Author's Note

Hey guys! Apologies for the super late chapter. Adulting kicked me in the bucking flank today. Gotta love dealing with insurance. By the time I was done, I was in danger of assaulting somepony. Celestia help us all.

This is a Rarity chapter. Figure she earned herself one, to elaborate on her thoughts. But there's still plenty of fun to be had! And there's a wee surprise at the end. Hehehe.😈

Alrighty, that's enough of that. Enjoy the chapter!

Letting Go

As Dashie and Fluttershy played, Rarity’s motions were automatic. Something was nagging at her thoughts. She looked at Rainbow Dash, and saw the fun she was having. And it truly bothered her. Not that she was happy, no, that would never bother her. How she was able to let go so much, and not let anything bother her. Even… She shuddered. Even… Accidents. How on earth did she do it? How did she just… let go? She had to know.

“R- Er, Dashie?”

Dashie looked up from her tea. “Yeah, Wawity?”

“Do you… Do you like being a foal?”

“Yeah huh! bein’ big too much wowk. Bein’ a foaw bettew.”

“Why do you think that?”

“‘Cause ou don’ gotsa wowwy ‘bout noffin. Evewypony jus gives ou cuddwes an’ pways wif ou. An’ ou make wots of new fwiends. An’ dey neber ave ta weave. It’s weawwy fun!” She said.

Rarity considered this for a moment. Then: “How do you do it? How do you just… Let go?”

Dashie looked at her for a second. Something flickered in her eyes, and she struggled for a minute to let her big self come out. “It’s not something that just happens. It takes a lot of work. But when you stop worrying about it, it comes. Some ponies are more natural at it than others. Just get lost in your imagination, and remember that somepony will always be there to take care of all of the big stuff.” She said. Then, unable to fight it anymore, she slipped back into her little space, sucking on her hoof.

Rarity pondered this for a long while. And it seemed to her that Rainbow had just given her some wise advice. She decided to try and take it. She shut her eyes for a minute, and pictured herself boxing away her adult concerns, her job, her- well, herself. At least, her adult self. Some things were still a part of her, like her fashion sense and love of fancy things. But slowly, she found herself beginning to let her fears of being seen, or being too upper crust for a little play. After all, she did play with her little sister when she was a foal, didn’t she? She nodded. Yes. That was right. She used her imagination to pretend that Sweetie Belle was there with her, and they were playing tea party like they had used to when they were little. She poured the tea, taking dainty sips, and then spoke to their guests at the table. A plush bear, Puff the dragon, and a stuffed bunny were there as well as Dashie and Fluttershy. Since the two ponies were conversing with one another, it left Rarity to converse with their plush guests.

“More tea, Puff?” She asked.

“Certainly, Miss Rarity.” Said the dragon, cordially.

“My, what lovely manners you have, sir.”

“Why thank you. Most dragons aren’t known for their manners, but Spike and I are the exceptions to the rule.”

“You most certainly are.” Rarity said.

“May I have another tea cake?” Asked the bunny.

“Of course. I didn’t catch your name, Mister…?”

“Bun Bun.” He said.

“Bun Bun. What a lovely name.” She said, handing him a tea cake.

“Thank you. I didn’t have a name until Miss Fluttershy gave me one.”

“Oh?” Rarity turned to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, darling, you didn’t tell me you named Bun Bun.”

“Oh yes. All animals should have a name, don’t you think?”

“Why of course.”

“I named him while my Mom and I were playing with him.”

“it’s perfect for the little sweetheart.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

As the tea party wore on, Rarity got more involved. She interacted with the plushies, drank her tea, and enjoyed her tea cakes. She was about to finish up, when something sparkly caught her eye. She found herself wandering toward the closet and opened it. She kept her eyes locked on the faint glisten and saw that it was a princess costume. A pink, sparkly gown, with lace and frills on it. She wasn’t sure what compelled her, but she wanted to try it on. She used her magic to take it from the hanger. She was about to go over to her mother, but found that she was already there.

“Need a hand, honey?” Cookie Crumbles asked. “It can be hard to get something on with a diaper on.”

Rarity blushed at the mention of the diaper, and had for a short time forgotten that she was wearing it. Cookie just smiled at her. Rarity hugged her mother and reached her hooves up. Her mother slipped the dress on her, and added a pointy, swishy hat to boot. She looked at herself in the mirror, and felt very pretty. Cookie kissed her on the cheek.

“There’s my little princess.”

A vague memory of her mother calling her that flashed through her mind. It made her feel safe. She leaned into her mother, and Rainbow’s earlier statement echoed through her mind.

Remember that somepony will always be there to take care of all of the big stuff

She realized that this was what Rainbow had meant. This was what it felt like to let go. She hugged her mother happily, and she sighed, content at last.

“I love you.” Rarity said.

Cookie’s heart soared. It had been so long since she had had a moment with her little girl. This was what she had missed so much of. It would have been perfect if Sweetie Belle were here too. Although she debated on how her eldest daughter might feel being seen in a diaper and a swishy princess costume. Although…

As Cookie debated this, she replied, “I love you too, Rarity.”

Just then, Dashie came over to her, and her mother dressed her up in a superhero costume. Cookie smiled at her.

“Why hello there, Dashie. Are you a superhero?”

“Uh huh! Mama hewped me dwess up! I gonna save pwetty pwincess Wawity!” She declared.

“And what are you going to save me from, Dashie?” Asked Rarity.

“Me.” Came a voice. Their heads turned to see Twilight Sparkle dressed in a Wizard costume. “I am the fantastical wizard Galaxy Shine! And I will take Princess Rarity away and steal her magic to fuel my power!” Twilight cackled maniacally.

Dashie grinned. “Not if I can hewp it!” She said.

Twilight gave a devilish grin. “Try and stop me!”

As Dashie battled the evil wizard to try and save the day, Cookie went over to Windy and whispered something to her. Windy noddded, and went over to Spike. Since Twilight was busy playing, he snuck out for just a few minutes, and then came back. No pony seemed to notice other than Cookie and Windy. Spike nodded to them, and they reciprocated.

The pretty princess fainted daintily as the evil wizard and mighty hero prepared for battle. The mighty knight Applejack tried to help Dashie rescue the princess, but the evil wizard was apprenticed by her sorcerer Pinkie Pie. And Fluttershy represented the towns ponies who would be crushed underneath the Wizard’s rule. A fearsome war of magic, strength, and low flying skills was at hand. But eventually, The knight broke through the defenses, and protected the princess from the sorcerer’s apprentice. And the heroine Dashie defeated the evil wizard, saving the princess.

As the heroes celebrated, and the villains stewed in their defeat, they did not hear the nursery doors open.

“Rarity?!”

“Applejack?!”

“Rainbow Dash?!”

All three heads turned to see their younger sisters staring at them, their jaws on the floor.