Zecora was now in the foal seat of a shopping cart, as Spike pushed it along the aisles of the town’s lone foal store. He and Apple Bloom made their way to the foal section, as Spike mumbled. “The first thing we should get is diapers. Don’t need her having another accident.”
But Zecora groaned. “No diapees! Why can’t I weaw puww ups At weast ten I can use ta potty.”
Spike simply replied. “Well, considering you had no idea you had to go back at Golden Oak, I’m assuming you’re too young to start potty training. Besides, there’s no way you could use a toilet in your current size, not without falling in anyways.”
Zecora grumbled some more as they turned down the diaper aisle. Apple Bloom ran all the way down and took out a package. “Hey Zecora, what do you think of these?”
Zecora turned to see a package of diaper with little flower designs on them, and pouted “Nah, tey silly! Can't I just weaw white ones?”
Apple Bloom sighed. “Yeah, sure.” She put the package back, as Zecora turned to a package with little trees depicted on them. The box read: All Natural. And the baby Zebra suggested. “Wha about those ones? The ones with the twees on tem.”
Apple Bloom took out a package and giggled. “Wow, these look nice...and expensive.”
Zecora blushed. “Ya, but I wike ta fowest Is my home, or at weast was my home.”
Spike looked at the price tag on the diapers and his eyes went wide! “Woah! These are expensive! But it says these diapers are made of a strange natural fabric.”
Zecora crossed her hooves and babbled, “If Im going to weaw diapees, I might as wew weaw ones I wike. I pwomice I’ww pay ya back when I get back to nowmaw.”
Spike just shrugged and threw a few packages of All Natural into the cart. They continued on, as Zecora pointed out all natural foal powder, wipes, a pacifer, foal food, and formula.
Apple Bloom giggled. “You really like nature, huh?”
Zecora nodded. “Yeah, I wove natuwe! Why ya tink I wive in ta Evefwee Fowest?”
Spike examined the huge stash of foal supplies in the shoppig cart. “I think we have everything you need.” He told Zecora.
But Apple Bloom turned to the toy aisle and asked. “What about a plushie? Foals need somthing to sleep with.”
Zecora nodded in delight. “Yeah, tat sounds fine.”
They went down the aisle, and Apple Bloom picked out a cute ursa minor plushie. “What about this?” She asked Zecora.
Zecora nodded and approvved. “I wove it!” Apple Bloom plopped it into Zecora’s hooves as she huged it close to her chest. “I’ww caw ya Beawy ta beaw.” She squealed.
Spike laughed. “foals name their plushies the weirdest names.” He then pushed the cart to the checkout counter, and as Spike paid for the stuff, Zecora decided to try out her new pacifier. It was bright green, her favorite color. She gave it a few suckles, blushing as she hugged her plushie.
The check-out clerk dawwed at the sight. “Oh, she’s such a little cutie. But I’ve never seen a pony with black and white stripes before. Who’s this adorable little one?”
Spike gulped, unsure of how to respond. “Oh, uh, she’s umm…”
But Apple Bloom blurted out. “She’s just Zecora turned into a foal! But Twilight is working on a cure to get her back to normal.”
Spike slammed a claw to his face as the clerk blinked and replied nervously. “Sorry to hear that. But she is adorable. Do baby zebras need diapers?”
Spike nodded taking the now purchased diapers and zecora into his claws, “Yeah, we better get her into one now, that way she’ll be protected,” Zecora just put her hooves over her eyes as Spike powdered her up and put on one of the natural diapers. “There we go, all done.” He cooed.
Zecora looked down at her diaper. It was green with little spirals decorating the padding, and bright green leak guards taped snuggly around her legs. She poked her diaper out of curiosity, watching it crinkle. Then kicked her legs, giggling, “Wew, tey otay.”
Apple Bloom dawwed. “They’re adorable, and you look good in ‘em! I love them!”
Even Spike blushed as he commented. “Wow, she sure is cute!”
The clerk cooed, “She sure is,” Then she offered. “How about I throw in a stroller for free?”
Apple Bloom squeaked in delight. “Really?! Thanks!”
The mare went around the counter, pushed a cute pink stroller out, and hoofed it off to Apple Bloom, who then picked up the rest of the foal supplies in a brand new, cute pink diaper bag, giggling all the while. “Check out this diaper bag. Isn’t it awesome?!”
Spike grumbled, “Yeah, and expenisve.” He proceeded to carefully pick up Zecora and strap her in the stroller, making sure the buckles were snug around her waist.
Zecora snuggled her plushie tightly. “Thanks fow gettin aw tat stuff, Spikey.”
Spike dawwed and whispered, “Thank Twilight, it’s her bits.”
Zecora nodded, “I’ww tank hew when I see hew again, I pwomice.”
Apple Bloom giggled. “I can't wait for you to meet my family! I think you’re goin’ to like it! Been ages since we’ve had a foal at Sweet Apple Acres.”
When Spike and Apple Bloom came up to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack came running up to them, shouting. “There you are, Apple Bloom! Where in Equestria have you been all day?!”
Apple Bloom looked up replying. “Applejack, I was... uh... helpin’ out Zecora in the Everfree Forest.”
Applejack gasped! “You were what?! I thought we went through this already?! You can’t just go off without letting me know first! You done scared me somethin’ fierce!”
Apple Bloom sighed. “ I'm sorry. It’s just that Zecora needed help with cleanin’ up her hut after it got trashed. And then ...um...she got turned into a foal.” The farm filly pointed dow to Zecora who hugged her ursa minor plushie, with her diaper bulging out through the straps around her.
Applejack blinked and shouted, “What in tarnation?! Zecora, is that you!?”
Zecora nodded, “Yeah, I got tuwned into a foaw.”
“Bu..but how?” Applejack asked in confusion.
Appel Bloom looked up at her big sister and reluctantly confessed, “Well, you see. When we were cleaning, I accidentally spilled a concoction of potions onto her, turnin’ her into a foal.”
Applejack’s eyes narrowed in fury, as she exclaimed! “So, not only did you leave without tellin’ me, you went and turned Zecora into a foal?! Oh, you are so grounded young filly! Just wait til I’ll tell Big Macintosh about this, he’ll probably be so mad he’ll have a few choice words for ya!”
But just then, Zecora spoke up. “I..it’s otay, it was an accident,” Whimpering, she added. “Pwease stop yewin at Appwe Boom, she weawwy sowie.”
Applejack turned to Apple Bloom, who was sniffling. The cowgirl had to admit she was getting worked up about things that she was powerless to change. Yelling at her little sister wasn’t going to solve anything. “Alright, come here you!” She instructed, and let her soster hug her as she held Apple Bloom close and apologized, “It's just, I worry about ya sometimes. Please try to understand that, okay?” Apple Bloom nodded, as Applejack smiled at Zecora. “Well then, I guess now we have a little foal to care for. Is there anypony workin’ on a cure?”
Spike coughed and all turned to him as he waved a claw. Applejack blushed a bit as she replied, “Oh, hey Spike. Didn’ see ya there.”
“It’s fine,” Spike commented, knowing it wouldn’t do good to get upset now (even though he was mad at not having been noticed right away). “Anyways, I just wanted to say that Twilight is working on getting a cure made. She pretty much said it's okay for your family to care for Zecora until it's ready though, so you don’t need to worry about interfering with her plans.”
Applejack smiled and nodded. “Thanks, Spike. We’ll take good care of this little foal. Just tell Twilight, she’s got nothin’ to worry about. Zecora’s in good hooves with us,” Spike waved goodbye as he ran off, Applejack then got up and beamed at Zecora and Apple Bloom, “Well, Zecora, I reckon it’s time ya said hi to the rest of my family.” Both Zecora and Applebloom had huge smiles on their faces as Applebloom pushed Zecora through the front door.
Applejack lead the two to the dining room table, where Big Macintosh and Granny Smith were having an apple salad for dinner, before they turned to see Applejack, Apple Bloom and a strange looking foal. Granny Smith cooed, “Oh, who’s the little one? She yours, Applejack? Ya’ll went and adopted a foal without my knowin’?”
“No, Granny Smith, it ain’t nothin’ like that,” Applejack blushed, before she continued. “Um... ya’ll know about that recent poison joke incident that turned me tiny, and a how zebra named Zecora cured me?” Both Granny Smith and Big Mac nod as Applejack continued, “Well...um, this is the same Zecora I told ya two about. She was turned into a foal.”
Granny Smith and Big mac both gasped as Big Mac replied in confusion. ”Really, she was an adult at one point?!”
Zecora chirped. “Yeah, I was. I hope ya don mind if I stay hewe fow a wittwe bit, at weast untiw Twiwight makes a cuwe fow me.”
Both Granny and Big Mac dawwed as Granny Smith cooed, “Oh of course you can stay, I’d love havin’ a little one hang out with me. ‘Sides, I reckon my help’s gonna be needed. Since Apple Bloom was four, none of my grandkids have changed a diaper.”
Zecora giggled, and gave an adorable smile as she shouted. “Weawwy, I can stay?!” The entire Apple Family nodded in unanimous approval, making Zecora squeal in delight! She waddled up to Big Mac first and hugged his front right leg. He blushed, the stallion was a bit unsure of what to do. But Applejack laughed and instructed. “Come on, Big Mac, don't be scared. She's just a foal.”
The big stallion sighed, then gently lifted Zecora into the cradle of his forehooves and let her giggle and coo, kicking about in his embrace. He nuzzled her as he cooed lightly. “Who’s a little cutie?” She gurgled and and blew some bubbles, as Big Mac laughed. “Oh, look at you. Aren’t you just full of energy?”
Zecora squealed again. “Ya, I am. I haven’ fewt wike this in a wong time! Feews good!”
Granny giggled, “What a little ball of energy! She reminds me of you, Apple Bloom.”
Apple Bloom smiled, as Applejack chuckled, then asked. “Hey, Big Mac. Why not let Granny Smith hold her for a while?”
Big Mac hoofed the baby zebra to Granny Smith, who cuddled Zecora closely. “Aww look at her cute dark blue eyes. I swear, she already reminds me so much of you, Apple Bloom,” Zecora giggled again, she then gave a big yawn and a little hiss could be heard, making the entire Apple family daww. Granny laughed. “Oh, she’s a little soaker too. How about a quick change, then we can fix ya somethin’ to eat.”
“That sounds like a great idea!” Apple Bloom squeaked, and then asked. “Can I change her diaper?!”
Applejack laughed and added. ”How about I help you, Apple Bloom? You’ve never changed a diaper before, I have. I did all the time when you were a foal.”
“Alright ya two, guess it wouldn’t hurt to let ya attempt it since she only wet herself a little,” Granny Smith replied, then hoofed Applejack the baby Zecora, who was whimpering “Sowie.” Granny just cooed and patted her lightly on the head, “It’s okay, sweetheart. Foals pee and poo their diapers all the time. You should’ve seen Big Mac’s diapers when he was a foal. We had to double pad him at all times, just to make sure he didn’t leak all over the floor.” That prompted the rest of the ponies to burst into laughter, as Big Mac blushed a deep shade of red. “Granny!” He whined.
Applejack just laughed and commented, “Oh come now, Big Mac, don’t worry. I’m sure Granny has embarassin’ stories about all three of us.” And she proceeded to place Zecora on her back.
Granny chuckled. “Oh, I sure do. I remember the one time Applejack took a bath in the batter of an apple pie. I think I even got a photo.”
This time Big Mac laughed and Applejack blushed. “Okay, Granny, I think we get the point. Come on, Apple Bloom. Let’s get little Zecora here changed.”
The two siblings went up the stairs and into Apple Bloom’s bedroom. Apple Bloom laid down a changing mat and took out the supplies, as Applejack held Zecora, nuzzling her but only making the zebra groan. “Otay, stop. I got enough snuggling for one day.”
“Sorry, you're just too cute.” Applejack apologized, booping Zecora on the nose.
But Zecora only pouted in protest. “I know I’m cute, but it’s stiw a wittwe annoying.”
Applejack couldn’t help but keep smiling though, as she placed Zecora on the changing pad and she waved Apple Bloom over. “Come on, I’ll show ya how diaper changin’’s done.” She boasted.
“Oh really, you sure you’ve changed diapers before?” Apple Bloom asked with skepticism.
Applejack replied in a smug tone. “I changed a few of your diapers with help from Granny. I’m pretty sure I still remember how to do it. Just follow my lead,” She proceeded to instruct Apple Bloom, “Okay now, first, unopen it gently,” Apple Bloom nodded, untaped the diaper, and slowly opened it, making Zecora blush hard. Applejack then helped Apple Bloom get some wipes as she added, “Now wipe slowly. Foals have tender and sensitive fur.”
Apple Bloom nodded and did as Applejack instructed, wiping slowly as Zecora shivered and babbled. “It’s so cowd.”
Apple Bloom whispered in apology. “Sorry, I’ll try to hurry up.” She continued wiping Zecora down, finishing a few seconds later. She then put the wipes into the old diaper. bailed it up, and threw it in a wastebin. She and Applejack then got out a new diaper and placed it gently under Zecora’s rump, making her giggle a little as they threaded her tail through the hole in the back. Applejack took out the cream and helped her sister rub it over Zecora, making her squeal and kick her legs. “Tat’s weawwy cowd!”
Applejack chuckled. “Well I bet that’ll feel alot better then a diaper rash.” The sisters continued the change, powdering the foal’s rump and making her sneeze cutely. Then they finished the change, placing the front of the new diaper over and taping it snuggly over her belly.
Zecora looked down, feeling the fresh padding between her legs, and kicked about as Apple Bloom asked, “So, Zecora, how did we do?”
Zecora chirped. “Ya two did gweat! Ta paddin fits pewfectwy!.”
Apple Bloom squealed. “Ooh, did I get my cutie mark?!” But upon looking back at her still blank flank she muttered. “Darn it, so much for that.”
Applejack and Apple Bloom then went to the bathroom to wash their hooves as Zecora bounced about in her new diaper. Apple Bloom looked across to Applejack and said to her sister. “Thank you for helpin’ me changin that diaper. I don’t think I could’ve done it by myself.”
Applejack nodded. “No problem, sugarcube. Now, while we get Zecora fed, I think I’ll have Big Mac set up your old crib in my room. That way I can care for her if she cries durin’ the night.”
“Thanks, Applejack. But..uh, can I have her sleep in my room?” Apple Bloom asked, hopefully.
Applejack eyed her sister, “Ya sure? Foals are notorious for cryin’ during the night. Zecora will probably need a few diaper changes, and some late night bottles.”
But Zecora pouted, shouting in protest. “Na uh! I’ww be a good foaw and just sweep aww night.”
Applejack giggled and replied, “Zecora, I’m sure you’ll try. But you're a foal, and your instincts will probably kick in at some point.”
Zecora just shook her head, “Na uh, I gonna be a weww behaved foaw. You’ww see.”
“See? Zecora said it herself, she’ll be fine,” Apple Bloom insisted. “Please, Applejack? At least for tonight?”
Apple Bloom and Zecora both looked up at Applejack with puppy dog eyes, as she groaned, “Fine, but if there's any trouble, I’m movin’ her to my room, ya hear?” They both nodded, as then Applejack replied, “Come on, let’s get you two somethin to eat.”
Zecora was escorted downstairs, where Granny Smith had set up an old highchair. Applejack strapped Zecora inside it as she asked, “Big Mac, can ya do me a favor and help me set up Apple Bloom’s old crib in her room?”
“Eeyup.” Big Mac nodded, he got up and walked off to the basement with Applejack as Granny Smith added, “Big Mac, don’t forget foal blankets and a pillow, and make sure to wipe that thing down. It ain’t been used in a long time, and we don’t want to get the poor thing sick.”
Big Mac rolled his eyes, added another “Eeyup.” and continued on his way, as Granny turned her attention to the baby zebra in front of her. She brought out a jar of applesauce as she asked, “So, Zecora, ya like apples?”
Zecora shrugged. “I tink tey otay. I didn have a wot of abbwes back at my hut.”
Apple Bloom started bouncing with a hoof raised in excitement as she offered. “Can I feed her, please?!”
Granny Smith laughed, ”Alright, but be careful. Zecora’s teeth are probably still devlopin’, so be gentle.”
Zecora was curious about Granny’s statement, so she placed a hoof in her mouth and felt around, only to feel a few bumps as she babbled, “Ya, my teeth shwank too.”
Meanwhile, Apple Bloom took out the applesauce and a small rubber spoon as she replied. “Alright, Zecora, time for num nums.”
Zecora sighed and opened her mouth, as Apple Bloom slipped the spoon in. The baby zebra smiled, feeling the applesauce and on her tongue and swallowed it, giggling. “That was gweat! Ya gots mowe?!”
Apple Bloom scooped up some more applesauce on her spoon. “Lots more, now open wide!” She instructed, prompting the baby zebra to open up again and be fed another spoonful of applesauce. She giggled, kicking about in her high chair and smacking her lips.
Apple Bloom cooed, sensing that Zecora was enjoying the whole process. “Aww, you like the applesauce?” She asked.
Zecora nodded eagerly. “Yeah, I wove it! Tank you.”
Apple Bloom smiled, “Thank Granny Smith, she’s the one who made it.”
Zecora turned to Granny smith and babbled, “Tank you fow ta abbwe sauce, it’s yummy!”
Granny Smith dawwed, “No problem, sugarcube. I’ll be sure to make some more.” Then she came over to her granddaughter and offered, “How about you go on and eat dinner? I’ll finish up here.”
Apple Bloom ran off to her spot at the table, and ate her apple salad, as Granny contained spoon feeding Zecora. During the process, Granny started making faces and Zecora unintentionally copied her as they both began opening and shutting their mouths, with Apple Bloom chuckling while eating her food. Then Big Mac and Applejack came up from downstairs, smiling at the scene as Applejack suggested, “I think it’s about time Zecora had a bottle. Then we should see ‘bout gettin’ her to bed.”
Granny Smith nodded, “Good idea, a bottle of milk always helped ya’ll to fall asleep when you were little ones. I’m sure Zecora won’t be any different.”
Apple Bloom got up from the table, and ran off and grabbed the pink diaper bag from earlier. She took out a can of formula and a foal bottle. “We got these at the store earlier.” She explained.
Zecora whimpered as she asked. “Do I have to dwink fwom a baba?”
Granny nodded. “Of course, foals need milk.”
Applejack took the formula and bottle, and adjusted the measurements as she stirred it in with water. Then she took Zecora onto her back and asked, “Hey Apple Bloom, wanna help me give Zecora her bottle?”
Apple Bloom squealed in delight! “Of course!” She ran over to Applejack’s side as they sat on the sofa in the living room, and Applejack took Zecora and the bottle of formula to her chest, and started to feed her, letting the zebra suckle on the bottle’s rubber nipple. Zecora instantly gargled some of it, but eventually began to suckle gently, seemingly enjoying the taste as she thought. “How could this be my fate? Thinking that formula tastes great.”
Apple Bloom, getting anxious, asked. “Come on, Applejack, can’t I bottle feed her too?” Applejack gently hoofed the baby over to Apple Bloom, who took Zecora into the cradle of her forehooves, as Applejack watched and whispered. “Be gentle now. Just hold the bottle close to your chest, and let her do the work. And if she’s drinkin’ too fast, remind her to slow down.”
Apple Bloom nodded, as she held Zecora close, looking right into her big strong cyan colored eyes as she asked. “So, Zecora, ya like your baba?”
Zecora’s cheeks flushed red, as she nodded, suckling her bottle a few more times.
“I bet it’s the best formula in Equestria. It is ‘Organic Formula’ after all,” Apple Bloom explained. “Spike and I bought it at the store.”
Zecora blushed even more, realizing how the taste of the formula did resemble a sweeter, creamier milk. Before she knew, it she’d drank down the entire bottle of formula and was suckling air. Apple Bloom took out the bottle with a pop and asked, “So, how was it?”
Zecora blushing replied, “It was good, tank you,” She then groaned, as she held her tummy and babbled. “Bu my tummy dun feew good.”
Applejack picked up the little zebra, placed her over her back, and patted until Zecora gave a loud belch and sapt up over Applejack's back, making Zecora gasp! “I so sowie, Appwejack!”
Applejack just sighed. “It’s alright, that was bound to happen at some point,” She hoofed Zecora over to Apple Bloom and asked, “How about ya get her ready for bed while I clean myself up?”
Apple Bloom nodded. “Of course.” She skipped off with Zecora resting on her back.
As Applebloom was dressing Zecora in one of her old nighties with little apples decorating it, Zecora began crying and whimpering. That prompted Apple Bloom to turn and ask. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
The baby zebra whined. “Ya and ya famiwy awe so nice ta me. Big mac bwoguht up ta cwib, Gwanny made me abbwesauce, Abbwejack fed me and changed my diapee, and ya bottwe feed me. And I can’t weapy any of ya. I jus a wittwe foaw.”
But Apple Bloom hugged Zecora, whispering. “Don’t say that, your happiness is all that we care about. We don’t care about payment, you smile’s all the repayment we need.”
Zecora whimpered, “Weawwy? Ya dun tink I putting too much twobuwe on aww ya?”
Apple Bloom shooks her head and booped Zecora’s nose, “You’re a foal now, and we’re goin’ to make sure you're taken care of.”
Zecora giggled and nodded, now feeling much better. “Otay, Abbwe Bwoom.” Apple Bloom then placed the little foal into the crib, now furnished with foal blankets and a cute mobile with farm animals and apples hanging from it. As Apple Bloom tucked Zecora in, she looked around and babled, “Abbwe Bwoom, whew’s Beawy?”
Apple Bloom gasped! “Oh yeah, the stuffed bear! Hold on a second.” She quickly took the Ursa Minor plushie out from the diaper bag, and placed it into Zecora’s hooves, who hugged it close to her as she babbled, “Tank ya again, Abbwe Bwoom.”
Apple Bloom whispered, “No problem, little Zecora.”
Just then the rest of the Apple Family came into the room as Applejack asked, “So, is Zecora all snug?”
Zecora nodded in response. “Yeah. Tank ya, Abbwejack, fow changin my diapee and for ta bottwe of milk,” Applejack came over and kissed her on the forehead. Then Zecora turned to Big Mac and continued, “Tank ya, Big Mac, fow ta cwib. I wove it!” Big Mac nodded and gave an “Eeyup.”, before he came over and nuzzled her. Finally, Zecora turned to Granny Smith and added, “Tank ya, Gwanny Smith, fow ta abbwesauce.”
Granny Smith came over and ruffled Zecora’s mane. “No problem. Like I said, I’ll make some more for tomorrow.”
Zecora gave a long, loud yawn as Applejack giggled. “Alright ya’ll, let’s go. Little Zecora here needs her sleep,” Granny Smith and Big Mac left, as Applejack turned to Apple Bloom, “Night, Apple Bloom.” She whispered.
Apple Bloom smiled. “Night, Applejack. Don’t you worry, I’ll take good care of Zecora.” Applejack gave her sister a nod, before closing the door. Apple Bloom then came over to Zecora and asked, “Need anythin’ before I hit the hay?”
The zebra shook her head. “No, I dun tink so..” But she then smacked her lips and asked, “I couwd have somthin to suck on”
Apple Bloom took out a bright green colored pacifier and popped it into Zecora’s mouth, making Zecora smile. Then the farm filly pecked the little zebra on the forehead. “Night, Zecora.”
Zecora nodded. “Night, Abbwe Bwoom.”
Apple Bloom then turned off the lights, crawled under the covers, and watched Zecora snuggle her plushie and suckle her pacifier commenting softly. “She’s so cute.”