Fluttershy had only just returned from Applejack’s birthday party, late at night when her animals alerted her of the news. Angel was injured beyond help. She knew this in her heart, but refused to believe it. Her beloved pet gazed up at her, his eyes clouded. He didn’t seem to recognise her. But she still believed. She believed long after she struggled and failed to stop his suffering. She knew he wasn’t going to make it. She knew, but didn’t let this thought enter her conscious mind. Pushed it away so she could deny it. But he was slipping away beyond her reach and she knew it. The tears finally came as the yellow mare collapsed. Silent sobs seemed to echo in the quiet night. Every animal watched her in silence, seeking to console their caring friend, yet knowing she needed to be alone with her pet. Her friend. Angel’s body was broken and there was not long left. Fluttershy raised her head.
“Angel… Bunny”
A teenage mare crept to the to the window of a pet pet shop, eyes wide as she surveyed the family of bunnies there.
“Mom, can I please have one”
Her mother sighed
“Fluttershy, you know the rules. No animals in this house.
“But Mom-“
“I said no Fluttershy. Your father will never allow it”
“Dad, um, I saw this thing in town the other day, and it…I, well….
“What was it?
“It was a bunny”
“What was that?”
“A bunny”
“A bunny”
“Um… yeah”
“Fluttershy, what are the rules in this house”
“Eat all your food. Don’t make a lot of noise. And… and…”
“Yes?”
“No pets”
Fluttershy sighed as that memory faded.
“Angel bunny” she whispered.
She hesitated
“You were in that window. When I was fifteen”
She took a deep breath
“I so wanted a bunny. But dad… he was different”
Angel gave a small murmur, as if he were really listening. Maybe he was.
“But then… then…”
“Fluttershy! Come downstairs, your mother and I want to talk to you.”
Fluttershy rushed downstairs and stopped in front her parents.
They glanced at each other- and nodded
“We have decided you are old enough- to have your own house.”
Fluttershy smiled through her tears.
"I was so happy, it meant I could finally have you”
Angel still didn’t seem to recognize her.
“I was already into animals, but this got me really into them. I found a sick cat on the side of the road and cared for it. I rescued orphaned baby birds and took care of them. I was really doing what my cutie mark was telling me”
Angel gave a small moan
“Angel! Does it hurt? Are you ok?”
But Angel had drifted into a deep sleep again.
Fluttershy sighed.
“Angel, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for what happened to you. You hated me since then. It was my fault. I was such an idiot. I-if I could take it back I would. I would. I would.”
“I won’t be gone for long Angel. Really. You’ll be fine.”
Angel gazed up at her, his eyes full of trust.
“But I left you for two days Angel bunny. No wonder you hate me!”
Angel shifted restlessly.
“What else do I tell you?”
The distant sounds of a clock chiming told her nearly an hour had passed. For a long while she said nothing. She just waited. Waited by his side.
“I regret everything Angel. I deserve the pain you gave me. I deserved your hatred! I still do! Don’t regret it Angel! My parents were right about animals. They were never for me. I can’t save you! Why can’t I do anything? Why am I so useless?!
“She’s so good with animals”
“How you do it Fluttershy?”
“It’s her special talent”
Fluttershy raised her head.
“My… special… talent?”
Fluttershy was beyond consoling by this point. She was so depressed by the whole situation that she just wanted the pain to go away.
“What should I do Angel? What will make this all better? How can I ever forgive myself? How can I manage now?
Angel didn’t have long left now.
He was going to die soon.
Very soon.
“I don’t want you to die Angel”
Hours seemed to pass.
“Angel… I want to tell you a story.”
Angel did not react. Fluttershy cleared her throat.
“Once there was a little filly who lived in the woods. When she was very small, she would sneak out into the woods alone. She would explore. There she met her best friends. They would be together all the time, whatever the weather. Exploring and having fun. But the filly had to go to school. She didn’t see her friends very often anymore. But she still saw them. However, day by day, they became more distant. The filly stopped seeing her friends so much. But she was still happy. Happy until the day her mother grew ill. The filly to care for her, as her father had died long ago. She knew that her mother did not have much longer. She didn’t need to see the doctor shake his head or feel the comforting hoof on her shoulder, see the sympathetic glances. Her mother passed away. She had to leave the forest for good. So she had to see them one last time. She ran into the forest, excitement mingling with her sadness, and rushed to the clearing. They weren’t there. She was too late, and her friends were no longer there.”
Fluttershy sighed.
“My mother told me that story when my little sister died, she told me it was hard to let go but sometimes you have to.”
Fluttershy stood up.
“It hurts Angel, but I have to accept it. Letting go is hard but if you don’t, your pain will be worse when you have too.”
She smiled.
“I understand that now Angel. But… I still don’t feel right. I still feel like… this isn’t enough. How can you ever really forgive me Angel?
Angel had moments left, but he still had something to say. Fluttershy realized this and strained her ears, as her understanding of animal language kicked in.
“No… hard… feelings… Shy”
