Angel had been reclining on his favorite spot on the couch when Fluttershy flew in with something small and furry held against her. Angel sat up and gave her a questioning eye.

“Oh, hi, Angel,” Fluttershy said, closing the door behind her. “I was on my way home when I ran into this sweet little thing.” She gently set the cat on the ground, giving Angel his first good look at her. She was mostly white with black fur forming a mask-and-mantle pattern.

Angel narrowed his eyes at her.

“I think she’s been abandoned,” Fluttershy continued. “The poor dear can barely speak to me.” She leaned down and gently stroked the cat. “Do you think you can tell me your name?”

“Meow?”

“Aww, it’s okay,” Fluttershy said with a smile. “You take your time. I do need to call you something, though.” She tilted her head slightly as she considered the cat before her. “How about I call you ‘Fluffy’?”

The cat purred and affectionately rubbed her cheek against her, making Angel grit his teeth. He hopped down off the couch and bounded over.

“Fluffy here will be staying with us until she’s feeling better.” Fluttershy turned to Angel. “I need to get lunch ready. You make sure she feels welcome.” With that, she drifted off into the kitchen, leaving the bunny and cat alone in the room.

The cat gave a flick of her tail. “‘Fluffy’?” She turned her nose upwards. “That pony isn’t very imaginative with names, now is she?”

Angel glared at her. “Don’t think I can’t see right through that act of yours.” He crossed his arms and pointed his ears at her. “You ain’t the first freeloader that’s tried to take advantage of her, and you’ll be outta here just like all the others.”

She simply sauntered around him, tracing his chin with her tail. “And who are you to stop me?”

“I’m Angel J. Bunny!” he said indignantly. “That’s who.”

“‘Angel’?” She brought her face within an inch of his, a taunting smile on her lips. “Isn’t that a girl’s name?”

“It ain’t no girl’s name,” he said with a huff. “It’s the name Fluttershy gave me.”

“Well, Angel,” she said as she made her way to couch, “despite what that pony’s decided to call me, you may call me by my actual name.” She leapt onto the couch and stretched herself across where Angel had been sitting. “I’m Diva.”

“Hey!” Angel yelled. “That’s my spot! No one sits in my spot but me!”

Diva gave him a cheeky grin. “As if I care what some house pet has to say.”

“Hey, I ain’t no pet!” Angel said tersely. “I’m an animal companion.”

“Well, Mister Animal Companion,” Diva said, unsheathing her claws, “what do you say to this?” She dug her claws into the couch and pulled, ripping up the fabric and releasing its stuffing.

Fluttershy rushed into the room at the sound of Angel’s frantic squeaking.

“What’s going on here?”

Angel feverishly pointed at the damage Diva had caused.

Diva turned to her with wide, quivering eyes. “Meow?”

“Oh, Angel,” she said as she floated over to the cat. “She’s just nervous about being in a new place, that’s all. I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm.”

Angel’s jaw fell in disbelief as he continued pointing to scars carved into the cushion.

“Now, Angel, it’s just a couch.” She took a seat beside the cat. “Fluffy here is our guest and we need to make sure she feels comfortable here.”

Diva rubbed her cheek against her, sending a wicked grin in Angel’s direction.

---

“And that’s what happened!”

Angel looked around to his fellow animal companions, all assembled for their weekly playdate.

“I mean, look at that!” he said, waving an arm at the ponies. They were gathered around Diva as Fluttershy introduced her to them. “She’s got ‘em all wrapped around her paw, especially Fluttershy!”

Winona gave herself a quick shake.

“Sounds like ya got yerself a real problem.”

“You’re telling me!” Angel was on a roll. “She’s walking around, rubbing her filthy cheeks on everything like she owns the place! And she called ‘Angel’ a girl’s name. Can you believe that?”

Winona casually scratched at her ear to avoid eye-contact.

“Eh…”

“Never mind!” He narrowed his eyes as he watched Diva weave her way around Fluttershy’s legs. “I gotta get rid of her, and fast.”

“Well I know if a cat started making goo-goo eyes at my Applejack, I’d run her so far up a tree Big Mac couldn’t buck ‘er down.”

“Y’see, I like the way you think, Winona,” Angel said with a nod. “Now that’s a plan I can get behind.”

“Now, now,” Gummy said sagely, “let us not make any rash decisions.”

“I’m open to suggestions, Gummy,” Angel said.

“Angel, you know I prefer to be addressed by my proper name.” Gummy stood a little straighter. “Gumsworth. Gumsworth Archibald Pie the Fourth.”

“Uh-huh, yeah,” Angel said flatly. “Can we get back to me for a second?”

A collective “Aww!” made all of their heads turn. The ponies were all watching Diva roll around through some flowers.

Angel scowled at the cat and the ponies gathered around to pet her. “Look at ‘em—still fawning over her like she’s the best thing they’ve ever seen.” He turned to Owlowiscious. “Hey, Al—you got any ideas on what to do about Diva?”

“Who?”

“Diva!” Angel shouted. “That-that cat!”

“Oh, my apologies, Angel.” Owlowiscious quickly shook his head clear. “My mind was elsewhere.”

“C’mon, Al—focus!” Angel sighed in exasperation. “Where do you go when you… zone out like that?”

Owlowiscious had a familiar, distant look in his eyes.

“You know what? Never mind.”

“Ahem.”

Angel turned toward the sound. “You got something to say, Tank?”

Tank stood up to feel more dignified. He blinked thoughtfully, giving full consideration to what he was about to say. He cleared his throat, commanding their undivided attention. He paused for dramatic effect before taking a deep breath.

“…Well—”

“Okay, moving on!” Angel turned to Opalescence. “Opal, you’re a cat. Any idea how to get rid of Diva?”

Opal stopped her self-grooming and considered the question.

“Fluttershy certainly knows how to care for a cat. I can see the appeal of living with her.” She turned to address Angel directly. “You should be grateful that I have Rarity, or I might consider the idea myself.”

Winona tilted her head in curiosity. “Why do you stick around Rarity? Ya ain’t exactly affectionate with ‘er.”

Opal gave a flick of her tail. “She spoils me.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Yep.”

“Yeah, ya got that right.”

Opal cleared her throat. “Yes, well, the point remains: there’s a reason one should not feed stray cats, and once a cat has found a place they are comfortable, it can be quite a challenge to get them to leave.”

Angel nearly fell over when struck with this news. “You’re saying I’m stuck with her?!”

“I’m saying that getting rid of her will be harder and even less pleasant than getting rid of fleas.”

Angel hung his head. “Gummy, you’re supposed to be the smart one here. Please tell me you have an idea.”

He was met with silence.

“Gummy? Gummy?! Gumsworth!”

“Yes?” Gummy asked with a smile.

Angel clenched his teeth. “Do you know how to get rid of Diva or not?”

“Why, it’s elementary, dear Angel.”

“Oh, here we go,” Angel said with a roll of his eyes.

“If you cannot make Diva leave, then you must make her want to be somewhere else, instead.”

A moment of silence passed over the group as they considered Gummy’s words.

“Okay…” Angel said slowly. “How do we do that?”

Gummy simply smiled. “I have a plan.”

---

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were enjoying their milkshakes outside of Sugarcube Corner, and Angel was hiding in the nearby bushes, waiting for the right moment to make his move. He had his eyes narrowed in focus, and his foot was drumming in anticipation.

It was when both of the fillies leaned in to sip from their respective milkshakes that Angel bounded out of hiding. He ran as fast as he could and leapt high into the air, snatching the tiara off Diamond Tiara’s head as he passed.

“Hey!” Diamond Tiara cried.

Angel landed with the tiara in his paws and took off for Fluttershy’s cottage.



Diva was grooming herself in Angel’s basket when he burst into the living room. He quickly slammed the door shut behind him, but Diva was most interested in that shiny thing he was holding in his paws.

“Why, hello, Angel,” Diva said as she sauntered over. “What do you have there?”

“Oh, what—this?” Angel said casually, looking over the tiara. “Just a little something I picked up on the way here.”

A hungry glint appeared in her eyes as they followed the tiara. “Would you mind if take… a closer look?” She took a step towards him and reached out for it.

“Hey, no way, Diva!” Angel pulled it in close against him. “You’ve taken my bed, you’ve taken my house—you ain’t taking this, too.”

A wicked grin spread across her face. “You really are a slow learner, aren’t you?” She jumped him and tried to wrestle the tiara away from him, but Angel held tight. They tumbled across the floor, each one tugging and pulling on it. An angry-sounding knock at the door interrupted their fight. Diva took the opportunity to swipe and tiara away and ran for cover.

“Hey!”

Fluttershy entered the room and opened the door to two very irate little fillies.

“Can-can I help you?” she asked nervously.

Diamond Tiara pointed an accusatory hoof at her. “Your rabbit stole my tiara right off my head!”

Fluttershy gasped and turned to the bunny. “Angel, is this true?”

Angel shrugged nonchalantly.

“Angel,” Fluttershy said seriously, “you apologize to her right now.”

All he did was cross his arms with a flat expression.

She turned back to Diamond Tiara sheepishly. “He’s… very sorry.”

“I don’t care about that!” she said with a scowl. “I want it back!”

Everypony turned to Angel, who simply opened his arms to prove he didn’t have it. With that done, he dashed past them and into the bushes.

“Angel!” Fluttershy called out, but he was already gone.

Diamond Tiara glared at Fluttershy. “If you don’t find my tiara, I’m telling my daddy!” The severity of her tone made it clear that this was no idle threat.

Angel turned to Gummy who had been waiting for him in the bushes, his teeth clenched tight.

“You better know what you’re talking about, Gummy, or Fluttershy’s gonna be in trouble with the most powerful stallion in town!”

“Patience, my friend,” Gummy said, watching his plan unfold before him. “Also, I prefer ‘Gumsworth’.”

“Whatever!”

Diva emerged in the doorway, the tiara held in her mouth.

“Look, Di,” Silver Spoon said. “That cat has your tiara.”

Diva set it down in front of Diamond Tiara, swishing her tail around. “Meow?”

When Diamond Tiara reached out for it, Diva affectionately rubbed her cheek against her hoof.

“Aww,” Fluttershy said with smile. “She likes you.”

Diamond Tiara smiled coyly at the cat. “Well, she has good taste. I’ll give her that.”

To everypony’s surprise, Diva leapt onto Diamond Tiara’s back and started nuzzling the back of her neck.

“Wow, Diamond Tiara,” Silver Spoon said. “You two look good together.”

“She is cute,” Diamond Tiara admitted as she picked up her tiara. “I bet I could convince Daddy to let me keep her.”

Fluttershy smiled at the fillies and the purring cat. “Does this mean you’re not upset about the tiara?”

“Are you kidding?” Diamond Tiara scoffed. “I have a dozen more like it at home.” She took a moment to regard the kitty resting on her back. “Is it okay if she comes with me? I think I’m starting to like her.”

Fluttershy thought about it carefully. “Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility…”

“‘Responsibility’,” Diamond Tiara said with her nose in the air. “That’s what servants are for.” She turned to make her leave. “C’mon, Silver Spoon. Let’s go show Princess her new home.”

Diamond Tiara and Diva left sporting equally mischievous grins with Silver Spoon in tow. Fluttershy watched them leave before returning to her home.

“I can’t believe that worked,” Angel said slowly.

“It was simply, dear friend,” Gummy said with a smile. “It was clear that Diva would choose a life of luxury over simple comfort. We merely had to bring those two together.”

Angel crossed his arms. “Yeah, well, they definitely deserve each other.”

“Don’t be so sour, Angel,” Gummy said calmly. “We’ve done a good thing here today.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Angel said with a pout. “Don’t remind me.”

“If you will excuse me,” Gummy said as he turned to leave, “I am due back at Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie has requested the presence of the best alligator baker she’s ever met, and I do not wish to disappoint.”

“Okay. Thanks for helping me out,” Angel said, finally relaxing. “But if she ever shows her face around here again, we’re going back to Winona’s plan!”

---

Angel was reclining in a meadow, waiting for sunset when he heard a familiar sound approaching.

“Howdy, Angel,” Winona said as she ran up to him. “Heard ya finally got rid of yer little pest problem.”

Angel chuckled as he sat up. “Yeah, Gummy’s plan worked like a charm.”

“Here I thought you’d be Fluttershy right about now.”

Angel shook his head. “Nah, she’d be taking care of the other critters at the cottage right now. I don’t wanna be around for that. I’m just gonna hang out here until she’s done.”

“Ya mind havin’ some company?”

“I won’t stop you.”

Winona took a seat next to him and faced the sun.

“Y’know, I don’t get you, Angel,” she said. “Sometimes yer so mean, you make Opal look like a peach. But every time a new critter comes along, ya start getting’ all jealous—”

“Hey,” Angel said defensively. “I wasn’t jealous of that cat.”

“Ya get all moody like someone stole your spot on the couch. What’s that about?”

Angel sighed. “Ya know I was the runt of my litter? Had to fight just to try and get my fair share. Until Fluttershy came along, that is.”

Winona tilted her head, but didn’t interrupt.

“Fluttershy was the only one who’d ever been nice to me before. She noticed me and put me first.” Angel took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “She called me her angel. Her little Angel Bunny.”

Winona kept her ears up at attention.

“But it’s like… she’s too nice, ya know?” Angel blinked hard. “It used to be that, once she took care of those good-for-nothing freeloaders that hung around, she’d be all mine. But then she started making friends with all these different ponies and-and that Discord guy and all those Breezies.” Angel shook his head. “It feels like she hardly has time for me anymore.”

“Is that why gettin’ yer tail fluffed by her is so important to ya?”

“Is it that obvious?”

Winona narrowed her eyes. “We had to chase you halfway across a continent all ‘cause you wanted her to be the one to do it, remember?”

Angel chuckled nervously. “Yeah, well, sometimes it feels like the only time I get where it’s just me and her, like how it used to be.”

Winona allowed him all the time he needed to say what he wanted to say.

“So yeah, I ain’t always the nicest guy in town, but if I don’t push my way to the front of the line, then I’m gonna be last. That’s why I do the things I do.” He turned to look her in the eyes. “Ya ‘get me’ now?”

“Yeah,” Winona said as she stood up. “I get you.” Winona watched as the last sliver of sun finally disappeared. “What I don’t get what yer still doin’ here when your pony is way over there.”

Angel watched as she departed, leaving to be with her own pony, no doubt. Angel pushed himself up and started hopping for home.

---

Angel Bunny opened up the front door.

“Ugh!” he said, wrinkling his nose. “This place still reeks of cat. It’ll take forever to get her scent off my stuff.”

Fluttershy entered the room at the sound of the door.

“Oh, there you are, Angel.” She flew over and gave him a hug.

Angel smiled and returned the hug. At the end of the day, no matter how many critters she cared for or friends she had, she always found time for him.

For her little Angel Bunny.