Outside Fluttershy's place, Anton had been drawing some sketches of the scenery of the entrance to the Everfree forest, "That place may be dangerous, but man it's fun to draw... Hmm. Maybe I should get closer so I can get a better in depth look of it," So Anton got up and moved closer so that he could look deeper into the forest, "Oh, yes. This'll help make it look much more realistic." he sketched some more.
Suddenly, Anton heard a soft barking sound coming from the forest, "Whoa. What the?" he heard it again, "Sounds like something's hurt. I should probably go inform mom about this... But it doesn't sound like it's so deep, and the dangerous animals are further in. So I should be safe." he pocketed his sketchbook into his backpack and stepped carefully into the Everfree Forest.
He looked around as the barking sound was getting closer. He turned to a bush and saw it was the location of the animal sound, 'Ok, whatever it is I hope it's not ferocious,' Anton thought before going to the bush. He lifted the lower part up to reveal a young fox who was laying down while licking it's front right leg, "A fox," he noticed it licking its leg, "It's hurt. I need get him to mom," he spoke to it, "Hey, there, little guy. It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you." he said easily, as the fox looked up at him feeling uneasy.
Anton carefully tried picking him up without hurting its injured leg. As he lifted it up, the fox squirmed not used to being picked up, but Anton wouldn't let go, "Easy there, fella. No need to be feisty," the fox calmed down, as Anton continued, "Don't worry, I know someone who can help you." he carried the fox back to Fluttershy's.
Back at the cottage, Fluttershy was outside feeding some of the birds in the trees, until she heard Anton, "Mom! Mom, help me!"
"Anton?" Fluttershy asked in concern before seeing her boy running over from the Everfree Forest carrying something in his arms. She floated over to him, "Anton, what's wrong?"
"I found this guy by the edge of the forest. I think its leg's hurt." Anton showed her the fox.
Fluttershy gasped in concern, "Oh, the poor thing. Let's get him inside." Anton nodded, as the two brought the fox into the cottage.
Fluttershy set up a basket bed for the fox, "Set him down here gently," Anton did so, as Fluttershy began checking the fox over, "Well I don't see any physical injuries on his body. And his leg appears to be only sprained."
"That's a relief." Anton sighed.
"Though he will have to stay off it for a few days." Fluttershy noted, as she bandaged up his leg, "I can only guess he got injured while trying to escape something much bigger than he is."
"Can I look after him?" Anton requested.
"You?"
"Yeah. I mean I've seen how you've taken care of the animals here. As long as he stays off his leg I'll feed him and everything."
"I don't know, Anton. It is a big responsibility." Fluttershy warned him.
"Please, mom. Give me this chance to prove I can do it." Anton pleaded with her.
Fluttershy looked at Anton, who was giving her a pleading look. Unable to withstand his face, she spoke, "Well, ok. But if you have any trouble don't be afraid to ask me."
"Thanks, mom. You're the best." Anton hugged Fluttershy before petting the fox's head, "Don't worry, boy. I'm gonna take good care of you." the fox looked at Anton feeling a sense of security and warmth around him. Feeling comfortable it rested it's head down on the pillow.
For the rest of the day, Anton never left the fox's side. When it was dinner time he enjoyed his meal while watching the fox enjoy his own food, "You like it? I'm glad. Mom really does make a good meal. Even though this stuff isn't what I'm normally used to. You know when I saw you out there alone and injured you reminded me of myself," the fox tilted its head looking curious, "When I first arrived here I was alone, scared, and confused. I thought I wouldn't find anyone. Then I met Fluttershy and her friends. They welcomed me with open arms even though I wasn't like them, as you can already tell." he chuckled.
He pat the fox's head, and continued speaking, "Still sometimes I think about what might've happened to me if I hadn't met any of them. When I saw you like that I knew I had to bring you here not only to get better but because who knows what might've happened to you if I left you there. Lost guys like us have to look out for one another, you know?" the fox let out a soft bark as if agreeing with him.
Fluttershy had been watching her boy and the fox from the other room smiling at the bond developing between the two. She suddenly noticed Angel glaring at the fox in the living room. Fluttershy knowing what he was thinking stroked his head, "Now, Angel. I know you have issues with foxes, but he's injured. And we don't kick others while they're down," Angel rolled his eyes, "Come now, just give him a chance and you may grow to like him." Angel only sighed deciding to it for Fluttershy.
As Anton continued to bond with his fox friend, Angel came by pushing a bowl of water over. The two looked at the bowl, as Angel pointed to the fox and then to the bowl. Anton seeing this smiled, "Angel, that's so nice of you to offer our injured friend some water." he rubbed the rabbits head, which Angel enjoyed. Suddenly the rabbit felt the fox lick his face which started out gross until it started tickling him. The three laughed, while Fluttershy watched feeling happier to see even Angel befriending an animal that's considered his predator.
When nighttime came around, Fluttershy flew into to get her son, "Anton, time for... bed," she saw Anton was asleep in his chair next to the fox's bed, as the fox himself was also asleep. Fluttershy smiled, as she went over and covered Anton with a blanket, deciding it was best she didn't move him, "Goodnight, Anton." she kissed his forehead before slowly going off to bed herself.
Over the next three days, Anton would come home after school to tend to the fox as he promised Fluttershy he would. Fluttershy would observe Anton's interaction with the fox seeing the two develop a close bond like she has with all her animal friends, which gave her an idea. Then the day came where Fluttershy removed the bandage from the fox's leg. The fox was ready to take a step, until Fluttershy spoke, "Remember you don't have to force it. One step at a time."
The fox taking her advice took its first step slowly before taking another. Soon it was walking perfectly fine, like he was good as new. Anton clapped, "Way to go, boy. You're walking!" he cheered, until the fox leaped into Anton's arms and started licking his face, "Oh, come on. That tickles!" he laughed.
Fluttershy spoke to her boy, "Congratulations, Anton. You helped this one's leg get better just as you said you would. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, mom."
"And because you did such a good job, I'd like to award you for it."
"Award me?" Anton asked with a raised brow.
"Yes. How would you like to keep the fox as your own pet?" she offered.
Anton's eyes lit up, and he asked with hope, "Really?"
"Of course. And it looks like he's already loving the idea." she noted the fox warming up in Anton's arms.
Anton looked down at his friend, "What do you say, boy? You wanna live here with me?" the fox licked his face in response, "I'll take that as a yes. I can't wait to tell the others about this."
"And you won't have to."
"What do you mean?"
"Once a week me and the girls have a pony pet play date. A day where we bring our animals to the park for a play date. And now that you have a pet you're welcomed to join us." Fluttershy explained.
"That's great!" Anton said with joy.
"Come on, let's get going so we can tell them." Fluttershy said, as she collected Angel and the four headed out.
Out in Ponyville Park, the rest of the girls were already there with their own pets having fun. Pinkie looked seeing Fluttershy and Anton coming, "Fluttershy and Anton are here!" she announced, as the girls looked over.
"Hi, girls." Fluttershy greeted.
"Hi, Fluttershy. Glad you made it." Twilight said, as Owlowiscious was perched on her flank.
"Nice to see you brought Anton with." Rainbow noted.
"Not just me, Rainbow Dash." Anton answered, as everyone saw what was in his arms.
"Well, what's that ya got there?" Applejack asked.
"This is the fox mom and I have been taking care of the last few days. He's finally back on his feet." Anton explained, as he sat the fox down.
"And he's now Anton's new pet." Fluttershy added.
"Oh, this is wonderful." Rarity beamed.
"It's super!" Pinkie cheered.
"And he's an awesome choice." Rainbow admitted.
"So what's the fellas name?" Applejack inquired.
"On the way here, I though about it. And I've decided to give him the name 'Nick'." Anton answered.
"Why 'Nick'?" Pinkie asked.
"Well, I named him after a friend of mine from back home. And just as this guy's a feisty one, my friend Nick back home was wild like him." he ruffled Nick's head.
"I think it's perfect." Twilight said.
"Angel, why don't you bring Nick over so he can introduce himself to the others?" Fluttershy suggested.
Angel nodded and led Nick over to the other pets, and began introducing him to Owlowiscious, Winona, Tank, Opal, and Gummy. One by one the five other pets went over to the fox and greeted him. Anton and the ponies watched loving the friendship development between their pets. Anton smiled, and thought to himself, 'I have a pet now. I never would've been able to get one if I was back home with them. But now I have a pet of my very own. And he's a cool pet too.' he watched Nick bond with the other animals.