//------------------------------// // 9- Closing Ceremonies // Story: F.O.A.L. Academy // by DuskShadowBrony //------------------------------// 9- Closing Ceremonies Twilight slowly opened her eyes. She felt warm, comforted, and happy. But she was still sleepy…. “Is little Twily awake?” a soft, sweet voice cooed. “Good timing, sweetie, it’s about time for the closing ceremonies.” Twilight heard the words, but couldn’t comprehend their meaning. But she knew it was just some silly adult talk. It didn’t matter to her what they meant. She knew just by the tone it was nice. The sweet mare lifted her out of the crib. Twilight’s diaper was heavily used, but the mare didn’t take her to the changing table. She noticed Twilight’s glance at the changing table though. “Oh, don’t worry, dear, your Mommy will take care of that for you.” She smiled, patting the soggy and squishy garment. Twilight giggled, squirming happily in the mare’s hooves. She tried to talk, but the mare didn’t seem to understand what she was saying. “Silly filly, thinking she’s big enough to talk.” The mare pet her mane. There were plenty of other adults with foals all headed to the auditorium. Rows of foal carriers, usually meant for carts, were set up in neat lines. Twilight found herself set in one, buckled into place. Her friend, Dawn, was put in the carrier next to her. The mare from before- what was her name again? Twilight couldn’t remember- trotted up to the stage. “Students, you have all been specially selected for this academy due to a certain quality of all of you- high stress levels. We discussed with your parents about a method to relieve that stress, and bring back their happy, bouncy foals that they loved. You don’t need to be strong and independent anymore. Foals are dependent on their mommies and daddies, and carefree. This academy’s true operations are kept secret by Royal Decree, due to its nature. But regardless, we were all happy to have you here. It’s time for all of you to ‘graduate’!” The mare talked a lot. Twilight got bored, finding great joy in sticking her hind hoof in her mouth, sucking on it. Dawn watched her for a while, then imitated, giggling. Caretakers roamed around, redressing them in light blue sleepers for colts, light pink ones for fillies. These sleepers had a lighter and softer feel to them. Matching bonnets, with a fun little tassel, were tied onto their heads. “Now in a bit, we’ll let your parents in. But unlike other graduation ceremonies, instead of a diploma, you’ll be receiving a very special yearbook. It contains pictures of you throughout your many years. With this book, if your mommy or daddy so chooses, they can select an age for you to regress back to. They can keep you at that age, let you grow up again, or let it be temporary. That way, they’ll always have their little foal or filly if they want!” the mare pulled out a foal’s book, one made completely out of plush material. Twilight was too busy chewing on the tassel to pay attention, feeling her diaper warm up some more. That was good, it was starting to get cold. She giggled, drool dripping out of her mouth. “Oh, such a messy filly.” A caretaker stooped down and wiped Twilight off, moving the tassel back to the side, putting the pacifier back in. “Don’t chew on random things, little filly.” “We now welcome your parents for the graduation ceremony!” a set of double doors opened and ponies flowed in. Twilight immediately recognized her parents once she saw them. Mommy! Daddy! She squealed with delight, squirming in the carrier, eager to get to them. Her diaper gave squishes and crinkles with every little movement, making her even more delighted. “Calm down, sweetie, you’ll get to see them soon enough.” A mare cooed, nuzzling Twilight. One by one, names were called. Caretakers moved up with the foal carriers, placing the yearbook into the carrier with the foal, before passing the foal off to the parents. It took a while, but eventually, it was Twilight’s turn. She was fascinated by all the pretty colors of the backdrop, distracted, only snapping back when she felt herself being lifted up in the carrier. Twilight cooed softly as the carrier swung when the caretaker walked, making her feel so at peace. Something soft and cloth was set into her carrier. Then… an oh so familiar voice. “Twily?” it was her Mommy! “Hey, my little filly.” Daddy! She kicked her hooves happily, reaching up for her Mommy and Daddy, smiling down at her. They leaned down, nuzzling her gently. “Oh, sweetie….” Her Mommy said. “I’m so glad that you’re happy. And don’t worry about your friends, they said that just because you’re a bouncy little filly doesn’t mean that your friendship ended.” Friend! She knew that word. She thought of Dawn, and realized she wasn’t near. Twilight started to cry, squirming in the carrier. “Oh, you’re going to miss your friends here, aren’t you?” her Daddy spoke in a soft tone. “It’s okay, we can set up play dates with them.” Dawn’s mother came over with Dawn. “It sounds like a good idea. They told me that Twilight and Dawn were very close to each other. I’d hate for my cute Dawn to miss a friend.” Twilight waved at Dawn, instantly stopping her tears. Dawn waved back with a big smile. They babbled at each other while their parents talked. ‘Hi, Dawn!’ Twilight gurgled. ‘Missed oo!’ ‘Me miss oo, too!’ Dawn responded in a chipper tone. ‘Me thought me nevew see oo again!’ ‘Mommy and Daddy say we can pway, wight?’ Twilight looked up at the adults. She could only understand one or two words every many they spoke. Silly grown-ups, having their own language. ‘Me tink so…’ Dawn tilted her head. She squirmed a bit. ‘Me wanna change….’ Her eyes teared up. A combination of seeing her friend cry, and reminding her of her own cooling diaper, made Twilight cry, too. Soon, both of them were wailing. Almost immediately, their parents were hushing and calming them. “Looks like they need a change.” Dawn’s mother commented. “The changing stations are nearby, we can talk while we clean them up.” “Sounds good.” Twi’s Mommy responded, as they moved off to another room. “Hey, I have a fun idea.” She giggled. “How about you change Twily, and I’ll change little Dawn?” “Great!” Dawn’s mother nodded, as they reached the changing station. There were already other parents with their foals there, but also some spare changing stations. Twilight was unbuckled and set on a station next to one that Dawn was on. She found herself surprised as Dawn’s mother untaped her soaked garment. “Don’t worry, sweetie, I know what I’m doing.” Dawn’s mother tickled Twilight’s nose, making her giggle. She used this opportunity to expertly wipe Twilight off, before she could notice or complain about the cold wipes. “Good filly!” Dawn’s mother praised as she slid a new diaper under Twilight, powdering heavily. The familiar and calming scent of foal powder rose into the air. Twilight smiled, closing her eyes, hearing Dawn’s mother humming softly as she carefully rubbed in the powder. A few moments later, she felt herself lifted up and being set back into the carrier. She opened her eyes again, facing Dawn once more. She gave her friend a quick smile, before looking up at her Mommy and Daddy. “Yes, sweetie, it’s time to go. But good news, as soon as we leave, you and Dawn can play together! We’re going to her home!” Play! Dawn! Yay! Twilight squealed in response, getting giggles from the parents around her. “Thank you all! Congratulations!” the caretakers waved to the parents and foals as they left. “Remember, we’re always in operation! If you think anypony else needs a re-education, don’t hesitate to ask!” The morning sun shone down brightly, the skies a clear blue, a breeze wafting through Twilight’s mane. Everything was so perfect. She felt so calm, peaceful, and happy. Not a single worry was in her mind. Nothing but blissful happiness was in her mind. And to make it better- she was going to play with her new friend again! “Don’t worry about a thing. Mommy and Daddy will take care of everything.” She heard her Mommy’s voice. “We love you, little Twily.”