Tags: [Alternative Universe] [Tragedy] [Sad] [Slice of Life]

Characters: [Wallflower Blush] [Sunset Shimmer] [Rainbooms] [Sci-Twi]

Written By: SuperPinkBrony12

Note: Unofficially takes place within the universe of "A Reblossoming Flower" by Daxn.

Sunset Shimmer sighed deeply. She'd been putting this off for such a long time already because of the unique circumstances surrounding it. But after talking it over with her friends recently, they'd all come to the same agreement: It was time. Wallflower Blush was old enough to be potty trained.

Sunset could still remember in the immediate aftermath of the Memory Stone incident when she and the other Rainbooms had discovered that the stone's destruction had inadvertently reverted Wallflower back to a little baby girl. Sunset had desperately written a message to Princess Twilight, hoping for answers, only to learn that there was nothing in Clover the Clever's notes indicating that such a thing had ever happened before or how it might be reversed.

Undeterred, the Rainbooms had initially tried to return the infantilized Wallflower to her parents. But they had refused to believe that the little baby they were presented with was the same child they had brought into the world and raised for so many years. And no amount of convincing or pleading could make them see it. So Wallflower had, at least for the time being, been cared for by Pinkie Pie and the Cakes. It was a temporary solution, but the Rainbooms hadn't worried about it at the time because they'd all felt sure that they would eventually find a way to turn Wallflower back to normal.

Alas, after almost a month of exhaustive research, not only had Princess Twilight not been able to come up with an answer, but the other Twilight had come to a most troubling conclusion after her own research. She'd hastily called all her friends to her lab, and there she gave them the news none of them wanted to hear.

"After careful analysis and detailed study of Wallflower's physicality and mentality, I regret to inform you that there is not a way to undo the Memory Stone's regression," Twilight had somberly stated. "Believe me, I have exhausted every possible avenue I could think of that might hold a cure. But nothing has yielded any positive results."

"Oh my!" Fluttershy had exclaimed on that day and very nearly fainted. "Then, she's gonna have to grow up all over again."

Rarity was all but beside herself with grief and guilt. "The poor dear. She clearly never meant for this to happen. All she wanted was to undo some experiences and encounters that she didn't want to remember."

Applejack had let out a sigh. "Well, it looks like we're gonna have to break the news to Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna so they can cover for us. Otherwise, people are gonna start askin' questions about where Wallflower is and why nobody's seen her."

"Nevermind that, we'll think of something to cover her absence," Rainbow Dash had declared. "What we should be worried about is who's going to care for her and help her grow up again. If we couldn't even convince her parents when we all thought it was temporary, how are we gonna get them to take Wallflower back now that they'll have to raise her from scratch again?"

Pinkie Pie had spoken up. "It doesn't seem like they were really well equipped to take care of her anyway. Plus, she's spent so much time away from them already, they might as well be strangers to her," She had then put a hand to her chin. "I suppose I could ask Mr. and Mrs. Cake about taking her in full time, Pound and Pumpkin Cake seem to enjoy having her around. But having to care for three babies is a bit much, even for yours truly."

Yet to the surprise of all, Sunset Shimmer had then declared. "No, I'm going to raise her!" That had prompted all the Rainbooms to collectively gasp!

"Sunset, I know you feel responsible for what happened to Wallflower, but are you sure that's a wise decision to make?" Twilight had seen fit to question. "The Cakes are perfectly equipped to take care of another baby. You know how much of a responsibility they are."

Sunset had nodded. "Believe me, I'm well aware of that. I know what I'm going to be getting into. But it's only fair. Wallflower never would've abused the Memory Stone or its power if it weren't for me. The least I can do to make up for it is take her in and help her grow up again," When she saw the looks of shared concern and worry from her fellow Rainbooms, she had added. "Don't worry, you can all help out too. I know I can't raise her all alone. Having you all available for babysitting will be a huge load off my back."

"But what about her parents?" Fluttershy had pondered. "Sooner or later, they're going to start wondering why their daughter hasn't come back from that trip they think she's on."

Sunset had swallowed hard. "There's only one thing to do: Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna will have to talk it over with them. And then I guess we'll let the law decide who should really be given custody of little Wallflower."

What had followed was a series of long, awkward, and painful conversations for all the Rainbooms and especially for Sunset Shimmer. Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna proved to be more or less understanding, even as they made it clear they couldn't grant custody of Wallflower Blush so long as her parents were still in the dark about what had happened to her.

Mr. and Mrs. Blush had not taken the news of Wallflower's permanent regression well once they had finally been made to understand how and why it had happened. Needless to say, they had not liked the idea of surrendering custody of their daughter to strangers who admitted to being responsible for the regression in the first place (albeit indirectly). In the end, however, after seeing how distant and withdrawn their daughter was with them compared to how warmly and openly she embraced the Rainbooms, they had reluctantly agreed that it was best if their daughter officially be given up for adoption, and that Sunset Shimmer receive their blessing to become Wallflower's adoptive mother.

Sunset had then written to Princess Twilight to inform her of all that had happened so as to explain why she would not be able to come back to Equestria again anytime soon. And after learning from Princess Twilight that all was well and that Princess Celestia was pleased to see Sunset taking responsibility for her actions (both intentional and unintentional) all that had remained was to juggle the responsibilities of being a parent with the daily problems facing a teenager.

Somehow, Sunset Shimmer and the Rainbooms managed to maintain most of their usual routines at school and outside of school after Wallflower officially became Sunset's daughter. Sunset mostly opted to keep Wallflower away from Canterlot High for the sake of not having to explain things to the other students, and gradually she learned how to change Wallflower's diapers, give her baths, feed her, and do all the things a good parent should do.

Yet now, with the senior year of Canterlot High approaching, Sunset now found herself tasked with having to teach Wallflower how to use the bathroom. No amount of reading books or consulting with friends and "experts" could give her the confidence she needed to know that she wouldn't somehow mess it up. As such, the soon to be young adult decided the only course of action to take was to just go one step at a time, play it by ear, and see how things progressed from there.

Taking advantage of a weekend from school in which she had already finished all the homework due on Monday, Sunset took the liberty of waking up early on Saturday and beginning the training once Wallflower was awake (Sunset Shimmer and the Rainbooms had decided it best not to rename her). "Okay, Wallflower," She said with a sigh. "I think it's about time you learned how to use the potty."

Wallflower blinked while sucking on her thumb, curious as to what her mother meant by such a statement. "What's a potty, Mommy?"

Smiling, Sunset took hold of Wallflower by the hand. "I'll show you. Come on," She led her adopted daughter through the house that she had childproofed as best she'd been able to two years prior, and brought her into the bathroom. Once inside, she bent down underneath the sink and pulled out a small, plastic object with the words "Fisher Price" printed on it. She set it down upon the bathroom floor and explained. "This is a potty. And it's just for you. From now on, I want you to use it to go pee pee or poo poo instead of going in your diapers."

Wallflower eyed the plastic object with an odd mix of confusion and curiosity. "How does it work?" She asked as she looked up at Sunset.

Sunset cheerfully demonstrated by removing Wallflower's pink flower print shorts, and pulling down her diaper. Then she sat her daughter upon the potty and patted her head. "Just have a seat and get comfortable. I think we can try for ten minutes, seeing as this is your first time."

"So, I'm supposed to go in this and not my diapers?" Wallflower pondered.

"Exactly!" Sunset Shimmer confirmed as she sat down next to her daughter. "And we're gonna keep on trying every time you have to go or think you have to go. And if you get good at using it like you're supposed to, I've got some presents from your aunties that I'll give you. Remember, that's only if you keep up your end of the bargain. Okay?"

Wallflower smiled as she sat on her potty. "Okay, Mommy."

Sunset breathed a sigh of relief as she continued to eye her daughter. There would be bumps in the road for sure, but for now at least she was satisfied that Wallflower Blush's second time going through potty training was proceeding as planned.