A/n: enter the episode May the Best Pet Win here. The story picks up from the finish line, when Dashie is debating whether to take the tortoise or the falcon. -Honey Heart, the Filly-

I looked from the tortoise that had saved my life, to the falcon that had won the race, then back and forth and back and forth, until I realized something. I didn't want a pet animal. But what I really wanted, nopony would be willing to give me. Except. One. Maybe. I turned to Fluttershy with a faint smile on my face.

"Hey, Flutters, can we go back to your house while I decide? I'm feeling a little pressured here." She nodded eagerly. "Anything that'll help you decide, oh I'm so excited to see which one you pick." She was already gathering up the other animals, and walking briskly back to her house near the Everfree Forest. How she lived so close to that place and feared it so much, I will never know. I followed her, watching her closely as we walked. The others had dispersed, obviously seeing my discomfort with them watching me. I evaluated my 'decision' as we walked.

Her nice, soft pink mane framed her face perfectly. Her hooves were light on the ground, barely making a noise on the beaten dirt. Her face glowed with enthusiasm, but her normal shyness didn't look bad either. Her flank was very well-shaped, as well it should be, as she had to take care of all her woodland creatures, and that meant exercising them. Her eyes were the epitome of innocence, which was most of the reason she drew me in like this. Before I knew it, we were there. I looked away as we entered, and pretended to busy myself flopping on the couch to think as she put her animals away.

I continued sneaking glances at her, building up my courage. This was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I really needed all my strength to do it. Right now, I just needed to bend all the universe into this one question, and maybe, just maybe, I'd get an answer I wanted. I coughed quietly, trying to get her attention, but she wasn't near me, so she didn't hear. I got up, stretching, and trotted over to her, prodding her side with my hoof. She turned to face me, expectant.

"Yes, Rainbow? Have you made up your mind already," she asked quickly. I had never seen her so into anything like she was into this. I guess animals really are her thing. I leaned forward, whispering in her ear really low.

"Heh, actually, I lied back there. I'd made up my mind the moment I crossed the finish line." Fluttershy looked confused, cocking her head a little. I sighed, pushing on. There wasn't any turning back now.

"I. Chose. You." It was barely above a whisper, and yet her reaction let me know she had heard me. Her body locked up, her face contorting with intense confusion and thought. She backed away from me, very slowly, which gave me a little hope. I knew it was still a longshot, but I held out hope now.

"W-what? A-a-are you...Serious? You w-w-w-want to...own me?" I ducked lower with every word, instantly regretting what I said, thinking of ways to make it up to her before it destroyed our friendship entirely. I cringed, waiting for the final statement of rejection.

"Y-you do r-realize i-it's t-technically illegal. E-even though y-you a-are asking me, I'm n-not sure if it's legal..." The way she spoke was confusing me. Like she was actually considering it, despite the fact that it was, as she pointed out, illegal to own another pony in Equestria. I hadn't thought of that. I sighed in defeat, turning to leave.

"I'll have to think about it. This is...quite a big deal for you to ask of me, no matter what the provocation." I smiled faintly, turning back to her. She was smiling at me, as if she had some ideas in her head, which was quite unlike her. Still, her to even consider such a thing is way beyond her norm in the first place. I left her hut feeling a lot more confident than I had entering it.

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I walked away from the window, after watching to make sure Dashie went home. I was probably going to end up accepting her request, but she would have to prove she would be a nice owner. I looked over my array of creatures from the woods, trying to think. An idea came to me, and a good one at that. If Angel was on his best behavior, then unless he was completely neglected, he would be just fine anywhere. I thought it over, and decided that it was the best of my options. I cantered over to Angel's side.

"I'm gonna need you to stay with Rainbow Dash for a few days. If you aren't on your best behavior, we'll have a little talk in the shed. Got it?" Angel immediately nodded profusely, as afraid as any of the rest of the creatures of my 'shed.' Satisfied that Angel would be the sweetest bunny ever, I picked up his cage and flew out the door. I'd have to have a talk with Dashie first, but this would hopefully go off the way I planned it.

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I had just arrived at my cloud home, gotten some food, and sat on the couch eating when I heard somepony circling the house. I grumbled, leaving my lunch on the couch as I went to the door to see who it was. I couldn't believe it.

"F-Fluttershy? What are you doing here? I literally just left your house." The confusion was plain in my voice, and probably on my face, too, and then I saw what she was carrying. "Angel bunny?"

"Yes, Angel bunny. He'll be staying here with you for a few days. I got a little behind on my caretaking, and one less creature would be fantastic! Please, would you take him for a few days?" She was practically begging me to take the little demon off her hands. Of course, I didn't want to leave a friend hanging, so I agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to take him in. I took his cage and placed it in the middle of my living room, unlocking the cage. I took him out and placed him on the floor, seeing if he could walk on the cloud floor. Apparently, he could, and started exploring impatiently. I left him to that and returned to Fluttershy.

"So, how long is a few days?" I asked, getting a time frame in mind for how long I needed to bear the miscreant. She giggled softly, as if something I said was funny.

"Oh, no more than a week, I promise. I'll be back next week to pick him up! Thank you ever so much!" With that, she ran out and took off, heading back to her place, presumably, to catch up on her stuff. I sighed, turning back to find Angel and see what he was up to...

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this story's beginning, it took forever to hash out while keeping it in some semblance of the plot i wanted.