Author's Notes:

I'm getting rid of the day systems here. Trying to figure out all the different days and such is tough. This might be just one after another going day by day or so depending on wherever it goes. Max days a chapter might have would probably be one or two.

Well... I'd say its good to be back in my own house but I'm not sure. It's been a week since the surgery for my wing replacement and honestly its great. Works well but i just have to get used to laying on it. Today Scootaloo is out of the house with Celestia and Soarin surprisingly in Cloudsdale. I met with Soarin one on one and thanked him for staying by my sisters side and helping out with her. Even got his number to hang out with him sometime but he said he'll call me. Said i can text at any time just as long as it doesnt ask a favor unless its about Scootaloo. He's gotten so attached its like he's the brother I've never had. But enough about that. Right now I just woke up drenched in sweat from a nightmare. I dont remember much but... but I did remember a punch to the face that woke me up. Now I find myself in my bathroom splashing my face with water. I was wearing sweat pants and a tank top. The light behind me was bright and it kinda hurt my eyes with the brightness. After a few splashes of water I looked at my face in the mirror. Even extended my wings to get a look at them and stretch them out a bit. My left wing was just a metal wing that worked pretty well. It was metal and bendable just made comfortable enough for me to lie on it and not notice. But where it connected to my body was a little uncomfortable but the doctor said it would pass. Anyways I sighed. "...C'mon Ry... Just go back to bed... everything will be fine...." I said to myself. "...Just... I dont know... text Gilda... dont bother AJ.... talk with Luna... just... get yourself to go to sleep somehow...." I shut the water off and walked myself to my room where I just plopped into my bed staring at the ceiling. I had to reach for my phone before grabbing it only to be blinded by the light of it and it was on the lowest setting.

I just stared at the lock screen on my phone for a second. It was AJ lifting her skirt up a bit giving me a naughty face. I got her to take that for me when I went to see her the other day after I got surgery. She helped me since I was loopy from the anesthetic and she just teased me the whole time.... It was worth it though. I unlocked it and went to my texts. Applejack texted me a couple hours ago giving me another teased picture but this one was something I wished for while I was out and that I actually had Big Mac help with.... surprised she did it... Cutest sailor outfit on a diapered apple mare... Dash texted me yesterday telling me that she was glad I was back... and that was after I back handed her a few times for the shit she pulled while I was away but.. she was glad to take it. Before I could look at the other texts someone called me. Wasnt expecting it but Gilda called me. Surprised AJ allowed this but Gilda was in Applejack's bra and panties and she even lied on her bed striking a sexy pose... For her contact photo nonetheless. I smiled hitting the answer button and putting it up to my ear. "Hey dwee-.... Hey Ryder..." She said. "...I cant sleep over here... I'm sorry if I woke you up but... I've just got things on my mind..." I sighed.

"...Perfect timing... I got stuff on my mind too....Actually was just about to text you. What's got you beat? Normally I'm the one calling you." Gilda sighed a bit.

"....I dunno.... Just... I'm contemplating whether or not to move to Ponyville permanently and leave everything behind in Griffonstone... I've just got a little bad blood in Griffonstone.... All because I accidentally gave food poisoning to a few of my so called friends and an elder... They ruled it as an accident because the flour was bad even though it was packaged and it said it was good till next year. Always froze it... I lost my shop there but I still had a bit of income thanks to the friend i didnt poison giving me a few bits for every sale she made but it hasnt been enough to pay my rent... me coming out here was good but... I've just been bunking with Dash and I dont even have my bike... I had it flown in but to the wrong city and I even called the company to complain. They said they'd get my bike and fly it out but that hasnt happened in a month... Can you help me make my decision here?" I huffed.

"...Well... Fluttershy and Pinkie are still untrustworthy but... maybe we can fix that.... Dash would love it if you stayed because that means if 'Shy has another split with Dash you and Dash can actually go for it and AJ and Rarity? I dont think they really have any feelings one way or the other. So... Just do what ever you feel is alright and if you need a garage to store your things until you find a place here my garage is always open to you." I heard her sigh a sigh of relief.

"...Thanks... makes me feel a lot better here... I guess I can try and spend time with Fluttershy and show her I really wanna say I'm sorry for the things I did... She's not one to hold grudges right?"

"Not really. But Pinkie is another story. She'll go and shrug you off until she knows you're sorry enough. That means you'd probably have to endure a few party cannon surprises until you pretty much piss yourself...." Yeah... Pinkie hit me with TWO party cannon blasts the other day. First because I didnt say goodbye to her and second time because I scared everypony even my sister. That second one scared me out of a dead sleep and I wet myself while sleeping over at her place. I was too scared to even be at home by myself. And AJ was actually busy with something and didnt want me to stay over.

"Well... alright... What's on your mind?" I sighed.

"...It's kinda worrying to sleep alone here... I know murders happened in this house and I've been away for a good while but.... something is just keeping me from sleeping... and I know it isnt anything there.... It just.... I feel like there's just.... just something here.... its making me highly uncomfortable.... something in my mind saying dont sleep at all...."

"Awww poor baby.... you probably dont wanna sleep because of all that military stuff you dealt with. Twilight actually told me you had to shoot a guy just to keep him from spreading any intel. That true?" I huffed.

"...Just tell me how to fucking get to sleep.... I'm too tired to deal with this shit...."

"Alright alright dweeb jeez! Lighten up will ya? I just asked you a question!"

"Sorry I just.... please help...." Gilda huffed. She knew I didnt like being hurt and just wanted me to get to sleep so she could. Otherwise my problems will bother her.

"...My head tells me for you to just drink some warm milk and lie somewhere other than your bed. just... make sure you dont want to end up sleeping outside or something...." I sighed getting up out of bed again phone in hand and grabbing my charger and walked out of my room and down stairs.

"Alright... I'll try that but... I dont like sleeping on the couch at all... It'll have to do though.... I'll just keep my phone handy and just.... see if i can sleep.... maybe you'd be able to come visit tomorrow? Or uh... later considering time?"

"Well what does that marefriend of yours say to a little threesome?" I walked downstairs using my phone as a light after putting it on speaker.

"Well.... Not sure but she has been with both Dash and Fluttershy at the same time... I guess it'll depend on her mood." Gilda just huffed and yawned a bit.

"Well.. I'll drop by sometime tomorrow. Who knows? Might just give you a little time to toy with yourself after i tease the fuck out of you. For now.... I'm just gonna get to bed... Night dweeb...."

"Night Gil... Hopefully we can at least go for a bite to eat...." She was the one to hang up there but I sighed. "...missed you...." I did end up doing what she said. Even plugged my phone charger in the wall and my phone as well but... I didnt sleep for long. I woke up to a pop just above my head and the smell of smoke. I even heard the smoke alarm go off. When I opened my eyes I just saw a glowing light just a few feet from where my head was laying. I took a peek at it and right there coming out of the socket and destroying my phone charger was a fire. I quickly unplugged my phone and grabbed what was left of my now lukewarm glass of milk that i left on the table near me. And yes... like the idiot i was I threw the milk at the flame expecting to extinguish it but NOBODY TAUGHT ME THAT WATER MAKES ELECTRICAL FIRES WORSE! It sparked and the flame grew more. I had to bail off the couch and rush upstairs to grab a back pack, stuff some clothes inside- pants, socks, underwear and shirts because essentials- and even went for a box that had all my C-sphere stuff in it. Console, games, wires and controllers. Why was this in a box you ask? Big Mac decided to freak me out the day I came back to this place making me think it got stolen after the earthquake Scootaloo told me about. I actually had to close my door and smash out a window to get myself out. I didnt bother getting anything from Scootaloo's room because she's got a bunch of clothes with her. In order for me to jump out and not get cut by any broken glass at the bottom i flew out a bit carrying the box and my clothes before landing street side. Just as I hit the ground I looked around at my house. I saw the flames in the windows and smoke billowing from the broken window in my room. Next thing you know the wire on the outside of the house sparks and lights the roof, then my room. All I could do was watch as my house went up in flames.

I fell to my knees just as a neighbor ran across the street. She was a unicorn mare. A bit older than what my mother would've been but probably nicer than my mother. She was wearing a dark red bathrobe, matching pajama pants and what looked to be a white tank top underneath. Her coat was a light orange and her mane was a redish orange. My neighbor- I called her Miss Hawk- came over to me and stood me up. "Ryder! Ryder are you alright?" She asked. I whimpered a bit hearing sirens in the distance. "I called the guard when you broke your window. Hopefully they see the smoke and get the fire fighters."

"...M-My house... My stuff...." Miss Hawk lifted me off my knees and hugged me.

"Hey... its okay... you made it out okay.... Is your sister okay?" I gave her a nod.

"...She's.... She's with... a caretaker until I'm ready to have her back..." I watched as Guard trucks pulled up blocking off the street and letting one firetruck on the way through. Miss Hawk and I broke the hug and I gathered my things.

"Here." She bent over and picked up my phone which I had no idea fell from my pocket and she just handed it to me. "Come over to my place and call someone to pick you up here.... I'll gladly stay with you but I dont think I'd be able to put up a wounded guard and his sister after what happened in and to that house." Yeah... She helped me and Scootaloo along between me starting out as a guard and going off to war. Apparently she gave us a few movies to help us ignore the fact that the murders happened and at the time we were almost all over it. Almost. Scootaloo had one or two nightmares any time she fell asleep on the couch. It was cute until she wet herself... thank goodness for the diapers I had but... I used the last of them for her and didnt have time to get more because of work. She even caught me after I pissed myself on a school run. Didnt make fun of me for it but kinda sympathized with me.

Anyways she grabbed my box of stuff and let me grab my bag before we started off to her place just across the street. A guard stopped us. "General? What happened here?" He asked. I didnt give him any acknowledgement. Not even a pissed snap. I just pushed past looking at the contacts in my phone trying to figure out who to call. I wanted to call anyone and everyone... Princess Twilight wouldnt help me much, Rarity would just help Scootaloo but... Other than them the only one I could even call was Big Mac.

When I called I just heard nothing but the buzzing for what felt like hours. It wasnt though. It went on for a couple minutes before he answered. "...Ry...? What the hell man.... I was just getting comfy..." He said. I choked up a bit. I couldnt say anything. Not even make a sound. I just seriously wanted to hold everything back and try not to cry. "Ry? C'mon man I know you're there! I can hear your TV going! You watchin' an action movie or something?" I looked back at my house as it was sprayed down with water from the fire engine. But... that's when I broke. I just started crying.

I couldnt find a calm window to say anything but... I just yelled something. "BIG MAAAAAAC!" I cried. There I just collapsed on the grass clutching my bag after dropping my phone.

Miss Hawk set my C-Sphere box down before grabbing my phone and putting it to her ear. "Hello? Is this one of Ryder's friends?" She asked. "...Ah yeah he's just.... Can you come and get him? Something in his house caught fire and its burning down as we speak.... He got out with his games and what I think is a bag of clothes but.... Yeah his sister is with a caretaker.... Does she have clothes?" She looked to me. I nodded. "Yeah she's got clothes... A suitcase full? I dont know but... must make sense if he just got back from the war.... Look can you just come get him? I dont know how much longer he can be around this place... Oh okay... Hurry please.... I'll try and get him to calm down... Honk when you're out front okay?" I guess Big Mac already hung up because she swore under her breath and handed my phone back to me forcing me to stand back up. I didnt want to get up but she called another guard over and they dragged me into her place- quite literally I might add- and she just carried my C-sphere.

They had to cuff me and lie me down because they were afraid of anything I'd do because of what I've been through lately and... Honestly after losing my house and nearly dying in a plane crash I dont know what I'd do either... As I lied there for maybe... oh i dont know ten to twenty minutes Miss Hawk had me watching her TV while she shushed me, stroking my mane. I did calm down from my crying but.... I didnt cry as much now. She honestly felt bad for me but... I felt worse than how she thought. I didnt know what I was going to tell Scootaloo but.... I knew either I'd have to tell her or someone else.... But I dont know who would've other than guards.... and Celestia... Right now I bet the ones who saw me radioed in to have Celestia notified and to have her notify Scootaloo and then she'll freak out.... When Big Mac got there I heard him pounding on the door scared. Well... And yelling... "RY! RY YOU IN THERE YOU BETTER BE IN THERE!" He yelled. Miss Hawk got up and hurried to the door opening it. Big Mac rushed in with a guard behind him and just knelt down at my side. Big Mac wore nothing but a bathrobe and his boxers and slippers. Hell even though I didnt wanna see his crotch it was good to see him. "Ry! There you are! I told AJ to wait up for us. Even texted her to call up you-know-who that has Scoot and tell her to deliver her to the orchard...." I whimpered and scooted over a bit. He just held me in place while the guard started to unlock my handcuffs. "...Hold still this'll be a lot faster if you dont move.... You're cryin', you're tired... ya need to rest..." I felt the cuffs just pop off but i didnt move until I felt both metal bands slip away and when they did I hugged Big Mac. He took my bag and tossed it over his shoulder before Picking me up.

I didnt hear much other than Big Mac telling Miss Hawk to take my games to his truck but I did just black out for the entirety of the ride. I only woke up to Applejack and Big Mac standing over me in AJ's bed. Applejack had a sad look on her face. She was wearing my favorite set of underwear. The red one with the frills. She knelt down just stroking my cheek. My eyes hurt from the combo of my tears and my fatigue. She sighed. "....Sugarcube..." She said. "....dont speak... you just listen...." She sounded a bit hurt. "...Alright.... Here's what's gonna happen... We're getting granny's old room set up for Scoot.... you can stay in my bed with me but... please sugarcube just.... just try and be strong..." She kissed me on my cheek before just climbing into bed with me. Big Mac just stared at us for a bit, sighed and walked out shutting off what ever light was on. And then I just passed out again.

When I woke up I felt kinda rested but something in my stomach just... It didnt want to agree with me. I actually had to get up and rush to the bathroom just a few doors down. I just lost nothing but bile and milk that I drank last night. I just couldnt help but just lean against the wall next to the toilet after I was done. I felt as if this is how I should be. Huddled near a toilet and possibly drunk out of my mind. But... I actually changed my mind seeing Applejack dressed in denim short shorts and a white tank top just walk in and knelt down. I crawled over and hugged her. She hugged back. "...Wh-why does this fucking shit happen to me....?" I asked. "...Does the world hate me for what I did in the war....? Does it hate me because I had my wing chopped off....?" She sighed sitting with me.

"...Shit just hits the fan the wrong way and no one ever moves the fan once its hit.... Remember Winona...? Once Big Mac rolled over her that truck had so much trouble.... Not to mention I did... I loved that dog... First day after when we went to where we buried her I tripped twisting my ankle and was bed ridden all day.... A week later I found myself sleep walking just a few trees over from her grave but... it just went away a month later."

"...You dont think anymore bad stuff is gonna happen to me do you...?"

"...Just think positive... dont let that crap sit in your mind..." She stood up with me and took my hand. "C'mon. Let's getcha dressed and get downstairs.... Got breakfast all ready for ya... We already ate because we wanted to let you sleep... now I guess its just seen that you have a little food in ya... Scoot should be coming soon.... We're ready... We're gonna be here for you... and that lil sister of yours...." I gave a little smile even though inside i just felt insanely hurt... I walked out with my marefriend hand in hand. It honestly felt good that I got to see her again after what happened. She was actually afraid to touch me when she saw me the first time after the crash. Thought she would hurt me but in all honestly I didnt give a fuck. If she hurt me I'd take it.

As we descended the steps I saw my backpack sitting next to the coffee table with some clothes laid out for me on his arm chair. A Gems n Tulips tee and a pair of jeans. Big Mac was setting down a glass of juice on the coffee table as well as a plate of waffles. Big Mac was wearing his jeans and his cut off Metallicolt shirt. He gave a smile just as he got a fork ready. "There ya are!" He said. "You alright there? Sleep okay with that special somepony of yours?" I nodded slightly.

"Big Mac dont go teasin' him now. If he wants to cuddle me that's his business! I aint gonna tease you about that damned stuffed toy you've been cuddlin' with now am I?" Big Mac blushed and rubbed his neck nervously which kinda made me snicker. "Now why dont you just go and wait out front for the princess? I'll stay in here with him... I just gotta talk with him anyways...." Big Mac said nothing as I sat down with my breakfast. But all I could do is stare at him as he walked over to the door and slipped out. Applejack sighed and I looked to her.

I just grabbed my juice for a sec but i didnt pick it up. I just moved my hand over to Applejack's lap. "...You alright?" I asked. She whimpered slightly and nodded. "....C'mon... there's something wrong.. just say it...." She suddenly hugged me tackling me down onto the couch kissing me. It lasted for a minute before she just looked me in the eye. I just saw a tear ready to break away.

"....I... I needed ya sugarcube.... I... It's been so long without ya.... I couldnt help but think about you all day every day.... even those days when I was having accidents...." She sobbed slightly. "....The days that passed... the clothes i've had to wash.... the sleepless nights... I just.... I... I..." I couldnt help but kiss her again and hold her close. I knew how she felt.

"...AJ... when you said i could sleep with anyone I wanted while I was out.... I couldnt bring myself to do it... I was thinking it was a trick... if I did and I said anything you'd leave me.... I just... I dont wanna lose you as much as I dont wanna lose Scootaloo..." I shushed her just looking to the door. "...Uh... can you maybe just.... get up some so if Big Mac comes in we dont have to readjust to not look like we're about to fuck...." I looked around. "...We can do that later.... Just... please calm down AJ... I dont wanna have Big Mac coming in with Scootaloo just to see you getting sick... And trust me.... If I lose my appetite I'm probably not gonna be okay for the rest of the day..." That's kinda true. One day I ate nothing because someone shat all over the toilet seat in a mall and when I was about to get someone to clean it I puked in another stall that was actually worse. Not saying how but.... They had to close the bathroom all together and get hazmat suits to clean it. Couldnt eat for the rest of the day and breakfast the next morning.... Worst thing I could've done... Ended up passing out mid way through lunch.

Applejack sat up a bit and just let me eat a few of my waffles. I didnt eat it all because of how my stomach was but I ended up cuddling with her for a while. She did grab at me a bit but... I didnt wanna let her but.... It just felt nice to feel her touch after a while. I just pulled her hand away and just lied back down with her, setting her on top of me. Just as we got comfortable I heard the door open. "...Alright... Right in here..." I heard Big Mac say. "Ry... Got someone here to see ya..." Applejack looked behind her and just got off of me. I looked to the door and I saw Soarin carrying Scootaloo who just looked a bit scared. Soarin wore a Gems and Tulips tee that looked from the recent concert and a pair of camo shorts along with some canvas sneakers. Scootaloo was wearing the blue and white floral dress I had her in when I first shipped off.

Soarin set Scootaloo down as they approached the couch. He knelt down as she hugged him. "Hey.... its okay... Just go to him...." He said. "He needs you right now.... maybe I can stay here for a bit and follow you home make sure you get there alright and maybe say our last goodbyes...."

Applejack sighed and walked over to Scootaloo picking her up. "...Well... Got some news for ya then...." She said. She set Scootaloo down on top of me. I didnt even move much. Just wrapped my arms around her waist. She looked back at Soarin as she sat down on the coffee table. "...You might wanna sit down... it's gonna get a bit heavy here...." Soarin nodded and sat down on the arm of the couch. I couldnt help but stare out at Celestia and Big Mac as they spoke with a few guards around. Celestia was just wearing a nice jean jacket and a pink teeshirt and bellbottom jeans and boots. I couldnt tell what they were saying but.... Celestia just had a worried and sort of shocked look on her face. I looked back to AJ. She was just staring at me and Scootaloo. Just had a hard time collecting her thoughts.

I sighed. "...You just want me to do it AJ...?" I asked. She nodded before grabbing Scootaloo from me allowing me to sit up giving her a spot next to me. I looked to Scootaloo. "...Uh... Scoot.... we.... may have to stay here for a while...."

My sister looked to me confused. "...Why?" She asked. I swallowed.

"...Well... I just... Last night after I went to bed I had a nightmare.... Couldnt get back to sleep... Went to the living room, drank a little warm milk and passed out... I just woke up seeing a fire and it just... It grew too rapidly for me to even react... I had to run upstairs and grab clothes for myself before hopping out of my window... when I came here.... our house... was just gone... too much fire...."

"...So.... all our stuff....?"

"...Gone... I.... I'm sorry...." She started to tear up but... I couldnt bring myself to cry. Why? I dont know. I held her close and she started to sob. Soarin couldnt help but rest his hand on her leg. ".....I-its alright Scoot... you got your big brother here... remember... what ever happens.... as long as we have each other we're fine.... We're gonna stay here until we can get everything back... you'll still have your own room and you get to see Applebloom everyday... we're all here to help you through this Scoot... Everyone here's gonna help us.... AJ, Big Mac, Applebloom... heck even Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Fluttershy and Dash... Twilight too..."

Soarin sighed. "...I'll help as much as I can too...." He said. "...Maybe not give you a new house but.... Anything you need but.... only within reason okay?" He looked to me seeing as I could be the only one to answer. I gave a nod shushing my sister.

I focused on her for a second until Applejack took her from me. "...Here... Big Mac needs ya to head outside and speak with Celestia...." She said. "...I'll go put her in her new room... maybe we can at least try an' make it like her old one...."

I huffed getting up. "...No... at least not yet... I just dont wanna do anything causing her to cry more than she already is..." I said. She nodded and swapped places with me. I even gave my marefriend and my little sister a kiss before just walking out of the door. The dust at my feet kicked up each step I took. Then I remembered I didnt grab any shoes. As I approached them I saw a weak smile on Celestia's face. Big Mac just walked toward me and passed me giving me a little pat on the shoulder. Celestia didnt give me time to bow in respect to her before she hugged me. "....Princess Celestia... I..."

Celestia shushed me. "It's alright..." She said. "...I was told what happened by Big Mac... Even had guards at the scene to confirm it after I woke up.... I am so sorry that happened... I should've had that house checked for structure problems as well as electrical and plumbing when that earthquake hit but... my mind was on other things..." I sighed.

"...It's okay.... It was the thought that counted. Just know this doesnt put me outta business for the guard..." I looked up to her. "...I... I still am a guard right...? I'm not out because of the wing injury?" She shook her head.

"Of course not. Let that wound be a reminder that you are strong no matter what. Is there anything I can actually do for you while I'm here? Anything at all I can do." I hesitated. I looked down at myself, I looked back at the house and my friend in the doorway talking with Soarin, my marefriend behind them and my little sister in her arms.

As I looked back a guard yelled out. "PRINCESS! MOTORCYCLE COMING DOWN THE ROAD! TWO RIDERS!" The guard yelled. I looked past Princess Celestia and saw a familiar bike barreling towards us.

I huffed as the guards around started to form a barrier. "Stand down! That's my cousins bike!" I snapped. They quickly dodged out of the way allowing Dash's bike ride all the way around before stopping almost on a dime near a guard truck. I got a good look at the second rider just as soon as her helmet was off. Gilda looking a bit scared and tired. Dash shook her mane out as Gilda just threw her helmet down and rushed me. She nearly tackled me crying. Dash wore her blue running shoes as well as skinny jeans and her dark blue, wonderbolts style motorbike jacket. Gilda was wearing a hoodie and a pair of sweat pants and a pair of Dash's older white running shoes. I hugged Gilda shushing her as she sobbed onto my shoulder. "....there there... i'm alright here..."

Dash growled as she approached me. You know what she did? She pried Gilda off me and just grabbed me by the shoulders before pinning me against a guard truck almost as if she were going to arrest me. "DAMMIT DONT YOU EVER FUCKING SCARE US LIKE THAT AGAIN! TELL US SOMETHING NEXT TIME SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS!" She yelled. I opened my metal wing that came close to her face. All I had to do was flap and she'd get slapped. And possibly cut. She immediately released me and I went to Gilda again.

"Well I'm sorry I was forced out of my own fucking house in the wee hours of the morning, tired out of my fucking mind only to be dragged here! So excuse me if i didnt tell you where I was!" I hugged Gilda tight leaning against the truck. "...Just go inside and fucking help Scootaloo... and not the way you helped her while I was away!" I knew I got her because she just went and picked up both helmets, setting them on her bike before going inside. I looked to Celestia. "Is it alright if we just go on a drive to the nearest mall or something? I need new clothes and new shoes... Hope you got Scootaloo's clothes in here...." I glanced at the truck a bit.

Celestia snapped her fingers and a guard opened the back of the truck pulling out a few suitcases. "I have everything here." She said. "I've had to go and buy her a few outfits while she was with me. Just know Twilight still has all your special gifts sitting in her castle if you want to get them. Though there is one you'd have to call Luna about."

"Would that be about my car?" She shook her head. "Well... that car better be done soon.... I want to at least see it again even if it does look different."

"You'll get that back soon enough. Now... do you wanna hop in alone or should we bring her along?" I looked to Gilda. I sighed.

"...Lets just bring her in with us... I scared her too much..." I pried Gilda off me and handed her over to Celestia. "Here... I gotta tell AJ where I'm going at least... I'll be right back okay?" Celestia nodded consoling Gilda. I rushed over to the house feeling a few rocks hit my fucking feet as i stomped the ground a bit. I said goodbye to AJ and told Scootaloo I'd be right back.... I also told Big Mac to backhand Dash when she's not looking. Hope he does it or else someone's getting a flat tire due to a 'nail in the road'. I actually didnt even take the clothes they even had lied out for me. Yet they respected my decision.

When I was back in the truck I sat next to Gilda who was sipping on a drink from a hidden cooler in the truck. It was just sticking out of the floor looking three to four feet deep. I grabbed a Soda out of it as soon as I closed the door and sat down. Gilda leaned on me and sighed. "....I... I seriously thought something bad happened to you..." She said. "...you seriously need to text me... when stuff like that happens..."

Celestia huffed. "It isnt his fault he scared so many of us..." She said. She looked to me as we started to pull off. "Sorry if I'm being a little abraisive... it's actuallly hard for me to leave your sister after she's been with me all this time..."

I sighed. "It's fine..." I said. "....I've seen how much you've cared for her while I was bedridden. She told me all the fun things you guys did and even the things that happened while I was out.... I still cant believe someone had the audacity to try and hurt my sister like that...."

"He's gone at least... didnt have to deal with him... otherwise you probably would've wrung his neck harder than anything. Maybe would've ended up looking like that Alley Brawlers game with those death sequences..." I could tell she was disgusted with those games. Probably because Luna played them and she had to watch or something... Thank you Luna for possibly almost getting my favorite game taken off the shelves.

"....I just... why do these things happen...? First I get shipped off... then I get shot.... then I get into a plane crash that ends up getting my wing chopped off and now this stupid fire...." I felt my hearing deafen a bit as well as my vision blur. I was getting too close to having something bad happen but I know that voice is still gonna fuck with me until I do everything it says... It quickly went away. Celestia sighed.

"Those are all my fathers doings. He's been punishing both you and I because of your sister.... Taking advantage of my position he said but... It's all a lie from what he says. I did all those things for her to keep her happy. She's a little filly who's just gotten the worst end of a beating stick... From walking in on her dead parents to almost losing her only brother in a crash and a fire... She needs someone out there to know she'll be cared for even if something ever were to happen to you..."

Gilda coughed a bit after sipping her drink again. "...I... I cant believe your house burnt down..." She said. "...I'd hate to imagine if your sister was there..." Okay you see... that was something I didnt worry about there. Because I wouldnt leave my room if my sister were there. But if she were oh you dont know how fast I'd've grabbed her clothes, my clothes and my C-sphere. Someone would end up in the hospital from either smoke inhalation, burns, leg injuries from the jump and getting glass out of someone's foot. As I said my window sucks. Exactly why i busted it.

I sighed pinning my drink in between my legs. "....Well... I'm glad she wasnt... " I said. "...the way I had to get out was a bit dangerous on its own and her getting hurt compared to me... That wasnt gonna happen.... For her I'd take a fall, a bullet and even a few smacks to the face, the jewels and anything else.... Anything happens to me I'd just hand her off to someone i trusted.... who? I dont know.... But... to someone who wants her to stay here.... I refuse to let her go into foster care even after I'm dead...." Gilda looked to me.

"....The way you're saying these things... it sounds like you think you're gonna die..." Well... The way my mind was i thought I was dead already.... So much shit going on I dont know what to believe. "....I swear if you're doing what I think you're doing I'm gonna just knock you the fuck out..... Over and over until you lose that thought...." I sighed.

"....Look... I'm sorry I'm saying these things... I just... I'm just not in a good mood." I looked out the window just shifting into spooning position with Gilda. "...Can we just put on some music so I can feel better at least....?"

Celestia sighed. "Sorry Ryder. Radio in here's busted thanks to Luna's obsession with gaming music...." She said. "I was gonna pay to fix it but Luna decides she isnt gonna play her music in here anymore because someone smashed the radio." In short: She paid someone to do something so it would scare Luna. I sighed just going along with it.

"Yeah.... I gotcha.... I just need something to show me I still have something out here for me to do...." Celestia rested her hand on my shoulder.

"Look... when you're ready to come back to work I wont stop you... But to even let you back I'm gonna have to ask you to wait about a week because of your home.... Even let you get settled in to your uh... new home....?" Well she wasnt wrong. I'd have to get used to sleeping in a farm house with my marefriend, her brother and both our little sisters. "Do you think that's enough time to settle in?" I sighed.

"....More or less but... I'll take it... Maybe I can vent to Luna later... I need something to occupy my mind while i sleep or else I'm not going to stay asleep...."

"I'll talk with her later about this but know my sister isnt always going to be available to you. She's got other fillies and colts to deal with. Got it?" I nodded and just stared at everything passing us as Gilda cuddled me from behind. We past everything from Rarity's Carousel boutique and Sugarcube Corner and... even my old apartment that I shared with that bitch. Oh if the current tennants knew what the hell went on in there... They'd probably want to power wash everything with acid. Hell I wished I could do that to my own body after the murder. I'm actually glad i didnt have a kid with that psycho. But anyways we came over to a local skate shop, I picked out two pairs of sneakers, a pair of boots for work, six pairs of jeans, a few hoodies and a good choice of shirts, both button up and tee and I even got some plain shirts. And... Okay maybe I hit a shop to get something cute for Applejack. Celestia might've bought it but I said I'd pay her back... after I got access to my bank account again and my ID.... She said she'd buy my ID at a later day but I'd have to pay that back too.

Anyways what I got for AJ was a bra and panty set. It was something plain but when I gave it to her she actually liked it. Even though she had to bring a set of drawers for my clothes. We ended up putting it right next to one of the nightstands in her room. Though... we had to do it carefully and quietly. Probably because while I was out AJ called Rarity and had her bring Applebloom and Sweetie Belle over for Scootaloo who I saw cuddled up in Big Mac's room with Dash. They both sleep like rocks anyways so nothing higher than our voices could wake em. It took no more than an hour to get the dresser in place but it took a few more hours because of that. We had to actually put Gilda on the couch to rest because she passed out on the drive back. Anyways after we were done it was getting dark. Maybe around six ish or so. Me and AJ went outside just as Big Mac left to pick up a few pizzas for us for dinner. AJ actually changed into her skinny jeans and a black long sleeve with her cutie mark on the chest. I changed into a new Gems n Tulips tee and an old pair of my pants and a new pair of sneakers. The black canvas that i bought. She didnt wanna wear shoes but... hell who am i to judge? She sighed sitting with me against the wall of the house, each with a bottle of cider in our hands. We looked up at the night sky, stars glistening. "...So uh.... Sorry about your house n all.... you gonna miss that place at all?" She asked me.

I huffed looking to the sky. "...Yes and no... Yes because its where I grew up and no because of the bad memories that place brought..." I said. "...and... yeah I lost a lot of stuff, like my clothes and... my furniture and... photos of my family but...the memories... those god forsaken memories..."

"...You were just tortured by it huh...?" I nodded. "..Well... I guess I'm still afraid of what happened here too.... I still cant believe my big brother just watched you shoot someone with his gun... Even he couldnt shoot someone on our property... Even if they was tryin' to pilfer our apples.... I can actually say if you and him didnt have bad blood between ya and he had that gun he still wouldnt've used it.... Least now we dont gotta worry about someone using it since its in guard evidence lockers.... Got your prints, my brothers and probably you know who's blood on it..."

"Yeah.... Hope she enjoys where she is... I'm not ever forgiving her even if she is dead...." I shivered a bit. It wasnt really cold out but... something just... it felt weird.

"Somethin' wrong sugarcube?" She asked. I looked to her.

"...I just got a chill through my spine.... You believe in that paranormal stuff?" She shook her head. "Well... You know I do.... Y'know that chill was probably someone either hugging me, slapping me or something....."

"Eh... I love you sugarcube but that crap stays somewhere it cant get to me... kinda like your hate for spiders." She was right in a sense. I just got up a bit frightened dusting my self off lightly. "I cant say we can feel them spirits but... I know they're around. I always think when I do somethin' good for the family, momma and daddy hug me.... Same with granny for when I pray or just make zap apple jam... Probably almost time to get it done soon but... it just honestly isnt the same without her... She knew what time to go and do it, she knew what to do and when to do it..." I heard her get a little weak in her voice. I helped her up and hugged her. "...She... she even had fun helpin' us pack it all up..." She sniffled. I shushed her.

"Hey... It's alright... dont cry sweetie... I know you're missing your family but... just... please dont cry.... " She smiled and sniffled kissing me on the cheek.

".....it's alright... I'm fine sugarcube.... I cant say I've missed granny so much but... hey...it's just life tellin' us that there's more a'comin...." I smiled a bit knowing she felt good. But I wasnt one hundred percent. "...I... I dont ask this often but.... Y'think after dinner we can just say a quick prayer to my family and yours...? I'm sure they'd love to at least see ya doin' that...." I sighed.

"...I'm not one to do that stuff at all but.... you can count on me doing a little prayer with you... maybe we get Big Mac, Applebloom and Scootaloo in on it...?"

"All up to you sugarcube... just somethin' we like to do here and there..." I thought for a moment. I mean... I'm not one to pray even in a dire situation but I do pray just because I feel its at a right time and tonight it did...

"I'll do it but... I'm not gonna make Scootaloo do it if she doesnt want to do it." I looked around a bit. "But... maybe you wanna go a bit deeper into the orchard? I just..." Applejack kissed me on the lips and I just fell into bliss. She broke it only to chug what was left of her cider and letting me get mine.

"For you... just a quickie cuz I dont wanna have Big Mac ask us where we were when dinner comes." Oh boy did i feel so lucky about this. First time after a good while.... Since day two after i left I didnt feel willing to just go for myself. I stayed well away from it even though I was tempted in the showers a few times. And... yea a stallion in communications did ask to blow me but I declined but... a part of me still wanted to. We just set our empty cider bottles near the door and just booked it for the tree's just ready. Once we were covered by the trees and couldnt see the house anymore AJ just... ooh... She drops to her knees, gets my 'big apple' ready and just starts to bleed me dry. She couldnt even help but start to touch herself. She undid her pants and didnt even hesitate when I started to throat fuck her. I was going so hard I had to cushion her head with my hands against the tree. Feeling her warm maw giving my cock a good rub... ooh I wish I could've kept going. She put her hand up and pushed me away so she could breathe. She coughed slightly but licked her lips rubbing my stallionhood. She looked up at me. "Y'want the goods or the back door? I need to feel ya inside me here...."

I just turned her around and pulled her pants down just kissing her ass. One of the only ones worth kissing. Next thing you know I bent her over, spread her cheeks and dive on in. She yelped slightly but it was moans the rest of the way. I leaned over her and started squeezing her breasts. So soft and plump. She just let me squeeze them while she got drilled in the ass and fingered herself. I felt myself just near to my climax. Once I felt my cock throb it was just all over. I grabbed her hips thrusting more and more until I knew I was empty. She had to push just to make my cock slump out just to pull her pants back up. She helped me with mine because I could barely stand up after that. She kissed me on the lips and... seriously I probably should've taken the cheek but... hey I love the girl... When we went back inside she sat my on Big Mac's recliner. As she walked upstairs Gilda was just waking up. We had to actually put a blanket on her because she started shivering during when we had to move the dresser. She yawned sitting up and looking around still looking a bit tired eyed. "...The hell....?" She said. She looked to me as I grabbed the TV remote. "Hey dweeb? How long was I out?"

I hummed a bit flipping through the channels. "I'd say maybe a few hours." I said. "....You sleep well?" I looked over at her just feeling drained but still full of energy down there. Actually shifted slightly for that reason. I saw her get up a and hobble over to me. She knelt down just stretching her wings and fixing the violet feathers on her head. "You alright?" She nodded.

"Yeah... I'm fine... I actually still couldnt get to sleep last night after I called you...I was afraid I'd dream about everyone finding me and get me arrested for a crime I didnt commit... I've done a lot of theft back there when I was younger but... after I lost Dash as a friend I went back there with my head hung. It sucked getting off the plane because nobody was there to meet me....I almost wanted to jump into the chasm there.... But I didnt because my grandfather passed on and needed me to care for his shop... I did so until I accidentally poisoned someone.... They survived but... hell were they pissed... I almost went to jail but... they ruled it as an accident and I was forced to close the shop down. I still have the recipe for my pastries but I havent made em for a while..." I huffed.

"Look its alright... you're gonna be fine if you move here. Anything happens I'll look into it and vouch for you. Besides.... Celestia told me she pardoned all of what you did because you bought my little sister a birthday present because I wasnt there...." Gilda smiled and climbed into the recliner with me and just cuddled up to me. I blushed a bit feeling nervous that AJ would say something but... She knows Gilda and I actually mean something to each other. I remember one day she actually tried to hang herself but... I talked her out of a hotel room she rented here and convinced her to keep going. She was only doing that because she had a bad break up. Not with Dash. With some griffon who allegedly hit her a few times when she was doing something he thought was wrong. I just went and said for her to stay here for a bit and anonymously call about the guy. Had his name, address and even what kinda car he drove. He was arrested for domestic violence within two days and she went back in a week.

Anyways I heard a door open upstairs and I jumped pushing Gilda right off. She understood what I meant. She rushed over to the couch and we both looked to the top of the steps. And just in time too. There was Applejack sauntering down the stairs. She smiled at Gilda who just waved at her. "Well g'mornin' there sleepy head." She said. "Y'feelin' alright there Gil?" Gilda nodded hesitantly. I reached for AJ who came right over and helped me up before helping me over to the couch. She set me on one side of Gilda while she sat on the other. "Now I know dishonesty when I see it. Now c'mon fess up." She sighed.

"Well... I just... Two things... First off I'm afraid to go home... second I just kinda wanna stay here in Ponyville... I've got ponies here I know and that care for me.... there I'm looked on as a griffon who poisoned almost everyone there...." She leaned on me. "...Just... I was gonna have my stuff flown in, find a place of my own but... I'd have to have somewhere to stay and store my things while I wait...." AJ sighed.

"Well I'm sure we could convince Twilight to letcha store your things in her castle. Maybe you can stay with Dash until you can get your own place. Hell we'd be able to set ya up with a job or two 'round here. Alright?" Gilda nodded hesitantly. "Well alright then. After dinner I'm gonna call up Twilight and tell her what's going on. Who knows she might wanna help ya out." AJ looked to me. "You wanna go wake everyone for dinner?" I nodded. I got up hesitantly and steadied myself before hobbling over to Big Mac's room. I opened the door and just saw Dash inside curled up on the bed cuddling a pillow. We actually had to change her out of her clothes and into some of AJ's just so she'd be comfortable. She was changed into a pair of sweat pants and a tank top. I walked over to the bed and sat down just shaking her.

All Dash did was swat at my hand a bit. I shook her again and she just shot up and nailed me in the face. Back hand, to the cheek. I was almost thrown out of bed but ooh she was lucky. I did feel a bit dizzy from that hit but I still held my own. She rubbed her eyes and looked to me as I held my face. She gasped. "Oh shit! Sorry! I thought you were Big Mac!" She said. "He took Scootaloo out of the room and when he came back for a blanket he slapped me for no reason!" She looked out the door and saw AJ looking in at us snickering a bit. "Is he here? I really need to slap him harder than I did you!"

I shook my head. Both to say no and to regain my composure. "He's off getting dinner. Should be back soon." I said. "Just c'mon and visit with us for a while..." She gave me a confused look as I rubbed my cheek.

"...So... you arent gonna hit me?" I shook my head but... She'll see.

"Nah... But uh... can you help me get Scoot and her friends?" She nodded. Okay... maybe my mind is on other things but while Gilda and I were off with Celestia Rarity brought Scootaloo's friends over and Big Mac had em all take a nap upstairs. She did end up helping me upstairs. We went into Scootaloo's new room just a few doors down from Applebloom's and a room down from mine and AJ's. When Dash and I went in we saw Scootaloo cuddling a stuffed wolf toy Celestia got her. She now wore a cute pajama set Luna gave to her before she left. I remember seeing this while I was laid up and I have to say it was nice of them to do such things for my sister. I owe them... A LOT. The pajamas she got were almost like a full military uniform. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were just in their plain clothes. Sweetie Belle in a cute violet dress and Applebloom in overalls and a yellow tee. Dash leaned me against the wall while she just nudged all three fillies. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle woke right up. Dash just whispered in their ears and had them leave the room and get ready for dinner. Though... Dash came back and helped me over to the bed and sat me with Scootaloo and whispered into my ear.

"....While you were gone she cried a lot... she thought you left because you didnt love her anymore... basically thought you were away for so long you lost all touch with her..." I looked onto my own cousin in disbelief. She nodded looking a bit ashamed of herself. "...I told her that you did love her but... she didnt listen... even went on to say you burnt the house down yourself because of the memories...." I sighed.

"...can you just... can you leave me and Scootaloo alone for a bit...? I'll call for you when I'm ready..." Dash nodded and hugged me before she got up and walked out shutting the door most of the way. I looked back to my little sister. I wanted to believe this was all a nightmare... that my house didnt burn down and that my sister didnt say those things....

I nudged her and she did the same thing Dash did. Just swat at my hand. She didnt slap me the next time around but... she did wake up. I nudged her more and she jumped a bit. She sat up a bit, rubbed her eyes and looked around before looking to me and just looking away. "...Oh... you're back.... here to tell me you put me up for adoption.....?" She asked. I forced myself to bring my legs up onto the bed to sit crisscross facing her.

"...Scoot... Why are you saying these things....?" I asked. "...Why do you think I burnt down our house...? Why do you think I'd put you up for adoption...?" No answer. Just hugged her wolf toy. "...Scoot... please just... just tell me what's wrong... I want to help you here...." She just stayed silent. That's when I grabbed onto her arms, trying to not be rough with her. "PLEASE SCOOTALOO JUST TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG!" She stared at me for a few seconds. In that time I teared up and let a sob escape. "....this is killing me Scoot... It's just like... Like..."

"...Like that plane crash...?" I looked at her with tears streaming down my face. I kinda nodded. Kinda meaning it was mostly there but I held back.

"...Now... please tell me why you've been saying those things..." She sniffled tearing up a bit. She shrugged my hands off her arms and just climbed into my lap.

"....While you were away Luna and Celestia tried their hardest to make sure I knew you were gonna be okay... but... the day you came back Luna was about to tell me you were dead.... I know because that night she had a TV on in her room... even had me sleep there so you wouldnt keep me up with your pain.... and Celestia thought it was a good idea because if I woke up crying or something she'd put me back to sleep with her magic.... I saw that plane wreck and... If i hadnt seen you I would've thought you were dead... but... here you are..." She whimpered a bit wiping her eyes away. "...And.. and... you just had only one wing... I just... I thought you were mad and burnt the house because of everything that went wrong there.... and... i-i-I thought you were p-putting me up for adoption because... because you cant teach me to fly anymore....." I sighed as she just started to cry a bit. Even shushed her.

"...Hey hey... I'm not mad at anything but myself.... I took way too long to come see you and I couldnt call or text Celestia in any way to let her know... nor could I even talk with Luna or something.... I was supposed to surprise you at school but... you saw me at least... not in a good condition but you saw me... and my wing? Please... I'd teach you to fly if i was shoved into a wheel chair without my legs. And I wouldnt put you up for adoption... not after what we've been through... not after what we saw, what I did or what you did.... Not even if what we had was gone... and... not even if you werent even my little sister... if you and i werent blood... you'd be sticking by my side no matter what... I dont care if you were a pegasus and i were an earth pony or vice versa... I'd love you no matter what... I'd even love you if I was trapped on the other side of Equestria..." We couldnt help but just start crying with each other. I could swear it was just a few seconds before I was helped out of the room by Dash and Applejack. I was just lied on the couch to cuddle my little sister and... I basically just spent time with her the rest of the night. Through dinner, a bit of desert and even a little walk outside before bed... That prayer kinda went off without a hitch. Kinda... my eyes blurred and I heard that voice again... It just said 'soon' and nothing else. I've got my eyes open...