//------------------------------//
// Companionship 
// Story: The Cloudsdale Chronicles 
// by Boltstrike58 
//------------------------------//

Hearth's Warming came and went, and eventually, winter did the same. Of course, Cloudsdale, being a city of clouds, didn't have any kind of Winter Wrap-Up, but at the weather factory, Swift Wing still had to adjust to the changing seasons. Clouds full of snowflakes gave way to clouds full of spring rain, and warmer temperatures were now prevalent throughout Equestria. Swift didn't mind, as the cold and gray days had gotten boring after a while.  

Therapy sessions with Dr. Feather were going well. Now that she knew the truth about his origin, she was able to help him with more in-depth ideas. Occasionally, they'd get sidetracked when he mentioned something that was different between Earth and Equestria, and he'd have to explain it to her, but he didn't mind. At least he could talk to her like a friend as well as a doctor.  

Swift had spent some time with Thunder Snow and Gentle Breeze outside of work. There hadn't been any large gatherings, just the three of them going out to restaurants occasionally. Still, it was nice to feel like he belonged somewhere for once. There was friendly banter about work, and discussions concerning how Twilight was doing as ruler of Equestria. Swift kept up with the news, and thought she was a good ruler so far, though she hadn't made any massive alterations yet. There had been some changes at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, mostly concerning the curriculum, which now contained more friendship lessons, but that didn't affect Swift.  

As he sat alone in his apartment, Swift thought about his life situation, and everything that had led up to the present. He knew he didn't want to return to Earth, and was confident he never would, but there were things about his previous home that he missed. Digital media was one of them, though he supposed if he was really desperate, he could write Starlight and ask to visit the world on the other side of the Mirror Portal. Playing video games with Sunset Shimmer would make a nice trip one day, but not yet.

Other creatures were coming to live in Equestria more frequently now. Cloudsdale had previously hosted small numbers of griffons and hippogriffs, but more were starting to immigrate, along with dragons and changelings. There were no yaks or kirin yet, but Swift was willing to bet that ponies were already working on permanent cloud-walking spells that would allow those creatures to live there. It was a good thing, of course. It was always good when differing nations got along. Swift simply felt unsure as to how to adjust to the changes that were coming. If Twilight's coronation had signaled the end of an era, this solidified it.

Lying on his back on his bed, Swift stared up at the ceiling. If he were to be honest, right now he felt lonely. Thunder Snow and Gentle Breeze still didn't know the truth about him, he could only see Dr. Feather once a week, and Twilight's friends didn't have time to spend on him. He knew he had friends, but living alone was depressing. He just wished he had someone to talk to every day when he got home, even if they couldn't respond back.

Swift's eyes widened as a thought occurred to him. He wanted someone or something to talk to. He knew somepony who might be able to help with that particular problem. Sure, it might be a while before she could accommodate him, but he was sure she'd do so. Grabbing a pen and a piece of paper, Swift parked himself at his desk, and began to write yet another letter.





A few days later, Swift departed from Cloudsdale. He'd taken the day off work again, which turned out to be a lot easier than it had been on Earth. Maybe ponies were just better at hiring enough workers to make sure the operation didn't fall apart if one wasn't there.  

Swift made his way across Equestria to Ponyville, aiming himself at the Sweet Feather Animal Sanctuary on the outskirts. Fluttershy had been surprisingly quick to respond to his request, considering she not only had to manage the animals, but classes at the School of Friendship. He hoped she wasn't running herself ragged trying to cover everything, but after that episode where Zecora got sick, she'd probably learned not to.

With a few more flaps of his wings, Swift touched down at the front entrance of the sanctuary. Fluttershy was there waiting for him, with Angel Bunny perched on her back. She smiled and waved politely at him as he walked through the gate.

"Hi, Swift!" she called out happily. "I'm so glad you wrote to me! I'm sure we can help you find the perfect little pet."

Swift smiled back as he pressed his hoof against hers. "Thanks, 'Shy. Again, I'm really sorry to bother you, but I figured you'd be the best one to talk to. It's been kinda lonely in my apartment, and I figured having an animal friend could help fill that void."

"That's great to hear!" said Fluttershy. "I've got so many wonderful animals here, and they'll love you, and you'll love them!" Taking a deep breath, she floated into the air with a flap of her wings and began to sing. "Now, Swift Wing—"

Swift interrupted. "Uh, Flutters? I appreciate the help, but I don't need the musical number. I've already seen you do it with Rainbow Dash, and I already have a love of animals."

"Oh, right. I forgot about the whole 'alternate universe' thing. Okay!" responded Fluttershy. Her perkiness wasn't diminished at all. "Do you have any idea what you're looking for?"

"Back on Earth, before I moved out of my mom's house, we had cats, but I don't know how well one would adjust to living in a cloud city. I know Rainbow has that magic propeller thing for Tank, but I'm not sure that would work. I think having something that flies would be a good place to start."

"Alright, good thinking. Follow me! I'll show you my variety of winged animals."

Swift and Fluttershy advanced deeper into the sanctuary, surrounded by various creatures. Swift had to admit that the way animals were cared for in Equestria was much nicer than it had been on Earth. Sure, there were plenty of people who worked for animal conservation and welfare efforts (he'd admired Jane Goodall), but there were so many endangered species, and that didn't seem to happen in Equestria. Plus, even in zoos, there weren't places where you could get up close to baby elephants and creatures like that.

"So you had cats back in your world," Fluttershy began. "Did you have any other animals?"

"Nope. I worked in a veterinary clinic for a while, but I quit after a couple years. It just wasn't for me, and it was too stressful."

"I can understand that. Animal care isn't for everypony, and neither are pets. Still, you probably understand animals better than some ponies, and you'll take good care of one. Speaking of which, here we are!"

The two had arrived in a small clearing, where flocks of birds and swarms of flying insects were gathered. A hummingbird flew up into Swift's line of sight and locked eyes with him, before zipping off to go about its business. Fluttershy took off again, allowing an eagle and a falcon to land on her forelegs.

"Aren't they majestic?" she commented. "What do you think?"

Curious, Swift trotted over to Fluttershy and reached out a hoof. The eagle made a quick hop over to his foreleg, but his talons didn't dig into the skin. Swift gently reached up with one hoof to touch the feathers, but a quick glare from the eagle prompted him to lower it.

"I don't think this guy likes being petted very much," he commented. The eagle gave a noise that might've been a huff, and flew away.

"Yeah, he's a little proud," admitted Fluttershy. "If you want something more affectionate, I have plenty of options! How about a ladybug, a bee, or a butterfly?" She held out a hoof, showing the insects sitting on top of it. The ladybug actually waved at Swift with one leg.

"I don't know," he replied. "I'd be afraid I'd accidentally sit on something that small. Do you have anything bigger?"

"Fair enough. How about these?"

Fluttershy gave a small whistle, summoning several more birds in all colors of the rainbow. There were robins, sparrows, ravens, and a flamingo that gently nuzzled Swift's face with its beak. As he looked around, he took notice of a bat clinging to Fluttershy's wing. He trotted past the birds to get a closer look.

"Oh, you noticed this little guy!" she commented. She stretched out her wing, revealing the bat's full form. He was small, even by bat standards, with a gray head, a long snout, and a wingspan of about two hooves. Swift reached out, and gently stroked his furry head, eliciting a small squeak of joy from the creature.

"He's cute," Swift said.  

"Interesting," said Fluttershy. "He's usually pretty shy around strangers. Maybe he just likes you."

"What kind of bat is he?"

"A gray-headed flying-fox. What do you think? Could you see yourself taking care of a bat?"

Swift pondered for a moment, rubbing his chin with one hoof. "Maybe. What about his sleep cycle? I know bats are nocturnal, and I wouldn't want to disrupt him in any way."

"Bats are usually more active at night because their predators aren't active during that time, and they can search for food safely. But since you'd be feeding him, he wouldn't have to worry about that, which would let him adjust to your schedule. It might take time, but I'm sure it would work. After all, Twilight managed to get Owlowiscious onto her time table."

Swift smiled. "Alright, I'll take him." He held out a foreleg, and the bat climbed onto his hoof. "I might need some help learning how to take care of him, of course. Would you mind helping me with that?"

"Not at all! Do you have a name in mind for him?"

Swift took another look at the bat. The creature had wrapped his wings around Swift's leg and was attempting to cuddle him. "I have some ideas."





Luna's moon had risen into the sky by the time Swift returned home with his new friend in tow. He'd also collected several pages worth of notes written down by Fluttershy regarding the care of the bat, as well as some books borrowed from the Ponyville Library on the same subject. He'd also bought some items that would help his new pet feel more comfortable in his new environment. The bat was comfortably snuggled against one of Swift's wings as he trotted back into his apartment.

Once he'd gotten back inside, Swift set up a tall stand the bat could hang from and sleep on. He gave his new friend some nectar to eat, and gently patted him on the head.

"It's okay, Bruce. I'll take care of you," he said, to which Bruce responded with an affectionate squeak.