Chapter 1
Author’s Note: I am pleased at the reaction of Pattycakes. Some of it is positive, some of it is negative, but most of it is negative which pleases me to no end. My aim was to create a work of both parody and fetishism. But I must admit that the original work is not without its flaws, both from plausibility and logic that was sacrificed in the name of making the story progress as soon as possible. Admittedly I kind of rushed that story and didn’t get much feedback before posting it. This time I will endeavor to do better. So without further ado, enjoy.
“Pattycakes Part 2”
by Pegacorn Ondacob
“Okay, let’s see if I can get this right this time.”
The yellow pegasus had grinded the selected herb with the mortar and pestle until it became a fine powder. Mixing the contents of the ceramic bowl with some liquid, she poured the results into the chamber of the alembic. Lighting the burner she began the distillation process, while the rest of the tubes and containers awaited the flow of gasses and liquids as they separated and mixed together again in a symphony of chemistry. After some time the process was completed and the yellow pegasus took the resulting beaker and examined the contents.
“Hmmm … the color is a bit off.”
She took a sniff of the liquid in the glass.
“Potent. Almost … too potent. Shoot! It’s too powerful to use normally but … hmmm. Maybe for a special occasion. I’ll have to thank Twilight some time for the alchemy set and Zecora for the recipes. Oh wait! I already have.”
Fluttershy thought about another two memories from her scrap book. Just then she heard the sound of crinkling behind her.
“Mommy, what are you doing?”
Fluttershy turned around to see the mentally broken Rainbow Dash behind her. She was wearing a diaper as she always did nowadays. She had little choice. It seemed like she also constantly bore a simple-minded smiling expression on her face. Fluttershy smiled and walked up to her “filly”.
“Mommy’s working on some more special formula, sweetie,” she said.
“Does this mean I’ll have a new brudder or sister?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Hmmm … perhaps. But mommy’s got to get the mixture just right. Why don’t you go and play with your blocks some more?”
“Okay, mommy.”
Fluttershy stuck Rainbow Dash’s pacifier back into her mouth. The blue pegasus took very well to the act of suckling. Satisfied, the blue pegasus went off to play with her toys. The past week had been the happiest for Fluttershy yet and she intended to keep it like that for as long as possible.
“Oh, and stay out of the basement. Mommy has to go clean it up later,” called Fluttershy.
* * *
It was raining. That much was certain. But for the little orange pegasus known as Scootaloo, that was the last thing on her mind. The little filly’s wings were too small to allow her to fly, but they served well enough as a means of propulsion when riding her scooter. Even as the weather was bad, she sped through the rain on her scooter making her way to Sweet Apple Acres. Raindrops bounced off her helmet creating a sort of natural percussion. Eventually she reached her destination, a secluded part of the farm where the Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse built in one of the trees stood. The windows were lit which meant that her other two friends were home. Parking her scooter under the tree, she took off her helmet, set it on the scooter, climbed the ramp, shook herself off, and entered.
“Hello, fellow crusaders!” said Scootaloo.
“Heya!” said Apple Bloom who was wrapping up some small cardboard boxes.
“Hi, Scootaloo,” said Sweetie Belle who was writing on some sheets.
“So what do we have planned for today to get our cutie marks?” asked Scootaloo. “Cutie Mark Crusader tri-athletes? Cutie Mark Crusader treasure hunters? Cutie Mark Crusader dungeon crawlers?”
“There are dungeons in Ponyville?” asked Sweetie.
“Well maybe there’s treasure buried in the dungeons,” suggested Scootaloo. “Then we could be Cutie Mark Crusader treasure hunting dungeon crawlers.”
“Girls, ahm pretty sure there ain’t no dungeons in Ponyville,” said Apple Bloom. “Besides, we have a more important task ahead of us.”
“Awesome!” said Scootaloo. “So what’s the plan?”
“Fund raisin’,” replied Apple Bloom.
“Cutie Mark Crusader fund … wait what?!” said Scootaloo.
“Making money,” replied Sweetie Belle. “Some of these attempts to find our cutie marks require having bits to spend, so we’re organizing a fund raiser so we can continue to work on getting our cutie marks.”
“We got some cookies we can sell door to door. We figure about two bits a box would be fair to ask for each,” said Apple Bloom.
“That sounds good,” said Scootaloo thoughtfully. “Wait, who made these cookies? Was it Pinkie Pie?”
“Heavens no!” said Apple Bloom. “Mah sister had extra so she allowed us to sell some. And before you ask, she was very much awake when she baked them and they are very good.”
“Sweet!” said Scootaloo.
The orange pegasus looked outside the window and saw that it was still raining. She let out a sigh.
“It’s a shame that the weather’s not so good for being outside,” lamented Scootaloo. “If only Rainbow Dash had cleared the sky today. Speaking of which, has anypony seen her lately? There hasn’t been a clear day for about week or so.”
“I’m surprised you’d want to see her,” said Sweetie Belle. “Hasn’t it been a week since …?”
“Yes, it has. Let’s not get into that,” said Scootaloo.
“Sorry. Anyway jus’ cause the weather is bad don’t mean Rainbow Dash hasn’t been doing her job,” said Apple Bloom. “After all, we need rain jus’ as much as the sunshine. Otherwise none of these here apple trees would grow.”
“Yeah … I suppose that’s true. So cookies, huh?”
“Yep, cookies. Here, try one!” said Apple Bloom handing Scootaloo a spiced apple cookie.
“Mmmm. These are good,” said Scootaloo as she munched on one. “These will raise a lot of bits for sure!”
And so for the rest of the afternoon the crusaders boxed up cookies and planned out their routes for making as much money as possible.
* * *
The weather for the next day was much brighter and so Scootaloo took it upon herself sell cookies door to door since her scooter and wings made her the fastest among the crusaders. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle in the mean time decided to set up a stand in the middle of the town square and sell cookies there. Though considering the last time Apple Bloom had attempted to be a salespony, she reluctantly agreed to manage the finances of the stand while Sweetie Belle approached passerby’s to attempt to sell their cookies.
Scootaloo definitely felt like she had the better end of the deal. The speed of her scooter and the wind in her face made her feel alive as she pulled the wagon full of cookie boxes with her scooter. Still, she couldn’t for the life of her understand why she hadn’t heard from Rainbow Dash in some time. Deciding to put it out of her mind for the moment, she parked by her first destination: Sugarcube Corner. Taking out a couple of boxes she approached the door and knocked. A pink delightful pony answered the door shortly after.
“Hiya, Scootaloo!” said Pinkie Pie.
“Hello, Pinkie Pie,” said Scootaloo. “Look, I know this may seem a little strange considering that you live in a sweet shop, but I was wondering if you’d like to buy some cookies? The Cutie Mark Crusaders are trying to raise funds.”
“Cookies? I love cookies! What kind do you have?”
“Spiced apple! Only two bits a box.”
“I’ll take one!” said Pinkie Pie as she ran off to get some bits and came back shortly after and exchanged two coins for the box.
“Thanks a ton, Pinkie Pie!” said Scootaloo taking the bits and putting them in a satchel. “By the way, have you seen Rainbow Dash by any chance?”
“Rainbow Dash? No. Why? Is it my turn to bring the milk?”
“Huh? Milk? What are you talking about?”
Pinkie Pie blinked for a moment and realized that she said something she shouldn’t have said.
“Sorry,” said the pink pony. “Just having a Pinkie moment. You know me. Sometimes I say and do things that even I can’t understand!”
Scootaloo smiled and nodded, not wanting to argue and knowing full well that Pinkie Pie did say things that often confused her.
“Well if you see her, tell her I’m looking for her.”
“Oki doki loki!” said Pinkie.
And with that Scootaloo trotted back to the scooter and went back on her way. She went from door to door with her little scooter and wagon full of cookie boxes and many ponies whose door she knocked on bought at least one box of cookies. With every stop she made she also asked if any pony had seen Rainbow Dash, but no pony could offer an answer.
Eventually she reached the moss-covered home of Fluttershy and knocked on the door. After about a minute or so, the pink-haired, yellow pegasus answered and smiled upon seeing Scootaloo.
“Oh! Hello, Scootaloo. What can I do for you?”
“I’m selling cookies to raise funds for the Crusaders. Only two bits a box. Would you like to buy one?”
“Certainly! You wait right there. I’ll be right back.”
And with that Fluttershy disappeared from view to get some bits. Scootaloo waited impatiently at the open door, looking inside the house on occasion. She noticed a stove with a pot on the fire that had a baby bottle on it. Soon enough Fluttershy returned and handed the filly two bits. Scootaloo smiled and handed Fluttershy a box of spiced apple cookies in exchange.
“Thanks a ton, Fluttershy,” said Scootaloo. “Listen, I know you’re good friends with Rainbow Dash. Do you know where she’s been?”
“Rainbow Dash? No, I’m sorry. I haven’t seen her in awhile,” said Fluttershy obverting her eyes. “But the weather is nice, so I’m sure she must be out working.”
“Yeah … I suppose. By the way, what’s with the baby bottle on the stove?”
“Oh that? I’m foal sitting. Anyway, thank you so much for the cookies. Good luck with your fund raising!”
“Thanks, Fluttershy. See you later!”
And with that, Scootaloo got back on her scooter and went off on her way to sell more cookies. Later on that day she met up back with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle at the clubhouse. Between the lot of them, they had raised a lot of funds which made them very excited, but deep down inside Scootaloo was worried. Still, that day had brought a lot of nice weather, so she figured Rainbow Dash must have been working, even if she didn’t see her that day.
* * *
The next day Scootaloo got up bright and early. Once again the sun was shining and the weather was nice, so she decided to go out on her scooter just for the fun of it. No cookie selling for her today. Instead she sped through the dirt and trees, leaping over branches, dodging pedestrian ponies as she zoomed by in the town and generally did everything a holy terror would do. She could see that the weather was clear, so she figured Rainbow Dash had cleared the sky that day. Then she saw a pegasus clearing the sky. Thinking it might has been Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo sped after her until she could see the pegasus more. The pegasus in question was not blue, but rather white with a pink and green mane and tail and a pink flower for a cutie mark.
“Hey you!” Scootaloo called.
The white pony who seemed most surprised flew down from handling the weather and landed in front of Scootaloo.
“Can I help you, little filly?” asked the white pegasus.
“Uh … yeah. Who exactly are you?”
“Oh, I’m Blossomforth. And who might you be?”
“The name’s Scootaloo. Not to be rude or anything, but what exactly are you doing here?”
“Oh,” said Blossomforth, “I’m just clearing the weather so it’s all nice and bright. Is there a problem?”
“No … er, yes … er, I mean … I thought Rainbow Dash usually handles the weather here in Ponyville.”
“Yes, that’s my understanding as well,” said the white pony. “I’m just filling in for her until she gets better.”
“ ‘Gets better?’ What, is she sick?” asked Scootaloo.
“I’m sorry,” said Blossomforth. “I don’t know the details. I was just told that Rainbow Dash was in no condition to do her usual Weather Team duties here in Ponyville and that I should take over for them until further notice.”
“And who told you that she was in no condition to do her duties?” said Scootaloo whose suspicion was all the more peaked.
“I believe it was Fluttershy,” said Blossomforth thoughtfully.
Scootaloo blinked for a moment looking dumbfounded.
“Something wrong?” asked Blossomforth.
“No … nothing. Sorry to have bothered you,” said Scootaloo who sped off on her scooter.
Scootaloo didn’t even give the white pegasus time to say goodbye. She rode straight over towards Fluttershy’s house. She didn’t stop by to see the other crusaders or even tell anyone else where she was going, which in hindsight may have been a bad idea. Suspecting something but never imagining the magnitude of the situation, she rode as fast as the wind could take her.
When she finally got to her destination she was surprised to find that the front door was open but Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen. Scootaloo parked her scooter, set down her helmet and crept inside the house. She looked around for any sign of the yellow pegasus but found none.
“Fluttershy? Are you home?” Scootaloo called out.
She received no answer but heard the sound of giggling and what sounded like plastic objects banging against eachother.
“Well Fluttershy did say she was foal sitting. Maybe she’s with the foal,” thought Scootaloo.
Scootaloo followed the source of the sounds until it led her to a closed door. She knocked on the door but got no response. Opening the door she definitely heard a foal playing and giggling, but did not see the foal just yet. As she came very slowly around the corner she could see the back of an unidentified blue pegasus. Her mane was wrapped in pink bonnet and her tail was obstructed by a bean bag chair.
“Ummm … excuse me, little filly” said Scootaloo. “Have you seen Fluttershy?”
The blue pegasus turned around and giggled looking straight at Scootaloo. Scootaloo’s eyes grew the size of pie plates and she backed away. She almost screamed at what she saw. It was obvious who the little filly was. It was Rainbow Dash, no mistake about it.
“Mommy’s waterwing da posies. Do you wanna play wif me?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow Dash? What the …? And you’re … Cut the baby act! It’s seriously freaking me out!”
“Whacha talkin’ bout? I’m justa baby.”
“No you’re not! What’s happened to you?! I used to look up to you!”
Rainbow Dash giggled.
“Looks like someone needs a huggie!” she said as she got up and walked towards Scootaloo, her diapered rear crinkling behind her.
“Stay away from me!” yelled Scootaloo.
She ran out of the nursery and to the front door. Interestingly enough, this time the door was closed and locked. Scootaloo began to look for anything that could unlock the door, but it appeared to only open with a key. As she franticly looked for any way to open the door she heard a voice behind her.
“Um … is there something I can help you with?”
Scootaloo turned around to see a familiar yellow pony.
“Fluttershy!” said Scootaloo in desperation, “What the hay is going on? What happened to Rainbow Dash? She’s gone all freaky and … babyish!”
“Oh yeah … I … guess she has.”
“This makes no sense! How did she get this way?”
“Well … um, I guess you could say I had a hoof in it.”
“What?!” said Scootaloo hardly believing all of this. “You mean to tell me … that this is your doing?!!”
“Yes, I supposed you could say that.”
“But …but why?”
“Well … I wanted a filly of my own, and it seemed the obvious choice to turn my friend into one. We have never been happier. I also have other reasons for doing it that I’m not at liberty to say at the moment.”
“That … is … sick!” said Scootaloo who turned around to find another way out of the door, looking to see if a key was hidden nearby.
“And where might you be going, my little pony?”
“I’m going to find help for Rainbow Dash! And you too!”
Without making a sound, Fluttershy picked up a nearby vase while Scootaloo’s attention was still focused on the door.
“I’m afraid it’s not quite time for you to go just yet,” said Fluttershy.
Scootaloo started to turn her head around, but she didn’t see the vase coming. It hit the back of her head knocking her out and shattering the vase into a hundred fragments. Scootaloo fell to the floor alive but unconscious, the floor littered with many bits of broken clay. Fluttershy approached and examined Scootaloo.
“Oh my!” said Fluttershy. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Scootaloo.”
She picked up the unconscious filly and carried her down into the basement.
“I’m sorry, Scootaloo. I really am. It’s just that you have an appointment to keep and I intend to see that you make it. I don’t envy the headache you will have when you wake up, but I really hope that by the time we’re through, you will be much more understanding. That being said, I wish you luck.”
* * *
Scootaloo did eventually wake up with a major headache. When she came to, she was in darkness and it smelled like pine all around her. Feeling around she realized that she was inside a wooden box or crate of some kind. There were some holes that let light and air, but otherwise she was trapped. She couldn’t help but wonder what had gone wrong with Fluttershy. She never knew the yellow pony to have ever done anything like this to anyone before … to her knowledge. Gaining her strength, she tried to push at the sides and top to see if she could open to box, but it was sealed. She tried kicking at the top but it did no good, although it did seem to move the box slightly. So she kicked to the side and box moved more.
Scootaloo kept up this kicking and the box did eventually begin to move more and more. What she could not realize was that the box she was in was on a high shelf and that every kick she delivered on the box pushed her wooden prison more and more over the edge. Eventually, the box finally tipped too much over the edge and down tumbled Scootaloo wooden box and all. The wood of the box was not very thick or strong, so it shattered upon impact and the little orange pegasus was freed. It took awhile, but Scootaloo did get up. She let out a long “ow” as she got her bearings straight.
She looked around. She realized that she was in some sort of basement or storage area. The ground was pure stone and large boxes formed a sort of barrier that prevented her from exploring. Lights were few and far between. There was no natural light at all, only a few dim spotlights that dangled from the ceiling. One such light fell upon a lone antique phonograph with a piece of paper attached to it that said “play me”. Desperate for any answers even if they weren’t ones she would like, she cranked up the phonograph and set the needle on the cylinder.
The phonograph made some scratching noises before it finally spoke.
“Hello, Scootaloo. First of all let me apologize for knocking you out like that. Believe me when I say that none of this is without good reason. That being said, I want to play a game. The rules are simple. All you have to do is follow the path and complete the tests ahead of you. You will learn more about me and what I do and in the process I will learn what sort of pony you are. If you succeed, I can guarantee your freedom. Follow the markings and complete your tests in order. By the way, while you were unconscious I took the liberty of diapering you. Do not remove the diaper just yet as you will need it. Let the game begin.”
And with that the phonograph turned to static. In her disorientation she didn’t notice that in fact she was in fact wearing a diaper.
“Screw this,” she said.
And with that she ripped off the diaper that was on her flank and tossed it to one side. Looking around she noticed painted arrows on the floor illuminated by spot lights that indicated where she should go. Turning down a hallway she saw more painted arrows and dim lights and followed accordingly. There was occasional debris, but nothing dangerous. She couldn’t help but feel that this might have been like some sort of haunted house and that a skeleton or ghost might pop out at any moment to scare her. At least the atmosphere was fitting. She walked until she felt something wet going down her leg. Startled she looked between her legs.
“Gah! What the hay? I didn’t even feel it!”
The little filly was urinating and uncontrollably at that. Understandably agitated, she shook herself off when the urine stopped. Walking a bit further down the hallway she saw a little table with a box and a note on it. The note said, “In case you don’t follow the first instruction.” Scootaloo opened the box and looked inside.
“Figures.”
Scootaloo reached into the box and pulled out a fresh diaper. Realizing that Fluttershy wanted her to play by the rules and that she had no way of knowing whether or not she was incontinent, she decided to put it on despite how strange and immature it made her feel. Once she was done she continued on her way and soon encountered a red painted arrow pointing to a door. The door had red painted words on it that said “Feel as I feel” on it. Pushing the door open she stepped inside.
The act of opening the door pulled on a string that activated a mechanism that caused a series of lights to go on in the room. The first light illuminated a nearby wall full of photos. In each photograph was an image of a different pony, each in diapers and in a playful pose. Each photograph had a name and date on it. Looking through the photographs Scootaloo was surprised to see many faces and names she recognized like Pinkie Pie, Big Macintosh, Soarin’ and Twilight Sparkle along with others she didn’t recognize like Derpy Hooves, Cupcake, Flying Sparks and Bon Bon. Next to all the pictures was a list with names and dates along with a number assigned to each one. Then a light illuminated on a phonograph which began to play automatically from the same mechanism that turned on the lights.
“Hello, Scootaloo. What you see before you is a wall of my precious memories. Every photo is a record of one of my cherished times with one of my past babies. Long ago I discovered that I had an interest in infantilism and age play. It brought me so much joy. I wanted to share this joy with as many ponies as possible, so I devised the number system. When a pony’s number comes up, I approach them and explain what it is I want to do with them for one night. Most of think the idea is a bit weird at first, but I eventually convince the vast majority of them to try it. Even then, act of age play can be difficult for first timers. So I took up alchemy and in time devised a special chemical that in small doses temporarily removes inhibitions and induces an infantile state. A foal formula. I call it ‘foalmula’. It is odorless, tasteless and dissolves in most liquids. In my passion I made two rules. The first rule was never to abuse foalmula to force my interest on another. The second rule was never to practice age play with actual foals. But recently I broke both rules, the first with Rainbow Dash, and the second with you. The reasons why will eventually become clear. Now for your first test …”
The rest of the lights went on and the door behind Scootaloo slammed shut and locked. Scootaloo was startled by the slamming door, but her attention was quickly drawn to a mechanical plate on a pedestal near the far wall with a mirror on it. The plate was a connected to lock mechanism on a nearby door. Next to it was a box full of colorful pacifiers. On the wall behind it was a sixty second clock that was also connected to the mechanism.
“I imagine you’re feeling stressed right now. One thing I have found calming in times of stress is the simple act of suckling on a pacifier. So I have provided you with a whole box full of them. The device with the metal plate will unlock the door next to it, but it needs a special kind of key. The key is found in one of the pacifiers in the box and it can only be used when it is suckled on. In order to exit the room, you’ll have to find the right pacifier, bring it to the plate and suckle over it. I also provided you with a mirror so you can see how cute you look as you try each pacifier. Don’t take too much time to admire yourself, though. Take a good look at the canisters in the corners of the ceiling …”
Scootaloo looked up in corners of the ceiling. In each one was a canister with the words “foalmula” painted on it. They were hooked up by wires to the device. Scootaloo gulped when she saw them.
“If you fail to open the door within the allotted time, the doors will remain locked and a special gaseous form of foalmula will be released into the room. I don’t think I need to tell you what will happen to you if you breathe it. You have sixty seconds to exit the room. Live or die … oh, wait … no, I shouldn’t say that. That’s just mean. Um … oh, I know! Live or try! Make your choice!”
Soon afterwards, the cylinder of the phonograph stopped and clock began to count down. Sixty seconds. Realizing that this was serious, she ran to the box, picked up the first pacifier, ran to the plate, popped the pacifier in her mouth, put her snout over the plate and suckled on the pacifier. She couldn’t help but see herself as she did it in the mirror. The sight of it was humiliating but the door did not open. Spitting out the pacifier she looked at the clock. Fifty seconds. She had to work faster. She grabbed two, ran to the plate and tried one after another. No go, she tried another two and another two. Nothing happened.
Forty seconds. She worked as fast as she could, suckling pacifier after pacifier. The action became almost autonomous and despite all the pressure that was on her, the act of suckling the pacifier was soothing to her which aided in her quest to find the oral key. Thirty seconds. Scootaloo was really beginning to panic as every pacifier was a different color and she couldn’t tell if there was supposed to be a correct one she was looking for. She just tried one after another. Twenty seconds. The box was half empty and pacifiers littered the floor, but the door was not opened. Scootaloo began to cry but kept at her task. Ten seconds. Scootaloo pulled out a pacifier that was at the bottom of the box, popped it in her mouth, brought it to the plate and suckled. The door opened. Without spitting out the pacifier she ran out of the door and it closed behind her and locked. Scootaloo sat on the floor, still suckling the pacifier that brought her freedom, resting for awhile.
When she had finally calmed down she took out the pacifier and examined it. It was orange with a purple shield and a butterfly on the front. It was her colors. She looked back at the door she came through. There was a piece of string tied in a circle and taped to the door. She pulled down the string, tied the pacifier handle with a cow hitch in the string and hung the pacifier around her neck. She had already discarded her diaper before and it met with disaster. Considering the unpredictable nature of the game, she didn’t want take any chances even if she couldn’t foresee needing the pacifier. Getting her bearings straight, she looked around her. She was in a hallway with another set of arrows and at once set to follow them, not knowing where they would lead.
* * *
As Scootaloo walked further down the hallway, she noticed a bunch of photos that were hung from strings that were attached from wall to wall like clotheslines. Looking at some of the photos she saw ones of Fluttershy and other ponies together and dressed up in foal outfits. The participants in photo looked so happy, but they still made the little filly feel really weird. As she walked down the path she wondered if she was still in Fluttershy’s house. Granted she had never been in the yellow pegasus’ basement before, so it was impossible to tell, but it still seemed really strange for someone like Fluttershy to have all this in her house.
Eventually she came upon yet another door that had “Do as I do” painted in red letters on the door. Considering the words of the previous door, she was not looking forward to whatever was on the other side of the door. Still Scootaloo got her courage up, opened the door and stepped inside. It wasn’t dark inside but Scootaloo had a hard time figuring out what the room was. As before, the door closed behind her and she saw what appeared to be a changing table, a wardrobe, a diaper pail and a crib. Coming from the crib were a series of wires connected to a monitor of some kind that was letting out a constant beep and had a bright red light.
Horror filled Scootaloo’s heart when she realized that the crib had an occupant, a sleeping occupant who was waking up. The pony in the crib let out a yawn and stretched. Coming closer Scootaloo could make out the features of the pony. She was a unicorn with a white coat and a purple mane. She as dressed in a rather infantile yet frilly pink dress that completely trimmed with white lace. Then Scootaloo gasped when she realized who the unicorn was. Rarity opened her eyes but she didn’t look happy. She looked rather cranky. She turned to Scootaloo, looking at her in a way that Scootaloo had never seen.
“Mommy? Is that you? I need a grownup!” said Rarity.
Rarity began to cry and the monitor began to beep faster and faster.
“Rarity? Not you too! And what the hay is that machine?”
Suddenly a phonograph in the corner of the room turned on and once again Scootaloo heard Fluttershy’s voice emanating from it.
“Hello, Scootaloo. If you’re hearing this recording it means you passed the first test. Congratulations! Now for your second test. The pony in the crib is a very good friend of mine. You might know her normally as ‘Rarity’ but here she is known as ‘Princess Prettypants.’ Isn’t her dress cute? Custom made adult foal wear by her. She and I often have had a lot of fun together and she has agreed to help me in this test. She has been given a small amount of foalmula which has temporarily reduced her to an infantile state of mind. Even as a foal, she never liked getting dirty and it just so happens that she has messed her diaper which is making her very cranky. You can see it in the monitor she is hooked up to which measures her heart rate and stress levels. This monitor also controls the door lock mechanism. Simply stated, to open the door, you will need to bring her stress levels back to normal and do that you will need to change her diaper. Don’t even think about disconnecting the monitor from her either as a flatline will cause you to fail the test. Everything you need is there at the changing table. Live or try. Make your choice.”
The phonograph stopped but Rarity looked far from stopping. She was crying and clearly agitated. All this was very weird for Scootaloo and the thought of changing an adult pony’s diaper was not pleasing to her. But she knew that somehow she had to past this test. Realizing that the door would only open with lowered heart rate and stress, she wondered if she could possibly calm Rarity down without having to change her diaper.
“Uh, Rarity? I … really don’t want to do this. Can we discuss this like … er … grown ponies?”
“Mommy? My diaper’s all icky! Could you pwease tange me?”
Scootaloo put her hoof to her face. This was not going to be easy.
“Okay listen, Rarity …” said Scootaloo.
“Pwincess,” said Rarity.
“Come again?”
“Pwincess. I’m Pwincess Pwettypants.”
“Okay fine. Fine. Princess Prettypants. Can you get out of the crib and up on the changing table so I can change you and get this test over with?”
Rarity huffed and shook her head from side to side.
“Dun wanna,” Rarity pouted.
“You don’t want me to change your diaper?”
“No. Wan mommy to tange me. Dun wanna weave my cwib.”
Scootaloo sighed. Realizing that she didn’t have the strength to pick the pony up and put her on the changing table, she decided to do things Rarity’s way. From the looks of the monitor, she was not calming down anytime soon. Scootaloo approached the crib, looked around and noticed that the crib was of the drop-side variety. Realizing this she pulled the side down, resting it on the floor. Now she had complete access to Rarity and saw the detail of her adult foal dress as well as the collection of stuffed animals with her. Rarity looked at Scootaloo smiled at her but was still quite fussy.
“Okay. Sit tight for a moment,” said Scootaloo.
Scootaloo ran over to the changing table and grabbed as many supplies as she could, bringing them over to vicinity of the crib. She brought baby wipes, talcum powder, a new diaper and she moved the pail closer. Then Scootaloo climbed into the crib. Rarity was still as fussy as ever.
“Rar … I mean … Princess Prettypants, I’m going to need you to lay still for me while I change you. Can you do that?”
Rarity stopped fussing for a moment and looked to Scootaloo.
“I can twy,” said the big baby unicorn.
Scootaloo nodded and lifted up the unicorn’s dress. One look at her diaper and it was obvious that she needed a change both from sight and smell. Scootaloo really did not want to do this, but she had little choice.
“Okay, here we go,” said the little orange filly.
Scootaloo opened the diaper.
“Ewww … how do real mommies deal with this?”
It took awhile, but Scootaloo took a deep breath, removed the diaper, wrapped it in a ball, and tossed it into the diaper pail. Then she took a baby wipe and cleaned the adult foal unicorn as much as she could. Rarity appeared to be enjoying this highly. Once Scootaloo was done, she applied some powder and took out the new diaper. Unfolding it, she placed it under Rarity’s croup. This was no easy task considering that Rarity weighed much more than she was used to lifting. Still, she managed to get the new diaper on Rarity and secured the tapes in place.
“There! All better!” said Scootaloo.
Scootaloo put Rarity’s dress back down, put the baby wipes and talcum powder away and slid the door of the crib back up. The monitor was still beeping rapidly, but not as much as before. Scootaloo let out a sigh.
“I changed your diaper!” said Scootaloo. “What more do you want from me?”
“Sing for me, mommy?” asked Princess Prettypants.
“Ugh! Okay, fine. Uh … what was it that Fluttershy sang?
Scootaloo thought for a moment, cleared her throat and began to sing albeit not nearly as well as Fluttershy or Sweetie Belle did.
“Hush now, quiet now,
It's time to lay your sleepy head,
Hush now, quiet now,
It's time to go to bed…”
“Uh … that’s all I remember,” said Scootaloo
It seemed to be working, however. Soon enough Rarity was beginning to get herself comfortable and seemed to be drifting off into a nap. The monitor began to slow it’s beeping until eventually the light on the monitor turned from red to green. The door mechanism unlocked. Sighing in relief, Scootaloo walked toward the door, stopping only to look at the resting Rarity.
“Have to admit she’s kinda cute like this,” she thought.
Scootaloo opened the door and stepped outside. She still was wearing the diaper and pacifier and wondered in the back of her mind if she should have given them to Rarity. Putting it out of her mind, she continued on, wondering what her next test would be.
* * *
Scootaloo walked down the path and down another hallway. This time it was not nearly as long as the others and it didn’t take long before she reached her next destination. Same as before, there was a door with red letters on it. This time they read “See as I see.” She pushed open the door and stepped inside and once again the door closed and locked behind her. This room was really simple. The room was effectively halved by a glass wall. There was a door to the right on each side of the glass wall, which she guessed was a possible exit for each side. In front of her was a large console with a large lever and a stool in front of it. This console dominated the view of the room, so she didn’t see around it at first.
Walking around to take a good look at the room she realized that the room beyond that glass wall was some sort of cell and there was a prisoner inside! Resting on a single twin size mattress was a certain diapered pegasus with a blue coat and a rainbow colored mane and tail. She appeared to be resting but when she saw Scootaloo enter, she got up and looked at her as if she was the last person she expected to see.
“Pipsqueak? Is that you?” said Rainbow Dash.
“Yes, it’s me!” said Scootaloo pressing her hooves against the glass. “Are you okay, Rainbow Dash? Are you … all there?”
“Yeah … I think so,” said Rainbow Dash walking to the glass. “Last thing I remember was … going to Fluttershy’s house. Kind of a blur after that. Then I woke up in this place. Now could you hurry up and get me out of here?”
“Sure! Hold on!” said Scootaloo and she looked around.
Scootaloo turned her attention to the lever on the console, but had no clue what it did. Looking around some more she found yet another phonograph, once again with a sign that said “play me”. Deciding it was better to know the rules, Scootaloo turned the crank of the phonograph and set it to play.
“Hello, Scootaloo and welcome to your third test. In previous tests I had you feel as I feel and do as I do. Now you shall see as I see. There’s a funny thing about foalmula. Its effects eventually wear off if it is not administered periodically. I’ve been trying to develop one that has a more permanent effect. The pony on the other side of the glass has recently recovered from the effects of foalmula. You know her very well. You’ve looked up to her as long as you can remember. You think of her as a big sister, a hero, a role model, and at times a loved one. I invite you to see her as I see her, a simple, ordinary pony capable of faults like everypony else. You place her on the pedestal, but do you honestly believe she thinks of you nearly as much as you think of her? Back during the meteor shower you were quick to take out her garbage. Would she ever be so quick to return the favor? Look to the walls behind you.”
Scootaloo looked at the wall behind her. Attached to the wall was a series of pages that looked like they were taken from a journal of some kind. Upon closer inspection it was clear that they were part a particular pony’s journal. Rainbow Dash’s Journal. Scootaloo began to skim over the pages. Many referred to Scootaloo by name with nothing positive to report. Others made reference to “the pipsqueak”, “that annoying thing” or “that filly who follows me around a lot”. A couple flat out expressed the wish that Scootaloo would just leave her alone. One or two questioned where her family was and why they weren’t giving her attention. And yet others just flat out insulted Scootaloo.
“Look well, Scootaloo. These journals serve as an insight as to what Rainbow Dash thinks of you, but you yourself know the most telling evidence of all.”
When Rainbow Dash heard this, she began to shake her head.
“Think back to the events of a week ago.”
Scootaloo had put it out of her mind, but the memory came flooding back. She was standing the middle of field. It was sometime in the afternoon and it was raining. Over that past day, Scootaloo had been doing everything in her power to assist Rainbow Dash who had agreed to take her under her wing that day. It started out smoothly, but over the course of the day, things got worse. Scootaloo’s performance in the tasks assigned to her worsened over the length of the day. And the more Scooraloo tried, the worse she performed and Rainbow Dash became more and more annoyed. By the day’s end, Scootaloo had been involved in an unfortunate accident in the middle of one of Rainbow Dash’s assignments that had resulted in the loss of some of her feathers. Rainbow Dash was clutching her wing close to her and wincing in pain.
“Gah! My wing! I could have lost my ability to fly for weeks because of your recklessness, pipsqueak!”
“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash! I really am! I just did what you told me to! Please let me try again! I’ll do better next time!”
“There won’t be a next time! Go home! We’re done here!”
“But please! I want to be a good assistant!”
“I don’t need a goddamn assistant!”
And without thinking, Rainbow Dash delivered a mighty slap to Scootaloo’s head that was so powerful that it knocked her clear into the dirt, which had turned to mud in the rain. Scootaloo eventually got up after some time, a mark on her face where Rainbow Dash had hit her. She looked up at Rainbow Dash who stared back at her in horror.
“Scootaloo … I …” said Rainbow Dash.
But Scootaloo didn’t give Rainbow Dash time to finish. She ran as far away as possible, tears running down the sides of her face. That is where the memory ended. When Scootaloo opened her eyes she was back in the room with the glass wall separating her and Rainbow Dash. She had tears in her eyes and she looked straight at Rainbow Dash.
“I’m … so sorry!” said Rainbow Dash.
Scootaloo only held her hoof in front of her.
“Now you have a choice to make. In front of you is a console with a lever that will determine the fate of you both. Using it will free one pony while exposing the other to a potent gaseous form of foalmula. If you pull the lever towards you, you can free the pegasus that you put on a pedestal so much, forever freeing her of her captivity. But in doing so, you will surrender yourself to the foalmula and become my baby. Or you can push the lever towards her, save yourself and in the process regress the pegasus that has treated you so poorly all this time to the point of infancy. You can get back at her and make sure she doesn’t hurt you anymore. And maybe you can be to her what she failed to be to you. So what will it be, Scootaloo? Put her needs before your own like you have done time and time again or take destiny into your own hooves and be the older and wiser pony for once? Live or try. Make your choice.”
Scootaloo stared at the console and approached it. She stepped up onto the stool and put her hoof on the lever. She looked straight into Rainbow Dash’s eyes. They were full of fear and panic.
“Scootaloo … can you ever forgive me?” said Rainbow Dash.
Scootaloo took a deep breath and let it out, looking intently at the older pony.
“I just wanted you to love me,” said Scootaloo choking up.
“But, pip … er, Scoot … I do love …”
“No you don’t! You’ve always been so cool and fearless, everything I’ve ever wanted to be, but you never once … told me you cared about me!”
Rainbow Dash was at a loss for words.
“But I forgive you …” said Scootaloo.
Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief.
“… which is why I’m going to give you a second chance … at being a foal.”
Scootaloo pushed the lever all the way forward. Rainbow Dash’s eyes grew to the size of pie plates as terror gripped her heart. She began to bang on the glass wall, hoping to break it, not realizing it was acrylic glass and therefore could not be broken by her. And the faster she banged on the glass, the faster she breathed in the foalmula gas. She began to cough at first and then felt weak at the knees. She fell back on her padded rear and began to cry. She cried like an infant pony, flailing her hooves in the air. The door to Scootaloo’s side opened and stepped out, leaving the wailing blue pegasus behind her.
* * *
Scootaloo had expected the test with Rainbow Dash to be the last, which is why she was surprised that it appeared as though she was not quite done yet. There was no hallway this time. Instead the door she came out of led into another room and once again, the door closed behind her. She looked around and saw a door on the other side of the room that was glowing purple. In the center of the room was a simple table with two objects: a glass of water and a baby bottle full of milk. Scootaloo looked around for a phonograph of some kind and sure enough there was one, once again labeled with a familiar note that read “play me”. Scootaloo approached it, turned the crank and set the machine to play once more.
“You’re almost done, Scootaloo. You’ve made it past three tests. By now you’ve learned all about what I do and hopefully gained an understanding of my passions and methods. And by the looks of your previous test, you’re ready to take destiny into your own hooves. The question is: what destiny will it be? I present to you your final test. This one is very simple. Look at the table and you will see two drinks. One is a glass of ordinary drinking water and the other is a baby bottle filled with ordinary cow milk. The door has been magically enchanted by one of my unicorn foals to only open if a certain condition is met. The condition is that you drink one of these liquids. Once that happens the door will open and the game will be over. You may be guessing that one of them has foalmula added to it. That would be a logical guess. The question is: if one of them does contain foalmula, which one is it? You can’t tell beforehand because foalmula is colorless, tasteless and dissolves in liquids. While this may seem like a guessing game, it is not. All you have to do is think about what you’ve learned today and whether or not you’re ready to accept it. Now it is time for you to make a choice.”
To have Scootaloo drink from the glass of water, click here.
To have Scootaloo drink from the baby bottle of milk, click here.