Regression.

by Sugarcube66

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Sad, Romance
Length: 2889

When Twilight is trying to test out a new spell, Rainbow interrupts her. The magic goes haywire and Rainbow is hit.

When a new spell goes wrong, Twilight is tasked with looking after a now filly Rainbow Dash with Fluttershy's help. But with overcoming emotions, what will happen?

Note:This was going to be two separate stories but I decided to combine them, just because some people would get confused if I did them separate.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-05-20 14:20:02 UTC

Haywire

Twilight sighed, as she sat alone in her laboratory. She was looking through a pile of books for a new spell to try out. It wasn't easy to find spells to learn without making one herself, but apparently her last trip to Cantorlot High prove that she wasn't good at making her own spells and that she should just read up and try new spells instead of making her own.

''Hmm......time spell.'' mumbled Twilight, out loud. ''Time spells control over time, as if I didn't know that. Hmm, this one says that it reverses time within the present. Hmm, there's a warning too. If you cast this on yourself, your age will regress, how many years regressed will depend on how much magic to poured into the spell.''

Twilight stood up, ignoring the warning that was listed. She looked at the small, half-grown apple tree. ''Okay, let's see if I can change this back into a seed. If I can, then Applejack can plant a new tree. So killing two birds with one stone.''

Her horn flickered on, it took a few moments to catch up to a normal glow instead of constant flickering. The mare closed her eyes and got her mind focused on the half-grown apple tree turning into a apple seedling. She kept her eyes close, as she grown shuddered behind her from the energy being poured from her unicorn magic to the partially grown apple tree. ''I can do this.'' mumbled Twilight.

The alicorn was so focused that she didn't realize that the laboratory door had swung open, nor did she notice a rainbow haired pegasus creep into the room. Rainbow Dash, who had been curious as to where Twilight was, crept behind her. She couldn't believe Twilight had forgotten their picnic for magic practice. It wasn't like Twilight, who was usually so organised and would never miss a activity. ''Twilight, you missed the picnic that we promised to have, today. We were supposed to meet at lunch time. It's gone 3, everypony went home already.''

Twilight's gasped, realizing her friend was there. She was going to say something, when her control was lost. The magic that her own had given off imploded and began bouncing around the room. The force was so strong that it sent the alicorn hulling back into a nearby wall and hitting her head hard. Rainbow didn't even bother thinking about what she did next as she got in the way of one of the light balls as it traveled from the wall towards her friend.

The pegasus cried as the magic essence crashed into her firm back. She glanced down slowly at a shocked and slightly out of it Twilight, who laid behind her, mumbling. ''I'm sorry, Twilight....It looks like I can't protect you any more....or be loyal....'' She began falling, smiling a little. She crashed into the wooden floor next to her best friend, as the room went up in smoke. Her eyes closed as light erupted around her body.

Twilight was too shocked to move, she hadn't expected the magic to go out of control. The smoke was thick and she couldn't see anything clearly. Her vision was hazed out and she could only make out a small figure out cold next to her. She couldn't see any color and she didn't know what to do.

She waited for a moment or two, as she coughed from the thick smog that filled the room. She couldn't believe that she lost control of her own magic. That hadn't happened since her entrance exam for Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. She was too busy training her raw abilities to worry about losing control so this had come as a bit of a shock.

Her vision started to clear up and she managed to make out some color and looked down at the small figure next to her, only to make out some bright and clear colors. Rainbow colors, colors that made Rainbow Dash's hair stand out above all others. As her vision cleared up, she managed to recognize the figure, it was Rainbow Dash but wasn't at the same time.

She coughed once more, this time as blood drip down her face. She didn't even see it until a scream rang through her already aching ears to the point they started to bleed. It stung and she was able to pinpoint the sound. Tracing it back to Fluttershy, who stood at the stairs that lead down to the laboratory as the smoke finally cleared. The pegasus mare looked shock, no that was a understatement, in fact she looked terrified. ''T-Twilight, D-Dashie. What happened here....''

Twilight tried to speak but it came out as coughs, she still wasn't ready to speak. She had been huddled back into a wall after all from losing control of her own magic and there was blood dripping down her muzzle, it was quite natural that she would lose her ability to speak, it was only natural.

Fluttershy ran closer and saw Rainbow Dash, who was still unconscious and just about became speechless at the sight of Rainbow's body. Her tattered mane and tail and worse of all, the shrunken limbs. It was a shocking sight, seeing her fillyhood friend become a filly once more. And yes, she was a filly. The size of the former mare gave it away. ''...T-Twilight, why is she a filly.....?''

Twilight coughed once more and croaked out. ''....I-I was t-trying out a new s-spell.....R-Rainbow kinda....d-distracted me.........and my magic went out of c-control and hit her....''

Fluttershy frowned at the sound of her friend's crooked voice, it was clearly in pain so now she was worried. ''We need to get you and her to the hospital, now!'' She cried, just as she noticed the blood dripping down from the mare's forehead and ears. She was going to scream, but she had noticed what her last scream did. ''Twilight, your bleeding!''

''I-I...know...just get R-Rainbow....and get to the h-hospital....I'll get t-there...in a minute...'' cried Twilight, tears flowing from her weakened, still partially blind eyes. ''S-she your priority at the moment, she could be s-severely injured.''

''I'm not leaving you!''

''P-please...'' Twilight croaked out. She didn't wanna have to be left either and the tears that flew from Fluttershy's eyes were unbearable but she had no choice. Rainbow was the problem at the moment, not her. ''....T-take her...''

Fluttershy cried inwardly, only to remember Twilight's teleportation spell. ''...C-can't you teleport us....''

''....If....I could, I would....but....I can teleport....myself at the moment....if that....''

''Oh....'' murmured Fluttershy, as she picked up her fillyfied best friend. ''....I-I'll be back, just give me a minute. I'll fly as fast as I can......don't teleport, it could make you even worse...''

It took just more then ten minutes, but Fluttershy managed to get both Twilight and Rainbow to the hospital. The doctors were definitely shocked to see Rainbow's condition but were even more so upon seeing Twilight's bleeding forehead and ears. They instantly got up and took the pair into separate rooms. Rainbow was taken to check on by the nurses and Twilight was taken by Doctor Stable.

''Princess Twilight Sparkle, what exactly happened?'' He asked, as quietly as he could muster as he checked on the mare's wounds. He didn't want to upset the alicorn mare or hurt in any way. He was actually pretty worried about her condition, more so then Rainbow's new filly self that had appeared. It was all bizarre and he needed to get to the bottom of it, straight away.

''...New spell testing, it kinda....went out of control and turned Rainbow Dash into a foal....''

''I see. Well, let me treat your wounds and then you need some rest. You may need to stay the night. I'll tell your friend, who helped you and Miss Rainbow get her. Fluttershy is her name, right?''

''.....Yeah.....She's a bright yellow and pink pegasus....hard to miss unless you really want to ignore her.....'' mumbled Twilight, her voice less croaked as before, as she laid on the blood soaked pillow without a care as the doctor wrapped the bandage around her head.

''Let me get you a new pillow, then I'll go took to Miss Fluttershy and check up on Rainbow Dash.'' said Dr Stable, taking note of the bloody pillow, as he left the mare alone in the bright white room.

Twilight cried a little when he left, as she mumbled a couple of words. ''...I'm sorry, Rainbow.....I'm so sorry. You never asked to be a filly once more and yet now you have no choice....and it's all my fault.......I....I'm really...sorry...Dashie.....''

The news

Later that night, Twilight laid on her new pillow. Bandaged wrapped around her head as she thought of Rainbow's last adult words. She didn't even know the extent of her regression or how old the now filly was but something was just keeping her from sleeping. She decided to sit up and pretty much stay awake till dawn, thinking about her regressed friend.

Morning came and Dr Stable came into the room to see his patient wide awake, but with bags under her eyes. It was clear to him that she hadn't slept the night before. Twilight looked at him for a moment before uttering four words. ''Let me see her.''

''Her?'' He asked, though it was a obvious question.

''Rainbow.....how is she?''

''...Well, she just woke up and well, we'll let you see for yourself. Come along.''

He ushered her over and the mare followed him, concerned written on her now pale features. What did he mean by 'you'll see for yourself'. It better not mean anything bad. All she knew was that Rainbow had been regressed physically but she was expecting what she saw when she walked into a room marked 'Filly beds'.

She saw the rainbow maned filly playing patty cakes with another filly, who was slightly older and a unicorn. ''Pat-ta-cake, pat-ta-cake, bawer's stalwion. Bake me a cake as fast as woo can. Pat it and shape it and mark it with "B", and bake it in the oven for baby and me. Pat-ta-cake, pat-ta-cake, baker's man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can; roww it up, roww it up; and thwow it in a pan! Pat-ta-cake, pat-ta-cake, baker's stallion.''

Twilight was shocked at the amount of times the mare-turned-filly used baby talk. Had she been regressed to the state of a very young filly but with the body of a 8 year old? She couldn't believe her magic had not own regressed Rainbow's physically age but also her mental age, it was unbelievable. The mare looked down and muttered, under her breath. ''I'm sorry...Dashie....''

''You see now, Princess. She's looks like a normal 8 year old and acts like one too. But her mental state of being, for her speech and even to a extend her walking capability is very limited. If I was to guess it, I would say her mental age would be about 2 years old which would explain why she can speak nearly perfectly but with her errors.''

Twilight frowned. ''Can I go speak to her?''

''Sure, but have yet to find out if she's lost her memories as well.'' said Dr Stable, as the mare walked forward.

Twilight looked down at her rainbow maned friend, who just looked up at her with curious eyes. ''Hey, Rainbow. I'm your friend, Twilight. Is this your new friend?''

Twilight, however, wasn't expecting the reply she got. Rainbow replied with. ''Yeah. Wainwoo's friend, Mommy.''

The other filly frowned a little, she had heard some of the filly's foalish speeches but it still was awkward. She decided to introduce herself to Rainbow's 'mother'. ''....Um, so your Rainbow's mom....Am I right?....''

''Um...that's a long story, but you might as well introduce yourself...''

''Okay, I'm Love May....'' said the small unicorn filly.

''Hello, Love. Thanks for befriending Rainbow, I'm glad she has somepony here for her....'' said Twilight, with a smile before she muttered to herself. ''After what's she been through.''

''Mommy, mommy! When do wee goo howe?'' said Rainbow, butting into the conversation with her babyish words.

''Soon, sweetie...'' mumbled Twilight, trying to keeping herself calm about the filly calling her 'mommy'. ''Dr Stable, when is visiting hour? I want to know when my friends can come.''

''Hmm, in about a hour but I can make a exception because it's a unusually case and they'll be curious.''

''It's alright, I want to be alone with Rainbow for a bit. If they can, then tell them they can come through, but don't get them for no reason. I'd rather stick to the law involving visiting hours.''

''As you wish, princess.''

''Prinwess?'' asked Rainbow. ''Mommy's prinwess?''

''That's right, Dashie. I'm a princess.'' said Twilight, with a smile.

''Mommy, where pa-ma?''

''Pa-ma....'' muttered Twilight, hating to think that Rainbow's mind had chosen at random who her 'father' was. But the 'ma' bit confused her, a mare? She thought back to the previous night, now she pretty much knew. ''I believe she'll be here soon, sweetie. Take a nap for a bit. Love, can you go back to your own bed and wait for your parents.''

''Okay.'' said the unicorn filly, as she wondered off.

''...But I wanna see pa-ma...'' cried Rainbow.

''Shh, you will. How about you dream about her until visiting hour?''

''...Okay, mommy.'' said Rainbow, sadly as she curled up in her blanket.

Twilight sighed and tucked the small filly in. The filly giggled a little and then waited for something. Twilight blushed a little and kissed her 'daughter's' forehead. ''Sleep tight, my little Dashie.''

The filly was soon fast asleep. Dr Stable came closer and whispered. ''I hate to interrupt this cute scene but I need to check on your wounds.''

''Sure....''

An hour passed and visiting hour started. Twilight was sitting next to the still sleeping filly Rainbow Dash, smiling a little as she waited for her friends to arrive. Glancing at the clock, she estimated out loud. ''Right about now...''

''DASHIE!'' came a shout, as the door burst open to reveal Pinkie Pie. The mare looked dishleved with her straight mane and tail and darker tones, but the happiness that spread in her voice made it seem that she was forcing herself to be happy when in fact she wasn't. Then again who could be happy when their best friend gets regressed. Twilight knew that first-hoof.

Rainbow and all the other fillies instantly woke up, crying. Twilight glared at Pinkie. ''Hospitals are meant to be quiet, you woke her up.'' She turned to Rainbow and hugged her gently, rocking the small filly back and forth. ''Shh, it's alright, sweetie. Big old Pinkie didn't mean to scare you, she just wanted to make you happy.''

''Happe?'' asked Rainbow.

The other members of the mane six walked in, frowning at Pinkie's entrance. Applejack was the first of them to speak. ''I'll calm down the foals, I know a thing or two to settle them.'' And with that said, she went off to calm them down.

Rarity was the second to speak as she walked closer to Twilight, who was still hugging Rainbow. ''Isn't she the cutest little darling? I still can't believe this happened until I saw her. Flutters told us all about the incident, Twilight. We were so worried when she said that you had been bleeding and Rainbow had been regressed in age.''

''....She's telling the truth....'' mumbled Fluttershy, who came over and rubbed Rainbow's prismatic mane. However, none of them was expecting Rainbow's next sudden outburst.

''Pa-ma, woo came!'' cried Rainbow, as she hugged Fluttershy, who was shocked. ''Pa-ma, woo okay?''

''Yeah...I'm fine, sweetie....'' mumbled Fluttershy, as she tried her best to calm down and actually managed to keep calmer then Twilight, who was freaking. The pair then awkwardly looked at each other for answers. ''...Let me guess, she's calling you 'mommy'....right?''

''Yep...''

Rarity, Pinkie and Applejack, who had just calm down the youngest of the foals, looked at them with confusion. Pinkie was the one to ask to question. ''But...isn't Rainbow a 8 year old filly, why is she talking like a foal and why is she referring to Twily and Flutters as her parents?''

''Pinkie...um...she's may look 8 but she has the estimated mind of a 2 year old. As for why she refers to me and Fluttershy as her parents, I have a idea. As for why she calls me mommy, I was the first figure she saw that wasn't a doctor or another filly and so she thought that I was her parent. As for Fluttershy being her pa-ma, as she calls it, probably because Fluttershy was her fillyhood friend, remember? She had nopony in her fillyhood other then Fluttershy and so it's easier for her to remember Fluttershy over the other fillies at flight camp.''

The others nodded. Twilight, herself, even joined in as she looked down at the filly, that continued to sit in Fluttershy's hooves. She couldn't help but think about what was going to happen now. It was so confusing. She looked at Fluttershy for a moment, the pair blushed upon realizing they were Rainbow's parents, so to the small filly's mind they were meant to be in love. It just made the thing ten times more awkward then it already was.