XII- Final Round: Endgame
Chapter XII- Final Round: The Endgame
FlashRain was quick to get out of bed, and to the common area. Last night, Corona had promised that he could see DustStorm in the early morning. With only five competitors left, and three of them at two strikes, it seemed the Endgame was nearing. He paced around restlessly, and quickly whipped around when the door opened. But it was Dawn who stood there, not Corona. She froze as she saw him, and both stood in an awkward silence.
“Morning.” Dawn eventually muttered.
FlashRain returned the greeting, and she sat down on one of the couches. FlashRain struggled internally for a while, and then spoke. “Sorry about yesterday, Dawn.”
“I don’t blame you.” She said. “You did what you thought was right to protect the others. If I were you, I would have thought the same thing.”
They both looked up as Corona entered the room. “Flash? You wanted to see Dust?” She asked. “Come on, then.”
Dawn gave a short wave of goodbye, which Flash returned. Flash and Corona trotted wordlessly through the halls, only their hoofsteps making any noise. They finally reached the nursery room door, and Corona pushed it open. Inside were a number of cribs, each with a number and name. Five were empty, for the five remaining players. She walked over to the one labeled ‘015- DustStorm’ and waited for FlashRain to approach. “When you’re done, come back downstairs.” She said, giving him a pat on the back before leaving.
FlashRain looked in the crib. Inside, deep in sleep, was DustStorm. His cutie mark was gone, and in addition to his diaper, he had a pacifier. He rolled over slightly in his sleep. It seemed to be a peaceful dream, he had a calm look on his face, unlike most dreams he had in the past.
“I will find a way out of this.” FlashRain whispered. “I’ll get us all out of here.” He gently patted Dust’s head before walking out, carefully shutting the door behind him.
***
“This is the final round.” Corona spoke in an even more quiet voice than normal. “I had not originally planned to keep going, but I will do one final round. Anypony without three strikes at the end is free to go.” She rubbed an eye tiredly with a hoof. “It’s simple. I want you to feel how I feel, as a parent. Show me that you can be properly caring. The challenge, take care of a foal for a day. Torrent and Talon will be monitoring you, and taking notes. Every positive action will gain you points, negative actions will make you lose points. The pony with the most points at the end wins.”
“Either way, win or lose, I am getting out of this, Corona.” FlashRain narrowed his eyes at her. “And when I do, I’m reporting you to the Royal Guard.”
“Go ahead.” Corona answered. “I understand why you want to do it, and I won’t stop you.”
A little taken aback by her response, FlashRain fell silent, allowing Corona to continue.
“Go to the nursery. Talon and Torrent will show you the way. Pick a foal, and start from there. Good luck, my little ponies.” She slowly exited the room, Talon, Torrent, then the rest of the ponies following her out.
***
“Isn’t this challenge a little unfair for the ones with two strikes?” Dawn asked. “I mean, they’re basically foals, how are they going to care for others?”
“All they need to do is show that they can provide the same amount of care and love that Miss Corona can.” Talon replied. “If you ponies can do that, then that’s good enough.”
Flash looked around, every other player with a foal already. He headed to Dust’s crib, and pulled down the side, carefully moving Dust out. Dust’s eyes opened slowly.
“Hey there, little guy.” Flash spoke in a gentle whisper, brushing his wing across Dust’s face. Dust gave a small, happy smile, and Flash sighed. “Time to get you cleaned up and fed.”
Aware of Talon’s eyes on him the entire time, Flash lifted Dust up, and placed him down on the changing table. Having never done this before, he looked around, and tried to learn from observation. His eyes fell on Dawn, who seemed to be doing it very well. Her foal, Oceana, was giggling happily while Dawn changed him. He followed her actions, and managed to finish the job. Using his wing as a ramp, he slid Dust onto his back, before heading to the kitchens.
A group of highchairs were already set up, and Flash lowered Dust into one. He grabbed a bowl of hot foal food, a spoon, and brought it back. Dust was unsurprisingly well-behaved, and allowed Flash to feed him without incident. As he glanced around, he noticed that others weren’t doing as well. Dawn was half-covered in the food, as well as Oceana. Vine was trying to pry the spoon out of her foal, Luster’s magical grip. He turned back to Dust, and cleaned his mouth off with a napkin.
“All right, little guy, let’s see what we can do for fun.” Carrying Dust out of the kitchen to the playroom, he examined the many assorted toys, finally going for a simple, colorful ball. He rolled it over to Dust, who batted it back at him. They played together for a while, and after some time, the other players came in with their foals. Turning his attention back to Dust, he could see Dust was in need of another change. Scooping Dust up with his wing and transferring Dust into his back, he headed back to the nursery.
Having done it once, he was quick this time to clean Dust up and get a new diaper on him. Dust smiled happily and gave Flash a small hug. Flash gently nuzzled him back as Dust yawned. “Tired already, huh buddy? What happened to sleep being a waste of time?” He smiled at Dust and carried him back to his crib.
***
It was far past noon when Dust finally woke up. Flash lifted him out of the crib, and offered him a bottle, helping Dust hold it. Dust drank the bottle quickly, and Flash set it aside. “Woke up thirsty, did you, sleepy-head?” Flash ticked Dust with a wing, and he giggled happily. It was at this moment, Flash realized something. This was the first time since he had known Dust, that he heard him laugh. He looked into Dust’s eyes, and no longer saw the pain in the back that Dust always tried to hide and force a smile through. There was just the bright, innocent, and happy eyes of a foal.
***
“We have the results.” Talon pulled out a clipboard. “Miss Corona, if you will?”
She took the clipboard from him and announced the results.
“FlashRain is the winner of today’s competition!” she seemed happy again. “I doubted that you ponies could take care of the foals, but even those of you who didn’t win, you still did very well. I’m happy to see that.”
“That means only Dawn and I are leaving.” FlashRain said to himself. His magic paper confirmed this.
Foal Games- Competitor List
Remember, 3 strikes and you’re out!
001- Dawn- Pale Purple Unicorn, Female- Strikes: 2002- Vine- Light Green Earth Pony, Female- Strikes: 3003- Leaf- Deep Green Earth Pony, Female- Strikes: 3004- SwiftCloud- Pale Gray Pegasus, Male- Strikes: 3005- LightningFlash- Yellow Pegasus, Male- Strikes: 3006- Oceana- Blue Unicorn, Male- Strikes: 3007- Crayg- Orange-Brown Earth Pony, Male- Strikes: 3008- SolidSteel- Gray Earth Pony, Male- Strikes: 3009- Clay- Beige Pegasus, Male- Strikes: 3010- Luster- Bright Blue Unicorn, Female- Strikes: 3011- Rhythm- Red Pegasus, Female- Strikes: 3012- SilverLining- Deep Gray Pegasus, Female- Strikes: 3013- Sprout- Brown Earth Pony, Male- Strikes: 3014- Mentira- Pink Unicorn, Female: Strikes: N/A015- DustStorm- Gray Unicorn, Male- Strikes: 3
016- FlashRain- Pale Blue Pegasus, Male- Strikes: 1
Dawn had the magic powder scattered over her, and she shrunk down to a very small pony. Torrent took her aside to have her diapered, while Corona trotted over to Flash. “Congratulations. You and Dawn will be able to leave.”
“Corona, I’m sorry for what I’m going to do. But I can’t just leave the ponies like this. I’m still a member of the SIU, and I have to finish my job.” FlashRain told her quietly.
“I told you, I understand.” Corona walked off. “Do what you must. The East door is open now. It will lead outside.”
“Wait!” Flash called after her. She turned around. “Corona… just as a hypothetical question… I won’t actually do this, but… if I keep quiet, can I still visit?”
She smiled at him. “Of course. You’re always welcome here.”
Flash waited for Dawn to return. It did not take long. She stumbled in with her new garment around her waist. “I don’t want to tawk about it.” She muttered. “Wet’s just go.”
They walked together in silence, and reached the East doorway. Flash took a deep breath, and pushed the door open to the outside. The moon shone down brightly, and a gentle breeze stirred the air. Flash could see Canterlot in the distance, and making sure Dawn could keep up, headed straight for the SIU office.
***
“So what’s your report?” The SIU head agent asked. Dawn had been sent to the Canterlot General Hospital, where a team of magic technicians were finding a way to reverse her transformation. Standard age spells had not worked. Dawn’s mind had been wiped faster, and she did not even remember coming to the hospital. She was acting the age her body said she was. Flash inferred that there was a direct correlation between the pony’s rate of mental regression and their IQ.
Flash was about to spill everything, then he thought back. All those foals. They were living so peacefully, with no pain or worries. They had a good mother and skilled caretakers. Corona had a family again. Everypony was happy. He couldn't tear them apart. It would be wrong to destroy that harmony. Flash was brought back to his senses by his superior's voice again.
“Agent FlashRain! Your report?”
“We were unable to find the suspect.” Flash answered. “It was not Corona, life advisor. We think that the suspect resides somewhere in the Crystal Empire. Agent DustStorm has already gone there to investigate.”
“Very well. But this sort of contact breaks normal protocol. Next time, do not report until the investigation is complete. Good luck, FlashRain.” He saluted, and Flash returned the gesture.
“Thank you sir.”
He quickly left the office as Torrent's illusion spell fell away. He sighed in relief. If the spell that made him look like his old age had worn off before he finished the conversation, there would be quite some explaining to do. It was a good thing that Torrent had caught up with him shortly after he had left Corona's house. Flash took one last look back at the office, before heading back home.
***
“What is it, Miss Corona?” Talon asked. “Are they here?”
Corona had just looked up and out the window. “No.” She answered. “They won’t be coming. I’ve got a feeling that somepony is watching out for us.” She smiled knowingly. “Thank you, FlashRain.” Corona said in a whisper only she could hear. “You truly have won the game.”
Foal Games- End
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I'm glad you were able to get your story finished, I saw a lot of improvement in your writing as it went. A solid age regression story that I enjoyed a lot. Good luck on your future stories!
3900489
Thank you! I am always motivated by support and feedback from my readers.
3901236
I know, that's why I made it an alternate ending. It was a ending I wasn't really satisfied with, but I posted it for fun, anyway.
As for your other comment, it was an oversight. As I cut a few chunks off the end, I accidentally cut off the section that explains that. The chapter has been fixed. Thank you.
3901461 Glad to help!
To be honest it know you made an alternate ending and it's your story but I don't think a special investigation agent would be that forgiving to a kidnapper (tho I totally get the no disrupting the family thing) but as I said would a secret agent type investigator be that forgiving for someone taking his best friend?
3903087
All FlashRain wanted was DustStorm to be happy. That's why he didn't mind. He knew Corona was a good pony, with pure intentions. Yes, it's not professional, and goes completely against his job, but he cares more for his friends than professionality. Seeing Dust happy was more than enough reason for him to leave Dust as he was.
Meekoli enjoyed this story
Hey Asian........ Derp Derp Derp Derp..... I have a dumb idea..... And I'm probably going to go thru with it..... Damn and flashrain...... Dawn somehow gets memories back... While under flashrains care..... I dunno... But that enticed me at the end...
Dawn padded: "I dun wanna tawk about it"
That seems almost as cute as cuddles art
And it makes me want to write about it....
Tehehehehe I know I'm not the only one who enjoyed that.... Now to read the first couple chapters....
3938279
It means that he monitors the weather to make sure things don't get out of control. :P
Should have clarified, sorry.
3903130 the tripledeckersandvich is satisfied with that answer. You should make an alternate ending where she gets arrested though. Meh just an idea
3942304
I have about 4 alternate endings, only one alternate was published (Hence it was called 'Alternate Ending 1', not just 'Alternate Ending'). I left the others unpublished for multiple reasons, from being something ridiculous I wrote when I was tired and bored, to something that I didn't feel was quality enough to be published.
Corona being arrested was not one of them, and I had never planned for it to be. I can understand where you're coming from, but Corona is not a bad pony, which is why I would not have her arrested.
In my opinion, stealing ponies and regressing them against their will and re-raising them as your own children because your husband and children died is like killing them and using their soul to make your self fell better about your loss. And being an adult isn't all that bad either. But it's your story and I liked it for the most part.
3957891
It's implied that all these ponies had nasty past lives.
Meaning their family is filled with hate... or, well... dead.
That's just my interpretation of my own writing, though :)
You're entitled to your own judgement.
3942396 meh ok I can live with that. Broke my toe by dropping a 20 pound dumbbell on it XD
4005725
Well why in Equestria would you do that?
4006615 long story
This was relly good dusty
4444171
I'll be reading the sequel later on. But, how's Corona gonna keep Dust for so long? The head agent over Dust and Flash will probably be wanting answers as to what happened to Dust after finding out that Flash is regressed.
> That was covered in the final chapter... or the sequel...? Man, I don't even remember my old writing.
Well, IF flash can keep his mind from the mental regression. But, since Flash and Dust were last seen at Corona's mansion, that's where the agency will be sending a group of soldiers.
> Well, Flash reported the lead was wrong, to try and divert suspicion. As they were elite, his word was taken at face value.
And...I didn't feel much for Flash. The least seen of the two agents. He feels more like a supporting character than a main one.
> He's meant to be a supporting character in this one. He would have played a larger part in their SIU Origin story, but that story got cancelled.
Love ya, Maroon. Thanks for the criticism.
Hello. :) I recently discovered your Foal Games story and its sequel, and I must say, I rather enjoyed both of them. Just out of curiosity, do you have any plans to continue the sequel at some point in the future? I know it's listed as "on hiatus", but I'd just hate to see it languish about indefinitely, plus I'm curious as to what the memories he's experiencing are.
Quite surprised to see this story had so little attention, though perhaps the subject material had something to do with it. Still, that did not make it any less deserving in my mind, and I wanted to record my impressions now that I've read the charming little tale. I very much enjoyed the story, enough to overlook whatever minor objections I would otherwise have. The writing was excellent, although the spacing of paragraphs seemed to falter at various points, which could make it a little confusing. Those are very minor objections however, and were never sufficiently annoying to make the story hard to enjoy.
Overall a shame that more people haven't had the chance to enjoy it. I know I did.
4515409
I sure am planning on working on it. I just need time to sort out my current situation.
4520537
I'm really sorry; I posted that before I knew about your current situation. :( As I said on my later comment on your bio page, best of luck to you! ^_^
4523387
If you don't like it, criticism is fine. Flat out insulting it and using such biting sarcasm is uncalled for. Regardless, I've taken note of your criticism. Most of your complaints were previously answered, or will be in the sequel. I left plot holes for a reason.
I want to be a baby foal too. I would have said yes when she asked before the first challenge began. I really want to have that magic baby powder sprinkled upon me.
4844397
I'm sure most of us do ;)
Imagination can be a powerful thing.
4864057
Imagination < Experiencing the real thing
I think padded ponies and adult foals are going from one of my guilty pleasures to my secret fetish :D
Oh well I don't care
4844397 Same with me, but imagine all the things you would have to give up.
4888066
No matter how much I would have to give up, being a foal forever with no return would be much worth it.
5176584 The first sequel was cancelled, but I may write a spin-off of this.
It's fairly well written and I'd likely read the sequel just because it is a diaper story and decently written diaper stories are tricky to find, but it's a bit too light for my tastes. I can;t complain about it, since the issue is on my end, not yours.
A truly delightful mystery filled with loads of drama. The two endings definitely made it possible to understand how the tale could've gone either way.
The first ending reminds me of a fast-paced finish you may get from a book that is geared towards a younger audience. The second ending had a lot more depth while going more with, what I gathered, how the SIU would truly operate.
Loved the subtle hints to Dust Storm's past. Lots of surprises, twists, and moments where you could question whether-or-not Corona was, or was not, a villain.
This would certainly make for a good mini-series. Lots of emotion make this a real winner of a tale.
4864598
lol
9952572
Holy hell. People read my comments.
Quite the beautiful ending, I must say, very good