DustStorm's Treatmentby DuskShadowBronyChaptersDustStormLuna's IdeaAwakeningPreparationDustyPlayful little ponyThe ThiefBathtimeEpiloguePrologueDustStormSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Luna's IdeaLuna caught the small pony with her wings, and gently laid him on the carpeted floor. She tried to ignore the guilt of using a sleep potion in his tea. "You need rest. And true rest. You won't dream with this sleeping potion." she gently spoke in his ear. Luna's mind still was shaken by the nightmare she saw in DustStorm's dreams. Another wave of guilt hit her for spying on his dreams. She looked over the sleeping pony. "If only there were some way to make him forget his past... Or fix the damage done to his heart..." she whispered out loud to herself. Luna thought about it for a while, then started pulling books off the shelves. The old spellbooks were faded, but legible. She flipped through the pages, looking for something, anything, to help. Her eye landed on a certain spell. She carefully examined it. It was a youth spell. The subject it was used on would grow to a very young foal or filly in size, and their mind would slowly fade and regress to the age of their body. Thus meant that DustStorm could forget all the traumatic memories. She could raise him with the motherly care and love that his family failed to provide. It would fix his shattered heart. Luna looked over at the gray Unicorn on the ground, his chest rising and falling gently with his breathing. It wouldn't be right to just cast it on him out of the blue. She memorized the page, and replaced the books. Luna settled down next to Dust, and gently draped a wing over his body. "When he wakes up." she thought to herself. "Then I'll ask." Author's Note Very short chapter, I know, but it's to show Luna's train of thought before Dust wakes up. AwakeningMy eyes slowly opened. My body felt well rested, and my mind clear. I got up, and shook myself. Luna was there, watching me. "You're awake." she said. "Good." she was silent for a while, then spoke again. "Dust... I know this is a sore subject, but please... About your family.... I know they never supported you, or treated you like a living thing.... But I just want to know... If you could go back, and forget it all, would you? Would you want to grow up in a different scenario, where you were truly care for?" I frowned at the odd question. I thought about all the times I was beaten by my family and the bullies at my school. The times I was backstabbed by ponies I trusted. How I was used by others. Nopony was ever there for me. Ever. Shaking these dark thoughts out of my head, I muttered a reply. "I - I guess..." Luna stood up and walked over to me. “What if I told you that there was a way? To start everything over?" I gave a dry chuckle and walked back to my research desk. "I would say that you're dreaming." Luna shook her head. "There is a way, Dust. Do you trust me?" I turned back to look at her. "Of course I do, Luna. You're like a mother to me." Luna took a deep breath, and explained the spell she found to me. I was stunned into silence for a while. Luna shifted uncomfortably. "This is your choice, of course." she said quickly. "I won't force you." I sat down, mind whirling. "I'll be a... A baby again? I'll forget all I've learned?" "And the memories you try so hard to suppress." Luna had a sad look to her eyes again. "I promise I will raise you like a mother should. I'll take good care of you. I can't stand to see you suffer like this. Nopony deserves to suffer like that." she draped a wing over me, and gave me a gentle hug. "I just want to see you happy." "Will it really work?" I whispered. "Only one way to find out." Luna answered, that motherly tone in her voice again. I hesitated. All my dark memories, gone? I shook myself. "Do it, Luna." my voice was calm. Luna smiled and stood back. Her horn glowed gently. "No matter how long it takes, I will rebuild your heart." she said softly. I felt her magic, like a warm blanket, envelope me. Everything in the room started to grow- no, it was me who was shrinking. When the blurring stopped, Luna was towering over me. I don't know why, but I felt a little scared. Luna seemed to notice this. She picked me up and cradled me gently. "Shhh." she whispered. "It's okay. Mommy's here for you." I felt strange, a calming feeling settled on my mind as Luna rocked me, softly singing a lullaby. My eyes grew heavy, and soon, I drifted off to sleep. Author's Note And so it begins... PreparationLuna smiled gently as the tiny gray Unicorn fell asleep. She carried him carefully to the royal nursery, and laid him down in a crib. She didn't know how long it would take for his current memories to fade, but he already seemed to be more peaceful. She pulled out the scroll of paper with the patrol listing, and crossed out Dust's name on the schedules. The official list would be magically updated in the royal guard offices. "It's okay now, little one." she whispered to the sleeping foal. Luna blew out the candle, and gingerly closed the door to the room. "Er, Princess?" a royal guard walked up and gave her a quick bow. "Why was DustStorm removed from the active roster of guards?" Luna answered with a straight face. "He is taking an extended period off, as he needs time to start some things over." "Ah. Shame. I liked him. Hard worker, and great company to patrol with." the guard bowed again and left the room. Luna sighed. She knew that she couldn't keep this quiet forever. Eventually, other ponies would recognize the baby DustStorm and questions would rise, rumors spread like wildfire. If it came to that, Luna would have no choice but to tell the truth. "I know what you've done, sister." Luna turned to see Celestia walking up. But she was smiling. "I'll keep it a secret for as long as I can, though." "How in Equestria did you hear us?" Luna replied, tilting her head. "The walls have ears." Celestia replied simply, with a mischievous grin. She walked on. "Take care of him and yourself." Luna stood there for a while, then her mind started running again. When Dust woke up, he would probably be hungry. She headed down to the kitchens, where the cooks were idling, as dinner was not for another few hours. However, they quickly stood up straight when the princess centered inside. "Princess Luna! What can we do for you today?" the head chef, a rather large Griffin bowed. "I need the best foal food you can make. Also some formula." Luna said. If any of the cooks found the request odd, they kept their mouths (or beaks, respectively) closed. The kitchen bustled with activity again. Luna watched them work for a while, before walking outside to the central garden area. The sun shone down brightly, a soft breeze whistled through the air. A group of birds flew past Luna, and perched on a tree, their beautiful song resounding through the gardens. She gave a start as she heard her name called out. A voice that was unmistakably foal. Dust's voice. As if crying for a mother. She quickly summoned up her magic and teleported to the royal nursery. Author's Note Next few chapters should be longer, now that everything is finally set up. Hmm. I suddenly want some hard cider. DustyThe moon shone down on the calm lake. I felt a cool and soft breeze rustle through my mane, blow past and around my body. The sky was clear, the stars clearly visible. On my small island, I rested upon a bed of flowers, green grass growing around me. I could hear the wildlife, the squeak of bats, chirp of crickets, the occasional splash of a fish... I closed my eyes gently. It was so calm here. So very calm. But when I opened my eyes again, I was back in my old home. My mother and father were screaming at me. "You useless son! Your sisters have done so much, and you care more about writing stories than you do useful things! You're a shame to the family name!" my father shouted. "You're trash! Worse than trash!" "If you were never born, this family would be better! You said you wanted to die, right? You tried to kill yourself those times? Then die! Just die and this family will be happier!" my mother screeched. My mind started whirling with confusion, fear, anger, and many other emotions. I felt like my head was going to explode. I started crying, as my dream turned to black around me. *** I woke up with a jolt. At first, I was confused, then my memories slowly came back. My mind felt a little fuzzy and unclear. I was still crying from my nightmare, and soon discovered something else. The crib I was in had a yellow wet spot under me. I cried out for Luna, and she came in a flash. "Oh you poor thing..."she lifted me up and gently nuzzled me. "It's okay, I'm here. You don't need to cry." her voice was soft and reassuring. I calmed down a little, and she wiped my tears away. "You had another nightmare, didn't you? It's okay, they'll go away soon." she carried me over to a changing table. At this point, I started feeling uncomfortable. "Is this... Really necessary?" I muttered. Luna carefully laid me down. "Your body is that of a foal. You won't have as much.. Control over it." she pulled out a white diaper from a box near the table. "I know it's going to be strange, but please be a good foal." She smiled down at me. I sighed, knowing it was for the best. I allowed her to put the garment on me, and sit me up. "How does it feel?" Luna asked. I shifted a little, the diaper crinkling. It forced my legs slightly apart. But it felt right, for some reason. Maybe my foal brain was overwriting my adult one faster than I originally thought. That would explain my unclear mind. "It's okay." I answered quietly. My stomach gave an audible rumble, and I looked away, embarrassed. "I predicted that." Luna picked me up and placed me on her back. "Let's go down to the kitchen to get you some food. Don't attract to much attention." "But what abouwt my schedwule?" I clapped a hoof over my mouth as my words came out. Luna giggled. "That's cute, no need to be embarrassed. It's part of the spell, that's all. And we have other guards who can fill in during your... Leave of absence." she started walking, and I held on as best as I could. My hooves seemed to be slightly clumsier than before. We soon reached the kitchen, where a steaming bowl of food was waiting. Luna picked up a nearby spoon, ignoring the stares of some of the cooks. A few were also eying me. I shrunk down a little, closer to Luna. A pang of fear shot through me, unaccustomed to multiple sets of eyes on me. Luna instantly noticed, and took me to a small dining room. "Sowwy, I just-" I stopped as Luna touched a hoof to my mouth. "You don't need to apologize." she set me down on a table. “We don't have a highchair in here, so we'll just do this for now. Now open up." she lifted a full spoon to my mouth." "I can still feed mysewf." my magic gripped the spoon. I always had a knack with it, even at a young age, so I was easily able to hold the spoon with my magic. Or so I thought. My magic faltered, and the utensil clattered to the floor. "Sowwy, Luna..." "You can just call me Mommy, you know." she said in a playful tone as she picked the spoon back up. "Now don't be stubborn, let me feed you." Realizing defeat, I sighed, and opened my mouth, allowing her to spoon food in my mouth. The food wasn't that bad, just the texture felt like I was eating an old apple. I had spilled more than I realized, as Luna had to wipe my face clean. "Thanks, Luna." "One more thing." she walked into the kitchen for a short time, and came back with a full bottle. "You can't possibwy expect me to dwink out of that..." I groaned. "You had a hard enough time with the food, didn't you?"she reminded me. Once again, defeated by logic, I relented. I allowed her to place the bottle in my mouth, and I started sucking. The foal part of my mind soon helped me get a rhythm, and soon, the bottle was empty. Luna smiled, and set the bottle aside, placing a pacifier in my mouth. I almost protested, but I found sucking on it was very calming. Luna lifted me off the table and put me on her back again. "Let's go for a walk, it's a great day out." her voice calmed me even more, and I simply nodded. She walked outside, and the warm rays of Celestia's sun shone down on me. For the first time in a long time, I smiled. It was a tiny one, but still a smile. Luna laughed. "So that's what your smile looks like. You look so adorable!" I ducked my head, another wave of embarrassment washing over me. "Can we go to the meadow, Mommy?" I blinked as I realized that I had not used her name, and rather... Luna seemed happy about this. "Of course, Dusty." "Dusty?" my small voice seemed comical when I tried to sound annoyed. "Do you not like the nickname?" Luna asked. "It's... Okay." I responded in almost a whisper. "We're here." Luna stopped and set me gently on the ground. I attempted to walk, but fell over. Ignoring Luna's, giggling, I resorted to crawling through the many colorful flowers, to my favorite tree. The shade was cool, and the leaves whispered as the wind blew through them. I felt at peace, a feeling I had not felt for many years. My eyes closed, and I soon drifted back to sleep again. Author's Note Boy, Dust sleeps a lot. Kind of like me when when I don't have classes. Playful little ponyI carefully mixed my salad with the packet of dressing. I looked around, at all the other ponies with their friends. I tried to ignore the fact that I was the only one sitting alone. Flipping through my textbook, I continued taking notes, when I felt something behind me. I turned around to see five of the school's worst bullies standing behind me. I took off my glasses and set them on the table. "Can I help you?" I asked cautiously. One of them picked up my textbook and promptly started ripping the pages. As I started to jump up, another kicked me over. They quickly converged on me, and pounded me until I was heavily bruised and bleeding. They ran off, laughing. At this point, I noticed the entire cafeteria was looking at me. Some awkwardly broke eye contact, others laughed and took pictures. As tears of hate and hurt welled up in my eyes, Luna suddenly was in front of me. "Luna?" I asked. "What-" "I promised I would protect you. Let's get out of this nightmare." she cloaked me in her wings. The warmth from them calmed me down, and the memory faded. "Wake up, little one. The nightmare is over." *** My eyes opened, and I raised a hoof to shield against the bright sun. Luna was standing over me, with a gentle smile. "Welcome back to the real world, sleepy head." she patted me on the head. "Oh boy, you need a change." It wasn't until she pointed it out until I felt the soaked.. . And messy diaper. I started to get visibly upset, but Luna gently nuzzled me, the therapeutic contact quieting me down. She laid out a changing mat and set me on top. She made quick work of changing me and cleaning me, slipping the new diaper on in a flash. "Better?" she asked softly, stroking my mane. I nodded quietly, and her smile widened. "Good." "Mommy?" the word slipped out of my control again. "What that?" taking note of my grammar mistake, and giving myself a mental slap for it, I pointed at something soaring in the sky. "That's a Griffin. That's right, you never met one, right? That's one of our mail carriers." she turned back to me and removed a blue ball speckled with moons and stars from her saddlebags. "Here!" she nudged it with her nose, sending it into the air at me. Usually not being one for games, I was initially reluctant to knock it back, but moved up and bumped it with my muzzle. I felt a jolt of happiness rush through me, and I was eager to return the ball when Luna sent it back to me. After a few volleys, a wind caught the light beach ball, sending it soaring away from me. I ran after it, not looking where I was going. One of my hooves tripped over a rock, and I tumbled to the ground. It didn't hurt that much, but I felt tears come to my eyes again. Luna was at my side in an instant. "Are you okay, little one? That looked like it hurt. Here, mommy will kiss it and make it all better." I managed a half hearted protest as she gently kissed the scratch. I wiped away my tears, and gave Luna a hug, which she happily returned. "It's almost time for me to bring out the moon. We need to go back home." she placed me on her back, and packed the items she took out. "Want me to gallop?" I nodded, with foalish enthusiasm. "Go, mommy!" I held on tightly. Luna crouched down and broke into a run, both of us laughing all the way back to the castle. *** "There. It's done." Luna and Dust looked up at the beautiful night sky. "Princess, this came for you." a royal guard walked up, bowing. Once again, I felt frightened by the new pony, and hide behind Luna. He smiled. "And who's that little pony?" Luna took the scroll from him, thinking quickly to try to answer his question. "A friend's child." she stated firmly. "I'm watching him while she's on vacation." The royal guard nodded, bowed again, and left. Luna opened the scroll, and read it through. "Oh dear. It appears that Tia and Sparkle both ate something funny on their trip to Almanea. I'm supposed to represent Canterlot as a judge for the combat competition." My eyes lit up. "Fiwghting touwnament?" Luna booped me on the nose. "Not something a little pony like you should see." I processed the situation. "Awe you... Going, mommy?" I asked. Luna sighed. "I have to, little one, but I promise, it'll only be for a day. I'll make sure I get the best foalsitter I can. I promise. Okay?" she gently rubbed my stomach. My eyes were teary again. "But I want to go with you , mommy." Luna sighed. "I'm sorry, Dusty, it's just not appropriate to bring a foal there. Please be a good pony? Stay with a foalsitter for one day? Can you do that for mommy?" I reluctantly nodded. Luna smiled again, and pet my head. "Good." Author's Note I am starving as I write this. When's that pizza I ordered coming? *huffs* The Thief"Well, I'm off. I'll be back by tomorrow." Luna gave me a gentle nuzzle and kiss on the head before she flew off into the night sky. "So, Dusty, what do you want to do now?" I turned back to face my foalsitter as she spoke. She was a light blue pegasus, with a streaked dark blue and white mane. Her cutie mark was a raindrop intertwined with a snowflake. "Want to play a game with CrystalRain?" As Luna instructed me to not speak too much, ("Ponies will find it strange to hear a little foal like you with the vocabulary of an adult. Although I kind of do want to see the looks on their faces." Luna laughed.) I simply answered with a nod. "I brought something every little pony loves." she opened her saddlebag and took out a brightly colored object. Upon closer examination, I realized it was a noisemaker machine, with various buttons, levers, and chambers filled with little beads. "Go on, don't be shy." she motioned for me to come closer. Feeling rather awkward and foalish, I pulled on one of the levers with my magic. I still had pretty good control over my magic, although it had unexplained falters every now and then. A group of beads slid down a chute, and rattled when they amassed in the next chamber. There was something oddly therapeutic about this, and a small smile appeared on my face again. I jabbed at one of the buttons with my hoof, causing one of the compartments to spin, sending a series of clicks and rattles through the air. Crystal smiled at me as I continued to play with the toy. After a few minutes, though, my interest died down. Crystal noted this, an picked me up with her mouth, swinging me onto her back. She repacked the toy and turned around to face me. "Are you hungry?" she asked. I nodded, and she set me down on a nearby couch. "Wait here, and Crystal will get you something." she left the room, and I waited in silence. I got restless rather quickly, and carefully climbed down to see what was taking her. Crawling my way took some time, and was rather annoying, but I managed to reach the small dining room. I saw her stowing a crystal plate in her bag. My mind processed the scene, then I realized that she was stealing. "Thief! Guawrds!" I cried out. My tiny voice didn't carry far, and even if it did, held no authority behind it. She whipped around, looking around to see if anypony else was around. After seeing nopony, she quickly ran over to me. "You better keep quiet about this." she growled, narrowing her eyes at me. She raised a hoof threateningly. Absolute fear shot through me, and I shielded myself with my own hooves. I started crying, waiting for the blow. Something in me twinged. Confusion mixed into my fear. Was I hit before? I felt like I was. But who hit me? It couldn't have been Luna. A brief memory of some ponies flashed across my mind. My mind associated it with family, but that couldn't be right. Luna was my mother, my mommy, right? Did I have any other family? I was brought back by a voice. "Hey!" Crystal snapped sharply. "Promise me you'll keep this a secret, and I just may not have to hit you!" I cried even harder. "I pwomise!" I cried out, feeling my diaper grow warm and wet. "Tch. You better. Or I'll be back." she roughly picked me up and dropped me in my crib. "Stay there. Time for me to go. And remember your promise." she soared out an open window, as I cried myself to sleep. *** The moonlight was bright as it shone down on the meadow. Some sort of dome encased a large area. I crawled to the edge, and touched it. Ripples spread out from where I made contact. I saw masses of black mist swirling around outside. Another flash of unfamiliar but shaking memories. Were these memories mine? "I wouldn't go through there if I were you, little one." Luna was suddenly behind me. "I've managed to protect your dream world from most of your dark past, but they're trying to get in." I tilted my head, confused. "Dawk past?" the memories that surfaced were faded and obscure. Luna frowned. "You mean... You don't know? You don't remember?" As I shook my head, she smiled. "Good. Good." My dream started to fade. Luna embraced me gently as the last of it faded away. *** I opened my eyes, and I was still in Luna's gentle hug. The memories of what had just happened came back to me, and I started to cry again. "Shh. It's okay, little one. We got her. She won't hurt you anymore." Luna looked into my face. Looking into her eyes, I managed to calm myself a little. I hugged her tightly. "Awe you suwe, Mommy? How?" I asked, clinging tightly to her. "Well, one, I sensed you in trouble. Two, a guard heard a foal crying, and alerted backup once he saw a pegasus flying from the room where the crying was coming from. You helped catch a thief we've been trying to identify and find for years." she smiled and gently nuzzled me. "Not bad for a foal." My stomach growled, and I clutched Luna tighter. "Seems like somepony is hungry. Let's get you out of this first." Luna gingerly set me down on the changing table. She removed my old diaper and gently cleaned me. "You need a bath, too but I suppose that can wait until after we get something in your stomach." she slid the new diaper on me and secured it. "Mommy?" I asked quietly. "Yes, little Dusty?" she responded as she picked me up again. "Pwomise me you won't leave me again?" She gently stroked my face with a hoof. "I promise. Now let's get you something to eat." Author's Note Who is this mysterious Crystal? Will she return? Nope. She was just meant to be an antagonist who, when defeated, makes Luna and Dust get a closer bond. She was originally going to to be a recurring antagonist, but I want to keep this story progressively happier. Bathtime"I think those gauwds wecognized me." We were headed to the baths. Luna nodded. "I think so, too. At least they didn't ask questions." I settled myself closer to Luna, burying myself a little in her flowing mane. "How come many pony know me?" I barely noticed my grammar mistake this time. Luna stopped walking. "... You blew up the final examination room for the Royal Guard Academy." she said. "The proctors were unhurt, but one just had his mane combed." she laughed as she remembered the incident. I folded my hooves. "Well they towd me to destwoy all da tawgets. I did." Luna smiled and poked my stomach. "I know. That's why you were accepted into the elite ranks. Although you did knock yourself out with your own spell. How did that happen? Your magic isn't normally enough to do that much damage." "Magic suwge. I was newvous and, well... I panicked and I lost contwol of the magic awwows. I wish I couwd do it without suwge." another grammar mistake. At this point, I accepted my deteriorating speech and regressing state of mind, and the mistake didn't bother me. "That's not something a foal should be worrying about." We had reached the baths, and Luna started filling the tub. When it was full, she let me dip my hoof in. "Is it good?" she asked. "Not too hot, not too cold?" I nodded, and she removed my diaper and set me in the bath. I let her scrub me down, bubbles foaming up as she did so. When she was done, I gathered a cluster of bubbles and shaped them around my face. "I'm Stawswiwled the beawded!" I declared. "Gweatest unicown spellmastew of the Thiwd Ewa!" Luna laughed and also gathered a set of bubbles, molding them into a pointed hat. "Well I am MorningSun, second greatest Unicorn of the Third Era! I've come to follow your research, great Starswirled!" "Oh, my appwentice, you awe so smawt! You help my weseawch so much!" I rose my hoof in the air. "Such an honor, Starswirled!" Our fun was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Little sister, what are you two doing in there? There's only one bath on this floor, you know. I want to take a bath." Celestia's voice came through, in a playful, joking tone. Luna opened the door. "We were just finishing up, Tia. Good to see you've recovered." she lifted me out of the bath and wrapped me in a towel. The white alicorn walked over to me. "How are you doing, Dusty?" she asked softly, lowering her head to my level. "Good. Mommy is weally nice." I answered. Celestia winked. "Glad to hear it." Luna came over, and rediapered me. "Let's leave Tia alone, she sings in the bath, trust me, you don't want to hear that." she smiled her mischievous smile, and rushed me out, before Celestia could say anything. Author's Note Short chapter, but it was was a double update tonight. Funny story, I found a bottle of bubble bath when cleaning the bathroom. When I'm alone can the house, I'll use it. Green apple scent, with Pikachu on the front. I wonder if this thing is still safe to to use, or if it's mutated into some sort of new element. EpilogueLuna awoke to the bright rays of the sun shining into her room. She slid out of bed, and checked the crib that was recently moved to her room. DustStorm woke up as she approached. He smiled and held up his hooves, reaching up to her. "Mommy." Something was different. His eyes were completely bright and carefree. The worry and despair she always saw in the back of his eyes was gone. Now all that remained was this happy little foal. Did the spell work? We're his old memories truly gone? "Dusty?" she asked tentatively. The foal seemed confused, tilting his head slightly. A little bit of drool trickled out of his mouth. Luna smiled, and picked him out of the crib, nuzzling him gently. The foal gave her a tiny hug with his tiny legs. Now, it was truly a new life for him. She tickled him with her feathers, bringing out a joyous laugh. ***Twenty Years Later*** "Mother, I'm headed out. It's time for my patrol." the gray Unicorn finished securing his standard issue armor on. The only thing distinct about it was a small moon on the chest piece. Luna looked up from the documents she was reading. "All right. Good luck, Dust, don't overdo it." she called out to the other room. "It's only a triple shift, I'll be fine, Mother. See you." the door slammed as he left. Luna turned back to her documents, the fireplace crackling behind her. The folder had DustStorm's name on it, with a large red SEALED RECORDS on it. She skimmed through all the documents of his family, and analysis of his time in Everfree. She finally reached the last document, titled "Royal Guard Application Results". A document over twenty years old. Her eye fell on the bottom of the page. "Psychological Evaluation: FAIL Notes: Applicant has suffered extreme emotional trauma, and seems to have little sense of self-preservation. A further investigation of the applicant's past revealed an abusive family, which lead to applicant being a runaway and a recluse in the Everfree Forest for a few years. Completely reckless personality, even if he is very moraled and loyal. A pony with this degree of damage cannot be accepted into the royal guard. He poses a danger to himself and others." Luna sighed. Back then, she had used her position as a princess to override the decision. She smiled as she looked at the psychological evaluation on the new document. "Psychological Evaluation: PASS Notes: Applicant shows a brilliant level of morals and refinement. Loyal to the cause of justice, and motivated. Grew up with Princess Luna as a mother, obviously raised very well. Applicant is very intelligent and happy to learn. Good levels of morale. Applicant will be an asset to the royal guard." Still smiling, Luna scooped all the old documents back into the folder, and threw them into the fire. She watched the documents- no- DustStorm's old past burn away, as if it never even existed. END Author's Note Sorry to end it, but I felt I should end it before I run out of ideas. Over ten chapters were cut, but DustStorm's adventures with regression are not over yet. And plus, I felt that DustStorm's regression was imminent by bathtime, as he couldn't even remember what about his past was so fearful. Later stories, unless stated otherwise, are independent, and are unrelated to each other. PrologueAuthor's Note This is my first fanfiction. The prologue is just to introduce my OC, and a bit about him. Prologue It was another quiet night in Canterlot. The full moon shone down on the castle, and into the throne room. Princess of the Night, Luna, was seated near the window, with an open scroll held open by her magic. Luna scanned the patrol schedule for her royal guards. As usual, DustStorm had signed up for almost every single slot. She sighed. It had been five years since she found the gray Unicorn in Everfree. Impressed by his magical combat talent, she took him in and recruited him. However, he was very independent, and reserved. He didn't talk much to other ponies, and refused to answer questions about his past, although it was rather obvious he grew up in an abusive family. DustStorm was a hard worker. Perhaps too hard. He rarely rested, spending most of his time working on tasks for the royal guard, or on his magic research. Luna closed the scroll, thinking. DustStorm was a bit like a son to her, and she was worried for him. Recently, he grew even more obsessed with his jobs, and slept even less. Luna shook her head. If this kept up, he would work himself to death. "Something bothering you, sister?" a large white alicorn, with a flowing pale rainbow mane walked into the room. "You look troubled." "It's nothing, Tia." Luna stood up, brushing her older sister gently with her wing as she walked by. "I'm going to check on a few things." she walked through the same hallways, stopping at an old wooden door. She knocked with her hoof. An annoyed voice replied. "I'm busy. What is it?" Luna smiled. "It's me, Dust." The door opened. A small, young, gray Unicorn stood there, bags under his eyes, and mane a complete mess. He swayed slightly where he stood. "Oh. Sorry, Luna. What can I do for you?", he asked, in a quiet, exhausted voice.
Luna's IdeaLuna caught the small pony with her wings, and gently laid him on the carpeted floor. She tried to ignore the guilt of using a sleep potion in his tea. "You need rest. And true rest. You won't dream with this sleeping potion." she gently spoke in his ear. Luna's mind still was shaken by the nightmare she saw in DustStorm's dreams. Another wave of guilt hit her for spying on his dreams. She looked over the sleeping pony. "If only there were some way to make him forget his past... Or fix the damage done to his heart..." she whispered out loud to herself. Luna thought about it for a while, then started pulling books off the shelves. The old spellbooks were faded, but legible. She flipped through the pages, looking for something, anything, to help. Her eye landed on a certain spell. She carefully examined it. It was a youth spell. The subject it was used on would grow to a very young foal or filly in size, and their mind would slowly fade and regress to the age of their body. Thus meant that DustStorm could forget all the traumatic memories. She could raise him with the motherly care and love that his family failed to provide. It would fix his shattered heart. Luna looked over at the gray Unicorn on the ground, his chest rising and falling gently with his breathing. It wouldn't be right to just cast it on him out of the blue. She memorized the page, and replaced the books. Luna settled down next to Dust, and gently draped a wing over his body. "When he wakes up." she thought to herself. "Then I'll ask." Author's Note Very short chapter, I know, but it's to show Luna's train of thought before Dust wakes up.
AwakeningMy eyes slowly opened. My body felt well rested, and my mind clear. I got up, and shook myself. Luna was there, watching me. "You're awake." she said. "Good." she was silent for a while, then spoke again. "Dust... I know this is a sore subject, but please... About your family.... I know they never supported you, or treated you like a living thing.... But I just want to know... If you could go back, and forget it all, would you? Would you want to grow up in a different scenario, where you were truly care for?" I frowned at the odd question. I thought about all the times I was beaten by my family and the bullies at my school. The times I was backstabbed by ponies I trusted. How I was used by others. Nopony was ever there for me. Ever. Shaking these dark thoughts out of my head, I muttered a reply. "I - I guess..." Luna stood up and walked over to me. “What if I told you that there was a way? To start everything over?" I gave a dry chuckle and walked back to my research desk. "I would say that you're dreaming." Luna shook her head. "There is a way, Dust. Do you trust me?" I turned back to look at her. "Of course I do, Luna. You're like a mother to me." Luna took a deep breath, and explained the spell she found to me. I was stunned into silence for a while. Luna shifted uncomfortably. "This is your choice, of course." she said quickly. "I won't force you." I sat down, mind whirling. "I'll be a... A baby again? I'll forget all I've learned?" "And the memories you try so hard to suppress." Luna had a sad look to her eyes again. "I promise I will raise you like a mother should. I'll take good care of you. I can't stand to see you suffer like this. Nopony deserves to suffer like that." she draped a wing over me, and gave me a gentle hug. "I just want to see you happy." "Will it really work?" I whispered. "Only one way to find out." Luna answered, that motherly tone in her voice again. I hesitated. All my dark memories, gone? I shook myself. "Do it, Luna." my voice was calm. Luna smiled and stood back. Her horn glowed gently. "No matter how long it takes, I will rebuild your heart." she said softly. I felt her magic, like a warm blanket, envelope me. Everything in the room started to grow- no, it was me who was shrinking. When the blurring stopped, Luna was towering over me. I don't know why, but I felt a little scared. Luna seemed to notice this. She picked me up and cradled me gently. "Shhh." she whispered. "It's okay. Mommy's here for you." I felt strange, a calming feeling settled on my mind as Luna rocked me, softly singing a lullaby. My eyes grew heavy, and soon, I drifted off to sleep. Author's Note And so it begins...
PreparationLuna smiled gently as the tiny gray Unicorn fell asleep. She carried him carefully to the royal nursery, and laid him down in a crib. She didn't know how long it would take for his current memories to fade, but he already seemed to be more peaceful. She pulled out the scroll of paper with the patrol listing, and crossed out Dust's name on the schedules. The official list would be magically updated in the royal guard offices. "It's okay now, little one." she whispered to the sleeping foal. Luna blew out the candle, and gingerly closed the door to the room. "Er, Princess?" a royal guard walked up and gave her a quick bow. "Why was DustStorm removed from the active roster of guards?" Luna answered with a straight face. "He is taking an extended period off, as he needs time to start some things over." "Ah. Shame. I liked him. Hard worker, and great company to patrol with." the guard bowed again and left the room. Luna sighed. She knew that she couldn't keep this quiet forever. Eventually, other ponies would recognize the baby DustStorm and questions would rise, rumors spread like wildfire. If it came to that, Luna would have no choice but to tell the truth. "I know what you've done, sister." Luna turned to see Celestia walking up. But she was smiling. "I'll keep it a secret for as long as I can, though." "How in Equestria did you hear us?" Luna replied, tilting her head. "The walls have ears." Celestia replied simply, with a mischievous grin. She walked on. "Take care of him and yourself." Luna stood there for a while, then her mind started running again. When Dust woke up, he would probably be hungry. She headed down to the kitchens, where the cooks were idling, as dinner was not for another few hours. However, they quickly stood up straight when the princess centered inside. "Princess Luna! What can we do for you today?" the head chef, a rather large Griffin bowed. "I need the best foal food you can make. Also some formula." Luna said. If any of the cooks found the request odd, they kept their mouths (or beaks, respectively) closed. The kitchen bustled with activity again. Luna watched them work for a while, before walking outside to the central garden area. The sun shone down brightly, a soft breeze whistled through the air. A group of birds flew past Luna, and perched on a tree, their beautiful song resounding through the gardens. She gave a start as she heard her name called out. A voice that was unmistakably foal. Dust's voice. As if crying for a mother. She quickly summoned up her magic and teleported to the royal nursery. Author's Note Next few chapters should be longer, now that everything is finally set up. Hmm. I suddenly want some hard cider.
DustyThe moon shone down on the calm lake. I felt a cool and soft breeze rustle through my mane, blow past and around my body. The sky was clear, the stars clearly visible. On my small island, I rested upon a bed of flowers, green grass growing around me. I could hear the wildlife, the squeak of bats, chirp of crickets, the occasional splash of a fish... I closed my eyes gently. It was so calm here. So very calm. But when I opened my eyes again, I was back in my old home. My mother and father were screaming at me. "You useless son! Your sisters have done so much, and you care more about writing stories than you do useful things! You're a shame to the family name!" my father shouted. "You're trash! Worse than trash!" "If you were never born, this family would be better! You said you wanted to die, right? You tried to kill yourself those times? Then die! Just die and this family will be happier!" my mother screeched. My mind started whirling with confusion, fear, anger, and many other emotions. I felt like my head was going to explode. I started crying, as my dream turned to black around me. *** I woke up with a jolt. At first, I was confused, then my memories slowly came back. My mind felt a little fuzzy and unclear. I was still crying from my nightmare, and soon discovered something else. The crib I was in had a yellow wet spot under me. I cried out for Luna, and she came in a flash. "Oh you poor thing..."she lifted me up and gently nuzzled me. "It's okay, I'm here. You don't need to cry." her voice was soft and reassuring. I calmed down a little, and she wiped my tears away. "You had another nightmare, didn't you? It's okay, they'll go away soon." she carried me over to a changing table. At this point, I started feeling uncomfortable. "Is this... Really necessary?" I muttered. Luna carefully laid me down. "Your body is that of a foal. You won't have as much.. Control over it." she pulled out a white diaper from a box near the table. "I know it's going to be strange, but please be a good foal." She smiled down at me. I sighed, knowing it was for the best. I allowed her to put the garment on me, and sit me up. "How does it feel?" Luna asked. I shifted a little, the diaper crinkling. It forced my legs slightly apart. But it felt right, for some reason. Maybe my foal brain was overwriting my adult one faster than I originally thought. That would explain my unclear mind. "It's okay." I answered quietly. My stomach gave an audible rumble, and I looked away, embarrassed. "I predicted that." Luna picked me up and placed me on her back. "Let's go down to the kitchen to get you some food. Don't attract to much attention." "But what abouwt my schedwule?" I clapped a hoof over my mouth as my words came out. Luna giggled. "That's cute, no need to be embarrassed. It's part of the spell, that's all. And we have other guards who can fill in during your... Leave of absence." she started walking, and I held on as best as I could. My hooves seemed to be slightly clumsier than before. We soon reached the kitchen, where a steaming bowl of food was waiting. Luna picked up a nearby spoon, ignoring the stares of some of the cooks. A few were also eying me. I shrunk down a little, closer to Luna. A pang of fear shot through me, unaccustomed to multiple sets of eyes on me. Luna instantly noticed, and took me to a small dining room. "Sowwy, I just-" I stopped as Luna touched a hoof to my mouth. "You don't need to apologize." she set me down on a table. “We don't have a highchair in here, so we'll just do this for now. Now open up." she lifted a full spoon to my mouth." "I can still feed mysewf." my magic gripped the spoon. I always had a knack with it, even at a young age, so I was easily able to hold the spoon with my magic. Or so I thought. My magic faltered, and the utensil clattered to the floor. "Sowwy, Luna..." "You can just call me Mommy, you know." she said in a playful tone as she picked the spoon back up. "Now don't be stubborn, let me feed you." Realizing defeat, I sighed, and opened my mouth, allowing her to spoon food in my mouth. The food wasn't that bad, just the texture felt like I was eating an old apple. I had spilled more than I realized, as Luna had to wipe my face clean. "Thanks, Luna." "One more thing." she walked into the kitchen for a short time, and came back with a full bottle. "You can't possibwy expect me to dwink out of that..." I groaned. "You had a hard enough time with the food, didn't you?"she reminded me. Once again, defeated by logic, I relented. I allowed her to place the bottle in my mouth, and I started sucking. The foal part of my mind soon helped me get a rhythm, and soon, the bottle was empty. Luna smiled, and set the bottle aside, placing a pacifier in my mouth. I almost protested, but I found sucking on it was very calming. Luna lifted me off the table and put me on her back again. "Let's go for a walk, it's a great day out." her voice calmed me even more, and I simply nodded. She walked outside, and the warm rays of Celestia's sun shone down on me. For the first time in a long time, I smiled. It was a tiny one, but still a smile. Luna laughed. "So that's what your smile looks like. You look so adorable!" I ducked my head, another wave of embarrassment washing over me. "Can we go to the meadow, Mommy?" I blinked as I realized that I had not used her name, and rather... Luna seemed happy about this. "Of course, Dusty." "Dusty?" my small voice seemed comical when I tried to sound annoyed. "Do you not like the nickname?" Luna asked. "It's... Okay." I responded in almost a whisper. "We're here." Luna stopped and set me gently on the ground. I attempted to walk, but fell over. Ignoring Luna's, giggling, I resorted to crawling through the many colorful flowers, to my favorite tree. The shade was cool, and the leaves whispered as the wind blew through them. I felt at peace, a feeling I had not felt for many years. My eyes closed, and I soon drifted back to sleep again. Author's Note Boy, Dust sleeps a lot. Kind of like me when when I don't have classes.
Playful little ponyI carefully mixed my salad with the packet of dressing. I looked around, at all the other ponies with their friends. I tried to ignore the fact that I was the only one sitting alone. Flipping through my textbook, I continued taking notes, when I felt something behind me. I turned around to see five of the school's worst bullies standing behind me. I took off my glasses and set them on the table. "Can I help you?" I asked cautiously. One of them picked up my textbook and promptly started ripping the pages. As I started to jump up, another kicked me over. They quickly converged on me, and pounded me until I was heavily bruised and bleeding. They ran off, laughing. At this point, I noticed the entire cafeteria was looking at me. Some awkwardly broke eye contact, others laughed and took pictures. As tears of hate and hurt welled up in my eyes, Luna suddenly was in front of me. "Luna?" I asked. "What-" "I promised I would protect you. Let's get out of this nightmare." she cloaked me in her wings. The warmth from them calmed me down, and the memory faded. "Wake up, little one. The nightmare is over." *** My eyes opened, and I raised a hoof to shield against the bright sun. Luna was standing over me, with a gentle smile. "Welcome back to the real world, sleepy head." she patted me on the head. "Oh boy, you need a change." It wasn't until she pointed it out until I felt the soaked.. . And messy diaper. I started to get visibly upset, but Luna gently nuzzled me, the therapeutic contact quieting me down. She laid out a changing mat and set me on top. She made quick work of changing me and cleaning me, slipping the new diaper on in a flash. "Better?" she asked softly, stroking my mane. I nodded quietly, and her smile widened. "Good." "Mommy?" the word slipped out of my control again. "What that?" taking note of my grammar mistake, and giving myself a mental slap for it, I pointed at something soaring in the sky. "That's a Griffin. That's right, you never met one, right? That's one of our mail carriers." she turned back to me and removed a blue ball speckled with moons and stars from her saddlebags. "Here!" she nudged it with her nose, sending it into the air at me. Usually not being one for games, I was initially reluctant to knock it back, but moved up and bumped it with my muzzle. I felt a jolt of happiness rush through me, and I was eager to return the ball when Luna sent it back to me. After a few volleys, a wind caught the light beach ball, sending it soaring away from me. I ran after it, not looking where I was going. One of my hooves tripped over a rock, and I tumbled to the ground. It didn't hurt that much, but I felt tears come to my eyes again. Luna was at my side in an instant. "Are you okay, little one? That looked like it hurt. Here, mommy will kiss it and make it all better." I managed a half hearted protest as she gently kissed the scratch. I wiped away my tears, and gave Luna a hug, which she happily returned. "It's almost time for me to bring out the moon. We need to go back home." she placed me on her back, and packed the items she took out. "Want me to gallop?" I nodded, with foalish enthusiasm. "Go, mommy!" I held on tightly. Luna crouched down and broke into a run, both of us laughing all the way back to the castle. *** "There. It's done." Luna and Dust looked up at the beautiful night sky. "Princess, this came for you." a royal guard walked up, bowing. Once again, I felt frightened by the new pony, and hide behind Luna. He smiled. "And who's that little pony?" Luna took the scroll from him, thinking quickly to try to answer his question. "A friend's child." she stated firmly. "I'm watching him while she's on vacation." The royal guard nodded, bowed again, and left. Luna opened the scroll, and read it through. "Oh dear. It appears that Tia and Sparkle both ate something funny on their trip to Almanea. I'm supposed to represent Canterlot as a judge for the combat competition." My eyes lit up. "Fiwghting touwnament?" Luna booped me on the nose. "Not something a little pony like you should see." I processed the situation. "Awe you... Going, mommy?" I asked. Luna sighed. "I have to, little one, but I promise, it'll only be for a day. I'll make sure I get the best foalsitter I can. I promise. Okay?" she gently rubbed my stomach. My eyes were teary again. "But I want to go with you , mommy." Luna sighed. "I'm sorry, Dusty, it's just not appropriate to bring a foal there. Please be a good pony? Stay with a foalsitter for one day? Can you do that for mommy?" I reluctantly nodded. Luna smiled again, and pet my head. "Good." Author's Note I am starving as I write this. When's that pizza I ordered coming? *huffs*
The Thief"Well, I'm off. I'll be back by tomorrow." Luna gave me a gentle nuzzle and kiss on the head before she flew off into the night sky. "So, Dusty, what do you want to do now?" I turned back to face my foalsitter as she spoke. She was a light blue pegasus, with a streaked dark blue and white mane. Her cutie mark was a raindrop intertwined with a snowflake. "Want to play a game with CrystalRain?" As Luna instructed me to not speak too much, ("Ponies will find it strange to hear a little foal like you with the vocabulary of an adult. Although I kind of do want to see the looks on their faces." Luna laughed.) I simply answered with a nod. "I brought something every little pony loves." she opened her saddlebag and took out a brightly colored object. Upon closer examination, I realized it was a noisemaker machine, with various buttons, levers, and chambers filled with little beads. "Go on, don't be shy." she motioned for me to come closer. Feeling rather awkward and foalish, I pulled on one of the levers with my magic. I still had pretty good control over my magic, although it had unexplained falters every now and then. A group of beads slid down a chute, and rattled when they amassed in the next chamber. There was something oddly therapeutic about this, and a small smile appeared on my face again. I jabbed at one of the buttons with my hoof, causing one of the compartments to spin, sending a series of clicks and rattles through the air. Crystal smiled at me as I continued to play with the toy. After a few minutes, though, my interest died down. Crystal noted this, an picked me up with her mouth, swinging me onto her back. She repacked the toy and turned around to face me. "Are you hungry?" she asked. I nodded, and she set me down on a nearby couch. "Wait here, and Crystal will get you something." she left the room, and I waited in silence. I got restless rather quickly, and carefully climbed down to see what was taking her. Crawling my way took some time, and was rather annoying, but I managed to reach the small dining room. I saw her stowing a crystal plate in her bag. My mind processed the scene, then I realized that she was stealing. "Thief! Guawrds!" I cried out. My tiny voice didn't carry far, and even if it did, held no authority behind it. She whipped around, looking around to see if anypony else was around. After seeing nopony, she quickly ran over to me. "You better keep quiet about this." she growled, narrowing her eyes at me. She raised a hoof threateningly. Absolute fear shot through me, and I shielded myself with my own hooves. I started crying, waiting for the blow. Something in me twinged. Confusion mixed into my fear. Was I hit before? I felt like I was. But who hit me? It couldn't have been Luna. A brief memory of some ponies flashed across my mind. My mind associated it with family, but that couldn't be right. Luna was my mother, my mommy, right? Did I have any other family? I was brought back by a voice. "Hey!" Crystal snapped sharply. "Promise me you'll keep this a secret, and I just may not have to hit you!" I cried even harder. "I pwomise!" I cried out, feeling my diaper grow warm and wet. "Tch. You better. Or I'll be back." she roughly picked me up and dropped me in my crib. "Stay there. Time for me to go. And remember your promise." she soared out an open window, as I cried myself to sleep. *** The moonlight was bright as it shone down on the meadow. Some sort of dome encased a large area. I crawled to the edge, and touched it. Ripples spread out from where I made contact. I saw masses of black mist swirling around outside. Another flash of unfamiliar but shaking memories. Were these memories mine? "I wouldn't go through there if I were you, little one." Luna was suddenly behind me. "I've managed to protect your dream world from most of your dark past, but they're trying to get in." I tilted my head, confused. "Dawk past?" the memories that surfaced were faded and obscure. Luna frowned. "You mean... You don't know? You don't remember?" As I shook my head, she smiled. "Good. Good." My dream started to fade. Luna embraced me gently as the last of it faded away. *** I opened my eyes, and I was still in Luna's gentle hug. The memories of what had just happened came back to me, and I started to cry again. "Shh. It's okay, little one. We got her. She won't hurt you anymore." Luna looked into my face. Looking into her eyes, I managed to calm myself a little. I hugged her tightly. "Awe you suwe, Mommy? How?" I asked, clinging tightly to her. "Well, one, I sensed you in trouble. Two, a guard heard a foal crying, and alerted backup once he saw a pegasus flying from the room where the crying was coming from. You helped catch a thief we've been trying to identify and find for years." she smiled and gently nuzzled me. "Not bad for a foal." My stomach growled, and I clutched Luna tighter. "Seems like somepony is hungry. Let's get you out of this first." Luna gingerly set me down on the changing table. She removed my old diaper and gently cleaned me. "You need a bath, too but I suppose that can wait until after we get something in your stomach." she slid the new diaper on me and secured it. "Mommy?" I asked quietly. "Yes, little Dusty?" she responded as she picked me up again. "Pwomise me you won't leave me again?" She gently stroked my face with a hoof. "I promise. Now let's get you something to eat." Author's Note Who is this mysterious Crystal? Will she return? Nope. She was just meant to be an antagonist who, when defeated, makes Luna and Dust get a closer bond. She was originally going to to be a recurring antagonist, but I want to keep this story progressively happier.
Bathtime"I think those gauwds wecognized me." We were headed to the baths. Luna nodded. "I think so, too. At least they didn't ask questions." I settled myself closer to Luna, burying myself a little in her flowing mane. "How come many pony know me?" I barely noticed my grammar mistake this time. Luna stopped walking. "... You blew up the final examination room for the Royal Guard Academy." she said. "The proctors were unhurt, but one just had his mane combed." she laughed as she remembered the incident. I folded my hooves. "Well they towd me to destwoy all da tawgets. I did." Luna smiled and poked my stomach. "I know. That's why you were accepted into the elite ranks. Although you did knock yourself out with your own spell. How did that happen? Your magic isn't normally enough to do that much damage." "Magic suwge. I was newvous and, well... I panicked and I lost contwol of the magic awwows. I wish I couwd do it without suwge." another grammar mistake. At this point, I accepted my deteriorating speech and regressing state of mind, and the mistake didn't bother me. "That's not something a foal should be worrying about." We had reached the baths, and Luna started filling the tub. When it was full, she let me dip my hoof in. "Is it good?" she asked. "Not too hot, not too cold?" I nodded, and she removed my diaper and set me in the bath. I let her scrub me down, bubbles foaming up as she did so. When she was done, I gathered a cluster of bubbles and shaped them around my face. "I'm Stawswiwled the beawded!" I declared. "Gweatest unicown spellmastew of the Thiwd Ewa!" Luna laughed and also gathered a set of bubbles, molding them into a pointed hat. "Well I am MorningSun, second greatest Unicorn of the Third Era! I've come to follow your research, great Starswirled!" "Oh, my appwentice, you awe so smawt! You help my weseawch so much!" I rose my hoof in the air. "Such an honor, Starswirled!" Our fun was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Little sister, what are you two doing in there? There's only one bath on this floor, you know. I want to take a bath." Celestia's voice came through, in a playful, joking tone. Luna opened the door. "We were just finishing up, Tia. Good to see you've recovered." she lifted me out of the bath and wrapped me in a towel. The white alicorn walked over to me. "How are you doing, Dusty?" she asked softly, lowering her head to my level. "Good. Mommy is weally nice." I answered. Celestia winked. "Glad to hear it." Luna came over, and rediapered me. "Let's leave Tia alone, she sings in the bath, trust me, you don't want to hear that." she smiled her mischievous smile, and rushed me out, before Celestia could say anything. Author's Note Short chapter, but it was was a double update tonight. Funny story, I found a bottle of bubble bath when cleaning the bathroom. When I'm alone can the house, I'll use it. Green apple scent, with Pikachu on the front. I wonder if this thing is still safe to to use, or if it's mutated into some sort of new element.
EpilogueLuna awoke to the bright rays of the sun shining into her room. She slid out of bed, and checked the crib that was recently moved to her room. DustStorm woke up as she approached. He smiled and held up his hooves, reaching up to her. "Mommy." Something was different. His eyes were completely bright and carefree. The worry and despair she always saw in the back of his eyes was gone. Now all that remained was this happy little foal. Did the spell work? We're his old memories truly gone? "Dusty?" she asked tentatively. The foal seemed confused, tilting his head slightly. A little bit of drool trickled out of his mouth. Luna smiled, and picked him out of the crib, nuzzling him gently. The foal gave her a tiny hug with his tiny legs. Now, it was truly a new life for him. She tickled him with her feathers, bringing out a joyous laugh. ***Twenty Years Later*** "Mother, I'm headed out. It's time for my patrol." the gray Unicorn finished securing his standard issue armor on. The only thing distinct about it was a small moon on the chest piece. Luna looked up from the documents she was reading. "All right. Good luck, Dust, don't overdo it." she called out to the other room. "It's only a triple shift, I'll be fine, Mother. See you." the door slammed as he left. Luna turned back to her documents, the fireplace crackling behind her. The folder had DustStorm's name on it, with a large red SEALED RECORDS on it. She skimmed through all the documents of his family, and analysis of his time in Everfree. She finally reached the last document, titled "Royal Guard Application Results". A document over twenty years old. Her eye fell on the bottom of the page. "Psychological Evaluation: FAIL Notes: Applicant has suffered extreme emotional trauma, and seems to have little sense of self-preservation. A further investigation of the applicant's past revealed an abusive family, which lead to applicant being a runaway and a recluse in the Everfree Forest for a few years. Completely reckless personality, even if he is very moraled and loyal. A pony with this degree of damage cannot be accepted into the royal guard. He poses a danger to himself and others." Luna sighed. Back then, she had used her position as a princess to override the decision. She smiled as she looked at the psychological evaluation on the new document. "Psychological Evaluation: PASS Notes: Applicant shows a brilliant level of morals and refinement. Loyal to the cause of justice, and motivated. Grew up with Princess Luna as a mother, obviously raised very well. Applicant is very intelligent and happy to learn. Good levels of morale. Applicant will be an asset to the royal guard." Still smiling, Luna scooped all the old documents back into the folder, and threw them into the fire. She watched the documents- no- DustStorm's old past burn away, as if it never even existed. END Author's Note Sorry to end it, but I felt I should end it before I run out of ideas. Over ten chapters were cut, but DustStorm's adventures with regression are not over yet. And plus, I felt that DustStorm's regression was imminent by bathtime, as he couldn't even remember what about his past was so fearful. Later stories, unless stated otherwise, are independent, and are unrelated to each other.
PrologueAuthor's Note This is my first fanfiction. The prologue is just to introduce my OC, and a bit about him. Prologue It was another quiet night in Canterlot. The full moon shone down on the castle, and into the throne room. Princess of the Night, Luna, was seated near the window, with an open scroll held open by her magic. Luna scanned the patrol schedule for her royal guards. As usual, DustStorm had signed up for almost every single slot. She sighed. It had been five years since she found the gray Unicorn in Everfree. Impressed by his magical combat talent, she took him in and recruited him. However, he was very independent, and reserved. He didn't talk much to other ponies, and refused to answer questions about his past, although it was rather obvious he grew up in an abusive family. DustStorm was a hard worker. Perhaps too hard. He rarely rested, spending most of his time working on tasks for the royal guard, or on his magic research. Luna closed the scroll, thinking. DustStorm was a bit like a son to her, and she was worried for him. Recently, he grew even more obsessed with his jobs, and slept even less. Luna shook her head. If this kept up, he would work himself to death. "Something bothering you, sister?" a large white alicorn, with a flowing pale rainbow mane walked into the room. "You look troubled." "It's nothing, Tia." Luna stood up, brushing her older sister gently with her wing as she walked by. "I'm going to check on a few things." she walked through the same hallways, stopping at an old wooden door. She knocked with her hoof. An annoyed voice replied. "I'm busy. What is it?" Luna smiled. "It's me, Dust." The door opened. A small, young, gray Unicorn stood there, bags under his eyes, and mane a complete mess. He swayed slightly where he stood. "Oh. Sorry, Luna. What can I do for you?", he asked, in a quiet, exhausted voice.
