//------------------------------// // Chapter 48: Winter Sickness // Story: The Lost Shimmering Sun // by Pinkie Pie Sweets //------------------------------// During the cold of winter, some people play in the snow, some people stays inside, and other kinds of activities to do in the snow. In some cases the cold weather can cause some people to feel cold or under the weather. In Sun's case, she's under the weather alright. "A fever! How could you have a fever in winter?" Rainbow screams over Sun's laptop. Sun has the bad case of the flu and she will need to stay in bed for a few days. Her head feels warm, her nose is runny, and her throat feels sore. She is not in shape to do anything for a while. Right now, Sun is talking to her friends on the video chat on her laptop. Her friends are kind of surprised to see Sun in this kind of condition. "My dad said I caught the flu, so I won't be able to come to the animal center today or in a fews says for that matter." Sun says with a sore throat. "Aw, you don't sound good at all," Fluttershy says in concern. "Yeah. I'm going to be stuck in bed for a while," Sun replies. Then Pinkie sadly says in the screen, "Aw, and you won't be able to come to my New Years Eve Party tomorrow," "No," Sun answers. "Sounds to me like that flu is not going away anytime soon," Applejack replies in a sad tone. Then Rarity says, "Well, just make sure you've dressed warm, stay in bed, and drink plenty of fluids." "Don't forget some medicine," Fluttershy adds. Sun smiles and says, "I will. Bye." "Bye," Rainbow and the others reply. After saying their goodbyes, her friends hang up the video chat and Sun closes her laptop. Sun continues to lie down in bed and she doesn't feel good at all. She then start to cough and it hurts her throat. Sun goans and says, "I hate this" And she really doesn't like being sick, at all. Just then, Screwball comes into the room with a smile on her face and knowing her, she's here to cheer up her sister. Screwball sits on the bed and says, "Hi sis, how are you feeling?" "Terrible," Sun mutters. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine in a few days," Screwball replies with a smile. Then Screwball asks, "Think your stomach can seat something." "I don't feel that hungry," Sun answers feeling tired. "Want something to drink instead?" Screwball asks. Sun nods her head and says, "Sure." "Okay. One glass of orange juice coming up and then you can take some medicine," Screwball says with a cheerful smile. "Sure," Sun replies with a weak smile. Sun starts to feel bit better, but still feeling sick from her throat and her head. As soon as Sun has her medicine, she falls right to sleep. She will be sleeping for a while too. Back at Pinkie's house, the others are at her house to talk about what to do on New Years, and trying to figure out how Sun can enjoy it while being stuck in bed. Of course, they feel bad that Sun is sick during the coldest time of the year. Rainbow groans with annoyance and says, "Man, I can't believe Sun is sick in the middle of winter." "Rainbow, you know as well as anyone that people often get sick at this time because of the cold," Rarity says while painting her nails. "Yeah. But Sun doesn't get sick very much and now she has the flu," Rainbow yells. "Sounds like it to me." Applejack replies. "Still, none of us have seen Sun this sick before," Pinkie replies. "Please, I don't believe we'd ever seen her sick at all," Rainbow remarks. Fluttershy turns to Rainbow Dash with a concern look and says, "You do have point Rainbow. But she still sick and maybe we can do something to cheer her up. "Yeah. She's as sick as Winona," Applejack replies. Rainbow Dash bluntly says, " Serious Applejack, Sun may be sick, but she's not sick as a dog." Applejack glares at Rainbow and firmly says, "I didn't say she's as sick as a dog, Rainbow Dash." "Yeah. But I don't feel in the mood for sarcasm," Rainbow Dash firmly says, staring back at Applejack. Fluttershy get's between the two glaring girls and calmly says, "Now, now, let's not try to get into an argument. We're trying to find a way to make Sun's feel better, not get into a fist fight." Applejack and Rainbow Dash calm themselves down and sadly says, "Yeah." Applejack and Rainbow Dash calm down after their little argument. The girls are still wonder on how they can help Sun feel better from her flu. Then Rarity asks, "So how exactly are we going to cheer Sun up?" They try to think of an idea on how to help Sun. Sunis sick and won't be able to do much, including on New Year's Eve. Just then Pinkie has an idea. She shows a big smile and says, "I know." After getting some stuff and getting some gear on for the weather. They all gone to Sun's house so they can cheer her up, and knowing Pinkie Pie, she's going to cheer her up and give her some gifts. Pinkie opens the door to Sun's room and happily cheers, "Hi Sunny." Sun turns toward the door with a weak smile and says, "Hi Pinkie. Hi girls." Pinkie hops into the room while the others walk over to see Sun and hoping to make her feel better from the flu. The all face her on different sides of the bed, but make sure they don't catch her flu. "Hey Sun," Rainbow Dash replies. "How are you feeling?" Applejack asks. "I little better. I'd took some medicine just before you got here," Sun answers weakly. "That's good, darling. I see you are looking comfortable," Rarity replies with a smile. "Yeah. But my throat still hurts," Sun sadly replies and her speech says it all. Fluttershy comes over to Sun and says, "Don't worry Sun, as long as you stay in bed, I'm sure you'll feel better in no time." "I know," Sun says with a smile smile. Just then, Sun starts to notice that her backpack is moving like crazy. Sun is starting to think that there is something alive inside her back. "Um Fluttershy, what's going on in your backpack?" Sun asks with a confused look. Fluttershy starts to understand what Sun is looking at. So she takes her backpack and puts it off the bed. She unzips her backpack, and little Angel Bunny pokes his head out of the backpack. "Angel wanted to see you when I told him about you being sick." Fluttershy explains. Sun smiles at the little bunny and says, "Hi Angel. It's nice to see you again." Angel Bunny smiles and simply rubs his head against Sun's cheek. Sun smiles a the rabbit and rubs his little tummy, which Angel loves very much. Rarity giggles and says, "I think Angel like you." "Yeah," Sun replies. Sun sighs calmly and says, "Sometime… I wonder what it's like to have a pet of my own?" Pinkie surprisingly gasps and says, "You want a pet!" "Sometimes," Sun answers calmly. Just then an idea hits Pinkie and she happily says, "We should get Sun a pet!" Rainbow Dash looks at Pinkie with a confused look and says, "Huh, why do you want to give Sun pet?" "Why not? We all have pets," Pinkie asks. Then Pinkie clarifies, "You have Tank the tortoise. Applejack has Winona the dog. Rarity has Opalescence the cat. Fluttershy has Angel Bunny and other pets in her house. And I have Gummy the alligator." Sun looks at Pinkie with a confused look and says, "Wait, Rainbow has a tortoise and you have a pet alligator!" "Yeah." Pinkie replies. "Is there something wrong about me having a pet tortoise," Rainbow asks firmly. "Sun shakes her head and answers," No. I'm just surprised that you have one. I'm mostly surprised that Pinkie has an alligator for a pet." "You mean a baby alligator," Pinkie remarks. "It's still an alligator," Rainbow mutters. Sun giggles and says, "Well, it's very unlikely for anyone to have an alligator for a pet." "Yeah. You should also tell my sister, Maud. She has a pet rock named Boulder," Pinkie says with a smile. "Usually, I don't believe that rocks are pets, but I guess it depends on the perform," Rarity replies. The girls start to giggle about the pet conversation and it seems Sun is feeling better being with her friends, even though she is sick. She then starts to wonder if she had any pets in her past life, but doesn't remember having on. She starts to deep in thought until Pinkie Pie asks, "So Sun, what kind of pet do you want?" Sun looks at the girls with a confused look and says, "I don't know." Then Fluttershy asks, "Well, what kind of characteristic you want in a pet?" Sun starts to think about the kind of pet as she explains, "Well, I think I'm good enough to have a small pet. I also want the pet to play with me, calm, and sweet. It can't be too rowdy or cause mischief." Sun sighs sadly and says, "In a way, I kind of like a pet like Nina." The girls look at each other with concern and remembers the name before. They remember that Sun has been attached to a baby Iriomote Wildcat months ago. Sun and little Nina have become good friends and they are like friends too. But Sun has to let her go, she the small cat can go back to her family. They believe the way Sun is saying that can only mean one thing. Fluttershy sadly asks, "You still miss Nina, don't you." "Yeah. I still miss her. Even though I only have her for a day, I grew fond of her and I still think about her something," Sun explains. Sun then starts to shed tears and says, "Even if I've got a pet of my own, I don't think any pet could replace her." Sun then starts to cry and shed more tears. The girls can tell that she really miss her feline friend and it's a cat she is unable to keep with her. They feel sorry for Sun that she and her little wild cat friend have to be a part. Applejack sits on the bed and sadly says, "It's okay Sun. I know that nothing can replace Nina, but I'm sure she doesn't want you to feel that way. "I know, but I still miss her," Sun replies while wiping the tears off of her face. Then Rainbow lies on the bed and sadly says, "Yeah. In fact, I know exactly how you feel. Sun looks at Rainbow Dash and asks, "You do?" Rainbow nods her head and says, "Yeah. I remember how upset I want when I first got Tank and when he's going to hibernate for the winter. I tried whatever it takes to make it feel like summer to him, but nothing worked. My mom told me that when I have to say goodbye, I'll still have the memories of him." "Wow! That's was a sad story," Sun says amazed and still shedding tears. "Yeah. Even though Nina's not with you anymore, you will have great memories of her. Also, when you get a new pet, someday, you will make new memories with it," Rainbow Dash adds with a smile. Sun understand what Rainbow Dash is saying. Even though someone dear to them are gone, they still have wonderful memories of them. And by magic and faith, they can make new friends and create new memories with them as well. Sun smiles at Rainbow and says, "Thanks Rainbow. I needed that." "No problem girl," Rainbow replies with a smile. Fluttershy and the others are kind of impressed with Rainbow's story. She hasn't told anyone about what happened with her and Tank. They are proud that story help Sun feel a lot better. Just then Discord comes into the room with a tray full of sliced fruits, veggies, and cashews, and says, "Hey girls, I thought I should bring some snacks to you." As he is going into the room, he notice Sun eyes are red and has some dry tears on her face. In concern, Discord walks over to her to see if she's okay. He puts the tray of snacks on the table so he can come close to her. "Sun are you okay?" Discord asks in concern. Sun looks at her dad while wiping the tears from her face and says, "I'm fine." "You don't look fine," Discord replies. "She wasn't at first, but we were able to cheer her up," Rarity replies with a calm smile. "But why were you crying?" Discord asks. "We talking about getting Sun a pet. But she then start to miss sweet little Nina," Pinkie explains sadly. Discord looks at Sun with concern, "Oh, I understand." "I know, dad. I really miss her. I sometimes wish I could see her again," Sun sadly explains. Discord hugs Sun and says, "Don't worry Sun, maybe someday you'll be able to see her." "I guess so," Sun replies sadly. After the sad event, and another hour at the house, Sun's friends have gone home so they can be with their family and get home before it gets dark. Discord also give Sun her medicine after she's able to eat something. By time, Sun is starting to feel a lot better, but still needs some time and rest to recover from the flu. In the evening, Sun lies down in bed feeling sick yet feeling comfortable with the extra blankets and pillows. Sun looks out of her bedroom window to see that the evening sky looks beautiful, especially with the snow slowly falling from the sky. Sun smiles and says in her thoughts, "Wow! The sun looks beautiful while setting from the sky and with snow falling." Just then Screwball comes in a room while is distracted and happily says, "Hi sis, how are you feeling right now?" "I'm feeling a lot better, but I still need to stay in bed," Sun answers with a calm smile. Screwball sighs and says, "Aw. I wish you would get better soon, then you can play with me." "I know. But I still need some rest and with the medicine, I feel really sleep," Sun replies while feeling tired. "I guess you're right. Try and get some sleep. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and you need some rest," Screwball says. Sun smiles and says, I will. Goodnight Screwy." "Goodnight Sunny," Screwball replies happily. Screwball leaves the room and close the door behind her so Sun can get some sleep. When Screwball is gone Sun has gone off to sleep because of the medicine. She sure have an okay sick day, despite for her sadness of missing a friend, she still have a good day. She still wonders what will it be like to have a pet, but she will need to think about it more before she decides to actually have one or not. When she does get one, she will make good memories with it.