> The unlikely siblings
>  by Shizuo35
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> Chapter 0
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	It was a day from hell for the human called Ryan. He had been sent home from school after he had gotten in a fight. As he walked home he was listening to his music just to try and bring his mood up but the pain in his bruised torso had him with tears in his eyes. That and the fact that his parents would be mad at him for being suspended for the rest of the day. He hid his shame in the hood of his grey hoodie. He had his hands in his pockets and his back pack lied askew off of one shoulder. "...this is the worst day possible..." He said through his tears.

As he neared his home he had thoughts running through his head of what could happen when he came face to face with his parents. His parents never really cared about him a single bit. His father was busy making Ryan go through the city on his bike delivering "packages" his father called them. Ryan never looked in the packages because he most likely knew what was in the packages. Drugs. Not just the usual 'Mary Jane' and Prescription Meds. The kind of drugs that need mini labs to create them making white powder and crystalline stuff.

When he got home he found no one there. He looked around and saw the phone with a blinking red light on it. There was a message on it. Setting his stuff down near the hallway he walked over to the phone on its cradle and pushed the button marked 'messages'. "One new message." The machine said. It beeped. "Uh yes this is Ryan's principal letting you know he and another boy got into a fight and we have just sent him home minutes ago. You must not have gotten to the phone in time but hopefully you listen too this soon."

Just before the message ended Ryan hit another button deleting the message, He let out a hefty sigh as he picked his things up and went toward his room. The door was wide open and a note was taped to the door. He reached up and took it off looking at it. 'Dear Ryan, your mother was arrested because I sent her on the run to deliver the 'packages' and she took the route of the last delivery and ended up getting busted by the cops. I left in a hurry to hide the things so you just go get your own damn food and get your own clothes washed. Guns are still in the same places but I took the shotgun from under your bed so just use the pistol. -Dad' is what he read. "Of course he took MY shotgun... best damn gun around here...." Ryan said.

He set his things down and lowered his hood revealing semi long black hair. He sat down and stared at the emptiness that was his room. He had a skate board in the corner which he never rode because he couldn't balance well. Sighing he lied down on his bed with his eyes clenched shut. only his music of his CD player rang in his ears but he was definitely thinking. He thought for a while and then he got an idea. Suddenly he sat up fast and growled. He picked up his backpack unzipping it and dumping all of his school supplies out. A journal, a binder a few CDs and an inch thick book. There wasn't text or any markings of any kind. He picked that and the CDs back up placing them on the bed next to him. He quickly went to his closet and took shirts, some pants and shoved them in the bag. He went to the drawers and shoved socks and a few more shirts in the bag before putting the book and CDs back inside. Slinging the backpack over his shoulder putting his arm through the other strap and darted out of his room and towards the front door. He flung the door open and ran out slamming it behind him. He was off running away from home.
> Chapter 1
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	Hours after Ryan had run off from his home with his things he found himself at a port abandon by everyone who ran it. No one even there. He knew he couldn't hang around for long since this was an area drug traffickers hung out. Creeping carefully he made his way towards the water in search of a boat. Where he was heading even he didn't know. He looked around and saw nothing but busted buildings with most of the windows boarded up. A creepy feeling fell over Ryan. He knew something was up. He kept quiet as he walked in case anyone else was around. Looking around he grew tense. Creaking of the buildings made him uneasy. He came to the waters edge and looked up and down the elevated wall. To his left he saw nothing. To his right was a small dinghy. Slowly but surely he balanced on the edge of the wall above the water hurrying to the boat. Once over his ticket out of here he lowered his backpack into the boat and hopped in after it. He scrounged the boat in search for a way to start the motor. Looking towards the rotor he saw a handle to a pull start. He grabbed a hold and yanked at it. Nothing. He waited for the handle to retract and then he tried again. The motor sputtered a little. Still no full start. He pulled one last time and the motor started just in time too! He heard someone yell about taking the boat. Ryan quickly turned up the throttle and turned the boat towards open water when suddenly pops of gunfire rang out behind him. Ryan looked back at the gun fire. all of it was from 3 guys and a few pistols. Guns that have no range. "Any bigger guns and id be screwed...." The runaway boy said.

He rode that boat for hours keeping his stuff in his the boat with his foot weighing it down. As darkness loomed he managed to find land before it was complete pitch black. Dragging the boat on land he grunted as he pulled. The boat was drug about 4-6 feet before Ryan stopped pulling. "Should be good right there..." He said. "... I should probably get some sleep and continue on in the morning..."

Ryan surveyed the area. all he saw was forest, beach and water. He decided to go in towards the forest and sleep. He lied his things down and lied next to them holding them close before closing his eyes. "New life here I come..." He said. He shifted a bit trying to get comfortable but he realized something was wrong. He quickly sat up and felt around for the gun he kept. A snub nose revolver. He decided to keep it in his waistband this year in case he ever came into trouble doing a deal. 

Slowly drawing it he kept it ready he heard the bushes rustle and aimed toward the noise. Someone screamed a bit. "Don't shoot!" They said scared. Sounded feminine. 

"SHOW YOURSELF AND I WONT!" Ryan yelled back. A shadow emerged from the bushes. It looked too big and too low to the ground to be human. Ryan lowered the gun and looked to the shadow. 

"... D-don't hurt me please...." They said. "... I heard your boat and was curious..." 

Ryan unzipped his back pack and shoved the gun inside. "Be lucky I didn't take the safety off." He said. "You probably would've gotten a bit more than hurt. Sorry if I scared you." The shadow came into a bit of moon light that shown through the trees. It was a Pegasus. She had a purple mane and an orange coat. 

She looked a bit as ease now that the gun was put away. "Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you." She said. "If I wanted to I would've came from above. Its just my fighting style I guess you could call it that. Wanna come back to my campsite? Ive got a fire some food and a sleeping bag."

Ryan stood up and slung his back pack over his shoulder again. "Sure but uh.. can you tell me exactly where I am?" He said. 

She looked back at him. "You're in Equestria." She said. "Its one of those continents you humans haven't heard of let alone help with anything." 

As they walked through the bushes Ryan noticed a strange marking on the flank of the strange pony in the moon light. He hesitated on asking noticing the pony girls tail lifted up a bit with a bit of pinkness peeking from behind the purple hairs of her tail. "I can feel you looking at my ass!" The pony said. Ryan shook his head and looked straight ahead blushing. Ahead he saw a flickering light. The smell of burning wood filled the air. When they got to the camp Ryan surveyed the area. A small clearing with a low lying fire, a pile of wood just a few feet away. A sleeping bag lie half open near a cooler. The pony sat down on the sleeping bags and Ryan sat on the other side of the fire. "Think you can stoke the fire please?" The pony asked. Ryan lied his stuff down on the ground next to him and grabbed a log from the pile tossing it onto the open flame. The fire grew brighter after a few seconds. "Good. I want you to be warm... uh.... I'm sorry I don't even know your name." The pony said. 

Ryan looked to her and smiled a bit. "I'm Ryan." He replied. "You got a name?" She nodded. 

"Yeah. The names Scootaloo." She said. "Can I ask why you came here Ryan?" 

Ryan sighed and looked back to the fire. "...I got into a fight yesterday..." He said. "....My parents weren't even home... My mom got arrested and my dad just went to hide a lab for drug making... That gun I have is for my own protection selling that shit...."

Scootaloo sighed looking into the forest. Ryan looked back at her. "... You're lucky you still have a mother...." She said. "... My mom died a few months ago... I'm all alone with my dad at home... I ran away from home because some stupid bitch planted stolen perfume on me.... She hid it in my bag while I was getting some cider from my friend..." 

Ryan heard a little weakness in her voice. "Do you like music?" He asked quickly. 

Scootaloo looked at him and sniffled a bit wiping her eyes. "... My mom used to play a lot of classic rock from the bands in your countries..." She said. Ryan got up and walked over to her sitting next to Scootaloo and hugged her. She hugged back. "... thanks... im glad I found you... make me feel a bit better..." 

Ryan smiled a bit. "Guess its the same here. I've tried being the good guy but ended up being the bad guy." He said. "My dad pretty much forced me to be the bad guy. Can I ask you a question Scootaloo?" He looked her in the eye. She nodded. "... While we were walking here... I saw something on your ass in the moonlight."

Scootaloo thought for a second. "Oh you mean my cutie mark!" She said. 

Ryan raised an eye brow a bit confused. "Cutie Mark?" He said. 

Scootaloo nodded. "It tells me what my special talent is." She said. She gently nudged Ryan making him break the hug. She stood up and turned to the side revealing a musical note on a sideways drum on her flank. 

"So you're good at playing the drums?" Ryan said quizzically. Scootaloo nodded and sat back down. "Can I ask another question Scootaloo?" Scootaloo nodded again. "Why did you leave your dad at home alone? Isn't he going to be worried?"

Scootaloo sighed and nodded. ".... Yeah... He is going to be worried...." She said. "... I ran away after he yelled at me for stealing the perfume... Stupid bitch Diamond Tiara... She always hated me... Always made fun of me..." She started tearing up again. 

Ryan noticed the tears and hugged her again. "We should probably get some sleep..." He said. "... I want you to take me back to your place to get things straightened out. You seem too nice to steal anything anyways." 

Scootaloo sniffled and hugged back. "... Thank you..." She said. Ryan kissed her cheek and shushed her. "uh... Ryan...? You wanna share the sleeping bag...? It's big enough for you and me to fit..." Ryan smiled a bit and nodded. 

Moments later they were both in the same sleeping bag. Scootaloo was shifting a bit blushing. her wings poofed up nudging Ryan waking him up. Ryan propped himself up with his arm and saw scootaloo looking a bit flustered. He nudged her and woke her up. "Scootaloo you doing alright?" Ryan asked. 

Scootaloo looked to her human friend and blushed hard. "... If by not horny you mean okay then I don't think I'm okay." She said. "Can you help me...?" Ryan blushed hard and hesitantly nodded. His pants bulged as he grew hornier. Scootaloo got up out of the sleeping bag in the light of the fire and faced away from Ryan lifting her tail up. "Go ahead! Use it I don't mind!" Ryan was frozen in shock. Was he really about to fuck a pony? Scootaloo looked back at him. "Everything okay?" Ryan hesitantly shook his head as he got out of the sleeping bag. "First time isn't it?" Ryan blushed hard and turned away. Scootaloo chuckled a bit. "Don't worry you can be my first too! If you want you can use my ass." 

Ryan looked back and took a deep breath. "Alright... I guess...." He said. He stepped over and unbuttoned his pants. Scootaloo lowered herself as Ryan took his hard member out. Scootaloo gazed at it. Ryan grabbed onto his pony friends flank and prodded at her anus. She moaned a bit and reached her hoof up as her clit throbbed begging for pleasure. 

"... Go slow...." She said whimpering a bit. Ryan slowly pushed his cock into Scootaloo and started to thrust slowly. Scootaloo blushed and moaned feeling it dance around inside of her. She started playing with her clit as Ryan started to sweat. "Faster! Go faster!" Scootaloo said. Ryan huffed and started to thrust faster. He leaned in and brought his hand down below the horizon and stuck his fingers in the wetness that was Scootaloos pussy. She moaned loud feeling him mess around with her insides. She even started to drool making a pleasure full face. Suddenly they both came hard. Scootaloos pussy twitched as Ryan filled her ass with his warm sticky goo. Ryan stepped away and stuffed his dick back into his nearly falling down pants and fastened them back up. Scootaloo stood back up and faced Ryan again. She stepped up and nuzzled him. "....That was great...." She said panting. "... i'm feeling much better...." 

Ryan kissed her forehead and sat down. "...legs feeling a bit wobbly...." He said. "... I say we get to sleep now... no use in walking you home if we're tired..." Scootaloo smiled and nodded. She lied down and slid back into the sleeping bag. Ryan slid back in too and snuggled up to his pony pal before falling asleep. Scootaloo smiled and cuddled Ryan before falling asleep herself.
> Chapter 2
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	It was the morning after Ryan had run away and Scootaloo had the sleeping bag on her back as Ryan carried the cooler while they walked towards Scootaloos home. Ryan smelled the fresh forest air and sighed. "Fresh air. Best smell you can ever smell." He said. "Haven't had that smell hit my nose since my friend took me to his place." Scootaloo sighed and averted her gaze from the road. Ryan looked to her worried. "You okay Scoot?" 

She looked to her friend and shook her head. "... I'm worried that my dad's gonna yell at me when I get home..." She said. 

Ryan let out a sad aw and held the cooler by the handle with one hand and put his other arm around scootaloos neck. "C'mon he isn't going to yell!" He said. 

Scootaloo stopped and looked to him. "How do you know? You don't know my dad!" She snapped. 

Ryan kept his cool and just sighed. "Look you're a great girl scoot." He said. "Your father  must be worried sick. If I were your father even id be freaking out. You gotta trust me on this. Your father sounds better than mine. And from what you told me you're all he has left. Please just go home! I promise id be right by your side when you go there! Okay?" 

Scootaloo sniffled and nodded. "... Okay..." She said. "... but after we go to my home I have to take you to meet the princess. She might be able to set you up with somewhere to live here." 

Ryan tilted his head as they kept walking. "Princess? W-what do you mean by princess?" He asked. 

Scootaloo giggled a bit. "You know! Prince's and Princesses!" She said. "Her name is Twilight Sparkle. She's basically the Princess of Friendship. You know the sun and the moon right?" 

Ryan nodded. "Yeah I know that." He said. "Earth goes around the sun, Moon goes around the Earth." 

Scootaloo laughed. "Is that what the others told you?" She said snobbishly. "There are two princesses here that control both the sun and the moon! They're sisters! I've actually met both! The moon princess is one I met in a dream. The solar princess I've actually met when my friends sister went to Canterlot!" Ryan's eyes crossed. Scootaloo giggled again. "Its a lot to take in but you'll learn what goes on here." 

Ryan's stomach growled and he blushed a bit. "... That's never a good sign... Even when you haven't eaten since lunch yesterday..." He said hesitantly. 

Scootaloo looked to him as they came to an opening. "Why don't you take something from the cooler?" She said. "I made a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while my dad was out and thank god I got out before he came back." Ryan smiled and hiked up the cooler and slid it open. Inside it he saw four sandwiches each in a plastic baggie and a few bottles of soda and water.

"Mind if I grab a soda here too?" He asked. Scootaloo nodded. Ryan took a sandwich out and unwrapped it before biting in to it. 

Soon after they had entered a town  with a huge tower in the middle of it. Ryan sipped his soda looking up at it. "Yup that's Princess Twilights castle." Scootaloo said. "By the way Ry this is my home town Ponyville. I'll show you around so you can get a feel of things but I want to go home and rest. Hopefully dad might not be mad like you said. Just follow me and keep your cool." 

Ryan swallowed the last sip of his soda and put the bottle in the cooler again. "Alright..." He said just staring at all the ponies he passed. Scootaloo waved her wing in front of his face seeing him looking past her. 

Ryan yelped and nearly dropped the cooler snapping out of his hypnotic state. "Focus Ryan I don't want everypony thinking you're some kind of creepy dude." Scootaloo said. "Just hurry and stay close. I don't want you getting lost." Ryan dropped the cooler down holding it by the handle and kept his other hand on scootaloos back. They walked through town side by side and  the other ponies stared at Ryan. He never broke his gaze from the road but he could feel a burning sensation from all the eyes staring down at him. "Don't worry its not far now. Ill have my dad keep you at my place for a while till we can see the princess." Scootaloo said. "You need to relax right now. You're so tense you're pinching my skin."

Ryan took his hand off of Scootaloo's back quickly. He blushed and laughed nervously. "...sorry Scootaloo..." He said. "Everyone is staring at me... I don't like being stared at..." 

Scootaloo sighed. "Well you are an outsider." She said. "Griffons get more good looks than even me. Although they do get in trouble a lot for revealing themselves to the humans. Some countries actually have stone statues of griffons sitting right on their roof tops." Ryan didn't even answer as he continued to feel the eyes of the others boring into his skin. They turned multiple corners until they came up on a house that had music coming from inside. Music that Ryan knew. Scootaloo took a deep breath and looked to her friend. "...This is it..." She said quietly. "...can you peek inside? Please?" Ryan nodded and went to a nearby window. He lingered by the edge of the window peeking in. Inside he saw a fully grown Pegasus pony sitting on a couch  with his face in his hooves. His cutie mark was a burning wheel. 

Ryan went back to Scootaloos side. "I think your dad is inside crying!" He said softly. "Cmon lets get in there!" Scootaloo nodded and hesitantly knocked at the door. Instantly the pony inside gasped. Scootaloo sat down at the door with her head hung low. Ryan set the cooler down and hid behind her. The door opened and the colt looked at Scootaloo and gasped. Ryan backed away as the colt hugged her. 

"Scootaloo!" He said. Sounded like he was crying. Scootaloo hugged him sniffling as well. 

"...Dad..." She said. Ryan looked at the two pegasi hugging.

'...is that her father?' He thought. 

"...Scootaloo... I-I'm sorry I yelled at you..." The colt said. ".... That other girl got arrested and even f-fessed up to planting that makeup on you.... I already lost one of my girls but im not going to lose you...." 

Ryan smiled and just looked at the family members hugging. "See Scoot? I was right! He wasn't gonna yell!" He said alerting them. The colt looked up at Ryan. 

Scootaloo sniffled and looked back at Ryan smiling with tears in her eyes. "...Dad..." Scootaloo said. "... Th-that's Ryan. I found him in the forest... He convinced me to come back home..." Ryan smiled nervously.

The colt broke the hug and went over to Ryan. He became more nervous. The colt hugged Ryan squeezing him tight. "Thank you for bringing my daughter back!" He said. "I don't know what I would've done without her."

Ryan coughed not being able to breathe. "DAD! YOU'RE HURTING HIM!" Scootaloo yelled trying to pry her fathers arms off her human friend. The colt released him and he instantly fell to the floor gasping for air. Scootaloo quickly went to Ryan's side and helped him up gently. "You okay Ry?" She asked. Ryan coughed and nodded a bit. "Can you get up at all?" He shook his head. Scootaloo looked up at her father. "Dad get him inside the spare bedroom! I want him to rest!" 

Her father nodded and picked Ryan up gently and set him on his back. "I am sooo so sorry about that!" The Pegasus colt said. "I'm just so greatful you brought her home!" 

Ryan coughed and gripped the Pegasus colt a little. ".... You're welcome...." He said wheezing a bit. He tried forcing out more words but he passed out.

As he slept still blacked out he dreamt of what could've happened if he hadn't run away. He could've been arrested. He could even have gotten beaten by his father. Worse than what have had happened when he got in the fight. He dreamt he was barricaded in his old room with his father outside the door trying to break it down. Ryan had his revolver drawn and aimed shakily at the door. He could hear his father kicked the door. With each kick Ryan flinched. He never dared to cross his father even after he had a hit of some of his "leftover package" dealings. Ryan clenched his eyes shut after one last kick made him jump so bad he dropped his gun. He cowered in place waiting for another kick but it was all quiet. Ryan hesitantly opened his eyes up again but found himself in darkness. He felt solid ground under him but nothing around him. Even his gun was gone. "What's this?" Someone said. Ryan got up and looked around in the darkness. "A human in Equestria?" 

Ryan saw nothing but darkness. "W-Who is that?" He asked scared. A light broke the darkness. It nearly blinded Ryan. He covered his eyes and blinked a couple times till his vision reset. He looked towards the light and saw the light was coming from another pony. A unicorn. But this wasn't any unicorn. "...A unicorn with wings...?" Ryan said hesitantly approaching her.

The pony sighed. "...Of course..." She said sitting down. "A human wouldn't know what an alicorn even is!" 

Ryan scratched his head stopping in front of her. "Alicorn? What the hell is that?" He asked. 

The pony grunted and gave him a serious look. "I'M AN ALICORN!" She snapped. "An Alicorn is a PRINCESS OR PRINCE THAT WAS GIVEN THAT TITLE BY EITHER ME OR MY SISTER!" 

Ryan gasped. "S-Sister?" He said. "Wait a second... You're the princess of the moon... right?" 

The alicorn mare took a deep breath calming down and nodded. "That's one of two right today." She said. "Sorry for my rudeness. You're the first human ive encountered dream walking. I am Princess Luna. What is your name Human?" 

Ryan sighed and sat down. "I'm Ryan..." He said not meeting the princesses gaze. 

Luna stepped over and sat by Ryan. "What was that all about?" She asked. Ryan looked up at her. "That dream you had? It seemed pretty serious if you had a gun." 

Ryan sniffled tearing up a bit. "... M-my dad was a druggie..." He said hesitantly. "...I kept that gun in case I ever ran into trouble during drug deals my dad made me do... I ran off yesterday after I got in a fight... I didn't wanna stay because my mom got busted after screwing up a drug deal... My dad went to hide the evidence of his lab.... My parents would even beat me for even small things... worse part was my dad used... he beat me and my mother... just as protection I pull a gun on him and threaten to shoot.... always shot him in the leg or the foot to keep him from chasing me... PLEASE DONT DEPORT ME!" He broke down crying and grasped on to the princess next to him. 

Luna looked down at him and hugged back. "I certainly wont do that after what ive heard." She said. "But from the looks of you, you're much too young to stay by yourself. You don't even have a job to pay for a place to live..." Ryan looked up at her as she hummed in thought. "... I'll tell you what. I'll send a letter to the princess of Ponyville and arrange a meeting for you. She might have a place for you to stay and a job that will keep you full of food and keep you healthy. Note you probably wont be able to get any good meat in town. No meat is eaten by us ponies but I may be able to get a shipment of meat from griffons unless you want something else to eat. Its totally your call." 

Ryan sniffled and wiped his eyes. "...I'll see what I can find.... I guess..." He said. "... can I ask one thing...?" Luna nodded still hugging him. "...What's Princess Twilight like...?" 

Luna sighed and met his gaze with a warm smile. "She's more kind than me or my sister." She said. "I'm kind to everypony on Nightmare Night. By the way that's our version of Halloween. My sister found Twilight as a little filly. She basically used her magic to hatch an egg that held her personal assistant Spike. He's a dragon but not really big. I'd say he's no taller than your leg right now. But you'll find more out later. Right now you should wake up. You've been out for a couple hours now." Ryan smiled and hugged Luna. Luna smiled back and hugged the human before hesitantly kissing his forehead. The Dark Blue alicorn's horn glowed and she started to fade. Soon everything was black. No light. No feeling other than something under Ryan's back.

A voice echoed. "Ryan?" Someone said. "Ryan! C'mon please wake up!" Ryan groaned starting to feel a bit of blunt pain on his chest. He hesitantly opened his eyes and saw that he was in a dimly lit room.

A light from a nearby nightstand illuminated the bed a bit. Ryan looked away from the light and saw Scootaloo next to the bed. "...Scootaloo...?" He said still a bit sleepy. "... Where the hell am I...?" Scootaloo sighed and rested her hoof on the bed next to Ryan. 

"You're in the spare bedroom." She said. "All your stuff is in the dresser over there." She pointed to the opposite wall where a dresser sat with a drawer open a bit. "My dad found your gun and he locked it up in the gun safe he has. Sorry!" 

Ryan sat up and grunted holding his gut. "...Can you help me to the bathroom Scoot?" He asked. "My bladder feels like its ready to blow..." Scootaloo nodded and turned making herself parallel to the bed side. Ryan pulled himself onto scootaloos back with his legs hung off to one side. He was still fully clothed minus his shoes and socks. He didn't have his hoodie on either. A closer look revealed he had a grey Jimmi Hendricks tshirt on. 

Scootaloo looked back at him making sure he looked situated. She noticed his shirt and started out the door. "... I see you like Hendricks..." She said hesitantly.

Ryan whimpered crossing his legs. "...Y-Yeah..." He said. "...can you try not to bounce please...? I don't think I can hold it for much longer...." 

Scootaloo slowed down and slid her hooves across the wood floor. "...My mother used to play his music..." The orange Pegasus said sounding like she was holding back tears. "... She always sang to 'Purple Haze'.... 'Along the Watchtower'...." She suddenly stopped halfway down the hall sniffling. "...Bathrooms right there..." She forced out. Ryan had his legs crossed so tightly he was paralyzed. Suddenly she sat down making Ryan roll off onto the floor. Scootaloo started to cry and the sound of hooves hitting the ground behind them startled Ryan making his bladder release. He quickly took his hand away and a stain quickly grew on his pants and a puddle formed under him. 

Scootaloo's father came into the hall looking worried. Ryan saw him and blushed embarrassed tearing up. The fatherly Pegasus stepped around Ryan's puddle and quickly went to his daughters aid. She hugged him tightly. "What happened?!" Scootaloo's father asked the wet human. 

Ryan sniffled and shook a bit. "...Sh-she saw my shirt after she was helping me to the bathroom..." He said trying not to cry. "... She was talking about her mother and... we just didn't make it...." He blushed hard looking at the huge stain on his pants and the puddle on the floor.

The fatherly colt stood Scootaloo up and whispered into her ear. She looked at him and nodded before opening a door in the hallway. Her father extended his wing and helped Ryan up out of the puddle. He also opened a door that lead to the bathroom. "Here," he said. "Get cleaned up. I'll get your clothes washed and before you know it you're going to meet the princess. You gonna be okay?" Ryan wiped his eyes and hesitantly nodded.

About an hour later Ryan had a pair of sweat pants on with a white jersey shirt on. He sat in Scootaloo's room on the bed right next to her and her father. Scootaloo had her face buried in her hooves crying. "Scootaloo I know its hard to think about your mother." Her father said. "Its hard for me too. I just have to be strong for you. I promised I would be strong for you! Your friends and I would be there for you!" No answer. 

Ryan sighed and hugged Scootaloo. "Scootaloo..." He started. "... I may not have met your mother but she sounded like a great mare... I mean she brought a sweet little filly into this world that I've connected with in the short time I met you. I may not know what it is like to lose a parent but know I'm here for you. I promise if you ever need a hug or at least someone to talk to I'll be right there!" 

Scootaloo sniffled and smiled a bit putting her hooves down. She looked over at Ryan and then at her father. "... Th-thank you...." She said. "...I really appreciate it...." She pulled Ryan and her father close for a hug. Ryan smiled and nuzzled the orange Pegasus pony. Her father thought for a second. He hummed as he thought. "Something wrong dad...?" Scootaloo asked. Her father looked at her. 

He shook his head and smiled. "Scootaloo," He said. "How would you like to have a brother?" 

Scootaloo tilted her head eyes almost crossing. "Don't you have to have another marefriend or wife to do that?" She said. 

Her father shook his head again. "I don't mean MAKING a brother for you." He said. "There's a 50/50 shot on that too and with the mare I hook up with I have no clue what kind of pony would come out! What I'm saying is that I want to adopt Ryan making him your brother!" Scootaloo and Ryan gasped. They looked each other in the eye not saying any words. Ryan looked over to Scootaloo's father who had a big grin on his face. 

"You gotta be joking!" Ryan said. 

Scootaloo's Father shook his head. "Not joking!" He said. He looked to his daughter. "Well Scoot? What's your answer?" 

Scootaloo suddenly screamed and threw Ryan down onto the bed hugging her father. "YES YES YEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!" She yelled. Ryan sat up and joined in the hug. The hug lasted for a little while. 

The fatherly colt pried the two younglings off of each other and himself. "Alright lets get to bed you two." He said. "We gotta go see the princess tomorrow so I can fill out the adoption papers for Ryan here!" Ryan smiled and hugged Scootaloo again. 

"We'll stay up a bit longer just to spend some time together before tomorrow!" Scootaloo said. Her father smiled and nodded before getting up and walking out of the room. 

A human having a pony as a sister? Neither Ryan or Scootaloo could believe such things. Ryan had a bit of trouble getting to sleep. He sat up in his bed with the dresser light on. He just stared at the wall intently not even blinking more than once every few minutes. Suddenly there was a slight knock on the door. "Ryan?" Someone whispered. It was Scootaloo. Ryan got up out of his bed and went to the door opening it. There in the dark hallway he saw Scootaloo giving a humble but nervous smile.

"Cant sleep either eh?" Ryan asked. Scootaloo shook her head and went past her new brother into his room. Ryan shut the door and smiled. 

"...You okay with your new room Ry?" The orange Pegasus mare asked. 

Ryan went over to his dresser and pulled open a drawer. "Yeah...." He said. "... I'm so excited about my new life here... i'm also nervous on how Princess Twilight will be... Luna told me-" 

Scootaloo gasped cutting Ryan off. "You MET Luna?!" She asked shocked. 

Ryan nodded. "I was passed out after your dad crushed the wind out of me." He said. "I started to have a nightmare about what would've happened if I hadn't run away. Luna stopped it and promised I wouldn't be taken out of Equestria. But as I was saying Luna told me Princess Twilight is a kind princess... Right? I really hope I heard that right."

Scootaloo giggled as Ryan took the unmarked book and a pencil out of the drawer and closed it. "Yeah you heard that right!" She said sitting down with Ryan on his bed. "Princess Twilight might have her friends there so you might make friends." She noticed the book in Ryans hand. "What's that?" She asked.

Ryan flipped the book open to the first page. Inside was nice lined paper not even written on. "It's a journal my school counselor gave me to write down my feelings in." He said. "But until now I didn't have anything to write. Wanna help me out sis?" 

Scootaloo blushed and giggled. "Please don't call me that Ryan!" She said. "It emberasses me! But... Sure I guess I could help!" 

Ryan smiled. "Alright now lets get writing!" He said. He pushed the pencil tip lightly onto the paper and started scrawling his words.

He proceeded to write: 

Dear Journal,

I enjoy the time ive spent living my new life since I ran away. I know running away isn't a good thing to do but with the life I had I needed to get away. I have a new family that needed a new member since they lost one not too long ago. My new sister wants me to meet the Princess of Ponyville. I said id do it but only if I got a hug and some snuggle time in bed and no not dirty snuggle. I want to keep my new sister happy and give her good memories to have with me. I'd keep Scootaloo and her father happy even if it meant giving up my way of life. I don't even care. As long as I have my new family I'm happy!

He then signed his name and looked over at Scootaloo who had now lied down in Ryan's bed and fallen asleep. Ryan sighed and reached over setting the book and pencil on the night stand. He reached up and grabbed the pull string on the lamp and pulled it turning the light off. Ryan then lied down next to his sleepy pony sister and snuggled up to her falling asleep. Tomorrow is another day.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was the next morning after Ryan had written in his journal about his new family. Scootaloo and Ryan were still asleep in the same bed cuddling with each other. The morning sunlight poked through the window right on to the covers of the messy bed. A knock on the door woke Scootaloo up. Ryan stayed asleep. The purple maned Pegasus opened her eyes and rubbed them. She looked at her new brother and smiled a bit. She kissed his forehead and carefully crawled out of the bed. Fixing her mane she slowly walked to the door careful not to wake Ryan up. When at the door she opened the door and walked out carefully shutting it behind her. She let out a sigh and walked towards the bathroom. The door was closed and the sink inside seemed like it was running. Scootaloo knocked on the door. "Dad? That you in there?" She said. The sound from inside stopped. 

"Who else would it be?" He said. "Ryan even up yet?" Yeah that was her father.

"Nope!" Scootaloo said. "He came in to my room saying he couldn't sleep so I kinda cuddled with him if that's okay." The bathroom door opened and there was her father smiling.

"That's just fine." He said. "Make him feel comfortable! Can you wake him up? I'm gonna make pancakes just for him. I did a little research and humans seem to like pancakes with syrup and juice. Found out they also like meat but I don't think any ponies here have meat." 

Scootaloo sighed. "Ponies might not have meat but its his choice if he wants to have meat here or not." She said. "But if he does HE cooks it himself!" Her father nodded and turned towards the living room. Scootaloo went back to Ryan's room and opened the door again. 

Inside she saw Ryan hanging off one side of the bed his feet pointing towards the floor. She went to his bed side and put her hoof on him gently nudged him. "Ry. Wake up Ry!" She said softly. "You wanna meet Princess Twilight don't you?" 

Ryan snorted and brought his head up. He slowly opened his eyes trying to adjust to the light. "There you are sleepy head!" Scootaloo said giggling. "C'mon Dads making breakfast!" 

Ryan yawned and blushed a bit. "Uh... Real quick before you go out can you grab me some underwear and some pants please..?" He said. "... Somehow managed to wiggle out of my shorts last night and they disappeared..." 

Scootaloo giggled and nodded going over to her brothers dresser. She opened up one of the drawers and dug around in a pile of his things. "You seem to not have many things in here." She said pulling a pair of blue plaid boxers from the drawer. She opened another drawer above and below to find nothing in them. She went back to the middle drawer and dug through it. "Any idea where the pants you wore yesterday were?" Ryan nodded and caught the boxers as his sister tossed them over.

"I didn't see them." He said as he rustled under the covers. "Did your dad even get the from the washer or where ever you wash clothes??" 

Scootaloo turned around. "He's your dad too Ry!" She snapped. "Come to think of it I don't think dad even got anything from the washer. You stay here and ill see if I can find your pants!" Ryan smiled and uncovered himself sitting on the edge of the bed in his jersey and boxers.

Scootaloo hurried back out of the room and closed the door. She came into the living room where she saw her father in the kitchen over a stove cooking. "Dad Ryan needs his pants!" Scootaloo said. 

Her father looked over at his daughter. "I put them right at the foot of his bed!" He said. "Or at least I thought I did... Check the dryer. They could be there." Scootaloo nodded and went to a door right beside the kitchen. She opened it and just feet from the door was a wall. To the right was a set of stairs descending into darkness. Scootaloo set hoof in the door and slowly went down the stairs. Soon she was completely enveloped in darkness. She felt around for a switch on the wall. She knocked her hoof into something solid, small an metal. She felt a nub on the little small metal thing and flipped it up. A light switched on above her brightening the whole room. It was a laundry room within a basement. A few shelves sat near the corner. Jugs of water sat on a few and some cans of food sat on the shelves above it along with a box. It was marked 'Emergency Blankets and supplies'.

Scootaloo looked to the washer and dryer and went towards the metal boxes. She pulled the little door to the dryer open. She reached inside and pulled out pieces of fabric. Her heart dropped. "Uh... Dad!" She called out feeling a bit scared. "Can you come down here please?!" She waited for a moment and the sounds of her fathers hooves hitting the wooden stairs soon came. 

"What are you yelling about?" He asked curious. "You aren't afraid of the little spiders down here are you?" Scootaloo shook her head and showed her father the tattered remains of a garment. 

"Dad Ryan's pants are DESTROYED!" She said still frightened. Her father gasped.

"SHIT!" He yelled. "I thought human clothes were the same with pony clothes! Sonova..." He started mumbling his words under his breath. 

"Dad? Scootaloo?" Someone said. It was Ryan. Scootaloo started to panic along with her father. "Where are you guys? I still need my pants!" Scootaloo looked to her father chewing on her hoof. He shrugged nervously. She went to her fathers side and whispered into his ear. 

"We have to tell him about his pants!" She said. "We gotta have Rarity make him some new clothes or at least borrow some money to buy him some new clothes that actually fit him!" Her father took a deep breath and put his hoof on his daughters shoulder. 

"I think your right scoot." He said. "You tell him to get his shorts back on and get his shoes and socks! I'll tell him about his pants and take him to Rarity's!" Scootaloo nodded and hurried back up stairs. 

Once at the top of the stairs in the door way she saw Ryan in a white shirt barely covering his boxers. In pointy red letters stretching across the shirt over a familiar statue with an arm raised broken off. The letters going across her brothers shirt read 'MetallicA'. The M and the A at either end of the word had a barbed outer edge. Words below the statue read '....And Justice For All' in black spray paint. "There you are!" Ryan said surprised to see his pony sister. Scootaloo nudged him towards the living room couch. Lucky enough the curtains were closed not even letting anyone look in. She sat on the couch and patted the seat next to her. Ryan raised his eye brow and sat next to her hesitantly. 

"Ry..." Scootaloo said a bit sadly. "...You think you'd be able to find the shorts you wore to bed last night?" 

Ryan gave his sister a weird look. "Don't tell me I looked cute in those shorts..." He said averting his gaze blushing hard. 

"Its not just that!" She said. "Dad accidentally destroyed your pants in the dryer!" 

Ryan's jaw dropped. "My PANTS?!" He yelled. He grunted and grabbed a throw pillow shoving his face into it starting to yell. 

"Ry! Calm down please!" Scootaloo said grabbing a hold of her brother. Ryan brought his head up and shoved his sister into the arm of the couch in rage. 

"YOU CALM DOWN!" He yelled in her face. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD IT IS TO GET PANTS NOW THAT IM OUT HERE?!" Scootaloo flinched. She then looked at the door to the basement and instantly saw her father hurrying to her aid. He grabbed Ryan and pulled him off.

"Ryan!" He said holding the human boy back. "Calm down we can get you more pants! We know a tailor in town that can make you pants!" Ryan struggled to break free but no luck. He ended up breaking down starting to cry. He was overwhelmed with his emotions. He had enough room where he could flip around and hug his new father and bury his head into his chest crying. Scootaloo shakily sat up and patted Ryan on the back shushing him. 

The crying went on for a while till he couldn't any more. By that time he sat with Scootaloo at the kitchen table sipping some water. Scootaloo had her hoof on Ryan's lap. Ryan set his glass down and hugged his sister sniffling. "...S-Sorry I yelled at you..." He said. 

Scootaloo sighed and hugged back. "Its okay..." She said. "I know you have a lot of emotions built up since you left your home... I've had my emotions built up since my mom died... Its exactly why I cried seeing your Jimi Hendricks shirt... Your Metallica shirt isn't doing me any better but I can manage... My mom only played the classics from the 60's." 

Ryan sighed just as their father came in with Ryan's bed shorts on his wing. "Alright I called Rarity to give her a heads up that we're coming." He said. "Ryan I have your shorts here so when you're ready let me know and we can go get your pants made!" 

Ryan sniffled and broke the hug with his sister. He reached over and grabbed his shorts from his fathers wing and stood up slipping each leg into his shorts bringing it up around his waist. "...Give me a few minutes... I need my music to calm me down..." He said going towards his room in the hall. His father smiled. 

"Don't take too long Ry." He said. No answer came from Ryan as he disappeared into the open door of his room.  The father of the two sat down at the table across from his daughter. "You okay?" He asked. 

Scootaloo nodded still a bit shaken. "...I just told him his pants were destroyed and he flipped out like he was being accused of murder..." She said.

Her father sighed. "I assume it's the stress that he's been under lately." He replied. "I say we let him rest a few days before we help him find a job to do. Maybe your friend Applebloom can help him get a job at her family's orchard picking apples." 

Scootaloo shrugged resting her head on her hoof. "She and I haven't spoken since Diamond Tiara planted the lipstick on me..." The orange Pegasus mare said. "... She even thought I actually did it! She's known me for years and she suspects me of stealing! The only thing I've stolen was a kiss from Sweetie Belle's excoltfriend. Stupid colt seduced me enough to kiss him... Lucky me Sweetie walked in and stopped things from escalating... Glad she still knows i'd never steal..." 

Her father got up from the table and went around sitting next to his daughter hugging her. "Don't worry." He said. "I'm sure if I talk with Applebloom's sister she can help ease the tension between you two!" Scootaloo hugged her father back. 

The hug lasted for a few moments till Ryan came back from the room in his shorts and his shoes and socks on. Scootaloo broke the hug with her father getting up from the table. "All ready to go?" Their father asked. Scootaloo sighed and nodded. Ryan nodded as well and put his hand on his sisters winged back.

Not too long later they were all walking through the streets of Ponyville. Ryan's head was picked up again staring at the huge castle in the middle. Without even looking he followed Scootaloo and their father still grasping Scootaloo's wing lightly. Scootaloo looked back at Ryan. "Hey Ry...?" She said hesitantly. "You okay...?" 

Ryan nodded and walked a bit faster and wrapped his arm around Scootaloo's neck. "Yeah... I'm just sorry that I snapped like that..." He said sadly. "...I didn't hurt you did I?"

Scootaloo shook her head. "...just shaken up." She replied. Their father looked back at them.

"Scoot sweetie when we get to Rarity's you get Sweetie Belle and go to Sweet Apple Acres and wait for me and Ryan!" He said. "I wanna keep him from showing his true colors to your friends. Gotta keep him calmed. I can probably have Rarity put one of her CD's on so Ry can relax." Scootaloo nodded. Just nodded. No verbal answer. 

They kept walking for a while till they came to a round building almost church like with a round smaller top. Scootaloo knocked on the door and Ryan went to his father. The door opened and revealed a white pony with a purple mane. Something was jutting out of her mane. A horn. Ryan gasped looking on in shock. "No way... A Unicorn?!" He said. "Theres no way im seeing this." 

The unicorn looked to Scootaloo. "One of your friends I presume?" She asked. 

Scootaloo nodded. "Its my new brother." The orange Pegasus replied. "He ran off from home and yaddah yaddah yaddah not to be rude or anything but where's Sweetie Belle? I kinda need her right now..." She nervously rubbed her arm averting her gaze as her father gave her a dirty look. 

Rarity giggled a bit. "Don't worry about being rude." She said. "I've known you long enough to know how you are. Sweetie should be upstairs practicing for her upcoming talent show showing off her singing voice! Why do you need her?" Scootaloo looked to her father. He nodded as Ryan hid nervously behind him. 

"Scootaloo needs to go down to Sweet Apple Acres to tell Applebloom she wasn't the one that stole anything! My little girl is too good for that!" Their father said. "She knows Sweetie Belle and Applebloom are still good friends and maybe they could go there together and talk with Applebloom and get her to apologize for believing my  baby would steal!" Scootaloo blushed hard as Ryan laughed hiding behind his father.

"Alright," Rarity said. "Come on in and grab her. Maybe I could get to know your new brother. He seems nice but... a bit under dressed... That shirt with those shorts? Doesn't he have any other bottoms to wear?" Scootaloo went inside as Ryan showed himself a bit emberassed. 

"Well... I may have had a bit of an accident and I ended up being without pants this morning." He said. "My pants couldn't handle the strength of the washing machines here in Equestria... They brought me here because they- I mean.... I want new clothing that's me but wont get destroyed in the wash. Please...?" 

Rarity smiled. "Of course ill make you some new clothing!" She said. "The fabrics I have are certainly stronger than what's made outside in your area. Come on in don't just stand there!" Ryan smiled and went inside. His Pegasus father followed. Inside the building Ryan saw a messy tailor shop. Rarity came up beside him as Ryan's father sat off to the side. Ryan looked over at Rarity and saw 3 baby blue diamonds on her white flank. She noticed him looking at her flank and blushed. 

"My my someone is a little curious." She said giggling. "If you're wondering what my cutie mark means it basically tells me I can find gems under ground." Ryan raised an eye brow and looked to Rarity in the eye. "By the way what's your name? I'm Rarity. You might see my sister soon but not for long." 

Ryan smiled. "I'm Ryan." He said. "Yeah I was adopted by pegasi as a brother and a son to replace someone they lost." 

Rarity sighed looking back towards the messy room. "Her mother was a nice mare," She said. "I'm glad I was there when Scootaloo and your father needed me. Judging by your shirt you liked the same music her mother liked. She always did like Classic Rock... I was more for '80s Pop like Michael Jackson. ...From what I heard a lot of your kind cried when he passed."

Ryan sighed and stepped over to a mirror. "Yeah... He was great...." He said. "I'd always listen to Thriller around Halloween. So how about the pants please?" Rarity smiled and walked over just as some hoof steps came from near by. Ryan looked over and saw Scootaloo come from a doorway with another unicorn mare behind her. She had a pink and violet colored curly mane and tail. There was a microphone in a heart on her flank. 

Rarity looked over and smiled. "Sweetie Belle you be good now!" She said. "You know I don't want Applejack to come over here with you hog tied on her back again! You know how I feel about being the older sister and caretaker of the so called 'unisow'"

The other white unicorn blushed hard and sighed. That was Sweetie Belle. "That was ONE time Rarity!" She snapped. "And that was only because I accidentally tripped and smashed a bushel of apples. They have SO many I don't think a few red fruits are going to make a difference." 

Rarity growled. "Just go now before I kick everyone out of here to have MY alone time and you know how long that takes!" She said near yelling. Scootaloo grabbed her friends hoof and yanked her out the front door. Rarity gave a hefty sigh and  turned back to Ryan who looked a bit frightened. "That 'fresh mouthed' filly was my little sister Sweetie Belle. I'm forced to take care of her while our parents are making money at their job as a bar owner and a mountain guide for tourists. My father runs the bar at the town just at the base of the Foal Mountains. That is one place I or Sweetie could get lost if we took a wrong turn." 

Ryan hesitated to answer still a bit shaken from what was said. "Uh Rarity?" Ryan's Father said. Rarity looked over at the seated Pegasus. 

"Yes Mr. Rubber?" She said. Ryan looked to his father giving him a weird look. 

"Mr. Rubber?" Ryan said quizzically. 

His father nodded and sighed. "Ryan yes my name is Burning Rubber now just let me talk please!" He said. Ryan nodded and stepped back. He looked back to Rarity. "As I was saying don't you have any Rolling Stones CDs or at least some some CCR CD's you could play to keep him calm? He's a bit stressed out after getting away from the life as a drug dealers son." 

Rarity looked at Ryan. "A Drug Dealer?!" She said shocked. Ryan nodded hesitantly. "Ryan I had no idea how bad a life you had for you to run off like that! You wait right here and I will be right back with those CDs to play for you." Ryan smiled and sighed a bit. "Just strip down to your underwear so I can get a good measurement when I come back." Ryan nodded and took his shirt off as the white unicorn left the room. 

Over with Scootaloo as she walked with her friend she shuttered nervously not even breaking her gaze from the road ahead. Sweetie Belle just looked over at her friend a bit worried. "Come on Scootaloo," She said. "You and I both know Applebloom won't dare yell when her sister is around. If I need to I'll get Big Mac to tie Applebloom up so we can drag her to the jail to see Diamond Tiara in there! If I know Big Mac he's REAL good with a rope... well... when AJ isn't around..." She blushed biting her lip. 

Scootaloo looked over forcing out a smile. "Woah there Sweetie!" The orange Pegasus said. "You think about Big Mac any more than just a friend we might just drown!" She laughed a bit making her friend blush harder. 

Sweetie Belle shook her head focusing again. "So uh... How did you end up getting a human brother?" She asked as they turned a corner. "It seems a bit weird. How is he going to mate if he's the only human in Equestria?" 

Scootaloo grunted and shook her head as they came to a road lined with apple trees. "Human's don't mate like we do Sweetie Belle!" She snapped. "Humans are like rabbits except they actually know when to stop!" Sweetie looked to her friend a bit shocked. Scootaloo sighed and hung her head sadly. "I'm sorry Sweetie... I've just been under a lot of stress since I was blamed for stealing that lipstick... Not to mention my brother's taste in music makes me remember my mother..." 

Sweetie belle sighed and nuzzled Scootaloo hugging her when they stopped at a cross roads. "Don't worry its alright." She said. "I'd be stressed too if someone suspected me for stealing. Just stay positive for me?" Scootaloo nodded into her friends shoulder. The two ponies broke the hug and looked each other in the eye nodding going through with the meeting with their other friend. They both looked back down the road and started into a sprint almost as if they were racing each other.

Soon they came to a clearing amongst all of the apple trees. In the middle of the clearing there was a large farm house. The air was silent other than a blunt sound of something knocking into wood. Scootaloo looked into the trees just left of the humble abode. That's where the noise seemed to be coming from. The two mares followed the sound. Sweetie Belle looked to her friend. "Well?" She said softly. "Aren't you going to let them know you're here?" 

Scootaloo sighed and nodded. "Applejack! Big Mac!" The Pegasus mare called out. "Anypony here?" The solid thunk stopped. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stopped in their tracks hearing other hoofsteps coming toward them.

"Scootaloo is that you sugarcube?" Someone said. Scootaloo smiled as an orange earth pony came from the trees. Her blonde mane tied in a pony tail same as her tail too. On her flank sat three red apples. Atop her head rested a cowboy hat right between her ears. 

"Hey there Applejack!" Sweetie Belle said smiling. "Is Applebloom around?" 

This was Applejack, the middle sibling of Applebloom and Big Mac. The orange mare smiled and nodded. "She's around but why don't you tell me why you're here?" She asked. "Y'all better not be trying to get at my big brother again. You know he can't do anything with you on account of your sister! She'd kill him! Not only she'd kill him I'D kill him!" 

Sweetie Belle blushed and averted her gaze. "No its nothing like that!" She said. "Scootaloo wanted me to come along to have Applebloom apologize for actually suspecting Scootaloo of stealing something." 

Applejack smiled. "Well why didn't you come sooner?" She asked. "Applebloom saw Diamond Tiara being hauled away and when she went to apologize to Scoot she up n disappeared! She should be in her room right now! C'mon follow up girls!" Applejack started to dart through the trees with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle right on her tail. 

They quickly came back onto the house just around back. The screen door flew open and out came a big red colt with an orange mane and tail with a half of a green apple on his flank. This was Big Macintosh or 'Big Mac' For short. He stepped to the side and watched his little sister and Scootaloo rush past him. Sweetie Belle slowly trotted inside staring at the colt blushing. Big Mac waved and started for the trees looking back at the love struck unicorn filly who now sat by the back door. Inside Scootaloo was holding back tears as Applejack was trying to get her sisters bedroom door open. Applejack jiggled the knob and knocked on the door. "Applebloom open this door right now!" She said. "Look I know you might be doing something Granny wouldn't approve of but you can at least stop for a moment! I promise I'll let you get it out of the way after you talk to someone out here!" 

She listened closely and heard a muffled grunt. Rustling of bedding and the sounds of hooves hitting the floor from a few feet up broke through the thick door. A lock on the door clicked open and the door itself opened and a red maned yellow filly poked her head out blushing a bit. This was Applebloom the youngest sibling. "Aj what the hay you want me to do?" She asked. "You know its hard for me to work while i'm on my period! Even harder when I could contaminate the whole batch with my fluids!" 

Scootaloo sniffled and stepped forward. "Well... Cant you put it on hold for me...?" She asked. Applebloom looked to Scootaloo and she gasped flinging the door open revealing her whole body. Her flank had an acoustic guitar as a cutie mark. She quickly ran out and tackled the now crying orange Pegasus to the ground. 

Applejack smiled and picked the two back up. "Get up now and go back in to the room you two!" She said. "I gotta get back to work outside!" Applebloom cried into her friends shoulder. Scootaloo looked over and nodded at AJ. She then took her friend back into the room and closed the door behind them. 

Inside the room was a messy bed with a tissue box on a nighstand next to it. The curtains were opened letting in light to the room. A picture of an old mare sat on the dresser. Words carved on the frame of the picture read 'In memory of Granny Smith Apple'. Scootaloo sat down on the bed with her friend. She plucked a tissue from the tissue box and gave it to her friend. Applebloom took it and held it to her nose blowing into the paper. "... I-I thought you were gone Scoot...." Applebloom said. 

Scootaloo sighed and averted her gaze. ".... I would've been if my new brother hadn't shown up....." She said sadly. "... My dad would've needed me here too... He's all alone without my mom being here to comfort him until I came home... if I came home..." 

Applebloom sniffled and looked to her friend. "New brother...?" She asked. 

Scootaloo sniffled and nodded taking a tissue for herself. "... He's a human..." She said. "... I found him after his boat brought him here and I invited him into my campsite and needless to say neither he or I are virgins after he convinced me to go back home...." She smiled and blushed a bit. 

Applebloom blushed a bit. "... I would say that's gross fuckin' your own brother but it aint like I caught Aj n Big Mac doing some dirty deeds." She said. "Thank Celestia my brother always wears a condom if my sister doesn't." 

Scootaloo put a tissue up to her nose blushing hard. "...I swear if I take this tissue has nose blood on it I'm going straight home and my dad will have to take my brother to see Princess Twilight..." She said. 

Applebloom laughed a bit. "Scootaloo you know I'm jokin'!" She said. "Aj and Big Mac won't dare do that ever! They know better to find someone else to have fun."

Scootaloo brought the tissue down and sighed seeing no dark red splotches. She then conked her friend on the head. "Please don't ever joke about that!" She said. "Hey why don't you and Sweetie Belle come back to Rarity's with me to see my bro? He's getting some new clothes made after we messed up his pants." 

Applebloom smiled. "I reckon that's a fine idea Scoot!" The yellow mare said. "Just wait down stairs for me. Gotta get ready." Scootaloo nodded and hopped up from her friends messy bed and hurried out. 

Back over with Ryan he was trying his hardest to stand still as Rarity used magic to sew up pant legs on new Camouflage shorts. His father sat off to the side with his head bowed as he napped a bit. "A unicorn using magic..." Ryan said. "What else do you have here flying pigs?" 

Rarity giggled a bit as she clipped the thread finishing up on the new garment. "Well I know you're a human not really used to things of equestrian nature." She said taking a few pins from the pant legs. "You'll learn of everything around here quickly. By the way if you go looking for a pet go to my friend Fluttershy. She takes care of all the animals around Ponyville but if she asks tell her you're a vegetarian! Last time she found something eating another animal of hers she nearly blew a fuse! She takes her animals very seriously!" 

Ryan's stomach gurgled a bit. He blushed. "...Well... Speaking of food..." He said smiling nervously. 

Rarity smiled. "I have just the solution for you!" She said starting to walk towards a door way. "Follow me! Don't worry I made sure I got all the pins out of your new shorts!" Ryan carefully stepped away from where he stood. The fabric against his skin felt soft yet strong enough to handle anything. He smiled and started feeling comfortable in the new fabric following Rarity closely. He followed Rarity up the stairs. "My sister likes to eat ramen noodles." Rarity said. "She has all kinds of them. Chicken, Beef. Even Shrimp. Thank goodness its only the flavoring and not actual meat. Fluttershy would be not only on her ass she'd be on my ass for buying it for her. I can cook one for you if you'd like. Just tell me which one you'd preffer and i'll be happy to make it for you." 

Ryan thought to himself stopping outside a door that Rarity went inside. "Beef I guess? I'm not a big fan of sea food." He said. 

Rarity giggled and came from the room with a package of dry noodles in her teeth. "I'm no fan of that flavor either. Always chicken flavored when ever my sister gives me some!" She said. "If you would be so kind enough to wake your father up. You should tell him to join us for some lunch." Ryan smiled and nodded. 

When they got to the bottom of the stairs Ryan hurried into the tailoring room where he saw his father balancing himself on the chair still asleep. He walked up to him and gave him a gentle nudge. "Dad? C'mon wake up Pop!" He said. 

His father snorted jumping a bit. He rubbed his eyes and groaned a bit. "...Ryan...?" He said seeing his son. He looked around and yawed. "...Where are we....? How long have I been out...?" 

Ryan smiled. "You were out for about 45 minutes or so. Rarity finished my pants and now she's gonna make some lunch for us! Scootaloo is still out seeing her friend." Ryan stepped back allowing his father to stand up and stretch. 

His stomach growled a bit. "I guess I could eat while we wait for Scoot to get back." He said. "Pancakes are abandoned since we found your pants and thank goodness I turned off the stove."

"Food time?" Ryan asked. His father nodded. They both walked into the kitchen and saw rarity at the stove watching a pot of water. She held a spoon in her magic and stirred at the boiling water. 

"Good to see you awake Mr. Rubber!" The purple maned unicorn said. "I hope you're hungry I was just making Ryan here some lunch. You probably could use a meal too! Help yourself to anything in the fridge. I have a few leftovers from dinner last night." 

Ryan and his father sat down at the table. "Thanks again for making my shorts Miss Rarity." Ryan said. 

Rarity looked back at him and smiled. "It isn't every day that I have a guest as random as you." She said. "And consider those a welcoming gift! You can come here at any time to get clothes made for you but I will charge next time so if I were you I'd hit Sweet Apple Acres. It's a walk but it'll be worth it! They get good pay since my friend Applejack sells almost all she has. I could put in a good word for you if you'd like." 

Ryan sighed and sat back in his chair. "No thanks. I can do it myself." He said. "First I need to see Princess Twilight. Anything I should know before I go meet her?" 

Rarity turned the stove off and turned around. "Well for one you always bow to a Princess!" She said. "Formalities here you know. And another thing if a Princess like Celestia or Luna wanted you to come for a dinner you'd need to wear nice dress clothes for example a suit and tie for you. A lady like me would wear a beautiful dress with a lot of gems that I find and have sewn into them. By the way if I needed some help digging for gems would you please help me? I could pay you a little bit to dig for the gems. A lady doesn't get her hooves dirty unless she's Applejack but even she can clean up well."

Ryan's stomach gurgled just as the front door opened and shut. "RARITY!" Someone yelled startling everyone in the kitchen. Lucky for Rarity she wasn't pouring the hot water into a waiting bowl. 

Rarity sighed. "In the kitchen Sweetie Belle!" She said. Ryan sat up in his chair. He looked to the kitchen door and saw three fillies coming in, one being Scootaloo. 

Ryan smiled seeing her. She smiled at him. "Ryan!" She said sitting next to him at the table. "You get your new clothes ready?" 

Ryan nodded and stood up from the table showing his sister his new camouflage shorts. "New shorts for the warmer days." He said. "Gotta see if I can get working somewhere to get Rarity to make me some pants and a jacket when things get cold. It is October after all and I need money quick to get those made!" 

Rarity chuckled trying to keep her sister away from the noodles she was pouring into the waiting bowl. "Well you do have one pony here that might be able to take you to see Applejack!" She said nodding towards Applebloom who was raiding the fridge. 

Applebloom looked up at her friends sister. "Say what Rarity?" She asked. "My ears aint working too well cuz I thought you said for me to take something to my sister?" 

Rarity sighed setting the bowl down in front of Ryan along with a fork. "Applebloom I want you to take Ryan here to the orchard after he meets with Twilight!" She said. "Talk with Applejack and tell her he needs work. Bring Scootaloo along too!" Applebloom grunted and went back to raiding the fridge now with Sweetie Belle at her side. Rarity shook her head and looked at Ryan as he ate the noodles. His father was snacking on a small bowl of fruits. "Well I'll leave you to eat. When you're done just leave the bowl in the sink Ry. Sweetie Belle will do the dishes!" Ryan swallowed a mouth full of noodles and smiled giggling a bit. 

Sweetie Belle looked back at her sister. "I guess there's no getting out of it huh Rarity?" She said. Rarity glared over at her younger sibling. Sweetie Belle went back to digging around in the fridge. 

Rarity took a slight breath and went to an open seat at the table right across from Ryan and sat down. "You think I'd be able to come with you to see Princess Twilight Ry?" Rarity asked. Ryan ate some more noodles and nodded. He swallowed the noodles. 

"Why do you wanna come Rarity?" Scootaloo asked. 

Rarity sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I need to spend some time with her." She said. "Even a Princess needs to spend time with her friends now and then. This even is the 3 year anniversary her original home burned down. She didn't always live in a castle like that." She looked at Ryan. He met her gaze after he set the bowl down from drinking the broth. "Ryan I want you to guess what Princess Twilight used to live in and a quick hint: It wasn't a normal home!" 

Ryan sat back  and stared at the ceiling in thought. Scootaloo giggled a bit. Ryan hummed. "... I wanna say somewhere fancy like a mansion..." He said. He looked back at Rarity who was giggling again. 

"I'm sorry but that is way off!" The white unicorn said wiping a bit of a tear from her eye. "Surprisingly she used to live in the old Ponyville library but that burnt down. The new library is where an old thrift store used to be." Ryan stood up blushing embarrassed a bit as he walked to the sink with the now empty noodle bowl in hand. 

Scootaloo noticed his red face just before he turned to the sink. "Aw c'mon bro you cant just know that off hoof or... in your case hand..." She said. "Now lets get going! I have a good feeling about your first encounter with Princess Twilight!" 

Ryan turned and smiled a bit. "Yeah... I got a good feeling too..." He said. "But... Call me a wuss but... Can I hold your wing when we go up there? I'm still a tad bit nervous going to meet her..." He blushed again. Scootaloo giggled and nodded.

Hours later Ryan was on his way to meet Twilight. He held onto Scootaloo's wing like a little kid with his mother. Their father walked in front of them. Rarity and Applebloom were behind them. As they approached the castle Ryan spotted a few unicorn guards near the front gate. He tightened his grip a bit on Scoot's wing. Scootaloo looked over at him a bit worried. "Ry? You sure you wanna do this today?" She asked. Ryan hesitantly nodded. "If you wanna back out I understand! Just tell dad you wanna go home and he'll take you back! Just take some deep breaths and calm down." 

Ryan looked back at Applebloom just as they stopped at the front gate of the giant castle. Applebloom saw him looking at her. "You need something there... Ryan is it?" She asked. Ryan turned back around facing the giant door again. Applebloom raised an eye brow and nudged Rarity a little. Rarity looked to her. "Yall think that boy's alright Rarity?" 

Rarity sighed a bit. "He looks nervous if you ask me." She said as the guards opened the doors. "I'd be nervous too if I came to an unfamiliar land to meet royalty. Maybe we should wait on giving him a job at your family farm. You know just give him some time to get used to the layout on the land." Applebloom nodded and followed everyone as they went inside. 

A guard now led the group up stairs. Ryan was taking deep breaths just to keep himself calm. He still kept his grip on his sisters wing. "Okay Princess Twilight should be in her personal archives." The guard said. "You stay outside the door until I come out and give you an okay to go on in!" 

Mr. Rubber nodded. "Alright." He said. He looked back at his kids and their friends. "You guys heard that right?" Ryan and the others nodded. 

After a few minutes of walking up stairs they stopped outside a slightly opened door. The guard knocked on the door as Ryan and Scootaloo sat against the wall. Applebloom sat with them having Ryan in between her and her friend. As the guard went in Ryan hugged his knees shaking a bit. "Ryan?" Applebloom said. Ryan looked to her. "Is it okay if I ask my sister to give you a job at our farm? I don't wanna make you rush into working if you don't wanna." 

Ryan hesitantly nodded. "You know you don't have to be scared of Twilight." Scootaloo said. "She's the princess of friendship all over the world. If she was doing anything to harm, scare or even deport you even after Princess Luna said she wouldn't Twilight wouldn't even be a princess! Just stay calm and stick close to me! Okay Ry?" Ryan nodded and leaned on to Scootaloo.

The door opened back up and the guard came out. Ryan, Scootaloo and Applebloom got back up. "Alright Princess Twilight is ready for you!" He said.

The guard stepped out of the way and allowed Ryan's father to go inside with Rarity, Applebloom, Scootaloo and Ryan following him. When Ryan got inside he saw a purple maned alicorn sitting in a chair at a desk surrounded by walls of books. Scootaloo and her father bowed their heads along with Rarity and Applebloom leaving Ryan frozen still standing straight up. Scootaloo looked up at her brother and saw him sweating nervously. "Psst! Ryan!" She said alerting him. Ryan looked to the orange Pegasus. "Bow to her!"  

The purple princess giggled a bit. "Don't worry Scootaloo he's okay!" She said getting up from her chair. She was no bigger than Rarity. All four ponies around Ryan raised their heads again as Twilight approached. Ryan quickly went to his fathers side and buried his head into his shoulder hugging him. 

Ryan's father smiled nervously at Twilight. "Don't mind him he's just a bit nervous on meeting you." He said. 

Twilight giggled smiling. "Princess Luna warned me about him being liked this." She replied. She brought her head down to Ryan's height. "Come now don't be scared of me! I wanna help you here!" 

Ryan sniffled and looked up to Twilight. "R-really...? You aren't going to... kick me out of here....?" He said. 

Princess Twilight shook her head. She looked to Scootaloo. "Scootaloo can you bring some things for Ryan?" She asked. "I wanna have him here for the night to study him and I know i do have to ask your father about that." 

Scootaloo's father chuckled a bit. "Go ahead and study him." He said. Ryan looked to his father. He looked back at him. "Don't worry! Me and Scootaloo were wanting to do something special for you to welcome you into the family! I'll send Scootaloo back here in the morning to get you alright?" 

Ryan hesitantly nodded and broke off from his father. Rarity stepped forward. "Twilight how are you dear?" She asked. 

Twilight smiled as Ryan went to the book shelf behind her. "I'm just fine. Spike is being a little annoyance wanting to see you but Princess Celestia wanted me to write her letters and talk about a few things." She said. "You mind if Spike drops by this weekend? He really wants to see you and i promised he could see you soon." 

Rarity nodded and smiled. "Speaking of my wittwe spikey-wikey where is he?" She asked. 

Twilight smiled and walked over to Ryan who was trying to reach a book just a shelf above where he could reach. She used her magic to get it for him. "He's taking a nap right now since I kept him up a bit past his bed time last night." She replied as Ryan went to the open seat and opened the book. "He should be awake in a little while. You can either wait for him or I can let him know you were here." 

Rarity sighed and blushed a bit. "You let him sleep as much as he needs to!" She said. "I actually need to head home to make sure Sweetie Belle doesn't go do anything stupid like the last time I left her at home alone." 

The purple princess hugged Rarity and giggled a bit. Scootaloo and her father squeezed by Rarity going out the door. Applebloom followed. Ryan peeked over the book watching as his new family and new friend walked away. Rarity broke the hug with Twilight and followed them out the door waving back at her. "Don't forget Rarity! The Grand Galloping Gala is soon and I need a new dress!" Twilight said waving at her friend. 

"Sure thing Twi! You'll get the best looking dress that suits you!" Rarity called out. 

Twilight sighed and turned back to Ryan who still had his face in the book. "Sorry if I'm inconveniencing you Ryan." She said. 

Ryan set the book down. "I-Its fine!" He said a bit shakily. 

Twilight walked around the table and sat in the chair scooting Ryan over a bit. Luckily he still sat on the chair all the way while Twilight hung off a bit. She rested her wing on his back. "I know the feeling of being in a new area not knowing anyone Ry." She said. "I too was a stranger here in Ponyville. I used to live in Canterlot with my parents, my brother and Princess Celestia, also known as Luna's sister. Celestia sent me here just before Luna came back and believe it or not she was evil. If you came here when that happened you probably would've been hiding under your bed wetting your pants and not even coming out for hours on end until the sunlight came back. It was darkness here but in your area of the world it was a solar eclipse. Do you want something to drink to calm your nerves? Always helps me to drink some warm tea." 

Ryan sighed and set the book down closing it. "Yes please..." He said not shaking anymore. "...Can you please show me around here if i'm staying the night? I don't want to get lost in here" Twilight smiled and nodded. She retracted her wing allowing Ryan to get up from the chair. Twilight used her magic picking up the book and placing it back into its designated slot as she got up. 

Ryan waited by the door allowing Twilight to leave the room before him. "I see we have a gentlecolt- I mean- gentleman here." She said. "Sorry I haven't had a human staying in Equestria permanently. I've been a human before when i went through a mirror. I think the mirror was a portal to an alternate universe where Equestria was the only human part of the world and the other was pony." Ryan gave Twilight a confused look as he followed her out. Twilight sighed. "Well it was worth a shot telling you..." 

Ryan shook his head snapping out of his confusion. "I understood none of that! But that doesn't really matter!" He said. 

Twilight smiled a bit as they continued on through the halls. "So I need to ask Ryan..." The alicorn said as they turned a corner. "Why did you come here of all places?" 

Ryan sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I got in a fight and got suspended." He said. "My mom ended up getting arrested for a drug deal gone wrong and my dad went to hide his stupid meth lab and I just didn't want to stick around because my dad probably would've been smacking my ass up and down the road. Excuse my language princess." 

Twilight giggled stopping outside a door in a short hallway. "Don't worry i'm not one to mind foul language although you do seem really nice not minding your past." She said. She opened a door wide revealing an empty bedroom. The bedframe had three apples on the head board. "Anyways this room can be yours. The bathroom is just across the hall incase you need to use it. By the way if you find any earrings please let me know! This also is my friend Applejack's room as well. You were just with her sister Applebloom. Oh and if you see Spike please introduce yourself. He's a purple baby dragon with green horns almost like a Mohawk." 

Ryan tilted his head. "A baby DRAGON?" He asked surprised. 

Twilight nodded. "There's an enchantment on Equestria that Celestia set keeping all of the dragons right here!" She replied turning back down the hall. "Hopefully you don't come face to face with a fully grown adult dragon. That wont ever come to it when my friend Fluttershy is around!" Ryan grabbed his shirt gripping it in his hand starting to lean against the wall. Twilight went to his side. "Did I scare you at all? I don't want you to have a heart attack!" 

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "...I-i'm fine... I'm just fine..." He said opening his eyes back up. He looked to the purple princess and blushed. "... Have you ever dealt with... Bedwetting before...? Not just yourself... Just... others..." 

Twilight blushed and nodded. "I probably shouldn't say who but... A quiet friend of mine had me stay the night a few months ago and we were watching a scary movie together." She said. "After we went to sleep and I woke up to her crying. I went into her room and saw her in the corner cuddling a stuffed animal in the dim lighting. Her bedding was soaked." 

Ryan blushed and stood up releasing his shirt leaving it a bit wrinkled. "... Well...  Just letting you know now that I'm one to piss myself in bed after a scare like that...." He said averting his gaze a bit. 

Twilight sighed and hugged him. "I'm sorry I scared you then..." She replied. "If you do have an accident just come straight to me and I'll change your sheets personally and remember i'm only trying to be a good friend!" 

Ryan hugged back. "It's okay... I know you didn't mean it." He said. "You just wanted to teach me about the area. Maybe we could go somewhere to talk about your other friends? I wanna know what this... Applejack is like. Maybe tell me about some of your other friends as well seeing as you are the... Princess of Friendship right?" 

Twilight broke the hug and smiled. "That's right! Princess of Friendship." She said. "Now follow me. I can definitely tell you about my friends and maybe you'd like a soda or some juice? I don't think your old enough to drink alcohol am I right?" 

Ryan nodded. "I'm just a few years under the legal drinking age of my area and I'm pretty sure the rules are the same here?" He said. Twilight nodded and turned back down the hallway. She started off and Ryan closed the door to his room following her. He noticed marking's on each door. The same three Apples on his door that were on the headboard. The door over had what looked like Rarity's cutie mark. Next one had three butterflies and the one after had a cloud with a lightning bolt coming from it or what it looked like. The last door had three balloons on it. Ryan stopped and stared at the door. "Hey Twilight? Who's room is this?" He asked. 

Twilight turned around and looked at the door. "Oh that just Pinkie Pie's door!" She replied. "Which reminds me you need to go see her for your birthday things because she knows how to throw a party! Right now she's out with another one of my friends Rainbow Dash at the Wonderbolts area of Cloudsdale. I'll tell you more about this before you sleep tonight." 

Ryan smiled. "That sounds lovely Twilight!" He said. Twilight smiled and extended her wing a bit letting Ryan take it in hand just like he did with his sister. 

They talked for hours in a dining room. Spike came in and saw Ryan with Twilight introducing him and continuing on with their conversation. Scootaloo came back and dropped her brothers things off along with a change of clothes. Their conversation ended at nearly midnight. Just before Ryan went to bed he hit the bathroom. He walked out of the bathroom already in his PJ's. Shorts and a Jersey shirt. He saw his door opened and Twilight was inside sorting through his things. He darted inside and quickly snatched his journal away from the alicorn's magic. Ryan turned back to Twilight and hid the book behind his back. She sighed and shook her head smiling. "What...?" Ryan asked. 

Twilight giggled a bit. "It's funny!" She said. "I didn't really know someone like you kept a journal. I saw you more as a 'memorize everything' kind of person." 

Ryan blushed and brought the book from behind him. He averted his gaze blushing. "...Well... I need it... Sorry if I was being rude there." He said. 

Twilight smiled and put everything back in Ryan's bag. "It's alright. I know journals are private but I found one that belonged to both Princess Luna and Celestia." She said. "Me and my friends all share a journal of our own and that I continue to write in to this day." She hummed a bit looking at Ryan and his journal. "How many entries have you written? That is if you don't mind me asking." 

Ryan hopped onto the bed. "Only one so far." He replied. "I never used it before last night." 

Twilight smiled and sat next to him on the bed. "Seems like that book could use a good usage." She said. "How about this? I want you to return here once a week and read to me what you've learned about being friends with ponyfolk here in Ponyville. You do this and I could ask Celestia for a huge favor. How does that sound?" 

Ryan looked at the book and thought to himself. He looked up at Twilight and back at the book. "For how long?" He asked. 

Twilight stood up and plucked the book from him with her magic. "Well, if you only did one entry so far i'd say until about half the book is filled." She said. "I don't want you to be freaking out if you didn't learn anything. Trust me it doesn't end well for you. All the stress piles up." She gave the book back to Ryan and he set it down on a nightstand. 

"I guess that'll be good." He said climbing under the covers. Twilight smiled and left the room just as Ryan turned out the light. Human learning more than what he sort of already knew about friendship. That's gonna take a while.
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was the next morning and Ryan was being walked through the streets of Ponyville with Twilight Sparkle, The Princess of Friendship. Ponies around them paid no mind to her. Ryan looked at a few ponies they passed and hummed. "Something wrong Ryan?" Twilight asked. 

Ryan looked to her. "I'm just a bit confused..." He said. "... With you being a princess you'd think everyone would be freaking out over seeing you. I'd be freaking out just by meeting Slash from Gun's n Roses or even Kirk Hammet of Metallica!" 

Twilight giggled looking back to the road. "These ponies have seen me every day since I came here." She said. "I even told them they should treat me as if I were just a normal unicorn. Some of them still treat me as a Princess even after I keep telling them. We're heading to a few of those ponies right now. The Cakes. They work with Pinkie Pie and live with her too. They always try to give me free treats but I always decline and pay for them. A little warning they have a few trouble making twins. Pumpkin and Pound. Just look before you sit down anywhere." 

Ryan's stomach gurgled. "Woops... Guess I forgot to grab breakfast again..." He said blushing. 

Twilight laughed a bit. "If The Cakes offer me something I'll get it just for you!" She said. "Oh and another thing once we get there and Pinkie sees you just try and not freak out because she can pop up-" Someone cut her off squealing. Suddenly Ryan jumped out of the way as a Pink Pony came running at him. "...Anywhere..." Twilight finished putting her hoof up to her face. 

Ryan looked up from the dirt and saw the pink pony bouncing up and down happily. Her mane was poofy along with her tail. Twilight went over to Ryan's side and helped him up. "HIYA!" the pink pony yelled. Ryan quickly clung to Twilight frightened. The pink pony looked at Ryan a bit worried. "Oh I'm sorry did I scare you?" She nudged the frightened boy a bit. 

Twilight sighed and pushed Ryan off of her. "Pinkie tell Ryan here you're sorry!" The purple pony said. 

Ryan looked to the pink pony again and saw she had her head hung in a bit of shame. "...Sorry..." She said. 

Ryan sighed and went to hug her. "It's okay... I'm still not used to the area yet... Pinkie right?" He said. 

Pinkie raised her head and nodded smiling a bit. "Yup that's me!" She said. "Pinkemena Diane Pie! My friends just call me Pinkie or Pinkie Pie or the Super-Duper-Extravagant-Most-Special-Party-Pony EVER!" 

Ryan laughed a bit. "I'll just call you Pinkie!" He said breaking the hug. "Well I'm Ryan. I just moved in with Scootaloo and her father. Twilight here was just taking me to meet you and The Cakes before I went and met Applejack to see about a job working at her orchard." 

Pinkie hummed thinking. "Scootaloo Rubber- Age 18, Date of birth: October 28th and Burning Rubber- Age 36, Date of birth June 14th!" She said. She looked back to Ryan. "Whens your Birthday Ryan?" 

Ryan smiled brightly. "Awesome I share a birthday with my... Pony twin sister..." He blushed a bit smiling. 

Pinkie gasped and clapped her hooves. "AWESOME!" She yelled. "A Special Double Party of DELIGHT! Oooh I can already see it! Rock music, Speedy Wonderbolts and MAAAAAAAAAAJOR Chocolate cake!" She gasped suddenly and plopped right on her pink balloon cutie mark'd butt. "I wonder if Rainbow Dash will come Scootaloo really admire's how awesome she is..." She kept babbling on in thought as Twilight pulled Ryan away. 

"Pinkie! Aren't you supposed to be working with Mr. Cake right now?" Twilight asked. 

Pinkie stopped babbling on about her parties and sprang to her hooves. "Ohmigosh your right I'M LATE!" She said panicked before she bolted off. 

Twilight giggled. Ryan looked to her curious. "Why are you laughing? She's late for work!" He said.

Twilight stopped giggling and cleared her throat. She looked at Ryan. "She isn't really late for work Ry." She said. "I just said that so we could get going while we still had day light!" Ryan smiled and laughed a bit.

They started off again down the road following hoof prints left by the pink party pony. "I didn't realize I shared a birthday with Scootaloo." Ryan said. "I could swear her birthday could've been earlier than that. When's your birthday Twi?" 

Twilight looked at him as they turned a corner. "March 13th." She replied. "I did wish it were a day earlier or later. When my Birthday falls on a Friday it always worries me I might have bad luck." 

Ryan sighed and stretched. "That's just a myth you know." He said. "I always thought superstition was just in the brain. Worry about it too much and nothing seems real anymore. But that's just me. I don't think anyone would like it if I kept telling them something they believe in, annoying the living shit out of them. Excuse my language Twilight." 

Twilight sighed. "It's alright Ry even I have my bits of cursing sometimes but really Applejack swears like a sailor sometimes." She said. "She didn't always used to be like that you know..." Her voice started to sound sad. "...Her grandmother passed away and Aj lives alone with her older brother Big Mac and Applebloom her little sister. She told me her parents went on vacation going to the Foal Mountains just a year after Applebloom was born. It was hard to even hear about the avalanche that destroyed the resort they stayed at too..." Her voice started to crack getting hesitant on saying anything else. 

"I understand if you don't want to say anymore Twi... You don't really need to say anymore." Ryan said putting an arm around her. 

Twilight sniffled. "...Thank you Ryan..." She said resting her wing on his back. She looked over at him and he saw tears in her eyes. "I cant help but say all that... I've always been close with my parents after my brother went to be a guard for Princess Celestia and now married to my old foalsitter or baby sitter as you would call her... My brother always did things with me when my parents were busy... I'm just so glad I can still spend time with my parents... I still feel bad for Applejack even after all the years she spent without parents." Ryan shushed her starting to walk with her again. He reached up and wiped a tear from her eye. Twilight smiled at him blushing a bit.

Not even a few minutes later they came into the front of Sugar Cube Corner. They saw ponies lined up out the door which looked like it belonged in a western saloon. Twilight sighed a bit walking to the back of the line with Ryan. "Line's are the one thing a Princess like me cant even avoid lines." The purple alicorn said. "I wonder why everyone is here... It's still early I don't see what reason there is to even be here..." 

Ryan stepped over to the side and walked towards the window. "I'll be back Twilight." He said. "I wanna see what's got everyone here." 

Twilight sighed and shook her head smiling. "...I just think its busy..." She said to herself. 

As Ryan walked up to the window a colt raced up pushing him right down into the dirt. Ryan coughed a bit and growled looking up at the colt. "Watch where you're going!" Ryan snapped. 

The colt looked down at him. "Ah screw off!" He said. "I came to see the Princess today and I'll push anyone who gets in my way! NOW PISS OFF RUNT!"

Ryan stood up getting in the colts face. "WHY DONT YOU PISS OFF I WAS HERE FIRST ASSHOLE!" He yelled. The colt mocked him pushing him away again. Ryan growled and charged the colt. 

Suddenly a big purple object appeared in front of him making him fall on his ass when he ran into it. He shook his head stunned and looked up at the object he ran into and gasped seeing a familiar pony. It was Twilight Sparkle getting in the colts face. "How dare you pick on such a defenseless human!" Twilight snapped making the colt cower in fear. "He was CLEARLY here first! Either you apologize to him or I stick you with assault charges!" 

The colts ears flopped and lowered himself a bit to Ryan's height and helped him up. "I-I'm sorry okay!" He said scared. "I just wanted to see Princess Celestia! I just got over excited!" 

Twilight tilted her head. "Princess Celestia?" She asked. 

The colt looked to her and nodded. "Yes that's right!" He said. "Princess Celestia is inside right now!" Twilight gasped and looked into the window. She almost screamed and flashed inside. Ryan looked in the window along with the colt that nearly ran him down. Inside he saw a tall white alicorn sitting at a table with a sun for a cutie mark. Her mane glowed almost like a rainbow as it flowed. Twilight was hugging her smiling brightly. 

Ryan hummed. "So that's Princess Celestia eh...?" He said. 

The colt next to him sighed. "Yeah that's her." He replied. "I was hoping to get inside to meet her but the line is just so long just to even see her!" 

Ryan smiled a bit. "Wow not even a week in Equestria and I've already seen both Princess Luna and now Princess Celestia!" He said. He saw Twilight and Celestia break their hug and start talking with each other. He couldn't hear what they were even saying. Then Ryan saw Twilight point out the window. Celestia looked to the window. Ryan hid a bit feeling nervous. He still looked through the window and saw the tall princess revert her gaze back to the little princess. Twilight and Celesta spoke a little more and Twilight nodded. Suddenly Twilight flashed away. Ryan scratched his head. "Where'd she go you think?" Ryan asked the colt next to him. The colt shrugged. 

"Don't worry Ryan I'm right here!" A familiar voice said. Ryan and the colt turned around. Ryan yelped seeing Twilight right behind him smiling. 

"What the...?! You were just in there!" Ryan said pointing at the building behind him. 

Twilight smiled brightly and giggled. "Alicorn and Unicorn alike both use magic and one skill we all share is the ability to teleport anywhere within five to six meters from where I am as long as I can see it." She said. "I told Princess Celestia about you and she said she had already was told by Luna that you were here. She wants to meet you right away! You okay with that?"

Ryan nodded hesitantly and dusted himself off. "I guess so..." He said. "... I can still get something to eat right Twilight? Not meaning to be rude but I still haven't eaten anything." 

The colt looked to him and nudged him. Ryan looked to him. "Here," The colt said pulling a bag from his short tail. He pulled out three gold coins and gave them to Ryan. "You can buy yourself a few donuts. It's the least I could do to apologize about being rude to a friend of Princess Twilight here." 

Ryan smiled. "Thanks dude." He said sticking the coins in his pocket. "I really appreciate it!" 

The colt smiled and trotted towards the end of the line now across the road. Twilight went towards the door with Ryan now at her side. They squeezed by the ponies blocking the door. Once inside Ryan looked around seeing more tables filled with ponies. Pegasus, Earth Ponies and Unicorn. At the front of the line was a long bar-like counter with three ponies behind it, one being Pinkie Pie. The other two ponies were a mare and a colt. The mare had a pink cupcake frosting like mane and a blue coat. She had a humble look on her face. The colt behind the counter had an orange mane and yellow coat. He too had a humble look on her face. Ryan looked back to Twilight now seeing guards sitting at tables adjacent to the table with princesses at it. Twilight waved him over smiling. Ryan smiled back and approached the table. Suddenly the guards got up from their seats making Ryan stop in his tracks. "Stand down!" Celestia said to her guards. Her guards looked back at her. "He's with Twilight! Now come on back to your seats!" The guards huffed and sat back down. Celestia smiled as Ryan bowed to her. "So this is the human that made it into Equestria! Your name is Ryan correct?" Ryan stood straight up and nodded. Celestia smiled and pulled a chair out. "Come! Sit down! I want to ask a few things if that's alright with you!" 

Ryan sighed. "Go ahead and ask what ever you'd like Princess Celestia!" He said sitting down at the table with both Princesses. 

Twilight smiled and looked to Ryan. "It's amazing! Meeting both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia in the short time you've been here!" She said. 

Ryan sighed and sat back in his chair. "It's a surprise to me too." He said. "I'd've thought I'd meet Celestia here months from now but seeing her is awesome." Celestia smiled just as Pinkie came over with some pastries on a tray that balanced perfectly on her hoof. She set it down on the table. 

"Here ya go Princess!" Pinkie said. "On the house as usual!" 

Celestia smiled taking a cake off of the tray. Twilight took a cupcake off of the tray leaving nothing for Ryan. He looked to Pinkie. "Hey Pinkie do you sell donuts here?" He asked. Pinkie smiled and nodded. "How much for three?" 

Pinkie put her hoof up to her mouth in thought. "One Bit each donut!" She said. 

Ryan dug into his pocket and pulled out the three coins the colt gave him. "...Uh... How much is a Bit...?" He asked confused. Twilight took a bite of her cupcake. 

Celestia giggled. She looked to Pinkie. "Just give him a few donuts." She said. "I'll pay for him." 

Ryan looked to Celestia giving her a sad face. "I don't have enough do I?" He asked. 

Celestia smiled a bit. "You do have enough but I think you have much to learn of equestrian life style." She said. Pinkie smiled and walked away. "Each gold coin you have is called A Bit. With every bit you earn you can purchase anything you need but as all things money can buy the better things cost more like video games, music and even clothing. Food however is still cheap. This is all the currency we have. No paper money. No small coin currency. Just a stable currency that retains its value. All you need is a good job and the skills of a first grader adding and subtracting everything." 

Ryan sighed slumping in his chair shoving the bits back into his pocket. "That's a load off my mind...." He said. "... Some food and some music will help me relax." 

Almost an hour later Ryan and Twilight were off again. This time they were accompanied by Princess Celestia herself. They walked to the outer edge of Ponyville with Royal Guards close behind. "You know we haven't had a human here in years Ry." Celestia said. "Interesting yes but a very tragic story. The human we once had here helped us with so many things. She even kept our manes nice and brushed. My guards didn't exist until Lord Tirek wreaked havoc on Equestria. I protected my subjects. I tried protecting the human too. She was scared and when she ran off trying to find someone she stayed with. It was Twilight's mother. What she didn't know was Twilight's mother was with me scared of what could happen. When I got my subjects clear of Lord Tirek's wrath I banished him to the depths of a cave under Everfree. I went to look for the human and what I found was terrible.... Where she... disappeared... The Tree of Harmony sprouted. That tree now holds the Elements of Harmony. Each friend of Twilight holds an element of the tree. Twilight keeps them all together with her magic. Applejack holds Honesty and can tell when someone is lying. Rarity holds Generosity which is why she gave you a free article of clothing. Pinkie Pie holds Laughter to make the bad things disappear. Rainbow Dash has Loyalty and stays by her friends sides when they need her the most. Last but not least is sweet and lovable Fluttershy. She has the Element of Kindness. If you're down on your luck one hug from her can make it seem like you didn't even have anything bad happen at all. Probably a lot of information for your mind but this is the best way to learn what happened in Equestria." She looked down at Ryan who didn't even seem phased by the large monologue the Solar Princess said. 

Twilight smiled at her little friend. "Starting to understand now huh Ry?" She asked. Ryan nodded not even breaking his gaze from the road ahead. 

"Well someone seems determined on getting their first job!" Celestia said. "With such a frightening past I'd think he'd be getting behind us while he talked with someone he couldn't even deal with in the first place." 

Ryan sighed. "Me put such fancy and nice individuals between me and a drug dealer or dealer of any kind? I can pretty much take care of myself!" He said. "I've always did deals by myself. I'm such a good shot with a revolver you'd basically hear machine gun fire with a six round magazine. Sometimes you'd hear only five shots because the sixth one would be the last one you'd hear." Twilight and Celestia looked to each other raising and eyebrow. Were they really walking with someone who's more dangerous than any ponyfolk? "Hopefully it never has to come to that..." Ryan added. "I'd really hate for a stray bullet to hit any of my new family or friends. Dad locked my gun up in his gun vault. God knows what could've happened..." He sighed along with Celestia and Twilight who both let out a silent sigh. 

They walked on for a few more minutes seeing apple trees lining one side of the road. Soon they came up on a side path leading through the trees. They all turned the corner. Celestia had to lower her head a bit just so she wouldn't skewer any of the apples. Ryan stretched and yawned. Twilight looked to him. "Someone needing some sleep?" She asked. 

Ryan cracked his neck a bit and shook his head. "Nah... I'm fine!" He replied a bit sluggishly. 

Twilight sighed. "We were up pretty late last night Ry." She said. "You should get a nap when we get to Applejack's home. I'll talk with her about a job for you here."  

Ryan groaned a bit and yawned yet again. "I'm fine...!" He snapped. Celestia used her magic and picked the boy up and set him on her back. Almost instantly Ryan fell asleep on her. 

Twilight used her wing to wipe her forehead with her wing. "Thank you! I was just about to use a spell that knocks him out for hours." She said to Celestia. "I used that spell on Spike and started freaking out when he wouldn't wake up." 

Celestia laughed a bit. "I remember that all too well." She replied as they came into a clearing. 

Twilight looked to the home of her friend. "I really hope AJ lets him sleep on the couch." She said. She looked to Celestia. "Do you think you can stay here for a moment? They're probably out working." Celestia smiled and nodded. Twilight smiled and ran off into the trees.

Celestia looked back at the human boy sleeping on her back and nuzzling her neck. 'He really must've not slept well last night... Perhaps I can ask Luna if she can sense anything within him...' She thought to herself. 

Over with Twilight she walked through the trees of her friends orchard. She listened closely trying to notice any blunt noise what so ever. Her ears flickered a bit as galloping hooves came into focus. She looked around but saw no one. The purple alicorn walked on through the apple forest for a bit still looking around, observing her surroundings. She stopped seeing a red object hide behind a tree. She sighed because she still saw it. "Big Mac I know you're there! I can see you!" Twilight said. 

A hefty sigh was heard. The red object moved from behind the tree and sure enough it was a big red colt. The cutie mark on his flank was half a green apple. "Damn," He said. "How'd ya know it was me?" 

Twilight giggled and approached Big Mac. "Applejack and Applebloom aren't as big as you and last time I checked nopony else worked here." She said. 

Big Mac blushed a bit and stepped into the light revealing his long orange mane. "Well that is why they call me Big Mac..." He said rubbing the back of his neck with his hoof. "So why're you here Twi? I thought you was busy with something having to do with Spike." 

Twilight smiled. "I finished early but I got a question." She said. "Think you can find AJ and Applebloom? I have someone here with me looking for a job and he passed out on the way here." 

Big Mac tilted his head. "Where the hell'd ya leave him?" He asked a bit worried. "If AJ finds him there ain't no tellin what she'd do to him! She doesn't trust any random colt that walks onto our property snoopin around!" 

Twilight giggled. "Don't worry about that!" She said taking his hoof. "Princess Celestia is here watching him. We ran into her going to see Pinkie." 

Big Mac sighed relieved and followed Twilight as she pulled him along. "I'll open up the house so you can lie him down." He said. "I'll get Aj n Applebloom in as quick as I can!" 

Not even a few minutes later they were back out front of the house. Celestia watched as Twilight and Big Mac approached. Big Mac stopped just feet from the door and bowed to the Princess of the Sun. He stood back up and looked around. "Twi I thought Celestia was watching the boy!" He said. 

Celestia giggled a bit. "I did!" She said. "He's right here on my back." Celestia moved her wings down a bit revealing Ryan just out of it. 

Big Mac couldn't help but let his jaw hang open. Twilight waved her hoof in front of his friends face. He shook his head and snapped back to normal. "Sorry it's just a shock to me seein a human boy here..." The red colt said lifting up the welcome mat revealing a key. "... I swear it was a pony or griffon... Jeez..." He picked up the key and unlocked the door. 

Twilight smiled nervously and gave a nervous laugh. "I... Should've gave more detailed in what this boy looked like..." She said. 

Celestia picked Ryan up off her back gently with her magic and set him back down onto Big Mac's back. "It's alright Twilight he wouldn't have known anyways." She said. "He or anyone never would've thought a human would come to Equestria." Big Mac walked in and carefully put the passed out boy on the couch. Twilight walked in after him. Celestia lowered her head through the door frame a bit too small for even her to walk through. "Big Macintosh could I trouble you to walk me back to Ponyville in a bit?" She asked. "I need to get back to Canterlot before Cadence gets there and my chariot is around Sugar Cube Corner." 

Big mac smiled walking past Celestia out the door. "Gladly Princess!" He replied. "Just give me a quick minute so I can snag my lil sisters to get them over here." Celestia nodded and sat down as the red colt sped away from the house. 

Inside Ryan shifted a bit. Twilight smiled and sat next to the couch. Celestia poked her head in again. "Twilight I have a question." She said. Twilight looked back at Celestia. "Did Ryan get enough sleep last night?" 

Twilight hummed a bit. "I really don't know Princess." She said. "He went down just before midnight and I didn't hear anything from him all night. I doubt Spike knows anything either. He normally sleeps like a rock anyways. I'll check with Ryan once he wakes up." 

Celestia smiled. "Alright my faithful student!" She said. "You ask him if he had any trouble sleeping and write me a letter saying if he did or not. If he asks just say I was worried about him." Twilight nodded. 

Celestia disappeared from the doorway and a few familiar ponies came in. It was none other than Applejack and Applebloom. Applebloom had a green bandana hanging around her neck. She noticed Ryan asleep on the couch and squeezed past Twilight who went to hug Applejack. "Oh Twi if I knew you were comin to visit ah would've gotten my work done earlier!" Aj said squeezing her friend. 

Twilight sighed. "It feels like forever since we talked Applejack!" She said. They broke the hug laughing a bit. 

"Well you gotta be here for something if Princess Celestia was here." The orange mare said. She looked over at the couch. "And he looks way out of place here!" 

Twilight looked at her sleeping friend. Applebloom gave a sigh as she stared at Ryan as he slept. "He looks so peaceful..." She said. 

Applejack sat down next to the couch. "Better question is who is he?" She asked. 

Applebloom looked to her sister. "This is Ryan!" She said sofly. "It's the cute boy I told you about that's Scootaloo's new brother!" She looked back at Ryan and blushed sighing. 

"Oh so that's him!" Applejack said. Ryan jumped a bit and snorted. He rubbed his eyes and propped himself up with one of his arms. He then opened his eyes a bit. He saw Twilight and smiled a bit. 

"Well good morning there sleepy head!" Applebloom said hopping onto the couch next to Ryan as he sat up. 

Ryan yawned. "...How long was I out...?" He asked. 

Twilight scooted him over almost onto Appleblooms lap. "You were only out for... I wanna say a half hour? We were barely out of Ponyville when Celestia put you on her back and you passed out." She said. "By the way she wanted to know if you had any trouble sleeping last night. Were you having trouble sleeping last night?" 

Ryan sighed and hesitantly nodded leaning on the purple alicorn's shoulder. "... I had a nightmare about my dad again... He.... Beat me...." He said tearing up a bit. "...Even worse... It was.... It was with the stock of my own shotgun...." He hugged Twilight burying his head in her chest. 

Applejack sighed. "Twi why don't you just leave him here... I could let him use Granny's old room to cool off and maybe nap s'more." She said. Twilight sighed and nodded. 

She pried Ryan off her as he sniffled. She held up his chin with her hoof. He sniffled and looked into Twilight's eyes. "Ryan I'm going to leave you here so you can sleep more." She said. "If you need anything just ask Applebloom or Applejack and they'll get it for you or help you with it okay?" Ryan nodded wiping his eyes. Applebloom hugged him as Twilight got up switching places with Applejack. 

Applejack sighed and joined in on the hug with her sister and Ryan just as the front door closed. Aj shushed the crying boy as her sister pushed him to her. "I'll get him something to drink sis!" The red maned mare said hopping up from the couch. 

"Alright but don't give him any of Big Mac's sodas!" Applejack said. She looked to Ryan who was crying into her shoulder. "C'mon sugarcube just take some deep breaths! It aint like you're the only one that was abused at home...." Her voice dropped a bit. 

Ryan sniffled and looked up at her. "...R-really....?" He said. Applejack sighed and nodded just as Applebloom came back setting an open bottle on the coffee table. 

Applebloom sat back down on the couch next to Ryan again. "Yeah Ry..." Applebloom said. "... Someone here was just like you before the guards did what they needed...." 

Applejack broke the hug averting her gaze. "...Just months after Applebloom was born our mother died..." She said. ".... She kept our father from doing anything to harm us but... He'd get drunk n smack me n Big Mac around... Lucky he didn't do anything to us while one of us had Applebloom with us.... Although the one that didn't have Applebloom would've gotten a bad woopin.... Forgive me if I start cryin' in the next part.... My daddy did things to me that Big Mac doesn't even know about... I.... I just wancha t'kno ya aint the only one..." She sniffled holding back some tears. 

Ryan hugged her again. Applebloom joined in too. "Why don't you two go take a nap together...?" Applebloom said. "Aj you've been workin too hard! When Big Mac gets back he n I  are gonna split the rest of your section alright sis?" Applejack sniffled and nodded. The all broke the hug and got up from the couch. Just about half way up Applebloom calls out to Ryan. "Ryan wait!" She said. Ryan turned around and saw she had the bottle of cider in her hoof. "Here! Don't want you to go home thirsty later!" He smiled and took the bottle taking a sip of the bubbly apple juice. 

"Thanks Applebloom but uh... Quick question." He said. "...Would your sister wanna cuddle...?" He blushed taking another sip. 

"Well it wouldn't hurt to ask." Applebloom said. "She seems the same way after our grandmother died. First night after we buried her she had to snuggle up with Big Macintosh in bed. She just couldn't handle it." Applebloom sighed and turned back to the couch as Ryan went to the next floor.

The first door he reached was wide open and he could see Applejack sitting on the bed crying into her hooves softly. The bed she sat on had green covers with little red and yellow apples on it. The bedframe had an antique style to it. Ryan hesitantly knocked on the door alerting her. The orange mare looked up at the door sniffling. She lied down on the bed and turned away. "...G-go away..." She said. 

Ryan sighed and entered the room. He sat at the foot of the bed just out of sight of Applejack. He swirled the drink he had. "...Look... I feel bad for having you tell that story..." Ryan said. "....You seem to have had it worse than I did but... Look what I'm saying is..." He grunted not being able to find any words to console the crying mare. 

Applejack sniffled and sat up in the bed looking at Ryan on the adjacent side of the bed. He had his elbow in his knee as he rested his chin into the palm of his hand. She got up from the bed and walked around sitting on the floor right next to the bed where Ryan sat. He looked down at her. "... Nah... I'm the one who should be sorry..." She said. "....I just haven't talked about that with anypony before except for with my granny n my brother n sister.... y'won't say anything will ya...?" 

Ryan shook his head and took a sip of his sider again. "...I don't blab about anything... I was raised in the house of a drug dealing asshole..." He replied. He held the bottle of cider down to Aj's eye level. "Want some...? Might help..." 

Applejack smiled a bit wiping her eyes and nodded. She took the bottle and took a swig of it before wiping her mouth and handing the almost half empty bottle back to Ryan. Ryan took another drink of the cider as Applejack sighed. "...Ykno that Cider Recipe has been in my family since my great great grandmother." She said. "Always seems to put a smile on my face every time I take a drink of it... You might get a good kick outta workin here." 

Ryan passed the bottle back to Applejack. "A job's a job isn't it? I gotta get myself some money to buy things if i'm gonna be living here in Equestria." He said. He got off the bed and sat next to applejack extending his legs all the way out. "You can finish that up if you want. I'm all good right now." Applejack smiled at him and chugged the rest of the cider. She brought the bottle from her mouth and belched almost colt like. She blushed putting her hoof up to her mouth. She smiled nervously at Ryan who was laughing a bit. "Nice one!" He said. 

Applejack snickered a bit and laughed as well. Her laughing died down. "So I saw ya met Twilight Sparkle!" She said. "Who else have y'all met since ya got here?" 

Ryan yawned stretching a bit. "Lets see..." He said looking up at the ceiling. "... First I met Scootaloo... Then I met her father and my new dad... He took me to see Rarity to get new clothes... Next I saw Twilight and Spike and this morning Twilight took me to meet Pinkie Pie who clearly doesn't need an energy drink anytime soon and I ended up meeting Princess Celestia too. Oh! And I met Princess Luna while I was asleep back at Scootaloo's- I mean- My place." 

Applejack took a double take. "Woah you met both Celestia AND Luna in the few days you was here!?" She said. Ryan nodded yawning again. "That's amazin sugarcube! Now why don't we getcha undressed so y'can crawl into bed here. Hope ya don't mind getting a little snuggle buddy." She winked and snuggled up on Ryan who was blushing hard. He brought his legs up pushing Aj away gently. She tilted her head. "Somthin wrong Ry?" She asked. Ryan hesitantly nodded. "Oh I see what's wrong! You're wantin some tail arent ya sugarcube?" Ryan blushed as the mare giggled. "I'm sorry I just haven't thought of a human to be wantin some from a pony! It's alright if you n I fool around!" 

Ryan looked to Applejack. "...Are you sure...?" He asked hesitantly. 

Applejack nodded. She leaned in and whispered into his ear. "Between you n me I ain't broke yet!" She whispered. "All my daddy did was make me suck him dry and wreck my ass. Granny would've grabbed my big brothers shotgun if'n my daddy wasn't already arrested." 

Ryan looked to her. "You'd let me break you...?" He asked. Applejack gave a humble smile and nodded. Ryan smiled a bit and averted his gaze as Applejack stood up and closed the door. 

"Alright sugarcube just get undressed n we get busy!" She said locking the door just incase of any intruders. She turned back around and saw Ryan already without his shorts and boxers pulling his shirt over his shoulders with one hand. The other hand covered most of his manhood. He threw his shirt down blushing hard. Applejack blushed climbing onto the bed. "You seem pretty eager to fuck Ryan!" She said. 

Ryan smiled nervously and climbed on the bed with her. "Can't believe i'm gonna be your first there...." He said. "Are you sure your brother wont come and interrupt us?" 

Applejack shook her head and lied down on her side as Ryan got into position. "It's either me or Applebloom playin with ourselves and trust me we get loud when we release!" She said. "He doesn't get in our face about it he doesn't do nothing to even stop us if he even catches us! Now get ta work!" Ryan gripped his cock and stuck the tip on the sopping wet pussy of the country mare. Slowly he pushed in feeling a bit of resistance. She whimpered a bit and gasped before the resistance gave away. She looked to Ryan as she flipped on her back with her hind legs in he air. "... G-go slow now! Wouldn't wancha to wear yerself out before we get to work!" She said. Ryan nodded and started thrusting into her making her give little pants and moans of pleasure. He gripped both of her legs and thrusted, pounding her pony clit just about an inch shy of her womb. Applejack put a hoof on her mouth as she bit her lip. Ryan focused on his thrusting just listening to her moans of pleasure. ".... F-Faster! Please!" Applejack said starting to pant a bit more. Ryan obliged and started to thrust a bit faster still not wanting to hurt the mare. He brought a hand down to Applejack's teats and fondled them as he fucked her. Applejack came squeezing Ryan's cock nearly keeping him there as he came. They both yelled in pleasure just before they split off and lied next to each other on the bed panting like crazy. 

"...C-Can work wait for a bit....?" Ryan asked. "... I wanna get everything all good n ready before ...." 

Applejack smiled and pulled up the covers and they both scooted under. "...I'm sure I can give ya a few days..." She said. "...now come n snuggle...." Ryan smiled a bit and nuzzled her before they both fell asleep. 

As Ryan slept he started dreaming again. He dreamt about what the possibilities of what his family had in store for him. He thought it'd be a bunch of CD's, a signed guitar, a new CD player or even a softer bed. The images in his head faded away now revealing Princess Luna giving him a humble smile. Ryan looked down making sure he was clothed. Luckily it was a dream and he was all dressed. "Seems someone is on their way to becoming part of Equestrian society!" Luna said. 

Ryan approached Luna smiling. "Yeah... I really think I'm going to enjoy living here among ponies." He replied sitting next to the Princess of the Night. "I've already met your sister at Sugar Cube corner trying to get things ready for my birthday here in a few days. She's nicer than what I thought." 

Luna giggled a bit sitting next to him. "That's what most ponies around here think before they see her in person." She said. "Maybe I could come join the festivities along with you and the rest of your new family. Would you like that?" 

Ryan smiled and hugged Luna. "That would be very nice of you to do." He said. "Have you had a chance to talk with twilight lately?" 

Luna sighed. "I really haven't gotten a chance to talk with her since she was busy trying to get Spike to stop wetting the bed." She said. "I was supposed to say nothing about that but you need to wake up. While we were talking you've been out for a couple hours. My dream walks always make it seem like mere moments have passed but for all the sleeping ponies minds I visit I get that amount of rest of how ever long they've been asleep so I'm pretty much awake twenty four seven. Oh and by the way don't forget your things back at Twilight's! Have Scootaloo drop by the castle so you can pick up your stuff!" Ryan nodded breaking the hug and standing up. Luna's horn glowed and faded away. Darkness now filled Ryan's gaze. A bit of snoring came to his ear. He opened his eyes finding himself back in Applejack's room. 

Applejack was still passed out next to him. He looked over the sleeping mare's body and saw the sun setting. He nudged Applejack a bit before getting out of bed. He scrambled to get his boxers on and in doing so he fell back into the bed rocking the bed now waking Applejack up. She snorted a bit as Ryan got back up and got his shorts and shirt on. "Aj! Get up!" Ryan said a bit panicked. 

Applejack looked at him and stretched. "...Huh...? S'wrong sugarcube?" She asked. Ryan sat down on the bed and got his shoes and socks on. 

"Gotta go back to Twilight's before I go back home!" He said. "I left my stuff there." Aj sighed and got up from the bed. 

"Might as well get up..." She said still a bit sluggish. "...Almost dinner time... It's my turn to cook too...." She quickly grabbed her brush from a drawer and fixed her mane a bit before throwing on her hat. "You go wait downstairs Ry. That cider we shared is starting to affect me!" She said still brushing her mane after her hat was on. 

Ryan nodded and opened the door hurrying out. He stepped down the stairs almost missing a few steps. When he got to the bottom of the stairs he heard the cock of a shotgun making him freeze in place. "You think you're REAL smooth sleepin with my lil sister doncha...? Thinkin I wouldn't notice!" A deep voice said. Ryan hesitantly turned his head and saw Big Mac with a double barrel shotgun aimed right at him just resting on the back of the couch. The red colt had his hoof on the trigger. Not even a  trigger guard to protect it if it fell and clipped the trigger on the way down. "I'm waitin on an answer boy!" He said. 

Ryan whimpered a bit. "...P-Please don't hurt me!" He replied putting his hands up. 

Big Mac lowered the gun a bit. "I wont unless the answer is 'Fuck You!'" He replied. 

As much as Ryan wanted to say that he knew he had to say something else. "...C-Cmon man I gotta get home soon!" He said. "Scootaloo is going to be worried about me.... A-And besides! Your sister wanted to help me!" He clenched his eyes shut afraid. 

Big Mac looked at him from head to toe. The boy that stood in front of him shook like a leaf. Ryan heard Big Mac sigh. "Alright I'll let you go!" He said. "But one thing if you EVER come back here and fool around with AJ or Applebloom without my consent first you might as well kiss your ass goodbye!" 

Ryan suddenly fell to his knees breathing heavily before fainting going face first into the floor. A gasp could be heard from upstairs just outside of Big Mac's view. The red colt sighed and bent the gun, sending the two shells in it on to the cushion beside him just as Applebloom could be seen hurrying down the stairs. "Big Mac! What the hell'd you do to him?!" She said rushing to the passed out boys side. 

Big Mac didn't know what to say even with the shotgun still in his hooves. He had to tell the truth one way or another. "I... May have walked in on him and Aj sleepin together and saw his clothing all over the floor..." He said setting his damaging weapon to the side. "I just couldn't help but get ticked off... You n Applejack are my life since Granny passed on...." Tears started forming in his eyes. "....I just.... I wanted you two to be safe...." He buried his face in his hooves and cried softly as a toilet flushed up stairs. 

Applebloom pulled Ryan onto her back and walked over to her brother. "We know Big Mac... You do everything you can to keep us from getting hurt and you worry but remember neither me or AJ are little girls anymore." She said. Applebloom reached over the couch as Big Mac lied down still crying. 

Applejack saw her new friend passed out on her younger sisters back and the shot gun falling off the couch. "Big Mac PLEASE tell me you didn't shoot him!" She said rushing to check on the boy. Big Mac sniffled and didn't answer. 

Applebloom sighed. "He didn't shoot him sis." She said getting back on the ground. "If he did I'd've left Ry on the floor and besides you woulda been shittin yourself at the shots going off. Now c'mon n help me get him home!" 

Applejack grabbed her brothers shotgun putting it back into aiming position and shoved it into her brothers hooves. "Put this thing away NOW!" She snapped. Big Mac nodded and cuddled the gun as his sister walked away towards the door. Applebloom opened the door and stepped out. Applejack huffed and went back to the couch. "C'mon get it away dammit! I want your ass to be on the couch and that gun locked away when I get back!" Big Mac nodded and got up slinging the shotgun over his shoulder and hobbled towards his room sniffling. Applejack then stepped back outside smiling like nothing had happened. She then accompanied her younger sister as she started down the road. Applejack looked at Ryan a bit worried. "Big Mac why'd you have to ruin my fun...?" She asked herself. "...Damn brother of mine always holding anypony he sees with me at gun point.... shit..." 

Applebloom looked back at her sister. "You should really make Big MacIntosh apologize for scarin the crap outta Ry here!" The red maned pony said. 

Applejack sighed and looked back to the road. "Yeah definitely doing that..." She said looking to the red sky above her. "... Think we can make a stop at Twilight's castle to pick his stuff up?" 

Applebloom looked ahead to the road. "Might as well. Don't want him freaking the hell out about not having his things what ever they are." She replied. "Can I sleep over at Scootaloo's place sis? She n I need to spend some time together. Gotta figure out what she wants for her birthday here in a couple days." 

Applejack hummed and looked at Ryan. "You reckon his birthday is soon?" She asked. "He asked for a few days before work n I think that's probably why other than to get comfortable here." 

Applebloom shrugged. "I could always ask him if n when he wakes up tonight." She said as they turned onto the main road. "Speakin of which ya still haven't answered my question about me stayin the night at Scoot's place!" 

Applejack smiled a bit. "You gotta know the answer is always yes with me but make sure its me n not Big Mac." She replied. "He'd definitely never letcha sleep at a friends unless someone walked with ya and held your hoof!" 

Applebloom blushed as her sister giggled a bit. "Can't argue with that logic now can I?" The yellow pony said.

They walked for a while towards Ponyville. By the time they got Ryan's stuff and brought him back home the sun had already set. Full moon lighting up dim parts of the road that weren't lit with the street lights. They walked up to the door of Ryan's new home and knocked. Applejack smiled a bit as she heard hooves steps inside. She looked to her sister. "Just stay quiet and I'll explain what happened." She said. Applebloom nodded and stood back. 

The door opened and there stood Mr. Rubber, Ryan's father. He smiled seeing the two mares in the light of the home. "Well hey you two! What brings you here?" He asked. 

Applejack sighed and looked to Applebloom. Her younger sister stepped forward and turned a bit revealing Ryan just out of it. "Big Mac scared him on his way out and he fainted." Applejack said. "Just being a protective big brother I guess..." 

Rubber sighed. "Bring him in and set him on the couch." He said turning back inside. Applebloom went in first and rolled Ryan onto the couch. Applejack came in and shut the door. Mr. Rubber sat on the floor as Applebloom moved away. "We're lucky we finished his new room this after noon." He looked to Applebloom. "Scootaloo should be in her room right now. We were working hard. Go in and see her I don't mind!" 

Applebloom smiled and walked to the hall. "Thanks Mr. Rubber!" She said. Ryan's father smiled. 

"Anytime!" He replied. 

Applejack sighed and sat on the other side of the couch opposite of Rubber. "You mind if Applebloom stays the night here?" She asked. 

Mr. Rubber looked to Aj and smiled. "She's always welcome here!" He said. "Anytime she needs somewhere to go if she needs some time alone or something." 

Applejack smiled and looked at Ryan. He stirred a bit. She nudged her new friend. "Ry? C'mon sugarcube wake up!" She said. Ryan groaned a bit and his eyes hesitantly opened. Applejack got into his view. "There we are! You had a little fall before we left the orchard. I brought ya home just like you asked. Speakin of which Applebloom has your things! She's visiting with Scootaloo."

Ryan propped himself up with his arm. "How long was I out...?" He asked. Applejack shrugged a bit. 

Ryan's father got in his view now. "Hey there buddy!" He said. "You gave me quite a scare when you didn't wake up!" 

Ryan grunted sitting all the way up. "Dad...?" He said still a bit sluggish. "... Can I get something to eat please...? I missed lunch...." His father chuckled along with Applejack. 

"That's a bit of my fault sugarcube." She said as Mr. Rubber got up. "You know your nap lasted longer than it should've with a warm body next to ya." 

Ryan smiled at Applejack blushing. "Yeah... That was nice of you to cuddle with me." He said. "Maybe if it's possible... If my dad'll let me think I'd be able to sleep over at the orchard?" 

Applejack smiled. "Yeah but I'd only come for a job for a little while until Big Mac trusts ya more." She said. "Maybe I'll have him getcha something from Rarity to apologize for scarin ya with his gun." 

Ryan smiled and lied back on the couch, his feet dangling about half a foot off the floor. "Well my Birthday is in a few days." He said. "Maybe you can drag him down here or where ever Scootaloo is having her party and come get me to get his apology. I mean it is MY birthday too!" Applejack laughed a bit. 

"Well isn't that crazy!" Ryan's father said coming back from the kitchen with a peanut butter sandwich and an open bottle of soda on a tray. "My new kid shares a birthday with his sis! Why don't you take this and go see Scoot? I think I'd need to walk Applejack home right about now correct?" He looked to the orange mare who just stood up. 

"Yeah Big Mac's worryin a lot since Granny passed on..." She said. "...He knows me n Applebloom are the only two close siblin's he has left. He wants to keep us safe from anyone n everyone." 

Ryan stood up and hugged Applejack before going past his father taking the tray. Mr. Rubber sighed. "Your grandmother was  real nice giving Scootaloo a few jars of your Zap-Apple jam each time she helped with makin it." He said. He started walking to the door. "C'mon Aj lets getcha on home so your brother don't blow my boys head off." 

Applejack smiled and turned around walking by Ryan's fathers side. "Yeah we would not want the boy dead on or before his birthday." She said as she opened the door for the colt.

Just around the corner Ryan was watching Applejack and his father leave as he ate his sandwich. After the door closed he finished the sandwich up and set the tray down with the dirty plate on the dining room table. He still had the soda in hand as he walked down the hallway towards his sisters room. Ryan then knocked on the door sipping the soda. "Come in!" Scootaloo called out. Ryan opened the door and went inside suddenly stopping in his tracks seeing Applebloom standing right over Scootaloo right in the middle of the room. A closer look at the room showed posters of bands like The Rolling Stones and Creedence Clearwater Revival. A CD rack sat in the corner near a radio. He blushed a bit as he closed the door. "Don't worry it isn't what it looks like Ry!" Scootaloo said pushing her friend away a bit. She rolled onto her hooves and stood up. 

Applebloom laughed a bit. "It was WAAAY worse if you were just thinkin' we were just rolling on the floor!" She said. 

Scootaloo blushed and bucked her friend back onto the bed. "APPLEBLOOM THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SECRET!" She yelled out pinning her. 

Ryan blushed even harder. "Y-you guys were... Doing it....?" He said. 

Scootaloo facehoofed and nodded. Applebloom just laughed. "Yeah Ry we were having our own little friendly fun here..." Scootaloo said emberassed approaching her blushing brother. "...PLEASE don't tell dad we were doing that! If he found out he would forbid me to even go near Sweet Apple Acres and even see Applebloom ever again! Not to mention Applejack and Big Mac would be keeping you and me from even stepping onto their property from their home! Applebloom showed me what Big Mac uses in his gun! Slugs! Not shells!" She hugged her brother scared. 

Ryan hummed a bit as he finished off the rest of his soda. He pushed his sister off and set the empty bottle on the ground near the door. "I wont say anything..." He said. "IF I can join in!" 

Scootaloo's jaw dropped. "Blackmail?! Seriously?!?" She said shocked. "I'd be better off telling dad about this than you blabbing about what I'm doing!" 

Ryan turned around. "Fine." He said. "Guess I'll run out to find dad and Applejack to tell them about what you two are doing." 

Scootaloo whimpered a bit in thought as Ryan slowly reached for the door knob. She looked back at Applebloom who had her hoof between her legs biting her lip as she played with herself. Scootaloo looked back at Ryan who had already opened the door. "Wait!" She said grabbing his arm. "Fine fine you can join just please don't tell dad! He's going to KILL US if he finds out!" 

Ryan smiled and turned around. He came back inside and closed the door behind him. "Sorry Scoot but I gotta be a bit serious. I was raised to cut deals so I wouldn't go to the cops." He said. "You understand right?" Scootaloo took a deep breath and nodded. 

She looked back at Applebloom who had her flank turned towards them looking back at them blushing. "C'mon you cute boy you! Rut me!" She said wigging her flank. 

Scootaloo blushed hearing Ryan unzip his pants. "Applebloom aren't you worried Aj n Big Mac are gonna freak out about being broken?" The Pegasus mare asked. 

Applebloom shook her head as Ryan walked up in the buff. "I got a dildo from Pinkie and well they found out after I stuck that thing in." She said. "Really hurt too... Thank Celestia Applejack helped me clean up. I was freaking out about the blood so bad.... ugh you just don't wanna know..." Ryan climbed up on the bed and started teasing Applebloom's pussy. Not even hesitating Ryan stuck his hard member right in to his friends pussy making her almost scream. 

Scootaloo sighed and went around the bed. She sat at the foot of the bed and leaned back carefully propping herself up so she wouldn't fall off, opening her haunches wide in Applebloom's face. "It isn't any fun if we get caught because of you!" She said blushing and averting her gaze. "Just shut the hell up and lick!" Applebloom whimpered as Ryan thrusted into her. Quickly she grabbed her friends legs and pulled her close licking her wet pussy. Scootaloo moaned a bit. She looked to Ryan who seemed to have noticed his own sisters teats. Scootaloo smiled a bit and got up on the bed more making Applebloom move her head as if she were looking at the roof. Ryan leaned in and reached his tongue out to lick Scootaloo's teats. The orange mare blushed hard having her wings puff out. Her eyes crossed feeling both the pleasure of her wet pussy being eaten out and the wetness of someone's tongue licking around her nipple. She couldn't help but hold her brothers head there and scoot a little closer. She even let out a loud moan feeling her friends warm mouth around her clit. Both mares felt their wet pussies tighten. Before Ryan came, Scootaloo and Applebloom came hard. Applebloom squeezed Ryan's cock hard enough to where he couldn't even pull out before he came. He shot his warm seed right inside of Applebloom making her twitch feeling the warmth engulf her womb like a fire. All three panted as they climbed off the bed. 

Applebloom nearly collapsed with her mane a mess. ".... Hnnnhnnn.... That was awesome..." Applebloom said. She leaned on the wall and looked to Scootaloo who was blushing hard averting her gaze from Ryan as he got dressed. "... We gotta do that again soon... I'm just glad our DNA don't mix... Weird ass foal'd come from me...." 

Ryan sighed and fastened the button to his shorts. "... Sorry I had to do that Scootaloo...." He said looking to his blushing sister. "... I just get a little weird when it comes to sex and not going to 'the man' to get who ever in trouble..." 

Scootaloo sighed and stood up just wobbling a bit. "...Its al-alright..." She said hesitantly. She couldn't tell whether to be mad that her brother did that or glad he didn't screw her friendship up. "... I needed a little sleep aide myself.... Couldn't sleep last night... I even asked if I could sleep in bed with dad acting like I missed my mother.... I still do but... Sometimes it isn't as bad... Sometimes its to where I'll find a nice quiet area to cry..." Tears came to her eyes. She sniffled closing her eyes. 

Ryan looked to Applebloom. She barely kept herself upright as she hobbled over to her friend. Ryan went to his sisters side and hugged her stroking her mane. Applebloom joined in on the hug. "C'mon Scootaloo please don't cry that your mother is gone." Applebloom said. "Be happy about the memories you shared with her! Ain't you glad that she taught you how to fly before you started middle school? If it weren't for her Diamond Tiara'd be having everyone on ya for not bein able to fly despite your age!" Scootaloo sniffled and sat back down on the ground. 

Applebloom sat with her and Ryan sat down too right between the hugging friends. "Yeah Scoot!" Ryan said. "I may not have known your mother but the way you turned out she did a lot of great things for you. You get what I'm saying don't you?" 

Scootaloo sniffled and nodded. "...Y-yeah..." She said holding Ryan and Applebloom close. "...You guys are... The only ones keeping me sane..." Ryan smiled and nuzzled his sister. 

Applebloom broke off and stood up letting the siblings have their time alone. "If you two need me I gotta clean up a bit..." The yellow mare said blushing as she walked to the door. "Oh and you might wanna show Ry his new room. Keep your spirits up by seeing his reaction to all the work you n your father did!" 

Scootaloo wiped her eyes and looked to her brother. "...You wanna see your room now?" She asked. Ryan smiled and nodded breaking his hug with his sister and helping her up. He grasped her wing like he was holding his mothers hand. "Alright I hope you like what me and dad did for you Ry... We worked into the night when you stayed with Twilight and we finished at around four this afternoon! Mind the smell some of the wall paint is still wet." They walked out into the hall and stopped at Ryan's room door. 

Ryan took a deep breath. He grasped the door knob and pushed the door open slowly. He peered inside and saw blue painted walls with lightning bolts splitting the walls in half. A small radio sat on a dresser where his backpack was layed against. Ryan walked in and saw his bed against the wall. His covers had a lightning bolt with wings on it with a blue background. "Woah... This is AWESOME!" Ryan said hugging his sister as she entered. 

Scootaloo smiled. "Those bed covers actually used to be mine. I figured you'd like The Wonderbolts too." She replied. "Twilight actually came by while we were working and helped out with a little something Dad did just for you!" Ryan looked at Scootaloo raising an eyebrow. Scootaloo grinned a bit. "Check the dresser!" She said. "Bottom drawer!" 

Ryan broke the hug. He went over to the dresser still awestruck from the sight of his room. He knelt down and reached for the drawer hesitantly. He looked back at his sister. "...Is this a trick or something?" He asked. 

Scootaloo smiled and shook her head as she approached him. She sat next to him. "If it were a joke I'd be laughing right about now." She said. "I can never trick someone. Not what my cutie mark is telling me that's for sure." 

Ryan smiled. "Wish I knew what I was good at other than video games." He replied. "I'd always go to the arcade when my dad had some assholes over to help make product. Never had anything good to do." 

Scootaloo nudged him. "Just open it!" She snapped. 

Ryan sighed grasping the handle of the drawer. "Alright alright just keep your wings on!" He said. With one good pull the drawer opened right up revealing an assortment of snacks, soda and even a wood box marked 'Private'. 

Scootaloo smiled as her brother picked up a can of cola. "You like it?" She asked. "Dad got all of this stuff with you in mind." 

Ryan looked up at his sister setting the soda back in place. "If dad did this what did Princess Twilight do?" He asked. 

Scootaloo smiled and tapped the wooden box inside. "Right here Ry!" She said. "Just open this and you might be surprised." Ryan grabbed the box bringing it out of the drawer. He surveyed the box looking at it from every corner. Scootaloo yawned just as Applebloom came in. "Would you hurry up n open that thing I'm falling asleep here!" 

Ryan huffed and set the box on the ground yanking the top off. Inside he saw a folded coat and a note on top of it. Ryan picked the note up and read it with his sister and friend looking over his shoulder. 

Ryan,

In the short time I've known you I recognize something I've seen inside Rainbow Dash. The urge to be awesome and to do things to even consider someone you hardly know part of your family. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash are like sisters in a way. You might as well have this just to be close to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo at the same time. Consider this an early birthday present and to get you ready for the cold months ahead. Come visit me when you can in the next few days. Considerably after your birthday of course. I've enchanted this after I had Dash give me  one of these. Its a colts small and I hope it fits. If it doesn't just bring it to me and I can make it bigger with just a spell! If you're wondering what the enchantment is it basically will keep you warm and cool in any temperature. Don't ask me how I found this spell but when I tested it on Spike when it was too hot it worked well but I only thought it was temporary. Turns out when December came around with what you call "Christmas" I asked Spike if he was cold while he was reading his comics in his bed and he just said no so... yeah that just sums it up! Again Happy early Birthday Ry! 

It was signed by Twilight. "...P.S.: I'll give you a chance to meet the rest of my friends during your party on Tuesday. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash will be there but just a quick note: Fluttershy can be a bit quiet when she meets new uh... ponies I guess but I kinda wanna see how she reacts to seeing a human." Ryan read as he finished off the letter. He set the note aside and picked up the jacket. A closer look at the jacket revealed it was the same as his room. Wonderbolts themed. He put the jacket on wiggling his arms through. It fit perfectly. He pulled the hood over his head revealing more of the jacket. As he stood up Applebloom hummed looking at Ryan. He turned around. "Well? How do I look?" He asked. 

Applebloom blushed. "You look even cuter than before!" She said. 

Ryan blushed and chuckled. "I think it makes you fit in here Ry." Scootaloo said standing up. 

Ryan faced his sister and smiled. "Thanks Scoot!" He said hugging her. She hugged back. Even Applebloom joined in on the hug. Ryan yawned and lied his head on his sisters shoulder. "... Wanna snuggle Sis...?" He asked. 

Scootaloo looked to her friend who looked as if she were going to pass out. "Maybe you and Applebloom should sleep together." She said breaking away. "Might as well get some sheets from the closet and get in your sleep clothes." Ryan yawned and nodded. From a meeting with Princess Celestia to almost getting his head blown off by a shotgun Ryan really had an eventful day.
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A few days later after Ryan got his new room he was sprawled out in his bed just passed out with cans of soda and empty snack wrappers everywhere. His door opened and in crept his father with a box on his back. Scootaloo crept in behind him with a smaller box on her back. Gifts for Ryan. They both set their gifts on the dresser where the bottom drawer was opened a bit and the jacket he got hung off a corner. Scootaloo looked to her father and shushed him as she crept to her brothers bedside.  She carefully lifted the blanket and lied in bed with him. Ryan shifted a bit and felt Scootaloo's warm body next to his. He shifted and cuddled up to her. Their father snickered trying to keep quiet. Scootaloo silently shushed him. She nuzzled Ryan and kissed his forehead. He shifted a bit taking a bit of a deep breath. Suddenly their father shook the bed making Ryan snort waking up. He opened his eyes a bit. The light from his dimly lit room made him groan a bit. "Ryan? Cmon wake up Ry!" Scootaloo said. Ryan looked to Scootaloo and yelped backing out of his bed. He fell to the floor and groaned from the blunt pain. 

Scootaloo hopped out of the bed and helped her brother up giggling. "Jeez Scoot that was a bit too much!" Their father said. 

Scootaloo looked at her father as she sat Ryan on the bed. "Sorry dad but gotta give my brother an adrenaline rush on this big day for us!" She replied nuzzling her brother. 

Ryan smiled and hugged her. "Heh well Happy Birthday to you too Scootaloo!" He said. 

Their father grabbed the gifts off the dresser setting them both on his back gripping them with his wings as he walked over. "Alright Ry!" He said. "These are for you. Scootaloo and I chipped in and we got you a few things to make you feel a bit happier living here." 

Ryan and Scootaloo broke the hug as their dad passed one of the boxes to his son. "This one's the one I got for you." Scootaloo said. The gift box was covered in colorful wrapping paper. A red bow and a tag with Scootaloo's cutie mark on it. Drum with a musical note in it. 

Ryan tore open the wrapping paper and opened the box up to find a Rolling Stones CD, a Greatest Hits of Guns N Roses CD and a new pair of headphones. "Awesome!" He said looking at the CDs. He laughed a bit and hugged his sister setting aside the gifts and box. 

He broke the hug just as their father set the other colorfully wrapped gift on his lap. "Alright Ry this one's from me." He said. "You're gonna love this! I had Rarity help me with this one so when you see her today thank her!" 

Ryan smiled and gripped the paper a bit. "Alright Dad!" He said. He again tore in to the wrapping paper revealing another box. The boy lifted the top off of the box and found a new pair of pants. 

"I think Twilight enchanted these too with that same spell right dad?" Scootaloo asked as Ryan took the pants out of the box and looked at them. 

Mr. Rubber nodded. "He needed a good pair of pants that could wear and not feel a breeze of any kind." He said. "Now hurry up and get dressed Ry! Pinkie wants us to get down to Sugar Cube Corner before 11!" Ryan hummed a bit and shivered. 

Scootaloo tilted her head. "You cold Ry?" She asked. 

Ryan shook his head as he got up out of bed revealing his boxers. He started to put the new pants on. "Call me weird but... I get those chills when ever something bad is going to go down today and it's going to include me in it...." He said. Scootaloo looked to her father. He shrugged. Ryan looked to his father. "Can I bring my gun just in case? Please Dad?" 

Mr. Rubber shook his head. "No Ryan you cant bring your gun!" He snapped. "Nothing bad will happen!" 

Scootaloo looked to her father as she stood up. "I don't know Dad," She said. "Pinkie has her 'Pinkie Sense' and that is never lying! You hear 'Twitcha-twitch' you better duck for cover!" 

Mr. Rubber sighed. "Alright wait here Ryan." He said leaving the room. 

As Ryan buttoned the pants he looked at them. "Alright pop." He said admiring his new pants. The boy walked over to his dresser and opened the drawer pulling a blue shirt with white text on it that said "Ryder" in graffiti like script. He grabbed the jacket and put it on. "There we are! Perfect outfit!" He looked to his sister and then around the room. "Scoot can you find my shoes for me? Last night while I was getting a few snacks I kicked them under the bed." He turned back to the dresser and pulled out another drawer revealing socks and other pairs of boxers all different plaid prints. He grabbed a few socks and pulled them apart. Ryan then sat on the floor proceded to put his socks on just as Scootaloo was digging under the bed. 

Just as two shoes rolled and tumbled from under the bed their father came back in with a leather casing in his teeth with something shiny peeking out in the leather. He tossed it onto Ryan's lap. "Here." He said. "You're so worried from something bad happening today you take this and hook it to your pants. I got it from a merchant who comes through here every few months. He told me it was enchanted but it only will activate for someone who says the words that trigger it. Even he didn't know the word." 

Ryan opened the leather casing and pulled a folded butterfly knife. He gripped one side and flipped the other half of the handle extending the blade. "Awesome!" He said flipping the blade closed again. He shoved it back in the leather casing and snapped it shut. He then sprang up and gave his father a hug. "Thanks dad!" 

Rubber gave him a hug. "Your welcome Ry. You go on and keep that." He said. "I'll give you this for when you have Scootaloo with you! I don't want any stray bullets striking your sister!" 

Scootaloo came over and shivered just as Ryan broke the hug and snatched up his shoes. "Yeah... This daughter doesn't wanna meet mom in heaven just yet..." She said. 

Their dad rested his wing on his daughters back just as Ryan got his shoes tied up. "And I intend to keep that from happening!" He said nuzzling her. Ryan kicked his shoes against the floor making sure they were on right before snagging his CD player and headphones from the nightstand. He pushed a button opening the CD player revealing a full white Metallica CD. He opened his drawers and pulled out the case for the CD as he popped the disk out. Ryan opened the case and put the CD back in. As he clicked it closed he grabbed his new Rolling Stones CD and opened the case up grabbing the CD out of it and popping it in to the player and closed it up. Ryan stuffed the main CD player in his jacket pocket and hung the headphones around his neck. He even hung the butterfly knife on his belt loop. 

"All set!" He said going to his fathers side. He smiled. "Alright lets get going!" Mr. Rubber said starting to leave the room with his children.

A while down the road Ryan's stomach gurgled. "Woulda thought those snacks kept you full during the night Ry." Scootaloo said. 

Ryan laughed nervously. "Yeah... That wasn't me being hungry..." He said. ".. Hope we get to Sugar Cube Corner soon... Otherwise Rarity might need to make me another pair of pants...." 

Scootaloo rested her wing on her brothers shoulder. "Come on Ry hold it in. Don't want you messing up my gift for you!" Their father said. "This aint what you were talking about when you had that feeling now was it?" 

Ryan shook his head taking deep breaths. "When I get that bad feeling I have to keep myself armed until its good and over with." He replied. "Last time I had that feeling four guys seemed to have turned up dead each with a wound to the head that seemed... Fatal." Scootaloo took her wing back and stepped to the other side of her father. "But that was with my parents. This place seems better than what I left. Nice towns folk, Nice politicians. Doubt I'll leave here any time soon dead or alive." 

Scootaloo took a deep breath waiting for her father to say something. "Well you wouldn't believe what goes on here Ry." Mr. Rubber said. "You just haven't seen what we deal with every day. There's a colt running around that robs shop owners and if the shop owner is female he ties up any colt that's there working with them or in the shop with them. After he ties them up he rapes the mare. They know who he is they just don't know where the hell he is! Griffon colt. Real creepy bastard. They call him Firefly. I just call him a sick fuck." 

Ryan's stomach gurgled even more. He groaned starting to limp almost doubled over. "Cmon Ry almost there! just a few buildings and you use the bathroom!" Scootaloo said still a bit frightened by her brother. 

Ryan brought himself up onto his fathers back and curled up into a ball. "Good thinking." His father said. "The more stationary you are the less likely you make a mess." 

Scootaloo looked to her brother as he held his stomach. "...Ry you don't really mean that thing about the fatal wounds do you...?" She asked shuttering a bit. 

Ryan nodded. "Yeah..." He said. "But you don't have to worry about anything like that... But trust me... I'm a good shot when I have my gun... I want you to enjoy today. If you feel worried about me don't just worry about yourself and know you'll have a good day!" 

Scootaloo took a deep breath and looked back at the road. "...Alright then Ry..." She said. "... Ryan...?" Ryan looked to her still keeping his arms on his stomach. "... You'd trust pony doctors if you needed to go to one right?" 

Ryan nodded his stomach gurgling even more making him whimper. Mr. Rubber looked up and saw the sign for Sugar Cube Corner. "Alright Ry we're here!" He said. He looked to Scootaloo. "You go in first so a surprise doesn't make Ryan release. I'll get him to a bathroom!" Scootaloo nodded and hurried in. Immediately Mr. Rubber heard a bunch of ponies yell 'SURPRISE!' He looked back at Ryan who shuttered a bit still balled up. "You okay to get up Ry?" Ryan whimpered and shook his head. Mr. Rubber sighed. "Alright hold on I'll be quick on getting you a bathroom!" As quick as he said that he entered. Inside was a bunch of Rock n Roll items like some guitars, Drum sticks hanging on the walls, and even some old classics playing on a radio on the counter where an earth pony colt with an orange mane and a Carrot Cake as a cutie mark and a candy pink maned blue earth pony mare were setting out treats and making even more. He calmly went towards Pinkie who was setting down a cake next to a Rainbow Maned Pegasus pony, Rarity, Princess Twilight, Scootaloo, Applejack and a Pink Maned yellow Pegasus pony. "Pinkie!" Mr Rubber said over the noise. Pinkie Pie looked at him. She smiled seeing Ryan on his fathers winged back. He faced away from her whimpering. 

"Aww someone being a little cranky pants?" Pinkie asked acting like it was a little kid. 

Mr. Rubber got in her face. "Pinkie this isn't a joke! Where's the bathroom in here?" He asked a bit frantic. "Ryan has a stomach ache and I'm not too sure how long he can hold it!" 

Pinkie gasped. "I'm sorry!" She said. "The bathroom is up the stairs and to the right just a door down the hall! You cant miss it!" Mr. Rubber nodded and quickly weaved in and out of tables making his way towards a set of stairs. 

Ryan gripped his fathers wing a bit tightly as he climbed the steps. "...H-Hurry Dad!" Ryan said looking like he could lose it at any second. 

"I know Ry we're almost there just a second longer!" His father said. As soon as Mr. Rubber got to the bathroom door Ryan hopped off his back slamming the door in his fathers face.

"SORRY!" Ryan yelled through the door. 

Mr. Rubber sighed relieved. "It's alright Ryan... I'd do the same thing!" He replied. 

Just downstairs Scootaloo was eating a few donuts along with Pinkie Pie and the others. The Rainbow maned Pegasus mare patted Scootaloo with her wing. "Happy Birthday Squirt!" She said. 

Scootaloo smiled and nuzzled up to her as she swallowed her bite of donut. "Thanks Rainbow Dash!" The orange filly replied. Rainbow Dash was the pony whom Scootaloo looked up to. She goes by Dash when she's around her friends. 

Applejack pushed Dash off the little filly so she could wrap her arm around Scootaloo's neck. "You are getting some good gifts when Applebloom gets here with Sweetie Belle and Big Mac!" She said. "Speakin of Big Mac where's your brother?" 

Dash leaned on the table. "Brother? Since when does Scoots have a brother?" The blue mare asked. 

Applejack chuckled. "He got here not even a week ago while you and Fluttershy were out in Cloudsdale visiting your own mothers." She said. She looked to Scootaloo again. "Now where is the big boy Scoot? I gotta make sure he knows my big brother is coming to apologize for scaring the livin daylights outta him!" 

Scootaloo looked to the stairs and saw her father come down the stairs. "My dad should've had him in the bathroom." She said looking back to Applejack. "He ate a lot of snacks late last night and  he got a stomach ache." 

Applejack sighed. "Hope he don't take too long. Big Mac aint one on waiting..." She said. 

Princess Twilight walked over to Mr. Rubber. She looked a bit worried. "I couldn't help but over hear Ryan got a bad stomach ache." She said. 

Mr. Rubber sighed. "...Yeah I cant help but feel its my fault for giving him all that stuff to snack on just in case he was hungry or even if I was late on making dinner." He said rubbing his neck. 

Twilight smiled. "It's alright you really couldn't determine whether he was going to use it that way or not." She said. "You mind if I go up and see if he's alright?" 

Mr. Rubber nodded. "... Sure... Bring him a few donuts if you can Twilight. Or... See if the cakes at least have any stomach medicine he can use." He said. 

Twilight smiled and nodded before crossing over towards the counter. The orange maned colt looked to her. "Well good morning Princess Twilight what do ya need?" The colt asked. 

Twilight smiled. "Morning Mr. Cake." She said. "Listen do you have any stomach medicine? Mr. Rubber's new son is having a bit of a stomach ache." 

Mr. Cake's face went from cheerful to a bit worried. "Pinkie told me about his son." He said. "Up stairs in the hall closet there should be a bottle with bubblegum flavored stomach medicine for when Pound eats too many cookies before dinner. When you get done with it just set it on the sink." 

Twilight smiled. "Thank you Carrot. Keep up the good work here!" She said starting for the stairs. Mr. Cake smiled and waved at the purple princess as she set hoof on the steps. 

As he went back to work Big MacIntosh and Applebloom came in both bearing gifts sitting on their backs. Applejack approached them smiling. "Well its about time you two made it!" Aj said hugging both her brother and sister. 

Applebloom giggled as her brother sighed. "We woulda made it here sooner if Big Mac hadn't taken too long in the shower!" Applebloom said nudging her brother. 

Applejack broke the hug and sighed. "Well it aint my fault he doesn't wanna be here now is it Big Mac?" She said getting into the red colts face. Big Mac said nothing as he went over to a table with gifts and set his gift box down before sitting in a nearby chair. Applejack sighed as she looked to her sister. "You go on and have fun sis. You got my permission to go with Scoot n her father if they go to dinner somewhere. Me n Big Mac are gonna be at home while we wait for your cousin to get into town." 

Applebloom pulled away from her sister. "Alright Aj I get it Babs is comin out and she has to have someone at home to greet her." She said setting her gift on the table. "Just don't embarrass me alright sis? I don't want a remake of my thirteenth birthday when you smashed the cake into my face and I sat in Scootaloo's cake. I hated that when Diamond Tiara ended up walkin in on my flank just messy..." She blushed a bit walking away from her sister. 

"Alright Sugarcube I wont embarrass ya." Aj said going towards her brother. She looked to Big Mac as she pulled up a chair. "Alright Mr. Gunslinger you aint leavin here without Ryan at your side!" She said sitting down. 

Big Mac averted his gaze and leaned on the table. "You know that boy aint gonna apologize after I nearly blew his brains out." He said. "I still don't trust ANYONE that messes with either of my lil sisters!" 

Applejack put her hoof on Big Mac's chin and turned his head to where he faced her. "Yes he will Big Mac and you know you just cant do much since Applebloom is 18!" She said softly. "Yeah Granny said you gotta protect us any way you can when she was on her death bed but if I say its okay to bring someone in and I give them permission to rut me they can come in and rut me. I know you got your own idea of that and you're just the big stallion of the house sugarcube but you gotta know when to use force and when not to. You holdin that boy at gunpoint was just too much! Now once you see him you get him with you and you take him to pick out a few CD's or something at Vinyl's music shop in town! Got it?" 

Big Mac sighed and nodded getting a bit misty eyed. "...You had to bring up Granny didn't ya...?" He asked holding back tears. 

Applejack sighed and nodded. "...Look big brother I know ya miss her but we gotta keep her good memories close..." She said. "...I understand if you're gonna cry but... Try not to cry here. You might make Scootaloo sad. Try to hold it till you get outside with Ryan okay?" Big Mac sniffled and nodded trying to keep his tears in check. He turned around and leaned on his chair just staring at the stair case.

Upstairs in the bathroom Ryan was slumped over groaning on the toilet while Twilight sat off to the side with a bottle of medicine in her magic and a little plastic cup in her hoof. She poured just enough stomach medicine to fill a quarter of the cup. "Sorry if this isn't enough Ryan!" She said setting the bottle of medicine down putting the cap on it. "I'm not too sure what a human takes on medicine measurement." She used her magic to pick up the cup with medicine in it and made it float over to Ryan who sat up a bit. He plucked it out of the air and put it to his lips. He bobbed his head back silently counting to three in his head. Tilting his head back he sipped the pink medicine till the cup had only a thin layer of residue on it left from the liquid in it. He wiped his mouth and sat back blushing a bit. 

"Thanks Twi..." He said. "...Sorry about the smell... Those chocolate bars are never good to eat after having a spicy dinner... Ugh...." 

Twilight smiled a bit getting up. "Don't worry Ry Spike eats gems and you wont believe the smell he puts out if he eats a few rubies." She said. 

Ryan laughed a bit grabbing some toilet paper from the roll beside him. Twilight turned away as he wiped himself and hopped up. He flushed the toilet after he yanked his new pants up buttoning and buckling them. He let out a sigh. "I am NEVER eating a ton of those chocolate bars again." He said. He turned to Twilight and stretched. "Thanks for getting that medicine Twi. Princess of Friendship being a good nurse." 

Twilight giggled and opened the door. "You just get on out there and have a great party!" She said. "Might as well get something to eat before you open a few gifts." Ryan gave a bit of a smile and walked out the door and down the stairs. 

When he got to the ground floor he saw Big Mac and Applebloom had arrived. Big Mac had his head buried in his hooves with Mr. Cake sitting with him. Ryan walked over towards the group of ponies that crowded around his sister. Rainbow Dash was sitting next to Scootaloo and the yellow Pegasus mare when she saw Ryan approaching. She nudged Scootaloo. The orange mare looked at her and saw her pointing to the other side of the room. "You know him?" Dash asked. 

Scootaloo looked over and saw Ryan smiling coming towards them. "Ryan!" She said hopping up from her chair and hugging him. Ryan hugged her. "You feelin better Ry?" 

The boy chuckled and broke the hug. "Yeah I'm alright. just had a realization those candy bars did a number on my stomach with warm soda." He said. He looked to Rainbow Dash. She looked at him shocked. 

"This is your brother squirt?" Dash asked. 

Scootaloo looked to Dash and nodded. "Yeah!" She said. "You were expecting another Pegasus weren't you?" Dash nodded. 

Ryan smiled and extended his hand. "I'm Ryan." He said. "I take it you're Rainbow Dash." 

Dash smiled and nodded reaching her hoof out shaking his hand. "So you're the small squirt that Twilight got the jacket for!" She said. "You really pull it off!" Ryan let go of her hoof and smiled pulling the hood over his head. Dash turned to the yellow Pegasus and nudged her. "Hey Fluttershy come meet Scootaloos brother!" 

The pink maned Pegasus mare looked back and gasped seeing Ryan. She quickly sprang up and pulled him in hugging him. "Oooh he's so CUTE!" She said. Ryan blushed and hugged back feeling a bit surprised. Scootaloo laughed seeing her embarrassed brothers face. "He's not as cute as a baby dragon but he's just so cuddly!" 

Rainbow Dash pried Ryan and Fluttershy away from each other. "You gotta let him enjoy his party Flutters." Dash said. 

Fluttershy smiled and blushed. She looked to Ryan. "Sorry uh... What's your name again?" She asked. 

Ryan smiled. "Ryan but you can call me Ry if you'd like." He said.

Applejack noticed Ryan at the corner of her eye and got up from her chair. "Well hey there Sugarcube ya'll feelin better?" She said walking over to him. Ryan looked to her and nodded as everyone went back to sitting down. Aj pushed him gently towards her brother. "That's great but we got someone here that cant help but feel sorry to be here. He even sprang for a gift for both you and Scootaloo." Ryan took control of his walking and walked by Applejacks side. 

As they got to the table Big Mac sat at they found he was sobbing softly. Mr. Cake looked to Applejack as he got up. "I'll let you handle it. I gotta get back to work." He said. 

Applejack nodded just before he walked away. Applejack pulled up a chair for Ryan and nudged her brother before sitting in the chair next to him. "Cmon Big Mac dry them tears!" AJ said. "Got someone here that could help you get your mind off you-know-who by seeing his smiling face and your gift!" 

Big Mac sniffled and looked up. He saw Ryan sitting in front of him. He smiled a bit. "...Oh... Hey bud... How's the party?" The red stallion asked. 

Ryan sighed and sat back. "Dunno. Was on the can most of the time." He said. "You doing okay?" 

Big Mac looked to his sister who was looking a bit worried. He looked back at the boy. "Well... I was just tryin to uh... get a sad movie outta my mind but I couldn't help but remember the end where the lady dies... Spoiler alert I guess if you wanted to watch it." 

Ryan shuttered as Applejack let out a sigh. "Nu uh I'm not one to watch movies with sad endings." He said. "I'm more to watch action packed movies and comedian movies." Applejack nudged her brother and pointed to the gifts.

Big Mac checked the tags to each gift and nudged a striped blue box towards Ryan. "Here you are. From the family but you still got more coming to ya." He said as Ryan grabbed the box. "Gotta apologize to ya somehow for aiming a shotgun atcha without even knowin what went on." 

Ryan smiled and gave him a friendly punch in the arm. He went and opened the box and dug inside pulling out a new pair of headphones that looked a bit bigger than Ryan's head. "Woops... I think Twi can fix those to fit you..." Applejack said comparing the size of the headphones to Ryan's head. 

"Wouldn't hurt to try it." Ryan replied. "You think I could ask Twi if she could resize these and probably enjoy the party a bit before we head out Big Mac?" He took the headphones back and stood up. 

Big MacIntosh nodded and Ryan went on towards Twilight and the others. Big Mac looked to his sister. "Good lie Big Mac." She said. "I almost thought you were gonna be a big baby about it. Just keeping yourself all nice and content eh?" 

Big Mac took a deep breath and sighed. "Eeyup..." He said. "...Sis... You think you'd be able to come with us just to keep me from breakin' down and accidentally crushin' the boy if I do?" 

Applejack sighed and smiled a bit. "...Yeah I guess I could accompany you two!" She said. "If you go to Vinyl's music shop and buy him a few CD's that he wants he could forgive ya even more. Might even make him help out in your section of the orchard!" 

Big Mac chuckled a bit. "Cmon sis you know I can do my section and then some." He said. "I'll send him your way so you can have him carry those buckets of apples. You, me n Applebloom can do the buckin' but he can probably do a bit of hauling. If you want you can teach him how to make fritters n some pies." Applejack shushed him as Ryan came back over. 

They both looked to the boy who was eating a glazed donut. "So Ry is Twilight gonna resize those for ya?" Applejack asked. Ryan swallowed a bite of donut and nodded taking another bite. 

Big Mac got up from his chair. "Ryan why don't you and I get on outta here?" He asked. "I know this great spot to get any and every CD you could want. If they don't have it this mare Vinyl will find it or order it and you get that for free!" 

Ryan hummed and swallowed the donut. "Always check the store for my Metallica CD's back at what used to be my home but they never had any good ones." He said. "I'd love to see if this Vinyl has the good ones. Or at least good classics like CCR." 

Applejack and Big Mac looked to each other. "CCR?" They asked each other. 

They both looked back to Ryan. He chuckled. "Creedence Clearwater Revival. One of the best bands of the 1960's." He said. "Songs include Fortunate Son, Up Around The Bend and even Bad Moon Rising!" 

Big Mac thought for a second. "Wait aint those the guys that do the song Green River?" He asked. "Song always got me singin!" Ryan smiled and nodded cramming the rest of the donut into his mouth. Applejack and Big Mac both laughed as they started heading for the door.

They were a few buildings down when Ryan reached to his belt loop and took his butterfly knife from its pouch and looked at it. He flipped the handle and the blade popped out. He looked at the sharp edged object in his hand and just hummed staring at it. Big Mac looked over at him and saw the knife in hand. "Woah there bud you might wanna put that thing away." He said. "Don't want you going and tripping over lodgin that blade somewhere it shouldn't be." 

Ryan flipped the handles hiding the blade again and shoving it back in the pouch. "Sorry bout that." He replied snapping the pouch shut. 

Big Mac smiled. "It's alright." He said. "Why do you even have that thing anyways?" 

Ryan sighed and slowed down a bit. "May I?" He asked patting Big Mac's back. Big Mac nodded and Ryan hopped right on. "Thanks. Well My dad gave this to me this morning... You ever get that feeling that your day isn't going to go as planned?" 

Applejack thought. "Yeah I guess I can say that I have." She said.

Ryan gave a bit of a sigh. "Well for you it might just turn out to be a normal day." He replied. "For me its a whole different story. My dad would always send me on drug runs and when I hum and then shiver that means something bad will happen. First time I got that stupid guys pulled guns on me and I shot each one of em down except the last guy well... Till I got his payment. Gave him a shot in the leg or the arm. Cant remember." He looked to Applejack like she was going to be giving him a weird look. She looked like she didn't care one way or the other. 

"Damn talk about gun shy." Big Mac said. Ryan looked to the red colt he was riding on. "You can take on a gang shootin at you but me aiming a shotgun at you makes you nearly piss yourself?" 

Ryan leaned forward on the colt. "I didn't have my own gun and really I'm glad I didn't cuz I bet one of us would've gotten shot. Woulda lost a friend, taken away a brother and a son not to mention someone would've had to clean the mess up after the other was taken off." He said.  

Big Mac sighed and looked to his sister for a moment. "Yeah... That woulda been just awful." He said. "I'm just glad no one got hurt." 

Applejack and Ryan replied "uh huh." at the same time. 

Applejack looked over at Ryan seeing him rub his eyes. "Still tired I take it?" She asked. 

Ryan gave a bit of a smile and nodded. "Couldn't sleep." He replied. "I told dad I was going to bed. Scootaloo was already asleep and somehow I just couldn't sleep." 

Big Mac gave a little laugh. "You were probably excited for the party today." He said. "Its either that or you just crashed from all that sugar in your system." 

Ryan thought for a moment. "Nah I didn't eat those snacks until about a few hours after that." He said. "I guess I was just excited and a bit nervous to meet everyone else." 

Big Mac looked back at Ryan. "So in other words you were 'Nervouscited'?" Applejack said. Ryan and Big Mac looked over to her. She looked to the road. "Pinkie's word. Not mine."  Big Mac's and Ryan's gaze met. Ryan just shrugged. So did Big Mac. 

They walked on more down the road and turned a few corners. Soon they came up on a blue building with a sign with crossed guitars and a drum in the center of it. "Alright we're here Ry." Big Mac said looking back at him. Ryan smiled and hopped off. 

Applejack entered the shop first and held the door for her brother and friend. Instantly Ryan saw nothing but CD's categorized by genre of music. Big Mac walked up to the empty counter near a rack of discount CD's. He peered into a little gap in the curtain covering the door. "Hello?" He said. "Vinyl!? You back there?" No answer. He looked back at his sister and Ryan as they looked through a few CD's. "You guys stay here. I gotta check the back for Vinyl!" 

Applejack waved her brother off. "Yeah just do it already!" She said. 

Big Mac huffed and walked around the counter. He lifted the curtain and disappeared into the back. There he saw nothing but boxes. "Vinyl? C'mon girl you better not be asleep listenin to your music again!" Big Mac said walking around the storage area. His ear flickered and he looked to a door that was opened a crack. He quietly walked over and slowly opened the door. Inside he saw nothing but darkness but he heard grunting and rustling. The red colt felt around for the light switch but was suddenly blindsided by something hard hitting his face making him yell out in pain.

Out in the showroom Ryan and  AJ both heard Big Mac's yell of pain and rushed to the counter. Ryan lunged over the counter and rolled a bit going through the curtains. Applejack darted through and saw her brother on the ground being pinned by a masked griffon. White feathers that tapered off into a dark red. The coat was a red colored with dark marks on the wings. They tied up Big Mac not noticing the boy and the mare. "You are stupid for even coming here!" He said. Applejack pushed Ryan a bit. He looked to her and she pointed to some boxes. Ryan nodded and tiptoed his way to the boxes. 

Once he was hidden Applejack readied herself staring the griffon down. "HEY!" She yelled startling the griffon. He backed away seeing Applejack looking pissed. "Get your damn claws of my brother!" 

The griffon looked to her and gave a sarcastic laugh. "What are you gonna do? Cuddle me to death missy?" He replied. Applejack growled. 

Big Mac looked up at the griffon over him. "You call my damn sister missy one more fuckin time! I dare ya!" He snapped. 

The griffon stomped on him with his hind leg. "Shut up you bitch!" He snapped. He looked back at Applejack. "C'mon you fucking whore get the fuck out of here so you don't get hurt!" Ryan watched from behind the boxes as Applejack charged at the griffon. He quickly pulled his blade from the pouch on his side as the griffon grabbed and pinned Applejack. He sprang from the boxes and flipped the handle of his knife now having the blade out. 

"HEY STUPID FUCK LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!" Ryan yelled alerting the griffon. He looked to him and grinned. 

"Well look what we have here! LUNCH!" He said kicking Applejack to the side. 

Big Mac looked to Ryan. "Don't do it Ry! I don't want you to get hurt! RUN AND GET HELP!" He yelled. 

Ryan readied himself with his blade. "Shut up I know what I'm doing!" He snapped. He met the griffons gaze. "Alright you stupid griffon fuck lets rock!" Suddenly after he said that the butterfly knife started glowing. The handle fused together and the blade extended getting a hilt on it. The griffon looked at the blade and shuttered. 

Ryan looked at the blade surprised. '... Lets rock...? Is that what activated the enchantment?' He thought to himself. 

He grinned and went into a different stance holding the blade with two hands now. "Alright COME AT ME MOTHERFUCKER!" He yelled. 

The griffon pulled a switchblade from under his wing and charged at him. Ryan charged at him too. Applejack and Big Mac either looked away or shut their eyes averting their gaze from any carnage that could've happened. They couldn't hear anything. No yells of pain. No blades slicing into anything. Not even any footsteps. Big Mac hesitantly opened his eye and saw Ryan and the griffon crossing each other still holding the blades. Suddenly blood sprayed from the griffons neck and he dropped the blade falling on the floor. The sword Ryan held turned back into a butterfly knife in a little flash. He returned to a standing stance and approached Big Mac. Big Mac looked to his sister and still saw her looking away shaking. "S-sis!" He said as Ryan knelt down and started to cut the ropes holding Big Mac there. 

Applejack faced towards her brother hesitantly still clenching her eyes shut. "...y-yeah...?" She said still scared. Big Mac pointed to the dark room pushing the knife wielding boy towards it. He turned back to his sister as Ryan ran in. 

Once inside the room Ryan flipped on a light and saw a unicorn mare with a blue mane and white coat tied up with tape over her mouth and a blindfold covering her eyes. Coins were scattered everywhere on the ground. He quickly went and cut the rope holding the mare and the blindfold. The blindfold fell to the ground revealing tears in her eyes that were clenched shut also. Carefully Ryan removed the tape shushing the unicorn mare. "C'mon don't be scared I gotcha..." He said hugging her. 

The mare wrapped her hooves around the boy and held him close. "...Th-thank you..." She said. 

Ryan carefully closed the butterfly knife handle around the blade hiding it. "You hurt at all?" Ryan asked. The mare shook her head starting to sob softly. "...Good... You think you can call someone else to run the shop?" 

The mare sniffled and nodded. "...Y-yes.... M-my marefriend..." She said letting Ryan go. She wiped her eyes and looked at him. "...Wait... You aren't a pony..." 

Ryan smiled putting his blade away. "I'm human." He said. "I take it you're Vinyl?" The mare nodded. "I'm Ryan. I was brought here by my friends looking to get some CD's for my birthday. Oh um.... By the way... When we go back to the front just look away and I'll lead you to the front... Gonna need a cleanup crew to get in here...." Vinyl nodded and closed her eyes. Ryan put his hand on her back and started walking with her. As they stepped out of the room Ryan looked to the room. No one there except for the body lying near the boxes in a puddle of blood. He looked back to the curtain and put a hand out to open it up. 

As they came out into the showroom Applejack sat on the floor while her brother was on a phone talking to someone. "...Yeah Vinyl's Music Shop." He said. "Robbery and there's one griffon dead. Yeah that's right I said griffon!... Yeah.... Uh huh... Really now? How much we talkin?... You're kiddin!... Yeah everyone else is okay. Just a few bruises on me and just a few shaken up mare's." 

Ryan looked over at Vinyl. "Alright... You can open your eyes!" He said. 

Vinyl hesitantly opened her eyes and looked around the room. She saw Applejack and quickly went around the counter towards her. She sat next to her and hugged AJ. She looked back at Ryan who was now sitting on the counter. "Um... Ryan was it?" She said. He looked to her. 

"Yeah?" He said. 

She whimpered a bit. "...C-can you go back to the room and get my glasses...? I left them in there when I was on my break...." 

Ryan nodded and hopped up from the counter. He quickly darted into the back again past the bloody mess he had left into the back room again. He looked around the room. Coins distracted him from the task at hand. He grabbed a broom and started to sweep them up. He swept the coins up into a pile being careful not to miss one coin, under the desk and in crevices the broom could reach. Once he swept the coins into a pile he set the broom back down and looked to the desk. No glasses. Just boxes filled with papers. He opened the drawer in the middle of the desk and inside he saw big purple lensed black framed sunglasses neatly folded so they could fit in the drawer. He grabbed them and went back out. Just before he got to the curtains they opened and a few pegasus guards came in. One saw Ryan and rushed  him pinning him against the wall. Ryan still gripped the sunglasses trying not to break them. "C'mon let me go!" Ryan said loudly. 

Big Mac rushed in and pried the big pony guard off the small boy. "Lay off! He was the one who took him down!" The red colt said. 

Ryan turned around back against the wall. The guard looked to him. "You?" He said. Ryan hesitantly nodded. The guard saw the butterfly knife tucked away in the pouch. The guard looked to the other guard who was surveying the body. He then looked back to Ryan who was still startled by the guards. "Well now... You've earned yourself quite the reward." The guard said to Ryan. He pointed to the body of the griffon. "He was part of a trifecta of robbers who traveled Equestria getting money from shops and citizens in the area where ever they were. We put out a bounty for who ever could catch him dead or alive and you caught him dead. A thousand bits for dead but three thousand for alive." 

Ryan's jaw dropped. "A thousand bits?!" He said. 

The guard nodded. "Come by Princess Twilight's castle later. We need to block off the store and clean up the mess you made." The guard said. "Our investigation will last a day or two. You think you can let Ms. Scratch know?" 

Ryan nodded and quickly darted past the guard and Big Mac back out in to the showroom. Vinyl was shuttering a bit still frightened. Applejack was nowhere to be seen inside. Ryan walked around the counter and held the sunglasses out in his hand. Vinyl saw them in his hand and used her magic to take them from him and opened them putting them on hiding her red eyes. "...Thank you Ryan... Just for saving my store you can take any CD home that you want." She said.

Ryan smiled and hugged her. "... Thanks but... Just something that the guard told me..." He said. "...You're going to have to leave the store alone for a few days. I swept up some loose money in back just so you can pick it up easier." 

Vinyl sniffled and sighed. "... I... I think me being away from my store for a few days will be good for me..." She said. "...Octavia and I could... have a little fun... and... uh.... Thanks for sweeping up... That griffon dropped all that money when he heard you guys come in..." 

Ryan sat with her and patted her back just as Big Mac came from the back. "Ho-lee shit...." He said looking at Ryan. "...I... I cant believe you took down that robber with that knife... How the hell did you get it to do that?" 

Ryan shrugged faking his knowledge of the blade. "...How long was I back there?" He asked his friend. 

Big Mac thought for a moment. "I think about ten minutes." He said. "'The hell were you doin back there?" 

A guard came out with the switch blade in a plastic bag in his teeth. "Uh... I was trying to find Vinyl's sun glasses but... I thought she meant actual glasses with clear lenses." He said. The guard passed them and went out the door. Ryan looked to Vinyl. "We should wait out front... Wouldn't wanna get in the guard's way but before we go... I guess I'll take you up on your offer Vinyl..." Vinyl smiled and got up. Ryan walked over to the metal section of the CD's. He reached for a red case with black markings on it and a  white one with different black markings on it. "Metallica's St. Anger album and Death Magnetic album." He said. "Two albums here and uh..." He looked back at Vinyl. "You got any Creedence Clearwater Revival?" She smiled and nodded. 

She pointed over at the classic rock section of the CD's along the wall. "CCR is going to be over there near the top." She replied. 

Ryan smiled and hurried over looking for another CD. He reached for a green one with a few people standing on it. "Alright done here. I'll buy some CD's next time I come in." He said turning back around. He looked to Big Mac. "You got a bag Vinyl? I wanna send someone home with a gift from me."  He smiled to Big Mac as Vinyl went to the counter. Her horn glowed and a plastic bag came up from over the counter. It floated over to Ryan who put the CCR CD into it. He walked over to Big Mac who took the bag in his hoof. 

"...Well... Thanks Ry." He said giving him a smile and a hug. 

Ryan hugged back. "Don't mention it dude! You deserve it!" He replied. They broke the hug just as a grey coated mare with a black mane came in looking worried. "Vinyl!" She said. Her voice was that of a sophisticated mare. 

Vinyl looked to the mare just at the door. "'Tavi!" She said hurrying to her. They both hugged in the middle of the room. 

"...Oh Vinyl... Are you alright?" The mare asked. Vinyl nodded into her shoulder. They broke the hug and gave each other a kiss. 

Big Mac and Ryan blushed watching the two mares lock lips. "Uh... Ry... Why don't we get back to Sugar Cube Corner and hope that party of yours aint over....?" Big Mac asked. "Aj should be back there by now... Sent her out while you were lookin for Vinyl's glasses..." 

The mare's broke the kiss and Vinyl looked over at Ryan making him blush a bit more. She beckoned him over. Ryan hesitantly walked over to the blue crazy maned mare. "Ryan I'd like you to meet my marefriend Octavia Melody." She said. She looked to Octavia. "'Tavi this is Ryan. He's the one who saved my flank here..." 

Ryan looked to Octavia and put both Metallica CD's in one hand. Octavia raised her hoof so she could shake his hand. "You saved my wubster?" She asked a bit quizzically. "You're just a cute little toughy aren't you!" 

Ryan blushed taking his hand back. "I'm nineteen as of today Ms. Melody." He replied. "... Not trying to be mean but I'm not a little kid anymore..." 

Octavia chuckled a bit. "Oh sorry there Ryan!" She said blushing a bit embarrassed. "I haven't seen you humans around and I cant ever tell what age you guys are!" 

Ryan let out a little laugh. "Um... Would you guys want to come to Sugar Cube Corner with us?" He asked. "Hopefully the party is still going on... And that my dad doesn't mind..." He smiled nervously. 

Octavia and Vinyl looked to each other. "Your father?" Vinyl said. She looked to Ryan. "Who's your father?" 

Big Mac came over. "His father is Mr. Rubber! You know the father of Scootaloo? Mother died some months ago?" He said. 

Vinyl thought for a second. "Oh that's his father? I didn't know he adopted!" She said. "Well of course we'll come! I gotta make sure my little rocker Pegasus is doing okay!" Ryan smiled and hugged both Octavia and Vinyl.

A little while later they were all back at Sugarcube Corner. Ryan sat at a table away from everyone else listening to one of the CD's he had gotten. Vinyl and Octavia were sitting a table over from him talking with Pinkie Pie. Applejack and Big Mac were no where to be found. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy walked over to Ryan's table and sat down with him. Fluttershy nudged him and he looked over at them pausing his music and taking his headphones off. "You alright Ry?" Rainbow Dash asked. 

Ryan nodded. "Just feeling a bit lucky I guess..." He replied. 

Fluttershy tilted her head. "How so?" She asked. 

Ryan leaned on the table. "Well I caught someone who had a bounty on their head today at Vinyl's music shop... Its a bit of a mess in there and the guards that responded have to do an investigation and dust for prints or something." He said. "I wasn't listening. Call me a gold digger but all I heard was cash registers and music." He looked to fluttershy. "Um... Can you please get me something to drink Flutters? I'd get up but adrenaline rush to crash is just too fast..." 

Fluttershy smiled and nodded. "I understand and of course! Is a juice box okay with you?" She asked getting up. Ryan smiled and nodded. 

As Fluttershy walked away Dash looked to Ryan. "You killed the guy didn't you?" Dash said. 

Ryan nodded. "You spied on us while we were there didn't you?" He asked. Dash nodded. "Then I guess you understand I know Flutters is sensitive enough to be scared of someone if she heard they killed someone right?" 

Dash nodded again and sighed. "You got that right." She said. "Fluttershy would wet herself even if one of her animals ate another animal. Trust me I've seen the aftermath of that and it wasn't fun to clean up!" Ryan shushed her as Fluttershy came back over with a juice box with a cherry on it.

"All the cakes had was cherry juice is that alright?" She asked setting the juice box down. 

Ryan nodded and grabbed the juice. He pulled the straw off the box and broke it out of its plastic and popped it into the box at the top. "Thanks Flutters!" He said sipping the box. She smiled at him. 

"Any time Ryry!" She replied. Ryan blushed as he sipped his juice box. 

Dash gave a laugh as Vinyl came over to the table. "Hey hero how those CD's sound?" She asked. 

Ryan looked over to her and smiled. "I'm head banging so hard I feel like I could flip if I jumped." He said. 

Vinyl laughed. "Nice one!" She said taking her glasses off. The laughter died down. "Listen dude I asked your dad and it turns out YOU my good friend are coming home with me and 'Tavi!" 

Ryan blushed and started to cough choking on his juice. Rainbow Dash gasped and reached over patting him on the back. Fluttershy grabbed a napkin from a nearby table and gave it to Ryan. He wiped his mouth and coughed one more time before setting the juice and napkin down. "...Oh jeez..." He said. He looked to Vinyl who looked a bit worried. "... Dad said THAT?!" 

Vinyl nodded hesitantly. "Yeah... Is it okay with you...?" She asked.

Ryan nodded coughing again. "Did you tell him what I did?" He asked. Vinyl nodded and hugged nuzzling Ryan.

"Aww how come she gets to cuddle you?" Fluttershy said. "I wanna cuddle you more! I wanna bring you home and cuddle with you while I sleep!" 

Dash sighed and pulled her yellow friend away. "Fluttershy you can do that later!" The rainbow maned mare said. "If you ask his father you can try and get some cuddle time with him!" 

Fluttershy sighed and crossed her arms starting to tear up a bit. "...Okay..." She said sounding sad. Dash hugged her friend and shushed her.

Ryan broke the hug with Vinyl and got up from his chair walking around the table and hugged Fluttershy. "Don't worry Flutters if you wanna cuddle just tell me and I'll be right there to do just that!" He said nuzzling her. 

Fluttershy forced out a smile and instantly hugged Ryan bringing him up onto her lap. Ryan looked over to Vinyl as Fluttershy held him close. "Vinyl can you give me a bit? I gotta pick up a few things from my place and from Princess Twilight's castle that I left there..." He asked smiling a bit. 

Vinyl smiled and nodded. "We'll stop by the castle first." She replied. "I think you better get what you left there first before we drop by your place. Wouldn't wanna carry it everywhere." Ryan smiled and went back to nuzzling his friend.

A couple hours later Ryan was walking with Octavia, Vinyl and Twilight through the streets. Ryan looked a bit tired as he walked. Twilight noticed him stumble a bit as they approached the castle. "You need a nap Ry?" She asked. Ryan sluggishly nodded. "Well stay awake just long enough to get your reward home. I'll have one of my guards grab you a bottle of cider while we're in there alright?" 

Ryan stretched and nodded. Vinyl gave a chuckle. "Adrenaline wears off fast with you doesn't it?" She asked. 

Ryan nodded again. "...Not enough to be mad or scared about..." He said. "...Not to mention I did stay up pretty late last night... Lotsa soda and snacks..." 

Octavia gave a laugh. "Yeah I know the feeling of that too well..." She said as they turned a corner going towards the castle now. "...I couldn't sleep because I was a bit worried Vinyl was going to get hurt when she did a rave over in Manehattan here in Equestria. I've only been to Manehattan once and while I was there I almost was run down by a taxi carriage!" 

Vinyl looked over to her marefriend. "Hey you told me you got robbed!" She said. 

Octavia sighed and looked over at Vinyl. "Guess I just chose to repress that memory..." She said blushing a bit. "...I was just so scared about dying that day..." Tears started streaming down her cheeks. "...I... I was afraid I wasn't gonna see you again...." 

Vinyl let out a sad aww and crossed over to her marefriend. "Don't cry 'Tavi baby! Please don't cry!" She said nuzzling her as they walked. They kissed and started to slow down as they approached the castle doors. They broke the kiss and Vinyl looked to Ryan and Twilight as they walked on. "Ryan! We'll be out here!" She called out. 

Ryan looked back and sluggishly waved yawning. He looked back to Twilight. "...Any chance you can make that cider a straight soda?" Ryan asked. Twilight gave a smile and nodded. The guards outside the door bowed and opened the door for the two. 

Twilight brought Ryan up on to her back and held him with her wings as they went up the stairs. Ryan leaned in on her back and yawned starting to nod off. He soon fell asleep nuzzling the purple princess as she walked up the stairs. She looked back at him about half way up and sighed. "...Made good judgment on that part..." She said to herself. As she walked upstairs she past a guard who bowed. She stopped and looked back at him. "Get this boys reward for taking down that notorious griffon." She said. "Also I want you to escort us and a few mares downstairs to his place. I know where it is. And by the way... His reward is the thousand bits AS promised!" The guard saluted and hurried up the stairs as she went back down. Once back outside she saw Octavia and Vinyl sitting against the wall of the castle kissing. The guards at the door didn't even pay attention. Twilight walked over to them. "Vinyl? Octavia?" Twilight said alerting them. 

They broke the kiss and looked up at the princess. Octavia noticed Ryan asleep on her back and gasped. "Aww he fell asleep!" She said softly.

Vinyl stood up and stood at Twilight's side. "May I?" She asked. Twilight smiled and nodded using her magic to take the sleeping boy off her back and set him on the white unicorns back. Octavia kissed his forehead making him shift a bit mumbling to himself. "...Let him sleep 'Tavi." Vinyl said softly. "...Even heroes need to sleep. Isnt that right Princess?" 

Both Vinyl and Octavia looked to Twilight. She smiled and nodded. "Princess Twilight!" A unicorn guard called out approaching the mares. Princess Twilight turned around and shushed him pointing to Ryan who shifted and groaned. He looked to the sleeping boy and quickly silenced himself. "Sorry!" He whispered. He turned to the side showing a duffle bag on his back. "All the bits are in there. Are we ready to go?" 

Twilight nodded and looked to Octavia and Vinyl still admiring the sleeping boy. "Vinyl! Octavia!" She whispered. They looked over at the princess and she nodded to the side. The guard walked at Twilight's side down the road. Octavia and Vinyl were following closely.

A little while later they arrived at the door of Ryan's home. Twilight knocked and waited for a moment. The door opened and there was Scootaloo. She immediately bowed to Twilight seeing a guard with her. "Scoot? Who is it?" Her father yelled out from the kitchen. 

Before the orange mare could turn Twilight shushed her and pointed to Ryan on the white unicorn's back. Scootaloo nodded and turned around. She walked towards the kitchen. "It's Princess Twilight dad!" She said. "Vinyl is with her! Ry passed out and is on her back!" 

Mr. Rubber looked to the door and saw the guard enter with Twilight, Vinyl and Octavia behind him. Octavia carefully shut the door behind her. "Ah welcome Princess!" Mr. Rubber said bowing to her. 

Twilight smiled. "I hope you don't mind but we came by to drop off Ryan's reward from earlier and pick up some clothes for him" She said. Scootaloo walked over to Vinyl just as her father smiled. 

"Ah its no problem. The knife I gave him worked in his favor eh?" He said. "Guess that feeling of his isn't a load of crap as I thought." Twilight gave a giggle as Scootaloo whispered into Vinyl's ear. Vinyl looked to the mare and nodded starting for the hallway. Scootaloo followed. "Exactly just like Pinkie's sense. I thought the same way when I found out about her Pinkie Sense." Twilight said. 

Mr. Rubber laughed a bit just as Vinyl and Scootaloo disappeared into Ryan's room. Inside his room was the unicorn guard setting the duffle bag at the foot of Ryan's messy bed. Scootaloo picked up Ryan's backpack from the corner of the room and brought it over to the dresser. As the guard left Scootaloo started stuffing a few items of clothing in the bag. Vinyl watched Ryan as he slept on her back. "...He was really something today huh?" Scootaloo asked. 

Vinyl looked to her and gave a smile. "Yeah... You don't know how scared I was..." She replied in a whisper. "...I didn't even know that griffon had a knife... I could've died...." 

Scootaloo sighed opening up another drawer. "Don't go crying now please Vinyl." The Pegasus mare said. "Two reasons. One is that you have a sleeping boy on your back and two I don't think Octavia would want you to cry and have you bring Ryan home. Octavia would only deal with one." Ryan shifted a bit. He started to whimper. Vinyl looked back at the boy on her back. 

"...That doesn't sound good..." She said. She looked back to Scootaloo who looked a bit worried. "Should I wake him?" Scootaloo thought for a moment and nodded. Vinyl looked back at Ryan and nudged him with her snout. "Ryan? Ryan! Wake up!" She said. 

Ryan snorted and jumped a bit. His eyes fluttered a bit and hesitantly opened. He yawned propping himself up on Vinyl's back rubbing his eye with his free hand. "...Vinyl...? Are we at your place yet?" He asked sluggishly. 

Vinyl sighed and helped him up off her back. "No Ry we're at your place!" She said. "You sounded like you were having a nightmare." 

Ryan yawned and stretched. "...I was...?" He said. Vinyl nodded. 

Scootaloo zipped Ryan's backpack up and walked over to him bearing it in her teeth. "Here Ry. Gotcha all packed up." She said.

Ryan smiled and took it from her slinging it over his shoulder. "...Vinyl can you wait in the living room? I gotta use the can..." He said. He looked to the white unicorn and she nodded. As they all went to the door Ryan let Vinyl and Scootaloo pass him. Scootaloo met her brother's gaze. She looked kinda sad. Just as Ryan got out into the hallway she gave him a quick hug and broke it as quickly as it started. Ryan blushed a bit and hurried into the bathroom.

As Scootaloo stepped back out in the living room a tear came to her eye. She sat down at the dining table facing away from everyone else as they talked. Vinyl sat with Octavia near the couch where the unicorn guard, Princess Twilight and Mr. Rubber sat. "... So that's what we ended up doing for Applejack's birthday party!" Twilight said finishing up a sentence. 

Mr. Rubber sighed. "I wish I had a party like that for my birthday but... I'm getting a bit old for that stuff." He said. "Just getting a few gifts, cards and some happy birthdays is fine for this stallion." Twilight yawned a bit. 

The unicorn guard looked to her. "Are you tired princess? If you need I'll escort you back to the castle now." He said.

Twilight nodded and stretching. "... You are to escort me back to the castle and escort Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody here back to their home along with the boy we brought here." She said. She looked around for a moment. "Speaking of Ryan where is he?"

Vinyl looked to the purple princess. "He's in the bathroom right now." She said. "When you gotta go you gotta go ykno?"

Twilight gave a laugh and nodded. "I understand that feeling all too well!" She said. The laughter died down and she yawned again. "Woah... Really tired... Maybe I really should go back home..." She looked to Vinyl and  Octavia. "You two think you'd be okay walking home by yourself? Sorry if you needed an escort." She stretched a bit having her wings puff out.

Octavia smiled. "You go on home Princess. We have Ryan with us!" She said just as the toilet flushed down the hall.

Twilight stood up and looked to her guard. "You know what to do. Lets head back to the castle!" She said. The guard saluted and stood up. He went to the door and opened it up for her and she walked out.

"Have a great night!" Mr. Rubber called out. He looked over to the hallway just as the guard left closing the door. There he saw Ryan coming out with his backpack slung over his shoulder. "There's the hero! Guess that feeling of yours isn't as much of crap that I thought it would be!"

Ryan gave a sigh and smiled. "Well I did tell you." He said going towards Vinyl as she got up. "Maybe next time I'd be able to-"

"No Ryan you aren't taking your gun!" Mr. Rubber snapped. "I swear to Celestia if one stray bullet were to hit an innocent civilian I'd disown you faster than that bullet were to travel! Now get on out of here. I promised Scoot I'd help her rearrange her room." Ryan gave a smile and quickly pounced on his father giving him a hug. Just as quick as the hug started it ended and Ryan got off his father. Mr. Rubber looked to his daughter who had her head resting on her hoof. "Scoot! Come say goodbye to your brother!"

Scootaloo silently got up from her seat and walked over to Ryan who had his arms wide open. She had her head hung a bit before hugging her brother resting her head on his shoulder. "...Don't you ever scare me like that again..." She whispered. "...I don't want my new brother to die so soon..." She sounded like she was holding back tears. 

Ryan pushed her away and saw her sad and teary eyed expression. "...Don't worry..." He whispered back. "...I'm not gonna die yet..." He gave her a kiss on her cheek before breaking away towards Octavia who had her body lowered just for Ryan.

Scootaloo whimpered a bit and grabbed onto Ryan. "P-please don't go!" She said almost frantic. 

Mr. Rubber got up from the couch and hesitantly approached his daughter. Vinyl pried Ryan away from Scootaloo making the orange mare start crying. Her father started to hug her and looked to Ryan and the other two mares. "You guys go I got her!" He said. Ryan nodded as Vinyl opened the door letting her marefriend out along with herself and their companion. Mr. Rubber sighed and looked back to Scootaloo who was crying hard into his chest. "Scootaloo what's gotten into you?"

Scootaloo sniffled and brought her head up from her fathers chest. "...I don't want t-to lose Ryan..." She said.

Mr. Rubber sighed. "Scoot this isn't about Ryan at all is it?" He asked. Scootaloo sniffled and hesitantly shook her head. "...It's about your mother... isn't it...?" His daughter nodded. Mr. Rubber sighed and broke the hug with Scootaloo taking her hoof. He stood up along with his daughter and went over to the couch to sit down. Once they sat down Scootaloo hugged her father again. "...Look Scoot... I know you love Ryan and you do love your mother but... You gotta know Ryan isn't your mother... He can protect himself... If your mother tried to protect herself... She would've been here and... We probably wouldn't be having this problem... She'd be with us at the table, eating dinner along with Ryan... Maybe... If one thing happens another thing happens too... You get what I'm saying don't you?"

Scootaloo sniffled and nodded. "...Yes... Daddy..." She said.

Mr. Rubber looked at his daughter a bit shocked. "...Scoot... You haven't called me Daddy since you were eight..." He said. "...Maybe you should sleep with me in my bed tonight... You're starting to make me miss your mother too..."

Scootaloo rested her head on her fathers shoulder. "...You sure daddy...?" She asked. "...I... I'm nineteen now... A grown mare... Even Applebloom doesn't go to her... uh.... Sweetie Belle doesn't...." She whimpered trying to think of a filly who doesn't go sleeping with a parent in their bed.

Mr. Rubber shushed her. "...Now now Scoot it's still your birthday." He said. "Just think of it as a birthday present from me and your... mother...." He hesitated on the last part. He held his daughter close giving her a kiss on the forehead.

A little while later over with Ryan, Vinyl and Octavia they were just arriving at a medium sized home. Ryan was about half asleep still riding on Octavia's back as they entered the front door. Once inside Vinyl turned lights on giving light to regal looking furniture. A big flat screen sat on a low lying table against the wall. Octavia looked back at the sleepy boy on her back. "Aw someone still a bit tired!" She said lowering her body. She looked to Vinyl. "Baby go get Ry here a soda! I want him to be awake for us!"

Vinyl nodded and hurried into a doorway. Ryan yawned and stretched. "...I'm fine..." He said starting for a couch. He stumbled a bit and Octavia went right to his side.

"No Ryan you aren't! You need something to keep you awake! We have to thank you before you go to bed!" She said.

Ryan sighed and broke away sitting on the couch. He brought his backpack from his shoulder and unzipped it. He reached inside and pulled his journal along with the pencil. Vinyl came back from the doorway with a glass of dark fizzy liquid. "Alright. Sorry if you don't like warm cola." She said. 

Just as she set it on the table in front of Ryan he looked up at her. "It's okay just as long as it's not diet!" He said.

Vinyl smiled as he grabbed the glass and sipped from it. "Don't worry it's from my stash." She said. She looked to Octavia. "Yes it's from my stash. I HAVE a stash!"

Octavia sighed as she sat on the love seat adjacent to the couch. "Don't start in front of our guest!" She said. "You start this I get Ryan all to myself tonight!"

Vinyl growled a bit and sat next to Ryan. "It's ME and MY STORE he saved! It should be me who get's Ryan to myself!" She snapped.

Ryan let out a growl and yelled. "BOTH OF YOU ARENT GONNA GET ME IF YOU KEEP ARGUING LIKE THAT I CANT FUCKING THINK!" He yelled out. He looked to Octavia enraged. "It's Vinyl I saved not you and WHO FUCKING KNOWS maybe I wanted to sleep by myself!" Ryan went back to writing in his book and left both mares silent.

Octavia sighed and hung her head. "...Y-youre right..." She said starting to tear up. "I'm sorry..." She sniffled and got up starting to sob a bit as she ran off.

Vinyl got up and ran around the coffee table. "'TAVI WAIT!" She called out. Octavia said nothing as a door slammed down a hallway. Vinyl looked back to Ryan who was now lying on his side facing the inside of the couch. "Ryan what the hell?!"

A sniffle came from Ryan as he scrunched up a bit. "...I... It's all my fault...." He said sounding like he was starting to cry.

Vinyl heard his whimpers and froze. "Well... Yeah you made 'Tavi run off crying..." She said starting to sound uncertain.

Ryan started to sob a bit. "...I... I didn't mean to do it... I... I just.... Snapped...." He said through his tears. 

Vinyl sighed and sat next to the couch shushing him. She noticed Ryan's journal with it opened to an entry. She hesitated on wanting to look at it. Not wanting to even try anymore she picked the book up with her magic and started to read it. 

' Dear Journal,

Today was my birthday along with Scootaloo's. I got a lot of great gifts and met new friends. Some of which... I had drawn blood for... The ones I drew blood for are  sitting right by my side now and they're....' That's all that was written.

"....You're probably wondering where the ending for that is aren't you...?" Ryan asked. 

Vinyl yelped and dropped it jumping scared. She looked over and saw Ryan sitting up with tears still streaming down his cheeks. "R-Ryan! I'm Sorry I was just curious!" She said.

Ryan sighed and picked his book back up. ".... I know..." He said. "...And... If you're wondering why I wrote that.... I woke up to see my own sister looking worried and... I knew she was worried about losing me.... I just wanted to see her happy but... I... I scared her..." He started to cry again. 

Vinyl sighed and brought herself up on to the couch. "Ry... Something tells me it wasn't you that made her feel that way." She said. "I bet it was just her remembering her mother. She died protecting her Ry and well... You're new to their family and she doesn't wanna go through that same thing again.... Maybe you should get to sleep or finish up that entry... I'd want you to be all rested up before I take you back home and... Really it's 'Tavi's time of the moth. That's why she did that...." 

Ryan sniffled and nodded. As he lied back down he whimpered a bit. "...Okay just... Wake me up tomorrow morning..." He said. "...I think i'm still tired from earlier..."

Vinyl gave a smile. "...Y'know Ry why don't you at least bunk with me?" She asked bringing the boy to her back with her magic. "I promise to keep my hooves to myself but don't let that stop you if you want something to cuddle."

Ryan yawned a bit and gave a smile. "...Might as well..." He said. Vinyl nuzzled him and they started down the hall. "...Hey Vinyl...?"

Vinyl looked back at him stopping outside a door. "Yeah Ry?" She said.

Ryan averted his gaze a bit. "...How did you get your cutie mark?" He asked.

Vinyl sighed looking back at the door and opened it revealing a bed room. "It's a long story and it's getting late." She said. "If I recall you have work down at Sweet Apple acres tomorrow don't you?" She looked back at Ryan as she entered the room. He nodded. "Well I'll give you a ride down to Sweet Apple Acres and tell you the story then alright?" She sat down on the bed letting Ryan drop off onto the bed.

"Alright then Vinyl and uh... Thanks for making my birthday a memorable one.... Well even if it wasn't intentional." He said giving a nervous smile as he climbed under the covers. Vinyl smiled and kissed his forehead also climbing under the covers. 

Amazing birthdays with... an ending. Not much of a positive ending but its an ending nonetheless.

> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was the next morning and Ryan was still asleep. Vinyl was the first one to wake up. She stretched a bit and looked back at the sleeping boy. His hair was a mess and he drooled a bit on his pillow. As Vinyl got to her hooves a knock came to her door. "Vinyl? Sweetheart are you up?" Someone said. Octavia.

Vinyl stretched a bit and grunted a bit silently as her back cracked. "Yeah 'Tavi.... I'm up...." She said yawning as she approached her door. She opened it up and there was Octavia looking a bit worried. Vinyl kissed her cheek and pushed past her.

Octavia followed her down the hall into the kitchen. "Is Ryan awake Vinyl?" She asked sitting at the kitchen table. "I need to apologize for my behavior last night." 

Vinyl grabbed a glass from a cupboard above her with her magic. She brought it over to the sink and started to fill it with water. "Guess it's vise versa too 'Tavi." She replied before sipping from the glass. "He actually started to cry after he yelled at you."

Octavia sighed and stretched. "....Well at least I know it totally wasn't my fault." She said. "...You know I was just worried about you yesterday... Robbed, almost raped and killed..."

Vinyl sat next to her marefriend and kissed her. "...'Tavi... Be glad it wasn't you in there.... You'd probably be pissing yourself scared!" She said. Octavia blushed and averted her gaze making Vinyl laugh. "You're the type of mare that'll crack under pressure baby but you got me to help you! Who knows you could probably learn a thing or two from Ryan!"

Octavia gave a hefty sigh. "...You'd be right about that Vinyl... I had a nightmare last night and woke up before you had to clean my matress..." She said. "...I dreamt you were in the store again and I was there.... but... you went into the back and some colt came in strapped with a bomb and..." Tears started form in the grey mares eyes. "....I...I don't wanna even think about it anymore..." She buried her face into her hooves and started to whimper a bit. 

Vinyl sighed and got up. "'Tavi you just go back to bed. I need to wake Ryan and get him to Sweet Apple Acres." She said going towards the door. "If you cant get back to sleep just... Wait for me or use one of our toys. I promise I'll be quick about it!" She stopped at the door and looked back at Octavia who now had her head resting on her arms on the table with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Okay Octavia baby?" Octavia sniffled and nodded. Vinyl looked back to the other room and started down the hallway. She went into her room again and saw Ryan sprawled out on her bed with a bit of a distressed look on his face. She nudged him a bit and he jumped. "Woopsie sorry Ry! You doing okay there hero boy?"

Ryan sat up and rubbed his eyes. "...Vinyl...? What time is it...?" He asked with a yawn.

Vinyl looked at her clock. She saw it read 7:30. "I guess it's time to get you to work!" She said. "Don't want ya to be late for your first day at Sweet Apple Acres do you?"

Ryan stretched throwing the covers off. "...Not really... Gotta make some money some how..." He said still feeling a bit sluggish. "You mind taking me back home before you take me to Sweet Apple Acres? I need to check on Scoot and Dad..." He got up and buckled a bit. Vinyl helped him up. "Thanks... Show me to the bathroom please? Gotta go y'kno?"

Vinyl laughed a bit. "Yeah yeah bathroom is right across the hall." She said. "Oh and once your done make sure you get everything and apologize to Octavia alright?" Ryan nodded blushing a bit before darting out of the room and into the bathroom.

A little while later Ryan was riding on Vinyl's back as he ate from a bag of chips. He had his backpack on as well. "Thanks for the chips Vinyl." He said. "Gotta have something to eat before work right?"

Vinyl smiled. "Yeah definitely. Sorry i couldn't give you any cereal but who knows maybe they have better food at their orchard." She said. "Or... Maybe i could take you to by Sugarcube Corner to grab a donut!"

Ryan chugged the crumbs from the now empty bag of chips. "Nah it's fine." He said taking his backpack off and placing it in front of him. "Anything i can eat is good enough for me." He shoved the empty bag in his pocket and wiped his hand on his pants before he opened his bag again and took his journal out along with his pencil. He opened it and started to write in his journal again. "...Now that I'm all rested i think i can finish this entry for Princess Twilight. She has me writing as much as i can until i take up half the book."

Vinyl glanced back at him as she turned a corner. "Why's that?" She asked.

Ryan paused in his writing. "I think it's because I'm new to Ponyville and Equestria itself." He replied. "Twilight is the Princess of Friendship isnt she?" Vinyl nodded. "If i understand this right she's having me write down some of my experiences making friends with everyone here."

"Ah!" Vinyl exclaimed. "You must have gotten on her good side. I've tried getting Pinkie Pie to let me DJ at one of the Princesses parties but Every time i ask Twilight tells me Celestia will be at the party and they always book 'Tavi for the gigs. Seems royals always have to have classical music. Never any dubstep, rocking dance music or even some headbangers."

As Ryan scrawled out his note out in the book he gave a laugh. "They're Princesses Vinyl." He said. "If i remember all the movies i've watched they have to act lady like and they have to be polite and all that other crap."

Vinyl laughed again. "You watched PRINCESS movies?!" She said.

Ryan blushed. "Sh-shut up!" He snapped. "It was when I was in elementary school!"

The laughs died down as Vinyl approached a home. "Yeah right! I bet you were watching them weeks before you came here!" She said making fun of him. "Well this is the first stop on the bumpin' music express!"

Ryan growled a bit and hopped off after shoving his journal back into his backpack. He threw his backpack over his shoulder and knocked on the door. "Dad! Scootaloo!" He called out. "You guys up yet?"

They waited a few moments. Vinyl pushed past Ryan and started to knock. "Mr. Rubber! Dude open up!" She said loudly. Suddenly the door opened up and there was Ryan's father shushing them both.

Ryan looked to his father and raised an eye brow. "Dad why are you shushing us? Where's Scoot?" He asked.

Mr. Rubber quickly shushed him. "Shut up she's still asleep!" He whispered. "I was up with her half the night because of what happened yesterday! I'm not blaming you its just she remembered her mother and she doesn't wanna lose anyone else!"

Ryan sighed. "Well... How long do you think she'll be out?" He asked.

Mr. Rubber sighed and turned back inside. Vinyl and Ryan followed him. "She could be out for a bit but... If I know my little girl she's gonna wake up for a bathroom break any minute now..." He said. "....At least I hope she wakes up... She's in my bed." He looked towards the hall. "....Maybe I should wake her up... She wets the bed she wont leave this house until Nightmare Night in a few days..."

Ryan tilted his head. "Nightmare Night? The hell is that?" He asked.

Vinyl looked to Ryan giving a confused hum. "You haven't heard of Nightmare Night?" She asked. Ryan shook his head. "Well... Its a holiday celebrating the banishment of Nightmare Moon or the more... Evil side of Princess Luna."

Ryan looked to Vinyl in disbelief. "Luna? Evil? There is no friggen way that's even accurate!" He said.

Mr. Rubber shushed him and started down the hall. Vinyl sat on the couch. "Yes it's true." She said. "A thousand years ago on October 31st Luna became Nightmare Moon to make eternal darkness for everyone in the world. Princess Celestia banished her to the moon to serve her sentence up until..... I wanna say around ten years ago or so Nightmare Moon returned and that was basically the start of how Twilight became a princess. Pinkie, AJ, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all hold the very same elements Celestia used to put her own sister away for the thousand years. Twilight found them and befriended them to reveal the final element which she has control over. Magic!"

"Magic?" Ryan said. Vinyl nodded. "Well... Is there anything you do on Nightmare Night?"

Vinyl nodded again. "Yeah." She replied hearing a yawn from down the hall. "You dress up in costumes and go door to door getting candy. Get all that good sugar. My advice is stay away from that black licorice. It sucks!"

Ryan gave a bit of a gasp. "Just like Halloween!" He said. Suddenly he sighed. "Shit... Don't have a costume...." He looked up at her. "You think Rarity can help me make a costume?"

Vinyl shrugged just as Mr. Rubber came from the hallway looking a bit happy with Scootaloo at his side looking a bit tired still and her mane a mess. "Here we are... After this you can either go back to bed or go with Ryan to see Applebloom." He said just as Ryan got up from the couch.

Just before Scootaloo looked to Ryan he had already hugged her. "I am SO sorry about yesterday Scoot I didn't mean to scare you!" Ryan said holding her close.

Scootaloo sighed. "You're okay... It just... Well... Reminded me of my mom...." She said. "...She and I were out one day and... A griffon held us at knife point and... After she told me to run I looked back at her and... Well... All I saw was a crowd of ponies running over... I came back home scared and..." She started to whimper. 

Mr. Rubber pried Ryan off Scootaloo and hugged her. "C'mon you and I both know your mother did that out of love!" He said. "Go with Ryan and see Applebloom. Friend's always seem to perk you up."

Suddenly Ryan ran towards the hall. Vinyl looked to Mr. Rubber as he let his daughter go. He shrugged. Moments later Ryan came out with his pockets jingling with money. "Sorry about that!" He said. "I wanted to stop by Sugarcube Corner for donuts!"

Mr Rubber smiled. "Go on now Scoot Applebloom is waiting for you! You go with your brother and be back before four!" He said starting to push his kids out the door. "I got a gift for Ryan so he can get around faster and I'm having someone fit it with a motor. It'll be ready later!"

Scootaloo gasped and looked back at her father. "You cant mean my scooter!" She said. "I loved that thing!"

Mr. Rubber huffed. "Scoot you haven't used that thing since you were eleven!" He said shoving them outside. "You either let your brother have it or you're giving him a ride until he works up enough to get his own form of transportation!"

Scootaloo huffed and turned back around facing outside. "FINE!" She snapped. "He can have my damn scooter!" 

Their father growled a bit. "Hey! Don't you dare use that language with me missy!" He snapped before slamming the door shut.

Scootaloo hung her head and lowered her body so Ryan could get on. As he got on the purple headed mare sighed starting to tear up. "Are you alright Scoot?" He asked feeling a bit concerned.

Scootaloo raised her head and started to walk. "...No... Not after your scare..." She said. "... I... I just miss my mom..."

Ryan leaned forward and hugged his sister. "Aw c'mon you don't have to worry about me!" He said nuzzling her a bit. "I'll be fine! I've got the knife dad gave me!"

The big orange Pegasus mare sniffled. "...Yeah... I do have to worry about you..." She said. "...You reminded me so much of my mother... She... She loved hippie rock... That's what she used to call sixties rock... She... She always spent time with me... And... I just never wanted to let her go... But... You... You basically replace her.... Or a portion of her... I... I just don't wanna lose another one..." She started to softly sob as she walked.

Ryan sighed. "...Scoot..." He said. "Why don't we get to Sweet Apple Acres and just snag Applebloom maybe get Sweetie Belle and we all go out and have a nice relaxation day?" Scootaloo sniffled and nodded a bit enough so her brother could feel it. "Alright but I think we should grab Sweetie Belle first while we're in town eh? Almost made a stupid saying we should get Applebloom before Sweetie Belle." The mare giggled and sniffled a bit. Ryan laughed a bit. "There's a smile! Now hurry! I wanna hit up Sugarcube Corner before all the good donuts are gone!" Scootaloo looked back and nodded before starting to run off down the road.

Not too long later they arrived at Rarity's home. Scootaloo lowered her body letting her brother get off before she knocked. She used her wings to wipe what ever remainder of her tears away. Ryan knocked again for his sister. "Rarity! Sweetie Belle! Is anyone home?" Scootaloo called out. They waited for a few minutes before knocking again. This time louder. Just before Scootaloo called out again they heard the sound of hooves behind the door. The door opened and there was Rarity looking quite tired. She yawned and stretched a bit. "Morning Rarity! Did we wake you?"

Rarity stretched her hind legs and grunted a bit as a crack was heard. "No... I've been up all night working on a client's dress..." She said a bit sluggishly. "...You two just somehow stopped me from falling asleep before I finished.... I think I should... I don't know get myself a cappuccino or a frappe..." She yawned again turning back inside. "...C'mon in I... I might be a bit to wake up..."

Scootaloo and Ryan followed Rarity inside closing the door behind them. They followed the white unicorn to the kitchen and sat down at the table. "Rarity I'd like to ask something." Ryan said. "Do you think we can bring Sweetie Belle with us to get Applebloom?"

Rarity looked to him as she turned the coffee machine on. "...Well... Yes but she might be a bit tired as well...." The mare replied. "...I had her up helping me with a few things and she zonked out at around two..." She let a big yawn stretching again. "...I'll... Just give her some bits and she can get a soda at Sugarcube corner... I assume you two are going there after you get her out?"

Scootaloo sighed. "...Yeah..." She said sounding almost as sluggish as Rarity. "... I was just gonna see if Applebloom had anything I could eat but... Ry wanted to stop by there anyways..."

Rarity grabbed a mug from the cupboard and started to pour coffee into it. "Are you feeling alright Scootaloo?" She asked looking back at the orange mare at the table. She shook her head hesitantly. Rarity set the coffee pot down and went over to the table her coffee now floating in her magic. "Ryan why don't you go wake Sweetie up? I wanna talk with Scootaloo here for a bit alright?" Ryan nodded and hopped up from his seat. "First door once you get to the top of the stairs! It's on the right!" Ryan gave a bit of a wave before disappearing through the doorway. Rarity looked back to Scootaloo as she sat down. "Alright... What's wrong?"

Scoot sniffled a bit. "...I... I miss my mom...." She said hesitantly. "...Ryan scared me when he... took down that robber but it just.... made me miss my mom..." Tears started to come to her eyes once more. "...I... I just... I didn't want to lose someone else to them being murdered by... by some stupid fuck with a knife... or a gun... e-excuse my language..."

Rarity let out a sad aw and wiped tears away from Scootaloo's eyes. "Scootaloo I have two things to say to you." She said. "...One is you don't have to watch your language around me and two... I know it isn't easy to lose someone close to you... Family member or pet... You know I had to have my cat Opal Essence put down right?" Scootaloo nodded sniffling. "...I know a family member is worse but... To me Opal was family and it just hurt me bad when she went limp on that table..." She set her coffee down and hugged Scootaloo holding each other close.

Upstairs Ryan was trying to wake Sweetie Belle up. Her mane was a mess and half covered up. He shook her a bit. "Sweetie Belle!" He said. "C'mon get up now!" Sweetie Belle groaned a bit shifting. "C'mon you can get a donut if you come up to Sugar Cube Corner with me and  Scootaloo! Pretty sure Scoot needs someone to be there for her before we get Applebloom!"

Sweetie Belle yawned a bit and rolled over. "...Five more minutes Rarity..." She mumbled. 

Ryan sighed. "C'mon Sweetie get up!" He snapped having his stomach gurgle. "Scootaloo needs her friends right now! At least sit up or something!"	He shook Sweetie Belle again and she snorted.

Groaning a bit Sweetie Belle sat up rubbing her eyes. "...What time is it...?" She said. She noticed Ryan standing there at her bedside. "...Ryan...? Did Rarity let you in...?"

Ryan smiled a bit. "Yeah she did but... Good reason for that..." He said. "Scootaloo started to cry about her mother and I just said I could take a break before going to work and I also said we could grab you and Applebloom so we could... Ykno spend the day together."

The unicorn mare stretched yawning. "Alright then... Just... Wait for me downstairs I gotta get ready..." She said. Ryan nodded and went back outside of the room closing the door. 

Once back out in the hall Ryan stretched a bit before walking back down the stairs. He stopped near the bottom hearing sniffling coming from the kitchen. Carefully and quietly he stepped down the last few steps and peeked through the door into the kitchen. There he saw both Rarity and Scootaloo crying softly into each others shoulders. He took a deep breath before stepping in. "You guys okay?" He asked a bit worried.

Scootaloo looked up at her brother. "...You know I'm not Ry..." She said. "...You should go visit Princess Twilight and bring Rarity there. She could use a friend too. I'll be there after I grab Applebloom. I'll even tell AJ you're trying to do something to cheer me up. They'll understand."

"You sure Scoot?" Ryan asked patting Rarity on the back. "I don't want Applejack and her brother thinking I was wimping out on this!"

The orange Pegasus mare stood up and helped Rarity up as well. "Ryan I know the Apples. If you're with Twilight she can pretty much vouch for you!" She said. "Now get going! Anyone can get to the castle if they watch where they're going!"

Ryan sighed and nodded. He put his hand on Rarity's back. "C'mon Rarity let's get to the castle..." He said. "Need everybody to be happy I guess."

Rarity sniffled. "....O-okay..." She said trying not to sob any harder. "...Kiss me and tell me I'm pretty...?"

The boy gave a smile and kissed the unicorn mare's cheek. "You are down right beautiful Rarity!" He said. 

Rarity gave a smile and wiped her eyes. "...Thank you darling..." She replied. "...Hop on I need... Cuddling always makes me feel better..." Ryan hesitantly climbed on and lied down wrapping his arms around her neck. "...That... That feels nice..." She sniffled and nuzzled Ryan walking out of the kitchen.

A little while later they were just nearing the castle. Ryan had a box of donuts in his hands as he walked by Rarity's side. "Thanks for letting me go by Sugarcube Corner to get some donuts." He said. "You're welcome to have a few. Got the dozen for a reason!"

Rarity gave him a smile. "I'll be sure to take you up on your offer but first we might want to get up there and offer Twilight some." She said. "It wouldn't be polite if you don't offer her anything!"

Ryan gave a sigh having his stomach gurgle. "Well I gotta wait anyways... If theres anything that everyone can eat I've got a problem for eating it all." He said. "My old home barely had any food. When we did have food I always got the scraps my dad never ate including fat from a steak, a little thing of ranch dressing, and never anything to drink unless I snuck a beer or something..." He looked to Rarity who gasped. "Yes I snuck a beer from my father but it was only that one time!" 

Rarity sighed looking up at the castle. "It's fine I had snuck a sip of wine or my fathers bourbon just once." She said. "I was just about ten when I stole a bottle of wine from my mothers wine cabinet and took a sip yet when that happened I started to throw up... Next was the sip of bourbon but that got me in deep trouble but it would have been worse if I hadn't have said I thought it was iced tea."  

Ryan chuckled a bit. "Wish I could've thought of something like that but... What would I have said if my parents actually caught me?" He asked. "'Oh I thought it was apple juice!' I wouldn't know what else to compare it to!"

Rarity thought for a moment stopping at the gates of the castle. "...You do seem to have a point there Ry." She said looking around. She hummed a bit. "...Usually there's a guard here watching the front... Where is he? I don't want to just walk through the halls and end up being caught by another guard or to find out she has important company over! It would be rude to intrude." 

Just before Ryan could answer the sound of armor clanging and hooves hitting the ground hard came sounded off making both Rarity and Ryan look behind them. There they saw a unicorn guard rushing towards them looking a bit panicked. "No no NO!" He said. "Please don't tell the princess I was late! I had to show up to my daughter's show and tell at the school!"

Rarity sighed allowing the guard to go and open the door up. "I wouldn't say a thing if you were a new guy but I know this is about the second or third time!" She said. "I'm very sorry but I need you to escort me and my companion here to see Princess Twilight."

The guard sighed hanging his head. "...Fine follow me..." He said. Ryan and Rarity pushed past the guard and followed him through the halls.

Ryan looked over at Rarity. "You really have to do this?" He asked whispering.

Rarity nodded a bit. "These guards are always supposed to be near precise with scheduling." She whispered back. "If they do that each movement should be more precise if they ever go into a close quarters fight. That fails and a guard could die."

As they followed the guard looked back at them. "...You know I can hear you both right?" He asked. "Yes we have to be precise in movement but that has nothing to do with the scheduling. I train every week just to keep my skills sharp but... Seriously if the princess finds out I was late again I could be fired!"

Ryan sighed. "Rarity cant we let this guy off easy? Please?" He asked. "The guy was helping his daughter!"

Rarity looked over at him. "Really Ryan these guards know what they have to do!" She said. "I might be generous but I was raised to let someone know about wrong doing whether it be a serious crime, a bit of thievery between families, a guard being a tad corrupt or even someone being late. So this guard can't be let off the hook!" 

The boy huffed and averted his gaze. "Fine then. Tell Twilight like a tattletale!" He snapped. "If it were where I used to live my dad would've killed tattletales who threatened to go to the cops!"

Rarity rolled her eyes giving a hefty sigh. "Fine I wont tell Twilight!" She said. "I don't really appreciate you calling me a tattletale either but just this once i'll let it slide!"

Ryan gave a bit of a chuckle and then a sigh. "Sorry Rarity. Didn't mean to go off like that but really he needs a little slack so he can fix what happens." He said. He picked up his step a bit going to the unicorn guards side. "Alright dude you don't have to worry about it. I'll just say I kept everything up at Sugarcube Corner. Gotta have my donuts!"

The guard gave him a smile. "Thanks kid... My wife would have my head if I lost this job..." He said. "Twilight should be upstairs in her study. I think i was the one who showed you and your new family to it the night Twilight was studying you."

Ryan gave a hum looking at the guard. "...No offense but... you unicorn guards look the same...." He said. They stopped at a stair case at the end of the hall. "I guess you should follow us up but stay a bit back so you can at least act like you were at Sugarcube Corner and... Maybe take one of these." He opened the box.

The guard smiled and used his magic on a glazed plain donut. "Good one. Make it look good even with a bit of glazed goodness!" He said before taking a bite of the donut.

Ryan smiled closing the box again and nodded before heading up the stairs with Rarity at his side. Not too long later they came into Princess Twilight's study. She sat at the same desk reading her books. Spike sat next to her reading a comic book. Both Ryan and Rarity bowed in respect as she noticed them. "Well I wasn't expecting company today!" Twilight said getting up from her chair. "What brings you two here?"

Ryan sighed standing back up. "I kinda made Scootaloo cry and... Well I don't mean to do this but I had to skip out on work to try and cheer her up." He said. "She's off getting Applebloom right now with Sweetie Belle. Guess Rarity is here just cuz she needed a friend."

Rarity sighed and hugged Twilight. "It's true Twilight..." She said kinda sadly. "I was talking with Scootaloo about her mother and well... I started to remember my little kitty Opal Essences..." Tears came to her eyes a bit as she buried her head into the purple alicorns shoulder.

Twilight looked to Spike. "Spike can you take Ryan to the throne room please? I'll be up in a minute once Scootaloo gets here with her friends!" She said.

Spike closed his comic and hopped from his chair. "Sure thing Twi!" He said going for the door.

Ryan set the box of donuts down on the desk. "Just incase you get hungry Princess!" He said before darting out after the purple dragon. "So Spike... What have you been doing lately?" 

Spike sighed a bit. "Nothing much... Just been reading my comics and eating gems." He replied sounding bored. "You been up to anything other than birthdays and saving lives?" He looked to Ryan. He shook his head. "Well... At least you have things to do! All I ever do is sit around here reading my comics, watching cartoons, or helping with Twilight and her magic. Not to mention I haven't gotten to go digging for gems in a while and really it would be nice to have someone come help me."

Ryan gave a smile following him into a side room. "Well I'll help you Spike." He said. "All ya gotta do is ask and... Really Twilight needs me to make friends here... Gotta make friends with ponies, dragons and other animals." 

"What about griffons?" Spike asked sitting in his short throne. "When Twilight meant make friends with Equestrians she didn't mean just ponies. You saw there were griffons that robbed that store a while ago." 

Ryan sat on the floor next to the dragons throne. "Well... I knew that but where can I actually make friends with a griffon?" He asked.

Spike slouched a bit looking up at the ceiling of the near empty room. "I think Dash had a friend that was a griffon. Maybe see if Twilight can get Dash to contact her!" He said. "She's a bit of a mean girl but hey I bet you can make friends with her. Just gotta find something that you could do together."

Ryan hummed a bit. "Well I guess that could work but I'll definitely get that another time." He said. "Right now I just hope Scootaloo isn't crying hard... She seems... well a bit strung up on her mother.... I know the feeling except with a friend..." He stood up and walked over to a large window. He looked out at the morning of Equestria and gave a sigh. "...Had a friend back where I used to live... He went with me to give me back up on big deals but guess one day there was an ambush and he got pinned down... Never saw him after that..."

Spike got up from his throne and walked over. "Well... I pretty much had friends who just told me that dragons weren't supposed to be friends with ponies but they just didn't see what I saw." He said. "Twilight hatched me from an egg and well... I was raised with Twilight by Celestia. I never believed those other 'friends' of mine for even a minute. You want something to drink or something? I can get it for you!"

Ryan gave a sigh. "...No thanks." He said. "I just need a bit of alone time... Or... Just silence to think. I forgot my music hat home."

Spike gave Ryan a pat on the back before leaving him at the window to look out. Not even moments later Twilight came in with Rarity behind her along with the guard that was late. Rarity had the box of donuts in her magic before sitting down in one of the seven thrones in the room. Twilight noticed Ryan at the window but went towards her throne next to spike. "Spike do you know what's up with Ryan?" She asked near a whisper.

Spike sighed leaning on the arm of his throne. "Yeah. He's just remembering something." He replied. "I tried helping him but I think he just wants to be left alone."

Twilight smiled a bit. "Might be the best choice." She said. "I think Scootaloo should be here soon. I sent a few guards to make sure she gets up here fast with her friends."

They waited for about ten minutes. In that time Ryan moved back over to Spike, Twilight and Rarity. The guard they came in with was at the door. Ryan sighed taking a donut from the box. As he took a bite from it in came Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. Scootaloo walked with her head hung a bit low while her friends were at her sides. Twilight smiled as they bowed in respect to her. "Welcome you three!" She said smiling. 

Scootaloo brought her head up and went near her brother sitting next to him. Applebloom brought her head up. "Glad to be here Twi." She said. "AJ wanted me to tell ya that she kinda needed you to use some of yer magic on something back at the house."

Twilight gave a sigh shaking her head as she got up. "Well I'll definitely get to that later but... Right now I've got something that helps with Scootaloo." She said.

Scootaloo sighed. "...Can we not talk about this Twilight...? I'm not exactly in the mood..." She said.

Twilight sat next to Scootaloo and rested her wing on her back. "Scootaloo I'm wanting to help you here." She said. "Princess Celestia taught me a spell I could use for something special just for you. Applebloom knows the spell I'm talking about. Dontcha Applebloom?" She looked to the country mare.

Applebloom tilted her head a bit as Sweetie Belle used her magic to grab a few donuts from the box giving her friend one. "THAT spell Twi?" She asked. "Are you sure you're willin' to do that?"

Twilight gave a smile. "Am I the princess of lies or the princess of friendship?" She asked. "This is the most friendly thing I can do!" She looked back at Scootaloo and her brother. "It's good for me to help friends no matter what I do. I'd even give my mane to a wig maker."

Scootaloo looked up at Twilight. "...Spell? What spell?" She asked.

Twilight got up standing Scootaloo up as well. "Well Scoot this spell was to help Applebloom, AJ and Big Mac to help them get over granny smith." She said. "It's a spell that lets you visit with anypony that died. Doesn't matter how long ago. I could bring back John Lennon for Ryan to meet, I could probably bring back Sweetie's mom if I wanted to but right now... I'll bring your mother back just for you."

Scootaloo's jaw dropped. So did Ryan's. "...Y-you mean... I get to see my mommy again...?" She asked. Twilight nodded smiling warmly. She hugged her starting to whimper a bit. "...Th-thank you..."

Twilight patted Scootaloos winged back. "Don't mention it..." She said. "I know what happened with your mother.... I was just down the road to see it and I've felt sorry for you... It's the least I can do to see you happy and see this pass for you." She broke the hug as Ryan got up and went to his sisters side. "Alright now give me a bit of room and cover your eyes. It gets bright." Everyone backed away from Twilight and hid either behind a throne or just covered their eyes. Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath before her horn started to glow.

It didn't take long for a ball of light to form in the middle of the room. The light intensified engulfing the whole room. Ryan stuck close to Scootaloo holding her close. He just couldn't help but hug her. As the light died down everyone heard Twilight sighed. "...Can we look now Twilight?" Scootaloo asked.

They heard Twilight sigh and walk somewhere. "Go on Scoot... Go ahead and look." She said.

Scootaloo opened her eyes and looked around the throne. Ryan did to but still hid. There in the middle of everything was a Pegasus mare. She had a long purple mane and a faded orange coat. She had a peace sign charm hanging around her neck. She sat there looking a bit dazed. Scootaloo gasped having her wings expand pushing Ryan off a bit. "MOMMY!" She yelled dashing around the large seat.

Ryan caught himself and watched as Scootaloo hugged her mother. The mare she hugged looked at her. "...Scootaloo?" She said. "...What's going on... Where am I...?"

Twilight came back over. "Well Mrs. Rubber..." She said alerting the mare. "...I brought you back for your daughter to spend another day with you... I've been trying to help her get over her fear of losing another family member." She looked back at Ryan who was nervously peeking from his hiding spot. "...And... Maybe you wanna meet her new brother?"

The mare looked at her daughter just as Ryan hid. "...Your father found another to get another flower child...?" She asked.

Scootaloo sniffled and looked up at her mother. "...N-no... Dad's still single..." She said through her tears. "...He... He adopted...." She looked back where Ryan was. "...C'mon out Ry... Come meet mommy!"

Ryan hesitated to come out of his hiding place. Applebloom crossed through the middle. She went behind the throne and nudged Ryan out. "Go on now! Git!" She said.

Once out in view of Scootaloo's mom he froze. Twilight sighed looking back to Scootaloo and her mother. "Well... This is Ryan." Twilight said. "He's still new to Equestria. Still trying to learn everything that we have to offer including my magic."

Mrs. Rubber broke the hug with her daughter and stood up. She gave a smile to Ryan who backed away a bit. "No need to be afraid lil man." She said. "I don't judge on how anyone looks or is! Y'wanna come give mama a hug?" She planted her plot and opened her arms wide. Ryan hesitantly made his way towards Mrs. Rubber. "C'mon you a lover or a fighter?"

Scootaloo came over to her brother's side and rested her wing on his back sniffling a bit. "...C'mon... You can't possibly be afraid of her not liking you..." She whispered into his ear. "...Just tell.... tell her that you love that music.... Y'know...?"

Ryan nodded a bit but still hesitated. He broke and hugged Scootaloo shuttering a bit. Twilight sighed a bit. "Well... I'd just go and let him get used to things." She said approaching the hippie mare. "I say just go home and try talking with him see if you can connect. Okay?"

Mrs. Rubber gave a sigh getting back to her hooves. As she stood up she hung her head a bit. "...I guess..." She said. She looked to her daughter who was letting Ryan get on her back. "...C'mon lets get back to your father Scoot..." 

Scootaloo nodded and started towards the door. "Wait! Scootaloo!" Twilight said. Scootaloo looked back at Twilight as Ryan hid in her wing. "Do a lot with your mother while you can. The spell only lasts for 24 hours! By the way if Ryan doesn't do anything bring him here. I'm sure I could find a good punishment for him if he continues this."

Scootaloo nodded and walked with her mother again. Applebloom walked over to Twilight as Sweetie Belle and Rarity went out the door. "Twi...? I-is it alright if I getcha to walk me home...?" She asked.

Twilight looked to her and saw tears in her eyes. She sighed giving a smile. "Sure. AJ's gonna wonder what has you crying." She said resting her wing on the earth pony mares back. "...I know you're thinking about Granny Smith... You have to understand she lived a full life. Just... If you need to cry do it before AJ sees okay?" Applebloom whimpered and nodded.

Not too long later over with Scootaloo, her mother and Ryan they were on the road just outside of the castle. Scootaloo walked close to her mother with Ryan blushing embarrassed on her back covered in his sisters wing. Mrs. Rubber looked at her daughter. "So... How'd you meet this lil man?" She asked. 

Scootaloo looked back at her brother. "Well... You remember that bully I had...?" She asked. Her mother nodded. "Well... She ended up trying to frame me for stealing stuff... I ran off after daddy yelled at me and... It just pushed me till I ran... While I was there I set up a camp but... then I heard something. A boat... His boat... I went and checked on it and saw him pulling his boat more on shore... I waited a while before getting a closer look and... Well lets just say one thing led to another and he convinced me to go back home..."

Mrs. Rubber hummed a bit looking at Ryan. "He tell you why he ran off?" She asked.

Scootaloo nodded. "His parents were big time drug dealers and makers." She said. "His father made him deliver drugs. He didn't wanna be in that any more so he just ran off... Daddy took him to Princess Twilight and he made him my brother. We just couldn't let him go back! He could've gotten killed! I just took what you said and applied it!"

Mrs. Rubber raised an eye brow. "...You mean... Every living creature has its own path and there's no going back?" She said. Scootaloo nodded. Her mother smiled. "It seems Mama's flower foal learned well..."

Scootaloo smiled a bit blushing. "Mom c'mon don't call me that! I'm not five anymore!" She said. "...Maybe... Just wait till we get home? I don't want anyone to hear that..." 

Her mother laughed a bit and nuzzled her a bit. Not too long later they came back to their home. Ryan looked half asleep all balled up on his sisters back. Scootaloo shushed her mother and knocked on the door. "Daaad! Daaad! Open up!" She called out. "Ryan got hurt! Come on! Hurry!" She glanced at her mother and waved her to the side with her wing.

As Mrs. Rubber quickly stepped  over to hide the door opened. There was Mr. Rubber looking a bit scared. "What happened where is he?!" He snapped. He saw Ryan who was already passed out. "Dammit Scoot! WHY DIDNT YOU FUCKING TAKE HIM TO A HOSPITAL?!"

Scootaloo sighed and averted her gaze. "...Dad calm down!" She said. "I just said that so you'd let us back in... Not to mention Twi gave us something to have for the day..." She looked over and her mother walked up blushing a bit. Her fathers jaw dropped. "...Yes Dad... You're seeing it... It's really mommy!"

Mr. Rubber just looked at his wife. Just stared not making a noise. Mrs. Rubber looked deeply into her husbands eyes starting to tear up. "...I missed you..." She said. "...Did you miss me my big stoned stallion?"

Mr. Rubber blushed a bit and  stammered a bit noticing his daughter giving him a weird look. "Honey you know I never touched anything that gave me a high!" He said a bit nervously. He looked to his daughter. "You take Ryan to his room and get him to bed or wake him up with a soda or something!" Scootaloo nodded and ran inside. Mr. Rubber looked back to his wife and pulled her inside closing the door. He kissed her and nuzzled her just as their children disappeared into the hall. "...Sweetie you know never to call me that in front of Scoot... Besides that hash that made me do... THAT to you nearly ended my career.... I've been clean ever since I went to rehab!"

Mrs. Rubber sighed going to the couch. She sniffled a bit. "...I know... It's just... We never had a chance to say goodbye to each other..." She said sitting down as tears streamed down her cheeks. "...That day I died I got up there and cried hard knowing I left behind a child and a husband... I even met up with one of Scoots friends parents up there...  I think it was Sweet Belle's parents... That's her name right? Sweet Belle?"

Her husband shook his head sitting next to her. "Close hun..." He said. "...It's SweetIE Belle... And yeah I remember Pepper and Silver. Great parents they were... Shame that avalanche got em..."

Mrs. Rubber leaned on her husband. "...Well... I met with Sweetie's parents up there..." She said. "...They just... They were shocked to see me there... I was always careful... Even when I was... Brutally murdered.... I tried talking that griffon into putting that gun away telling him I had no money.... I just...." She whimpered and broke down. Mr. Rubber hugged her and shushed her.

Back in Ryan's room he was awake again as he sipped at a soda sitting on his bed. Scootaloo paced at her brothers bedside whimpering a bit. "Ryan why did you freeze up like that?" She asked. "I told you my mom likes the same music you do! I cant BELIEVE you did that!"

Ryan set his soda down on the nightstand and let out a loud burp. He sighed a bit. "... Sorry its just... What if your mother doesn't accept me as her adopted son...?" He asked. "...I don't want her to say... I don't know.... 'stay the fuck away from my daughter you'll never be my son!'"

Scootaloo sat down on her brothers bed. "Ryan my dad adopted you." She said. "My mom is... well... Shes legally dead. She doesn't have much of a say now..."

Her brother hung his head and lied down on his pillow. "... I... I don't believe that..." He said tearing up. "... I know what you're going to say.... 'You're still new to Equestria... You still have much to learn...' I know I do but... Parents still have a say... Dead or not..."

Scootaloo looked to him. "That isn't true Ry! Once they're gone they cant really do much after that!" She said. She huffed averting her gaze. "Look Ry... I didn't want to pull this card but... If you do this any time you want to cuddle in bed with me you can. I wont stop you."

Ryan curled up a bit. "...But... What about Dad...?" He asked. "...What if dad caught me trying to do that...? What do I say? What would I do?"

His sister sighed and sat him back up. "If dad says anything to you I'll try sneaking into your room." She said. "Now you wanna come meet mom? Pleeeeeaaaaase?"

Ryan shoved his hands in his lap blushing. "...I guess but... Let me get to the toilet first? I downed a chocolate milk before going to Twi's castle." He said. 

Scootaloo nodded and got off the bed. Ryan hopped up and hurried to his door flinging it open. He hurried out and into the bathroom shutting the door behind him. Scootaloo went out to the living room just to see her mother and father sharing a kiss. She averted her gaze. "...GROSS!" She said. "Dad can you not do that when Ryan gets out here?"

Mr. Rubber quickly broke the kiss and blushed turning towards his daughter. "Sorry Scoot but... You know how I was when we lost your mom!" He said. 

The orange mare sat with her parents. "Yeah I remember... I didn't even want to come out of my room." She said. "...I just wish it had ended... Right then and there.... No one getting hurt... No shots fired... It just killed me inside that I lost mommy like that..." She hung her head a bit and leaned on her father.

Mr. Rubber sighed and hugged her. "...I honestly wish it hadn't happened either..." He said. "Your mother.... She always was a stubborn one... Even when she was sick."

Mrs. Rubber gave her husband a dirty look. "I was only like that because how I was raised!" She snapped. "Hippies weren't always accepted in Equestria! You were a square, I was a 'peace pansy' as the guard called us. My mother taught me to think for myself, she taught me to raise myself if I was ever out on the street, which was a few years before I met you, I even protested in front of Canterlot for Celestia's sake!"

Just down the hall the toilet flushed. Mr. Rubber got up leaving Scootaloo with her mother. "Just give me a minute... Gotta comprehend this stuff..." He said going towards the hall. Scootaloo hugged her mother and nuzzled her. Mr. Rubber mumbled to himself as he stopped just at the bathroom door and knocked. "Ryan. C'mon hurry up."

A sigh was heard inside. "Just give me a sec to wash my hands!" Ryan called out.

Mr. Rubber put his ear up to the door using his wing as something to bounce the sound off of. Nothing. No running water. No rustling. Not even any noise at all. "Ryan!" He snapped.

"DAD! I cant turn these damn fixture knobs!" Ryan snapped back.

His father grunted and jiggled the knob. "Let me in and I'll help you!" He said. 

Out on the couch Scootaloo sighed looking to the ground. So did her mother. "...Does Ryan even want to meet me...?" Mrs. Rubber asked. Scootaloo shrugged. "...Maybe I scare him?" Scootaloo shrugged again sighing even deeper.

Scoot looked up at her mother. "...You think you and dad can walk me to Twilight's castle again...?" She asked. "...Might as well since he's being such... A square right?" Her mother nodded. "...I mean... He should actually like you! You like the same music he does... Minus some Metallica..."

Mrs. Rubber raised an eye brow. "Metallica? Why does he listen to trash like that?" She asked.

"He listens to it because music just brings him away from all the hate in society!" Scootaloo snapped. "I'm not saying his music is trash and I'm not saying it is good either. You remember what my music choice is like right?"

Her mother nodded and got up. "You were always in that sixties rock with me but you went into that eighties rock with your father." She said. "We're still going to the castle again aren't we? That boy needs a bit of a whoopin' if you ask me." Scootaloo got up and sighed. "If he were a pony instead of a human he'd be getting a hoofprint on his ass..."

Scootaloo looked to her mother opening the door up. "Mommy I thought you were peace loving!" She said.

Mrs. Rubber sighed going out the door. "Sometimes you just gotta spank a few foals to get them to listen..." She said. "You gotta at least remember me spanking you when you were younger!"

The orange mare blushed following her mother out closing the door behind her. "Don't remind me... Daddy only told me to remember the good times we had with you..." She said walking away from the door.

Just as they were out of ear shot Ryan finally came out of the bathroom and ran out into the living room. His father was right behind him. "W-Where'd they go?!" Ryan asked scared. "...Please don't tell me they're going to get Twilight..."

His father sighed. "I have no idea but... Why would they go back to her castle?" He asked.

Ryan looked to his father. "Because if I didn't even make a try at spending time with Scoot's mom and your wife they'd go and bust me for not even wanting to spend time with her!" He snapped tearing up. "...Just because I was having trouble washing my hands Scoot thinks I was hiding in there trying to avoid everything!" He dropped to his knees and started to sob a bit. "...I... I'm fucked...." 

Mr. Rubber sat next to Ryan and picked him up. He brought him to the couch and lied him on it sitting next to him. "...You are not getting in trouble while I'm here Ry... I know you humans don't adapt well to pony stuff." He said. "Just stick by my side and you'll be fine." 

Ryan sniffled curling up. "...N-no... I wont be alright..." He said. "...I'm gonna be sent b-back to that hell hole I used to call home... Either that or... Fucking jail..."

His father shushed him stroking him with his wing. "Ryan just because you were late on this doesn't mean you'll be sent back! Or sent to jail!" He said. "If it were an offence to be jailed upon I probably wouldn't be here. I was late to my job almost every day. I got written up, I lied a few times, even called in sick. Now... Just... Just try to meditate while listening to some sitar music or just go to your room and listen to your Metallica or something. I wont object if you play it loud."

Ryan just lied there sniffling away. Mr. Rubber sighed and just rubbed his hoof across his sons back. As they waited Ryan ended up falling asleep on the couch. Mr. Rubber was sitting next to him drinking from a can of soda waiting. Just waiting. No words. No expression other than determination. After about five minutes with the soda and Ryan being asleep there was a knock on the door. Mr. Rubber got up and went to the door. He opened it and there was Twilight, Scootaloo and her mother. "Where is he?" Twilight asked sounding a bit miffed.

Mr. Rubber gave a sigh. "He's on the couch. Asleep." He said. "He better be staying there. He didn't do anything wrong. I can vouch for him."

Scootaloo went up to her father. "...Dad... Move please..." She said. "...Twilight HAS to take him back to the castle..."

Her father gave her a stern look. "Go to your room. Stay there until I come in and talk with you." He said. "No buts! Just. Go. Now." Scootaloo hung her head and pushed past her father. Even he stepped to the side for Twilight and his wife. "Take him but I swear if you even think about throwing my son back into his crappy life or into a cell my daughter wont be making friends with you any more."

Princess Twilight gave a sigh using her magic to put Ryan onto her back. "I'm not putting him in a cell or sending him back to that god-awful-drug-infested place he used to call a home." She said. "I'm putting him in a room with a guard and your wife until they can come out sporting either a smile or until one of them overcomes the guard and escapes. Doubt that'll happen. Your wife wont touch a guard let alone talk to one. Scootaloo had to do all the talking for her."

Mr. Rubber looked to his wife. "You better not lay a fucking hoof on him!" He snapped. "He's our SON! I adopted his ass and kept him off the street after he brought our little girl home!"

Mrs. Rubber looked into her husbands eyes as Twilight went towards the door. "You don't trust me do you?" She asked. "You NEVER fucking trusted me! I tell you I didn't cheat on you while you were gone at work, you didn't believe me yet you believed that drunk ass colt! He's DRUNK! Blurred vision! Impaired thinking and even slurring his words! Once I'm done with him I'm going to come back home, take Scootaloo and this little... God I don't even know his name! "

"His name is  RYAN!" He snapped. "He didn't want to intrude on your time with Scoot! Not only that he was NERVOUS! Do you remember how nervous you were when we met Sapphire shores? She was Scootaloos FAVORITE singer! You had ME take her up there!" He huffed and turned around. "Get out of here! I need to talk with Scootaloo!"

Mrs. Rubber turned around and walked out the door. Twilight sighed walking out after her and closing the door. About an hour later Ryan was lying on Applejack's bed in Twilight's castle. Mrs. Rubber sat off to the side with a unicorn guard near the door. She was crying a bit. "...That's the first time he ever went off like that towards me..." Mrs. Rubber said. "...I ask you... Do I look like some sort of a fuck up...?"

The guard sighed. "No miss." He said. "You had a child with him. If you were a fuck up then you probably wouldn't have had that filly."

The mare stood up. "...Well you are right about that..." Mrs. Rubber said going over to the bed. "...Where did I go wrong...? Scootaloo's acting different.... So is my husband... Was... Was he to blame for them acting like that...?"

The guard came over as well. "No Ma'am." He said. "They saved this boy from being part of a criminal family. He has already done something to show he doesn't like that life and that is draw blood for the safety of another."

Mrs. Rubber looked to him. "...He almost went the way I did..." She said sniffling. "...I tried doing something peacefully but ended up getting killed over it..." She sighed turning away. "...Wake him up please... I'll just... Cry in a corner..." She whimpered starting to break down crying.

As she sat down against the wall the guard nudged Ryan. He groaned a bit and shifted. "C'mon. Wake up." The guard said nudging him again. This time a bit more harder. "Kid it'll be easier for me to walk you out."

Ryan groaned again. "...Daaaaad five more minutes..." He said curling up into a little ball.

The guard sighed and poked the boy lightly with his horn. "C'mon you little shit get up!" He snapped.

Mrs. Rubber looked up from her hooves still teary eyed. She saw him poke Ryan again with his horn. She got up and wiped her eyes. "Don't do that to him!" She snapped. "You could really hurt him! Don't you know that any creature in Equestria has a right to well... Not be harmed by idiots like YOU!"

The guard huffed. "You wanted him to wake up!" He snapped. "I'm waking him up MY WAY!"

The mare got between Ryan and the guard. "You must not be a parent!" She said. "You're just a fucking BRUTE! He's a small human! Not a pony! Princess Twilight shouldn't even HAVE YOU AS A FUCKING GUARD IF YOU'RE TREATING CHILDREN LIKE THIS!"

Ryan grunted and sat up. He looked to Mrs. Rubber and the guard. "Would you guys shut up!" He snapped. "A nap needs SILENCE! And.. She is right you know." He hopped off of the bed and walked around. "Unless you want to lose your fucking job you owe me a few potshots!"

The guard huffed a bit. "As if kid!" He said giving a grin. "The princess wont believe the likes of an outsider and a dead hippie bitch!" He shoved Mrs. Rubber aside and turned around starting for the door. "You two just get back to that broken home of yours, that bitch of a daughter and that asshole of a father."

Ryan readied himself and yelled starting to run towards the guard. He wound up and gave a big kick to the guards own 'bit bag'. The guard yelped and fell onto his side with his hooves between his legs. Ryan grinned. "You wont give me a potshot? I'm taking it just like you did asshole!" He snapped. "Oh... And say goodbye to your job. Twilight'll hear about what you called me and my mother!" Ryan looked back at his mother. "Shall we go to the princess about this mom?"

Mrs. Rubber nodded hesitantly a bit shocked. She hurried forward and ran out the door as Ryan opened it. They both ran down the hallway almost side by side. Ryan still a bit sluggish from sleeping hopped onto his Pegasus mother's back and rode the rest of the way to Twilight's throne room. Twilight sat in her throne with Spike at her side. Not to mention Rainbow Dash sat just a seat over. "Princess Twilight!" Mrs. Rubber said as Ryan hopped off her back. They both bowed. "Your guard was assaulting Rayden here!"

Ryan sighed getting to his feet. "It's Ryan but... Yeah he was poking me in the ass with his horn." He said. "I was trying to sleep but he just kept going. I think he might've punctured a bit through my pants and skin.... By the way... I'm sorry for doing this but I had to get a shot in on him before we came here..." He blushed a bit and scratched his head.

Twilight sighed standing up from her throne. "Excuse me for a second Dash I need to attend to some royal business..." She said looking at her friend. She looked back at Ryan. "You're forgiven but next time come find me and let me know." Ryan nodded. Twilight looked to Mrs. Rubber. "Alright where is that guard? He is SO fired...." 

Mrs. Rubber walked towards the door with Twilight leaving Ryan alone with Rainbow Dash and Spike. Dash got up from her throne and gave a chuckle. "Didn't realize you can bruise some stallion's gems squirt!" She said sitting next to him.

Ryan blushed rubbing his back side. "Well he did deserve it for stabbing me with his sharp horn..." He said.

Dash sighed. "No worries there. It only hurts for a bit." She said. "Rarity's sister got me good with her horn. She's lucky I wasn't bleeding. Only a scratch on my flank." Ryan was about to reply but his stomach growled. Dash grinned a bit. "Getting hungry eh? How's about you and me go and get something to eat?"

Ryan shrugged a bit. "Dunno... May have to go back home with Scoot and Dad to spend some time with them." He said. "Not to mention Scoot knows I'm in trouble with Princess Twilight..."

Spike hummed a bit. "Why not have them come over here for dinner?" He said. "Twilight and I are always eating alone and its always nice to have some company."

Dash smiled. "Good thinkin' Spike. You think Twi would let me bring Gilda?" She asked. Spike shrugged a bit. "Well then... Cant hurt to ask for Ryan's stomach right?"

Ryan tilted his head looking at Dash. "Gilda? Who the hell is Gilda?" He asked.

Dash gave Ryan a little laugh standing up. "She's a friend from when I was in school." She said. "She's a griffon which means she eats meat and knowing you humans eat meat she should be able to help keep ya alive here."

Ryan smiled looking down at his stomach. "Good... A week only eating ramen and salads has got me wasting away and left a bland taste in my mouth..." He said. He looked over at Spike. "Can you go and see if Twilight would allow that? Please?" 

Spike gave a smile and nodded. "Sure! I'll be right back then!" He said.

Ryan looked back up at Dash. "...You mind walking me and my mother home?" He asked. "Did... Twilight tell you about that?"

Dash nodded. "Saw you guys on the way in here." She said. "Almost thought you looked like you were cute sleeping. Almost. I don't normally think things are cute. Cool would be better but only I look cool when I sleep."

Ryan laughed a bit. "Well alright then." He said.

Well Ryan finally connected with Scootaloo's mother after a few nervous hidings, a bathroom's stuck fixtures and an abusive ex-guard. Hopefully things can go smoothly now... Right...?
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was hours after Ryan had been taken to Twilight's castle to connect with his mother. He now sat in his room with Scootaloo and her mother listening to Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Scootaloo leaned on her mother giving a sigh. "....Just like old times huh mommy?" The orange mare said.

Mrs. Rubber nodded. "Yes Scoot but you gotta know calling me mom is just as good as mommy but less childish you know?" She said. "You didn't get in too much trouble with your father did you?"

Scootaloo sighed. "....Dad grounded me for accusing Ryan for hiding from you..." She said. "...I never knew the sink fixtures were too tight for him to turn!"

Ryan reached into his dresser drawer and pulled out a can of soda. "Well you should really expect it Scoot." He said. "I'm a human remember? Smaller than ponies, pegasi and unicorn? Not trying to be rude here sis."

Scootaloo rolled her eyes a bit as the music started to fade away. "...Hopefully dinner with Twilight goes well..." She said. "Dash told me while you were in the bathroom at the castle Twilight was going to bring her brother and her sister in law."

Her brother cracked the can open and sipped from it. "Never knew Twilight had a brother or a sister in law..." He said after letting out a suppressed belch. "You meet him before Scoot?"

Scootaloo nodded as she sat up again. "I was in the Equestria games a while back. Held the flag for Ponyville." She said. "Just so ya know the Equestria games are just like your Olympics. Only pegasi preform though. Unicorns will cheat and Earth Pony cant really do much other than heavy labor."

Their mother looked down at her. "Scoot? You're getting a bit off topic." She said.

Scootaloo shook her head. "Right right right!" She said. "About Twilight's brother! He's a prince and the head of the Royal Guard. Trained most of the guys you saw in Twilight's castle. He's married to Princess Cadence otherwise known as Princess of Love or one of the best foalsitters in Equestria."

Ryan hummed. "Cool. Guess she can pretty much help everyone fall in love or something right?" He said getting up. He looked to his radio. "...Damn thing must've ran out of batteries. Explains why the next song hasn't started playing..." He looked behind the stereo and started messing with the battery compartment.

Scootaloo got up and stretched. "Mom why don't we go out in the living room to wait for dad?" She said helping her mother up. "He did tell me he would be back after picking up Ryan's 'new' scooter and I think he'll be back soon."

Mrs. Rubber looked to Ryan. "C'mon stop messing with that thing we've been sitting here for about an hour." She said. Ryan sighed looking back at his mother. "Hey you ever have a stash hidden somewhere?"

Scootaloo ignored what her mother said before going out. Ryan looked to his mother after sipping his soda again. "Nah." He said. "I'd never have a stash unless my dad told me to have it for his personal use. Besides a drug dealer never uses his own product." His heart dropped a bit. "B-but I'm no drug dealer! Only son of a drug dealer! And he cooked meth and made cocain. Surprised he never blew up the house." He followed his mother out of the room and down the hall. "My life here is different and... I actually like it. No risk of trouble other than booting a guard in the balls...."

Mrs. Rubber gave a laugh. "Oh you really did a number on him man!" She said. "And I think it's good you got away from that life. Drugs ruin lives." She looked at her necklace. "Even with this thing other ponies still think the hippies are some hash smoking dope heads." As she sat on the couch with her daughter she looked to Ryan. "You seem like the type of boy who would use a bit of something to make the music better."

Ryan sighed sitting next to his sister. "Okay I admit I tried it once!" He said. "A family friend took me home after I smoked a bit of weed and I was honestly freaking out. Never again would I touch a bud or blunt or even bong." He looked to Scootaloo. "You wont tell dad about that will you?"

Scootaloo shook her head. "As long as you don't say anything about me sneaking into your room to cuddle before our birthday." She said blushing a bit. She looked to her mother who was blushing as well. "...I know I'm old enough to sleep in my own bed but I kinda needed it... Dad was making a whole deal about you while Ryan was out with Applebloom."

Her mother gave a smile. "Don't worry there my little flowerfoal." She said. "Mommy raised you to be a lover and not a fighter. Loving your brother enough to climb into his bed with him to make him feel at home was just what I taught you... Kinda..."

Scootaloo hugged her mother along with her brother in the middle of them. "...Oh mommy..." She said.

Ryan blushed being between the two mares. He carefully squeezed his way out of the hug and onto the floor. He rubbed his neck hearing the mares giggle. "A mother daughter hug should only be with a mother and her daughter..." He said. "... Not to mention I fear being crushed between things bigger than I am..."

His mother giggled a bit. "Sorry there lil man but hippies in Equestria are very much huggers instead of protesters." She said bringing Ryan back up on the couch. "Of course the only time we protested was when we had a curfew that Princess Celestia had her guards enforced. That's pretty much how I met Scoot's father. I was hiding from the guard after they came at us. He basically sheltered me hiding me from the guard's. My friends were arrested with a little hash on them, I ended up getting away after drinking a few beers and.... Well... You basically get the point of where I went from there."

Ryan and Scootaloo blushed looking to each other. "...Mom we don't really want to hear what you and dad have been doing..." Scootaloo said. "...Trust me I've seriously had enough of that when you were alive..."

Mrs. Rubber blushed and averted her gaze. Same with Scootaloo and Ryan. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Ryan hopped up. "Th-that must be dad now!" He said going for the door. He grabbed the knob with both hands as if he were just a small child and twisted it opening the door.

There stood Mr. Rubber with a wing on the handle bars of a scooter rigged with a motor on it. "Hey! There's the happy family!" He said pushing Ryan back inside as he brought the scooter in. "You see Scoot I told ya Ryan wasn't hiding!"

Scootaloo sighed and hung her head. "Yeah dad I know he wasn't..." She said. "...Can I please be ungrounded? Knowing mom's going to be gone tomorrow is punishment enough..."

Her father thought for a moment as Ryan looked at the scooter before him. "Alright you're ungrounded but remember if you EVER snap at me like this morning you're probably going to wish you had your mother to go to." He said. Scootaloo smiled and hugged her mother nuzzling her. Mr. Rubber looked to Ryan. "Ry why don't you go ride around town see how that thing feels. Oh and by the way I ran into Applejack on the way home. She needs you to head to Sweet Apple Acres now."

Ryan let out a sad sigh. "But dad! I wanted to spend more time with mom!" He said.

His father pushed the scooter and his son out the door. "Ryan you still have dinner with the princess tonight you can spend time with her then!" He said. "Right now Scoot and I need to spend time with her. Original family stuff you know?"

Ryan nodded. "Yes sir..." He said before having the door close on him. He looked back at the scooter. It looked as if it were made with the bottom of a cart for the wheels and the handlebars looked as if they were from a pogo stick. The motor looked as if it came from a lawn mower. There were wires rigged to it going around the handlebars and onto green and red buttons stuck there. The motor was rigged as well. It was made to make the back and front wheels rotate in the direction they were supposed to go. "Well... This is a good gift... Hand-me-down scooter... What ever... Transport is transport I guess..." He stepped on to the scooter. There was a draw string on the motor. He gave it a few quick tugs before the motor started up. He grabbed the handlebars and pushed the green button. Suddenly he shot off away from the door and his house. 

After a while of turning corner after corner nearly eating dirt he rode up the dirt path to Sweet Apple Acres. He pushed the red button and the motor died. The scooter soon rolled to a stop just feet from the door. Ryan hopped off the scooter and rolled it up to the door parking it against the wall before knocking on the door. He waited for a moment hearing someone coming. The loud sound of hooves made Ryan think it was either Big Mac or Applejack. When the door opened there was Applebloom to Ryan's surprise. "It's about time y'got here!" She said.

Ryan looked at her. Her mane was a bit of a mess along with her tail. Her hauches twitched a bit standing there. "Is.... Everything alright?" He asked grabbing his scooter again. 

Applebloom stepped out of the way so Ryan could bring it inside. "...Not really Ry..." She replied. "I'm in heat and its driving me INSANE!" She closed the door. "AJ told me to be careful and i asked if Big Mac could help me but he ended up telling me Granny would'nt've wanted to have that happen because its immoral to fuck a family member."

Ryan sat on the couch. "And... Applejack sent me here why...?" He asked still sounding unsure.

The country mare thought for a moment. "I think it's because our DNA dont mix." She said. "And everyone thinks us country folk cant comprehend biology!"

Ryan blushed hard. "...So... AJ sent me here... to help you get laid?" He asked. Applebloom nodded before turning around and pulling her tail aside. Her marehood was twitching begging for pleasure. Ryan could swear he could feel the heat coming off of her. Her clit peeked out making her pussy open up a bit more. Ryan averted his gaze. "Well... A-are you sure Big Mac wont flip out like when i did this with AJ...? I mean... He pulled a freaking gun on me for messing with one of his younger sisters but he seriously might just kill me!"

Applebloom whimpered sounding desperate. "If he pulls that gun again AJ's gonna end up having the guard take that thing away!" She said. "If he does pull that gun again he aint gonna try nothin' if I get in between you n him. Can we just worry about this later? I'm seriously dyin' over here!" She lowered her head and wiggled her flank.

Ryan gave a sigh. "Fine but we go upstairs into your room..." He said getting up from the couch. "If Big Mac and Applejack were to bring someone back and right when we were doing it I'd be taking my own knife and slitting my own throat."

Applebloom raised her head a bit and followed Ryan towards the stairs. "Well... That's good thinkin'." She said. "Y'all remember after you had your birthday? Aj n Big Mac had to go pick up my cousin Babs from the train station?" Ryan nodded backing away so she could climb up first. "Well she didn't come but we did get a letter from our uncle sayin' it'd be a bit later. She might come today n stay the rest of the week so y'might have a chance to meet her."

Ryan came up the stairs and followed the mare in heat to her room. "Might bring Scoot by tomorrow after you know what happens." He said. "I've got a feeling you and your cousin can help cheer her up."

Applebloom got onto her bed and lied onto her side just as Ryan started to undress himself. He tossed his jacket and shirt onto the floor before dropping his pants and kicking out of his shoes. He now sat hesitant in his boxers blushing hard. "Well I'd certainly say y'can do that but.... Y'might wanna lose them drawers of yours." She said. "'T'aint no fun if you aint in the nude!" Ryan blushed more. "You alright there? I thought you wanted to do this!"

Ryan sighed averting his gaze. "...I do but... I wanted to spend some time with my mom too but my dad forced me to come here..." He said. "...I know it's just their family time but... I just feel like I'm not even a part of their family..." He crossed his arms and lied down on the bed tearing up. 

The mare with him slung a hoof over him and held him close giving a hefty sigh. "...Well... I'll try to live with my little heat problem...." She said. "I aint one to force ya to do anythin' ya don't feel like doing it." Ryan flipped over and hugged her starting to sob a bit. Applebloom shushed him. "...C'mon now don't go cryin' now... You want me to make ya somethin' to eat while we wait for my brother n sister to get back?" Ryan sniffled and nodded. "Alright then get up n get dressed. Wouldn't want you to have my cousin comin' here seein' ya in your underpants."

Ryan nodded and got out of the bed. He grabbed his pants and slipped them on before grabbing his shirt again and putting it on. "...Any chance you got some soda or chocolate milk?" He asked grabbing his jacket again. He sat on the bed and started to get his shoes and socks on.

Applebloom gave him a smile. "Always gotta have some chocolate milk with pancakes!" She said going out of her room. "Just get on downstairs, have a load off on the couch and we could watch some TV while we have a lunch together!"

Ryan got up from the bed and followed the mare out. Not much later Ryan was sitting next to Applebloom. They both had cups filled with chocolate milk and a peanut butter sandwich in front of them. Applebloom's looked like it had slices of apple in it. "So... Applejack and Big Mac don't like you eating any other fruits than an Apple and oranges?" Ryan said confused.

Applebloom nodded. "Eeyup." She replied. "Surprisingly I can still eat a pineapple which technically aint an apple at all. And if you're wonderin' why AJ told me that every time she ate a fruit other than an apple and an orange she'd choke on it or throw it back up. Calls it a curse." She picked up her sandwich and took a bite getting a bit of a crunch from the apples inside.

Ryan grabbed his chocolate milk and took a sip. "Well that's odd too." He said setting his glass back on the table. "I actually have a curse on me. Not with a fruit but with a song. Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones. Every time that song comes on the radio I am forced to listen to it. If I have to cut it short then I get a bit of bad luck. Devils work y'know?"

Applebloom laughed a bit. "C'mon that silly old song?" She said. "Besides anythin' with the word 'Devil' In it aint gonna curse ya."

The boy looked to her. "You got a radio anywhere?" He asked. Applebloom thought for a moment and shook her head. "Ah... Well just take my word on it. Its my curse and I hate it. It's a good song but I cant help but hate it."

Applebloom drank her chocolate milk washing the taste and stickiness of peanut butter out of her mouth. She sat her glass down again giving a sigh. "Y'ever listen to any country songs Ry?" The country mare asked. She looked over at Ryan who had a mouth full of peanut butter sandwich. He gave an unsure nod before swallowing.

"Well... I have heard a few songs but only one or two of em just appealed to me." Ryan replied grabbing his drink again. "Devil Went Down To Georgia by Charlie Daniels Band. Found a more... Rock version of it I guess you could say that grabbed my attention." Just as he put the glass up to his lips a loud knock on the door startled him making him toss the glass aside breaking it. "...Shit.... Sorry..." He blushed hard looking up at Applebloom.

Applebloom sighed standing up. "No worries I wasn't expectin' that either...." She said going to the kitchen. "Y'mind seein' who that is? Could very well be your dad or somethin'. Don't worry 'bout the mess I'll clean up."

Ryan gave a nod and went to the window right by the door. He looked out and saw a mare just a bit taller than Applebloom. She had an orange coat and a short red mane and tail. It was short enough to look colt like but long enough to be mare's style. Ryan knew it was a mare because she had turned around and he caught a glimpse of her marehood. She had bags by her side as well. "Uh... It's.... Someone... Red mane and tail, orange coat..." He said.

Applebloom came back to the broken glass with a few towels in her teeth.  She lied them over the puddle and most of the glass. "They got a cutie mark y'can see?" She asked.

Ryan looked at the mare outside again. She looked behind her at the orchard. He had a clear view of her flank but she kept it covered with her tail. Her marehood made it look like she too was in heat. "She's covering it." He said looking back at her as he stepped away from the window.

The country mare sighed. "That must be Babs then." She said. "She's got her cutie mark but she's been hiding the fact that she was a blank flank for a long while and she just does that almost automatically now." Ryan hummed and sat back on the couch just as Applebloom went to the door. She took a breath and gave a smile before opening up the door. "Babs! I was wonderin' when you'd get here!"

The mare turned back around blushing a bit. "Well... Y'kno what my dad told ya dontcha?" She asked. She had a New York accent from what Ryan had heard. 

Applebloom nodded. "Yeah Uncle Orange told us about what's goin' on and why he's sendin' ya and we don't want you to fret!" She said. "We understand and we're behind ya. I understand why you did what you did but you just gotta learn how to get around giving in to being in heat."

Babs sighed blushing harder. "...Well you know I aint in the best moods cuz... Coltfriend left me for some skank..." She said averting her gaze tearing up. "...More like several skanks... Datin' em all at the same time..." She hugged Applebloom burying her face into her shoulder holding back tears.

Applebloom looked back at Ryan giving a worried face. "Babs. C'mon in n make yourself at home." She said prying her cousin off of her. "Just have a seat next to Scoot's brother and I'll get your stuff up to the uh... Guest room..." She hesitated a bit. 

Babs pushed past her cousin as she stepped to the side. Ryan was quick to grab his sandwich before the mare pushed past and sat on the couch grabbing a pillow starting to cry into it. Applebloom grabbed Babs' bags and brought them inside, closing the door before hurrying upstairs with them. Babs wiped her eyes and looked over at Ryan. "...Y-you're Scootaloo's brotha?" She said a bit confused. "...You aint even a pony..."

Ryan sighed swallowing a bite of his sandwich. "Nope." He said. "One hundred percent human. The names Ryan. Ran off from my drug infested home and wound up here where Scoot's dad adopted me." He took another bite of his sandwich blushing a bit from the mare staring at him. 

Babs sniffled. "...Well... I'm Babs..." She said. "You already know me as 'Bloom's cousin... I got sent her by my dad just cuz I bopped him one for gettin' on my case about a few condoms I had stashed away... Just wanted to be safe if I were in a relationship..."

The boy set his sandwich down noticing more tears in Babs' eyes. He hugged her and shushed her. "...C'mon I know its hard to have someone break your heart..." He said. "...Back where I came from I used to have a girlfriend... One day my dad was a bit startled by my girlfriend coming over and he basically had her killed thinking she was a rat or something..."

The mare whimpered a bit. "...W-why would he do that...?" She asked hesitantly.

Ryan broke the hug and sighed. "... My dad was a drug dealer and I basically pedaled them for him... And literally I pedaled all over on my bike to make the sales. If I didn't do the sale my dad would lock me out of the house or deny me dinner until I did the sale."

Babs wiped her eyes sniffling. "...What did you do for the whole night if you couldn't eat or sleep in your bed?" She asked.

Ryan crossed his arms lying back. "Biked to my friends place after I hid the drugs." He said. "He let me in, allowed me to shower and eat but I just went to a spot at the park I hid in to sleep the night away. Sometimes i'd toss rocks at a target I hung in the tree if I couldn't sleep." He got up from his seat and went for the kitchen. "You want anything to drink? I'd have the rest of my chocolate milk but I'm a bit of a klutz as you can see over there." 

Babs looked at the wet brown towel and the shards of glass. "...Maybe grab me a bottle of pop if they got any?" She said.

"One bottle of soda coming right up!" Ryan said going into the fridge. 

Moments later he came back to the couch with two bottles of apple cider. Applebloom came back down stairs with her mane brushed straighter than it was. "Alright... Sorry that took so long..." She said going back to the couch just as Ryan sat down. "...Y'already got an idea what kept me so long. I aint sayin' anymore."

Ryan opened the bottle for Babs before giving her the bottle. "Welcome back then Applebloom." Ryan said opening his cider bottle. "I was just trying to make Babs here feel at home." He looked at Babs and gave a smile making Babs blush as she sipped from her cider.

Applebloom laughed a bit sitting next to her cousin. "It's good you're gettin' to know each other!" She said. "Hey you guys wanna head into town n go see Sweetie Belle?"

Ryan gave a nod as his took a few gulps from his cider. Babs sighed a bit. "...Eh fuck it... I could use a walk around town." She said. "Get to know the joint. Seein' the crusader's might just bring a smile to my face..." She drank from her cider again. 

Ryan gave a burp panting as he brought the now half empty bottle. "Woah Ry y'might wanna take it slow!" Applebloom said grabbing the bottle from him. "This stuff's gonna getcha throwin' everythin' up if you drink it like that!" She set the bottle down on the table. "Someone of your size might not be able to drink the full thing and not get away with your stomach bein' carbonated to high hell!"

The boy burped again and covered his mouth blushing. "...S'cuze me there..." He said wiping his hand on his pants. "...Didn't have a clue what it would do but I was thirsty. I mean I just spilled my chocolate milk." Everyone looked to the shards of glass on the ground with the towel on top of it. "...We wanna get that cleaned up before someone steps on it or something?"

Applebloom went over and picked up the towel which seemed to have soaked up most of the spilled drink. The glass wasn't broken that bad. Not many small pieces. "Ry y'think you can get the glass pieces please?" She asked. "I gotta put this thing through the wringer and let it hang out to dry." Ryan got up and nodded.

After a while Ryan was on his scooter again. Babs and Applebloom were at his side as they went down the road together. Babs looked at Ryan as he buzzed around her and her cousin and smiled a bit. "...Hard to believe that used to be Scootaloo's..." Babs said. "...Speakin' of that friend of yours how is she? She flyin' yet?"

Applebloom nodded a bit. "Yeah..." She said somewhat hesitantly. "She can fly now but she just doesn't wanna fly that high. Says she doesn't want to lose sight of the ground but I think she's just afraid of heights." She looked to Ryan who popped a wheelie in front of her. "Ry! C'mon over here I need to talk with ya!"

Ryan whipped around the two mares and killed the motor at Applebloom's side and hopped off the scooter. "Yeah? Need something?" He said.

"Just wanted to ask ya a few questions." The country mare said. "First question is are you afraid of heights?"

Ryan looked towards the trees on the road. "Well... I've pretty much never been that high off the ground." He said. "I've never gotten on a plane, never went hang gliding, never even went on a hike on a mountain." He looked back at Applebloom. "But I have been in Twilight's castle... Felt a bit shaky but couldn't tell if it was fear or nervousness."

Babs rolled her eyes out of Ryan's line of sight. She looked back and smiled a bit. "Next question from me." She said. "Say you were born here in Equestria. What would you want to be born as? Unicorn, Pegasus, Earth Pony or Griffon?"

Ryan thought some more. "Tough one..." He said. "...I'm gonna have to say griffon. Meat eating, Flying, claws so I can grip stuff and just having a tail is cool. I'm not one to do stuff that has to do with keeping a straight tail."

Applebloom sighed a bit. "Guess'n you gotta be born with a tail to keep track of one." She said. "Lets see if I got another one before we get into town..." She thought again to herself. 

Ryan hopped on the scooter and pulled the cord again starting the motor back up. "Well I'll be busy making progress if ya need me!" He said before zipping down the road.

It didn't take long for him to get way ahead of the mares before he went in a few small circles. Babs laughed a bit. "That what he calls 'progress?'" She asked looking over to her cousin. Applebloom laughed a bit and shrugged. "You think he's had any progress findin' a lover since he's been in Equestria?"

Applebloom sighed letting her giggles subside. "You're askin' if he's gone and found someone to sit with and smooch?" She said looking over at Babs. Babs nodded hesitantly blushing. "Well he has snuck into Scoot. Gave me a bit but not the whole thing. He even gave my sister a ride and I don't mean he climbed on her back and they ran around the orchard." She looked back to the boy who continued down the road to make more 'progress.' "If you're thinkin' about hoppin' on that boy try not to crush him. Let him know you like him, send him a few letters, maybe get Uncle Orange to let you visit more often and you could be giving him a little thing to enjoy." 

Babs gave a little whimper looking back at her flank which had tree seeds as her cutie mark. "...I really hope he can help me with this damn heat..." She said. "...This shit's been bugging me since Manehattan... I wanted to duck into a bush, into a restroom or deep in the forest to get a little relief but that sister of yours busted me and sent me straight here...."

The mares country cousin sighed blushing. "...AJ told me if Granny saw me she'd be tannin' my hide before I had a chance to say I was sorry." She said. She looked back at the road seeing Ryan making progress at the end of the road. He leaned a bit too far and bit the dust rolling a bit. "Ryan!" Both mares ran the rest of the way towards the boy who was sitting up holding his arm. "Ry! You okay there bud?" 

Babs helped Ryan up dusting him off with her tail. "...Yeah... Just a little stupidity..." He said rubbing his arm. "...Arm hurts but... I really don't think it's that serious..."

Applebloom picked the scooter up and Babs sat down. "Alright lose the jacket and lets see the damage." Babs said. Ryan removed his jacket hesitantly. As he took his arms out of his sleeves one was bruised here and there. "Try moving it a bit? Gotta make sure it aint more than a few bruises... Trust me what looks to be just a few bruises could be a bit of a fracture or something...." Ryan moved his arm a bit and gasped quickly taking it back. "...Shit... Doin' that high speed of a fall really woulda hurt bad." Babs lowered herself and helped Ryan on.

Applebloom killed the motor to the scooter and sighed. "Lets just get him home." She said. Ryan leaned on his arm a bit and grunted not wanting to cry out in pain. "...Maybe we can get him over to Fluttershy... My brother n sister would just tell him to walk it off... Dash would have some stupid thing to heal him, Twilight doesn't do healing, the damn hospital is for ponies and I got no clue if Pinkie or Rarity would even try to help him. Pinkie would try n make him laugh and... Heck I aint sure what Rarity does when Sweetie Belle gets hurt."

Babs looked back at Ryan who was obviously trying to hold back tears. "Maybe we should swing by his place, drop the scooter off and then get him fixed up..." She said. "...Either that or we could get AJ and Big Mac to help me out. Applejack could get me over to... Who ever you just said and you could just take the scooter back and meet me there."

Ryan brought his hood over his head and hid his eyes as tears started to stream down his cheeks. "...J-just do something... I don't know how long I can take it..." He said. 

Applebloom looked back to the road. "You just go on ahead I'll get Ry's scooter back to the house!" She said. Babs nodded and started off towards town. "Be careful with him! And if you see Scoot in town tell her what happened!"

Babs looked back and nodded just as Ryan started to cry softly. A little while later Ryan was full on in tears. Babs passed ponies who looked at the crying boy on her back. Each pony she saw made her more and more worried. She looked down an intersection three ways except the way she came. "...Which way was the fuckin' train station again....?" She asked herself. She looked to her right and saw a colt carrying a basket full of apples on his back. She started for him. "Sir! You! With the Apples!"

The colt looked at the worried mare and the crying boy. "Yeah? What do you need?" He asked.

"You got those apples from a cart in town right?" Babs asked. The colt nodded. "Ran by a colt and a mare?" He nodded again. "Which way?" The colt looked to his right down the road and pointed. Before he had a chance to ask why Babs was already in motion. She hurried as fast as she could without causing Ryan more pain. Soon she found the cart with Applejack and Big Mac selling their apple products. "AJ BIG MAC!" She called out.

Applejack looked to her cousin and gasped seeing Ryan in his injured state. "What the hell happened to him?! You didn't hurt him didja?!" She snapped. Babs shook her head. Applejack looked to Ryan. "Sugarcube what happened?"

Ryan sniffled. "...S-scooter... Fall... hurts...." He forced out.

Big Mac came over and sighed. "...Alright AJ I owe you five bits." He said. "That scooter was an accident waiting to happen!"

Applejack looked back to Babs. "Where's Applebloom? She shoulda been with him when you got to the house!" She said.

Babs lowered herself so Ryan could get off with no problem. "She's goin' and takin' his ride back home." She said. "She told me to take him to Fluttershoes... Or somethin' like that."

Applejack huffed a bit. "Fluttershy." She said. "Alright Big Mac'll getcha there. His head aint all there today and we're losin' a bit of business cuz of it." She looked to her brother. "You heard that Big Mac?"

Big MacIntosh got all the way down for Ryan to hop on with a little help from Babs. "Yeah I got it. Take him to Fluttershy's and get his arm fixed." He said standing back up. "If Applebloom comes by and I aint back yet just have her work the shift!" Applejack gave a nod before her brother and cousin hurried off. After a while they came up to Fluttershys home which looked to be made in a hill side. Ryan's cries simmered down to sniffles and whimpers. He still sobbed a bit but not as hard as before. Big Mac looked at his cousin. "Start knockin' I got him." He nodded towards Ryan. Babs nodded and walked up to the door. Big Mac looked back at Ryan as the mare knocked. "You alright there Ry?"

Ryan nodded just as Babs backed away from the door. Babs put her hoof on his leg. "You just try and keep yourself from losin' your lunch here." She said. "You tossin' your lunch would not look good."

Ryan whimpered and sobbed a little more just as the door opened. Big Mac looked to the door and saw Fluttershy looking as if she had just woken up from a nap. "Hey Flutter's sorry if we woke ya but we kinda need your help here." He said stepping up. Big Mac looked back at Ryan. "He seemed to have had a little fall and he just hurt his arm. You're the only one here who's helped small things his size reset a bone or somethin'"

Fluttershy stretched a bit and sighed. "...Bring him in I'll see what I could do..." She said yawning a bit. Big Mac nodded and went inside with Babs behind him as Fluttershy stepped aside. Once inside Big Mac got as low as he could. Ryan was helped off by Babs. He gasped a bit feeling a bit of pain. Fluttershy came over and helped him onto the couch. "Take the jacket off and I'll be right back... Just need a little pick-me-up..." 

Ryan nodded hesitantly as Fluttershy went towards her kitchen. Babs came over and sat next to him. "Need a little help there?" She asked. Ryan nodded a bit and held his good arm out. Babs helped him out of one side of his jacket. When he turned to take his other arm out of the jacket he gave a yell nearly a blood curdling scream as he extended his arm. Babs grabbed his dirt covered jacket with her teeth and quickly pulled it off. He screamed again and started to cry more. "Shit sorry sorry!" She quickly pulled Ryan close and hugged him trying to be careful of his already bruised and red and puffy near the elbow which looked at an angle. 

Fluttershy quickly came back looking more wide awake but startled. "What happened now?!" She asked scared.

Big Mac went behind Fluttershy and started nudging her towards Ryan. "His arm? C'mon Fluttershy y'gotta help him!" He said. 

Fluttershy nodded and looked at the boys arm. "... It looks dislocated at the elbow..." She said. "Okay we're gonna need something for him to bite down on, soft but enough to keep him from chipping teeth, a makeshift sling... Maybe after we can take him to the hospital to get it in a cast." She looked to Big Mac. "You know how to make a sling don't you?" Big Mac nodded. "Good now go grab a towel and make one!" The red stallion nodded again. She looked to Babs. "Go grab a dish towel from the kitchen and ball it up to put in his mouth." Babs nodded and let Ryan lie back on the couch before getting up and going into the kitchen.

A little while later over with Applebloom she was running through town with Scootaloo, her mother and her father. Scootaloo looked as worried as her mother and father.  "C'mon guys we're almost there!" The yellow mare said. "Lord I hope he'll be okay..."

Mr. Rubber grunted. "Dammit Scoot why didn't you talk me out of giving him that damn thing?!" He asked as they turned a corner. 

Scootaloo huffed and turned another corner. "Dad! I did try and tell you!" She snapped. "You remember how many falls I took when I first got that thing? You just made it even MORE dangerous!" 

Mrs. Rubber sighed and started to flap her wings. "...Hopefully I know how to do this right..." She said before she lifted off the ground. "This running is hurting my legs... Of course I haven't done it in a while..."

As they turned another corner Applebloom nearly ate it before continuing behind her worried friend. Just before they turned another corner they saw Big Mac following Fluttershy and Babs with Ryan passed out on Fluttershy's back as she flew down the road. "BIG MAC!" Applebloom called out. 

Big Mac stopped and looked to his cousin and friend. "YOU GUYS JUST GO ON AHEAD! I'LL CATCH UP!" He yelled. He looked to Applebloom who ran up and hugged him. Scootaloo hugged him as well. "We did as much as we could but he ended up blacking out from the pain. Fluttershy should be getting to the hospital as we speak!"

Scootaloo pushed off. "What are we waiting for?! Lets get there!" She said before she ran off with her mother and father on her tail. Applebloom and Big Mac soon followed.

Hours later Ryan was in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV still passed out. Scootaloo sat against the wall with her mother hugging her worried. Big Mac sat with Fluttershy on a nearby couch. Mr. Rubber paced in front of the bed with his head hung as if he had failed at something. "...This is all my fault..." He said. "...I shouldn't have gotten him that fucking scooter..."

Scootaloo looked up at her father. "C'mon daddy don't blame yourself." She said getting up. "You just wanted him to get places fast. It's my fault for even letting you take my scooter..." She hung her head and hugged her father. 

Mrs. Rubber got up too. "Look it's all our faults." She said. She looked to her husband. "It's your fault for kicking him out when he wanted to spend time with us." She looked to Scootaloo. "I don't mean to say this sweetie but... It's your fault for not stopping your father from doing that." 

Just then Babs came back inside the room with a white coated and pink maned nurse. She was an earth pony. Big Mac got up from the couch and approached the mare. "Is he gonna be alright?" The red stallion asked.

The nurse gave a humble smile going to the boys bedside. "He'll be just fine." She said. "You were lucky to not smash his arm up even more when you reset that bone. We have a mare by the name of Lyra coming in to take a look at his injuries. She said she's studied the humans and how they work."

Fluttershy sighed. "...Thank Celestia..." She said. "I just got so scared when he collapsed... Will it be long for him to wake up?" 

The nurse shook her head. "Not at all. If i'm right he should come to within the next hour." She said. "Everyone can go back to their homes but we will need somepony here to help him out."

Big Mac looked to Babs and Fluttershy. "Alright girls... Guess we should get back to Sweet Apple Acres." He said. "Applebloom should be helping AJ with the cart and I think we might need a drink after this..."

Babs sighed and sat down on the couch. "...I'll stay here Big Mac..." She said. "...I feel like I just need some time alone..." Big Mac gave a smile and nodded as Fluttershy got up. 

Scootaloo came over to Babs and sat with her. "...You mind if I stay too?" She asked. "...Gotta be there for my brother... You know?" Babs nodded just as  Mr. and Mrs. Rubber left the room. "...You.... Want some Pizza? My dad's going to cancel our dinner with the princess and just grab something quick..."

Babs gave a smile. "Thank's Scootaloo..." She said. "I always thought you were one of them fillies who could survive in the city... Your dad prolly let's you hop the train and go visit someone in Fillydelfia or maybe somewhere in Manehattan..."

The orange pegasus looked to her brother in the bed. "...Nah... My dad needs me around..." She said. "...I can only roam Ponyville. If my dad had me get on a train it'd have to be with somepony I know wont screw with me... If I did have someone on their they'd have to have someone else on to make sure it wont happen."

Babs looked to Ryan as well. "...I'm surprised he's your brother..." She said. "...You know how old this boy is?"

"...Nineteen." Scootaloo replied hesitantly. "Same age as me... He and I ran into each other a few weeks ago out in the forest... I ran of and hid just the night before after my dad yelled at me for some stupid thing I didn't even do..."

Babs slung a hoof over her friend. "...I know how that feels." She said. "Walkin' outta store with my saddle bags on. A colt passes me quick knockin' me  into the door as the sensors go off. That colt had a hidden case of cola. I was taken into custody by the guard but while we were on our way back to my place the shopkeep caught the real shoplifter trying to pull the same thing with a few bags of chips."

The two mares talked a few minutes more about their run-ins with the guard about theft. Ryan groaned a bit alerting the mares. Scootaloo and Babs sprang up going to either side of the bed. "Ryan! C'mon wake up!" Scootaloo said. 

Ryan opened his eyes a bit and saw Scootaloo and Babs over him. He gritted his teeth as he repositioned. Babs put a hoof on top of him keeping him still. "Don't move. You're still hurting and you need to rest so you can get that thing casted up." She said. "I'll grab a nurse for ya. You just sit still alright?"

Ryan nodded before Babs left the bedside and went for the door. Scootaloo whimpered a bit hanging her head tearing up. "...Ry... I'm sorry..." She said. "...Dad should've just let you stay... If you didn't leave you wouldn't be here..."

Ryan sighed a bit averting his gaze. "...Well... I was only doing what dad said..." He said. "...Not to mention I needed to write in my journal a bit more..." He looked to his busted up arm. "...Now I cant really do much... I'd really need help with my entries..."

Scootaloo sniffled wiping her eyes. "...M-maybe I could help?" She asked. "...It was my scooter and dad would make me help anyways... Either that or Spike but I don't think Princess Twilight could give him up for even a minute." Scootaloo backed away from the bed seeing Babs on her way back in with a seafoam green unicorn mare. "If you need me I'll be out in the hall waiting for mom and dad to get back."

Ryan nodded just as the unicorn nurse came to the bedside with Babs. "Ryan this is Nurse Lyra." Babs said. Ryan smiled at the mare. She had a white streak in her mane and a harp for a cutie mark.

Lyra gave a smile. "You must be my patient. First one!" She said using her magic to sit Ryan up. "You really hurt yourself here haven't you? Mind telling me what happened?"

Ryan nodded as his puffy and busted arm floated up now sitting horizontal. "I was screwing around on my new scooter and I fell... Didn't realize I landed so hard I dislocated my elbow..." He said. "...It... Is back in place isn't it?" He grunted as Lyra lifted his arm up over his head.

"Sorry about this." Lyra said setting his arm back down. "Your arm will be set in a cast at a ninety degree angle. You will still be able to move your shoulder but your arm and hand wont move. It's going to take a week for that thing to heal." She used her magic to stand Ryan up on the ground. "Come along now. Let's get that done!" 

Ryan gave a nod and followed Lyra out whimpering in pain. Not long later Ryan's arm was casted in a red cast rested in a sling. He sat with Babs, Scootaloo, Mr. Rubber and Mrs. Rubber in their home eating a big cheese pizza. Babs sat on the floor with Ryan while Scootaloo sat with her mother and father. Scootaloo swallowed a bite. "How's the pizza Ry?" She asked.

Ryan swallowed what he could of the bite he had taken. "...Pretty good... Might only have a slice or two..." He said. "Still got dirt in my teeth. Not to mention this arm is killing me with the pain..."

Mr. Rubber set his pizza crusts down and sighed. "...Ry... I wanna say I'm sorry for kicking you out earlier..." He said getting up. "...I just thought... Maybe Scootaloo and I could've had a bit of alone time with your mother but... I felt stupid after the fact but... I didn't know if you and Applebloom were doing something I shouldn't see or if you were just doing a bit of work... When Applebloom told me you ate shit on that damn scooter I got a bit scared." He knelt down in front of his son. "You think you can forgive me?"

Ryan nodded before swallowing what he had left in his mouth. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Ryan looked to his father confused. "....Who's that?" He asked. Mr. Rubber shrugged going over to the door. The boy set his pizza down and got up with the help of Babs. She nuzzled him a bit before letting him walk of towards the door. When his father opened the door there standing in the light of the home was Spike! He was accompanied by a guard. "Spike? Dude what're you doing here?" 

Spike gave a smile entering the home. "Fluttershy came by and told me you messed up your arm." He said. "Twilight has told you to write entries in your journal and I think this might be a good entry to write about. You tell me what to write and I gotcha!"

Ryan gave a smile stepping to the side for the guard to come in. "Well that's nice of you Spike." He said walking towards the hall. He looked to Babs. "You wanna come with? You might like what I have to say." Babs nodded and stood up as well. She grabbed her plate and Ryan's putting both on the coffee table before following the boy and the dragon. As they entered Ryan's room he went to his dresser and took his journal off along with his pencil. He gave it to Spike as he hopped onto the bed sighing. "I've been here for almost a month or so and there's only two entries."

Spike chuckled. "Don't worry about it!" He said opening the book. "Princess Celestia had Twilight write letters to her expressing the moments of friendship. She wasn't told to write about it every day but every chance she got." Spike got the pencil ready. "Now about the entry?"

Ryan sighed and gave Babs a smile as she sat on the floor. "First off I'm glad I met Scootaloo's mother and accepted her as mine..." He said. "She was there for me when I was being poked by that unicorn guard and I was there to give her daughter comfort when she was missing her. Next... I want to say being a show off isn't a good thing to do... Even when you're trying to put a smile on someone's face. The mare that I was trying to impress wasn't looking but I was glad she was there for me after the fact that I crashed and burned. I might want to be more than friends with her once my arm heals but... Maybe I can heal a heart before that happens." He looked to Spike blushing a bit. "Try and keep it clean there bud. I don't want Princess Twilight thinking I'm just keeping myself happy like that."

Spike nodded as he finished the entry. He faced the pages towards Ryan for him to read the entry. "Well tell me what you think!" He said.

Ryan took the book in his good hand and set it on his lap holding it open.

'Dear Princess Twilight,

Today I met my mother thanks to your help. She's a really kind and thoughtful mare. As you know she protected me from a guard who assaulted me, a human boy more fragile than anypony around here. I also want to thank you for taking appropriate action with that guard. Another thing is I met Applebloom's cousin after I had gotten my new scooter from my father who... kind of regretted his decision after I injured myself. Fluttershy and Big Mac were nice enough to help me get my arm back into place and to the hospital where the mare I was trying to impress was there. The mare being Applebloom's cousin, Babs Seed made it easier to make friends with her. I'm looking forward to spending more time with her in the future. Oh and I'm sorry about the dinner plans. We can definitely reschedule the dinner even without the guest we have. I want my arm to heal fast because I still need to start work at Sweet Apple Acres to get working. Just adding to the memories of my new life in Equestria. 

Ryan!'

Ryan gave a laugh closing the book up. "Well I think it's great Spike." He said setting the book aside. He looked to Babs who had tears in her eyes. "And yes I was trying to impress you. I tried doing a wheelie but I hit a rock and ate it. And... Really you should be old enough to make your own decision to what you want to do... Maybe if you're given a few more weeks here I can give you whatcha want."

Babs smiled at Ryan as a tear streamed down her cheek. "...I'll like that..." She said. "...And... If you want to have a little time together I'll be more than happy to hang out with you..." She sniffled and hugged Ryan barely missing his cast. "...Anythin' you need I can lend a hoof..." She gave him a kiss on his cheek before sobbing a bit.

Spike hopped off the bed giving a chuckle. "I'll give you two some alone time." He said. "You seem like you need it." Ryan gave a thumbs up just before Spike disappeared out the door. As the purple dragon came from the hall he saw Mr. Rubber nuzzling his wife on the couch. Scootaloo still sat eating her pizza with the guard next to her. He was having a slice himself. "Alright! All done with that journal entry Mr. Rubber!"

Mr. Rubber looked to Spike. "Thanks Spike." He said. "You tell Princess Twilight we should be having Ryan spend the night there soon. You come back in a few days to see if you can help Ryan update the journal again."

Scootaloo swallowed the bite of pizza as the guard finished his slice. "Speaking of Ryan where is he?" She asked. "Is he still in the room with Babs?" 

Spike sighed a bit as the guard got up. "Yeah. She's just having some liquid pride after what Ryan said to her." He said. "If I were you I'd probably check on them so Babs doesn't fall on him and crush him even more." Spike looked to the guard next to him as he opened the door. "Let's get back to the castle. Pizza isn't my food but it sure is making me want some Gems!" The guard nodded and followed the little dragon out before closing the door.

A few hours later Babs was passed out on the couch with a blanket. Ryan stood with his father standing over the sleeping mare. "... Thanks for letting her stay here Dad..." Ryan whispered. 

Mr. Rubber sighed. "...You're welcome Ry... The least I can do for booting you from the house earlier..." He said. He looked down at him. "Your mother is in Scootaloo's room if you want to stay up with them... You and I both know Scootaloo would probably want someone there for her if someone passed out first." Ryan nodded before giving Babs a kiss on her forehead blushing a bit. He left the couch and went for the hall.

As he walked down the hall he heard a bit of sobbing coming from Scootaloo's room. He stopped at the door looking in at his sister and mother as his sister cried into her chest. "...Scootaloo please don't cry..." Mrs. Rubber said. "...I know you don't want this to end but believe me this hurts more to me than it does you...  We both want to keep seeing each other after today but... We also know that this day was a great day... You and I spending the day together again... Listening to CCR with my son... Honestly... I feel as if I could just hold you in my heart and take you with me but I know I cant do that and you really wouldn't like being away from your brother and your father..."

Ryan knocked on the door with his good hand alerting the mother and daughter. "...You guys okay in here?" He asked.

Scootaloo got up breaking the embrace with her mother. She sniffled and shook her head. "...M-mommy's disappearing tomorrow morning..." She said. "...I-I.... I DONT WANT HER TO GO!" She collapsed and started to cry harder.

Mrs. Rubber got up from the bed and sat next to her daughter while Ryan knelt down. He stroked her mane shushing her as she cried. "...Scootaloo look... I wish we could keep mom too..." He said. "Remember I had to leave my own parents... Your parents are more loving than mine... Yes mom is leaving but... Don't think of it as goodbye... Think of it as a see you later... You'll see her again next time Twilight brings her back for a visit... Could be for our birthday... Could even be just a few months from now... Just know you'll see her again..." He gave a bit of a smile as Scootaloo sat back up. 

"Well put Ryan..." Mrs. Rubber said resting her wing on his back. "...We'll be able to do this again. May or may not be soon but we can visit... Just carry on my memories.... Your father should help you with that..." She rested her other wing on her daughter's back. "If you ever listen to those hippy rock CD's I left somewhere in the basement there's something meant for Scootaloo to have... I wanted to save it for her birthday but I seemed to have missed it..." She blushed smiling warmly. "...You can either split the CD's or you can take them for yourself Scootaloo... Not to mention the other thing I kept with the CD's... That's pretty much all yours. You wanna go see it?" Scootaloo sniffled and nodded getting up. 

Scootaloo helped Ryan up with her wing. They walked out of the room and back down the hall. They went out into the living room seeing Mr. Rubber washing the dishes. They went towards the basement door. Scootaloo went through first and went down first. Ryan went down after her carefully as not to miss a step. Scootaloo felt Ryan put his hand on her flank and heard him whimpering a bit. "...Ry you cant be scared of the dark..." She said. "Please tell me you aren't afraid of the dark..."

Ryan sighed. "I'm not afraid of the dark." He said. "I'm just afraid of.... Falling on my ass twice in one day.... getting killed from not having a weapon, and worst of all spiders.... I.... Hate.... SPIDERS!" He shivered a bit and grunted a bit having a sharp pain jolt through his busted arm.

Mrs. Rubber hummed a bit. "...You really must've came from a bad family if you needed a weapon." She said as Scootaloo switched the light on. The washing machine and dryer sat against the far wall away from the stairs. Boxes sat stacked on shelves on the side walls. Most of which were labled 'Fragile' or 'memorables'. Some were marked 'Kitchen ware', 'Music', and a few marked 'Emergency Supplies'. "Alright... One of these has to have my gift for you." Mrs. Rubber grabbed one of the boxes labled 'Music' off the shelves and sat it on the floor as Scootaloo grabbed the other box. 

Ryan sat down next to his sister and picked at the tape that held it shut. "Shouldn't be too hard..." He said gripping the piece of tape he lifted up. Scootaloo held the box down as Ryan pulled the tape tearing away a thin layer of paper. He ripped it off allowing one of the flaps to open up a little bit. He did the same thing to the other box and the mother daughter duo opened the boxes all the way at the same time. He looked into both boxes and saw numerous CD's from The Who, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Cream and a lot of other sixties and seventies hippie rock groups. "...Wow... Mom you really went in deep and pulled the key to a vault of gold here..."

His mother gave a little laugh. "Yeah..." She said. "...I used to own record after record of these bands that got a bit cluttered up but when CD's came out I just... It was really a big clean up. Lord knows where I put my record collection after that but I'm sure it's around here somewhere." She started to dig through the CD's taking a few of them out. "....You know you are welcome to keep these in your room Ryan... I figured you deserve them after what you've done for my flower foal."

Ryan smiled  and leaned on his mother a bit being careful of his arm. Scootaloo blushed a bit. "Mommy can you not call me that please...?" She asked setting a few CD cases aside. "....It's kinda making me want to cry again..."

Her mother gave a sigh. "Alright but... Just remember I have only a limited amount of time to call you that...." She said. She looked back in the box taking a few more CD's out. She gasped a bit. "There it is! Alright Scootaloo close your eyes!" Scootaloo closed her eyes and Ryan watched as his mother pulled a framed picture out a long with a necklace similar to their mother's. "Alright before you open your eyes I want you to get closer to your brother." Scootaloo nodded and hesitantly scooted to the side a bit feeling around with her hoof. Ryan moved a few Rolling Stones CD's back into the box clearing a spot for his sister as she nearly was at his side. 

Scootaloo's hoof knocked into Ryan and she stopped. "Can I open my eyes yet?" She asked. 

Mrs. Rubber gave the picture to Ryan to have him hold it. "Just one more second sweetie." She said getting up with the necklace hung on her hoof. Ryan looked at the picture and saw his father and mother holding a little filly. Must've been Scootaloo but it was kind of hard to tell since the photo was in black and white. Not to mention it was a bit dusty as well. As Mrs. Rubber hung the necklace on her daughters neck she sighed a bit. "Alright Scoot... Open them."

Scootaloo looked down and saw the peace necklace. "...Mom... It's just like yours..." She said looking up at her mother. "...It's beautiful... Thank you..." She hugged her mother giving a little whimper.

Her mother gave a sigh taking the picture from her son. "...This goes with it..." She said giving her the picture. "...And... That actually is my necklace... I gave it to your father a while ago and we decided to put it somewhere safe. I got a new one right before... it... happened... and because I was buried like this it just stayed with me when I ascended... You keep this... keep my memories... and keep your father happy along with your brother... I promise you'll be happy." She smiled tearing up and hugged her daughter. Ryan hesitantly joined in. Mrs. Rubber adjusted herself starting to sob and hugged Ryan as well.

Ryan suddenly screamed out in pain pushing his mother away falling back and holding his casted arm. "RYAN!" Scootaloo said springing to her hooves. Scootaloo helped Ryan up a bit. "Ry? C'mon you need to get up to bed and rest... I'll set an alarm for you so you can say goodbye to her..." Ryan whimpered his eyes welling up with tears.

"Scootaloo?" Someone upstairs said. It was their father. "Scoot is everything alriii-" Suddenly yelling and the sound of something tumbling down stairs. 

Scootaloo and Mrs. Rubber looked up at the stairs and saw Mr. Rubber rolling down the stairs and smacking into a shelf having a box fall on top of him. "DADDY!" Scootaloo said quickly going to her father. "Daddy! Come on! Answer me!" She pushed the box off starting to tear up. Her father was out cold. She put her ear to his chest. His heart was still beating and he was still breathing as well. She looked back at her mother who was already getting Ryan onto her back. "Mommy! Hurry and get Babs up! We need her!"

Mrs. Rubber nodded and quickly stepped over the passed out stallion with her son crying on her back. About fourty five minutes later Scootaloo was helping medic ponies- both unicorn- load her father into a stretcher. Mrs. Rubber was standing to the side a bit teary eyed. "...Please be careful with him!" She said. 

One of the unicorn medics looked up at her. "Ma'am don't worry we're professionals." He said. "Now we are going to need someone to come with us just in case he has some kind of brain damage or amnesia."

Mrs. Rubber looked to Scootaloo. Scootaloo looked back up at her. "...Mommy let me go..." Scootaloo said. "You should stay here and help Ryan if he needs it."

"Scootaloo no!" Her mother snapped. "I'll go too. Ryan has that friend of yours with him in his room. She should be fine and... I wanna spend more time with you before I leave in the morning... I know Ry' wanted to spend more time with me as well but that long time while I was away made me miss you and he already has accepted me as his mother... And I have given him a few gifts as well... We should just get going..." Scootaloo sniffled and nodded just as the unicorn medics lifted the stretcher with their magic.

The mother daughter duo followed them up the stairs and into the living room. Scootaloo hurried down the hall stopping at her brothers door. She looked in and saw Ryan lying in his bed sniffling just looking at Babs who looked tired and concerned for him. "Ryan? Babs?" She said. They both looked to her. "You two are going to be here alone because of a few things... One the medics say me and mom need to be at the hospital incase dad has amnesia. Two is we cant just have me go there and leave you here with mom. She has to leave in the morning. I want to spend as much time as possible."

Ryan sniffled and averted her gaze. "...I-I understand...." He said. "....Just... Give mom a hug from me before she leaves... and make sure dad is okay..." Scootaloo nodded and left the door way. Ryan looked down at Babs. "...You're a light sleeper aren't you? I might need someone to help me..."

Babs gave a bit of a smile. "...You got nothin' to worry about..." She said. "...I'll wake up to just about anythin'. My dad sound proofed my room to the point where I cant hear a thing... You just get on to sleep. I'll grab a few pillows and sleep on the floor in here. Anything you need before I go?" 

Ryan nodded a bit. "...Maybe get me something to drink?" He asked. "I have some sodas in the fridge... Grab a few.. I might be up until this pain dies down..."

Babs nodded and got up. She was only a few moments out of the room before coming back with two cans of soda. One in her hoof, the other pinched between her bicep and fore arm. She set both cans down and cracked them both open giving one of them to the injured boy. "There... You'll probably need to use the toilet afterwards." She said. "I could help you up and to the bathroom but you should get everything done yourself. Right?"

Ryan sipped at his soda. "Yeah... But I'd need help with the fixtures..." He said. "I was having a bit of trouble earlier. But now I only got one hand free I'm really gonna need some help...." He drank from his soda again curling up a bit. "...This sucks... I wanted to spend some time with mom but I only spent a few hours with her... It's like only getting to a concert only to have them play two songs and be done..."

Babs sighed setting her soda down. "I know how ya feel there..." She said. "...My dad works almost non stop in Manehattan... He works by selling oranges that he does nothing to grow... He has griffons in the outskirts picking the fresh ones and crating them up... I sometimes go down there to plant some seeds but he wants me to act like a spoiled rich filly... I know of friggen assholes who just rake in the cash and don't do jack to do anything to help sell what they made."

"...Sounds like you and I are the same." Ryan said setting his soda can down and lying back in bed. "You want to help make money instead of just sitting around and waiting for it to be given to you on a silver fuckin' platter... I was given a job at Sweet Apple Acres before my birthday but I ended up slicing some robber up and getting a bounty that was on his head." He looked away from Babs. "Now my arm is fucked up and I gotta wait to get into work."

Babs and  Ryan continued to drink their sodas for a few minutes more. Before Ryan had a chance to get up he was already nodding off. Babs had forgotten about getting him to the toilet. She sat at his bedside just watching him as he slept. "...I'll be riiiiiiight here when you need me..." She whispered before kissing his forehead a bit.

A few hours later Ryan woke up to an aching bladder. It was dark but he could hear someone sleeping near by. "....Babs? That you?" Ryan said softly but a bit panicked. He heard Babs shift a bit but not answer. "Babs? Babs! C'mon please wake up!" Still no answer. The aching turned to a bad pain. He would've turned the light on but it was on the side of the bed with his bad arm. Instead he took his pillow from under his head and chucked it to where he thought the sleeping mare was. Ended up hitting the nail on the head because he heard a groan. "Babs! Help! Bathroom!"

Babs gasped a bit and threw the pillow to the side before springing to her hooves. She felt her way around the dark and bumped into the bed accidentally causing Ryan to yelp a bit. She felt her way around the bed hearing Ryan whimper a bit and went for the light. When she flipped on the light she looked to Ryan. He was blushing hard with tears in his eyes and his hand over his mouth. She looked at his bed and saw a stain growing on his pants and his bed with a slight pitter patter. "... Oh shit...." She said blushing. "....I am so sorry! Uh..." She started to think quickly as Ryan started to sob a bit embarrassed. Babs went around the bed as the stain stopped growing. She helped Ryan out of the bed and saw his entire backside soaked and stained. "....C'mon just get undressed and I'll help you wash up alright?" Ryan sniffled and nodded.

Not too long later Ryan was naked and blushing as Babs wiped him down with a wet wash cloth in the bathroom. Babs sat on the toilet while Ryan stood with his legs open facing away from her. "....I... I cant believe that happened..." He said sniffling. "...I-I haven't wet the bed since preschool...."

Babs sighed. "... If it makes you feel any better I've been having occasional accidents cuz of stress and me bein' in heat...." She said. "...No worries my mouth is shut... I aint no squealer... You're safe from everyone knowin' about this... well... other than Scootaloo and your parents... and... Me for that matter..."

Ryan sniffled and turned around and let Babs clean his crotch. ".... I... I hate today... First I bust my arm up... Then I wet the bed..." He said. "...I don't want this... I'm 19... I'm an adult... I'm acting like a fucking baby..." He sobbed a bit hiding his face. 

Babs tossed the tissues into a nearby trash can. She rested a hoof on his shoulder. "C'mon no more crying you're going to get sick!" She said. "I don't want to have you puke and end up in the hospital again... Lets just calm down... Get into some nice clean clothes and sleep out in the living room... I'll still be fine sleeping on the floor..." Ryan sniffled and leaned into Babs. She nuzzled and shushed the embarrassed boy.

Not the best day for Ryan or Babs for that matter... Come to think of it is it a good day for anyone? Probably probably not.
> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was the next morning and Ryan was on the couch half covered by a blanket. Babs slept on the floor right next to the couch. The coffee table was moved more towards the TV. A ring of the door bell woke Babs up making her snort and jump a bit. She opened her eyes and rubbed them as she sat up. The door bell rang again as she got up and stretched. "...Hold on there..." She said as she sluggishly walked to the door. Just as she unlocked the door she gave a yawn before opening it. "....Yeah? What'dya need?" She looked outside and saw Scootaloo alone and expressionless. She pushed her way in and went for the kitchen table. Babs closed the door just as she sat down. "You doin' okay Scoot?"

Scootaloo hesitantly shook her head. "...Dad's alright but Ryan and I have to be alone here for a few days..." She said. Her voice was almost as expressionless as her face. "...Mom told me to go to sleep and that she would be there when she woke up... She was right but... I only woke up to hear her say goodbye..."

Babs sat at the table giving a sigh. "...Well sorry 'bout that... Your brother wasn't takin' it well either." She said. "I woke up to a pillow in my face, him crying a bit and... Well lets just say that soda he had went through him so fast he couldn't stop it and I had to clean it up for him." She looked to the couch and pointed. "Got him on the couch getting him away from his now stripped bed, the smell of his own piss and possibly a better sleep environment so he cant roll over and hurt himself again."

Scootaloo looked back at her brother and sighed getting up from the table. "...You mind if I wake him up?" She said looking back at Babs. She shook her head and motioned with her hoof. Scootaloo looked back at Ryan and slowly approached him. She sat by the couch and nudged him a bit. "Ry? Wake up Ryan... I need you right now... " 

Scoot nudged her brother a bit harder and he groaned a bit. He stretched as much as he could before sitting up. He rubbed his eye looking at his sister. "...Scoot? Where's dad? Is he okay?" He asked. Scootaloo nodded and got up before sitting next to him. "...Mom's gone isn't she...?" She nodded again. "...Well I hope you had fun while it lasted... Just wish I could've been there to see her off..."

The mare rested a hoof on her brothers lap. "...Trust me... If you were there you'd probably be crying..." She said. "...When we got to the hospital I spent most of the night with mom... Even she wished you were there..." She let out a little whimper. "...She... She also told me to tell you she loved you... and that she wants you to keep making me smile..." She looked to Ryan. "...Well? ...You think you can make me smile?" 

Ryan forced a bit of a smile and nodded. "...You mind helping me get dressed first? I kinda wanted to get out of this house." He said. Scootaloo gave a nod standing up. Ryan pulled himself up off the couch using his sister as leverage. "Thanks..." He looked to Babs who was just looking at him blushing seeing him only in his boxers. "...Babs maybe you can join us? I'd actually want to thank you for helping me last night..."

Babs blushed and smiled. "...Happy to help a friend of my cousins..." She said. "Besides... You seem pretty awesome compared to most of the guys who just want one thing with the mares." Ryan gave a smile blushing. He bent down a bit as he continued walking with his sister. "You seem like you don't want me to see what your packin'! Trust me I've seen it and doesn't matter to me!" She gave a laugh along with Ryan who just laughed nervously. 

As they entered Ryan's room Scootaloo looked to the stripped bed and the sheets piled into the hamper with his stained boxers and stained pants and shirt on top. "...Wow... You really must've wet bad..." She said as Ryan opened up his drawers pulling out his camo shorts and Metallica Tshirt. "...When we get back home I'll help you with your laundry... Dad might need to know about this too..."

Ryan sighed as he stepped into his shorts pulling them up to his waist still a bit low on his back. Scootaloo went behind him and pulled the rest up. "Better him knowing than anyone I'm trying to make friends with...." He said. "... By the way... Do you have anything in mind for bringing a smile to your face? I don't want to do something and just bring you down more..."

Scootaloo thought for a moment helping her brother put his shirt on over his cast. He pulled the rest on wincing a bit. "...Well... I've wanted to spend a lot of time with Rainbow Dash but... She just never had the time..." She said.

"Did you even ask her?" Ryan asked pulling socks from his drawers. He looked at Scootaloo who blushed averting her gaze. "...I'll take that as a yes..." He went back over to the bed and sat down as Scootaloo brought his shoes from the wall. "Scoot if I get you time to hang out with Dash will you do a few things for me?"

Scootaloo gave a nod helping him take his balled up socks apart. "Anything you can think of within my ability I can do..." She said.

Ryan pulled his socks on using one hand. "...Well... While I heal up you think you can help me with things like getting dressed and undressed?" He asked. Scootaloo nodded. "...Also with making some food too?" His sister nodded again and lifted his shoes up helping him put them on.

Scootaloo looked up at her brother helping him up. "That's pretty much all I can do for you." She said. "You think we should hit up Sweet Apple Acres or Twilight's castle to find Dash? She finishes clearing the clouds around nine in the morning and its what... Ten? Ten thirty?" Ryan shrugged. "...Oh right I forgot to give you the alarm clock dad bought the night you were staying with Octavia and Vinyl." She looked to the door. "Lets just get going to Twilight's castle. She might have an idea on where Dash is." Ryan nodded and walked out the door.

A little while later Ryan rode on Babs' back going up towards Twilight's castle. Scootaloo walked next to them. Babs looked over at her friend. "Why aint you flyin' 'round here?" She asked. "...You bein' a Pegasus 'n all would really make me think you flew places."

Scootaloo sighed. "Nah... The only time I fly is when I need to get somewhere fast." She said. "That and when I go over to Cloudsdale with my dad to see the wonderbolts. Sure they do shows near here but I think it's better experiencing them at their own area." She looked towards the castle door and saw two guard's standing there. Scootaloo hummed a bit. "...That's weird... Usually there's only one guard here... What the hell happened?"

Ryan sighed. "...Well I think I might be in a bit of trouble with the princess..." He said. Scootaloo and Babs looked to him. "I... May or may not have told a guard to lie about where he was just so he could catch less hell from her..." He blushed a bit as they approached the guards.

Scootaloo looked to the guards. "Um... May we talk with Princess Twilight? Please?" She asked. 

The guard on her right looked at her. "Sorry but Princess Cadence and Twilight's brother are here." He said. "Security has been doubled everywhere just so nothing goes wrong."

Ryan sighed. "Look all I need to do is ask about borrowing Spike for help with my busted arm." He said. "Twilight has me writing in a journal and I need him for a new update... Well... One that I haven't really finished."

The guards looked to each other. The guard on the left shrugged and looked back at the trio. "Alright you may go inside but the mares stay out here." He said. "But before you go in we need to frisk you just incase you're carrying any weapons."

Ryan huffed stepping on to the ground. "Look I'm injured. If I had a weapon I'd need both hands to properly use it." He said. "You can ask Fluttershy, Big Mac, Applebloom and Babs here about my injury!" He pointed to Babs who blushed a bit coming under the spotlight.

The guard shook his head and sighed. "Alright sir just go on in. No frisk, and still no mares!" He said. 

Ryan looked back at Scootaloo and Babs. "I'll be right back you guys." He said. "You two think you can wait down here while I go get Spike?" He winked at them. Both Babs and Scootaloo nodded. He smiled and turned back inside entering. He climbed up the stairs passing by a few guards who didn't seem to flinch as he walked up. He passed about six guards before stopping and turning to one. "Um excuse me?" The guard looked down at him. "Can you tell me where I can find Princess Twilight? I need to ask her if I can borrow Spike from her."

The guard nodded and pointed up the stairs a bit more. "Once the stairs end here just go down the hall and into the throne room." He said. "She should be in there with her guests. I warn you do not startle anyone there. Princess Twilight's brother is a guard and he will remove you from the premises if he is startled." Ryan nodded and started up the stairs again.

As he climbed he thought to himself. What's Twilight's brother doing here anyways? What is her brother like? Would the guards downstairs be suspicious if I didn't come back down with Spike? He gave a sigh as he reached the top of the stairs. He looked down the hall with guards standing between every other door. He walked past them his arm pulsing with pain as he took each step. No faking relaxed here. "...C'mon Ryan just calm down... You've talked with Twilight one on one before..." He said to himself. "...Just ask the questions and leave... If you don't like the pressure of a princesses brother in the room ask if you can be alone...." He took a few deep breaths stopping before the throne room. He heard talking from inside. 

"Twily you know mom and dad would want you to at least invite them to your castle as well." A stallion said. "If you're worried they'll want to stay here just let them spend a night here and send them back home. It's what I've been doing."

Ryan heard a feminine sigh. "...Shining it isn't that I don't want them here but they think just because their daughter is a princess means I can get them anything they want!" A mare said. Sounded like Twilight. "Mom would want me to get her dinner with Princess Celestia, Dad would want to sleep with your wife and obviously they would want new outfits, a new home and even grandfoals from both of us!"

The stallion sighed. "Look just tell them what you can and cant do as a princess." He said. "Cadence told me the same thing I'm telling you. I couldn't do anything to give them nice things but I really couldn't tell them. Cadence brought me and mom and dad together and I told them if I were to do anything Celestia would strip me of my rank and I could start a riot that I'd have no power to help stop. You on the other hoof would have to come up with another reason." Ryan heard no answer from Twilight. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to check on Cadence. She should be coming back from the bathroom by now."

Ryan started to panic as he heard hooves coming towards the only door in and out of the throne room. He looked down the hall and knew he couldn't dart inside any of the rooms because of the guard. He started pacing back and forth but froze seeing a white unicorn stallion clad in golden armor. He had a blue mane and tail and a cutie mark of a blue shield and a pink star similar to Twilight's cutie mark. The stallion saw Ryan shaking a bit. He turned back into the room and whistled. He looked back at Ryan who grew more and more nervous as he heard more hooves. Soon Twilight came to the side of the stallion who pointed at Ryan. She gasped. "Oh! Ryan!" Twilight said surprised. "What are you doing here? You doing okay with your arm?" Ryan nodded hesitantly not even answering. Twilight looked to the stallion she had called Shining. "Shining... This is Ryan he came here running away from his hectic life. Forgive him he's a bit nervous on meeting new ponies here."

Shining hummed a bit. "Well it's nice to meet you Ryan but... Just so you know when you come in front of a princess you're supposed to bow to her." He said.

Twilight nudged him. "Shining can't you see he's a bit scared right now?" She said. "Go find Cadence to help calm him down." Shining nodded flashing away. Twilight looked back to Ryan. "My brother can be a bit intimidating cant he?" Ryan hesitantly nodded. "Well come on in and take a seat in any throne. Well... Any except mine I guess." Ryan nodded again and entered the room. He went for the throne right next to Twilights. It was Rainbow Dash's throne. Twilight followed him and sat in her throne. "So you definitely must be here for something important right?"

Ryan took a deep breath and nodded. "...Y-yeah..." He said. "...Scootaloo and I are pretty much home alone while our dad is in the hospital after he fell down the stairs into the basement... Now that mom is back where she was Scoot just needs something to put a smile on her face and she wants to spend time with Rainbow Dash." He averted his gaze a bit. "And... I actually wanted to thank you for having Spike come over and help me with an entry. Would you mind if I borrowed him again tonight? I forgot I had an entry I never finished when I was being thanked by Vinyl and Octavia... Kinda turned into hell when I was being fought over who would have me sleep in their bed to thank me about what had happened."

Twilight sighed. "Those two never argue about anything." She said. "But given the terms I guess it'd be natural to freak out..." She looked to the door. "Did Scootaloo get split up from you on the way up here or did she just not come in?" She looked to Ryan.

Ryan sighed. "Scootaloo is downstairs with Babs, Appleblooms cousin." He said. "The guard wouldn't let them inside and... Really all this heat is making me nervous when I'm by myself... Last few times I came up here was when I was with someone at my side."

Twilight giggled a bit standing up. "Well there isn't any reason to be nervous unless something illegal was done." She said. "You think you'd be good staying up here while I give the guards down stairs the okay to let your sister up?" Ryan nodded before Twilight ran out leaving him alone.

As Ryan sat there he looked at his arm and then to Applejacks throne which sat just across from Dash's throne. "...Hope you go easy on me after I'm healed." He said. "You probably got injured before and it took a while for you to get back into the swing of things."

Not even moments after speaking to himself Ryan heard hooves coming towards the door. He got up acting like he wasn't invading on anything that might've gotten him in trouble. "Ryan? You in here?" Someone said. It was Shining. 

Ryan looked around Fluttershy's throne which blocked the door where he came from. There he saw Shining with a pink mare with a pink, yellow and purple streaked mane. She was also a princess. "R-Right here sir!" Ryan said.

Shining laughed a bit as he and the princess at his side approached. "Good. Saw Twily on her way out and she said you were still in here." He said. "Ryan I'd like you to meet my wife Princess Cadence!" Ryan tried to bow a bit but his cast stopped him. Shining used his magic to stand Ryan up straight. "Don't worry about that most uh... Injured beings cant do much if they get to meet a princess."

Cadence giggled a bit as Ryan blushed rubbing the back of his head. "You are just the cutest little human I've seen!" She said. "Well one of the first humans I've seen up close!" Ryan blushed harder stammering now making Cadence giggle again. "Stop being so cute and say something!"

The stammering stopped and Ryan just stayed silent. Shining sighed looking to his wife. "No worries Cadence. Twily says he was a bit shy." He said. He looked back at Ryan seeing his casted arm. "How'd you get that battle scar? Fall down the stairs?" Ryan shook his head. "I would say you got in a fight but then I'd see more bruises here and there... You must've fell off a ride of some sort." Ryan nodded this time. "Ah. I've been there. Me and my family went snow boarding after my sister was born and I ended up wiping out. Busted my leg pretty bad."

Before Ryan could try and answer the sound of multiple hooves came from the door. Shining and Cadence turned around and were greeted with Twilight, Scootaloo and Babs. As Shining and Cadence greeted the mares Ryan caught a glimpse of Cadence's cutie mark which was a blue gem heart with identical golden decoration on either side. After Babs and Scootaloo bowed Cadence looked at Scootaloo closely. "...Wait a second... I remember you!" She said happily.

Scootaloo tilted her head as Babs went over to Ryan. "...How could you remember me?" She asked still feeling emotionless. "...I remember you but only because I've seen you addressing town folk, holding weddings and even foal sitting..."

Cadence giggled. "Scootaloo that IS how I know you!" She said. "I've foalsat you while your parents went on their honeymoon! You were trying so hard to fly!"

Scootaloo perked up a bit giving a confused look. "...But... I haven't been able to fly until I was sixteen..." She said. She actually had a bit of emotion in her voice. 

Cadence sighed and hung her head a bit. "...There's a reason for that Scoot..." She said. "...While your parents were out of town I forgot I had some important business to attend to... I had a few of my guards watch you while I did that business... They.... may have accidentally left you alone for a second and you fell back on a block that hurt your wing... You only cried when someone moved your wing a certain way and I didn't know why until those guards confessed." Tears came to her eyes. "...I... I should've been better with this... I'm sorry..."

Ryan watched as Scootaloo's expression turned from confused to shocked and sad. "...W-why haven't you told me until now...?" She asked.

Cadence sniffled and averted her gaze. "...It's because I was afraid..." She said. "...I was afraid of your reaction... I didn't know if you would be mad... Sad... Or just disappointed in me...." She looked up as tears rolled down her cheeks. "...Tell me... Do you hate me...? Do you want to cry...?"

Scootaloo sniffled. "...I want to cry..." She said. "...And... And an apology to my dad... He's in the hospital right now and he NEEDS to know..."

Ryan looked to Babs. Then back at his sister breaking off from the city mare. "But Scootaloo!" He said. "What about Rainbow Dash?"

Scootaloo sniffled and looked to her brother. "...Dash can wait..." She said. "My dad needs an explanation on why I couldn't fly... He should hear it from someone who he thought was watching me... Too bad he couldn't sue the guards that caused me so much emotional pain..." She turned to the door and started off. Shining and Cadence followed. "...If you need me just look for me in the hospital..."

As the three ponies left Twilight walked over to Babs and Ryan shocked. "That... That was surprising..." She said. Ryan backed up towards Babs. "...What's say we go on a walk through town to try and find Rainbow Dash and see if she can at least surprise Scootaloo...?"

Ryan and Babs gave a nod. As Babs lowered herself Ryan gave a wince in pain. "Ah! Damn it..." He said. "...Painkiller is wearing off..."

Babs helped him up giving a bit of a sad aw. "... You just wanna stay here n rest?" She asked. "Me n the Princess here can fetch that Rainbow gal o yours."

Ryan shook his head as he brought his cast up a bit. "...I'm fine!" He said. "...I think I just need a sling... Left so fast this morning I didn't grab my sling..." He looked to Twilight as Babs stood again. "Alright Twi... Lead on..." Twilight nodded but instead of going on she used her magic on Ryan's arm. The pain faded making Ryan sigh and pant like he was really holding something back. "...Holy shit that was BAD..." He rubbed the cast and looked at Twilight. "What'd you do anyways?"

Twilight sighed and averted her gaze. "...I may accelerated the healing process to relieve you of the pain." She said a bit nervously. "I wasn't supposed to do that but with what we just heard I don't think Scootaloo would enjoy getting up in the middle of the night to help you to the bathroom or hesitate to hug you and hurt you... I'll remove the cast later but we should really get going!" Both Babs and Ryan nodded again before following Princess Twilight out of the room.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs Ryan thought for a moment. "...Where would Dash hang out?" He asked. "Yeah she's a Pegasus and the only one who can fly here is you Twilight."

They exited the castle and had the guards bow in respect to Twilight. "Yeah Princess how're we supposed to find that Rainbow Dash?" Babs asked. 

Twilight looked back at Babs and  Ryan. "I know two ponies she hangs out with the most." She said. "Applejack and Fluttershy. Since you're AJ's cousin you go on back to Sweet Apple Acres and find Dash. I'll head out to find Fluttershy and who ever finds Dash just goes to the other one."

Ryan hopped off Babs' back and went to Twilight. "I'm going with you then Princess." He said. "Yeah I hate to leave Babs alone but if something were to happen to you someone would be to blame and it'd be one of us who left with her." 

Twilight smiled a bit. "Good thinking!" She said looking at Ryan. She looked back at Babs who looked a bit worried. "Babs you go back and snag one of my guards to take to the orchard. If they have a doubt you just tell them I said to go with you! You got it?" Babs nodded and hurried back towards the castle. Twilight looked back to Ryan. "You might want to hold on. My flying might not be fast but it's stable enough to keep us both in the air." Ryan nodded and leaned on his casted arm wrapping his arm around Twilight's neck. The princess flapped her wings and started lifting off the ground. She was about five feet off the ground before starting to move around.

As Twilight flew a bit higher Ryan buried his head into Twilight's neck covering his eyes. Twilight didn't seem to notice. It seemed like only a few minutes in the air. Once Twilight landed he heard the sound of hooves on a stone path. Ryan hesitantly opened his eyes and saw they were near Fluttershy's. He sat back up and hopped off now walking by Princess Twilight's side. "Well... That was a short ride..." He said trying not to sound like he was scared. "Must really come in handy if you're almost late for something..."

Twilight looked down at him as they walked up to the door. She shot him a smile. "Well we are in a hurry Ryan." She said. "And you are small compared to us ponyfolk." She knocked on the door. "Speaking of flying if Dash ever asks you to go flying with her I would see if you can get either Fluttershy or Scootaloo to go with you. I don't want Dash flying so fast she just loses you to the wind!"

Ryan laughed a bit nervously. "...Y-Yeah that's probably not going to even happen anytime soon..." He said. "...I might stay on the ground as long as my dad is in the hospital." He smiled at Twilight just as the door opened.

Both Twilight and Ryan looked back at the door and saw Fluttershy looking a bit scared. "Fluttershy?" Twilight said. "Is everything okay?"

Fluttershy looked around outside and beckoned them both to come inside. Ryan walked in curious and Twilight followed a bit worried. The yellow Pegasus mare gave a relieved sigh turning around as she closed the door. She looked to Ryan and Twilight as they sat on the couch. "Twi... Gilda is back and she and Dash are flying around pulling pranks..." She said. "....They pranked me last night and I couldn't even leave the house this morning.... P-pinkie invited me to go with her to have breakfast but when I stepped out they hit me with water balloons..." She teared up whimpering.

Twilight sighed. "Well you can blame me for that." She said. "I had Dash invite Gilda here so Ryan could try and make friends with her. Did you see where they went?"

Fluttershy nodded as she sat next to her friend. "...They went towards Sweet Apple Acres..." She said. "...Must be trying to prank AJ next..."

Ryan's stomach gurgled a bit. "...Uh... Would it be too much to ask for some food and a drink...?" He said. "...I didn't have time to grab anything before I left the house this morning...." He blushed a bit giving a nervous smile.

Fluttershy's stomach gurgled too. As well as Twilight's. Both mares blushed looking at each other. "...Quick stop by Sugarcube Corner for breakfast?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yup." Twilight replied. She looked to Ryan. "I'll buy you something to drink while we're there if you promise not to tell anyone about what you heard at the castle about Cadence!"

Ryan sighed. "I'm not one to snitch and I'll be fine until we get to Sweet Apple Acres." He said. "...That Cider Applebloom gave me tasted good." Fluttershy and Twilight tilted their heads looking at him. "What? It's not like its vodka or something."

Twilight looked to Fluttershy. "You wanna tell him or should I?" She asked. 

Fluttershy sighed and looked to Ryan. "You... Do know that Applejack's cider is alcoholic right?" She asked. Ryan hesitantly shook his head. "Well Big Mac and Applejack slip a bit of beer into it and sells it. Us ponies have a larger tolerance than humans do for alcoholic beverages. What's just a shot to us is about half a bottle to you."

Ryan averted his gaze confused. "...So... How much beer do they put into it...?" He asked looking back.

Twilight thought for a moment. "...I think its only a fourth of a can so not much I guess..." She said. "But you really shouldn't drink anymore of that cider!"

Ryan sighed. "Just a regular cola it is then..." He said getting up. "...Now lets just go please... My arm is killing me..." He rubbed at his cast acting as if it were still injured. 

Both mares got up from the couch. Fluttershy lowered herself and helped Ryan get on. "Here you'll be good with me." She said. "If I know Dash she wont  prank anyone twice." Ryan gave a bit of a smile as she walked to the door opening it for Twilight. "So um... Is everything okay? With your arm I mean."

Ryan nodded hesitantly blushing as she stepped outside locking the door behind her. "...The pain isn't as bad but its still hard to move around with..." He said. He leaned forward a bit. "...Between you and me... Last night wasn't so dry for me..." He blushed harder averting his gaze.

Fluttershy blushed. "...You didn't make it did you?" She whispered turning towards Twilight who waited patiently at the end of the path. Ryan hesitantly nodded tearing up a bit. She used her wing to wipe his eye a bit. "C'mon don't cry. I actually had an accident after we had movie night at the castle... Twilight helped me clean up and hide it from the others..." She looked towards Twilight. "Twi! You go on ahead I'll meet you at Sweet Apple." Twilight saw Ryan blushing and teary eyed and nodded before flashing away. 

Ryan sniffled wiping his other eye. "...W-why'd you do that?" He asked. "...I was supposed to stay with her..."

Fluttershy shushed him nuzzling him a bit. "You don't have to worry about Twilight." She said. "Twilight has been here in Ponyville for years. She's one of the most likeable ponies here. The whole town is like her personal guard. They wont let anyone hurt her just like I'm too cute and fragile to hurt." She started to walk away from her home. "We both said we'd go to Sugarcube Corner and a promise is a promise."

Ryan whimpered a bit looking at her wings. They were tucked at her sides keeping room for Ryan to sit and not obstruct them. "....A-arent you going to fly...?" He asked a bit scared.

The yellow mare shook her head. "I wouldn't put anything on my back and fly around with it." She said. "Last time I flew with something I was carrying groceries. A bird flew by and hit the bag knocking it off. Poor thing had a hurt wing... I needed to fix his wing fast so I just brought him home an did what I could just like I did you."

Ryan gave a sigh as they came more into town. "...Thanks for that by the way..." He said. "...Would there be anything I can do to thank you? Help with anything at home...? Escort you places...? Anything you need I can pretty much help with..."

Fluttershy giggled a bit and shook her head. "I don't need any help at the moment Ryan but thank you for the offer." She said turning a corner. "Besides having you work with that arm isn't good. Just ask Big Mac. He threw his back out one day and when he tried bucking AJ had to get Twilight, me and Dash to help carry him back inside." She looked back at him. "I wouldn't want you to clean anything and end up being in more pain."

They stopped outside of Sugarcube Corner and Ryan looked inside. He saw Pinkie at the counter looking as if her whole day was ruined. She had a sad look on her face as she stocked the glass case. "...I think before we ask anything you should at least apologize for not being able to do the breakfast thing..." He said hopping off Fluttershy's back. "Pinkie knows of Dash's shenanigans?" Fluttershy nodded a bit. "Well just tell her Dash and Gilda pranked you and you just got scared you didn't want to leave the house."

Fluttershy looked to Ryan and gave a smile. "Pinkie cant ever be mad at me for long anyways." She said opening the door for Ryan. She followed him in and took a deep breath before approaching the counter. "...Um... Pinkie...?"

Pinkie looked up to her as she placed a few fresh muffins into the case. "....N-no need to explain..." She said bringing her head up and closing the glass case up. "...I saw Dash and Gilda..... They... Pranked me.... Bad..." She teared up a bit blushing. She pulled Fluttershy close and whispered in her ear.

Ryan watched from a seat as Fluttershy and Pinkie had a little private whisper. As they talked a little filly and colt came up behind Ryan. The filly was a unicorn with a long orange mane with a blue bow near the end. The colt was a Pegasus with a short yet puffy brown mane. They looked at each other and nodded. They looked back to Ryan and pushed his chair over causing him to tumble to the ground. He yelled startled just before he hit the floor groaning. The colt and filly laughed and clicked hooves. "THATS WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT!" The filly yelled.

Fluttershy looked over and saw Ryan on the floor. So did Pinkie. Fluttershy quickly went to Ryan and helped him up as Pinkie vaulted the counter and went for the young ponies. They tried running off but she grabbed both of them. "Not so fast you two!" She snapped. "You need to apologize to him right now! Cant you see that he has a broken arm?!"

Pinkie sat both of the ponies down as Fluttershy sat Ryan up. They both sighed hanging their heads. "....We're sorry...." They both said.

The boy sighed as Fluttershy dusted him off and picked up his chair for him. "You two are lucky I'm here to make friends..." He said. "...And that I'm injured... Possibly even more now that you two knocked me outta my chair...." He sat down and groaned.

Pinkie gave a sigh and put the filly and colt into chairs at another table. "You two stay here until your parents come back from the store!" She snapped. She looked to Ryan. "Sorry about that Ryan.... Pumpkin and Pound are really mischievous sometimes especially towards new ponies and... People in town." She smiled a bit nervously. "Y-you aren't hurt to bad are you? Mr. and Mrs. Cake wouldn't like it if their kids injured someone in the shop!"

Ryan sighed and shook his head. "Nah... I'm fine." He said. "Just... Set us up with a few donuts and a drink each.... It's why we came here in the first place."

Fluttershy gasped. "Ryan no we cant just do that!" She said scared. "Mr. Cake and Mrs. Cake are very nice ponies and we cant take that stuff from them. Its basically stealing!"

Pinkie went towards the counter. "Don't worry Fluttershy it isn't stealing." She said hopping over again. "Its just bribery so whoever was injured on site wont sue us."

The yellow Pegasus mare tilted her head. "Yeah Fluttershy." Ryan said getting up and rolling his shoulder a bit. "My mom 'fell' a lot before the stores she went to caught on. I never went but my dad always went to say 'He vouched for her injuries as a witness'. My mom would even have to fall a certain way to injure herself so the cops wouldn't be suspicious of fraud. If I got hurt in a store I'd just get free stuff and not get money out of it. I made my money from running packages." Lucky him he knew how to censor himself. "We'd always get packages from our neighbors ordering something and I'd basically deliver them for the neighbors."

Fluttershy gave a bit of a smile following him up to the counter. "Well that's really nice of you Ryan!" She said just as Pinkie sat two bags one marked 'F' and the other 'R'. Ryan took his and pulled out a bottle of chocolate milk. Pinkie nudged Fluttershy's bag forward giving a humble smile. Fluttershy reached into her mane and pulled a bit bag. "I'll be paying for mine Pinkie. I wasn't the one affected by the cake twins jokes." She pulled three bits and set them on the counter before taking her bag and shoving the bit bag back into her mane and braiding it up.

Ryan sat the bag on his cast as Fluttershy lowered herself allowing Ryan to get on. He grabbed her bag and held them both as Fluttershy left and started into a trot down the road. Over with Twilight she was at Sweet Apple Acres sitting in the living room of the barn with her guard at the door, Applejack and Big Mac sitting next to her on the couch, Applebloom standing between Rainbow Dash and a griffion whos head feathers tapered off into a violet color. Both looked a bit damp. "So! You tow see what happens when you mess around with water balloons and my friends Gilda?" Twilight asked.

The griffon sighed a bit. "Yes princess!" She said mumbling something under her breath.

Rainbow Dash reached over and conked her friend on the back of the head. "I even told you not to even try and hit her with those balloons!" She snapped. Applebloom pushed Dash away a bit. She looked to Twilight. "Twi c'mon why cant I go dry off? You know my mane frizzes!" 

Twilight's eyes locked on to her friend. "You can air dry yourself!" She snapped. "You need to head over to the hospital for Scootaloo's sake. She's with my brother and my sister in law crying over her father!" Dash rolled her eyes and went to the door without saying another word. Twilight looked to Gilda. "As for you I know you were brought here for a meal with me and a few friends but since it was canceled due to an injury of who you were brought for. You were brought to cook him a meal of... Well meat... so he could get something to eat other than ramen noodles, donuts, breakfast pastries and a salad with those weird tasting noodles don't go together! Trust me!"

Gilda rolled her eyes. "So what do you want me to do?" She said. "Take him somewhere and cook him a meal like some sort of personal chef? I'd need to get paid to do something like THAT!"

Twilight sighed. "Fine you'll be paid a hundred bits for one meal for him!" She said. "The boy I'm talking about should be here any minute now. He should still be with someone who you need to apologize to for hitting her with water balloons!" She looked to Applebloom. "You may go now but you take Babs and make sure Dash isn't hiding anywhere! I know how she likes to avoid doing anything relating to work. She clears the clouds and then she just sleeps the day away!"

Applebloom nodded and went for the stairs. She climbed the stairs and went for her room where she found Babs looking out the window. "Babs. C'mon we got work to do!" She said. Babs looked back at her. She had a sad look on her face. Applebloom sighed and sat down next to her. "Alright what's wrong?"

Babs sighed looking back out the window. "....Just... I'm just feelin' sorry for what I did to my dad before he sent me off here..." She said. "...You think he'll forgive a fuck up like me?"

Applebloom rested a hoof on her cousins back. "Yeah Babs." She said. "Uncle Orange can forgive his own flesh'n blood for something like that. AJ and I got into a fight one time that I started and she ended up losing having to be rushed to the hospital. Big Mac grounded me but... During the night I got grounded I snuck out and ran all the way to the hospital just to apologize to AJ... Lucky for me a nurse snuck me into her room and let me apologize and stay with her..."

Babs looked back at Applebloom. The yellow mare had tears in her eyes. "...What about Big Mac...? What did he do?" She asked.

Applebloom sniffled. "...H-he saw me escape... He was outside when I climbed out my window...." She said. "...He tailed me for as long as he could without spookin' me... When I woke up I saw him sleeping on the floor next to the futon I was on... I got scared and rolled on top of him... He woke up grabbed me... I thought he was gonna tan my fur but... He just hugged me and told me never to get in a fight with AJ again..."

Babs got up and helped Applebloom up hugging her. "...C'mon... You said we gotta do some work... Lets talk while we do it." She said. She broke the hug and gave her cousin a smile. Applebloom wiped her eyes and smiled back. They both left the room and went down stairs where they saw Gilda sitting at the kitchen table with her claws on a mug of water. Applejack and Big Mac still sat on the couch watching TV with Twilight. The guard still sat off to the side not even breaking his gaze from Gilda and The Princess. Applebloom went to the couch kissing both her brother and sister on the cheek before hurrying out the front door with her cousin.

Twilight laughed a bit at the blushing siblings. "Aww someone seems to be happy with her family." The purple alicorn said. 

Applejack sighed a bit. "It aint every day she does that... Feels kinda nice..." She said. She gave a smile.

Big Mac smiled as well. "Eeyup... I honestly haven't seen her like that since she beat the livin' daylights outta you Applejack." He said. He looked over at his sister. "...You think I should go talk with her? She might be hidin' somethin' she's doin'."

Applejack looked to her brother. "Ah leave it." She said looking back at the TV. "If she's hidin' somethin' I'd've figured it out before she even went back up stairs."

Gilda looked over at the ponies. "Maybe you can stop me from doing what I'm ABOUT to do." She said getting a claw ready.

"You best keep that talon down if you don't wanna lose it!" Applejack said not even breaking her gaze. Gilda sighed and went back to her water. "Y'know you're lucky I'm lettin' you into this house after what you did all that time ago. I'm one to forgive whoever's done my friends wrong but since Dash seems to keep letting you come around I guess I aint one to keep friends from seeing other friends."

Gilda glanced over again. "...Thanks for that I guess." She said before sipping her water. "Dash and I do go way back... Not to mention she has stopped me from offin' myself... Multiple times actually..."

Twilight and Applejack looked over at Gilda. "...You're joking right....?" Twilight asked a bit hesitantly.

Applejack nudged her friend. "...I dont think that was a joke sugarcube... I think she's serious about it." She said.

Twilight looked closely and saw a tear drop from Gilda's eye. "...Oh... Um... I-I'm sorry...." She said. "...Now I know why Dash hangs out with you a lot... Just making all the time count...."

Gilda sniffled and gave a nod. "...y-yep..." She said. "...She caught me one time while I had the rope ready... My drinkin' got the better of me... Thought about my stupid father in law... Just... Violating me... Making me choke on his... Stupid... fucking... GOD DAMNIT!" She threw her mug to the side splashing water everywhere before lying her head on the table crying hard. 

Big Mac got up along with Twilight. Both went to the table. Twilight hugged Gilda feeling really bad for her. Big Mac stayed at her side just in case Gilda got violent but this didn't seem like the time for that. Twilight looked over at her guard. "You go and grab something to dry up the water. I don't want anyone breaking their necks because of that spill!" She said. The guard got up and saluted before hurrying over to the kitchen.

Just outside Ryan was just walking up with Fluttershy at his side. He held Fluttershy's bag and his own bottle of chocolate milk (Which was empty by the way) with his own bag stuffed inside. Fluttershy looked over at Ryan as they walked up the dirt road. "You really must have been hungry! You really could have allowed me to buy you a few more donuts!" She said.

Ryan laughed a bit. "I've got a big appetite when it comes to good food." He said. He sighed looking up at the yellow Pegasus mare. "...You think Dash can get Scoot to smile...? I really would hate to come home and have her be depressed until Dad comes home... I'm just worried for her you know?"

Fluttershy sighed. "I honestly know how she feels with her mother..." She said. "You just have to learn to move past it. ...Maybe if you'd like I can keep you two at my place until your father comes back home." 

Ryan smiled a bit sighing. "...That would be nice and hopefully Scootaloo will actually come with me..." He said. "...You would be able to get her to your place... right?"

The Pegasus mare nodded as they stopped before the door. "I'm pretty sure I can get her to come." She said. She averted her gaze as she knocked. "...I-if I do bring her you can sleep in my bed I'm okay with sleeping on the couch.... That is if you wanted to sleep in a bed..."

Ryan set Fluttershy's breakfast on his cast. He patted her on her back. "It's nice of you to offer but you can use your own bed." He said. "I should be fine sleeping on the couch... That and I think Scootaloo would be easy to wake up..." He blushed averting his gaze as well just as the door opened revealing the guard.

"Ah Fluttershy! Ryan! The princess said you would have been here faster!" The armored stallion said as both Ryan and Fluttershy pushed past. He turned back into the now empty room all except from themselves and Big Mac who sat on the couch. "Twilight is upstairs with Applejack along with that griffon who tried ambushing the Princess. I insisted on taking that griffon to the precinct but she wouldn't allow it!"

Ryan sat next to Big Mac setting Fluttershy's donut bag on the table. Big Mac looked down at Ryan as the boy sighed. "Somethin' on yer mind?" Big Mac asked as Fluttershy sat on the recliner. Ryan nodded hesitantly. "...You wanna talk about it or you just wanna keep it to yourself?"

Ryan glanced at Fluttershy and then the guard who went over to the kitchen. He beckoned the big red stallion and he lowered his head a bit. "...Y-you mind if I just talk with Fluttershy about it...?" Ryan asked hesitantly. 

Big Mac gave a nod and looked to the guard as he got up. He whistled and the guard turned around. "You think you can go patrol with my sister and cousin and make sure Dash aint still around?" He asked. The guard saluted and hurried for the door. He looked back at Ryan giving a bit of a smile. "If y'need me I'll be upstairs with Twi n AJ. Hopefully they get Gilda calmed down before you're done with your little chat."

Fluttershy watched as Big Mac climb the stairs disappearing upstairs. She looked to Ryan who looked embarrassed. "Are you alright? Is your arm hurting you?" She asked getting up from the recliner. Ryan shook his head scooting over letting Fluttershy sit next to him. "...Is it about what happened at Sugarcube corner? Or what's going on with Scootaloo?"

Ryan shook his head again tearing up a bit. "...I-its... I really feel like my life is worse than from what I left..." He said hesitantly. "...Before I left I had someone at home who would keep me company if I was injured or uh... recovering from fatigue..."

Fluttershy rested her hoof on his leg. "Ryan you don't need to hide the fact that your parents were druggies." She said. "Scootaloo told me while you were with Big Mac and AJ on your birthday... I actually think you're too nice for drug dealings."

The boy sniffled and wiped his eyes. "A-anyways...." He said. "....L-last night I had an accident... I kinda wanted t-to have Scootaloo... Help me clean up and tell me dad was gonna be okay... But... She was at the hospital... I was stuck with Babs..." He whimpered burying his head into Fluttershy's shoulder.

The yellow Pegasus mare gave a sigh and nuzzled him. "Awww there there Ryan..." She said. "...Everyone has an accident one time or another... If you can keep this secret.... Last night Gilda and Dash pranked Pinkie and they put her hoof in warm water making her pee the bed too... Can you promise me you'll keep that secret?" Ryan sniffled and nodded sobbing softly into her shoulder. "...It's still early and taking a nap might waste the whole day... Why don't I go see if you can have Big Mac run you over to the hospital? Would you like that?" Ryan nodded again pushing off of  Fluttershy and lying back on the couch facing away from her.

Fluttershy got up and flew over the couch flying upstairs going down the hall. Ryan lied there embarrassed and crying. He started to remember being back at school after he just got his ass handed to him by a bully. It was just his sixth grade year and he was on the ground holding his stomach from being punched. The kid standing over him was just a foot taller than he was. He always wore a studded bracelet but that's pretty much all Ryan could remember. He had to push that way back into his mind because of all the drug deals he had done after that. The bully standing over him gave a grin. "...What a little PUSSY!" He said before spitting on his victim.

Ryan just sat there with his arms covering his stomach. He just watched as his bully ran off away from a teacher. Kids around him just either laughed or just continued to talk amongst each other. "Ryan? C'mon stop crying!" Someone said. Ryan looked up and saw a teacher coming and helping him up but the voice was deeper. He slapped himself and found himself back at Sweet Apple Acres. He looked up and saw Big Mac sitting him up. "C'mon you're alright... Lets get you outta here. Gilda decided to pass out but don't worry y'all're gonna get a chance to make a friend outta her."

Ryan sniffled and  climbed onto Big Mac's back. "...L-lets just go see my dad... and Scoot..." He said wiping his eyes. Big Mac nodded and hurried out the door. 

After a while they came into the hospital. Ryan had stopped crying but still looked depressed. Big Mac looked back at Ryan. "C'mon there perk up boy y'dont wanna greet your father with a look like that."

Ryan gave a sigh. "...My dad probably wouldn't care... Neither would Scootaloo..." He said hanging his head. "...I just want someone to live with who cares about me..."

The red stallion looked around the ER. Ponies filled most of the seats. Most. Big Mac moved around trying to find somewhere to sit with Ryan. He saw a nurse coming towards them. "Excuse me miss!" He said alerting the nurse. The nurse came over to him. "Uh can I ask where a Mr. Rubber's room is? He should have his daughter with him."

The nurse smiled a bit. "Yes his room is right down the hall there!" She said pointing just behind Big Mac. "If you cant find it just look for Prince Shining Armor and his wife. They were with his daughter and they're here looking at potential foal sitting jobs for the Princess!" Big Mac nodded and turned around. She noticed Ryan on his back and stopped him. "Sir? Is this boy experiencing any pain? I remember seeing him after you and a few others brought him in."

Big Mac looked back at Ryan and sighed. "He's just all sad 'bout his dad n his sister." He said. "He was pretty quiet on the way over here. Now uh... Is it a bit much to ask for a drink for him? Just a water should do it." The nurse smiled and nodded before running off. Big Mac looked back down the hall and started to walk. "You know you should thank me for keepin' your arm a secret." Ryan gasped a bit. "Yeah that's right! Twilight told me about your arm and I'm pretty sure she's telling Fluttershy too!"

Ryan averted his gaze. "...I-I never asked her to do that... She just did it on her own..." He said peering into some of the rooms as they passed them. "...If it were her brother or Celestia... I'd probably have to do something big to thank them... BIG..."

Big Mac saw Shining  sitting outside of a door with a nurse at his side keeping him company. "Shining!" The red stallion called out. Shining Armor looked up at the stallion and the boy with him. As he walked up Ryan looked into the room. Inside he saw Scootaloo sitting off to the side hugging Princess Cadence who was crying softly. He saw the bed where his father lied staring at them. Big Mac lowered himself looking back at him. "You go on in there Ry. I need to have a word with Shining."

Ryan nodded and got off his back before hesitantly stepping into the room. He crept in slowly as not to alert anyone. Why even I don't know. Cadence looked up sniffling and saw Ryan. She tapped Scootaloo's shoulder. As the mare looked up the crying princess pointed at Ryan. Scootaloo looked over and gasped seeing her brother. "...Ryan? I thought you were with Princess Twilight..." She said.

Mr. Rubber looked over and saw Ryan starting to tear up. "Ry... If you're here about your mother we're sorry we couldn't bring you here so you could say goodbye..." He said. "It was just a decision of Scootaloo's to make and your mother didn't want to put you through any more pain than you already were!"

Ryan sniffled. "...I... I thought I was part of the god damn family..." He said as a tear came from his eye. "...You left me at home... You booted me from the house when I wanted to spend more time with mom... Scootaloo even left me with the PRINCESS!"

Scootaloo sat Cadence back and got up. "...Ryan you are part of the family." She said. "...Me and mommy left you at home because we didn't know Dad would have amnesia or not... I was afraid if he did he wouldn't remember adopting you... And... Yes I did leave you with Princess Twilight... I'm sorry but... I really needed to bring this problem to his attention..." She looked back at Cadence. "...Yes it messed with my life but... I forgive her for that..." She looked back at Ryan. "....Can you forgive us for doing that stuff...?"

Ryan looked to his father. "...Only if I can get an apology for dad kicking me out after giving me that scooter..." He said. 

Mr. Rubber sighed averting his gaze. "...I'm sorry Ryan..." He said. He looked back. "...It was an honest mistake but... It's just that... I wanted Scootaloo and myself to feel as if our family was whole again... Just to... You know rekindle the nostalgia of what our family used to be... Honestly... You aren't the only one that wanted to spend time with your mother... I kinda figured... You and her just bonded so much in a short amount of time that you didn't need to spend any more time with each other..."

Ryan sniffled and looked back at Scootaloo. "...O-okay... I forgive you...." He said. "...Just... Please... Don't do that to me again... Don't leave me alone... At least come to Fluttershy's with me tonight... I want to feel comfortable knowing I can wake someone up right quick..."

Scootaloo sniffled and ran up to her brother. "Scoot don't!" Their father snapped. 

Scootaloo stopped in her tracks remembering the injury Ryan had sustained. Ryan looked to his father and smiled. "... Dad don't worry..." He said. "...Twilight fixed my arm with her magic... It doesn't hurt anymore! I just... I just need someone to take the cast off..." He looked to Cadence and approached her. "...Princess would you like to do the honors?"

Cadence sniffled and looked away. "...I would but sadly I wouldn't be the one to help you with that..." She said. She looked to Scootaloo. "Can you... Go get Shining for me Scootaloo? My crying has gotten me a tad light headed..." Scootaloo nodded and hurried to the door.

Seconds later she came back in with Shining Armor. Shining looked to Ryan who still looked a bit nervous. "Why didn't anyone tell me my sister fixed that arm of yours?" He asked. "She must've fixed it after we left the castle. Now I think you need someone to get that thing off right?" Ryan nodded. "Alright give me one second with that!" Ryan held his arm out as much as he could. Shining used his magic on the cast. It started to split from the hand up to the forearm. It cracked open and dropped to the floor setting Ryan's arm free.

Ryan flexed his arm a bit. It was sweaty and a bit smelly. "There we go..." He said. He looked to Shining. "Thank you Prince Shining. I really appreciate what you and your sister have done here today."

Shining smiled. "Ah don't worry about it." He said. "I kinda owe it to you for kinda scaring you earlier. Feel free to get to know my wife, comfort her just as much as you can alright?" Ryan gave a smile and nodded before going over to Cadence and sitting next to her. "Cadence do you need anything? I can get you a drink if you'd like!"

Cadence wiped her eyes a bit. "That would be lovely Shining..." She said. "...Maybe you can get a few drinks for your sisters friends here as well...? Some friendly hospitality could do them nice for things that happened..." Shining nodded and left the room leaving the three ponies and one boy in the room. Cadence looked down at Ryan. "So... You wanna tell me what all that was about?"

Ryan nodded hesitantly. "Sure..." He said. "...I came from a busted up life at my old home... I ran away and what happened was I ran into Scootaloo... Nearly uh... Thought she was a bear or something in the forest and... Where I came from I had to be armed where ever I went... My parents who were drug dealers pissed a lot of people off and sometimes while I was out on deliveries I'd get chased by them... Before I came here I stole a boat to a known gang who did most of the attacks... They even knew I was some sort of danger...."

Scootaloo sat down next to her brother. "He's just here to turn his life around, start a new." She said. 

Cadence hummed. "Well I'd say we have ourselves a hidden guard." She said. "Twilight did tell me of a boy taking down a robber who also rapes any mares hostage or the clerk at the establishment he was robbing. She said boy and not colt. Makes me think that was you."

Ryan smiled a bit. "Well... Yeah... It was on my birthday I did that..." He said. "...You think something like that would ruin a day like that but... I feel it made it a bit better... Getting as lucky as not even getting a scratch during a knife fight really made me feel lucky..." He looked back at Scootaloo. "Although... I did ruin that day for Scootaloo when I scared her...."

Scootaloo hugged her brother. "Don't worry Ry... I'll forgive you for ANYTHING from now on...." She said. 

Cadence gave an adoring 'Aw'. "You two are great as a brother and sister!" She said. "If you were a bit younger Scootaloo you and him would be an interspecies Twilight and Shining." Ryan smiled and nuzzled his sister.

Bad start into a loving end?  You think it's gonna stay that way for long?
> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was later that day and Ryan was sleeping in Applejack's bed at Twilight's castle all snuggled up with Scootaloo who was just still awake in the bed. She looked at her brother feeling bad for what her brother had said earlier in the hospital. Just then a knock came to the door in the silent room. Ryan shifted a bit. Scootaloo sighed and carefully got out of the bed trying not to wake him. He looked too tired from crying and from his late night. The orange mare walked to the door and opened it. There she saw Rainbow Dash looking a bit sorry for herself. "...Uh... Hey squirt..." Dash said. "...Sorry if I woke you but... I just... Twilight told me to come to the hospital but..."

Scootaloo cut the rainbow Pegasus off by giving a grunt as she closed the door. "...You never gave a shit about me..." She said pushing Dash out of the way going down the hall. "...I always looked up to you... Every time I asked to hang out with you it was an excuse after another to avoid having to spend time with me...."

Dash gave a sigh following her. "Scootaloo it wasn't like that!" She said. "...I wanted to have you have some sister-figure to look up to and hang out with... The problem was I made those excuses up to keep you safe and out of harms way. Being part of the elements of harmony might sound fun but it's a serious job. Not to mention it could happen at any time say if a new nightmare erupted somewhere or even if the Everfree Forest attacked again!"

Scootaloo stopped at an intersecting hallway. "Dash... Look... I know you came to our birthday because Twilight and your friends were there..." She said looking back at the rainbow Pegasus. "...Tell me I'm wrong... Tell me you came to my birthday party because you wanted to see me happy!"

The cyan mare took a deep breath and looked into Scootaloo's eyes. "...I came to your party because your mother wasn't at this one..." She said. "....When I passed the crime scene where your mother was I felt sorry for you... I know I never said anything... I never did anything to show my condolences... or even just to help your dad out... You gotta know my job busting clouds is hard on me... I fly so fast and just get winded... I hold it back for as long as I can and when ever I sleep... its just me passing out because of that..." She came closer to her. "...I didn't want to have you hang out with me and I end up going down because of it..." She hugged Scootaloo. "...I... I promise... You every time you want to hang out... I'll be there just for you... And... If you'd like I can teach you to buck clouds..."

Scootaloo forced out a smile and hugged her. "...That... That sounds nice...." She said. "...You... You want to grab a drink or something?" She brought her head up and looked into Dash's eyes. She nodded and broke the hug. "Great! ...Lets just see if Spike can leave a note for Ryan telling him where I am."

Dash sighed a bit. "Alright I guess... You wait for me downstairs." She said. "I'll get Spike to get that note to your brother." Scootaloo smiled and turned back and started towards the stairs.

Not long later Spike was over in Ryan's room with Twilight standing at the door. Spike set a scroll marked for Ryan on the nightstand next to the bed. Backing away he stopped covering his mouth. Twilight gasped and used her magic to pick her assistant up but before she could set him outside he burped spewing fire that transformed into a scroll. Twilight dropped him and grabbed the scroll scared. She looked to Ryan who groaned a bit shifting as he turned over. She sighed relieved as she looked back to Spike who was just brushing himself off. That's when Ryan jumped a bit scared. "Wha...? Huh? Who's there?" He said looking around.

Twilight smiled a bit nervously giving the scroll to Spike. "Sorry we woke you Ry..." She said. "Scootaloo went out with Dash just like she said and we gave you a note just so you didn't freak out." 

Ryan threw the covers off moving himself to the side of the bed. "...How long have I been out?" He asked. 

Spike thought to himself. "I'd say about an hour and a half." He said. "Shining and Cadence brought you here along with Scootaloo just for some rest. Cadence actually used some magic so you wouldn't have any nightmares after something that happened... What no one even said."

Twilight helped Ryan out of the bed. "Shining even said you laughed a bit in your sleep on the way over here." She said. "Anything in that department?" Ryan thought for a moment and shook his head. "Well then! How about you follow me. AJ and Big Mac seemed to have dropped our dinner guest off and right now she's trying to keep herself awake with a coffee in my dining hall."

Ryan and Spike followed Twilight out of the room. Spike opened the scroll he burped up and started to read it. "Dear Twilight I will be bringing my sister to Ponyville for a visit with that human boy tonight during dinner." Spike read. "Yes I do understand he will be having his proteins through eating meat but... I'd preffer he ate before we arrived. I don't want to have to look at that stuff... Not to mention Fluttershy would be in awe about his diet." He looked up at Twilight. "Celestia has that right.... Fluttershy doesn't know Ryan is a carnivore like Gilda is." He looked back at the scroll as they turned a corner. "Speaking of Fluttershy I would like you to bring her and your other friends for the dinner. An all Royalty dinner makes things boring. Exactly why I invited your parents, just so they could visit with their children!"

Twilight stopped dead in her tracks and yelped her wings extending and ruffling. "...C-celestia is bringing mom and dad HERE?!" She asked shocked. She looked back. "Spike.... Take Ryan to meet Gilda.... I need to talk with Shining..." Twilight took the scroll from the purple dragon and ran off back down the hall where they had come from. 

Ryan looked to Spike. "Twi doesn't have a good relationship with her parents I take it?" Ryan said starting off again. "I heard her talking with Shining about her parents thinking just because their son and daughter are royalty they can get what ever they want."

Spike sighed. "Guess you heard that huh?" He asked. Ryan nodded a bit. "Well it's self explanatory. Twilight doesn't want her parents here because they just insist on wanting to keep their children close and they even try and get gifts as a 'thanks for raising us right' gift. Honestly they should think their kids unconditional love is thanks enough."

Ryan looked back down the hall in front of him. "Um... Question... Is there anything I should know about Gilda?" He asked. "Big Mac said Gilda has a temper before I decided to have a nap..."

Spike stopped at two big doors. "She does have a temper but she takes anger management classes." He said. "I wouldn't worry if she does happen to go off. You can get a guard here faster than your father could." Spike opened the door and inside the dining hall sat Gilda. She sipped from a glass of soda. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ryan and Spike walk up to her. "Gilda?" Gilda full on looked to the boy and purple dragon. "This is Ryan. He's the one you're going to be cooking for tonight."

Ryan smiled nervously as he pulled a chair out and sat next to the griffon. She huffed. "...Can't believe some princess got me cookin' food for a little runt like you..." She said. "...Of course bein' surrounded by veggie munchers has a toll on us meat eaters..." She looked back down at Ryan. "Tell me... What's a runt like you doin' in a place where fuckin' cant getcha nothin' but weird looks?"

The boy looked to Spike. "Can I get a drink? I might be here a while." He said. Spike gave a nod and went for the kitchen. He looked back to Gilda. "This is about the fourth time I had to explain it here. My parents were drug dealers, I was the delivery boy, one day after I got suspended from school and went home just to see a note that my mom got arrested and he had to hide the 'lab'. I ran off with the things I had along with a gun and came here where I nearly blew my sisters brains out because she startled me in that... 'Everfree' forest... After that my dad took my gun and put it in his gun safe."

Gilda gave a smile swirling her drink a bit. "Well... Seems we got a gang-banging drug dealer here." She said.

Ryan sighed a bit. "Not much of a gang banger but a drug dealer nonetheless." He said. "I had to keep myself armed. One day I was riding my bike doing a bit of planning for an escape route just in case a drug deal in that area went bad. Just as I turned a corner a car drove up and the guys in it were part of a known gang I dealt with. They basically thought I stiffed them on a deal. I ended up getting away after blowing their tires. Lucky my revolver doesn't leave shells until I change out the bullets."

Gilda sipped her soda. "Getting really lucky in that line of work?" She asked. Ryan shrugged. "Ah... Well... I guess you seem pretty cool for a little runt. You know I used to be like you. Small and pretty much fending for myself in an unknown area. Except I wasn't armed and dangerous." She looked back at Ryan. "You ever kill anyone?"

Ryan nodded a bit. "I got a bounty on my birthday when one of Princess Twilight's friends took me to get a few CD's." He said. "Dude had the mare who worked there tied up in the back. I left a gruesome scene there. Head cut off and blood everywhere on the floor. I think it still might be closed for cleaning up the mess." He looked down room where spike went. "...Jeez where is that dragon with my drink? What's he making a cocktail?"

The griffon next to him gave a bit of a laugh. "Yeah he's slow. Took him about five-ten minutes to bring me this drink." She said. "Doesn't that princess have a personal chef or something? Shouldn't he be doin' this shit?" 

The boy thought for a moment and shrugged. "I'm just the new guy here." He said. "You've been in Equestria longer than I have. At least I can get me some meat with you... I'm stuck with eating salad, artificially meat flavored noodles, stews made with veggies and peanut butter sandwiches." He sighed leaning on the table. "... at least here it isn't crap drinks... Soda's aren't laced with any drugs, the air doesn't reek of pollution, and I'm making friends... Well... Slowly..."

Gilda looked over and saw Spike coming out with a chocolate milk shake on a tray. "Sorry that took a bit Ryan." Spike said. "I had to make this one. The stupid milkshake machine wasn't working for me... And I didn't really know what kind of drink you would've want so I brought what everyone likes to drink!" 

Ryan gave a smile taking his milkshake from the tray. "Well thanks Spike." He said before sipping it. 

Gilda looked to Spike as he hopped up into a chair next to Ryan. "So Spike...." She said. "...You're a dragon... You eat any meat?"

Spike shook his head. "Nope. Never done that." He said. "I only eat gems. Rubies, Sapphires, occasional Diamonds. You ever wonder what an Opal tastes like? It's kinda sweet but with a slight tang that's given by some of the colors."

Gilda rolled her eyes a bit. "....Yeah... So... Ryan... Do you wanna plan your meal out?" She asked. "I've got a feeling in my feathers that means something more of those royals are coming... And I don't think they would be pleased to see you eating any meat."

Ryan thought for a moment as he sipped from the thick chocolate milk shake. He stopped sipping. "Well... Best stuff I've ever had was a plate of ribs when my friend took me out for my birthday..." He said. "That just covered with barbecue sauce maybe with a bit of red pepper to give it a kick."

Gilda gave a bit of a laugh. "Seems you and I have something in common!" She said. "The love of spicy foods! What do you say if I upgrade the red pepper to a bit of habanero? Make the kick a full on napalm strike!"

Ryan grinned a bit. "Napalm is the ghost pepper. What you're doing is making a Molotov cocktail." He said. "But I say we stick with the Molotov. I go home and puke it's gonna make it seem like I ate someone here." 

Gilda sighed. "Fine I guess." She said. "Besides it'd look like I poisoned you or something." She thought for a moment. "Tell you what. You eat half a rack of Ribs with one ghost pepper I'll come back and make you another meal. Just say the word to Dash and I'm gonna be over here faster than you can say the most lyrics to each song you know by heart from Metallica!" She tapped on Ryan's shirt making him blush. She patted his head. "Don't get your hopes up. I'm more for the mares. And I don't think a BJ would feel good with my beak."

Ryan averted his gaze continuing to drink his milk shake. Spike glanced at Gilda a bit. "You think you can actually cook that soon? Twilight's having everypony over for dinner. Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie and AJ are coming along with Princess Luna and Celestia and Shining and Cadence!"

Gilda gasped a bit. "Alright then I should get it going." She said getting up. "It'll be a breeze but I'd need some hot peppers here!"

Ryan set his milkshake down and put his hand up to his head. Spike looked to Ryan. "Bit of a brain freeze?" He said. Ryan nodded. Spike took the milk shake. "Ah alright I guess you can pretty much save this for later. Wouldn't wanna ruin your appetite. You just... Maybe find Twilight. She could use someone to help calm herself down."

Ryan nodded and got up from his seat. He hobbled out the door feeling a blunt cold pain in his head. As he walked he shook his head as the pain faded. "Jeez... That sucked..." He said. He stopped and looked around for a guard. None in the hallway. "...Weird... Guard's would be up and down this area..." He walked down towards the rooms and turned the corner. There were guards around a door at the end of the hallway just across the hall from Fluttershy's room. He approached them hesitantly. "Excuse me?" The guards looked at him. "Do you happen to know where Princess Twilight is? I need to ask her something."

The guards looked to each other. "Right now she's talking with her brother in the throne room." One guard said looking back down at the boy. "They might need someone to help with a decision. Spike isn't good with decisions so you might help them. If Prince Shining asks why you're helping them think of something." Ryan nodded and went for the throne room.

Once at the door to the throne room Ryan looked in and saw Twilight sitting in her throne with Shining with his hoof resting on his sisters arm rest. Twilight had her head hung and a sad look on her face. "Uh... Shining? Twilight?" Ryan said alerting them. They both looked at him. "...Is everything alright? I'd hate for something to go and ruin a mood between brother and sister."

Shining sighed as he got up. "...I'd definitely say so." He said. "....Our parents want Twilight to give them something they'd enjoy that's materialistic. I told them I'd lose my job for it so they went to their own daughter because they think being a princess giving to ponies is good karma or good publicity. What they don't know is Twilight could get in a lot of trouble with Celestia."

Twilight leaned on her throne. "...If I do it trouble with Celestia... If I don't I get in trouble with mom and dad...." She said. "...They'll think I don't love them anymore now that I'm a princess..." She whimpered a bit.

Shining sat back next to his sister and nuzzled her shushing her. "...Don't cry Twily..." He said. 

Ryan came over and patted Twilight on her back. "...Well... Why don't you consult Princess Celestia about this?" He asked. "If its gotta do with parents and Princess Celestia I would just say something. Celestia could help fix something that your parents could be hiding and that they just aren't saying!" He lifted himself up on to the armrest. "May I ask how long your parents have been asking about giving them stuff?"

Shining thought for a moment. "...I'd have to say about two months." He said. "And... If they were hiding something I'd've found something that was out of the ordinary."

Ryan hummed a bit in thought. "...They could be low on money or greedy... Most likely the low funds." He said. ".... If I were you Shining I'd ask your mom and dad what was wrong." He looked to Twilight. "And Twi you talk with Celestia. If you need me I'll be there to help."

Shining and Twilight looked at each other. They each gave a smile and looked to Ryan. "That just might work..." Twilight said sniffling. "...You... you might need to get a suit from Rarity... How about after your meal you clean up and I get you over to Rarity and she can help you get all ready? I can guarantee she will make something for you for tonight!"

Ryan smiled and nodded. "Sounds good Twi. Maybe you can take me by my place so I can get some bits to pay for Rarity making a suit?" He asked. Twilight nodded and hugged Ryan. He hesitantly hugged back but gave a smile. Shining gave a smile and joined in on the hug making Ryan feel a tiny bit awkward.

After about fourty five minutes Ryan was chowing down on his ribs with Gilda at his side with a plate of bones picked clean. A mug of Soda sat off to the side still looking full. "C'mon Ry five ribs down five more ribs to go!" She said. "Those peppers cant be stoppin' ya! Either stop to take a drink or keep eating but if you do keep eating slow down!"

Ryan stripped the meat of the rib almost like an animal looking red in the face. He quickly chewed it and swallowed it before wiping his mouth with a nearby napkin. "...Sorry... This is just so fucking good..." He said panting like a dog. "...I haven't had ribs this good for a while.... Thanks again...." He picked up his drink and sipped from it.

Gilda laughed a bit. "Don't mention it you little wolf you!" She said. "It aint often I find another meat eater that aint a mountain lion or something. Most of the Griffons around Equestria are vegetarians, some eat meat but they don't get fancy with it. They just cook it and eat it. No marinade, no seasoning. Just raw right in the oven or over a fire and once its good and ready they rip it right off the bone!" 

Ryan took another bone from the rack actually ripping the meat away having it stay on the rack. "Damn... Don't know why they would do that." He said. "You might as well just take what ever animal you can and shove it in your mouth." He looked up at Gilda setting the bone down. "You want a few of these? I don't think I can finish the rest on my own." 

Gilda took two bones on the end and ripped them both off. "Well... Thanks... Not even when I was little would any of my meat eating griffon friends share their food with me." She said. "...I grew up eating tofu that 'meat-free-meat' crap... When I tasted real beef I flew over a farm and stole a cow myself with a bit of help from a few friends of mine... Us being avians we aren't that strong alone but together its a different story..." She started to eat the ribs she took.

Ryan gave a smile tearing off another bone this time keeping the meat on it. "First time I ate real beef was when I was taken to a steakhouse." He said taking a bite from what he had. "Had me a steak gushing with juices. Tender... yet so thick.... Seasoned with Cajun spices...  OOH it was delicious!"

Gilda coughed a bit as she finished the ribs. "...Yikes... Little bit too much spice for me..." She said. "...Still good though...  I'm surprised you can deal with this spice."

Ryan gave a sigh swallowing the last few bites. "Well... I'd always be challenged by what friends I did have for boredom and I guess that paid off.... Bet most of them don't give a shit that I'm gone..." He said. "When ever I went out with them they'd always end up buying food for me... Never once I paid for mine. Parents said 'Don't go and spend any of that money you get from the drug deals! One little white speck of dust or something and they'll know its drug money.' They basically gave me dirty money. Couldn't do anything with it. They never even bothered to help get it cleaned."

The griffon leaned back in her chair. "...Wow... Must REALLY suck to have had parents who wanted you to get busted." Gilda said getting up with the plate of bones and the other plate. "Maybe I could come back a bit more often and take you camping so we can cook more meat... A growin' boy like you has to get his protein somehow and if you're a friend of Dash's you're a friend of mine. Just uh... Try and keep it in your pants if we do go. Don't wanna catchya jerking off inside the tent."

Ryan blushed a bit drinking of what he could of the soda before giving a loud burp. He wiped his mouth with the napkin and sighed. "I'll try but uh... Right now I gotta wash myself up." He said. "I'm supposed to be helping Twilight and her brother. Maybe you can help to by getting everyone over here when I go down to get my suit made?"

Gilda gave a smile. "Yeah... Sure. Just wait for me before you go?" She asked. Ryan nodded before getting up from the table and giving her a quick hug before going to the door. Gilda blushed smiling as he walked off.

A little while later Ryan was walking with Princess Twilight and Gilda down the stairs. Ryan rode on Twilight's back. "So let me get this straight...." Twilight said a bit confused. "...Gilda is going to get your sister, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, AJ and Pinkie while we get you ready?"

Ryan smiled at Gilda. "Well... Yeah..." He said. "Maybe she can get some good karma for doing this for you. She already cooked me a great meal and offered to come back and do it again but... Away from everyone else. I don't wanna seem like I'd be some sort of animal eating anything I can find."

Gilda sighed. "Yeah I agreed to take him camping." She said. "Besides hanging around with Dash all the time isn't all that great. All she likes to do is talk about how awesome she is and she just gets carried away with things. She even makes it a race to see who can collect the most fire wood."

Twilight gave a chuckle. "Yeah. She thinks more things are games than pinkie does." She said. "The one thing she can do is actually behave herself around Princess Celestia. Not to mention keep a promise as well..." They reached the bottom of the steps and stepped out of the castle. The sun was setting giving the sky a nice orangy red glow. The streets were quiet. The air was cool. "Well we should really get over to Rarity's. The longer we stay and chat the harder time I might have to talk with Celestia about some things. Dash should be over at the fair with Ryan's sister. She should help you get the others." Gilda nodded before flying up kicking up dust.

Ryan covered his face keeping the dust from getting in his eye or in his mouth. As the dust settled Ryan sighed. "...This is a beautiful sunset..." He said. "Is it always like this here?"

Twilight sighed as well. "Not really. The Pegasus here make the weather conditions just right so this can happen. Yeah where you come from the weather happens. It still happens the same way in Equestria but the problem is we get a bit too much cloud cover. Exactly why pegasai like Rainbow Dash bust the clouds. We do however have scheduled weather. Today we had a bit of light clouds. Next week we could have rain or maybe even a bit of fog. We do it weekly for the schedule and sometimes we even are late or forget what the weather was supposed to be but what we forget gets us an extra day of what ever we missed. Mostly Rain."

Ryan yawned a bit. "...Sorry twi...." He said. "...I don't think that nap helped me at all... And with the meal I had you'd think the peppers would keep me awake..." 

The purple alicorn laughed a bit as they turned a corner. "It's alright Ryan." She said. "Maybe we can get you something to keep you awake so Princess Celestia can see you. And... You might want to meet Luna in person. Dreams are one thing but when it comes to seeing her up close she's just taller than I am but shorter than her sister." She looked back at Ryan. "Did you say you were going home with Fluttershy?" Ryan nodded. "Ah well... I'd say brush and floss get beef breath out of there. Fluttershy doesn't like it when animals eat other animals. She finds out about that and you might have to eat tofu, salads and keep with that diet until she forgets about that... Which... Could be a while... A LONG while..."

Ryan sighed. "...And my Iron and protein levels will slowly decrease until I manage to find something to keep that up." He said. He looked to the sky again. "...Say Twilight... You ever get lonely in that castle?"

Twilight stopped. She gave a bit of a sigh. "Yeah... It does get lonely in there..." She said a bit sadly. "...It's why I have rooms for all my friends... Spike sleeps in his own bed in my room but he just doesn't fill any of the room and the guards don't help either..." Ryan leaned forward and hugged her. "...Thanks... I need that... It's just a bit of a touchy subject... I used to live in a library that stood there. It was small... I could even talk to Spike without an echo talking back at me..." She started to tear up a bit. 

Ryan nuzzled her. "Maybe that's why you're torn about your parents staying with you or not." He said. "Yes you still have to talk with Celestia but... Maybe she can help mend that loneliness."

Twilight smiled and nuzzled back. "...M-maybe she can..." She said starting off again. "...I.... I've been in this castle for so long it's affected m-my mind...." She looked back to the road as Ryan wiped her eye. "...I wish I could keep you in my castle... but... Scootaloo and your father.... They might not want that..."

Ryan sat back up on her back. "I'll see what I can do with that." He said. "Right now we might need to hurry. No telling when Celestia could arrive." 

Twilight nodded and started off again. After a while Ryan was all tuxed up. He walked with Rarity and Twilight at his side along with Sweetie Belle who was behind them. Rarity and Sweetie Belle both wore dresses with sequence and glitter. Sweetie Belle had a pink dress whilst Rarity had a deep purple one. Sweetie huffed. "Why do I have to come to dinner with you Rarity?" She asked. "I told you I wanted to invite Applebloom and Scootaloo over for a movie night!"

Rarity looked back at her sister. "You can do that AFTER dinner!" She said. "But you'll have to go to Fluttershy's. Scootaloo and Ryan are going there and splitting them up is not an option! Twilight said they're going there afterwards to spend the night until their father gets released from the infirmary."

Twilight looked back. "You might want to bring Applebloom's cousin as well." She said. "It wouldn't be nice if you took her instead of both."

Sweetie Belle grunted and stamped her hoof a bit. "Damn! I almost forgot about her!" She said. 

Rarity laughed a bit and looked down at Ryan. "You wont mind a little feminine company will you?" She asked. Ryan shook his head. "Ah that's good then! I was hoping you and her would spend some time together. She doesn't want to leave the house and if she does its always with the same ponies."

Ryan sighed. "I'd love to do that but tomorrow I'm probably gonna have to start work out at Sweet Apple Acres." He said. "Maybe she could drop by and walk with me because I don't think I'll be able to ride my scooter any time soon..." He looked at his arm. "...If it weren't for Twilight healing my arm I'd've probably joined Sweetie Belle at home doing nothing but sleep and watch TV or listen to music."

Rarity looked back at her little sister. "Well that's something she can do with you!" She said. "I've been pushing her to get something to get her some money so she can stop asking me for things!" 

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "That was ONE TIME!" She snapped.

Rarity quickly raised her tail smacking her sister in her face. Ryan quickly fixed Rarity's dress. "You hush now or else you might as well cancel movie night with your friends!" She snapped. They turned the corner going towards the castle now. "Behave now or you might as well dye your mane white and the rest of your body pink and purple!"

Ryan looked forward and saw Gilda standing with Pinkie, Scootaloo, Applebloom, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Babs, Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, Princess Celestia and a bunch of guards standing around. Every mare there wore a dress for the occasion. The only two not in a dress were Gilda and Princess Celestia. Twilight hummed. "...Celestia's note said Luna would be here..." She said. "...I don't even see her..."

Rarity looked to Ryan. "You were informed to bow for a princess right?" She asked. Ryan nodded. "Ah! Good. You want it to seem like you can belong here and not behind bars."

Ryan huffed a bit. "Better this than behind bars for what I used to do...." He said as they got closer to the large group.

Once in the group Ryan walked with Rarity and Twilight up to Celestia while Sweetie Belle ran off to join her friends. Twilight hurried up to Princess Celestia hugging her. Celestia looked down and hugged back. She noticed Ryan and Rarity who bowed to her. "Well now! I was wondering where you were!" Princess Celestia said as she broke the hug with Twilight. "Your parents are upstairs along with Princess Luna. I told her to go use the bathroom before we left but you know how siblings are. They just don't listen."

Twilight laughed a bit. "I used to be the same with Shining." She said blushing. "Anyways... I actually need to talk with you about something before we eat... It's important."

Celestia tilted her head looking down at her. "Do you want me to get Shining?" She asked.

Twilight shook her head and averted her gaze. "....It needs to be with you..." She said. "...I've already talked with Shining but he was no help..." She looked back at Ryan who kinda looked a tad uneasy. "Ryan was actually going to help me try and explain my problem..."

Celestia lowered her head  looking at Ryan. "Still nervous are we?" She asked.

Ryan shook his head. "I just need to use the bathroom before anything else..." He said as his stomach gurgled. He went for the door looking back at Twilight. "I promise I'll be there!" Twilight nodded just before Ryan hurried inside and went up the stairs. He went as fast as he could going up. It only took a minute or two to get to the floor. Almost immediately he went to a guard on the side of the hall. "Excuse me? Can you point me in the direction of a bathroom?" 

The guard pointed towards the throne room. "Down there and its the first door on the right before the throne room!" He said. Ryan nodded and hurried over.

Back downstairs Scootaloo was at Rainbow Dash's side. Babs, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were near by talking with each other. Scootaloo gave a sigh looking at her wings. Dash nudged her. "Hey c'mon you cant still be on about your wings!" She said. "Sure Cadence messed up but she apologized! It's better she did than just hiding it forever."

Scootaloo looked up. "I know...." She said. "...I'm still shocked... I could swear my wings were just too weak to lift me off the ground... My dad thought it was because of me being part earth pony or something.... He kinda suspected mommy of cheating on him..."

Rainbow Dash rested her wing on Scootaloos back. "Squirt your mom would never have cheated on your father." She said. "While your mom was pregnant with you and before that your I saw your mom stay by your dad's side the whole time. Sure I was just a filly when I moved here but I remember it all too well." She nuzzled her. 

Scootaloo gave a bit of a smile. "...Can... Can we hang out tomorrow too Dash?" She asked.

Dash smiled too. "Why don't I join you at Fluttershy's for a sleep over?" She asked. "I might need to stay with her if you do end up watching that movie." Scootaloo laughed a bit along with Dash.

Twilight spread her wings and cleared her throat. "Attention! Attention everypony!" She said going towards the door with Celestia at her side. Cadence hurried over and stood by her sister in laws side. Everyone looked to them. "I'm glad you all could come to this dinner party." She looked to Pinkie who was just about to blow a party favor. "Pinkie I'm sorry but it's not that kind of party! You can do that at your parties and other parties that are thrown but we need to keep a uh..." Pinkie started to give a puppy dog face making Twilight sigh. "....Fine do it..." Pinkie quickly perked up and blew the party favor.

Celestia and the others laughed. "Well now I definitely needed that." Celestia said. "Anyways we have friends and family of Princess Twilight here and some shenanigans are expected. Just everyone here remember we have a human amongst us so please watch your surroundings so you don't knock him over." Everyone gave sounds of agreement. 

Twilight cleared her throat again. "Thank you Princess for that reminder." She said. "Now if you'll all follow me we can prepare to eat!" She turned about with Celestia and Cadence each entering one by one. The rest piled in after.

Gilda lagged behind with Fluttershy. Gilda had her feathered head hung a bit. Fluttershy looked over at her. "Um.... Do you want to talk with me?" The yellow Pegasus asked.

Gilda nodded. "Y-yeah...." She replied. "....I wanna say... I'm sorry for nailing you with that water balloon this morning... You know every time I'm with Dash... It just gets a bit crazy with us... I try and ask if we can do something different like just a lunch or maybe get around to do a bit of racing but with her its prank, prank, PRANK!"

Fluttershy sighed a bit. "With me she doesn't even want to help take care of my animals and she pretty much thinks of me as some sort of play thing for her..." She said. "...Sure I'm uh... fragile, shy, I get scared easy, I speak softly, I get excited for cute things, I sleep in fluffy PJ's.... But that doesn't mean I like being toyed with like that..."

They both looked at Rainbow Dash who still had her ears set to Scootaloo's frequency. A little while later they were all in the dining hall together. All except for Ryan, Celestia, Twilight and Luna. They were all in the throne room. Ryan sat with Princess Luna at his side. He looked happy while Twilight sat With Celestia right across from them, Twilight looking quite nervous. "I'm so sorry I had to intrude on your talk Twilight." Luna said as Ryan got closer to her. "I just had to see Ryan here at least once. I'm glad everything is working out so far with the arrangements made!"

Ryan sighed blushing a bit. "Well... What better than staying with someone I just met?" He asked. "Now uh... Why don't we uh... Get this talk going?" 

Twilight gave a nod and cleared her throat. "Well... I guess we should..." She said. She looked up at Princess Celestia. "....I uh... My mother and my father keep sending me letters asking for things... The dinner being one of them...."

Celestia tilted her head. "And the problem is...?" She asked. 

Twilight looked to Ryan and whistled a bit. Ryan looked up and sprang to his feet. "Well... Her parents keep asking for things and she doesn't know if she would be able to fulfill their requests without pissing you off or getting in trouble with her parents." He said. "We- Twilight, Shining Armor and I- Were thinking you could help get this predicament taken care of and get some things cleared up."

Celestia sighed standing up. "Ah well..." She said. "...You already know what a princess can and cant do with her power. Me I cant give Ryan here a home of his own or give him an endless supply of snacks. You being the Princess of Friendship can give a gift or two, nothing too expensive, you cant give places to live or even do any bodily repairs, Sure a free meal given to somepony in need can get good publicity but doing it too often might make it seem like there is something between you." Twilight yelped a bit and covered her mouth blushing. Celestia looked to Twilight. "Is something wrong? Was it something I said?"

Twilight looked to Ryan who looked as calm as can possibly be without being dead. "N-No Princess! Everything's fine!" She said giving a nervous smile. 

Luna looked at Twilight. Closely. "....Sister your gut feeling must be on to something..." She said.

Twilight sprang to her hooves. "Luna d-don't be silly there isn't anything wrong!" She said floating Ryan over to her side. "Why don't we just head back to the dining hall? You probably need to have a chat with my parents tell them why I can and cant do stuff for them!"

Celestia brought Ryan over to her side. "You can probably tell them on your own. Ryan doesn't need to make friends with parents other than his own unless its the Cakes." She said. "Now I wouldn't keep your guests waiting. Luna and I will be there in a moment." Twilight sighed and nodded before walking towards the door. Once Twilight was out Celestia looked to Ryan as she sat down and lowered her head. "...You wouldn't happen to know why Twilight is acting nervous now would you?"

Ryan shook his head. "Nope." He replied. 

Luna sighed and rolled her eyes. "Celestia I did tell you of his dealings with narcotics where he had came from?" She said. "He's obviously covering up something she had already done for her!"

Celestia sighed shaking her head. "...Right right..." She said. She looked in to Ryan's eyes. "...You tell me what Twilight did for you or your crimes will pay here since not from where you came! I mean the whole thing! You will be locked up with no visitation from your family, dangerous unicorn, pegasai, earth and guards EVERYWHERE!"

Ryan huffed. "...Intimidation? Really?" He said. "Last I checked bribery was more my game. Gladly I'm not a public official!" He grinned putting his hand out.

The Princess of the sun growled a bit. "Me? Bribe a kid who came here on a boat?" She said. "Don't make me laugh! I can easily get Shining in here and have HIM tell me! Or maybe your sister can? She's a nice little law abiding filly and she would probably tell me everything!" Ryan didn't even flinch let alone give her any sign he was hiding something. Celestia brought her head up and looked to her sister. "Luna I'm going to grab Shining and his sister. Watch him so he doesn't go anywhere!"

Luna nodded and sat Ryan down in Twilight's throne with her magic. She sat right in front of him as Celestia left the room. Just as Celestia was out of ear shot Luna looked to the boy. "Alright I don't want to bribe you, I don't want you to be placed in a prison cell but my sister doesn't like it when anypony holds out on her." She said. "Tell me what we want to know. I promise I'll have mercy and say you cracked after she left. Pretty please tell me?"

Ryan smiled. "Well since you asked nicely I guess I can tell you!" He said. "Yesterday I busted my arm up falling off of my scooter that dad fixed up for me to get around without having to ride on his, Scootaloo's or even Princess Twilight's back. I tried showing off for Applebloom's cousin to see if I could get a smile out of her but all I pretty much got was dirt in my teeth, a dislocated arm that Fluttershy fixed and uh... A... Wet bed later that night...." He averted his gaze blushing a bit. "...Worst part was Dad and Scootaloo were in the hospital with mom and I was stuck at home with Babs... She helped me clean myself up and flip my bed..."

Luna sighed. "You're lucky Celestia already knew about Scootaloo's mother being brought back..." She said. "I wont say anything about an accident but just... Just feel free to seek comfort from me." She opened her arms and almost immediately Ryan hugged her shaking a bit. "...There there you're going to be alright." Not moments later Ryan was crying softly as Shining Armor came back with Scootaloo and Princess Celestia. Luna looked at the three ponies. "You weren't needed here Shining. Neither were you Scootaloo!"

Celestia stepped up and looked to Ryan. "Sister what did you do with him?" She asked. "A princess is not to harm others! That is the job of who evers parent or attacker! Our guards are to deliver punishments but not to hurt anypony!"

Luna beckoned Scootaloo over who came almost immediately. The dark blue alicorn pushed Ryan over to his sister. He hugged her shaking more scared. Luna stared her sister down. "He told me everything and all I had to do was ask nicely while you just threatened him with jail time!" She snapped. "Twilight was hiding something and that was she healed a broken arm for him. She knew he was supposed to be working with Applejack and her family soon but that happened and with his father in the hospital and his sister being there instead of him he was forced to be at home with somepony who he had just met. Do not punish him. Do not continue this with Twilight, she was just trying to be nice so he could make progress with making friends here in Equestria!"

Celestia got in her sisters face. "Why must you make it seem like I'M the bad one here?" She asked. "I wont punish him, not even my faithful student. But YOU! You might as well stay here at this castle to do your duties. Return tomorrow with a note of apology. I shall inform Twilight of her stay and she might as well write a letter herself! Everyone might as well come along to dinner. No sense in standing here where there isn't food."

As Celestia walked out Scootaloo sighed and sat down still hugging her brother. Shining sat with them. The white stallion looked up at Celestia just as Luna passed. "...You two go on ahead..." He said. "...I was as much a part of this as was Twily..." Celestia would've said something but Luna kept her sister's mouth shut. "...Thank's Luna... Sorry Celestia..." 

Luna released her sisters mouth and Celestia followed her out the door. Once they left Scootaloo started to shush her brother. "...There there Ry..." She said. "...You're okay... I gotcha...."

Shining sighed. "...Look Ry I'm sorry Princess Celestia scared you like that..." He said. "...She doesn't like it when anyone hides things from her... And... She doesn't give any bribes... Not even to neighboring areas... You want me to get my wife in here to calm you down?" Ryan sniffled and nodded into his sister's shoulder.

Scootaloo watched as Shining stood up and hurried out the door. She looked back to her brother. "...I cant believe that happened..." She said. "...Just one thing after another keeps happening here... First it's me not taking you to be with mom and dad... Next its you having an accident after breaking your arm... Me leaving you with Twilight.... All that makes me feel like what you said in the hospital is true..." She started to tear up as well.

Ryan sniffled and looked up at his sister. "...I-I didn't mean it like that..." He said. "...I... I want to be included in everything...Sure it just.... I cant do what you can do but... It'd feel nice to be included..."

Scootaloo gave a smile and nuzzled her brother. "... I promise everything me and daddy do you can do too..." She said. "...Y-you are family after all..." She broke down as Shining and Cadence came into the room. Cadence used her magic to make the crying siblings stop crying and made them smile bigger. 

Later in the evening Scootaloo, Babs, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were sitting in Fluttershy's living room watching a movie. Fluttershy sat behind them with Ryan leaning on her nodding off. Babs yawned. "...This movie aint scary what-so-ever..." She said.

Applebloom looked to her cousin. "Yeah this aint one bit scary unless you count that terrible acting." She said. She looked over to Sweetie Belle. "Shut this crap off. It's late and some of us seem to need a bed to sleep in." She pointed back at Ryan who had just cuddled up to Fluttershy. 

Sweetie Belle sighed. "Fine." She said. "...Cant believe Rarity talked me into buying that shitty movie..."

Fluttershy shushed the four mares. "Can you please keep it down and watch your language?" She asked. "I don't want Ryan to wake up... Poor thing must be very tired."

Babs stood up and stretched a bit. "Um... You have a guest room or something we can sleep in?" She asked the yellow mare. "I don't got a sleepin' bag and walkin' home in the dark aint one thing I'd do even if I knew how to defend myself."

Fluttershy gave a nod as Scootaloo helped get Ryan on her back. "I do but There's only room for two ponies in the bed." She said. "It's the same as my bed and... You girls can share it if you'd like... I'll be fine on the couch."

Scootaloo looked to her brother. "What about him?" She asked. "He doesn't have anywhere to sleep!"

The yellow mare hummed. "...Well he could have the guest room with somepony and... Maybe one of you can sleep on the floor in there if you want to.... I have a sleeping bag for when I have to sleep with a few animals out in the fields and I haven't used it in a while so... Feel free to use it."

Babs looked to Scootaloo. "I get the bed and you get the sleeping bag?" She proposed. "You might as well take it as your punishment for not being there for him last night."

Scootaloo sighed. "Fine..." She said. "Just try not to suffocate him. I don't want to explain how he was deprived of oxygen while he slept." Babs gave a nod and went into the hallway.

Hours later Ryan somehow managed to wiggle out of his clothes. He was in his boxers and he had his head near Babs' flank. Scootaloo slept on the floor right next to the bed. Ryan tossed and turned a bit but ended up face first into Babs' Marehood. She yelped a bit waking up blushing. Scootaloo snorted and sat up a bit scared. "...Babs...? Was that you...?" Scoot asked rubbing her eyes. Babs whimpered giving hesitant moans. Scootaloo got up and clicked on a light on a nearby nightstand. It illuminated the room. Scootaloo looked to the bed and blushed seeing Babs with her eyes cletched shut blushing hard and Ryan still asleep licking away at her. "...O-oh my god.... This.... What the fuck...?!"

Babs looked at Scootaloo scared but then noticed Ryan. "...I could swear he kicked me at first..." She whispered. "....How could he still be asleep...?" Scootaloo went to wake her brother but Babs knocked her hooves away. "....L-lets leave him... It's dangerous to wake someone while their dreamin.... Or was that sleep walkin...?"

The Pegasus mare sighed. "...Well do you want me to ask Fluttershy? She could think this was on purpose!" She snapped almost silent. "It's either we wake him or we get in trouble with Fluttershy!" Babs grabbed her pillow and buried her face in it. "...I'm waking him up." Scootaloo reached for her brother and nudged him.

Ryan stopped licking and woke up groaning a bit. "...C'mon.... That Ice cream was so sweet..." He mumbled. He rubbed his eyes a bit before opening them. Once he saw his 'Ice Cream' he yelped sitting up. He saw Scootaloo looking a bit worried and Babs looking horny. "...W-was I just eating pony pussy?!"

Scootaloo and Babs both gave a nod. "...Please try not to freak out... You freak out we get in trouble..." Scootaloo said. Ryan nodded hesitantly shaking a bit. 

Babs pulled Ryan close and nuzzled him. "...That felt great... Almost better than my ex..." She said fondling his sack. He blushed as he slowly became horny. "...Size don't matter in this house... You might as well just get sucked dry by me."

Scootaloo swatted at Babs' hoof. "No!" She whispered. "You aren't having sex with him in here! If there is one loud noise and Fluttershy comes in here we are ALL sunk!"

Babs looked to Ryan. "Why don't you get your clothes back on? We can go somewhere... Private for what we can do...." She said. "What we do probably isn't your sisters business anyways but... You? Me? And a little private time might be the best." She grinned a bit. Ryan blushed and nodded hesitantly. 

Scootaloo sighed. "...Fine go but you better be back here before sunrise." She said lying back down on the floor. "...I don't want Fluttershy to come wake us up for breakfast and find out you two snuck out. She's gonna tell dad and AJ and they're gonna come down on both of you AND Fluttershy."

Ryan pulled his pants up and got his shirt on. "Okay if we aren't back by sunrise and Fluttershy asks where we are just tell her Babs woke me up and we went out for a walk." He said grabbing his socks and shoes. "I'll think of something just in case she finds us. Like... We were going to Twilight's to see if we can send a letter out to her father?" He looked to Babs who was standing at the door. She shrugged. As Ryan slipped his shoes on he went to Babs side. He looked back at his sister. "...Also... I'm... I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier Scoot... I just didn't like waking up and not have you be there for me to hug or... In this case cry to..." He blushed averting his gaze.

Scootaloo gave a bit of a sigh. "...Well... I'm sorry too..." She said. "...Just remember to be home tomorrow. I want to show you the costume mom and dad helped me think up. We need to help you get your costume for nightmare night too!"

Babs gasped. "Oh it's Nightmare night?" She said. "I almost forgot! I'm dressin' up as Hailey Williams from that band Paramore!"

Ryan climbed onto Babs' back. "....Can we talk costumes later? I'm kinda dying back here." He said.

Babs sighed. "Alright just keep it in your pants for now!" She said opening the door. "Why don't we just hit the castle maybe check on how Princess Luna is doin? Hides the real reason we're out."

Ryan nodded and went out of the room riding on babs' back. They soon came upon Twilight's castle where two weird looking guards. Bat Pony guards. Ryan cowered a bit. "...Y-you talk to them... They seem like they're made of night mares..." He said before burying his face into Babs' neck.

Babs nodded and hesitantly approached the guards. "... Um... Excuse us?" She said. "We were here earlier for dinner and my friend here forgot to take something Princess Twilight let him borrow. Would you mind if we go up and look for it please?"

The two guards looked to Ryan. He blushed a bit. Then they looked to each other. "Miss if both of you are to go up you must have one of us come with you. Princess Luna is here spending the night and watching over Equestria." The left Guard said. "Do you wish to enter still?"

Babs nodded and allowed the guard to enter first. She followed him in and looked back at Ryan as they walked up stairs. "Ry? You doing okay back there?" She asked. Ryan hesitantly nodded still doubled over. "You sure you're okay? That grip you got with your legs makes it seem like you aint."

Ryan looked up at Babs a bit. "...S-stomach ache...." He said. He sounded like he was in pain. 

Babs looked back to the guard. "Is it possible to stop by a bathroom for him first?" She asked. "Something isn't sitting right with him." The guard nodded and sped up his pace. Babs did as well.

Once in the hall Babs lowered herself allowing Ryan to hop off. "The bathroom is up ahead to the right." She said. 

Ryan held his gut and ran towards the bathroom. "Thanks!" He said before darting into the bathroom and closing the door behind him. He quickly dropped his pants and hopped onto the toilet. He gave a sigh as he ripped a wet fart. But... Something was off. The room felt warm and humid. He looked to the sink. Water was off. Then he looked to the shower which was right across from him. Steam rose above the shower curtain. He blushed hard. "Uh... To who ever is in here... Sorry for intruding... My meal didn't seem to want to agree with my desert..."

A sigh was heard. "...It's quite alright..." A familiar voice said. "Be sure to get some guards to spray in here when you're done there... I want to just enjoy my bath without distractions..."

Ryan tilted his head. "...Princess Luna? Is that you in there?" He asked. The shower curtain was pulled to the side and there was Princess Luna sitting in a warm bath with her gaze averted to the wall.  Ryan blushed and covered himself. "Luna I-I'm very sorry I didn't knock first I just had to go!"

Luna took one quick glance at him and looked away. "Oh! Ryan!" She said. "What are you doing here? Arent you supposed to be at Fluttershy's home?"

Ryan sighed. "Yeah..." He said. "...Babs woke me up because... Well... I dreamt I was eating Ice Cream but what I woke up to was me licking at pony parts..." He blushed hard pulling his shirt over his crotch.

The blue alicorn hummed. "Something tells me she wants you to finish what you started." She said looking over at Ryan. He nodded hesitantly. "First off I think that's... Okay for you... Second... How did you get in here?"

Ryan wiped himself. "Well..." He started. "Babs and I told the guards I forgot something here... When in reality I wanted to find you and see if everything is alright."

Luna gave a smile as he flushed the toilet. "Well that's thoughtful of you." She said. "But maybe you should tell that guard of mine why you two are REALLY here."

Ryan got up and pulled up his pants. "...Maybe come help me with it...? Those guards of yours scare the living shit outta me." He said. He looked at the toilet. "...Quite literally I might add..."

Luna sighed standing up in the tub. "I suppose I've been soaking in my sorrows for far too long anyways." She said making a towel appear out of thin air. "Just wait and give me a minute. I'd need to dry off!"

Ryan gave a nod and went to the sink. He turned the fixtures... Or at least he tried to. Luna used her magic and helped him. He gave Luna a smile as she stepped out of the tub her blue mane. "Thanks Luna." He said starting to wash his hands. 

Luna gave a smile as she dried herself. "Well you do seem like you need a bit of help with that." She said. 

Ryan rinsed his hands off and dried them with a near by towel. "Uh... Luna?" He said looking back at the blue maned princess. "...Your mane is different from earlier... And from the dreams..."

Luna giggled a bit. "My mane is different depending on how I feel." She said. "If I'm depressed then my mane goes to this length and color. If it's any other mood my mane is long and flowing. And yes those are stars you see in my mane." As she dried her tail the length and shimmering stars returned to both mane and tail.

Ryan gasped a bit. "Woah... It's beautiful Princess." He said. Luna blushed a bit. "Now uh....  Can we get Babs now? I feel that guard will try something being a mare of her age and... I think she might be in heat or something."

Luna gave a nod and tossed her towel aside before opening the door to the bathroom and walking out with the boy at her side. There at the end of the hall was Babs looking a bit scared with the guard looking smug. Even his stallionhood was erect. "YOU THERE!" Luna snapped making the guard jump. Babs maneuvered around the guard and went for Ryan. She skidded to a stop and hugged him as the guard turned about. "What do you think you're doing!? Coming on to this mare who CLEARLY has a lover here while on duty? You might as well go back to your post or I might have to have a talk with Shining Armor about employment in the guard!"

The guard blushed. "Y-yes princess I apologize! It will never happen again!" He said turning about and running off.

Luna turned to Babs and Ryan. "I am terribly sorry that happened to you Miss Seed." Luna said. "I'll find you two a room to share but try and keep it down. Princess Twilight's family along with Princess Cadence are here and waking them with... What you two have planned might get me in even more trouble for allowing you in." She looked closer at Babs. "...But maybe waking Cadence might be a good thing for her... Shining might even need to fire that guard... This isn't the first time something like that happened with that guard."

Ryan looked up to Luna. "Just get them... I think that will be worth the trouble." He said. Luna nodded and flashed away. Ryan looked back to Babs. "....Damn... Glad I got out here when I did... My damn sixth sense was right..."

Babs sniffled. "....H-he knew we weren't there to look for something..." She said. "...He wanted me to... d-do things...  I-in order to stay..." She whimpered and sobbed more.

Moments later Shining Armor ran up with Cadence and Luna at his side. Shining turned down the hall and ran for the stairs as Luna helped pry the crying mare off of Ryan. Cadence shushed her as a heart came from her horn and popped over Babs. "There... You gonna be okay now?" Cadence asked. Babs wiped a tear from her eye and nodded. "Alright come with me. My husband will be back up here soon. I'll sit you and Ryan here in our room so you'll be able to file a report against that guard. Okay?" 

Babs nodded. As Cadence turned around Ryan climbed on Babs' back and hugged her. "....Maybe we should just file that report and hit the hay..." Ryan said. He yawned a bit. "...I'm feeling a tad drained now... And... It is late... Really... late..." He started to nod off not even meaning to.

Babs sighed. "...Y-yeah... Sleep... That's what we need..." She said sniffling.

Well... Eventful yet a teeny bit dull. Nightmare Night should be more fun. Something tells me fun only happens in nightmares.
> Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was the next morning. Ryan and Babs were cuddled close together. Close as in Ryan sleeping on Babs' stomach hugging her as if she were a giant teddy bear. The morning sun shown through a window hitting the wall just across from the bed. A fan over head spun slowly. Suddenly came a knock on the door. Both Ryan and Babs jumped. Ryan fell onto the bed next to Babs and groaned. "Ryan? Babs?" A familiar voice said. A mare. The door opened and in came Princess Twilight. "Oh did I wake you?"

Babs yawned and rubbed her eyes sitting up. "Yeah... But... We needed to wake up anyways..." She said. "...We're sorry for intruding on your castle Princess... We... Uh..."

Twilight smiled and sighed sitting at the foot of the bed as Ryan got out of the bed and stretched. "Don't worry Luna told me why you were really here." She said blushing. "...I'm glad Ryan found someone to... Do that with... And I'm glad you're alright. That guard had no business coming on to you like that!"

Babs sighed getting up from the bed. "...One minute I'm waiting for Ryan... Next I'm hiding my cutie mark and that guard starts hitting on me... Like I'm some sort of whore..." She said tearing up a bit. "...I wish I could sue his ass... Too bad my father is already too rich to do anything..."

Twilight looked to Ryan who was off to the side getting dressed. "Ryan? Do you think you can go grab Shining for me?" She asked. "He should be in the dining hall with my parents and... If they ask what you're doing here just.... Try and get away from them, make up an excuse!"

Ryan nodded and hurried out of the room as he got his shirt on. Babs looked to Twilight. "...Why did you send him out...?" She asked. "...I need him for a bit of comfort..."

Twilight sighed resting her wing on the mares back. "Babs I sent him out because he isnt the mare in heat here." She said. "You were the one affected here. I really should advise against suing this guard but he actually has what's coming to him. Sue the armor off his back. Perhaps I can get my brother to talk with your father about finding a home here in Ponyville. You clearly are unhappy with earning money and not being able to work for it. Right?" 

Babs nodded. She hugged Twilight hesitantly sniffling. Moments later Ryan came back with Shining Armor. Twilight broke the embrace with the teary eyed mare and got up as her brother sat down. "Alright fill me in." Shining asked.

Twilight sighed. "She wants to sue that guard for sexual assault and attempted rape." She said. "I tried advising against it but she insisted on suing him. With a testimony from Princess Luna and Ryan there's no chance he will win the case."

Shining grunted a bit. "Twily it's the royal guard!" He said. "I'm trying to keep a good name to this guard! If she sues him its like she's suing everything I stand for! Would you want your brother to be part of the guard that is linked to a Sexual Assault case?"

Twilight got in her brothers face. "Some of the guards you train think they are ABOVE the law they are supposed to enforce!" She said. "You are the leader and you mustn't let this get in the way. Your duty is to protect princesses and citizens of Equestria." Twilight looked to Babs. "DOES SHE NOT LOOK LIKE A CITIZEN OF EQUESTRIA?!"

Shining sighed. "Fine Twily I'll let her sue that guard." He said. "I'll get guards in every area, in every city, in every town, in every jurisdiction that this is happening. Might as well tell them to keep an eye on the others to make sure they aren't doing what that guard did to Babs."

Twilight stayed silent while Shining got up and left the room. Ryan climbed back onto the bed and hugged Babs. Twilight sat on the bed and joined in the hug. "...I.... I'm sorry you guys had to see that..." Twilight said. "... It's... Just hard for me to see a mare still so young get assaulted like that by a guard..."

Ryan wiggled out of both mares grips. "I cant even believe that happened!" He said. "I mean the guard, the argument with Princess Celestia and Luna, and you and your brother Twilight I never saw it coming!" He took a deep breath. "Okay... And... Twilight about your parents... They seem to think I'm some sort of servant to you and quote 'A poorly dressed one at that'." He crossed his arms and pouted, almost like a child.

Twilight broke the embrace with Babs. "I guess you might be having to sit around with me and Spike today." She said. 

Ryan grunted. "Sorry Princess but I'm going to have to decline." He said. "I wanted to go trick or treating tonight! I always loved doing that back at home. And I don't intend to stop doing that now!"

Twilight sighed. "Fine but you'll still have to help me talk with my parents." She said getting up. "I haven't talked with them last night and well... I figured I'd break the news this morning..." She smiled nervously at the boy. 

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Fine but you need to tell your parents I'm no servant and you better just tell them why I'm really here!" He said. "Babs? You wanna come with us and have some breakfast maybe?"

The mares stomach gurgled. She blushed. "Well... Sure but... You and I gotta get to what we planned with last night..." Babs said getting up. "...I didn't sleep much... I've been wanting to uh... See if you'd do the same thing like what you did first time..." Ryan blushed hard as she gave a giggle.

Twilight sighed and shook her head going out of the room as Ryan climbed onto Babs' back. "Come on you love birds." She said. "You guys try and keep your fingers and hooves where they need to be. After breakfast you might as well take my brother's 'usual' room. I had them over one night and it was not a pleasant night for me OR Spike." She blushed more. 

Not even a minute later they were walking into the dining hall where Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, Shining Armor and two unicorn. One mare and one stallion. Blue maned and lighter blue coated stallion and a white and purple maned and white coated mare. Luna was talking with Cadence while Shining had his head on the table hiding his eyes. Cadence looked over and saw Twilight with Ryan and Babs at her side. "Oh Twilight!" She said sounding slightly ticked. "Why did your brother come in here crying? He never cries unless it has to due with family issues!"

Twilight sighed. "Shining told me not to have Babs sue that guard that harassed her while he was on duty." She said. "Although me not wanting to leave a bad taste in her mouth I said go ahead and sue him as an individual. Luna and Ryan saw it and they can back her up!"

The white unicorn mare looked to Twilight. "Twilight you might be a princess and all but you need to apologize to your brother right now!" She snapped.

Twilight sighed and looked toward the stallion and mare. "Mom I'm sorry to do this but I'm not apologizing until you apologize to Ryan!" She said. "He is no servant! And there isn't anything wrong with the way he dresses!" Ryan crossed his arms giving a smug look. "He's just a runaway boy who was forced into drug dealing by his parents! He came here to start a new life and I'm helping him adapt to life here in Equestria!"

The stallion- Twilights father- gasped. "YOU LET A DRUG DEALING CRIMINAL INTO THIS CASTLE?!" He yelled shocked. Ryan jumped and yelped quickly hugging Babs scared.

Luna stood up slamming her hooves on the table. "Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle!" She snapped. "Ryan is a young man who is trying to turn his life around! If he was some sort of criminal that was a danger to us we would not have had him here for dinner last night WITH FOUR PRINCESSES PRESENT!"

Babs looked to Twilight's parents. "You two better apologize so your son can get his fuckin' apology!" She said. "My dad told me if I ever got into an argument with my cousins that they would only apologize if I apologized first! So you might as well do this and not ruin everyones day!" 

Everyone except Ryan looked at Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle. They blushed and sighed. "...S-sorry we thought he was your servant Twilight...." They both said.

"Not to me!" Twilight said. She looked over at Ryan. "You apologize to him!"

Twilight's parents sighed. "We're sorry Ryan..." They said.

Twilight raised an eye brow. "For...?" She said.

Twilight's mother sighed even more. "I'm sorry for assuming you were some poorly dressed servant boy Ryan." She said. She looked to her husband who was just trying to avoid the question. She nudged him making him grunt.

The purple princesses father sighed and looked to Ryan. "And I'm sorry for assuming you were some low life who was trying to hurt my daughter and my son." He said. "I'm uh... I'm just very protective and worried about my children..."

Twilight sighed still seeing Ryan a bit scared. She looked to Babs. "You just go sit down." She said. "Just take a few seats next to Shining and Cadence. They can help make sure he's alright." Babs nodded and went around the table near Luna. They passed Cadence and Shining.

Cadence looked to Twilight. "Your apology to Shining?" She asked.

Twilight grunted and flew over the table where her brother sat. She hugged him. "I'm sorry for yelling at you Shining." She said. "I hope you'll forgive me for what I said."

Shining turned around and hugged his sister sniffling. "...I... I'm sorry for n-not letting her sue that... That blemish on my name as Captain..." He said. He started to cry softly into his sisters shoulder. 

Cadence sighed and used her magic to make two hearts float from her horn. One for Shining. One for Ryan. "Here we go..." She said as the hearts popped over their intended targets. Ryan opened his eyes back up and just looked a bit shaken.  Shining's crying stopped and he just nuzzled his sister. "Are you two feeling better? Ryan? Shining?"

Ryan looked over at Cadence and smiled. "Yeah... Thanks again Princess..." He said. "And... Twilight? Didn't you have something to say to your parents?"

Twilight broke the hug with her brother and gave a nod to Ryan. She stood by Shining's side as they both looked to their parents. "Mom... Dad... Shining and I keep telling you we cant do everything you want us to..." She said.

Shining wiped his eyes and sniffled. "Yeah... You two asked for a lot and... We feel there's something wrong..." He said. "It's worrying us that everything on the home front isn't as well as we thought it was...."

"Well Mr. And Mrs. Sparkle?" Luna said. "Your children want to help you but to help them they have to know what the actual problem is."

The two unicorn looked to each other. Twilight's mother gave her husband a look Ryan knew all too well. The 'we are busted' look. Shocked and scared if you haven't guessed. They both sighed looking back to their children as they hung their heads. "...Alright you got us..." Mr. Sparkle said. "Ever since Twilight became a princess after moving out and Shining married Cadence we.... We felt as if our babies were going to forget us and leave us in their shadow of success..."

Twilight flew over the table. "Is that everything?" She asked.

Her mother shook her head hesitantly. "...Your father went to Las Pegasus to do some gambling and... Well... We lost a lot..." She said. Her children gasped. "...My pearls... Your fathers vintage glass collection... We even sold a few of my first edition books... It was pretty bad... I tried not to fuel the fire but your father kept trying to sell things to get more gambling money and I literally had to tie him down in the hotel room and hire a hypnotist to get him out of this. I even gave him a couple hundred bits to do it! That put us in a hole we almost couldn't get out of... We actually had to sell your old beds and some of your toys and most of the books you read Twilight..." Twiligh gasped a bit. "...Don't worry I never sold those Daring Do books! I knew how much you loved those books."

Twilight teared up a bit before hugging her mother from the side. Shining flashed to the other side of the table and hugged his father. Ryan sighed and gave a smile looking at the family across the table hugging. "Well that's just a heart warming sight." Cadence said. "Maybe you two should go and sit with your parents for breakfast." She looked to Ryan and Babs. "You two scoot over one seat! I like sitting near some love birds! It makes me feel great as The Princess of Love."

Ryan hesitantly got up from his chair blushing a bit. Babs set her hoof on his lap. "You stay there!" She said. He looked to her. "I'll move over. Just... Keep that thing there until we hit the bedroom." Ryan nodded as Babs got up from her seat and went to the other side of Ryan.

Over at Fluttershy's Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were the first ones up watching morning cartoons despite their ages. Scootaloo could be heard snoring in the other room. Applebloom looked to Sweetie Belle at the other end of the couch. "You think you can go wake Scoot up?" She asked. "I cant even believe Ryan and Babs are sleepin' through that. I cant even stand being in an adjacent room with that going on and I never thought it was that bad."

Sweetie Belle sighed getting up. "I don't understand why you as me to do it when you're the uncomfortable one." She said. "I mean you're on the floor! How uncomfortable is that." She gasped stopping at the hallway. "Sweet Celestia I'm turning into my sister..." She looked back at Applebloom who was still watching her cartoons. "PLEASE! Slap me if I ever say something like that again!" Applebloom nodded and waved her away. Sweetie grunted a bit and went to the closed door of the guest room. She knocked. "Scootaloo? Ryan? Babs? You guys up yet?"

Inside the room Scootaloo snorted waking up. She was in the bed yet the snoring still continued. "...Dammit Applebloom..." She said to herself. She sat up and stretched before getting out of the bed. "I'm up Sweetie Belle..." She yawned a bit. 

Just as Scootaloo was about to say something but Sweetie opened the door and stopped short staring at the room with only her friend in it. No closet. Not even any space under the bed to hide. "....Wh-where are Babs and Ryan...?" She asked starting to shake. Scootaloo yawned and popped her back. She was about to reply but Sweetie Belle screamed. "APPLEBLOOM!"

Applebloom and Scootaloo jumped while the snoring kept going strong. Applebloom ran towards the room looking panicked. "What's up that ass of yours?!" She asked. She looked into the room and screamed startling Scootaloo again. "BABS AND RYAN ARE MISSING!"

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "You guys!" She said. "Calm down and-"

Sweetie grabbed her friend getting in her face. "HOW CAN YOU BE CALM WHILE RYAN AND BABS ARE MISSING?!" She asked. She threw Scootaloo down. "YOU OBVIOUSLY DONT CARE!" She looked to Applebloom. "You and I are going to go out and find them!" Applebloom nodded and they both hurried back down the hall and out the front door.

Scootaloo got up and sighed just as the door was slammed. She went out of the room and went to Fluttershy's bedroom door opening it and entering. Fluttershy was sleeping on her back with a sleeping mask on. She was snoring like a chainsaw. "Fluttershy!" Scootaloo said nudging the big yellow Pegasus. 

Fluttershy snorted waking right up. She moved the mask to her forehead as she sat up. "...Oh... Morning already...?" She asked yawning.

Scootaloo hopped on the bed and sat down. "Yep..." She said. "...Alright we have a few rogue ponies going nuts about two supposedly missing sleepyheads."

"Ryan and Babs?" Fluttershy asked getting out of bed. Scootaloo's jaw dropped. She nodded when Fluttershy looked back at her. "Sweetie Belle and Applebloom the ones thinking they're missing?" The orange Pegasus nodded again. Fluttershy sighed grabbing a brush from her dresser just across from her bed. "Luna told me they ran off to Twilight's castle to check on her. She probably didn't know about Applebloom and Sweetie Belle sleeping over with you guys at my place huh?"

Scootaloo shook her head. "You think we should stop them or should we just let them freak out?" She asked.

Fluttershy hummed as she started brushing out her mane. "Well... We probably should tell them." She said. "But... Since they didn't listen to you we should let them freak out for a bit. Maybe we could go tell Twilight about what they're doing?" Scootaloo's stomach grumbled. "If we hurry we might be able to have some breakfast with them."

Back over with Ryan he had just finished a plate of pancakes. Shining was looking at Ryan a bit shocked as he took another bite of his pancakes which he was about half way done with. "....How the hell can he eat so much for being THAT much smaller than us?!" He asked. 

Twilight shrugged and wiped up a bit of syrup with the last bite of pancake on a fork. "It's best not to think about it Shining." She said. She looked to Ryan. "You feeling okay over there Ryan? You aren't too full to do... You know... Are you?"

Ryan shook his head. "Nah... I'm good... Chef made em just the right size..." He said. He looked to Babs. She was three quarters done and slowing down. "You doing okay Babs? Getting a bit full?"

Babs nodded and pushed her plate away. "...I just hope I don't pop after this..." She said trying not to get graphic. "May we be excused now? I uh... I just feel like I need a bit of time to relax before going at it!" She blushed a bit looking over at Ryan. "You think you'd be okay waitin' a minute before that?" Ryan gave a nod before stretching a bit. 

Twilight gave a little giggle. "Sure you two go right on ahead." She said. She looked to Cadence who was just wiping her mouth. "Why don't you show them to the room Cadence? They might like to be escorted by the princess of love herself."

Cadence nodded setting a napkin down after wiping her mouth. "I would be delighted to show these love birds my favorite room in this castle." She said getting up and extending her wings. "Follow me you two! Love is for everyone and I seem to have plenty of it for you!" Ryan got off his chair. Babs got up and let Ryan climb on her back and relax as they followed Cadence outside of the dining hall. The pink princess looked at them. "Ryan I am very surprised you've managed to find love here in Equestria."

Ryan nuzzled Babs. "Gotta start it somehow Princess." He said. "And I thought why not look for someone who I don't mind uh... Having to help clean me up with everyone out." He blushed hard holding Babs close.

Babs looked back at him. "Hey c'mon that happens to everyone now and again." She said. "...To be honest I've uh... I've had a few accidents myself. Not even a few weeks ago I was walking with my dad... He took me out to a restaurant. Next thing you know I'm four sodas in and on our way back up to the penthouse the elevator gets stuck... We both get stuck for about a few hours before they fix it. The elevator starts up and right as I get into the penthouse I make a b-line for the bathroom. Not even half way down the hall I trip over the fuckin' rug and my apple juice just spills everywhere staining the carpet and the fucking rug I tripped over..." She blushed hard and nuzzled Ryan.

Cadence sighed. "She is right you know." She said. "Me being a princess and all means to sit through long diplomatic meetings with other ponies from Equestria. Some of those meetings get really long. Hours. Possibly even to the next day but that was only one time. That was the only time I had to cover up a bursting bladder by spilling a whole water jug on myself. I had a guard clean it while I went to dry myself off." She turned the corner down the hall. "But this was YEARS before either of you were born. I've gone and moved past that and you shouldn't dwell on that for long. The more you think about it the more it will embarrass you." She stopped at a door and turned facing Babs and Ryan. "Now you two get in there and make it work. I don't want to have to come in here and see one of you weeping in the corner because it wasn't pleasurable!"

Ryan and Babs nodded before Cadence opened the door for them. As they entered Ryan looked around the room. A big bed made just for Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. Against the wall was an armor stand in the shape of a pony. It was clad in golden armor that of some of the guards around the castle had worn. The bed was still a mess as if Cadence had just woken up and had made room for them. Babs climbed into the bed and lied on her side having Ryan roll off. She sighed lying on her back with her haunches wide open. "...That's the ticket..." She said rubbing her belly. She looked to Ryan. "...Maybe you wanna make yourself comfortable? I'd hate for you to have those shorts get stained and sticky." 

Ryan blushed hard before starting to strip. He stood on the bed and pulled off his shirt tossing it aside before dropping his shorts and kicking them off along with his shoes. He plopped down on the bed and took his socks off. His cock was rock hard and Babs got an eye full. Ryan grinned. "You want me to lick some ice cream again or you want the extra creamy?" He asked. 

Babs licked her lips. "...Give me the extra creamy." She said. Ryan nodded and positioned himself right at Babs' flank starting to tease her marehood. "...J-just go dammit! I'm dying!" Ryan could definitely feel the heat coming from her. He teased her for a second and just went balls deep. Babs screamed a bit blushing hard. She looked to Ryan breathing a bit heavily. "...I-it's my first time... Don't worry just fucking go!" Ryan nodded and started to thrust making the mare grab a pillow and bite down on it. She loved what she felt. He grabbed her hooves as he thrusted just so he wouldn't fall forward or back. Babs' marehood tightened a bit gripping his cock. He started to thrust harder and started to drool a bit too. 'Fuck... I'm already so close... He's just melting....' She thought to herself. 

Ryan moaned slowing down a bit. "...b-babs... so tight... so wet..." He said panting a bit. He swapped his grip from her hooves to her teats squeezing them a bit. Babs screamed into the pillow and came splashing him with her juices. She gripped his cock tighter than how Applebloom was the firsts few days he had been in Equestria. He started to thrust faster and harder but kept getting a tad stuck. He came hard shooting his goo deep inside. "BAAAAAAABS!!!!!"

As their interlocking parts stopped twitching Ryan collapsed on Babs. She rolled over allowing Ryan's cock to slump out. They looked into each others eyes and kissed each others cheek before nuzzling and passing out. Just outside their room were Fluttershy and Scootaloo. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle followed looking wet and embarrassed. Scootaloo looked back at her friends. "I tried telling you where they went but you guys just didn't want to listen and just made asses out of yourselves." The orange Pegasus mare said. "I mean... Seriously jumping into the fountain to grab a camo bandana?"

Sweetie belle sighed flipping her wet mane out of her eyes. "We thought it was part of Ryan's shorts!" She said.

"Yeah! That boy can be attacked and swallowed by anything that comes from that forest!" Applebloom said. "And Babs she cant fend for herself she lives the life of luxury! My uncle and Scootaloo's dad would KILL me for losing em!"

Fluttershy looked back. "Well you really shouldn't jump to conclusions." She said. "If you would've listened to Scootaloo you two probably wouldn't have been yelled at by that guard. And be lucky we found you before your sisters did. They knew I was watching both of them but if they found out I had let them I probably wouldn't have any sleepovers with you three again. And I certainly wont get to spend time with Ryan! I just love him!"

Scootaloo sighed. "And you can but probably not tonight." She said. "Our dad is supposed to be released from the hospital tonight and we have to help him home. I actually need to do Ryan's laundry anyways..." She blushed a bit. "...I still feel bad I wasn't there for him..."

Fluttershy rested her wing on Scootaloo's back. "You know he would forgive you right?" She asked. Scoot nodded. "Then don't feel so bad! Feeling bad leads to an unsure relation ship. I felt bad when I was watching after Celestia's phoenix and when it exploded I didn't know if Celestia would put me in her dungeon or take my element away but she knew my intentions were good and she forgave me." They stopped at the door of the throne room. "So Ryan will forgive you for what happened. Maybe buy him a little gift just in case."

Scootaloo gave a smile. "Yeah... Yeah he will forgive me." She said. "Besides. I just want to have him see my costume for tonight. Silver Spoon is throwing a party and she invited everyone she knows! Including us crusaders!"

Sweetie Belle gasped. "She invited US?!" She said shocked. 

Applebloom and Scootaloo nodded. "Yeah! She told me she couldn't find ya." She said. "She wasn't that bad to us when we was younger but I think it was that damned Diamond Tiara bitch brainwashin' her into doing all that stuff! I mean think about it! When Diamond Tiara was sick who actually came to try and sit with us? Who came to us to walk her home after Snips n Snails busted her only pair of glasses?"

Sweetie Belle thought for a moment. "Silver Spoon?" She said a bit confused. Applebloom and Scootaloo nodded. She gave a sigh of relief. "Good... My mind is still freaking out about Ryan..."

Applebloom sneezed. Fluttershy sighed. "You two should get dried up before you get sick and try and get a guard to dry up the trail of water you left... I don't want anypony to slip." She said. 

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle nodded and went back down the hall. Fluttershy and Scootaloo walked into the throne room to see Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, Twilight and Shining Armor. Shining sat next to his sisters throne  while Cadence and Luna sat in Fluttershy's and Rainbow Dash's throne. As Fluttershy and Scootaloo came into the middle of the  circle of thrones Twilight gave a smile as they bowed. "Welcome Fluttershy! Scootaloo!" She said. "I take it you're here to pick up Ryan and Babs?"

Scootaloo raised her head and sighed. "Yeah... Ran into a bit of a kink in the hose if that makes any sense...." She said. She looked to Princess Luna. "I understand you spoke to Fluttershy in her dream. Correct?" Luna nodded. "The problem there was we had Sweetie Belle and Applebloom with us and when they didn't see Ryan or Babs in the room they freaked out and ended up fishing in a fountain for a camouflage bandana."

Luna sighed. "Well I should have suspected Applebloom to be with her cousin." She said. "I apologize for the inconvenience they've caused you. My thinking has been all over the place since my sister forbid me to go back to canterlot until the end of nightmare night... Hopefully she'll send my chariot back..."

Shining belched a bit and covered his mouth blushing.  The mares around him giggled a bit. "Excuse me!" He said. 

Fluttershy sighed. "I take it we missed breakfast?" She asked Twilight.

Twilight nodded. "Sorry but you did." She said. "Of course you and the crusaders can get a bite to eat. Just give me a minute and I'll sit in with you. Either that or we can wait till Spike wakes up."

Fluttershy and Scootaloo looked at each other. "Twilight?" Scoot said. Fluttershy nodded looking back at her friend.

The purple princess giggled a bit. "Alright you two lets just grab Applebloom and Sweetie Belle and get something to eat." She said. Twilight got up from her throne and walked with her friends towards the door.

Luna stood up and stretched a bit. "Cadence why don't you and I check in on the happy couple? Make sure they're okay?" She asked. 

Cadence nodded and stood up. She looked to her husband. "Shining sweetie you go sit with your sister, make that mare moment not so awkward." She said. Shining nodded and flashed away. She looked back at Luna and followed her yet again. "I haven't felt a disturbance in the love they share so everything must've went without a hitch."

Luna laughed as they left the room. "This is a human boy we are talking about." She said. "He mates with humans. Babs however is an earth pony mare and since her father forbids her to mate with somepony safely she basically took Ryan and mated with him. Zero percent chance of impregnation and he feels loved and accepted in our society." They turned the corner going towards the room where Ryan and Babs resided. "To be honest when I sensed him I was worried it was some invader intended on causing havoc or being some sort of hellspawn from Everfree! Instead I find a boy scared, alone and seeking somewhere to live. I sensed Scootaloo in the area and pointed her in his direction but I never knew he had a gun." They stopped outside the room and looked to each other. "Okay just a peek, maybe I do a little dream walking and maybe you get Ryan back in his clothes... Assuming they didn't just pass out from being full from breakfast."

Cadence nodded and used her magic to open the door. Luna went inside first and then Cadence did. There they saw Ryan and Babs snuggled together. Luna stood next to the bed and took a deep breath before having her horn and eyes glow. Cadence used her magic to carefully take Ryan out of the snuggly mare's grip. "Young love... Always nice to see..." Cadence whispered to herself as she got Ryan covered. She made sure she was careful getting his shorts and his shirt on being careful to not wake him up.

Whilst she did that Ryan and Babs were sharing a dreamscape. Luna was with them in what looked to be a dark abyss. Babs had a smile on her face. Ryan was covering himself blushing hard. "You two seem to have made quite an adorable couple!" Luna said. 

Ryan smiled and scratched his head still covering himself. "Well thanks." He said nervously. "Uh... I-is there anyway I can be clothed now? I feel like this is just a bad dream where I'm naked in public..."

Luna smiled and her horn glowed. In a flash Ryan was back in his clothes Cadence had put him in. "There we are!" She said. "Now I'm going to wake both of you up. Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are here and they're wondering if you would like to go get your nightmare night costumes ready! I mean who wouldn't wanna dress up and go door to door getting candy? Ryan would probably LOVE how we spend his 'halloween' here OUR way."

Babs giggled. "Aw yea!" She said. "My cousin always has this Bobbing for Apples contest. Each apple somepony gets is one baggie of candy and all the rest is split up between me and Applebloom! Who knows ya might get a few for it bein' your first time here in Equestria." She looked back to Luna as Ryan hugged Babs. "Well lets wake up Princess. Again thank you for allowing us into the castle last night."

The Princess sighed. "Well we couldn't have left you wandering in the dark the whole time." She said. "Now I have to wake you up. The longer I stay in here the more you've been asleep. So far it's been about forty five minutes." Ryan and Babs both nodded. The Princesses horn glowed and everything faded. Outside the dream Luna was joined by Scootaloo, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. Her eyes stopped glowing and she sat down holding her head giving a sigh. "...I have got to do that during the night more often... Or at least if I'm well rested..."

Scootaloo helped Luna to her hooves. "Here Princess you go and rest up for tonight." She said with a smile. "We'll handle it here." Luna smiled and yawned looking a bit tired and flashed out. Just on the bed Ryan and Babs stirred. 

The three mares went to the bed, Applebloom to Babs' side, Scootaloo to her brothers and Sweetie at the foot of the bed. "C'mon now get up!" Applebloom said. "Cant be late to get our costumes made! Rarity already said she'd wait until we gotcha!"

Babs yawned and stretched as her cousin helped her out of the bed. "...Can I get a soda....? I'm uh......" She said just completely out of it. 

Applebloom laughed a bit.. "Yeah we'll getcha a nice malt to share with Ry..." She said. She helped Babs out of the room.

Scootaloo sat on the bed as Sweetie Belle picked Ryan up and hugged him. "Don't you ever scare us like that again!" She said. "You had us worried! You could've been Timberwolf chow! Please don't ever run off like that without telling us! You could've gotten us in big trouble!"

Ryan pushed away from Sweetie Belle waking up totally. "...Come on... I know how to move during the night." He said. "Now let me go you're crushing me!" 

Sweetie Belle set him down on the floor and got up. Scootaloo came over and lowered herself. "Come on lets get to Sweetie Belles!" She said. "Rarity's making our costumes! We gotta pick em up and get you to see dad!"

Ryan sighed climbing on. "You just drop me off with Dad. I already have my costume ready." He said. Scootaloo gave a nod and walked out with Sweetie Belle at her side. 

Not long later Ryan and Scootaloo arrived at the hospital. Ryan was clinging to Scootaloo's back scared. The mare looked to the boy on her back. "Ryan I could swear you wanted me to fly here!" She said. "Why didn't you just say you wanted to get down sooner? I would've listened!"

Ryan sat up on Scootaloo's back. "I yelled about three times 'get the fuck down on the ground!'" He snapped. "And did you seriously have to go off the balcony of the princesses bedroom?! I could've walked out the front door with Babs and I could've met you outside!" Scootaloo looked forward whimpering a bit. Ryan sighed hugging his pony sister. "...Sorry... I'm... I just... Halloween was a special day for me back home...."

Scootaloo sniffled a bit. "...Why? So you could pedal your drugs?" She asked. She looked back at Ryan as she stopped at the receptionist desk. Ryan averted his gaze. She sighed and rang a little bell looking back at the desk. A unicorn nurse flashed in. She had a black mane, and white coat. She wore glasses. "Can you show us to Mr. Wheeler's room please? My brother needs to spend some time with him."

The nurse gave a nod as she picked up a clip board and came from behind the desk. "This way please!" She said. Scootaloo smiled as she gave a nod starting after the nurse.

Scootaloo looked back at Ryan giving him an angered look. "Tell me why you're acting like this?" She asked whispering. "Are you still on about me and dad kicking you out? Are you really missing pedaling drugs back where you came from?"

Ryan sniffled tearing up. "...I-it's neither of those!" He said. "...Just... Let me talk with dad alone... Please?" Scootaloo sighed and nodded as she stopped outside the door the nurse stopped at. Scootaloo lowered herself and Ryan hopped off hurrying into his fathers room.

The nurse looked to Scootaloo as she turned back down the hall. "Miss? Didn't you want to go in as well?" She asked. 

Scootaloo looked back at the nurse giving a sigh. "Sorry... I have Nightmare Night to get ready for... I'm sure he can find his way home..." She said.

Just inside the room Ryan sat on a chair near his fathers bed. Mr. Rubber had his hoof rested on his sons shoulder as he sobbed softly. "Ryan please don't cry!" Mr. Rubber said. "Where's your sister I thought she was with you!"

Ryan sniffled and looked up at his father. "...She... She doesn't believe tonight is special to me..." He said. "...She thinks all I did was fling 'happy pills' around... I had a life outside of what my parents wanted me to do... You believe me don't you...?"

His father nodded sitting him back in the chair. "I do believe you Ryan..." He said. "...You're lucky I'm getting out of here tonight... Now c'mon tell your old man what happened."

Ryan took a deep breath. "...I... I had a great friend back home..." He said. "...Last year she saved me from being arrested... I made stencils for an art piece while she danced Michael Jackson at the local park just so she could buy the paint... We went and started the mural I had but... It didn't help me that she took all the blame and told them I was trying to get her to stop... Today is one year she's been inside a detention center while I get off guilt ridden... It's special because... That mural we were going to paint was going to represent our friendship and... Well we never got to finish it... I moved but I didn't bring the sketch book I drew the mural in.... Not to mention it had all the stencils I needed to get it done..."

Mr. Rubber thought for a moment. "Well... What if I told you where to get all you need?" He asked. "Do you think you could do it without vandalizing anything? Maybe you can as Princess Twilight for some ideas so it can transfer over to an equestrian style." Ryan gave a bit of a nod. "Alright kiddo, go home grab your scooter and your backpack and see if you can get Princess Twilight to accompany you. Oh and if you see your sister send her back here."

Ryan gave a full nod and got up before walking out of the room. About an hour later Ryan was back at Princess Twilight's castle with his scooter. He sat outside of the throne room with Shining Armor at his side. "Sorry you missed Twily bud." He said. "She went out to lunch with Luna and Cadence but hey I'm still here. Lucky I am too. You probably wouldn't have gotten through the doors with that pack.. I can tell an empty pack from a mile away."

Ryan sighed as he ran his hand across the foot board. "...I was hoping to see if Twilight would help me with a friendship problem while I was out..." He said. "...Scoot doesn't believe I had a friend back home that managed to get me away from the drugs for a night..." He looked up at Shining who sat next to him. "She inspired me to draw and paint a mural... But the canvas we had just wasn't big enough between me and her and a few cops... I'd be jailed if she said it wasn't her fault..."

Shining gave a sigh. "Guilt's eating you up isnt it?" He asked. Ryan nodded slightly. "Tell you what. I'll be out there tonight working, making sure everything is safe for the festival goers. I'll give you a radio to communicate with me if you either get into trouble or you see trouble. I'll come to break it up but keep moving and try and hide."

Ryan thought for a moment. "...Maybe I can do something else?" He asked. "I prefer to stay neutral when doing things. Sometimes Id cover gang graffiti. That's the good to cover my drug dealings. Cops came saw me spraying down the tags, they get closer and I'd tell them I'm doing them a favor."

The unicorn stallion gave the boy a smile. "Well that sounds like something I could possibly work in to a little guilt punishment." He said. "There was a report that the local school house was tagged up by some hoodlums that used to go there. We would've had someone tag over it but it's on the roof and that roof isn't that strong to hold any guard with his armor on it. Even then we cant really paint over it cuz... Well hooves." He held his hooves up. "I'd get Spike to do it but he's a bit afraid of heights and... Well I heard you on your way down after your sister picked you up. You were yelling your head off."

Ryan blushed hugging his legs. "...I can only handle heights when I know my feet are on something solid and that I know I can survive from that height." He said. "...Being on a pegasai's back and having someone jump from a balcony what- ten stories up? It's basically taking you and forcing you to look at down the barrel of a cannon that fires a cannonball that quickly expands to where you cant avoid it!"

Shining nudged him a bit. "How do you know what's in the guard armory?" He asked. Ryan froze up averting his gaze. The white stallion chuckled getting up. "Kidding! C'mon lets get out of here. I'll stop by the art supply shop and get some spray paint for you. Maybe while you're there you can get what ever you need."

Ryan smiled a bit standing up gripping his scooters handle bars. "All I'd need is a sketch book, some construction paper, a roll of duct tape, some of those sharp knives to cut out a design and some colored pencils. Cant sketch a final design without using color. I've got a hundred bits so... That should cover it right?"

Shining sighed as they started to walk. "You still have a lot to learn..." He said. "Maybe Twily will teach you things you'll need around Equestria. Maybe even a little knowledge about the few types of ponies around Equestria. Maybe even a bit more about griffons."

Ryan fixed his pants a bit. "Griffons love gold. Pretty sure that's all I'd need to know." He said.

Shining huffed. "Getting cocky already. I like that in a stallion because I know he'll mess up." He said. "There's still a lot you need to learn. Just a warning Twily will not go easy with home work. Trust me she had me studying about a few gangs in manehattan in case I had to go under cover and take em down from the inside out."

A few hours later Ryan was in his room brushing his hair back making it stand up almost on its own. He had a faux almost billy goat like beard on his chin. A white Metallica shirt on, camo shorts and his sneakers on. He sighed. "...Scoot why do you do this shit...?" He asked himself. "...You think I'm just all around bad... Under all this scum is a heart of silver... Gold is too much for even me but... I'm still good. I'm not some guy who runs powdery or crystalline substances across back alleys and cityscapes..." He sighed looking back at his Scooter with his jacket and backpack on it. A pile of art supplies sat next to it. "...Maybe... Maybe a gift might help... Why make tonight hell for both of us when we can spend it together and welcome dad back home in open arms...?" He grabbed his jacket and tossed it onto the bed. He wheeled his scooter over to his dresser and opened the bottom drawer grabbing a handful of bits from the bag and shoving them into a large pocket on his shorts. 

Just as he went to his bedroom door he heard the front door open and shut with the sound of hooves rushing down the hall. He opened his door and saw a purple tail go into Scootaloo's room. He walked over to the door and peeked in seeing Scootaloo sitting on her bed facing away from the door looking at the necklace her mother left her. "....You and I used to do a lot during Nightmare Night..." She said. "...Why couldn't Twilight bring you back today...? I would've loved to go have fun at the festival with you... Yet I'm stuck here with someone who wont even tell me what's wrong... Was it when I scared him with heights...? Was it when we were going to see dad...?"

Ryan left the scooter at the door walking in to his sisters room. "...It's because you didn't take a second to even listen to me..." He said alerting her to his presence. "...My words might be quiet but... Music speaks louder... You'd listen to your mothers music but not me... If I sang out everything I wanted to say everyone would either get annoyed or just kick me out of equestria..." 

Scootaloo  got up off her bed and hesitantly approached her brother. "...Ryan... I... I'm sorry...." She said. "I ran into Shining Armor and... How was I supposed to know you had someone back home you cared for...?" Ryan looked at her giving her a weird 'are you kidding me' look. She blushed and averted her gaze. "...Oh... Right... Well... I'm really sorry I wasn't listening... I just wanted to see if you wanted to... Maybe do something mom and I used to do together..." She looked up at him. "...Will you...? Please?"

Ryan gave a nod before hugging his sister. She wrapped an arm around him. "...Maybe before we do that I can buy you a new CD over at Vinyls?" He asked. 

Scootaloo let go of her brother and nodded. "Just give me a minute." She said nudging him out the door. He gave a smile closing the door behind him. He then wheeled his scooter out into the living room sitting on the couch. He waited just a few minutes and out came  Scootaloo wearing purple round shades, a  tie dye head band and her mothers necklace. "Well? How do I look?"

Ryan smiled. "You're the best looking hippie this James Hetfield ever saw." He replied. "Now lets go. Vinyl wont stay at the shop for long I don't think." Scootaloo smiled and went for the door as Ryan got up and started his scooter. Soon after they were off blazing down the road in a race to Vinyl's Record Shop. Both happy as can be. Guess all they needed was each other.