The next morning, I woke up when I felt a very bad pain in my stomach. I groaned very loud as the crippling pain attacked my stomach, alerting Lucky, who was laying next to me. I had no idea what the pain was, or why I had it, but I didn't like it. I was about to call for Fluttershy, but a very delicious smell started calling for me. I got out of the bed, feeling a bit of cold wetness in my diaper. I ignored it and followed the scent downstairs and into the kitchen. Sure enough, Fluttershy was downstairs, making breakfast. She turned around and faced me, smiling.

"Good morning, sweetheart", she said.

"*groan* Hi Fluttershy...", I said, holding my stomach. Fluttershy saw me in pain and was concerned as she stopped what she was doing and walked over to me.

"Is something wrong?", she asked.

"*groan* My tummy... hurt...", I said. I felt a sudden pain as I retched and felt a lump travel up my throat. Fluttershy saw the lump and became worried.

"Oh my!", she said. She quickly grabbed the small wastebasket next to the refrigerator and held it in front of me. I was a little confused, but before I could ask why, I burped and before I knew it, I puked right into the wastebasket. After a few spits, I groaned again, cringing as the horrible taste assaulted my taste buds.

"Walk with me, sweetheart", she said. I walked beside Fluttershy as she held the wastebasket under me. Once we reached the bathroom, she closed the door behind me and had me kneel down in front of the toilet. "If you need to do that again, do it in there". Right when she said that, I retched again and sent more vomit into the toilet.

"*cough* *cough* Eww...", I moaned, cringing again as the foul taste covered my tongue.

"I know, hon", Fluttershy said, comfortably rubbing my back, "Just keep going until you're finished". After about five minutes, I puked up the last bit and sat on my wet padded bottom. Fluttershy flushed the toilet sat next to me, cuddling me.

"It's OK, sweetheart", she said. She grabbed a cup next to the sink, filled it with water, and gave it to me. "Here, drink this". I slowly sipped the cold tap water, crying as the pain started to increase. Fluttershy moved me further up onto her lap and rubbed my aching stomach.

"Shh... it's alright", Fluttershy said, "I know you're in pain right now, but finish your water and we'll go see Nurse Redheart about this".

After I had finished the cup of water, Fluttershy fed her animals and carried me to Ponyville Hospital, not even caring about dressing me into her bathrobe. We had waited in the waiting room for twenty minutes before Nurse Redheart called for us. After a few x-rays and a urine sample, we were in the room again.

"How is he, Nurse?", Fluttershy asked, very concerned.

"He's fine, Ms. Fluttershy", Nurse Redheart said, examining my stomach with her stethoscope, "The vomiting and aching are just side-effects of his new diet".

"What do you mean?", Fluttershy asked.

"Well, see", Redheart said, "Because of his lack of consumption over the years, his stomach, pancreas, and intestines have decreased in size abnormally, and therefore, are not used to taking in food. But, now that you're introducing food to him regularly, his organs are trying to work harder, and since it's so sudden, his stomach doesn't know what to do with consumed items, and therefore rejects them".

"Oh my... is there... a way to fix this...?", Fluttershy asked.

"Yes", Redheart said, "I advise that he refrains from consuming solid foods for a week or two, and instead have him consume semisolid or liquid items. Even blended items are advised, as long as nothing too solid is in it".

"Understood", Fluttershy said, "Um... is there any sort of medicine I should give him?"

"Yes", Redheart said. She then grabbed a plastic bag full of pink pills. "These laxatives should help settle his stomach if it begins to ache too bad. He will need to take one every six hours".

"But... wouldn't that be a solid item if he swallowed those pills?", Fluttershy asked.

"Well... he won't have to...", Redheart said, "See, these are the strongest pills that can help him, and they are only available in... how do I put this... suppository form".

"Oh... my...", Fluttershy said.

"What that...?", I curiously asked, not knowing what a suppository pill was.

"Well... sweetheart...", Fluttershy said, "I'll tell you when it's time for you to take it, OK?" I nodded as Redheart used her magic to give the pills to Fluttershy.

"Remember", Redheart said, "Every six hours. And if they cause him any pain in his rectum, please notify me, alright?"

"Yes, Nurse Redheart", Fluttershy said. Redheart then smiled and looked at me.

"Well, sweetheart", she said, "I never send my young patients away without a little something for their sweet tooth". She went into her cabinet, pulled out a jar full of lollipops, opened it, and held it in front of me. I smiled and grabbed two butterscotch ones as Redheart sent us on our way. "Have a good day, you two. I hope you feel better sweetheart".

After getting back from the hospital, Fluttershy drew me a small bath to help with the nausea. After my bath, Fluttershy tucked me in her bed again and went downstairs to make me a safer breakfast. Thirty minutes later, she returned with a bowl of soup, applesauce, a bowl of softened banana yogurt, and a bottle of orange juice.

"Here you go, sweetheart...", she said, setting everything on the bed next to me, "This should be easier for you to have without upsetting your tummy". She picked up the soup. "Just let me know when you've had enough alright?" I nodded as Fluttershy spoon-fed me some of the soup after blowing on it, the wonderful flavors dancing on my tongue.

"Good?", she asked.

"Mm-hmm...", I said. Fluttershy smiled and fed me more. After I finished half of the soup, I took a break to speak.

"Fluttershy...?", I asked.

"Yes, sweetheart?", Fluttershy asked, wiping my chin with a napkin.

"Wh-when... school...?", I asked, "I wanna... learn more..." Fluttershy looked down.

"Oh... well...", Fluttershy said, "You can't go to school if you're sick, sweetheart..."

"What?", I asked, my eyes getting big.

"I can't let you go to school sick...", Fluttershy said, "You could puke again, and I wouldn't be around to take care of it. Plus, if Cheerilee were to see you in a bad condition, she would just ask me to come get you anyway".

"Oh...", I said, looking down at the sheets. It hurt to know I couldn't go to school, even after Cheerilee promised to teach me math.

"But... at least you get to spend all day with me", Fluttershy said, nuzzling me warmly, "And I'm sure your friends would be happy to have you around". She looked toward the bedroom door. "Oh! Speaking of which, I believe you have a visitor".

I looked up and sure enough, Cuddles had walked in, smiling at me. I too smiled and held my hooves out to her as she walked up to the bed. Fluttershy helped her onto the bed and allowed her to walk up the comforter until she was standing on my chest. I pulled her to my face and cuddled her as she curled up into a ball, returning the cuddles. Of course, she still had her powerful stink, but thankfully, it was no longer lethal to my muzzle.

"Aww...", Fluttershy said, "I think Cuddles is trying to help you feel better by cuddling with you". I smiled and nuzzled her little cheek.

"I like Cuddles", I said. Fluttershy picked up the applesauce and fed it to me.

"I'm glad you do like her", she said, "And I'm sure she is too". She fed me the rest of the applesauce and let me lick the bowl clean as I cuddled my skunk friend some more. That's when there was a knock on the front door.

"Oh my, it seems I have a guest", Fluttershy said. She gave me the yogurt and the orange juice as she stood up. "You finish your breakfast and I'll be right back, OK?" I nodded and happily suckled the cold bottle as Fluttershy walked downstairs. As I suckled the bottle and giggled as Cuddles licked away whatever drops dripped down my face, I heard a few voices, then Fluttershy came back upstairs.

"Excuse me, sweetheart...", she said, "...one of my friends are here, and would like to meet you. Do you mind?" I shrugged as Fluttershy smiled and opened the door, letting a light-green mare with a red, snakey mane and a yellow bandana into the room. "Sweetheart, this is my best friend, Tree Hugger".

"Um... hi...", I shyly said. Tree Hugger smiled.

"No need to be scared of me", she said, speaking very calmly, "I'm not gonna bite. I just came over to have tea with my friend, and she said she was taking care of you, so I just wanted so see what she was talking about". Tree Hugger sat next to me, smiling. "What'cha got there?" I timidly held Cuddles out to her.

"Cuddles...", I said, "She... skunk..." Tree Hugger smiled and gently took the weasel from my hooves.

"What a wonderful critter...", she said, "...friendly nature, soft fur, unique scent... perfect". She nuzzled Cuddles, receiving a lick on her cheek.

"You like skunks...?", I curiously asked.

"I love all sorts of nature, little one...", she said, "Critters, plants, rocks, water... I love it all... Mother Nature is my mother... like, animals just like, feel my groove... and come to me, you know...?"

"That's why Tree Hugger and I are wonderful friends", Fluttershy said, "We both really adore nature, just like you adore drawing". I smiled.

"That... nice", I said.

"Whoa whoa... what did you say, Fluttershy?", Tree Hugger asked.

"I said sweetheart really loves drawing", Fluttershy said, "They're pretty impressive I must say". She pointed to the one I had drawn of her she had framed, which made me flattered every time I looked at it. Tree Hugger looked at it and gave a small gasp.

"That looks awesome!", she said, "I want one of me!"

"Oh... well... he's a little ill right now, Tree Hugger...", Fluttershy said, "But, if he's well enough to draw you a picture, I'm sure he wouldn't mind".

"Oh, I know what'll make up his mind", Tree Hugger said. She reached into her bandana and pulled something out of her mane. When I saw that it was a green wallet, she opened it, looking at me. "I'll give you two bits if you draw a picture of me". The two shiny coins glistened brightly in my eyes. Bits were so new to me as I had never even touched one in my life. But now, I was being offered two of them to do something I loved. I looked at Fluttershy for approval, who only smiled.

"It's your choice, sweetheart", she said, "They're your drawings". I smiled.

"I draw Tree Hugger!", I said proudly.

"Righteous!", Tree Hugger said happily, "Let's go in the garden. If I'm gonna get a picture, I want a real one". I smiled and followed Fluttershy and Tree Hugger out in the garden. Once we did, Fluttershy and I sat on a thick blanket to keep ourselves off the snow, while Tree Hugger laid on her stomach in a patch of colorful tulips, keeping about 85% of her weight off of them so she didn't crush them completely, modeling for me. It confused me how she wasn't freezing, because she wasn't wearing anything but her bandana, but I just focused on what she wanted.

"Draw me like this", she said, closing her eyes, "I call this pose, 'Sleeping With Color'". I smiled, readied my paper and crayons, and drew her. Since her mane was snakey, it was a little more difficult, since I had never drawn a snakey mane before, but I managed to do it. Plus, the cold winter wind was blowing the paper forward a few times. Luckily, Fluttershy had brought her umbrella out with her to block the snowflakes from the paper, and in just five minutes, I had finally finished, adding the last bit of color to her cutie mark.

"Done...", I said, a little too afraid of how she was gonna react to it. Tree Hugger stood up and looked at it, her eyes widening.

"This is so rad!", she said, "It looks just like me!" She looked at me again. "I want another one!" She opened her wallet again and placed to more bits in my lap to join my other two. I smiled and nodded.

"I do it!", I said. Tree Hugger smiled and chose a different pose, standing behind a rosebush on her hind hooves, and keeping herself propped up by resting her forelegs against the top of the bush.

"This is 'Delighted Roses'", she said. I smiled and drew her like that, finishing quicker as it was much easier since I only saw her head and front legs, and the rosebush was easy. After drawing the second drawing, I gave it to her, smiling as she gave the same reaction as before.

"This is even more righteous!", she said. She then looked at me again. "Just one more, OK?" I nodded happily as Tree Hugger did the hardest pose. She walked over to a patch of Sunflowers, stood in it, avoiding the flowers, and stood on one hoof, crossing the other one against her other hind leg. She then placed her front legs behind her head, giving a delighted sigh.

"For the last one, 'Dancing With Sunflowers'", she said. I gulped.

"Uh... uh...", I said with fear, "I no know if I do that..." Tree Hugger looked at me.

"A little hard for you?", she asked. I nodded in embarrassment. "Well, how's this for motivation? I'll give you six bits if you can draw me like this". I smiled with confidence as I drew her final picture. Like I said, it was a whole new pose, so I was having trouble drawing with ease, but I remembered how much she was rewarding me. With that on my mind, in fifteen minutes, I finished the last few touches, flipped the paper upside down, and held it out to her.

"Done...", I said, clenching my eyes shut as she took it. But, a loud gasp made me look at her.

"This is the best one!", she said, "I love all of these! It's no wonder you love drawing so much!" She opened her wallet and gave me the six bits she promised me. "Here, you earned them!" I smiled as the ten golden, shiny bits glistened in my eyes. Like I said, I had never touched one bit in my life, but now I had ten of them, all just because I had done what I loved.

"Congratulations, sweetheart", Fluttershy said, cuddling me, "Tree Hugger really loves your drawings".

"You bet I do, Fluttershy", Tree Hugger said, "These are the most rad drawings I've ever seen!" I blushed in flattery again, holding my stash.

"Well, let's get back inside", Fluttershy said, "We don't need you any sicker than you are". I nodded as we all went back inside, myself sighing as the warmth of the house welcomed me again.

"I better get going...", Tree Hugger said, "...it's meditating time for me..." Fluttershy smiled and side-hugged her friend.

"Alright then, have a safe walk back, Tree Hugger", she said. Tree Hugger hugged Fluttershy, and then gave me a nuzzle.

"And thanks again for the rad pictures...", she said, "...hope you feel better..." She left the cottage, closing the door behind herself. Fluttershy took the bits from my hooves and placed them in a small, beige bag, giving it to me.

"This'll hold your money so you won't lose it, OK?", she said, giving me a gentle nuzzle. I smiled and hugged the bag.

"OK...", I said. I then heard a few audible sniffs come from Fluttershy.

"Smells like somepony needs a change", she said, playfully poking the back of my diaper. I blushed as I felt the familiar squish against my behind.

"Please...?", I said, holding my hooves out to her. Fluttershy smiled, carried me upstairs, laid me on the bed, and changed me.

"Tree Hugger really loves your drawings, sweetheart", she said, untaping my messy diaper, "You have very great skills with crayons". I smiled with flattery.

"Thank you", I said. I then peeked down at my blank flank, my smiled dropping a little. "But... I wish I had... cutie mark..."

"Most little fillies and colts wish for their cutie marks", Fluttershy said, "But, the only way you'll get one is when you find a talent you're truly well at. In fact, Sweetie Belle also wishes for her cutie mark, very much more than you do".

"Sweetie Belle wish too?", I asked.

"Yes", Fluttershy said, sprinkling the powder, "She's been trying to earn hers ever since she was five years old, but trying force oneself to earn it isn't going to make it appear any faster. Your cutie mark will come once you realize your destiny, like I did". I nodded in approval as Fluttershy taped up the clean diaper, tossing the dirty one in the wastebasket next to the bed.

"Plus, you don't need a cutie mark to be special", she said, "You're perfect just the way you are". She kissed my muzzle, making me giggle a bit. I then gave a small yawn and blinked a few times. Fluttershy smiled. "Do you need a nap?"

"Mm-hmm", I said. Fluttershy tucked me and herself into the bed, fluffing her pillow.

"Do you mind if I have a nap with you?", she asked, "I had trouble sleeping last night". I shook my head and snuggled into Fluttershy's coat. Fluttershy smiled again, draped her wing over me, and turned off the lights as we both took out nap.

~~~~~~~~~~

At 8:30 PM, later that day, I was sitting in bed, blissfully suckling my pacifier, while Fluttershy was downstairs, feeding her animals. Lucky was laying in my lap, and I was teasing her with her toy mouse, giggling as she meowed and pawed at it as I dangled it just past her reach. That's when there was a knock at the bedroom door. I dropped the toy mouse on Lucky's stomach, thinking Tree Hugger had returned.

"Come in!", I said. But when the door was opened, Tree Hugger wasn't there. It was Sweetie Belle, who was dressed in her winter clothes, carrying a manila folder with her teeth, her saddlebag connected to her side. I smiled wider as she walked over to me and spat the folder on the bed.

"Hello, Sweetheart!", she said, giving me a friendly nuzzle and shaking her saddlebag off of her and onto the floor.

"Hi, Sweetie Belle!", I said, "What here for?"

"I was a little worried when you didn't show up at school today, and Ms. Cheerilee said you were sick today", Sweetie Belle said, "So, I asked her if I could bring you the work you missed after school, and she said I could". She pushed the folder closer to me. "This is your homework. It's addition and subtraction, the easiest step in math". I grabbed the folder and opened it, but none of the ten problems got through to me.

"Uh... uh... I not know this...", I said, scratching the back of my head. Sweetie Belle smiled.

"I thought you didn't", she said, reaching into her saddlebag, "So, Fluttershy and my big sister let me stay here for a few hours, and I'm going to help you finish your homework".

"Like how...?", I asked. She smiled and pulled out a bag of colorful peppermints.

"I bought these for you to help you feel better", she said, "But, you can learn adding and subtracting with them too".

"Yay!", I happily said, very excited to learn more things. Sweetie Belle giggled, opened the bag, and poured the candies onto the bed while I kept Lucky from trying to get any.

"OK, we'll start with addition", she said, "Addition is the process of increasing an amount by adding more to it. In other words, making something bigger". I nodded as Sweetie Belle looked at my homework assignment.

"2+2", she read. She then grabbed two candies and placed them in my hooves. "How many candies did I just put in your hooves?" I counted.

"0, 1", I said, "One".

"No, I gave you two", Sweetie Belle said, "Whenever you count something, you start with one, not zero". I nodded.

"Two", I corrected myself. Sweetie Belle smiled.

"Yes", she said. She then placed two more in my hooves.

"1, 2, 3, 4", I counted, "Four".

"So, 2+2 equals?", Sweetie Belle asked. I smiled proudly.

"2+2=4!", I said. Sweetie Belle placed the paper, folder, and a pencil in my lap.

"That's right", she said, "Write a four right here". I smiled and wrote a four where she pointed. After completing the five addition questions, we moved on to subtraction.

"Now", Sweetie Belle explained, "Subtraction is the process of taking away, or making something smaller. It's the opposite of addition". I nodded as Sweetie Belle looked at my paper again.

"10-10", she read. She smiled and placed ten pieces in my hooves. "How many candies do you have?" I looked down at them.

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10", I counted, "Ten".

"Yes", she said. She then grabbed them all out of my hooves. "Now how many do you have?" I giggled.

"There is no any", I said.

"So, 10-10 equals?", Sweetie Belle asked. I smiled.

"10-10=0!", I said. Sweetie Belle smiled and pointed at the space.

"That's correct", she said, "Write a zero there". I wrote a zero in the space. In about ten minutes, I had finished doing my homework, and Sweetie Belle had given me another friendly nuzzle.

"Good job", she said, "You did well".

"B-but... I no do it...", I said, "...you do it... I no smart good..." Sweetie Belle held my hoof, making a wide blush appear on my face.

"Sweetheart, you're smarter than you think...", she said, "Just because you don't know school subjects doesn't mean you're not smart. You just have to catch up to what you've missed". She nuzzled me again. "You're as smart as you want to be". I smiled.

"Thank you... Sweetie Belle...", I said.

"You're very welcome, Sweetheart", she said, "Well, now that your homework is completed, why don't we go outside and play in the snow, hmm?"

"Outside... with you...?", I asked as Sweetie Belle nodded, "Fluttershy let me...?"

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind, Sweetheart", Sweetie Belle said, "We're only going out in the backyard".

"Uh... uh...", I thought, wondering if I should or shouldn't.

"If you don't want to, you don't have to", Sweetie Belle said, "I'm not forcing you to go outside". Of course, I wanted to ask Fluttershy first and make sure she wouldn't mind if I went outside, but the thought of getting to spend time with Sweetie Belle outside of school was more powerful than that. I smiled and threw the blanket off of myself.

"I wanna go!", I said happily. Sweetie Belle smiled as well.

"Then let's go!", she said.

I followed Sweetie Belle outside into the backyard, waving at Fluttershy, who was too busy feeding her animals to notice. Once we got outside, Sweetie Belle closed the door behind us and walked out into the several hooves of snow piled up on the ground. Her hoof-mittens were protecting her hooves from getting cold and clammy, but I was pretty much used to it after spending an entire month out in the snow.

"So...", I asked, "What do f-?" I was cut off when I was beamed in the face with a snowball. I sputtered, thanking myself that my eyes were closed as I scooped the snow off my face, seeing Sweetie Belle holding another one.

"Surprise!", she proudly yelled, "What're you gonna do now?" I giggled and threw it back, hitting her in the face as well. She shook it off and laughed.

"Are you asking for a snowball-fight?", she teasingly asked. I giggled again.

"Yeah!", I said back. Sweetie Belle threw another snowball, but I ducked it and threw one of my own, getting her in the side. Sweetie Belle giggled and shook it off.

"Challenge accepted!", she excitedly said. For the next five minutes, Sweetie Belle and I continued to have our snowball fight, snowballs flying everywhere. I was having so much fun with my friend, and even though I was struck in the face five times and suffered a few brain freezes, I still loved it. After we decided we had enough snowballs pelted at us, we decided to stop.

"Well, Sweetheart", she said, "I have to say, you're a really good snowball-fighter". I smiled.

"Thank you", I said.

"You're welcome", Sweetie Belle said, nuzzling me, "But we should stop now. If I take one more snowball to my face, I'm gonna turn into solid ice".

"*giggle* Me too", I said, making a giggle come for Sweetie Belle as well. After a few silent seconds, Sweetie Belle had another idea.

"How about we play some tag?", she asked.

"Tag?", I asked.

"Mm-hmm!", Sweetie Belle happily said, "Basically, all you have to do is touch the other pony, like this". She tapped my hind hoof. "So, I tagged you, and you're it. What should you do now?" I smiled and lightly tapped her shoulder, making her smile. "Right, so now, I'm it. And you run away because you don't want me to tag you again". I smiled, stood up, and ran a few hooves away from Sweetie Belle.

"Like this?", I asked.

"Yes", Sweetie Belle said, "But, I'm gonna get you!"

She ran over to me and tagged me again, taking off running. I laughed loudly and ran after my friend, chasing her all over the backyard. After two minutes, I had finally tagged her again and ran as fast as I could away from her. She was a bit faster than me, and I knew running around in circles across the yard would be no use to stay away from her.

Instead, I jumped over the wooden fence that protected Fluttershy's backyard and ran into the forest next to her cottage, Sweetie Belle still chasing me. Several trees and stones and crunching sounds of hooves hitting snow made it impossible to hide, especially with my hoofprints following me in the snow. Soon, I ran out of places to run, and right when I turned around to see how far I had ran, Sweetie Belle had tackled me into the snow, landing right on top of me.

"Got'cha!", she yelled. We both giggled like foals and gave a delighted sigh as Sweetie Belle rolled off of me and sat up, looking around. "Wow!"

"What?", I curiously asked.

"I never knew I'd be this deep in the Everfree Forest!", Sweetie Belle said, "It's so wonderful!"

"Everfree Forest?", I asked.

"Mm-hmm!", Sweetie Belle happily said, "The forest most ponies never dare to go in because they're too scared! But there's nothing scary in here!" I nodded in agreement. The forest did look wonderful. But, I then felt a small pain on my left front leg. I looked at it and saw that I had a small scrape from where Sweetie Belle tackled me, which was bleeding lightly.

"Uh-oh...", I worriedly said. Sweetie Belle looked at it.

"Oh my...", she said, wiping the blood away, "Don't worry about that. It's only a scratch. Let's go back to the cottage so Fluttershy can put some medicine on it".

I nodded and followed Sweetie Belle, who was following our hoofprints out of the forest. I trusted Sweetie Belle in saying my scrape wasn't too bad, but the blood was worse than we thought, as it attracted an unwanted guest. Soon, a very foul odor assaulted both of our muzzles as we sniffed in disgust.

"Eww!", I yelled, covering my muzzle, "What stinky?"

"Uh... did you... have an accident...?", Sweetie Belle asked, covering her muzzle as well. I gasped and quickly poked the back of my pajamas, feeling nothing but dry cotton.

"No", I said, "I no stinky, I clean". Sweetie Belle sniffed the foul stench, then her eyes went big.

"Oh no...", she said, "I know what this smell is..."

"Wh-what...?", I said, getting scared at the look on her face.

"It's timber-wolf breath!", Sweetie Belle yelled. That's when a loud roar was heard, and a huge timber-wolf appeared in front of us. I stood in fear, unable to move as I felt the front of my diaper become warmer as I wet myself in fear. That's when I felt Sweetie Belle desperately tug on my tail with her teeth.

"Sweetheart, run!", she yelled, "Run with me if you don't wanna get eaten!"

Out of desperation, I ran, following Sweetie Belle all over the forest as the timber-wolf chased us. I thought we could just hide, but the timber-wolf was too close to us, and plus, he'd find us anyway thanks to the smell of urine in my diaper. Finally, after running for two solid minutes, Sweetie Belle had found a treehouse to hide in.

"Sweetheart, in here!", Sweetie Belle yelled.

I quickly ran into the treehouse with Sweetie Belle, who slammed and locked the door behind us. The timber-wolf charged head-on into the locked door, shriveling into sawdust because of the force. Sweetie Belle walked to the window to make sure we were safe, seeing the massive pile of timber-wolf sawdust, giving a loud sigh.

"He's dead...", she said, "We're safe now..." Just before I could breathe in delight, there was a loud clopping, followed by a shrill scream, scaring the life out of us both. We turned around to see something in a black cloak, holding a sharp spear in her hoof.

"How dare you intrude my hut!", it yelled, "You better leave before I shove this spear in your butts!" My fear doubled as I shivered violently, this time messing my diaper out of fear.

"Zecora, don't!", Sweetie Belle yelled, "It's me, Sweetie Belle!" The figure sighed, dropped the spear, and removed her hood, showing her face. She was a zebra, wearing golden rings around her neck like jewelry.

"Sweetie Belle, you know I am not normal if surrounded by my fears", she said, "Any closer and you would have never seen the rest of your years".

"I'm sorry, Zecora...", Sweetie Belle said. Zecora looked at me.

"And who is this colt you have brought with you?", she asked, "Who seems very exhausted and smells strongly of poo?" I looked down in embarrassment, covering my messy behind.

"This is my best friend, Sweetheart", Sweetie Belle said, "He's incontinent, and may have had an accident on our way here". Zecora gave a small gasp.

"Oh my... I apologize for my rudeness, little one", she said, "I'm sure incontinence is no fun..."

"It OK Ms. Zecora...", I said, still a little embarrassed.

"Now, since you and I have never met before, all is well", Zecora said, bowing a little, "But as for you, I expect more from you, Sweetie Belle".

"B-but, we were chased by a timber-wolf and-", Sweetie Belle said, before the door swung open and Fluttershy ran in, so much worry in her face.

"Sweetheart, Sweetie Belle!", she yelled, "Why would you run off like that?! You had me worried sick!" She looked at Zecora. "And why are you in Zecora's hut?"

"They ran in and slammed the door", Zecora said, "Sweetie Belle claimed they were running from a timber-wolf before. I forgave the colt since I do not know him, but my trust for Sweetie Belle is now very dim". Fluttershy looked at Sweetie Belle.

"Sweetie Belle, you know I do not allow you in the Everfree Forest while you're under my supervision", she said, "If you were to end up hurt, Rarity would hold me responsible".

"I know...", Sweetie Belle said. Fluttershy held me by my hoof.

"Come on", she said, "We need to get back to the cottage so I can get you changed. And I will be speaking to Rarity about this, Sweetie Belle".

"B-but, Rarity will ground me for a week, and take away my jigsaw puzzles!", Sweetie Belle complained.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle", Fluttershy said, "But you must learn your lesson". Sweetie Belle looked down at the ground in sadness.

"Yes ma'am...", she said. Seeing the very sad look on my friends face instantly made me feel sorry. I had seen that look on several other ponies at the orphanage, and what followed was never OK for them. So, even though I didn't get yelled at, or assaulted, I couldn't let my friend go home with that look.

"No!", I yelled, "Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle no do it... I do it..." Both Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle looked at me in surprise.

"What did you say, sweetheart?", Fluttershy asked.

"Me and Sweetie Belle play tag, and I run in here...", I said, "Sweetie Belle try to get me out, and we go too far and get lost..."

"So, you're saying it isn't Sweetie Belle's fault?", Fluttershy asked. I nodded, pointing at myself in fear. Fluttershy cleared her throat and looked at Sweetie Belle.

"Sweetie Belle, you go home", she apologetically said, "I will not speak a word to Rarity". Sweetie Belle nodded, looking at me with a blushed half-smile, mouthing "Thank you" to me as she left the hut and walked home.

"As for you", Fluttershy said, standing over me. I began to shiver again, wetting again in fear. "You and I need to have a little talk once we get back to the Cottage". She looked at Zecora. "My apologies for invading your privacy, Zecora".

Zecora gave a forgiving bow and walked outside. Fluttershy then placed me on her back and walked back to the Cottage. I was so scared as Fluttershy locked the door and sat me on the couch and spoke to me, my muscles tensing up as I was sure she was going to hit me.

"Now, sweetheart", Fluttershy said, "You scared me to death today".

"I sorry...", I said, looking down at the flower-patterned carpet.

"I understand if you are", Fluttershy said, "But you cannot run off like that, especially not into the Everfree Forest. There are too many dangers in that forest, and if it weren't for Zecora, that timber-wolf could've hurt you and Sweetie Belle".

"Uh...", I mumbled, trying to think of something to say.

"Just because I'm busy doesn't mean you can run off", Fluttershy said, "And even worse, you put my best friend's sister in harm's way. If she were injured, I'd be responsible". Fluttershy sighed, deciding to wrap it up.

"Bottom line... I'm very disappointed in you, sweetheart..."

That did it. Those words hit me right in my heart. I began to cry like a foal as I ran upstairs, hid in the bathroom, and laid in the bathtub, crying hard into my hooves. Out of everypony I knew, I never thought Fluttershy would just be another pony that pretended to love me. I was so heartbroken as I cried harder, once again feeling the back of my diaper expand as I messed again. I felt my diaper starting to leak and dampen my pajamas, but I didn't care. I was too sad. I thought Fluttershy was the one who would finally love me and take care of me, but she was just one more pretender. But just two minutes later, Fluttershy walked into the bathroom.

"Sweetheart...?", she said very low, tiphoofing over to me, "...are you alright...?" I sniffled, ignoring the snot dipping from my nose as I kept my face buried in my hooves.

"Y-you...", I said, muffled from the pajamas, "You no like me no more..."

"What?", Fluttershy asked. I blew my nose on my pajamas and sat up, still keeping myself from making eye-contact with Fluttershy.

"You no like me no more...", I whined.

"Oh sweetheart...", Fluttershy guiltily said, "Of course I like you... I was just a little disappointed..."

"No!", I yelled, finally looking at her, "You say that, Mother Superior say that, everypony say that! And... and..." I began to cry harder. "...nopony like me... nopony never like me..." Fluttershy sat in the tub with me, lifting me into her lap, lifting my head up so I was looking dead into her eyes.

"Sweetheart", she said, a sad frown on her face, "I'm not like everyone else you know... I like you... I like you very much. If I didn't like you, would I have brought you here from that wet, stinky box?"

"*sniffle* No...", I said.

"If I didn't like you, would I feed you as much as I feed my animals?", Fluttershy asked.

"No...", I repeated.

"Would I change you, tuck you in at night, dress you up, or keep you clean?", Fluttershy asked.

"No...", I said.

"Exactly...", Fluttershy said, "Of course I like you... I said I was disappointed so you know to not do it again... it's not safe out in the Everfree Forest without a grown-up". She moved me up closer so I could reach her coat, and buried my face in it.

"I just want you to be well so you can grow up an be well, sweetheart", she said, "You already have incontinence, and weakened organs, so it'd be horrible if you were to get anything else... That's why I just want to keep you safe". Fluttershy punctuated that with a light kiss on the top of my head. I began to cry again as I hugged Fluttershy as tight as I could.

"I sorry Fluttershy!", I said, muffled from her coat, "I sorry!" Fluttershy smiled and kissed my cheek.

"It's alright, sweetheart...", she said, "I forgive you..." She lifted me out of her lap and sat me on the tub floor. "Now, sit here so I can go get you a clean pair of pajamas. Your diaper leaked and dirtied your pajamas". I nodded as Fluttershy hoofed me a roll of toilet paper. "Here, wipe your face and blow your nose". Fluttershy walked out of the bathroom and upstairs to her room as I cleaned up my face and nose, smiling once again as I knew Fluttershy was the one I could trust the most to keep me safe.

~~~~~~~~~~

The next night, my stomachache had stopped, and I was no longer vomiting, so Fluttershy allowed me to go to school. After a hug and kiss, I walked in and joined my new friends at the table.

"Sweetheart!", Twist said, "You're back!" She nuzzled me.

"Mm-hmm!", I said, "I no sick no more".

"Good", Pipsqueak said, "We missed you yesterday. Duck, Duck, Goose wasn't the same without you". I blushed.

"Really?", I asked.

"Nope!", Snails said, "You're the fastest runner, and it was too easy". I smiled.

"Well, I back now, and we play!", I proudly said. Snips smiled as the door opened and Sweetie Belle walked in, sitting in her seat next to me.

"Hi, Sweetheart...", she said, giving me a nuzzle.

"Hi, Sweetie Belle", I said.

"I... wanna thank you for saving me last night...", Sweetie Belle said, "I finished my puzzle because of it". I smiled.

"I just no want you in trouble", I said, returning her nuzzle, "You my friend. I no like see friend in trouble". Sweetie Belle smiled.

"Well, I certainty owe you for that", Sweetie Belle said, "I Pinkie Promise that I'll do whatever you want to call it in when you want". I smiled.

"OK!", I said, "Thank you, Sweetie Belle!"

"You're very welcome, Sweetheart", Sweetie Belle said, hugging me. A large blush spread across my face as she hugged for two seconds, then let go as Cheerilee walked in.

"Good evening, everypony", she said, "Welcome back, Sweetheart. Hope you feel better".

"I do, Ms. Cheerilee!", I said happily.

"I can see that" Cheerilee said, "And you aced your homework assignment too. Good job". She gave me my homework with a big green "A+" written on it.

"Yay!", I said, "Sweetie Belle help me! I do good!" Sweetie Belle blushed as Cheerilee smiled.

"Well then, Sweetie Belle helped you do a good job", she said, making Sweetie Belle blush harder, "Anyway, before we begin today's lesson of adding and subtracting, I've decided to let you all have some fun to start off the day".

"What like?", I asked. Cheerilee gave a wide smile.

"You get to paint pictures, of course", she said.

Author's Note

Very sorry for the long wait, everyone. Thank you for sticking to the story even so.

Plus, I apologize if I did Tree Hugger's character a little poorly. I've only seen her debut episode once. Also, for anyone who's accusing me of forcing Tree Hugger to fork over her bits for crayon drawings, Sweetheart has to learn the value of a bit eventually.