//------------------------------//
// Bad Hare Day 
// Story: The Nine-Tailed Pony 
// by Burning Wick 
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	I had thought that I had felt pain and loneliness back when I left my last sister. But then, without Beth, without the ability to talk, without the ability to get home or even to become mortal I truly felt alone.

Well alone mentally. After being found by Fluttershy again, I was taken into her home. There she treated much differently than I had first expected. To say that I was being treated like a house pet would be an understatement. Granted she gave me food and water, but then came to her socializing.

Despite her name, this ‘Fluttershy’ was quite the conversationalist with the other animals. I was sitting on the couch that was placed in the living room when a small patch of random woodland critters came bursting in in a panic. In matter of seconds, the mare Pegasus had them calmed down and was addressing each one of their problems. I even decided to follow her as she went to help young robins during their first flight. It was like watching a musician playing a number from some German writer from long ago. It was entertaining and entrancing.

But as I said, I was mentally alone. Fluttershy did give me comfort but it was more like a little girl giving attention to her puppy; not the love that my sisters and I shared. It wasn’t even close to friendship me and Bethany had. This was just an owner and pet relationship and I was the pet. Sure I was able to show thanks with a nod and a smile but it didn’t feel right.

As I said, I couldn’t say thank you or even hold a conversation with her. I couldn’t befriend this strange (yet cute) variation of Greek Mythology. I couldn’t care for her like she did for me. I was just a pet that she was taking care off.

******

“Oh dear, oh dear,” Fluttershy said in a panic as she hurried back and forth through her house. I was lying on the couch watching the scene as she ran around. 

“I’m so late. I’m so going to be late,” she continued as she came up to me and looked underneath her sofa. Finding nothing she backed up and ran over to the cabinet she checked four times before hand (should I start saying “before hoof”?). “Where did it I leave it?”

That was when the white hare from that night came hopping in with a pair of bags held highly in his paws. My caretaker rushed over to him and said, “I’m sorry, Angel Bunny, but that’s not what I’m looking for,” before running over to a nightstand. ‘Angel Bunny’ didn’t take this rejection very well as he jump up to her and waved it in front of her face.

Unsurprisingly, the pony told him that it wasn’t what she was looking for again. Surprisingly though was what Angel did next. The rabbit placed the bag down, hopped up and smacked her on the cheek before opening the bag up and pointed inside. Compelled by her pet’s reaction, the pegasus looked inside. Her panicked state switched to one of joy as she stared deeper inside it. With a cheer of happiness, she picked the bunny up and hugged him.

“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Angel,” she exclaimed as she hovered in air just inches off the ground. Her levity was interrupted once more as the hare slapped her face once more (not has hard this time though). Realizing she was burning daylight, she set the bunny down, threw the bags on her back and took off out the door.

I lowered my head hoping to sleep when she reentered. “Angel, can you please look after Tails while I’m gone?” she asked. ‘Tails’ is what the pegasus began to call me during my stay. I can see why she calls me that but to me it was an offensive name. To call me Tails because I had nine of them is just like me calling her Wingy because she’s a pegasus.

With a nod, Angel pushed her out the door only for her to push herself back in. “Oh and make sure you eat as well.” With another nod, Angel pushed her through the door, closed it and locked it.

Fluttershy continued to say things through the door before she finally took off. As the sound of flapping wings reached our ears, Angel sighed before looking up at me. I gave him my best “You had a rough day because, it’s written on your face” look.

He seemed to read my expression well because he shrugged in return. I started to lower my head again when the urge to do something else rose. Getting up and jumping off the couch, I walked over to the hare that stood a clear head smaller than me. The dull thuds of my cast remained me of my condition, though it was more deadweight now.

I knew this hare was the one that brought me here, so with respect I gave him a bow. When I looked up, I saw that he was gone. With a quick turn of my head I saw him pulling out a thick book. Letting curiosity get the better of me I walked over to inspect the tome. On the cover was the English word ‘Dictionary’. Thank you Bethany for teaching me English writing, I thought to myself.

I did a double take. Why would a rabbit need a dictionary? Why does this pony have a dictionary? These ponies are literate? How do they even write? I sat there in a daze brushing a tail when I felt a slight jab in my side. Refocusing, I saw Angel point at a word with in the book.

What. “What” was the word he picked out though once I had a good enough look at it; he flipped through the pages before stopping on another word. This one read “are”. He then flipped the pages once more and stopped on the word “you”.

“What are you?” he was asking. Taking the book, I started flipping through the pages myself. It was harder (and longer) than Angel made it seem because I found myself missing each page I was looking for.

When I finally got around to pointing out “nine-tail fox”, the bunny glare at me with a “No duh” look. I had to roll my eyes as I continued to flip through the pages. When I finally found the word “spirit” and showed it to him, he started poking my side.

Giving him a look that could kill, he backed off, took the book and asked, “If you are a spirit, why I can touch you?”

Pushing the book back to me I gave him my best explanation of my state. He seemed to doubt my telling of my body being nothing more than a vessel for my spirit but it was enough to stop him from further breaking my personal bubble.

“You’re like a ghost possessing a body?” Angel asked afterwards.

“Yes,” I replied using the book once more, “but possessing my body, understand?”

The hare of the house thought it over before shaking his head. With a sigh I left him to his book and return to the couch which was became more inviting at that moment. But before I could let the embrace of slumber touch me, the hare was up on the couch slapping me.

What?!  I mentally shouted at him though all I could really do was glare.

“Let’s play,” was what he showed to me. Yes, that’s right. This rabbit has the nerve to poke at me, question my existence and slap me awake and thinks I’m going to play with him. Of course not, so I closed the book and shook my head to convey my message. Ether Angel had his cotton tail in his eyes or just plain stupid because he opened the book and pointed out “Let’s play” again only for me to give him the same reply.

This went on for about five more times before I had enough. Taking the book in my paws, I replied, “Fine, let’s play “keep the dictionary away from the annoying rabbit”.” He didn’t like choice in game but that’s what he gets for bugging me. Jumping down, I pranced away from my tormentor; book in mouth, with a trail of thuds following me.

You’re probably thinking- “Why are you running when you have a injure leg?” My answer, simple! I’m a spirit and we are as light as air and I apply little if any pressure to the floor when I run. In fact the only reason why my foot falls are making any sounds at all is because of the cast.

Jumping around the corner and into the kitchen, I quickly glanced back to see that my plan worked. Floppy Ears was trailing close by no more than five carrot lengths with the most displeased look I’ve ever seen on a rodent. If I didn’t have the book, I would be laughing at the irony of this subject matter.

I rounded into the bathroom and took shelter in the tub. I heard my hunter enter the room with the pitter patter of his furry feet. I sat and waited for any sound of him leaving but none came. I gave him a rough three minutes before jumping out again and making a break back for the living room.

I heard a whistle erupt from behind but paid little attention as I lead Angel up the stairs. Heading into the bedroom, I paused to check to see how close Cottontail was. It wasn’t long before I heard the pitter patter of footfalls coming up the stairs. This storm of feet though, sounded heavier.

To my surprise, Angel called in reinforcements in the shape of two male badgers. That hare must have unlocked the door when we past it and allowed these two huge animals of strength to come in and block my only escape. He knew he had me cornered and with his wide grin of victory, he rubbed it into my face.

I wasn’t going to give up that easily though. As he came for the book, I threw my head back with the book flying out of my teeth. With skill, I started to juggle the book among my tails as he dove back and forth, waving his tiny paws like a maniac.

Finally he got the book and ceremonially stated “I win”. Chuckling, I leapt onto the bed to curl up. Yet that rabbit continue to harassed me by slapping my cheek and pointed out, “Let’s play some more” in that infernal book.

Taking the book, I replied as nicely as I could. He didn’t take it well seeing how he whistled again, which made the badgers walked up, picked me up off the bed and dragged me outside where the dictionary was enjoying a brief bird’s eye view of the front yard just moments before.

******

When I first realized that I wasn’t anywhere near Beth’s home, I thought I would never be happy. Stop me if I start to sound like a broken record but I had nothing to care about in this world. No family, no friends, no nothing and it was the worst feeling a being can feel.

But I’ve learned different spending time with these animals. They’re a wild bunch despite their domestic surroundings. Lead by Angel, the mob of squirrels, chipmunks and other rodents formed a massive game of tag though it looked like normal animals running from a predator. What made this game even more natural than it was supposed to be was when I got tagged.

Due to my size compared to the others; I was a rather large target. But with every weakness, there was an advantage and it was one I exploited countless times. My longer strides allowed me to keep pace with even the fastest of mice. The only one that even seemed to match me in speed was Angel.

It felt so good to once again run wild among the trees, not giving a care about the world around you. I had once thought that this game was only for little cubs and human children. But here I am, over three centuries old and chasing after my lucky footed tormentor like a newborn.

There was one time as I ran after this squirrel where I just stopped dead in my tracks. In a brief moment, every critter was replaced with the smiling faces of my sisters. They were young, healthy, and full of life. I recognized the scene was one that took place back before we ever thought of the idea of becoming human.

I must have zoned out for a while because when my mind had focused once more, I ended up staring into the concern eyes of my white hare caretaker. Looking around I noticed that aside from the bunny, all the other animals were out of reach.

I knew that if he could talk, he would probably ask, “Are you okay?” Shaking my head, I raised my paw and tapped his forehead before I walked away toward the house. Guessing from the reaction that he gave, he must have figure out that I tagged him before quitting. Grinning through the tears, I mentally said, Got ya, to him.

******

I had retired back to the couch I had claimed as my territory for the remainder of my stay. None of the other animals seemed to mind it, not even the cat I scared yesterday.

Speaking of the cat, I finally got a chance to examine it as I laid there. It had this fluffy coat that was as white as mine with this tiny purple bow on its head. While I couldn’t see its face at the moment, I was able to spot a collar of the same hue of the bow with what appeared to be jewels embedded into it.

One would ask, “Why does any of this matter?” Well, as I was enjoying an afternoon snooze, Fluttershy returned.

“Oh I must thank you again for looking after Opalescence while I was away, Fluttershy,” I heard first. This voice was proper, and if anything, more civilized than any other voices I heard so far.

“It’s nothing really,” Fluttershy replied as she crossed the threshold. Next to my strange yellow caretaker was a unicorn. She stood tall and carried herself in a manner that seemed to fit the earlier voice. Every aspect about her also shouted upper crust beauty.

“Oh please, darling,” this newcomer said, waving her hoof gently, “You know as much as I do that Opal doesn’t treat others so kindly. Once I get settled back in, I’ll start working on a new dress, just for you.”

“You don’t have too, Rarity,” my hostess said as she went for a cat carrier.

“But it’s very least I can do after you’ve spent a week taking care of her,” Rarity pointed out as she joined the pegasus, “Just look at yourself. I swear you as if you haven’t slept in days.”

Giving Fluttershy a quick glance, I noticed traces of dark rings under her eyes. “I’m fine really,” she muttered with the cat carrier’s handle in her mouth. She placed down by the cat that was interested in something else. It looked up with a start as if it was in a trance. Then, without a meow, picked something up and walked inside its carrier.

“My word,” the unicorn said flabbergasted, “She’s hardly this cooperative.”

Fluttershy was also stunned by the cat’s behavior, “I usually have to talk to her once before she goes in.”

“Did you do anything while I was away?” Rarity asked as the cat carrier started floating up onto her backside. I paid little attention to what Fluttershy said for I was more focused at Rarity’s glowing horn. Both it and the carrier had this aura around it. Taking a sniff in their direction, I realized that it was in fact magic. Not like mine by a mile and nothing like Bethany’s or even the dragon gods’ powers back home. But it was magic.

“Well,” the unicorn said as my mind focused back into the conversation, “I’m sure once Opal gets back home, everything will be fine.”

“I hope so,” the pegasus added as she lead her friend toward the door. “See you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” the white pony asked puzzled. After a moment to think it over she exclaimed, “Oh right, the spa!” With a smile, the pair departed each other’s company.

After she closed the door, Fluttershy trotted up to me and asked, “Well how are you, Tails? Feeling better?”

I nodded with a furry grin. As she smiled back at me, my cheerful expression darkened. Unknowingly to my change in moods, she went about her house humming a simple tune.

So why did I react in such a way. She was covered in the stench of magic. It was a harmful enchantment, one that was meant to drain the victim of the life energy and it was mine.