//------------------------------// // Month 2: Day 9: A Mare's Regret (Dash's POV) // Story: The Generals Sister // by Shizuo35 //------------------------------// Why did I do this to myself.... A sleepless night in a drunk tank for stealing my own cousin away from Princess Celestia. I stayed up all night just asking for a coffee every two hours. Might've been hell on my bathroom habits but screw it. It was me punishing myself for what I did. There was nowhere comfortable to sleep but I was just lucky to have a guard see my pain. It was the one who let me talk with Celestia... He's been helping me all night. He brought me coffee, escorted me to a private restroom but had a female guard help with the rest of the stuff in there. Had to be cuffed to even leave this drunk tank. No toilet in here and I'm glad nobody was getting wasted around this time of year.... Why there aren't any drunk pissed off people getting arrested who knows. I wanna bet just because Celestia is in town nobody is going to get sloppy drunk just in case she's out for a run. Don't wanna hit her and be known as a murderer. Anyways I was so tired I didn't even know what time it was. I've stayed up like this before but that was weeks ago when I was in the hospital just suffering from insane amounts of pain. Damn doctors didn't give me pain meds even when they thought they did. I stayed up all night waiting for the 'medicine' I took hours before and when I brought attention to it that I never got my meds the doctor taking care of me lost his job! Anyways I just sat there in the cell just looking outside the glass at a guard just making a little round about just to keep track of what ever the hell everyone else was doing. He just glanced in at me but knew I wasn't gonna be much of a problem. I sighed hugging my legs. "...Scoot... I really hope that wasn't some scripted stuff...." I said. "....I really am sorry for what I did.... Please don't hate me..." I whimpered and hung my head but I was still too tired to even cry. A few minutes passed while I was whimpering and a sweet sound came to my ears. The heavy metal door's heavy locks just giving a loud 'kerchunk'. I looked up and saw a guard with a bag of my things and my favorite energy drink. "Alright Miss Dash you're free to go. Someone even dropped by and left this can of Silver Snake energy drink for you." He said. "Kinda surprised you stayed up the whole night... Most of those taken in and shoved into cells sleep even if they're messed up mentally. Might wake up a few times during the night to freak out but at least they get something." He handed me the can and set my things beside me. He sat just across from me just as I cracked open the can. I huffed just looking at him. "....Do you have to be in here?" He gave a nod just as I took a sip of the fizzy energy drink. "Yeah Miss Dash I really do. Just making sure that thing didn't have any poisons injected into it. Always got a kit with antidotes ready and waiting. Believe me it happens a lot more than you think. Someone gets taken in for a misunderstanding, someone that hates them see them get arrested and next thing you know 'hey give this to Mr. A. He take medicine mixed in with this water' and boom the guy's frothing at the mouth, on the floor having convulsions or he's just gone. The mare that brought this one in was real sweet. Had Celestia on the phone, told me she was to be trusted." I set the can down giving a sigh. "May I asked what this mare looked like?" "Pink mane, yellow coat and Pegasus. Almost quiet as a mouse the way she speaks." I gave a sigh and a smile. "Fluttershy.... That's one of my friends...." I averted my gaze a bit. "...She's been.... She and I have been friends for a long time.... Grew up in Cloudsdale together, went through some tough times both with her and with me and even got split up until I moved here...." I just censored the hell out of myself. Even though Princess Cadence said mares can be in a relationship with other mares and the same with stallions, not many ponies approve of this stuff. Make it seem like we're dropping down under the ground to spend time with the source of evil. Well even though I censored myself the guard saw through it. "...Something says marefriend here." I blushed and nodded. "Ah no worries. I might be a guard but I see love as love no matter who's doing the loving. Not just because a princess declared that. I just have my coltfriend out in Griffonstone." I actually gave a bit of a smile. "....Is my marefriend still here? I kinda need a ride home...." He sighed as he stood up. "Afraid not. She left after dropping the drink off for you. I can let you use the stations payphone so you can call someone for a ride home. Guards aren't allowed to give rides to civilians ever since an escapee posed as a stallion who just got beaten in an alley. Stole the cruiser and sped off selling it to a chop shop." I grabbed my drink and my stuff standing up with his help. "Sorry if I ramble. I'm just bored here. They're wanting to give Celestia a bit of safety and comfort after that Canterlot attack. I bet the General's little sister was scared." That isn't something I thought about for a while... Canterlot getting attacked and Scoot just pissing herself during a nap the next day... Glad I was there to just comfort her. I sighed. "...She was.... That's the first time she's been in a situation that frightening...." He looked to me a bit confused. "That filly is actually my little cousin.... She was pretty scared even after being brought here..." We walked out into the hall. I sipped on my drink trying to wake up more but at least I knew who I was going to call up. Why didn't I bring my damn phone to the convention? He just gave a gasp. "Really? You're related to the General?" I gave a nod. "Well I'll be damned. I could swear his sister was all he had left in the form of family." I sighed. "....Nah.... As much as it hurts to say this he's got a lot more family... some not even blood related. Got a friend who basically treats him almost better than he does his actual sisters...." The guard gave a sigh. "I guess its ponies like you guys to keep him going.... I felt the General hurting insanely bad when we had to bring him in after those murders.... Spent most of the time in here either vomiting, screaming every now and then and almost having someone force feed him the way he was eating.... " I sighed as we got to the front desk. "....Can we just drop the talk about him...? Him being away is the reason I did what I did in the first place...." I just looked away as he sat in a seat and slid a desk phone towards me. I remember important numbers just in case shit hits the fan and I don't have my phone. Twilight helped me with that using a spell even for the others. "Yeah sure... Sorry if I just brought up something you didn't want to talk about... That war is taking its toll there on the front lines and here on the home front.... I got word from a buddy in Manehattan. Someones brother got called off for that war and he actually started to steal stuff to pull through until he got back only because his brother provided for them both...." He gave a sigh just propping his head up on his arm resting his elbow on the desk. I looked to him as I started dialing Gilda's number. Yeah I was calling her. She stayed in town for a while after I was healed but that's just because she was worried about Scootaloo. I think she might've told Pinkie or someone to pass off word to Celestia if there is ever something really important she needs to attend to and cant get anyone to watch her. Basically thinks a guard could molest her.... Don't blame her.... "Hey don't worry about it.... Might wanna perk up if you don't want the others thinking you don't want to be here. Get yourself a drink and forget about what we were talking about alright?" He gave a nod as I finished dialing and put the phone up to my ear. The phone buzzed a few times in my ear before I just got a voice recording from Gilda. "Hey dweeb if you're calling me and I didn't answer I'm either ignoring my phone or out doing something." She said. "Leave your name and number and I'll decode whether or not to call you back. Seeya!" I gave a huff a second before the beep. "Gil... Dash... Listen if you don't know already I got in a bit of trouble out in Cloudsdale at the convention.... I was shipped back to Ponyville but I'm in jail... Mind coming down to the precinct and give me a ride back to my place? I don't care if you take my bike or your car I just want to get home... I'll be waiting out front don't worry. You aren't gonna go inside at all. I'll see you soon..." My voice broke a bit at the end. Something told me that Gilda probably wouldn't come for a while but another part of me hoped she would. Yet that was a small part.... I pressed a few buttons sending the message off and hung the phone up grabbing my drink and sipping from it again. It was a bit warm but I didn't really care. I looked to the guard as I slid the phone back to him. "Hey sorry if your time was wasted on looking after my ass. You wont see me in here again for a while." He looked up at me and gave a chuckle as he pulled out a pen and a clip board. "Its fine. Its not like I see many mares in here anyways. You just got lucky with the princess is all." He said. "Before you leave you're going to need to sign this. Its a form saying you've received your belongings. If anything is missing check the box next to the 'I don't have my' line and write in what you're missing." I checked my bag, found everything I had at the convention which included my costume shirt, my pith helmet, my shoes (just so I don't use them as a weapon against the guards or choke myself with the shoe laces.) and even a little something I bought myself a little Wonderbolts key chain. Celestia trusted me to be uncuffed for just a moment to pay for the key chain. I left Gilda my keys to everything. Anyways I signed the form, took my stuff, put my shoes on and the helmet before leaving the station. It was pretty bright outside considering I haven't seen the sun since I left Cloudsdale and was tired as hell. I maybe sat on an electrical box for ten minutes drinking my energy drink. I glanced up at the castle that I pretty much helped build but couldn't really stare for long. The morning sun was just that blinding even if it was about seven am. That's just a guess. I just thought about Scootaloo.... just being all happy sitting in Twilight's TV room on Celestia's lap and probably laying her head on Applejack's lap as they watch cartoons or movies or probably playing a game with her too.... I got so deep into the thoughts I didn't even see Gilda pull up in her car. She honked startling me a bit even waking me up a little more. "DASH! GET YOUR ASS IN THIS CAR!" She yelled. I looked to her rubbing my eyes a bit and chugging the rest of my energy drink. Her car was a loaner from another friend of hers in town. It was a sports car with real flames painted onto it. Looked awesome. I grabbed everything and climbed in the car just reaching over and hugging Gilda who was dressed in my bathrobe and pajama's. She hugged back. "Damn... Never thought you'd be in there at all.... What happened?" I sat back in my seat and buckled up slamming the door shut. "....I messed up BAD...." I said. "...I tried to kidnap my cousin and dump her on my parents.... I miss her and her brother here... I see their place all empty and its.... It hurts like hell...." She huffed as I started tearing up slightly. "Hey c'mon Dash don't be a dweeb! Sure you tried to do something about Scootaloo but I can tell you she's comfortable with them... I remember the night on Scootaloo's birthday I was up getting a drink of water and on my way back I saw Princess Luna holding her as she cried.... She took her back to her place... That's why she stays with the princess. Your parents would just trap her in the house, drag her places she doesn't want to go and probably go off on her if she starts pissing her pants because she's scared about her dweeb of a brother." She pulled away from the curb and huffed. "....That very next morning I see Scootaloo come back happy... Luna was tired but she looked like she had accomplished something. Granted I was tired I just wanted to push myself and get to breakfast only to see how she was doing but I was wiped out...." I sighed. "....Yeah... That squirt told me she had a bad nightmare and wet herself.... Never knew what about but I was just getting a little worried." I yawned shifting around a bit in my seat. This energy drink wasn't doing shit.... "Now... Just take me home... I wanna get back to bed....." Gilda gave a nod and turned the radio on to the rock station but what came up was one of Ryder's favorite songs. I changed it to the other rock station and again there was another one of Ryder's favorites. Then I just turned it over to a pop station. I had a bit of a good song come on and it was one Fluttershy loved. She's been listening to pop a lot. Even when I was around her. She still wanted to choose songs from that karaoke Celestia bought her on Scoots birthday. Anyways we got back to my place and Gilda had to carry me and my stuff upstairs because somehow I got weak in the legs. Could barely stand up but Gil said it was the fatigue. Once we lied down in the bed I was OUT. But then I started to dream.... I dreamt I was just walking around the halls of Canterlot alone. Hands in my pockets, dressed in my wonderbolts motorcycle jacket, my jeans and my bike boots. I heard the echoes of Celestia's words echo out. "...Jail.... Trouble...." Was what I mostly heard. I walked all the way until I found the door to Princess Celestia's room. It's a pretty big door and hard to miss. It was where I heard all the voices coming from but that's when I heard Celestia talking with Scootaloo clear as day. "Scootaloo please don't be scared! Dash isn't in the castle! She cant get anywhere near it with all my guards around!" Celestia said. I carefully crept forward. "...B-but Princess! I could swear her motorcycle was outside on the road!" Scootaloo said. "She could've snuck in! She really wants to kidnap me again! DONT LET HER GET ME!" Celestia sighed. "Alright! You just... Just get in my bathroom! I'll go and scope the halls. You hear four knocks on this door its me. This door opens just lock the bathroom door and stay quiet! Try texting me if you must. Just. Stay. Silent!" My heart dropped and I stepped back only to trip over a guards foot. I saw no guards ANYWHERE! The guards aimed rifles in my face just before I had a chance to move. The large doors opened and there's Princess Celestia wearing armor and wielding a sawn off shotgun. "PRINCESS!" The guard to my right said. "We've captured Rainbow Dash infiltrating the castle! What are your orders to do with her?" I swallowed as the other guard brought me to my feet holding my arms behind my back. Celestia just surveyed me. I know I didn't really do this but I was pissing myself scared. She pulled back the cocking mechanism on her shotgun and got it ready. "You two back off.... She's mine...." The guards stepped away still aiming their guns at me. I wanted to move but I was frozen in place trembling. "....Dash.... Why have you come here? Have you come for forgiveness or to attempt to snatch Scootaloo away again?!" I tried to say something but I got gagged by my own mind. "Not talking? Well.... I'm going to assume someone here wants to kidnap Scootaloo again!Why do you want to do it? To give her a so called 'better' place to stay? She's safe WITH ME! She's happy WITH ME! ....She doesn't even care if she see's you again.... She's afraid of you.... She doesn't want you around here! Maybe I don't want you around here either!" She aimed the gun in my face and I just clenched my eyes shut. Then the gunshot rang out. I woke up screaming making Gilda roll out of bed. I looked around at all the Wonderbolts memorabilia and my trophies. Even a little picture of me, mom and dad and Ryder when we were younger but maybe that'll come another time if Ryder can tell that story. Anyways Gilda climbed back up on the bed just in her black bra and panties just looking freaked out as I curled up and started to sob. "Dash?! What the hell? What happened?!" I uncovered myself just now finding out I was stripped down to my underwear but I just didn't care. I got up without saying a word and ran out feeling my stomach churn. My bathroom was a door down from my room and I didn't even get close to the toilet before losing it. Going down that energy drink tasted great but coming back up.... You'd have a better taste if you ate a rotting apple. I was just on my hands and knees over a puddle of that tossed energy drink as Gilda came behind me and pulled me out leaning me against the wall. "....F-fuck.... that did n-not feel.... good...." I said. "What's wrong? What made that scream come from you? You get a bad stomach ache? A cramp?" I sniffled just wiping my drool away. "....Just... Clean up... get me my phone and some clothes... I'll be downstairs t-trying to calm down...." She was about to just say I should help or go back to bed and rest but she knows me... I push hard no matter how I'm feeling. Okay maybe I was fooling around with Gilda when I was all busted up the first day she got here. I was in the actual hospital and not Twilight's infirmary and I even had my own room since a few doctors know me... I don't want someone puking next to me, groaning in pain next to me or sneezing or doing what ever. But you can pretty much tell what happened next. Gilda gave a nod and stood me up carefully. I wobbled slightly but managed to keep myself balanced as I made my way towards the stairs holding close to the wall just in case. Even used the guard rail walking the stairs. Once downstairs I went to the kitchen and grabbed a ginger ale from my fridge and went into my living room. It wasn't much of a living room but it had a flat screen about thirty two inches, a DVD player and a DVR so I could record some shows while I'm working out in the other room. I just sat there for about ten minutes just taking deep breaths, small sips from my drink and just making sure my stomach was settled. Gilda came down bringing me a bit of clothes to get into and a stashed candy bar for when Scootaloo comes over or for when I just decide to screw around with my diet. She came up and set my clothes down next to me and sat on the arm of the couch. "....You all better?" I gave a nod setting my drink down and grabbing a long sleeve shirt from my clothes. This one was a grey and green one featuring a classic movie title I just love. It was basically a guard getting super powers in a jungle after getting stabbed in the chest by a magical crystal. Basically stopped what ever war it was from going to hell. "...Good.... You scared the crap out of me..... Got me up from a deep and dead sleep!" I sighed pulling the garment over my head and squeezing my wings through the little holes in the back. "....Sorry Gil... Got a real scare in a nightmare.... I was... I got shot...." I looked to her. "...Point... blank... WITH a shot gun! Sawn off too!" She cringed as she opened up the candy bar for me as I grabbed the green camo pair of pants. "Damn that is killing range! I'm so sorry you had that dream... That just sounds so horrible!" I took a bite of the candy bar right from her hand as I slipped my pants on. "That's not even the worst part of it!" I had to arch my back and just hike those pants up to get them on to button them. "The gun was held by.... Bah...." Yeah the candy bar was gunking my mouth up. I had to chew it up and swallow it just to talk. "The friggen gun was being held by Princess CELESTIA!" Gilda gave a cringe so deep you'd think Ryder was watching one of his friends get castrated with a shotgun that has explosive rounds in it. I play way too many of Ryder's games sometimes... Well... Ryder's and Big Mac's.... Stopped by AJ's place one day just out of boredom next thing you know its two in the morning and AJ and I are blasting each other with guns of every size and shape. "DAMN! Now that must've been horrible to have happen! Why don't you just go to the castle and apologize for what happened? They have to let you right?" I shook my head eating the candy bar again. "...Celestia banned me from the castle for a few days... I cant do shit..." I grabbed my drink again and took a few big gulps of it nearly emptying the can. It tasted a bit off with the lingering taste of chocolate and nuts in my mouth but I didn't care. Gilda just gave a hum before gasping a moment later. "What about calling one of your friends you know that's at the castle? Twilight could let you talk with Celestia and see if you can try speaking with your little cousin." I looked to her. "You bring my phone down here?" She shook her head. "Well go get it! I asked you to bring it down here! Bring my shoes and the keys to my bike too!" My griffon friend rolled her eyes and got up saying nothing else but she wasn't ticked. She knows she messed up somewhere. I kinda hope she cleaned my puke well... Kinda glad I didn't piss myself in bed... That actually happened a few weeks before Ryder was called off for war. Scootaloo was staying at my place while AJ and Ryder were just spending some much needed alone time to do what ever they wanted because their jobs made them stressed as all hell. Applejack was bucking apples, putting them in buckets and helping Big Mac put them in the truck, Ryder caught four guys that were putting date rape drugs in mares drinks at bars. One idiot apparently tried a basketball shot trying to do it. Pill hit the bartender and they basically had to replace everyone's drink because of the pill and Ryder must've spotted his ass right away. Anyways Gilda came down the stairs with my bike keys, my sneakers and my phone. She dropped my keys and shoes on the table while handing me my phone. "Sorry about that... Kinda still scared by why you puked I guess..." "Don't worry... I'm fine now... I think I just didn't have anything in my stomach and that energy drink i had reacted with my stomach acids...." I turned my phone on and it only had half battery. Not bad for being in jail all night. I quickly went into my contacts and scrolled to my little 'friends' package and tapped it. It's got everyone. AJ, Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight and Pinkie. I have a few others in there such as Gilda, Fluttershy's friend Tree Hugger, not sure why but Discord.... Anyways I tapped on Twilight's contact and it started calling her up. "...Really hope this works Gilda...." The griffon at my side said nothing as I put my phone to my ear hearing the buzzing. It went on for about a minute because Twilight always needs time to get to the phone if its piled under a stack of papers or what not. But this wasn't the case. It went to the voice mail. "Heeeey! Princess Twilight here!" My phone said. "Sorry I couldn't get to your call! I'm busy with friendship problems or reading in my spell books! Sorry again! Leave a message!" I gave a quick huff before the beep. "....Hey Twi... It's... It's Dash.... Do you think you can try and call me back or at least talk with Celestia to see if i can at least see Scootaloo? Please? I need to speak with her and say I'm sorry!" I teared up a bit. "Just... Text or call me... Please. If I don't answer call Gilda okay? Bye." I hit a few more buttons sending the message off and shoved my phone in my pocket. Gilda handed me my shoes giving a sigh. "No answer huh?" She asked. I shook my head and started to put my sneakers on. "Well... You think I should drive over to the castle and at least try and ask for your cousins forgiveness personally? I bet I can buy you at least a minute with Scootaloo!" I looked to her as I laced my shoes up. "Gil you'll just get mad when they throw you out. If they aren't gonna answer me they aren't going to answer to any questions about me even if it is from a caring friend." She gave a smile just handing my keys to me and helping me up off the couch. "Where ever you're headed to be careful. I don't want you to get hurt on that bike of yours!" I smiled and hugged her. "Don't worry! I'll be fine! Honest!" But how could I know with what's going on in my head right about now I don't really know. Not long later I was out riding my sports bike. This thing was bestowed upon me by Princess Luna herself after we changed her back from Nightmare Moon. Apparently Celestia stole it from somepony and he just gave it to her before she gave it to Luna. Anyways I just thought of where I could go just to talk with someone or just buy something to eat but I just thought of Scootaloo crying because she was just scared of me. I passed by Ryder's place first... Empty as it was I still felt like he put his car in the garage and hid from everyone. Then I passed by Sugarcube Corner. Cakes had it closed today for some reason. Babies were sick I think. Carousel boutique. No Rarity. Fluttershy's place. Obvious. No Fluttershy. I didn't dare turn down any street that lead to the castle. I even made sure at every light. I looked to where the castle was when I was either turning left or right. There's actually one road that leads straight to her castle. One smackdab in the middle of Ponyville. After finding nowhere in Ponyville I could go to I thought a little outside Ponyville. Sweet Apple Acres. Yeah I know what you're thinking. AJ isn't anywhere there. She's with Princess Celestia and my friends but that didn't stop me because I knew someone just HAD to be there. Big Mac. He's like the only brother that's close with the Elements of Harmony. I know Shining Armor but he's off in the Crystal Empire most of the time. Anyways I pulled up at the house in the orchard and right in front was Big Mac washing the truck Ryder smashed. He was wearing a black tank top and jean shorts. Something I would probably see his cousin Braeburn wearing. He just looked up at me and smiled as I took my helmet off. "Well there's that troublemaker!" He said mocking me. "They let you out early because you actually took a stallion for once?" I blushed and got my helmet ready like I was about to throw it. "Kidding! Kidding!" I huffed. "Don't go joking like that! You know I'm in love with Fluttershy!" He gave a little hum as he walked over to me leaving his truck a bit wet still. "Last time I checked you were with AJ.... The hell happened to that?" I sighed and tucked my helmet under my arm. "...She broke up with me yesterday at a fast food joint saying its not working out the way I acted and I gotta say she's right...." He hugged me as I just looked away. "....I wanted to do something she really didn't want me to do and I'm kinda glad I didn't do that at first.... But It just led to me getting yelled at by everyone in the truck.... Celestia even forced me to go to another truck...." He gave a slight aw taking my helmet. "That sucks... C'mon. Lets get inside. I can wash the truck later." I gave a nod and hugged myself following him. Just as we got to the door my stomach growled and I kinda got a little sick. Threw up in my mouth a bit just spitting off to the side. He looked at me a little bit worried. "Uh... Everything alright? You ain't getting sick are you?" I huffed. "...Nah... Just don't have anything in my stomach... I refused dinner last night and never got breakfast this morning... Couldn't hold much down with my emotions spiking up everywhere...." He hung an arm around me walking me inside the house setting my helmet on a hook meant for AJ's hat for when she's breaking from work. "Hey c'mon now... You sit down and I'll cook up a few hayburgers just for you. That sound good for you?" I gave a nod. He knows how I like my hayburgers. Seasoned with a little bit of pepper and garlic salt. Actually tastes reaaaaally good! Try it sometime! Anyways I sat on the couch just holding my slightly churning stomach. He walked over to the kitchen and grabbed one of Applebloom's juice boxes from the fridge and tossed it over to me. It landed next to me. Just picked it up, stuck the straw in and damn it tasted like heaven. I took a few sips of it before giving a little sigh having that calm my nerves and my stomach. "That should keep what ever you got down." He looked back in the fridge but just as he did that I could hear his stomach growled. Just sprang back up blushing. He looked at me giggling. "I guess I didn't each much yesterday either.... Only had a few small bags of chips watching the girls while you guys were out screwing around in Cloudsdale..." He grabbed a little thing of cheddar cheese and grabbed a stick of butter. "Maybe we should make something quick like Grilled Cheese... It's light and done quick. Anything you'd want on it?" "You actually have any chips to go with that grilled cheese?" He gave a nod grabbing a loaf of sourdough bread from one of the cupboards. While he made that stuff I decided to just sprawl out on the couch to relax. TV was set to cartoons that I just loved. It was a transforming robot that just raced around saving ponies without anyone seeing. Once or twice the robot did reveal his form but they know how to keep a secret. Kinda like A.K. Yearling and the Element mares. SHIT shouldn't have said that but.... you wont tell right? But anyways that juice kept me awake and feeling pretty much alright. Big Mac sat next to me and let me lie down on his lap after I was done eating. It kinda felt nice laying on my best friends slash ex marefriend's brother's lap. Maybe the most comfortable I've felt that close to a stallion's junk. Anyways he looked down at me after he took his last bite. "You all good now Dash?" I gave a nod curling up a bit. "That's good... Ryder might be away but I don't want his family going to hell.... Gotta make sure they're happy and in shape until he returns. Don't wanna see you just all skin n bone when he gets back. Certainly don't want you busted up at all either. You gotta be careful on that bike of yours in this condition. Or in any condition for that matter." "I know... Always am careful. Scoot's been on that bike a few times and she could even say I've been safe..." I sighed just curling up even more grabbing a pillow from the couch. I held it close thinking I was holding Scootaloo shielding her from someone who wanted to hurt her. Ever since my aunt and uncle were murdered I've feared for Scootaloo's and Ryder's lives.... Mostly Scootaloo's.... Rarity told me she saw their bodies and just went haywire... I don't doubt it because AJ said the same thing when she dropped her off in tears. I even thought Ryder was in the car until Scoot told me he was in jail for saving her while I bathed her. She was covered in shit, piss and her own puke. That's how bad she was. I thought I was going to have to get Twilight to tinker around with her mind with her magic and... well you can pretty much guess what i'd wanted her to do. Anyways Big Mac gave a huff and rested a hand on my side. "...Hey hey... no cryin'.... this is a tear free household and I aim to see that no tears are shed from anything. Enough heartbreak and sadness has happened here and I don't want anymore...." I could hear his voice weaken towards the end. I knew what he meant. The truck, his parents, Ryder 'betraying' him. Things that I just knew. I felt his hand tense up as he grabbed my arm. "....M-maybe I should call AJ... See if she can get a ride back here... Could probably help you better than I can...." I sniffled sitting up and wiping a tear from my eye. "....No worries... You're just... you're helping me a bit.... Just take a deep breath and calm down alright?" He nodded and took a few deep breaths just as I did. My tears subsided while his breaths actually got a bit shaky. I hugged him and shushed him consoling him. "....You're okay.... I've got you you big softee you...." He grabbed a hold of me like I was Applejack and cried over my shoulder. "Just let it out.... Tell Dash what's got you down...." He sniffled. "....Just... These damn nightmares.... They've been messing with my mind..... I thought talking to Ryder would help me but.... its just making them worse.... Just the other day I just... I started pissing the bed that day we came to Canterlot.... just this mornin' I woke up to what I thought was a gun shot.... All it was was just a bowl of popcorn falling off the foot of my bed onto the floor and shattering..... I thought Ry just shot me in the face! I thought he even shot his own sister!" He started crying harder. He was just scared out of his gourd. "....I've had dreams like that.... A few days after Ry left I dreamt he came back covered in blood.... He came at me with a machete and slit my throat and watched me die laughing like a maniac.... I could swear he was wearing his sister's feathers as a head dress...." My tears came back with force and I started shaking again. "....I just... I even had a dream the other night... just.... begging me to take Scoot from Celestia.... I dreamt Celestia was assassinated and Scoot was in the crosshairs too... I just...." I clenched my eyes shut and started bawling. I didn't see this but I felt it. He pulled me onto his lap, picked me up and walked me somewhere. At the moment I couldn't tell where but he put me on a bed or something soft where he just held me tight as I cried myself to sleep. But then hell broke lose in my head. I was shoved into a dilapidated Ponyville. The only thing around me was just my bike, broken buildings and a burnt and destroyed castle. I hopped on my bike and somehow I had a machine pistol. I started driving around slowly having my bike's engine bounce off the wall's. I couldn't control where my bike was going but it was heading right for the castle only to die at the doors. "DASH! HEEELP!" I hear Scootaloo's voice scream out. I hopped off my bike and running off with my weapon ready. I zeroed in on a building just across the street. A small office, tax place. I ran up and peered inside seeing a few ponies. Stallions, my cousin and Princess Celestia. Celestia and Scootaloo were on their knees scared as one of the three stallions walked in front of them with a pistol at the ready. I busted through the window, aimed my gun and just as the stallion fired at Celestia things just stopped. I whimpered looking around and aiming the gun at the stallions just ready for one of them to charge me. No one moved. Not even when I tried moving anyone. But then I heard a sigh that startled me causing me to aim my now nonexistent gun behind me. When I did that I just saw Princess Luna looking relieved wearing a tank top and sweat pants. "...That would've been hard to see again...." She said. "Are you alright Dash? No injuries in the dream world?" I shook my head. "Good.... Sometimes you feel a ghostly gunshot wound or scrape whilst I feel the real thing..." I dropped my arms to my side and dropped to my knees. She knelt down next to me. "Come on speak! Don't choke on thy tongue!" I took a deep breath and hugged her. "....I.... I regret what I did..." I said. "....This dream.... This nightmare here.... Its what pushed me to do what I did.... I don't want Scootaloo in danger, I don't want her anywhere I don't know where she is and.... that attack in Canterlot.... It made me start thinking...." She huffed. "There there.... it's alright.... You should know Celestia and I are armed, trained in close combat and have the most armored transports when we travel across Equestria... Just look!" She pushed me back a bit and pulled a revolver from her cleavage. It was customized with her colors and her cutie mark on the handle. "You don't have to worry about me using this in here... This thing hasn't seen much action since the attack at Canterlot. Celestia used it to defend herself but not a single round was fired off. Everyone was really scared.... Even Scootaloo but she was very safe. Other than a little scare and emotional pain she was just fine.... put faith in my sister and realize she can protect Scootaloo.... She is safe in our hands...." "....And... And how do I know that....? You and Celestia are the most important ponies in Equestria... ponies out there would want your heads on a silver plate...." She wiped tears from my eyes that I just had no clue were even there. "...Dash... The day either of our heads are on a platter is the day the world is burned to a crisp or crushed. Either of us would try and keep everything going but we would spiral in depression and end everything with what ever we control.... You can count on us to save Scootaloo if there is ever trouble...." She stood up bringing me onto my feet as well and changed everything from a freaky Ponyville to the endless Canterlot hallways right at Celestia's door. It was the same scene except I wasn't in between guards getting my head blown off. "You might fear Celestia the way she has treated you at the convention but I assure you she feels regret for being hard on you with your emotions about Scootaloo and Ryder. I've seen that dream before.... It frightened me to where I wet myself." She blushed a bit. "...But again... things wont ever get that bad.... Scootaloo will be alright and Ryder will return just as he was. May have a slight emotional tear in his psyche but I can fix it. Scootaloo isn't scared of you but she's scared of what you might be becoming.... I spoke with Scootaloo last night and she was scared that you'd snap just like that mare Ryder was dating before AJ.... She was a real nutcase." Wouldn't I know it? She was a crazy bitch who I wanted to pin under my bike and lay down on the throttle. That bad. I sniffled a bit. "Really....? Scoot's afraid of me becoming that crazy bitches replacement?" Luna nodded as she changed our surroundings to the rainbow falls of Cloudsdale. I always loved this place. It was the best place I would be as a child. When I had a bad day at school I'd always be here just watching a few of the older Wonderbolts preform solo routines or just to watch the rainbow waters flow. Sometimes my dad would find me and sit with me just to make it seem like everything was okay when I had a few bruises from a fight or my mane all messed up with a few parts pulled out. It happened to me once and the kids that did it got expelled. Anyways she took my hand and we started to walk. "Yes.... Scootaloo wishes to see you. Celestia wishes for you to come yet all of your friends don't trust you enough to let you back in to the castle until your banishment is lifted. They would go out to find you but the guards that would be with them would prevent you from getting within five feet of them. They'd probably pounce her thinking you might be trying to pull a weapon or trying to suffocate one of them till they pass out or something. And from what I can tell just from the tension in your mind you don't trust yourself either." She's.... She's right. I don't. "You're scared to even be near them just for a reaction like what had happened in the castle dream. There's still no worries about a startle like that. We aren't permitted to carry anything bigger than our concealable weapons. Basically nothing bigger than a sheathed knife and our pistol's which we might have to change soon... These things are a bit uncomfortable if the chambers switch..." She stopped but just before she was about to warn me I tripped and fell into a large pool of rainbow water. I was under for a good few seconds splashing about trying to figure out which way was up before coming to the surface. "SONOVA BITCH!" I yelled disturbing the yellow and blue colors in front of me. "This is one thing that I fucking HATE! Getting my clothes all wet!" I crawled my way through the water and onto the land where I flapped my wings shaking the rainbows off them, flipped my mane aside out of my eyes. Luna helped me up cringing a bit yet I didn't have any clue why. "No offense but you could've warned me you were about to stop... I'm a mover you know." She used her magic and got a drying pulse sending all the rainbow water away. "Dash! I am so sorry! I-If you hurry up and get yourself awake and clean up fast I can meet you at Twilight's castle in an hour if need be!" I looked to her kinda confused. "What the hell are you talking about? Why would you need to meet me at the-" Just then the area around us started to shake. The falls turned to ice and shattered around us and just as something was about to hit me in the face I woke right up. The worst part of this was I was on top of Big Mac who was shaking a bit. "Dash!" He said just as my eyes opened slowly. "Dash c'mon wake up! You're havin' a nightmare!" I reached up and rubbed my eyes. The room around me felt a bit muggy and smelled kinda bad. I groaned and propped myself up on Big Mac's chest. "....Well no duh you sweaty sucker... You're probably glad you didn't see it... Might've made things worse for you...." I started to climb off of my friends brother but something just didn't feel right... My pants stuck to me and they felt warmer right between my legs. My mind went to one thing as I sat next to Big Mac my legs still under the covers. "Uh... Big Mac....Did you piss your pants....? I mean we were both crying pretty hard..." He shook his head. "....I didn't... I've been trying to get you up for the past five minutes because ... well... You pissed your pants...." I blushed hard as he stripped the covers off us. There was a huge stain on my pants, his shorts and the sheets under us. I brought my legs up and hugged my knees just about ready to cry. He sighed and got out of bed just taking his pants off. He came over to the other side of the bed just picking me up. I didn't move unless that was just to grab onto him as he carried me out of the room. He shushed me as I sobbed slightly as he carried me up the stairs and setting me down in AJ's room. "Here.... Grab some of AJ's clothes and get yourself changed. I'll be right back after I strip my bed." I didn't give him any answer in any form. Not a nod. No words. Not even a middle finger. I'm just that embarrassed. He closed the door to AJ's room leaving me just to get up and grab the spare pair of boxers I have stashed here. I only wore the bra and panties for my costume. Basically made them ride up on me and give me a wedgie. The pants I grabbed were.... Well... I grabbed her skinny jeans but I tossed them back after they were a bit too big for my waist. I just put my other pants back on and walked out of the room with my panties in hand. The warm wetness in my hand just made me remember what that nightmare did with my mind. I just had to humiliate myself and I just knew how. Not long later I was sitting on a towel in the front passenger seat of Big Mac's truck driving down the road of Sweet Apple Acres. He looks to me as I crossed my arms. ".....You sure you're wanting to do this after that nightmare...? We could seriously wait for a few while I do a bit of laundry to clean up those pants! I could even lend you one of my pairs of shorts to tie up. You'd fit!" I huffed. "No... I'm not hiding my shame for what I've done.... I just want Scoot to know I'm sorry for what I did and I just cant let this go on any longer...." Honestly I haven't wet my bed in a month. Nobody has seen it until now but everyone knew because of Ryder's big mouth and my mocking antics towards his ass... Big Mac is the only other one who has seen me wet myself in my sleep. Anyways he looked back to the road as I turned the radio on. What came on was one of Ryder's songs but this time I left it on. It was a Metallicolt song called Crazy I think.... Meh... Didn't care but it did perk me up a bit and made me get my mind off of what lied ahead. The castle. The drive felt like hours to me when in reality it was just a few minutes. We pulled up to the front of the castle where I see four guards at the door just speaking to each other. Seemed like two were on patrol while the others were just guarding the doors for me. Big Mac got out of the truck as I sat frozen having my cold wet pants lie on my legs. Big Mac came around to my side and opened the door helping me out. All I could do was hide behind him as we walked towards the door. The guards looked to us making me grip the stallions shirt tighter. One went to his radio and walked away but the other three just stood there and just stared at me. Sure they could've been looking at Big Mac but they were looking through him like he was transparent. We stopped feet away. "Sir!" One of the guards said. "I'm sorry if she's here for you but under Princess Twilight's orders she is not to be allowed in." Big Mac huffed. "Well she's gotta get in there to apologize!" He said. "I just found her at my home, doubled over throwing up because she's freaking out thinking her little cousin is either mad or scared of her! You've gotta let us both in!" The guard shook his head. "Nope. No can do on that." Big Mac pried me off and approached the guards getting closer. "I've got a direct line to your general.... I could have him contacted and let a few details slip on why you wont let us in to the castle and you will be gone! Do you understand me?" They all stayed quiet. "Then I suggest letting us in! We'll agree to a few conditions." I looked up at the castle just hoping they would come to a decision that allowed me and Big Mac to go in. It felt like a while before I heard them. "Alright. You can enter but we have to cuff the mare and walk with her." Big Mac huffed. "Cuff her, let me walk with her and you follow? Few feet should be good." The guards looked to each other while I just took a few deep breaths. They looked to Big Mac and sighed. "Fine. But if she makes a break for it both of you are getting tossed out! Understood?" Big Mac glanced back at me. I nodded. He looked back at the guards. "Yeah. Better. Go on and cuff her. Hand her off to me when you're done." The guards nodded and went for me on my left and my right. I didn't move but I think I peed a little more. They grabbed my hands and forced them behind me slapping each bracelet on my wrist. The cold metal felt like ice as Big Mac walked over and grabbed me knowing each one was secure. He just fed his arm right under my armpit and walked with me towards the door. He looked to me. "You holding up okay?" He asked whispering. I gave a hesitant nod. "...yeah.... Just.... just get me up to Scoot...." I said. "....I owe you for this.... thanks...." "Hey don't worry... This one's on me. Just being nice is all...." Yeah. Kinda felt nice knowing he did that for me but I was still scared of what would happen. We walked all the way upstairs and into the halls. I heard everyone laughing but my heart sank lower and lower each step I took. One guard rushed past us which startled me shoving me closer to Big Mac who just rubbed my shoulder. Again a nice feeling. Suddenly I hear the laughter stop and a growl. "DAAAASH!" I heard Twilight yell. Not even a second later she comes out with that guard at her side. One of them just looking pissed off being my friend. Big Mac got between me and Twilight. "Big Mac! Out of my way! She's not allowed in here and I don't want to have to have you thrown out too!" "Well I aint moving until she gets to apologize to Scootaloo!" He looked back at me as I started tearing up. Even rested a hand on Twilight's shoulder. "You tell me that a cuffed mare who's pissed her pants waking up from a nightmare scared that she'd either die or have her little cousin be scared of her or hate her aint broken! If that looks like a normal mare then I'll leave right now!" Twilight looked at me closely as I just let a few sobs. Tears ran down my cheeks. "....Please Twilight..." I whispered. "....Let me see Scootaloo.... I stayed up all night.... not sleeping... not eating.... all I had today was an energy drink that I threw up, a grilled cheese and a small handful of chips.... those feel like they could just come out at any moment.... do you not want to see me happy and back to my old self...?" She looked around my back and saw my wings with my feathers just all out of place and my wings just showing all my emotion. I try to suppress that a lot but this time I just had to show this. It runs in the family. My mom did it. Ryder's mom did it and even Ryder and Scootaloo do it themselves. That's when Twilight sighed. She looked to her guard. "Uncuff her. I'll watch her from this point on." She said. The guard nodded and got the cuff keys ready. He unlocked one bracelet and I instantly hugged Twilight with one arm while he unlocked the other. Twilight hugged me and shushed me. "There we go Dash.... Ban's lifted..." Big Mac pried me off her and took my hand. Twilight did the same as she wiped a tear from my eye. She looked to Big Mac. "Big Mac... You think you can bring Scootaloo and Celestia to my room in a few? I kinda wanna change Dash into something more comfortable." Big Mac nodded and went for the room as we passed. I got a big enough window to see Celestia holding Scootaloo's hand as she tried escaping. Scoot glanced up at me for a second looking a bit worried. "Dash!" She said. She turned and tried pulling her arm right out of reach of Celestia's but she didn't want to let go. I couldn't exactly see Celestia's facial expression but something hoped it was a smile. When Twilight and I got to her room she stood me near the wall having me take my pants off. The boxers kinda got a tad stained with it so I had to remove those only having my shirt to cover my bare ass. Twilight hummed as she looked through her drawers for a moment. "....You know... Last night I cried seeing you like that... I might not've shown it at the convention but when we got back I saw Scootaloo off to sleep and locked myself in my bathroom just to cry... I can even say Pinkie cried when we were on the ride home. Maybe after we have Scoot and Celestia here we get you and Pinkie to hug it out..." I sniffled. "...I'm sorry about that Twi... I just hate not seeing Ryder..." I said. "Before he left he and I were visiting each other almost every day even if he was with AJ... My mind wanted to make myself a temporary Ryder.... Mostly so Scootaloo could feel more comfortable.... I know she's comfortable with Celestia but.... I was fooled by my mind that she wasn't...." She tossed me a pair of panties and some pajama pants. Pink isn't my color but I had to take what I could get. "I had a feeling... Luna called Celestia a little while ago saying she was thrown out of your dream.... She got worried about you.... I just didn't think I'd be seeing you soon... Thought maybe Celestia would tell us to meet you somewhere like your place." I huffed as I put the clothes on before walking over to Twilight's bed and sitting down. "Speaking of my place Twi.... You think you can call Gilda and tell her where I am...? I think I lost my phone at Sweet Apple Acres...." She gave me a smile and nodded. Just then a knock came to the door. She walked to the door and opened it and I got a smile seeing Scootaloo run right in. She hopped into my lap as Princess Celestia ducked under the door frame. She had a relieved look on her face. "Dash... I am so sorry for that harsh punishment...." She said. "Applejack told me that Scootaloo woke up crying and stayed up the rest of the morning just because she was scared of losing you to being arrested... She's just running on a few soda's right now but maybe she could use a nap soon..." I looked to Scootaloo who just had bags under her eyes. She even yawned cuddling up to me as she hugged me. "Scoot... I'm so sorry I hurt you yesterday.... I hate seeing you without Ryder...." She gave me a kiss on the cheek. "...It's alright..." She said. "...Princess Luna said you were scared... I just.... I just wanted to be sure that you'd be alright...." "....Don't worry... I'll be fine as long as nothing bad ever happens to you... If something happens to Celestia you can expect me to be here at your side to make sure you're going to be alright...." I looked to Celestia. "...That is if I'm allowed to spend the night even after what happened...." Celestia smiled a bit. "I can say you might stay a few nights and work off the rest of your trouble..." She said. "Tonight... you're going to have a freebie but tomorrow you're going to get right to work. I'll have Twilight work on a list and hopefully you might be able to serve us as a guard would." Of course. Day one of Ryder's work. Hope they don't make me panic and faint like he did. I gave a smile and held Scootaloo close. "Thank you princess! I'll be at the top of my game! I promise!" She gave a laugh. "Good good! Maybe you can do one small job today...." She pointed at me. I looked down and saw Scootaloo just passed out sucking her thumb a bit. It was so adorable! I don't think she has ever done it before. "Diaper her up and make sure she sleeps well... Someone will be by in an hour or two to wake you for dinner." I gave a nod and well... nothing much happened after I changed her. Probably because I slept all night because I was that tired. At least I woke up to have Scootaloo still in my bed. But that was probably around three in the morning. I just went back to sleep there. Anyways I should just shut up. I'm actually hoping to hear from Ryder soon to know how he's doing. I haven't heard from him since Scootaloo's birthday. Later.