The Outcasts

Outside of the Everfree forest, early in the morning

"Whistles in case we get's lost?"

"Check."

"Blank map to draw down the terrain?"

"Check."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders, plus Spike, were preparing for their next Cutie Mark Crusader Mission. Exploration. And they decided to explore and map out the Everfree forest, because nopony has ever been able to do so before (I think we can all see where this is going).

"Remind me again why I'm coming with you into the Everfree forest?" Spike said, having a hard time trying to hide the nervousness in his voice.

"Because we need a big strong dragon to protect us from any monsters we might come across." Sweetiebelle said as she shuffled through her saddlebag.

"And we promised you some gems for yur silence as well," said Applebloom.

"Oh, yeah right." said Spike. "But this a really bad idea. Don't you remember last time you guys went in their?"

" Yeah, but that was a different part of the forest." Skootaloo practiced some new tricks on her scooter.

"And how does that make this an "OK" idea?" asked Spike with air quotes.

"It means that we won't have to worry about that mean ol'cockatrice," stated Applebloom.

"Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense." sarcastically said Spike. "Now all you have to worry about is manticores, other cockatrice, timber wolfs, hydras, and just about everything else in the forest."

After a minute the CMC finally digested what Spike said. It was not very effective.

"And that's why your coming with us," said Skootaloo.

Spike groaned, he was beginning to have second thoughts on going into the Everfree with CMC, and instead go and tell Twilight and the girls. But the gems the CMC were offering were Baby Blue Sappires, some of the rarest and most delicious gems in Equestria. That and he expected the CMC to get scared an eighth of a mile in and run home, and still get the gems.

"Canteens filed with water?" said Applebloom

"Check," retorted Sweetiebelle.

"Snacks?"

"*nom nom, uh, we still have half of what we got so....check." said Scootaloo with fresh crumbs on her mouth.

"Alright, time to move on out!" said Applebloom with her hoof pointing straight to the Everfree forest.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS EXPLORERS, YAY!" shouted the trio of friends.

"GAHHHH, do you guys have to scream like that every single time?" asked Spike, still having the ringing in his ears.

The CMC just shrugged off the comment, and started the trek into the dark Everfree forest.

"Gulp. Why do I have a feeling I'm going to regret this?" Spike asked himself as he followed the CMC.

===============================================================================

Meanwhile, deep in the Everfree forest

Among the ferns and other exotic foliage, a humanoid figure was leaning against a tree, a male human to be exact, around 14 years old. He was caucasian, had short brown hair, had blue eyes and thin glasses, blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and white tennis shoes with blue strips. Beside him, laying on the ground, was a Varmint rifle (somewhat used), as well as a Magnum revolver on his side. He also had a steel tomahawk equipped on his hip.

"Ah, as much as I love a good thrill that living in the Everfree provides, its nice to have little peaceful moments like this. No monsters, no bandits, no-"

"Yo Peyton are you ready to go hunting?" a new voice yelled out.

Peyton's thoughts were interrupted by the shout, he looked around to see another human. He was a black boy about the same age, had brown eyes, same type of blue jeans as Peyton, a dark blue t-shirt, black tennis shoes, a combat knife on his hip, and carrying a 1-barrel shotgun.

"Ha, well Winsome is here. So much for some peace," Peyton thought to himself.

Peyton picked up his rifle and walked over to Winsome.

"So, where are we hunting today, our usual hunting grounds?" asked Winsome.

"Nah, game is scarce around there this time of the year. I say we head east towards the lake, we're more likely to find some game near a water source," stated Peyton.

"Nope, we should head west," countered Winsome.

"Not this again...." Peyton thought. He was use to this, Winsome LOVES to argue. Every thing he would say Winsome would just say the opposite of, almost every single time.

"Okay, compromise. Lets head north, don't hunt there very often," said Peyton.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. That's the direction to...whats that village called....Ponyville that's it...were not suppose to go near there, and that's coming from the guy that will go against almost any rule," said Winsome.

"Relax, we won't go to far, and I don't think any of those ponies in their right minds would go to far into the forest." Peyton said back.

Winsome took this into account and thought about it for a few seconds. After awhile he just shrugged.

"Huh, you actually got a good point, and we need some food anyway, so why not," said Winsome.

The two humans than started heading to their destination, but then Winsome came up with an idea.

"Hey, why don't we make this a little in interesting?" asked Winsome.

"I'm listening....." said Peyton with a raised eye brow.

"Lets see who can bag the most game," said Winsome, "the score is based on the quality of the kill, the size of the kill, and what the kill is. Winner gets 20 bucks."

"Your on, hope you can cough up 20 bucks" said Peyton with a smug grin.

The two friends shook on it and continued to their destination.