Daring Do and the Fountain of Youth

by Foal Star

Chapter Five: The Temple of Trials

Ahuizotl and Daring Do trot towards a giant wall of foam with plastic rocks jutting out from the side of it. The two then started climbing up the side of the mountain. This was a lot like the one they’d made back at her house.

Daring was having some trouble maneuvering herself over the foot and hand holds with her clumsy pudgy body and thick diaper between her thighs. And she could see that Ahuizotl had already made it to the top, where she was barely halfway up! "Come on, Ahuizotl! Can't ya help me?!" The little filly whined.

Ahuizotl just looked back down with a smirk seeing he made it up the first obstacle before her, and laughed. "At this point, I'll grow back bigger before ya can reach ta top! Come on and get up here!"

Daring pouted as she was annoyed with Ahuizotl's constant barrage of insults. She then tried to hop to another hold on the side of the wall. But she could not reach it, falling beneath the foothold she was trying to reach. Ahuizotl laughed, and Daring shouted, "Hey, just help me! Or we gonna never get out of here!"

Ahuizotl smirked. "Ya gotta say ta magic word."

Daring cursed under her breath, then grumbled. "Pretty please?"

"Otay, otay!" Ahuizotl exclaimed as he jumped down to Daring Do and then used his head to push on the filly's padded tush as she was assisted up, grasping from one handhold to the next. Ahuizotl was grunting and getting angry at her for being slow. Still, she eventually got to the top, along with her nemesis.

They both looked out over a giant foam bridge with a ball pit beneath the bridge. Giant foam hammers swung across the bridge, shooting foam balls from cannons. The two continued their way through the walkway, trying to be careful to dodge the projectiles as they jumped over or dodged them.

Daring Do avoid the projectiles and used her padded bottom to deflect the balls she couldn't escape. She then looked back and saw that Ahuizotl was having difficulty, constantly being slammed with balls. Daring Do had to quickly save him from falling into the ball pit. She took hold of his paws and hoisted him up, then took her padded tush out and shouted. "Use ya diaper as a shield!"

Ahuizotl looked up with a glare at the pegasus. "What?! I'm not doin tat!"

"If ya wana fall in tat ball pit, be my guest!” Daring snorted. “There's no way we can dodge all of tis. Ya diapee is pretty thick with padded material ya can use tat to swat ta balls!"

Ahuizotl groaned but reluctantly did as Daring Do instructed. The two whacked the balls away as they dodged the foam hammers coming back and forth. The cat and the adventurer got to the other side and breathed. Daring Do then commented, "This doesn't seem too bad; we'll have that cure and be long gone before Vibora returns." They then both turned to see a massive maze spread out before them; they both gaped in awe, seeing how long and complex it was.

"H…how will we get through this?" Ahuizotl whined.

Daring Do huff. "We will get through this! You and I have been through worse temples and traps ten tis! Come on!"

"Otay, well ya got something to leave a trail so we dun get lost?" Ahuizotl nervously asked.

"Yeah!" Daring took out a diaper bag. "We got tons of extra diapers! We’ll use tem as a trail!"

Ahuizotl's cheeks flushed red out of embarrassment. "Tat is so silly."

---

It felt like hours as the two went through the maze of padded walls, navigating them as they dropped off diapers to ensure they knew where they went. But the more they delved into the maze's winding paths, the more they realized how confusing it was to navigate. When the two got stuck at a dead end, they had to backtrack often to find out where they were. It was a long and tedious process, and the two foals were getting tired and cranky.

"Come on, Daring Do! I taught ya went through mazes like tis all ta time?!" Ahuizotl whined.

"I am! Just give me a second ta figure out where ta go!" Daring snapped back, trying to put up a bravado. But secretly, she was somewhat worried. She was usually pretty good at mazes. But all the colorful pictures on the walls constantly caught her attention. They made her lose focus as she realized how much of a foal she was becoming and admitted. "I sowie. I tink my mind got messed up fwom ta age wegession…."

Ahuizotl also started feeling rather down as he whined. "Yeah, me too. It's harder to concentrate with all the colors and shapes! Tis maze's walls are trying to distract us!"

Daring came over and hugged her nemesis. "It's otay, we just gotta keep going! There's an exit ta tis maze. We just gotta find it, ten we back to being big again."

The kitten seemed to have regained some courage as he got up and said. "Yeah, ya wight! We are so close ta getting out!” They then saw an opening, and they both went towards it, thinking it was the exit, only to find it was the beginning of the maze!

"What?!" Ahuizotl shouted in confusion, looking around in disbelief! "How did we end up where we started?!"

"I dun know!" Daring whimpered as she looked down at her hooves, then looked in her bag and saw they were almost out of diapers. "How did tis happen?! Is somepony takin' ta diapers?!"

Ahuizotl looked around with a worried expression on his face as he cried. "Yes, they have to be. There's no other way to explain tis!"

"So, you two were the ones dropping diapers everywhere!" Both foals were horrified at a mysterious voice that sounded much like Vibroa. They turned around to see a massive teddy bear looming over them. "Mrs. Vibroa will be displeased with two foals wondering about and dropping foal supplies. Come on, it's time to take you back to the nursery."

"Run!" Daring shouted; she took Ahuizotl by the paw, and the two ran through the maze as fast as they possibly could! They both did their best to spy a spare diaper or two they dropped while maneuvering through the maze. The two, however, recognized familiar points where they went down the wrong paths and were making good progress. However, another giant teddy suddenly got in their way!

"Ugh! Why can't anything be easy?!" Daring shouted as she stomped her hooves in frustration! But she then saw that despite their massive sizes, the teddies were relatively slow and clumsy in how they moved. She could also see the end of the maze where a giant stone door stood with various shapes on the ground. It looked like they'd have to complete a puzzle before the two could escape.

Seeing the massive teddies coming closer, Daring turned to Ahuizotl as she made a plan. "Listen! Ya get chased by them, and I'll make it to ta end. I'll unlock the last puzzle, and we'll escape together when I finish!"

Ahuizotl turned towards her and asked. "But how will I know when ya finish ta puzzle?"

"Trust your gut; just buy me as much time as possible!" Daring instructed. “I promise I come back for ya!”

"Otay." Ahuizotl grumbled under his breath. He seemed suspicious of Daring Do, but the kitten knew he had no choice. He then ran off as the two giant teddy bears stumbled after him. Daring Do took the opportunity to go to the puzzle, a door with shaped holes. She obviously had to put the stone shapes into the suitable holes, but felt embarrassed to realize she’d forgotten her shapes!

Still, Daring went about with trial and error, using whatever was left of her intuition to try to recognize the sides and angles of each shape. Despite the fountain of youth taking away her intellect, she was able to set each one into the appropriate slot. It took some time. But as soon as she finished the puzzle and the door opened, a giant teddy came over and shook a rattle before her eyes. "Good job! Such a smart filly!"

"Yeah, I'm smart!" Daring squealed in delight as she seemed happy she figured out the puzzle herself! She jumped up and down, feeling proud of herself.

"But it seems you forgot about something else." The teddy cooed.

The adventurer's cheeks flushed red as she looked down at her diaper, seeing it was pretty sodden with pee. "Sowie. But I was busy."

"Yes, I know,” The teddy cooed again. “And that's ok. Little fillies like you don't know when they need to use the potty or can’t always make it to the potty in time. Now come along, dear, let's get that diaper changed before you get a rash."

Daring Do did as the teddy instructed as she laid on a changing mat already prepared for her. The teddy then went about the diaper change. And afterward, it prepared a bottle of formula. Daring watched as the teddy took a jar from her apron filled with milk and poured it into a glass bottle. But that’s when it struck her! "Wait! I'm not a foal, though! I an adventurer!"

"No you're not, sweetie!" The teddy protested as it poked Daring’s clean diaper and continued. "You're wearing diapers, aren't you?"

Daring's cheeks flushed pink as she nodded..

"And you use them, don’t you?" The teddy asked.

The little adventurer nodded again, being embarrassed she wasn't potty trained yet and wondering if she should ask Auntie Rainbow Dash to help her get started?

"And on top of that, you solved a puzzle designed for foals like yourself. I don't think big girl adventures do any of those things." The teddy replied in a sweet tone of voice.

"No…I dun tink tey do…” Daring mumbled, seeming to feel rather silly now as she had so much trouble trying to solve a simple puzzle. Maybe she should ask aunty Rainbow Dash to teach her shapes and colors.

The massive teddy bent down to Daring’s level and hugged her tightly as it whispered gently into her ear. "Yes. But that's ok, you're just a toddler. You shouldn’t worry about such grown-up things. Now come on, drink your milk like a good little pony."

"Otay…" Daring mumbled, she was picked up and taken into the arms of the teddy as a rubber nipple was placed into her mouth. The little pegasus then began to gently suckle the contents embracing her new foalish mindset entirely with her eyes dropping. She was somewhat exhausted from playing with her best friend Ahuizotl, wondering where he went off to? Oh well, soon he'ld return to the nursery for a nap, and the two could play again later!

As the little filly drifted to sleep, the teddy whispered gently. "There we go, such a good little foal." It then took the filly into its big, fluffy paws, plopped a pacifier into her mouth and then placed her into the pocket of its apron.

Daring Do snuggled into the innards of the apron, loving the security of her diaper and the gentle bobbing of the pacifier in her mouth. It wasn't long until she’d drifted off to sleep. The massive plush bear then waddled off to the nursery to tuck little Daring Do in for a nap.

---

Meanwhile, Ahuizotl was doing his best to avoid being captured, dodging the clumsy swipes of the teddies. He then led the two chasing him to smash into each other, giving him an exit, and he quickly ran back to Daring Do! But when he arrived at the gate, he was surprised to see she wasn't there! It was open, but she was nowhere to be seen!

"She went ta get ta cure didn't she?!" Ahuizotl cried, thinking he was tricked and seething with rage at the possibility. How had he fallen for such an obvious ploy?

Ahuizotl went through the doorway and up a set of stairs to see a massive fountain. It towered before him, spurting out water every few seconds. He then looked around and saw that Daring Do was nowhere to be found. He pondered for a second, knowing she wouldn't have left him here, she would've stayed until he arrived or gone to help the other foals that were still at the nursery if she indeed made it this far. That meant there was only one reason she wasn't here! She'd been captured.

Ahuizotl thought about this. He could leave Daring Do here as a baby and never have to deal with her again! Their years-long rivalry would be over, and he could take over the basin! But as he thought about this, he remembered how much fun it had been playing with her, how she'd helped him and only ever tried to befriend him. Also, how boring it would be if he achieved his victory like! Nopony would stop him unless Celestia and Luna got involved. They would lock him up in Tartarus, not explore temples or race him to find ancient artifacts.

Ahuizotl slowly began to realize he would miss Daring Do and would feel guilty leaving his rival here as a foal. So that meant there was only one thing to do. "Ugh, ya got to be kidding me!" He shouted, having mixed feelings about his decision. Still, he’d reluctantly made up his mind! He was going to rescue her!

Ahuizotl then took the bottles with him and dumped their contents. After that, he went to get as much magical water as possible. He then strapped the foal bag around him, went out the exit, and saw he was now at the back of the temple, meaning he could quickly return to the front to help Daring Do!

---

In Ponyville, Vibora had just finished helping Twilight care for the Apple family and the regressed mayor. They were very adorable, and she was having a lot of fun with them. Derpy had come by in time for the foals to take a nap; that meant Vibora was now free to seek out Mrs. Swindle, seeing as she's heard so much about the mare.

Vibora headed out to the farm that had (until recently) been the Apple family’s farm. She saw Flim and Flam selling their apple cider using a machine there. She was amazed at how big it was and how much apple cider it was producing, wondering if a device like that could produce milk as fast as possible. She then came to the front door and knocked.

Mrs. Swindle answered, having turned the home into a political campaign headquarters filled with ponies all working for her: Gathering poll numbers, checking headlines, and putting pins on boards to mark points and locations around town. It all seemed so dull and nonsensical. So… grown-up.

"Oh, hello! And who might you be?" Mrs. Swindle asked.

"I'm Vibora, and I'm here with a proposal." The pegasus whispered.

"A proposal?" the unicorn asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"Yes, one that will benefit us both,” Vibora explained. “I know you used my water to turn the mayor here and some other ponies into foals," She gently whispered. Mrs. Swindle nodded and led the pegasus up to her bedroom (which had previously belonged to Granny Smith). There she had a desk with blueprints laid out Vibora looked over them and asked. "What is this?!"

"Oh, nothing that'll interest you,” Mrs. Swindle replied. “Just plans for a factory to mass produce apples into sauces, pies, and cider. With this, I'll become a millionaire!"

Vibora nodded and asked. "So, is this why you wanted the Apples' farm?"

"Of course, and it's all thanks to your age regression water!” Swindle boasted! “I had other plans in mind: Kidnapping the family, brainwashing them into leaving the farm, or even buying it out from under them. But turning them into babies was just so easy! Plus, when I'm mayor, I'll turn the deed to this farm over to my sons so they can take over and legally own the place. I'll monitor our new apple family business."

Vibora nodded again. "Well, it seems you'll get everything you want, seeing as the Apples will never turn back to adults."

Mrs. Swindle was surprised and then asked. "Not even naturally?"

The pegasus shook her head and continued to explain. "No, unless they drink the pure waters in my temple, they'll remain foals forever. The fountain of youth does grant eternal life, but with a twist: You'll remain a foal for eternity."

Mrs. Swindle burst into laughter as she smirked! "That's both hilarious and adorable! I could even turn the princesses into babies and take over Equestria!" The unicorn mare then calmed down, settled back onto a chair, and said. "But I'll settle for being super rich! I'm only in politics until I can change some deeds and laws. After I ensure I own this orchard, some other pony can become mayor. I want to ensure my sons have a good future. A future they were rightfully entitled to before the Apples cheated them out of it!"

"I see…well, in that case, this is my proposal,” Vibora commented. “If you're rich, I'll ensure no pony ever gets to the purifying waters so the Apples can never turn back to adults, including that meddling Daring Do."

Mrs. Swindle's eyes lit up at the mention of the adventurer, and she asked. "Wait! Daring Do?! You have her?!"

"Yes. She and her rival Ahuizotl came into my temple in search of the waters to turn themselves back to normal." Vibora explained.

With a stern look, the unicorn tapped a hoof to her chin. "Is there any way she and this Ahuizotl can turn back to adults and ruin my plans?"

Vibora gave a slight and hesitant nod. “Yes, there is, so here's my proposal. I shall keep Daring Do and Ahuizotl as babies and turn anypony else into foals if they try to find my waters: That includes that pegasus and cat camping outside my temple. Meanwhile, you will supply my temple with a super nursery! I want to make sure my foals live comfortably, so I want to have foal supplies constantly shipped to my temple.":

The unicorn looked up and asked. "That's all? What's up with you and foals?"

Vibora looked downward and grumbled. "Thousands of years ago, my species used to be abundant across the land, but after a cataclysm, almost every one of my kind was wiped out. I was the only survivor,” Then she began to tear up. “I…I never had children, and when I saw ponies enter my jungles and create their civilizations, I grew jealous of them…that they get to have foals and live happily while I suffer,”

Vibora then recalled. “So I pretended to be a god to them, asking for tribute from ponies. Many thought I ate them, but I turned them into babies…." She paused, seeming to grimace over the next part. "But after the ponies left and went to find Equestria, I was left all alone. But caring for those foals and finding new ponies to baby is always a treat and keeps me going."

Mrs. Swindle just yawned and replied. "Well, that was rather sad and dull. Fine, I agree to these terms. I can use you to care for other ponies I might have turned into foals. I'm finding this method of dealing with my enemies much cleaner than kidnapping or blackmail."

"As you wish,” Vibora agreed. “Now I’d better get going. I assume Daring Do and her friend is braving the trials to find the cure. But trust me; they won't make it."

"How so?" Swindle asked.

"I set up the way to the cure like an obstacle course. It's foolproof and foalproof, so they won't hurt themselves if they attempt to escape,” Vibora recalled. “At the end, I have an animate teddy guard who'll brainwash them into thinking they’re foals. They can repeat it repeatedly, but my guard will always tackle them. Now excuse me, but I must be sure they're ok!" She then took off through the window as Mrs. Swindle smirked, thinking about how to turn all her enemies into foals.

Twilight was being quite meddlesome. Maybe she’d be turned into a foal and sent to this temple next. But Swindle knew it would be too suspicious if she did it now, with Celestia and Luna posting spies from S.M.I.L.E to keep tabs on her. She'd seen them coming by often. But once the tension died down in a few more months, Twilight would be Swindle’s next victim!

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[Lorddarkandrew]

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