> Daring Do and the Fountain of Youth > by Foal Star > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter One: Daring Do's finds the Fountain of Youth! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daring Do found herself slowly trotting through the thick foliage of vines and bushes, making it difficult to trek through the Tenochtitlan Basin alongside a mysterious-looking unicorn leading in front of her. She was a tall unicorn with a buttery yellow coat, a relatively long horn, and a wavy crimson mane flowing down her neck. The mare was wearing a trench coat and a hat making it difficult to distinguish her other features like her cutie mark. But she had a rather long snout and piercing green eyes. The pegasus had told Daring about a map that led to an ancient pool she hadn't heard of before. Daring Do had done a ton of research and uncovered many treasures in the valley. So hearing that there was a pool of water that allegedly gave you immortality sounded absurd to her. Yet…the map she was given was accurate to the language of the ponies who made up the ancient civilization that used to live in the valley. But there was a question she had never really thought about asking until now. The adventurer then looked up and asked her guide. "So, how did you come across this map, exactly?" The mare turned around to face Daring Do as she placed a hoof to her chest and said, "Oh, just found it lying around the house, I am concerned with the safety of Equestria, and we should ensure that this pool doesn't fall into the wrong hooves." "Right…" Daring growled, already feeling that the mare was acting and lying to her. The adventurer didn't trust this mare further than she could throw her as she didn't even know her name. But the map was technically hers, and the pegasus had transcribed it for Daring and volunteered to escort her to the pool. But the second she inevitably found out this mare was going to betray her, she'd be ready. The two eventually made it to a clearing and suddenly stood above a massive water pool. The crystal blue waters were the clearest, pure-looking water Daring Do had ever seen. The pool was so beautiful and smelled so sweet, like a light drizzle of rain on a spring morning mixed with flowers and fresh grass. Daring Do was so memorized by the pool she didn't notice the mysterious mare behind her push her right into the waters below. Daring coughed and gagged as she flapped her wings and struggled to stay afloat as she shouted! "What the buck?!" The adventurer tried to fly but couldn't. She instead clambered out of the pool and felt her body shrink. It was sudden as the pegasus started to become smaller, her favorite Sola Topee falling over her head. She threw it off her face and looked up to see the jungle around her becoming much bigger and the mysterious mare growing taller. She looked up and saw the mare just laughing. "So much for the Great Daring Do! That was so easy!" The unicorn then dropped a bag on the ground as she continued. "Thank you for helping me find the pool, but I can't have you telling anypony about it. Especially not the princesses." Daring Do wanted to tackle her, but as she ran, the mare could see her stubby limbs were less coordinated as she stumbled about. The pegasus eventually plopped onto her flank and looked down at her body. She saw it was much chubbier with her tiny, flabby limbs. Then it came to the adventurer that she didn't just shrink; she'd regressed in age! This pool didn't turn you immortal; it turned you into a baby! As this realization dawned on Daring Do, the mare chuckled as she laid the foal down. Daring Do flapped her wings, kicked, and whined while trying to fight the mare off. But the mysterious pony continued to strap her up in a diaper, tucking her tail through the leg hole of the padding as she cooed. "Now, Daring, you don't want to have an accident, do you? It'd be a shame if you made Daring Doo-Doos all over the place." Daring Do fought and cried, trying to stop the mare from putting her in such an embarrassing garment. But she was helpless to fight back as the mare finished diapering her, making sure the tabs were snug on the landing zone. Daring kicked about, hearing the diaper crinkling around her flank and feeling the soft material hugging her body. It did feel nice, but the diaper was a bit too babyish for her tastes, seeing that the padding had cute little light blue clouds printed on the padding. "It's Cloudies, one of the best diaper brands money can buy. As much as I want you out of the way, I'm not evil," The mare then strapped Daring Do in a foal carrier around her chest and ensured the diaper was snug. "Don't worry, I've cared for babies. Two rambunctious colts, in fact. So you'll be well cared for until I feel it's appropriate to turn you back to an adult." Daring Do kicked about and tried to fly, but she was securely strapped into the foal carrier. The mare hummed a tune as she carefully collected a few bottles and water. The little pegasus saw that this mare would use this water for some nefarious means. Daring knew she had to stop the mare, but seeing her new baby body, Daring realized it would be rather tricky. Daring then saw the straps were looped through a ringlet around where she was held. She only had the chance to untie this foal carrier without this mare noticing. So Daring went to work, using her stubby hooves to work the straps. Eventually, she could unlatch it, causing Daring to fall onto her padded seat. She then waddled off as fast as she could (while grabbing the diaper bag nearby, just in case) and ran into the jungle. After what felt like forever running through the jungle with a diaper bag around her, the filly's cheeks were red from having a diaper wrapped around her flank. Then again, it's not like she had never worn diapers before. On occasion, she had worn them just in case while exploring old ruins. But most of the time, she'd just answer nature's call in nature itself. Daring panted and wheezed while looking around her, ensuring she wasn't followed. But now, the little adventurer was all alone in the jungle. Despite having explored this region for years, being alone in her young baby body, Daring Do was now scared and worried about what she should do! But then she heard something in the bush, making the filly stand up on all fours and shout. "Who's there?!" Nothing answered as she stared at the bushes. Then rather suddenly, something pounced on her Daring looked up to see what it was that made her shocked. The creature was a kitten with a dark blue coat and a light blue undercoat. It had dark green eyes with black slitted pupils, the little kitten laughing as it exclaimed! "Got ya, Daring!" "Ahuizotl?! Is that really you?!" Daring laughed, unable to control herself. "Shut up!" Ahuizotl shouted. The kitten got off Daring as the little pegasus asked. "Well, I assume ya followed me, right?" The kitten scoffed and snapped. "Of course not! I found an old map my mother had about a pool of immortality. I didn't know it was gonna turn me into a kitten!" Ahuizotl then eyed Daring and asked. "How did ya end up as a baby? Daring Do pouted, feeling rather stupid trusting a stranger; maybe her time with Rainbow Dash had made her lose her edge. She then looked down and grumbled. "Just found a map too and was gonna protect it from being used for evil." Ahuizotl smirked. "Ya got tricked, huh?" "Otay, yes, I got tricked." Daring snapped. "But it is not wike I wasn't expecting it." "Whateva wets, just figure out how to turn back to adults," Ahuizotl grumbled. "Ya wight, but there's something we need ta do first." Daring sighed as she brought the diaper bag and took out one of the padded squares. Ahuizotl jumped back and shouted, "Oh no! Ya ponies may use diapers, but we cats use litter boxes!" Daring threw her hooves up and shouted! "Look around ya! Do you see any litter boxes?!" Ahuizotl hissed at her. "Ya stand back! I'm not wearing that thing!" Daring then jumped on top of him as the kitten struggled and hissed at her, but she shouted. "Ya want to run around diaperless?! Ya wana go potty all over ta jungle?!" The kitty Ahuizotl stopped fighting for a moment, seeming to blush as he thought about it, then eventually grumbled. "Fine…" he then laid down as Daring Do diapered him up. The diaper was designed for ponies, but it seemed to fit well enough over Ahuizotl's flank. She got off the kitten as he waddled about getting used to the padding. Daring Do couldn't help but giggle seeing her nemesis looking so adorable. "So, ya wike being in diapers?" "Shut up!" The kitten shouted back. "Just tell me how ya gonna get us back to normal." Daring Do tapped a hoof to her chin, thinking things over. "Otay here's ta plan. I made a copy of ta map and other tings we'll need. But I left them at my place," The foal took out a compass that the mare had put into the diaper bag and said. "It'll be a few days, but if we follow my compass, we gonna get to my home." "Ten what?!" Ahuizotl asked with a pout. Daring Do lowered her head and sighed, seeing she was going to need help, and said, "Ten, we write a letter to Rainbow Dash and have her help us. I dun know if we can still wight wike tis, but I gonna draw a picture to get her to know we need help. Ten, we find a way to turn back to adults, deal?" Ahuizotl grumbled under his breath. "Tat doesn't sound wike a plan." Daring sighed. "It's not. If I'm being honest, I'm scared. We babies in ta jungle with all kinds of beasts. We gotta be careful. And ten, even if we get home, I gotta somehow get Rainbow Dash to come by ta help us," She then held out a hoof and said. "Despite being enemies for years, we gotta work togetha if we want to have a chance at turning back to big ponies." Ahuizotl eyed Daring Do, not fully trusting her. But he looked around the jungle, and that same fear she was feeling, he was feeling too. The kitten gulped, held out a paw, and shook her hoof as he said. "Otay, we work together until we turn back to normal. Ten, we back to enemies." "Fine, whateva," Daring grumbled as she took out her compass; she then started to trek through the jungle alongside Ahuizotl, who grumbled. "Ya better not write a book bout tis." Daring Do looked back at her thick diaper around her waist, feeling so embarrassed at the thought of her readers seeing her like this as she replied. "Trust me, when tis is over, I gonna try pretending tis never happened." > Chapter two: Babes in the Jungle > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deep within the jungles of the Tenochtitlan Basin, Daring Do and Ahuizotl were continually bickering amongst each other throughout their trek, waddling through the jungle. Ahuizotl shook his head as he looked back at his padding and grumbled. "I still can't believe ya talked me into putting this diaper on me." Daring rolled her eyes and grumbled under her breath. "Well, take it off ten. Just don’t come crying to me if you have an accident. You don’t really think there’s gonna be potties in the jungle, do you?" The kitty lowered his gaze, seeming somewhat conflicted as he mumbled under his breath. "Well, it is comfortable. It's just embewssin. I’ve never worn something like this before." "Ten, stop complaining. Come on; we gotta find a place to camp; it's getting dark," Daring Do snapped back as she looked to see the sun setting, which worried her. It was going to be night soon. "Predators will be stalking the jungle, and we need to find shelter soon." Ahuizotl threw his head up and scoffed. "Well, I can see in the dark, so I'm fine. We should get ta ya place as soon as possible. Then we can go back to being grown-ups." Daring was starting to get really upset as she threw back her head and shouted. "Well, good for you! That doesn't matter, seeing as we are pint-size snacks for any panther or jaguar that comes our way!" Ahuizotl placed a paw on his chest and proclaimed, "You're talking to the king of cats. I can control other cats, remember?!" Daring Do looked over her nemesis's body seeing his stubby paws, tiny tail, and diaper firmly strapped around him. Upon seeing how utterly adorable he was. She couldn't help but place her hooves over her chest and burst out laughing. "Oh, like they'll listen to you in your current state!" Ahuizotl was angry at his nemesis and snapped. "Of course, they will! Stop your whining and complaining!" Daring Do turned to face her nemesis and snapped back. "Stop being so stubborn! Ya gonna get us killed!" Ahuizotl pointed a paw at himself. "Oh please, I'll keep us safe. Ya may be an adventurer, but the jungle is my turf. I dun need your help!" Daring slapped his paw and then shouted. "Fine! If ya think ya can find my place all by yourself, go ahead! I wun stop ya!" "Fine! I'll get there before ya and your stupid foal stuff!" Ahuizotl shouted back. The two then looked away from each other as they went in different directions. Daring Do was now trudging through the jungle all by herself with her diaper strapped around her flank. She was so embarrassed that she couldn't help showing off her cute waddle as she trudged through the foliage. The mare was indeed still embarrassed by her appearance and the diaper around her waist. Daring always felt like she could make it through anything on her own. But with this helpless form, she was obviously dependent and needed help. "What am I thinking?!" Daring shouted as she slapped herself with a hoof. She then got up on her hooves to feel like an adventurer again, not a helpless baby. The filly then squeaked as she almost fell down a ravine. Daring stopped before the edge and saw a massive tree branch stretched out over the middle of the canyon. The little filly flashed a smirk, took out her whip, and latched it around the branch, the diaper bag firmly strapped around her tiny body. The little adventurer then took a deep breath and started to swing back and forth until she swung herself across the ravine, squealing in delight. She kicked about in her padding, giggling and feeling so proud of herself as she proclaimed, "See? I did it all by myself, even as a foal! I’m Daring Do; I can handle anything!" But the regressed mare then slowly began to lose momentum, and it wasn't long until she realized she didn't have enough whip to get herself to the other side. Daring then cried out as she was now stuck in the ravine, holding onto dear life! She was now starting to freak out. The little filly was kicking about in her diaper, crying and struggling with herself. She decided to maneuver herself, swinging back and forth until she could throw herself onto the other side. She did so but landed in a puddle of mud in the process. Daring cried out, seeing mud was now covering her body. She felt so embarrassed and annoyed with herself as she sat in her diaper with mud all over her stubby body. The regressed mare felt tears come to her eyes. She realized she was indeed just a foal and wouldn't make it alone. The little filly then began to whimper and cry, somewhat scared about the entire situation, then slapped herself with a hoof and shouted. "Pull yourself together! You can do this!" Daring then got up on all fours, feeling a bit more determined. The little filly realized she had to be more careful in her foalish state, but she’d manage. The little adventurer then continued to trudge through the jungle foliage, being a bit more thorough about where she stepped as she continued on her way. Meanwhile, Ahuizotl was walking along with a proud smile on his face before he heard a growl. He looked around and saw that he was now surrounded by a bunch of jaguars. The kitten had a smirk on his face; he couldn't help but think he would control these more giant jungle cats and then have them carry him to safety. He put a paw to his chest. "Hello, my fellow cats! I am Ahuizotl, the king of cats! I need your help getting out of this jungle!" The jaguars just chuckled amongst each other as they continued to come closer. Ahuizotl was starting to realize that they weren't worshiping him, and he could see them growling and drooling as they slowly came closer. Ahuizotl began to get worried as he asked, "Uh…guys? Hey, cut it out…." "What’s the matter, little kitty? You lost?" One of the jaguars snickered "Yes, little prince, you seem to be a bit lost. Let's help you." Another sneered as it licked its lips. Ahuizotl now realized in horror that they wanted to eat him! He ran off and scampered through the foliage, tripping over vines as he tried to escape his pursuers! But no matter what he did, he could hear them gathering and coming closer! He was freaking out as he continued through the jungle foliage. He then slammed right into Daring Do's padded behind, and the two tumbled down a hill until they were completely covered in mud. Ahuizotl looked up at the little filly, surprised by her, and asked. "What happened to you?" "Nothing…what happened to you?" Daring Do asked, somewhat embarrassed about her almost being stuck in the middle of a ravine. The two then looked over and saw the jaguars coming at them! Ahuizotl quickly hid behind Daring Do. The young adventurer turned towards the jungle cats and promptly took out her whip to scare them off. They freaked out at the whip snapping in the air, and they quickly turned tail and ran as Daring stood there, feeling her diaper getting warm as she couldn’t help peeing herself a little. Fortunately, Ahuizotl didn’t say anything about the diaper wetting. Instead, he slowly came over and whispered. "Thanks for saving my life." Daring looked over at Ahuizotl, wanting to gloat (despite having peed herself in fright) but seeing his terrified face, she realized that, like her, he was helpless. Neither of them was going to get far at this rate. She then brushed the back of her mane. "Look, we’re still enemies, but we gotta trust each other if we’re gonna make it out of here." The two then embraced each other in a hug, then waddled off together through the jungle just as the sun set and the moon rose. Daring knew they needed to find a place to sleep and fast. But before she could think of a suitable resting place, they came to a rope bridge. The two froze upon seeing the bridge crossing a rather massive river; the bridge barely held itself together. And to make matters worse, Daring could hear the sounds of the jaguars coming back. She turned towards Ahuizotl and shouted at him! "Go! Start crossing!" Ahuizotl nodded and was going to start, but that’s when he saw how dark it was. He knew Daring wouldn't be able to make it across alone. Despite wishing nothing but death upon her and wanting to leave her at the mercy of the jaguars, he knew that he probably wouldn't make it out of the jungle alive without her help. So he turned towards her and shouted, "Hey, you better start crossing too!" Daring nodded as she started to waddle across the broken planks as her nemesis guided them, trying to ensure she didn't get stuck. . Meanwhile, the jaguars were growing in numbers; there had to be at least a dozen. But they were all looking somewhat scared of the water. On top of that, Daring continued to whisk her whip about, scaring them and trying to keep their pursuers from continuing the chase. One eventually got brave enough to attack, but Daring used her whip to slap at it, causing it to cry out before running back to the rest of the pack. They continued their way through the bridge, with Daring stepping backward, no longer concerned with her soggy diaper and focusing on keeping herself alive. She and Ahuizotl eventually made it across the river. The two collapsed on their squishy diapers, both letting out giggles of relief. "Guess we both used our diapers," Daring said with a smirk. "Oh, shut up! Let's find somewhere to sleep," Ahuizotl yawned as he turned his head to a mountainous slope. He then spotted a cave and said. "Hey, let's camp there." "Ok," Daring sighed as she could barely see anything and reluctantly relied on Ahuizotl and his night vision. The two then continued their way to the cave inside, where there was a light glow from some bioluminescent moss hanging above the cave. Daring turned towards her nemesis. "Otay, I'll make a fire and some food; ya go gather some moss we can use for beds." "Who made ya ta boss!" Ahuizotl growled. "Look, I not ta boss! But we both know we gotta work together to get out of here, otay? I know how to make a fire and make something to keep us going. So all I need ya to do is make us some beds." Daring firmly replied. "Otay, otay, I get it." Ahuizotl grumbled as he went off. Daring, meanwhile, went about the cave while gathering sticks and dry grass. She removed some flint from the diaper bag and started a small fire. She then took out a flask of water and a can of formula. She then applied the formula to two glass bottles and mixed it with the water. Daring then secured two rubble nipples over the bottles, shook them, and placed them near the fire to warm them. It took a minute for the formula to start bubbling and frothing, with the sweet smell of their meal wafting into the filly's nose. She then saw Ahuizotl had made some comfortable beds made of moss. She then hoofed him a bottle, and his pupils went wide upon seeing the bottle. "Don't even try to compile-" Surprisingly enough, Ahuizotl took the bottle without hesitation and started gently suckling on the rubber, but the sounds soon became rhythmic. Daring Do then went and placed the other bottle into her mouth. She then gently suckled on hers while snuggling up next to Ahuizotl for warmth. Despite the two being enemies, Daring wasn't scared, seeing they weren't alone. For now, that was all that mattered. So Daring laid down next to Ahuizotl and closed her eyes as she continued to drink her formula, not caring how foalish it was. It wasn't long until the two were asleep next to each other while suckling away on their bottles. > Chapter Three: The Tale of Two Mommies > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daring Do was somewhat stunned as she woke up to the sensation of her flank being wiped. The filly looked up to see a massive cat. The cat in question had a bright blue coat and a gray mane. The giant cat looked down at her charge with a smile. "Hello, child. I'm sorry, but you were quite soaked. Luckily, I came by before you could get a rash." The little adventurer was surprised as she looked down to see the cat had wipes and a diaper bag around her. Ahuizotl was nearby in a clean diaper, seeming to have recently changed as he now had a bottle in his mouth. Daring Do was somewhat surprised at who this bigger cat was. Still, using context clues, she had to be related to Ahuizotl somehow. "When Ahuizotl told me what had happened, I had to come here as soon as possible," The older cat cooed as she continued the diaper change. Daring was somewhat confused about who this older cat was. "Who are ya?" "Oh dear, I can't understand you. But if you're wondering who I am, I'm Ahuizotl's mother." The older cat chimed as she finished strapping the pegasus in a diaper. She couldn't help but snicker as Ahuizotl grumbled. "Mama, don't embarrass me in front of my nemesis!" "Well, maybe if you weren't so naughty and trying to cause havoc in the Tenochtitlan basin, you wouldn't be a kitten right now!" The cat scolded her son, who quivered in front of her. She turned to Daring and bowed. "I apologize for my son's behavior. He loves history and archeology but gets so obsessed with his schemes." The pegasus couldn't help but giggle as Ahuizotl started to get pouty and snapped. "Shut it, Daring Do! I'm not the only one in diapers," The older cat glared at her son, and the young kitten squeaked quickly. "Sorry, Mama!" The older cat then turned her attention to Daring Do and said. "So, I assume my son was the one who pushed you?" Ahuizotl placed a paw over his chest and exclaimed. "No, I didn't! I thought a pool would give me immortality, so I took a dip. But when I noticed my body shrinking, I got out as soon as possible. It wasn't long until I realized that I had turned into a baby kitten instead! Tats, why I sent ya a letter for help." Daring nodded, trying to convey that what Ahuizotl was saying was true. "Then, what happened to Daring Do?" The older cat asked. "She was pushed into the water by a meanie pony," Ahuizotl explained. The cat nodded and taped a paw to her chin. "I see; well, as much as I would love to baby my son again, we better get you two back to your original age. By the way, how did you send me a letter in the middle of nowhere?" Ahuizotl pouted. "Well, a weird, gray-coated pegasus landed in ta jungle. She was odd with her eyes looking weird, and she seemed rather stupid. I was able to write a letter and asked her to send it to ya for help." "Well, that explains all the grammatical errors," Ahuizotl's mom said with a smile. "We might need her again as I have experience caring for you. But I don't know how to care for a baby pegasus. I don't have any paper or anything to write with me. So how about you two hop on my back, and we can talk more at Daring's place?" The older cat suggested as she placed the two babies onto her back and then sprinted through the jungle. Applejack woke up one morning, but something was off. Everything was much bigger than it seemed to be: The walls appeared to have grown around her. The farm mare then got down from her bed with a plop as she was much smaller and seemed chubbier than usual. Thanks to the poison joke, she had shrunk before, but this was much different. In fact, she felt as if her entire being was different from how she thought, being hungry and craving milk. Applejack got up on her new stumpy legs and slowly shuffled her way through the room. The filly was rather clumsy as she stumbled about on her heavy hooves, not as coordinated as when she was an adult. Luckily, she didn't fully close her door, though she still had to get on her hind legs and push it open. At that moment, Big Mac came trotting out of his room. But he was now a chubby, red-coated little colt. "Oh no! Ya got turned into a baby too?!" Applejack exclaimed, somewhat surprised to see her brother looking so young and chubby. His muscles must've turned into baby fat. The little colt seemed just as confused as he waddled aimlessly. The chubby colt plopped on his chubby flank as he crossed his hooves over his chest and gave an: "Eyyup!" Applejack eyed the colt and asked. "And ya dun remember how this happened?" Big Mac shook his head. "Eynope." "Then we need to find out how tis happened and how we gonna get back ta normal!" Applejack vowed. She and her brother waddled downstairs, where they found Apple Bloom, who was also now a chubby foal, bawling her eyes out. Apple Bloom turned to see her siblings coming towards her and cried, "Applejack, Big Mac, What is goin' on here?!" She was somewhat scared at what had happened and shuffled towards them. Applejack then took her little sister and hugged her as best she could. "Hey, Apple Bloom, it's otay." Big Mac joined in, and the three held each other when Apple Bloom calmed down. She wiped the tears from her eyes and asked. "Seriously, what happened?! How did we all turn into babies?!" Applejack gave a sigh as she shrugged, then said. "I dun know, but we'll figure tis out. Zecora or Twilight will know what's goin' on. They'll be able to help us reverse tis." They then heard somepony shout. "Yay, I'm young again!" The three ran into the living room, where they found Granny Smith, who was now running around the house, giggling and squealing in delight. Applejack, however, was getting concerned at seeing her grandmother getting out of control, so she shouted! "Granny, stop runnin' around! Ya gonna hurt yaself!" "I'm fine! I got so much energy!" Granny Smith cheered as she started to jump up and down on the couch. "Stop tat! Ya, just a baby, Granny!" Applejack pleaded! "Who cares?! I not gonna wet tis opportunity go to waste!" Granny Smith laughed as she bounced off the couch and booped her granddaughter's nose. "I haven't felt this good in forever, and now ya gotta call me Filly Smith!" Applejack tore at what little was left of her mane! "Ugh! You know Granny Smith is the name of an apple, not because of your age, wight?!" "Who cares?!" The green-coated little filly laughed as she continued running around the house. Then there was a knock on the door, and it swung open, revealing Flim and Flam, and standing between the two were two older mares. Applejack recognized one as Mayor Mare. The other she didn't know who she was, but the mare looked a lot like Flim and Flam. In fact, she could only assume the mysterious mare was their mother. Applejack narrowed her vision at the three and growled, "I knew it! You two were behind tis!" "Oh my, it looks as if I was right"! The older mare gasped as she placed a hoof over her face. "Yes, it seems that you were right. We better get these foals in diapers before they start making a mess all over the place!" Mayor Mare exclaimed, somewhat bewildered by what she was seeing. At this sound, the four foals ran off as none of them wanted to wear a diaper (even if they might need it). But the older mare just smirked and said. "Leave it to me," She then went after Apple Bloom first, hugging her and putting a bottle right into her mouth with the contents slowly coming down the filly's throat. The middle-aged unicorn then started to calm her down. The mare placed her aside, began to strap the padding over Big Mac's waist, and cooed. "Come on, stop being fussy." The colt snapped. "Eynope." "Hmm, guess I'll tickle you, then," The older unicorn mare replied. She then took out a feather and ticked the colt's belly. It wasn't long until Big Mac was on the floor, giggling and kicking uncontrollably. Only then did the older mare cease in her tickling as she then asked. "Now, do you want me to stop?" "Eeyup!" Big Mac squeaked as he now had the sudden urge to pee. "Ok, dear," The mare responded as she took out a diaper. "Come on, sweetie. Let's get you diapered up. Hold still, please," He blushed as he felt the need to tinkle and nodded as she was then powdered and strapped him up in a diaper. She tickled him more, making him pee a little as she snickered. "See? Good thing you have a diaper on, huh? Otherwise, you would've peed all over the floor." "Eeyup." Big Mac meekly replied, though slightly relieved he hadn't peed himself in front of his siblings. That was a humiliation he was sure he'd never live down. The unicorn mare then turned to see Granny Smith running about and effortlessly chased her down, strapping the filly in a diaper. She then plopped Granny Smith into a playpen that Flim and Flam had set up. Granny Smith quickly got sidetracked, bouncing about in her diaper rather adorably. The older unicorn then started to look around for Applejack. As it so happened, the regressed farm mare had tried to escape out the back, only to find out she couldn't open the door. She tried bucking it a few times until she was panting and out of breath. The little filly then tried standing up on her hind legs to reach for the doorknob. But then the little filly suddenly felt a soft, crinkly fabric hugging her waist. "What the buck is this!?" "Aww, it's ok, sweetie. Auntie Swindle's got you," The mare chimed as she levitated Applejack and then placed her into a highchair where she saw the rest of her family sitting around the dining table in highchairs. The older mare then started to talk to Mayor Mare rather casually. "You see? They can't take care of themselves and need supervision. Lucky for you, I have a ton of experience with foals." "Swindle," then mashed up some apples, stirred them with milk, and spoon-fed the foals. Apple Bloom and Big Mac meekly ate their food without raising a fuss; meanwhile, Granny was making a mess. Applejack was the most hesitant, trying to avoid her spoon. Still, when the mare tickled Applejack's belly, she got it into her mouth. "Well, you are rather responsible and seem to know what you're doing, Miss Swindle," Mayor Mare commented after a moment of silent contemplation. "I'll have you sign a form to give you temporary guardianship, but we will need more research on the creature that did this to them." "Yes, of course. I saw the beast with my own eyes: It was a snake with a rattle for a tale." Ms. Swindle explained that she continued to feed the foals with her magic simultaneously without even breaking contact as she signed a form. Applejack tried to whine and tell Mayor Mare that this Swindle pony had to be behind their age regression. Still, everything came out as incoherent baby gibberish. "Well, you know your sons have caused some issues in our town before, don't you?" Mayor Mare pointed out. "Yes, I've heard. But don't worry, I'll have them do all the chores and make sure that the Apples' lives aren't altered forever for this," Miss Swindle then turned towards her sons and asked them. "You are sorry for trying to take the Apples' farm away, right?" "Yes, Mother, dear." Flim and Flam simultaneously grumbled, somewhat reluctant to apologize. Mayor Mare let out a laugh. "Well, it seems they behave when you're around. I guess even ponies like them fear crossing their mother when they've done wrong," She then turned away. "I'll file away the form and make your temporary guardianship official. Please keep an eye on your sons. I don't want to be hearing about any more scams." "Of course, Mayor, they'll behave as long as I'm around." Miss. Swindle responded as she waved a hoof. After the mayor left, the older mare hummed took the foals to the playpen and plopped them among a bunch of toys she had bought. "Don't worry; I'm not here to take your farm. I honestly don't know what turned you all into foals. I know you four have a history with my sons, and I assure you I'm your guardian, not them. They will work on bucking your trees. Now, in the meantime, play for a bit. I'm going to inform Twilight about what happened to you." Miss. Swindle then got up and walked out the door. Applejack clambered over the plastic fence that enclosed the playpen and tried to follow Miss Swindle. But as she reached the door, she saw an automatic foal lock placed near the upper part of the door, making it impossible to escape out the front. The little filly turned her head to see Miss. Swindle had also placed a baby gate across the hall that led to the kitchen, locking the four foals in the living room. Big Mac then stood up on his back legs. "Hey, Applejack. Maybe Miss. Is Swindle tellin' the truth? She doesn't seem like her sons at all." Applejack shook her head; despite Ms. Swindle being nice, there was something odd about her. "I don't trust her one bit. And we shouldn't rely on her to get us back to normal. I need help practicin' my buckin', so maybe I can bust us out of here. She knows more than she's lettin' on." "Otay." Big Mac replied as he started to stack giant foam blocks on top of each other. When he made a tower, Applejack would buck them down, and they soon started getting into a rhythm of play as their foalish nature took over. Rainbow Dash woke up one morning to a loud knock and came to the door groggy. She lazily maneuvered herself to the door and opened it, and there, to her surprise, was Derpy standing before her with her blank smile. "Uh, you're Rainbow Dash, right?" Derpy asked. "Yes, Derpy, it's me; what's up?" Rainbow Dash responded with a yawn. "I have an important letter to give you." Derpy then took out a letter from her satchel. Rainbow Dash took the letter and examined it. She then burst out laughing at what she read. "This has to be a prank! If A.K. Yearling is pregnant, why doesn't she say it? Turning into a baby. As if!" The daredevil snickered as she stowed the letter away, thinking it must be some way to hide that the author was pregnant and needed help. Rainbow Dash then flew off towards Ponyville as she was going to see her, of course, but she wanted to show it to Applejack to get a laugh out of her. But as Rainbow Dash neared her friend's house, she could hear odd noises like babbling and crinkling. She then slowly opened the door and gasped to see Applejack and the rest of her family were all foals! Applejack herself was bucking foam blocks, Apple Bloom was drawing on papers with a crayon, Big Mac was chewing on his hoof while showing off his poofy diaper while throwing his back legs in the air, and Granny Smith was napping nearby with her hoof in her mouth, drooling. Rainbow Dash blinked a few times, then slapped her face to ensure she was awake. But no matter what she did, the ponies before here were still adorable, pudgy foals. "What the hay is going on here?!" Flim and Flam then entered the room, looking sweaty and exhausted from apple-bucking as they both turned to her and shouted! "What are you doing here?!" "You two!" Rainbow snarled as she flew over and pointed a hoof into their faces. "Did you turn my friend and her family into babies?!" Before the two could even answer, Rainbow Dash heard a mare shout. "No, they didn't!" The daredevil turned to see a taller unicorn (who looked much like Flim and Flam standing over her). "I fear they came across a creature that can turn ponies into babies. I already informed Twilight of the situation." "That's total nonsense! You three did this to take Applejack's farm; I know it! You did this just so you could take over!" Rainbow Dash snapped back. The middle-aged mare shook her head. "My sons and I found these poor babies alone and with no pony to care for them. Now you can visit and even play with Applejack or her family. But they are to remain in our care until we find a cure and revert them back to normal." "Oh, buck this!" Rainbow Dash picked up Applejack, gently plopped the filly onto her back, and then said, "Well then, you wouldn't mind if I take Applejack to Twilight and see if she can turn her back to normal, would you?" "That's fine," The mare said with a smirk. "Just make sure she's back here by nightfall if she's not cured." "Yeah, we'll see about that!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she flew off with Applejack clinging to her mane. She didn't trust Flim and Flam, let alone their mother, something fishy was going on, and she'll prove that those three returned her friend into a foal. Later that afternoon, Rainbow Dash arrives at the Golden Oak Library with Applejack clinging to her mane. She gasped for breath as she did her best to explain to Twilight what she'd seen and the strange letter she'd received from A K Yearling. Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin. "So let me get this straight: Your theory is that Flim and Flam's mother, Miss. Swindle used Daring Do to find the fountain of youth, then used those same waters to turn the Apples into babies? Then lied to Mayor Mare and made it look like they just found them? And somehow manipulated things to become the legal guardians of the Apples, so her sons could take the farm?" "Yeah, that sounds about right," Rainbow Dash sighed, scratching her head. "That does sound far-fetched, but it's starting to make sense seeing that A. K. Yearling had no idea who her client was. And it's not like the Apples to have just regressed without any notice." Twilight then replied. "Well then, it's clear what we need to do. Rainbow Dash, you need to go to Daring Do and help her find a way to turn back to normal. Then bring the cure back here so we can also turn the Apples back to normal. Meanwhile, I'll do my best to inform the princesses of the situation and see if we can overturn the temporary guardianship." Rainbow Dash gave her friend a salute and then said. "Ok, that sounds like a plan, Twilight!" But as the pegasus was about to soar off, Twilight cleared her throat. Rainbow Dash was a bit confused and asked. "What's up? Am I forgetting something?" Twilight bowed her head, seeming to be a bit embarrassed as she whispered, "Before you go, I assume Daring Do doesn't have any foal supplies; I suggest stopping by the general store and picking some stuff up: You're going to need diapers, wipes, foal powder, baby food, formula…." "Ok, I get it! Just write me a list, and I'll get that stuff!" Rainbow Dash groaned: As excited as she was to help Daring Do, she wasn't excited to be changing her diapers. She could find a way to teach the adventurer how to use a toilet or, failing that least, do her business in nature. Twilight nodded as she wrote down what her friend would need. Once Rainbow Dash had the list, she flew off to a nearby foal supply store. She could only hope that Daring Do was somehow researching how to turn back to normal and this could all be over fast! > Chapter three: Rainbow Dash and the Adorable Daring Do > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Later that day, Rainbow Dash wound up at the cottage Daring Do called home. She was riding with Derpy and had a diaper bag strapped around her waist with tons of foal supplies and a chariot full of other things: A crib, a playpen, toys, you name it. Twilight had wanted to ensure they had everything as they had no idea how long they'd be caring for baby Daring Do. The rainbow-maned pegasus shivered as she couldn't believe she would see her favorite author and idol (not counting the Wonderbolts) as a baby. It was a lot to come to terms with, but it also made her feel a bit giddy, seeing that A. K. Yearling was going to owe her big time. The pegasi eventually made it to the house in the middle of nowhere, and Rainbow knocked on the door. She was surprised by a giant cat who looked much like Daring Do's nemesis Ahuizotl, but she was much older and seemed calmer. But she had bags under her eyes and green stains all over her coat. "Oh, thank Celestia, you're here!" "Yeah, we are." Rainbow Dash replied; she then was escorted inside, and there in the middle of A. K. Yearling's kitchen, was the mare herself. But she was now a little filly sitting in a highchair alongside Ahuizotl, both strapped up in diapers and wearing little bibs around their necks. Their coats were covered in splotches of green goo. "I was trying to feed the two, but as you see, they got rather fussy." The older cat responded with an exasperated sigh. Derpy dawwed as she came over. "I can help a little. This isn't the first time I've had to care for a little one." She then took the bowls of baby food and helped spoon-feed the foals, making noises and coos as she did, thus distracting the babies as she continued to feed them. Rainbow Dash, for her part, rubbed her eyes a few times to be sure she wasn't somehow seeing things. The truth was the foals were still there, the adventurer A. K. Yearling and Ahuizotl, both being fed baby food. "I know it's a lot to take in, but I need help unloading all the foal stuff." The older cat responded. Rainbow sighed. "Yea…we should do that, huh?" She and the older cat then spent most of the afternoon moving the foal stuff into A. K. Yearling's house: Setting up a playpen filled with foal toys in the living room, getting a crib upstairs, baby gates for the stairs, and setting up the diaper changing area in a bathroom nearby. Rainbow still thought this was some dumb dream, and she would wake up any second. But as they made it to the kitchen and the two babies were still there with bottles of milk in their mouths, she finally had to realize this wasn't a dream. She then turned to the older cat and asked. "So…I assume you're Ahuizotl's mother or something, right?" The older cat put a paw over her chest. "That's correct. I'm Ahuizotl's mom. Pleased to meet you." Rainbow Dash then asked. "And your name?" "Just call me Reina." The cat replied. "All right, Reina, what's going on?" Rainbow demanded. "How did Daring Do and Ahuizotl become babies?! Who or what did this to them?! It had to be something!" Reina waved a paw and took Rainbow to Daring Do's study, where the adventurer wrote her books and did her research. There a map and a book were laid out on a small desk. Reina explained. "I believe there is an ancient underground river known as the fountain of youth. Its waters reverse the ages of time on a mortal's body, but if drunk or doused in its water, you'll revert to an infant." "So, Ahuizotl pushed her, right?" Rainbow asked with narrowed eyes. It sounded like something he would do. Reina shook her head from side to side. "No, it was a mysterious mare. We don't know who she was. Or at least, that's what my son claims." "Ok…" Rainbow nodded as she began thinking about Mrs. Swindle. "Daring Do said that in her letter." Reina blushed and replied. "Sorry, but I wrote that letter; I used Daring Do's name to get you to come over. I apologize for the deceit, but I had to do something." "Right… she's just a baby now," Rainbow sighed and then looked over the notes. "So, you found a cure, right?! Right?!" "Not exactly," Reina confessed. "I learned there are a few ancient temples nearby, but I can't seem to locate which one would have the cure. My son tried to teach me this stuff, but it's rather confusing." Rainbow smirked, brimming with confidence. "Well, you're talking to a pony who's read every Daring Do book. I'll help find a cure!" "That's great! And will Derpy be staying too?" Reina asked in a hopeful tone of voice. "She seems rather capable with foals." Rainbow paused and, after thinking for a moment, shook her head. "Sadly, no. We need her help getting messages between Twilight and me for now. Let's say there have been some 'developments' in Ponyville. That mysterious mare Ahuizotl mentioned: We know who she might be, and she's turned one of my friends into a foal." "Oh my! What for?!" Reina gasped! "I…I think she's after my friend's farm," Rainbow replied. "Long story short, her sons tried to take it through a dumb bet. They're back for revenge, and the fountain of youth was part of it." Ahuizotl's mother nodded ever so slowly. "Makes sense. We'll have to do research while the babies are asleep. But when they're awake, we need to supervise them; we obviously can't leave them unattended." "Ok, sounds like a plan to me." Rainbow chirped, and she wrote a letter to Twilight explaining their situation. After writing the letter, she returned to the living room, where Derpy played with the babies. The gray-coated pegasus mare looked up. "Hey, Rainbow, is everything ok?" "Yeah, it should be," Rainbow nodded. "Listen, Derpy, we'll need your help delivering messages between Twilight and myself. I'm sorry for asking this. And since I have no idea how long things will be like this, can you also deliver foal supplies?" Derpy nodded back as she took the letter. "It's ok, Rainbow; I'll do anything to help. I might not always get my packages delivered to the right places, but I understand how serious this is. Are you sure you don't want me to stay, though? You haven't cared for foals before. I have." Rainbow sighed as she explained, "I would love for you to care for Daring Do while I fly back and forth. But I also know the most about Daring Do and her adventures, so I'll know what to research and find out how to cure her…so I have no choice but to care for her myself." "Right…I understand," Derpy smiled. "But before I go, maybe I can teach you a few things." "You would?" The rainbow maned pegasus asked. "Yeah, honestly, Daring's much easier than normal foals, so it shouldn't be too bad," Derpy replied as she picked the little adventurer up and tapped her diaper. "Oh my, she's soaked. This is a great time to show you how to change a diaper." Reina giggled as Rainbow Dash groaned. "Alright, might as well get this over with. Hope I don't have to do this very often." Rainbow Dash was now in A. K. Yearling's bathroom, and there she had the little adventurer laid out on a changing table. Derpy stood by, explaining the process of changing the diaper. "Alright, first you gotta unstrap the diaper." Rainbow did so and gave a gagging sound smelling the urine. She then took a wipe and cleaned Daring up as instructed by Derpy. Daring Do squeaked as she shivered. "Oh, pony feathers! Did I do something wrong?" "No, the wipe is cold," Derpy encouraged. "Just keep cleaning her up." Rainbow Dash nodded and did as Derpy said, continuing to wipe A.K. Yearling down. Then she asked. "Ok, now what?" "Now take the foal powder and put enough on her to ensure she doesn't get a rash," Derpy explained. "Right." Rainbow took out the foal powder, giving Daring's flank a good powdering. This caused the little pegasus to sneeze rather adorably. Rainbow and Derpy both dawwed, and then Derpy cooed. "Now, the fresh diaper." Rainbow nodded and was going to strap her up, but the gray-coated pegasus shook her head. "Thread the tail through the back first; otherwise, it'll fall off." “Ri…right…” Rainbow Dash went and threaded the small golden brown tail through the back of the diaper and then went and strapped it up with the tabs secured on the blue landing zone. Derpy clapped her hooves together and exclaimed. "See? That wasn't that hard!" "Yeah, I guess not," Rainbow replied as Daring babbled something. Rainbow could only assume she'd said, "Thank you." "It's not a problem." Rainbow meeped and blushed. The little filly yawned, and Derpy cooed. "Come on; it's time for the foal to nap." She led them to A. K. Yealring's bedroom, where she helped Rainbow adjust the filly into her lap as Derpy placed a bottle of formula into the little pegasus' mouth. Rainbow watched the filly suckle the contents and slowly closed her eyes as she fell asleep in Rainbow Dash's hooves. "Ok, before putting her to bed, throw her over your shoulder and burp her," Derpy instructed. Rainbow nodded and threw Daring over her back, had her burped, and cried out as Daring spit up all over her. Derpy just came over and helped clean it up, then hoofed Rainbow Dash a pacifier she inserted into Daring's mouth. Rainbow then placed her down in a crib with her pacifier bobbing up and down, a bit of drool coming down her chin. The mare couldn't help but blush at seeing how adorable the adventurer was in this state. "Well, you did it; that's all it takes, really," Derpy whispered. "Reina can probably help you with the rest." "Thanks, I think I can manage now. If Pinkie can do all with the Cake twins by herself and not get tired, how hard can it really be?" Rainbow sighed in relief as she followed the gray-coated mare downstairs, gave her a letter, and told her. "Thanks for your help, Derpy. You didn't have to come along with me." "Oh, it's no problem. I love being around foals," Derpy cheerfully admitted. "Make sure to keep an eye on her during playtime. She loves to explore. Reminds me of my little filly back home." "I bet she does," Rainbow responded with a chuckle before warning. "When you go back to Ponyville, you can't tell anypony that A. K. Yearling is really Daring Do. And don't mention she turned into a foal to anypony except for Twilight." Derpy nodded back. "Right, that makes sense." "Also, please pick up more foal supplies on your way back, just in case," Rainbow blushed. "Don't know how long this will last, Pinkie tells me the Cakes go through a lot of foal supplies with the twins. So, better safe than sorry." Derpy gave a salute. "Just leave it to me!" Rainbow Dash saluted back and watched Derpy fly off, wishing she could tell her fellow pegasus to return. A few days later, Mayor Mare sipped a cup of tea after reviewing some paperwork. Despite the concerns over Mrs. Swindle, she had given no reason for the temporary guardianship to be rescinded. But then something felt off…Mayor Mare realized everything around her was much more significant and that she saw that the letter she was writing was illegible, and she couldn't recognize the words. Drool came down her chin as she saw the ink pot spill black gooey liquid all over the table. The mayor's eyes widened as she seemed entranced by the mess she had created. The mayor then started smashing her hooves into the black liquid and smacking her hooves on the paper, making tiny hoof prints. She played in ink for a few minutes when she heard. "Oh dear, what happened?" She looked up to see Ms. Swindle come over with a sly smile. "Oh my! Is that you, Mayor Mare?!" "Yeah, it's me!" Mayor Mare squeaked and blushed! "I turned into a baby! I need to make an appointment with my doctor and sign a form that says I got turned into a foal an-." "-Oh my, I can't understand a word you're saying," The mare cooed as she picked up the filly, cleaned off the ink on her coat, and swaddled her up in a diaper. "There. Now I believe I'll need another temporary guardianship form?" The filly nodded as Ms. Swindle chuckled. "All right, I'll sign another one and take care of you. I assure you I'll get to the bottom of this and turn you back to normal." Mayor Mare blushed anew. "But if I dun turn back ta normal in a week, ten there will be a special election where a new mayor will be elected!" "Oh, such a talkative little cutie," Ms. Swindle chuckled as she replied. "Don't worry; I already know a special election will occur if you're a baby for a week. Twilight Sparkle is working hard to turn you and the Apples back to their original ages, so I'm sure we'll have you back to a big pony before then." Mayor Mare wasn't paying attention as she bounced up and down on Ms. Swindle's back, enjoying this newfound energy from her youth. Twilight Sparkle was busy reading over the first letter sent by Rainbow Dash: A.K. Yearling (aka Daring Do) was indeed a foal and being cared for by her friend. The fountain of youth was what caused it, and a temple nearby potentially had the answer to curing this age regression curse. Twilight then heard a knock on the door and shouted. "Come in!" A tall, middle-aged unicorn came through with a little baby earth pony bouncing on her diaper on her back. "Hello, Twilight; it's finally good to meet you." Twilight glared at her and grumbled under her breath. "Ms. Swindle, I presume. How nice to see you." The mare gave Twilight a smug grin. "Well, I have an urgent issue to tell you about. This foal isn't mine, or a foal for that matter; it's Mayor Mare." "What?!" Twilight shouted as she turned to the foal and saw the resemblance now. "What happened?!" "I don't know; I came by to give her my report on the Apples' condition," Ms. Swindle explained. "But I found her like this." "Yeah, that's awfully convenient!" Twilight snapped as she levitated the mayor towards her. She checked the baby over, seeing her kicking about and gurgling. "I know you're behind these age regressions! Rainbow Dash and I are close to exposing you!" Ms. Swindle put a hoof to her chest and cried! "Me?! Do you think I'm behind all of this?! Of course not! I would gain nothing by regressing the mayor to a foal. I'm just informing you as a concerned citizen to make sure we find a temporary gua-" Twilight smirked as she was one step ahead of the mare. "-Speaking of your 'temporary guardianship,' I revoked it as of today, and the foals will be under my care until they're turned back into adults." "Oh? Well, if that's the case, I'm perfectly fine with that," Swindle replied. She opened the door more, showing all four foals in a four-seated stroller. She levitated it into the library. "Here you are, all five foals, all healthy and cared for. I can even give you cribs, a changing table, and a playpen." Twilight took the foals and brought them closer to her. "They'll be fine; now, please leave. I have important work to do." "Of course." Ms. Swindle replied with that smirk on her face as she bowed, then left the library Twilight groaned, sitting down on the floor. "She's behind this; I know it! Hopefully, Rainbow Dash can find some evidence and a cure." The alicorn then took the mayor mare up by the diaper with her drooling and babbling as if she was trying to order her. But Twilight knew the mayor pretty well, seeing how obsessed she was with the necessary paperwork (Applejack told her about all the hoops she'd had to jump through to revoke a fine for their barn being too high). "I know, I know, I got the right paperwork, a temporary guardianship form for you, and I'm finishing signing the ones for the Apples," Twilight told the regressed mayor. "Don't worry; I understand the importance of paperwork as much as you do." Mayor Mare gave a few more nods and a happy gurgle as she clapped her tiny hooves in glee. Twilight placed a hoof over her heart, seeing how adorable the mayor was and how much she loved the organization. "I think you and I will get along quite well. I wonder if we're related? But I should start writing a letter to the princesses. Spike!" "Yeah?" The dragon asked as he came downstairs, then cried out in shock as all five foals floated towards him. Twilight then said. "I need you to care for the babies while I write a letter to Princess Celestia and Luna informing them of what's happening. Just play with them for an hour or two, ok?" Spike soon had five baby earth ponies crawling all around him; Applejack was playing with his spines, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom were tugging at his tail, Big Mac cuddled up next to him and started to take a nap, while Mayor Mare was eyeing an ink pot and trotting towards it to make more hoofprints with it! Spike just sat there with a look of confusion as he asked out loud. "Why me?!" "Alright, time to go!" Daring Do sighed, seeing she was crossing over foam blocks, jumping over them while using her wings to flutter across them (despite the difficulty with her poofy diaper). "Can't touch ta lava!" "Ya not gonna get ta golden pony! I gonna get it first!" Ahuizotl cried out. The kitten (who wasn't wearing a diaper) was leaping over the blocks with a laugh. Daring Do pout seeing Ahuizotl was regressed to a kindergartener. He can talk and be potty trained (or at least allowed to use a litter box). "Ugh, no fair. I gotta wear diapees!" "Ha! Tats because I'm litter trained!" Ahuizotl boasted. He continued to bounce across the blocks, and Daring Do follow, using her wings to flap about (Rainbow Dash was training her to fly, but she could only get off the ground for a few seconds at a time). They then came to a giant pile of plush animals. This time they had to climb up them, and Ahuizotl was struggling as his claws weren't sharp enough to cling to the fabric. Daring Do use her flapping to get up the pile, and she got to the top. The filly then stood on her hind hooves, showing off her cute diaper, and shouted! "Aha! I made it up ta mountain!" "No fair, ya got wings!" Ahuizotl growled "Sucks for you!" Daring laughed as she slid down the pile of plush animals. She then came to a pack of Cloudies brand diapers laid out like a bridge to a pyramid (which she and Ahuizotl built) made of foam blocks. She then did her best to keep her balance. Still, it was difficult with the diaper between her legs, making her movement clumsy and awkward. But then Ahuizotl leaped over her while laughing. "Ya forgot kitties have great balance! I gonna win!" "Na uh!" Daring shouted; she then flapped over the last package of Cloudies and saw the golden toy on top of a foam block. They both grabbed at it and wrestled each other, trying to take it. They knocked over the blocks causing them to collapse onto the foals. Still, they spilled over the packages of diapers and onto the foam tiles below. Daring then took the plastic toy and claimed. "Aha, I win!" Ahuizotl made a pouty face and whined. "Na uh, I got it first!" "Ya gotta have it ta win!" Daring laughing. She fluttered away as Ahuizotl chased her, eventually catching up and snatching it, then shouting. "Yeah! I got it!" "Not for long!" Daring then used her wings to tickle Ahuizotl's belly, making him giggle uncontrollably until he dropped it. Then Daring lay next to him as she was out of breath. "Tat was fun." "Yeah, reminds me of when ya took one gold idol in one ruin, and a boulder chased after both of us," Ahuizotl commented. "Yeah, I remember that. I saved ya!" Daring boasted. "Nah, uh, I saved ya!" Ahuizotl snapped. "Ya forget, I flew up to the ta ceiling and grabbed ya before ya fell in ta spikes!" Ahuizotl went silent, seeing Daring Do was telling the truth but didn't want to admit it. "Aww, what are you talking about?" They both turned to Reina coming over. "It seems you both had a lot of fun!" "Yeah, we're just playing." Ahuizotl giggled as he pounced over toward her. She took him up as Rainbow Dash flew over and checked Daring's diaper. "Oh boy, time for a change." The filly cheeks flushed red, and she was still not used to not knowing when she used her diapers (luckily, it was just pee this time). After her diaper change (which Rainbow Dash was getting faster at), Daring was back in her highchair eating mashed peas (which she hated, but Rainbow Dash kept making silly faces getting her to laugh, and used that opportunity to feed her). Rainbow talked to Reina. "So, I think I figured out the cure for you and Ahuizotl. There are three temples near the fountain of youth, and the river that connects to the lake goes to all three. But going over your notes, I think that the middle one might have the cure based on old carvings of ancient ponies turning into babies, then going there to turn back to adults." "Wow! That's impressive! You figured all that out by yourself?" Reina asked. "I had to do a lot of translations, but Daring Do did most of the work already," Rainbow explained. "I just went over the carvings. But the notes also say there's a winged serpent there that seems to have kept some ancient ponies as babies. Legends say it has a baby rattle for a tail." "Well, we'll come to help and make sure that doesn't happen to our little ones," Reina replied. "No snake is foalnapping, my little kitty." Rainbow Dash couldn't help but snicker at seeing how Ahuizotl was blushing. "Right, the little kitty better stay close to his mommy." Daring Do and Ahuizotl both yawned. "Well, time for their naps," Reina said to Rainbow. "I got my son. Need any help with Daring Do?" "Don't worry, I got her. This is the one thing I never have trouble with." Rainbow Dash chirped and then took the foal and went upstairs. Daring Do so had a bottle placed in her mouth, and when she finished, she was burped. This time Rainbow Dash caught the spit up with a rag. "Ha, got ya this time!" The little adventurer felt so embarrassed. If Rainbow Dash felt ashamed, she felt twice as much now. Rainbow Dash then plopped a pacifier into Daring's mouth and placed her back into a crib. She placed a blanket over her body and a pacifier into Daring's mouth. The filly felt the diaper around her waist and between her thighs. The sense of helplessness was overwhelming. She stood on her hind legs and looked over her room, seeing the stuffed animals, spare diapers, and a few foam blocks. She then looked up and said, "Thank you." to Rainbow Dash, who looked back. She didn't understand what Daring had said but flashed her a smile. "It's no problem, squirt, get some sleep…just promise me, don't write a book about this, ok? After all, this is over; we would rather act like this never happened. Especially if it gets to the point where I have to potty train you." Daring Do burst into laughter as she lay in her crib, thinking about writing a book about her experience as a baby. It sounded fun; she could make it into a picture book for foals. She'd, of course, change the characters to keep their identities secret. She continued to think about the story as she drifted off to sleep. They then heard a knock at the door, and Rainbow Dash opened it, seeing Derpy, who gave her a pack of diapers, some more cans of formula, and a letter. The daredevil read it and gasped. "What! Ms. Swindle is running for mayor?! She might be elected if we don't find a cure within seven days!" "That's why she turned the mayor into a baby!" Reina exclaimed and then asked. "Can't your princesses do something?" Rainbow shook her head. "There's not enough evidence that Mrs. Swindle did anything. She even gave the foals to Twilight to care for. We don't have a choice; we need to go and get the cure now!" "Right, as mayor, she might be able to take your friend's farm or worse. But we need to prepare." Reina firmly insisted. Derpy blushed. "What should I do?" Rainbow Dash turned towards Derpy. "You need to go help Twilight. She has five foals and no experience with them, so she'll need all the help she can get. Applejack's a foal now, so she can't help. I wonder if Rarity will be eager to help. I'm not sure if Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie will be able to manage five foals on top of what they already do," She hoofed the diapers and formula back to Derpy and then added. "Twilight needs these now more than us. Reina and I should still have enough supplies to get us through this adventure." Derpy nodded. "Right. I'll do whatever I can! You two go and get that cure for everypony!" "Derpy, you're the best!" Rainbow breathed a small sigh of relief. "I mean it. Without you, Twilight and I would be flying blind. When we return from this adventure, I'll give you like a thousand bits for this!" Derpy blushed. "Thank you. I don't need the money, but I'll happily settle for free muffins." She then took the package of diapers and formula and flew off. Rainbow Dash turned to Reina, "Alright, we'll need to pack up water and food." Reina blushed. "Rainbow Dash, this trip will take at least a day or two. And we need to travel as light as possible," She then took out a golden necklace. "My son can't drink the formula Derpy has been giving you, so I've been feeding him my milk. This necklace allows my teats to fill with milk, and I can nurse him. We'll need to use this to give ourselves as much time as possible." "No, no, no! No way! I'm not nursing Daring Do!" Rainbow protested. "Rainbow Dash, we might not have a choice," Reina protested. "We can't bring a bunch of glass jars filled with food, and we need water and dry nonperishable food for ourselves. That's not including a tent and some sleeping bags." "Ugh…f…fine. But you better not tell anyone about this!" Rainbow slammed a hoof to her face, seeing that this adventure was getting more embarrassing by the minute. "I swear I won't," Reina responded, placing a paw over her heart. Rainbow Dash gave a sigh and then exclaimed. "Ok, let's get the supplies, grab the foals, and move on!" She blushed, thinking about nursing Daring Do, hoping she'd be ok with it. > Chapter Four: Mama Víbora > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The small group eventually made their way to the outskirts of the temple, and there the four were camping. Reina left to gather wood for them while Rainbow Dash took a nap with the foals. The two babies were awake, and Daring Do just finished nursing, wiping her mouth with milk on her chin. She was utterly embarrassed, her face bright pink. Despite being uncomfortable, she had to admit Rainbow Dash's milk was rather tasty! Like pasta, potatoes, and sourdough bread, all blended together and melted into a creamy warm milkshake. "Hehe, ya such a baby!" Ahuizotl teased his rival with a snicker.  "Ya drink from ya mom's teats too!" Daring snapped back. She then plopped down on her soggy diaper. The adventurer's cheeks flushed pink, seeing she should get a change. But seeing Rainbow asleep, she didn't want to wake her up. They'd been flying for nearly an entire day, and they stopped near the fountain of youth for a break, where the two once enemies had initially turned into babies.  The adventurer looked over the calm waters and asked something that just came to her mind. "Hey, Ahuizotl, why do ya want to take the basin? Why can't we be friends?" Ahuizotl paused, then said. "Fine, I have fun playing with you and competing to find stuff!" Daring Do was surprised and then exclaimed! "So, tat's it?! Ya, do all tis crazy stuff for fun?!"  Ahuizotl nodded and explained. "Yeah, it's not like I'm gonna rule ta world or anything like that. I have fun going around, finding ancient artifacts." "Otay, well, why dun we work together ten?” Daring Do proposed. “If we did, we could unlock the ancient history of Equestria and beyond!" "As if!” Ahuizotl coldly hissed. “I'll never work with ya!" "Seriously!?" Ahuizotl put a paw to his chest and exclaimed. "Look, if I stopped now I would have to forgo my title as king of the cats! I earned tat, and I dun want that changing anytime soon!" Daring Do narrow her vision and then shouted. "Ya being a meanie's head!" "Ya gonna pay for tat!" Ahuizotl snapped.  The two babies started to fight, rolling around in the tent as Rainbow Dash woke up and shouted. "That's enough, you two!" She looked absolutely exhausted, with bags under her bloodshot eyes. "I've been flying nonstop all day. Can you please quiet down?! I need a nap." The mare turned around and started to fall back to sleep.  The two babies apologized through incoherent babbling. Rainbow then got back under the covers as the two babies turned to face each other and continued arguing. "So tats it, after we turn back ta big ponies ya gonna just go back to being crazy and trying to destroy the basin?!" Daring asked. Ahuizotl nodded. "Yeah! And ya gonna have ta try ta stop me!" "Dun ya see how pointless that is?” Daring pointed out, hoping to get through to him. “We could do much more if we weren't fightin' all ta time!" "Well, ya keep stealing artifacts!" Ahuizotl hissed. Daring Do threw her hooves over her chest and quickly snapped. "Nah uh!" "Yeah, huh!” Ahuizotl replied. “Ya tink ta ponies who made tese temples want ya stealing their stuff?!" "Well...no, but ya not any better!" Daring pointed out once again. "No, but at least I not calling myself a hero in books that I write about myself!" Ahuiztol snapped. Daring realized Ahuizotl might have a point. "Well, I think that some artifacts should be kept safe due to their world-destroying properties. But ya have a point. How about tis let's make a deal?" "Like what?" Ahuizotl humphed and snorted. "After we turn back to being big again, we work together to uncover ancient mysteries and not steal artifacts unless we absolutely have to!” Daring Do proposed. “And I'll make ya my sidekick in my books!" "Not uh ya, be my sidekick; I'm bigger!" Ahuizotl insisted. Daring Do toddle over towards the kitten, took a hoof, brushed it over his head, and replied with a smirk. "Not anymore!" "Ugh, when we get bigger I wiww be!” Ahuizotl grumbled. “I didn't hit a growth spurt until I was like eight!" Daring Do shook her head and shouted. "No way! My readers will never accept me as a sidekick! I already the hewo, I can’t change tat!" Ahuizotl then stuck his tongue out. "Ten I not gonna help ya! No deal!" "Seriously?!" Daring rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Eyup!" Ahuizotl nodded. "And there's nothing I can say that will change ya mind besides making ya ta main protagonist in my Daring Do books?" Daring asked. "Nope!" Ahuizotl shook his head and turned his back to Daring. Daring turned away with a pout. "Fine! Be that way! You not even good enough to be my sidekick anyway!" She then waddled over to Rainbow Dash and snuggled next to her as Ahuizotl plopped down and stuck his tongue out. Daring knew deep down she should accept his deal. But her readers would be so confused if she suddenly became a sidekick to her nemesis. She couldn’t change now, and there was no way she could start a new series and still call herself Daring Do. Maybe there was a way to fix this, but the regressed adventurer couldn't figure it out, so she decided to nurse from Rainbow, seeing she was still hungry. She’d sleep on the proposal and think about it. When Reina returned, and Rainbow wash rested, the ragtag group set off again. They soon arrived at the foot of the temple. It looked like any other ancient temple from the outside, standing over them and with depictions of a feathery serpent playing with young foals. It was rather impressive but also nerve-racking.  The worst part about the temple was the entrance. It was too small for the adults to go through, but it was big enough for the two babies to fit. Rainbow Dash placed Daring Do next to Reina, then went up to the temple entrance, where she read the sign overhead. "From here on, only foals affected by the waters of the fountain of youth may enter." "Wait, so is there no other way inside?!" Reina replied in disbelief. She took the kitten, brought him closer to her, and said. "I'm not sending my son into a dangerous temple filled with traps all by himself! I’m not putting my baby in danger again!" Rainbow Dash looked over and sighed. "I agree with you, but we might not have a choice. If only foals can enter, then we must trust Daring Do and Ahuizotl to find their way through and get the cure." Reina wasn’t convinced. "We should look around the temple; it's old; there could be a crack in the walls or something!" "Yeah, maybe, but we don't have time to waste!” Rainbow protested. “It may not be important to you, but my friend is a foal right now, along with the rest of her family, and they'll probably lose their farm if they’re not cured soon. I can't let that happen!" "I don't care! I am not sending my son in there without me!" Reina shouted back. “Never in a million years!” Ahuizotl nuzzled his mother and then babbled something the adults couldn't understand.  "Ugh! This is ridiculous! Is there really no other way?!" Reina cried.  Rather than reply immediately, Rainbow Dash went into Reina's diaper bag and pulled out a ball of string that had been used to play with baby Ahuizotl. She then tied it around the kitten's waist. "There, now you’ll always have a connection to him. Can we get going now?!" Reina chuckled. "Ok, guess that works,” Before she nervously added. “…Though, we don't know the length of the temple." Ahuizotl started to get stern as he babbled angrily at his mom. She finally relented as he had gone through dangerous temples many times before. "Fine, just be careful in there." Rainbow Dash took Daring Do out of her carrier and then checked her diaper, which was slightly wet. "Ok, let's get these two fed, and their diapers changed, then we’ll give them diaper bags with enough supplies to last an entire day. Okay?" "Right," Reina responded. She then laid her son down for a diaper change. After their diapers were changed and their bellies were full, Daring Do stood by with Ahuizotl. The two looked ready for an adventure despite being diapered and each having a bag around them with the supplies they needed.  Reina looked over their supplies. "About a dozen diapers, wipes, powder, three bottles of milk each, bandages, pacifiers, sleeping mats, and their favorite plush animals." "Ok, it sounds like they have everything." Rainbow sighed. Reina bent down to their level and asked. "Ok, you two, ready for the journey?" "Yes, mam!" The foals proclaimed, but it came out as incoherent baby babble. Reina dawwed and nuzzled them. "Alright, you two, get a move on. And please be careful." The two did as she instructed and went through the small hole in the temple, where Reina waited nervously as Rainbow Dash watched. Daring and Ahuizotl were confident and still had their adventurous spirit despite being babies. Rainbow Dash was sure they'd be fine, but that serpent depicted on the temple seemed rather ominous. She could only hope AK Yearling and Ahuizotl were ready for what was to come.  The two babies were now waddling around what appeared to be a nursery of some sort. It had playpens, highchairs, and even changing tables made entirely of stone. There were many other foals in the area, and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves without care. "So this is where all the other regressed adults ended up?" Ahuizotl mumbled, looking around the room.  "Yeah, it seems so; I think we better get out of here before we end up like them!" Daring added. "Oh, do I see two new foals have come to play?" A voice whispered as the two foals looked across the way and saw an emerald green-scaled snake slither over. Her eyes had dark yellow slits and a long forked tongue that would stick out every so often from her mouth; all the while, she flexed two fluffy pink wings on her back. She then waved her tail in front of them. At the end of the green scaled tail was a pink baby rattle, and as it shook back and forth, the sound of beads or seeds echoed across the playroom.  Daring Do stood her ground and shouted. "Stand back! Ya will not take us!" "Oh, Daring Do and Ahuizotl, I'm not here to harm you." The snake whispered as she shook her tail, the foals utterly transfixed by it. "Look at my tail. Do you want to play with it?"  The two babies nodded in agreement and tried to grab the tail with their pudgy hooves. But the snake kept pulling away, making the two bounce on their diapers as they tried helplessly to grab it. "Such adorable foals; now come along and play with the toys." She whispered as she pushed the two toward a stack of blocks. The two foals began to stack them on top of each other as drool came down their mouths. "What good babies." The snake then cared for the foals changing diapers and wagged her tail to keep them entertained. This went on for an hour as she took them all into her embrace with her tail and plopped bottles of fresh milk into their mouths; she then slowly drifted off to sleep. The emerald snake woke up a few hours later and then changed diapers. As she was looking through a drawer, she sighed. "Oh dear, we're running out of foal supplies. No matter. A quick trip to Ponyville, and I'll have a fresh supply!" She then had tendrils of magic wrapped around her, and she transformed into an emerald green coated pegasus pony.  She looked down over her foals, all drooling and babbling mindlessly. "What good little babies. Don't worry: Mama will return shortly." The mare then unfurled her wings and set off through a hole in the roof. The feathered serpent was humming a tune as she headed to Ponyville and to the Ponyville general store. She noticed things were different from her last visit a few months ago. There were signs with “Mrs. Swindle” hanging from rooftops and some others plastered Filthy Rich's face. There was a rally with the two ponies debating on stage about who would be the best mayor, and it was all somewhat surprising.  Still, the disguised pegasus shrugged as she did her best not to get involved with the ponies. If she had it her way, she would take all these silly adults and turn them into her mindless babies. But then she knew Celestia and Luna would find her, catch her, and lock her up in Tartarus for her crimes. So, for now, she'd enjoy babying the ponies inside her temple of foals she’d built a few hundred years ago. She added to her collection whenever some foolish archeologist stumbled upon her temple for any reason. The disguised pegasus then went to Ponyville General, strolled to the baby aisle, and went about stocking up on supplies: Mostly diapers, wipes, and toys that she piled into her shopping cart. Despite being a few hundred years old, she was constantly updating the foal supplies, seeing as they improved over time. And she wanted nothing but the best for her babies.  The disguised mare then noticed Twilight Sparkle nearby with a shopping cart. The newest princess of Equestria looked absolutely terrible. Her mane was a frazzled mess, her coat was covered in puke stains, and there were bags under her eyes. The mare groggily went through the aisles, picking up supplies as she looked over at the green-coated pegasus. She glared at the mare for a bit before saying. "You look absolutely terrible." "Well, I've been caring for five foals and trying to stop Mrs. Swindle from being elected mayor. So yeah, I'm pretty worn out," Twilight yawned as she tossed a few cans of formula into the cart. "Oh, I can see that,” The pegasus replied. “Well…would you mind if I see them? Do you know? Your foals?" Twilight seemed suspicious and asked. “Who are you exactly?" The pegasus promptly responded. "My name is Víbora, and I am from the southern jungles." "Right…" Twilight seemed even more suspicious now as if she suspected something was up with the pegasus.  "Well, if you need assistance, I have tons of experience with foals." The pegasus offered in an unusually sheepish fashion. "I'll consider the offer, thank you," Twilight responded somewhat hesitantly as they both made their way to the cash register.  As they both went and checked out their items, Derpy flew in. "Hey, Twilight. I need to ask you a favor." "Oh no, did anything happen while I was gone?!" Twilight asked as a concerned look flashed across her face. Derpy shook her head. "No, all the foals are taking a nap right now. But um…I have an urgent package to deliver, and I need to do it right now." "Right, ok, I'll go check on the foals,” Twilight reluctantly sighed. “Is Spike ok?' "He is,” Derpy nodded. “But you know him; he's not equipped to handle all of them alone." "Got it! I'll get back right away!" Twilight said, then turned to Víbora and asked. "I know we just met, but would you mind helping me care for my foals?"' Víbora wings flew upward as her eyes widened! She was always up caring for more babies besides her hypnotism on her latest visits, which would last nearly the entire day. Still, she was sure she had plenty of time until she had to go back and shake her rattle tail at them again. "Of course! Let's hurry!" The two then flew off to the Golden Oak Library together. Daring Do groaned as she rubbed his eyes and looked around, trying to gauge where she was and what was happening. She looked over the nursery and saw the other foals either napping or playing with the toys. The oddest thing about these babies was that they were not crying. She wasn't an expert on foals, but the foals here seemed dull and lifeless as if they were brainwashed to be like foals and overly obedient.  The filly then got up on all fours as she waddled across the room, looking for Ahuizotl. She then turned and happened to see the kitten playing with blocks and drooling. He was doing the task mindlessly, taking a block and putting it on top of another, then it would plop over, and he would just do the task again. Despite him being her arch nemesis, she wouldn’t leave him like this. So she shook the kitten and shouted, "Hey Ahuizotl, snap out of it!"   Ahuizotl slowly came to. He blinked and asked. "Wh…what happened?" He looked around, then sniffed the air and blushed as he looked down at his diaper, seeing it was sagging. "Wh…how long were we acting like babies?!" Daring Do looked down at her own diaper, seeing it was rather sodden before she said. "I believe that feathered serpent hypnotized us and made us act like babies for a bit." Ahuizotl looked around and asked. "Otay, well, where is she?" Daring looked around, then said. "I think she turned into a pony and went to get foal supplies. If tats ta case, we got time. It will take all day for her ta go to Ponyville ten come back." "Ten, we gotta leave before she does! We can't beat her with that rattle tail!" Ahuizotl cried.  Daring nodded in agreement, turning her attention to a bunch of bigger foam blocks as she got an idea. "Hey, if we can take tose blocks and make stairs to tat ledge over there, then we can escape!" "Good idea!" Ahuizotl exclaimed. He ran off towards the blocks, but Daring fluttered over and said to him. "Um, Ahuizotl, we should change owa diapers first." The kitten looked down with his cheeks flushing red as he squeaked, "R..right. Okay." The two then first went to the diaper changing table where the stash of foal supplies was. As Daring Do change Ahuizotl first, he commented. "I'm not a parent, but leaving all tese foals for so long is pretty irresponsible!" Daring looked around at the babies, still noticing how lifeless they were. "She brainwashed them even beyond them acting like normal babies, tey like zombies, just doing whatever she says and staying here. If we dun escape, we're gonna end up like tem! We gotta get out of here and get back ta being big, ten we can hewp ta babies!" They then switched positions as Ahuizotl cleaned Daring Do up. “Look, ya better not make tis an opportunity to get rid of me." Daring scoffed as she strapped the kitten up in a fresh diaper and said. "I should be saying ta same thing! We may go back ta being enemies again after we grow up. But for now, we maintain ta truce, and we also gonna free all tese ponies." "What!?" Ahuizotl shouted in disbelief. “Tat’s not part of ta deal!” Daring only pointed at the foals. "We can't just weave tese ponies like tis. Even if tey can't go back to adults, they gotta grow up and live their lives. This is no way to live for anyone." Ahuizotl looked over the ponies once more, then reluctantly nodded in agreement. "Otay, fine, we go get ta cure and help tese foals escape. Then when we grow up, we go our separate ways." "Agreed!" The two shook on it once more, then went back to setting up the massive blocks to create a set of stairs to reach the ledge above so they could escape. > Chapter Five: The Temple of Trials > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ahuizotl and Daring Do trot towards a giant wall of foam with plastic rocks jutting out from the side of it. The two then started climbing up the side of the mountain. This was a lot like the one they’d made back at her house. Daring was having some trouble maneuvering herself over the foot and hand holds with her clumsy pudgy body and thick diaper between her thighs. And she could see that Ahuizotl had already made it to the top, where she was barely halfway up! "Come on, Ahuizotl! Can't ya help me?!" The little filly whined. Ahuizotl just looked back down with a smirk seeing he made it up the first obstacle before her, and laughed. "At this point, I'll grow back bigger before ya can reach ta top! Come on and get up here!" Daring pouted as she was annoyed with Ahuizotl's constant barrage of insults. She then tried to hop to another hold on the side of the wall. But she could not reach it, falling beneath the foothold she was trying to reach. Ahuizotl laughed, and Daring shouted, "Hey, just help me! Or we gonna never get out of here!" Ahuizotl smirked. "Ya gotta say ta magic word." Daring cursed under her breath, then grumbled. "Pretty please?" "Otay, otay!" Ahuizotl exclaimed as he jumped down to Daring Do and then used his head to push on the filly's padded tush as she was assisted up, grasping from one handhold to the next. Ahuizotl was grunting and getting angry at her for being slow. Still, she eventually got to the top, along with her nemesis. They both looked out over a giant foam bridge with a ball pit beneath the bridge. Giant foam hammers swung across the bridge, shooting foam balls from cannons. The two continued their way through the walkway, trying to be careful to dodge the projectiles as they jumped over or dodged them. Daring Do avoid the projectiles and used her padded bottom to deflect the balls she couldn't escape. She then looked back and saw that Ahuizotl was having difficulty, constantly being slammed with balls. Daring Do had to quickly save him from falling into the ball pit. She took hold of his paws and hoisted him up, then took her padded tush out and shouted. "Use ya diaper as a shield!" Ahuizotl looked up with a glare at the pegasus. "What?! I'm not doin tat!" "If ya wana fall in tat ball pit, be my guest!” Daring snorted. “There's no way we can dodge all of tis. Ya diapee is pretty thick with padded material ya can use tat to swat ta balls!" Ahuizotl groaned but reluctantly did as Daring Do instructed. The two whacked the balls away as they dodged the foam hammers coming back and forth. The cat and the adventurer got to the other side and breathed. Daring Do then commented, "This doesn't seem too bad; we'll have that cure and be long gone before Vibora returns." They then both turned to see a massive maze spread out before them; they both gaped in awe, seeing how long and complex it was. "H…how will we get through this?" Ahuizotl whined. Daring Do huff. "We will get through this! You and I have been through worse temples and traps ten tis! Come on!" "Otay, well ya got something to leave a trail so we dun get lost?" Ahuizotl nervously asked. "Yeah!" Daring took out a diaper bag. "We got tons of extra diapers! We’ll use tem as a trail!" Ahuizotl's cheeks flushed red out of embarrassment. "Tat is so silly." It felt like hours as the two went through the maze of padded walls, navigating them as they dropped off diapers to ensure they knew where they went. But the more they delved into the maze's winding paths, the more they realized how confusing it was to navigate. When the two got stuck at a dead end, they had to backtrack often to find out where they were. It was a long and tedious process, and the two foals were getting tired and cranky. "Come on, Daring Do! I taught ya went through mazes like tis all ta time?!" Ahuizotl whined. "I am! Just give me a second ta figure out where ta go!" Daring snapped back, trying to put up a bravado. But secretly, she was somewhat worried. She was usually pretty good at mazes. But all the colorful pictures on the walls constantly caught her attention. They made her lose focus as she realized how much of a foal she was becoming and admitted. "I sowie. I tink my mind got messed up fwom ta age wegession…." Ahuizotl also started feeling rather down as he whined. "Yeah, me too. It's harder to concentrate with all the colors and shapes! Tis maze's walls are trying to distract us!" Daring came over and hugged her nemesis. "It's otay, we just gotta keep going! There's an exit ta tis maze. We just gotta find it, ten we back to being big again." The kitten seemed to have regained some courage as he got up and said. "Yeah, ya wight! We are so close ta getting out!” They then saw an opening, and they both went towards it, thinking it was the exit, only to find it was the beginning of the maze! "What?!" Ahuizotl shouted in confusion, looking around in disbelief! "How did we end up where we started?!" "I dun know!" Daring whimpered as she looked down at her hooves, then looked in her bag and saw they were almost out of diapers. "How did tis happen?! Is somepony takin' ta diapers?!" Ahuizotl looked around with a worried expression on his face as he cried. "Yes, they have to be. There's no other way to explain tis!" "So, you two were the ones dropping diapers everywhere!" Both foals were horrified at a mysterious voice that sounded much like Vibroa. They turned around to see a massive teddy bear looming over them. "Mrs. Vibroa will be displeased with two foals wondering about and dropping foal supplies. Come on, it's time to take you back to the nursery." "Run!" Daring shouted; she took Ahuizotl by the paw, and the two ran through the maze as fast as they possibly could! They both did their best to spy a spare diaper or two they dropped while maneuvering through the maze. The two, however, recognized familiar points where they went down the wrong paths and were making good progress. However, another giant teddy suddenly got in their way! "Ugh! Why can't anything be easy?!" Daring shouted as she stomped her hooves in frustration! But she then saw that despite their massive sizes, the teddies were relatively slow and clumsy in how they moved. She could also see the end of the maze where a giant stone door stood with various shapes on the ground. It looked like they'd have to complete a puzzle before the two could escape. Seeing the massive teddies coming closer, Daring turned to Ahuizotl as she made a plan. "Listen! Ya get chased by them, and I'll make it to ta end. I'll unlock the last puzzle, and we'll escape together when I finish!" Ahuizotl turned towards her and asked. "But how will I know when ya finish ta puzzle?" "Trust your gut; just buy me as much time as possible!" Daring instructed. “I promise I come back for ya!” "Otay." Ahuizotl grumbled under his breath. He seemed suspicious of Daring Do, but the kitten knew he had no choice. He then ran off as the two giant teddy bears stumbled after him. Daring Do took the opportunity to go to the puzzle, a door with shaped holes. She obviously had to put the stone shapes into the suitable holes, but felt embarrassed to realize she’d forgotten her shapes! Still, Daring went about with trial and error, using whatever was left of her intuition to try to recognize the sides and angles of each shape. Despite the fountain of youth taking away her intellect, she was able to set each one into the appropriate slot. It took some time. But as soon as she finished the puzzle and the door opened, a giant teddy came over and shook a rattle before her eyes. "Good job! Such a smart filly!" "Yeah, I'm smart!" Daring squealed in delight as she seemed happy she figured out the puzzle herself! She jumped up and down, feeling proud of herself. "But it seems you forgot about something else." The teddy cooed. The adventurer's cheeks flushed red as she looked down at her diaper, seeing it was pretty sodden with pee. "Sowie. But I was busy." "Yes, I know,” The teddy cooed again. “And that's ok. Little fillies like you don't know when they need to use the potty or can’t always make it to the potty in time. Now come along, dear, let's get that diaper changed before you get a rash." Daring Do did as the teddy instructed as she laid on a changing mat already prepared for her. The teddy then went about the diaper change. And afterward, it prepared a bottle of formula. Daring watched as the teddy took a jar from her apron filled with milk and poured it into a glass bottle. But that’s when it struck her! "Wait! I'm not a foal, though! I an adventurer!" "No you're not, sweetie!" The teddy protested as it poked Daring’s clean diaper and continued. "You're wearing diapers, aren't you?" Daring's cheeks flushed pink as she nodded.. "And you use them, don’t you?" The teddy asked. The little adventurer nodded again, being embarrassed she wasn't potty trained yet and wondering if she should ask Auntie Rainbow Dash to help her get started? "And on top of that, you solved a puzzle designed for foals like yourself. I don't think big girl adventures do any of those things." The teddy replied in a sweet tone of voice. "No…I dun tink tey do…” Daring mumbled, seeming to feel rather silly now as she had so much trouble trying to solve a simple puzzle. Maybe she should ask aunty Rainbow Dash to teach her shapes and colors. The massive teddy bent down to Daring’s level and hugged her tightly as it whispered gently into her ear. "Yes. But that's ok, you're just a toddler. You shouldn’t worry about such grown-up things. Now come on, drink your milk like a good little pony." "Otay…" Daring mumbled, she was picked up and taken into the arms of the teddy as a rubber nipple was placed into her mouth. The little pegasus then began to gently suckle the contents embracing her new foalish mindset entirely with her eyes dropping. She was somewhat exhausted from playing with her best friend Ahuizotl, wondering where he went off to? Oh well, soon he'ld return to the nursery for a nap, and the two could play again later! As the little filly drifted to sleep, the teddy whispered gently. "There we go, such a good little foal." It then took the filly into its big, fluffy paws, plopped a pacifier into her mouth and then placed her into the pocket of its apron. Daring Do snuggled into the innards of the apron, loving the security of her diaper and the gentle bobbing of the pacifier in her mouth. It wasn't long until she’d drifted off to sleep. The massive plush bear then waddled off to the nursery to tuck little Daring Do in for a nap. Meanwhile, Ahuizotl was doing his best to avoid being captured, dodging the clumsy swipes of the teddies. He then led the two chasing him to smash into each other, giving him an exit, and he quickly ran back to Daring Do! But when he arrived at the gate, he was surprised to see she wasn't there! It was open, but she was nowhere to be seen! "She went ta get ta cure didn't she?!" Ahuizotl cried, thinking he was tricked and seething with rage at the possibility. How had he fallen for such an obvious ploy? Ahuizotl went through the doorway and up a set of stairs to see a massive fountain. It towered before him, spurting out water every few seconds. He then looked around and saw that Daring Do was nowhere to be found. He pondered for a second, knowing she wouldn't have left him here, she would've stayed until he arrived or gone to help the other foals that were still at the nursery if she indeed made it this far. That meant there was only one reason she wasn't here! She'd been captured. Ahuizotl thought about this. He could leave Daring Do here as a baby and never have to deal with her again! Their years-long rivalry would be over, and he could take over the basin! But as he thought about this, he remembered how much fun it had been playing with her, how she'd helped him and only ever tried to befriend him. Also, how boring it would be if he achieved his victory like! Nopony would stop him unless Celestia and Luna got involved. They would lock him up in Tartarus, not explore temples or race him to find ancient artifacts. Ahuizotl slowly began to realize he would miss Daring Do and would feel guilty leaving his rival here as a foal. So that meant there was only one thing to do. "Ugh, ya got to be kidding me!" He shouted, having mixed feelings about his decision. Still, he’d reluctantly made up his mind! He was going to rescue her! Ahuizotl then took the bottles with him and dumped their contents. After that, he went to get as much magical water as possible. He then strapped the foal bag around him, went out the exit, and saw he was now at the back of the temple, meaning he could quickly return to the front to help Daring Do! In Ponyville, Vibora had just finished helping Twilight care for the Apple family and the regressed mayor. They were very adorable, and she was having a lot of fun with them. Derpy had come by in time for the foals to take a nap; that meant Vibora was now free to seek out Mrs. Swindle, seeing as she's heard so much about the mare. Vibora headed out to the farm that had (until recently) been the Apple family’s farm. She saw Flim and Flam selling their apple cider using a machine there. She was amazed at how big it was and how much apple cider it was producing, wondering if a device like that could produce milk as fast as possible. She then came to the front door and knocked. Mrs. Swindle answered, having turned the home into a political campaign headquarters filled with ponies all working for her: Gathering poll numbers, checking headlines, and putting pins on boards to mark points and locations around town. It all seemed so dull and nonsensical. So… grown-up. "Oh, hello! And who might you be?" Mrs. Swindle asked. "I'm Vibora, and I'm here with a proposal." The pegasus whispered. "A proposal?" the unicorn asked with a cocked eyebrow. "Yes, one that will benefit us both,” Vibora explained. “I know you used my water to turn the mayor here and some other ponies into foals," She gently whispered. Mrs. Swindle nodded and led the pegasus up to her bedroom (which had previously belonged to Granny Smith). There she had a desk with blueprints laid out Vibora looked over them and asked. "What is this?!" "Oh, nothing that'll interest you,” Mrs. Swindle replied. “Just plans for a factory to mass produce apples into sauces, pies, and cider. With this, I'll become a millionaire!" Vibora nodded and asked. "So, is this why you wanted the Apples' farm?" "Of course, and it's all thanks to your age regression water!” Swindle boasted! “I had other plans in mind: Kidnapping the family, brainwashing them into leaving the farm, or even buying it out from under them. But turning them into babies was just so easy! Plus, when I'm mayor, I'll turn the deed to this farm over to my sons so they can take over and legally own the place. I'll monitor our new apple family business." Vibora nodded again. "Well, it seems you'll get everything you want, seeing as the Apples will never turn back to adults." Mrs. Swindle was surprised and then asked. "Not even naturally?" The pegasus shook her head and continued to explain. "No, unless they drink the pure waters in my temple, they'll remain foals forever. The fountain of youth does grant eternal life, but with a twist: You'll remain a foal for eternity." Mrs. Swindle burst into laughter as she smirked! "That's both hilarious and adorable! I could even turn the princesses into babies and take over Equestria!" The unicorn mare then calmed down, settled back onto a chair, and said. "But I'll settle for being super rich! I'm only in politics until I can change some deeds and laws. After I ensure I own this orchard, some other pony can become mayor. I want to ensure my sons have a good future. A future they were rightfully entitled to before the Apples cheated them out of it!" "I see…well, in that case, this is my proposal,” Vibora commented. “If you're rich, I'll ensure no pony ever gets to the purifying waters so the Apples can never turn back to adults, including that meddling Daring Do." Mrs. Swindle's eyes lit up at the mention of the adventurer, and she asked. "Wait! Daring Do?! You have her?!" "Yes. She and her rival Ahuizotl came into my temple in search of the waters to turn themselves back to normal." Vibora explained. With a stern look, the unicorn tapped a hoof to her chin. "Is there any way she and this Ahuizotl can turn back to adults and ruin my plans?" Vibora gave a slight and hesitant nod. “Yes, there is, so here's my proposal. I shall keep Daring Do and Ahuizotl as babies and turn anypony else into foals if they try to find my waters: That includes that pegasus and cat camping outside my temple. Meanwhile, you will supply my temple with a super nursery! I want to make sure my foals live comfortably, so I want to have foal supplies constantly shipped to my temple.": The unicorn looked up and asked. "That's all? What's up with you and foals?" Vibora looked downward and grumbled. "Thousands of years ago, my species used to be abundant across the land, but after a cataclysm, almost every one of my kind was wiped out. I was the only survivor,” Then she began to tear up. “I…I never had children, and when I saw ponies enter my jungles and create their civilizations, I grew jealous of them…that they get to have foals and live happily while I suffer,” Vibora then recalled. “So I pretended to be a god to them, asking for tribute from ponies. Many thought I ate them, but I turned them into babies…." She paused, seeming to grimace over the next part. "But after the ponies left and went to find Equestria, I was left all alone. But caring for those foals and finding new ponies to baby is always a treat and keeps me going." Mrs. Swindle just yawned and replied. "Well, that was rather sad and dull. Fine, I agree to these terms. I can use you to care for other ponies I might have turned into foals. I'm finding this method of dealing with my enemies much cleaner than kidnapping or blackmail." "As you wish,” Vibora agreed. “Now I’d better get going. I assume Daring Do and her friend is braving the trials to find the cure. But trust me; they won't make it." "How so?" Swindle asked. "I set up the way to the cure like an obstacle course. It's foolproof and foalproof, so they won't hurt themselves if they attempt to escape,” Vibora recalled. “At the end, I have an animate teddy guard who'll brainwash them into thinking they’re foals. They can repeat it repeatedly, but my guard will always tackle them. Now excuse me, but I must be sure they're ok!" She then took off through the window as Mrs. Swindle smirked, thinking about how to turn all her enemies into foals. Twilight was being quite meddlesome. Maybe she’d be turned into a foal and sent to this temple next. But Swindle knew it would be too suspicious if she did it now, with Celestia and Luna posting spies from S.M.I.L.E to keep tabs on her. She'd seen them coming by often. But once the tension died down in a few more months, Twilight would be Swindle’s next victim! > Chapter Six: Ahuizotl Saves the Day?! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ahuizotl ran over to Rainbow Dash and Reina, who patiently waited for the foals to return from their adventure. He was much relieved to see his mother and rushed into her paws. Reina held her son close to her chest and cried. "Oh, Ahuizotl, I'm so glad you're ok!" The kitten blushed, nodded, and said. "Yes, Mama, I'm otay…." Reina patted his diaper and began a diaper change, then had him feed from her teats; all the while, the kitten started to relax a bit. Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, looked around with a concerned look as she asked. "Where is Daring Do?" Ahuizotl gulped as he felt nervous, considering he and her were still enemies. He knew this would look like he'd abandoned her, but the former lord of cats had no choice: He had to tell them what had happened. "Well…she… she's still in ta temples!" "Why?! Why did you leave her there?!" Rainbow Dash shouted in disbelief! Ahuizotl got somewhat scared, then Reina got in front of her son and snapped at Rainbow! "Hey, don't shout at my son! "It's otay; I get why she doesn't trust me," The kitten whispered. He then crawled around his mother and came up towards her with a worried look on his face. "Rainbow Dash, l didn't have a choice! I would be in that temple as a drooling baby if I stayed. Daring Do sacrifice herself, so I can grab ta cure," He then showed off the bottles filled with the rejuvenating waters and continued to explain, "I got these so I can give ta water out to Daring Do and the other babies that Vibora has trapped." They both turned to him as he looked up, "Daring Do is still in the temple as a baby, but I can cure her and the others. But I gotta go back in!" Reina frowned and narrowed her eyes as she bellowed! "No way!" "Mom!" Ahuizotl pouted. Reina jumped at her son and looked down at him, seeing the determined look in his eyes. Then she apologized. "Right…sorry, I must remind myself you're not a little kitten. I don't want you staying a baby forever, and I just got you back." Ahuizotl hugged his mother. "I'll be fine. You wait out here, otay? If you see a giant snake come by, stop her from entering ta temple, otay?" "Ok," Reina replied, then watched her son disappear into the temple. Ahuizotl slowly crept into the ancient nursery once more and saw that the padded room now had massive teddy bears lumbering about and caring for the foals inside, changing diapers, getting them bottles, and playing with them. Luckily for Ahuizotl, he'd snuck in through what appeared to be an empty ancient diaper pail. He watched, waiting until the teddies started to take the foals to put them down for naps. He then saw his opportunity, climbing out and waddling towards Daring Do, who was playing with blocks and stacking them on top of each other clumsily. With the giant teddies lying about, Ahuizotl carefully jumped nimbly over the teddy bears. He then ran towards his nemesis, nuzzled her, and asked. "Hey, Daring, are you ok?!" Daring looked up with drool coming down her chin. She clapped her hooves and exclaimed: "Hello, pretty kitty!" Ahuizotl was somewhat surprised by her response. He tried shaking her a little. "Hey, snap out of it! Ya dun remember your nemesis, Ahuizotl?" "'Member ya?!" The little adventurer plucked her hoof into her mouth and began to suckle on it; then, a surprised look came over her face. Daring Do start to bounce on her diaper as she squealed, "Yeah, Ahuizotl, my bestest friend!" She then jumped onto him as Ahuizotl groaned out loud. "Great, ya brain is completely mush!" Daring Do just giggled as she continued to hug him. The kitten looked around his face, and then he turned to see that trying to herd these babies to the waters at the end of the temple would be nearly impossible. However, he got an idea and took out the few bottles of the enchanted waters. If he can get the foals to grow up to still fit the hole in the wall above, they would be easier to manage, and he can get them all cured simultaneously! Ahuizotl then went to a cabinet filled with empty baby bottles: Half he served with the enchanted waters, and the rest he filled with milk. The kitten then went to each sleeping baby and hoofed a bottle into their mouths. He finished by plopping a bottle into Daring Do's mouth. It wasn't long until he saw the babies around him growing older, their bodies becoming less chubby and their features more defined. Daring Do was now much older, with her wings much more prominent and her mane and tail growing longer. She slowly woke up, blinked, turned towards Ahuizotl, and asked. "Um, Ahuizotl? What happened?" "You were acting like an actual baby," Ahuizotl responded with a smirk as he placed a paw to his chest. "But lucky for ya, I came by!" Daring looked over with a curious look. "So, what are we supposed to do now?" "Well, we need to get these foals to ta fountain and turn them back to adults, but we gotta do it quietly," Ahuizotl explained. The adventurer nodded as she and Ahuizotl woke up the now older foals. It took some negotiating, but many seemed to have their former adult minds restored, so they all quickly and quietly listened to Daring Do and Ahuizotl. They then had the colts and fillies form a line, then went up the stairs they made of foam blocks (which were still there, surprisingly enough). Daring looked down at Ahuizotl, realizing he was still a toddler as she asked. "There wasn't enough water for you?" Ahuizotl shook his head and then exclaimed. "Tat's otay, we need ta get tese ponies to ta fountain at ta end of the temple, and we gotta do it fast before Vibora comes back!" Daring Do gave a nod, and then she turned her attention to the foals as she exclaimed. "Hey, listen! If you want to turn back into an adult, follow me! We'll get ya through the traps, and you'll all be back to adults in no time." The foals silently nodded in agreement, following Ahuizotl and Daring up the foam stairs and toward the fountain. Daring Do and Ahrizotl first helped the school foals climb the rock wall, with many indigenous ponies (mainly earth ponies) seeming to have the most trouble. Meanwhile, archeologists were doing rather well as they nimbly jumped from one foothold to the next. The little adventurer then turned towards the archeologists who made it and asked. "Um…can ya help ta other foals? Ahrizotl can't support all of them!" A pegasus colt came forward. "Well, I think that this just shows the survival of the fittest and that we pegasi deserve those waters more than them!" Daring was appalled by this colt's words and snapped. "Listen here! If you hadn't noticed, ya was in diapers for Celestia knows how long! You aren't any better ten anypony! Ya go down there and help tose other ponies before I turn ya back into a baby!" At that threat, the pegasus colt quickly nodded and flew down to help the other struggling with the rock wall. Another pegasus, a filly, also flew down to help the indigenous ponies climb. Another colt archeologist took a whip, lowered it, and used it as a rope to help the last ponies up to the top of the wall. Ahrizotl got up, seemingly out of breath, looking up at Daring Do with a smile. "We did it!" "Yes, we did, but we still have a long way to go." Daring Do then led the group of foals toward a long foam bridge with a ball pit underneath. Just like before, giant foam hammers were swinging across, and foam balls were shot all over the place. Thinking fast, Daring Do took out a few diapers and instructed the colts and fillies. "Otay, I know ya all older. But ta best way to get through this trial is fow some of us to be diapered." Ahuizotl nodded as he thrust his pampered rear out. "We can use our diapee butts to block the balls." "As if! I will never wear those diapers again! Never!" The colt from before vowed! "You will wear these diapers, especially since you can fly and help deflect the foam balls from the air!" Daring snapped, getting rather frustrated at this rude colt. He seemed like archeologists of old who cared more about glory and proving absurd theories than actually watching history. Ahuizotl, meanwhile, explained. "While ta pegasi block ta balls with their diapers, I can lead the other earth ponies to keep an eye on a swinging hammer and warn ya to keep you from being knocked down!" Daring Do clap her hooves and squealed. "That sounds like a great idea!" So she and Ahuziotl arranged the teams. The pegasi were diapered up and flew backward, with their padded flanks slapping the balls being shot at them. Meanwhile, the earth ponies told the pegasi when to stop or keep going as the foam hammers swung from the bridge's sides. With the ponies all working together, they made it across the other side of the bridge, and that was when they came onto the maze. But at this point, they heard someone shout! "My babies! Get them!" Daring turned back with a look of horror and shouted! "Oh no! Vibora is back!" Ahuizotl smirked., "It's otay, we got tis! Tis is the easy part! All the teddies are still back at the nursery, so we must get to the end, do the puzzle, and win!" "Right!" Daring Do turn towards her fellow ponies and shouted! "Alright, everypony, follow me! Hurry!" The foals followed Daring Do and Ahuizotl through the winding paths that made up the maze as the two, fortunately, remembered the right ways to take. Upon reaching the end of the labyrinth, the earth ponies all stopped and started to use their inherent strength to hoist the pieces and slot them into the suitable holes rather seamlessly. But by this point, they can hear the sounds of padded paws and the slithering of a snake coming ever closer. When the door to the fountain revealed itself, Daring Do took Ahuizotl by the paw, and she quickly dove into the water. In a matter of seconds, she and her nemesis had transformed back into adults. Then they went to the entrance and shouted! "Get to the water! We'll keep you safe!" The rest of the ponies did as they instructed. But just then, Vibora faced them, uncoiling her massive body! She was accompanied by a couple of her enormous teddy bears. But instead of attacking, she shook her tail and whispered rather sweetly. "My dears, don't listen to them. Your lives as adults were dull. Wasn't being foals more fun and easier? Come to me, and I'll bathe you back into the fountain of youth and regress you into adorable babies. You'll be safe with me forever." Many of the indigenous foals seemed to stop, along with the archeologists. Daring Do shouted as loud as she could! "All of you listen! Vibora stole you from your family and has caged you here. Yes, life would be easy staying here and being a baby. But it'll be for all of eternity! Do you want that? Do you never want to grow up again, or be able to use the potty, or do any of the fun grown-up things you used to like to do?" The foals looked at each other one by one. The tone of hypnosis seemed to be failing as they shook off Vibora's whispering, transforming back into adults when they dove into the fountain's waters. As she saw her foals turning into adults, Vibora shouted! "No! stop!" She then unleashed her teddies, who ran toward the group. But Daring Do and Ahuizotl quickly knocked the teddies down and kept them from grabbing the foals. But then Vibora wrapped her tail around Daring Do and her nemesis. They groaned in pain as she crushed them with her long tail and shouted, "You will pay for ruining everything! One way or another, you'll be my helpless babies forever!" "No, stop!" Shouted a voice. She looked to see all the ponies that were once foals were now adults, with a dozen of them being rather gruff-looking indigenous earth ponies and the three archaeologists, a female one who seemed relatively young and quiet, a middle-aged stallion with his whip, and an elderly looking pegasus who seemed rather posh. The female pegasus slowly came forward and pleaded. "Mother, please don't do this. You know that we had to grow up sometime, right?" The natives all bowed and said in unison. "Yes, great mother. Although you imprisoned us, you gave us life and kept us safe. We are eternally grateful. Don't harm these two." The middle-aged pegasus blushed. "As embarrassing as it was wearing diapers, I enjoyed being a foal. But it can't last; everyone has to grow up someday." The posh elderly stallion scoffed! "My word! You all have gone mad! But I must agree with my fellows, don't hurt these two." Vibora then had tears come to her eyes as her tails began to slack, and then Daring Do and Ahuizotl slowly got themselves free from her grasp. She then turned to her pony form. “Y…you’re right… I'm so sorry!" Vibora then burst into tears and wrapped itself with its tail; it then began to wail rather loudly. Despite the creature having imprisoned a dozen ponies, Daring couldn't help but feel bad for the beast. Her cheeks flushed red as she trotted over and tried to console her. "Hey, it's ok. You were trying to do what you thought was right. I'm sure ponies wouldn't mind occasionally being foals again if they had you to care for them." "Yes, I agree with Daring," Ahuizotl nodded in agreement. "You weren't bad; you were just confused." Vibora gave slow nods as she wiped the tears and said, "Well…I wasn't, and if it weren't for you, I would've never stopped." She then transformed into her pegasus form, slowly trotted toward the group, and gave each of her former foals a hug and an apology. They were then all escorted out of the temple and into the jungles with the sun streaming downwards. Ahuizotl then looked upwards and gave a deep breath as Daring Do turned towards her "Nemesis" and asked. "So, what will you do now?" The lord of cats paused, then said. "Well, seeing that I risked my neck to save you, I think it's only fair that you do me a favor." "Oh, like what?" Daring, hesitantly asked. "Write a book about this adventure…and make me your partner." Ahuizotl proposed. "Partner?" Daring Do blink. "Yeah, partner!" Ahuizotl explained. "Despite all our silliness as babies, I came to…well…enjoy being in your company. And you have a point when you said our constant fighting is rather pointless. If we go on adventures together from now on, I think we should be partners." Daring Do burst into laughter, and it took a few minutes to get a hold of herself before she said. "After all these years, it took you turning into a kitten to realize our constant battling was pointless?!" Ahuizotl looked toward his former foe and snapped. "Don't test me!" Daring held up a hoof. "Hey, no hard feelings. And don't worry, I'll write this adventure as a kid's story, just like I made that one journey with a huge temple toilet," She blushed. "It sure was weird going through potty training a second time. I'm glad I didn't have to do it again this time." The cat then took out a paw and shook Dairing's hoof. They then made their way to the front of the temple. There Ahuizotl embraced his mother, and Rainbow Dash cheered for Daring Do, seeing she was now an adult. But with the sun setting, it was time for them to start finding their way home. Ahuizotl and Daring Do shook paw to hoof once more before going their separate ways, with Daring Do leading the ponies to her home as Ahuizotl escorted his mother into the jungles to theirs. > Chapter Seven: The End of Daring Do's Embarassing Journey > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ms. Swindle woke one morning to the sun shining through her window and the birds chirping. She gave a long breath of fresh air, slowly got out of bed, and trotted out of her house. The mare felt confident she had won and that there was no way anypony would be able to stop her from becoming the mayor and giving the farm to her sons. Everything seemed to be going to plan. Ms. Swindle then went outside, trotted through the streets, and waved at passing ponies. The mare then spotted a group of ponies flying toward her. She squinted to see who they could possibly be, and that was when she noticed a golden brown pegasus, Rainbow Dash. A group of archeologists came towards her. The golden brown coated pegasus slowly trotted forward with a smirk on her face. “Hello, Ms. Swindle. I bet you didn’t expect me.” Mrs. Swindle’s jaw dropped; she was confused about how this could be possible and stammered. “H..how?! Vibora was supposed to keep you as a fo-” The middle-aged unicorn stopped as the words stumbled out of her mouth and groaned, then slammed a hoof to her mouth. As she realized what she had just said out loud. “Well, well, I guess you just exposed yourself.” A voice said out loud. Ms. Swindle then slowly turned to see the entire Apple Family behind her. She slowly backed up with a worried look. “Oh, it’s so good to see you! I’m so happy you're all back to normal!” Applejack narrowed her vision, glaring toward the mare, and shouted. “Yeah, I bet you are!” She was about to rush over and give Ms. Swindle a piece of her mind, but her brother seemed to hold her in place. Meanwhile, Daring Do trot over to Ms. Swindle. “Now, we have a few options here: We can have you arrested here and now. We have enough evidence to show you not only regressed the mayor and the Apples, but you planned to steal the Apples’ farm.” Ms. Swindle, at this point, was starting to look somewhat nervous and uncertain about what would happen. Daring Do continued, “However, I’d rather we not cause panic and make everypony start freaking out, as Vibora has agreed she’ll stop turning ponies into foals and keep to herself. So I don’t want to cause her any trouble. So instead, I suggest you end your campaign; Mayor Mare will continue her term as mayor of Ponyville.” “F…fine!” Ms. Swindle frowned. With a smile, Daring continued. “And any cider you sold up to this point: Half of the bits that Flim and Flam made will go to the Apples as compensation for your little scheme." “Alright, I…I accept your terms as long as it gets you off my back!” Ms. Swindle grumbled under her breath; she wanted to do something, but if Vibora betrayed her as it seemed she had, there was nothing she could do. Her scheme to get the Apples' farm was foiled. So, reluctantly, she returned to the farm to end her campaign and tell her sons to pack up. Later that afternoon, after Ms. Swindle and her son, left and Mayor Mare resumed her duties, everything seemed to return to normal. The Apples had taken back their farm (and a fair amount of bits) and were working on a deal with Flim and Flam to sell apple cider in other parts of Equestria. Meanwhile, Daring Do and Rainbow Dash had gone to the library and written a long letter to Princess Celestia about everything that had occurred. After finishing the report, Spike sent it off to Celestia. Twilight, meanwhile, was exhausted from all that had transpired. She gave a loud yawn, stretching her wings out. “Well, I'm glad that’s over. I didn’t know how long I could keep caring for all those foals.” “Let alone have any ink! Mayor Mare kept using it to make hoof paintings.” Spike added. Daring Do's cheeks turned pink and blushed as she turned towards Rainbow Dash and asked, “Did I do anything embarrassing as a foal?” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “Nah, you were just adventurous, like you always are." Twilight brought a hoof to her face and snickered. “Oh, were you thinking of having foals yourself, Rainbow?” “Not on your life! Foals are way too much of a hoofful for me, and I don’t wanna take up all my free time having to care for them!” The daredevil snapped in response, generating a roar of laughter from the others. Twilight then loudly yawned and threw her hooves in the air. "That does it for me; I'm going to get some sleep.” “Yeah, we lost Smarty Pants, and Big Mac wouldn’t calm down until we found it,” Spike added. Rainbow Dash groaned. "Ugh, enough with the baby talk! I’m just glad Applejack is back to normal!” She and Daring Do then trotted off as the adventurer felt rather sheepish; she couldn’t help thinking about Rainbow Dash as her mother and how she’d cared for her for a week. She would still be a foal if it weren’t for her getting out of her element. Eventually, Daring spoke up. “Rainbow Dash, I just wanna say: Thank you for everything.” The daredevil's cheeks flushed red as she threw up a hoof. “Hey, don’t mention it…But between you and me, if I do ever have foals, I hope… they're like you, more independent and capable of taking care of things by themselves.” “Aww, well, if you need help with anything, and I mean anything, you let me know, Mo-” Daring’s face turned a beat red, realizing she was about to call Rainbow Dash mom. Luckily she caught herself. “Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow nodded and yawned. Luckily, she hadn’t noticed Daring’s slip of the tongue and flew off as fast as she could. “And then, when Daring Do talked to the cool, rainbow-maned mare named Rainbow Splash, she thanked her for caring for her and helping her turn back into an adult. After that, Daring Do flew off into the air and headed back home, exhausted after her long, arduous adventure. The End!” A.K. Yearling proclaimed. She was now sitting before a kindergarten class filled with young colts and fillies as she finished reading her latest book. The foals all squealed in delight, some clapping, others somewhat surprised and squealing. A colt then asked. “So…that means Arizhotl is a good guy now?” “Ahuizotl, and yes, he is.” A.K. Yearling smirked; she was surprised her former nemesis had kept his word. “But what about Vibora? Is she ok?” A filly asked. A.K. flashed the filly smile and said. “Yes, she’s doing just fine; the tribe she regressed is rebuilding their village. And when they have their own foals, she’ll be their caretaker.” “Ooooh!” Many ponies exclaimed all at once. Cheerilee then trotted over. “Well, that’s all for today. Let’s thank A.K. Yearling for coming here and reading to us.” “Thank you, A.K. Yearling!” All the foals immediately cheered in unison. A.K Yearling nodded as she got up, trotted out of the schoolhouse, and turned to see that a ton of foals had her new book “Daring Do and the Fountain of Youth” in hoof. The cover was of herself in her usual adventure outfit. But she was turned into a foal with the clothes around her body being too big. It was rather cute but also embarrassing. Luckily, most ponies thought the whole thing was fictional. She then flew off from the schoolhouse, about to head home. That was when she spotted Rainbow Dash flying over as the mare called out. “Hey, um, Dar…I mean, A.K. Yearling?” “Yes?” AK Yearling asked. Rainbow Dash blushed as she turned towards the adventurer, and with a sheepish blush, she held up a familiar-looking book. “Um…c…can you sign this?” "You mean, you actually picked up a copy?" The adventurer snickered. Rainbow Dash looked embarrassed as she turned her head. "Yeah, I had to. I know it's a kids' book…but it's a good kids' book. Besides, it has me in it, so that makes it cooler…Though ‘Rainbow Splash,’ seriously? That's the best you could come up with?" "Well, I made her a bit older and motherly, so no pony will ever know it's you," A.K. Yearling blushed. Part of her still saw Rainbow somewhat as her mother. “Of course, Mo-” She groaned as she almost called Rainbow's mom again and quickly signed the book. “There, all done!” “Thanks.” Rainbow Dash squeaked out as she seemed to catch on, and she waved a hoof as she flew off into the air. Then, just as A.K. Yearling was going to leave, she saw a dozen more ponies come over to get their copies signed too. Derpy soon fluttered over and hoofed her a copy of the book. “Do you mind signing my copy?” “Of course not!” AK Yearling exclaimed; she quickly signed away, hugged Derpy, and thanked her. “Thank you for all your help.” She then went down the line of ponies, signing their copies one by one. When she’d wrapped up the last of the book signing. The pegasus flew off into the air heading towards her home to get a good night's sleep. She was happy to learn that Vibora was doing well and she and the tribe of ponies were doing fine and returned to her home after a long day. After a few hours, Daring Do opened the door to her home and loudly yawned. She removed her glasses and cloak and slowly trotted up the steps toward her bedroom. It was pretty interesting to see her room still looking like a nursery there. She then trotted towards a bedside table and drank a bottle labeled FOY that had been prepared just for her. Thank goodness it was only temporary. Daring shrank down in age to a foal. She then toddled towards a package of diapers and was able to swaddle herself in one, ensuring a diaper was secured around her waist. She then stood up on her hooves with her diaper tied around her flank, fluttering up and over the bars of her crib with her diaper crinkling around her waist. She then settled under her crib sheets and curled up with a plush kitten, hugging it close to her. This was now her favorite way to relax, regress into a foal, and cuddle a plushie. Daring Do then gave an adorable yawn, plopped a bottle into her mouth, and suckled on some warm milk as she drifted off to sleep.