As an alternate avenue of events of Somepony to Watch Over Me, Applejack's babying of her sister goes too far and into an even more babyish territory. Applebloom's friends get dragged into it as a result. WARNING: DIAPERS, BABYISH THEMES.
**The following is an alternate sequence of events different than those that happened in MLP:FiM, Season 4 Episode 17: Somepony to Watch Over Me. This story breaks away from the canon episode right in the scene where Apple Bloom confronts Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo about her sister's constant babying of her.**
As an alternate avenue of events of Somepony to Watch Over Me, Applejack's babying of her sister goes too far and into an even more babyish territory. Apple Bloom's friends get dragged into it as a result.
Warning: Contains diapers, uses of diapers, and many other elements that others may deem ABDL~ish. Read at your own discretion.
The story starts with Apple Bloom in her room, Leaning on one of the siderails in the recently reconstructed bed-turned-crib set up by a paranoid-as-could-possibly-be sister. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are listening to Apple Bloom tell the entire story of how Applejack promised her that she could stay home alone while her and Big Macintosh delivered pies, only to come home and turn into an overprotective mother, babyproofing her and the house.
"So you see Ah' jus' can't stand my sister's constant babyin' any longer! I gotta put a stop to this and show her how much of an adult I really am!" Apple Bloom plead to her friends, throwing her forehooves into the air and then back down. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were frowning, but that's because they understood Apple Bloom's frustration.
Apple Bloom sighed, "And that's why I asked ya'll to come over quick."
Just then, Applejack cracked open the door half way and said: "Hey, how's my baby sister and her friends doin'? Ya need anything? A snack? A hoof massage? A nap-time story? Ya look tired. How about a snack while I give you a hoof massage and read you a bedtime story?"
Sweetie Belle squeakily butted in, jumping in girlish delight: "That sounds delightful!"
Apple Bloom jumped out of the crib and quickly covered Sweetie's mouth with her right forehoof. She clenched her teeth together and interjected: "No, No thank you!" She could see that her sister looked rather shocked and a bit upset at Apple Bloom's sudden disapproval of the activities that were planned for her. She felt a lump in her throat and instinctively gulped.
Applejack's concern turned right back into a motherly and friendly smile, and she responded: "Well I'll be, somepony sounds a little cranky. Maybe we should jus' skip right to nap time, huh sugarcube?"
"For the last time! Ah'm not a baby, and I definitely don't need to take no nap!" Apple Bloom yelled. The day's events and emotional stress had already taken a toll on her body and her patience.
"Well I disagree, yer always gonna be my little baby sis. Now since I'm your older sister you're gonna be a good filly an' take your nap. Sleepin' in this room is also one of the safest things for you to do right now." Applejack retorted.
Apple Bloom's face and composure were broken. How could her older sister be so overprotective? Is she compensatin' fer somethin'?
Applejack turned to her baby sister's friends. "Hows about you Sweetie Belle, and you too Scootaloo, you've been a bit quiet. Ya'll tired too?"
"C'mon Sweetie Belle, we gotta get outta here and tell someone that Applejack's got Apple Bloom over the barrel." Scootaloo carefully whispered.
Not quietly enough however, and Applejack's expression quickly turned into a stern one. "Whatta ya mean over the barrel Scootaloo? Do ya think that protectin' my kin, my defenseless and helpless little baby sister, Apple Bloom, is wrong? I think ya'll do seriously need some naps yerselves."
"Actua—" Sweetie Belle started, only to have Applejack hush her. She stood back in fear, silently.
Applejack sighed, then directed her attention to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "Don'tcha worry about your parents, I notified each of them when ya's got over here and they agreed that I could do anything necessary if you two act up, especially if it keeps ya outta harms way."
Sweetie Bell lifted her head up a bit towards Applejack and quietly said: "Um, Applejack? C-could I please be excused to leave? I wanna go home now."
Applejack kept the stern look she had on her face and replied: "No, I'm sorry Sweetie, but I gave ya'll a chance to make some big filly decisions and you accused me of doin' something I'm not, so you're taking a nap and then stayin' here 'til your parents or sister come to pick ya's up." Applejack looked over toward the window and quickly went out of the room and across the hall. She arrived back a few seconds later with some wooden boards and some nails. She then proceeded to board up the window.
"An' this should keep ya'll safe in case if some wild gust'a wind were to blow through here and knock ya off balance and make ya's tumble on out the window." she said, as she finished hammering in the last nail.
Sweetie Belle gave a look of uncertain fearfulness towards her friends and whispered very quietly: "You two are right, she has gone off the deep end."
"Whut was that Sweetie Belle?" Applejack asked, turning around.
"N-Nothing."
"Good, lets get you fillies ready for bed. Stay here just a moment."
Applejack then left the room.
"W-Where's she going?" Scootaloo stammered.
Apple Bloom looked over towards her friend and replied: "I don't know, but I don't wanna wait here an' find out. Let's git outta here before she comes back."
The three little fillies scurried out of the room and into the hallway and turned towards the stairs, only to run into something that didn't budge an inch.
"Is that a..." Sweetie Belle started to say.
"A baby gate?!" Apple Bloom yelled, stomping her forehooves on the ground in front of her.
Suddenly a figure appeared coming out of the doorway of the room across from Apple Bloom's room.
The fillies looked over towards the doorway, and saw Applejack with a rope in her mouth, which was attached to something in the room she just came out of.
Applejack spat the rope out of her mouth, a bit embarrassed, and said: "Sorry 'bout that, fergot I was movin' this 'ere chest we're gonna need. What I was sayin' was that we can't have ya'll trippin' and fallin' down the stairs and gettin' a booboo, right?"
"What's in the chest? I've never seen it before." Apple Bloom asked. She really was curious, she really hadn't seen that chest before. Then again, she never invaded the privacy of her sister's room either.
"You'll see, now lets git back into Apple Bloom's room so we can get to that nap ya'll need." Applejack stated.
Reluctantly, seeing no other possible way out, the three young fillies did as they were told.
They waited as Applejack picked up the rope once again in her mouth and dragged the heavy chest into the room.
Apple Bloom asked, "Okay, so what's in this chest that's so heavy an' important that we need just to take a nap?"
"Good question baby sis', I figured that since ah' can't be around all the time to protect ya'll—you know, with the chores and such— that I would bring some supplies to help protect ya when I'm not around. Not to mention—and don't tell Rarity I said this— but this stuff's gonna look so gosh darn cute on ya'll." Applejack replied.
"You still haven't told us what's inside the box." Apple Bloom said.
"Heh," Applejack said, "Alright, just let me open this and ya'll can see for yourselves."
The filly trio waited as Applejack undid the latches and locks. She opened the chest and they all looked in.
"This 'ere is all stuff I used to wear back around when I was a filly." Applejack finally stated, as each filly was speechless as they looked upon the contents of the chest. "Back when it was just Granny Smith an' Big Mac an' ... Mama and Papa." Applejack's face grew somber for a moment, but quickly turned back into a smile.
Apple Bloom was shocked at the moment. She couldn't even speak. She saw some stuffed animals, some toys a foal would use, and that didn't phase her that much. She expected Applejack to have things like that from her days as a young filly. What really shocked her and surprised her were some of the other items in the chest. Things like pajamas with diaper flaps on the back and well... diapers.
"Ah'm supposin' yer all wonderin why I had those at my age. An' to be honest it's a little embarassin' but... I used to wet the bed sometimes as a filly, and—" she paused for a moment, as if she reconsidered her words, and then continued on with an emphasis on the first word, "they made me wear these so I'd be nice and dry and so they wouldn't have to wash the sheets as often." Applejack finished, her face flushed a bright red.
Sweetie Belle said: "Oh, okay, well that makes sense."
"Ah'm glad you understand what I'm about to do then." Applejack replied.
Scootaloo finally broke her silence and shouted: "No way! You're not really gonna make us wear that baby stuff are you? We're completely capable of going to the bathroom on our own! We're not babies!"
"Scootaloo, now there's no need to yell and make a fuss, these are just in case I'm not around and I can't get ta' ya in time if you wake up needin' to go during your nap." Applejack responded. "So lets just get to it so ya'll can get some sleep, okay?"
The young fillies looked at each other. What else was there to do? They were trapped, and disobeying Applejack could just make it even worse for them. Besides, it's not like they actually had to use the diapers, right? They just had to climb out of the crib and walk right into the bathroom, which was right next door.
"Okay..."
"Alrighty then, who wants to go first?" Applejack asked.
"I will, I don't mind... besides, I don't think the others want to go first." Sweetie Belle said.
"Well thank ya' for volunteerin', Sweetie." Applejack said, as she pulled out the supplies she needed. "Now, just lay on your back and I'll take care of the rest."
Sweetie Belle obeyed, blushing a bit at the thought of being dressed like a baby in-front of her friends. Applejack took out one of the diapers and then lifted Sweetie Belle's heinie up a little into the air and slide the diaper underneath her. The other two fillies stared on as Applejack took some cream out of a tube and lathered Sweetie's bottom up.
"Gosh, that's cold." Sweetie thought. "Um, Applejack? What are you doing?" she asked.
"Well this here is diaper rash cream, just in case. I'm also gonna put some foal powder on ya, again, just in-case." Applejack replied.
"Oh, okay."
Applejack did just that, now applying the foal powder onto Sweetie Belle's rump. She proceeded to bring the front of the diaper up and over, and taped the diaper securely onto Sweetie Belle.
"Alright little filly, now stand up and bring your forehooves high into the sky. Don't worry, I won't let ya' fall."
Sweetie Belle obeyed again, stumbling a bit due to the new and obstructive puffiness between her back hooves, but fortunately Applejack caught her. She then dressed Sweetie up in one of the footed foal pajamas, and stuck a pacifier into her mouth. This made her blush immensely.
Apple Bloom blurted: "A pacifier?! What the hay could we possibly need that for?"
"What if some spiders or some other insects decide to crawl inside your mouth while you slept? I just couldn't bare it if somethin' bad happened to ya' because of somethin' like that." Applejack replied.
"Hmmph." Apple Bloom grunted, as she sat down and crossed her forehooves.
"Okay, you next Scootaloo." Applejack said.
"Fine, let's just get this over with." Scootaloo replied, "This better not get out to Rainbow Dash."
Applejack chuckled, "Oh you fillies, so ready to grow up and be cool in a big, big world. Just take it from me, don't be so eager to grow up so fast. Hold onto it as long as you can, because before you know it it's gone."
She then proceeded with the same procedure she used on Sweetie Belle on Scootaloo.
"Alright Apple Bloom, you're next." Applejack said.
"Ya can't be serious about this sis', just consider what you're doin'!" Apple Bloom pleaded.
"I am an' I have, don't you worry, nothing bad is gonna happen to you. You know why? Because I'm here to protect you." Applejack replied. "I do this only because I want the best for you, baby sis."
Apple Bloom said: "But—" She was stopped when Applejack put a pacifier into her little sister's mouth. Apple Bloom just crossed her forehooves again and laid back.
Applejack then diapered her little sister and got her into her footie pajamas.
"Aww, now look at ya'll, you're so cute. I hope ya'll never lose that when you grow up." Applejack said, smiling. "Now lets get you three into bed." She picked each of them up and laid them into the crib. She tucked them in and gave each of them a peck on the forehead. "Sweet dreams now ya'll, I'll be just across the hall if ya' need me." She said, as she turned off the light and closed the door.
Sweetie Belle lightly spoke, taking out her pacifier: "I don't know about you guys..." she yawned, "But I'm gonna get some sleep. Night." She then rolled onto her side toward the window.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo just laid there looking blankly up at the ceiling. After a while, Scootaloo rose up on her side of the crib, and took her pacifier out of her mouth, throwing it at the wall. It missed the wall, and made a small noise as it hit the floor.
"No way am I gonna lay here with a pacifier in my mouth and sleep like a baby!" She whispered to Apple Bloom, turning to her.
Apple Bloom herself rose up in the middle of the crib, and decided to do the same thing as Scootaloo. She too missed the wall, and her pacifier landed on the floor some ways away from Scootaloo's.
Suddenly, Scootaloo wriggled a bit.
"Uhhh, Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo said, her face contorting a bit.
"Yea Scootaloo, what's the matter?" Apple Bloom replied,
"D-Do you have to go to the bathroom at all?" Scootaloo answered, "C-cause I d-do."
"Ah kinda do now that you brought it up. C'mon, lets climb out of here and go."
The two fillies climbed out from underneath the covers and latched onto the railing of the crib with their forehooves.
"Wow, i-it looks like we're higher off the g-ground up here when the lights are off.." Scootaloo said.
"Well, we still hafta get out of this thing if we want to get to the bathroom in time." Apple Bloom replied, taking the lead and jumping out of the crib first. "Ya' just gotta stick the landing."
Scootaloo followed Apple Bloom's suggestion, but didn't quite connect all four hooves to the ground, and she stumbled forward a bit, landing on her chin with a small thud. The next thing the two fillies heard was a faint hissing sound. Scootaloo's face turned bright red.
"Did you just...?" Apple Bloom asked, but it was obvious what Scootaloo had just done.
"L-l-let's just get you to the bathroom, we can worry about me later." Scootaloo replied, trying hard to put on a brave face and still 'look cool'. With that, the two fillies made their way out the bedroom door and into the hallway with the baby gate that blocked the way down the stairs. They turned toward the bathroom door and opened it. Well, they tried to anyway.
"What? It's locked?" Apple Bloom said, and then she knocked on the door. "Sis', you in there? Ah gotta go to the bathroom, please let me in."
"Ya know, I was thinkin'," A voice said behind the two fillies. They looked towards it and saw Applejack standing once again in her doorway. "What if one of ya's fell in or fell off the toilet and got hurt? Even with me there watchin' ya'll you could still get hurt. I figure with ya'll already wearing diapers, I can keep ya safe while allowing you to still relieve yourselves. So it's okay Apple Bloom, just go in your diaper and your big sis will change ya'."
"You can't possibly—" Apple Bloom started to say, but then she stopped herself. "What am I kiddin'? Of course you would do this, to you I'm nothin' but a big dumb baby who can't do anythin' right by herself!" Apple Bloom said, tears starting to form in her eyes.
"Apple Bloom," Applejack said, "You may be my little baby sister, but you're not a big, dumb loser. You may not see what ah'm doin' in a positive light just yet, but know it's for your very best and it's because I love ya' and don't want nothin' to happen to my little sister and her friends. So it's okay. I'll always be here to take care of ya' and you won't have to worry about the world one little bit." She brought her little sister closer to her and squeezed her tight. "You worry me when you do dangerous stuff, I don't ever wanna lose ya, so do this for me, okay?"
Apple Bloom's face grew sad for a moment, but then she politely pushed herself out of her sister's hug and said: "O-Okay sis', I'll try to do this for you." In truth she really couldn't stand what her sister was doing, but she felt so guilty for making Applejack so worried in the first place. Was Applejack doing the right thing or wasn't she? Was she herself doing the right thing by allowing Applejack to do this to her and her friends? She'd have to think about that. For now, she was going to go along with her older sister's wishes.
She opened her back hooves a bit and tried to go. It was a lot harder than she thought it would be, trying to have an accident on purpose.
"Just relax, Apple Bloom. Just relax and let it go on it's own, and then I can change ya." Applejack assured. Applejack was sure she was doing the right thing. Who else was going to keep these fillies out of harms way? She had seen them do some pretty dangerous things in the past, and this could be the one way to stop it, as well as make up for the past. Deep down, after her parents died she had to grow up fast and do things fillies her age didn't usually do. She wanted Apple Bloom and her friends to never feel like they had to grow up as fast as she did. By doing this she could knock all the apples from the tree in one buck."
Apple Bloom followed Applejack's advice, and after another few moments, she did it.
"This feels kinda weird... but I guess it's not as bad as I thought it would be?" Apple Bloom said, her cheeks a bit red.
"I'm glad you're deciding to be a good sport." Applejack replied. "I've got some of the supplies in my room, lets get you changed."
"Uh, Applejack?" Scootaloo said.
"Yes Scoots, what is it?"
"C-could you change me too, I sorta had an accident trying to get out of the crib."
"Aww, sure thing sugarcube, are you alright? Anything still hurt?"
"N-no, I'm okay."
"Alright then, let's not dilly-dally. I'll change you first Scootaloo." Applejack said, guiding them into her room. She had a changing table already set up in her room.
"You haven't always had this thing in your room, have you sis'?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Heh, no Apple Bloom, I was able to get it out of the old storage closet down the hall quietly enough while you fillies were sleeping. I used those handy anti-scrape slider things Twilight told me about to slide it along the floor."
"Oh." Apple Bloom replied.
"Foooo-ey! Lets get ya'll cleaned up and changed before you really start to smell." Applejack playfully said, picking up both fillies and placing them on the changing table. She removed their pajamas and cleaned both of them up, she continued with the same procedure she used the last time she changed them, including putting them back into their footie pajamas.
"Alrighty, now that that's done, let's go wake our little friend Sweetie Belle up and then we can maybe get ya'll somethin' to eat, how does that sound?"
"Sounds great." Apple Bloom said.
"I'm starving!" Scootaloo included.
The three ponies then headed back to Apple Bloom's room.
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.
Applejack looked back toward the fillies, each smiling and playing with their toys. Scootaloo was trying her best to hide the fact that she was actually having fun, however. Applejack stood up and walked around the toys, towards Scootaloo. "That's a really nice lookin' pony you got there Scootaloo, does she have a name? What do ya like about her?" She asked.
"Uh, thanks Applejack. I—uh, her name is Thunder Flash, and she likes to fly around super fast and be awesome. She has a lot of friends and they really find her super cool because she can fly really high and do really neat and awesome tricks. Ra—T-Thunder Flash is the best at what she does because she never gives up." Scootaloo replied.
"Well, you've got quite the imagination there Scootaloo, I bet Thunder Flash loves bein' your friend, since yer such a awesome pony yerself." Applejack said.
"Yeah! Oh and uh—Thanks, that was nice of you to say." Scootaloo said, turning her head away from Applejack and scrunching her muzzle.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both looked over at Applejack and Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle moved towards Applejack and showed her the pony doll that she was playing with. "Her name is Tippy, and she's a ballerina."
"That's very nice Sweetie Belle, an' that's a very cute name for a ballerina." Applejack replied. She looked over at her sister, who was now looking down at her doll. "Is somethin' the matter Apple Bloom?"
Apple Bloom looked up slightly at her sister. "Ah don't know, I'm just sorta reminded of... well, Ah have small memories of mama wavin' a pony like this in-front of me, an' smilin'. It makes me miss her, I never got tuh spend any time with her..." She said, a tear slowly flowing down and past her cheek.
Applejack got up and went over to Apple Bloom, and wrapped her hooves around her. "There there," Applejack said, lightly tapping Apple Bloom's back, "Mama's gone, but I'm here, and ya don't have to be scared cuz' I'm not gonna leave ya."
Apple Bloom looked to the side and looked at her friends. She tried to hold back the tears but her expression wobbled and she sobbed deeply into Applejack's fur. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked on, with only saddened and caring glances on their faces.
Applejack stroked Apple Bloom's back. "Oh sis', you poor, sweet filly, it's okay. I'm here, My love is and always will be with you."
Apple Bloom continued to cry. Applejack frowned slightly and set her sister down. "Stay right there, Ah'll go get ya somethin' to help." Applejack went into the kitchen and into a drawer, taking out pacifier. She walked back into the room and set the pacifier into her sisters mouth. "Ah don't want you to think, I just want ya to breathe in and out for me, okay? Just let that there binky soothe yah, it's perfectly alright."
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo kept silent. Apple Bloom looked her sister and breathed deeply, letting the pacifier take away her frustration.
Apple Bloom reached out for Applejack and her sister responded quickly and hugged her.
"I-It's okay sis, Ah'm here fer yah." Applejack said.
Apple Bloom let go of her sister and adjusted herself back to where she was. She looked over at her friends while she continued to suck on her pacifier.
Sweetie Belle said, "Don't worry Apple Bloom, we all care about you and we know you miss your mom, I won't judge you for having that pacifier in your mouth. I'm sorta th—"
Scootaloo interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, we won't be mad if you start acting all weird on us."
Sweetie Belle jerked her head towards Scootaloo. "She's not being weird, she just misses her mama, what's so weird about wanting some pampering?" Sweetie Belle said, crossed her forehooves.
"Fine, I won't say anymore." Scootaloo replied.
Applejack looked over at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, and said: "Ah' think were good on playtime, right?"
No one answered, but the trio of diaper-clad fillies followed Applejack's instruction as she motioned them to get on her back. They then headed up the stairs.
"Y'know, I think we're gonna be keepin' you fillies upstairs from now on, there's too much risk in goin' up an' down these here stairs." Applejack said.
There was a moment of awareness and of silence as they made their way up the stairs. The boards creaked beneath them and they looked only ahead at Applejack, who's head was fixed forward.
When they did reach the top of the stairs, Applejack unlocked and made her way past the baby gate, turning around to lock it behind her. She bent down to let her sister and her friends down. They followed her curiously to the bathroom door.
Applejack reached to open the door, but looked back at the fillies and said: "Now ya'll need ta' be careful in here, and that means no touchin' anythin'. The bathroom can be a very, very dangerous place for young fillies like yerselves, so don't touch the toilet, don't touch nothin', keep very close to me. Ya'll understand?"
The three fillies nodded.
Applejack opened the door and lead the fillies inside. "It's time fer each'uh ya to take a bath." Applejack said, directing them towards the tub. "Now don't jump in just yet, I got special little seats for each of ya so there's no risk of ya'll slippin' and slide'n like'a bunch of greased-up piggies. Ah'll be perfectly happy to lift each of yuh sweet little fillies into them."
Scootaloo broke her attention away from Applejack and looked at Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, the latter of the two still sucking on the pacifier she was given like an obedient toddler. "Oh come on, this is just getting more and more ridiculous, I can hardly take any of this anymore!" Scootaloo said, stomping her forehooves on the floor.
Applejack looked at Scootaloo sternly and replied: "If you really wanna see ridiculous Scootaloo, I can keep you bound up in that crib and do every little thing to take care of you right from the safety of that crib, so unless you start acting like a good little filly and take yer bath, yer gonna see how ridiculous I can be, got it?"
Scootaloo lowered herself to the floor out of fear and said: "Y-Yes Applejack, I'm sorry. T-This is just all so weird and not cool, Rainbow Dash wouldn't do this."
"Rainbow Dash wouldn't do this, you're right, she doesn't even care about her own safety." Applejack said, looking down.
Scootaloo got back up into her usual upright position. "B-But you can't say that! Rainbow Dash is your friend! Friends don't say bad things like that about other friends." Scootaloo said, sniffling.
Applejack walked closer to Scootaloo. "Rainbow an' I are friends, but Ah'm bein' honest about her. She's reckless and doesn't have much self-control. She's loyal, but she lacks the drive to keep things from happenin' before they do happen."
Sweetie Belle walked up to Applejack, nudging her. "Um, Applejack?" Sweetie asked.
Applejack looked away from Scootaloo and towards Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom sat quietly, looking at the three of them.
Applejack said: "What is it, Sweetie Belle?"
"Well... could I maybe um... have a pacifier too? Please?" Sweetie Belle said.
Applejack smiled, "Of course little one, you fillies jus' wait patiently right here and I'll go get Sweetie a pacifier." She walked past them and closed the door behind her as she left, making her way down the stairs.
Scootaloo glared at Sweetie Belle. "Why did you just ask her that? Do you want her treat us like babies even more? It's like I'm the only one who wants to take any chance to get out of this. You two are acting like a couple of babies!" Scootaloo said, dropping down onto her padded rump and crossing her forehooves. "I can't bel—"
Scootaloo was stopped by a quick nudge from Sweetie Belle.
"What?" Scootaloo said.
Sweetie Belle motioned towards Apple Bloom with her head. Scootaloo looked over at Apple Bloom to see her looking back at her, sniffling and sucking her pacifier.
Scootaloo sighed, looking down. "I'm sorry Apple Bloom, I just don't understand any of this. I guess I never thought of asking you guys why you're suddenly so into just giving Applejack what she wants. Can you two please just explain it to me?"
Sweetie Belle said: "Well, I think for Apple Bloom it might be that she misses her mommy and daddy... and I sometimes feel that way too. I know I still have mine, but I don't get to see them as much as I'd really like to... and Applejack's being really nice... I just can't say no."
Apple Bloom walked over to Sweetie Belle and gave her a hug.
"Thanks Apple Bloom." Sweetie Belle said, patting Apple Bloom on the back.
Scootaloo scratched behind her ear with her forehoof. "I... I really don't know what to say. I mean..."
Scootaloo was interrupted by the sound of an opening door. The three fillies looked over towards their only exit and saw Applejack walking in, holding a pacifier between her teeth. Applejack walked over to Sweetie Belle and placed it into Sweetie's mouth.
"Is that better, Sweetie? Yah look adorable." Applejack smiled. "Do yuh want one too Scootaloo? Ah' don't mean to leave an apple outta the basket."
Sweetie Belle nodded and giggled, sucking her pacifier.
Scootaloo politely smiled and shook her head. "No, thanks for asking though."
"Alrighty then, lets get ya'll ready for yer baths. Ya'll can keep those pacifiers in if you'd like, but remember, just let me do all the work. No gettin' outta these seats that I placed in her for yahs."
The three fillies nodded, allowing Applejack to strip them down completely, with the inclusion of Apple Bloom's mane bow and remove their diapers. She placed each of them in their own bath seat. Applejack turned the bathtub knobs and gentle, warm water slowly filled the tub. Applejack hit the drain switch, closing off the drain. She turned the water off as it reached just above their waists.
Applejack stood back and rubbed the bottom of her muzzle with her hoof. "Do any of ya'll need any bath toys?" Applejack asked.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded, but Scootaloo did not do or say anything. Applejack reached into a small cabinet and pulled out two rubber duckies for Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.
They're faces lit up with joy as they were given the rubber duckies and happily squeezed the bath toys. Scootaloo sat waiting, seemingly detached from what was going on.
Applejack noticed this but simply shook her head shortly, proceeding on with their bath. She grabbed the shampoo and lathered each of the fillies' manes. As she did so, she sang a short song:
♫ Apples... sweet apples... yellow, red, orange, green.. wash 'em all up, make 'em nice an' squeaky clean... ♫
All three ponies couldn't help but giggle at the silly little tune, even Scootaloo. Applejack smiled, using a cup to scoop the warm water up and onto the fillies' heads. Each of them watched as the soapy bubbles washed off of them and into the tub.
Applejack then drained the water. She picked each filly up, starting with Apple Bloom, and wrapped each of them up in a towel to dry them off. She brought each filly out of the bathroom and into another room, one at a time. When it was Scootaloo's turn, she took her out of the bathroom. Scootaloo looked at what room she was being brought into. It was Applejack's room. She saw Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom laying on the changing table. Applejack put Scootaloo down her bed.
Applejack turned around and grabbed three diapers, placing an extra diaper to the side before putting the other two on Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. She moved Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom to the bed and set them down, picking up Scootaloo and placing her on the changing table. Scootaloo internally sighed, but said nothing.
After Applejack changed Scootaloo into her new diaper, Applejack placed Scootaloo down on the bed and turned to her side.
"Ya'll can get on my back now so that I can take yuh to bed." Applejack said.
Each of the fillies looked up at Applejack, a bit upset. Apple Bloom took her pacifier out of her mouth and replied: "B-But it's only 5:24! We ain't even tired!"
Applejack smiled, ruffling her sister's mane with her hoof. "I can read ya'll a bedtime story if you'd like. Ah'm sorry, but there's some things I gotta take care of, okay? It's best for ya'll to be asleep an' safe in the crib while I'm not there to take care of you."
Apple Bloom replied with a nod, placing her pacifier back into her mouth. Apple Bloom climbed onto Applejack's back.
Sweetie Belle took her pacifier out of her mouth and said: "But aren't we going to get our PJ's on? You left them in the bathroom."
Applejack turned to Sweetie Belle and shook her head. "It'll be easier for me to change you without those on, so for all our sake's, yah'll are just gonna have to go to bed without them."
Sweetie Belle frowned, placing her pacifier back into her mouth and climbing onto Applejack's back. Scootaloo did so without saying anything.
Applejack took them to Apple Bloom's room and let each filly into the crib. She tucked them in and smiled.
"Now, I don't really have any books or anythin' to read to you, but I do have a story that I was told..." Applejack said.
Sweetie Belle shrieked with joy. "Pwease tewll us!" Sweetie said, happily sucking her pacifier afterwards.
Applejack chuckled. "Hehe, alright, Ah' guess I could tell ya'll the story of The Grower."
The three fillies stared at Applejack, waiting for her to begin.
Applejack took a breath and then told her story:
~~~
Once, there was a mare with a garden and an orchard full of trees. This mare loved her plants very much. She fed them the right amount of water, and gave them just the right amount of sunsh-
~~~
Applejack was interrupted by the sound of Scootaloo snoring. "Heh, well it looks liked some little pony was too tuckered out for a story. Do you girls still want to hear it, or are yah too tired?"
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked at eachother, and then turned to their sides, closing their eyes.
Applejack chuckled lightly, and said: "Alright, the story can be saved for another time... nighty-night little ones..." Applejack backed away and turned off the light, leaving the door cracked open.
*****
Apple Bloom awoke in a dark room and looked around, noticing Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo still sleeping on the left side of her. Ah' feel thirsty... she thought, yawning. Apple Bloom climbed up and out of the crib, hanging from the outside so that she could drop down without waking up her friends. The "foal chest", as she had decided to call it, was closed. She figured that Applejack must have closed it and locked it so that none of the fillies would play with or sabotage what's inside.
As Apple Bloom walked through bedroom door and into the hallway towards Applejack's room, she noticed the baby gate was open. She walked closer and heard sounds coming from downstairs. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she quietly waddled down the stairs. and into the living room. With help from the moonlight coming in from the boarded windows, Apple Bloom could see that it was an adult pony—It was Applejack, and she was doing something with the toys. Apple Bloom took her pacifier out of her mouth.
Apple Bloom sighed, relieved that it was just Applejack putting the toys away. "Oh hey Applejack, I got thirsty and I-"
Applejack shot around, and let out a muffled whimper.
Apple Bloom went over to a lamp and turned it on. She looked back towards Applejack and her mouth dropped open.
"W-W-Why are you wearing a diaper and sucking on a pacifier and-and-and..."
Applejack turned around and curled up into a ball, crying.
Apple Bloom's expression turned from one of shock to one of sadness. "Sis' are you okay? Ah' didn't mean to make you cry. Ah don't even think I've ever seen you cry." Apple Bloom set her pacifier on the ground and waddled over to her sister, giving her a hug. "I don't get this but I love you. I jus' don't know what's goin' on, you gotta tell me so I can help."
Applejack shook her head, sucking on her pacifier. "Nuh-uh."
Apple Bloom frowned. "Please sis', for me? You don't have to hide your feelins' from everypony, especially me. Please sis' ... I love you..." Apple Bloom said, as she hugged her sister tightly.
Applejack spit the pacifier out of her mouth. "Ah-Ah' never wanted anypony ever to see me actin' like this. They'd think Ah'm some weirdo. But... I..."
Apple Bloom wiped the tears from her sister's eyes. "It's okay, you can tell me anythin'. I won't tell my friends if you don't want me to.
"I... I miss Ma and Pa too..." Applejack said, sliding to her sister's little tummy to cry.
Apple Bloom stroked Applejack's mane, thinking a little. "So... you do this and you do this to us so that we can all feel like we're safe and think about the better times, before the bad things like mama and papa's death?"
Applejack looked up at her younger sister. "Y-yeah, and I'm so-so-so-so sorry, I'm makin' a huge mess of things and it's all my fault. You and yer friends must wanna tear me to ribbons right about now, especially Scootaloo."
"No, no... It's weird but I'm not findin' it so bad after just a day to be honest with ya'. I've known deep down that you just want us safe an' all, and knowing this now, you just wanna feel safe an' peaceful-like too. It's not wrong to feel that way sis', it shows how big your heart is for other ponies, and it couldn't make me any prouder of you." Apple Bloom replied, nuzzling the top of her sister's head.
Applejack smiled, nuzzling her sister back, and said: "Ah' just have so many responsibilities an' a sense of duty for everypony. I can't be weak if they need me to be strong."
Apple Bloom shook her head. "That's not true, you care for other ponies, so you shouldn't feel like you shouldn't be cared for too. Nopony can be strong all the time, sis', and you feelin' like this and actin' like a foal shows it."
Applejack grunted. "W-What am I gonna do about all of this? Everypony is gonna find out now. What's gonna happen? I don't wanna know. I gotta get my mind away from it. You shouldn't have come down here. How did you anyhow? The baby ga—" Applejack cut herself off by shaking her head. "I forgot, didn't I? I was so excited to finally get to have time to..."
Apple Bloom picked up Applejack's pacifier and put it her older sister's mouth. Apple Bloom smiled, saying: "Shh... don't worry sis', you do too much of it already. Just be your foalish self if it's what you want, Ah' don't hate you."
Applejack smiled back at her sister, and pulled her into a hug as she rolled over to her side.
Apple Bloom nuzzled her sister and embraced her.
The two ponies fell asleep in the lit room, and they had never felt any closer.
'Bloom knows. What lies ahead'a me now? Is everything going to change? I'm afraid of change. Change took away Ma' and Pa'. Please don't take away the rest of my family too... I need them. I'm afraid... I need them.
Applejack awoke with her forehooves wrapped around Apple Bloom in a warm embrace. The night before had felt like a dream. However, she knew it hadn't been due to the feeling of her diaper. Apple Bloom knows now, she thought, and now I have to hope and trust that she doesn't dare tell a soul... Applejack frowned. She was happy that her sister was so accepting and all, but she knew there were ponies out there—maybe even Big Mac or Granny Smith themselves—that would never ever understand and accept her for her weird hobby. Applejack was about to get up and get changed, but then she remembered that Apple Bloom was still sleeping.
Should I move her and risk waking her up? She looks so peaceful-like... but I do wanna get up before Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo wake up and find me like this too... Applejack thought.
She closed her eyes and cast her worry out of her mind.
Little did Applejack know, Scootaloo was just now waking up in the crib upstairs.
*****
Scootaloo rose, sitting upright as she stretched her forehooves. She let out a yawn. Looking around the room, she sighed. "Is this babying ever going to end?" Scootaloo said quietly, not wanting to wake up Sweetie Belle.
Nevertheless, Sweetie Belle turned towards Scootaloo and opened her eyes. "Wha—? Scootaloo? Is it morning already?"
"Yeah, and its another day with Apple Bloom's crazy sister." Scootaloo added.
"She's not crazy... she just cares about us, that's all..." Sweetie replied, yawning. "Wait, where's Apple Bloom anyway?"
Both ponies looked over towards the bedroom door, which was slightly cracked open.
Scootaloo looked back at Sweetie Belle. "Let's go."
"But why? Shouldn't we wait fo—"
"Wait for Applejack? No thanks. Today's the day I get out of this stupid house." Scootaloo said, hopping out of the crib. Sweetie Belle hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly followed Scootaloo.
The diaper-clad fillies slipped passed the door with relative ease. They looked down the hall. "Hey! The foal gate is unlocked!" Sweetie cheered happily.
Scootaloo sighed. "Ssh! Do you want to let everypony in the house know?" She whispered, glaring at Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie blushed. "Oopsie."
Scootaloo rolled her eyes and slipped past the baby gate, grinning. "The name's Scootaloo, Secret Agent Scootaloo." She said quietly to herself.
Sweetie giggled and followed Scootaloo downstairs.
What they saw when they reached the bottom of the stairs, however, stole the smiles from their faces and replaced them with looks of shock.
Scootaloo was furious. "So Applejack's a baby too?! What?!"
Applejack and Apple Bloom nearly jumped out of their skins and found themselves sitting upright, still embracing each other.
Sweetie giggled. "Cool!"
Scootaloo looked ready to fight someone, but instead sat down and cried into her hooves. "Somepony please stop this madness!"
Applejack let go of her sister and rushed over to Scootaloo. She cradled and nuzzled her. "Hey.. hey, Ah'll explain everythin', okay? Ah'm sorry for putting you through this. Everypony has their troubles."
The sobbing filly nodded. "I-I know. I know that everypony has their troubles. Ponies make fun of my wings and they're so mean!"
Her friends sighed and looked at each other. Apple Bloom said: "Its okay Scootaloo. Diamond Tiara can be so nasty. She's a problem pony."
Scootaloo's sobbing got worse. "Its not just her. Its other ponies too."
Applejack pat and rubbed Scootaloo's back. "Even strong ponies have to let their weaknesses show sometimes. No pony is perfect and happy all the time. Not even Rainbow Dash."
Scootaloo's sobs quieted and she hugged Applejack. She looked up at her. "Not even you..?"
Applejack gave her a slight smile and ruffled her mane. "Not even me."
The little filly giggled and blushed.
Applejack placed Scootaloo onto the floor and took a breath. "Ah' don't want ya'll to lose your innocence. I don't want ya'll to be bullied, or feel abandoned, or get hurt."
She paused and sniffled.
Sweetie Belle walked up to Applejack and Apple Bloom followed. "You don't want to lose your innocence either?"
Applejack nodded. "Bingo."
Scootaloo looked towards her friends and smiled. "My wings are like a foal's anyway, and if I'm a foal then nopony can say that I should be able to fly." She giggled.
Her friends giggled and Applejack laughed too, patting her on the back. "That's the spirit, Scootaloo. Don't let those bullies bother you."
Scootaloo walked up to Applejack and hugged her again. Everyone came together for a group hug. Applejack sobbed.
Sweetie gasped and looked up at her. "Applejack? What's wrong? Why are you sad?"
Applejack smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Ah'm not sad at all, little filly. I'm so happy that ya understand and don't hate me. I can be so stubborn and rude..."
"Hey!" Scootaloo chirped, "Don't say that. Nopony is perfect, right?"
She nodded. "Yer right. Thanks."
Scootaloo grinned. "Don't mention it."
As they broke off from the group hug, Applejack stood up straight and took a deep breath. "Well, I'd better get this diaper off and get ya'll ready to go home."
Her sister and her friends looked towards each other and then up at Applejack, shaking their heads.
"You took care of us yesterday, so today we're going to take care of you." Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nodded in agreement. "So don't worry, we'll keep you safe, little Jackie."
'Jackie' blushed. "But.. I'm older than ya'll."
Scootaloo smirked. "Well ya don't look like it. We're only wearing these diapers for our protection. You seem to need them more than we do."
Sweetie laughed. "Yeah! Apple Bloom's your big sister now!"
"Yeah! I even helped comfort you last night!" Apple Bloom smiled, "So c'mon now, Ah don't wanna hear none of that 'grown-up' nonsense from ya."
Applejack giggled. "Okie. Appajack da foal an' y'awwl da mommies."
"I'll get her breakfast!" Sweetie said, running over to the kitchen.
Apple Bloom cradled her sister and simply smiled. Suddenly, Scootaloo tickled Applejack!
"Ahahahahahahaaa!" Applejack laughed, flailing her hooves a little. "Stop!"
Scootaloo stopped tickling Applejack. "Okay."
Sweetie came back with a bottle of milk and gave it to Apple Bloom, who plopped the nipple of the bottle into Applejack's mouth. Applejack suckled the milk from the bottle, a warm wave of soothing calmness rushing over her.
"Hehehe..." Scootaloo chuckled, ".. it's like she's a big foal."
"Well she is a big foal." Sweetie said, smiling widely at Applejack, who could only blush at their comments as she had her 'breakfast'.
Apple Bloom set the bottle to the side and wiped some drool away from her sister's mouth with her hoof. "You're a very big filly, Jackie. We're so proud of you."
Jackie cooed and wiggled happily.
"Oh! She's dancing!" Sweetie said, wiggling her rump.
Jackie giggled and kept wiggling until she stopped abruptly and covered her face. "Oooopsie." she said, a loud hiss effectively cutting off any potential response.
The three fillies watched as the diaper slightly yellowed and expanded as the mare flooded her diaper.
"Whoa.." Apple Bloom said, "You wet it so much. You must've really had to go."
Sweetie sat down and another quieter hiss could be heard. "Hehehe. Its so squishy. I don't even hafta worry about walking upstairs or cleaning myself up." she said, poking at her diaper.
Apple Bloom giggled and mimicked Sweetie Belle. "Its warm, but a kinda cozy warm." she added.
The only dry pony left was Scootaloo. She sweated and gulped. "I dunno if I wanna do that."
"C'mon Scootaloo! We're foals! We're supposed to!" Sweetie chimed in.
Scootaloo took a deep breath and sat down. After a few more deep breaths she closed her eyes and scrunched up her muzzle.
Hssssssss...
Upon opening her eyes, she looked down at her diaper and the faint yellowish stain across it. "W-Wow, I don't feel ashamed at all. Nopony's teasing me or anything."
Applejack chuckled. "Well of course not. Why would we tease you."
"W-Well I dunno." Scootaloo stuttered, a little startled to see Applejack speak so clearly.
Without warning, the front door opened up and everypony met eye to eye with a very confused Granny Smith and Big Mac.
Oh no... this can't be happening... not like this... Applejack thought.
"What're ya doin' in those diapers?!" Granny exclaimed, walking in. She glared at Applejack. "Especially you. Yer supposed ta be settin' an example for these young fillies, not... doin' whatever the hay this is!"
Big Mac simply nodded. "Eeeeyup. Just ain't right."
Applejack gasped. "B-B-But Granny! Ah' can—"
"You can explain? Well go on little filly, Ah'm listenin'. This better be good, fer yer sake." The old mare said sternly.
Big Mac walked in and closed the door behind him. "We had ta' come back early and this is what we find."
Applejack looked over at the her sister and her friends and then back at her Granny. "A-Ahm' sorry!" she said, curling up on the floor and sobbing.
"You'd better be, why I ought—Waaaaaaait!" Granny said, suddenly interrupted. She looked towards the fillies.
"Wait..." Sweetie said, walking up to Granny. "She just wants to help us feel loved."
"And innocent." Scootaloo added, walking forward.
"Aaaaand she wants to protect us." Apple Bloom continued, "Ah' know that this looks really bad, but Applejack misses Ma and Pa and she doesn't want anypony to have to suffer in this big, big world of ours."
She looked over towards her sister and smiled. "She wants to watch over us like how Ma and Pa did. She's a good sister and everypony makes mistakes."
Applejack smiled slightly and sat up, wiping a tear from her eye. "Thanks 'Bloom."
Granny Smith pondered these words for a few moments. "Well, it ain't natural, but if there's no harm done then there's no harm done."
The three fillies jumped up with glee and hugged Applejack.
"She's the best babysitter slash baby sister ever!" Scootaloo cheered.
Sweetie giggled. "Yeah!"
"Ya'll said it girls!" Apple Bloom said.
Applejack hugged them back. Then she looked at her granny and brother. "Are ya angry at me fer keepin' it a secret?"
They looked to each other and Granny said: "No dearie, yer brother has that doll of his and you have this."
"Smarty Pants isn't a doll..." Big Mac grumbled.
Granny chuckled. "Sure it isn't. Anywho, if you fillies wanna act like foals, that's yer business. I ain't gonna clean up any messes though. Yer still big fillies."
Applejack nodded and the young fillies mimicked her.
"Go on upstairs an' play if you like, but I want all of this put away by sundown, ya hear?" Granny added.
"Yes Granny." Applejack said with a grin. The soggy-bottomed mare and her soggy-bottomed fillies then rushed upstairs to change and play some more.
Big Mac stepped closer to Granny and said: "So she's finally let the truth out, after all this time."
"Yessir. It's one thing ta' be honest to others, but being honest to yerself takes a lot more courage than most ponies have." Granny stated.
Big Mac laughed. "Ah wouldn't think that Applejack would want to send a letter to princess this time Granny."
"I suppose not." She giggled.
Epilogue
So after a day of playing and acting like little foals, I had to send Apple Bloom's friends home. I had to put everything away and return Apple Bloom's room to the way that it used to be. Applejack wrote into her journal. She looked out the window and at two bright and twinkling stars above in the night sky. She turned back to her journal and wrote:
Today my little sister and her friends came to my defense and helped me despite my mistakes. Tonight my parents are watching over me. I hope they're happy in knowing that I tried my best to be a big filly and protect the little ones.
Dropping the pen onto the table, Applejack blew out the candle and waddled to her bed wearing a fresh, dry diaper. She climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep as the twinkling stars continued to watch over her.
