//------------------------------//
// ... but sometimes it happens 
// Story: A pet should never outlive his owner... 
// by Lise 
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	A pet should never outlive his owner. Angel Bunny stood silently, gazing at the wooden tomb marker. He didn't consider himself a pet, not even for a moment did the thought cross his mind, but he did feel a bond to the pony. Fluttershy had always taken care of him. Ever since he could remember, she had been there... so timid, clumsy and shy. There were times she had driven him insane with that attitude of hers! And yet, she had always been there for him, and always so kind.

Angel felt the wind pick up a bit. The weather team had promised to keep the skies clear during the wake. That had been one of Rainbow Dash's wishes — clean skies for the day her friends would be put in their final resting place. She had passed away three years ago never to see her wish carried out. Angel envied her for that. Even now, part of him screamed to jump on the tomb marker and start thumping on it with his foot. As if that would make Fluttershy come out and ask him politely to stop. She had always hated when he did that. She never said it, always hiding behind her kind smile and timid words, but Angel knew. 

Typical Flutterpony! Always running off somewhere and leaving me behind! This time, however, she wasn't coming back and Angel could not follow her... ever. Quite ironic, now that Angel knew the meaning of the word. There was no reason for him to have survived this long, no logical explanation. It had just happened. At the time he hadn't given it any thought. Other animals came and went, along with the tears that Fluttershy shed upon their departure. Angel, however, had always remained. He had watched his roommates leave, his friends, and then the ponies that he loved the most.

A pet should never outlive his owner. Fluttershy could have avoided this. If not completely, she could probably have delayed it for another decade or so. Angel had been present during the argument she had had with Discord. By then she was grey in the mane, barely walking, and difficult of hearing. Once per week, the draconequus would come to have tea, granting her youth for a few hours. Angel smiled as he thought about it. For one afternoon it was like old times. Fluttershy would giggle at Discord's stupid jokes, pet the animals, go to the kitchen to make some cookies. Then, like a fleeting dream, the moment would pass, and she would revert to being the old mare she was. Time and time again, Discord would try to convince her to restore her youth on a permanent basis, and each time Fluttershy would refuse. "It's not natural" she would say without further explanation, then speak no more of it. And she was right.

"Still here, Angel?" A voice asked. "I thought you'd be helping at the cottage."

Of course you would, Philomena. You're used to this! You were born to be eternal. I stumbled upon immortality by accident.

A pet should never outlive his owner. He shouldn't have been mean to his owner either. When Fluttershy had found him, the first thing Angel had done was to kick her in the muzzle. He hadn't been particularly afraid, nor annoyed, it was just something he had felt like doing to be left alone. Fluttershy hadn't said a word. There had been tears in her eyes, of pain, or maybe fear, but she had bit her lip and remained there until he had finally given in and followed her to her cottage. Flutterpony, you were always stronger than others thought. And you knew it. You had us all fooled, didn't you? All the time you knew exactly how strong you were.

"Spike is already there, helping Sheepish get settled in," the phoenix said, looking at the grave.

Angel didn't need to say a word to be understood. A short while later Philomena flapped her wings and flew off. Probably to help fix up Fluttershy's... Sheepish's cottage. The bunny was going to have to get used to that. Of Fluttershy's entire family, only her granddaughter had chosen to continue her work. Angel knew it would be this way. In fact, he was thankful. Ever since Fluttershy had married, he had felt a divide between his owner and the rest of the family. Pegasi yearned for the sky, as did her husband and children. Fluttershy could have changed that, had she wished. A simple request and they would have lived in Ponyville. However, even then she had put others before her, moving to live in the clouds, only returning to the cottage during the day. Only after the death of her husband had she flown back down to earth. Her children had visited as much as they could, but never stayed for long. Only Sheepish had inherited Fluttershy's passion for taking care of animals. Yet still, she was no Fluttershy.

A cucumber salad. That was the last thing Fluttershy had done before passing away. She had prepared it specially for him, even adding a cherry on top. Almost as if she had known what would follow. When Angel had found her, she was lying on the ground, next to the table, so calm, as if she were asleep. He had known, of course. The bunny had had years to prepare for this moment. In the end he still had failed at that.

Always about the chewing. He crossed his arms. She had known him to be immortal, and yet she kept on nagging with the need of proper eating. In truth, Angel liked hearing her remind him. He always had. When Fluttershy had been in better shape he had deliberately behaved badly, only to get her attention. He suspected she knew as well. Few things could go past that one. The best pony in Equestria.

A pet should never outlive his owner, but sometimes it happens. Fluttershy had taught Angel what to do when it happens. During her own life she had seen more death than most ponies could imagine. She had watched animals be born, age and pass on countless times, and not once had she let it drag her down. Angel owed it to her to be the same.

The bunny hopped in front of the grave marker, and carefully put an acorn seed in the ground. Fluttershy had often mentioned she wanted to be a tree. Now, Angel was going to see that in time she did.