//------------------------------// // IV - Secrets and Truth // Story: The Path of Absolution - Forgiveness // by Morningstar1337 //------------------------------//         Spike went to find Featherweight in the basement of the schoolhouse. The Foal Free Press staff were busy doing their jobs.         “What do you want?” Diamond Tiara said.         “Twilight asked me to find the photographer,” Spike said.         “You won’t find him here,” She chuckled.         Just then Featherweight entered the room. Diamond Tiara was a little stunned.         “Ah Featherweight,” Spike said. “Twilight’s looking for you.”         The colt was a little surprised, he wondered if it was about the photos. He looked at the editor who gave him a nasty glare. He decided to go with Spike.         Diamond Tiara was furious. But inspiration struck her, she now has an idea of who “Gabby Gums” should “interview” next.         Meanwhile Twilight was talking to a stallion inside the classroom.         “So you’re Diamond Tiara’s father Filthy Rich?” Twilight said.         “Yes I am,” Mr. Rich said. “Please call me Mr. Rich.”         “Very well,”         Twilight then stacked some papers.         “I’m sure you’re aware that your daughter is the editor in chief of the Foal Free Press Mr. Rich?” She said.         “Or course,” Mr. Rich said. “It was an interesting paper under her command especially that ‘Canterlot Sn--,’” He stopped himself before finishing. “So anyway what does that have to do with Diamond Tiara?”         “Well,” Twilight took out previous editions of the Foal Free Press. “I’m sure you know that I’m the substitute teacher right?”         “That reminds me, Where is Cheerilee anyway?” Filthy Rich said.         “She had to go to Manehatten for libel charges,” Twilight said. “She’ll be back in a few weeks.”         “I see,” Mr. Rich said. the two continued their conversation for a few more minutes and then Mr. Rich left.         Spike then entered the room. “So how was your talk?”         “It went well,” Twilight said. “I’d advised a Parent-Teacher Conference tomorrow with Diamond Tiara. DId you find Featherweight.”         “Yeah I found him,” Spike said. “He told me to check the printing room for some secrets and the room next door.”         ‘He told you?” Twilight said.         “Well, more like wrote me.” Spike took out a note that the photographer wrote and showed it to Twilight.         “Oh,” Twilight said. The two then left the classroom.         At Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom was talking with Applejack.         “...And then Diamond Tiara blackmailed me with that photo of that other photo of me as a baby, and everypony wanted more Gabby Gums and...” Apple Bloom said.         “Sugarcube,” Apple Bloom said. “It’s alright.”         “...I’m sorry, I’ll never do gossip of any kind again and-- Wait huh?” Apple Bloom was bemused.         “You know, If you told me this from the start, I wouldn't have to start giving you the cold shoulder. So I assume Twi knows you’re sorry?”         “Of course,” Apple Bloom said.         “Big Mac?”         “Um, not yet.” She then left to find her brother.         “Um Apple Bloom?” Applejack pointed to the east field. “He’s that way.”         “Oh, Thanks,” She went to find her brother and apologize.         Elsewhere, at Carousel Boutique, Sweetie Belle wanted to make sure she apologized to her sister. She found her working on some more fashions.         “Um Rarity?”         “Yes?” Rarity said.         Sweetie Belle said, “I’m sorry, not just about the diary, I’m sorry about writing those rumors and gossip.”         Rarity said, “I know. You told me remember, then you went ahead and said that you were going to get the dirt on everypony again.”         “But that wasn’t us. Diamond Tiara took our apology letter and printed that instead,” Sweetie Belle said, though she didn’t think that Rarity would believe her.         “Apology letter?”         “We tried to get our resignation and apology letter out on the paper but Diamond Tiara stopped it.”         Rarity then begun to think about that issue.         “Come to think of it, it does seem odd that you would write about yourselves like that,” She said.         “I’ve already quit the school paper. You won’t have to worry about Gabby Gums again. Can you ever forgive me?”         “We shall see. And about Gabby Gums you’re aware that the as the editor, Diamond Tiara can change and approve anything she wants. right?”         “Oh, right.” Sweetie Belle forgot about that.         “I have to go, I want us to look our best when we go to Manehatten,” Rarity chirped.         Sweetie Belle later left the Boutique. “Well that went better than I thought,” She said. Scootaloo was walking down the path again, hoping to find Rainbow Dash. The rainbow-maned pegasus was lounging on a cloud until she heard hoofsteps. She poked her head out and saw Scootaloo. “Well if it isn’t Gabby Gums, how wonderful. You’re lucky I can’t use rainwater for ‘petty revenge.’” “Can we talk?” Scootaloo said. “if you’re still looking for that interview, you can forget it! Didn’t I tell you that i didn’t want to see your face again?” “I’ve already quit the Foal Free Press. I promise that whatever you say won’t appear on the paper.” Just then Pinkie Pie popped out of a bush. “Do you Pinkie Promise?” She said. “Pinkie...Promise?” Scootaloo said. “Pinkie Promise?” Rainbow Dash said. “Or course,” Pinkie said. “Nothing loses a trust like breaking a promise, and losing a friends’ trust is the fastest way to lost a friend.” “Where were you the last two days?” Rainbow Dash said. “We’re already there!” Pinkie Pie ran Scootaloo through the gestures ann rhyme to her promises. “Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake to my eye?” Scootaloo said, She was careful not to poke her eye out. “That’s right,” Pinkie said. “Now Dashie?” “Okay fine,” Dash then flew to the ground and did the gestures. “Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake to my eye.” “My work here is done,” Pinkie said. She then began to hop away. “Actually,” Scootaloo said. “Can you stay? I have something to tell you too.” “Okey Dokey Lokey,” Pinkie said. Dash was getting impatient. “Look,” Scootaloo said. “I wanted to say I’m sorry. What I did was wrong and I shouldn't have done it in the first place. I wanted to quit, but Diamond Tiara blackmailed me and the others. I understand if neither of you want to forgive me again.” Scootaloo began to leave. “But wait,” Pinkie said. “What was it that you wanted to tell me?” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “I think that was it.” She then flew after Scootaloo. “Oh,” Pinkie said. “Wait up,” Rainbow Dash caught up to Scootaloo. “I suppose I’ve been a little harsh for somepony who wanted to be on that paper.” “Does that mean--?” Scootaloo said. “Yep, So you want to head to Fluttershy’s?” Rainbow Dash said.”You still owe her an apology for that tail extension thing.” “Oh right,” Scootaloo said. The three ponies the went to Fluttershy’s home.