Before the sun's light kissed the surface of the horizon, Fluttershy was up and about tending to her animals. From her place, in the chicken coop, it looked like it was going to be another sunny and bright day, the thought was enough to bring a small smile on the pony. Sunny days were the best to care for the animals that lived with her or even the ones that came from nearby forests and mountains.
However, it seemed the clouds had other ideas for the weather. They weren't big or heavy enough to rain, but thick fluffy clouds began to gather hurriedly to form a single giant mass over the skies.
Fluttershy's ears twitched worriedly as she glanced upward. "What do you think we should do, Angel?" She wasn't sure, but she also didn't want to chance leaving her animals out in a downpour of water, cold and shivering.
There was no response. "Angel?"
Looking down, Fluttershy almost flinched when she found her dear bunny huddling close against her hoof. His ears were planted firmly to his head as he chittered fearfully.
"Why Angel, what's wrong?"
The rabbit looked up at the dark sky then back at the yellow pony. Concerned, Fluttershy gently lifted the bunny up onto her back, fluttering her wings so that he was tucked against them.
"I know it looks scary, but I don't think it will rain today." Her words did nothing to calm the frightened animal. She smiled warmly, hoping to assure her friend. "But just in case, why don't we check on everyone and prepare some room just to be sure." She glanced behind her. Angel had his head nuzzled against her mane, his small head leaning on her neck. "Okay?" she nudged gently.
Angel only whimpered and nuzzled closer.
Hours had gone by, the sun had risen high above the clouds and had thankfully dispersed the large mass. Fluttershy smiled, looking beside her she called out, "See Angel, look at how lovely the day has become."
The rabbit looked up, a small uncertain frown still stuck on his face. He chittered lightly, pointing at a few squirrels and chipmunks. They also looked no different
than Angel, huddled close and glancing worriedly up at the sky as if the sun wasn't even there and the clouds were still looming overhead.
Fluttershy brought a thoughtful hoof up to her chin. It was odd that the small woodland animals were acting a bit skittish today. And it wasn't just them, the turtles and lizards, the owls, hawks and small singing birds were also acting odd. It was as if everyone were scared of something. But, here was Fluttershy feeling no different than she had the day before, watching them and wondering and worrying what in Equestria could be the problem.
Usually, she would often find out what it was that made the animals so uneasy. Animals never did anything without reason, a pony could have done something careless to them, or there was a squabble with other animals and all of that, she could easily fix. She could even ease the wrathful rage of the bees, or quell the angry spats of lions and leopards. Yet now, she couldn't find the solution to what was agitating all of her furry friends into hiding. Not even she could feel any reason to be scared or nervous.
Well, maybe not all of them were being strange. A soft but gruff little growl sounded softly from a cave not far from the fence that held her sheep and goats.
Looking over, Fluttershy spotted the small lumbering body of a small bear cub, poking its head into one of the gaps of the fence. His fur was a bright and healthy brown and his paws were large and armed for one as small as he. He looked to be a grizzly bear, with his noticeable scruff of thick fur and large claws. He looked almost like Mr. Bear who often came and snacked on nuts and honey with the squirrels.
"Oh, why hello there." she greeted as the cub trotted over to her and Angel. A small terrified squeak came from her little friend, but Fluttershy knew the cub
wouldn't do anything by the way it sat back on its haunches. Bears could be terrifying creatures, but there was never any fighting occurring whenever she was around to settle everything. A lighthearted groan left it as it lifted one paw in a sort of greeting.
"And what's your name, huh?" she asked, leaning down to eye level with the small cub.
The bear groaned happily, smiling wide and waving its paws playfully. Fluttershy laughed and gently pat at its head. "Look Angel, he won't hurt you. He just came to say hello!"
Angel didn't even bother to reply with either an angry chitter or a disapproving look, he just continued to quiver behind her, whimpering.
Fluttershy's eyes lingered worriedly over at him and wondered what she should do. She hoped he wasn't sick.
Another growl from the bear brought back her attention.
"Are you a new neighbor to the bear that lives here? I don't believe I've seen you here before and it isn't spring either. Where's your mother?"
The bear stilled for a moment, sniffing the air and snorting. It groaned again before getting back up and trudging away onto a familiar road.
"Oh, um... where are you going?" she asked, her hooves rushing over to follow the little bear. He groaned again, licking his lips as if he were hungry. "Oh, well if you're hungry I know where there's some yummy nuts and fruit to eat back in my cottage."
The bear sniffed at her, his face looking sad. "No?" She had never heard of a bear to turn down nuts and fruit. "Well then, would you like some vegetables? I have lots of carrots and lettuce and many others that you're sure to find tasty." she tried again. The bear merely shook his fuzzy head.
They continued down the dirt road.
"I could prepare some sweet honey and make cookies, would you like that?" she asked, hoping to deter the bear from going any further.
It wasn't that Fluttershy didn't like her animals to roam around Ponyville, but the last time a bear wandered in, most of the other ponies didn't really appreciate his rather enthusiastic visit. She had promised it wouldn't happen again and in truth she had kept it, managing to keep her animal friends well into the forest and wildlife. Not a single bear or lion, tiger, boar, and on occasion her mythical beasts were always content in living out free and away from buildings and shops.
The bear declined once more, making the Pegasus sigh in defeat. "Well, I guess it's okay if it's only for a little bit. Okay?" The bear looked back at her, tongue rolled out in a curious look. "We'll get a little snack in Ponyville and then we come straight home, okay?" Angel squeaked again, appalled.
Growling happily, the bear sat back to clap his paws together gratefully.
"Then it's settled. We'll get something to eat real quick and then come back home, are you okay with that Angel?"
The rabbit rapidly shook his head, pulling at her mane he began to chitter excitedly. "Now Angel, don't be that way. I'll make sure to buy you a carrot cake, it's just for today." Fluttershy reassured. Angel on the other hand only trembled in nervousness.
They soon arrived in Ponyville and instantly, the bear went on ahead towards the various shops of jewels, clothe, and small cafes.
Fluttershy was confused, the bear wasn't at all interested in what bears his age would be interested in. He didn't roll into the trash, break merchandise or even enter every building that smelled heavily of food. In fact, it looked as though the little cub was actually looking at them, as if he were searching for a specific place.
"Um, Little Cub, if I may ask, what are you looking for?"
He stopped and looked up at her. Standing up at his hind legs he stretched his bear arms out and began growling and groaning and motioning with his paws.
"Oh, you'd like to go to a restaurant?" It was indeed strange for a bear to ask to go to a restaurant of all places. But then again, they did have food, so she supposed it wasn't all that strange. "Well then, I think I know what you're looking for."
"Follow me." She turned around and began walking in the opposite directing, Little Cub following close behind her, panting excitedly.
"Pinkie Pie took me there once, it's a lot more suited for children and parties, but I think you'll like it very much and nopony will notice you being there at all."
Little Cub groaned and looked up at her back, staring at Angel. He tried to glare at him, but the little bear only smiled.
They soon arrived at the restaurant and Fluttershy looked up at the sign. Her ears flattened and her smile and fallen.
"I don't remember that being the name..." she muttered lowly as she stared at the building. "And..." she looked over it carefully. The place looked a little bit bigger than what she remembered and it began to unnerve her. Angel chattered at her in fear. "W-well it was a long time ago that I came here, Angel... Like with AppleJack's farm. Nothing stays the same forever." He huffed at her. "Now, now it's still the same place. We'll just get in and then out after we eat."
She went over to the door and was just about to open it when all of a sudden something opened it for her.
"Eep!" she jumped when the door hit her head.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry Fluttershy!" a familiar voice said.
Rubbing her head softly, Fluttershy stood with Angel angrily chattering at the pony that caused her to fall.
"Oh no, it's alright Twilight, I should've been more a-aware. I just Little Cub's okay." she looked to find the bear sitting calmly behind her drooling.
"Is that a... um... a bear cub?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh yes, he said he was hungry. So I brought him here, if it's okay I mean..."
"Uh well I guess, but he might not be the only strange guest here." She tilted her head to gesture towards another little creature that was currently pulling at her tail.
"I found this little guy chewing on Spike's basket and was on my way to visit you before he suddenly dashed right into this restaurant."
There, chewing on Twilight's tail was a small brown fox kit. He tugged defiantly at her tail only to fall back on his rear from the vast difference in weight. "I'm not sure if it's healthy for foxes to eat pizza, but well I couldn't calm him down otherwise. I was hoping you'd be able to do something about this."
"Well that's certainly odd, isn't it Angel?"
Once again Fluttershy didn't get a response. "Angel?"
And once again, Fluttershy had once again found her usually brave little bunny, cowering behind her at the sight of the small fox just like when they met Little Cub.