Not long after changing Misty and setting her down for her nap, Alphabittle went back downstairs and changed the "closed" sign to "open". He made a mental note to check on his precious "Misty Wisty" later on, in case she needed anything from him.

Much to the tall and bulky stallion's surprise, he soon received a visit from none other than Izzy. Had she come all the way to Bridlewood because of Misty?

"Hiya, Alphabittle!" Izzy cheerfully greeted.

Alphabittle smiled back. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Izzy?" He playfully teased with a knowing wink. "You in one of your 'little' moods again?"

The unicorn with a pretty pink coat shook her head from side to side. "Nah, I'm good. I just got back from a really great foaling out session in Zephyr Heights. It was Pipp's treat."

"Oh, so you told her about your secret?" Alphabittle questioned as his mood didn't change in the slightest.

Izzy nodded. "Had no choice, she more or less found out for herself. And it was the same with Misty. But you probably already knew that."

The grey coated stallion nodded back. "Yup, figured as much when you three showed up to that club I put together," His smile grew brighter. "You're so lucky to have such good friends, Izzy. And I can't thank you enough for the role you played in reuniting me with Misty. It's still hard for me to grasp how much she's changed. But she's still my little girl on the inside, always has been and always will be."

"Yeah, it's kind of funny to think we're technically family now, even if you never officially adopted me," Izzy giggled and swished her tail. Then her playful mood slowly faded. "I never really asked, because I never really thought about it until now. But why did you take me in all those years ago? You didn't really know me. Was it just because I reminded you of Misty?"

Alphabittle let out a sigh, shutting his eyes. "That was part of it. I wasn't really in a good mood or a good place when you ended up in my care. Don't get any ideas, you weren't a replacement for Misty. You could've never taken the place she had in my heart, even during those years when I thought I'd never see her again," His tone of voice took on a mournful tone as he continued. "But there was something about you that drew me to you. You only vaguely remembered your parents."

Izzy interrupted, giving a confirming nod. "Yeah. I know I had them when I was really little. But they either left me or something happened to them before I was even two years old," A tear came into her eyes. "What's even worse is that nopony knows what happened to them. It's like they just... disappeared."

"Yes," Alphabittle sighed deeply. "And considering the closest thing we had to any authority was Elderflower, well... somepony had to take charge and keep you out of trouble. I basically got volunteered for the role," Without opening his eyes, he started to chuckle as a memory came flooding back to him in an instant. "I thought I was ready for anything you might throw at me. Boy was I wrong. You were a foal on a completely different level from Misty."

The memory Alphabittle was recalling involved him chasing after a toddler aged Izzy as she was all but bouncing off the walls, bristling and brimming with seemingly unlimited energy! And the foal showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. It was like she didn't have an off switch. "Whee!" She exclaimed, running all about the length of the first floor of the Crystal Teahouse, her diaper swaying alongside her tail.

Alphabittle (only slightly younger than he was now, despite outward appearances to the contrary) was panting desperately as he chased after his young charge! "Come on, Izzy, get back here this instant!" He demanded, pausing to catch his breath. "That tea was supposed to calm you down so you could take your nap."

"Nu-uh, no nap!" Izzy stuck out her tongue in playful fashion, taunting! "Can't catch me!"

"Misty was never this difficult." The stallion thought to himself as he chased Izzy up, down, and all around. Try as he might, he couldn't catch her. Where did she get all her energy from?

Izzy just kept on running, not having a care in the world as she raced to and fro! It was like the entire Crystal Teahouse was her playground.

Alphabittle sighed and groaned, realizing that there was only one way he was going to get his charge to stop. "Well, I guess a certain little filly doesn't want any dessert after her next meal."

The toddler unicorn ceased in her excited running upon hearing those words. "No dessert?"

Alphabittle firmly nodded, confident he'd finally gotten through to Izzy. "That's right, Izzy. If you keep acting up like this, I'll send you to your room without dessert. You know the rules: If you want dessert, you have to behave. So stop trying to run away! It's time for you to take your nap like a good little foal!"

That did the trick, Izzy turned back to Alphabittle with a sorrowful and regretful look on her face. "Sorry, not do it again." She apologized with what sounded like a sincere tone of voice.

The bulky unicorn stallion breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his brows. "That's better. Now why don't we?" But then he happened to sniff the air, and an all too familiar stench reached his nostrils. Fearing the worst, he trotted over to Izzy and pulled back her diaper. "Izzy!" He exclaimed, nearly recoiling from the overwhelming smell!

Izzy blushed bright red with shame! "Sorry, Alphabittle! I really had to go!"

"It can't be helped," Alphabittle forced back a groan as he scooped Izzy up. "Come on, let's get you changed. And then you're going to take your nap: No ifs, ands, or buts."

"Yup, those were the days," Alphabittle chuckled as the flashback ended and he opened his eyes. "But your cute face made it all worthwhile, more or less."

Izzy nodded ever so faintly. "Yeah. I hope you know I didn't mean to give you a hard time."

"Oh come now, Izzy," Alphabittle reassured her. "You're the kind of pony that's impossible to stay mad at. Besides, it all worked out in the end. You've grown into just as much of a fine young mare as Misty and the rest of your friends."

The unicorn mare with a pretty pink coat just replied. "Well, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. You're the first pony I ever trusted with my secret, after all. And I remember being really worried what you'd think of it: Of me wanting to go back to diapers when you'd worked so hard teaching me how to get out of them."

The bulky stallion's smile did not fade. "It wasn't that much of a surprise, really. You've always had that child like curiosity and innocence. It's what kept you from being broken by Bridlewood like the rest of us. And much as I didn't want to admit it back then, some of that innocence rubbed off on me," He then commented. "If you're worried about your friends and what they'll think of this, you really shouldn't be. You've already shared it with at least two of them, and it's clear they feel the same way you do."

"Yeah, and I more or less told Sunny and Comet about it, and they were okay with it too," Izzy explained. "That just leaves Hitch and Zipp. And honestly, they're the ones I'm most worried about. They always strike me as more mature and independent, Zipp especially. I can't imagine they'd be as understanding. Hitch is practically a parent already given how he's been raising Sparky. And Zipp," She put a hoof to her chin. "I'm kind of surprised she hasn't already found out about me, or about Pipp. She is pretty good at being a detective."

"So? You think after all you've been through together that a secret like yours is going to be a problem?" Alphabittle inquired. His tone of voice made it clear that he didn't sound all that concerned, but was trying to be respectful towards Izzy's feelings.

Izzy put a hoof to her chin. "I'm just trying to think of how to best tell them about it. I'd kind of like to have a friend or two where I'm the one revealing the secret to them, rather than have them find out. I feel like it'd be better for everypony if that's the case," Looking Alphabittle deep in the eyes, she questioned him. "So, since I was already stopping here in Bridlewood for more crafting supplies, I was wondering if you had any ideas or advice?"

The bulky stallion just replied. "This reminds me a lot of when you got that letter telling you that you had 'Friends in Maretime Bay', and you weren't sure what you should do about it. Ultimately, it didn't matter what I told you or what other ponies said, you were convinced the letter was real and that it wasn't a trap. It turned out not to be. And because of that, not only did you make the friends you'd always wanted to make, but you also brought magic back to Equestria. When you follow your heart, Izzy, you're seldom wrong. This is no different."

"You really think so?" Izzy asked in a hopeful tone of voice.

Alphabittle gave a firm, confirming nod. "I know so, Izzy. And no matter what happens, know that you can always count on me for support."

Seemingly satisfied with the response, the unicorn mare with a pretty pink coat was silent for a moment, apparently deep in thought. Then she said with a smile. "Okay, Alphabittle. Thanks for the talk. I think I know what I have to do now. Just need to make a few little arrangements, first." And with that, as if to make herself heard, she seemed to bounce away with a skip in her step.

Upon returning to the Brighthouse late that day, Izzy started to work on her plan for more or less "coming out" to Hitch and Zipp. She wanted it to be meaningful, something that would convey the significance of her confession.

"Hey, Izzy," Sunny greeted when she noticed the unicorn all alone in the bedroom of the Brighthouse. That was usually a sign that something was up. "What's on your mind? You seem... troubled."

Izzy turned towards Sunny with a bright smile. "I'm glad you asked that, Sunny," She pulled the earth pony close and whispered. "You remember my 'little' secret?"

"Oh, that?" Sunny blinked in surprise yet understanding. She whispered back. "So you're thinking of finally telling all our friends about it?"

Izzy giggled, playfully swishing her tail from side to side. "Not all of them, silly. Most of them already know. Even Comet. And let's just say you're not the only one here who likes to wear diapers and act like a foal." She flashed a knowing wink.

Sunny smiled. "I guess that doesn't surprise me. If I'm being honest, ever since I found out about your secret, I've been... intrigued for lack of a better term."

"So, would you consider joining me for a special occasion?" Izzy proposed as she looked all around. "Because I'm thinking we could have a great big diaper party! You know, as a way to celebrate our victory over Opaline!" She put a hoof to her chin. "I'm just having a little bit of trouble figuring out what to do with Sparky. I don't think Hitch would really want him getting involved in all of this."

"That's... a good question, actually," Sunny thought aloud. "He has mentioned how hard it was to find diapers that Sparky couldn't destroy with his claws or his fire breath. That's more or less why he decided to start potty training Sparky so soon after he hatched. Maybe Spike would have some ideas, seeing as he would've had to have been in diapers at some point too. And that means he would..." Then she gasped, putting her hooves to her face as a realization struck her! "Wait, that's it! Why didn't I think of it sooner?!"

The unicorn mare looked over. "Think of what?"

Sunny couldn't stop herself from getting all excited! "Spike is the answer! He and the other dragons can look after Sparky for Hitch on the day we have the big diaper party! Hitch won't suspect a thing, and I'm sure I can convince Spike. After all, he seemed to know more about Sparky than any of us did," She giggled with apparent giddiness. "It's the perfect plan! I can have Hitch and Zipp drop off Sparky with Spike via the Marestream, which would give the rest of us plenty of time to get everything set up here at the Brighthouse."

Izzy's smile grew brighter. "Oh Sunny, you complete me! It's almost like we were always meant to be friends!" A realization then struck her as she thought about Sunny's eagerness to take part in the planning and preparation. "Wait, does this mean you're gonna pad up?"

"Of course, that's what friends are for, right?" Sunny innocently replied. "Besides, with how busy my smoothy cart has been, I could use some time off to relax. And nothing's more relaxing than having your every need taken care of for you," A sigh of regret escaped her lips. "It's just too bad my dad isn't here to be my caretaker. He didn't seem to care how long I stayed in diapers, or how long I took to be fully potty trained. It always seemed like there was nothing I could do that could make him get mad at me, not even playing with his glasses or messing up his carefully organized research. Acting like a foal, it's kind of the next best thing to having him around."

Izzy reached out and put a hoof around her fellow mare. "I'm sure your dad wouldn't be bothered by you going back to diapers. And you're not the only one who misses their foalhood. That's what initially got me into diapers as well," Looking into Sunny's eyes, she asked. "So, can I count on you to get Hitch and Zipp onboard? Don't tell them the whole details," She winked. "Remember, it's our little secret."

The earth pony mare with a lovely orange coat nodded, moving a hoof across her mouth. "Relax, Izzy, my lips are sealed. Hitch and Zipp won't suspect a thing."

"Great!" Izzy exclaimed and bounced away! "Now I just need to wait and see what the others think! I mean, I'm sure they'll say yes. But you never know."

Izzy really needn't have asked, however: Pipp, Misty (once she returned from Bridlewood), and Comet were of course all onboard with the idea of a diaper party. Comet in particular commented. "I've never been to any sort of party before. So a diaper party will be twice as much fun!"

Pipp did see fit to ask. "So, if all of us are going to be foaling out, are we going to do it alone? Or are we going to have caretakers?"

The unicorn mare with a pretty pink coat just vaguely responded with a simple. "Leave that to me."

It took surprisingly little time for the plans for the diaper party to come together. Hitch and Zipp, suspecting nothing out of the ordinary when told by Izzy about a "Surprise Party", agreed to take part in it. And just as Sunny had been hoping, Spike promised to take care of Sparky on the day when the party was slated to take place.

When at last the day of the party arrived, Hitch and Zipp got up early, and soon took off in the Marestream to drop off Sparky.

"They're gone," Sunny said to Pipp and the unicorns as she came trotting into the Brighthouse seconds later. "Let's get everything set up before they come back." And she pitched in with helping to redecorate the entire place from top to bottom.

Everything was ready by the time Hitch and Zipp returned to the Brighthouse, neither of them the least bit prepared for the sight that was to greet their eyes upon their entrance into it.

When the door to the Brighthouse swung open, Zipp and Hitch were more than a little bit surprised to see that all the lights had been switched off. They trotted inside together, only for the lights to suddenly be switched back on as the familiar voice of Izzy shouted out! "Surprise!"

Once the off-duty sheriff and the part time detective's eyes had readjusted to the sudden brightness, they took in the sights that surrounded them. To say that the two ponies were shocked would be an understatement!

The entire Brighthouse had been redecorated, full of streamers and banners in hues of baby blue and pink. But what really commanded attention was what had been done to the bedroom upstairs and to the kitchen downstairs. The kitchen now had several high-chairs, with a bib resting in each one. As for the bedroom, it was covered with a soft, foam like surface, and was surrounded by large bars that made it look more like an oversized playpen. Off to one side was a well stocked changing table, overflowing with diapers, wipes, rash cream, and of course foal powder. And most of the beds had guard-rails installed, effectively turning them into makeshift cribs.

In short, the Brighthouse now resembled a giant foal's nursery more than anything. And if that wasn't strange enough, Izzy, Sunny, Pipp, Misty, and Comet were all wearing large, thick, poofy diapers that had cartoonish images printed on them to serve as wetness indicators.

The two friends' mouths dropped wide open in unison! Neither one knew what to say.

Izzy was the one to take the lead, proudly parading forward as her padded posture was present for all to see. She didn't seem to have a care in the world. "I knew it! I knew you guys would be speechless!"

"Just what is all this, Izzy?!" Zipp questioned, slowly finding her ability to speak. "What does this have to do with the surprise party you proposed?"

Pipp just flew forward, giggling as she booped Zipp right on the nose. "Oh Zipp, and you pride yourself on being a detective. Isn't it obvious? This is the party. It's a diaper party. Or, if you prefer, an adult foal party."

Hitch let out a gasp! "Wait, then that means..."

"-Yup," Sunny interrupted. "Diapers are very much mandatory. Just put one on, and let all your big pony worries drift away," To Hitch, she then commented. "Haven't you ever secretly wished you could get away from it all, even just for one day?"

The off-duty sheriff blinked slowly. "W-well, the thought did cross my mind once or twice. But I don't know..."

Zipp, meanwhile, saw fit to inquire. "Um, I hate to ask, but if we're all going to be in diapers and acting like foals, then does that mean we have to..." She shuddered. "Use the diapers for their intended purposes. That sounds pretty gross."

"You don't have to if you don't want to," Misty explained while poking her padding with a hoof. "Just do whatever makes you feel comfortable. The whole point is to relax."

"But you expect us to change ourselves?" Zipp questioned. "Not all of us have magic, you know. That could get pretty messy very fast."

"Duh!" Izzy playfully giggled with childish worry. "That's why I had some very special ponies come over to serve as caretakers. And they should be here right about... now!"

As if on cue, the Brighthouse door swung open again. In trotted Alphabittle, Grandma Figgy, and Queen Haven, all of whom had bright, cheerful, and most of all playful smiles.

Hitch spun around and let out an eep! "G-Gran Gran?!"

Grandma Figgy trotted over, nodding happily as she let her grandson nuzzle into her chest. "Yes, Hitchie. I'm here for you. I know how much you've secretly longed for this. Gran Gran has ways of knowing."

"But... but... I have to be big and strong, for everypony's sake! For Mom and Dad's sake!" Hitch tried to protest.

Grandma Figgy just replied by pulling out a baby blue colored pacifier, popping it into Hitch's mouth as she cooed. "That's quite enough, grandson. Talking is for big ponies. Just hush and let Gran Gran take care of everything."

The earth pony stallion suckled heistantly and slowly on the pacifier. As he did so, any desire he might have had to fight back seemed to leave him. Still, he reluctantly trotted away as Grandma Figgy followed.

Zipp then gulped as none other than Queen Haven came trotting up to her. "M-mom, please," She whimpered and pleaded. "I... I don't want to go back to diapers! Y-you can't make me!" It was hard to tell if it was just an act or if she was being sincere.

Queen Haven playfully retorted. "Oh come now, Zephyrina Storm. You know better than to argue with your mommy. Since you don't want to attend my lessons on how to be a ruler, the least you can do is let me baby you and Pipp again. Hoofness knows, this certainly brings back memories."

Zipp gulped and swallowed hard as a bead of sweat trickled down her face. "F-fine. But I'm not using my diapers and you can't make me! Understand!"

"Of course, Zipp," Queen Haven chortled as she led her eldest daughter away. "You've always been so independent, always trying to do things your own way. That's why I'm certain you'll make an excellent ruler someday, whether you want to be queen or not."

Alphabittle then came trotting over, looking at the remaining mares and then at Izzy as he made sure to shut the Brighthouse door and lock it. "Don't need anypony interrupting our day of fun," He said with a grin. "Sure took you long enough to share this part of yourself with everypony, Izzy. But I'm glad you did."

Izzy nodded. "Yup. I don't why I ever doubted myself," Then she giggled. "I can't wait for you to put me back into diapers."

Alphabittle laughed in reply, scooping up Izzy with his hooves. "Let's not waste any more time, then! I mean, you're already in diapers, but I have a feeling I'll be changing more than a few of them before today is over."

Izzy just let out a cute, foalish giggle. Everything was coming together nicely. To think, just a year or two ago, Alphabittle had been the only pony to know about this secret side of her. Now, she'd shared it with all her friends.