Angel, the mischievous little bunny rabbit that seemed to be more aware of it's surroundings then the other bunnies, especially considering his young age, was a very special bunny to Fluttershy. Not because he was adorable or that he gave her confidence and a push when needed but because she made a promise to his late mother...
Fluttershy one day was sat in her garden, surrounded by all her animal friends, of whom were tucking into their meals. She happily watched over them all with a smile on her face. The animals looked up to Fluttershy and admired her kindness towards them and her ability to give a sense of protection whenever they needed it. Though they know who the animal boss is.
"Angel, come have some dinner with us" Fluttershy said sweetly.
Angel poked his head around the doorway before coming out, he sat next to Fluttershy and rested his head on her legs.
Fluttershy placed his meal next to him, "Here you go Angel, I made it just the way you like it"
Angel sat up and put his head near the food, sniffed it and even tasted it a little. It was alright so he ate it. Fluttershy patted his head softly and praised him, even after these years he held similar traits to his mother.
"Rhonda" Fluttershy mumbled before almost crying but she composed herself, Angel isn't ready for that yet, or so she told herself.
Angel's ear perked up when he heard that name, it seemed familiar. However the smell of his food was more overpowering and so he continued eating.
Fluttershy noticed his ear perk, "Angel um, Discord isn't coming home tonight he has to sort some problems between Cadence and Shining Armor. I hope they're both okay"
Much later on when the animals were resting and in their respective homes, Fluttershy was sat in front of the fireplace, her own tea in front of her, though she wasn't very hungry. The thought of Angel's mother plagued her mind.
"It's just as though it was a few days ago" she mumbled before taking a bite out of her food.
"I had finished refurbishing my cottage when a cute white male bunny came out of a hole around the back of the field, he made it clear that the female rabbit with him was due soon and would appreciate it being quiet. And that's putting it kindly" Fluttershy thought, "I assured him that I wouldn't make much noise, if anything I might put a fence around the field, he didn't seem to dislike the idea but because of the timing he wanted his girl to be comfortable. I understood and delayed the construction ponies from coming"
"It wasn't until a group of ponies came over during the night. I don't think they realized that I had moved in... I did put posters up too... but they thew a party in the field, which caused the male rabbit to come out and complain. Unfortunately no one listened and those that saw him only ridiculed him so he got really cross. I was amazed at his bravery to stand up against them."
"He managed to get their attention but due to his appearance no pony listened... he looked over to the hill and then at me, it seemed as though he was beginging me to do something and I tried, my voice wasn't loud enough back then. In a flash a large group of ponies scrambled off, it could've been Bramble, the bear but I couldn't be sure what scared them, any who they headed straight for the hill and if it wasn't for the male rabbit then i'm sure Rhonda would've been crushed. But that meant..." Fluttershy felt tears fall down her face, her sobs silenced as she covered her face in a pillow, "He was- was..." she couldn't bring herself to finish not even in her own mind.
Angel was sat in his spot on the chair, he noticed Fluttershy crying and went over to her. His head at hers, he rubbed himself on her. Fluttershy looked up, her eyes red and sore, tears fell down her cheeks, Angel using his ears wiped them away.
"Thank you, Angel" Fluttershy smiled, "Your such a sweet boy"
Angel rolled his eyes and curled up into a ball, he wasn't entirely sure why she was crying but it wasn't exactly something new. Fluttershy grabbed a tissue and rubbed away the fresh tears.
"Rhonda after that not only became extremely distant but depressed, when her babies were born it seemed to me that she didn't have it in her to look after them. After all she was the most wild rabbit i'd seen, she never approached me or communicate with me. So at that time, I left her alone when I should've been more supportive."
Fluttershy moved her plate away and put her tissues into the bin.
"I was more shy back then though and I didn't have any courage... perhaps that's why she didn't trust me. I didn't really trust her, but those sweet little bunnies of her were starving. I could see them start to wither away one by one." Fluttershy glanced over to Angel, whom was sleeping.
"All nine of her bunnies passed away, with her becoming more and more depressed. I stepped in and grabbed the last bunny, though she wasn't happy and tried to protect it. I had given her time and I could tell that if I hadn't done anything then that poor little bunny would've passed away also."
"I looked after that bunny rabbit and thought that once when it was all better, I would let it go back into the wild, maybe even back to it's mother. But judging by how Rhonda left so quickly afterwards, I guess that wasn't going to be an option"
"It wasn't until a few months later, when that little bunny wasn't as small or vulnerable that I gave it a name. My sweet little Angel, and of course after giving him a name I had decided to raise that rabbit and be sure to protect it. However it Rhonda should come back, though I highly doubt it, then i'll deal with it"
"I imagine that if his father hadn't passed on like he did, then my sweet Angel would have his own family by now and Rhonda would have been a wonderful mother but that isn't how it worked so I take that responsibility for Angel and no matter what ponies say about Angel, i'll defend him and continue to love and cherish every moment I have with him..."
Fluttershy grabbed Angel of whom was still fast asleep and put him next to her, they both stayed in front of the fireplace, and though Fluttershy wasn't aware. Angel peeked up to her and squeaked, "Moma..." before snuggling close to her and dozing off.