//------------------------------// // Episode 34: Ponyville Confidental // Story: The Pony Guard (Season 2) // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Episode 34 Ponyville Confidental Another day in school comes and go for every young pony and Pride Lander. Another day where another foal earns a cutie mark much to the Cutie Mark Crusaders dismay. Particularly, one of their friends Featherweight. A light brown fur coated mare with brown hair with matching eyes, tall and thin legs, with his cutie mark consisting of a single quill feather. Fitting for a talented writer. “Can you believe Featherweight got his cutie mark?” Sweetie Belle grumbled to Scootaloo while they watch every pony cheer for the foal in question. “Featherweight! Before us!” “Great cutie mark, Featherweight!” “Looking good!” Both Snips and Snails complimented while both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle sigh in defeated dismay when two of their Pride Lander friends approach them. “Aw, come on girls.” Mtoto tried to lift their spirits. “Everyone knows you’ll get yours eventually.” “Yeah, you just gotta keep trying new ideas.” Gumba added. “We’ve been trying for nearly a year by now and still haven’t gotten them.” Scootaloo complained. “What’s the point?” “I give up...” Sweetie Belle lamented in defeat. But at that moment, Apple Bloom quickly came over with an idea with a rolled up paper in her hoof. “I've got it! The answer to all our problems!” Apple Bloom presented them the newspaper in her hooves after leaping over the steps and tossing it to them. “The Foal Free Press?” Sweetie read the paper’s header. “How's the school paper gonna get us our cutie marks?” Before Apple Bloom could explain she heard her grandmother calling for her. “Move your caboose!” “Uh-oh. That's Granny Smith. Gotta run!” Apple Bloom quickly left so she could head on home leaving her friends to read the paper themselves. “Maybe there's something to this newspaper idea.” Scootaloo then thought. “Guess it's worth a shot...” Sweetie went along with it while they walk off ahead. “Good luck.” Mtoto called after them hoping it goes well for them. The two have used all of the used papers they can to do some good deeds all around Ponyville. From helping Rarity and Ono carefully package a fragile vase, to creating bird’s nests, paper hats and paper boats for Pinkie Pie and Bunga. But each and every time they looked at their flanks nothing changed. Back at the clubhouse where Apple Bloom is currently reading one of the paper, she is meant to her frowning friends. “Apple Bloom. Your newspaper idea was nothing but a big bust.” Sweetie complained with mud and dirt in her mane. “We tried everything, from papier-mâché to making birds' nests, and nothing worked.” Scootaloo added in agreement to which the earth pony giggled in amusement to which confused her and Sweetie Belle. “What's so funny?” Sweetie Belle asked. “What I meant was, we should write for the paper! We can get our cutie marks as journalists!” Apple Bloom clarified while showing them the poster of a pony wearing a journalist outfit. Both fillies groaned and fell on their backs in annoyance while realizing they had misunderstood what their friend meant by showing them the newspaper in the first place. After school the next day, Cheerlie sent off most of the class away before focusing on the students who stayed behind in favor of joining the school newspaper staff. “Okay, class, see you tomorrow!” She dismissed the class with Rafiki seeing the children wanting to go home off before turning back to those who stayed. “Oh, for those of you who want to join the newspaper staff, stay here, because we're meeting right now!” “Cutie marks in journalism!” “Such a good idea.” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo voiced to each other while their teacher continues. “Welcome, everypony. Now, as you know, our editor-in-chief graduated last year…” She then sees Sweetie Belle eagerly raising her hoof up with a question on her mind. “Yes?” “What's an editor-in-chief?” “Good question, Sweetie Belle. I like those reporter's instincts.” Cheerlie complimented. “The Foal Free Press is a student-run paper. I'm only involved as an adviser, so the editor-in-chief is the pony in charge, from choosing the stories to making sure it gets to press on time. Now, as I said, we have a new editor this year!” The editor-in-chief opens the door to make her introduction, and said filly is none other than one pony the foals did not want to be taking orders from. “Diamond Tiara?!” The students all questioned the smug girl who walks inside. “Yes, yes, I know what you all are thinking…” Cheerlie told everyone she too is aware of her attitude. “…But I can assure you she has what it takes to make sure everything goes efficiently and orderly. So without further ado, I'll leave you alone now to discuss everypony's assignments. Have fun! And remember…” She added in a warning tone. “…I’m watching you, so I expect you to be on your best behavior.” “Of course, Cheerlie.” Diamond Tiara tried to insist innocently even though it wasn’t quite fooling any pony. As soon as Cheerlie left the room, Diamond’s dropped the faux friendly facade and started barking orders like a bossy blowhard. “Alright, listen up. The Foal Free Press is a joke.” She began asserting her authority by rolling down posters of herself. “Nopony at this school takes it seriously. Well I, the editor-in-chief in charge, am going to deliver us to newfound glory!” “Huh?” The students all asked in confusion. “First things first. Where's the staff photographer?” She demanded until Featherweight nervously raised his hoof. “Get out there and document everything. I'll decide what's important.” He immediately went out the door with Diamond gestured her to leave through before shutting it after he left. “The rest of you, I want hard-hitting news and interesting think pieces. No more Namby-Pamby stories like last year's editor.” “But Namby-Pamby was a great editor.” One pony pointed out. “Well, there's a new regime now, and I want juicy stories.” Diamond stated. “The juicier, the better! Now get out there and report!” “Let's get out of here, girls. Maybe we can try packing boxes again.” Scootaloo whispered to the other girls. “But this could be our last chance to earn our cutie marks!” Sweetie voiced otherwise. “If we really are supposed to be journalists, isn't it worth a little grief?” “I guess you're right.” Scootaloo relented. “We can take a little bit of Diamond Tiara for a lifetime of cutie marks.” “C'mon! Let's go get these marks!” Sweetie cheerfully declared. Oh, if only they knew what they were getting themselves into with what’s about to happen… The girls split up to find good gossip stories. Sweetie Belle started off with an exclusive interview with her big sister Rarity. Scootaloo thought it would be a good idea to interview birds. And Apple Bloom tried to interview with Granny Smith since she always has good stories to tell although it didn’t quite go as well as they expected. Rarity seemed more interested in using her little sister for a model for her latest hat creation. Scootaloo fell off of the tree and into the mud pit. Granny Smith was more interested in telling baby stories particularly one where Apple Bloom was wearing diapers when she was younger much to her embarrassment. But they did manage pull something useful out of it. And they hope it will make good press for the paper. “I hope you've got something, because everything so far is unusable.” Diamond said to the approaching trio while they hand them their written reports to which she takes her time to look at them. “"Baby Birds Born"? "Rarity's Hot New Hat"? "Ponyville: The Early Years"!? Oh!” She quickly tossed the papers away in disgust before advancing on the trio who back up as a result. “I don't know what you call this, but it sure isn't news!” “We just... thought...” Sweetie tried to explain before being cut off with a hoof slammed onto the wall. “Get something else on my desk by the end of the day, and it better be juicy!” She demanded right in their faces before kicking them and their belongings out. “Now what?” Scootaloo asked. “Do you know what I had to do to get that story?” “Oh, you don't even wanna know what I had to sit through.” Apple Bloom returned unware that Featherweight is taking pictures behind their back. “Oh! Get it off me, Snails!” Snips argued to his friend which caught Sweetie Belle’s attention. “Eh, you get it off me, Snips?” He said back while Sweetie Belle catchs a glimpse of what has happened to them. They both are literally stuck together thanks to some gum that got stuck on their flanks. “Aah! Stop it! You are making it worse! Nah! Oh, great.” Snips complained while accidentally getting a hoof in the gum. “I'll get it.” Snails attempted to resolve this by kicking his partner away which only resulted in them being stuck back to back. “Aah!” “Get it off! Get it off!” The two complimented to which Sweetie Belle smiled with an idea in her head upon seeing this. “Hey, Featherweight, c'mere!” She motioned the photographer to do so while gesturing to the bumbling duo. “Take a few pictures of this, then meet me during lunch.” Once he does what was asked of him she then turns to her friends with new inspiration in her head. “Girls, I have our story.” Diamond Tiara one for gossip stories, approved of it and with that, the next day it made the front headlines of the newspaper that day. Every filly and young Pride Lander were all sharing laughs over it. “"Snips and Snails in Bubblegum Veils! And that's when the biggest jokester in school really stuck his hoof in it – literally!" “The Foal Free Press is usually just boring news and stuff.” “So funny!” “Boy I’d sure hate to be in a sticky situation right now.” Shakku remarked to Gumba who both shared a laugh over it. “Even when we’re pals that’d be too tight for me.” Gumba returned while they both continuing laughing while the others are gathering around the two who both managed to get the gum off by cutting the sticky fur off. “Our mothers always told us we'd end up in the papers someday.” “Yeah, and look! We finally got the gum out!” The two commented while showing their shaven body parts to which the camera snapped a picture of. Apparently, they don’t mind since they have always wanted to be in the paper someday regardless with how humiliating it was for them. “Your column is a sensation!” Diamond Tiara later commended them in her office. “I don't want you doing news anymore. I want more columns like this.” She desired while looking out the window. “Columns about ponies and their private lives, the things they do when they think they're alone. You three are my new gossip columnists!” The trio smiled. “And I love the way you signed it! "Gabby Gums"....” She commented on the mysterious individual photo to make their identity anonymous. “That was a stroke of genius!” “We couldn't fit all of our names, so we decided to create one for all three of us.” Sweetie admitted. “Well, I want more Gabby Gums! Nice work, girls.” She complimented while pounding her fist on her desk before turning her chair opposite from them. “But we sure seem to have a gift for gossip.” Scootaloo said feeling pleased with their accomplishment. “If we can write a few more of these Gabby Gums columns, we'll earn our cutie marks for sure!” Sweetie Belle added while the girls all cheered and shared a high-five together thinking it should be easy… …Although it’s easier said than done when they immediately come up empty-hooved even when thinking over cups of hot chocolate. “Scootaloo? Do you have anything?” Sweetie wearily asked the peagsus fiddling with her pencil. “Nope.” “Apple Bloom?” “Sorry.” It was a problem for the girls, sure they could post the same story again, but it would getting boring quick. So they’re going to have to come with new gossip stories if they want to spread interest in the school paper. The following afternoon, Rarity was currently walking in her boutique when she ended up tripping over her little sister’s saddlebag placed in her path during her careless misplacing just when Ono flew inside the room with fabric in tow. “Ohh, Sweetie Belle... Was she raised in a barn or something?” Rarity complained while picking her saddlebag up. “Sorry, Rarity.” Ono apologized while gently placing the requested fabric onto the table. “I meant to tell you before I got distracted with getting the fabric you requested.” “It’s okay. My little sister just really needs to handle her stuff with more care.” She responded before having a sudden urge to want to take a peak. “Oh, you really shouldn't be snooping, Rarity...“ But she couldn’t resist. “…Oh, but it's so much fun, Rarity.” “Well, let’s hope your sister doesn’t catch you or else we’re sitting ducks.” Ono remarked while Rarity pulls out the school paper from her sister’s saddlebag. “Hello... what's this?” She began reading the paper and end up giggling at the contents specifically the bubble gum incident. “Ono, check this out. It’s so funny.” Ono reluctantly did so against his own wishes and took a peak at the paper and ended up finding it pretty amusing himself. “Gum on their bum!” He ended up chuckling himself. “I shouldn’t be laughing but… this is too rich!” While the two share a laugh over the gossip story, Sweetie Belle ended up drawn to the same room as them. “Can you please keep it down with all the laughter? I'm trying to…” She irritably began before spotting her open saddlebag and the school paper being held by her older sister’s magic. “…hey!” “Hapana!” Ono exclaimed upon seeing they are both caught red hoofed and feathered with the older unicorn quickly placing the paper back in her bag. “Oh, boy, I really wish I was watching out for her.” He said to himself with regret while Rarity tries to act innocent. “Boy, I’m 0 for 2 today.” “I, I was just–“ Rarity stammered trying to hide the evidence behind her back. “Are you snooping through my saddlebag?” She interrogated while her widely grinning sister trying to hide it from her. Every time she turned her head to where she correctly suspects her sister is trying to hide it she uses her magic to keep it out of her view. After a few seconds of putting up with it she moved to smack Rarity's horn to make her let go of her magical grasp on it allowing her to retrieve it. “How dare you!” She scolded them. “Sorry, Sweetie Belle.” Rarity apologized. “We just happened to come across this Gabby Gums column in this paper of yours and we both found it admittedly funny.” Ono truthfully added to which had Sweetie's anger turn into surprise upon hearing this. “You actually like the school paper?” Sweetie asked while the two continue to read it. “It's so much juicier than anything in the boring old Ponyville Express.” Rarity added while she and the egret continue to read it. “Could we borrow this to show our friends?” She then asked of her. “Your friends would wanna read the Foal Free Press?” Sweetie asked to make sure she is hearing her right. “Oh, they'd just love Gabby Gums!” She happily answered to which sparked a huge smile on the filly’s face with another idea in her head. “Who is she, anyway? I've never heard of her before. Is she a new–“ She stopped mid-sentence when she realized that she had already left. “Wow, strike three. Man, my keen sight sure has struck out right then and there.” Ono commented upon missing her sudden disappearance. Sweetie quickly rushed back over to the school to meet up with her friends. “We gave up too quickly, girls. Forget trying to squeeze stories out of this school. We need to expand!” She told them “We can find all kinds of great gossip out there in Ponyville!” Apple Bloom agreed getting the idea. “We'll need to tell Featherweight to start working overtime.” Sweetie added before approaching said pony taking pictures of a lady-bug on the fence post. “Sweetie Belle, you're a genius!” Scootaloo praised. With Featherweight’s help, they were able to snap a photo of the Cake twins wailing at the store with their tired eyed parents trying everything they can to get them stop without them noticing. “"Pound and Pumpkin Cake Trip to the Store Ends in Tears."” Diamond Tiara read the proposed story and headline. “Gabby Gums comes through again!” She remarked very pleased with this while a slightly chubby pony Truffle Shuffle came up to her panting. “The Ponyville news stand wants to carry the Foal Free Press! Ponies keep coming by and asking for it!” He reported. “Send 'em twenty copies, and if they run out of those, we'll send 'em twenty more!” Diamond instructed of him who quickly sets out to do so before turning back to the Crusaders. ”You three are doing a great job for this paper.” She complimented them before leaving. “Keep those columns coming!” With her approval, the Crusaders have found something worth pursing in their pursuit of their cutie marks. Pretty soon, everyone in Ponyville was reading the papers and it even extended into the Pride Lands in the other realm. Juicy stories and gossip sure draw a crowd. But the big question is how far will the girls go in their pursuit and know when to draw the line. Meanwhile the Lion and Pony Guard have gathered together at the Ponyville Spa to discuss this over spa treatments and pedicures. “Oh, this is the life, isn't it, girls?” Rarity asked the others. “The best hooficure I've ever had!” “You said it, ooh...” Applejack agreed while having her back massage. “No kidding.” Bunga also agreed having the same done as well. “Ooh…yeah.” “Very relaxing.” Beshte added while also having a massage too. “I don't know if I've ever been so relaxed.” Spike added while relaxing on his bed with cucumbers on his eyes. “You guys!” Rainbow called out to everyone while holding up one of the papers with Spike’s cucumbers flinging onto Rainbow’s eyes following a yelp. “The new Gabby Gums just came out! "The Great and Powerful Trixie's Secrets Revealed!"” “We already read that one, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity responded while Rainbow eats off the cucumbers. “Come on, relax, have a hooficure, it feels amazing.” She then gestured her to. “Did you forget who you're talking to? The day I get a hooficure is the day I turn in my daredevil license.” She responded treating it is something that’s never going to happen. “Besides, I haven't read this Gabby Gums yet. Aardvarks nearly mistaken for hyenas and nearly roared out of the Pride Lands.” Kion looked aside feeling mortified that article and memory was brought up in the papers. "Good thing Kyoga stopped me in time." He quietly muttered to himself. “Oh really?” Fuli questioned from currently having her claws done with a teasing smirk. “If that’s so would that apply to me as well?” “Fuli?” Rainbow questioned in surprise to see her here. “What are you doing here?” “Enjoying the perks of a spa treatment of course.” She replied. “I’ve been doing this with Rarity, Twilight, and Fluttershy ever since I’ve met them.” She added while having her back and legs massaged. “You know you really should try it out because it can be quite relaxing and make their muscles more flexible.” “Well, do it quietly, will ya?” Spike told them while getting and putting on new cucumbers on his eyes with an annoyed sigh. “Some of us are trying to unwind!” “I like Gabby Gums too, but don't you think she can be a little mean?” Twilight commented while a spa pony places curls in her tail. “I don’t think so. At least not trying to be.” Beshte who is currently getting a message tried to make light of it while the unicorn reads a paper with a snapshot of Princess Celestia caught eating cake. “"Celestia Just Like Us"?” Twilight brought up said article. “Gabby Gums doesn't value anypony's or anyone’s privacy.” “Sure doesn’t look that way, Twilight.” Kion agreed with a frown while moving to relax in the hot tub with Fuli and Fluttershy. “Oh, lighten up, Twilight, Kion, it's nothing but harmless gossip!” Rarity assured them. “Not yet.” Kyoga voiced her input on the matter. “I’m sure there are still certain lines they wouldn’t cross, would they?” Beshte added while Pinkie popped her head out of the hot tub where Fuli and Fluttershy are now. “Yeah, Twilight, I mean listen to this one.” Pinkie added while presenting the article she is currently reading. “"Mayor Not Naturally Gray!" The Mayor in a mane dyeing scandal? And ooh ooh..." She caught her eye on an article with an image of the giraffe's with their necks stuck in trees. "Giraffe's stuck up high. Who wouldn't wanna read that?” “Between you and me, probably those featured in her columns.” Kion answered. “And to tell you the truth I can’t help but feel sorry for anyone featured in them. It's gotta be a little embarrassing.” “I have to agree with you there.” Twilight commented while having her hooves done. “Are you kidding?” Rainbow tried to voice his disagreements. “Do you know how awesome it is to get your name in the paper?” “Anyone would kill to be the top headlines in the press.” Bunga added. “Unless, you happen to be one everyone’s making fun of.” Kion pointed out. “It may be fun and entertaining for you, but none of you would be laughing if the joke is on you.” Kyoga added. “Rainbow, why don't you join me in one of these delicious hooficures?” Rarity again urged her while currently having a hooficure with both Twilight and Fuli smiling at Rainbow’s direction. “It's that good, huh?” Both Twilight and Fuli nodded in response to the peagsus’s question. “Well, maybe just one little hoof.” She moved onto one of the bed’s, unaware that Featherweight is secretly watching from the other room ready to take a picture of her. “This should be interesting.” Fuli whispered to Twilight while they both watch to see her try it out. She tried to prepare herself when one of the spa workers prepared to file her hooves, but ultimately not even within an inch did Rainbow allow herself to relax into. She ended up getting cold hoofs and flew off of the spa chair. “Forget it, I don't like ponies touching my hooves.” She refused to go through with it before looking at the copy of the paper on the floor. “Man... I'd love it if Gabby Gums did a story on me.” “Me too.” Ono agreed while having the claws on his legs filed. “If more ponies could know more about my keen sight, the more they see how sharp eyed I am.” “She did one on me.” Spike commented while lounging on his chair. “What?!” Everyone all rushed over and inquired to hear more about this. It was a column which was rather different than previous entries, it was a personal interview of the young dragon talking about Canterlot, his naps, and his favorite jams. "Exclusive! Local Dragon Tells All! Spike opens up about Canterlot, naps, and his favorite jams!" Apple Bloom presented to Diamond Tiara. “It's our best column yet!” Scootaloo added in agreement. “More like your worst column yet!” Diamond Tiara however disagreed while leaping up onto her desk. “Gabby Gums didn't become the biggest thing in Ponyville with namby-pamby stories like this!” She slammed the proposed article back in their faces before leaving the printing room. “Yeah, she's right.” Apple Bloom admitted with a sigh. “This column is a little softer than our usual gossip.” “Were you guys feeling guilty about all the gossip too? Like... maybe we could be hurting other ponies' feelings?” Sweetie Belle asked having second thoughts about what they are doing. “Yeah.” Apple Bloom honestly confessed. “I didn't wanna say anything because everypony loves Gabby Gums so much, but... I was sorta hoping we could start writing more stories like this one.” “Me too.” Scootaloo agreed, not expecting Diamond’s dismissal of their new proposal while Sweetie Belle tossed the proposal in the nearby trash can. “If we're gonna get our cutie marks, we've got to give the ponies what they want.” Sweetie declared while the three all share a rather unhappy hoof bump over it feeling they don’t have a choice in the matter even though they do have that option. And of course by doing so, they have only guaranteed things are going to get worse from there with Gabby Gums taking things on a more personal level. And when this happened, the Guard all got together for a meeting at Sugarcube Corner. Some of the stories included the mayor revealed to having her mane dyed from pink to grey. On the Pride Lands side of the fence, a rhino getting his horn stuck in a tree along with giraffes getting their heads stuck in tree branches. Baboons randomly falling out of trees along with zebras getting stuck in the mud from the previous rainstorm. Essentially, every embarrassing blunder to which requires the Guard’s help in getting out of the messes almost every day has been recorded and published for all eyes to see. “"Applejack Asleep on the Job!" Can y'all believe this?!” Applejack furiously vented first on a gossip story involving him taking a little break. “And this one: "Big McIntosh – What's He Hiding?" Who the hay does this Gabby Gums think she is?!” He added while focused on a picture of Big Mac holding Twilight’s old smarty pants doll. “So that’s where my Smarty Pants doll went.” Twilight commented before focusing on a gossip story focused on her. “Listen to this one. "Twilight Sparkle: I Was a Canterlot Snob. A well-placed scaly source close to the prissy pony says Twilight Sparkle thinks Ponyville is nothing but muddy roads and low-class rubes.” Spike!” She turned to the dragon who yelped and belched which scorched his copy of the paper. “How could you say such a thing?” “Well, I didn't! Gabby Gums made that up! I never said anything like that!” Spike exclaimed to clarify his innocence. “You think that’s embarrassing? Well check this out!” Ono presented the gossip story with a picture of him crashing into rocks. ””Ono the Keenest of Sight, more like the Keenest Klutz.” Unbelievable! All because I accidentally took a turn too sharp one time!” He exclaimed in frustration. “At least you weren’t caught nuzzling with your siblings.” Kyoga commented while presenting said article of her sleeping with Karabi and Lite. ““Kyoga reunites with her family with more hidden love inside.” What do I like a lovebird so desperate for affection? I’m not even Scar’s cousin for lion’s sake.” “Everypony, please!” Rarity implored of everyone. “She's just a harmless schoolpony engaged in a little harmless gossip. You're really making too big a deal out of this.” “But it's all lies!” Twilight explained while showing her the evidence on ink and paper. “Gabby Gums prints whatever she wants! She doesn't care whose reputation she destroys! "Fluttershy Has Tail Extensions!"” She showed a picture of the peagsus with arrows pointed at her long tail. Fluttershy shamefully shrunk her head to the ground upon hearing and seeing this before the lavender mare focused on a picture of Beshte painted in the color of a white and black spotted cow relaxing at Big Springs. “Beshte is Milking the soaks of Big Springs.” “Huh?” Beshte looked upon said picture and article before looking mortified and flustered when seeing the hippo girls that flirted with him a while back giggling in the background of the photo. “"Pinkie Pie and Bunga are Out-of-Control Party Animals!" Twilight read while looking at a photo of Pinkie and Bunga dancing in punch bowls. “What?!” The two exclaimed. “Oh my gosh!” “It's true! I do have a problem!” “You and me both sister!” The two exclaimed before the honey badger runs off crying while Pinkie sobs with her face buried on the floor. “Nothing new there.” Kyoga commented with little pity seeing it’s not exactly anything out of the ordinary. “Oh, look!” Twilight directed the others attention to another story to which both Applejack and Fluttershy read over Twilight’s shoulders. “According to this one, the Cakes are breaking up!” “We are?!” Mrs. Cake exclaimed upon hearing this. “”Along with the King and Queen of the Pride Lands…” Kion added with another article of two separate photos, one of his parents, the other with him and his sister. “…disputing over custody over their children. One of them being the bad-tempered and under-confident leader of the Lion Guard.” What the heck?! My parents are breaking up and that’s not what my relationship with my sister is like. And I do not have an anger problem!” He protested while slamming the copy onto the table in frustration. “If others took this seriously, then I might as well not exist for everyone’s sake!” At that moment, Rainbow and Fuli came busting inside with several copies of the paper in tow. “Well, my life is officially over. Gabby Gums has made it to Cloudsdale.” Rainbow complained while showing the picture of her attempted public hooficure. “"Rainbow Dash: Speed Demon or Super Softie?"?!” Twilight read. “I grabbed as many copies as I could, but it was too late!” Rainbow exclaimed while falling backwards on the floor dramatically. “I'm a laughing stock!” “You think that’s bad, Rainbow Dash.” Fuli showed her the paper of her cuddling her favorite cat at Fluttershy’s cottage. “This headline. “Fuli the Fastest, or Fuli the Fluffy?” is just as badly embarrassing.” “See, Rarity? Your so-called 'harmless gossip' can be very hurtful!” Twilight told her who still had simple remarks to say about it. “Okay, so she tweaks a few ponies every now and then…” Rarity tried to downplay it all while reading another new article. “…maybe they deser…” She suddenly gasped upon seeing something that caught her discerning eye. “I'll destroy her!” A gossip story of herself with a picture lying on her fainting couch “"The Drama-Queen Diaries"... She's reprinted my diary! How could Gabby Gums possibly get access to my private diary?!” “Because of the only pony who could have been close enough to you to get it.” Kyoga analyzed. “Sweetie Belle.” “My sister would never associate with anyone as beastly as Gabby Gums!” Rarity responded with an offended gasp. “I resent you even suggesting such a thing, Kyoga! Why, she's the most innocent, most lovely…“ But then when she saw her diary in Sweetie Belle’s saddlebag she came to realize the hard truth “…most evil pony in Equestria! How could my own sister steal my private diary? How could my own sister be... Gabby Gums?” A short time later, Rarity with Ono accompanying her went to confront Sweetie Belle where Rarity kicked open the door to Sweetie Belle’s room. “Et tu, Gabby Gums?!” “A.K.A. Sweetie Belle?!” The two declared. “You know?!” Sweetie gasped realizing she is busted. “How'd you find out?!” “The gilded pages of your betrayal!” Rarity answered while holding up her diary and the copied word for word entry in the paper. “Oh, yeah.” “Yeah, oh yeah.” Ono remarked seriously while showing the similarities between the two entries from both the journal and paper. “Doesn’t take a keen sight to spot out something written word for word exactly.” “How could you do this to me?!” Rarity questioned with betrayal in her tone of voice while trying to lecture her properly. “You stole my secret diary and published it for all the world to read! Gossip can be a very hurtful thing. It is an invasion of privacy, just like when I snooped through your saddlebag. You didn't like that much, did you?” “No...” Sweetie admitted while shaking her head. “Then why did you do it?” Ono demanded. “What did you have to gain other than humiliating and embarrassing your own friends?” “Well other than attempting to earn our cutie marks in journalism…” Sweetie shamefully confessed. “…but we honestly didn’t think what we were doing was harmful. We just trying to provide some interesting stories for other’s to read.” “We?” Ono raised a knowing eyebrow seeing this little scheme of hers. “Like Apple Bloom and Scootaloo? Your accomplices?” “Yes.” She admitted. “Well nevertheless, I am very disappointed in you.” Rarity sternly chided. “I thought you of all ponies would understand that by now.” “I do understand, and we've all been feeling guilty, but we just want our cutie marks so badly!” Sweetie confessed with Rarity pegging a very deep question in response to her reasons. “Do you really think that writing nasty things and making everypony feel horrible is your destiny? Is it really worth gaining a cutie mark over it?” “Well, when you put it that way...” Sweetie began seeing it is time to put an end to this… …but Diamond Tiara wouldn’t allow it. “No! I won't let you quit!” “But the gossip we've been printing is hurting everypony's feelings!” Sweetie protested. “Feelings?! I don't care about feelings!” Diamond callously remarked. “Gabby Gums is my bread and butter, and I'm not gonna let you goody-two-horseshoes take that away from me!” “We're sorry, Diamond Tiara, but we've made our decision.” Sweetie asserted. “Yeah, you can't force us to keep gossiping.” Scootaloo also asserted with a confident smile. But Diamond was prepared for this… “When you see these...” She ominously said while tossing over a folder of photos of the trio in their earlier attempts to gain news stories. “…you may not want to quit after all.” The girls gasped upon seeing this while Featherweight snaps more pictures of the girls. “I told Featherweight to document everything…” She then quickly confiscated the photos back before they could take them back “…And that's exactly what he did.” “Gimme those!” Scootaloo growled while attempting to snatch the photos away from Diamond. “Sorry, girls, property of the Foal Free Press.” Diamond smugly returned while keeping them out of her reach before making her way back to her chair with her blackmail threat set and stone. “And if Gabby Gums really does go into retirement, I'll need something to fill that empty column space. Now get out there and bring me more Gabby Gums!” Left with no other choice, the girls are left looking for more stories to find and report. At the same time, Mtoto gasped upon secretly witnessing this scene from the window outside before fleeing the scene before he could get caught. “We'll find a way out of this, girls.” Sweetie assured the other girls “Maybe Rainbow Dash will have a story for us.” Scootaloo suggested. “She's always good for some gossip.” “Oh, and there’s Kyoga.” Apple Bloom added while pointing to the lioness approaching them who alerts Rainbow of their presence. “Rainbow Dash! Kyoga! Hey, how’s it going!” “Well, if it isn't Gabby Gums!” Rainbow returned with a hardened glare. “You heard too, huh?” Sweetie nervously asked. “Are you kidding? Everypony in town knows it's you three.” She confirmed. “Not only that. Everyone in the Pride Lands knows it too.” Kyoga added sternly. “Don't suppose you'd let us write a column on you, huh?” Scootaloo sheepishly asked which is met with the peagsus simply flying away. “Does that answer your question?” Kyoga simply said unsympathetically. “Because not even one of you will you get another story out of me either. So good day, girls.” She simply turned and walked away in a huff and head up high. The girls then turned to Fluttershy who is currently at her cottage weeping in humiliation to the point a pool and river of tears is streaming outside of the cottage where they are greeted by Fuli who is there to comfort her along with Beshte answers the door. “Oh, hi, Fuli. Is Fluttershy home?” Sweetie Belle greeted with a smile trying to act innocent. “No she’s not home.” Fuli sarcastically remarked not buying their attempt to act like everything is okay. “She is currently at the sobbing hotel resort on account of your humiliating stories of her.” “Oh.” She responded knowing the truth extends to her. “Yep.” She angrily returned. “And thanks to you girls, she is now a sobbing wreck while I’m now going to be the laughing stock because you had to go tell every one of my private hobby. Seriously, what the hay were you girls thinking?!” “But…” Sweetie tried to explain herself but Fuli wasn’t having it while Beshte remains silent and looks away in disappointment. “Get out of here, Gabby Gums.” She firmly told them with a measured tone of voice by shutting the door in front of their faces. The girls then turned to Twilight’s home but found she has already put up a force field made specifically to keep them out of her property. And of course Applejack and Big Macintosh were not very welcoming of the girls either. “Aw, c'mon, Applejack! You're not mad at us too, are you?” Apple Bloom pleaded. “Eeyup.” Applejack bluntly responded. “You're not even gonna talk to us?” “Nnope.” She bluntly answered while turning away from them while Big Macintosh for once had more than a few stern words himself to say to her and her friends. And they sure weren’t pleasant. “You should be ashamed of yourself, humiliatin' your sister 'n' me like that. We don't wanna talk to any o' y'all right now so take your little gossip column and your embarrassing photographs and just go away!” Everyone in Ponyville is also giving them the cold shoulder, refusing to talk to them, and refusing to speak to them. The girls seeing that no one is going to hear them out they come to conclude they have only one choice now. And that is by reaching out to one of the many places they are not welcome in. The Pride Lands where they get the same treatment from them when they make their way to Pride Rock where the Pride Landers were quick to turn away from them upon seeing them. Of course as they expected, the royal family at Pride Rock also wasn’t very welcoming of the girls either especially with their false feud scandal story spread all over for all eyes to read. “What do you three girls want?” Kion irritably demanded of them. “Nothing.” Scootaloo innocently answered. “…other than a place to stay for the night.” “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. Considering this family is having a huge quarrel about it.” Kion responded while gesturing to his frowning family still upset over the false gossip scandal produced over it. “But Kion please listen to us. I know you and everyone are mad at us but we honestly have nowhere else to go.” Apple Bloom pleaded. “Please just for the night.” Sweetie implored with the lion prince who she looks up to as a big brother. Kion turned back to his father who released a reluctant sigh being one never to turn away someone with nowhere to live. “Fine. You can all sleep inside Pride Rock for the night.” He relented with a look of disappointment that says it all. “And since you’re here. Would you care to tell what were you girls thinking posting all of those scandalous stories about us?” “We thought that we would be able to earn our cutie marks in journalism.” Apple Bloom confessed. “But we never meant for this to go this far.” “So why don’t you all just do this the easy way and stop right now.” Kion inquired. “Because now we going to have our most embarrassing moments are about to be published for everypony to laugh at.” Scootaloo answered with desperate for help written on across her face. “Diamond Tiara blackmailed you?” Kion figured where they were going with this. “Yes.” Apple Bloom nodded. “I know what we did was wrong and we’re sorry. All we wanted was to just gain our cutie marks, but instead we've ruined all of our friendships and we still don't have our cutie marks!” Sweetie Belle added. “This is the worst day ever for us!” Kion calmed down slightly feeling sympathy for them. Sure they deserve to be punished but having their embarrassing secrets is overkill. “What do we do?” Apple Bloom desperately asked for help. “Well, you girls are sorry for what you did?” Nala asked again. “Yes!” “Well, you’re all going to have do more than apologize to get them to know you really mean it.” Nala advised firmly. “And that means fixing the problem you created yourselves.” “Like what? A public apology in the next paper?” Scootaloo asked to which Nala nodded in response. “We can definitely do that, no problem.” Apple Bloom liked the idea with a smile to her friends. “But what about Diamond Tiara?” Sweetie asked. “What’s going to stop her from blackmailing us?” “I think we can help you out there.” Mtoto called out her while approaching the royal family with his friends. “Your Majesties.” He added with a bow out of respect for the king and queen of the Pride Lands. “How?” Apple Bloom asked when the little elephant smiles at everyone before explaining to them of what he has in mind of what they can do to fix all of this. The next morning, the girls sprung their plan into action. First thing’s first moved to greet Diamond Tiara with a story she’s been asking for. “That's it, Gabby Gums is out of time. Run these instead. I want this paper on every street corner in Ponyville!” Diamond Tiara said to the pony running the paper press. “Yes ma’m.“ He saluted when the girls burst inside the cellar room. “Stop the presses!” Sweetie Belle shouted. “Uh... they haven't started yet.” The pony pointed out. “We have a Gabby Gums column!” Scootaloo happily presented him their note pad to which he quickly starts making paper’s headline with this notes. “Hmph, you're lucky I'm nice.” Diamond growled. “This better not happen again, or else. The paper’s got published in no time at all, with Diamond Tiara herself exiting the stop feeling pleased with herself upon seeing everyone reading it. During this time the Cutie Mark Crusaders reconciled with their Lion and Pony Guard friends and the main reason for that is because of what was published in the headlines. “To the citizens of Ponyville, For some time now, you've been reading this column to get the latest dirt and the hottest buzz. But this will be my final piece. We want to apologize for the pain and embarrassment we've caused. Y'see, I'm actually three little fillies, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo. As the popularity of our column grew, we got swept up in the hype. We knew that what we were doing didn't feel quite right, but we ignored the guilt because everypony seemed to want to read what we were writing. From now on, we promise to respect everypony else's privacy and we won't engage in hurtful gossip any more. All we can do is ask for your forgiveness, Ponyville. Signing off for the very last time, XOXO, Gabby Gums.” By the time Diamond Tiara realized what was already published. It was too late. The Lion Guard fan club snuck away the photos Diamond took of the Crusaders away behind her back and Cheerlie had found out what she has done during her time as editor-in-chief. With that, it pretty much ensures that Cheerlie will be taking action and disciplining her for her actions. The next day, Cheerlie took action with Kion and Simba by her side to oversee the matter themselves too. “Well, staff, I guess I gave a little too much authority to a first-time editor.” She began before sternly addressing the filly she has to punish. “I'm sorry, Diamond Tiara, I have to strip you of your title.” Diamond growled upon having her posters taken down. “And for the next editor of the Foal Free Press...” She continued while having walk up beside the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “...here's your new editor-in-chief, Featherweight!” She then introduced to the pony flying into the room who is greeted with happy cheers while hoof bumping with ink editor. “Ugh! Him? But what about me?!” Diamond Tiara complained. “Here ya go!” The now former ink editor pony answered while handing him his smock and hat. “I've been promoted to staff photographer!” While Diamond grumbles while getting splattered by ink because of the messy machine, Kion heads over to the girls and the honorary Lion Guard crew while his father talks to Cheerlie going forward with how the school paper will be properly handled to ensure this doesn’t happen again. “Thank you again, Kion.” Sweetie Belle thanked the prince. “You and the honorary Lion Guard team.” “No problem.” Kion thought nothing of it. “As long as you girls learned your lesson that’s all that matters.” “We sure did.” Scootaloo responded that they have learned their lesson. “And we will never do something like that again.” Apple Bloom vowed. “And that’s something we can expect going forward.” Kion told them very pleased with the lesson they learned today. “And good job snagging those photos from Diamond Tiara’s back.” He then said to the Lion Guard fan club. “Thanks, Kion.” Gumba said with a smile while Shakku presents the folder. “Nothing like a sneaky game of cat and mouse and toying with a bully to get them out of her hooves.” “It was easy as the time we played that game with those baboons.” Shakku chuckled while handing Kion the folder who uses his claws to slice them up into multiple mini pieces. “And they sure were confused the whole time.” “I’m just glad that’s over with.” Kwato voiced very pleased they can put this all behind them now. “At least now we don’t have to worry about getting caught doing embarrassing things on camera.” “That would have been equally rough considering what everyone went through.” Kambuni agreed. “And one thing’s for sure, is that Diamond Tiara will definitely have a black mark going forward on her resume. Or fur coat specifically.” Kion added while they all turn to the now ink coated filly having a rough time with the ink pressing machine. The kids shared a stifled laugh together trying to conceal their laughter. They shouldn’t be laughing but they can’t help find it funny. Especially when she had it coming big time for bullying others and abusing her power because karma always comes around in the end. Maybe someday, Diamond Tiara will take the hint and learn that it’s not nice to mistreat other ponies. Someday…