//------------------------------// // Animal House // Story: Sunset Shimmer's Sick Day // by CapNTilfy //------------------------------// Behind Fluttershy was a cat, a dog, a hamster in a ball and a chinchilla. "I would have brought more animals, but I didn't want to overwhelm you." She said. Closing the door, she walked over to Ray's cage. "Hello there, Ray." Fluttershy said sweetly. "How are you doing today?" She paused, listening intently. "Oh, I know, but don't worry. Sunset should be feeling better soon." She got out some crickets. "Dinner time!" She fed Ray, then walked over to Sunset's couch. "Ray's worried about you, the poor thing." Sunset smiled. "That's sweet of him. When I get better, I'll give him a treat as thanks. Would you mind getting this washcloth wet again?" "Not at all." Fluttershy said, taking the washcloth from Sunset and walking back to her kitchen. Sunset smiled again, remembering all she went through with Fluttershy. Her first impression was that Fluttershy was by far the easiest target in Canterlot High. Weak and submissive, unable to stand up for herself. After the Fall Formal, Sunset was so shocked that Fluttershy forgave her so easily that she burst into tears and hugged it out. As their friendship strengthened, Sunset was surprised how little she knew about her. Her compassion, her uncanny connection with animals and her hidden talent for songwriting. Speaking of which... thought Sunset. "Any new ideas for songs, Fluttershy?" she said as the cat Fluttershy brought leaped onto her and settled down on her stomach. Fluttershy nodded her head. "I do, but I want to go over them with the whole band. I hope you don't mind." "I understand." said Sunset, as the dog Fluttershy brought licked her hand. "Hey there, fella." she said to the dog, gently petting its head. She saw the chinchilla and hamster chase each other around. "Are they okay?" asked Sunset. Fluttershy put the washcloth on Sunset's forehead. "They're just fine, chinchillas are hyperactive by nature. I thought you'd enjoy seeing small animals scamper around the floor." She smiled. "And don't worry, I'll clean up after them if they make a mess." "Thank you Fluttershy, that means a lot to me." Sunset smiled as she stroked the cat laying and purring on her stomach. "You're welcome, Sunset. Do you have any idea how you got sick?" said Fluttershy. "I don't know for sure, but I'm betting that I might have had some bad sushi or something." said Sunset. "I suppose that makes sense. I remember the last time I accidentally ate bad food." Fluttershy shuddered. "Those images will haunt me forever." Oof, she must've had it way worse than me. I guess I should count my blessings, Sunset thought. She yawned and stretched, causing the cat to leap off her stomach. "Now I know how a springboard feels." she said sleepily. Fluttershy giggled. "I'll keep them busy while you catch up on some rest." "Thanks, Fluttershy." A moment later, Fluttershy sent an update text. Still no changes so far. She's taking a rest right now. - Sent by Fluttershy Something's gotta give eventually. She was drinking a smoothie that I brought her from work. - Sent by Applejack She better be at her best when I take her on! - Sent by Rainbow Dash Don't worry, her fever should break eventually. - Sent by Twilight Sparkle Twilight's right, we should just wait it out. - Sent by Rarity I'm already planning for the party! - Sent by Pinkie Pie Fluttershy sighed and tended to the animals. "All right everyone, let's keep things quiet so Sunset can get the rest she needs." ---------------------------------------------- Sunset found herself out in the open field again. Everyone was there waiting for her. "So, have both Pinkie Pies driven everyone and everypony insane yet?" she said with a grin. "Thankfully, no." said human Applejack. "There's enough people and ponies here to hold a pretty good party, so both of them have been too busy to cause any trouble." she gestured to Equestrian Pinkie Pie playing multiple instruments, while everyone else but the Celestias were dancing. "Huh." said Sunset. "That actually looks kinda fun. I could use a party after how crappy I've been feeling all day." She walked over to everyone and began to dance. ---------------------------------------------- About an hour had passed since Sunset fell asleep. Maybe I should leave. Even with the animals being quiet, I don't want to risk waking her up. thought Fluttershy. Maybe, just be on the safe side, I should tell Dash to come early? This is a nice neighborhood, so it's not like Sunset's going to be in any trouble if I just leave her here with the door unlocked. ---------------------------------------------- Sunset, her friends and their Equestrian counterparts we all dancing to Equestrian Pinkie Pie's music playing. Just then, Sunset thought she heard a noise. Looking around, she saw a small yellow blur out of the corner of her eyes. She blinked, slightly confused. She then heard a rustle in a bush. "Hello?" Sunset said. "Who's there?" Slowly but surely, a yellow pegasus mare cautiously trotted out. "Fluttershy?" she asked. "Do I know you?" asked Equestrian Fluttershy, still clearly frightened. "Don't worry, Fluttershy, I'm a friend." Sunset assured her. "It's okay, you can trust her." said human Fluttershy, slowly coming out of the bush her Equestrian counterpart hid in. "Hi there, Fluttershy." She greeted her friend. "Hello, Sunset." human Fluttershy smiled. ---------------------------------------------- After agonizing over her decision for a while, Fluttershy decided it was best to leave Sunset's home. She'd simply send a text letting her friends know. I'm leaving Sunset's place early so I don't accidentally wake her up. - Sent by Fluttershy You sure that's a good idea, sugarcube? - Sent by Applejack She should be fine, darling. We live in a decent neighborhood, after all. - Sent by Rarity I accidentally woke her up, and she seemed fine with it. - Sent by Pinkie Pie I think you might be missing the point, Pinkie. - Sent by Twilight Sparkle It'll be fine, guys! I can speed my way there in a flash. - Sent by Rainbow Dash ---------------------------------------------- The party was still going strong in Sunset's dream. I wonder if I'll ever get any words from the Celestias. Even both Fluttershys have been more talkative than those two. Suddenly, Equestrian Pinkie Pie stopped playing her instruments and looked in Sunset's direction. "Hey, you made it! Took you long enough!" Sunset blinked. "What do mean 'took me long enough'? I've been here for-" Equestrian Pinkie Pie giggled. "Not you, silly! Her!" Equestrian Pinkie pointed behind Sunset. Sunset turned around and gasped. There, standing right in front her, was a brilliant amber unicorn mare with a sun for a cutie mark. She was left speechless. "I know." her Equestrian self said. "This is weird for me too."