Chapter 1 – A Chance Encounter
It began like any other morning in Ponyville. Ponies left their homes and prepared for the days activities, greeting as many friends and neighbors as they went on their way. At the western edge of town sat Fluttershy's cottage, while just beyond lay the entrance to the mysterious Everfree Forest. Normally, Fluttershy would not venture very far, if at all, into those ominous trees; but today she found herself following her pet bunny Angel deeper than any pony had ever been.
"Angel, I don't think there's anypony out here…" Fluttershy murmured, "We passed Zecora's house a while ago, but at least I told her that we're out here." Just then, Fluttershy walked into a clearing. Light filtered down through the leaves, something that never happened anywhere else in the forest due to the thick growth. As the pegasus admired the natural beauty around her, she suddenly started when she heard a faint, ragged breathing from somewhere in the clearing. The shy, timid pony's first instinct was to hide. Then, she noticed Angel next to a large rock. At least, it looked like a rock. As Fluttershy came up next to the object, she realized that it was breathing – barely. Fluttershy saw then that it was an animal with a tattered cloak covering its body, as well as… blood.
"Oh my goodness! Angel, we need to get this poor critter back to Ponyville right away!" The bunny nodded furiously and began to cradle the wounded creature in its own cloak, tying the ends like a sling behind Fluttershy's neck. Once they finished, the two hurried back the way they had come; running up the trail directly towards Ponyville. "Please," Fluttershy sobbed through her tears, "please make it..."
Fluttershy arrived back at her cottage around noon. She could hardly stand, but there was no time to rest - the critter was still bleeding slightly. Angel had already brought out some bandages, so Fluttershy set down the make-shift sling and went to work. Soon, with the job done, Fluttershy noticed something; this was an animal she had never seen before. It resembled a white cat, with a long slender tail. The critter's left ear bore a small silver earing. To make things stranger, the cat-like creature was just as large as some of the younger ponies. Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Who could that be?" Fluttershy mused as she walked over to the front door. When she opened it, she found herself face to face with... "Princess mmph?!" Luna placed a hoof over Fluttershy's mouth, cutting her off. "Not outside, Fluttershy," the princess whispered, "too many eyes and ears." Luna walked inside the cottage and shut the door before Fluttershy could even extend an invitation. "Forgive the intrusion, Fluttershy. I understand that you found a strange creature deep in the Everfree Forest?" Princess Luna spoke with such confidence, yet she seemed tense. "Why, yes I did," Fluttershy responded, "the poor thing was hurt so bad, why, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to save it." "May I see him?" Luna asked. Fluttershy smiled and said, "of course you may!" The two walked into the next room, where the patient was sleeping peacefully. As Luna watched the slumbering animal, she began to sing softly. Fluttershy listened, but the words were in a strange language - a long forgotten tongue. When the princess finished her lullaby, she spoke: "Fluttershy, I am afraid I must take this critter back to Canterlot with me. Do not fear for his well being." Fluttershy looked down at the patient, a worried expression on her face. When she turned back to Princess Luna, Fluttershy was surprised to see tears welling up in her eyes. Yet before she could ask what was wrong, the princess simply said, "I shall explain all in due time. For now, tell the rest of your friends they are invited to a formal banquet with Princess Celestia and myself next week." Then, Luna gently lifted the cat with her magic, went outside to her chariot, and flew away - leaving a very confused Fluttershy wondering what was really going on.
One week later, Princess Twilight, along with Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were on the train headed for Canterlot. "So, remind me what the occasion is?" Rainbow Dash sounded annoyed when she asked. "And why is it formal attire?"