//------------------------------// // Bloom's Bottomless Training (Apple Bloom) // Story: Potty Training Tales // by SuperPinkBrony12 //------------------------------// Apple Bloom loved her whole family. Growing up as an Apple it was hard not to, family was a big part of who they were. But if there was one family member that the youngest sibling loved more than anypony else, it was her big sister, Applejack. Though she was barely two years old, the littlest Apple greatly admired her big sister in everything she did. She was hardworking, honest, and never seemed to be afraid of anything. Plus, unlike her brother, she actually talked (Big Macintosh almost never said anything other than “Eeyup” or “Eenope” for some reason). Naturally, when such a pony imprinted on another pony, imitation became almost second nature. Everything that Applejack said or did, Apple Bloom wanted to do to. Regardless of whether or not she could actually do it. The saying part was a little easier. Though her words hadn’t fully developed yet, the little earth pony could say a few words besides the odd babble or coo. She was smart enough to know her ABCs (though what came after those three letters she didn’t remember) and could count up to five if she tried really hard. But the first time she’d tried to “Applebuck” as the process was called, her legs barely even touched the tree trunk and nothing happened. To say nothing of the fit Granny Smith threw upon learning what Apple Bloom had tried to do. “You ain’t old enough for applebuckin’, little Apple Bloom. It ain’t the job of a seedlin’ such as yourself.” She had scolded, and Apple Bloom’s ears had drooped. So if she couldn’t applebuck, and if she wasn’t allowed to do most of the chores she’d seen her big sister do, what could Apple Bloom do that her big sister could also do? Well, there was one thing the little filly wanted to try. Once when she’d pretended to be asleep, she had snuck out of her crib and overheard Granny Smith talking with Applejack and Big Macintosh about something. Something that Apple Bloom was supposedly soon going to be ready for. The young earth pony couldn’t make out every word of the conversation, but she overheard a mention of “Bottomless Training” and that it involved that funny little shack out in the orchard called an outhouse. It apparently involved diapers, or rather getting out of them. For most ponies her age that would be a dilemma, but Apple Bloom was so determined to attempt this “Bottomless Training” that the thought of ditching her diapers was a positive and not a negative idea. So it was that the farm foal waited, and waited, and waited, and waited some more for the right opportunity to make her attempt. She knew that all she had to do was take off her diapers, get to the outhouse, and do whatever it was she was supposed to do in there. But she’d have to be sneaky about it, her family would surely try to stop her if they caught her without a diaper on (she found it odd that she couldn’t remember her mother and father, nopony seemed to really talk about them). After days of careful, silent observation, the little earth pony finally spotted her opportunity. Granny Smith had dozed off again, and Applejack and Big Macintosh were working in the part of the orchard farthest away from the outhouse. “Otay, hewe goes!” Apple Bloom said with a grin and used her hooves to rip off the tabs of her diaper, letting the padding plop to the ground. She didn’t bother to move it out of sight, she was too excited! Besides, she didn't need it. Seeing that the farmhouse door had been left open ajar (Granny must’ve forgotten to close it), she rushed through it and out into the orchard! The outhouse wasn’t all that far, just a straight line from the farm house and across the orchard. But for little Apple Bloom it seemed like a long journey. Even so, she hadn’t come all this way just to turn back now. As for what she’d do once she was inside the outhouse… well, she’d figure that part out when she got to it. It probably had something to do with being out of diapers, since she’d never seen her big sister wear them (or her big brother or grandmother for that matter). Apple Bloom trotted as quickly as her little hooves would let her across the orchard grounds. She was actually going to do it! She was going to attempt this “Bottomless Training” and be just like Applejack. And this time, nopony was going to stop her. After what felt like forever, an exhausted Apple Bloom reached the outhouse. All that remained was to get inside. But it seemed her luck had run out. The outhouse door, unlike the farm house one, was locked. At least, that’s how it appeared to the farm foal who couldn’t get the door to open no matter what she tried. How was she supposed to use it to attempt this “Bottomless Training” if the door wouldn’t open? What was even the point of leaving it locked if nopony was inside it? Suddenly, the little earth pony felt a familiar orange colored hoof scoop her up. “What in tarnation are you doin’ out here, Apple Bloom?” The familiar stern expression of her big sister quickly greeted her eyes. “Ain’t you supposed to be inside, takin’ a nap? And where’s your diaper?” “Me no need diapee! Me do ‘Bottomwess Twaining’ just wike my big sis!” Apple Bloom proudly explained, expecting to be showered with praise for her efforts. Applejack simply sighed as she looked across to Big Macintosh, who seemed to be trying hard not to laugh. Then she looked back at Apple Bloom. “Listen, sugarcube, it’s great that you’re takin’ an interest in the outhouse at such a young age. But you ain’t ready for potty trainin’ just yet. Granny Smith figures it won’t be for a few months still, that’s usually about the time we Apples start the process.” “Bu me wanna be wike big sis!” Apple Bloom pouted. “Big sis use outhouse and do ‘Bottoemwss Twaining’.” Applejack sighed again. “Apple Bloom, that’s an entire process for potty trainin’. It’s all about learnin’ to feel the rhythm of nature as it flows through your body, so you can tell when you have to go. Just because we may live on a farm doesn’t mean you can potty wherever you want, whenever you want. If Ma and Pa were here, I’m sure they’d say the same thing,” Noticing the pout on her sister’s face, the farm filly sighed. “But, I suppose I can talk to Granny Smith about this, and see if she thinks you’re ready. What do you think, Big Mac? Sound like a good idea?” “Eeyup.” Big Macintosh nodded as he replied in his usual, casual manner of non-speaking. “Okay then, it’s decided,” Applejack declared. “First thing’s first though, sugarcube. You’re goin’ back inside, and you’re goin’ to wear a diaper. Unless you’d rather stay out in the orchard and sleep in the barn.” Apple Bloom shook her head. The barn was way too big, way too scary, and way too smelly for her. Everything seemed so much bigger than her. If the only alternative was wearing a diaper, that was an acceptable trade off for her, at least for now. Hopefully, once she’d mastered this “Bottomless Training” she could be free of diapers without worrying about having to sleep in the barn. And her next visit to the outhouse... well hopefully that would be soon.