Unborn

Once they had their rhythm going, the next wo and a half weeks passed by in a flash for the Apple family. Applejack and Big Mac would wake up, have sex, then eat breakfast. After morning chores, sometimes with Rainbow, they would have lunch, then more sex. Then came the afternoon chores, a shower, then it was off to bed for more sex. With it being so commonplace, it stopped being a special moment between them rather quickly, and stopped being taboo even faster. After a week, it was just another chore, with the only challenge being hiding it all from Granny Smith.

Given enough time, Twilight did find enough information to compile a report on a method for Apple Bloom's surgical extraction, but the nearest date for an experimental operating room to be ready was outside of the new timeframe that Discord had set, meaning it would take even longer.

Speaking of Discord, he had been allowed back onto Sweet Apple Acres after a long, emotional, heartfelt speech delivered by Big Macintosh. In short, as he was the one who had been responsible for Apple Bloom's disappearance, he knew how to bring her back. Furthermore, as he was now under Fluttershy's watchful eye, he would be less bothersome, and more helpful. Applejack begrudgingly agreed.

Apple Bloom could be out any day, now. She had shrunk down significantly, to the point where Applejack looked like any other pregnant mare, rather than one carrying quadruplets. Discord confirmed this, even giving her a specific day on which Apple Bloom would be small enough to make her escape.

In preparation, Applejack had sent Granny Smith out for the weekend. Granny was stubborn, and didn't want to leave, but Applejack made the argument that, since she had been the one to cause this mess and put Apple Bloom in this situation, she wanted to be the one to fix it on her own. Granny had tried to take Big Mac, but Fluttershy had removed an important component from the plow, meaning he had an excuse to stay in fixing it. Granny inspected the damages and immediately knew what was up, but left on her own, regardless. She could throw a fit when she came back, but for now, if her absence was going to help Apple Bloom, then away she would go. Specifically, to Cranky Doodle Donkey's place, where they could be curmudgeonly together.

Big Mac and Rainbow had been working exceptionally hard over the past few days. Applejack had put in place a scoring system that, while having no prize, would award the winner with accolades, which was plenty enough to make Rainbow want to be the best and work harder than Big Mac. Big Mac's only incentive was to have all the time he needed when it was time for Apple Bloom to come back out, so they were well ahead of schedule, and there was time for a break.

"Ah brought y'all refreshments," smiled Applejack, walking into the sitting room with a tray of soft cider and tartlets. "Help yourselves."

Fluttershy picked up a mug of cider before Rainbow could swipe them all and gently sipped at it. "We were waiting for you to return before continuing," she said, turning to look at Discord. "Where were we?"

"Oh, who remembers?" shrugged Discord, tossing a tartlet into his mouth. "I'm not allowed to go into specifics, anyway, because Rainbow's here. Not that it's my place to ask her to leave."

Applejack rolled her eyes. "We all know how much you love to play with words, Discord."

"I have no idea to what you are referring," huffed Discord, juggling the letters D-I-S-S-O-N-A-N-C-E in his claw.

"Ah mean, you know very well how to relay the information Big Mac an' Ah need without expressly usin' the specific words. You know ya can, and we all know ya think yourself clever for leavin' that loophole in. Go on, now; talk in your fancy language."

Discord grabbed the last mug of cider, as everypony else had had one, except Rainbow, who'd had three. "If you insist." He took a sip, then cleared his throat. "When Apple Bloom returns, she will not be the same little filly that disappeared three weeks ago. She'll have all of her memories, of course, but having adjusted to a new way of life, she will be noticeably changed. You may want to consider keeping her home for a few days as she adjusts back to normalcy."

"I've already talked to Zecora," added Fluttershy. "She says she can brew up a potion that should have Apple Bloom back to her normal size in less than a week. I had to bring her some rare ingredients, but it's all in the interest of bringing Apple Bloom back safely, and they weren't that expensive."

"Ah'll make sure ta pay ya back, Ah swear," insisted Applejack.

"I knew you would," nodded Fluttershy. "You don't have to, but if it'll make you feel better, I'll gladly let you."

"That aside," continued Discord, "because she's a different size, one needs to question whether or not she'll still fit through the gate. Luckily, I'll be in attendance, so making it stretch to fit her new size is totally possible."

"You stretched it enough that she could slip through the first time unnoticed," huffed Applejack. "Nopony doubts that you can do it again."

"Oh, you'll notice this time," smirked Discord. "You're going to need to pay very close attention." With a jab in the ribs from Fluttershy's elbow, his face grew more somber. "I will of course be there to make sure it works right."

"And then what?" asked Rainbow, stuffing another tartlet in her cheek.

Discord put a claw to his chin. "Where she is coming back from is very sticky and slimy, and all of her meals have been processed into mush and fed to her through a tube. I suppose the next step would either be to clean her up or to give her something tasty to eat, assuming Rainbow hasn't eaten everything in the house by then."

Rainbow shot Discord a very nasty glare. "We have plenty," assured Applejack, silencing Rainbow before she could speak. "Even so, it's best that we clean her up, first. It's almost feedin' time, already, so she'll prob'ly eat right before she comes out."

Rainbow stood up and finished the last of her cider. "I'll let you all start in on that, then," she burped. "If you need me, have Discord pop his head outside. I'll be on patrol, keeping everypony else out."

As she darted out the door, Applejack turned to Big Mac. "You ready?"

He nodded. "Eeyup."