Well tonight I'm at my sisters new safe house. It's got everything a mare could ask for of my sisters wealth. And mine too I guess. I was playing on a handheld game I had gotten a while ago. An RPG game making weird animals with powers fight other animals with powers. Fluttershy wouldn't like this. Just as I hit the other creature with a firey blaze attack my handheld device died. Lucky me I saved before the fight. I sighed letting the game go onto my open suitcase at the edge of the bed. I had to change from my dress into a pair of jeans and a tee with a golden amulet in a design around my neck in the shape of a triangle with three squares forming said triangle in the middle. I got up and sighed. "...Scootaloo is asleep, Celestia is out of it and so is Sparkplug for that matter. I could swear she only takes naps during the day to stay awake for night concerts with her band mates!" I said to myself. I walked out into the hall stretching my wings a bit. Surprisingly there were only a few night guards in the hallway. One guarding the top of the steps on my side and one near Celestia's and Scootaloo's bedroom doors. I can say a lot of things had changed with me and my sister since that little filly came to Canterlot. Normally this request would've been denied and we would've sent her somewhere where she probably didn't want to go. At first she didn't want to come with us but she had warmed up to us as if we were part of her family.
Anyways a yawn I let escape startled the closest guard I was approaching causing him to turn around and just bow in respect to me. "Good evening Princess!" He said. "Is there anything you need? Anything you wish for me to do??" I shook my head.
"Nope... Nothing you can do. Maybe find some new batteries for my handheld in my bags? I need something to drink right now but I'll be fine getting that on my own." Yeah I really am. Before I left Canterlot today I snagged a few of my energy drinks and had them stowed away in the fridge here at the mansion. I even marked them 'Keep away from Celestia and Scootaloo!' I walked down the stairs and went straight for the kitchen but... I just couldn't help but think. What would I do to occupy myself tonight? Fly around outside? Nope. Too dangerous. Play video games? Not the ones Celestia grabbed for Scootaloo. Draw? Please. I'm over a thousand years old. I don't draw unless I want feel like it and if its for somepony I care for. I've gone as far as waking Celestia for an hour just so I could have someone to talk with who didn't always agree with anything I said like a guard. They're afraid to say no because they don't want to accidentally make a choice that could end up getting me killed or them fired. Celestia told me she asked a guard maybe a few months before my return if she should go to a bar and drink with the commoners. He said no and apparently that didn't stop my sister from ruining a meeting next day with a hangover and a stomach bug. When I went to the TV room I just sat down on the long couch.
I grabbed the remote and turned the TV on just to get some cartoons going. Although... these cartoons didn't really interest me. Most of this crap was just learning about sharing and all that little kid crap. I once was out in Manehattan during nightmare night and there was this child in a shop who thought everything was a toy and took away everything from his parents trying to play with it. He threw a huge tantrum which really embarrassed the family in front of me. Anyways I sat for a while sipping my drink while flipping through channels but nothing on. Channels from EVERYWHERE and nothing. That's when I got an idea to keep me occupied for a while. My job but with someone who had nothing better to do in his condition. Ryder. Believe it or not I chug these energy drinks. I did a quick chug and a quick stop at the bathroom for a quick emptying before sneaking into my sisters room to grab a diaper from her little cupboard. I actually found it so cute seeing Scootaloo and my sister cuddled up so closely. I was jealous of her as much as Ryder was of his sister. Anyways I snagged a diaper and hid in her bathroom just to put it on under my jeans which did make my butt bigger but I didn't care. This could take a while and I could wet myself when it takes too long. Or if I cant excuse myself long enough for a restroom break. I told a few guards to not bother me and I resided to my room where I opened up another door to Ryder's dream realm. When I got there I see nothing but blackness and the echo of crying. "...Please... Let me wake up... Tell me this is all a nightmare and not real.... TELL ME!" I hear Ryder cry out. I hurry through the darkness until things start appearing. A room of destruction and fear ripping off the wallpaper. I found Ryder in plain clothes (A pair of jeans, red canvas sneakers and a long sleeve Gems and Tulips shirt) just collapsed onto his hands and knees looking at what looked to be the clothes his sister wore when she came to us except they were torn, burnt and just heart wrenching. I knelt down next to him and pulled him up. He immediately started crying hard.
"Ryder! Ryder calm down! What happened here? Do you know what went on?" He pushed off of me and went towards a busted out window.
"THEY TOOK HER! THEY NABBED SCOOTALOO AND HURT HER!" I grabbed Ryder and slapped him across the face a few times before grabbing his shirt.
"Listen Ryder! She's fine! These are the drugs of yours talking! You're freaking out because you've never had this numb of a feeling before! Take a deep breath and calm down!" He took a deep breath and hugged me. I could feel him relax and loosen up only leaking a bit in his pants slightly. "There... You feel better now?" He nodded into my shoulder. He stepped away from me for me to see the small stain on his crotch which he covered a bit embarrassed with his hands. "Don't fret its alright. Who ever is watching you should be able to clean you up and aid you with using the restroom whilst asleep. Those unicorn medics know a spell so your bladder and bowels can be relaxed so you don't end up having an accident while you're out cold. They're all trained to handle everypony their own way." I used my magic to change the frightening scene around us to something nice. A nice moonlit night in the Garden Maze at Canterlot where Discord's statue once stood. We had it replaced with a statue of mother setting a bird free into the air. Majestic with some lighting below it. He sighed as we walked around for a little bit.
"...This is much better.... That bullet nailed me in a place that probably would've crippled me if it had gone more in.... I'd be on my way home wouldn't I?" He looked up at me as we walked into another portion of the garden with blue orchids and white roses genetically made to resemble my cutie mark. The other side of the statue is orange and yellow flowers (I forget what they're called) resembling Celestia's. Cadence has a plot and Twilight's is being made as we speak. I sighed.
"You would be sent home but given an honorable discharge never to do your job again. I know how much you love being the general of the royal guards. But know we cant really have an injured guard running after someone who just robbed someone's home or just took somebodies purse in the mall. If you stumble even once because of pain its all over. This stitching and the medicine being provided should heal you quickly and in your position lets hope you don't have much running to do." We went over to a bench and sat down where I traced a constellation of cherries in the sky and plucked it taking a bite of one of them handing the other to Ryder. These cherries were about the size of a tangerine. Mine for some reason tasted of a strawberry banana smoothie. Tasted delicious. I do this every now and again while dream walking. I had a present that gave me two more presents and one of them gave me a party grenade that blew up into confetti and a few fire works and the other a plain bottle of water which was lemon lime soda with a hint of starfruit. Odd flavor. Anyways he hummed as he turned his cherry into a basket ball and a basketball hoop sprang up in mid air. He just leaned back and shot it only to have it bounce off the rim and over a hedge.
"Well I don't want to be permanently injured.... All this awesome stuff you and Celestia have done for me is just the best... Part of me feels like you don't have to do all this stuff and another part of me says to just give most of the things you had given me back... Not the job though this one I deserved from Shining's idiotic prank... You mind for a moment?" I knew exactly what he meant. I snapped my fingers and instantly Shining Armor appeared. He was dressed in leather and lace with a riding crop in his hands. Yeah... Sometimes he dreams of slapping a few mares flanks with a riding crop and none of them are Cadence. He's just afraid to ask. Ryder got up and before Shining could even say something he was punched square in the nose and stomped on by Ryder. "THAT'S PAYBACK FOR THAT PRANK YOU ASSHOLE!" I laughed and sent Shining away. I felt his dreaming presence disappear almost immediately after. Such a great thing to see. I've been waiting for something like this. Shining has been a little dick lately with his visits to Canterlot. I ask for a drink and he insists on bringing it for me yet he's a guest and a prince and should be treated as such. Anyways Ryder gave a quick bow and returned to my side on the bench.
"There's his wake up call! I hope he felt that in real life!" My laughter quickly died down as I just had to check my phone in my pocket. Text from the punched himself. 'LUNA YOU'RE LUCKY YOU'RE A PRINCESS BUT RYDER ISNT SUCH A LUCKY ONE! I'M KICKING HIS ASS ONCE HE COMES HOME!' I showed it to Ryder who had himself a little chuckle. He sighed a bit just looking at the flowers before us.
"...Princess... I have a request that I want to see... It's nothing to do with my family or my life but... maybe another version of yours just... around the same time this kind of crap is going on..." I was actually so shocked by this request I made everything disappear just causing me and him to fall back onto the floor. He got up and helped me up brushing me off with his wings getting any dream dust off me. That stuff can get annoying. Gives me a bit of allergies in the real world. I suppress them here because in a dream not only can the dreamer do anything but I can do anything as well. The cherries. "Are you alright Princess? Are you hurt at all?" I shook my head as I flapped my wings a bit.
"No... I'm not hurt at all it's just.... Nobody has exactly asked to learn about me in any way because of Nightmare Moon... They're either afraid I'd freak out about it or not give them straight information.... Even I haven't explored any of my pathways due to my past... I would always wish to change it if I saw it... But if that is what you wish I can be strong and show you what ever you would like to know...." Ryder took a deep breath and sighed.
"...What if Twilight and her friends hadn't defeated you upon your return in your nightmare form?" I took his hand and a deep breath.
"Well... This one thing I have explored slightly... It brought Nightmare Moon joy to see but I didn't want her to show her ugly face through mine again... I wont spoil anything for you but... Trust me it's frightening." I used my magic to quickly create the world post nightmare moon attack. I didn't bother starting anything but it was clear what was happening. We were on a cliff side looking out over a battlefield of a wasteland created by Nightmare moon, Sombra and Discord. Two armies stood before us actually charging at each other. One side. Nightmare Moon and her protecters and a rebellion on the other side.
"...What... what happened here...?" The stallion asked just falling to his knees. I could tell he was frightened. The stain on his pants grew more and hopefully he would get cleaned and moved to a new bed. I sighed heavily as I picked him up.
"...Due to conflict between Nightmare Moon, her forced followers and willing ones she had created and the army of Celestia and the ones not controlled by Discord and Sombra, the world was torn apart, Equestria had started the largest holy war that nearly brought father and mother to aid who they sided with... Father with me and with Celestia our mother.... The sad part about this was... Celestia had been slain in her sleep by defectors...." I started to tear up before making this apocalyptic scene disappear. "....You probably would've been fighting against me only to get revenge for you know who..." He looked to me as the stain on his pants started to fade away. Right on schedule I hope.
"....Maybe not the best thing to see...." He swallowed hugging me. He was tense yet again. "....Perhaps... Perhaps you know what would happen if Nightmare Moon never came to be...?" I actually hummed and thought for a moment. This one is a zero percent traveled pathway. Fresh with new cobblestone and not even one bit of erosion. The path that everyone has taken is already chewed up for millions walking over it. The individual paths for others to travel are slightly worn but are never able to return to the normal path unless they keep moving forward. I can say this is the path I took with Nightmare Moon. Yet I took it alone. It immediately decayed and fell apart behind me as I walked it as Nightmare Moon for the thousand dreadful years. My path only converged with my sisters because of the stars aligning. The stars heat and energy counteracted the spell freezing me there and I could get back to Earth and into Equestria. Anywho I looked to Ryder.
"...Well... That might just be a better option but... it's a tad unusual to request. Why would you ever want to learn about me if I never was Nightmare Moon?" He huffed.
"Well... I'm just curious... I've had a lot of stuff to think about during this war to ask and I've even had a separate little log to dreams or thoughts I've had. Can you have a journal sent to me please Princess? I want to do a little creative writing to keep my sanity alive. I don't know what I'd write but it could end up being something I could look back on or give to Scootaloo to read or something..." I gave him a smile hesitant but very wanted.
"First thing tomorrow I'll have a supply drop sent in with both gifts from Celestia and I as well as a drawing from Scootaloo. But as for now why don't we just explore the world without Nightmare Moon!" He quickly grabbed my hand expecting the worst. The skies over us turned blue while the ground under us turned into stone bricks but here's a peculiar thing. The ground extended out maybe ten feet on each side but went on for miles. I walked over to one side of what ever we were on just as everything else formed and saw a grand display of a larger version of Canterlot. Homes of what looked to be a wealthier form of Ponyville combined with Canterlot. Large homes, pegasai, unicorn and earth ponies rushing about in their cars. Not one motor bike to be seen. "...My word.... This is just.... AMAZING! To think Equestrian wealth would skyrocket if I hadn't become Nightmare Moon..." I looked all the way up and down this wall we were on and even looked right to where Everfree forest would've been. I guess Discord knew about those random seeds and dug them up somehow. Glad they did because I saw our old castle... on... one side of the wall... I stood there and looked curiously and astonished by the sight. Ryder tugged on my shirt a little bit.
"Uh... Princess... You might want to see this..." I looked to my right at him and my heart dropped. I saw nothing but broken homes, a regular looking Ponyville and a castle darkened with what ever purple substance it was made with just glistening still in the sun. I took a closer look and saw a flag pole with my cutie mark in a corner of the dark flag along with my Equestrian emblem. I looked back at the old castle we used to live in and I saw Celestia's cutie mark on a white flag with her Equestrian emblem on it waving in the wind. "...What the hell is going on....? I could swear this was going to be better than the apocalypse.... Yet... This is somewhat better but even more frightening..." I looked back to him.
"....I'm going to have to agree... this is more frightening than Armageddon... Well... Who should we see first? You? Your sister? Me or Celestia?" He flew up a bit onto my sisters side and looked around.
"...Perhaps you should take me to see me first... I'm wondering what side I'm on and what I'm actually doing with my life..." I flew up next to him and put us into a bubble. That bubble was then transported right to this dream version of my dream walking companion.
This was actually on my side. We followed the dream Ryder closely as he ran through alley ways and free ran his way onto homes and other buildings but I barely could tell what was what. He had a bandana over his face and a leather vest on with Gang colors on it. 'Marked Markless' words said around what looked to be the gear of Ryder's cutie mark. Just as he reached what looked to be a warehouse just all broken down and what not. He sat on the roof near a ventilation hatch with the grate broken right off. He sighed wiping the sweat away. "...Good... I lost them... Those gaurds are HELL on us...." He said. "I really wish I was born a fucking Pegasus... that way I'd be able to start stealing stuff worth stealing.... All I got is a few damn bits..." I couldn't believe what I had heard and neither could my Ryder. I could see him at the corner of my eye caressing his wings.
I looked over as the dream Ryder started to climb into the air duct. "You're an earth pony and the scourge of my empire!" I said shocked. "Not only are you on the complete opposite of crime but you're living a completely different life!"
My Ryder- let's call him The General until we're out of his weird dream self's area- sighed as he set his wings back in place. "...Honestly Princess... When I was younger I did snag a few things from a store when I wasn't in school or sight of either of my parents and mostly... It was just to get into being friends with Big Mac..." He said. "I was caught the last time and the guy who ran the store called the guard and my dad since he was good friends with the guy and I did get a huge grounding... Even gave my allowance to the guy to pay for the three items I took...." I could tell he felt bad but I just sighed hugging him.
"Dont worry... The past is what made this happen if Nightmare Moon didn't exist... My evil existence actually caused you to turn about and walk the path of good. Let's see what else happens shall we?" The General gave a nod and looked back at himself as he then dropped through an opening of the vent.
Ryder grunted as he fell a few feet onto a pile of mattresses with a few other stallions around. Most of them Earth Ponies. The warehouse was filled with junk and what not but there was a little work shop making shiv's, shanks and a few pistols made of pipe's, nails, screws and wood actually looking as if they fired. The few stallions around the mattress pile helped Ryder down and he huffed. "Alright! Where's Marked Mac?" He yelled. "This crap is getting too old and I've got an idea for a heist we can pull off! Just need to okay it with the boss!"
The unicorn stallion to his left walked with him down a set of crate stairs. "Marked Mac stepped out incognito to grab some supplies and to grab some food for us. You pitched in for your share right?" He asked. Ryder huffed as he jumped onto the stone ground.
"With what I'm bringing in I think I might go hungry AGAIN! I'm just lucky enough to be able to run from the damn guards.... Anyone at least have something to drink? I ran for an hour just to lose a few guards for a couple bits. I'd've gotten more but this place is crap with things. Next time we need to pull off a heist for something more. Something better than what this shitty part of town has!" A few stallions around him just looked on curiously as he walked over to a hammock set up with a few tables and an old sword set up right in an old umbrella holder. Looked as if it had use at one time with a bit of blood on the blade.
Another stallion, this one another Earth Pony approached him. "Well you got a general idea of what we would be doing?" He asked as Ryder lied down in the hammock and nodded kicking back.
"I said I wanted to pull a heist but I just want to pull a few strings see if we can rub any kinks out and have other plans if things happen to go south. I'm only going to reveal details to Marked Mac so either back up or bite the blade!" He pointed at the sword and the stallion backed off.
I looked to the General who had just sat down to watch everything. "You think we can see what's up with me and my sister now?" I asked. "I'm curious as to what happened between us..." He looked up at me as he used his wings to help him stand. "It's all up to you whether or not you want to check my timeline and not stick to yours."
The General gave a sigh looking back at himself sleeping away. "Might be for the best princess... Once I'm out I'm out." He said. Very true.
"We'll come back to this one later... I'm wanting to see other things that isnt... this atrocity...." He nodded looking quite curious as to my query. I used my magic and everything faded off to black yet again.
When we returned to having everything around us be in color we found ourselves inside my throne room. Six guards at the middle of the room with a starry and dark rug separating them. I didnt mind seeing my bat guards but what I didnt like is how I was. I looked as if I were an empress who wanted everything all for myself. My mane was a little longer than it is now yet my horn came to a darker point. I even had a dress like father had wanted. Black trimming on a blue and violet dress with starry patches here and there. I even wore dagger point high heels. I never wore those. Not even as Nightmare Moon. I gave a grunt as what looked to be a beaten guard came in limping with help of a spear. "You better have good news about those damned gang members!" The... I might just call this me Empress of the Night.
Well that is what she said and the guard limping sighed. "...There was one stallion.... we lost him... he even put a few of us in the infirmary... I was the only one okay enough to come and tell you of this failure..." He said dropping to his knee. "...I'm sorry dark one... Any punishment is acceptable...." The empress gave a sigh.
"Someone take him to the infirmary... His punishment is to have what ever bones reset without pain medication considering we're low on it... Those blasted Marked stopped the royal supply for this month... They can heal any injury with my special medication... And I mean ANY! They could have a leg blown clean off and in moments they can pop a pill and there it is again!" I'm glad Ryder knows about that medicine with us. Remember when he smacked the crap out of my sister about the attack and giving her a loaded handgun? Yeah. There. Anyways a few guards stood the injured guard up and dragged him out by his arms. The Empress stood up and walked over towards a door. "If anybody needs me I'll retire to my library.... I need to figure out a plan to flush those damned rats out... I'm not going that far to ask her for any help! Not after what she had done!"
Now she had peaked my curiosity. I took Ryder's hand and followed her closely slipping into the door before she closed it. I looked to Ryder. "Do you want to see something I can actually do? It's interesting but can be a tad dangerous at times...." I said. He looked at me a bit scared and nodded hesitantly. I smiled and set him down near the door just as The Empress went towards a desk in a library that was almost as big as Twilight's old home. I used my magic and fused myself and Ryder with the dream temporarily. "Excuse me? Couldst thy aid an old mare?" The Empress jumped and looked back at me frightened. "Surprised to see a familiar face? Scared to see another you and a companion?" I gestured to Ryder who just cowered a bit.
"...H-how did you both get in here...? A-are you armed? Dont make me call my guards!" I sighed and took my gun out of my bra only to remove all of the bullets and showing her the chambers.
"We arent here to hurt you... I'm curious as to what happened with you and... whoever you're having troubles with?" She sighed and sat down on the desk as I beckoned Ryder up.
"...It's Celestia... She and I fought years ago... Probably over five hundred years.... I asked mother and father if they could tell Celestia to let my night run a little longer and mother did while father just said to her that it was a joke he pulled. Now Celestia thinks I'm mad at her and wont ever let me cross the wall and say I'm sorry.... She wont even come here because of the crime and fear of being assassinated if she had even tried to patch things up with me... I only hear of that because I have a spy on the other side. I have her head guard just hypnotized and every week he comes through a cave he had hidden in the brush. He just said my sister is planning on adopting a filly who was apparently on her way towards home from school with friends only to have her mother be murdered. She even met with the filly before having her sent to an orphanage. Ponies apparently wanted pegasus children who actually fly! Typical assholes..." She growled a bit thinking about sister and everything that she had spoken. Then her eyes locked onto Ryder. "...I cant put my finger on it but I have seen that stallion you're with somewhere before..." I glanced over at Ryder and pulled him close.
"Dont be afraid. Watch this." I looked back to The Empress of the Night and cleared my throat. "Well he's one of those Marked gang members you're so pissy about!" And that triggered my dreamly counterpart FREAKED! She screamed causing Ryder to go to me but I stopped the dream and took our presence out. When I did that I reset the dream to where we fused. She walked over to the table and just sat down. I looked to Ryder who just looked scared out of his mind. I shushed him and hugged him. "...Everything's fine here.... You're okay.... I'm truly sorry for that.... What's say we go see Celestia next? I want to know what her side is like but... when I do that thing again I'll have to disguise myself. Maybe you should do the talking if you'd like. Maybe protect me for once?" He nodded into my shoulder and I just used my magic to get us to the wall in the middle. Give him a break for a moments notice. I sat him on the edge of the wall holding his hand as I sat next to him looking over unto my sister's side of things. "I apologize for that.... I just wanted to clear my mind of what she had just told me. Maybe messing with you is someway I could've gotten your mind off of your injury. Did it help?"
Ryder whimpered and nodded a bit. "...You might not know this about me but... I've always had a fear of getting caught doing something i either wasnt supposed to do or doing something that someone would judge me for...." He said. "....When I was younger dad caught me.... You know.... and he ended up yelling at me every day I came home from school for a week and even forbid me to close my door even after I go to bed... Even when I went to the bathroom because he didnt trust me.... I even had trouble just buying a game that had blood and gore with him over my shoulder just not wanting him to say 'no you cant get that game! Pick a different one!' ...It just.... When you told her that was me that injured her guards and stole everything from everyone it hurt me deep...." I sighed and rested my hand on his back.
"....I'm sorry I had no idea. For this you have one free slap. I dont want to know when its coming just-" Yeah... He just whipped around and back handed me right onto my back. One hell of a hit too but I did say I didnt want to know when it was coming.... Deserved it as well. He looked back at me and carefully got up standing me up.
"Well... I feel happy now. Sorry if i hurt you Princess...." I held my cheek a little bit holding my eye as well. That's gonna swell up and even though you might not see it Celestia can pinpoint a bruise even on me! This one might even be more obvious to guards as well.
"...It's fine... Nothing to be worried its a minor scratch..." But it was one that hurt. I shook my head getting my bearings back and sighed. "Now... Let's see what Celestia is doing shall we?" He gave a nod and I took a deep breath trying to keep myself from crying because of the pain. My magic worked nonetheless and I transported us inside of Celestia's castle or our old joint castle. We were just in the halls that she had redone to make it seem like Canterlot. Twas a weird thing to see. I might see if Twilight can give me a guide to lead me to the old castle once out. Might try and bring Celestia and a few guards but... then there's Scootaloo and I'm not sure if we would be wise to bring her even with help.
As we stood in the hallway a familiar sounding cry came to our ears. We looked down the hallway opposite ways curious as to where the crying was coming from but that was when Ryder tugged on my shirt again. I looked down the hall and my heart dropped. There at the end of the hall was Celestia wearing a pure PURE white dress with golden armor plating here and there. She was carrying the one filly she's caring for now. Scootaloo. She was just in a little private school uniform with a longer mane tied off in pig tails. The uniform was a yellow and light orange with the trimmings. The little skirt was just the yellow. She just clung to Celestia crying her eyes out while a guard following her was carrying a little book bag. "Oh Scootaloo please dont cry.... You're in good hands now..." Sister said. "You will get treated with the utmost respect with me! Those teachers at that school should be more mindful of who they're telling to forget about something traumatic.... your therapist should help ease your mind and bring you comfort being here.... thou are my daughter now... you will get all you will ever need...." She looked to the guard and handed the sobbing filly to him. "Have lunch ready for her soon after her therapy session is done. I need to have her royal tutor speak with those teachers or at least the head of my guard do his thing as well..." She hummed averting her gaze. "I might need to go to the library and weigh my options...."
Ryder approached the guard and Scootaloo hesitantly reaching out whimpering. He tried hugging the sad dream version that was his sister yet only fell through them as if they were ghosts. I ran through them and picked him right up again. "...I... I want to comfort my little sister! Let me comfort her!" He snapped. "LET ME HUG HER!"
He pushed away from me but I grabbed him again pausing the dream silencing everything. "Ryder! That isnt your sister!" I said. "That is your sister but it isnt your sister! Not even related because look at her!" I turned him about and held his eyes open as I brought him around to see Scootaloo. She still had her wings. "See? She's got her wings! This other you is an Earth Pony! You two here in this dream arent even related and there's a high chance you arent because you two are in different areas of Equestria! Do you think if you and your sister in this version of Equestria would be siblings with a huge wall in between you? Your genetic ties are there somewhere but your mother could've mated with a pegasus and your father with an earth pony! Calm yourself!" He took a few deep breaths looking as if he were about to just vomit from the heart ache. I sat down and held him close just humming the melody of my mother. The one sister sang for Scootaloo to keep her from crying yet pulled me right to her lap to cuddle and listen to her sing it before our morning meal. It felt maybe like a few good minutes just to have him calm down. I'm glad he isnt that tired to where he goes too deep into sleep. I've had someone be so tired they sleep they sleep through the whole day and go into a deeper dreamscape. He calmed down fast in that small amount of time. "....There we go.... are you alright now?" He nodded into my shoulder. "....Alright now get up.... We need to find my sister. I'll disguise myself to ask what she thinks of this whole separation of the sisters thing...."
Ryder gave another nod and got to his feet helping me up again. We walked around the guard and Scootaloo yet he couldnt help but glare turning a full three sixty and hurrying by my side as I started this senario up yet again. Celestia walked through the halls alone passing by window after window of glittering sun light with guards between every other gap. Ryder walked behind me yet I was at my sisters side as if she were the real one. I heard him as he gave a sigh. "...Princess... If it's too much to ask I understand but... may I speak with Scootaloo when we're done with this just so I can tell her I love her....?" I glanced back giving a smile.
"Yes Ryder.... After that display I was going to bring my sister into this as well. She needs to know and see what I saw. I'll even put us on the wall with a barrier so nobody gets lost among the buildings on either side!" I looked back to my sister just as she stopped at a window glancing out the bustling city that supports her. She only stayed for a moment before turning around and walking right through me. I dont remember much from the castle but she changed this entire place around whilst remodeling. She went into this library half the size of the one The Empress had. There was a desk in the middle of the room with book cases covering the walls with one lamp over head illuminating everything.
Ryder looked at everything as I donned a dark cloak and mask to hide my identity. I whistled a bit and he came right back to my side. "...Oh what to do about her.... she's lost but only found with her mother..." My sister said as I fused myself and Ryder to the dream. "...I bet the murder was done by one of her trained assassins ... Those ruffians are always causing trouble... I keep finding one out of every other low life that is captured here... Murders, robberies and muggings out on my streets for those greedy enough to want more and those who dont have much from their side...They are just unruly degenerates who need some swift justice to their asses! Especially my wretched sister...." I nudged Ryder a bit afraid of her first reaction hearing just my voice so I had to think of my quick strategy.
Ryder huffed and Celestia's feathers ruffled up a bit. "...That little filly of yours is hurt really bad because she has nobody left does she?" He asked. Celestia looked back at us frightened and gave a hesitant nod. Ryder stopped just feet away having his hands where she can see them. This is a trained tactic for any one in the guard with someone who doesnt know a plain clothed guard with a princess or somepony important. Otherwise they are targeted as an assassin ready with a hidden blade or small firearm. "...May I sit? My hands will be where ever you order them to be!" Another tactic. If someone in power asks someone such as a guard to take their hands and place them somewhere it has to be done. Otherwise... You know. Celestia gave a sigh and moved her chair to the side patting the desk. Ryder hopped on the desk and sat down keeping his hands on his lap folded.
"...Well my young stallion friend you certainly arent dressed for either kingdom of the split sisters... What is thy name?" ANOTHER tactic.
"....For you... Just call me The Wrench. I fix stuff all the time where I'm from. Vehicles, weaponry, doors, and well... pretty much anything.... Even relationships between ponies. Where I'm from I intervene with marriages that are about to split and end up in fights, friends who just got drunk and at the moment I'm hiding a target from someone who's out to hurt them." He gestured to me but I flinched holding my cloak to myself. My sister looked back at me and hummed. "I really hope this is alright. There are trust issues between my companion and new ponies she meets. She gets highly nervous even when she's getting her meals. She doesnt even like giving out her real name that's how bad it is." Celestia gave me a smile.
"...Well... I'll just call her Miss X. if that is alright. You two I havent ever heard come in or have actually been announced to come. I wont question it... just know I am trained in my guards close combat. My head guard is even around with his combat trained sister and they can take one of you down...."
"We understand any force over any wrong action we make miss...." He was leading on like he had never known her. Semi tactic. Both good and bad depending on how it goes. This was a good way. She gave a laugh.
"Celestia. Just call me Celestia Mr. Wrench. No formalities.... I denounced my title as Princess, Miss or what ever you would say. I'm known by many but they see me like they see each other on this side of our sealed border.... But enough about that. You mentioned something about that filly I've adopted?" Ryder gave a nod as I went to the bookshelves and started browsing. Nothing I recognized.
"Oh you've adopted her... Might I ask what happened?" I head my sister give a hefty sigh.
"...She sat in an orphanage for about a year after her mother- the only one she was living with at the time- was murdered by what I suspect to be a gang from the southern half of Equestria.... I'm only suspecting. Not blaming. We shall know when the suspect is caught. Anyways the fillies tutor and her brother went to go take a statement from the filly and she just seemed too hated everytime someone came to adopt. 'Oh she needs to be able to fly if she wants to come home with us!' or 'Does she have the bones of an earth pony?' All terrible things to say to a scarred filly! Wouldnt you agree?"
"Honestly I'm not one to get violent unless provoked by someone attacking me first but someone who says that needs to be beaten to not say such things!" Huh... not violent unless attacked my ass.... "...But with all due respect Celestia... Have you ever thought of possibly taking a blood sample to see if she has any living relatives or parents anywhere? Your care is good but... maybe there's a lost sibling amongst the lands. You do have records of all residents on this side of the wall?" I looked behind me as I grabbed a book called 'War on the Rise' and saw my sister give a nod. "Well... See if you can get a genetic match with someone here. I bet she has someone out there... You dont have to give her up but if she does have someone at least let her know she has someone with her.... Might make her feel better." Celestia thought for a moment as Ryder stretched his wings.
"....Thy words ring true... With only her mother found her father could be out there somewhere... I would suspect him of the murder but I was told she only had her mother to care for her. I still allow her to see friends she was seen with but she is still going to be with me under my wing with her learning, her nourishment and her flight lessons. I have a guard teaching her how to strengthen her wings and fly once more. I'll see to it she takes to the skies one day just at my side when we're visiting with nations across the land." Sister stood up and clenched a fist shoving it into the air yet put it back down and folded her hands together. "...Wouldst thy like to meet with her? It would be wonderful if we had someone to show her there might be someone out there that can be by her side and help her through the pain she so greatly suffers with." Well... If I know Ryder he's going to have to say yes. His sister was just seen crying and in the arms of a guard going to therapy. He must have something on his mind.
"Well I guess I could meet with her.... I'd just have to clear it with Miss X." Celestia gave a nod and Ryder hopped off the desk coming over to me. "...I'm sorry if I'm taking control here but... I wish to test myself and see what I can do here.... Would you allow that or is it too much?" Well... This actually was the unusual request. I thought for a moment about this taking occasional nervous glances at my sister. I know this is a dream but she's going to take my presence as hostile. I'd probably have to hide armor underneath my clothing or disguise my clothing as armor. Once I leave the dream space this stuff disappears. Items only disappear when I get something from mother or father. Just like Scootaloo's necklace. Mother made it from my presence in Scootaloo's dream scape and gave it actual mass from her powers as well as Ryder's dog tags.
I gave a silent sigh and pulled Ryder in to whisper into his ear. "...I can let this go on but I cant really do much with speaking." I said. "If thy can successfully reunite my sister and the empress with each other I may just pitch this as an idea for a video game you and I can play together. Possibly put a few ponies into this as well maybe with an extended storyline. Would you be alright with that?" He got a smile on his face and nodded. He looked back to Celestia and huffed.
"Well Celestia I guess we would like to meet with that filly. I'll be doing most of the talking with her if that's alright. Miss X will be standing at another end of the room. Still being a tad nervous even with the little ones."
Celestia chuckled a bit. "Well I do hope she can at least try to warm up to me. I kinda want to at least speak with her. She must have a nice disposition to her even if she is so silent." She said shooting me a warm smile. She looked back to Ryder and held out her hand. "Come. Her therapy session should be just about over. Would you like something to eat? I can have anything prepared for either of you if you'd like."
"No thank you Celestia. We ate before coming here. Now about that filly..." We ended up walking down the hall to what was a small dining room like Ryder's dining room. A guard was sitting at the small round table with Scootaloo on his lap as she poked at a small salad. The guard looked up at Celestia as I just went to the corner.
"Excuse me but we'd like to be left alone with the filly. We have some trusted ponies here who wish to speak with her. I dont know if anyone let them in but... I trust them fully. No body is to do anything. Understood?" The guard stood up putting the saddened Scootaloo onto the seat and saluted Celestia before leaving the room and shutting the little sliding door. Celestia sat down on one side of Scootaloo while Ryder sat on the other side. "Scootaloo I'm terribly sorry for interupting your meal but I have a Mr. Wrench who would like to speak with you... he might just give you some hope as well. Wont you speak with him and be strong for him?" I hesitantly approached the table and sat down holding my cloak close to me. Scootaloo whimpered giving a slight nod. Ryder gave a sigh and reached his hand out.
"Hello there Scootaloo... I understand you're just all broken up about something that happened.... Is... it alright if I ask what happened?" Scootaloo turned back to Celestia trying to hug her but my sister just held her and turned her back.
"I'm sorry... She's a bit nervous as well." She had Scootaloo look up at her tearing up. "Dont worry.... It's okay just tell him.... I'll be right here for you alright?"
Scootaloo sniffled and gave a nod before turning back and hesitantly grabbing Ryder's hands. "....M-my mommy was... a bad man took her life.... I wasnt even home when they did it...." She said.
Ryder sighed a bit. "...Well i think it's good you werent at home.... something could've happened to you but it didnt..." He said. "...You know I know how you feel.... You see I had both my parents taken from me.... I wasnt at home either.... I lost both my parents but... from what Celestia tells me you only lost your mother... Right?" Scootaloo gave another nod this time just crawling into Ryder's lap hugging him. "...Well... I have something that might make you happy... You could have your father out there somewhere.... If you'd like we can try finding him for you... does that sound like something you would want?" I looked to Scootaloo's face seeing her wipe her eyes with a stashed hankie then think hard.
"....Well..... I guess I could see if I have anyone else who I'm related to.... My mommy did hint at possible siblings but... I really dont know who or where they are...." She looked up at Celestia turning over in her brother's lap. Perhaps I should make this into a game even with the story going like it is. "Can we please do that Miss Celestia? Please?"
My sister got the biggest smile on her face and took Scootaloo from Ryder who looked like he didnt want to let go but did anyways so not to raise suspicion. "Well for you we'll do this but... it does require a bit of needle work... Will you be strong for your doctor so he can get a bit of blood from you?" She asked. Scootaloo nodded happily before crawling back to her chair. "Ah. Well once later comes we shall get your blood work done. It might take a little time but we shall find your relatives sweetie.... Until then you should eat something. You can stay here with Mr. Wrench and Miss X while I go have your tutor and her brother speak with your teachers about what you're going through. What they did is unacceptable!" She stood up and pushed her chair in. "And... by the way Scootaloo Miss X is not one to speak to anybody... any questions you have are directed straight through Mr. Wrench here. You have fun now!"
I froze everything giving off a sigh having Ryder look at me. "...Ryder... are you really sure you wish to go through with this? I feel as if I've seen enough...." I said. "This reality makes things... Kind of hard for me... Plus I think it has been long enough for me being here. Come tomorrow night I shall do this yet again starting from this point on. Agreed?" Ryder gave a nod just looking at Scootaloo stroking her mane. I made everything fade. Ryder fell flat on his flank but still sat. He brought his legs up hugging them. My cloak and mask faded off and... well I did just go and wet myself because I still had one more thing to do and I wouldnt make it to the toilet in time. "Now... I did have one more thing for you to do. Well... Be ready alright?"
Ryder sighed and gave a nod. I used my magic giving a slight yawn before having the REAL Scootaloo show up. I could see she was just cowering in a little jump suit looking torn at the sleeves. Her mane was a mess and she looked filthy. Ryder crawled over to his real sister and grabbed her arms. She let out a scream when she was pulled up but Ryder shushed her. "Hey hey! It's me! It's just me!" He said. She looked up at him and quickly hugged him whimpering. "...Hey... What's wrong sis...? Look like you just crashed...."
I came over to them and sat my squishy bottom down near them. "...That... that's because I did...." She said. "....I'm just... I'm wanting to try flying soon but.... I'm afraid I'd fall and get hurt..."
I sighed hugging the siblings. "Scootaloo... With the help of Spitfire and the other Wonderbolts they can let you use the junior flight area for your flying but... perhaps we should wait until your brother gets back to see you fly." I said. "You can try flying just a foot off the ground and glide around. Less chance of any broken bones or nasty bruises.... Is there anything you wish to say to your brother?" Scootaloo looked up at her brother and nuzzled him.
"...I'm glad you arent badly hurt... I dont want to lose you...."
Ryder huffed and held his sister close. "...They arent gonna keep me down sis.... For now... You just go with Luna..." He said sounding having a bit of difficulty. "...I'm starting to feel my wound again... Love you sis...."
"I love you too Ry... Please write to me and Celestia soon."
"...Ah... I will..." He winced a bit shoving his sister into my arms. "...Now... I gotta wake up... this pain is starting to get to me.... Sorry I cant stay...."
I smiled. "It's alright. Go on! I'll speak with you later. Get pain killers quickly!" I said. I used my magic and he just faded off giving a grunt of pain. I looked to Scootaloo who was blushing hard as her mane grew a bit wet. "...Does somepony need a little change? I know I do...." I blushed a bit as Scootaloo nodded. "Well... I'll be there in a second... You just sit tight. Okay?" She nodded again and crawled out of my arms just fading on her own. I just created a door and walked out into my room. I slipped my diaper off and balled it up just making sure it didnt leak. As I left I looked to a guard who was just taking a stretch. "Excuse me sir?"
The guard looked to me and bowed in respect to me. "Yes Princess! What do you need?" He asked. I held the diaper up blushing.
"I need you to dispose of this. Also how long has it been since you last saw me?" He checked his phone just holding the diaper as if he didnt want to even touch it.
"Well.... A few hours. Three at the most. I actually went to take a break for a bit if that was alright." I gave a smile stretching my wings giving a yawn.
"Well... That's fine..... Now go and dispose of that please.... I might go and take a nap after I'm done changing the filly my sister is caring for.... I might just sleep in my sister's room or on the floor in the fillies... Wouldst thy bring a blanket and a few pillows for me? I fear this might just be a one way trip down this hall..." He gave a nod and hurried his way down stairs before I started down the hall towards my sisters room.
I gave the shared guard a little wave before just walking into my sisters room where I see Scootaloo sitting beside the bed struggling to stay awake clutching her stuffed toy. She got up and hobbled towards me meeting me in the middle of the room. I picked her up and she just hugged me before I went over to the diaper cabinet. "...Princess....?" I hear from her weakly. "...Is Ryder going to be okay....?" I looked to her grabbing a thing of powder and some fresh wipes as well as a fresh diaper.
"Yes he's going to be just fine. You should've seen him earlier. He was freaking out because he was just lost in his mind because the medics had gotten him so numb with his pain killers. He thought someone came and took you by force from him and thought it was actually a real thing." I shuffled over to the door of her room and opened it with my magic. "...Here... let's go in here... Best to spend the rest of tonight in your own bed... I'll be sleeping in here with you once a guard brings my pillows and blanket...." I gave a bigger yawn as I lied her down in her bed and proceeded with her change.
"....Do I have to stay in here princess....? I really dont want to sleep in here.... It feels weird sleeping in my room but not in my own house...." I sighed wiping her down.
"Yes Scootaloo you have to.... Do you want to be looked on as a filly who cant sleep in her own bed every night? Come now Scootaloo only little foals do that. Are you a little foal? You might be wearing diapers like a foal but that's for a totally different reason.... Your brother wants you to be strong. Physically, mentally and emotionally so you should really sleep inside of here.... No matter how bad it hurts you have to go through with it anyways.... Just like your little problem with needles. They might hurt going in but they are important to get certain medicines into you.... Am I making myself clear?" Scootaloo held her stuffed wolf close.
"....Yes Princess.... I'm sorry...." I sighed tabbing her fresh diaper right up around her.
"It's fine... If you would like somepony can read you a bed time story before bed every other night but it has to be in this bed."
"...That... Actually sounds nice.... I havent been read a bed time story since I was with mommy and daddy a long time ago...." She sighed sadly as I fixed her PJ's and got her under the covers.
"...Well... Good memories are the ones best kept alive... If you can handle it I can make it happen just for you.... I'll give you time to think.... For now just go to sleep young one... you need your rest...." She smiled and nodded just cuddling up with her toy. I kissed her on the forehead and lied down on the floor curling up. Yes I thought the guard was going to bring my pillows and my blanket but this is worth it even without my warmth or softness. This dream adventure is an interesting one... Sure I had to cut it short but... It makes you think... I'll bring this up later for the morning meal before I'm on my way back to Canterlot to just pass out in my bed.