Author's Note

Hooray! Chapter and plot! Probably not what you were expecting but I'm proud of it anyways. The plot sort of ran away with me on this. So sorry, guys. The playdate will happen in the next chapter. Promise.

Enjoy the chapter!

Acceptance

As Rainbow headed down the hall to talk to her friends, her adult and little sides fought for control of her. The adult side just wanted to box up that little side and shove it away because of all the damage it caused. But the little self argued that her friends just wanted to play with her, and that it would be nice to have somepony to play with. But both the little and big parts of her had one thing in common: A fear of total rejection.

What if her friends never looked at her the same again? What if they never treated her the same? Could she really count on their participation in something like this? And how in Equestria would all this happen, anyhow?

The thoughts raged through her head, making it spin as her brain went into hyper speed, trying to come to every possible outcome and prepare a response. But she didn’t have long to think on it, because she and her Daddy were at the doors to the throne room. Rainbow gulped as her father pulled the doors open, to reveal her friends, each sitting in their respective throne. At the sound of the doors opening, every head in the room turned to look at Rainbow Dash. For a moment her little self took over, fear shone in her eyes, her ears folded back, and she hid behind her Daddy’s legs. Fluttershy, sensing this, went over to Rainbow, and spoke to her gently.

“It’s okay, Rainbow.” She soothed. “We don’t mind this. We love you for who you are, and that means every part of you. We just want you to be happy. And if that means giving you playmates for a day, we’re glad to do it. Promise.”

At the Yellow Pegasus’ words, Rainbow cautiously stepped out from behind Bow. Her adult mind decided to take control for the moment. “You don’t think I’m weird?” It came out almost like a whimper. Perhaps the two sides of herself needed to find a compromise, and that was how they reached it.

“Of course not, darling.” That was Rarity, who came over as well. “While this certainly isn’t conventional, it’s very clear to all of us that it brings you a lot of joy. It doesn’t change the way we see you. Not one bit. We know who you are, Rainbow Dash. You bear the element of loyalty for a reason. You would never leave us, and in turn, we would never leave you.”

“That’s right, sugarcube.” Applejack continued. “We think you’re great the way you are. There’s nothing that could make us turn you away. Honest.”

“That’s right!” Cheered Pinkie. “I play with the Cake twins all the time, and I’d just love to play with you too! We would have SO much fun! I can’t wait!” She said.

“We think you’re perfect as is.” Finished Twilight. “But why did you keep it a secret from us?”

Rainbow shifted uncomfortably, feeling exposed. “I was scared. Of what you’d think, or what you might say. I’m supposed to be tough, awesome, and fearless. And this is just so… not. When I started this it was for my parents, to give them back time with me. Ever since I became a Wonderbolt I’ve been visiting less and less. So I came to see them one day and I overheard them talking about when I was a filly, and how sad they were and I just couldn’t not do anything about it. So I thought on it, and I came to this. I think you know what happened after that.” She finished.

“Rainbow, You’re not any less tough, awesome, or fearless just because you want to feel safe. That’s how this makes you feel, right? Safe?” Twilight questioned.

Rainbow nodded.

“That will never change. And we won’t either. We will still see you the same no matter what you do. We love you, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow looked around at all the sincere expressions of love and acceptance on her friends faces, and her subconscious made her decision for her. She easily slipped back into her little headspace, now that she knew that her friends accepted her no matter what, and spoke one word. “Dashie.”

“What?”

“My name Dashie.” She said.

That was all that she needed before Pinkie rushed up and gave her a hug. “Wanna play?” She asked.

Dashie’s eyes lit up, and she nodded. “Yeah!”

“What’cha wanna play?”

Dashie paused, looking thoughtful. “Hide an’ seek!”

“Oooooh! Fun! But we should probably make some rules first. This castle is so big we might never find each other if we hid too well.” Pinkie commented. She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “How about the bedrooms are off limits? That way there’s the throne room, dining room, kitchen, and library? Still plenty of space to play, but that way we don’t get lost. What do you think?”

“Yeah!” She said, fluttering her wings happily.

“Great! Do you want to count first?”

“Uh huh!” She said, happily.

“Woah there, little trotter. Before you play we’re getting you in a fresh diaper.” Bow intervened. Rainbow looked at him, frowning.

“Dada!” She whined, but Bow wouldn’t have it.

“No buts, little ma’am. Now come on, get moving.”

Rainbow grumbled a bit before following her father.

Elsewhere in the castle, Spike was going from room to room, looking for his Rarity plushie that he seemed to have misplaced. He remembered sleeping in the what, aside from having a bed, was the most sparsely decorated and furnished bedroom in the castle. When he opened it, his jaw hit the floor. All six mothers were in the room, decorating it with what seemed to be foal supplies. There was a giant crib instead of the bed, a changing table stocked full of diapers, bottles, and who knew what else, a rocking chair, a small bookshelf, and a toy box. A multicolored rug was at the center of the room, giving it a more youthful feel than the blasé walls of the castle. Spike stepped inside, in a bit of a daze.

“What… What is this place?” He asked.

Velvet stopped hanging up a photo and walked over to Spike. “It’s a nursery, Spike. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten that Twily used to have one already!”

Spike shook his head to clear it. “No, no, I remember that. But why is it here?”

“Why for the playdate, of course!”

He blinked. “Playdate?”

Windy Whistles flew over. “Oh it is just so exciting! I just know my little Dashie is going to be thrilled to have some playmates!” She exclaimed.

“Uh… Am I missing something here?”

Velvet and Windy shared a look, and a silent communication passed between them. Velvet nodded, and Windy did after that, and then turned to Spike.

“I’m surprised you haven’t seen.” Remarked Windy.

“I’ve been in the study all day answering fan mail. Somepony’s gotta do it, and since Twilight was captured, it was on me. I just finished up a few minutes ago.” He said.

“Ah. Well then, let me tell you about something. Sometime ago, my daughter came to me and my husband one day for a visit, and she asked us to do something for her…”

As Windy continued through the story, Spike’s expression changed. First there was shock, then confusion, Then realization, and finally, acceptance. He looked at Velvet and posed a question.

“So… You mean Twilight is gonna…?”

Velvet nodded. “Yes. A whole day of play and relaxation.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“That is so awesome!” The dragon cheered. “She really needs a break. Do you guys need any help?”

“Sure. Come on.”

With that, Spike set off to work.

Rainbow was changed within minutes, and returned to see her friends.

Pinkie popped up. “You all ready to play, Dashie?”

“Yeah!” She cheered.

“Okay! You count! We’ll hide!” Pinkie said, before bouncing off.

Rainbow covered her eyes and started counting. “One, two, fwee…”

The sound of galloping hooves filled the room. Rainbow kept on counting.

“Seven, eight, nine, ten! Weady ow not, hewe I come!” She called. She began to trot around the room, searching. After a few minutes, she found Fluttershy hiding under the map table. But she had figured Fluttershy would be the easiest to find.

“Found ya!” She said, giggling.

“Oh darn. I thought I was hiding really well.” Fluttershy said.

“Is ‘Kay.” She said. “You good hidew.” She complimented. Fluttershy blushed.

“Thank you, Dashie.” She said.

“I be back watew. Gotsa find evewypony ewse,”

“Good luck!” Fluttershy called to her.

When Rainbow finished searching the throne room, she went to the Kitchen, and found Pinkie next, hiding in one of the cupboards. Then she found Applejack tucked behind a row of shelves. When she was done scouring the kitchen, she headed onto the dining room, and found Rarity hiding behind some curtains.

She didn’t even have to look further to know that she would find Twilight in the library. She looked on the rows of books, but saw no sign of the princess. She checked under tables, and beside the shelves, and climbed on top of the shelves. She found nothing. She was just starting to think Twilight wasn’t in there when a devious thought occurred to her.

Maybe Twilight was hiding inside of a book?

That seemed logical, knowing her. But which book would she hide in? She pondered that for a minute, then started looking in the books with more pictures. She was beginning to doubt herself when she saw a single book out of place, and she knew she’d found her friend. She opened up the first page, and low and behold, there she was. Twilight came out, and Rainbow pouted. “No faiw!” She said. “Dat’s cheating!”

“I don’t think so, Rai- Dashie.” She corrected quickly. “The rules said that I could hide in the anywhere in the library. I just picked a book.”

Dashie grumbled, but relented. Darn her technicalities.

That meant there was one pony left to find.

“Dada.” She said, and began to look around. Daddy didn’t have magic, so he had to have been hiding somewhere, and she knew it wasn’t the library, so she headed back to the dining room since she hadn’t checked everywhere there yet. It seemed he was nowhere in sight. She was about to go look in the kitchen when she felt something hit her back.

It was a purple feather.

She whirled around. There was only one place he could be.

“Found you, Dada!” She called as she turned on the chandelier lights. Bow flew out immediately.

“Guess you got me, little trotter.”

“Dada cheat!” She declared with a stomp of her hoof.

“Did I now?” Asked Bow. “I don’t think so.”

“Uh huh!”

Bow looked at her with a smile and flew down closer to her. She tried to lift off of the ground, but only made it a few inches. The bulk of her diaper weighed her down.

“No faiw!” She pouted.

“What’s going on in here?”

Rainbow turned around and faced her mother, trotting over to her. “Mama, we pway hide an’ seek an’ Dada cheat!” She tattled.

Windy looked up. “Is that true, dear?”

“I followed the rules. I just hid up in the chandelier.”

“Bow, you know that’s not fair. You know she can’t fly as well with her diaper.”

Bow rolled his eyes, then slowly flew down. Windy whispered something to Rainbow, and she nodded. Without warning, she sped toward her father, jumped, tackled him, and started tickling him. Twilight, her friends, and their mothers, all came in to see the adorable sight.

When she felt he had had enough “Punishment”, she stopped, giggling breathlessly. She hopped off of him, and he gave her a noogie. Windy came up to her.

“So, what do you want to do now, sweetie?”

Rainbow didn’t even have to think twice. She looked at each one of her friends, then at her mother, and said,

“Pway wif my sissies.”

Everypony smiled, and Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack felt like their hearts might burst.