I Told You Not To Touch Anything
It was another one of those adventures for Daring Do. Again, she had Rainbow Dash along for the expedition. Twilight Sparkle and Quibble Pant had begged to come with. However, even with their skills, Daring Do couldn't risk the princess's well being, feeling that this mission was more up Rainbow Dash's expertise. And Quibble Pant, being an Earth Pony would slow them down. While Auizotle had been quiet, Cabelaron had been on the move again. Daring Do knew, that if she and Rainbow Dash didn't get to the temple before he did, and secure the artifacts within, the context of the temple could spell disaster for Equestria, according to what Princess Celestia had informed her about. Though, the princess was vague on details.
This temple was known as The Temple of R. No one knew why, but Daring Do suspected that the R was the only remaining part of the word that had been cut off after centuries of battling the natural elements. Getting to the temple for Daring Do and Rainbow Dash was easy enough thanks to flight. When they landed, Daring Do looked to Rainbow Dash and said, "Now remember, don't touch anything that is an ancient artifact. Let me know, and I will retrieve it. I know you feel your a wiz at it, but I just want to make sure we do this right. We don't know what we might run into here."
"You got it," Rainbow Dash saluted Daring Do.
Soon Daring Do found the lever that would open the temple entrance, and the two mares trotted in. When they entered, what they saw, honestly baffled both of them. The temple's inner structure.... it reminded them both of a nursery. Everything from an unused diaper, to pacifier, to even a crib, were perched on pedestals. They were expecting to have encountered something more dangerous looking. "Huh, well, this is unexpected," Rainbow Dash stated.
"Indeed. Not sure why Celestia saw this place being a threat in the wrong hooves. Still keep a sharp mind. We might find a few surprises," Daring Do advised.
Rainbow Dash nodded. The two mares proceeded with caution, careful not to activate any booby traps or open a door that kept something menacing behind it. As they got within reach of the relics Daring Do dug into her pocket for a tool to carefully acquire one of the relics. She started with the crib. She wasn't sure how she was gonna get it out without touching it, but she was sure she'd think of something to take care of that issue. Perhaps she was being a bit over cautious, but she didn't want to repeat a past mistake that had cost her flight for weeks.
Rainbow Dash on the other hoof, she didn't see what all the fuss was about. She was thinking, maybe this temple was to honor a mare who was like a mother to those who had built the temple. But then why give the last word the letter R? Maybe it stood for rearing, like child rearing. Who knows. All it seemed to be was a temple that would almost be mistaken for a daycare when she thought about it. As her eyes wondered, they then spotted a pacifier. It was gold in color, well, Ember on the part that foals would suck on. Who knows, maybe this temple was to honor a mortal prince from long ago who was a cute little guy when he was alive and a foal. Must have been adorable to all if he had a golden pacifier.
As Daring Do was still managing to pry the crib from it's pedestal, Rainbow Dash figured, since this was just a small artifact that didn't require tools, Daring Do wouldn't be angry with her if she grabbed it herself, and besides, for being what was probably centuries old, something seemed to be keeping the relic clean. So in a swift motion, Rainbow Dash grabbed the amber part of the pacifier in her mouth.
The moment the amber rubber touched her tongue, she was in a state of relaxation and amazement. The pacifier had a taste on it that was a mix of honey, and, some form of vanilla. It was sweet tasting. Better then anything she'd ever tasted, even her pasta potato sandwich she loved. Somehow, the taste brought her back to her childhood.
While Rainbow Dash's mind was in a state of bliss however, she did not take to notice the glow the pacifier was producing. and her body began to glow. This in turn alerted Daring Do when she was surprised by the temple brightening. When her eyes came to meet Rainbow Dash's location, they went wide with surprise and terror. Rainbow Dash was shrinking in height. Not just that. Her body features were starting to take on a more childish look. Then she saw it. Rainbow Dash was sucking on a pacifier. Her expression went from terrified to disappointed.
As she finally got the crib to the floor, she trotted over. She then noticed one of the relics floating over to Rainbow Dash. It was the diaper that had been somehow floating on it's own. Now, it fastened itself around Rainbow Dash. Soon, Rainbow Dash lost her strength in her legs, and they began to wobble, til she came plopping down on her tummy. She was now no bigger then a foal, and looked the part now too.
Daring Do sighed and picked up the tiny pegasus filly by her scruff, and said in a muffled tone, "I told you not to touch anything. Now we have to get you back to my place."
Rainbow Dash babbled a bit with the pacifier still in her mouth, but one word came out of her mouth that gave Daring Do a state of worry as she said, "Mama."
Daring Do knew that wasn't a good sign. And she had very few options to fix the situation at this point. At this time though she gather the rest of the relics, and placed them, and Rainbow Dash in the crib, which had wheels on it thankfully, and pushed them out of the temple, the door closing behind them. Daring Do kept to the road as they made the trek to her place. Rainbow Dash now free of the pacifier as it sat in Daring Do's pocket out of the little filly's reach. Rainbow Dash only made cute raspberries as Daring Do pushed her along with the baby supply relics. Daring Do knew what to call this temple now..... The Temple of Regression.
No wonder Celestia had wanted her getting there first. Imagine what Cabelarion would have done had he found out what the temple's relics were capable of. Thankfully, he was many days trot from the temples location, and no doubt trying to spread lies about Daring Do again to ruin her reputation.
But her first focus right now was getting little Dash to safety. She didn't know why, but she had a new feeling inside she hadn't felt before. But she'd worry about it later as she and Rainbow Dash neared her home.