“Its huge fangs were this close to my face! I could feel its horrible, raspy breath as it got closer. And closer! Hhhhhuuh haaaaa. Hhhhhuuuh haaaaa!” Scootaloo breathed noisily, hooves raised like claws as she stalked toward the gathered classmates in the schoolyard.
“However did you escape?” asked Pip, enthralled.
Scootaloo struck her best Rainbow Dash–cool pose. “No monster is a match for my wheels! I zoomed circles around that bogle! It would have eaten most of Ponyville if I hadn’t chased it back into the Forest and told it to never come back—or else!”
“Uh, Scootaloo? Aren’t ya forgettin’ somethin’?” Apple Bloom prompted.
Scootaloo blushed. “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Lilymoon helped, too,” she added.
“And got into lots of trouble for it.” Sweetie Belle sighed, remembering the whole terrifying thing. The bogle, a huge, invisible creature, had moved into Miss Cheerilee’s Schoolhouse after Lilymoon, the newest student there, accidentally disturbed its nest. Against their sisters’ wishes, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle teamed up with Scootaloo to lure the bogle back to the Everfree Forest where it belonged. With Lilymoon’s help, they decorated the creature’s old home with Rarity’s beautiful fabric. The bogle loved it!
Most of Ponyville was impressed that the Cutie Mark Crusaders—Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom—had saved the town from the frightening bogle. But Rarity remained upset. “Couldn’t you have used last season’s fabrics?” Rarity had moaned to her little sister. At least their classmates thought they were heroes.
“If I ever thee another monthster,” said Twist, “I’ll know which ponieth to call!”
Apple Bloom scuffed a hoof on the ground and sighed in disappointment. “Maybe not. Looks like our first adventure’s gonna be our last one for a while. Applejack told me not to take on any more monsters without askin’ first.”
“Fine by me,” Sweetie Belle said. “I don’t need an adventure like that ever again.”
“That’s ’cause you’re a scaredy-pony,” piped up Snips.
Sweetie Belle frowned at him and stomped her hoof. “I am not! I’m just as brave as any—AAHHH!” Sweetie Belle shot straight up, startled. Something freezing cold had touched her shoulder! She whirled to see Snails behind her, holding an ice cube with his magic. He chuckled and hoof-bumped Snips.
“You were saying?” Snips laughed. Sweetie Belle glared at the troublemakers, but before she could do anything else, Miss Cheerilee popped her head through the Schoolhouse door.
“Time for class, everypony!” she sang out. As the ponies trotted into the Schoolhouse, Sweetie Belle saw that Lilymoon was already there. She must have arrived early to avoid talking to the other ponies. Besides the CMCs, Lilymoon hadn’t made too many friends yet. The violet-eyed Unicorn sat at her desk, staring straight ahead, not making eye contact with anypony.
Diamond Tiara stepped in a wide arc to dramatically avoid Lilymoon’s desk. “Careful, Silver Spoon. Creepiness is catching.” Diamond Tiara sneered.
Lilymoon shot them an icy look. But she gave a small smile when Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo sat next to her. Miss Cheerilee stood in the front of the classroom, getting everypony’s attention.
“Class, I hope you’re excited, because Lilymoon has a special surprise for us today!”
The students all shared worried looks. Another surprise from Lilymoon was the last thing they wanted!