A Baby Zebra's Apple Turnover

by Foal Star

Rating: everyone
Tags: Applejack, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Zecora, Alternate Universe, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, Comedy, Big Macintosh
Length: 34847

Apple Bloom accidently turns Zecora into a foal, and decides to be the one to help care for her until a cure can be found.

This story takes place after the events of Bridle Gossip.

After Twilight and her friends were cured of the poison joke. Apple Bloom decides to help Zecora clean up her hut and only succeeded in turning the zebra into a foal. As a cure is being developed Apple Bloom and her family take it upon themselves to watch the baby zebra.

As Zecora becomes apart of the Apple family and they come to accept and love her. A cure seems unlikeley, and it may come down to Apple Bloom to make a difficult decision...

Editor Superpinkbrony12

Published 2017-07-12 12:00:07 UTC
Last updated 2017-09-09 04:48:07 UTC

Chapter 1 Baby Zecora meets the Apple Family

Zecora was now in the foal seat of a shopping cart, as Spike pushed it along the aisles of the town’s lone foal store. He and Apple Bloom made their way to the foal section, as Spike mumbled. “The first thing we should get is diapers. Don’t need her having another accident.”

But Zecora groaned. “No diapees! Why can’t I weaw puww ups At weast ten I can use ta potty.”

Spike simply replied. “Well, considering you had no idea you had to go back at Golden Oak, I’m assuming you’re too young to start potty training. Besides, there’s no way you could use a toilet in your current size, not without falling in anyways.”

Zecora grumbled some more as they turned down the diaper aisle. Apple Bloom ran all the way down and took out a package. “Hey Zecora, what do you think of these?”

Zecora turned to see a package of diaper with little flower designs on them, and pouted “Nah, tey silly! Can't I just weaw white ones?”

Apple Bloom sighed. “Yeah, sure.” She put the package back, as Zecora turned to a package with little trees depicted on them. The box read: All Natural. And the baby Zebra suggested. “Wha about those ones? The ones with the twees on tem.”

Apple Bloom took out a package and giggled. “Wow, these look nice...and expensive.”

Zecora blushed. “Ya, but I wike ta fowest Is my home, or at weast was my home.”

Spike looked at the price tag on the diapers and his eyes went wide! “Woah! These are expensive! But it says these diapers are made of a strange natural fabric.”

Zecora crossed her hooves and babbled, “If Im going to weaw diapees, I might as wew weaw ones I wike. I pwomice I’ww pay ya back when I get back to nowmaw.”

Spike just shrugged and threw a few packages of All Natural into the cart. They continued on, as Zecora pointed out all natural foal powder, wipes, a pacifer, foal food, and formula.

Apple Bloom giggled. “You really like nature, huh?”

Zecora nodded. “Yeah, I wove natuwe! Why ya tink I wive in ta Evefwee Fowest?”

Spike examined the huge stash of foal supplies in the shoppig cart. “I think we have everything you need.” He told Zecora.

But Apple Bloom turned to the toy aisle and asked. “What about a plushie? Foals need somthing to sleep with.”

Zecora nodded in delight. “Yeah, tat sounds fine.”

They went down the aisle, and Apple Bloom picked out a cute ursa minor plushie. “What about this?” She asked Zecora.

Zecora nodded and approvved. “I wove it!” Apple Bloom plopped it into Zecora’s hooves as she huged it close to her chest. “I’ww caw ya Beawy ta beaw.” She squealed.

Spike laughed. “foals name their plushies the weirdest names.” He then pushed the cart to the checkout counter, and as Spike paid for the stuff, Zecora decided to try out her new pacifier. It was bright green, her favorite color. She gave it a few suckles, blushing as she hugged her plushie.

The check-out clerk dawwed at the sight. “Oh, she’s such a little cutie. But I’ve never seen a pony with black and white stripes before. Who’s this adorable little one?”

Spike gulped, unsure of how to respond. “Oh, uh, she’s umm…”

But Apple Bloom blurted out. “She’s just Zecora turned into a foal! But Twilight is working on a cure to get her back to normal.”

Spike slammed a claw to his face as the clerk blinked and replied nervously. “Sorry to hear that. But she is adorable. Do baby zebras need diapers?”

Spike nodded taking the now purchased diapers and zecora into his claws, “Yeah, we better get her into one now, that way she’ll be protected,” Zecora just put her hooves over her eyes as Spike powdered her up and put on one of the natural diapers. “There we go, all done.” He cooed.

Zecora looked down at her diaper. It was green with little spirals decorating the padding, and bright green leak guards taped snuggly around her legs. She poked her diaper out of curiosity, watching it crinkle. Then kicked her legs, giggling, “Wew, tey otay.”

Apple Bloom dawwed. “They’re adorable, and you look good in ‘em! I love them!”

Even Spike blushed as he commented. “Wow, she sure is cute!”

The clerk cooed, “She sure is,” Then she offered. “How about I throw in a stroller for free?”

Apple Bloom squeaked in delight. “Really?! Thanks!”

The mare went around the counter, pushed a cute pink stroller out, and hoofed it off to Apple Bloom, who then picked up the rest of the foal supplies in a brand new, cute pink diaper bag, giggling all the while. “Check out this diaper bag. Isn’t it awesome?!”

Spike grumbled, “Yeah, and expenisve.” He proceeded to carefully pick up Zecora and strap her in the stroller, making sure the buckles were snug around her waist.

Zecora snuggled her plushie tightly. “Thanks fow gettin aw tat stuff, Spikey.”

Spike dawwed and whispered, “Thank Twilight, it’s her bits.”

Zecora nodded, “I’ww tank hew when I see hew again, I pwomice.”

Apple Bloom giggled. “I can't wait for you to meet my family! I think you’re goin’ to like it! Been ages since we’ve had a foal at Sweet Apple Acres.”

When Spike and Apple Bloom came up to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack came running up to them, shouting. “There you are, Apple Bloom! Where in Equestria have you been all day?!”

Apple Bloom looked up replying. “Applejack, I was... uh... helpin’ out Zecora in the Everfree Forest.”

Applejack gasped! “You were what?! I thought we went through this already?! You can’t just go off without letting me know first! You done scared me somethin’ fierce!”

Apple Bloom sighed. “ I'm sorry. It’s just that Zecora needed help with cleanin’ up her hut after it got trashed. And then ...um...she got turned into a foal.” The farm filly pointed dow to Zecora who hugged her ursa minor plushie, with her diaper bulging out through the straps around her.

Applejack blinked and shouted, “What in tarnation?! Zecora, is that you!?”

Zecora nodded, “Yeah, I got tuwned into a foaw.”

“Bu..but how?” Applejack asked in confusion.

Appel Bloom looked up at her big sister and reluctantly confessed, “Well, you see. When we were cleaning, I accidentally spilled a concoction of potions onto her, turnin’ her into a foal.”

Applejack’s eyes narrowed in fury, as she exclaimed! “So, not only did you leave without tellin’ me, you went and turned Zecora into a foal?! Oh, you are so grounded young filly! Just wait til I’ll tell Big Macintosh about this, he’ll probably be so mad he’ll have a few choice words for ya!”

But just then, Zecora spoke up. “I..it’s otay, it was an accident,” Whimpering, she added. “Pwease stop yewin at Appwe Boom, she weawwy sowie.”

Applejack turned to Apple Bloom, who was sniffling. The cowgirl had to admit she was getting worked up about things that she was powerless to change. Yelling at her little sister wasn’t going to solve anything. “Alright, come here you!” She instructed, and let her soster hug her as she held Apple Bloom close and apologized, “It's just, I worry about ya sometimes. Please try to understand that, okay?” Apple Bloom nodded, as Applejack smiled at Zecora. “Well then, I guess now we have a little foal to care for. Is there anypony workin’ on a cure?”

Spike coughed and all turned to him as he waved a claw. Applejack blushed a bit as she replied, “Oh, hey Spike. Didn’ see ya there.”

“It’s fine,” Spike commented, knowing it wouldn’t do good to get upset now (even though he was mad at not having been noticed right away). “Anyways, I just wanted to say that Twilight is working on getting a cure made. She pretty much said it's okay for your family to care for Zecora until it's ready though, so you don’t need to worry about interfering with her plans.”

Applejack smiled and nodded. “Thanks, Spike. We’ll take good care of this little foal. Just tell Twilight, she’s got nothin’ to worry about. Zecora’s in good hooves with us,” Spike waved goodbye as he ran off, Applejack then got up and beamed at Zecora and Apple Bloom, “Well, Zecora, I reckon it’s time ya said hi to the rest of my family.” Both Zecora and Applebloom had huge smiles on their faces as Applebloom pushed Zecora through the front door.

Applejack lead the two to the dining room table, where Big Macintosh and Granny Smith were having an apple salad for dinner, before they turned to see Applejack, Apple Bloom and a strange looking foal. Granny Smith cooed, “Oh, who’s the little one? She yours, Applejack? Ya’ll went and adopted a foal without my knowin’?”

“No, Granny Smith, it ain’t nothin’ like that,” Applejack blushed, before she continued. “Um... ya’ll know about that recent poison joke incident that turned me tiny, and a how zebra named Zecora cured me?” Both Granny Smith and Big Mac nod as Applejack continued, “Well...um, this is the same Zecora I told ya two about. She was turned into a foal.”

Granny Smith and Big mac both gasped as Big Mac replied in confusion. ”Really, she was an adult at one point?!”

Zecora chirped. “Yeah, I was. I hope ya don mind if I stay hewe fow a wittwe bit, at weast untiw Twiwight makes a cuwe fow me.”

Both Granny and Big Mac dawwed as Granny Smith cooed, “Oh of course you can stay, I’d love havin’ a little one hang out with me. ‘Sides, I reckon my help’s gonna be needed. Since Apple Bloom was four, none of my grandkids have changed a diaper.”

Zecora giggled, and gave an adorable smile as she shouted. “Weawwy, I can stay?!” The entire Apple Family nodded in unanimous approval, making Zecora squeal in delight! She waddled up to Big Mac first and hugged his front right leg. He blushed, the stallion was a bit unsure of what to do. But Applejack laughed and instructed. “Come on, Big Mac, don't be scared. She's just a foal.”

The big stallion sighed, then gently lifted Zecora into the cradle of his forehooves and let her giggle and coo, kicking about in his embrace. He nuzzled her as he cooed lightly. “Who’s a little cutie?” She gurgled and and blew some bubbles, as Big Mac laughed. “Oh, look at you. Aren’t you just full of energy?”

Zecora squealed again. “Ya, I am. I haven’ fewt wike this in a wong time! Feews good!”

Granny giggled, “What a little ball of energy! She reminds me of you, Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom smiled, as Applejack chuckled, then asked. “Hey, Big Mac. Why not let Granny Smith hold her for a while?”

Big Mac hoofed the baby zebra to Granny Smith, who cuddled Zecora closely. “Aww look at her cute dark blue eyes. I swear, she already reminds me so much of you, Apple Bloom,” Zecora giggled again, she then gave a big yawn and a little hiss could be heard, making the entire Apple family daww. Granny laughed. “Oh, she’s a little soaker too. How about a quick change, then we can fix ya somethin’ to eat.”

“That sounds like a great idea!” Apple Bloom squeaked, and then asked. “Can I change her diaper?!”

Applejack laughed and added. ”How about I help you, Apple Bloom? You’ve never changed a diaper before, I have. I did all the time when you were a foal.”

“Alright ya two, guess it wouldn’t hurt to let ya attempt it since she only wet herself a little,” Granny Smith replied, then hoofed Applejack the baby Zecora, who was whimpering “Sowie.” Granny just cooed and patted her lightly on the head, “It’s okay, sweetheart. Foals pee and poo their diapers all the time. You should’ve seen Big Mac’s diapers when he was a foal. We had to double pad him at all times, just to make sure he didn’t leak all over the floor.” That prompted the rest of the ponies to burst into laughter, as Big Mac blushed a deep shade of red. “Granny!” He whined.

Applejack just laughed and commented, “Oh come now, Big Mac, don’t worry. I’m sure Granny has embarassin’ stories about all three of us.” And she proceeded to place Zecora on her back.

Granny chuckled. “Oh, I sure do. I remember the one time Applejack took a bath in the batter of an apple pie. I think I even got a photo.”

This time Big Mac laughed and Applejack blushed. “Okay, Granny, I think we get the point. Come on, Apple Bloom. Let’s get little Zecora here changed.”

The two siblings went up the stairs and into Apple Bloom’s bedroom. Apple Bloom laid down a changing mat and took out the supplies, as Applejack held Zecora, nuzzling her but only making the zebra groan. “Otay, stop. I got enough snuggling for one day.”

“Sorry, you're just too cute.” Applejack apologized, booping Zecora on the nose.

But Zecora only pouted in protest. “I know I’m cute, but it’s stiw a wittwe annoying.”

Applejack couldn’t help but keep smiling though, as she placed Zecora on the changing pad and she waved Apple Bloom over. “Come on, I’ll show ya how diaper changin’’s done.” She boasted.

“Oh really, you sure you’ve changed diapers before?” Apple Bloom asked with skepticism.

Applejack replied in a smug tone. “I changed a few of your diapers with help from Granny. I’m pretty sure I still remember how to do it. Just follow my lead,” She proceeded to instruct Apple Bloom, “Okay now, first, unopen it gently,” Apple Bloom nodded, untaped the diaper, and slowly opened it, making Zecora blush hard. Applejack then helped Apple Bloom get some wipes as she added, “Now wipe slowly. Foals have tender and sensitive fur.”

Apple Bloom nodded and did as Applejack instructed, wiping slowly as Zecora shivered and babbled. “It’s so cowd.”

Apple Bloom whispered in apology. “Sorry, I’ll try to hurry up.” She continued wiping Zecora down, finishing a few seconds later. She then put the wipes into the old diaper. bailed it up, and threw it in a wastebin. She and Applejack then got out a new diaper and placed it gently under Zecora’s rump, making her giggle a little as they threaded her tail through the hole in the back. Applejack took out the cream and helped her sister rub it over Zecora, making her squeal and kick her legs. “Tat’s weawwy cowd!”

Applejack chuckled. “Well I bet that’ll feel alot better then a diaper rash.” The sisters continued the change, powdering the foal’s rump and making her sneeze cutely. Then they finished the change, placing the front of the new diaper over and taping it snuggly over her belly.

Zecora looked down, feeling the fresh padding between her legs, and kicked about as Apple Bloom asked, “So, Zecora, how did we do?”

Zecora chirped. “Ya two did gweat! Ta paddin fits pewfectwy!.”

Apple Bloom squealed. “Ooh, did I get my cutie mark?!” But upon looking back at her still blank flank she muttered. “Darn it, so much for that.”

Applejack and Apple Bloom then went to the bathroom to wash their hooves as Zecora bounced about in her new diaper. Apple Bloom looked across to Applejack and said to her sister. “Thank you for helpin’ me changin that diaper. I don’t think I could’ve done it by myself.”

Applejack nodded. “No problem, sugarcube. Now, while we get Zecora fed, I think I’ll have Big Mac set up your old crib in my room. That way I can care for her if she cries durin’ the night.”

“Thanks, Applejack. But..uh, can I have her sleep in my room?” Apple Bloom asked, hopefully.

Applejack eyed her sister, “Ya sure? Foals are notorious for cryin’ during the night. Zecora will probably need a few diaper changes, and some late night bottles.”

But Zecora pouted, shouting in protest. “Na uh! I’ww be a good foaw and just sweep aww night.”

Applejack giggled and replied, “Zecora, I’m sure you’ll try. But you're a foal, and your instincts will probably kick in at some point.”

Zecora just shook her head, “Na uh, I gonna be a weww behaved foaw. You’ww see.”

“See? Zecora said it herself, she’ll be fine,” Apple Bloom insisted. “Please, Applejack? At least for tonight?”

Apple Bloom and Zecora both looked up at Applejack with puppy dog eyes, as she groaned, “Fine, but if there's any trouble, I’m movin’ her to my room, ya hear?” They both nodded, as then Applejack replied, “Come on, let’s get you two somethin to eat.”

Zecora was escorted downstairs, where Granny Smith had set up an old highchair. Applejack strapped Zecora inside it as she asked, “Big Mac, can ya do me a favor and help me set up Apple Bloom’s old crib in her room?”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac nodded, he got up and walked off to the basement with Applejack as Granny Smith added, “Big Mac, don’t forget foal blankets and a pillow, and make sure to wipe that thing down. It ain’t been used in a long time, and we don’t want to get the poor thing sick.”

Big Mac rolled his eyes, added another “Eeyup.” and continued on his way, as Granny turned her attention to the baby zebra in front of her. She brought out a jar of applesauce as she asked, “So, Zecora, ya like apples?”

Zecora shrugged. “I tink tey otay. I didn have a wot of abbwes back at my hut.”

Apple Bloom started bouncing with a hoof raised in excitement as she offered. “Can I feed her, please?!”

Granny Smith laughed, ”Alright, but be careful. Zecora’s teeth are probably still devlopin’, so be gentle.”

Zecora was curious about Granny’s statement, so she placed a hoof in her mouth and felt around, only to feel a few bumps as she babbled, “Ya, my teeth shwank too.”

Meanwhile, Apple Bloom took out the applesauce and a small rubber spoon as she replied. “Alright, Zecora, time for num nums.”

Zecora sighed and opened her mouth, as Apple Bloom slipped the spoon in. The baby zebra smiled, feeling the applesauce and on her tongue and swallowed it, giggling. “That was gweat! Ya gots mowe?!”

Apple Bloom scooped up some more applesauce on her spoon. “Lots more, now open wide!” She instructed, prompting the baby zebra to open up again and be fed another spoonful of applesauce. She giggled, kicking about in her high chair and smacking her lips.

Apple Bloom cooed, sensing that Zecora was enjoying the whole process. “Aww, you like the applesauce?” She asked.

Zecora nodded eagerly. “Yeah, I wove it! Tank you.”

Apple Bloom smiled, “Thank Granny Smith, she’s the one who made it.”

Zecora turned to Granny smith and babbled, “Tank you fow ta abbwe sauce, it’s yummy!”

Granny Smith dawwed, “No problem, sugarcube. I’ll be sure to make some more.” Then she came over to her granddaughter and offered, “How about you go on and eat dinner? I’ll finish up here.”

Apple Bloom ran off to her spot at the table, and ate her apple salad, as Granny contained spoon feeding Zecora. During the process, Granny started making faces and Zecora unintentionally copied her as they both began opening and shutting their mouths, with Apple Bloom chuckling while eating her food. Then Big Mac and Applejack came up from downstairs, smiling at the scene as Applejack suggested, “I think it’s about time Zecora had a bottle. Then we should see ‘bout gettin’ her to bed.”

Granny Smith nodded, “Good idea, a bottle of milk always helped ya’ll to fall asleep when you were little ones. I’m sure Zecora won’t be any different.”

Apple Bloom got up from the table, and ran off and grabbed the pink diaper bag from earlier. She took out a can of formula and a foal bottle. “We got these at the store earlier.” She explained.

Zecora whimpered as she asked. “Do I have to dwink fwom a baba?”

Granny nodded. “Of course, foals need milk.”

Applejack took the formula and bottle, and adjusted the measurements as she stirred it in with water. Then she took Zecora onto her back and asked, “Hey Apple Bloom, wanna help me give Zecora her bottle?”

Apple Bloom squealed in delight! “Of course!” She ran over to Applejack’s side as they sat on the sofa in the living room, and Applejack took Zecora and the bottle of formula to her chest, and started to feed her, letting the zebra suckle on the bottle’s rubber nipple. Zecora instantly gargled some of it, but eventually began to suckle gently, seemingly enjoying the taste as she thought. “How could this be my fate? Thinking that formula tastes great.”

Apple Bloom, getting anxious, asked. “Come on, Applejack, can’t I bottle feed her too?” Applejack gently hoofed the baby over to Apple Bloom, who took Zecora into the cradle of her forehooves, as Applejack watched and whispered. “Be gentle now. Just hold the bottle close to your chest, and let her do the work. And if she’s drinkin’ too fast, remind her to slow down.”

Apple Bloom nodded, as she held Zecora close, looking right into her big strong cyan colored eyes as she asked. “So, Zecora, ya like your baba?”

Zecora’s cheeks flushed red, as she nodded, suckling her bottle a few more times.

“I bet it’s the best formula in Equestria. It is ‘Organic Formula’ after all,” Apple Bloom explained. “Spike and I bought it at the store.”

Zecora blushed even more, realizing how the taste of the formula did resemble a sweeter, creamier milk. Before she knew, it she’d drank down the entire bottle of formula and was suckling air. Apple Bloom took out the bottle with a pop and asked, “So, how was it?”

Zecora blushing replied, “It was good, tank you,” She then groaned, as she held her tummy and babbled. “Bu my tummy dun feew good.”

Applejack picked up the little zebra, placed her over her back, and patted until Zecora gave a loud belch and sapt up over Applejack's back, making Zecora gasp! “I so sowie, Appwejack!”

Applejack just sighed. “It’s alright, that was bound to happen at some point,” She hoofed Zecora over to Apple Bloom and asked, “How about ya get her ready for bed while I clean myself up?”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Of course.” She skipped off with Zecora resting on her back.

As Applebloom was dressing Zecora in one of her old nighties with little apples decorating it, Zecora began crying and whimpering. That prompted Apple Bloom to turn and ask. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

The baby zebra whined. “Ya and ya famiwy awe so nice ta me. Big mac bwoguht up ta cwib, Gwanny made me abbwesauce, Abbwejack fed me and changed my diapee, and ya bottwe feed me. And I can’t weapy any of ya. I jus a wittwe foaw.”

But Apple Bloom hugged Zecora, whispering. “Don’t say that, your happiness is all that we care about. We don’t care about payment, you smile’s all the repayment we need.”

Zecora whimpered, “Weawwy? Ya dun tink I putting too much twobuwe on aww ya?”

Apple Bloom shooks her head and booped Zecora’s nose, “You’re a foal now, and we’re goin’ to make sure you're taken care of.”

Zecora giggled and nodded, now feeling much better. “Otay, Abbwe Bwoom.” Apple Bloom then placed the little foal into the crib, now furnished with foal blankets and a cute mobile with farm animals and apples hanging from it. As Apple Bloom tucked Zecora in, she looked around and babled, “Abbwe Bwoom, whew’s Beawy?”

Apple Bloom gasped! “Oh yeah, the stuffed bear! Hold on a second.” She quickly took the Ursa Minor plushie out from the diaper bag, and placed it into Zecora’s hooves, who hugged it close to her as she babbled, “Tank ya again, Abbwe Bwoom.”

Apple Bloom whispered, “No problem, little Zecora.”

Just then the rest of the Apple Family came into the room as Applejack asked, “So, is Zecora all snug?”

Zecora nodded in response. “Yeah. Tank ya, Abbwejack, fow changin my diapee and for ta bottwe of milk,” Applejack came over and kissed her on the forehead. Then Zecora turned to Big Mac and continued, “Tank ya, Big Mac, fow ta cwib. I wove it!” Big Mac nodded and gave an “Eeyup.”, before he came over and nuzzled her. Finally, Zecora turned to Granny Smith and added, “Tank ya, Gwanny Smith, fow ta abbwesauce.”

Granny Smith came over and ruffled Zecora’s mane. “No problem. Like I said, I’ll make some more for tomorrow.”

Zecora gave a long, loud yawn as Applejack giggled. “Alright ya’ll, let’s go. Little Zecora here needs her sleep,” Granny Smith and Big Mac left, as Applejack turned to Apple Bloom, “Night, Apple Bloom.” She whispered.

Apple Bloom smiled. “Night, Applejack. Don’t you worry, I’ll take good care of Zecora.” Applejack gave her sister a nod, before closing the door. Apple Bloom then came over to Zecora and asked, “Need anythin’ before I hit the hay?”

The zebra shook her head. “No, I dun tink so..” But she then smacked her lips and asked, “I couwd have somthin to suck on”

Apple Bloom took out a bright green colored pacifier and popped it into Zecora’s mouth, making Zecora smile. Then the farm filly pecked the little zebra on the forehead. “Night, Zecora.”

Zecora nodded. “Night, Abbwe Bwoom.”

Apple Bloom then turned off the lights, crawled under the covers, and watched Zecora snuggle her plushie and suckle her pacifier commenting softly. “She’s so cute.”

Prolouge: Zecora's little problem

It had been less than a day since Twilight and her friends had had their herbal bath to cure them from the poison joke. At Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom was doing her chores, tossing slop into the pig troughs, and as she placed her bucket down she wiped the sweat from her brow and looked across the apple orchard to the Everfree Forest and mumbled, “I wonder what Zecora’s doin’ right now? I hope she’s doin’ okay,”

She looked at the farm and her house, then back at the Everfree Forest as she turned to the pigs as she asked. “What do you think? should I go check on Zecora?”

One pig squealed as the farm filly sighed. “Yeah, I know, Applejack doesn't want me runnin’ off. But I’m tired of her treatin’ me like I’m a baby. I don’t need her, I can take care of myself.”

The pig squealed again, as Apple Bloom nodded, “Yeah, but what if Zecora is lonely? She’s livin’ in the Everfree Forest all by herself. Also my sister and her friends didn’t exactly make the best first impression. I should try to at least get to know her more.”

The pig nodded in approval, as Apple Bloom pondered then exclaimed, “Right, I better go see Zecora and make sure everythin’ is fine or if she needs help with somthin’! Heck I might even find my cutie mark!”

She then turned her head to the pig and added with a smile, “You know what, you’re really smart for a pig.”

The pig beamed with pride as Apple Bloom got up and ran towards the Everfree Forest.

As Apple Bloom raced across the Everfree Forest, taking care not to step in any poison joke, Zecora had just got back from the spa and was busy mopping up. Spilled potions and cracked bottles and vials lay spilled all over her hut and grumbled. “I know those girls six tried to save Apple Bloom I confess, but did they have to make such a mess?”

When the mop became soaked with liquid, she then took it and let the concoction of random potions drip into the bucket carefully as she whispered. “I better be very careful, this strange mixture could be dreadful.”

The enchantress turned, and was surprised to see Apple Bloom burst through her door shouting, “Zecora, do you need any help?!” and making the Zebra’s house shake! Zecora held down her bucket, making sure the contents didn’t slosh out and shouted. “Please be careful, Apple Bloom! Or you will cause our doom!”

Apple Bloom blushed and whispered, “Sorry, Zecora. I just came by to see if you needed help.”

Zecora responded with a smile. “You came through all that mist, just to assist?”

Apple Bloom nodded and chirped. “It's no problem I love to help ponies, or non ponies in this case. Especially because I'm tryin’ to find my cutie mark.”

The zebra smiled and gave a nod, “Thank you, Apple Bloom, for braving the wood. I would give something in return if I could.”

Apple Bloom just chirped, “It's quite alright. Like I said, I don’t mind helpin’ out. Do you have an extra mop?”

Zecora pointed to a small broom closet. “I have another mop, right in there. But please clean with care. These potions alone are helpful, but mixed together the results could be dreadful.”

Apple Bloom took out her mop, grunting at how heavy it was to her. “Good to know, clean slow.” She rhymed. “Maybe I’ll get my cutie mark cleaning up potions.” She thought and started helping Zecora mop up the rest of the mess.

Apple Bloom gulped as she mopped up the bubbling liquids, nervously whimpering. “Zecora, ya sure these potions won’t blow up?”

Zecora turned to the filly and explained, “Just be calm and wring it slow, that is if you don’t want them to blow.”

“Thanks for reassurin’ me.” Apple Bloom replied, then took her mop over to the bucket and started wringing it out slow, as Zecora watched and whispered, “Be careful with that mop! Don’t even spill a drop!”

“Don’t worry, this isn’t the first time I’ve mopped,” The filly responded, and wringed out her mop until the last drops had entered the bucket which now had a black, sludge like substance bubbling inside. She stood still for a few seconds to see if anything would happen, but nothing did. She sighed in relief, wiping the sweat from her brow, “Woah, that was close, I thought I was going to blow up your hut,” Then she shouted as she asked. “Did I get my cutie mark?!” She turned to her rump and grumbled at seeing her blank flank, “Darn.”

Zecora chuckled, “I was scared too, but I had faith in you.” She then led Apple Bloom deeper into the Everfree Forest. They soon approached an empty field, and the zebra slowly placed the bucket down as she looked around and commented, “Here we can dig a pit, and hope that this mix can fit.”

“Okay, I can dig really well! Just watch!” Apple Bloom proudly boasted. She went over to the grass and started digging, as Zecora watched. When the zebra felt that the filly had dug deep enough she shouted. “That’s good, come out so we can leave this wood!”

Apple Bloom popped out of the hole, squealing. “I bet I got my cutie mark!” She turned back to her blank flank and shouted. “Oh darn it all! I thought I would’ve gotten it for sure.”

Zecora laughed and commented, “Don’t worry about your mark, it will come one day in a spark.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Apple Bloom asked in confusion.

Zecora continued with a smile, “When the time comes at hand, I assure you you’ll understand. But for now, I must bury this potion deep, and make sure it cannot seep.”

Zecora turned to the bucket and was going to dump it, but Apple Bloom ran up shouting. “How about I do it?!” And before she realized it, she’d knocked over the bucket spraying the contents all over Zecora! Apple Bloom gasped in horror and whimpered “Zecora! I’m so sorry! Are ya hurt?!”

But Zecora was just stunned. She looked at the black splotches on her fur and sighed in relief as she giggled nervously, “I believe that that the potion mix was as harmful as a flower, I better just go and take a shower.”

Apple Bloom nodded nervously. “Yeah, sorry about that Zec…” But her sentence trailed off.

Zecora eyed Apple Bloom, who was gaping at her wide eyed and asked, “Why are you giving me that stare? Is there something in my hair?” Zecora then felt her entire body start to shrink as she looked up, seeing how things seemed to be growing as she shrieked, “Is my body shrinking, or am I just sinking?!”

Then she felt her body grow smaller and pudgier, when it had stopped she was whimpering as she babbled, “Abbwe Bwoom, what habbwened to me?”

Apple Bloom came over to Zecora, who was now a tiny toddler zebra, with pudgy legs and a large chubby belly, who looked up at Apple Bloom with large blue puppy dog eyes. The now older filly came up to the young zebra whispering, “I'm so sorry Zecora, I...I think you were regressed into a foal. And it looks like ya stopped rhyming too.”

Zecora whimpered and babbled, “A foaw? Why di I tuwn to a foaw?” Tears started to form in Apple Bloom’s eyes in response to the question, and the little Zebra thought. “Oh Apple Bloom, I'm not mad. It was an accident, there’s no reason to feel sad.” She then crawled over to the crying filly and nuzzled her, cooing. “Is otay, Abbwe Bwoom. Ya didn mean to tuwn me into a foaw.”

Apple Bloom, realizing Zecora had a point, reluctantly wiped the tears from her eyes and hugged Zecora close as she whispered, “I...I’m goin’ to take you to Twilight. She’s super smart, I bet she’ll know what to do.”

Zecora nodded, “Otay, I wemeba hew. Wet’s go ta her fasta, ta sooner I get back to nowmaw ta betta.” Apple Bloom nodded, picked up Zecora, and placed the little foal on her back, rushing down the road towards the Golden Oak Library.

Twilight was drowsily looking through her books, as she was grumbling to herself. “I can't believe that book about the supernatural had the cure to poison joke.”

Spike came up with a pile of books and placed them next to her as he smirked, “You still going on about that?”

Twilight shouted in response. “Yes, Spike! I should know all the books in my library!”

Spike blinked and replied. “Um, Twilight. I know you might of not known about that particular book, but that doesn't mea-”

But Twilight interrupted. “What does it mean, Spike?! How am I supposed to run a library if I don't even know all the books that are in my library?”

Spike gulped as he replied. “Uh, yeah. I guess that doesn't make much sense.”

Twilight then went back to looking over her books, as Spike went back to taking them out. Then they heard a loud knock and Spike went over and opened the door to see a panicking Apple Bloom shouting, “Spike, I need to see Twilight, right now!”

Spike blinked and asked. “Why? Has something attacked Ponyville?!”

“It's worse than that! It's a magical emergency!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.

“What kind of emergency?!” Twilight asked, rushing over!

Apple Bloom turned to her side, revealing a baby zebra sucking on her hooves, drool pouring all over Apple Bloom’s back. When the zebra looked up at Twilight, she took her hooves out of her mouth and blushed as she babbled. “Hi Twiwight, I Zecowa.”

Twilight gasped, “Zecora?! But, why are you a foal?!”

Apple Bloom turned to face Twilight and whimpered. “It's my fault. I spilled a bucket full of random potions mixed together on her and she regressed. Can you help her?”

Twilight gulped. This was something she’d never dealt with before. But she still replied. “Well .. I can try. Bring her inside.” She led the two inside, books messily scattered all over the place.

Zecora looked down and started giggling. “Wook at aw ta books!”

Twilight giggled. “Thank you, Zecora. I do have a large collection. After realizing that I didn’t even know that I had that supernatural book, I decided to go through every book I own here and catalog them to make sure I'm ready for anything,” She then looked over the zebra turned foal, before she looked at Apple Bloom and asked, “So, Apple Bloom, you said you spilled a bucket of random potions on her?”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Yeah, it was an accident. After umm, you and your friends wrecked Zecora’s hut, she was busy cleanin’ and I thought I could help. We mopped up the spilt potions and wrung the mixture into a bucket. Then we took it outside and dug a hole where we were goin’ to pour the mess inside,” The little filly took a breath before continuing and confessed, “But I got over excited and knocked the bucket and its contents onto her!”

The filly then looked down in shame as Spike held her close. “Hey, it's okay,” He reassured her. “It was just an accident. You know how many times I’ve set things on fire with my fire breath, without meaning to? Quite a lot.”

Twilight sighed, she’d dealt with those experiences first hoof (though thankfully Spike had yet to burn up anything that couldn’t be saved or replaced). “Yeah, but getting back to Zecora, that is quite a problem if it's a mix of a bunch of potions that caused this. I don't think a spell would do anything to help.”

Both Zecora and Apple Bloom shouted in shock, “What!?”

Apple Bloom stammered, “But...but, you're super smart! There has to be somethin’ you can do!”

Zecora nodded with tears welling up in her eyes. “Yeah, ya gots to hewp me! I dun want to be a foaw foweva.”

Twilight looked down at the crying foal. “I promise I won't give up,” She reassured Zecora. She pondered for a second, tapping a hoof to her chin. Then she exclaimed, “We may be able to change her back if we knew of the exact formula of the potions, and create an antidote that counter it. If there’s any remnants of that mixture still stuck on her, I could collect a sample and study it!”

Apple Bloom squealed in delight. “That sounds like a great idea, Twilight!”

Zecora nodded. “Yeah, tat sownds wike somthin I wowd do,” Twilight then carefully took some of the black sludge still stuck to Zecora's fur with her magic, and placed the sample in a test tube. Then they all heard an audible hiss and looked down to see Zecora had leaked urine all over! Zecora gasped, stepping back as it leaked onto the library. “I...I...didn mean to, Twiwight! I’m sowie!”

Twilight had to take a few seconds to calm down. “She’s just a foal, she can’t control herself. Guess I should be grateful she didn’t do the other thing.” She realized, and sighed, “Well, in the meantime, I think Zecora is going to need foal supplies. And somepony to watch her.”

Spike nodded, grabbing the baby zebra who was now sniffling. He stammered, “Um.. yeah, but who’s that going to be? I don’t think anypony we know has had recent experience caring for foals. Not even Rarity or Fluttershy.”

Apple Bloom blushed, raised a hoof, and offered. “Zecora can live with me if she wants. It's my fault that she’s a foal after all, I should watch her until she’s an adult again.”

Zecora beamed at Apple Bloom, babbling excitedly, “Yeah, I wana wive with Abbwe Bwoom!”

Twilight turned to Apple Bloom and nodded in agreement, Sweet Apple Acres seemed like a safe enough place for Zecora to stay without being in danger or attracting unwanted attention. “Okay, Apple Bloom. But make sure to tell your family about it first,” She instructed. “Now, I'm going to go work on figuring out what this sample is. Spike, go help Apple Bloom get foal supplies for Zecora.”

Spike grunted, “Okay, but shouldn’t I clean up Zecora’s mess first?” He asked, as he placed Zecora onto Apple Bloom’s back.

Twilight looked at the urine puddle and reluctantly replied, “I'll clean it up. Just get Zecora some diapers before she has another accident.”

Apple Bloom giggled as Zecora pouted, placing her hooves over her chubby belly. “Nah uh, dun wan diapees.” She protested, sounding extremely childish.

Twilight gave the little zebra a motherly smile and cooed. “Oh, don't get all fussy, Zecora. They’re for your protection.”

Apple Bloom stifled her giggles with her hooves before she replied, “Yeah. And don't worry, Zecora. We won't make fun of you or anythin’.”

Zecora turned her head, still pouting. “I know what they say is true but it's still so embarrassing too.”

Spike just sighed, “Alright, let's get this over with.”

Apple Bloom skipped along, shouting. “I wonder if I'll get my cutie mark in foal sittin’?! Or maybe in changin’ diapers?! Or maybe just buyin’ foal supplies?! Spike, what do you think?”

Spike shrugged. “I have no clue, but anything diaper related would be an embarrassing cutie mark if you ask me.”

Twilight just waited until the door was closed, before bursting into laughter. “Oh, baby Zecora is adorable! I hope Spike picks out some cute diapers for her.” Then she trotted off to get a mop and clean up Zecora’s accident.

Chapter 2: Zecora becoming a foal

Later that night, Zecora woke up to a squishy, wet feeling around her rump. She kicked about hearing, her diaper squelch loudly as she mumbled, “Oh no, my diapee is soaked!” She then heard her tummy rumble and groaned, “I hungwy too,” The little zebra turned to Apple Bloom and whispered, “Abbwe Boom, Abbwe Boom.”

Apple Bloom turned in her sleep, and Zecora started to tear up as her foalish instincts took over and she began to wail, making Apple Bloom wake up in shock, “Wha?!” She turned and grumbled upon spotting the source of the distress, “Oh, Zecora, what’s wrong?”

Zecora turned and whimpered, “Abbe Bwoom, my diapee is wet, and I hungwy.”

Apple Bloom nodded sleepily and yawned, “Alright, I’ll be there in a second,” She wobbled over to Zecora, picked the zebra up, and patted the foal’s soggy rump and whimpered, “Yeah, you’re one soggy filly alright.”

Apple Bloom then took the foal grudgingly to the changing pad, started to slowly unzip the nightie, and began stripping Zecora of her soggy diaper. Zecora sniffled as she babbled, “Tanks, Abbwe Bwoom.”

Apple Bloom cooed lightly, “It’s no problem, I promised to take care of you, and that’s what I’m goin’ to do.” She finished changing Zecora’s diaper and strapped her up in a nice, clean one. She then picked Zecora up and slowly placed a prepared bottle into Zecora’s mouth.

Zecora suckled for a while, looking up at the tired Apple Bloom, whose eyelids drooped. When Zecora had finished her bottle she was placed back in the crib and tucked under the covers over her crib. Zecora whimpered as she thought. “I hope I don’t wake Apple Bloom up again. Such an act would fill me with dread.”

“Apple Bloom...Apple Bloom!” A voice called out next morning.

Apple Bloom turned, mumbling. “Not now Zecora, few more minutes.”

“Apple Bloom!” The voice shouted, causing Apple Bloom to jump up in shock and find that the voice was coming from her big sister Applejack! Apple Bloom was still groggy and had bags under eyes as she mumbled, “What?”

“Apple Bloom, ya doin’ alright?” Applejack asked with concern.

Apple Bloom got out of bed, mumbling, “Yeah, and why wouldn’t I be?”

Applejack eyed her sister and added, “Well, ya only have ten minutes before school starts.”

”What?!” Apple Bloom gasped! She jumped out of bed and ran downstairs in a hurry, as Applejack went over to Zecora snuggling her plushie, looking up at Applejack who was smirking at the foal, “Good mornin’, little Zecora.”

Zecora blushed, hugging her plushie, “Mowning.”

“So, Zecora, ya keep Apple Bloom up last night?” Applejack asked with a smirk.

Zecora babbled sheepishly, “A wittwe, I had a few soggy diapees and was hungwy.”

Applejack nodded, “Yeah? Well, I told ya two before that this was gonna happen,” Zecora put her hooves over her face, and Applejack picked her up to check her diaper, gagging at the smell, “Oh Apple Fritters, you have a poopy diaper!”

Zecora moaned, “Aw, anotha diapee change? I had wike thwee wast night.”

Applejack laughed. “Better get used to it, sugarcube, foals use their diapers a lot.” She then placed the foal on the changing table, removed the nightie from Zecora, and started changing the soiled diaper.

Zecora whimpered as she asked, “So, uh, I guess I can’t sweep here anymowe, wight?”

Applejack replied while rubbing in the rash cream, “Well, I think it’ll be better if you slept in my room from now. Apple Bloom’s only a filly and needs her sleep. As for me, I’m used to staying up late Applebuckin’, so carin’ for ya durin’ the night shouldn't be too much of a problem.”

Zecora nods in agreement and babbled, “Otay, I’ww tew Appwe Bwoom tat I gonna sweep in ya woom tonight.”

Applejack nodded, as she finished powdering Zecora’s rump and strapped her up in a new diaper. “Thanks, Zecora, and don’t worry. Apple Bloom may be a little disappointed, but I think it’ll be for the best.”

She then picked up the little zebra, went downstairs, placed her in her highchair, and strapped a bib around her neck. Granny Smith took out some Applesauce and started feeding her slowly and carefully as Zecora accepted spoonful after spoonful.

Big Mac came up smiling at the two, “Mornin’.” He greeted.

Granny Smith turned and greeted in reply. “Mornin’ Big Mac.”

“Hi Big Mac.” Zecora chirped.

“Hi, how did ya sleep?” Big Mac asked, making small talk.

Zecora put her hooves over her eyes, making Applejack laugh as she explained, “She kept Apple Bloom up last night. Her foalish instincts are kickin’ in.”

Zecora pouted, “Onwy a wittwe bit, I was hungwy and peed my diapee. I didn’t mean to keep wakin’ up Appwe Bwoom.”

The big ponies all laughed out loud as Granny Smith cooed, “Oh, it sounds like little Zecora here is becomin’ a foal. I better keep a good eye on her from now on.”

Applejack nodded, “You do that, Granny. I’ll go to Twilight’s and see if she’s found a cure yet.”

“And I’ll get some of the chores done.” Big Mac added.

Zecora looked up and asked, “Can I hewp with the chowes, Big Mac?”

Big Mac blushed, “Thank you, Zecora, but uh…”

Zecora pouted as she asked, “Bu wha?”

Granny hugged Zecora tightly. “Oh, don’t worry. It’s nice of ya to offer, Zecora, but Big Mac can do the chores just fine by himself. How about you help me make an apple pie instead? It’ll be better than goin’ outdoors and get all hot and smelly.”

Zecora sighed and nodded, “Otay, bu I jus wanted to be hewpfuw.”

Big Mac gave Zecora a kiss on the forehead and replied, “Thanks, but I’ve got everythin’ under control, don’t need to add foalsittin’ to my list of responsibilites at the moment. You be good for Granny, Zecora. Stay out of trouble.” Zecora hugged his muzzle, making Granny and Applejack daww.

Big Mac blushed again and walked away as Applejack laughed, “Oh, Big Mac, is such a big softie when it comes to foals.”

Granny cleaned up little Zecora’s mouth before she cooed, “Well, we’ll get to makin’ ya a apple pie while you’re gone.”

Applejack turned to Granny Smith and replied. “Alright, just make sure Zecora washes her hooves, and make sure she’s far away from that oven.”

Granny waved a hoof. “Oh, stop all that fussin’. Of course I’ll keep Zecora safe. I took good care of you, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom, didn’t I?”

Applejack replied back “I'm just sayin’, it's been awhile since Apple Bloom was in diapers. And you ain’t taken care of a zebra foal before,” She came over and gave Zecora a peck on the cheek. “Now I know you're a guest and all, Zecora, but you’re a foal now. That means ya better listen to Granny while I’m gone, ya hear? I don’t wanna come back and hear you’ve been naughty.”

Zecora nodded. “Dun wowwie, Abbwejack. I’ww be a good wittwe foaw.”

Applejack smiled, “Alright, Granny Smith I shouldn' be long I reckon. And if ya need help, please let Big Mac know.”

Granny Smith rolled her eyes, “I’ll be fine, I’ve had plenty of experience with foals raisin’ my kids and grandkids, I don’t think this will be any different,” Applejack gave her a nod before setting off, as Granny took Zecora over and sat her on the kitchen counter, “Now, let's get bakin, shall we?”

Twilight with bags under her eyes and grumbling to herself, was staring at her books on potions including “Supernaturals”, the same book she’d foolishly dismissed during the poison joke incident. “There's just so many ingredients and herbs in this potion. It’s going to take me years to make an antidote. There’s gotta be something more near term, even just temporary,” She grumbled to herself. She then heard a knock at the door and mumbled, “Spike, open the door please.”

Spike came down the stairs, took one look at how tired Twilight seemed to be, and went straight to the door.

”Hey Spike, how’s it goin?” Applejack asked, when the door was opened.

Spike sighed, shaking his head, “Not too good I’m afraid.”

Applejack eyed the baby dragon carefully, “What, ya mean somthin’’s wrong?”

Spike nodded as he explained. “Twilight has been looking for a cure all night, and she’s found nothing. Heck, right now she can barely stand. I’ve seen this happen before, she gets so wrapped up in her studies that she almost completely shuts out everything else until she collapses from exhaustion.”

Applejack sighed, she knew what that felt like. She sure as hay wasn’t about to let Twilight do the same. “Alright, I’ll go talk to her and make sure she gets some sleep,” She assured Spike. Spike nodded and lets Applejack inside, where she saw Twilight half awake, looking at her books. “Alright, Twilight, come on. You need to rest.” The cowpony encouraged.

“The cure..I..I think…” Twilight mumbled in exhaustion.

Applejack took a hoof and helped her friend up the stairs as she explained, “Ah, don’t ya worry. Little Zecora is fine with us. I didn’ expect the cure to be made in a day. We can handle a foal for a couple of weeks or months.” She then helped the unicorn into bed and tucked her in, even as Twilight mumbled,”I...I can’t go back to sleep. Not now!”

But Applejack nuzzled her, “Now stop right there, sugarcube. You did what you can, now get some rest,” The cowpony pulled the sheets over her friend, as Spike giggled, putting a claw over his mouth. Applejack got up and said to Spike. “Well, looks like you're goin’ to have to make sure Twilight stays in bed for a while.”

Spike nodded, “I tried telling her to get some sleep before, but when Twilight gets like this there’s no use trying to reason with her. Trust me, you don’t want to see how she reacts to tests.”

Applejack chuckled, “Yeah, I have no doubt about that,” She then turned to a clock and groaned, “I better get back and make sure Zecora is doin’ okay. I know Granny watched me and my siblings before, but she’s old and can be stubborn when it comes to help. Runs in the family I’m afraid.”

Spike saluted, “Don’t worry, Applejack, I’ll take good care of Twilight. Just say hi to the little cutie for me.”

Applejack smirked and replied back. “Alright, Spike. And you tell Twilight that Zecora is fine, and we’ve got things under control,” Then she rushed downstairs.

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Granny Smith was grabbing supplies for the pie crust and was busy mixing everything together, as Zecora was sitting on the counter, bouncing on her diaper and sucking her hooves. Granny Smith laughed, “Oh, you're such a sweetie. And a darn good baker’s assistant too,” She then cleaned Zecora up and placed her on the ground with some toys, “Now sit here, while I put the pie in the oven.” She instructed.

Zecora nodded, watching Granny pour the batter into a cake pan. Turning to her plushie, Zecora babbled, “Beary, tey do so much fow me, but I can’t do anythin in wetuwn. I gots to do mowe ten just hewp make a abbwe pie,” She turned to the back door, and an idea came to her. ”I wana hewp wiith ta chowes, wike Big Mac!” She exclaimed. She wobbled off and headed out the door, gasping at the size of farm. She turned to the pigs, who were squealing and wallowing in the mud. She wobbled over in excitement, poking her head through the fence as she chirped, “Hi, I Zecowa,” They all came over, nuzzling her as she giggled, “Hey, I bet ya aww hungwy,” They just kept on sniffing her as she stepped back. “Awwight, I go get ya food,” She turned to a pile of slop nearby, came over, and looked into the barrel mumbling, “I can’t cawwy any of tis ova ta fence.”

Zecora grabbed some of the slop in a small cup, waddled over to the fence, and climbed up slowly, grumbling. “I can do tis!” She then tipped the cup over as the pigs gazed up at her, and watched the small drop plopped into their trough. They all just stood there, blinking, as they all looked up at the little zebra, who looked down at her small drop and sighed, “Yeah, tis is hawda ten it wooks.”

Zecora went to get more, but gasped as she fell backwards into the pig pen and went right into the mud! The pigs squealed in fright, coming over to her as they used their muzzles to help her up! Zecora was giggling the entire time and babbled. “Tanks.” They all nodded as she waddled through the mud and back over the fence.

Zecora groaned, seeing that some mud had gotten into her diaper. The baby zebra groaned, checking inside and seeing mud deep in the padding. She mumbled. “It wooks wike I got ya aww messy, but I stiw didn’ hewp. Thewe’s gots to be somthin ewse I can do, but wa?” She looked across the farm to the barn, where the cows were kept and she pondered, “I wonder if I can go miwk some of tem?” She wobbled over to the barn nearby, gazing up at the cows as she babbled, “Hi.”

They all dawwed as one brown coated cow cooed, “Hello little one, who are you?”

Zecora babbled, “My name is Zecowa, and I wanna hewp miwk ya.”

The cows all laughed as one asked, “Now why do you need to do that? Besides, I don’t think you can reach our udders.”

Zecora pouted and placed her hooves on her side, “Can too, I just need a stoow.” The cows all laughed again, as Zecora grabbed a stool and dragged it over to one of the cows. She crawled on top of the stool, trying to grab a udder, only to plop on the ground, making all the cows daww as she started crying. The cows all dawwed and one white coated cow with brown spots knelt down and nuzzled Zecora. “What’s wrong, Zecora?” She asked.

Zecora (still sniffing) whined, “I just wanna hewp ta Abbwes, but I can’t do anythin. Aww I do is make mowe pwobwems fow tem.”

The cow cooed, “Oh, don’t you fret, you’re just a foal.”

Zecora cried, “But I not! I used to be a big zebwa, and I was gweat at makin’ cuwes and hewpin ponies. But now I just a foaw, and I can’t whyme wike a twue zebwa.”

The cow cooed again, “Oh don’t you fret, deary. If the Apples took you in, they’re doing it out of the kindness of their heart. Trust me, it’s not unlike what we cows have going on with them.”

Zecora sighed, “I know tat, tat why I was twyin to hewp with ta chowes. But I just got aww muddy and messy.”

The cow came over and licked Zecora, cooing once again, “It’s alright, foals are always messy.”

Zecora giggled as the cow licked her, “Tat tickwes.”

The cow poked Zecora lightly, “Oh, does it now?” She continued to nuzzle the foal, making the baby zebra squeal in laughter. Then they heard a voice cry out, “She must be in the cow barn!”

Zecora turned to the front, and crawled under the gate. She saw Granny Smith running up to her and taking her into an embrace, “There you are, Zecora. I was so worried about ya!” She exclaimed.

Big Mac came up, sighing in relief, as the cow that had been helping Zecora replied, “It's okay, the little one here is perfectly fine. She was just trying to milk us.”

Granny Smith then checked the foal over and grumbled, “Well, other then the mud in her diaper, she seems alright. Thanks Bessy.”

The cow nodded “Anytime.”, as Zecora put her hooves over her eyes whimpering. “Uh oh, I in twoubwe.”

Zecora was brought inside and carried to the bathroom, where Granny Smith gave her a bubble bath. The baby zebra was currently covered in bubbles and was whimpering as she asked, “Gwanny Smith, am I in twoubwe?”

Granny scrubbed the baby zebra’s belly, cooing, “Oh don’t worry ‘bout that, dear, you're goin’ to be just fine,” She continued to scrub, making Zecora kick and gurgle as Granny cooed, “You have soft fur, ya know that?”

Zecora blushed and waved a hoof, “Wew, I did take good cawe of it when I was a big zebwa.”

Just then, they heard the door open and Applejack shout, “Granny, I'm back!”

Granny sighed, “Well, no use tryin’ to hide what happened. Come on, Zecora.” She then rinsed the suds from Zecora’s fur and wrapped her up in a fluffy towel as she shouted, “I'm givin’ Zecora a bath!” Granny then powdered and strapped the baby zebra into a new, fresh diaper. And then went downstairs with Zecora holding on tightly.

Applejack was whiffing the smell of the fresh apple pie still in the oven and turned, “Wow, that apple pie sure does smell good.”

Granny Smith gave her granddaughter a sheepish smile before replying. “Well, thanks. But umm..I have to tell ya somthin’, just don’t get mad, okay?”

Applejack eyed her as Zecora quivered, hugging Granny Smith’s mane as the farm pony asked. “Did somthin’ happen while I was gone?”

Granny Smith reluctantly confessed. “Well, ya see. I was puttin’ the pie in the oven, and that’s when Zecora went out the back door.”

“She what?!” Applejack exclaimed.

“Now calm down, Applejack, nothin’ bad happened,” Granny Smith insisted. “Zecora only played in the mud and was with the cows when I found her. That's why I was givin’ her a bath, she got mud on her fur and in her diaper.”

Applejack took a few breaths, calming down as she turned to Granny, “Alright, well thanks for tellin’ me, Granny,” She then turned to Zecora and scolded her, “Now Zecora, just why the hay did you go outside by yourself? What in tarnation were you thinkin’?”

Zecora gulped and stammered, “I...I was just twyin to help Big Mac with the chowes.” And she started bawling.

Applejack groaned slightly. “Zecora, we told you before, you're a foal now and ya need to learn that ya can't do some things right now. Ya could’ve been trampled by the pigs, or gotten a rash from sittin’ in that muddy diaper. You need to promise ya won’t try to sneak off like that again.”

Zecora gave a nod, “Otay, I pwomice I’ww not do tat again.”

Applejack took Zecora by the diaper and put the foal in the stroller, “Ya better not,” Then she added. “And I suppose I should tell ya, that Twilight worked all night and hasn't found a cure yet.”

Zecora gasped, “Weawwy?!”

Applejack strapped Zecora in as she explained, “Yeah, that means that you could be a foal for some time, and if that’s the case then we’re goin’ to need more foal stuff. You've already almost gone through an entire package of diapers.”

Zecora blushed as she looked up and asked, “Wait, I not in twoubwe?”

Applejack gave the foal her plushie and replied, “Seein’ as nopony got hurt, this time you’re off the hook. But this better not happen again, ya understand. When I was a foal if I did somethin’ like that I’d usually end in time out, or even get a spankin’ if my folks thought I did somethin’ especially bad. I didn’t like gettin’ em, but they helped me learn right from wrong. I don’t wanna have to give them to you, understand?”

Zecora nodded. Even where she came from, little ones were taught early on the importance of behaving well, and a variety of discipline methods were used to keep said little ones in line.

Granny Smith sighed in relief and replied, “Alright, I should get back to the apple pie. It should be ready by now.”

Meanwhile, Applejack grabbed the pink diaper bag and strapped it around her as she agreed, “Good idea. While ya do that, I'll grab some stuff at the store with Zecora.”

Zecora giggled. “Wha we gonna get?”

“Well, foal locks for the doors, a playpen, blocks, maybe even a bouncer, and some more diapers,” Applejack explained. “Now come on, let's get goin’!” And she pushed the stroller out the door.

Chapter 3: Applejack a mom?

Chapter 3: Applejack a mom?

While Applejack was on her way to the foal store, Mr. Cake and Mrs.Cake were walking together down the road. As they passed a mother pushing her foal in foal buggy, Mrs.Cake sighed and asked her husband, “So, you’re still unsure about having foals?”

Mr. Cake gulped as he reluctantly confessed. “Well, not really. It’s just that... we're running Sugarcube Corner, not to mention still needing to keep an eye on Pinkie Pie sometimes. It will be difficult trying to manage the store, and give attention to a foal at the same time. Plus, you know how expensive foals can be, we’d need to run Sugarcube Corner far more often than we already do, and that would mean having Pinkie help us out, which is hard to do when she’s always running off somewhere to plan a party.”

Mrs. Cake giggled, “Pinkie’s a lot like a daughter to us already and we seem to manage just fine. But if we do have a foal, I was hoping we could have more than one. I mean, we’re not getting any younger, and it’s not like there’s a spell that can deage us.”

Mr. Cake gulped nervously and answered, “Well if we do decide to have a baby, let’s just stick with one for now if possible. Especially since we don’t know Pinkie would react, or how good of a caretaker she’d be.”

Mrs.Cake nuzzled her husband, making him blush. Then they turned to see Applejack, a pink diaper bag strapped around her shoulder, as she was fussing over a stripped foal in a stroller. Mrs. Cake gasped and went up to the farm pony and asked, “Oh, Applejack. I didn’t know you had a foal.”

Applejack jumped in shock, turning to the couple hovering over the stroller as she blushed and greeted the two. “Oh, hey Mr. Cake and Mrs. Cake, didn't see ya there.”

Mrs. Cake waved a hoof. “Oh, don’t mind us, dearie. We just saw your little one and wanted to say hi. My husband and I were just talking about having foals ourselves.”

Mr. Cake nodded as he explained, “Yeah, I just hope that if we ever do have foals, we can somehow make time for them, and run Sugarcube Corner,” Looking at the foal in the stroller he added. “So, what’s the little cutie’s name? Is she adopted or something?”

Applejack eyes went wide as she gulped and explained. “Oh um, her name’s Zecora but she isn’t my foal. She uh... is a zebra who was regressed into a foal.”

Mrs. Cake blinked in surprise, looking down at the stripped filly holding her ursa minor plushie close to her chest. Then Mrs. Cake smiled, “Well, that is something. As cute as you are, Zecora, I hope you find a cure. I mean, you were that enchantress Pinkie told us, right?”

Zecora nodded replied, “Yeah, I am. Bu I can’t exactwy go back to my hut in ta Evewfwee Fowest, so Twiwight is wowkin on a cuwe.”

Mr. Cake cooed, “Well, aren’t you just a little cutie?” He tickled the little Zebra’s belly making her squeal. “Stop! Ya goin ta make me pee my diapee!” She insisted.

Mr. Cake laughed, but obliged. “Alright, just couldn’t help myself,” He then turned to his wife. “Well, we should be heading back anyways. I'm sure Pinkie Pie is swamped with customers.”

Then, as the couple started to leave, Mrs. Cake turned and commented, “Applejack, don’t take this the wrong way but, you do look like a mom.”

Applejack blushed at the comment, “Oh, well thanks…” She trailed off in uncertainty.

Fortunately, Zecora babbled and broke the silence, “Yeah, Abbwejack wowd make a gweat mommy.” That made everypony laugh.

Then Applejack pushed Zecora’s stroller down the road a bit as she said. “Come on, little filly, let’s get goin.”

At school Apple Bloom, was trying to stay awake as Cheerilee droned on about Equestria’s history. All she could hear though was “Foal.” And then she heard somepony whisper, “I think the blank flank is falling asleep.”

A paper ball sailed through the air and hit Apple Bloom on the side of the head. She barely felt it as another one was pelted at her again as she grumbled, “What?”

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon giggled as Diamond asked, “So, you still haven’t found your cutie mark yet, eh blank flank?”

Apple Bloom mumbled, glaring at the two bullies. ”For your information, I was tryin’ to find it all day yesterday.”

Diamond winked at Silver Spoon as she continued, “So, what were you trying to get your cutie mark in?”

“Takin’ care of a foal.” Apple Bloom bluntly replied.

Both Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara burst into laughter as Silver Spoon asked, “Isn’t that like changing diapers and stuff? Who would want a cutie mark in doing that?”

Tiara scoffed, “A blank flank like Apple Bloom of course. She’d probably want anything for a cutie mark by now, even if it's a diaper.”

Just then Cheerilee turned and asked, “Diamond Tiara, what’s going on back there?!”

Diamond Tiara whined. “Nothing, Miss. Cheerilee, it’s that Apple Bloom here was falling asleep, and I was just trying to wake her up.”

The entire class turned, giggling and smirking at the drowsy Apple Bloom. Cheerilee sighed and shouted. “Apple Bloom!”

Apple Bloom woke up, blinking as she mumbled. “Yes, Zecora?”

The entire class burst into more fits of laughter as Cheerilee sighed. “Alright, class. How about we start lunch, then go out to recess?”

The class all cheered and rushed out the door! But as Apple Bloom got off her seat, Cheerilee instructed, “Apple Bloom, I need you to stay here.”

Diamond smirked, “See ya later, Apple Bloom.” And she and Silver Spoon ran off laughing.

Apple Bloom sighed as she went up to Cheerilee’s desk. Cheerilee looked down at the farm filly and asked bluntly, “I'm guessing you were up late last night?” Apple Bloom rubbed her eyes nodding her head. Cheerilee eyed her student and asked, “So, are you going to tell me why?”

Apple Bloom gazed up at her teacher with a dreary look, “Um...yeah...Can...I tell ya a secret?”

Cheerilee nodded, “Of course, Apple Bloom. You can tell me anything.”

Apple Bloom then replied, “Well, you see, a friend of mine, a zebra named Zecora, got turned into a foal. And my family and I took her in, I was busy carin’ for her last night.”

Cheerilee blinked and replied, “Wait, what?!”

Apple Bloom groaned as she put her hooves to her face, “I know, I should’ve listened to my sister and had her care for Zecora.”

“Wait.. you're serious?” Cheerilee asked.

Apple Bloom nodded and sighed, “Yeah. She woke me up three times last night.”

Cheerilee smiled, and replied, “Alright. How about you go home and get some rest?”

“Wait, I'm not in trouble?!” Apple Bloom asked in surprise.

Cheerilee shook her head, “I’ll let you go, this time. But be sure to sleep tonight and get well rested for tomorrow.”

Apple Bloom chirped. “Thanks, and don’t worry, I’ll be sure to get some sleep.”

Applejack was just coming back from the store with a saddle bag full of toys and foal supplies, with Zecora snuggling her stuffed bear, and also a stuffed bunny. “Tank ya so much fow buyin aww of tis!” She said to Applejack.

Applejack blushed. “No problem, sugarcube. I hope we can put this stuff to good use.”

The two entered through the front door of the house, and right at that moment, Granny Smith popped out of the kitchen. “Oh hey ya two,” She greeted. “The apple pie’s cooled down, and Apple Bloom is back from school.”

Applejack unstrapped Zecora from her stroller as she asked her grandmother. “Why’s Apple Bloom home so early? She do somethin’ wrong or get hurt?”

“I’m stumped somethin’ fierce,” Granny Smith replied. “She just said somthin’ bout the teacher sendin’ her home ‘cause she was tired and that was it. She’s upstairs right now, sleepin’ like a Ponyville Snail.”

Zecora whimpered, “Oh, tat’s my fawt. I kept hew up aww night.”

Applejack ruffled the baby zebra’s mane, “Don’t worry about it, Zecora, you're just a foal. Besides, that’s why you’re gonna be sleepin’ in my room from now on.” She then set up the playpen in the living room and started taking out Zecora’s toys, as she bounced up and down in glee.

Zecora groaned as her tummy grumbled and she babbled, “Abbwejack, I hungwy.”

Applejack just cooed, “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll get ya a nice warm bottle. Now go on and have fun.”

Zecora giggled, waddling over to a book full of foalish nursery rhymes. She tried to sound out the words.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Applejack was busy making a bottle of formula, as Granny Smith came over, “You’re doin’ great, Applejack. Never thought ya had it in ya.”

Applejack eyed her grandmother. “What ya talkin’ about, Granny?” She demanded.

“I’m sayin, you’re good with foals,” Granny Smith explained. “Trust me, most ponies think foals are easy ‘cause they're cute. But I was really stressed out sometimes carin’ for ya and ya siblings.”

“Well, I hope I’m doin’ a good job,” Applejack replied nervously. “But Zecora does seem to be a very calm foal. Hopefully, I won't have much trouble with her, at least durin’ the day.”

Applejack then went back to the living room, where Zecora was busy trying to sound out words, “Cat, mat, bat.”

Applejack giggled, “Ya tryin’ to learn how to rhyme again?”

Zecora looked up, nodding. “Yeah, I can’t wead anymowe, but I weawin to whyme usin pictuas. Is how I weawned as an actuaw foaw. Couwse, whewe I came fwom, we didn’t have tings wike bathtubs and toiwets. We bathed in wivews and just had a wittwe spot fow us to go to the bathwoom, we’d cwean ourwewvs with weaves. One time I accidentawwy wiped mysewf with poison ivy, made my butt aww itchy.”

Applejack giggled and dawwed. “Ah, that's cute, and kind of embarrassin’. Either way, I hope you're havin’ fun. Oh, almost forgot.” She then placed the bottle of formula next to Zecora, who took it and began suckling on it, as Applejack helped her. But then they heard a knock at the door.

Applejack got up and opened it, seeing that it was none other than Cheerilee, who smiled seeing that Applejack had what appeared to be a pink colored diaper bag strapped around her, “Oh, hello Applejack. Is this a bad time?”

Applejack shook her head. “‘Course not, Cheerilee. Sorry ‘bout the bag, I’m a bit busy at the moment. You hear to talk to me ‘bout Apple Bloom?”

Cheerilee nodded. “Yes. You see, Apple Bloom kept falling asleep during class today and I sent her home. I just wanted to come by and see if everything is alright.”

Applejack sighed. “Yeah, sorry about that. Ya see, we um...have came upon a rather strange circumstances.”

“Yes, I heard your sister say something about a zebra turned into a foal, correct?” Cheerilee inquired.

Applejack nodded again and continued. “Yeah, it's true. Apple Bloom insisted on havin’ Zecora stay in her room. I promise this won't happen again though, Zecora will be sleepin’ with me from now on.”

“Thanks, Applejack,” Cheerilee smiled. “But um...could I see little… Zecora was it?”

Applejack gave a sheepish smile and replied. “Sure, come on in. ‘Reckon it’s best ya see the truth with your own eyes.” She invited the mare inside, and led her to the living room, where Zecora was still trying to rhyme. “Cat sat on a mat with a bat.”

Cheerilee dawwed, coming up to the foal who turned and babbled. “Abbwejack, who’s tis?”

“This is Miss. Cheerilee, Apple Bloom’s teacher,” Applejack explained. “In fact, Cheerilee's the teacher for every school aged colt and filly in town. She came here to tell me that Apple Bloom was havin’ trouble stayin’ awake in class today, so she had to send Apple Bloom home early.”

Zecora gasped in fright! “Uh oh! I sowie, Miss. Cheewiwee, I made Abbwe Boom stay up waste wast night, and tat's why she was tiwed! I didn’ mean to get hew in twoubwe.”

But Cheerilee only cooed. “It's alright, Apple Bloom isn't in trouble,” She bent down and examined the book Zecora was reading, then she giggled. “Oh, The Cat under the Mat, this book is great for learning how to rhyme and say basic words. I see you’re already getting a head start on your education, little Zecora.”

Zecora looked up and babbled. “Yeah, but I can't wead, I can onwy wook at ta pictuas. Pwus, I a zebwa, we zebwas weawn how to speak in whyme. I not vewy good at it at the moment though.”

Cheerilee nuzzled the little zebra and cooed again. “Oh, don't worry. You'll get there. The zebra thing actually explains why you look so unlike anypony I’ve seen before. You’re still adorable though.”

Zecora nodded then she beamed as she turned to Cheerilee. “Uh, Miss. Cheewiwee, can I ask something?”

“Oh of course, what is it?” Cheerilee inquired.

Zecora continued as she pleaded. “Weww, Twiwight is wookin fow a cuwe to tuwn me back to a big pony. But she pwobaby dun know what too wook fow when makin a cuwe. Can ya teach me how to wead, so ten I can maybe wook fow a cuwe mysewf?”

Cheerilee sighed as she explained. “I would love too, Zecora, but from what I know about foal development, reading really doesn't start until three, sometimes not even until four. I can teach you the basics, but what you're asking takes years, especially since you don’t seem to be ready for potty training yet.”

Zecora mumbled in defeat, “Otay.”

Cheerilee got up, but before she replied. “But, that doesn't mean I won't try. I can come by once in awhile, and teach you as much as I can,” Then she gave Applejack a sheepish smile as she asked, “Would that be okay with you?”

Applejack nodded and responded, “Yeah, of course it’s fine. Ya can come by anytime.”

Zecora squealed in delight. “Weawwy?! Tanks Cheewiwee!” She waddled to the teacher and hugged her, and Cheerilee hugged back.

Granny Smith then came in and asked. “How about ya have a slice of apple pie before ya go, Cheerilee? It’s fresh and right out of the oven.”

But Cheerilee waved a hoof. “No thank you, I’m fine. I appreciate the offer though.”

Cheerilee left the house, as Applejack turned to Zecora who was squealing in delight. “I gonna wead again! I can’t wait!

Applejack sighed. “Now, Zecora. I know you're excited, but understand that your probably no older than a one year old foal at best, and like Cheerilee said it could take years.”

Zecora shrugged. “Weww, thewe’s no hawm twyin. I wanna hewp Twiwight so she dun have to wowk hewsewf so hawd.”

Applejack chuckled. “Yeah, guess you're right. Now come on, let's get some of Granny Smith’s apple pie.” She took Zecora onto her back, carried her to the kitchen, and sat her in the highchair, patting her diaper and hearing it squelch as Zecora gasped. “Oh, wow! I didn’ even know I’d peed!”

“Well, that’s natural, little foals don’t have control over when they go,” Granny Smith explained. “But you ain’t that wet and your diaper looks like it can hold for a while. There shouldn’t be any harm in lettin’ you have some apple pie real quick.” She tgot out a piece of pie for Applejack, then got another piece and started cutting it up and feeding Zecora bit by bit.

Zecora squealed while munching on the apple pie. “Tis is so good!”

Granny Smith nodded. “Glad ya like it, Zecora. And if ya think my pies are good, wait til’ you’re old enough to try my apple spice muffins, they’re real good!”

Zecora looked around and asked, “Wha bout Abbwe Boom? Wouwdn't she wike some pie too?”

Applejack giggled, “She’s probably still asleep, we’ll save her a piece for when she wakes up.”

Zecora nodded and rubbed her eyes as she yawned. Granny Smith giggled. “Looks like our little zebra here had a long day.”

Applejack smiled and whispered. “Yeah, I'll get her diaper changed, then have her get some sleep. I’ve still got my own chores to get done, and I ain’t gonna let a foal change that.”

Granny Smith gave a nod, as she wiped Zecora’s face. “Alright, I guess if ya want, ya can help Big Mac with the apple buckin’. I can take care of the young one this time, she won’t be able to sneak out to the farm.”

Applejack looked at Zecora with a faint grin. “Yeah, I think she learned her lesson ‘bout goin’ out by herself. But I'll put the foal locks on the front and back doors just to be safe, and when she gets up, make sure to have her stay in the playpen.”

“Ya didn’t even have to remind me, I know how to do that,” Granny Smith grumbled. “Zecora only slipped away from me ‘cause I didn’t have a good eye on her and my hearin’ ain’t what it used to be.”

Applejack didn’t reply, she picked up Zecora and took her to her room upstairs, where the crib was. Applejack chuckled lightly, as she put the baby zebra on the ground, then took out a changing mat and placed the baby zebra on it.

Zecora, kind of used to lifting her legs, let Applejack easily wipe her rump and apply the cream and powder, as well as a fresh new diaper.

Then Applejack took the padded zebra, placed her in her cute, apple decorated nightie, and placed her into the crib as she instructed. “Now get some sleep. If ya need anythin’, Granny is downstairs. I’ll even leave the door open a bit, but no wanderin’ outside, ya hear?”

Zecora nodded as she asked. “Abbwejack...I want ta ask. If I ..uh stay wike tis, what's goin’ ta happen to me?”

Applejack gulped, staring at the foal for a bit before she replied. “Well, if it comes to that, and I hope it doesn't...I guess we could adopt ya into the family and make ya an official Apple.”

Zecora sniffled, hugging her plushie. “Tanks Abbwejack.”

Applejack’s heart fluttered as she bent down and kissed the baby zebra, “Sweet dreams, Zecora.” She then left the room while wondering to herself. “Am I growing attached to her? Is Mrs. Cake right? Am I starting to become a mom? I didn’t raise Apple Bloom all on my own, but I’ve been the one who’s spent the most time caring for Zecora since she regressed.”

Chapter 4: Part of the Family

Applejack had just finished applebucking her latest row of trees, and was pouring all of her bucked apples into a produce barrel with care. She’d been rambling for the past hour to Big Macintosh, “Mrs. Cake saw me carin’ for little Zecora and told me that I looked like a mom. Then later, Cheerilee kept givin’ me an odd look and askin’ for my permission to come on by. I mean, do I look like a mom to ya?” She’d ranted in a rhetorical tone.

Big Mac, for his part, just chuckled while he finished pouring his share of bucked apples into a barrel. Then he turned his rather large figure toward his little sister and answered with a sarcastic, “Eyyup.”

Hearing that unwanted answer, Applejack lightly punched her big brother on the shoulder, “Im bein’ serious, you big galoot. I don't want everypony in Ponyville to think I'm a mom!”

The two then started walking back to the house side by side, as Big Mac turned to his sister with a questioning look on his freckled face, and asked in his deep southern, beraton voice, “Why is that such a bad thing?”

Applejack rolled her eyes at the simple question form his sibling, as he has no idea what it would mean to having to take the role of motherhood. She explained, “Because I don't need ponies askin’ if I need help and stuff. Once you’re labeled ‘Mom’, ponies start gettin’ in your business, tryin’ ta help ya with every little thing!”

Big Mac gave his sister an odd, silent look. Usually the kind that tells that he saw what the other didn't even realize. He asked with a questioning tone, “So, why don't you let some other pony take care of Zecora?”

Applejack stepped back, unsure of what to say. She paused for a moment and shrugged as she replied in an unsure tone, “I...I don't know. I mean as much as I'm not a fan of bein’ labeled a mom. I...I can't abandon that little foal. I’ll feel just terrible...”

Big Mac paused in his walk as well, and turned his head towards his sister as he asked with a smirk, “Do ya love her?”

Applejack gulped, and turned her head to hide her blushing from the stallion as she mumbled, “Well...I...guess…”

Big Mac chuckled again, shaking his head as he sighed, “Oh Applejack.”

Applejack looked up at her big brother again. Glaring at him as she demanded, “What ya laughin’ about, Big Mac?!”

Big Mac only chuckled again, making Applejack come around in front of her brother and stomp her hoof as she scolded him, “Ya’ll tell me what you’re laughin’ about right now, Big Macintosh!”

Big Mac put a hoof to his mouth, with his cheeks blowing up as he gasped, “Ok...Mom.” He then roared with laughter, falling to the ground and pointing at Applejack’s face as it turned a deep red.

Applejack dipped her hat trying to hide her face, “Alright Big Mac, that’s enough.”

Big Mac got up, still snickering as he followed Applejack down the road and back to the house. As they opened the door, they found Apple Bloom feeding Zecora mashed peas. She turned to her older siblings and chirped with a smile, “Hey, ya two done with the applebuckin!’!?”

Applejack just came over to Zecora. “Yeah, it’s fine. How is she, did ya change her diaper? Did she get into any trouble?”

Granny Smith shook her head as she cooed, “Oh no, she’s been fine. She just woke up from her nap a little while ago, and we just started feedin’ her dinner. Also, of course we changed her diaper. Only once, thankfully.”

Applejack, still unsure, came over the zebra and checked it anyways, cupping the baby zebra’s diaper with a hoof and pulling the waistband back as she peered inside.

Zecora blushed and put her hooves up to her face as she babbled, “Stop, Abbwejack. I dun need a change.”

Applejack heard more giggling, and turned her head to see Big Mac, who was shaking his head. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop fussin’!” She complained. “Zecora's dry anyway, just thought I’d check and be sure.”

Then they all heard a knock at the door and Applejack replied, “I'll go see who that is.”

The farm pony came over to the door and opened it to see Twilight, rubbing her eyes and yawning. “Hey Applejack.” She spoke.

Applejack blushed as she greeted her friend. “Hey Twilight, good ta see ya.”

Twilight sighed as she look down in shame and mumbled, “It’s good to see you too, Applejack. I want to apologize for earlier. ”

Applejack waved a hoof. “Oh, it’s alright. You were workin’ hard to find a cure, but ya just needed a little help with takin’ a break. How about ya come on in and have some dinner?”

Twilight gave a sheepish smile as her stomach growled, “Yeah, some food would be great right now.”

Applejack waved her in as they entered the kitchen.

Twilight turned to Zecora, who was putting her hooves into her mouth and licking her hooves that were covered in mashed peas. Twilight dawwed and nuzzled her. “How are you doing, little Zecora?”

Zecora turned to face Twilight and squealed with joy, “Hi, Twiwight, I doin fine! Just havin’ some dinner.” She replied, spraying mashed peas from her mouth

Twilight dodged the mushy projectiles and giggled as she commented with a smirk, “Oh, I see you have it all over your face.” That made all the ponies in the kitchen chuckle.

Granny Smith walked up to Twilight and shook her hoof as she asked politely, “So, how are ya doin’?”

Twilight gave a yawn and smacked her lips before she mumbled, “I'm fine, just a little bit tired.”

Zecora whimpered as she thought. “I hope she’s been working hard to find a cure for me, but has she been as busy as a bee?” She gulped as she nervously babbled, “Uh, Twiwight, did ya find a cuwe yet?”

Twilight sighed as she shook her head, collapsed into a chair, and explained mournfully, “Sorry, I haven't found a cure yet…” Her voice trailed off as she gave an exasperated sigh.

Zecora gave a cheerful smile and chirped, “It's otay, Twiwight. I can wait a bit wonga.”

Twilight looked up with a sorrowful expression on her face, “Thanks, Zecora, but I need to explain something to all of you,” Everyone turned to her as she looked up and explained, “I...I can’t help. I figured out all the components to the potion that spilled onto Zecora, but I have no idea how to make an antidote,” Zecora looked down with disappointment. Twilight paused to catch her breath before she continued, “I sent Princess Celestia a letter detailing everything about what happened to Zecora. She sent me a letter back to tell me, that she herself has sent the information to some other top mages and specialists to look into the matter.”

Zecora looked back up with a smile and shouted with glee, “Tat means Pwincess Cewesitia is hewpin find a cuwe! I gonna go back to being a big zebwa in no time!”

Twilight gave the little zebra a hopeful smile as she added, “Hopefully.”

Zecora couldn’t help but kick her tiny legs in excitement, making her diaper crinkle adorably.

Twilight turned to Applejack with an apologetic look and continued in a moderate tone, “Princess Celestia also asked if Zecora was being cared for, and I told her that you and your family have everything covered. But, considering Zecora is going to be a foal for some time, Princess Celestia still sent me a list of parents willing to adopt, just in case you decide that caring for Zecora is too much.” Twilight hesitantly took out said letter, as Apple Bloom looked at it with wide eyes.

Applejack took the letter and looked it over, as she thought to herself. “I hate the idea of being called a mom, but I also don’t like the idea of giving Zecora away. What should I do?” She first turned to Granny Smith, who was giving her a glare while sipping a cup of tea. Applejack then turned to Big Mac, who turned away with a nervous look. She then turned to Apple Bloom, who was bouncing up and down in anticipation. And lastly she turned to Zecora, who was giving her a pleading look, mashed peas covering the tiny and adorable face. Applejack just sighed as she asked with a nervous smile, “Zecora, do ya want to be an Apple for a little bit?”

Zecora squealed, jumping up and down and shouting in glee, “Yeah, of course I do! Ya family’s been so nice to me!”

Apple Bloom squealed with joy, ran to the baby zebra, and exclaimed with excitement, “Zecora, you're goin to be my little sister!”

Big Mac gave a small smile but continued eating, as Granny Smith came over and hugged Applejack as she whispered, “Ya did the right thing, Applejack.”

Twilight giggled and got up with a sheepish smile as she replied, “Well, I guess that’s everything I needed to clear up. Now I’d better get going and get some sleep. I’m still so exhausted.”

Applejack nodded in agreement. “Yeah, ya go get some sleep. Thanks for everythin’.”

But before Twilight could leave, Zecora turned and asked her, “Twiwight, does tis mean I can caww Abbwejack my mommy?”

Everypony laughed and Applejack’s faced turned strongly red in color as Twilight cooed, “If that’s alright with Applejack,” She then yawned again and rubbed her eyes as she mumbled, “But I’d better get going before I fall asleep on the floor. Applejack, if anything new comes up, I’ll let you know.”

Applejack gave her friend a nod and watch her leave with a look of worry.

Apple Bloom then asked excitedly, “Applejack, can I help change Zecora?!”

Granny Smith laughed as Zecora hugged her diaper (which was now tainted yellow) with a cute blush. Applejack just sighed as she mumbled, “Sure, let’s get to it.”

The next day Applejack woke to the sound of, “Abbwejack...Abbwejack”

Applejack groaned as she got up and looked up at the baby zebra standing in her crib as she whined, “My diapee is wet, and I itchy.”

Applejack sighed, rising from her bed and taking the foal to the changing mat below, as she started changing Zecora’ soggy diaper. She looked down at the zebra, noticed a red sore patch, and groaned, “Oh dag nab it, I forgot the powder last night!”

Applejack then started rubbing cream in and powdered Zecora, who babbled back, “It’s otay Abbwejack.” The little zebra started whimpering, as tears welled up in her eyes.

Applejack looked down at her and cooed, “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Zecora looked up and asked in a wavering tone, “Abbwejack, ya goin ta take cawe of me, wight?”

Applejack, still groggy from caring for Zecora last night, and in the middle of strapping Zecora into a new diaper yawned, “Well, from what Twilight said, yeah. At least until we get ya back to bein’ a big zebra.”

Zecora, still nervous, asked, “But ya dun seem happy. I dun wana be a pwobwem.”

Applejack gave Zecora a long gaze before taking the little zebra into her embrace and hugging her. “Hey, don’t ya worry! I love ya, it’s just...well…”

Zecora kicked her legs, the powder still fresh, as she babbled. “Wha is it?”

Applejack sighed as she placed the foal on her back and explained. “It’s quite a change for me. Trust me, I care for ya, Zecora, even if sometimes I don’t show it. I’m just not used to the idea of ponies seein’ me as a mother, especially since my own ma passed away while I was still young.”

Zecora hugged applejack’s mane and nuzzled it as she babbled, “Weww, tank ya fow cawin fow me. I sowie I kept ya up wast night, I didn mean to.”

Applejack blushed as she hesitated, unsure of what to say as she eventually mumbled, ”It’s okay.” Then they went down to the kitchen where Apple Bloom and Big Mac both turned with big smiles.

Granny Smith cooed, “Good mornin’ ya two, sleep well?”

Applejack groggily nodded, and she strapped Zecora in her highchair as she yawned, “Zecora had a few late night soaks, but she’s alright. Though I forgot to put the powder on last night, so she got a small diaper rash. Fortunately, I worked in some rash cream, and made sure to give her plenty of powder this time.”

Zecora blushed while hugging her diaper, making foal powder poof all around her as Big Mac dawwed, “Oh, wittle Zecora just made my mornin’.” He came over and gave her a kiss making her blush as she asked. “So, wha I gotta caww ya?”

Big Macintosh cooed, “Why not just Big Mac, it’s easier that way.”

Apple Bloom nodded and exclaimed, “And ya can caw me ‘Big sis Apple Bloom’ or just ‘Big sis’.”

Zecora gave a cute smile as she babbled, “Ya can caw me wittwe sis.”

“What ya gonna call me, Zecora?” Granny Smith asked, as she was busy preparing herself some oatmeal.

Zecora pondered for a bit before she shouted. “Gwanny! Is tat otay?!”

Applejack chuckled. “Of course, Zecora. We all call her Granny ‘round here.”

“Otay, tat sounds gweat.” The little zebra said with a chuckle, and she was then spoonfed applesauce, as Granny turned to Applejack and asked with a chuckle, “So, ya ready to be a mom?”

“I guess, it’s gonna take some gettin’ used to though. ‘Least I’ll have you to lean on for advice and support though,” Applejack replied. “And Big Mac too, it’ll be just like when we were raisin’ Apple Bloom.”

Meanwhile, Apple Bloom ran over to the baby zebra and hugged Zecora close as she whispered, “Ya be good for Applejack, little sis.”

Zecora nodded and kissed Apple Bloom on the nose, then babbled, “I will. Hope ya have fun at school. Say hi ta Cheeweiwee, and wemind hew she gots to teach me ta wead.”

Apple Bloom giggled and gave a nod, “Don’t ya worry about that, I’ll remind her.” She waved a hoof before heading out the door.

Applejack then gave Zecora to Granny as she cooed. “Well, Zecora, I gotta go help Big Mac buck apples. See ya in a bit.” Applejack waved at Zecora as the baby zebra waved back, making Applejack blush as she walked out the back door, thinking to herself. “Maybe caring for a foal won’t be so bad after all.”

Chapter 5: The Zebra and the Teacher

(One week later)

Apple Bloom was at the schoolhouse with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo right sitting next to her. Apple Bloom herself was busy burying herself in a book, as Cheerilee was lecturing about cows.

Sweetie Belle was writing notes down with her magic, the little filly turned to her new friend and saw that she was invested in a dark green colored book. She leaned in near the farm filly and whispered to her, “Hey Apple Bloom, what are you reading?”

Apple Bloom blushed, putting the book down and turning to Sweetie Belle she stammered, “Oh n-nothin’ really, just some old book.”

Scootaloo turned as well, now curious and peeked over at the title of the book as she asked, “‘Supernaturals’? What are you reading that for?”

Apple Bloom groaned as she put the book down and explained, “Just lookin’ at stuff about potions and ingredients, that’s all.” Sweetie Belle wanted to ask more about it, but instead all three turned to face Cheerilee was finishing her lecture “..And that’s how cows make milk, any questions?” All the colts and fillies shook their heads, some grumbling no, as Cheerilee announced, “Alright, class is dismissed.”

Everyone began leaving, as Cheerilee came by Apple Bloom and the Crusaders and asked, “Hello you three, everything going alright?”

Apple Bloom nodded, “Yeah, everythin’s fine. We're actually goin’ to stop by the library to see if Twilight has anythin’ about the cure for Zecora.”

Cheerilee smiled as she replied, “Good. Fittingly enough, I’m actually going to stop by Sweet Apple Acres for Zecora’s lessons today. I have to admit, she’s one stubborn little foal.”

Apple Bloom grumbled in frustration, “Yeah, she’s really takin’ after my older sister.”

Cheerilee continued with a smile, “Well, it’s been fun teaching Zecora. She may be stubborn but I admire a foal that doesn’t want to give up on learning. The battle for education starts young.”

“But Apple Bloom,” Sweetie Belle protested. “Aren’t you’re forgetting about the fact that we’re going to make Zecora an official Cutie Mark Crusader?”

“Yeah,” Scootaloo added. “I thought we were going to the treehouse for her ceremony.”

Apple Bloom blushed as she replied, “Oh yeah, sorry. I just want to go see Twilight and ask if anythin’ new came up on a cure for Zecora before we make any plans.”

Sweetie Belle nodded and agreed with a smile, “Okay then, we’ll go by Twilight’s library first.”

Cheerilee gave the Crusaders a smile, “Go on then, I’ll be with Zecora when you get back.”

Apple Bloom squealed and waved a hoof. “Alright, Cheerilee, see ya later!”

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo ran off with their new friend, as Cheerilee smiled at the three and turned and set off down the road.

At Sweet Apple Acres, Zecora was napping in the living room, on a mat underneath a bunch of fluffy foal blankets. The baby zebra stirred, as she started slowing waking up. Suckling her pacifer, she yawned as her pacifier fell out of her mouth, and she got up, stretching her chubby legs and wiggling her diapered tush which was now tinted slightly yellow.

Zecora sighed as she looked around, mumbling. “Gwanny, I need a diapee changie.” But there was no reply. The zebra waddled for a bit, looking for Granny Smith. She looked all around until she came to a door near the stairs and gazed up at it in awe as she whispered, “Gwanny and Abbwejack teww me I can’t go in thewe. Bu why?” Zecora looked around and seeing nopony present, she waddled to the door which was ajar. She opened the door, turned down the dark shadow stairway, and gulped, “Tats scawy.”

Reluctantly, the zebra stuck her diapered rump out and slowly slid down the stairs, her diaper squelching with each step. She eventually ended up on the ground of the basement, and looked around the dark room, full of old furniture and dusty boxes. She waddled through and saw a giant box with a cloth diaper printed on the box. Zecora gasped, “I know this box of diapees! Abbwejack towd me about how Abbew Bwoom used to play in them aww ta time.”

Zecora waddled to the box and climbed inside, stumbling over, pouring the cloth diapers out, and sending them all over the floor. Zecora giggled, wading through the sea of diapers and throwing them in the air as she squealed in joy, “Tis is fun!” She then turned to an old, giant rocking cow, and gaped at it and babbled, “This must’ve been Big Mac’s when he was a baby!” She crawled onto the rocking cow, and rocked the toy back and forth. But it was so big that she accidentally tipped it over. She gasped, falling on her padded rump! She felt a rush of pee fill up her diaper, but she still squealed in joy, “That was so much fun!”

Zecora got up and picked herself up. Looking around, she gaped when her eyes fell on a box of old foal toys. She waddled over, and without hesitation started digging through it, throwing out teddies, rattles, and dolls. She gasped, “Tese mus be aww the foaw toys the Appwes had.”

Just then, Zecora heard a voice shout, “Zecora, where did you go?!”

Zecora gasped, looking up at the stairs as she babbled, “Uh oh! I betta go befowe I get in twoubwe.”

The zebra waddled to the stairs and looked up, as Granny came down, turned on a light, and gasped, “Oh dear! Looks like ya caused quite a mess down here, Zecora! Didn’t I tell ya to stay out of this here basement?!”

Zecora nodded and babbled, “I sowie! I got cuwious and just wanted to see what was down hewe. I didn’ mean to make a mess!”

Granny sighed, “It’s alright, dear. I’ll clean this up later, at least you’re alright. Come on,” She then picked Zecora up and checked her diaper, “Looks like you soaked that diaper good. Let’s get you changed before ya get a rash.”

Granny carried Zecora upstairs, then put the baby zebra on the changing mat and started changing her diaper. The little zebra asked in a worried tone, “Um, Gwanny, am I in twobwe?”

“You are, a little,” Granny replied. “You shouldn’t have wandered off like that, you’re lucky ya didn’t hurt yourself. Ya can’t just wander through the house wherever ya please, and ya need to learn that what ya did was wrong.” Then they heard a knock at the door and turned towards it. Granny finished taping Zecora into her new diaper, and as she kicked about in it, Granny Smith opened the door and smiled at Cheerilee standing outside.

“Oh hey, Granny Smith,” Cheerilee greeted. “Just came to see if Zecora wants to continue her lessons.”

Zecora bounced up, shouting. “Yeah! I want to weawn how to wead!”

“Alright,” Granny replied, sighing a bit. “Just be sure to keep an eye on her, Cheerilee. I have to clean up a little mess she made downstairs.”

Cheerilee nodded as she came over to Zecora, who blushed in embarrassment. The teacher eyed the filly and asked, “What did you do?”

Zecora babbled, “I had a wittwe fun in the basement, tat’s aww.”

“Oh you little troublemaker,” Cheerilee playfully remarked and then asked. “So, how is your rhyming going?”

Zecora groaned. “Na so good, I can’ wememba aw ta wowds tat I did befowe.”

“Alright, well let’s try to go over the alphabet again,” Cheerilee spoke up. Zecora waddled over, while Cheerilee sat on the couch and put the baby zebra in her lap. She opened a book with big letters and random words for each letter, in it. Cheerilee turned the pages and whispered to Zecora, “A, A is for…”

Zecora babbled, “Abbwe. A..A..”

Cheerilee turned the page as they continued onward with the lesson. As Zecora stumbled with the letters, she became distracted, poking her diaper and wiggling about. Cheerilee sighed. “Zecora, you have to pay attention.”

Zecora looked up in surprise and gasped upon realizing what she was doing! “Oh, sowie! I twyin to tough!” She insisted.

“It’s alright, just stay focused,” Cheerilee advised. “Now come on, try the next letter.”

Zecora looked back down at the book and she turned to the letter “E” and babbled “E..E as in egg.”

Cheerilee snuggled her as she cooed. “Good job, Zecora, that’s more like it! Now let's do the next letter.”

Cheerilee then turned the page to “F”, as Zecora eyed it and mumbled, “F, wight?”

Cheerilee nodded and congratulated the zebra. “That's right, Zecora. You're getting better.”

Zecora looked up, happily shouting! “Yeah! I tink I gonna get ta alpabet soon!”

“Yes, you're doing very well,” Cheerilee encouraged. “Now can you tell me the alphabet?”

Zecora whimpered and whispered. “Uh, A..B...C...um..” She blushed, scrunching her diaper as she confessed. “I dun weawwy wemeba ta west, I tink thewe’s an E and a F.”

Cheerilee snuggled the little zebra, kissing her on the cheek as she cooed. “It's alright, I think you did very well for today. I’d say you’re farther along than most foals your age.”

Granny Smith then came back up and asked, “Is eveythin’ alright, Cheerilee?”

Cheerilee turned to Granny Smith and smiled. “Oh of course it is. You should be proud, Zecora is learning her ABC’s.”

Zecora nodded and babbled, “Yeah. And I sowie Gwanny fow makin’ a mess.”

Granny Smith just dawwed and picked the foal up, “It’s alright, just don’t go down there again, it’s dangerous. Because of that, you’re gettin’ an early bedtime tonight. I catch ya down there again, you’re goin’ in the time out corner, understand?”

Zecora nodded as Cheerilee got up and smiled as she said, “Well, I’d better get going. I need to plan the lessons for tomorrow.”

Granny waved a hoof, “Come and get somethin’ to eat first, I’m sure you must be starvin’.”

Cheerilee blushed as she whispered, “Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose.”

But Zecora babbled and pleaded. “Pwease come eat with us, Cheewiwee. Gwanny Smith makes ta best abbwe pie eva!”

Cheerilee giggled, she could never resist such a tasty offering. “Oh, alright. I’ll have some,” She walked off with them, and saw the apple pie sitting on the kitchen table. Its aroma wafting into her as she gave a whiff and commented, “Wow, that does smell delicious!”

As Granny Smith was sitting Zecora down in her high chair, the zebra turned and babbled, “I hope so, I hewped Gwanny make it.”

Cheerilee smiled, “Aww, that’s sweet. Guess I’d better try some.”

“I’ll cut ya a slice,” Granny Smith offered. “Hopefully Applejack will be back from Applebuckin’ soon.”

Zecora nodded and replied. “Yeah, hopefuwwy she’ww be back soon.”

At the Golden Oak Library, Twilight was busy looking over some notes in a giant book. When she three loud knocks, she turned to the door and wondered, “Who could that be?” She came up and opened the door, as the energetic Cutie Mark Crusaders burst through the opening, as they squealed in unison, “Hi Twilight!”

Twilight smiled, “Hey you three, what are you up to?”

The crusaders gathered in the living room as Apple Bloom looked up and replied, “I just wanted to know what’s goin’ on with Zecora. She’s my little sister after all, and we were goin’ to make her a Cutie Mark Crusader. Unless, Princess Celestia’s already found a cure?”

Twilight shook her head as she replied, “Look, Apple Bloom, Celestia is having trouble with finding a cure. She said what’s spilled on Zecora can be cured, but she’s still working hard to figure out the process. It’s very complicated.”

Apple Bloom sighed as she explained, “That’s fine, ‘cause I wanted to help make a cure. I've been readin’ some books about potions.”

Sweetie Belle turned to Apple Bloom as she realized. “That’s why you’ve been reading nonstop! I thought you were trying to get your cutie mark in books or something.”

Scootaloo shook her head. “I don’t think I would want a book as a cutie mark.”

Twilight laughed. “Oh you three,” Apple Bloom blushed, as Twilight continued. “Well, I’m sure you three can help by keeping Zecora safe.”

”But is there anythin’ new on Zecora’s condition?” Apple Bloom asked, hopefully. “Anythin’ that I need to know about?”

Twilight shook her head and explained, “No, Princess Celestia gives me her updates now and again. But nothing new has come up yet, I’m sorry.”

“Wait, ya sure there isn’t somethin’ that I can do?!” Apple Bloom pleaded! “I read all of the books you gave me, I think I can help in makin’ a cure! Just tell Celestia to give me what she needs for a cure, I can fix it up! Please, ya must let me!”

Twilight tried to smile as she cleared her throat and said, “Apple Bloom, I really do think you can help. But even Princess Celestia is still trying to figure out what spilt onto Zecora. It could be too dangerous for you to mix up the cure.”

Apple Bloom sighed and looked down in defeat.

Twilight stammered with a sheepish grin as she hastily added. “But uh, that doesn't mean you can't try to make a cure on your own if you want. But if you do try, just be sure to let me see the potion first, so we can be sure that it’s safe. I don’t want to risk you blowing up Sweet Apple Acres, or yourself.”

Apple Bloom perked up a little, but still frowned as she replied. “But...so far I haven't found anythin’ that can help, in any of the books ya gave me.”

Sweetie suggested. “How about we go to Zecora’s hut and find out if she has something there that could help?”

Apple Bloom gasped! “Great idea, Sweetie Belle! Why didn’t I think of that before?!”

“Wait, don’t do that!” Twilight warned!

But Apple Bloom turned and said. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll tell Applejack where we’re goin’.” She then waved a hoof as the Cutie Mark Crusaders ran off!

Twilight gulped and thought to herself, “Hopefully they won’t get into too much trouble.”

Chapter 6: New lessons ahead

The Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived at Zecora’s old hut a short time later. They were in awe as they entered, and gazed upon the shelves of books on potions. The fillies began to whisper amongst themselves as Sweetie Belle turned to Apple Bloom and asked, “So, you think the cure is written in one of these books?”

Apple Bloom looked among them and replied, “Well, not exactly. I think that if I take my time and read them, we can find somthin’ that’ll be able to cure Zecora.,“ She then turned to the big cauldron in the middle of the room. She looked inside and saw it was empty, she then skipped over to a cupboard full of ingredients and potions and mumbled to herself, “I think we can start here. But we're probably goin’ to need to go into the Everfree Forest for more ingredients.”

Scootaloo gulped, before she quickly added. “Yeah, that’s fine. I’m not scared of the Everfree Forest!”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “Just tell us what you need, Apple Bloom, we can help. Heck, maybe we can all get our cutie marks in making potions!”

Apple Bloom turned and smiled as she chirped, “That would be cool! But we should head back before Applejack gets suspicious.” The farm filly then went under the cupboard, taking some more books, potions, and ingredients, and stuffing them into her saddlebag.

While that was going on, Scootaloo looked around. She noticed some weeds growing through the floorboards, and some holes in the roof, so she asked. ”Hey, Apple Bloom. This place is looking kind of bad. You think maybe we should fix it up a little?”

Apple Bloom examined the state of the hut, and nodded. “Of course! How about next time we come, we grab some cleanin’ supplies and get this place all fixed up?”

Sweetie Belle happily agreed. “I wouldn’t mind doing that. I’m sure Zecora will appreciate having a nice, clean hut to come back to when she goes back to being normal.”

Having agreed to the restoration plan, Apple Bloom turned to her friends and suggested. ”How about this? I’ll look over the ingredients and potions I have now, and see what I can make. I’ll keep ya two updated on what’s goin’ on, and if I find somethin, then we can make the potion here together.”

Sweetie nodded as she then suggested. “Alright. How about tomorrow we come back and clean this place up?”

Scootaloo chirped. “That sounds like a great idea.”

Apple Bloom gave the two a hug and squealed. “You two are the best!” They all giggled, then Apple Bloom broke the embrace and continued. “Alright, here’s the plan. We'll come here after school tomorrow with the cleanin’ supplies, and I’ll bring some tools too. Now come on, I have to be home before Applejack knows I'm gone.” Then the three ran off back into the forest.

At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was coming back from a long day of Applebucking, to see Cheerilee feeding Zecora pieces of apple pie. Applejack gasped a bit, she hadn’t expected the teacher to be around this late. Still, she politely greeted. “Cheerilee, it's so good to see you.”

Cheerilee turned and chirped. “Yeah, it's great to see you too, Applejack.”

Applejack came over and hugged the two, nuzzling Zecora as she checked her diaper and asked. “So, Zecora, how are your lessons goin’?

The little zebra giggled and exclaimed. “Is goin’ great! I wearned at weast thwee to five wetters awweady!”

Applejack dawwed and nuzzled her, “That's wonderful! Good job, Zecora!”

Cheerilee added, “Zecora is a very smart foal, at this rate I'm sure she’ll be able to start reading in a month or two.”

Applejack turned to the teacher and thanked her, “You're doin’ so much helpin’ Zecora like this, I can’t thank you enough.”

Cheerilee just cooed, “Oh it’s no problem. In fact this is quite extraordinary, for a one year old to even know their ABC’s, we could make some real breakthroughs in foal development.”

Zecora gasped in surprise and asked with curiosity gleaming in her eyes, ”Weaway?! Wiww I be famous ow somthin’?!”

Cheerilee shrugged as she continued, “Who knows? But we’ll have to see how long you’ll be a foal. But until you're cured, there's no telling what we can learn.”

The baby zebra giggled, “I hope so, it sounds wike a wot of fun.”

Applejack eyed Cheerilee skeptically and responded. “Now, Cheerilee. I don’t mind ya helpin’ Zecora, but I don’t want her bein’ some sort of guinea pig.”

Cheerilee gave Applejack a surprised look as she explained, “That's not what I meant at all.”

Zecora turned to Applejack and added, “Yeah, I dun mind tat, Abbwejack. it sounds wike I cowd hewp awot of foaws with weawing how to wead.”

Applejack turned to Zecora and reluctantly she gave her approval. “Well, alright then, but just don’t work too hard. You're only a foal, I don’t want all that teachin’ harmin’ your health.”

Cheerilee smiled at Applejack and reassured her. “Don't worry, I'll be sure to take it slow, and ensure she has ample time to be a regular foal as well. If you want, you can be a part of our sessions. Some parents do that when I teach the kindergartners. I find it helps a lot if the parents take an active role in a foal’s development.”

Applejack blushed and shook her head, still kind of uncomfortable of the idea of being a mother. “No, tha's fine. I was just a bit worried, that’s all. I trust you’’ know what you’re doin’.”

Cheerilee got up from the table, and after thanking Granny Smith for the pie she said to Applejack, “If you need any help with Zecora, let me know.”

Applejack gave Cheerilee an odd look, “Trust me, Cheerilee, my family and I have got this under control.”

Cheerilee giggled then waved as she left, as Zecora waved back, “Bye bye Miss. Cheewiwee.”

Cheerilee opened the door and was surprised to find Apple bloom standing outside with her friends, blushing as she waved a hoof. “Oh, hello Miss. Cheerilee.”

Cheerilee gave the Cutie Mark Crusaders a big smile, “Hey you three.”

But Applejack came out with Zecora on her back and gave the Crusaders a glare as she asked, “What have ya three been up to? It’s almost sundown.”

Apple Bloom blushed, “Well, um...ya see…”

Sweetie Belle chimed in, “We were studying cows for class tomorrow.”

Scootaloo nodded and quickly added, “Yeah, we were really interested in what you said about cows, so we wanted to watch them up close.”

Cheerilee beamed at the Crusaders and praised them, “That's wonderful, I hope you learned more about them.”

Applejack gave Apple Bloom a skeptical look as she replied, “That's great and all, but Apple Bloom, I thought I told ya to tell me where you go.”

Apple Bloom blushed. “Sorry, Applejack. But we were only talkin’ to the cows, I didn’t think I’d need to ask permission for that.” The little farm filly strolled into the house as she waved bye to her friends and Cheerilee.

Cheerilee then replied. “Well, it was nice seeing you three. Now, I have tests to grade, but I will be looking forward to your report on cows tomorrow.” She then trotted off and the other fillies gave each other nervous looks and slowly walked away, leaving Applejack and her younger sister.

Applejack closed the door and asked, “Apple Bloom, can ya play with Zecora for a little bit? I still need to buck some apples before sundown, but I can’t leave Zecora in just Granny’s care..”

Apple Bloom gave a nod. “Sure, I wouldn’t mind that.” She then took ahold of the baby zebra who shouted happily, “Abbwe Bwoom, I missed ya!” And hugged the farm filly’s muzzle.

Apple Bloom snuggled the foal, cooing. “I missed ya too.”

Applejack eyed the two, as she told them. “Now, you two be good and listen to Granny. Ya better not give her a hard time.”

Apple Bloom nodded and chirped, “Don't ya worry bout a thing big sis, we have everythin’ under control. I promise!”

Applejack still eyed her little sister, but reluctantly left as Zecora turned to Apple Bloom and babbled at her. “So, wha ya want ta do?”

Apple Bloom looked around, making she and Zecora were alone (and they were, Granny Smith was busy with baking). She then whispered. “Zecora, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and I went to your hut to see if we can find somthin’ to cure ya.”

Zecora gasped before Apple Bloom silenced. She then asked in a softer tone. “So, did ya find someting?”

Apple Bloom gave a smirk as she explained. “Well not yet, but my friends and I will go by and keep it clean while we try to make a cure on our own. Heck, we might even get our cutie marks for it.”

Zecora squealed, only barely remembering to keep her voice down. “Tat sounds great! I hope ya get ya cutie mawks in potion makin! Then when I become a big zebwa, I can teach ya evewyday!”

Apple Bloom blushed. “Yeah, it would be kind of cool to have a cutie mark in potion makin’.”

Zecora babbled. “Weww, can I come too ten? I might be some hewp, I can’t wead vewy weww and I fowgot awot about makin potions, bu I can hewp with getting stuff.”

Apple Bloom sighed as she reluctantly whispered in reply. “I don't think so. Applejack would probably stop me from goin’. And if I started takin ya there, she’s goin’ to get suspicious and probably find out what I'm really doin’.”

Zecora frowned and crossed her forelegs as she protested, “Wha does tat have ta do with me? I can say I pwayin with ya ow somthin.”

Apple Bloom smirked, Zecora had unknowingly given her a great idea. “Well, we can take ya once in awhile,” She whispered. “I was actually thinkin’ of takin’ ya tomorrow. We have a little surprise for ya.”

Zecora shrieked, but somehow Granny Smith didn’t overhear. “Wha is it!?”

Apple Bloom booped Zecora on the nose, shushing her. “That would spoil the surprise.” That made Zecora pout again, as Apple Bloom dawwed, lifted the baby zebra up onto her back and asked, “How about we go play somethin’ in my room?”

Zecora hugged Apple Bloom’s mane as she babbled, “Otay, wha we gonna pway though?”

As Apple Bloom walked up stairs she pondered for a bit, and then asked, “How about hide and go seek?”

Zecora squealed in anticipation, her legs making her diaper crinkle. “Tat sounds wike fun!”

Apple Bloom ran upstairs with Zecora, reached her bedroom, and settled Zecora near her bed as she asked. “Now Zecora, how about ya count and I hide?”

The baby zebra nodded and babbled, “Otay, ya hide and I count ta ten.”

Apple Bloom nodded. But as she was about to hide, she turned and asked the baby zebra, “Do you even know how to count to ten?”

Zecora paused for a second and giggled as she shook her head, “Not weawwy, bu I’ww twy,” Apple Bloom shrugged and ran off, as Zecora waddled to the wall and started to count “One...two...thwee...uh...thwee...somthin...uh...ten! Hewe I come!” She started waddling around the room, digging through Apple Bloom’s closet, then looking under her bed.

She then went out of the room and started going through the other rooms in search of Apple Bloom. She first peeked into Applejack’s room and waddled about, looking under the bed but only finding spare diapers which made her giggle. She then looked under her crib, but still nothing. She groaned and went out into the hallway while babbling. “Abbwe Bwoom has to be up hewe somewhewe.”

She then went into Big Mac’s room, where she found him taking a nap. She giggled, crawling over to the giant stallion and wiggling herself onto his bed. She came up to his nose and snuggled him, making the big stallion giggle. The baby zebra then crawled up to his muzzle and booped, it making him wake up.

Big Mac blinked a few times, before he gazed upon a baby zebra smiling and drooling on his chest, and he asked. “Zecora?! What are you doin’ in here?”

Zecora shouted while bouncing. “Hey, Big Mac! Wanna pway with Abbwe Bwoom and me?! We pwayin hide and seek!”

Big Mac blushed as he answered, “I...I...I would love to but...uh...I still have to help Applejack…”

Zecora giggled, “Ten why ya takin a nappy?”

Big Mac blushed and hugged Zecora close as he cooed, “I was just takin’ a small break, that’s all.”

Zecora snuggled into him, “Uh huh, sure.”

Big Mac reluctantly got up, still hugging her. “Alright, I’ll play.” He told her.

Zecora jumped down, happily shouting. “Otay, now I gots to find Abbwe Bwoom!” She waddled off as Big Mac followed her, and they trotted to Granny Smith’s room. They both peered in as Zecora slowly crept to the closet and tried opening it. Big Mac chuckled and helped the baby zebra open it.

Apple Bloom then suddenly pounced out and tackled Zecora, who squealed as Apple Bloom started tickling the baby zebra. She was bursting with laughter and kicking about frantically, as her diaper crinkled adorably, until an audible hisss could be heard. Zecora groaned, “Abbwe Bwoom, ya made me pee!”

Apple Bloom got off the foal giggling and apologizing, “Oops, sorry Zecora,” She then turned to her big brother and gasped, “Big Mac, ya playin’ too?!”

Big Mac blushed as he nodded, “Eyyup.”

Apple Bloom happily shouted, “Great! This time, I'll find ya, and you two go hide!”

Big Mac nodded, picking Zecora up he ran off with her on his back. He went into his bedroom, hiding under his bed with Zecora. She snuggled into his embrace as they waited and faintly heard Apple Bloom call out. “...Ten! Ready or not, here I come!”

Soon, Apple Bloom came into Big Mac’s room and smirked as she looked down. “Found ya!” She shouted.

Big Mac giggled, crawling out with Zecora who cooed, “Big Mac, ya so big ya gave us away!”

Big Mac just nuzzled Zecora as he said, “Eyyup.”

Then Apple Bloom asked, “Why don't we play outside? Then we’ll have more room and we can find better hidin’ places?”

Big Mac simply replied, “Well, we could tomorrow, but not right now. It's gettin’ late and I still need to help Applejack with the apple buckin’.” He placed Zecora back on the ground and Apple Bloom glared at her brother and exclaimed, “Fine then, tomorrow after school we play hide and seek, no excuses!”

Big Mac gave his sister a nod, “That's a promise.” He assured her. He then trotted off, as Zecora turned to Apple Bloom, “So what ya want ta do now, Appwe Bwoom?”

Apple Bloom turned to the little zebra, “We’d better go downstairs and see if dinner is ready. Also I think ya need a diaper change.”

Zecora prodded her diaper with a hoof, “Nah, is fine. It can pwobabwy handwe one more soak. Besides, I pwobabwy gonna do a poopy soon. Tat appwe pie’s gotta be cwose to comin’ out.”

“Guess it ain’t that soaked now that I look at it,” Apple Bloom concluded, looking at the diaper. “It’s too bad you’re not big enough for the toilet, I don’t think we have my old trainin’ potty, and I don’t think Granny or Applejack will like the idea of ya ‘fertilizin’ the soil’ as they call it,” Apple Bloom laughed picking the baby zebra up, “I tell ya, you’re adorable. You know that Zecora?” And the energetic farm filly skipped downstairs.

Unaware of anything that was transpiring back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was busy Applebucking out in the fields as usual, when Pinkie Pie came out of nowhere shouting, “Applejack!”

Applejack turned and grumbled in agitation, “What is it Pinkie Pie? Can’t ya see I’m busy?” She asked.

Pinkie just shouted louder. “Why didn't you tell me Zecora turned into a foal and you're the one caring for her?!” She started looking Applejack over as the orange coated mare with a blonde mane rolled her eyes, lightly pushing her friend back as she asked, “What in tarnation are ya sayin’ Pinkie Pie?”

Pinkie rolled her eyes and scoffed. “What am I talking about? It seems like everypony in Ponyville knew that you were a mom except me! I thought we were friends!”

Applejack eyes went wide as she took hold of Pinkie, “You're sayin’ everypony in Ponyville knows about Zecora?!”

“Duh, just about everypony in Ponyville has been talking about it,” Pinkie replied. “Heck I even told our friends so we can throw a birthday party for the little cutie!”

Applejack mouth dropped down, the enraged farm mare shook her head and stomped her hoof as she shouted, “Pinkie Pie! Ya need to cancel the party right this instant! Ya hear me?!”

Pinkie laughed as she asked sarcastically, “And why is that, Mom?!”

Applejack, taken aback by the sudden remark, looked around as she thought. “What would be a good excuse? Come on, Applejack, think of something!” Suddenly, inspiration struck her. She then beamed as she replied to Pinkie, “Because, I think we might find a cure. And when we do, I'm sure everypony will be disappointed that Zecora isn’t a foal anymore.”

Pinkie threw hoof as she scoffed, “Oh, don't worry, Applejack. It’ll still be a birthday party anyway. Besides, that's why it'll be in three days. I’m sure a cure won't be made by then. Also, don't tell Zecora! After all, we want it to be a surprise.”

Pinkie then bounced off, leaving Applejack stunned as she whispered, “What am I goin’ ta do?” She then spotted Big Mac trotting up to her, so she went to him and frantically shouted, “Big Mac, I need your help!” Big Mac went wide eyed as Applejack explained, “Pinkie Pie is plannin’ a party for Zecora, and supposedly everypony knows ‘bout Zecora, which means everypony is goin’ to treat me like a mom forever! What am I gonna do?!”

“Applejack, if you're scared that everypony is goin’ to treat you differently, then just act as you always have and show that ya don't need help.” Big Mac suggested.

Applejack thought for a second groaning, “I don’t know, Big Mac. I think I might have to do somethin’ drastic to get ‘em to stop.”

Big Mac chuckled and asked sarcastically, “Like what exactly?”

Applejack pondered for a few minutes, tapping a hoof to her chin. Then she lit up and gave a smirk as she replied, “I think I have an idea, Big Mac. Can ya finish the apple buckin’? I'm goin’ to be at Rarity's for a little bit.”

Big Mac reluctantly gave a nod and said, “Eyyup,” He then watched his sister run off as Big Mac blinked and mumbled, “What is she up to?”

Chapter 7: Of Dresses and Potions

The next afternoon, Applejack was at Carousel Boutique behind a dressing room, as Rarity waited outside, anxiously trotting back and forth as she commented in a nervous tone, “So Applejack darling I have to ask: I don’t mind making the order you gave me, but I have to admit that it was quite odd. I did my best in making it as...um…’motherly as possible’, I believe you said?”

Applejack grumbled from behind the curtain. “Yeah. Thanks, Rarity, this is definitely what I asked for.”

Rarity gave a giggle as she added, “In that case, yes, I'm sure that that what you ordered will work with what you have in mind. But I must say, I think you’re maybe taking things too far.”

Applejack grunted as she tugged on something and mumbled, “Maybe, but if I'm goin’ to be carin’ for that little zebra, I gotta show everypony that it would be better if I do it myself.”

Rarity rolled her eyes at the statement. “Yes, Applejack, you told me that many times already.”

Applejack gave a deep sigh as she proclaimed, “Okay, I'm ready.”

Rarity turned to the barrier and smiled as she giggled, “Okay then, Applejack, show us your new outfit.”

Applejack stepped out of the dressing room with an unamused look. Rarity giggled upon seeing her wearing a cute, green colored mares’ bonnet around her face, with a matching green dress with little apples lining the fabric, and a white apron tied around her. Applejack grumbled as she walked up to Rarity with the dress flowing around her, the frills bouncing with every step as she grumbled, “This has to be the most embarrassin’ thing I've ever worn in my life.”

Rarity just waved a hoof as she cooed, “Oh you look splendid, Applejack,” She walked around, inspecting the farm pony mare as she added, “But I have to ask, I thought you were trying to prove you’re not a typical mom?”

Applejack sighed as she looked up and explained. “Look. the idea is that ponies are gonna treat me like a mom no matter what. So I’ll act annoyin’ and be obnoxious, and make everypony at the party like my normal personality better. Then they’ll all leave me alone!”

Rarity smirked as she commented, “Well, I hope that works. Maybe I should give you some tips and tricks about acting?”

Applejack smiled as she asked. “You know how to act?”

Rarity scoffed. “Oh of course I do. Now first off, what are you trying for?”

Applejack pondered for but a second before she replied, “Well, like I said, a typical mom, but annoyin’ and overprotective. I want to be so annoyin’ that ponies’ll beg for the old Applejack to come back.”

Rarity blinked as she asked with great concern, “Darling, you sure you know what you’re doing? Because you might be doing the opposite, and make ponies think you’ll need more help with Zecora.”

Applejack shook her head and replied, “No, I think if I pull this off, ponies are goin’ to want the real me back.”

Rarity sighed and continued, “Well if you say so. I guess, since there’s no stopping you, I might as well teach you some things to help you give a hopefully ‘convincing’ performance.”

Applejack blushed. “Okay and thanks for everythin’, Rarity.”

Rarity waved a hoof again, “No need, darling. Now come on, let's go somewhere with a little more space to practice your act.”

Applejack nodded, and followed Rarity towards the back of the boutique.

Later that day, Apple Bloom was skipping through the Everfree Forest with Zecora. Zecora was hugging the farm filly’s mane tight in fear, as she looked around the dark wood and whimpered, “I didn’ weawise this befowe, but ta Evewfwee Fowest is scawy.”

Apple Bloom cooed, looking down at Zecora. ”Oh, don’t worry, we won’t go too deep.”

The two eventually came upon the hut, and Zecora gasped at it and squealed in realization! “Tat’s my owd hut!”

Apple Bloom nodded and chirped, “Yeah it is, now come on, my friends are waitin’ inside.”

They bounced into the hut where Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were waiting, and both shouted. “Hello Zecora!”

Zecora giggled in surprise and babbled, “Hi ya two,” She didn’t quite know their names even though she’d heard Apple Bloom mention them a few times. “We hewe to hewp.” she offered.

The fillies giggled, as Apple Bloom settled Zecora on the ground, letting her gaze in awe at her old hut. The black cauldron sitting in the middle with all of her potions, books and decorations still standing as they were when she left. The little Zebra babbled, “Wow, tis pwace wooks gweat!”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle blushed as Apple Bloom explained, “Well, I told ya, we wanted to fix this place up before you came. We did what we could to make it how you had it before y turned into a foal. Ya like?”

Zecora turned back to Apple Bloom and whispered, “Is gweat! Ya thwee did a good job, tank you!”

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom beamed in pride as Scootaloo suggested, “Well, how about we celebrate by making Zecora an official Cutie Mark Crusader?!”

Zecora squealed and shouted in delight! “Weawwy?!” She asked.

The fillies all giggled, as Sweetie Belle nodded and replied, “Yep, we all agree that even though you're still a baby, you can still try to find your cutie mark again. I mean, zebras can get cutie marks, right?”

“I tink so,” Zecora commented, and the baby zebra looked at her padded flank, “Weww, I betta get potty twained befowe I get my cutie mawk, I dun quite tink I weady yet, ta potty’s stiww too big fow me, and I stiww dun usuawwy know when I have to go. Bu I’ww twy my best to get my cutie mark again.”

Sweetie Belle chuckled, “That’s great, and I’m sure that’ll motivate you to be potty trained as fast as possible,” She then asked Zecora. “So, do you want to be a Crusader?”

Zecora bounced on her diaper in excitement as she babbled, “Yeah, I’ww be a Cutie Mawk Cwuasda, the fwist evew zebwa one!”

Apple Bloom brought a small red cape over to Zecora, and carefully tied it around her neck. The little zebra squealed in joy and ran around the hut, her cape flapping and her diaper crinkling! The three fillies couldn’t help but daww at the adorable sight. When Zecora finally stopped, she waddled over to Apple Bloom and hugged her leg and babbled, “Tank ya, Abbwe Boom, tis is amazing!”

Apple Bloom cuddled the foal and cooed, “No problem, cutie. Welcome to the club.”

Zecora then broke the embrace and asked, “So, since ta pwace is cwean, can we stawt twying to make a cuwe?”

Apple Bloom gave a nod and chirped, “Yep, that’s the main reason why I brought ya here. We’ve got a few hours before sundown, so let’s get crackin’, Crusaders!”

While all that was going on, Rarity was with Applejack in the back room of Carousel Boutique. Said room was filled with old ponyquins and worn out sewing machines that sat there, gathering dust. Rarity wasn’t bothered by this though, as she with Applejack, instructing the farm pony on how to act like an overbearing mother. “Alright now, let's go through this one more time,” She instructed. “Show me how you’ll walk.”

Applejack sighed as she brought her legs together, and walked slowly and timidly across the floor. She then slowly sat down, brushing her dress. Rarity giggled as she playfully asked, “Hello, Applejack, how are you doing?’

Applejack looked up with a blush and exclaimed, “Oh, hi Rarity, I'm doin’ great! Just put Zecora down for a nap and she’s sleepin’ like a log!”

Rarity gave a nod and continued, “That’s wonderful, dear, and how is the little darling doing?”

Applejack waved a hoof and cooed, “Oh she’s wonderful but she can be such a hooful. She makes such big messes in her diaper and can cry like there’s no tomorrow.”

Rarity giggled (though she wondered how true that statement might actually be, she could remember from her own experiences with her little sister that foals were very smelly and fussy) and continued. “Wow, she really does sound like a hooful! Do you need any help?”

Applejack blushed, “Oh ...well…I wouldn’t mind the assistance. But I want to be with her to change her diapers and keep her out of trouble. She’s such a big pooper you know, and she just never wants to stay still!”

Rarity giggled as she took an empty tea cup and dropped it lightly on the floor, “Oops.”

Applejack immediately came over, picked the cup up, and placed it in Rarity’s hooves as she cooed, “Be careful, deary, we don’t want you getting any booboos,” Rarity couldn't help it and burst into laughter as Applejack gave Rarity a glare and grumbled, “Well, from the looks of it, I’d say I'm ready for that party.”

Rarity got up, gasping for breath. “Yes, you most certainly are,” She then added. “I must admit, that was quite the performance, Applejack. It almost seemed like you weren’t acting at all.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but I'm only doin’ this at the party, and only until they realize it’s better that I raise Zecora on my own.”

Rarity was still giggling even as she replied, “Oh of course, darling. Now let’s get that dress packed up.”

Applejack followed her dress making friend and chuckled as she expressed her desire. “Hopefully, after the party I’ll never have to wear this fru-fru dress again.”

Rarity looked back at the dress and cooed, “That’s too bad, it fits you perfectly if you ask me.”

Applejack blushed and mumbled, “Stop that, Rarity! Ya know I ain’t into these fancy dresses.”

Rarity smirked and lead her friend back to the main room. Applejack went behind the changing barrier and started taking off the dress, and as Rarity waited she asked, “So, Applejack, are you really going to be Zecora’s main caretaker?”

Applejack grunted as she tugged the bonnet off. “I don’t really know,” She admitted. “But Twilight and Celestia haven't found a cure yet, so I guess I’ll be carin’ for her until they do. Apple Bloom’s got school to worry about, Granny Smith ain’t as quick as she used to be, and Big Mac’s gotta focus on pickin’ up the slack for me on the chores.”

Rarity swooned and cooed, “Oh, how very noble of you, Applejack. Zecora’s in good hooves with you, and I’m sure you’ll make a fine motherly figure.”

Applejack stepped out with the dress draped over her back as she shrugged and replied, “I don’t really see it like that, Rarity. I just don’t back down from helpin’ a friend, that’s all.”

Rarity took the dress and bonnet with in her magic and slowly placed it in a shopping bag. “Well, Applejack, if you do need anything at all, just let me know, got it?”

Applejack took the bag in her teeth and grunted, even as she mouthed the reply. “Sure thing, Rarity, and thanks again.”

“Of course, darling, anytime.” Rarity replied, waving a hoof.

Back at Zecora’s hut, The Cutie Mark Crusaders were busy putting ingredients together in the black cauldron, with the liquid inside bubbling quite noticeable. Zecora was busy taking some roots in a bag, as she waddled over to Apple Bloom and tugged at her back hoof and squeaked, “Hey, I got ta woots fow ya!”

Apple Bloom looked down at the zebra with a smile and cooed, “Oh, thanks, Zecora.” The farm filly then picked the roots and threw them into the bubbling liquid. Meanwhile, Zecora came over, stood on her hind legs, put her forelegs over the rim, and looked into the brewing liquid Sweetie Belle lifted the filly, and placed her on the floor while she scolded, “No, Zecora, you stay away from the cauldron. We don't want you falling in, something bad could happen.”

Zecora kicked about in frustration as she whined, “But I wanna hewp! What if makin potions get me my cutie mawk and age back?!”

Apple Bloom came over and said sweetly to Zecora, “Ya did help, cutie butt. But now we have to cook everythin’ and don’t want you gettin’ hurt,” She took out some toys and a baby bottle, and placed them near Zecora as she asked, “How about ya play until the potion is done, okay?

Zecora pouted, crossing her forelegs as the three fillies went back to the cauldron, stirring the liquid with long sticks. The baby zebra watched carefully and babbled, “I dun tink tey got it wight,” She turned to her ursa minor plushie and asked, ”How about we make owa own potion, Beawy?” She waddled over to some ingredients on the ground, unscrewed the top of her bottle, and moaned. “Oh, I fowgots what these awe, shouwd’ve wawbed tem when I had the chance,”

She paused, suckling her hoof until she took some grass roots and babbled, “Weww, I tink tat tis might wowk,” And she put some in with her formula. She then picked up some leaves and placed them into the bottle as well, cooing, “Ya can't go wong with weaves, tey natuawaw. And tey make gweat toiwet patew,” She then picked up berries and babbled. “Yes, bewies! Tey tasty, so tey gots to hewp with ta potion,” And she plopped them into the formula with everything else and cooed to her plushie, “Wook, Beawy, I makin potions again!”

The baby zebra finished by screwing the top on, and shook it until the liquid turned a dark green in color, a rather ominous shade at that. She eyed the concoction as she babbled, “Weww, aww of ta stuff I put in my baba is natuaw, it can’t huwt takin a sippy. Besides, I kind of hungwy,” She then put the bottle up to her lips and took a few sips. Her face turned a sickely shade of green and she spat out the only slightly darker colored sludge. “Bleh, tat gwoss!” She then groaned as the piton went right through her. She held her tummy and moaned, realizing what was gonna happen. “Uh oh.” Was all she had time to say, as she grunted and filled her diaper.

Unaware of Zecora’s experiment, The Cutie Mark Crusaders continued stirring the potion in the big cauldron. But the smell of the dirty diaper soon hit their noses, as Scootaloo was the first to gag, “Oh Celestia, what’s that?! It smells horrible!”

Sweetie Belle held her nose as she groaned. “Apple Bloom, I think Zecora made a stinky. A really big one too.”

Apple Bloom blushed and turned to the baby zebra, her diaper now stained with brown and green, as Apple Bloom turned to the bottle on the ground with the green sludge. She gasped and asked with shock! “Zecora, what happened?! What did you do?!”

Zecora looked up and whimpered as she held her diaper, as the smell of her dirty deed lingered in the air. “I...I was twyin to make a potion, but I just made my tummy ache and messed mysewf.”

Apple Bloom gasped, as she rushed over to Zecora and the empty bottle (its contents had long since spilled out onto the floor), “Zecora, why would you do that?! You could’ve drank somethin’ dangerous!”

Zecora whimpered. “I sowie, I was just twyin to make potions again,” And she began bawling. Apple Bloom sighed, picking her up and cooing. “Hey, it’s okay, Zecora. Luckily, I had the foresight to bring your diaper bag with me.” She put the zebra down and took out the diaper bag. Apple Bloom soon set to work, she slowly untaped the soiled diaper, and when she did the stench hit her square in the muzzle, making her gag as Zecora started tearing up again. Apple Bloom hushed her a bit, while Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both moved towards the door, prompting the farm filly to ask, “Hey, what are you two doin’?!”

Scootaloo replied with a sheepish smile, “Um, Sweetie Belle and I will...um, wait outside until you're finished!” Sweetie Belle blushed and nodded as they both rushed outside for fresh air!

Apple Bloom sighed and went back to changing the foal. She eventually started to wipe away the mess and grumbled. “Zecora, I told ya just to play with your toys.”

The baby zebra looked up at Apple Bloom with puppy dog eyes and whimpered again, “I sowwie Abbwe Bwoom, I didn’ mean ta wuin evewyting.”

Apple Bloom sighed and groaned, “Zecora, I’m not mad at ya. It’s just that you did somethin’ really naughty and dangerous! I hope you don’t do somethin’ like this again.”

The baby zebra whimpered and nodded as she babbled, “I wun. It’s just... it was fun makin potions.”

As Apple Bloom finished balling up Zecora’s diaper and started powdering the foal’s rump, she commented. “Well, I think maybe it’s best, I don’t bring you here anymore.”

Zecora sighed and nodded as she agreed, “Yeah, I tink ya wight. I have a wot of dangewous stuff hewe.”

Apple Bloom nodded and teased, “Yeah, luckily for both of us. that potion you made only gave ya a tummy ache and a stinky diaper.” She then strapped new the diaper around the baby zebra’s rump and patted it, making little cloud of powder poof through the leg holes.

Zecora smiled. “Yeah, good ting it didn’ make me any younga.”

Apple Bloom laughed, tossing the dirty diaper out a nearby window. “Alright, I think we better get going,” And after washing her hooves with a bottle of hoof sanitizer, she took Zecora and trotted out of the hut, where she found Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle with hooffuls of flowers in their mouths. Apple Bloom blushed as she told them, “Hey ya two, I’m goin’ to take Zecora home, can you two finish the potion? Don’t worry ‘bout the diaper, I just tossed it out a window, it’ll just ‘fertilize the soil’ like Granny Smith claims she used to do with me and my siblings when we were foals.”

Both fillies gave a nod and briefly replied, “Uh huh.” as the farm filly gave them a smile, “Thanks, you two are the best.” And with that, Apple Bloom ran through the Everfree Forest, back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Applejack was the first to come home, and found Granny Smith sleeping on her rocking chair. “Good old Granny,” Applejack chuckled to herself. She then went upstairs and looked around asking.“Apple Bloom? Big Mac? Ya here?” Hearing nothing, she smirked as she remembered. “Oh yeah, Apple Bloom took Zecora to play with her friends,” She then went to her room, placed the shopping bag on her bed and thought, “Well, I’d better get back to the Apple Buckin’. Big Mac’s been doin’ it all by himself for almost a day now.”She was going to leave, when she turned to a mirror, looking at herself in nothing but her simple brown stetson hat, and blushed as she looked around, peeking through the door. She slowly closed the door, went to the bag, and pulled out the dress as she smirked, “Alright, Applejack, but just for a little bit,” She slowly draped it over herself and blushed seeing how well it looked as she whispered. “Without the apron and bonnet, it don’t look half bad.”

Apple Bloom suddenly burst into the room and blushed as she replied with a sheepish smile, “Oh, Applejack, I just uh came back before sundown with Zecora and...uh...wanted to let ya know.”

Applejack jumped and blushed, crossing her forelegs as she stammered, “Oh, hey Apple Bloom, just uh... tryin’ on a dress that Rarity made for me.”

Apple Bloom giggled nervously. “Yeah, okay Applejack. I changed Zecora’s diaper and um she’s fine, so...I’ll go play with her downstairs.”

Applejack, still blushing, nodded as Apple Bloom giggled and slowly closed the door. Applejack groaned and threw the dress off her as she grumbled, “I wonder if this is going to be worth it.” Before she slowly went down the stairs.

Chapter 8: A Foal Day Party

Pinkie Pie was busy decorating the house at Sweet Apple Acres with balloons and party decorations, spreading confetti everywhere in the living room. Fluttershy was fluttering around and helping out, placing streamers in the rafters as well humming to herself. Pinkie shouted in delight. “Oh, I can’t wait until Zecora sees this!”

Fluttershy nodded and whispered. “Oh yes, this is quite exciting...I..I myself would love to see the baby zebra.”

Pinkie chirped. “Yeah, me too! I would’ve visited her every day! But I wanted to show myself to the cutie during the party, that way it’ll be a surprise!”

Fluttershy blushed. “Oh, well...I was just nervous about seeing her myself...I want to..but you know…”

Pinkie scoffed and she waved a hoof as she chirped. “Oh Fluttershy, stop being so nervous. Besides, Zecora is going to look so cute in that sleeper you got her.”

Fluttershy blushed more as she covered her face. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe you can say it was from you?”

But Pinkie hugged her friend and ruffled the yellow coated pegasus’ mane. “Oh no you don’t, you're going to give your present to Zecora yourself!”

Fluttershy was still nervous as she backed up, blushing, “Alright, but um..what did you get Zecora?”

Pinkie squealed happily as she explained! “I got her a jumbo pack of Silly Filly diapers, a mini party cannon, and a giant birthday cake!”

Fluttershy giggled. “Oh, wow that’s quite a lot. You really think she needs a jumbo size pack of diapers though? I mean she could only be a foal for a few more weeks.”

But the pink party pony only cooed, “From what I heard, Zecora goes through diapers like you wouldn’t believe.”

Fluttershy gasped! “Oh dear! You don’t think she could be sick or something?”

Pinkie shook her head. “I don’t think so. Applejack would’ve told us if something was wrong.”

“Not if she doesn't understand foals,” Fluttershy commented with worry. “I remember when I first cared for bunnies, that it took me awhile to understand when they were sick. Maybe I should…”

Pinkie rolled her eyes as she put the finishing touches to the decorations and replied, “Oh don’t worry, Applejack seems to be managing just fine to me.”

Fluttershy finished putting up the streamers and turned to see Granny Smith putting apple pies around the giant cake. She asked. “ Where’s Applejack?”

Granny Smith chuckled, trying to keep a straight face. “Oh, she said somethin’ about gettin’ her mane done at the spa.”

Pinkie and Fluttershy both laughed as Pinkie got up. “Applejack at the Spa?! I have to see this!” And she bounced off in excitement as Fluttershy stood back. “I’ll just, um...stay here.”

Granny Smith cooed, “Oh thanks sugarcube. How about you have a taste of some apple pies just to be sure I got it right…”

Rarity was walking back and forth in the spa. She was wearing a purple colored dress with her mane and tail curled perfectly, while the spa mares were working on Applejack’s mane and tail. The farm mare who was now wearing her green frilly dress, and she groaned. “ Rarity, I don’t know if this is necessary.”

But Rarity waved a hoof. “Of course it is, darling. You're going to need to have your mane and tail done to complete the look.”

Lotus giggled. “Oh yes, Applejack is going to be the best looking mom in Equestria.” She said through her strong accent.

Aloe was looking Applejack over and added in her accent, “I would say I'm jealous already.”

Applejack only continued to groan, “Just stop, I'm not doin’ this for fun you know.”

After Aloe and Lotus had finished, Applejack got up, putting her bonnet over her cute mane tied into cute ponytails that draped over her shoulders, with her tail braided with bows and ribbons. Rarity, with a big smile, cooed, “Oh, you look just wonderful darling.”

Applejack blushed and patted her mane, “Thanks, I guess…”

Rarity came over, patted her friend behind her back, and cooed, “Don’t be shy, Applejack. Now come on, we should get going before we're late for Zecora’s party.”

Applejack just nodded, and the two then strolled out of the spa and towards Sweet Apple Acres. Along the way ponies eyed Applejack, some even giggled, making the farm mare pull the bonnet over her face as Rarity gave her friend a smirk as she cooed, “Applejack are you going to start acting?”

Applejack shook her head and explained, “No, not until we reach the party. And I’m only doin’ it til ponies get the message, that I can take care of Zecora on my own with no help from anypony.”

Rarity cooed, nudging her friend. “Come on, you might as well to get into the mood. You know you’re still new to the acting business, especially compared to me.”

Applejack grumbled and started slowing her trot, looking up with a blush on her cheeks, when all of a sudden Pinkie Pie bounced up to her shouting, “Applejack!” Applejack blushed when Pinkie bounced around her, lifting the dress and giggling. “This is the greatest dress ever! Rarity, you have to make me one too!”

Rarity cooed, “Of course, darling. But I think we should make some design alterations. Applejack’s dress...is for a more maternal look.”

Applejack blushed and added. “Yeah, and not that I mean to be rude or anythin’ Pinkie Pie….but...um you don’t have any foals. Or do you?” She asked, wondering if Pinkie had somehow already had foals without anypony knowing.

Pinkie laughed, then gave Applejack a wink. “No, at least not yet. I mean technically I’m not the one who’s having foals, but Mr. and Mrs. Cake told me they may be having foals in the future, so I could be an Auntie Pinkie soon!”

Rarity dawwed and cooed, “Oh, that would be just lovely. Well after the party, I can start with getting your measurements. Perhaps Mrs. Cake’s measurements as well.”

Pinkie nodded and squealed. “Alright! You hear that, Applejack?! We can be both moms!”

Applejack grumbled in her mind, but when she spoke she just cooed, “Sounds great sugarcube,” The three friends continued on their way to the party as Applejack asked, “So um...Pinkie, is Zecora’s party ready?”

Pinkie happily nodded. “Yepperoni, everything is all set up and ready to go! Zecora’s going to love it!”

Applejack sighed in relief and cooed, “That’s wonderful, Pinkie. Thank you for everythin’ sugarcube. Zecora and I greatly appreciate it.”

Pinkie eyed Applejack while bouncing in front of her, and looked at the farm mare both up and down, “Are you okay, Applejack?” She asked with concern. “You're not acting like yourself.”

But Applejack shrugged as she innocently replied, “Oh, don’t worry about me, sugarcube. Just make sure you watch where you're bouncin’.”

Rarity and Pinkie Pie both stopped with smirks on their faces. Applejack turned and eyed her friends and asked, “What?” They both burst out laughing as Applejack rolled her eyes and grumbled. “Come on you two. Out with it!”

Pinkie got up giggling, “Oh Applejack, don’t be a grumpy grump. I’m just having a little fun!”

Rarity blushed and waved a hoof again as she cooed, “I guess your act isn’t going to fool everypony, Applejack.”

The farm pony blushed, before coming over and with a handkerchief and wiping Rarity's face while cooing. “Oh look at all that rouge makeup on your face. Let's get you cleaned up,” Rarity backed up as Pinkie smirked, but Applejack came over to the party pony and wiped the pink coated mare’s face too while cooing. “Oh stand still, would ya? Mama Jackie needs to clean you up.”

Even Pinkie blushed and stepped back. “Okay, that’s enough.” She said firmly.

Applejack smirked back at Pinkie and asked, “Are ya sure, Pinkie? Was my act convincin’ enough?”

Pinkie smiled and chirped. “Yep, that was pretty convincing alright. Now come on, let’s get going.” Pinkie then bounced off down the road, with Applejack and Rarity following close behind.

Apple Bloom was carrying Zecora on her back, the little zebra was hugging the farm filly’s mane tightly as she was skipping down the road with her friends. Zecora had ice cream all over her face, wearing nothing but her poofy diaper with its cute green leak guards. She kicked about in her padding as she cooed, “Apple Bloom, why ya takin’ me fow ice cweam and ta pawk and stuff?”

Apple Bloom blushed and turned to her fellow crusaders for help, but her friends shrugged unsure of what to say. Apple Bloom turned back to Zecora and stammered, “Well...um...it’s just, we wanted to play with ya and have some fun now that you're a Cutie Mark Crusader.”

Zecora giggled, scrunching her diaper as she babbled, “Well, while ya and ya fwiends wewe makin’ potions, I twied to make bubbwes in ta bath tub.”

Sweetie Belle swooned and cooed, “Oh, that’s o cute.”

Scootaloo added with a chirp. “So, did you get your cutie mark?”

Zecora giggled as she playfully shook her head. “No, I just made bath bubbwes in ta bathie.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and grumbled, “Not just the tub, she covered the entire bathroom in those darn bubbles.”

Zecora blushed, and the embarrassed foal hid her face with her hooves, making the filles giggle in unison. Sweetie Belle dawwed again and cooed, “Oh she is just a little cutie, isn’t she?”

Apple Bloom nodded and agreed, “Yeah, she is a cutie alright. Now we better head back to Sweet Apple Acres, it's almost time for Zecora’s nap. And ya don’t want to see what she’s like if she doesn’t have her nap.”

The other fillies giggled at this, making Zecora suspicious and prompting her to ask, “Why tat funny, I hate nap time!” She pouted and crossed her hooves as Apple Bloom scoffed, “Oh stop it, Zecora, you have to take a nap or you get fussy.”

Zecora smiled and babbled, “Yeah, ya wight. I do get a wittwe fussy.”

They were now at the door of the house next to the barn at Sweet Apple Acres, and Apple Bloom shouted, “Alright, Zecora, we’re here!”

The baby zebra blinked in confusion and babbled, “Whas goin on?”

The door was swung wide open, and a ton of ponies jumped out from every corner of the room shouting. “Surprise!”

Zecora squealed, falling back with a loud hissing sound echoing throughout the house.

Just then, Applejack bounced over in her newly styled mane, and the fancy clothes, as Apple Bloom asked in shock! “Applejack, what are you wearin’?!”

Applejack waved a hoof. “Oh, don’t you worry about it, sugarcube,” She then picked the little zebra up and started nuzzling her. “Oh what a cutie patootie, did you soak your little diaper?”

Zecora blushed and kicked about while shouting. “Whas going on?!”

Applejack hugged Zecora close, pulling the waistband of the diaper and cooing. “Only a little wet, but that’s okay, Mommy Jackie’s got you.”

Some ponies snickered as Zecora eyed Applejack, “Uh, Abbwejack, tanks, bu whas going on?”

Pinkie Pie bounced up to the zebra, and ruffled the foal’s mane and explained. “It’s a party for you of course!”

Zecora gasped in surprise, “Fow me?! Weawwy?! Tanks Pinkie Pie, tis is amazing!”

Pinkie squealed happily, “No problem, cutie.”

Applejack nuzzled the baby zebra again and cooed, “Well, we’d better get your soaked diapee changed, then we can enjoy the party together, huh?” She then bounced up the stairs, with Zecora hugging Applejack’s mane with a big smile painted on her face.

After the change Applejack skipped downstairs, with Zecora bouncing on her back. She came to the living room, where Applejack’s friends were milling about in the living room, drinking punch and laughing. Twilight turned towards Applejack and Zecora, and smiled as she chirped. “Oh, hey you two, how’s it going?”

Applejack waved a hoof, playfully cooing. “Oh just wonderful. But Zecora just soaked her little diapee so I had to change her.”

Zecora was putting her hooves over her face and groaning. “Abbwejack, ya embewassin me! Why ya doin tis?!”

Twilight laughed a bit. “Oh, Applejack is just being a mommy, that’s all,” She cooed, then she lifted the little baby zebra in her magic, and cuddled Zecora in her hooves and rubbed her face all over the foal cooing, “Oh, you’re soft and cuddly.”

Zecora giggled, “Tanks, Twily.” She hugged Twilight as Applejack blushed and cooed, “Oh, Twilight, be careful! She just had ice cream and dairy sometimes makes her a little-.”

Just then, Zecora spat up over Twilight, making everypony else in the room laugh, as Twilight sighed, “Right, gasy. Well that’s to be expected.” She sighed, as she hoofed Zecora back to Applejack.

The baby zebra groaned upon seeing the spit up all over Twilight’s coat, “Oh, I sowwie Twily, I didn’ mean to.”

Twilight looked down, as she used a rag to start cleaning her coat. Then she looked up at Zecora while smiling. “Oh, it’s alright, just a little spit up is all.”

Fluttershy slowly trotted into the living room while blushing “Oh you poor dear,” She walked right past Twilight, cuddled Zecora, and nuzzled her as she cooed softly, “Are you alright? It looks like you have a tummy ache.”

The little foal shook her head and babbled in protest, “I fine. Ta ice cweam made my tummy achie, but I fine now.”

Fluttershy nodded and placed the foal gently on the ground, then she started to tickle her with a wing while cooing. “Who’s the little cutie? You are, yes you are,” This made the baby zebra squirm and laugh. kicking about and making her diaper crinkle adorably. The pegasus with a coat of yellow then looked up at Applejack and whispered, “Well, um...Applejack...I don't know much about foals...but well..I always wanted to try my hoof at foalsitting. Maybe I can come by and watch Zecora once in awhile? I’m sure she won’t be too much trouble.”

Applejack waddled over to the bashful pegasus, and hugged Fluttershy. “Oh, thank you so much, Fluttershy. I would love for you to come over.”

Rarity then skipped over with her friends and squealed upon seeing the little zebra trying to sit up all by herself, plopping her padded rump onto the couch with each attempt. Rarity squealed. “Oh, I swear she’s the cutest thing ever! Even Sweetie Belle as a foal couldn’t compare!” She rushed over, scooping Zecora up into her hooves and covering her with kisses. Zecora rubbed her hooves over her face while giggling. “Stop it, ya embawassin me!”

Rarity just dawwed, booping Zecora’s nose, “Ok, cutie butt, but I can’t wait until you open my present. You're just going to look adorable in your new outfits.”

Applejack cooed, “Oh thank you, Rarity, that does sound great. I’ll be sure she wears every one of ‘em.”

Then Rainbow Dash flew in out of nowhere, grabbing Zecora in her hooves and twirling her around while shouting, “Oh my gosh! Is that really Zecora?!”

Zecora pouted and crossed her hooves, “Yeah, an I wememba you! Ya cwashed aww ova ta pwace in my hut an made a mess!”

The cyan coated pegasus gave a nervous chuckle and blushed as she explained, “Yeah, sorry about that. It was that stupid poison joke’s fault, hard to fly straight with inverted wings.”

Zecora burst into laughter and babbled. “Is okay, I just jokin’.”

Rainbow Dash started laughing too, “Oh, you got me good. Maybe we have a junior prankster on our hooves.” She ruffled the filly’s mane, but Applejack turned her head and cooed, “Oh Rainbow Dash, be careful please. I don’t want Zecora fallin’ and getting a boo boo.”

Rainbow reluctantly stepped back as she commented, “Uh, okay, Applejack. But...I have to say, you’re not acting like yourself.”

Applejack blushed and crossed her foreleg and whispered. “I don’t know what you mean.” She then sat down on the couch and hugged Zecora close, nuzzling her with Rainbow and Twilight looking at her with astonishment.

Just then, Pinkie suddenly bounced in and shouted. “Hey you three, come into the kitchen! It's time for Zecora to blow out her candles!” Pinkie led them all to the kitchen table where a giant pink cake, filled with white frilly frosting was waiting. And written on it were the words,“Happy foal day, Zecora!” next to a dozen sparkling candles.

Zecora squealed at the sight of it. “Oh wow, is tis mine?! And why’s it cawwed ‘Foaw Day?’” All the ponies at the party giggled and Applejack dawwed, “Oh, what an adorable cake. I love it!”

Pinkie started jumping up and down shouting in excitement, “Oh thank you so much you two! As for me putting ‘Happy Foal Day’ on it, Zecora, I thought it would make more sense than birthday! After all, we don’t know when your birthday actually is!” The energetic pink pony skipped over and then asked, “How about we sing ‘Happy Foal Day’?!”

“I thought the song was called ‘Happy Birthday’?” Twilight commented, raising an eyebrow.

Pinkie laughed and explained, “Well, it’s not her birthday. So I thought we’d sing happy birthday and just replace birthday with foal day!”

The curious foal peeked over Applejack’s shoulder and babbled, “Foaw Day is fine, wet’s sing! I wan some of tat cake!”

Everypony giggled and started singing “Happy Foal Day” to Zecora, who blushed and hugged Applejack’s mane tightly with her tiny hooves. Then the singing ended and Pinkie exclaimed, “Okay now, Zecora, blow out the candles!”

Apple Bloom came over smiling as she instructed, “Hold on, Zecora, ya gotta make a wish first.”

Zecora turned to the cake and closed her eyes for a moment, then her eyes lit up, and she gave a deep breath and blew the candles out in one loud puff. Everypony clapped and Pinkie squealed. “Oh, that was amazing!” She bounced over and started cutting the cake.

Applejack slowly placed Zecora in her highchair and strapped a bib over her neck and nuzzled her, “Alright, cutie, let’s get some yum yum cake into your tum tum.”

Pinkie placed a huge piece of cake on Zecora’s tray, and Zecora’s eyes went wide! “Oh, wow, tats awot of cake!”

Applejack took a piece with a rubber fork and cooed, “That’s right, cutie. Now, I’ll feed ya until your tum tum is full. We don’t want you spittin’ up cake too.”

Zecora giggled and opened her mouth wide, as Applejack slipped a piece of cake into her mouth. The baby zebra squealed, munching on her cake as she giggled, “Tis is gweat! I wove it!”

Pinkie beamed in pride and cooed, “Oh thank you, Zecora. I’m glad you're enjoying it, I made it myself you know.”

Zecora looked up and babbled, “Weww, is gweat! I wana eat cake fwom Sugacube Cowna evewyday.”

But Applejack only shook her head. “No way little cutie, you can have cake once in awhile, but not everyday. You’ll get sick”

Pinkie laughed and chirped. “Oh Applejack, stop being a worry wart. I ate cake everyday as a filly and look at me, I’m fine.” Applejack rolled her eyes as Zecora giggled. Applejack continued feeding the filly cake with her friends now grabbing a piece.

Apple Bloom looked up at Zecora with a longing look and asked, “Hey, Zecora...what did you wish for?”

Zecora smiled at Apple Bloom with frosting all over her face and blushed. “Well…” Everypony turn to her as she looked up at everypony and cooed, “I wish to be a foaw fow a wittwe wonger.” Everypony dawwed and Apple Bloom teared up smiling at Zecora as she whispered. “Happy Foal Day.”

Chapter 9: presents and surprises

Zecora was now seated with dozens of gifts on the table. Granny Smith cooed. “Okay, whose present should we open first?”

Pinkie immediately jumped up, shouting! “She should open mine, it's the best!” The pink party pony shoved the present up to Zecora, who giggled as she tore the wrapping paper and opened the box, revealing a giant package of “Silly Filly” brand diapers. Everypony giggled as Applejack cooed, picking up the package. “Oh, wow! These diapers will make Zecora super cute.” She commented.

The baby zebra squealed, hugging a package and feeling the diapers inside crinkle. She babbled, “Tey gweat, I wove tem! Tank you, Pinkie!”

Pinkie squealed, “It's okay, cutie! As long as you're happy.”

Zecora smiled and nuzzled Pinkie Pie, then turned her attention to the other gifts, “Otay, what’s next?”

Twilight took a small package, and hoofed it to Zecora and replied, “Hey cutie, here’s something to help you get back into reading.”

Zecora ripped through the package, and she squealed, pulling out a giant dark green book with big, bright yellow letters, and she babbled, “Wow, wha does it say?!”

Twilight blushed and cooed, “Oh, it says: ‘Foal’s First Book on Herbs and Plants in the Everfree Forest’.”

Zecora giggled. “Oh, what a titwe! Bu it might be some time befowe I can wead it.” Sure enough, she started to skim through it, but she couldn’t read anything.

Applejack took the book and added. “Thanks, Twilight. I'll read it every night to Zecora before nighty nights.”

Zecora giggled, and then turned her attention to a gift wrapped in a purple wrapping paper. She slowly opened it, revealing many different cute clothes, purple and pink onesies, cute pink plastic diaper covers, and on top of all the clothing was a pretty purple dress and a tiara. The zebra giggled. “Oh, tis is just gweat!” Applejack nodded with wide eyes. “Oh yes, you're going to be a pretty little princess.” The baby zebra twirled it about. “Abbwejack, can I weaw tis, pwease?!”

Applejack came over and cooed, “Of course, now put those adorable hooves up to the sky!”

Zecora did just that, raising her hooves. Applejack slipped the dress over the zebra, and she squealed, bouncing up and down as she babbled. “Ta dwess is gweat!”

Rarity nodded and cooed, “Oh, that's wonderful, darling. Luckily, Applejack already told me your measurements. Hopefully, I got them just right.”

Zecora giggled, before seeing that the dress did nothing to hide her diaper and babbled, “Evewythin is fine, bu why is my dwess so smaww?”

Applejack nuzzled her as she explained. “So we can all get to see your pretty little diaper, sweetie.”

Zecora giggled, nuzzling Applejack. Then she went to the next present, it was wrapped in yellow paper. Zecora opened it, peeked in, and gasped, bringing out a tiny bunny sleeper. The little zebra hugged it, feeling how soft it was, and asked. “W..who got tis fow me?”

Fluttershy tried hiding behind Pinkie, who giggled shoving her out into the open as the yellow coated pegasus shrieked in surprise. Zecora squealed as she babbled in realization, “Fwuttashy! Ya ta one who made tis fow me!”

Fluttershy gulped, stuttering, “W..well...no...Rarity made it. I...um just gave her the idea.” The mare squealed and covered her face again making everypony laugh. Zecora giggled again “Oh Fuwttashy, stop being so shy! I wove ta bunny suit, it’s so cute!”

Everypony dawwed and Fluttershy perked up, smiling. “Oh thank you, Zecora,” The little zebra made grabby hooves, and Fluttershy went up to her and hugged her close, nuzzling the foal as she whispered, “Happy Foal day.”

Zecora nuzzled Fluttershy back, making the mare blush. Applejack came over, reluctantly tapping Fluttershy on the shoulder as she whispered, “Hey...um...Fluttershy, I don’t want to bother you...but uh we should get on with the presents.”

Fluttershy jumped back giggling, “Right, sorry.”

Applejack nuzzled her yellow coated friend. “Oh, don’t be sorry. We just want cute little Zecora to open the rest of her presents before night fall.”

Zecora then turned to the next present, it was huge and bulky, and wrapped in blue wrapping paper. Zecora tore through it, gasping at a Wonderbolt foal kit, with diapers with thunderbolts, onesies, and pacifiers. Rainbow Dash shouted with enthusiasm, ”So, what do you think, Zecora?! I..I mean is it not the best birthday present ever?!”

Zecora looked up at the cyan coated pegasus with a big smile, “Is gweat, tank ya, Wainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash flew up and squealed. “Of course! I knew you’d like it!”

The baby zebra then turned to another bulky present, this one wrapped in red wrapping paper. Big Mac blushed as Applejack cooed, “Oh Big Mac, you got somethin’ for Zecora?”

Big Macintosh blushed harder, hiding his face. The baby zebra tore through the wrapping paper and beneath it was a big, red coated stallion plushie (in other words a plushie form of Big Mac). Zecora squealed and hugged it close, shouting. “I wove it, tis is a amazin’ pwesent!”

Big Mac came up and gave Zecora a huge hug, as the baby zebra pecked him on the cheek. Granny Smith then came up, putting a bright green package on the filly’s tray. “Alright young un’, time that ya got my little gift. This took me quite some time to make.”

Zecora nodded and started ripping the lumpy package open. She found a cute foal blanket. It was dark green in color with bright green, red and yellow apples decorated all over the fabric. She touched it, feeling how fuzzy and warm it wa, ands whispered, “Tis is so soft and fluffy.”

Granny gave a bright smile and cooed, “Well thanks, sugarcube. It was quite the hassle to make.”

Zecora gasped, “I so sowie, Gwanny! Ya didn’ have ta do tat fow me tough!”

But Granny came over and ruffled Zecora’s mane, reassuring her. “It's alright, sugarcube. For you, I would do it again.”

Zecora hugged the mare’s nose and nuzzled her as she whispered, “Tanks Gwanny, ya ta best.”

The next present was presented, with Scootaloo fluttering up near Zecora and placing it next to her. She peered at the small orange colored box, and opened the lid and giggled. “Wha is it?”

Apple Bloom smiled as she explained, “Oh, it's somethin’ we made at your hut.”

Zecora gasped, seeing a vial with some purple liquid inside it! She eyed it and asked, “Is this a cuwe?!”

Apple Bloom shook her head as she explained, “Oh no, it's just somethin’ we whipped up to help calm your stomach, ‘case ya get anymore tummy aches.”

Scootaloo nodded and added, “Yeah, we looked at some of your old notes and made it yesterday. I'm pretty sure it will work if your tummy aches.”

Twilight took the vail within her magic and decided, ”I’d better inspect it first before we give it to Zecora.”

The baby zebra giggled as she asked. “Afta ya finished checking it, can I have it back?”

Twilight turned and cooed, “Oh yes, of course. It was a very thoughtful gift.”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders beamed at Twilight. Then Applejack took something from her apron and set a box in front of the little zebra. Zecora giggled, “Wha is it?”

Applejack came around, and snuggled the little zebra and cooed, “Open it up and find out.”

Zecora turned her attention to the final package and slowly tore through the wrapping paper with everypony watching her. She lifted the top and gasped, lifting out a baby bottle covered with cartoon apples. Zecora squealed, hugging it and shouting! “I wove it! I wove it!”

Applejack dawwed, lifting the tiny zebra with her little legs kicking adorably, making the cutest crinkling noise ever. She nuzzled her a few times, before placing the foal on her back. Turning towards her friends with a cute smile on her face, she turned and cooed. “Thanks everypony for the lovely gifts, how about I dress Zecora up and when I come back we play some party games?”

Pinkie squealed, “That sounds like a great idea! I’ll set some up!”

Applejack nodded. “And I’ll go get Zecora ready.” And she took the bags of presents upstairs. She placed Zecora on her bed and the baby zebra eyed her. “Abbwejack, why ya actin so weiwd?”

Applejack nuzzled her as she stripped Zecora of her wet diaper, “Oh it’s nothin’, just havin’ a little fun is all.”

Zecora giggled. “Bu ya actin’ so siwwy.”

Applejack took one of the big, pink, poofy diapers out of the jumbo pack, and cooed, “Oh just you wait, soon you'll be the silly one.”

Zecora groaned, putting her hooves over her eyes, “Do I gotta weaw tose? Tey way too fwiwwy.”

But Applejack cooed, “Oh stop that frettin’, your Auntie Pinkie Pie got ‘em just for you, cutie butt.” She then powdered Zecora up and started taping her into the big poofy diaper. Zecora blushed as she replied, “Abbwejack, tank you fow evewythin’. I weawwy wove ta pawty!”

Applejack patted the filly’s rump as she giggled, “Thank you for being a good baby zebra, cutie butt., The farm mare smirked as she took out the frilly purple dress, “Rarity really went all out with this.”

Zecora was prodding her new padding and grumbling. “Is so poofy, I can’t even cwose my legs.”

Applejack turned to Zecora in her big poofy diaper and giggled, “What are you talkin’’ about, I think it’s perfect.”

Zecora rolled her eyes. “Uh huh. So funny, Abbwejack.”

Applejack just cooed, “Alright, now lift those cute hoofsies to the sky.”

Zecora blushed, reluctantly lifting her chubby forehooves, as Applejack slowly placed the dress over and smoothed it out. But it did nothing to hide her big, pink, poofy diaper. The baby zebra blushed, ruffling around in the purple dress, “Weww, how do I wook?”

Applejack giggled. “You look like the prettiest little filly in Ponyville.” And she lifted the blushing zebra, and placed the foal on her back.

Applejack then skipped back downstairs, and all the ponies turned to see the cute filly. She blushed, trying to hide her diaper with the dress, but this just made the ponies laugh even more. Rarity squealed, rushing over to examine the dress, “It’s perfect, darling.” Zecora complained ,”Bu it dun hide my diapee.” And Rarity giggled, “Sorry. It’s just that, for foals I thought the dress could be short, so mommies can have easy access to their foal’s diapers.”

Pinkie squealed, bouncing up to Zecora and lifting the dress, “You’re wearing my silly filly diapers! How do you like them?”

The baby zebra babbled, “Tey poofy, bu gweat. I bet tey gonna keep me dwy fow houaws.” Pinkie in her excitement grabbed and cuddled the filly close to her and cooed, “Oh, I bet. I heard you're quite the soaker.” Zecora kicked about making the diaper crinkle loudly as she squealed.

Then the baby zebra turned to Applejack and asked, “I guess it’s otay. Can I pway pin ta tawe on ta pony?”

Pinkie nodded. “Sure, let’s get to playing!” She bounced away with Zecora as Applejack cautioned, “Be careful, Pinkie! Don't bounce Zecora around too much, she might wet her diaper!”

Pinkie stopped, putting a pink blindfold around Zecora’s eyes, and placed the foal on the floor. She wiggled about in her dress and poofy pink diaper. Everypony watched her crawl across the ground towards the small pony on the wall. Apple Bloom was shouting in encouragement! “You can do it, Zecora! Pin the tail on that pony!”

Zecora snapped the tail on the wall, threw the blindfold off, and saw that the tail was on the pony’s face and blushed. “Uh oh, I wost.”

But Applejack picked the foal up up and snuggled her, “Oh, you didn’t lose. You did well for your first try, yes you did, yes you did.”

Zecora turned to the paper pony on the wall and eyed it. “I gonna twy again!” She vowed, and was placed on the ground and had the blindfold tied around her again. She waddled straight to the pony, but put the tail over it. She looked up and groaned, “Oh no, not again!”

Applejack came over and hugged her as she asked, “How ‘bout I help ya?” The farm mare picked the baby zebra up by the waistband of the diaper with her giggling. She took out the tail and Applejack waddled to the paper pony, Zecora garbling as they got closer. “A little to the right.” Applejack instructed.

Zecora snapped the tail on the pony’s rump, threw the blindfold off, and squealed in delight! “I did it!” Everypony around her clapped and cheered.

Applejack hugged the little zebra and nuzzled her close, “Oh, I know you did. Such a smart, cute foal.”

Zecora just bounced up and down shouting, “Did ya see, Mommy?! Did ya see?!”

Applejack gave her a boop on the nose. “Oh yes I did.” And she hugged Zecora close, patting her diaper and smothering Zecora in kisses.

Then Pinkie shouted, “Hey, how about we do ‘The Pony Pokey’ next?!”

Zecora nodded. “Yeah, wets do it!” She wiggled off and headed to the middle of the room with the rest of the guests. Applejack stepped back, but Pinkie Pie jumped up and pushed her into the circle, “Come on Mommy Jackie, you have to play too!” Applejack grumbled as she was pushed to the center.

Later that evening, most of the ponies at the party were gone. Only Applejack’s family, and her friends stayed, sitting around and talking. As Zecora was building blocks with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the baby zebra heard her stomach grumble and she whined. “Abbwejack, I hungwy.”

Applejack simply replied. “Oh dear, better get you a a baba.” And scampered off to the kitchen to make Zecora a bottle. She came back, scooped up the zebra, and cradled her into the embrace of her forehooves, watching the baby zebra suckle gently on her new bottle. Twilight dawwed, “Wow, she calmed down immediately with you.”

Applejack blushed, “Thanks, Twilight. It’s amazin’ how well we’ve been gettin’ along.”

Rainbow Dash groaned. “Okay, Applejack, what’s going on with you, seriously? Why are you acting so weird?”

Applejack looked up with a smile, “Oh it’s nothin’, just carin’ for Zecora changed me a little.”

Rarity giggled as she waved a hoof. “Don’t fret, darling. I think you're doing just wonderful.”

Pinkie hopped over to Applejack and gave her a big hug and exclaimed, “Don’t listen to Rainbow Dash! I LOVE your new personality!”

Rainbow Dash still had her hooves crossed and grumbled, “Well I don’t like it, I want the old Applejack back.”

Twilight turned to the cyan coated pegasus and replied. “Well, I did read that mares go through personality changes with foals. It’s actually quite common, and I'm fine with Applejack getting in touch with her maternal side.”

Applejack’s face turned a deep red and she whispered. “Thanks, Twilight, you're such a cutie when you say something smart.”

Twilight blushed at this as, Rainbow rolled her eyes and turned to Fluttershy, who was smiling while gently sipping a cup of tea. The cyan coated pegasus asked, “So, Fluttershy what do you think about all of this?”

Fluttershy squeaked. “I...I don't know…”

But Rainbow insisted, flying up to her friend. “Come on, Fluttershy, back me up here. Didn’t you like the old Applejack better?”

The shy yellow coated pegasus mare hid behind her wings as she stammered, “W..well..I like her new personality..a lot really…”

Applejack smiled at Fluttershy. “Thanks, Fluttershy. I’m glad that ya do.”

Rainbow groaned, sitting back onto the couch as Applejack cooed, “Oh, it’s alright, Rainbow Dash. Do you need some warm milk? I'm sure that will cheer you up.” Everypony laughed out loud at the statement as the angry tomboyish mare grumbled, “Now you're just being silly!” Pinkie Pie and Rarity both exchanged smirks.

Zecora finished her bottle, and turned and asked, “Hey, Abbwejack, awe ya wowwied about somethin?”

Applejack shook her head and explained, “Oh no, nothin’ like that, I’m..just..well..well..lovin’ bein a mommy.” Her friends all dawwed at the statement.

Twilight nodded and chirped, “That's great to hear! Let us know if you need anything, okay? I can even come by and teach Zecora how to read once in awhile.”

Zecora giggled, “Yeah, tat wowd be gweat! Though Cheewiwee’s awweady teaching me.”

Fluttershy smiled, “I could foalsit once in awhile.”

Rarity chimed in, “That’s simply darling, I would love to come by as well. I could use some inspiration for my new foal line, not to mention a model.”

Pinkie raised hoof as she started bouncing. “Oh, I wanna help too! I would love to help out!”

Applejack turned to Pinkie with a small smile, “Oh Pinkie, there’s no need…”

But Rainbow Dash interrupted and offered, “I should do something to help too. Maybe I could teach Zecora how to fight Timberwolves. She lives in the Everfree Forest for Celestia’s sake! She’s gotta learn how to protect herself! Self defense and all that!”

Applejack turned and shook her head. “No way, Rainbow Dash! My little appleseed isn't going anywhere near the Everfree Forest, too dangerous!”

Rainbow Dash groaned. “Fine, whatever, just trying to help.”

Applejack rolled her eyes and looked over to the window to see the sun setting and mumbled, “I’m goin’ to get Zecora into her cute bunny sleeper.” She then carried Zecora upstairs, and as Applejack started to take off Zecora’s dress, the baby zebra looked up at Applejack with a curious look and asked, “Hey, Abbwejack, why awe ya actin’ so diffewent?”

Applejack sighed, looked at the baby zebra, and replied, “Oh, well...I..I didn’t want anypony thinkin’ that I’m not capable of carin’ for you by myself.”

The baby zebra (who was now having a cute bunny sleeper being put over her head) asked, “Why ya actin’ so weiwd tough?”

Applejack lifted the bunny hood over the baby zebra’s head and continued to explain, “Look, it was supposed to make my friends miss the old me. And so far it seems to have only worked on Rainbow Dash.”

Zecora sighed while pouting, and babbled angrily, “Weawwy, Abbwejack? We aww wove ya no mattaw what. Ya showd go downstaiws and just act wike yasewf.”

Applejack smirked as she looked at Zecora and replied, “Yeah, you’re right. This plan is stupid and gettin’ out of control.”

Zecora nodded, and got up in her cute bunny costume and babbled excitedly, “Otay ten, wets go downstaiws.”

Applejack nodded, putting Zecora back on her back. She slowly stepped downstairs and turned to her friends. They all turned to see Zecora in her cute bunny sleeper, complete with a poofy tail and long floppy ears. Fluttershy blushed as she whispered. “Wow...it looks great.”

Zecora nodded. “Tanks, Fwuttashy, I wove it. But um...Abbwejack’s gots somthin’ ta say.”

Applejack turned towards her friends and explained, “I got carried away tryin’ to act like an overprotective mom, to make ya girls want the old me back. Sorry.”

Everypony laughed as Twilight got up with a smile, “It’s alright, Applejack. I understand completely. If you want to care for Zecora by yourself, we should give you the space to do so.”

Rainbow Dash immediately got up, shouting. “I knew it was an act!” And she flew over to Applejack. “Looks like that means I won something, right?”

Zecora giggled as Applejack rolled her eyes and grumbled, “No, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow shrugged in defeat. “Eh, was worth a try.”

Pinkie and Rarity giggled, then Applejack sighed. “Well, anyways, it’s Zecora’s bedtime and I should get her into her crib.”

Applejack slowly trotted back upstairs, placed Zecora in her crib, and put the foal blankets (including the one Zecora had gotten from Granny Smith) on.

As Zecora snuggled her big red pony plushie, and her ursa minor plushie. she babbled “Abbwejack, tank ya fow ta gweat pawty.”

Applejack nodded. “No problem, sugarcube. Glad ya liked it”

As Applejack trotted slowly out of the room, Zecora turned to her and babbled “Abbwejack, I wove ya.”

The farm mare turned with a smile and whispered. “Love ya too, sugarcube.” And she closed the door as she went downstairs.

Chapter 10: The Newest Member of The Apple Family

As Applejack went back downstairs to hang with her friends, she came across Twilight. Twilight turned and replied, “Oh hey, Applejack, is Zecora sleeping already?”

The farm mare nodded and yawned. “Well not quite but I did tuck the little one in, so she should be sleepin’ soon.”

Rarity giggled and asked, “Well, darling, I presume you're done with the act?”

Applejack glared at her dress and tore it off, “Yeah, I’m done. Sorry for bein’ so stubborn again.”

Rarity shrieked, grabbing the dress before it hit the floor, “Are you crazy?! You don't just throw a gown like this onto the ground! It’s a waste!”

Applejack blushed, realizing her mistake. “Sorry, Rarity, for makin ya go through all that trouble.” She apologized.

Rarity brushed the dress, and placed it over her back gently. “It’s quite alright, darling,” She said to Applejack. “I’ll keep it in my boutique, and if you have need of it again just ask.”

The farm mare smirked and chirped. “Sure thing, Rarity. May come in handy someday.”

Applejack sat down with a sigh as Twilight got up and whispered, “Um...Applejack, I wanted to speak to you about something private. It’s about the um...cure for Zecora.”

The farm mare gulped, and once alone with Twilight she asked. “So um..what about it?”

Twilight sighed. “Well, it’s kind of good, kind of bad news. I got a letter from Princess Celestia yesterday, saying that the cure may take longer than she anticipated. It could even be years before she finds one.”

“So does that mean ...I...I have to adopt Zecora?” Applejack asked, a sense of worrying overtaking her.

Twilight shook her head. “Well, no. It all depends. Like I said earlier, if this is too much for you, there are plenty of foster families in Ponyville that can care for her.”

But Applejack shook her head and stomped a hoof. “Not a chance, sugarcube! I'm still determined to be Zecora’s caretaker, come what may.”

Twilight sighed in relief as her horn lit up and a pile of papers appeared. “Well then, all you have to do is sign some documents, and go to Nurse Redheart for a physical, so she check Zecora’s age and make sure she’s okay.”

Applejack nodded firmly. “Yeah I’ll get that all done,” With a sigh she added. “Looks like I'm goin’ to be a mom. Now how do we go ‘bout tellin’ our friends?”

“Just leave that to me,” Twilight said with a wink. “You worry about Zecora.”

Zecora woke up the next morning to see Apple Bloom standing outside of her crib. The baby zebra smiled and babbled. “Hey, Abbwe Bwoom.” She got up with her diaper sagging between her legs, and Apple Bloom picked the foal up and placed her on the ground. “Alright, cutie, time for a diaper change.”

The baby zebra just nodded with a groggy look, and hugged the red stallion plushie close. As Apple Bloom finished the diaper change, Zecora yawned. “Tat was a gweat pawty wast night.”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Yeah, it was. So wanna play downstairs after a bottle?” Zecora gave another nod, as Apple Bloom placed Zecora onto her back, and trotted down the steps. There, Applejack was sitting down, talking to Granny and Big Mac. Applejack turned to see Apple Bloom skipping downstairs and smiled as she asked, “Hey, Apple Bloom. How’re you doin’?”

Apple Bloom chirped, “I'm doin’ fine, just changed the little foal is all.”

Applejack gasped, she knew she’d been forgetting something! “Oh, so sorry,” She apologized. “I was goin’ ta do that, but...umm.. “

Apple Bloom eyed her big sister and asked, “But what?”

Big Mac and Granny both blushed at each other, as Applejack turned and explained, “Well...Twilight told me some things last night. She said that Zecora may be a foal for a very long time.”

Apple Bloom gasped with concern! “Really?!”

Zecora turned and babbled. “Why is tat?”

Applejack continued. “Well, from what Twilight, told me the mixture is so random that finding a cure is almost impossible. And spells won't work since the source of the effects is unknown. Tryin’ to cure one part could make another part permanent. Ya might return to normal, but your mind won’t regain all your knowledge. Or you may retain your knowledge, but you’ll be stuck in diapers forever. So, it could be years before a cure is found. I guess what we're trying to say is...well….”

“Weww what?” Zecora asked, as she noticed Applejack trailing off.

Applejack looked up and asked Zecora bluntly. “You want to be adopted, Zecora?”

Zecora smiled and started bouncing. “Yeah, I wowd wove to be adopted by ya!”

Apple Bloom placed zecora down and let her waddle to Applejack, nuzzling her. Applejack booped her on the nose. “Alright then, I guess that means we'll be busy today,” She told Zecora. “First we need to go to Nurse Redheart, see exactly how old you are, and make sure you're healthy. Then we'll head to Mayor Mare's office and get some documents to make the adoption official.”

Zecora nodded. “Otay, I’ww take a bath and get dwessed up.”

Granny nodded back. “Alright, sugarcube, I'll get ya all nice and ready for your big day.”

Applejack got up and added. “Good idea, Granny. I'll get a diaper bag and the baby carriage ready.”

“And I guess I’d better take care of the applebuckin’.” Big Mac said with a laugh.

Zecora crawled over and giggled. “Wew, when I get back, ya gonna be Uncwe Big Mac.” The big stallion teared up and hugged the foal close as he nuzzled her. “Alright then, you be a good foal.” He told Zecora. Zecora nodded, then got on Granny’s back and headed upstairs.

Apple Bloom sighed as she turned to Big Mac and said to him. “Well, since everypony’s goin’ to be busy, I’m gonna go see if my friends want to come over later.”

Big Mac nodded. “Sure thing, Apple Bloom. Just be sure to get your chores done when you get back and before they arrive.”

Apple Bloom waved a hoof as she chirped. “I will, Uncle Big Mac!” And she ran off as Big Mac blushed. “Uncle Big Mac, that does have a nice ring to it.” He thought.

Applejack was now with Zecora in Nurse Redheart's office. The farm mare stood aside as the baby zebra sat on a table in nothing but her diaper. Nurse Redheart had the foal’s mouth opened with a tongue depressor and was looking about. She then lifted it out and said firmly, “Well, Zecora, looks like you have baby teeth growing in. Now I’m going to check your lungs.” And she put her stethoscope up to Zecora’s chest.

Zecora was a bit nervous and so she asked, “So, wha do I do now?”

Nurse Redheart gently cooed, “Just breathe in and out, okay?”

Zecora did just that, slowly inhaling then exhaling. Redheart listened for some time, then she stopped and went over to her counter, and started writing something on a chart. Zecora whimpered as Applejack turned and asked. “So um...hold old do you think she is?

Redheart (still reading her notes) replied, “She's approximately one year old. But her mind seems to have retained a lot of her old memories, besides muscle memory, or anything too complex.”

“Thought as much,” Applejack nodded. “But is there anythin’ else we should know?”

Redheart shook her head. “Nope, she seems perfectly fine. Just be sure she eats healthy and gets plenty of love. I would even suggest she be breastfed if possible.”

Zecora giggled as Applejack blushed and explained, “Well I don't think that would be necessary. She's been mostly eatin’ apples and drinking formula. We could probably give her some cow’s milk if she really needs the nutrition.”

Redheart nodded and replied. “Formula is quite alright but make sure she eats other fruits and vegetables, not just apples. It’s important she has a healthy and varied diet.”

Zecora bounced up and down while shouting. “Yeah, with Mama Jackie I gots to eat stuff wike cake!”

Nurse Redheart took out a piece of paper and placed it next to Applejack as she explained, “Alright I just need ya to sign this,” As Applejack signed the paper, Redheart turned to Zecora and gave her a lollipop while cooing, “Congratulations, you're officially one year old now.”

The baby zebra giggled, putting the lollipop in in her mouth. “That's gweat! Now I...um I dun know, but tats coow!”

Applejack smirked, then placed Zecora on her back. “Well that means I can adopt you now.”

Zecora squealed in delight, “Yay! I gonna be a Apple!”

Apple Bloom was back at Zecora's hut with her friends. They were both shouting in excitement as Apple Bloom asked them. “What's goin’ on with ya two?”

Sweetie Belle turned as she explained. “Apple Bloom, remember how you said that the cure could just be to reform the potion that changed Zecora?”

Apple Bloom nodded, eyeing her friends as she asked. “Yeah, what about it?”

Scootaloo took out a vial with a green liquid and shouted. “This could be the cure! We just took what supposedly changed Zecora and added the cure for poison joke.”

Apple Bloom shouted back! “Are you kiddin’?! Ya really think that’ll work?!”

Sweetie shrugged. “It’s worth a shot. We thought that maybe what happened to Zecora was similar to what happened to Applejack and her friends.”

Apple Bloom cautiously took the vial and replied. “Alright, well I'll give this to Twilight, and she can make sure it works. In the meantime I got some news,” Her friends turned towards the farm filly and she continued. “As of now, Zecora is bein’ formally adopted by my family.”

Sweetie gasped! “Really! Does that mean she's going to be an Apple?!”

Scootaloo squealed in delight! “That's so awesome!”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Yeah, and that means she's goin’ to be my little sister,” They all dawwed, then Apple Bloom went on. “Well, I’d better get goin’ and see Twilight ‘bout this here potion..”

Scootaloo quickly added. “Don't forget about our stomach soothing potion we made. Ask if it worked.”

Apple Bloom gave another nod, and ran off towards Twilight’s library.

Twilight was busy looking at the potion the Cutie Mark Crusaders had made and given to her. The purple unicorn sighed as she said to herself. “I'm so glad I inspected this. This would've given Zecora diarrhea. Luckily, I was able to change its compensation so I it should help the little foal’s stomach.”

Just then, the door to the library flew open! And Apple Bloom bounced in and asked. “Hey Twilight, how's it goin’?!”

Twilight turned and greeted. “Hey Apple Bloom, just been studying the potion you three made. “

“Oh, that,” Apple Bloom realized and asked. “Um, does it work?”

Twilight gave it to Apple Bloom, who saw the potion now had a blue color, as Twilight answered. “Well, I made some adjustments, but it should work just fine.”

Apple Bloom smiled at it and whispered, “Thanks Twilight.”

“So, is there anything else you need?” Twilight asked Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom looked up and replied. “Well...my friends think they made a cure, but I'm not too sure.” She lifted the vial with the green colored liquid.

Twilight held it aloft with her magic as she asked Apple Bloom. “What’s in this?”

Apple Bloom continued. “A lot of things, mostly the stuff that spilled on Zecora with...um…”

“With what?” Twilight persisted, she wanted to know all the details.

Apple Bloom whispered with a sheepish smile. “The cure for poison joke.”

“Alright, well if this is the cure I'll let you know,” Twilight said to Apple Bloom. “But I need to run some tests first.” Twilight took it and trotted off, as Apple Bloom looked at the ground with an uncertain look.

Applejack was now sitting down in Mayor Mare’s office with Zecora in her lap, the adoption papers sitting on the table. Mayor Mare was looking over them as she nodded and said. “Well it looks like everything is here. All we need now is your signature on this scroll here, Applejack.” She took out a long scroll and showed Applejack where to sign. Applejack took a quill with her teeth and wrote her name. Then she took Zecora's right tiny hoof and cooed, “I'm goin’ to need your signature too.”

Zecora peered at the papers and babbled. “Bu I dun know how to wead yet.”

Applejack nuzzled the little zebra. “It’s alright. It just says you're one year old, and you're goin’ to be my daughter. That’s all.”

Zecora snuggled Applejack, then tried to grab the quill with her tiny hooves, but it kept falling. Mayor Mare chuckled and replied. “Sweetie, let Applejack help you.”

Zecora blushed as she reluctantly asked. “Um, Abbwejack, can ya hewp me, pwease?”

Applejack smiled. “Of course, Zecora.” She then took Zecora’s hoof and helped Zecora write her name on the scroll.

Mayor Mare then took the scroll, examined it thoroughly, and placed it in a vault as she got up and proudly declared. “It is with great pleasure that I tell you, Applejack, that you're officially Zecora’s mother. Congratulations.”

Zecora squealed and snuggled into Applejack’s chest, happily babbling. “Ya my mama now!”

Applejack blushed as she whispered to Zecora, “Yeah, you can call me mama if you want.”

Mayor Mare gave the two a warm smile, “Well, if you need anything, Applejack just let me know.”

Applejack nodded as she strapped Zecora into her stroller, “Thanks for the offer, but I can do this by myself.”

The baby zebra nodded and added, “Yeah, Mama Jackie is ta best mama in ta wowwd!”

Applejack playfully laughed and suggested, “Alright now, how about for celebration we go to Sugarcube Corner for some ice cream?”

Zecora squealed in delight! “Yay! I gonna get a big one with aw ta fawvows wike wast time!”

As Applejack pushed Zecora out of Mayor Mare’s office, the elderly mare cooed, “Oh, Applejack is going to make for an excellent mother. I can tell.”

Twilight was peering over the vial of the now purple colored potion and scratching her chin as she mumbled, “Apple Bloom I...I think that we may have found something.”

Apple Bloom gasped! “You think we found a cure?!” She asked, hopefully.

Twilight gulped. “I think so. This identicator was to turn the potion purple if it's the antidote. But I don't know for sure if it will work. We...we might have to study it more to be sure it doesn't do something worse. But that could take months.”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Well, yeah, but…”

Twilight turned to Apple Bloom and asked. “But what?”

Apple Bloom whimpered. “But it's my fault that Zecora’s goin’ to be a foal and...well...we should turn her back! It's not fair for us to have her stay this way, even if she likes it!”

Twilight hugged the farm filly tightly and replied. “It's okay, Apple Bloom. It was an accident that turned Zecora into a foal, and you and your family have been doing a great job of caring for her.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Apple Bloom agreed, and then asked. “Should we tell Zecora ‘bout it?”

Twilight sighed. “Yes. How about you ask her and make sure she knows the risks as well? That way she can decide for herself if she wants to take it.”

Apple Bloom smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I can do that. I’ll go find her now, Applejack’s probably finished adoptin’ her.” She scampered off, still whimpering as Twilight slowly trotted after her.

Applejack was back at Sweet Apple Acres with Zecora, feeding her a small bottle of formula using the apple bottle Zecora’d gotten for her Foal Day. All of a sudden, Apple Bloom ran into the living room as Applejack looked up and asked. “Hey, Apple Bloom, you doin’ okay?”

Apple Bloom looked up and replied. “I'm doin’ fine, just wanted to talk to Zecora ‘bout somethin’.”

Zecora turned as she mumbled sleepily, “Wha is it?”

Apple Bloom gulped as she took out a purple colored potion and whispered. “Zecora...I need to tell you that Twilight may have found a cure.”

Zecora got up as her heart pounded in her tiny chest and she babbled. “Weawwy?”

Apple Bloom nodded and continued. “Yeah, you see, my friends and I made it back at your hut. And um, with some help from Twilight we finished it. But...we don't know if it works. It could take a few months still, but we could eventually find a cure.”

The baby zebra and Applejack were stunned, both unsure of what to say. Then zecora turned to Applejack with tears welling up in her eyes and nuzzled her chest, as Applejack held her close. Then Zecora turned to Apple Bloom and upon being set on the floor, slowly crawled up to the filly and hugged her, “It's otay, Abbwe Boom. Dun feew bad.”

Apple Bloom hugged Zecora back, still crying as Twilight came through the door. She blushed and waited. Apple Bloom turned and blushed as she stammered. “T...Tw...Twilight?”

Twilight hastily apologized. “Oh, don't worry about me, just came by to check up on things.”

Applejack got up with a downtrodden look and replied. “Well, Apple Bloom already told us everythin’. It seems that our little Zecora will be a big zebra again soon.”

Zecora turned to Twilight, as Twilight explained. “Well, it's up to her. If you want to take the potion you can. But remember, it's not fully tested, and I'd rather we wait til we know for sure.”

Zecora turned and smiled, “Weww, I not in a huwwy. I don't mind bein a baby fow a few months at weast. I an Appwe now”

Applejack rushed up to Zecora, bringing her into an embrace, as Apple Bloom teared up again. “Well then, I'll just have to make sure you’re well taken care of,” Applejack told Zecora. “I love ya, Zecora.”

Zecora hugged Applejack’s leg as she whispered, “Mama, I wove ya too, and I gonna be ta best baby zebwa eva, I pwomice.”

Twilight dawwed at the sight, and then added. “Well, there is one other thing I’d like to bring up,” The three Apples turned to Twilight as she asked. “Remember those three guards that were regressed at the Summer Sun Celebration?” The three nodded as Twilight continued. “Well my brother, Shining Armor and his mare friend Princess Cadence want to bring them down here for a playdate with Zecora.”

Zecora gasped! “Weawwy?! Ya mean tey wewe adutws and now tey babies?!”

Apple Bloom shouted with excitement. “Yeah, I remember hearin’ about that, but I never got to see them!”

Applejack responded. “Well, I don't mind it. But aren’t they a bit older than Zecora, almost three I reckon’. They’re probably at least in trainin’ pants by now.”

But Zecora bounced on her diaper and babbled excitedly, “I don't mind, I wowd wove ta pway with tem. It sounds wike awot of fun!”

The mares giggled as Twilight smiled and replied. “Well, sounds like Zecora said yes. But Applejack, you’re Zecora’s mom, so it’s up to you.”

Applejack quickly nodded in approval, “Oh what the hay?! Let's set it up, reckon’ Zecora could use some playmates close to her age.”

Apple Bloom and Zecora squealed in excitement! “Thanks, Abbwejack!” Zecora happily shouted.

Twilight couldn’t help but giggle a bit. “Alright, I'll write back to Shining and Cadence. Just tell me when you're free, Applejack.”

Applejack pondered. “Well, how about next Friday? We can have them sleep over and it'll give me some time to get stuff ready.”

Twilight smiled as she set the date on the invitation. “Good, I’ll send the letter immediately. Oh, and Applejack, congratulations on officially becoming a mom.”

Applejack blushed as Twilight left, and Zecora hugged her and Apple Bloom hugged both of them, and they stayed in silence as they all hugged each other.