//------------------------------// // Twilight's Family // Story: Twily's Back // by Rough_Draft //------------------------------// Seven – Twilight’s Family Bubbles floated into the air as Twilight was gently dropped into her bath—by her mother, no less. With Fluttershy standing right behind her with a towel in her hooves. And both of them smiling. Twilight groaned as Velvet began to scrub her from mane to tail with shampoo. “It’s fine, Mom. I can—” She squealed when Velvet began to clean up and down between her legs. “Look, I can still clean myself!” “Don’t talk back, dear.” As she spoke, Velvet poured a hoof-full of water over Twilight’s head, clearing away the suds. “Besides, it’s not every day I get to do this for my sweet little filly!” “I’m just little, not a filly!” Fluttershy flew overhead to carry Twilight out of the bathtub. “But you are sweet.” She cut off Twilight’s further protests by wrapping her up in a towel and passing her back to her mother. This was not the evening she’d been expecting. She wanted to be at the royal archives, muzzle-deep in a stack of books. Twilight would have rather joined her father and Time Turner in their discussion. Anything to do with the royal astrolabe sounded fascinating. Maybe when she was back to normal and back in Canterlot, she could find time to talk with Princess Luna about what it was like to be in charge of celestial mechanics every night. Until then, she was just another foal in her mother’s hooves. There was nopony in the bedroom when the three ponies came back, though Twilight could hear Pinkie Pie giggling and talking in the living room. She squirmed as Velvet laid her down on the bed and opened up the towel. A rush of cold air made Twilight curl up into a ball, but her mother insistently forced her legs apart. Fluttershy reappeared with a diaper in her mouth and a set of clean pajamas in her hooves. Velvet’s horn glowed blue as she unfolded the diaper and floated it directly under Twilight’s rear. While this was happening, Twilight looked up at the ceiling and think up as many spell formulas as she could to distract herself. “Such a good little foal,” Velvet cooed. “Yes, you are! My snuggly little foal!” “Mom!” “Sorry, dear, but I can’t resist.” She offered Fluttershy a sly grin. “With your brother taking care of things in the Crystal Empire, who knows when I’m going to get grandchildren? I’ll take any baby time I can get.” “Ugh!” Twilight slumped against the bed as Velvet taped on her diaper. She offered less resistance when Fluttershy helped put on her pajamas; it helped that her friend was smiling apologetically the whole time. But being a foal meant having an earlier bedtime, and Twilight was feeling sleepier than usual. Her eyelids were drifting shut, prompting another happy squeal from Velvet. “Here, let me,” Fluttershy offered. With a gentle touch, she proceeded to tuck Twilight into bed and fluff the pillows behind her head. Twilight yawned and gave her friend a tired smile in return. “That is precious!” Velvet exclaimed quietly. She stamped her hooves in glee and leaned down to kiss her daughter on the forehead. “Sweet dreams, Twily.” “Mm, g’night, Mommy…” Twilight’s eyes fluttered open when she heard herself. “No, wait, I… I didn’t mean… didn’t mean…” But it was too late. Sleep overtook her like a soaring Wonderbolt. Early the next morning, Fluttershy flew into Twilight’s room to see if she was up yet. She was still munching on a biscuit from the complimentary breakfast cart when she noticed the filly still lying in bed. She looked about the same as when she’d fallen asleep the night before, but with one key difference: the baby dragon cuddled up against her. Twilight had spent most of the night hugging Spike in his sleep. Fluttershy to quickly finish her biscuit to keep from giggling. They really were adorable together. It almost seemed a shame that Twilight wouldn’t be this little forever. And probably for the best, Fluttershy thought sadly. She didn’t want to imagine what would happen if Twilight was stuck forever with the mind and body of a foal. Then she froze when somepony quickly trotted up behind her. “Oh, don’t mind me,” said Nightlight. His horn glowed violet as a camera floated up into the air beside him. “I just need to do this before she wakes up.” “Mm?” Twilight stirred from under the covers and turned her head. “Dad? What are you—?” “Smile!” The camera bulb flashed, dazzling Twilight and waking up Spike with a surprised jolt. The two glared at Nightlight as he sent the camera flying out of the room. “Sorry, kiddo!” he laughed. “But Shining Armor and Cadance heard about your accident. They insisted I get them a photo before you were cured.” “Celestia help me,” said Twilight as she ducked below the covers. Spike gave her a sympathetic pat on the back. Meanwhile, Fluttershy landed on the floor and trotted over to the bed. While Nightlight fiddled with his camera, she helped Twilight out of bed and immediately checked her diaper with a prod of her hoof. Twilight’s sigh was enough and the filly began to pull down her pajama bottoms and lie back. After a quick diaper change, Fluttershy dressed Twilight again and carried her into the living room with Spike following closely. Everypony was already gathered around the breakfast cart, eating pastries and drinking tea. They looked up and smiled when they saw Twilight being carried into their midst. “Morning, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said eagerly. “Wanna pancake? Ooh, how about I make you one of my super-duper extra awesome Pinkie Cakes? They’re totally terrific!”” “Spike,” Twilight grumbled as Fluttershy put her down. “Donut. Now. Please.” The dragon reached into the cart and took out a pink-frosted donut with extra sprinkles. He handed it to Twilight, who didn’t take the offered spot on the couch beside Fluttershy. Instead, she plopped down on the floor and ate ravenously. Twilight Velvet looked over and shared an embarrassed smile with Fluttershy. Then the pegasus glanced to Time Turner, who had been consulting a scroll on the coffee table. When he realized that everypony was watching him, he gave an awkward smile of his own. “So, now that we’re all up and well-fed,” he said with the air of a professor, “I thought we might go straight to the royal archives. Princess Twilight has already mailed the archivists a letter with her list of books to be consulted for a solution spell.” When Time Turner glanced at Twilight’s parents, he gave them a serious frown. “And ever since you arrived, my circadian hourglass has shown a slight change in Twilight’s regression. I think you ought to accompany us for the time being.” Nightlight and Twilight Velvet looked at each other, then back at Time Turner. It wasn’t lost on Fluttershy that they seemed incredibly secure around each other. But she remembered her own parents, so she guessed that was just a sign of their strong marriage. “If it means getting our daughter back to her true self,” said Velvet, “then we’ll do whatever it takes.” “Thanks, Mom,” said Twilight with her eyes squeezed shut. Fluttershy gasped when she saw the filly attempt to use her weak magic sparks to knock another donut off the cart. Pinkie Pie caught it before it could hit the ground, only to toss it up into the air again. Twilight leapt and snagged it with her mouth, squealing with joy. “Twilight Sparkle!” Nightlight declared sternly. “That is not how we eat around guests!” “M’sorry,” Twilight mumbled as she chewed. She swallowed and added, “Really sorry, Dad.” “Don’t worry, Mr. and Mrs. Twilight!” Pinkie Pie chimed in. “I’m sure we’ll get your little princess to be not so little anymore! She’s in the best of hooves!” Time Turner chuckled and rolled up his scroll. “That’s the spirit… I think! Anyway, best if we got going. We’re going to need as much time at the archives as we can get.”