*It was early morning in Ponyville. The ground was still wet from the fierce rainstorm that the weather control ponies from Cloudsdale set up for the night before. There, behind Mezmo's cottage, an all too familiar Pegasus pony with a way with animals was talking to a small family of moles*

Fluttershy: Oh, I'm so glad to hear that you and your family are alright, Mr. Mole. I couldn't sleep worrying about you and all the other animals that live underground.

*The moles just simply squeaked and went back underground. From inside the cottage, Salem watched Fluttershy from the back windowsill of the kitchen, while Mezmo was preparing breakfast*

Salem: Hey kid, one of those ponies is in the backyard.

Mezmo: *puts two slices of bread in the toaster* Which one?

Salem: The quivering one with the pink hair and wings. She's out there talking to a bunch'a rats.

Mezmo: Huh? *looks out the window* Oh, that's Fluttershy… And those are moles, not rats.

Salem: Heh… Moles schmoles… Doesn't matter what ya call 'em. In the end, they're all lunch to me.

*Just then, there was a knock on the backdoor as Fluttershy's voice could be heard from the other side*

Fluttershy: *from behind the door* Hello? Mezmo? Are you home?

Mezmo: Okay, that's her. Now, when she comes in, what do you say?

Salem: *sighs* Meow…

Mezmo: Good boy. *walks over to the backdoor and opens it to see Fluttershy* Morning, Fluttershy. Won't you come in?

Fluttershy: Thank you. *trots into the cottage* I just want to say sorry for wondering into your backyard without your permission. I just wanted to check on Mr. Mole and his family.

Mezmo: *sarcastically* I was wondering where all those holes in the ground came from.

Fluttershy: I'll let them know not to dig too many. Its just that after big rain storms like the one last night, I worry about all the little animals that live underground. I always check to make sure they didn't get flooded out in the night.

Mezmo: Well, that certainly is nice of you.

*Just then, Salem jumped onto the kitchen table, approached Fluttershy and rubbed against her neck, purring*

Mezmo: Oh yeah, that's my cat, Salem. The one I told you about when I first came here.

Fluttershy: Oh! Hello Salem. *starts stroking Salem's head* My, you're a pretty kitty. *looks back at Mezmo* So Mezmo, would you like to come help me with the rest of the little animals out in Whitetail Woods?

Mezmo: I don't know, I have a lesson with Twilight in about forty-five minutes.

Fluttershy: Please, I promise you'll get back to your lesson as soon as possible.

Mezmo: Well…okay. Beats going into the Everfree Forest, anyway.

Fluttershy: Thank you and don't worry. With both of us and all of them gathered in one area, it shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

*Moments later, Fluttershy and Mezmo were out in Whitetail Woods. They were out by a large collection of dens and holes in the ground with all the animals out to greet them*

Fluttershy: It seems that the gophers and ferrets are fine, but the skunks seemed to have taken on a little water.

Mezmo: No kidding. Well, at least now none of them have to take a bath.

*Just then, some rustling could be heard from within a nearby bush, startling both Mezmo and Fluttershy*

Mezmo: What could that be?

Fluttershy: I don't know.

*To their surprise, an elk's head popped out of the bushes and let out a small yip*

Fluttershy: Oh, it's just an elk. *walks up to the elk's head* Hello Mr. Elk, what are you doing in there?

Mezmo: Huh… I didn't know elks came this far south. Unless…

*Just then, there was another rustling in the bushes and an eagle's head popped out beside the elk's*

Fluttershy: Strange, I didn't think that eagles and elks would make good friends...

Mezmo: *eyes widen in fear* Fluttershy…back away…slowly.

Fluttershy: Why, what's wrong?

*Suddenly, the two heads began to move out of the bushes to reveal that they were attached to a large lion with eagle talons for front legs, an elk's hind legs, and a large green snake for a tail. It was a chimera, and it looked very hungry*

Mezmo: That's what!

Fluttershy: *eyes widen in fear* Oh my! A chimera!! W-What do we do, M-Mezmo?

Mezmo: Don't move… Nikola told me that a chimera's eyesight is dependant on movement. Just stand perfectly still and maybe it will go away…

*Fluttershy could only stand there while the lion's head sniffed at her. All the heads then started debating with one another and soon let out a tremendous triple roar*

Fluttershy: AAAAHHHH!!!! *runs away*

Mezmo: So much for that. *runs after Fluttershy* WHOA!!!

*The chimera roared while it chased after them through the woods. The chase lasted only a minute as the two of them stopped in front of a large cliff wall*

Mezmo: Aw man, we're trapped!!

Fluttershy: *ducks to the ground and covers her head* I just wanted to help the little animals.

*The chimera slowly approached the two with a low rumbling growl. But just as it was about to attack, a sudden horn was heard which caught the attention of everyone there*

Mezmo: Huh?

*Another horn sound was heard as everyone looked up and saw the source. It was a pony mare blowing on a ram's horn at the top of the cliff. She was a large deep blue pony, taller than most ponies by about a foot and a half, with a dark violet mane that seemed somewhat unkempt. Her cutie mark was that of a lion's head whose mane formed into a heart shape. Wrapped around her neck was a thin piece of wire that dangled with two large fangs from some unknown creature*

???: *puts down the horn* Got some chimera… A tetra morph, nonetheless.

Mezmo: *looks at Fluttershy* Friend of yours?

Fluttershy: Um, no. I've never seen that pony before.

*The mysterious pony then started leaping down the cliff side by jumping on uneven stones as she made he decent. Her jumping method seemed similar to a mountain goat. She eventually made it to the bottom*

???: Don't worry, I know how to deal with these things.

*The chimera and the strange earth pony started exchanging equally loud roars at each other and soon start to charge at each other. As the two of them drew closer, the pony quickly spun around and bucked the chimera's lion head in its nose. The beast stumbled back in confusion*

???: Hey, you!

Mezmo: Who? Me?

???: Yeah, you! Judging from your outfit, your one of those magic humans, am I right?

Mezmo: Y-Yeah.

???: I left my saddle bags up there by accident, you mind getting them down? I still have to subdue this sucker. *charges at the chimera*

Mezmo: Uh, okay. *tries to climb up the cliff*

Fluttershy: Don't worry, I'll help you. *flies up and pushes Mezmo up from below*

Mezmo: Thanks. *reaches the top and grabs the saddle bags* Got 'em!

???: *pushes against the elk head with her own* Great! There's some rope inside, toss it down!

Mezmo: *takes the rope from out of the bag* Catch! *tosses it down*

*The strange earth pony jumped backwards and caught the rope in her mouth, just as the chimera's eagle head let out a loud screech*

???: Right back at ya.

*The strange earth pony then started twirling the rope around in the air and lassoed the elk head's antlers. Afterward, she ran around the creature in all directions and soon enough, the chimera was completely tangled up with rope and couldn't move*

???: That takes care of that. You two can come down now, but don't forget my bag.

Mezmo: N-No problem. Down please, Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: Oh! Okay.

*Fluttershy lifted the pony's bag onto her back, floated upward, lifting Mezmo up by his collar and gently floated him back down to the ground*

Mezmo: *looks at the strange pony* Wow… Um… Thanks for the save back there. I gotta say, you must have some real guts to take on a chimera all by yourself.

???: It's what I do. Name's Roughneck, Equestria's top monster fighter.

Mezmo: Mezmo, wizard in-training from Mareheim. This is my friend, Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: Um, did you say…you fight… *gulps* monsters?

Roughneck: That is what I said. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to finish up here.

*Roughneck then reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of fireworks with a small red tab at the base. She then placed the firework into the ground. After pulling the tab, it flew up into the sky and let out a loud bang with a orange flash of light*

Fluttershy: What was that about?

Roughneck: Wait for it…

*Suddenly, a team of Pegasus ponies flew down from the sky and landed all around the chimera. They were led by a green Pegasus stallion with a pair of aviator sunglasses, a pilot's jacket, and a swooping bird cutie mark*

Mezmo: *eyes widen* Wow, what a morning this is turning out to be!

Roughneck: Glad you could make it, Highball.

Highball: No problem, Roughneck, I got your flare just fine. Now don't worry about us, we'll get this sucker back to where he belongs.

Mezmo: The Everfree forest?

Highball: Got that right. He must've figured out there's more food out here than in there. Okay, let's string him up and get him out of here!

*All the Pegasus ponies then began to tie the chimera up further and strapped the creature to themselves and flew it out toward the Everfree Forest*

Highball: Be sure to get the report to Patton, ASAP. *flies off with the rest of his team*

Mezmo: Whoa… Talk about efficient.

Roughneck: It's what we do, keeping Equestria safe for its citizens.

Mezmo: Then how come we've never heard of you?

Roughneck: We don't do what we do for fame.

Fluttershy: Couldn't you just talk to the monsters instead? You know, reason with them.

Roughneck: Like how you were reasoning with that chimera?

Mezmo: Well, Fluttershy here has a knack for communicating with all types of animals.

Roughneck: Well, tell her that some creatures are beyond reasoning. You might have seen a potential friend in him, but he saw a potential snack in you.

Mezmo: Uh, I think we should be going now. Thanks again for helping us out, but we have some things to do.

*With that, Mezmo and Fluttershy walked off, while Roughneck just collected her things and went off in a different direction*

*A few minutes later, Mezmo and Fluttershy had arrived in front of Twilight's library*

Mezmo: *opens the front door and walks into the library* Twilight, I'm here for my lesson, and I brought Fluttershy with me. Sorry I'm late, but you will not believe what happened to us.

Twilight: That's okay Mezmo, but what DID happen?

Mezmo: Well, we were attacked by a chimera at Whitetail Woods.

Twilight: *gasps* A chimera?! But how is it that you two are okay?

Mezmo: Well, just when we thought we were goners, this strange earth pony jumped into the scene and practically beat it to a pulp. She said she was a monster fighter.

Twilight: A monster fighter? Really? I remember Princess Celestia talking about them some time ago.

Mezmo: Well, WE'VE never heard of them. *whispers into Twilight's ear* And if you ask me, I think Fluttershy's a little upset at the whole idea of fighting monsters.

Twilight: Well, I don't condone the idea myself, but they've done some good work for all of Equestria.

Fluttershy: But why, Twilight? Why do they have to fight them?

Twilight: Not every pony has the same way with animals you do, Fluttershy.

Mezmo: Yeah, but I bet Roughneck can't take down a dragon just by starring at it.

Twilight: Wait, who?

Fluttershy: Roughneck, the earth pony we just told you about.

Twilight: That's the name of the pony who just moved in down the street.

Mezmo: *sighs* Hoo boy…

Fluttershy: Oh no… Why?

*Meanwhile, in another part of town, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were walking down the street, wearing their capes and covered in bits of food*

Apple Bloom: Well, I guess we aren't waitresses.

Scootaloo: Yeah, and Horte Cuisine wasn't too happy about us spilling everything.

Sweetie Bell: What should we try next? I mean, after our bath.

Apple Bloom: I don't know, I'm starting to run out of ideas…

*Just then, another little filly came trotting up to the crusaders. She was an earth pony like Apple Bloom, except she was sky blue with light violet hair. Her mane was mostly pulled back by a light green headband except for her bangs in the front of her face. She however didn't have a cutie mark*

???: You three okay? You look like you dove head first into your lunches.

Scootaloo: Yeah, well, you try balancing three trays on your head.

???: Why were you doing that?

Sweetie Bell: To earn our cutie marks.

???: Really?

Apple Bloom: Uh-huh. We've been trying all sorts of things to earn our cutie marks. But it's starting to feel like we tried everything a pony could do.

Scootaloo: We even tried to be columnists and get the scoop on every pony in Ponyville.

Sweetie Belle: But our columns made everyone upset, to the point where they were all mad at us…

Apple Bloom: But we managed to clear the whole mess up... and on the bright side, it didn't lead to us getting into tree sap and pine needles...

???: *giggles* I like you three. My name's Rain Dance, I just moved here with my mom.

Sweetie Bell: I'm Sweetie Bell.

Apple Bloom: I'm Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo: And I'm Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom: And together, we are…

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo & Sweetie Bell: THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!! YAY!!!

Rain Dance: Wow! How does a pony crusade for a cutie mark?

Scootaloo: Well, not by being waitresses, that's for sure.

Rain Dance: Well, maybe I can help. I'm a blank flank too.

Sweetie Bell: Ooh, ooh! Maybe you can join our club!

Apple Bloom: Hey, yeah! Would you like to be a crusader like us?

Rain Dance: Yeah! That sounds like fun. Do I get a cape like yours too?

Scootaloo: Sure!!

Sweetie Bell: I'll have to make it first.

Rain Dance: Awesome!

Scootaloo: Come on, let's get cleaned up so we can get back to crusading!

*The Cutie Mark Crusaders, along with their new friend, ran off to get cleaned up so they could get ready for their next crusade*

*Meanwhile, back at the library, Twilight's lesson with Mezmo continued. They were levitating some lit candles around and talking about the events that took place earlier*

Twilight: So after you tossed the rope down, she lassoed the chimera like Applejack would a steer?

Mezmo: Yup! That's right.

Twilight: I've got to say, this Roughneck sounds intense. I thought only Rainbow Dash would be so daring.

Mezmo: That's not the half of it. She was also wearing a necklace with a pair of basilisk fangs tied to it!

Twilight: *eyes widen* She took on a basilisk?

Mezmo: After seeing her hog tie a chimera…I wouldn't doubt it for a second!

*Just then, the bell on the door rang, as it revealed to be Roughneck walking in*

Roughneck: Excuse me, are you Twilight Sparkle?

Twilight: Yes I am, how may I help you?

Roughneck: Would you happen to have a copy of "The Monster Guide to Monsters"?

Twilight: If we do, it should be under T. I can check if we have it, if you want.

Roughneck: That's fine, no rush…

Mezmo: Hello again.

Roughneck: *sees Mezmo* Oh, it's you. What are you doing here?

Twilight: Oh! Mezmo here happens to me my student. I'm teaching him how to be a better wizard.

Roughneck: How does that work?

Mezmo: It's complicated.

Twilight: *looks at Roughneck's necklace* Say, that's a really interesting necklace you have on.

Roughneck: Oh this? *holds it up* I got this long before I officially became a Monster Fighter.

Twilight: Really?

Roughneck: Oh yeah, I got these fighting a basilisk when I was just a filly.

Mezmo: Whoa, whoa, hold it! You fought a basilisk when you were just a little filly?!

Roughneck: Yup! Well…maybe not a LITTLE filly. I've always kinda been bigger than most ponies my age.

*Twilight, using her magic, floated a large book down from a shelf and onto the center table. The book's title read "The Monster Guide to Monsters." Twilight then opened it up to a page that featured a basilisk*

Twilight: Here we go, the basilisk. *reads the entry in the book* While closely related to the cockatrice in both its bird/reptile appearance and its ability to turn living things to stone, it is said to be larger and more aggressive.

Roughneck: That's right. Their fangs are also capable of turning their victims to stone through a chemically induced calcification.

Mezmo: Kinda like snakes or komodo dragons…except it turns things to stone.

Roughneck: Right. The basilisk does this because their main diet includes rocks that have large amounts of calcium deposits in them. Whenever they can't find such stones, they make their own.

Mezmo: Look, Roughneck, its nice to learn all this stuff, but you've got to understand something about Fluttershy when it comes to animals.

Roughneck: Oh? And what's that?

Twilight: Fluttershy believes that all animals can be gentle and sweet if we just get to know them. She always tries talking her way out trouble with animals before anything else.

Mezmo: I've only known her for a few days, yet I could already tell she was…softer than the other ponies. But even so, she was able to stare down not only a manticore, but also a dragon, a cockatrice, and a minotaur, too.

Roughneck: And she didn't raise a hoof to fight with?

Twilight: Not a one. She may look frail and helpless, but she knows when to be tough in the right situation… But she has never hurt a single creature in her life.

Roughneck: Hmm… Well…she has style, I'll give her that, but not all creatures can so easily be swayed. I'm sure there's been at least one critter that even she couldn't charm.

Twilight: Well, there was that hydra at Froggy Bottom Bog.

Mezmo: Look, just understand why Fluttershy is upset at the whole idea of monster fighting, okay?

Roughneck: *sighs* Alright. To be honest, we only fight them either when there is no other choice or when all other options have been exhausted. Well, I'll just check out that book and be on my way then.

*Moments later, Roughneck was leaving the library with the Monster Guide to Monsters book balancing on her back. Soon after, Twilight finished up Mezmo's lesson for the day*

Twilight: Alright, Mezmo, you did well. Your levitation spell seemed to have really benefited from multitasking practice.

Mezmo: Thanks, Twilight.

Twilight: Not only were you able to keep all those candles up while you told me about your exciting morning and talked to Roughneck, but you didn't spill a drop of wax.

Mezmo: I admit, that was hard to do.

*Just then, the door opened and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, along with their new friend, Rain Dance, walked into the library*

Rain Dance: My mom said that if you need help figuring out something, just go to library for inspiration.

Mezmo: Hey girls, who's your friend?

Scootaloo: This is Rain Dance, she just moved to town.

Mezmo: *looks closer at Rain Dance* Hey…you look like someone we know…

Rain Dance: Well, they do say they look like my mom.

Mezmo: Your mom?

Rain Dance: Yeah, she's really cool and she fights monsters.

Mezmo: *eyes widen* Roughneck's your mom?!

Rain Dance: Yup!

Apple Bloom: *eyes widen* Whoa! Your mom fights monsters?!

Scootaloo: That is awesome!

Sweetie Bell: Is it dangerous?

Scootaloo: Well of course its dangerous, she fights monsters.

Twilight: Well this is certainly unexpected.

Mezmo: Yeah… She's a lot older than she looks.

Rain Dance: It's true. My mom's fought monster all over Equestria. She even took me to Manehatten when she had a harpy infestation to deal with. Afterward, she took me to Poney Island pier for ice cream.

Scootaloo: Hey! Maybe that's what we can do!

Sweetie Bell: Sell ice cream?

Scootaloo: No, fight monsters!

Mezmo: *face palms* Oy!

Apple Bloom: You think? I remember we didn't do too well with that cockatrice.

Mezmo: *to himself* When will they learn?

Twilight: Girls, I don't think that's a very good idea.

Mezmo: Preaching to the choir!!

Scootaloo: But what if we were meant to be monster fighters?

Mezmo: But what if you're not? You could get hurt, or worse…

Twilight: Promise us that you won't do something so dangerous.

Scootaloo: Okay, we promise.

Mezmo: Good.

Twilight: Now why don't you go and show your new friend around. Maybe you can get your cutie marks as tour guides.

Sweetie Bell: Hmm… Maybe.

Apple Bloom: I guess its worth shot. Let's go, crusaders. *walks out of the library with her friends following behind*

*Once all the Cutie Mark Crusaders were outside, Rain Dance ran out in front of her new friends*

Rain Dance: Well, let's go find a monster to fight!

Sweetie Bell: But you heard Twilight, she even made Scootaloo promise.

Rain Dance: I saw Scootaloo cross her tail.

Scootaloo: *smiles* It's true.

Sweetie Bell: What?

Rain Dance: Don't worry, I know the ins and outs when it comes to that stuff. I've seen my mom do it all the time.

Apple Bloom: Well, that's good to hear. Alright, crusaders, let's go find some monsters to fight!

Sweetie Bell: But let's just start off with a small one…

*Meanwhile, at Sugercube Corner, Roughneck was looking through the Monster Guide to Monsters while having a snack*

Roughneck: Why would that chimera leave its natural habitat? Lets see… *takes a closer at the book*

*Just then, Fluttershy came walking into the shop with Pinkie Pie trotting along next to her*

Fluttershy: And that's when she bucked the poor thing in its lion face.

Pinkie Pie: Wow! She sounds really brave, like Rainbow Dash!

Fluttershy: No, Pinkie, she's nothing more than a big bully!

Roughneck: Excuse me? *looks over at Fluttershy* You?!

Fluttershy: *sees Roughneck* YOU'RE here?

Pinkie Pie: Ooh…awkward. I thought that inner ear itch felt familiar.

Roughneck: *raises an eyebrow* What? Never mind… Now why would you call me a bully?

Fluttershy: Because you hurt that chimera. Now, I understand that they're dangerous, but there are nonviolent ways to deal with a problem.

Roughneck: And sometimes there aren't. Plus, you're making it sound like I go out looking for a fight.

Fluttershy: Do you know how I deal with problems?

Roughneck: Yes, your friends told me and I told them I only fight as either a last resort or when there is no other option.

Fluttershy: *eyes widen* Oh? I…I didn't know that.

Roughneck: It's true. The fact is I was sent out to investigate sightings of that chimera. I would've tried a more peaceful approach if you and your human friend didn't find it first.

Fluttershy: Oh dear… I'm so sorry, Roughneck.

Roughneck: It's okay, you didn't know. But right now, I need to find out why the chimera was out in Whitetail Woods and not the Everfree Forest. So far, all I can see that it might have been a result of an invasive species.

Fluttershy: But what would be able to scare a chimera?

Roughneck: Not sure, but it's got to be mean… Really mean.

*Meanwhile, out on the edge of the Everfree Forest, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Rain Dance were wondering around*

Apple Bloom: Well, here it is.

Scootaloo: I say we go after that cockatrice that turned Twilight to stone.

Rain Dance: Well, we have to find it first.

Sweetie Bell: Oh no, please don't! I changed my mind, I wanna go home!

Apple Bloom: And here I thought Scootaloo was the chicken.

Sweetie Bell: C'mon, that cockatrice almost got us last time!

Apple Bloom: Well, we're gonna get IT this time!

Rain Dance: Don't worry, I know what to do if there is any trouble.

Sweeitie Bell: I hope so…

*With that, the fillies walked into the thick brush of the forest. All the while, some creature watched them from above the forest canopy*

*Back at Sugercube Corner, Fluttershy and Roughneck continued to talk when Pinkie Pie suddenly started to act strange*

Roughneck: Um… Is she okay?

Pinkie Pie: Shoulder ache… Ear flop… Eye flutter. *gasps* Fillies in trouble!

Fluttershy: Fillies? What fillies?

Roughneck: What is she talking about?

Pinkie: I don't know, Fluttershy, but since it's being followed up with a pinchy knee, I can only say that its happening in the Everfree Forest.

Fluttershy: *eyes widen* Oh no, the girls!!

Roughneck: Well, if there is trouble, then what we doing standing around here for?! LET'S MOVE!!! *charges out the door*

Fluttershy: Ah! Oh, um… Wait up! *follows Roughneck out the door*

*Back inside the Everfree Forest, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Rain Dance continued to wonder around. Sweetie Bell looked scared out of her mind as the others were starting to look unsure of what they were doing*

Sweetie Bell: I hate this forest…

Rain Dance: Yeah, I heard the forest is scary…but I had no idea.

Scootaloo: *steps in something* Eww, I just stepped in something sticky.

Applebloom: What is it?

Scootaloo: I don't know. *tries to free her hoof* Ung! Ung! I'm stuck!

Apple Bloom: *bites onto Scootaloo's tail and tries to yank her free* UNG!!! Come on! Come on!

*Soon, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Raindance started tugging and pulling Scootaloo in all directions by her tail*

Rain Dance: *looks down, eyes widen* Um, guys…

Applejack: What?

*Rain Dance pointed down at the ground to show that they were all caught in a giant spider web*

Sweetie Bell: Is that…what I think it is?!

Rain Dance: I think so...

*Just then, a thin creature emerged from the tree tops and slowly made its way to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It had a human female upper body, except with black skin and white hair. It wore an animal pelt over its breasts and carried with it a spear. It didn't have legs. Instead, it had a spider's body. It was a drider, and she looked very hungry*

Drider: *smirks* "Step into my parlor," I said to the four little fillies who are about to become my dinner.

Sweetie Bell, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, & Rain Dance: AAAAHHHH!!!!

*At the same time, as Fluttershy and Roughneck were running through the forest, something seemed to spark within Roughneck and she soon picked up the pace*

Fluttershy: Roughneck, what is it?

Roughneck: Maternal senses tingling!

Fluttershy: Maternal instincts… *eyes widen* You're a mother?!

Roughneck: Oh yeah, and one of those fillies is mine!

*Roughneck then broke through the thick foliage to find the drider standing over the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Rain Dance*

Roughneck: Rain Dance!!

Raindance: *turns to see Roughneck* Mommy!!

Scootaloo: *turns to see Fluttershy* Fluttershy!!

Fluttershy: *eyes widen* Girls!!

Drider: *turns to see Fluttershy and Roughneck and smiles wickedly* Well, well, well... Look who's here… The main course!

Roughneck: *growls in anger* How DARE YOU!!! *leaps up and tackles the drider onto the ground*

*Roughneck and the drider wrestled around for a little bit, until the drider sank her fangs into Roughneck's leg, causing her to go rigid*

Drider: Ha! That should take care of you!

Rain Dance: Mommy!!

Apple Bloom: What's wrong with her?

Roughneck: Venom… Paralyzed… Can't… Move…

Drider: First that chimera, now this. Can't the new girl get a break? Oh well, at least I don't go hungry tonight. *looks at the CMCs and licks her lips*

Fluttershy: *narrows her eyebrows in anger* You…MONSTER!!!

Roughneck: Huh? *looks to see Fluttershy* What in the world…?

Drider: *turns to see Fluttershy* Oh, I almost forgot about you--

Fluttershy: *staring into the Drider's eyes* You horrible BEAST! You scare a chimera out of its home, incapacitate a pony, and threaten a group of little fillies! DON'T YOU FEEL ASHAMED FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?!?!

Drider: *is startled by Fluttershy's screaming* I'm only doing what comes natural to me--

Fluttershy: And that's threatening an innocent little filly and her mother? You know, when I first met Roughneck, I thought she was just a bully. But then I saw that what she does is keep ponies like me and her daughter safe from REAL monsters like you!!

Drider: *looking pretty scared* I-I'm sorry!

Fluttershy: Sorry won't cut it!!

Drider: *covers her face with her arms* No, really, I'm sorry!! I won't do it again!! Please...stop staring at me like that!! Please!! You're scaring me!!

Fluttershy: Let those little fillies out of your web, give the chimera its home back and don't let me catch you here again. Do you understand?

Drider: *nods quickly* Yes, ma'am! *rushes over to the CMCs and frees them from her web* There you go, run along now! *releases a thread and dissappears up into the trees*

Fluttershy: Good.

Roughneck: Hmm… *smirks* Impressive.

Scootaloo: Hooray for Fluttershy!! The Stare Master has triumphed again!!

Sweetie Bell, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, & Rain Dance: YAY!!!

*Moments later, every pony had left the Everfree Forest. Roughneck was leaning on Fluttershy for support while the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Rain Dance were walking beside them*

Roughneck: Gotta say, Fluttershy, what you did back there…was nothing short of amazing.

Fluttershy: All I did was do what came natural to me. I don't like it when my friends are threatened.

Roughneck: Well, whatever that was, it saved our flanks back there and I'm thankful for that.

Rain Dance: Thank you, Fluttershy, for saving my mommy and me.

Roughneck: Rain Dance, sweetheart, what were you doing out there?

Rain Dance: My friends and I were just trying to get our cutie marks.

Roughneck: Well, you almost got yourselves eaten.

Rain Dance: I'm sorry, mommy…

Roughneck: *sighs* We'll discuss your punishment when we get home. Right now, still too stiff to do anything.

Scootaloo: Roughneck… It's my fault. I promised Twilight that I wouldn't go into the forest, but I had my tail crossed…and I dragged the others into it.

Roughneck: Whatever case, let's just thank Celestia that no pony was hurt… Except me, but that was my fault.

Scootaloo: *looks back at the other fillies* I'm really sorry, girls.

Sweetie Bell: It's okay, Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom: Yeah, you just really wanted for all of us to have our cutie marks is all.

Fluttershy: Well, the important thing is that you fillies are safe and we won't have to worry about the drider or chimera coming around again. Now, let's just go back home…

Sweetie Bell: Maybe we should've tried being tour guides like Twilight said.

Rain Dance: Yeah, maybe that would've turned out better.

*Everypony laughed as they made their way back to Ponyville. All the while, Fluttershy thought of what to write to Princess Celestia for her friendship report*

*Dear Princess Celestia,

Today, I learned that there are some ponies that may not be all that they seem to be. They might seem to be a bully or too rough to handle certain situations, but they try to do what they think is safe for other ponies, especially when they have little fillies of their own that they need to protect.

Your faithful subject,

Fluttershy*