The Cutie Map Quest

    Twilight had just finished giving a pop quiz on how to survive in the wild with nothing but a knife. Fluttershy was a bit confused because if she ever needed something in the wild she'd just ask a squirrel or a racoon, or some cute little critter living in the forest, but when she asked about it Twilight told her that the animals wouldn't be too friendly and that it's best to avoid them at all cost. To Fluttershy that was like cutting Angel's paw off and wearing it around her neck. How could she ignore such cute little creatures. Twilight shooed them out the door with saddlebags filled with supplies they'd need sitting on Fluttershy and Big Mac's back.

    Fluttershy was wrong.  These so called 'cute little critters' were savage beasts. Fluttershy and Big Mac had run into a three foot long squirrel that tried to eat off her head, thankfully Big Mac bucked it unconscious so they could get away.

    A few minutes later Fluttershy exclaimed as she sighed in relief and lowered her head to shoulder height, "Oh thank you Big Mac, I would've been a goner!"  then she heard a twig snap. Her and Big Mac's heads swiveled over to the bushes where the twig snapped. Then there was a rustling in the bushes, the two made eye contact for a split second until Fluttershy darted swiftly run through the moist leaves and was struggling to dodge trees and stay as quiet as possible, but it was impossible with Big Mac's running, uhmm.. crashing would be a better word for it, behind her.

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    Big Mac's huffing and puffing could probably be heard from a mile away when he noticed how swiftly the pegasus ran. He paused his thoughts for a moment and chuckled a bit to himself, he'd never would have thought he would say, uhh 'think' I guess you could say, that a pegasus was running for dear life instead of flying. The chuckle was replaced by panic and fear as the squirrel that he had bucked earlier jumped onto his back with it's claws outstretched.

    " AGHHH!!" Big Mac yelped in pain as the squirrel sunk it's claws into his flank. He started bucking as he ran but that only made the squirrel angrier and it clambered toward his neck and took a chunk of skin off of it.

   His scream was even louder and more pain filled then the last," AHHHHHG!?!?!!!" he screeched

    "YOU CELESTIA DAMNED VARMIN!!" he screamed and stopped running to swivel his head around to look the squirrel square in the eyes. The hatred in his eyes made the squirrel step back a bit and Big Mac bit down on the thing's paw and threw it across the clearing. He looked over to see Fluttershy staring and the injured animal a mixture of shock, fear, and pain in her eyes. This confused him for a minute until he tasted the metallic taste in his mouth and he spit out a finger that had once been attatched to that thing's paw. Gross! He thought as he spit out as much of the crimson liquid that had been in his mouth as he could.

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    Fluttershy had her eyes glued to the nine fingered squirrel that lay limp on the ground. She could feel her eyes watering up a bit as she finally turned her gaze over to the red and orange stallion spitting out blood,"I know that h-he hurt you-" her voice was breaking" b-b-but did you have to b-bite it's f-finger off." a small stream of tears now ran down her face. She could tell Big Mac wanted to say something and she looked at him expectantly but nothing came out.

     Fluttershy trotted over to the squirrel cautiously, afraid it might get up and try to claw her eyes out but it lay still and didn't even twitch when her hoof touched it softly.  She inspected it's paw and seen that Big Mac only bit off half of his finger. She shivered and dug into her saddlebag to take out the first aid kit.

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    Big Mac wanted to object when he saw Fluttershy taking out her first aid kit but he decided against it she'd probably feel better if she helped it, though it made him uneasy, what if it woke up and bit off one of her ears?

     After Fluttershy had finished cleaning and wrapping up the squirrel's paw it woke up. Fluttershy flinched a bit as it's head lifted up, it was about to take a blow at her,and Big Mac was prepared to get rid of it once and for all even if Fluttershy hated him forever for it. Then it looked at it's missing finger and growled at it turned it's head over to him. Fluttershy quickly picked it up and the squirrel it was getting ready to hit her once more when she started snuggling  it. This took the squirrel completely by surprise and it just stared at her, but the surprise passed when realization hit the creature. Then it started making a purring sound.

    Bic Mac was disgusted, not by Fluttershy but by the squirrel, what kind of animal attacks somepony, nearly takes her head off and injures her friend then suddenly has a change of heart and purrs at her. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, this thing reminded him a lot of Angel bunny. Angel would be a jerk to Fluttershy all day, or at least when Big Mac seen him, then the next day be, well an angel. Big Mac didn't understand how she put up with him.

    Fluttershy started baby talking it a bit until she sat it on the ground and it whined. Big Mac was ready to go the faster they found this ogre tribe the faster they could get home and go about their lives. Finally she'd talked it into leaving and going back home, thank Celestia that thing finally let her go! Big Mac looked at the map that was in his saddlebag for a minute and soon they were back on track.

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    They walked through the now dark and musty forest silently. Fluttershy took in the scenery, it was scary. She wanted to be home in her cottage having a tea party with Angel but she knew you can't always get what you want. She sighed softly. Big Mac heard her and said," Is there somthin' wrong Miss Fluttershy?"

    This was the first time Big Mac has really talked to her just to talk other then telling her what they might find within the next few miles," Oh, well it's nothing... it's just I'd rather be home then.. here." she said softly.

    Big Mac said," Eeyup.."

    Fluttershy felt Big Mac's side brush her feather's slightly. She flinched a bit and slowly walked slightly to the side.

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    Big Mac had tried to inch closer to Fluttershy but when his fur brushed her feathers she shyed away. He resisted a sigh and they continued walking on until Princesses Luna's moon came up and they settled next to an old oak with a fat trunk to rest until morning. Tomorrow they should reach ogre territory they'll need all the energy they could get.