//------------------------------// // Ditching Double Trouble (Snips/Snails) // Story: Potty Training Tales // by SuperPinkBrony12 //------------------------------// Snips and Snails’ friendship was one that was long lasting and went back a long time. All the way back to when they were both foals and in diapers in fact. Even back then there were differences, Snips was considerably more vocal and adventurous whereas Snails tended to be more withdrawn and observant. Their parents often let them be together for playdates, hoping that the two’s distinctive personalities would rub off on each other and help them both to become better at different things. It was hoped that Snips would teach Snails how to speak up more often and do things, while it was hoped that Snails could teach Snips how important it was to slow down and pay attention to other things. This became especially important once the two toddler unicorns turned two, and entered into the usual bumpy road of headaches that was potty training. Both entered into it on the same day, despite Snails being a bit older (it was hard to believe the two weren’t twin brothers given how attached at the hip they seemed to be). But the first couple of months came and went with little progress for either of them. Snips just never seemed to understand that to be successful at potty training, one had to make a commitment to actually use the potty. That meant sitting on it for however long the grown-ups decided was adequate. And as for Snails, he had the problem of not speaking up or appearing to realize when he had to go. So it was that the exhausted parents of both foals arranged for another one of their joint playdates, with Snails’ house being the hosting place this time. Snips had his potty brought over and set up in the bathroom next to Snails’ potty, and both little unicorns were placed into a playpen while their parents started discussing the setbacks they had currently been facing. Snips bounced a ball to Snails, all the while he was grumbling to himself. “Can ya believe our mommies and daddies make us do potty training? Why we have to give up diapers? Diapers safe, diapers comfy.” Snails just bounced the ball back as he replied. “Don’t know. Don’t really like needing changes or having Mommy and Daddy do checks. They say big ponies no need that.” “So, what if I no wanna be big pony?” Snips protested as he plopped down onto his padded rear. “Big ponies no fun.” “But we no stay little ponies forever,” Snails protested right back. “We have to be like mommies and daddies someday.” Snips only grumbled. “But potty no fun. Sitting on it take forever, and it boring!” “Not boring, potty can be fun,” Snails insisted. “Just gotta know when ya have to go, then you no have to sit on it forever.” The blue coated foal only sighed as he stopped bouncing the ball. “But I no know when I have to go. I just do. I try to go when I on potty, but it never works.” Snails replied to his friend. “Ya gots to pay more attention to what ya body tell ya. If it's acting funny, ya have to go potty.” “How ya know that?” Snips questioned his orange coated friend. “Ya psychic or something?” Snails shook his head. “Nu-uh, I just really good at noticing things ‘cause I don’t talk much. Like how after ya drink something, your body starts feeling all tingly. Or how before ya do number two tail hikes up.” “So I just wait until I feel those things, and I sit on potty?” Snips asked. “‘Cause I think I feeling tingly feeling now!” Snails nodded. “I do too. I think we should tell somepony.” “Ya leave it to me!” Snips said and screamed at the top of his lungs. “Mommy! Daddy! Gotta go potty! Snails does too!” The two foals’ parents rushed over immediately, scooping up their children and carrying them to the bathroom! Both were soon stripped of their diapers and placed upon their plastic potties while their parents kept a watchful eye on the both of them. It seemed like it took forever, even though it was actually just a couple of minutes at best. Both foals just sat on the plastic bowls, not really doing anything since if they tried to move they’d just be placed right back on their potties by their parents. Eventually though, sounds not unlike running water seemed to echo in the bathroom. And then it stopped just as suddenly as it had arrived. Could it really be? Once the mysterious noises had faded (and both foals now felt strangely empty, a lot different from how they had felt a short time ago), Snips and Snails’ parents allowed them to stand as their potties were checked. Sure enough, their potties were nice and full. The two unicorn toddlers had FINALLY achieved a successful trip to the potty, months after beginning their training! Snips felt overwhelmed with pride for his accomplishment, while Snails didn’t know what to think aside from the fact that he had made his parents very happy. The foals were wiped clean soon afterward, and watched as their parents emptied their training potties into the big potty, promptly making everything disappear with a loud roar that signaled the telltale flush. “And just think, when you two are older and get better at going potty, you’ll be able to use this one instead.” Their parents told them, hoping that it would serve as encouragement and motivation. “Ya here that, Snails?” Snips eagerly grinned. “Someday, we’re gonna get to use the mommy and daddy potty! Then we’ll get to figure out why it makes those funny sounds, and how it can make everything in it just disappear.” “Couldn’t we just ask our mommies and daddies?” Snails questioned. “I sure they tell us how it works.” Snips shook his head. “Nu-uh, it no fun if grown-ups tell us everything. We gots to be super smart and find out for ourselves!” Snails couldn’t really argue with his childhood friend when he made such a compelling argument. Besides, they did everything together, and they both aspired to know all they could about magic. So they would strive to figure out the “magic” behind the big potty on their own someday. Perhaps even before their parents would think they were ready.