Baby Bloom

It was another beautiful day in Ponyville as the Cutie Mark Crusaders made their way down the street toward Sugarcube Corner.

The three young mares talked idly about their day in class, a spring in their step as they went.

“Did any of you understand today’s calculus lesson? It went right over my head.” Said Scootaloo to her two friends.

“I got most of it, but some of it was still really hard.” Said Sweetie Belle.

“I’m sure we’ll figure it out when we work on it back at the clubhouse.” Said Apple Bloom, ever the optimist.

The girls walked in the front door of the shop and made their way to the counter, placing their order before grabbing a spot at their usual table in the corner.

The shop was just starting to get busy, with most ponies either getting done school or work and beginning to run their errands.

Fluttershy and Discord sat at one table enjoying tea and cookies, while Pinkie Pie sat in the corner of the bakery with the cake twins, keeping them entertained while their parents tended the bakery.

Trying was a better word for it as the twins seemed to be rather fussy today; wailing for a reason Pinkie was trying in vain to figure out.

Apple Bloom looked over at the scene and sighed.

“Can they be any more embarrassing?” Said Apple Bloom.

“We were that age once too you know. It’s just natural for foals to cry.” Said Sweetie Belle.

“Yeah. Not like they can help it.” Said Scootaloo.

“I’m just saying it’s disturbing to everypony else. Not to mention Pinkie having to try and calm them down.” Said Apple Bloom.

“Well, what do you think she should do?” Asked Scootaloo.

“I don’t know. Just saying it’s a shame foals can’t grow up quick is all.” Said Apple Bloom.

The delivery of their order brought the conversation to a halt as the girls took their milkshakes and each took a sip before turning their conversation toward a different subject.

A table away though a certain draconequus was mulling over the crusaders conversation.

If there was anything Discord had learned from Fluttershy since becoming her friend, it was that every creature had a purpose and mattered, no matter how big or small.

And here Apple Bloom was criticizing the little ponies when they couldn’t even form the words to defend themselves?

He felt that maybe Apple Bloom could use some perspective on the matter, and he was just the mischievous creature to do it.

Hours later, Luna’s night had fallen over Ponyville.

Most ponies were asleep, and this included the Apple Family.

Their farm remained quiet, with even the animals a million miles away in dream land.

Unseen to any creature was Discord, soaring through the air invisible to any prying eyes as he darted past each second story window of the farm house until he found Apple Bloom snoozing inside.

Using his magical powers, he fazed through the wall and into the young mare’s room, floating over to her side.

Taking his one magically charged finger, he lightly pressed it against Apple Bloom’s forehead.

In an instant, she rose from her bed, a blank expression on her face.

She looked groggy, almost like she was sleeping but with her eyes open.

“Hello Apple Bloom. Don’t be alarmed. I’m not here to harm you. I just think you need a little education on a subject you seem to not understand very well. Would you like that?” Asked Discord.

Apple Bloom nodded, compelled to by whatever magic Discord had cast on her.

“I want you to forget about the future, focus on right now, how relaxed you are. We’re gonna adjust some things in your head a little. You'll still be you, just without your intelligence and knowledge for a little while. It'll be nice not to have any worries or problems won't it?

Now, I want you to picture a box. You can see this box in your mind, it's a magical box. Anything inside it is safe as long as it’s there, waiting to be opened again. Now, we're going to put everything in that box that makes you a big pony okay? I want you to put in all your school education, everything you learned in school, Preschool, Kindergarten, even at nursery school. Now in goes the alphabet, numbers, and words, good. You're doing very well. Now put in all your fears, worries, and all your inhibitions, every last one of them. Good, very good. That must feel so nice. Now put all the names of everypony you know in there. Good.

Now I want you to picture another box, but this one is sealed on top and has a slot to put things in. Let's think of things foals do to put in here. What are some things foals do?"

"Drool." Blurted Apple Bloom.

"Good Apple Bloom, they drool, so we’ll drop that in the box.

Let's see, they also like to get messy don't they? That goes in there.

And they use diapers for poop and pee, so that goes in there too. They even like how their dirty diapers squish and mash against them a lot of the time so that goes in there.

Babies babble and coo and they giggle a lot right? So in they go too.

Anything else? What are some things you’ve seen foals do?" Apple Bloom couldn't help but answer.

"Wear embarrassing cloths."

Discord couldn’t help but smile.

"Very good Apple Bloom, so the desire to wear frilly and embarrassing cloths goes in the box. Oh and of course they like to put things in their mouth, their hooves, toys, and other stuff too, all that goes in.

Okay now Apple Bloom, here's what’s going to happen.

Right now the box with all your big pony things is open, so you can use them all. The box with the foal things is sealed. But in a minute something is going to happen to change that. I’m going to snap my fingers and when that happens, the top on the foal box will burst open, and a new subconscious will take control that will have all the traits and behaviors that we put in there.

Then, the top will drop on and seal the big pony box and all that stuff in there will be you, closed away for safe-keeping and watching the new foal you in control. You’ll just be a happy little foal, who loves acting babyish and silly for everypony to see. I imagine it’ll be quite a sight to behold. Are you ready Apple Bloom?”

She nodded, unable to do otherwise.

With that, Discord snapped his fingers with a loud snap that echoed throughout the room.

For a moment, it seemed like it had no effect, but then a faint thought inside Apple Bloom’s slumbering mind thought how silly it would to act just like a little baby.

And then she felt the most amazing pop in her ears, like a massive change in air pressure. She suddenly realized she couldn't think straight. She had no idea what she was just thinking and she couldn't seem to string together a coherent thought. It was such a strange and sudden feeling. She looked all around the room trying to focus her thoughts, trying to figure out was going on. But she couldn't do it; her mind was a cluttered mess. She saw a creature she didn’t recognize beckoning down at her. That made her feel really nice actually, really nice! She liked that. She liked the attention. It was all she could focus on now. She looked up and saw the creature putting hoovies in his mouth. Maybe she could do that. She tried, it was hard, but then… Mmmmmmmm, yummy. She feels all airy in her head now, but the hoovies are fun and she feels so silly and happy. The creature facing her smiled, clapping his hands. He all smilie, so Apple Bloom makes smilies too.

Discord looked down at Apple Bloom, smiling dumbly up at him as she sucked on her hind hoof.

As far as Apple Bloom was concerned right now she was just having a weird dream, but come morning she would find that while her adult mind was still hers, her body now belonged to a foal to control as it saw fit.

He chuckled as he made himself vanish, fazing himself back through the wall of the farm house and flying away into the night.