look like a drip or a bloody paw print. Looks like a straight bleeding and trying to staunch it. I handed the guard the things and he put em away in the truck before I looked to him. "You uh... You think you can follow me? Somethin' dont feel right...."

The guard nodded and shut the truck making sure he had the keys before locking it. He followed me to the bloody patch and we followed the trail and it led right into the trees. He pulled his weapon seeing what I was seeing. We carefully made our way through the trees until my heart just completely stopped. There laying before us against a tree was a stallion. The stallion was half naked, clutching a wound looking like he was stabbed with twigs and leaves. The guard and I ran right up to him. He was still breathing thank goodness. The guard grabbed the stallion causing him to yell out in pain. The stallion pushed us away with his bloodied hand. Well... More of the guard than me.... He looked to us clutching the wound again. "St-Stay away!" He yelled. "I-I dont want to hurt anyone anymore!" I grabbed his arm staying well away from the bloody hand. Didnt look like he could do much.

"Hold on there partner we just wanna help! You're bleedin' all over my family's farm! You look like ya lost a fight there... Just sit down, let my friend here help ya." The stallion looked me in the eye as the guard grabbed his other hand.

"Please... Just... Let me go! I cant.... I dont want to hurt you! I dont wanna hurt anyone!"

"Easy! We get it you dont wanna hurt anyone but... can ya tell us why you're hurt?" I could see the fear in his eyes... His bloodshot, tired eyes. Almost like he had been up all night for weeks on end. His breathing was shakey and somewhat shallow. Though his adrenaline was off the charts... I could see the blood coming from his wound as his heart beat right out of his chest.

"...I... I havent much time.... Just... Look to Everfree... Find the Timber Wolves and burn it... It's the only way to kill the main one!" He had enough strength to shoulder check me before rushing the guard. I wanted to go help but... Before I could even come back from my stunned state... The guards gun went off causing me to just hit the deck. When I looked up from the dust after a moment I saw the guard pushing the stallion off him like a ragdoll with the most scared look I hadnt seen since Ryder had to put down his crazy ex right in front of me. The gun had blood around the barrel. He dropped it and just scooted away from the body.

I went over to him and just nudged the gun away with my foot carefully. "I... I didnt wanna shoot him... I.... Oh Celestia.... sweet fucking Celestia...." He said looking as if he were about to break down.

I huffed dragging him to a tree a few feet away. "Here its gonna be okay i-i-i-it was only self defense!" I said. "Just sit here, breathe... I'm gonna call the Princess, have her get some guards out here to investigate this shit... Promise you wont be in any trouble!" He nodded and just started breathing. I stepped away and pulled my phone from my pocket stumbling with it a bit. Once I got a hold on it I quickly started calling Twilight.

I was trying to breathe the best I could making sure the guard was content and didnt even wanna go for that gun.... Ryder tells me some guards regret shooting someone whether it be in defense or by complete accident which I sometimes think is bullshit because of the lack of evidence they needed. Took only a few moments before Twilight picked up. "Big Mac? Is everything okay? Something delay you getting back here?"

"Y-yeah... Now... listen Princess... It was an accident... There was a stallion here, he was scared and injured... The guard and I found him and he was so scared of Timber Wolves in Everfree he just said to burn their biggest den... a-a-a-fter that the damn fool got the guard you sent with me to put him down... Need a few trucks, an ambulance and a guaruntee that that guard aint gonna catch charges for this! Damn near shitting himself here!"

"Oh- Oh my... I'll send them right away.... Tell that guard that he's fine and he's gonna be put off duty for a while." I felt my stomach jump a bit.

"P-Princess... Can you tell him... lunch aint sittin well after that...." I quickly handed the phone to the guard before running a few trees away before leaning on one losing my McHoovians all over the floor. Good lord am I glad Babs and Uncle Orange are watching Winona.... Girl loves that dog as much as we do. I wiped my mouth and just went back to the guard sitting with him though I faced away from the body. I waited until we heard sirens. I had to get to my feet as fast as I could before booking it to the road flagging down the two guard trucks and the ambulance. They just squeaked around the guard truck parked where it was. The ambulance had to park right behind the truck and there was just a squad on me within moments. Eight guards, four medics and a gurney with a body bag on it. I had to go with a few guards to tell my side of things and tell them what I saw. That it was all for self defense and that it was a complete accident. Guard said the same thing and even broke down... felt sorry for the guy... We were both loaded in to separate trucks, me getting in the back of the truck I came in and the other into the back of another with a few other guards consoling him. Poor feller.

I had to text Rarity to come out and grab the girls bags. Just dropped em at the front door and went back to the truck. She didnt question it. Glad she didnt. I even had the guard driving stop at the store for me to go buy myself a case of beer... Only a six pack but... I needed one after that. Twilight didnt even mind me stashing them in her fridge but urged me to drink one after Spike went to bed. Which I basically did. Waited until he passed out and I just sat in the kitchen by myself with a beer in one hand and my phone in the other like I was expecting a call. While I sat there Applejack came in looking a bit better than earlier. She was wearing some pajamas she had stashed here... Guessn she leaked a bit while she was sleeping but Twilight knew a spell to keep her sheets dry even if everything else got wet. She had some pajama pants on as well as one of Ryder's shirts on. She went straight for the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water and a fruit bowl before sitting with me. "...Thank ya for gettin' my things Mac... I just... I wanted to get the hell outta that house after all that shit..." She said. "How're you doing? Twilight told me you saw somethin' you didnt wanna see again... Didnt have to ask but... I had a feeling...." I huffed.

"..I'll be fine... Just... Just need to forget about it.... or at least need to try..." She opened the plastic fruit bowl and nudged it to me. I took some melon out of it. Tasted a bit bitter but sweeter than most. "...We gotta teach Scoot that she cant just be cryin' over her brother when ever he gets hurt... She's gotta be strong for him like he is for her..." She sighed.

"That filly saw so much bad that coulda hurt her cryin' aint gonna stop... Aint gonna solve much either but she's gonna grow out of it eventually... or she's just gonna grow up living in fear of everything..." Just then I got a call from Rarity. I just huffed.

"Speaking of that girl... apparently Shy dropped our sisters off with Rarity... Probably her calling about Scootaloo or Applebloom...." I swiped my thumb across the screen and put it on speaker. Sure enough. Crying. "What's going on Rares? Who's gone and had an accident?"

Rarity sighed a bit. "Scootaloo. She got to sleep along with Applebloom about an hour ago and next thing you know I'm rushing back upstairs from a project I'm working on only to find her needing a change and someone to hold her." She said. "Poor thing is scared of those Timberwolves there..."

"Is your phone on speaker?"

"Uh... One second Big Mac let me just...." I heard her fiddle with her phone before things got slightly louder. "There. Do what you need."

"Scootaloo! Scoot it's Big Mac. You really gotta be brave for Ryder! Them things aint gonna hurt you! Scary as they are at least they aint as big as those Ursa Minors that scared ya. Just breathe... Dream that Ry's right there next to ya and he's protecting ya... And how about this? You stay quiet the rest of the night and not wake your sister or Rarity I think i'd spring for that game you like so much.... That new Bass Villain right? Got your name all over it if'n you do this for us please..."

Applejack took my phone as I took more melon bits from the bowl. "I'll make sure to say goodnight to him for ya and tell him you love him." She said. "Just please dont fight us on this... we wantcha to be big and strong like your brother is. I know how much you love him for everything he's done... I love him too but just... not to frighten ya or anything but... if there's ever another war he's gotta fight you gotta be strong knowing he's gonna come back n give you the biggest hug he can. Dont wantcha to cry about him otherwise he's gonna cry about you... Just take a breather girl... he's gonna be alright... Rarity's there to help you too..." We heard the crying soften a little bit. "There we go... Rare, can you take it off speaker?" We heard her fiddle with her phone a bit more.

The mare sighed and it sounded a bit more quiet. "There. She's actually calming down..." She said.

"Yep. But now I got somethin' for you to do. Is that project really important? And if so can it wait a night?" I heard the mare hum a bit.

"It can wait.... I was in the middle of making something for Spike but I can finish it up tomorrow.... A mare needs her beauty sleep and Scootaloo needs someone to cuddle up to... I think that's what you want?"

"Yep. You know what you gotta do right?" She sighed.

"Yes... I've still got some from after Las Pegasus... Ryder talked me into wearing these for Sweetie Belle when I make her wear them..."

"Good. Sorry Rare's but Scoot's still kinda self conscious about em herself. You just get on to bed now and we'll see about taking Sweetie Belle off your hands for a weekend... Maybe leave you and my big brother to spend some time together... He's been telling me about how beautiful you look." ...If my face werent as red as a ripe apple you'd see me blushing hard. I just looked to my sister who just had a grin on her face.

"Oh.... Well I'll take him up on a weekend together... Big Mac... Call me later and we can talk about that.... As for now good night!"

And just like that she hung up leaving us in silence. I looked to Applejack as she grabbed my beer from me taking a sip. "...Sis... Why'd you do that...?" I asked.

Applejack sighed taking a few pieces of fruit from the bowl. "Girl's been complaining about trying to find a stallion to wine and dine and you could use someone since you'd been complainin' about not having a mare for yourself..." She said. "Showing you how easy it is. Just gotta ask and assert yourself to know you want this." She stretched a bit. "Well finish up your beer, eat a bit more and make sure you use the can before going to sleep. Aint wanting to wake up to Twilight tellin' me to pad you up because you pissed yourself." I nodded. I ate a bit more before chugging the rest of my beer. Only can I had but I felt content... Even had to sneak a diaper from Applejack and Ryder's room before using the can and returning to Spike's room.

Spike was just sleeping peacefully. Was good too. Didnt make a noise, wasnt faking it just to play a game and just didnt even wake up when I ripped one. Tab! Ripped a tab I mean! Damn thing came right off but the other three still held. Though.... as I slept I woke up being startled by Twilight. She shook the shit outta me with her magic. "Mac! Mac wake up we have a problem!" She said whispering. Still loud enough. "You need to get dressed and come with me to the medical wing RIGHT NOW!" She honestly didnt need to say any more with that. I knew. I ditched the diaper in the bed and got dressed quickly in what ever I could grab. Shorts, tee shirt and my shoes. Slept in socks. I had to follow her to the medical wing.

When we got inside we saw many guards, mostly unicorn guards with their horns glowing. We hurried down the hall for a moment only for me to freeze and just stare at a large timber wolf pacing around at the end of the hall by Ryder's room... There were scratches on the wall behind it and the door was broken off the hinges. "...T-Twi... How THE HELL did that thing get in here?!" I asked. "And... Wh-Why is it near Ry's room?! That thing couldnt have gotten in and.... Oh shit what am I gonna tell AJ....?" Twilight grabbed me by my shoulder.

"We arent telling Applejack ANYTHING! We lured it out just for a few guards to check in the room, gather any remains and there's nothing in there! No blood, no body parts. Just destroyed machinery and the bed." I knocked her arm off me and looked to her. Didnt grab her or nothing because.... Y'know guards....

"THEN WHERE IS HE?! WHERE IS MY FRIEND IF HE AINT IN THE BELLY OF THAT BEAST?!" She grabbed my head with her magic, made me face him.

"He's not in there because THAT IS Ryder!" She said. "Just look at him!" I took a closer look at that thing...The leaves on top were tinted yellow and a bit long. Some of the glowing divots in its body resembled wings. But the thing that sealed it? I saw Ryder's cutie mark etched into its behind. Then it just hit me. I pushed Twilight off and looked to her.

"Twi... Do you remember reading ANYTHING in them books of yours about werewolves? Because I think that's what we're lookin at..."

"I've read novels about them and the only way to fix them is a dark ritual... Either that or a silver bullet... Neither of which I wanna even touch."

"Then what about fire?" She looked at me shocked. "Not on him!" I grabbed her arm. "Do you remember the call earlier about the damn guy that was shot? He told me to go deep into everfree and burn the nest where these things come from! Hope you got a map made of this shit and something to burn it with." I saw her swallow a moment. She grabbed my arm and started leading me out of the medical wing.

"Alright... This isnt what I wanna do.... But I have a map of Everfree, marked dens of creatures we wouldnt mess with and I keep it safe. Since we need to move fast we need to get a few others together... One I'll get because he's gonna need to help with this and the other you need to get from their room only as a guide. Just remember you cant tell ANYPONY she's here!"

"Got it. Shut up and forget she's here... Now it's obvious you're getting Spike... Who am I getting?" We stopped at a cross section of the hall. She pointed to the left of me and all I saw was a lone guard standing outside of a door.

"Go down there, use the code 'Bright future' for the guard at the door, code to the door is the year Ryder's games take place in. You know the one he likes the most. Dont tell him because its so obvious he wouldnt even think to guess it if he got the chance!"

Twilight nudge me off and before I had a chance to ask what I'd say to the guard if he didnt listen, she just teleported away. Honestly hate it when unicorns do that.... Had one motherfucker get away with 'a free sample' of some apple sauce AJ made. Grabbed a jar, teleported out and pissed me the hell off... Least it was something that werent from the cash box. Ry's been in charge of that and he's got his badge on full display when he's out there. Anywho I went over to the guard. Took one look at me and scowled. "Civilian, you need to leave right now before we throw you out!" He said.

I huffed. "Bright future." I said. The scowl almost disappeared. "Any objections, take it up with the Princess. Now move your ass!" I could see he wanted to stand his ground. I aint one to back down if anyone wants a fight especially if i got drunk... yeah yeah Ryder knocked my sorry ass out long ago when I was drunk but I still wanted to fight Shining apparently. That guard huffed and stepped to the side while I entered the code. 2175. The day his god damn character saved what remained of a nuclear wasteland Equestria. There was a light on the keypad that turned from red to green allowing me to open the door up. Inside? A computer with four screens each showing something different, one a map of Equestria, another with a still of that video I took for Ryder during his bachelor party with Gems and another with notes, statistics and other shit that didnt make no sense. Sitting at that computer? Mare. Grey mane almost like Rainbow Dash's if she were put behind a black and white camera, wings resting on a stained and wrinkled tank top.

That mare looked back at me frightened almost. Almost. "I... Wait... Arent you Ryder's brother in law?" She asked. "What uh.... what do you want...." I could see her turn around putting her hand on something.

"Leave what ever you're grabbing where it lies. Princess ordered me to come getcha. Told me the code to your door, what to say to the guard."

"She ordered YOU to come get me? What for?"

"It's Ryder. Something happened and we need your expertise. And I assume it aint just reading a bed time story by who i think I really am lookin' at Miss Yearlin'..." I could see her eyes widen for a moment. She got up from her seat leaving what she was grabbing at alone. She kinda knocked it into the light of the monitors a bit. Was a gun. Didnt know if it were a dart gun or a toy or even the real thing.... Didnt wanna know. She got close to me.

"You keep your mouth shut about me. I'll help but you forget I'm here, forget you saw me like this and tell me what the fuck happened to that stallion!"

"Curse seems like. Stereotypical 'bit by a werewolf' scenario but with a Timber Wolf. Things attacked us last night and he's one of em but we need you to help lead us to the biggest damn nest of them things and FAST!" That's where she gave me a look. Scared look. Not the 'I dont buy this bullshit' look like when i tell Applebloom to stop doing something before she gets in trouble when she calls a bluff. "Get dressed, get what ever you can to keep yourself focused and meet me outside the room. Give ya some privacy." She nodded and pointed to the door.

"Get that guard out of here." I nodded and went right outside her door. I looked to the guard.

"Get your tail to the medical wing, help with anything they need there to keep a beast contained!"

The guard looked to me confused. "Beast? Please... No beast gets into this castle unless-" He said only to be cut off by a howl. We both looked down the hall, my heart dropping. That's when i heard the echoing clanking of wood and the heavy hitting against the ground. That's when we saw him. Here comes Ryder scrambling around the corner keeping himself steady with essense like wings protruding from his back coming right around the corner. I grabbed the guard and pulled him into 'Miss Yearling's' room holding him against the wall. He past us up quick like but as soon as he was out we all followed out into the hall. Me, the guard and Yearling who was... Shirtless when I looked at her. She took a look at me and looked surprised that happened but... realized what she looked like, covered herself and dipped back inside the room. I looked to the guard.

"You believe me now?" The guard nodded. "Good now go find the Princess and tell her what the fuck just happened!" He nodded and just as he was about to step away I looked to his side and saw a gun. "Wait! Wait that gun... Dart or ballistic?" He quickly took it from his side, holster and all tossing it to me before running off.

"DART! CLIP RELOADS WHEN PULLED!" I huffed pulling the thing and checked it out. Wasnt chambered thankfully but I twirled that thing on my finger before holstering it again and hooking it to my belt.

Didnt take long for Twilight and Spike to come to us. Twilight and Spike both looked panicked, Spike looking a bit more awake than Twilight. "The guard said Ryder ESCAPED?! WHAT?! HOW?!" Twilight asked dropping Spike and grabbing me.

I huffed. "I dont know! But what I do know is we need to get him under control and get him back!" I said. "He's most likely headin' for the stairs. We need to get downstairs, grab what ever transport we can and get the fuck to Everfree!"

"FUCK TRANSPORT! WE NEED TO ROUND UP RYDER AND HOLD HIM UNTIL WE CAN BURN THAT FUCKING NEST!"

I huffed and grabbed Twilight giving her a wordless I'm sorry before slapping her before hugging her. "Twilight!" Spike said. "I have an idea but we need to divide and conquer! Let me go with our guest here and you go with Big Mac to round up Ryder! Get guards to help get him somewhere!" I pushed Twilight off me for a moment. She just had a scared look on her face with a red hand print on her cheek.

I fixed her mane best I could with one hand. "We need to listen to Spike." I could hear Miss Yearling say. "He has a good idea! Give me a guard detail of all fliers and the unicorn are yours!" I could see the sparkle in the Princess' eye.

I huffed. "Princess. Sorry for hitting you but AJ tells me how much you panic!" I said. "Get your guards out there, I'll metcha downstairs." Twilight nodded and teleported away. I sat Spike against the wall looking at him. "Stay right here, give Miss Yearlin' some privacy. Stay safe bud. You do well, I'll try to talk Ryder into bringin' you somewhere special!" Spike nodded and I booked it down the hall where I saw Ryder go. Saw claw divots in the floor, leaves and twigs scattered on the floor with guards scattering left and right trying to make sense. "ALL UNICORN GUARDS DOWNSTAIRS RIGHT NOW! ANY FLIERS REPORT TO MISS YEARLING AT ONCE!" The guards just looked at me not knowing what was going on but next thing you know I got unicorn guards on my tail. None telling me to drop what I got or to stop. They followed me all the way down to the bottom floor. When outside I stood streetside. Everyone grouped up. Saw a few other ponies that werent unicorns. Bat ponies. "ALRIGHT! EVERYONE LISTEN UP! I NEED A RADIO! PRINCESS WILL GIVE ORDERS WHEN SHE ARRIVES BUT FOR NOW FALL IN LINE!" One guard, a unicorn, ran right up to me and unhooked his radio handing it to me along with the earpiece. I clipped that to the back of my trousers and put the earpiece in. Heard a lot of guard chatter, some about what happened, others about why I'm yellin' at everyone and some about Princess' orders.

Maybe about a few moments later a few more guards joined us and next thing I know Twilight's at my side decked out in guard armor. Though her armor was tinted purple. "Alright I'm ready. Da- I mean.... Miss Yearling and Spike are with a platoon of bat pony and pegasus guards on the helipad, everyone armed with cattle prods or tranquilizers. Fast acting, safe if multiple are used so no accidental over doses in case anyone but intended target is hit or if target hit too many times." She said. "You've got armor coming too! I even have guards standing guard at my door for Applejack's sake." I huffed.

"Good. Everyone's ready for their orders. Got some fliers here and I think we might need some of em if'n I'm thinkin right...." She nodded and faced the guards.

"Alright! I want EVERYPONY to listen! We have an emergency! The General has become a timber werewolf! Sounds farfetched but this is true! We need coverage ALL OVER Ponyville! Nothing in or out! If you see ANYONE outside, get them somewhere safe! Unicorn guards, you guys are responsible for trying to get The General contained whether it be by diverting his path, getting him to corners or slowing progress on where ever he's going! Bat Ponies and Pegasai are needed in the air to deter him from getting in the air and to keep tabs on him! He's fast, strong and EXTREMELY dangerous! Orders that come from me or my friend here WILL NOT be questioned! Do I make myself clear?"

Oh how satisfying this was just to hear all these ponies at the same time yell "Yes Princess!"

"Good! Now move out!"

I pushed the button on the headset making all the chatter stop. "AND REMEMBER, NO LETHAL FORCE! TRANQS ONLY!" I said. "EVERYONE NOT IN THE SECURE GROUP EXIT THIS CHANNEL! ANYONE IN BURNING DETAIL GET INTO A NEW CHANNEL! GO NOW!" I heard some complaints about me being loud... whoops... But other than that mostly some 'yes sir's' pouring in. I just watched as ponies just took off flying, some teleporting away just as a transport rolled up for us. Twilight and I climbed into the transport and we just went out towards town. Completely forgot about the armor but I didnt give a shit. Just wanted my friend back to normal and nothing destroyed. I looked to Twilight. "I aint bein' too harsh with the guards am I?" She shook her head.

"Might be sending em back to the academy giving them that drill sergeant vibe definitely but they know how to handle it. They were looking for the leadership and they saw it in you when you took charge. Take it that's how you got that from a guard?" She pointed to my side seeing the gun. I nodded. "Good. We're gonna need it and I cant even hold a gun after what I saw Scootaloo do while her brother was away... It was during that attack that happened. Celestia, Luna, Cadence and I were loaded into the kitchen to take cover, I was panicking and put Scootaloo into a food storage fridge with a thick metal door and gave her a gun that my brother gave me for my own protection.... We were there for a while, I passed out when the all clear was given... Next thing I know there's a gunshot, Luna kinda screamed a bit and when I looked Celestia had already hit the floor and Scootaloo was freaking out so bad... She got sick, she had a few accidents and almost wouldnt sit still for Cadence to use her calming spell... Luna couldnt even get her down for a nap... She didnt wanna even leave my side thinking as soon as one of the other Princesses got their hands on her she'd be going to jail... Not even my brother could get her to believe she wouldnt be going to jail... She only believed it when Celestia woke up and got a card I had to sit her down to make... Only realized that night after she sent a letter to Ryder he fainted and freaked out. Talked to him after he got back and he forgave me for that... thought it was a good thing to do despite the things that happened... I ended up selling those guns, putting it towards a little fund I'm having put together for Scootaloo just in case something happens to Ryder..." I sighed looking out the window hearing guards giving each other commands, feeding info to those who didnt know still and some encouraging words.

"Not a day goes by that I dont think about what woulda happened if'n he passed on whether by his own hand or something outta his control... what I'd have to do just to keep my sister happy... his sister and cousin.... I'd keep that girl in our house no matter what happened... I'd take care of Scoot as much as I could, give her what ever I could.... Give her my room if'n it came to that..." Twilight rested a hand on my leg.

"Pretty sure we'd all help that little filly. Now we need a plan on where to corral him."

"Well we definitely need to keep away from the Carousel boutique. Cant scare Rarity or the girls with this... Can we lure him to a park or somethin?" She started thinking for a moment slamming her fist on the seat making a cooler pop up. Scared me a bit but she grabbed a drink out of it. I grabbed one too. One of Dash's energy drinks because I knew this was gonna take a while...Cracked that thing open and drank from it. Tasted like black cherry and cola but it wasnt as bad as what I saw Ryder drink before... was bullshit.

"Get on the radio, ask them what the most open area is to corner him in is." I nodded and pressed the button on the wire.

"I need someone to tell me where the more open part of Ponyville is where we can trap him. He needs to know he's trapped but not to where he'll attack anyone. Parking lots, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, something." I released the button.

I waited for a moment and sipped the drink before getting a response. "There's a baseball diamond at a park to the west of Ponyville." A guard said. "We've found the General but he's fast! We'll try keeping up with him and bring him there." I looked to Twilight.

"Park to the west of town. Baseball diamond and all. They're gonna bring him there."

"Good. We'll wait there, make our plan of attack...."

"We're gonna get our friend back dammit..." She nodded. I just sat there in silence, looking out the window... Wondering if there was a chance to save that guy if he hadnt thrown himself at a guard who shot him.... But the way he was thinkin... If we had let him live and go... Probably would've did anything he could to off himself whether it be slash his throat in the back of a restaurant or throwing himself in front of a vehicle... Maybe find some rope in a garbage can and hang himself where a kid could see the next morning... I sipped on my drink, keeping an eye out.

"Um... Big Mac...?" I looked to Twilight. "...Do... do you think I'm making the right choice...Sending Spike out with.... my friend like that? ...I just dont want him to get hurt... He's been with me since I hatched him from an egg when I was young... losing him...? I just... I dont know what I'd do...." I sighed repositioning in my seat.

"That boy- and I'm gonna be honest here- ...That boy is tough... I didnt tell you this but... Remember that day you came home only to see us there with Luna and y'all were pissed at Spike?" She nodded. "Well... Dont be mad at me or Ryder for this but... Spike said something that scared me and Ryder to the point where I had to knock Spike out but he could still take a punch. Not to mention he stood his ground all on account of Ry not lettin' Spike play his games on account of your word. Gotta let that boy grow up sometime... If he can take a hit and admit he deserved it after he was done with the grounding Ryder made him have I'd say he grew up just a bit to know not to mess with a fight he knew he couldnt win... Apologies if we had to teach him that lesson that way." She huffed.

"It's fine... I was honestly confused on why Luna was there and when she told me about Ryder being stuck in a video game I was thinking he was just stuck in a level... Not actually stuck inside one... I could swear she just needed a nap or something..." Just then the guard up front slammed on the brakes sending me straight to the front of the back area only separated by a barrier and then I end up getting sandwiched into it because Twilight slammed into me. I dont know if it was my drink or something else but... Felt something dripping down my leg. I groaned a bit as Twilight got off me and opened the door scrambling out. I followed behind her and stretched cracking my back... that armor hurt. Though when I looked to the front of the car my heart just stopped. There in front of the car was... Ryder... He was staring down the driver who still sat in the front seat petrified. I looked to Twilight who was still trying to get her bearings.

"T-Twilight... Twi you gotta get your tail somewhere safe!" I snapped almost silently. She looked back at me like she was gonna say something but she froze and saw Ryder... I could swear I heard her squeak before teleporting away. I huffed looking back at Ryder. I slowly started to approach, one hand on my side with the gun and the other just out. "H-Hey there Ry.... Easy there..." Ryder growled backing up seeing me. Warning growl telling me to stay away... Live with Winona long enough and you start to understand... "I aint gonna hurtcha! Just calm down... We only wanna help ya... We dont wanna see ya get hurt..." He growled more letting out a little bark. "I get it... You know what you are and you dont wanna hurt anyone... That's what the one who bit ya told me before he had a guard off him.... Didnt wanna see what I saw but... It's okay... we're gonna fix this.... you aint gonna go the way that one did... You're alright there.... Now... Dont mean to treat ya like a dog but... Sit for me?" He hesitated for a bit but he sat down. "There we go.... Easy there... We're trying to fix this as best we can. Got Spike and uh.... Someone else on the job... Finding the biggest den of Timberwolves to burn. We just want you to come peacefully dude... No trouble...." I could see it in his eye... He was... questioning me and what I said. Though I didnt have to say anything he realized who I was talking about. He quickly got to his paws and growled nodding to his back. "W-What... You.... You want me to get on?" He crouched down a bit and his body creaked a bit and I saw what looked to be a little place for me to sit forming on his back. I carefully climbed on, hiding my eyes from the headlights of the truck. Still saw the shocked guards face inside the drivers seat. I looked to Ryder. "Gimme a sec here." He started walking away from the truck as I pressed my headsets button. "Dunno what happened but... Think the General's calmed down... he understands us... Someone find the Princess, tell her I got him but under no circumstances is ANYONE to use any sort of force against the General! Keep the streets locked down!" I released the button and looked to Ryder. "LETS GO!" He howled and just took off.

We had a few guards look at us, some just wanting to run after us. Some just saw me right away and saluted. Next thing I know we're leaving the ground and heading towards Everfree. I fiddled with my radio until I heard someone. "This is Greyscale trying to reach ANYONE in Ponyville! I got separated from my guard detail and I'm in need of assistance!" I heard a mare say. I aint crazy but that sounded like 'Miss Yearling'. "I've been issued a flare gun with a few flares and if ANY guards I was with hear this! YOU GUYS ARE SUCH PUSSIES!" Next thing I know I hear the shot of the flare gun and a bright light shooting up to my left. I looked to Ryder and I guess he saw the light too. He started flying over that way and started lowering himself through the trees. Just hunkered down making sure I didnt hit anything more than some leaves on the way down. Leaves only lasted a moment before we came down into a clearing. This boy skid to a stop destroying bushes and such. I had to even brace myself feeling every bump hitting me from below, dirt flying up into my face and when we came to a full stop I had to get off. Why? I scrambled over to the bushes and just lost what I was drinking. Tasted horrid coming back up. I coughed and spat wiping my nose... felt it dripping and god it burned. I looked back at Ryder. If it werent for the flare above or the glow coming from him I barely woulda seen him.

"...You're lucky I didnt lose it on your back because of that landing...." He growled and barked slightly. I sighed. "Yeah... I know you're sorry and that you didnt have the softest of landings but someone's here. Dunno how good that sniffer is but see if you cant smell for a mare around here." He growled. "Not for me jackass! Seems someone got separated. And I think you know a mare who'd be explorin' out here and using a flare gun. Go on. Try to find her!" He rolled his eyes... them weird green orbs... weirded me out. He just started sniffing the ground and looking around before he let out a howl before going over to a tree and scratching at it barking right up it. If I know Winona when she does that there are birds she wants to chase, Dash snagging an apple or damn squirrels that I told Fluttershy to get outta there. I looked up in the tree and huffed. "Miss Yearling! Miss Yearling c'mon down! It's me! Twilight's friend!"

"N-Not with that thing down there! Get it away!" I huffed. Ryder backed away from the tree and whimpered a bit tucking his tail.... Or... that branch that I could call and hope is his tail...

"Miss Yearling... It's Ryder... How do you think me, an earth pony got here?" I saw a flashlight come down from the tree. Shined right in my face. Blocked it with my hand.

"W-Well... He didnt attack so... I... Give me a hand... My wings are still a bit sore from not using them and being in that chair forever..." I looked to Ryder.

"Wanna give me a boost partner?" He whimpered and whined laying down. "Aw c'mon she dont mean nothin' by it! She's just a bit scared that's all...."

"Ryder come on now! I'll open my room up to you after we turn you back! Just help me down!" Now right there triggered somethin' in the boy. He got up and started wagging his tail getting on his hind legs putting his front paws on the tree. I saw her step down onto his arm and carefully use his shoulder as a step before I got in and helped her the rest of the way down.

"There we are... How the hell did you get separated from everyone else? Where's Spike?"

"Spike's with the guards. I got split off because I needed to go but... Nobody listened nor were they willing to take orders even though the princess put me in charge. Gonna give em hell... Maybe this big lug can give them hell once he's back to himself." Miss Yearling patted Ryder behind the ear. Seemed do have liked that "Wontcha boy? Whos a good general!" She giggled a bit as he just started panting happily. I sighed.

"Alright easy there Yearlin'. If I know how Ryder is reading your books I'd wait on praising him if I were you and I think you know what I mean..." She sighed.

"Oh I already know... Dog needed a bone though it didnt get too far." He backed down whimpering again. "Oh hush I dont think any less of you because of that. Now c'mon we need to find the guards. Able to get the scent?" She took her walkie off her side holding it up to his snout. He sniffed it a bit before he turned away and barked. She clipped her radio back to her side and climbed onto his back just as he created another seat even giving us both handle bars to hold onto. "Good boy! Lets find em and help em! Spike has to be shitting himself with this!"

And like that we were off again This boy used his weird spectral wings to keep us steady going through the trees. Never liked Everfree to be honest. Timber Wolves, the cockatrice, Poison Joke and a lot of other shit I dont wanna ever deal with... Either for the first time or again and I'm sure Ry would atest to that. Damn poison joke turns him into a mare and I'd hate to see what it did to me if I even went into it. We passed by a few patches of it, some other creatures who just ran the fuck away. We blazed a good long way before we started hearing yelling and weapon fire. I whistled to Ryder and he turned right for it. As we neared he stopped before we found the group. We both hopped off. All I did was look into his eyes and he knew to get the fuck outta there. We came out just to see piles of tranquilized Timber Wolves in the middle of the clearing. Guards were standing, aiming their weapons at the cave ready for more to come out. I saw Spike hiding with more guards across the way. I pulled my side arm and rushed across covering Miss Yearling as she crossed with me. Spike saw us and rushed us hugging me. "BIG MAC!" He called out. "Big Mac what are you doing here?!"

I huffed. "Someone needed help and some guards are gonna get an ass kicking because of it." I said. "The hell are they doing? This isnt the plan!"

"They wanna burn all the Timber Wolves. They dont realize these could be ponies!" I looked to the pile of Timber Wolves and then to the nearest guard. I quickly got onto my Radio grabbing Spike's hand.

"EVERYONE HERE IS REPORTING TO PRINCESS TWILIGHT WHEN WE GET BACK! ALL OF YOU ARE GOING AGAINST ORDERS STAND DOWN THE LOT OF YA!" I saw a few back down. "C'mon! Stand down! STAND DOWN! If you dont PRINCESS CELESTIA WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS!" Few more did too until about half the platoon was holstering their guns. Some didnt holster but backed off anyways. Then there was a few more who didnt. "Alright! Five guards on me! Spike and I are going in to that den! The rest stay out here and watch! Nobody is to burn any of the damn Timber Wolves! They could end up being like the General! Any get up, put em down again!" I started hurrying for the cave entrance with Spike climbing onto my back. I had Miss Yearling following behind me. She had a flashlight on her vest and her flare gun at the ready. Guards followed closely as we went in. Cutting this short because I've been yammerin' on for a while. We put down a few of them screwy Timber Wolves and we went and burned some weird cursed totem. From what Miss Yearling said it was a totem from an ancient tribe who had gone and claimed this land way before Discord came around and planted the seeds to grow this place... No joke, asked the motherfucker himself and he just said it was his doing to try to reclaim Equestria while he was stuck inside stone. Looks like it failed hard. But Anyways we had to get back home. Had to have Miss Yearling fly back with a few guards while I helped with those who had changed back. Some ponies that apparently came up missing months ago. Some years maybe. There were maybe one or two actual Timber Wolves but we managed to keep an eye on em. Twilight had to send several choppers to get me and the others outta there. They make it look so easy in my games gettin' up into em.... Damn rope ladder... I ended up staying around until about sunrise because I needed to see about getting Ryder back into bed. He was found just on the outskirts of the forest and taken into surgery at the nearby hospital just to get twigs out, stitch up some bleeding spots and run a neural scan just to make sure he wasnt gonna do that again. Twilight wanted to make sure he stayed that way so we managed to keep him at the castle in a reinforced room that counteracts his strength just in case he did turn again. Stayed a few nights, did a little essay Twi had him do just to find out what it was like and just relax. Crazy night, crazier time knowin what the shit happened. Until next time everypony.