//------------------------------// // 2: Somepony To Protect Me? // Story: Babypoofed // by Serruh //------------------------------// It was completely dark and completely silent. Suddenly, a voice broke the void, shining light and sound into the world once again. "Sweetie, are you awake? It's time to wake up Sweetie Belle." She sounds... familiar. "Come on now sugarcube, ya need yer rest but ya also need to be up and active." Just five more minutes Ra— Wait. Sweetie Belle opened her eyes and rose up, habitually stretching her hooves and letting out a pleasant yawn. This caused her pacifier to slip out of her mouth. "Oh ya are so adorable when you first wake up, Sweetie Belle." Applejack said. "How'd ya sleep?" Sweetie Belle blushed, "Pretty good." She looked down in-between the crib bars and saw Apple Bloom and Scootaloo still in their pajamas. Her face became even more crimson. "What seems ta' be the matter?" Applejack asked. Sweetie Belle looked back up at Applejack and said: "Uh, well you see... I woke up having to go to the bathroom, but Apple Bloom and Scootaloo weren't in the crib. I was tired so I just went in the diaper and went back to sleep." She still had a look of guilt and concern on her face. "I-I'm not in trouble, am I?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exchanged puzzled looks. Apple Bloom said, leaning up and onto the crib railing: "Well, ta be honest with ya Sweetie, if ya did get up, ya would've had to use your diaper anyway. Applejack decided that it was for our safety's sake that we don't go into the bathroom." "I don't need these. I don't have accidents. I'm not a baby." Scootaloo pouted. "Then what do yuh call that thing that happened when we got outta the crib, Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom replied. She let out a small chuckle. Scootaloo grunted, "That was a different kind of accident, which I wouldn't have had in the first place if it weren't for that stupid crib!" "Alright, settle down you two, I don't wanna have'ta put ya'll in time out, do I? Ya'll are still young enough for those." Applejack said. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo simultaneously gulped. "Yes, Applejack." they said in unison. "Good. Now behave while I change Sweetie Belle. Afterwards we can go have dinner, like I said." Applejack scooped Sweetie Belle up and carried her on her back into the room across the hall, closing the door. "So why did you even agree to let her baby us even more in the hallway? You're just making it harder for me and Sweetie Belle to get out of here so we can put a stop to this." Scootaloo said. "Ah' was thinkin' that maybe it isn't so bad that she's doin' this. She's just tryin' to protect us from the dangerous stuff that we do all the time." "So you think that her completely babying us isn't that bad? She might want the best for us but she's going about it totally wrong. It's not cool." "So it would be totally cool if it was Rainbow Dash that was babying us an' not mah sister? "No, 'cuz Rainbow Dash would never do anything lame like this." Apple Bloom looked down at the floor. Ah' admit it that she has a good point about this bein' too far. What about Applejack though? If this gets out then what's gonna happen to her? All she wants'ta do is protect us and make sure we feel cared for. This isn't fair to Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle either though. Actually, Sweetie doesn't seem to mind as much as we do. She could just be tryin' to get through with it as fast as possible. Maybe after a while Applejack will notice what she's doin' is goin' too far. Scootaloo just has'ta trust me on this. "Uh... Applejack?" Sweetie Belle asked. "What'cha need Sweetie Belle? Somethin' wrong?" Applejack asked. She had just started to untape Sweetie's diaper. Sweetie Belle paused for a moment. "No. I just noticed that you mentioned dinner when we were still in the room with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Could I ask what we're having, please?" "Well I was thinkin' since Apple Bloom made a mess of the spaghetti and the soup, I... figured something else would be better." "Um, what would that be?" "It's milk, in some sippy cups so ya'll don't make a mess or cut the inside of your mouth on harder foods. Plus, I don't want ya'll to choke. Maybe if yer still hungry you can have some of our delicious homemade applesauce." "Yummy! Sounds good." With Sweetie's diaper now on, Applejack started to dress Sweetie Belle back into her pajamas. "Ah'm glad you see it that way. You seem ta' be the most understandin' about why I'm doin' this. Thanks fer that." "You're welcome." Sweetie Belle replied. As weird as it is, I can't help but enjoy it, Sweetie Belle thought, Rarity or my parents never give this much attention to me. My parents are away from home so often and Rarity always seems more interested in her dressmaking. Even though she started to pay attention to me more after the Sisterhooves Social, it seems like the lesson faded after her and her friends learned other lessons... "Alrighty, all done." Applejack said, smiling. Sweetie Belle kept silent, but smiled back. The least I could do for Applejack is not be rude... She thought. Applejack picked Sweetie Belle up and placed her on her own back. "Hold on now, ya hear? I might not be able to catch ya in time if you aren't payin' attention and fall." Sweetie Belle nodded. Applejack really would be the best older sister I'd ever have. Applejack protects us so warmly and without hostility like Rarity would. I've gotta find a way to make Apple Bloom and Scootaloo at least understand how great it is to feel love like this from an older sister like Applejack. Applejack opened her bedroom door and walked back into Apple Bloom's room, where Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were sitting patiently. Apple Bloom's head was lowered slightly and Scootaloo looked slightly annoyed. "Did ya'll decide to settle down?" Applejack said. "Yeah, we're good sis'." Apple Bloom replied. Scootaloo didn't seem very amused by that comment. "Could we please eat now?" Scootaloo said. "Sure thing, Scootaloo." Applejack said, as she lifted her and Apple Bloom onto her back. The foursome made their way back into the hallway and Applejack unlocked the baby gate. "Alright now, ya'll hold on tight ya hear? I don't want any of ya'll tumblin' down the stairs." Applejack said. She then started her slow descent down the stairs. "This is taking forever!" Scootaloo said. "Now hold your horses, Scootaloo, I can't have ya'll gettin' booboos. Just try to be patient-like." Wait a minute, Scootaloo thought, if the baby gate is open and the front door is unlocked I— Without a moment's hesitation, Scootaloo attempted to get off of Applejack's back, but was stopped by Apple Bloom. "If yer thinking about gettin' off Scootaloo, haven't you thought about me? Yer in the middle, n' if you get off then who do I have to hold on to?" Apple Bloom said, "We're almost at the bottom anyway. Jus' do what my sister says and we'll be fine." "Whatever." Scootaloo replied. Moments later, they reached the bottom of the stairs Apple Bloom got off of Applejack, and Scootaloo after her did the same. Sweetie Belle carefully dismounted as well. Scootaloo wasted no time in trotting directly toward the front door. As she reached it, she found that she was unable to open it. "You locked the front door too?" Scootaloo asked. "Of course Ah' did, do you know how many accidents happen during your first steps outside? There's no way I'm lettin' yall outside without me." Applejack replied Scootaloo clenched her teeth together before replying: "Oh c'mon Applejack! Why can't you just face the fact that you can't protect any of us from every little thing, and that things are going to happen regardless! Ugh!" "Now Scootaloo, I've warned yuh' about your attitude. Things are ran differently here. What I say goes. An' if you don't like it, then maybe you need a little timeout. Am I makin' myself clear?" "I can't stand another moment of this. I want out of here. Now!" Scootaloo yelled. "So I guess it's timeout for you then? C'mon now youngin'." Applejack said, scooping up Scootaloo and then placing her in-between Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "Stay there, I'll be right back." Applejack said, before going into the kitchen. "Why's she going into the kitchen?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Ya'll will see in a moment, jus' be patient." Applejack replied, as she moved a foal bouncer into the living area, and towards the wall near the stairs. When she was finished she tested the bouncer's stability. She then picked up Scootaloo and placed her into the bouncer.. "Applejack! Get me outta this thing!" Scootaloo said, bouncing up and down with all her might. No matter how hard she tried to get out, she was unable to escape her bouncy prison. "Ugh, well that's no use." She looked behind her at Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, who were being lead by Applejack into the kitchen. "You guys! You gotta come help me! Please! Get me outta this thing!" She pleaded. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, however, only looked back at her with questioning expressions. Scootaloo turned back towards the wall and looked down at the floor. She sighed. Well, what can they do anyway with Applejack breathing down our necks all the time. She would stop them and then we'd all be in trouble. Suddenly, the stomping of a hoof caught her attention. "But we didn't do nothin' bad! Why do we have to sit in the bouncers too?" Apple Bloom exclaimed from the other room. Back in the kitchen, Applejack replied: "Now Apple Bloom, these aren't cause yer bein' bad or anythin', they're just to keep you safe and secure while you eat." "But what about Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom asked. "She'll be joinin' ya'll in just a minute, so don't worry about her." Applejack said, lifting her sister up and placing her in the bouncer. She then went over and got a bib from a supply bag that she had placed earlier in a corner of the room. "Here we go, this will keep yer jammies from gettin' dirty." She placed the bib around her sisters neck. Apple Bloom looked down at the bib, attempting to read what was on it. "'Mama's Widdle Filly'? Really sis'?" Applejack chuckled. "Well, I know I ain't yer Mama—no one can replace Ma—but I think it's a little cute, don't ya think?" Apple Bloom blushed, looking down at the bib again. Sweetie Belle jumped up in excitement: "I think it's adorable!" "Heh, it sure is." Applejack smiled. "Now let's get you into the bouncer so I can get you one too, how's that sound?" "Sure!" "Alrighty then, upsa-daisy!" Applejack said, lifting Sweetie Belle up and into the bouncer. She got a bib and then put it on Sweetie Belle, just as she did with Apple Bloom. "Sweet Little Apple?" Sweetie Belle said. She paused a moment and then giggled. "Oh, I get it!" The two sisters laughed together. "We'll get to eatin' in a minute, I'm gonna see if Scootaloo is ready to join us." Applejack said, as she walked out of the room and went over to the wall where Scootaloo was. Scootaloo continued to stair at the floor. She sighed as she noticed Applejack coming towards her. Applejack approached the side of the bouncer, and then lowered her head a bit to talk to Scootaloo face to face. "Now, everythin' can be fergiven if ya' just say sorry." Scootaloo attempted to speak but Applejack hushed her. "Ah'm not done yet. I need you to understand somethin' Scootaloo. This may not be cool, and this may be somethin' yer not used to, but ah' really need ya to understand that I really really don't want nothin' bad happenin' to ya'll." Applejack paused, looking down, then looked back up to face Scootaloo. "My lil' sis is one of the last great gifts that my parents bestowed upon this land, and I can't let her end up like them. She may not be able to grow up like a normal filly if I treat her like this, but at least she'll be safe and still be able to have fun with her friends. I need this fer her as much as she does." Scootaloo stopped moving her hoof. "Applejack, I am sorry, but I still don't like this. I'm gonna behave, but—" Applejack silenced her again. "That's fine Scootaloo, thank you. Lets go join the others for dinner." She smiled. She moved Scootaloo and her bouncer into the kitchen. This is good, She thought, but I'm gonna need them to stay for more than the day. I just can't let them go yet. I'll need time to figure out a way to get my friends to understand what's goin' on, and make these fillies understand that what I'm doin' is fer the very best. As they entered the kitchen, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom waved at Scootaloo. Scootaloo looked at the bibs, causing her to rolled her eyes. Applejack parked Scootaloo's bouncer—facing away from the wall this time—next to her friends'. "Alrighty, now all that's left is to get ya'll some food." Applejack said. Apple Bloom watched as her older sister went to the refrigerator and opened the door. "Sis, what exactly is it that we're havin' fer dinner?" Apple Bloom asked. "Patience, Apple Bloom." Applejack replied. "Now where'd I put those—Ah! There they are!" Applejack took out a dull, cream-colored satchel, and set it on the dining table. She opened it up and took out three spill-proof cups filled with milk, setting those on the table as well. She then brought each filly their cup, one at a time, and they watched her attentively as she did so. "Don't jus' keep starin' now, drink up." The three fillies listened and began to drink their dinner. Applejack smiled. "Now stay put for me, okay? I'm just goin' to the little filly's room. I'll only be a holler away." No one responded, continuing to drink from their cups. "Heh, I guess I'll get to it then." With that, Applejack left the room and headed up the stairs. Scootaloo set her cup down and said: "I wonder when our parents or sisters are going to come and get us." "Well, it's gotta be like, what, five o'clock?" Apple Bloom responded, "Ah'm sure they'll be here soon." Scootaloo directed her attention to Sweetie Belle, who was still drinking her milk. "Why are you so willing to do all of this baby stuff Sweetie Belle? You're even obedient when Applejack's not watching. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you like how she's treating us!" Sweetie Belle immediately quit drinking and lowered her cup. "I do not! I-I just want to be supportive of Apple Bloom... and Applejack too. She only wants Apple Bloom to be safe because she loves her sister a lot. Don't you want the same from Rainbow Dash?" Scootaloo replied: "Yeah, of course I do. But nothing like this!" "Thank yuhs for bein' such good friends to me through all of this, Ah'd do the same fer ya'll." Apple Bloom said. "Of course Apple Bloom, that's what friends are for! We stick together when the going gets tough!" Sweetie Belle replied. Scootaloo shrugged. "Yeah, don't mention it Apple Bloom, I know you'd do the same." As the fillies continued their conversation, Applejack left the bathroom and quietly walked down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, instead of going towards the kitchen, she quickly and quietly left through the front door, locking it securely behind her. A few minutes later, the conversation between the Cutie Mark Crusaders had died down. One after another, they each finished drinking their milk. "Ah wonder what's takin' Applejack so long in that bathroom? She's not the kind of pony ta' dilly-dally." Apple Bloom said. Scootaloo replied: "Well it's not like we can get out of these things and go find out what she's up to." "I'm sure she'll be back down here soon." Sweetie Belle said. So the Cutie Mark Crusaders waited, and they waited, and they waited some more. Finally, Applejack walked in through the front door, closing and locking it behind her. The three fillies had each noticed this, and were a bit surprised. "Applejack? Ah' thought you were in the bathroom?" Apple Bloom asked. "Ah' was, but then I went over to Sweetie Belle's and Scootaloo's to talk to each of yer parents. I figured ya'll probably wanted to spend the night, so I asked them for ya'll and they agreed that you can spend a few days over here." "A few days?!" Scootaloo yelled, "What do you mean 'a few days'?!" "Ah' mean just that, Scootaloo. I thought ya'll would wanna spend more time together. Ya'll could spend time together with me too." "But you didn't ask if it was okay! I wanna go home!" Scootaloo said, throwing her sippy cup onto the floor. "Now calm down, little miss, it's only gonna be a few days. You'll wait those few days if ya really wanna go home." Scootaloo grunted. "Fine. I already know that there's no arguing when it comes to you." Applejack sighed. "Alright, lets get those bibs off'a y'all so ya'll can have some fun." She went to each of the fillies and removed their bibs, setting them on the dining table. Applejack then picked each of them up and out of the bouncers and set them on the floor. "Alrighty, now if ya'll can go wait patiently in the family room, I'll go and get ya'll some toys to play with." They nodded in agreement, and headed out of the kitchen. Applejack went upstairs and into her sister's room. After a minute of silence down in the family room, she entered the room carrying a bag of what was presumably toys. When she dropped the bag in front of the Crusaders, it fell on it's side and a few toys spilled out onto the floor. "Ah' gathered up some toys that didn't have any sharp edges or nothin' you could choke on. Ah'm sorry if it's not enough." Applejack said. There were some medium-sized plush dolls, along clothes for them. There were also some toys that must've belonged to Big Macintosh when he was just a young colt. For example, there was a plush train set with soft plush hooks on the end to attach the other train cars to. Nevertheless, Applejack was right, there was no way they could get hurt with these toys. Scootaloo grabbed the plush caboose and observed it. "Well, at least these aren't too babyish. At least we don't have to play with something stupid like a rattle." Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo quizzically and said: "What's so wrong about a rattle? It's just like a maraca." "Rattles look like they're for babies, that's what's wrong." Apple Bloom turned towards her friends and said: "Well, is there really much wrong with what somethin' looks like? Ah' mean, remember when everypony thought Zecora was a mean an' evil zebra? She turned out to be really nice an' we learned that ya can't judge books by their covers." "That's right sis', Ah'm glad yer seein' it that way." Applejack said, "Did ya want a rattle Sweetie Belle? I could get ya one if ya promised not to hit anypony with it. "Um... no, that's okay Applejack." Sweetie replied. She focused her attention towards her friends. "Well, what are we gonna play with? How about we take these plushie ponies and play dress-up with them?" "Ugh, no thanks Sweetie Belle, that's way too girly." Scootaloo replied. "But Scootaloo, we are girls." Apple Bloom said, chuckling. "Fine, I'll play dress-up with these little ponies. Rainbow wouldn't approve of this though." Scootaloo said. "Yay!" Sweetie Belle said, "Lets get started! I choose this pony." She picked up a light pink unicorn with a pink mane and started to dress it up. Apple Bloom picked up a light brown earth pony with a light yellow mane, and Scootaloo picked up a pegasus pony that had light blue fur like Rainbow Dash. However it had a dark blue mane which gave it more of the appearance of Soarin—one of the famous Wonderbolts—despite the plush pony having the body structure of a mare. Applejack sat and watched the girls play. It's so great to see them playin' all safe n' sound. I wish ah' could keep'um like this, but the way I figure it's all gonna have ta' end sometime. When it does, Scootaloo's gonna tell everypony. They won't understand... Applejack frowned a bit. This is why Ah'm keepin' them here a couple extra days Ah' guess. Maybe Ah' can convince them to want to continue this kind've protection in their homes. They could explain it better to their families better than I ever could. I want them to be safe, and I have been keepin' them well an' good. But if they tell anypony about this without wantin' to stay this way, I'll definitely lose my sister. I can't lose Apple Bloom, not my baby sis'... She felt tears form in her eyes, and she quickly brushed them away. Her sister needed her more than ever, and she couldn't show a hint of weakness. Ah'll show them that Ah love them and that'll allow them to see... They'll see that it's okay to have somepony to protect them and love them with all of her heart. None of them get to see much of their mamas, especially Apple Bloom. My poor, sweet, dearest Apple Bloom... I won't let anything or anyone ever hurt you dear, and nothin' is goin' to separate you from me.