It was a typical morning for Fluttershy, nothing exciting.
After waking up first thing she did was wishing "good night" to all the nocturnal animals, bats and owls who cared for her home at night went to hide at their shelters at sunrise. Fluttershy closed the binds to shield them from the light and moved downstairs to the kitchen.
Then she took care of the morning animals, rabbits, squirrels and others; cooking for them a nutritious breakfast. They came rushing in when they heard her moving the dishes. Some protested the flavor but Fluttershy was a strict chef who put nutrition value over taste, to the point of arguing about it with Pinkie and Applejack. It made her feel proud to see her friends listen to her and eat their food, she just wanted the best for them and was happy to share a meal with them every morning.
Before she got her breakfast, the pet that was the closest to her, almost like a best friend, Angel Bunny appeared hopping in. Fluttershy smiled and handed him his plate but the bunny refused and started making gestures. Fluttershy looked confused for a few seconds and handed him another plate, thinking he was just complaining. The bunny refused it again and made a series of gestures to be understood like crawling on all fours, roaring silently and then lying to sleep.
Fluttershy handed him a third plate of food.
Noticing that he was getting nowhere, Angel kicked the food bowl and ran outside. Fluttershy flapping followed him, she was proud of her ability to understand animals better than any pony but sometimes it was difficult to read Angel. The rabbit saw her following him and gestured her to go after him. Fluttershy froze at the sight of where he intended to take her, the Everfree forest. Fluttershy did not intend to enter the dark and terrifying forest, even in the morning hours but Angel ignored her concerns and went inside. Gathering all the courage she could, Fluttershy flapped with force and entered the forest.
Two minutes later she was regretting it The way the light filtered through the forest hinted at many frightening shadows, glimpses of claws, wings and watchful eyes. Fluttershy wished she had asked some pony to accompany her, a brave pony like Applejack or Twilight. Even Rainbow Dash would have worked even if she would have most likely mocked her fears. Fluttershy thought going to get Zecora who knew the forest like the inside of her hooves and was not afraid of any of the creatures that lived her but she did not want to lose sight of Angel who was running ahead of her. Fluttershy heard a branch broke and rushed after him.
Fluttershy finally met Angel and discovered the reason for his concern, a manticore asleep in the entrance of a cave. Fluttershy grab the bunny and try to get away but he got loose and approached the huge beast. Fluttershy knew how dangerous manticores were if awakened from their naps and tried to warn him but Angel approached the beast and pointed behind him. Fluttershy peeked above the monster scorpion tail and saw a small hole. Based on Angel´s movements, Fluttershy assumed he had something important in that hole but the huge manticore was in the way.
Any pony with common sense would have turned around and go home but Fluttershy loved Angel, if whatever was in that cave was important for him then she had to recover it. Carefully, Fluttershy pocked the manticore who didn´t respond. Fluttershy insisted a little stronger and the manticore moved his sting, almost hitting her when rolling it around his huge body. Fluttershy didn´t know what to do, Angel rolled his eyes and gave a good kick to the beast. The visibly angry manticore awoke and Fluttershy ran to hide behind Angel. the rabbit had his front paws crossed and waited with a frown for the manticore to stop roaring.
Once finished, Angel began making gestures and the manticore just stared at him. Angel made more gestures, poiting at both Fluttershy and the manticore. Both stared at him and Angel facepalmed. Angel pointed to Fluttershy and then to the manticore. Fluttershy finally understood, Angel had brought her to be a translator. He was not scared, he just wanted to solve things talking. Fluttershy pat the bunny on the head, proud of him and explained to the manticore that he had taken Angel's hideout. Fluttershy knew how territorial animals they were, defending their caves with passion but there was no discussion, Angel got the cave first. With a series of grunts the manticore hinted that he had no other place to go but Angel did not want to conceded. Fluttershy pleaded with him and after a few minutes of discussion came to an agreement that Angel would get his things out and the manticore will keep the cave.
After shaking pawns with the manticore, Angel entered the cave and pull the content out of the hiding. Happily he bounced back, bringing lots of chestnuts and other sweets but his joy dropped along with his ears when he saw Fluttershy was not happy. This was exactly the kind of not nutritious food that Fluttershy prohibited. Angel had disobeyed her. Embarrassed, Angel turned and gave the food to the manticore who could do nothing with that type of food. Angel looked at Fluttershy with tearful eyes, she rolled her eyes and then agreed. Angel set course to the cottage, bouncing with joy but when he tried to take a bite Fluttershy took the food away. He could keep it but only on her terms. Angel quietly grumbled but kept walking towards the cottage.
And so was a typical morning for Fluttershy, nothing exciting. Some ponies will argue, saying that facing a manticore was super exciting and that none would dare to do so but Fluttershy saw nothing special in her actions. She simply did what she felt natural.
Smiling, she went back to her cottage to finish her breakfast with her animal friends.
