The dreamscape sparkled and flowed as it always had as Luna moved to the center of what could be called a clearing amongst the stars and numerous doors of the dreamers. Her plan was simple enough as she had done it once before for the element bearers This time it would be for Father’s Day and she had the perfect landscape in mind for the shared dream to come. Taking a breath her horn began to glow, emitting its glow as white threads of light spread out from the center, spider webbing out to find their respective doors, each connecting with a silent shimmer. Moments later, tiny ethereal orbs travelled along the threads, returning to the source. Luna smiled as she began to weave the dream into its blank canvas.
A large playroom rose from the fog, littered with pastel colors and sunlight pouring in from the large skylights In sections throughout the room was made to suit whatever young foals would enjoy, like a short playground to a corner with chests full of dress-up attire and props. The floor was made of foam puzzle pieces perfect for playing upon.
Night Light walked inside with little filly Twilight Sparkle on his back. The young foal had her Smarty Pants doll too, hugging it as her eyes scanned and saw the few other ponies present. As if answering a previous question, the father spoke. “Of course, Daddy will still play with you. But making friends is fun too.”
“O-okay,” Twilight said as her eyes looked around the room for books to read, even if they were just pop-up books. Getting a good take of the room, she soon spotted two other unicorn fillies near the chest, seeing the blue one pulling out a star-printed hat. The other filly sported nice purple and cyan pigtails as she giggled and got out a construction hat. Their daddies were there too, keeping an eye on them. Twilight was set on the floor and waddled closer giving a wave. “Hello.”
Trixie was the first to wave back, twirling a little star wand in her hoof. “Hi, I magician like Daddy,” She said, pointing to the blue stallion with a matching white mane like her daughter. The filly then pointed to Starlight. “And that my friend, Starlight.” She lisped.
Starlight waved back playing with her construction hat before wrapping her tiny hooves around her father’s leg. “You have a nice mane.” She twirled her pigtails some as he spoke to Twilight.
Twilight beamed and danced in place, less nervous than before as she smiled back while showing off her doll. “Thanks, my assistant and I like magic lots.” She waved the hoof of the toy.
Night Light chuckled ruffling Twilight’s mane. “Oh yes, my little filly admires Celestia. Bet she’ll be a powerful unicorn someday.”
“A great and powerful unicorn?” Trixie replied with a playful smirk, booping Twilight on the snout.
As the trio laughed, Night Light reached into the chest and slipped a lion mane over his head. “Rawr, who wants to defeat the mighty lion?” The stallion smiled watching the trio of fillies gasp and grab onto props to start playing the game.
Across the room by a pile of plush animals, Fluttershy stared in awe at all the critters to choose from while her daddy softly brushed her hair. The young filly pulled a large bumble bee plush from the pile and held it up. “Hehe. Look, it bee. Buzz! Buzz!”
The green-coated pegasus stallion smiled, admiring his daughter’s gentle creativity. “That’s adorable, sweetie.” He told her whilst continuing to stroke and brush her mane.
Suddenly, a loud whooshing sound drowned out the sound of Fluttershy’s buzzing! She turned to look and saw a rainbow-colored blur flying past overhead. She recognized at once that it was Rainbow Dash, with her father in hot pursuit.
“Come on, Dashie!” Bow Hothoof panted as he tried to keep up with his daughter. “Don’t you wanna look all nice for Daddy? It’s his special day, you know.”
The little filly Rainbow Dash stuck out her tongue in protest. She was already in diapers, she was not about to make worse for herself. “Nu-uh, no dressie!” She stubbornly insisted, flying all about the nursery.
Bow Hothoof just sighed. His daughter always seemed to be more trouble for him than for his wife (aside from the one time Rainbow had managed to completely tie up her mother while outside). Normally, he admired her free spirit and fast-paced style of living. But right now it was becoming a major headache for him.
Mr. Shy turned and looked over. “Need a hoof with your daughter?” He asked Bow. “My son tends to be just as fussy sometimes.”
“It’s okay, I’ve got it,” Bow insisted as he flashed a knowing grin. He had just the idea in mind to lure his daughter back to him. He rushed over to a comically oversized chest, tossing aside various cute dresses and outfits as they stacked up into a pile behind him. At last, he found what he’d been searching for and held it up. “Oh, Dashie!” He called out as loud as he could, thus drawing a lot of attention to himself.
“Name’s not Dashie!” Rainbow stubbornly replied as she nevertheless turned around to look. When she did so, her eyes fell upon a set of stylish pyjamas made to resemble a Wonderbolts’ flight suit. It had even a zipped-up pouch in the back that could be easily opened to make diaper changes less of a hassle. Rainbow’s eyes sparkled as she flew over with glee. “Gimme!’
Seizing the moment, Bow jumped up and quickly pulled his daughter down by the tail. Then before she could even think of protesting or flying away, he slipped the Wonderbolts’ styled pyjamas onto her and zipped them up. Then he stood up, giving the back of them a solid pat. “There we go!” He cooed. “Now go play with your friends, Dashie. Daddy will be right here if you need him.”
Rainbow Dash didn’t reply with words, she just zoomed away as fast as she could (which wasn’t fast at all thanks to the increased bulk she was now wearing). She quickly spotted Fluttershy and sat down next to her.
“Hi Dashie,” Fluttershy greeted with a giggle. By now she had spotted a pacifier roughly in the shape of a butterfly and had popped it into her mouth, giving it a few curious suckles. She held out the stuffed bee she’d been playing with and then gestured to a bunch of other stuffed animals lying nearby. “Ya wanna play with me?”
Mr. Shy smiled. “Oh yes, that would be so adorable. You and Fluttershy were so close when you were growing up, it was like you two were sisters.”
Rainbow sighed, realizing quite fast how utterly helpless she was while within the dreamscape. Much like with Mother’s Day, she was going to have to go along with the flow. “At least Scoot isn’t here to see this,” She thought to herself as she grabbed one of the stuffed animals. “I’d die of embarrassment.” Searching the pile, she picked out a blue owl and gave it a light hug.
Fluttershy, for her part, let out a happy squee as she began placing the various stuffed animals in a circle, almost like they were sitting down for a tea part. She continued to hold onto the bee and flew it around, constantly humming. “Buzz! Buzz!”
“Yeehaw!” Applejack shouted as she rode around the nursery on the back of her father, Bright Macintosh. It didn’t matter to her that the stetson she always liked to wear was now much too big for her in her regressed, fillyified state. She was just glad to have her father back again, even if it was just within a dream.
Bright Macintosh smiled, letting his daughter bounce up and down as he paraded around the nursery with her. “That’s my little cowgirl!” He cooed. “Who’s gonna help me wrangle up the cows? You are! Yes you are, yes you are!”
One of the cows wasn’t really a cow, it was a certain pink-coated earth pony filly wearing a cow costume. “Moo!” She said in her best impression of a cow, giggling at how high-pitched and squeaky it was. She was really the only cow in the group of cows that could move around, the rest were all just scribbled on cardboard boxes made to look like cows. But that didn’t matter to her, nor did the fact that she was clad in a very visible plain white diaper, or that her mane and tail had been brushed back into the flat style she had before she’d gotten her cutie mark.
Bright Macintosh, with a smile and a wink, tossed a rope to Applejack and said to her. “Come on, let’s wrangle ‘em up, partner!”
The freckled filly tried to get a good grasp on the rope, which was easier said than done given her clumsy hooves and the constant bouncing from her father. Try as she might, she was really struggling to keep the rope from falling out of her hooves.
Pinkie Pie was doing her best to hold still, waiting for Applejack and her father to get close before she would try to run away. She only wished that her father was joining in the fun, rather than taking up the role of an observer. She could still see him off in the distance, sitting on a small bench and eyeing her carefully. If only her other sisters could be there with him, keeping him company. Then she could play with Applejack to her heart’s content.
“Alright, partner!” Bright Mac declared as he approached the edge of the fenced-in play area where the fake cows were. “Ya ready to do this?”
“Ready, Pa!” Applejack giggled in reply. She still didn’t have that good a grip on the rope, but that was okay with her.
Bright Mac rose up on his front hooves, loudly shouting “Yeehaw!” with a mighty bray! Then with the greatest of ease, he leaped over the fence and jumped into the play area! “Round up, cowgirl!” He playfully shouted!
Pinkie, needing no further incentive, ran all about the length of the play area. She ran here, there, and everywhere in between! “Can’t catch me! Can’t catch me!” She taunted, occasionally adding a moo to the mix.
Applejack quickly grew frustrated with Pinkie’s taunting and running, especially since the boxed cows were all wrangled up without a fuss or a fight. It was just that one costumed one that was being stubborn and refusing to cooperate. So she jumped down from her father’s back, holding the rope as she chased after Pinkie Pie.
“Hey, Applejack, get your flank back here!” Bright Mac called out. “If anythin’ happens to ya, your ma’s gonna kill me!”
But the freckled filly didn’t reply, she was too single-minded on chasing after her fellow earth pony. Judging her moment as best she could, she threw the rope across the play area!
The rope caught Pinkie by the tail, causing her to trip and fall. Luckily, her diaper cushioned the blow, she wasn’t bruised or injured at all. Yet she still wiggled and squirmed, trying in vain to break free of the rope. “No fair!” She complained with a pout. “You weren’t supposed to catch me!”
“Pinkamina Diane Pie,” Igneous Rock sternly scolded as he trotted to the edge of the play area and looked down at her. “Thou art to play by the rules thou agreed to.”
“But Daddy!” Pinkie whined.
Igneous quickly shot down the argument. “But nothing, Pinkamina. If thou can’t play by the rules, thou shalt go home and sit in the time-out corner.”
The pink party pony lost any will she might have had to protest as a result. She sat down and lay still, letting Applejack tie her up.
Bright Macintosh chuckled a bit as he trotted over, turning his attention to Igneous. “I never would’ve imagined somepony as serious as you could have a pony like Pinkie for a daughter. But you’re raising her so well. I wish I had your kind of magic when it comes to keeping my little Applejack in order,” To his daughter, he then asked. “Now what did I tell ya about runnin’ off on your own like, little missy?”
Applejack frowned. “But Pa, the cow was gettin’ away! I had to stop her!”
Bright Mac only shook his head. “It’s great you wanted to help like that, Applejack. But you could’ve gotten hurt. If you do that again, you can forget about playin’ with your friends or ridin’ on my back.”
“Thou should listen to thy father, young one,” Igneous encouraged the freckled filly. “Tis always important to listen to thy elders.”
Pinkie Pie, meanwhile, was laughing hysterically. “Haha! You got in trouble!”
Igneous then scolded. “Pinkamina, thou shalt not mock thy friends. Be nice.”
Pinke sighed. “Daddy, you can just call me Pinkie Pie.”
“Thou art always Pinkamina to me, little one,” Igneous firmly replied and then trotted close, scooping up his daughter. “Now come along. Thou art overdue for a change, or does thou not realize how thoroughly thou has’t soaked thy padding?”
The pink party pony, only now aware of the damp feeling on her rear, said nothing. She really did feel little again. Had she really been having so much fun that she hadn’t realized she needed to go? Or was it just a part of the dream?
In contrast to all the others in the dream, Rarity was much less enthusiastic about the whole thing. She had yet to join in playtime with any of the other little fillies. She was just sitting there off in her own little corner, pouting and turning her head.
“Now Rarity, there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Hondo Flanks sought to reassure his daughter and not so secretly nudge her towards the others. “Everypony’s in the same boat here. They’re not going to think any differently of you now just because you’re in diapers. You got along just fine with everypony on Mother’s Day.”
“But I don’t want to do it again, Father,” Rarity frowned. “Once was quite enough for my tastes, especially since I had Sweetie Belle for company. This time, I’m all on my own. Why can’t we just do something else? I’ll even go fishing with you if that’s what you want.”
Hondo Flanks sighed. “Don’t you wanna get dressed up all nice and pretty for Daddy? I barely see you anymore, you’re so busy.”
“It’s not like I’m ashamed of where I come from, I’m a proud Ponyville pony and always will be,” The fashionista insisted even as she refused to move. “But why does it have to be this way? I thought after Mother’s Day it would be a one-and-done thing, and that I would never have to think about it again. I for one do not miss my time in diapers, and I have no desire to return to them. I am a lady.”
“And you still are, sweetie,” Hondo said with a smile and began to plead. “Come on? Just one more time? Just for Daddy? I promise I’ll make it up to you. I’ll let you make you a nice new suit, and you know how much I don’t like fancy clothing. Even your mother’s more into fashion than I am.”
The little fashionista was still not convinced. But her will to resist seemed to be melting ever so slowly as she turned her head. She could see all of her other friends, and even Trixie with whom she was an occasional acquaintance at best. All of them seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, playing together in small groups and talking to one other. And their fathers were all happily chatting amongst themselves, no doubt swapping stories and memories. It did look inviting.
Yet there was still something in the back of Rarity’s mind that was holding her back, preventing her from letting go. She wasn’t sure what it was. Even the most emotionally mature of her friends had all accepted this dream reality without question or hesitation. So why was she unable to do the same?
Hondo appeared to sense the hesitation his daughter was displaying. And suddenly, he knew what to say to coax her into playing with her friends. “You know, lots of full-grown ponies wear diapers sometimes. Think about it: How else do you think big-time celebrities like Sapphire Shores or Countess Coloratura can go on those long tours all the time? You don’t think they stop in the middle of their concerts for bathroom breaks, do you?”
“That’s just an old mare’s tale,” Rarity frowned. “There’s no such thing as popstars who wear diapers.”
“And how would you know? You think they would ever let anypony see them in padding?” Hondo pointed out. “You’ve said it yourself, everypony has secrets. Surely you’ve had clients with specific tastes that have asked you not to spill their secrets to others, haven’t you?”
Rarity paused, putting a hoof to her chin. “Well, there was this one client years ago…”
Hondo took that as the incentive needed to push her along, not so subtly guiding her towards the unicorns and Twilight. “-So, this is your chance to see it from the other side. Nopony’s gonna judge you. And if they make fun of you, they’ll answer to me. I always stood up for you when you were growing up, even when others said you’d never make it in the fashion industry. So go on, sweetie! Go play with your friends! I’ll be right here if you need me.”
Before the fashionista filly could even think of trying to run away, she was spotted by Trixie and Starlight, who quickly ran over and hugged her. Then they ushered her into their little circle of friends.
“Hi, Rarity,” Starlight greeted, lisping slightly. “This my friend, Trixie.”
Trixie stood up and puffed out her chest. “That’s the Great and Powerful Trixie to you!” But she then lost her balance and fell over, her padded rear sticking up in the air for everypony to see.
Starlight snickered in spite of herself, and to her surprise Rarity seemed to join in.
A stallion who looked very much like Trixie herself was there a moment later, helping Trixie to stand back up. “There there, my little Trixie. There’s no need for such dramatics. It’s sweet that you want to follow in my hoofsteps. But you need more practice before you can be as great and powerful as The Great and Powerful Jackpot.”
“Okay, Dada,” Trixie replied and sat down and straightened her wizard hat. “Trixie gonna practice more,” She turned to Starlight and Rarity. “You wanna help me with my magic show? Trixie needs volunteers.”
Starlight eagerly accepted. “Sure, Trixie. I’d be happy to be your great and powerful assistant again.”
“Ooh, let me help too!” Twilight beamed as she waddled over with Smarty Pants in tow! “I wanna do the trick where you pretend to saw somepony in half, it looks so cool!”
Firelight smiled as he watched the fillies start building a stage in preparation for their magic show. “This really does bring back memories,” He said as he wiped a tear from his eyes. “It’s times like these that make me wish I could keep my little pumpky-wumpkin like this forever: Keep her close and protect her from the world, from anything that might want to hurt her.”
“I feel the same way. I do miss those days when Rarity was younger and used to look up to me all the time,” Hondo said with a smile. “Once Sweetie Belle came into the picture, I barely had any time for Rarity. Granted, Sweetie Belle wasn’t as demanding as Rarity, but she still had her troubles. I still can’t believe she’s finally gotten her cutie mark. It feels like only yesterday she was still a blank flank, still trying everything out there to see what her special talent might be. Even trying ot be like her big sister for a time”
Nightlight chuckled. “Twily’s blank flanks were just as much of a hassle. Before she got into magic, she tried everything under the sun and then some. And she never wanted to give anything up. She was always so convinced she could get it right if she just tried a little harder. Thank goodness Princess Celestia came into the picture when she did.”
Jackpot let out a sigh. “I wish I could say I had memories like the ones you all have. But before tonight, I never even knew I had a daughter. All I could think about was my stage career. I wanted to be the best stage magician ever, I thought it was what I wanted most,” He unhappily looked down at the ground. “And because of that, my little Trixie grew up without me ever being there for her. I never got to see her like this.”
“Hey, it’s alright,” Firelight reassured the magician. “I learned with Starlight that it’s never too late to reconnect. I hadn’t seen her for years after she left Sire’s Hollow, and I had to learn the hard way that she wasn’t the same little filly I used to want to protect,” He smiled. “But I can safely say our daughters have turned out just fine. They have each other.”
Nightlight smiled too. “It warms my heart to see Twily making friends. Her mother and I were worried she’d never make any. Even her classmates were more just casual acquaintances for her, rather than actual playmates. And now look at her,” He beamed with pride. “She’s made so many friends and accomplished so much. I couldn’t be prouder of her if I wanted to.”
Hondo chuckled. “What, you think just because your little filly grew up to be a princess that makes you special? My little Rarity established her own business all by herself. And now she’s created an entire fashion empire. Three successful boutiques, and who knows how many more to follow?”
“That’s funny,” Firelight said with a grin. “My honey bun’s become a full-fledged guidance counsellor and taken over the reins at Twilight’s school. She sure has come a long way from hating cutie marks and wanting to take over Equestria with equality.”
The other dads started coming over with their daughters, having been attracted by the show and by the conversation. And naturally, each of them saw fit to add their own sentiments about their daughters.
“They’ve all got nothing on my little Dashie!” Bow Hothoof proudly boasted! “She’s a full-fledged Wonderbolt! I wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes captain of the team someday, that’s how awesome she is!”
Mr. Shy nodded. “Well, it’s certainly quite an accomplishment. But I think Fluttershy has that surpassed pretty easily. She’s overcome her shyness and opened her own sanctuary. I never would’ve believed she could’ve done any of that, or gotten Discord of all creatures to behave. Heck, I used to think Discord was just an old pony’s tale, like Nightmare Moon. And yet Fluttershy stared them both down without flinching.”
“Pinkamina hast truly done great things in her own right,” Igneous proclaimed. “I even hear that she is apparently planning to marry, and I eagerly look forward to meeting mine potential son-in-law. I know that whoever it is that Pinkamina shalt marry will be a worthy suitor and worthy addition to the family, regardless of what she ultimately decides to do with her life.”
“At least you’ve all gotten to see your kids grow up,” Bright Macintosh lamented. “I’m just a creation from Applejack’s memories. I don’t really exist. The real me died long ago when Apple Bloom was still just a foal. I know deep down that Applejack would give just about anythin’ to be reunited with her parents again, to have them back like it never happened,” He sighed. “But that’ll never happen. Even with all the things the princesses can do, they can’t bring back the dead.”
“Well hey, whether you’re real or not, I’m glad I got to know you,” Nightlight insisted with a smile. “I can see how much you inspired Applejack and her family. I know that if anything were to happen to me, my little Twily would find a way to carry on. She’s growing up so fast, they all are. Even my son is a ruler of his own. I couldn’t be more proud.”
“Yes, they are,” Bow admitted as he wiped away a tear. “So I say we gotta make the most of tonight! Who knows if we’ll ever get a chance to do something like this again?”
Without so much as a sparkle, Luan appeared on one of the couches casually reclining. “Well, there is always Family Day.”
The parents chuckled lightly at that as Bright Mac got an idea! “I know, why don’t we all take a picture with our fillies together? That way we’ll have somethin’ to cherish and remember this night by.”
“Great idea!” Firelight declared. “Once this magic show’s over, we’ll all gather around and get everything set up.” Then he and the other fathers sat down right as the lights dimmed and Trixie’s magic show began.
As Trixie pulled out handkerchiefs and performed other little tricks, A tiny young Spike stumbled out from behind some blocks and hugged Night Light’s leg, smiling up at him. Night Light pats his head. “Aww, I’m proud of you too, little guy.” He moved the little drake into his lap and got him comfy.
One thing was for certain, this was going to be a Father’s Day to remember.
Author's Note
Happy Father's Day,
