It was about fifteen minutes after their shower together. Ryder and Daring were walking down the hall holding each others hands. Ryder wore a red long sleeve shirt with a black illustration of a dragon wrapping around his arm with its head in the middle of his chest, black jeans and a pair of red canvas sneakers. Daring wore a tee of a fan club and a pair of jungle camouflage shorts. The shirt read 'Ponyville Daring Do Fan Club' across the chest. Her wings had to be taped down again just because it takes a bit of time for Pegasus wings to dry after contact with water from bathing, swimming or flying through a cloud. They stay just a little wet. As they walked Ryder let out a sigh giving his wings a flap. Daring looked to him a bit curious. "Is something wrong?" She asked. "If you feel tired why don't you get a meal delivered to your room and we could just maybe have a little talk. The princesses would be fine with that wouldn't they?"

Ryder sighed. "I'm actually not allowed to do that...." He said. "Did that once with a bottle of whiskey Princess Luna was taking shots from during a little drinking game one night and I was wasted to hell. I was naked, in the tub just crying about my ex... I had to go out, with a hangover listening to loud rock music and buy another bottle of the whiskey with what money I had and a bottle of wine with what Celestia had given me... it was hell and anything I eat in my room has to be bought myself including alcohol..." Daring hummed.

"Really hung up on that ex of yours.... Do you know where she lives at all?" He gave a nod. "Do you think you'd have the balls to go back and confront your ex? I can help you on your own adventure before you help with mine you know." He sighed.

"...Nah... I even tried setting foot at the gates their dog would chew my balls right off. All she has to do is say 'Protect the apples' and anyone the dog doesn't see often is scared right off! Or bitten. Saw it first hand too. I was there one day after the dog caught someone armed with a knife. Says he was just going to help them out because he does that every Tuesday and at that time I was there every Tuesday to haul buckets to my ex's brother's truck and I just up and still arrested him. No sob story, charged with attempted murder, trespassing, and possession of a knife more than six inches. It was a fucking dirk. Ten inch dirk!"

"What if you had someone drive you up to the house? Could have your cousin."

"She's got a crotch rocket. She flies down the road on a baby blue crotch rocket, wears a matching helmet with her cutie mark on it. A cloud with a red, yellow and blue lightning bolt." Daring thought for a moment humming.

"...Wait.... Does your cousin wear a wonderbolts tee shirt sometimes? Like... More than anypony else?" Ryder looked to Daring as they turned into the large dining hall where Princess Celestia and Luna were sitting at the far end of the table with the light of the setting sun shining through the large windows looking out over a large plains of North Western Equestria.

"Yeah... And you know that because of your book signing?" Daring shook her head.

"I didn't want to say anything but... it seems like your cousin helped me out in my last book." Ryder gave her a look of disbelief.

"Really? My cousin helped you? During your last book?!"

"So you've read it and haven't noticed?"

"I couldn't read it! Dash wouldn't let me! And when I tried to buy a copy it was sold out everywhere I went!"

"That's her name? I always thought it was Rainbow Bright or something like that."

Ryder facepalmed as they approached Celestia. She smiled at the couple just before they sat down. "Good evening you two!" She said. "Is everything alright? Ryder seems a bit.... ticked off... I haven't seen him angered for a while."

Ryder slammed his hand down on the table causing silverware to bounce and rattle. "Sorry Princess and yes I am pissed but not at any of you!" He said. "Apparently MY speed freak of a cousin met Daring and apparently was in her last book! AND I DIDNT GET TO FUCKING READ IT!"

Luna huffed and used her magic to hold Ryder's muzzle shut when he tried to yell even more. "Ryder! Don't you go supernova on us about her!" She snapped. "Now.... I'm gonna release you... Talk normally or else I'm holding your mouth shut until we get the bite guard from the dungeon! That'll be on you until you learn to calm down! Take a deep breath and calm down." She looked to Daring. "Keep an eye on his wings. He carries all emotion through his wings when he isn't showing it in his face." Daring nodded and looked at his wings. his feathers were ruffled like he had gotten hit with a taser. "Come now Ryder breathe or you're getting what we order for you like a little child! Do you want to be treated like a child? You know Celestia and I can make it so you have to go through toilet training again!" Ryder groaned and blushed glancing over at Daring who was giggling. He took a deep breath and let out a shaky sigh. "Again!" He breathed in again and let out a smoother sigh. He did that a few more times before his breaths were smoother and his feathers flattened out.

Daring huffed. "There we go. Feathers are down." She said. She looked to Princess Luna. "I think he's calmed down enough. If he doesn't I think I know what to do to keep him tamed..." She grinned seeing Ryder at the corner of her eye just looking at her. Luna smiled.

"Alright Ryder! Now apologize!" She released his muzzle and moved his lower jaw around.

Ryder sighed as he hung his head. "...Sorry princess..." He said. "...I got to talking about 'her' again on the way over here... knowing her and Dash's friendship she probably knows Daring as well..."

Celestia clapped her hands and smiled as a waiter came from a door just off to the side. "Apology accepted." She said. "Now think of what you wish to order! Anything and everything can and will be made!" She looked to the waiter as he came between her and Luna with a notepad in hand. "I'll have my usual. Watermelon margarita, Cajun salad, with ranch and a few banana peppers."

Luna gave a smile as the stallion finished writing Celestia's order. "I'll have tomato soup with grilled cheese and pepper sandwiches." She said.

Ryder looked to Daring and smiled a bit. "Let me order for you Miss Yearling... Maybe see if I know you well..." He said. "Miss Yearling would like a hayburger with jalapeno- no- Habanero peppers and garlic fries and I guess you can make that a double for me."

Daring smiled. "Well... Seems the general knows me VERY well..." She said. "What about to drink? Can be alcoholic or not I really don't care as long as you're right." Ryder looked to the waiter.

"I'll have a cola with a shot of vanilla in it and for Miss Yearling she'll have a glass of white wine." He glanced over at Daring who gave a slight look of disappointment.

"Change that to a red wine. Grapes for some reason don't work with me." The waiter gave a nod as he finished writing everything down and ran back towards the doors. Daring looked to Ryder. "Eh.... I'll give you half credit knowing I like wine. The wrong wine type but... cant hold you accountable after the hard work you put in today."

Celestia gave a little laugh. "He's always on the clock even when he's resting." She said. She looked to Ryder. "So... Ryder what was this about Applejack? You said you and Daring were having a little chat on the way over here about her."

Ryder sighed and slumped down in his chair. "...Can we please not mention her name?" He asked. "...There's a reason I don't want to say her name...." Celestia rolled her eyes and sat Ryder up with her magic.

"Come on be a man about it! Why should you care about Applejack when you've got someone right there next to you that you've gone to great lengths to join on an adventure after saving her from certain death? I'm sure Miss Yearling would make you happier if you just asked that one question. You know the one I'm talking about."

Ryder glanced over at Daring sporting a smile just waiting the question like she already knew it. He stammered a bit just looking for the words faster than he could get anything out. Daring shushed him and put a finger over his mouth. "...If it's something that makes you protect me even more the answer is yes." She said. "For protecting me and being understanding you deserve it..." She pulled him close and kissed him. He felt tense but relaxed as the kiss dragged on.

Luna gave a little 'aw' clapping her hands. "That is just too cute! You make the perfect couple from what I'm seeing here!" She said. "Perhaps you two can share a milkshake for desert just like the lovers in old movies do!" Daring broke the kiss and nuzzled Ryder squeezing him.

"That actually sounds wonderful but... maybe something that wouldn't cause a stomach ache with either of us if we drank it too fast... I'd know that feeling all too well." She patted her stomach a bit.

Ryder gave a smile and sighed a bit. "You remember what happened last time Luna... didn't like it either way huh?" He asked. Princess Luna gave a quick nod blushing a bit. He looked to Daring a bit. "Trust me it's best not to ask..."

Later that night Ryder was sitting at his computer dressed in a tank top and sweat pants while Daring sat on the end of the bed in a pair of green camo panties and matching bra. On the computer screen Ryder was looking at was a chat on a video chat application. There was a webcam just sitting right in front of Ryder aimed at his face. He clicked on a little green icon marked 'call'. It buzzed for a moment. Ryder looked back at Daring and waved her to the side away from the aim of the camera. Just as Ryder looked back the call connected showing a big black square and a little corner of it with his face in it. That black square turned into a pissed looking cyan Pegasus mare with a rainbow mane wearing a black tshirt and a pair of basketball shorts. "RYDER!" The mare snapped. "What the hell are you doing calling me now?! You know I work my wings out at this time to make myself fall asleep!" Ryder huffed.

"Dash... Shut the fuck up... I'm calling about a few things... one being Scoot. She doing okay?" This was Rainbow Dash. Ryder's snobby cousin. She's always racing someone. On foot, in the air and even on wheels motorized or pedal powered. Dash gave a smile.

"Well she's alright for the most part. Uncle Tyre has been acting a bit strange lately but other than that your little sister's been just fine. You hear about that guard who saved A.K. Yearling's life at her book signing today? You gotta give that guy a promotion for saving her ass!" Ryder sighed and scooted off to the side and beckoned Daring to his side.

Daring gave a grin as she got into view of the camera. Dash's jaw dropped. "Well if only he could give himself a promotion huh Rainbow Dash?" She said. "I kinda find it weird that I meet you AND your cousin and both of you end up helping me with my last books. You unintentionally and Ryder here... protection with a few benefits...." She kissed Ryder's cheek as he gave Dash a smug look.

"....You... have got to be fucking kidding me.... YOU SAVED A.K. YEARLING?!" Ryder gave a nod.

"Good girl on censoring yourself. It seems you know who is after me and knows my secret.... He sent someone to kill me and if it weren't for Ryder here there'd be a hole in my head." She nuzzled Ryder. "If he didn't want to protect me after I revealed who I was to him the book you were in would be the last and I'd disappear possibly dead...." Ryder hugged her and kissed her cheek. Dash looked a bit more jealous of her cousin.

"...Ryder I don't know how lucky you are to be THAT close to her... I thought you weren't working today how'd you manage to save her?!"

Ryder gave a sigh. "I wasn't working today. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time." He said. He averted his gaze and looked to Daring. "...Baby you mind if I asked about....?" Dash huffed.

"AJ's not gonna take you back numb nuts! She's dating me and Big Mac doesn't seem to mind! Why me over you I have no clue."

"I wasn't going to ask if you could talk to her and see if she would take me back! I wanted to ask if it were possible if you could get her to at least talk with me.... I want to see if she at least wants to be friends... I mean... Why have her when I've got this pretty thing here." He tapped Daring on the nose making her blush. "I just don't want her to be pissed off at me for something that wasn't even my fault!" Dash rolled her eyes.

"Daring did he tell you how he lost his ex?" Daring looked to the computer screen and shook her head. The mare on the screen grinned and looked down at her lap. "Well... get ready to keep him from crying then. This is gonna be a doozy." Daring gave a nod and sat in his lap wrapping his arms around her. Ryder averted his gaze just looking off to the side tightening his grip on her. "Alright you ready there?" Daring gave a nod. "Well... It was the day of this fuckers birthday." She pointed back at Ryder who let out a little whimper. "I was there with, Applejack, and all the other girls you met during our encounter. We all got wasted as hell and pretty much blacked out. We woke up, he didn't have pants, my friend Fluttershy was naked in bed cuddling him and she was all sticky down there and AJ thought he fucked the hell out of her and in reality Pinkie put something in their drinks to make them go insanely horny and just 'cream' themselves while they slept. Apparently Fluttershy got some of his spunk on her crotch and didn't even realize it she was blacked out drunk. She was probably the most wasted out of all of us. Yet he got the bad end of everything. He got his heart broken, he got beaten and accused of rape. Flutters accused him, I didn't believe her and neither did anyone else but AJ that's why he still has his position. If Pinkie hadn't owned up to doing that he'd be considered a sexual predator! She only owned up after AJ left but when Ryder was trying to explain it to her Big Mac pulled his gun on him and holy shit I thought I was gonna have to explain why Big Mac was riding away in the back of a guards truck to Scoot and AJ's little sister."

Daring felt Ryder shutter after hearing him take a deep breath. She looked back and saw he was crying. "...Shit you weren't kidding when you'd said he'd cry..." She said. She pried his hands off from around her waist and helped him stand up. "...Here baby why don't you go splash some water on your face? Just take a few deep breaths to calm down alright?" Ryder gave a nod having his sobs sound more audible. Daring gave him a warm smile and nudged him towards his bathroom door before sitting down in the seat. She rolled the chair closer to the computer just as he disappeared behind the bathroom door shutting it behind him. "Did Pinkie at least explain it?" Dash nodded.

"Yeah she did but Applejack didn't believe anything. Even worse she had a nightmare thinking he'd come back to rape her and kill Big Mac. She was way wrong." Just then a muffled door bell sounded off in the background. Dash huffed a bit. "Hey give me a second. Gotta see who's at the door and don't worry, always got a bat ready." Daring gave a nod and watched as Dash got up and disappeared off screen. Daring got up and hurried to the bathroom door shoving it open only to see Ryder just curled up on the ground next to the toilet sniffling.

As she walked over Ryder curled up even more. "....Go away.... just leave me alone....." He said. "....I... I just want to be alone.... We go there tomorrow... I-I'm fucked.... I'm gonna lose my job... I'm gonna lose you and.... I'm just...." He cried even harder.

Daring huffed. "Come on Ryder if you're brave enough for me you're brave enough to face your ex!" She snapped. She sat Ryder up and felt him shaking. He felt tense. "....Come on Ryder you're going to get yourself sick. You might need to lie yourself down and get some sleep... Maybe take the edge off everything. Just make sure everything's out, nothing's gonna make you look like a fool during the night and to be honest I wont be happy if I have to wake up in a wet bed again. Might make me just say fuck the entirety of the adventure."

"....B-but Ahuizotl.... He could still kill you...." Daring sighed.

"Just get up, use the can and get in bed. I kinda wanted to talk with your cousin a bit more. See if she could at least accompany us to-" They were suddenly cut off hearing yelling coming from the computer. Ryder quickly got to his feet and ran out back into his room with Daring on his tail. On the screen of Ryder's computer he saw Rainbow Dash holding a little orange Pegasus filly in her arms as she cried. The filly had a purple mane. She wore a red hoodie over what looked like grey sleepwear. Her wings were facing the camera just shaking with a few feathers falling away. "What the... Who's that? What's wrong with her?!" Ryder quickly sat Daring on the bed and sat himself in the chair in front of the computer.

"Dash what the hell is Scootaloo doing there?! Why's she crying?"

Dash looked to the camera as she set Scootaloo, Ryder's sister aside. "....You know how we were talking about Uncle Tyre earlier....?" She asked. Ryder gave a nod. She then pointed to her head and moved it, mimicking a gun going off.

"....You mean... he did it to himself....?" Dash nodded hesitantly yet sadly.

"...Sorry Ry.... the neighbor brought her over.... told me he found her hiding in her room after the gun went off.... I knew your dad had a lot of mental issues but.... I didn't think he'd go this far.... You uh.... you wanna see Scoot tomorrow? ....Pretty sure you know where I live right?" Ryder looked back at Daring.

"I need you to have a guard get Luna. I'll get some armor and we are heading out over to Ponyville ASAP!" Daring gave a nod and wrapped herself in the comforter from Ryder's bed and went to the door. He looked back to the screen. "Scoot I'll be there very soon.... Just stay close to Dash and everything will be okay!" He hung the video call up and instantly went for his drawers.

About an hour later both Daring were dressed and put into guard armor. Ryder in his golden helmet and chest plate and Daring in a silver unicorn with a faux brown horn shifted into place looking almost realistic. They were running down the hall with Princess Luna right between them. "Ryder do you really think it's wise to rush out to Ponyville with an asset coming along?" She asked. Ryder huffed.

"Princess I have this! My sister needs me and if I cant be there for my sister what kind of brother am I?!" Luna hesitated to answer. "Look we're taking your chopper, we already have someone waiting on the roof who can fly!" He pointed over to Daring and whispered. "She's disguised as a guard and no one would think to attack the guard. Someone who tries to even lay a hand on a guard in harm immediately gets taken out. They see her and assume they're dead if they even try. When we get to Ponyville you stay with Twilight and Daring and I will just rush out to my cousins. It'll be safer being unknown and under cover of darkness. Can put the bullet proof shielding up too so we wont have to worry." Luna huffed.

"Alright.... Don't let your fucking confidence be your downfall. Stay focused, don't get distracted by any tail or your sister. You need to find somewhere in Bullvania to lay low and I suggest your friend Ember Sparks."

Daring looked over as they went through a door marked 'Authorized Personnel only'. "Ember Sparks? Who's he?" She asked.

Ryder gave a sigh as they climbed the stairs. "I'll tell you when we get in the air." He said. Daring gave a nod hearing him sounding a bit ticked. As they neared the roof the sound of chopper blades roaring came to her ears. Ryder kicked open a door at the top of the steps sending a loud 'KERCHUNK' echoing through the empty stairwell. Wind sent little pieces of paper and dust flying up into the stairwell and in the air. As they walked out onto the roof Daring saw dozens of night guards armed with assault rifles lining a pathway straight to a transport chopper with lights shown on it revealing dark blue and purple color's with the Equestrian flag symbol on it.

As she walked through the guards all she could see were assassins waiting to get her within range to grab her, shoot her, or detonate a bomb that was strapped to their chests. Yet with a princess they wouldn't dare at all try that. At least that's what she would've thought before Luna spoke up. "Do not mind them." She said resting her hand on Daring's shoulder. "They're only here to see me off. Those rifles are to scare off anyone who wishes to do me harm. Filled with blanks." She stopped holding Ryder back. Suddenly she grabbed the gun and aimed it at Daring pulling the trigger. The rifle rapidly spat out shell casings as Daring cowered fearing for her life hearing the rifle fire off the blanks. As the rifle clicked Daring looked up shaking. She watched as Luna handed the rifle back giving a laugh. "Sorry. Couldn't help but haze the new recruit for the general. This should give her a bit of pep to keep going if she's ever injured."

The guard gave a nod and Daring started walking again staying right next to Ryder. She felt tempted to hold his hand but she didn't want to give the guards a rumor to spread. Ryder rested his hand on her shoulder and pushed down just as they neared the chopper. They waited at the open door waiting for Princess Luna to step in. After she stepped in and sat in her seat they both entered the chopper and shut the door. The armored mare quickly latched onto Ryder shaking. He sat down in the seat right next to Princess Luna and sat Daring across from him. "...W-why did you do that...?" She asked. Luna sighed using her magic to buckle herself in.

"Like I said. If you are ever injured I want you to keep fighting! You're like Ryder. Scared at first but you will learn to keep going no matter what. First week in the guard Ryder had been hazed by the head of the guard. Scared the crap out of him in his own apartment and made him think he was being kidnapped. Dressed everyone up like a local gang, notified his neighbors and kinda paid em off to keep quiet. He was scared to the point of messing himself but hey at least that didn't happen to you." Daring averted her gaze and blushed a bit.

"...I.... may have peed a little.... Damn sound...." She looked between her legs and saw a tiny stain. Just a tiny one. Wouldn't even have been noticed up close even. "....Just... Gotta calm down...." As the blades of the chopper sounded faster and louder Luna used her magic and brought up a few headsets putting it on Daring, Ryder and herself.

"Take as much time as you need. I need to do a little flight check anyways. Make sure everything's secure and safe. Speaking of which maybe you should buckle up. Make sure you don't fall out of your seat during the flight. Happens more than you think." Daring gave a nod and quickly strapped in. Luna looked to Ryder as the chopper started to lift off. "Oh and let's not forget who Ember Sparks is. Do you need a drink while explaining?"

Ryder gave a hesitant nod. The princess beside him stamped her foot down a few times before a rectangle on the floor glowed. It shot up and opened like a chest revealing a cooler filled with snacks and drinks. Ryder took a bottle of water handing one to Daring as well before it went back down into the floor. "Alright... Ember... He and I basically grew up together..." He said. "Did some little league stuff, had gone to the same school, even slept over at each others homes when it was possible to hang out... On my birthday he came to me with that GT I spoke of earlier and told me to keep it because he was moving to Steurope. Until maybe about a year ago I didn't know where he was until I found an email I didn't think he used anymore. Dude apparently used it a lot. Found out that way he managed to get the highest rank of the Clippersville military. Base is just a couple miles east of the Bullvanian border. Not gonna get anymore into it but... eh.... I just wanna calm down."

Daring cracked open her water and sipped from the bottle. "....H-he was the one who gave you that car?" She asked. Ryder gave a nod. "...Must've crushed him to know you wrecked it."

Luna glanced over at Ryder who was now staring out the window as they flew. She sighed and shook her head before looking to Daring. "He never told his friend about the car being totaled." She said. "He thinks its better to keep it hidden to maintain a friendship. Celestia had a talk with him about it and he thinks it could actually start a war between them that would cause great tension amongst our otherwise peaceful areas. Yet Celestia and I both know that isn't gonna happen. He chooses not to believe us."

"...That good of friends huh...?" Luna gave a nod. "... sheez.... He must've been like a brother to him... makes me wish I had friends like that... All I've had was clerks that have helped in my escapes from Ahuizotl... Just allowing me to hide in the back of their shops before just running off..." She looked out the window as well. "...I was glad none of those shop owners ratted me out... Otherwise those treasures would be gone..." She gave a yawn and crossed her arms. Luna hummed.

"Something tells me you might be about to crash from everything calming down...." She looked to Ryder. "Ryder we might need to pull a quick drop maneuver with you two."

Ryder looked to Princess Luna wiping his eyes. "...But... The buildings are much too close for just a quick touch down!" He said. "The only place we can do a touch & go is... there..."

"It might be something we'd have to risk... you've got armor so you're there on duty and you could commandeer the vehicle they own!"

Daring slapped herself a bit to stop herself from nodding off. "Wait... are you talking about his ex?" She asked. Luna and Ryder gave a nod. "Well? If it's the only place lets do it! Hit two targets with one shot! Anything happens I'll be back up! I promise I can be of use!"

Ryder smiled a bit. "...I guess you can help...." He said. "Just me would cause a problem and... possibly trigger a gun going off aimed somewhere around my face, my legs and my arms..." He looked to Luna. "...Guess we can do it... Stay about twenty feet above the trees. I can make a safe landing for both of us." Luna gave a nod.

The princess looked to the guard in the front seat of the chopper. "Pilot! Execute plan twenty one alpha! Location of Sweet Apple Acres! Go!" The pilot gave a thumbs up just as Ryder unbuckled himself. He got up and quickly knelt down near Daring.

"Alright when we're given the word you're going to get in front of me and hold on as tight as you can and we're gonna fall for a second before I open my wings and try and give our landing a little bit of a cushion. Worst that can happen is a few bumps and bruises if I don't get it just right. So far that's about a sixty five percent success rate! Other thirty five percent was fail and one of those times I landed in a tree."

Daring gave a bit of a confused sound. "Wait... You fell in a tree doing this?!" She asked. Ryder gave a nod. She grunted. "Screw that get us to a fucking field! I don't wanna get my ass caught in a tree! Last time I was in one I had a huge fucking wedgie! Panties caught on a branch and the ointment... ugh..."

Luna huffed. "Don't worry we'll drop you over the house." She said. "You'll be able to climb down easily from the rooftop. It might me tough but Ryder can help you down first. He can take anything that's thrown at him. He got nailed by a guard truck one time and walked away not even a scratch on him!" Daring gave a sigh and rolled her eyes.

"...I'll trust you but if I end up hanging by my underwear... Someone else is getting a wedgie coming from the stallion that lives there! Got me?" Ryder gave a nod and patted her on the shoulder.

About a half hour later Ryder had the door of the chopper open just hanging on to a handle on the outside with Daring just in her seat just buckled up and staring out into the darkness over Equestria. He looked to Daring and held his only free hand out. She hesitantly stood up and took his hand. He pulled her close and wrapped her arms around his waist. She gripped him tight as they descended towards the ground just over what looked to be an orchard. "ALRIGHT SLOW UP! I WANT TO STAY ON THE FUCKING ROOF NOT FALL OFF!" He yelled. "ITS A QUICK DROP BUT THIS IS SERIOUSLY TOO FAST!"

Luna rolled her eyes and carefully moved herself closer to Ryder and Daring. "I'M SORRY ABOUT THIS RYDER!" She yelled. "BRACE YOURSELVES!" Her horn glowed a bit and so did Ryder's hand. Just as they came close to a house Ryder's hand was thrown from the grip handle. They fell back yelling just managing to hit the roof and roll for a few feet before the edge.

When the chopper flew away from the house and the trees Ryder looked down at Daring only to see her head dug into his chest trembling. "....A-are we.... are we alive....?" She asked.

Ryder sat up trembling a bit himself. "...Yeah... You okay? Anything on you hurt?" He asked. She shook her head. "...Alright... Now uh... You think you can let me go and get up? We gotta get you off the roof..." Daring looked around and released the stallion hesitantly. She stood up on the roof carefully. The roof was slanted with a chimney sticking up at the far end. Suddenly behind her Ryder yelled a bit. She looked back only to see Ryder hanging by the back of his pants.

"Ryder! What the fuck happened?!" Ryder grunted and looked up at her a bit embarrassed.

"Yeah... you might wanna watch your step.... Slipped on a rotten apple... Cant believe what you said happened to you happened to me... fuck..."

Just as Daring was about to answer a window was heard opening. A light shown on the hanging stallion making him cover his face as it glimmered off his armor. "I knew I heard some giant bird drop a load of shit on the roof!" Someone said. Daring carefully peered over the edge of the house and saw a blonde maned orange mare wearing a tank top and red panties leaning out the window with a flashlight in hand. The mare huffed seeing the glimmer of her armor as well. "Ah hell... you've got someone else...." She looked inside. "BIG MAC! THE GUN STAYS IN THE CABINET! NOW GET YOUR DAMN LADDER AND MY ROPE!" The mare stepped back inside and closed the window leaving Ryder to struggle. This was Applejack. A thirty year old earth pony mare and Ryder's ex.

"Rope? NO NO NO AJ GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE NO ROPE!" He looked up at Daring. "Come on Daring help me before she has a chance to get it! Please!"

Daring rolled her eyes and carefully stepped down the slope. "Don't mean anything by this.... just.... go limp before you hit the ground..." She said as she put her boot on her coltfriends flank.

"W-WAIT WHAT DARING DONT-" The mare pushed a bit causing Ryder's pants to tear a bit before he yelled falling to the ground. He hit the ground and groaned doubling over in pain. Daring backed up on the roof a few feet before breaking into a run and doing a front flip off the roof. She landed a bit hard having to drop to her knees. She huffed and got up brushing the dirt off herself.

"...would've been better if I wasn't wearing this fucking armor...." She looked to Ryder. "Alright bud get your ass up! Falling that far shouldn't hurt that bad since you can quote 'take anything that's thrown at you'." Ryder got to his hands and knees giving a cough from the dust.

"...Y-you're so lucky I love you... otherwise you'd get an uppercut to the cunt..." He slowly got to his feet and brushed himself off. "...We should really get going before we're both tied up."

Daring was about to answer until a light shown on them again. "TOO LATE!" Someone said. A stallion this time. Ryder and Daring turned around only to see a large red earth pony stallion with an orange mane holding a flash light. He wore a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt. Big MacIntosh or Big Mac for short. He's Applejack's older brother. Forty years old. A rope flew over him tied in a lasso. It quickly wrapped around Ryder's ankles. Applejack jumped from behind her brother and they both pulled the rope sending Ryder to the dirt yet again. Daring backed away as they started to hog tie him. "You got balls coming here even with backup you filthy skunk! You seriously got a fucking death wish!"

Ryder struggled to try and break free. "G-GUYS LET ME GO PLEASE!" He said. "W-WE JUST CAME TO ASK YOU FOR HELP! I SWEAR IT'LL BE THE LAST TIME WE COME HERE!"

Applejack looked at Ryder's face in the light. He was scared. She looked back to her older brother. "Go grab the other! Bring em inside!" She snapped. Big Mac nodded and ran towards Daring. Daring yelped and fell onto her flank. The stallion slowed to a stop with his hands up.

"Woah there bud... I aint gonna hurt you.... Guess we're only talkin' with you instead of that dirtbag we got tied up." He pointed over his shoulder at Ryder being pinned down under AJ's foot. "Just come with me and maybe have yourself a drink. I can give you a bit of medical attention if you need it."

Daring shuttered. "...W-what about him? How can I trust you alone?" She asked. Big Mac huffed.

"Look he aint allowed out in these parts cuz of what he did... You're not gonna be touched. Now you gonna come with me or not? I'm not afraid to call up a princess and have your ass fired!" The armored mare huffed.

"...Fine.... I'll go with you but he is released uninjured or else someone here is seriously hurt!" Big Mac nodded and started walking towards the other side of the house. Daring followed him just staring at Ryder as he struggled.

Ryder looked at her having tears in his eyes knowing she was ditching him. He looked back at Applejack. "C'MON AJ LET ME GO!" He snapped. "I just wanna talk! Just untie me and lets be civil about this!"

Applejack flipped Ryder over onto his back and sat him up as she knelt down. "Oh we can talk alright! You're just gonna sit there and do it!" She snapped. "Say anything about us and I'm delivering you straight to your fucking father! Let him deal with you!" The stallion stopped struggling and whimpered a bit. Applejack gave him a confused look in the dimmed light from a nearby window. "...Why'd you stop? There aint someone behind me is there?"

"....J-just fucking untie me.... please...." Tears came to his eyes. ".... just... help me go see Dash.... I promise to stay out of here!" He just broke down sobbing a bit. Applejack gave a sigh and pulled a part of the rope releasing him as a whole. Quickly he just hugged her. She let him. No hesitating on pushing back, no hitting and not even one scream for her brother.

"...Alright sugarcube... Lettin' ya have this one but keep your hands away from my rear and anything else that can get you fired!" He sniffled.

"....Th-thank you... Can... can we just go inside please? ...I just.... I think my partner split my pants.... and my boxers..." Applejack snickered a bit and helped the crying stallion to his feet.

"Well.... At least I don't gotta humiliate you now.... Would've just stripped you naked and forced you to run to Twilight or Dash...." She pried his arms from around her and brushed the dirt off as best as she could. "...Now c'mon... you can get washed up in the shower... I'll send Big Mac out to get Dash and bring her here... Would that help you out?" Ryder gave a nod sniffling. "Alright... come on then." She slung one of Ryder's arms over her shoulders and propped him upright as they walked around the house together. Applejack sighed. "....You know.... I'm actually kinda glad you're back Ry.... I wanted to.... well..." She huffed and averted her gaze. "...Fuck this is hard...." She looked back to Ryder. "...Lets just get you inside and in the shower... you're all filthy..."

About five minutes later Big Mac was wearing a hoodie and a pair of boots standing at the door with Applejack. "You're serious about lettin' Ryder run around here while I'm out?" He asked. Applejack shoved her brothers truck keys into his chest.

"Yeah I'm sure. I mean he started cryin' after I mentioned his father..." The sibling stallion huffed.

"He's scared. Don't be fooled by it. He tries anything tie him to a chair, call me and I'll be at Twilight's faster than Dash flies!" Applejack hugged her brother quickly just before he opened the door and rushed out. Applejack turned back inside seeing Daring siting on the couch clutching a can of soda. The living room of the home was a bit rustic. The couch was a very worn grey color with a wooden coffee table in front of it. Against the wall was a large entertainment center looking quite new with a flat screen TV and a game console sitting in the middle of it. The kitchen was attached to the living room with a large white fridge, cleaned white tile countertop. The floors were a hard wood. Polished and smooth with an area rug underneath the coffee table and couch.

"...Alright... your boss is in the shower, my brothers off to get his cousin and... Guess that just leaves you n me to talk huh?" Daring gave a nod blushing as she just sipped her soda. Applejack sat down on the arm of the couch and huffed. "...So uh.... how long you been with the guard....?"

Daring sighed setting her soda down. "...Applejack you should really know my face by now..." She said averting her gaze. The earth pony mare gave a shocked and confused look. She turned her around and removed the helmet slowly revealing the grey scale mane.

"...Darin'? What the hell you doin' here sugarcube? Aint you supposed to be hiding?!" Daring nodded.

"...I take it you heard about the attack earlier..." Applejack nodded. "...I was glad Ryder was there to save me... if not... A.K. Yearling and Daring Do dead to the same bullet...." Tears came to her eyes. "...Surprisingly I've never been that close to a firearm before... I haven't shot one, nor have I had one shot near me.... It's been hand to hand combat, spears and sword fighting... I've shot a crossbow but... not a gun... Not... a fucking gun..." She hugged Applejack and started to sob lightly. Applejack sighed.

"...It's alright sugarcube.... Something tells me we should get your armor off too... just get you a bit more comfortable... Armors gotta kill your back girl." She pushed Daring off her and carefully undid the bulky silver armor and carefully pulled it over her head. She set it aside being careful to not damage it. "...There we are. You actually might be able to sleep here no problem... Far enough away from the city to hear trouble coming and armed to the teeth with a few shotguns, a pistol and my daddy used to fight in the war so... might have a little something to beat the hell out of who ever with it. Had it stowed under my bed just incase the stallion upstairs showering off ever came around and force me to tell him what I already know..." Daring sniffled and wiped her eyes.

"... Y-you... you just have something ready to beat Ryder....?" Applejack nodded. "...He must've pissed you off real bad after cheating on you..." The earth pony mare sat back in the couch.

"...He told ya then didn't he...? About the drugs that made him hornier than a unicorn mixed with a rabbit...?" Daring nodded. "....Well... Guess everyone here knows now.... Damn near pissed myself hearing it from the mare who drugged em... I swore I was going insane but the mare he slept with even confirmed it... I wanted to call him up and apologize but I didn't get a hold of him. Must've blocked my number or something..."

"...He didn't actually want to come here even with the problems at hand.... Had to talk some sense into him before we were dropped in onto the roof.... Actually we weren't really dropped here.... more like pushed by a princess..." Applejack gave a confused look. "...Yeah... Princess Luna was pretty much forced to bring us here... I guess as payback for Ryder she pushed us out of the chopper onto your roof." AJ snickered a bit.

"...Aint everyday that I hear of a princess tossing one of her own guards right out of a fucking helicopter just feet from the house where you scared the shit out of two ponies who were just about to get a bit of sleep. Lucky our sister's with one of her little friends... She would've just freaked the fuck out, screamed, called the guard and probably would've had Big Mac smack you up and down the orchard with a branch from one of the trees. Had it done to me when I was younger and it left welts."

"...Your sister must be scared to get in any trouble then. I remember when I first got into trouble. My mother slapped me across the face... She left the next morning because father didn't want me to be beaten... He protected me, told me how to protect myself via hand to hand combat.... It helped with my adventures...." She huffed and moved the helmet lying down resting her head on Applejack's lap. "You mind if I just lay here until Ryder comes out of the shower?"

"Hell I don't mind Sugarcube. Might make my marefriend jealous as hell though and she's on her way over here... Who knows it might just get me a bit more time in bed with her knowin' you're that close." Immediately Daring shot up having Applejack snicker. "Hey come on dont think about it like that! Not gettin' all hot under the collar here. I can control myself unlike her and that boy she's related to. I found him actually sniffing a pair of my panties while I was in the shower." Just upstairs the sound of a fiddle sounded off. Applejack looked upstairs and huffed. "Well shit... That's my phone and that could be her now..." She looked to Daring as she got up. "You okay waitin' here or you wanna come with me?" Daring hopped up to her feet and stretched her back.

"No use in staying here... It's good to have someone to talk with." The mares shot each other smiles before they hurried upstairs. They went into Applejack's room only to see a bright light shining in the dark room. AJ flipped a switch near the door revealing a bed with the covers all messy and half off the bed. The sheets were covered in little apple slice designs on it. The light came from a cell phone sitting on a wooden nightstand. A few overhead lights were lit giving the room a relaxing glow. Against the wall was a long dresser with a small flat screen TV on it with a DVD player sitting under it. Applejack quickly snatched up her phone and unplugged it from an unseen wire. She gave a sigh seeing it was only her brother.

"Dammit.... what the hell's he callin' me for? He didn't break down again did he....?" She huffed and pressed the answer icon along with the speakerphone icon. "What Big Mac? You got Dash yet?"

The muffled slam of a truck door and a huff was heard. "Sorry AJ I just saw Scoots place and I am freakin' the hell out!" He said. "The place is swarming with guards and apparently Scoot aint even here! Each guard I asked about her didn't know her, didn't know if she was around and... I think I'm just losing it!"

"What the hell?! Why are guards there anyways? Did Scoot's father report her missin' or something?"

Daring sighed and quickly snatched up AJ's phone hitting the mute button. "Sorry to do that but Ryder's little sister is fine." She said. "Rainbow Dash has her safe but... the guards are there just to clean up the place and look for anything that could be a problem...." Applejack gave a confused look.

"The hell do you mean?"

"I mean..... Ryder's sister was brought to Rainbow Dash because .... his father committed suicide..." Applejack gasped. Daring handed the phone back. "... That's why we came here... well... he pretty much dragged me out here... just to see his sister before we were off... I feel its good to do for him but only for a while... Time is precious but the artifact we are after is set in stone and protected and hidden away in catacombs. That's one thing Ryder had missed out with the sword..." She looked off as she sat down on the bed.

Applejack hit the mute icon on her phone and Big Mac's voice came up. "AJ? AJ are you there?!" He said sounding a bit panicked.

AJ sighed and sat on the bed. "...Scoot's at Dash's place... Daddy's dead... them guards are just the clean up crew...." She said. The stallion on the other end of the phone gave a sigh.

"...Oh shit... So that lil filly's all alone....?" Applejack gave no answer tearing up a bit. "A-a-alright I'll get Dash and Scoot and come straight back there! If you can call Rarity have her bring Applebloom and Sweetie there."

"....Nah... leave em where they be.... Scoot needs her brother and we got a guest here.... Don't think we got room for two more fillies here. Maybe you can try sleeping at Fluttershy's or something... Ryder might have to take your bed but uh... Maybe have Dash bring him something to wear. Fool tore his pants falling from the roof." Without another word Big Mac hung up leaving Daring and Applejack in silence. "...I cant believe it.... no wonder he started cryin' after I threatened to drag him home... Boy hasn't seen his father for a while and the same with his sister but... I cant believe he went that far just to... get away from it all..."

Daring reached up and grabbed the earth pony mare's hand sitting her on the bed next to her. "...maybe you should apologize to him when he steps out of the shower..." She said. "....for now.... Just breathe.... seems like everyone is in need of a spa day..." AJ sniffled.

"...Spa day sounds... kinda nice actually..." She looked to Daring. "...I've been snappin' at everyone lately.... no reason for it but... I just think I'm still emotional over my Winona...." A few sobs escaped. "....Sh-she was the family pet.... and body guard... She'd go after him when I'd say the words that made her snap.... she'd even be sleeping at the foot of my bed..." She hugged Daring. "...B-but... Big Mac had to go and drive Applebloom to school when he was sick... Didn't see the dog during a sneeze and ran right over her...." She whimpered a bit and started to sob harder. Tears poured from her eyes that clenched shut almost as if they were pipes about to burst.

"....You should take a spa day tomorrow... Maybe take Ryder with you... I think he's going a little over the top with his stress and could use something to relax other than throwing himself at me..." She blushed hard and averted her gaze.

Just then they heard Ryder call out. "Uh.... Can someone please bring me something to wear please?" He asked. "I'm not walking out there naked with my sister on her way!"

Applejack sniffled and pushed away from Daring. "...Just go in my drawers, grab the blue panties with the Super Mare logo and take it to him." She said. "Don't tell him I told you this but... I caught him wearing those back when we first started goin' out." Both mares snickered at the stallion's expense for a moment. Not long later Daring and Applejack were standing out in front of the bathroom door.

"...I'm not wearing these... Don't you have anything more... I don't know manly?" Applejack leaned on the wall right next to the door.

"There is some of Big Mac's clothes but last I checked you're a skeleton compared to him! Just put em on, I got Dash bringing some of her things you can wear. It's either these or just bare it all until she gets here and risk your sister peekin' at your parts."

Daring huffed. "Ryder come on please wear those?" She asked. "I promise I wont laugh! It's not going to make you any less of a stallion."

"Yeah c'mon listen to the girl! If you wont just stay in there. Besides I hear Rarity makes these for that Trenderhoof jackass you saved me from... Same with Hoity Toity and hell I've gotta say it: a few of your underlings as well. Twilight can even confirm. So come on now. Put up or shut up with them panties." Ryder groaned a bit before mumbling to himself. Daring tiptoed away back into Applejack's room and grabbed her phone before coming to the door and whistling. Applejack looked to her and had the phone tossed to her. Immediately she turned the screen on and tapped on it twice pulling up a camera. The door to the bathroom opened revealing Ryder wearing nothing but the panties, just bulging at the crotch. He was blushing hard just as he heard the click of Applejack's phone camera. "HA GOT IT!" Both Daring and Applejack started to bust up laughing.

Ryder whimpered quickly covering himself with a damp towel. "DAMMIT I THOUGHT YOU WERENT GONNA LAUGH!" He yelled. Applejack's laugh died down while Daring's kept going.

"Sorry there sugarcube.... Just a bit of insurance for me just incase you try anythin' funny!" Ryder grunted and threw the towel over his exmarefriends face.

"....Insurance for what? Keeping my cool while here?" Applejack gave a nod as she walked over to Daring and gave her a quick punch in the arm getting her to stop laughing.

"Yeah sugarcube... With your hero marefriend here, me being here and uh... the other problem... You know what it is... With all this here you might be a bit on edge... You're probably gonna snap, hit and do what ever..."

Daring huffed. "...She's right you know." She said. "...You're very snippy and emotional. When we got back to the castle in Canterlot you ran off crying and you yelled at a princess to fly you out here... Now a bit of vital information you may have missed while studying on the sword. It's in stone but hidden in miles of catacomb like compounds with guards everywhere. It's a maze if you don't have a guide. If I know Ahuizotl he has to provide a plan and gain his followers through hypnosis... He needs to find warriors to keep him hidden, drive him places and even throw themselves onto mines and in front of bullets. Basically no one anyone would miss... Takes the homeless, gives them food and just hypnotizes them and waits for them to be at full strength so they could watch us and see where we go. I don't know if he's sending an assassin with you near me or not but you saved me today, earned my total trust and... got a few benefits to go with it..." She shot him a smile before walking up to him and hugging him. Just as she kissed his cheek he blushed harder having his wings extend with a POMF. Applejack snickered a bit.

"I did know you had a thing... Just the body language said a lot." She walked over and hugged both Daring and Ryder and sighed.. "Maybe a good time as any... ...Ry I'm sorry for not listenin' to ya.... Twi called a meeting between everyone and I had to be cuffed to a chair just to hear Pinkie tell me she did the things that made me shove you down stairs and into the pits of heartbreak... Can you forgive me?"

Ryder looked to Daring and whimpered a bit. "...Baby... I'm sorry for this but know I still love you...." He said. Suddenly he pulled Applejack close and kissed her on the lips. She didn't even fight back. Daring did a bit. She forced Ryder's face away from Applejack's and forced him to face her.

Daring huffed. "A simple nod would've been fine!" She snapped. "But... Since you already said you're sorry I'll let it slide.... From now on she gets a kiss on the cheek and you kiss me on the lips! Got me?" Ryder nodded a bit scared. She patted his cheek. "Good boy. Now... You just go sit in AJ's room until Dash gets here. I'll run clothes up to you if she has any." The stallion nodded and pushed the mares off him before rushing towards his ex's room. Daring looked to AJ. "I have a quick question about Ryder's little sister.... Is she one to keep quiet about things?"

Applejack gave a quick nod. "She's the one girl who can just shut up for just about anything." She said. "With her brother being a guard no stallion or mare would think of harming her in a way the guard would have to be involved. I remember one day after he became a guard some fucker was in front of the school trying to grab our sisters and I swear if I were carpooling with him he'd've gone and killed me or something. You wanna know what that boy did? He drives full speed in the guard truck he had and smashes into the truck the bastard who's trying to take our sisters owns and hops out only to slam him to the ground, force him to eat dirt until I got our sisters into the family truck and called the guard to get the guy. Known kidnapper, had a dungeon full of fillies in his basement and no one knew! Pulled four fillies from Manehattan, two from Canterlot and apparently his 'Daughter' was a filly he kidnapped from Fillydelphia when he started his kidnappin's. Ry's sister vowed never to talk about it again." Daring huffed and stretched.

"A bit long winded but... I guess that means yes..." Aj nodded. "Well... What about your brother? Can he?" She nodded again. "Well... I guess everything is safe here...." Her stomach gurgled. She blushed. "...Do you think you can keep Ryder comfortable? I'm gonna be a bit...." Applejack nodded and hugged Daring quickly before she rushed into the bathroom.

"Glad you're okay sugarcube! I'll keep him in his place till you get out!" Applejack smiled slowly backing away from the bathroom door before walking to her room. Ryder's relationship with his ex is patched somewhat but is Daring actually safe even with those who know?

To be continued....