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The Decision2,365 words
The Revelation1,558 words
The Talk2,528 words
The Parenting2,884 words
The Accident2,905 words
The Nightmare2,994 words
The Busy Day8,786 words
The Foalsitter7,904 words
The Trip3,600 words
The Visitor3,140 words
The New Helper2,526 words
The Choice2,834 words
The End4,160 words

The End

Rumble quickly made his way back home, all the while he kept thinking about the choice that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had presented to him. The question now was, what should he do? Should he stay as he currently was, or be regressed?

"Maybe I should've just kept my secret to myself." Rumble thought "This is all so complicated. I wish I knew what the right choice was."

As Rumble approached the front law of his house, he was surprised to see a familiar grey pegasus mare. "Miss. Derpy, what are you doing here?" he asked.

Derpy turned to look at Rumble, was he imagining things or did she seem rather upset about something? "Hello Rumble." Derpy greeted "I was just stopping by to deliver an important letter for your brother."

"An important letter?" Rumble asked nervously. He didn't like the sound of that at all.

"Yes. But since you're here, I think it might be best if you give this to Thunderlane yourself." Derpy replied "And, I'm sorry."

Rumble was confused by those last words. "Sorry about what?" he asked innocently "Is there something I should know about that you're not telling me?"

"I...... think it's best if you hear it from Thunderlane rather than me." Derpy said somberly "It just.... pains me to know what you're about to find out." Trying to hold back tears, Derpy gave the letter to Rumble and quickly flew off.

"That was strange. I don't think I've ever seen Miss. Derpy like that before." Rumble thought to himself, as he entered his house "Just what was that all about? Why wouldn't she tell me? Could she and Thunderlane be special someponies? No, it can't be that. Can it?"

"Rumble, what are you doing back here so soon?" Thunderlane asked "It's not sundown yet."

Rumble felt tempted to tell Thunderlane what had happened at Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash's cottage, but he decided against it. The important letter took priority. "Miss. Derpy came by and told me to give you this letter. She said it was important, but she wouldn't tell me why." Rumble explained, and hoofed the letter to Thunderlane.

Thunderlane, suspecting nothing, opened the letter and proceeded to read it quietly to himself. What he read made his heart sink. "Oh no." he said sadly.

"What is it?!" Rumble asked nervously "What happened?!"

"It's mom and dad." Thunderlane explained.

"What about them?" Rumble asked "Did something happen to them?!"

"They're... they're dead Rumble!" Thunderlane shouted.

The news hit Rumble like a giant punch to the face "What?!" he exclaimed "That can't be!"

"I'm afraid it's true Rumble." Thunderlane said sadly, as he gave the letter to Rumble "Just take a look."

Rumble read it, and was horrified at what he read:

Dear Thunderlane Cirrus

We sadly regret to inform you that Vortex and Cloudbuster Cirrus, were the victims of an unfortunate carriage accident in Baltimare a few hours ago.

According to eye witnesses reports, the carriage they were in suddenly lost control and slammed into a cliffside, where it was promptly burried by the resulting rock slide.

Both Vortex and Cloidbuster were pronounced dead at the scene by first responders, at approximately 14:25:06 Equestrian Standard Time.

In accordance with their will, you have been appointed the legal guardian of Rumble Cirrus, who we understand is your younger brother.

Your parents have been placed into storage, and will remain there until you have made funeral arrangements.

We are sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,

The Baltimare Police Department

Rumble read the letter twice, just to make sure he hadn't somehow imagined things. It was all there, and there was no denying it. His parents were dead, it was just him and his big brother. Rumble began to cry.

Thunderlane tried his best to comfort his little brother "It's okay Rumble, I'm here for you."

"This is all my fault!" Rumble said, sobbing heavily.

"No it's not. Why would you ever think that?" Thunderlane asked.

"Because, I kept a secret from you, and mom and dad. And because of that they're dead!" Rumble explained, as he continued to sob.

"What sort of secret?" Thunderlane asked.

"You know how I've been wearing diapers to bed because of my bed wetting problem, right?" Rumble asked.

"Yes. I know you've been having some accidents in them." Thunderlane replied "It's perfectly natural. You'll grow out of it eventually."

"Well the truth, most of my accidents have actually been kind of intentional." Rumble admitted "I've just gotten so relaxed while wearing them that I've ended up wetting them even after I've woke up in the morning. And because I did that, mom and dad wanted to constantly go on trips. They didn't want to deal with my problem, so they dumped me onto you. If I hadn't done that, they'd still be alive."

"Rumble, listen to me very carefully." Thunderlane said seriously, as he looked Rumble in the eye "Your accidents had nothing to do with mom and dad's death. They didn't want to go on trips all the time because they wanted to get away from you. The truth is, they wanted to take you on several of their trips. But they had always been afraid that something would happen to you. I remember that, they wanted to bring you on their last trip more than anything."

"And I should've gone with them. Then I could've saved them!" Rumble said, as he continued to cry.

"There is nothing you could've done Rumble. If you had gone along with them, you would've died as well." Thunderlane said, as he began to lighlty stroke Rumble's mane "And if you died, I would be consumed with grief. I thank Celestia that you are alive and well. Mom and dad may be gone, and we'll both miss them dearly. But at least we still have each other. And now, more than ever before, we must pull together! And together, we will get through this great tragedy."

"Really?" Rumble asked, sniffling slightly.

"Of course. I would never lie to you Rumble." Thunderlane said with a smile "And I'm very happy that you had the courage to tell me about your secret. I know that it couldn't have been easy for you to do."

"You're not bothered by it?" Rumble asked nervously.

"Now why would I be bothered by my little brother having accidents in his diapers?" Thunderlane replied "Even if you were doing it intentionally, I wouldn't be mad. I know you're going through a tough time in your life. Mom and dad always use to say that ponies have different ways of coping with stress, and for you wearing and wetting diapers seem to do the trick. There have been times in my life where I've longed to have somepony look after me, so that I wouldn't have to worry about anything. I assure you that such a thing is more common than you might think. And it doesn't make you a freak, or a weirdo, or anything else."

"Do you really mean it?" Rumble asked softly.

"Every word of it." Thunderlane said happily "If you want to discuss this some more at a later date, I will gladly listen. But for right now, I need to focus on making funeral arrangements for mom and dad. Before I do, however, I would like to know one other thing."

"What's that?" Rumble asked.

"Why did you come home early from Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash's?" Thunderlane explained "Did you get into trouble?"

"No, it's nothing like that. But..." Rumble began.

"But what?" Thunderlane asked.

Rumble sighed "I told Fluttershy about my secret as well. And she and Rainbow Dash offered to do to me, what they did to Scootaloo."

"So, what did you tell them?" Thunderlane asked.

"I told them that I needed some time to think about it." Rumble finished "So, what should I do?"

Thunderlane was silent for a moment, then he sighed and said "I can't answer that question for you Rumble. It's something that you'll have to decide for yourself. The question you should ask yourself is 'What do I want most?'."

"And would you still love me regardless of what I decided I wanted?" Rumble asked nervously.

"Indeed I would." Thunderlane replied "Regardless of whether you want to stay as you currently, or begin life anew, you will have my support. If you even want to be regressed before the funeral, I'll understand. With mom and dad gone, I could easily move into a house close to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. It all depends on what you want."

The funeral for Thunderlane and Rumble's parents was held a week later, in Ponyville. Thunderlane arranged it through the Best Wishes for The Dearly Departed Funeral Home, and everypony qho was anypony was there. Both Thunderlane and Rumble were greatly surprised by the amount of sympathy and support they recieved from friends and strangers alike. Scootaloo and Diamond Tiara offered the most sympathy, seeing as they knew what it was like to either not know, or lose a parent/parents.

In keeping with their wishes, Thunderlane and Rumble's parents were cremated. And in keeping with Cloudsdale tradition, their ashes were scattered to the winds. Afterwards, life slowly began to go back to normal.

Then, one day, about two weeks after he had first learned of his parents deaths, Rumble made up his mind. "I want to be regressed to a foal, just like Scootaloo." he told Thunderlane. True to his word, Thunderlane was completely supportive.

After securing permission from Princess Celestia, Twilight produced a potion similar to the one that had been given to Scootaloo.

"This is it Rumble, no turning back now." Thunderlane said seriously.

"Are you ready to be regressed?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes." Rumble replied.

"Very well then." Rainbow Dash said, and turned to Thunderlane "You'll be okay with Rumble living with us, right?"

"Of course. I trust you completely." Thunderlane replied "I'll make sure to visit everyday and I'm willing to do my part to help raise him."

"I can't wait to have a wittwe bwothew to pway with." Scootaloo said happily, as the potion was poured into a cup of regular milk "Especiawwy one as nice as Wumbwe."

"Okay, here goes nothing." Rumble said, as he drank down the milk and the potion along with it. Within minutes, he was fast asleep. And when he woke up the next morning, he found himself sleeping in the same crib as Scootaloo. When he looked down at his flank, and saw a fluffy white foal diaper wrapped snuggly around his hind quarters, he knew the potion had worked.

"Wooks wike Auntie Twiwight knows hew stuff when it comes to potions." Scootaloo stated.

"Yup, it suwe does." Rumble replied "Wow, tawking wike tis feews so weiwd."

"You'ww get use to it." Scootaloo said with a smile "Same goes fow diapee changes. Speaking of which, wooks wike we both couwd use a change wight about now."

"No kiddin'." Rumble replied, as he saw how soaked his diaper was in comparison to Scootaloo's.

"Good morning my little angels." Fluttershy called, as she lowered the bars of the crib.

"Did you two sleep well last night?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I'll bet you two slept like babies." Thunderlane added, as he picked up Rumble, while Fluttershy picked up Scootaloo. Both were carried over to the changing table, and placed on its soft, padded, surface.

"We suwe did." Scootaloo said sweetly, as Fluttershy changed her into a clean diaper.

"I had a pwetty funny dweam invowving me and Scootawoo." Rumble said, as Thunderlane changed his diaper "Aww I can wemembew about it though is that invowved knights and dwagons."

"No way, I dweamt the same ting. What awe the odds?" Scootaloo asked, as she and Rumble were lifted off of the changing table.

"Probably a million to one." Thunderlane said happily, as he carried Rumble downstairs while Fluttershy did the same thing with Scootaloo. And while Scootaloo nursed from Fluttershy's teats, Rumble nursed from Rainbow Dash's teats. Thunderlane helped to burp him.

"Hey Wumbwe, guess what?" Scootaloo asked Rumble after breakfast.

"What?" Rumble asked Scootaloo, as the two young pegasi played in the playpen.

"My mommies got me a new twaining potty to use!" Scootaloo said happily "This one's puwpwe, wike my eyes. As a wesuwt, you'we getting my owd twaining potty!"

"Do you weawwy mean it?" Rumble asked.

"Of couwse I do. Mommy Fwuttewshy and mommy Wainbow Dash towd me so wast night." Scootaloo replied "Of couwse, if you dun' bewieve me, you can twy to fwy up to the bathwoom and see fow youwsewf."

"I tink I'ww do that now." Rumble said, as he slowly rose out of the playpen with a flap of his wings "Just to be suwe you'we not possibwy puwwing my weg."

"Hey, wait fow me bwothew!" Scootaloo called, as she too rose out of the playpen.

"Bettew huwwy up swowpoke, I'm awmost thewe!" Rumble teased, as he neared the bathroom.

"No faiw getting a head stawt!" Scootaloo complained, as she caught up to Rumble "I'm the big sistew!"

"Weww, guess it's time to find out if you wewe tewwing me the twuth or not." Rumble said, as he and Scootaloo entered the bathroom. Sure enough, next to the toilet sat two brightly colored bowls. The purple one had an "S" written on it with black marker, and the blue one had an "R" written on it. It didn't take a genius to figure out what those two letters stood for.

"Oh, hello Rumble, and you too Scootaloo." Rainbow Dash called.

"I see you've found your new training potties." Fluttershy said sweetly "Wanna try em' out?"

"Of couwse mommy Fwuttewshy and mommy Wainbow Dash." Scootaloo and Rumble replied. This time, Fluttershy removed Rumble's diaper and placed him on the blue training potty, while Rainbow Dash removed Scootaloo's diaper and placed her on the purple training potty.

"Whewe's my bwothew Thundewwane?" Rumble asked, as he and Scootaloo sat on the training potties.

"He had to go to work." Rainbow Dash explained.

"But he'll be back tonight to tuck you in." Fluttershy added "Or, if you'd like, we can go pay him a visit at his new house when he comes home this afternoon. It's not far from this cottage."

"That wouwd be nice." Rumble said happily "What do you tink Scootawoo?"

"I'm coow with it." Scootaloo replied "Thundewane is such an amazing big bwothew, you'we so wucky to have him."

"You'we so wucky to have two woving pawents in mommy Wainbow Dash and mommy Fwuttewshy." Rumble said honestly "I stiww wish mom and dad wewe awive so I couwd spend time with them."

"Weww wook on the bwight side Wumbwe." Scootaloo said kindly "Now you'we pawt of a new famiwy that woves you evewy bit as much as youw pwevious one did."

"I suppose that's twue." Rumble replied "You'we an amazing big sistew!"

"And you'we an amazing wittew bwothew!" Scootaloo cheered.

Caring Heart sighed, as she took one last look at the orphange she had run for so much of her adult life. She was going to miss this place very much. It felt like the end of era, especially since most of the foals that arrived at her orphange from day 1 had already been adopted. All she could do was hope that Filthy Rich would find a suitable successor for her. She still couldn't thank him enough for providing her with the money to finally retire.

As she passed by the bedroom, she almost instinctively began to do the roll call in her mind. It was hard to believe that so many of the foals she had helped to raise had moved on to loving families. As she neared the end of the list, one name stuck out most prominently in her mind, Scootaloo.

"I never thought I'd miss her this much." Caring Heart thought, as she looked at the empty bed that had once belonged to the orange tomboy of a pegasus. Scootaloo had been one of the most difficult foals to raise. She had been abandoned on the doorstep of the orphange when she was just over a week old. Caring Heart had worked herself to the bone on numerous occassions while raising Scootaloo. Just teaching her how to walk and talk had been a challenge, especially when Scootaloo began to lag behind the others.

That's when Dizzy Twister, her niece, had stepped in to help. Thanks to her, Scootaloo began to catch up quickly. Then came the challenge of teaching her how to read and write. But potty training had been the hardest challenge of. By the time Scootaloo was ready to begin, most of the other colts and fillies had already learned, and they enjoyed constantly teasing Scootaloo about it.

For a time, both Caring Heart and Dizzy Twister had considered giving up and just having Scootaloo be considered incontinent. But some part of them made them keep at it, and eventually they managed to get Scootaloo out of diapers.

Not long after that, Dizzy Twister had pulled Caring Heart aside and told her aunt a secret she had kept for a long time. She, was Scootaloo's birth mother, and she was the one who had left her at the Ponyville Orphange.

Caring Heart could well remember how furious she had been to learn about this. "How could you just abandon your own daughter like that?!" she had furiously asked Dizzy Twister while Scootaloo was out playing with the other colts and fillies from the orphange.

"I can explain, really I can." Dizzy Twister had replied.

"What sort of explanation could possibly justify what you've done?! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't report you to Mayor Mare!" Caring Heart had said, so loudly that she was amazed Scootaloo hadn't overheard it.

"If you really want to know, her father ran off on me after he got me pregnant." Dizzy Twister had explained "And without him, I don't have the bits to give my filly the life she deserves. I know it's hard for me to ask you this, but please keep what I've just said secret from Scootaloo. It'll break her heart if she finds out."

Reluctantly, Caring Heart had kept her promise, and Scootaloo never found out the truth. Luckly, Dizzy Twister still came by on occassion. But every time she did, her situation never improved. She kept shifting from job to job, but could never earn enough money to provide for a child. And she refused to accept pay from Caring Heart for spending time with Scootaloo.

Perhaps, it was for the better that Dizzy Twister's secret never got out. Because Scootaloo had a hard enough time just getting adopted. Caring Heart had tried again and again, but nopony seemed interested in Scootaloo.

It had nearly broken Caring Heart's heart when Scootaloo had asked her "Why doesn't anypony want to adopt me? I'm a good filly."

"I know you are Scootaloo." Caring Heart had replied "In fact, you're special. You're so special in fact, that nopony but me can see it. But I know for sure that one day, somepony will be able to see it too. And that pony will be the one who adopts you."

Eventually, just when all hope had seemed lost, Caring Heart recieved the news Scootaloo had waited all her orphaned life to hear. She could still remember how excited Scootaloo had been to recieve the news. "I'm really being adopted?!" she had asked Caring Heart, bouncing up and down.

"Indeed you are Scootaloo, and not just by anypony." Caring Heart had replied "You will be the first pony in Ponyville to be adopted by a same sex couple, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy."

"I'm being adopted by Rainbow Dash?! This is the best day ever!" Scootaloo had cheered. Caring Heart had just smiled.

That had been at least a year ago, and in the time since, it felt like part of Caring Heart's soul had gone with the filly. Caring Heart still smiled, and tended to the foals that remained in her care. But none brought as much joy to her heart as Scootaloo had brought. Even so, it had pained her to tell all the colts and fillies that she was retiring. And they had all begged her not to leave, but her decision had been made.

"Hey there aunt Heart." Dizzy Twister called, as she approached the orphange.

"Oh, hello Dizzy Twister." Caring Heart sighed "What brings you here?"

"What else? I've been given the job of running this orphange." Dizzy Twister replied "I figured, at least this way I could make up for not being able to raise my daughter."

"I guess so." Caring Heart said, sighing some more.

"You really miss Scootaloo, don't you?" Dizzy Twister asked.

"How did you-" Caring Heart started.

"I can sense it." Dizzy Twister explained "It's okay. I miss her too."

"How did you manage for so many years without her?" Caring Heart asked.

"The truth is, I didn't." Dizzy Twister said seriously "Every night I'd cry myself to sleep, thinking about how much of a failure I was. Both as a parent, and as an adult. I never should've gone out with that stallion, then none of this would've ever happened."

"But then you wouldn't have given me the kind of joy I've never felt since. And we wouldn't have all these fond memories of raising Scootaloo together." Caring Heart said, as she put a hoof around her niece's shoulder "And now, she's been given a family that loves her even more than we could've ever loved her together."

There was a long silence, and neither mare said nothing. Dizzy Twister eventually broke it. "Thanks again for not telling Scootaloo the truth. I know it wasn't easy for you to lie to her."

"I'm just glad she's moved on from it." Caring Heart replied "Maybe someday, when she's old enough, she'll discover the truth for herself."

"Well, until then, enjoy your retirement. You've earned it." Dizzy Twister said kindly "And don't worry, I'll take good care of this place, and every colt and filly that's in it."

"That's all I can ask for, my niece." Caring Heart said, and with that she left the orphange for good.

Author's Note:

And so, this fic has come to a close.

Seeing as, most of the comments voted for Rumble to regressed, that's the ending I went with. If any of you want to write the ending where Rumble isn't regressed, feel free to do so.

I have Matt11 to thank for creating this fic, even if I adopted it and rewrote it. I also have him to thank for the idea of Dizzy Twister being Scootaloo's mother, seeing as he's featured that in some of his fanfics.

Will there be a sequel to this? Most likey no, seeing as the best I can come up with would be Scootaloo and Rumble getting into foalish adventures together. And I fear that it would come off as a rip off of Super Stallion's "Foal Adventures".

If any of you have any ideas for a sequel to this, let me know. And perhaps I'll get around to it someday.

In the meantime, I hope to have my next fanfic out before Christmas. But we'll see how that goes.

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