Reborn

“Wow…!” Fluttershy said in quite surprise as she watched the cat slowly make its way out from under the gnarled mass of roots and towards the outstretched hoof of Sunset Shimmer. “I didn’t know you were so good with animals…!”

“Hehe, that tickles, kitty!” Sunset giggled as the feline slowly sniffed at her amber hoof, before walking up and headbutting it. “Aww, you’re a good kitty, aren’tcha!”

“It’s odd to see you having trouble with the animals, Fluttershy.” Twilight commented as Sunset hoisted the cat up into her hooves and started pawing at its belly. “And I didn’t know you like cats either, Sunset.”

“Are you kidding? I love pussies!” Sunset chuckled, before pausing as a small blush came to her face. “Er, cats, I mean. And dear Celestia do I miss my hands…”

“Hands?” the meek, buttercream coloured pegasus slowly trotted over, her hooves suddenly shooting out as Sunset held the happily purring cat out towards her.

“Here, Let me show you!” Sunset gave a happy chuckle as she deposited the cat onto Fluttershy before taking a few steps back. A quick flash of light later and a figure that Fluttershy did not recognize had replaced the amber unicorn. “Aha! I knew I could- Er… I guess I need some clothes…”

Twilight couldn’t help but chuckle as Sunset’s human body flashed again, now properly clothed. “Wow… I didn’t realize that there was such a height difference between worlds.”

“You’re telling me… You are a really little pony.” Sunset said as she crouched down towards the alicorn that barely came up to the top of her legs.

“I’m not that small! You’re just really, really tall! Even back on Gaia I barely came up to your shoulders!” Twilight puffed out her cheeks. “Why I’d say you’re just as tall as Celestia darn near!”

“So, um, this is what you look like in that other world?” Fluttershy asked, alerting Sunset and Twilight to the fact that they had momentarily ignored her.

“Oh, um, yes! Right, the reason I did this. Can I see the kitty there again?” Sunset asked, shifting around towards the pegasus and holding out her hands.

The cat seemed interested in the strange creature that smelled somewhat like the pleasant mare that had lured her out from beneath the tree, smelling the dangling bits stretched out towards her. After a few cautionary smells the cat was deposited into the arms of the human Sunset Shimmer, looking around until an extremely pleasant sensation blossomed from behind her ears.

“There we go…” Sunset chuckled as the cat started to purr like a jet turbine, Sunset’s long fingers scratching the cat behind the ears. “Hooves are great for running and all, but fingers can do sooo much more!”

“So, um…” Fluttershy started, Sunset noticing the tone in her voice and how it was similar to every time one of the other mare’s had had questions or comments about their other selves.

“The other Fluttershy always helps animals, yes.” Sunset said, shifting her hand to the belly of the cat, slowly as to avoid teeth and claws. “And she was one of the ones to be very un-kind. And no, I do not hold it against you.”

“Phew…” Fluttershy wiped a wing against the side of her head.

“But if you also have a pet rabbit… I’m liable to strangle the damn thing.”

“Eeek!” the pegasus reared back, wings flaring in shock at the fiery heat coming from Sunset’s glare.

“At least the other Fluttershy didn’t try and bite me, unlike that damn daemon rabbit!” Sunset groaned as subconsciously moved a hand down to her shin. “Good thing that it it had a hard time getting through my boots…”

“Pleasepleaseplease tell me she didn’t send animals after you!” Fluttershy yelled minutely from behind her hooves.

“Oh, god no!” Sunset’s hands flew up as she responded apologetically, giving an uneasy look. “Sorry about that, Fluttershy. I meant nothing by it.”

“But why would she be so upset with you?” Sunset and Twilight shared awkward looks as they contemplated on how to describe the situation, Sunset depositing the cat back onto the ground.

“Sharing secrets does that on Gaia, I guess?” Twilight shrugged before looking over to Fluttershy. “Did we catch you at a good time?”

“Oh, yes! Right this way!” the trio made their way through the small field and towards Fluttershy’s cottage. “I guess we’re lucky that Discord enchanted the cottage so he could fit.”

“Oh, right, I guess I should drop the spell now.” Sunset chuckled as she paused in place, closing her eyes as she drew on her magic, reverting back to her unicorn form after a brief flash of light. “Heh, there we go. Don’t need anyone- pony freaking out.”