//------------------------------// // Season 2: Episode 18 - Sparkle News (Ponyville Confidential AU) // Story: Hamtaro x MLP:FiM - Little Hamsters, Pony Adventures // by RobtheMorpherPony //------------------------------// "So, this strange hamster that wears a bunch of skull motif stuff rescued Rarity in the end?" At Carasol Boutique, Rarity and Spike were with a hamster who was wearing a reporter outfit who was interviewing them about what happened yesterday. "Well...yes. This what happened." Rarity said. "I see. Do you happen to have a name for this mystery hero?" The reporter hamster asked. "I believe his name was Shadow Skull. At least, that's what he said to call him." Spike said. "Interesting. Outside of his name and appearance, what more can you tell me about this 'Shadow Skull'?" The reporter hamster asked. "There's sadly not much more to tell. Before I could even thank him for rescuing me, he just left without much more word after he told the Diamond Dogs off." Rarity said. "I see. Well, that should be enough to go off on at the least." The reporter hamster said. "Well then, I'll be off then." The reporter hamster left. "So, do you think you'll see that hamster again sis?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Not sure, but I do hope I do; I'd love to thank him properly." Rarity said. The very next day, the CMC were discussing potential cutie mark endavours, when Apple Bloom brought up the Foal Free Press. "Ah. So, they do have newspapers here in Equestria then." Sparkle said. "I always wondered if I should give journalism a shot." "Ah thought I showed you a paper yesterday." Apple Bloom said. "Oh. Right. Slipped my mind. I had something I had to do yesterday." Sparkle said. "So, are you thinking of us trying journalism, Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo asked. "I'd love to help, but I've got somewhere I need to be right now." Sparkle said before she left. "...Okay, well that's different." Apple Bloom said. While the CMC were not pleased that Diamond Tiara was being put in charge of the foal free press, she wasn't bullying them right now, so that was a plus. There were a few days right now to get a story for next week's paper though. However, it was the day after getting the deadline that a brand new paper was suddenly being distrubited by Sparkle of all the things. Sparkle News - Skull Themed Hamster Saves Generosity ...That was the headline of the new paper. And it was basically a news article written about how Rarity got saved by Shadow Skull. "Yikes, how'd Sparkle get a hold of this interview?!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "It is a little strange, but I'm more surprised Sparkle got the paper admitted in the first place." Scootaloo said. Though they did lose track of Sparkle after a bit, there was a mysterious hamster doing an interview at Sugar Cube Corner. While the CMC couldn't really find much for a story by the deadline, they still weren't bullied. But that very day, another edition of Sparkle News suddenly was spread around town. Sparkle News - Two Earth Ponies & their foals This edition talked all about the Baby Cakes, and was very in-depth with what it covered. It even revealed the fact that the Baby Cakes were not earth ponies. "H-how did this happen?" Sweetie Belle asked. "And where did Sparkle get such detailed interview notes?" Apple Bloom asked. "I think maybe, we could work for Sparkle's paper instead. Less being around Diamond Tiara the better I say." Scootaloo said. "Because we better come up with a story, otherwise she might start bullying us again." "Excuse me..." A female voice said. That's when the foals noticed the reporter hamster that Sweetie Belle mentioned "You said you were being bullied by someone at school or something? Because I think I just found my next interview." The grin on the face of Scootaloo was one that could rival Pinkie Pie. Sparkle News - Three Foals Speak out on Bullying "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" Spoiled Rich exclaimed. "All because of this paper, my little girl is being targetted just because she's being a little strong towards others." "And what's worse, this paper caused the Foal Free Press to shut down." Diamond Tiara said. "But, I'm going to get to the bottom of this. I don't know where Sparkle is getting these interviews from, but I'm going to find out." "And how do you expect to do that with the angry mob of parents at the door?" Slade asked, using a hoof to point outside. "...Right. Forgot about them." Diamond Tiara said. Meanwhile, at the CMC clubhouse, the CMC were a little worried now. "Okay, I know we did the right thing by speaking out, but why am I now questioning if we only made things hard for Diamond Tiara." Scootaloo said. "I know we did the right thing and brought all her bullying to light, but..." "But you're a little worried that by speaking out about the whole thing, only made Diamond Tiara a target, huh?" Sparkle asked. "So, since we want to do journalism, do you think you could let us work for Sparkle News?" Apple Bloom asked. "Mmm...I could, but I'm honestly thinking about potentially retiring Sparkle News soon." Sparkle said. "I'm not even sure what I could cover next after this, and if it'll only cause more problems such as getting Diamond Tiara caught over calling Scootaloo a chicken the one time." "...Wait, how did you know about that? There should only really be one other person outside the three of us who knows that I mentioned that." Scootaloo said. "And it's not even in the paper, so how could you possibly know about that?" Sweetie Belle asked. "And what's more, we made the reporter Pinkie Promise to keep that information out of the interview and to herself." Apple Bloom said. "Well...that is you see..." Sparkle said. "...Sparkle, have you been your reporter this entire time?!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "...Um...well, at least I kept the Pinkie Promise in the end...right?" Sparkle asked, sweating a little. "...I'd be mad, but that is an extremely good point..." Scootaloo said. "Honestly, how did you fool us like that?" "Did you forget who your talking to or something? I was a former actress." Sparkle said. "...Dang it. I can't believe that she used that card. Again." Scootaloo said.