BUCK

It was early on Monday. In the classroom, the fillies were getting away with murder.

Diamond Tiara was one again poking fun at a helpless Apple Bloom for her traditional ways, until Scootaloo zoomed in and began to defend her. Elsewhere, Sweetie Belle joined Twist and others in a game of, “Lets Throw Pencils At Each Other” until one hit Pip in the eye, at which point everypony else began to laugh at him.

Utter chaos.

The door opened. “Just what in Equestria is going on in here?” asked the unicorn.

Those who weren’t crying or laughing were speechless. A second passes and everyone settles back into their seats.

“That’s better, my little ponies,” uttered the substitute.

“Who are you?” asked a student.

The unicorn had an answer prepared, “My name is Ms. Sparkle. I’m going to be your substitute teacher this morning.”

Those who didn’t know Twilight shrugged it off, and the ones who did know her were slightly pleased with this change of pace. Apple Bloom, though, was confused.

“Where’s Ms. Cheerilee?

Twilight sighed and prepared to give the class a sad response. “Unfortunately, Cheerilee is... missing,” a slight gasp came from the room, “She was last seen on Hearts and Hooves day, but hasn’t been anywhere since.”

The class didn’t let the moment go on too long before somepony tried to be a detective.

“Well is anypony lookin’ for her? We should get a search party together!” Sweetie Belle almost suggested that they could be the Cutie Mark Crusader Detective Agency, but then regained the gravity of the situation.

“Police ponies have been searching since yesterday, and around five ponies have been interviewed, but there are no leads yet.” The purple unicorn spoke in a shallow tone. Twilight had been wanting to avoid this topic at length for many reasons.

The Cutie Mark Crusader Detective agency pondered, then Apple Bloom spoke, “Did they interview Big Macintosh?”

“Yes, Apple Bloom, he was interviewed yesterday afternoon. He told the police ponies that she was at Sweet Apple Acres on Hearts and Hooves Day and then she went home. As far as I’ve heard, his story checks out.”

“You live at Sweet Apple Acres, do you know anything else?” asked Scootaloo.

“Ah was at Sweetie Belle’s on Hearts and Hooves Day, Ah wouldn’t know. Ah don’t know why my brother would lie like that, though... he has been actin’ a bit strange the last few days...”

“He’s probably just REALLY upset about losing his very special somepony,” Sweetie Belle reassured, “he must be worried sick.”

Twilight chimed in, the voice of academic morality. “Now now, my little ponies, don’t get carried away. The reason I’m here is because wherever Cheerilee is, I’m sure she wouldn’t want any of you slacking off or missing any of your studies, so lets get to work, okay?”

The class groaned audibly, longing for chaos.

“Now, who can tell me...”