It was just another day in Ponyville. Chad Harding had been helping out as much as he could at the farm and around ponyville after he had recovered from his injury a month prior. Something that seemed to be sweeping the town these days was a column in what they called The Foal Free Press that was listed by a notorious Gabby Gums. She seemed to be providing all the latest gossip in the school. Even the Applejack and her friends were getting in on reading it. Chad read a few himself and had laugh once in a while, but always wondered why they were the first to get copies of all the latest ones.
Today he was at Ponyville's local spa with his six pony friends and one dragon friend, after being talked into it. He never thought it was possible, but ponies gave amazing massages. "Oh, this is without a doubt the best hoofacure I've ever had," Rarity stated.
"You said it," Applejack and Chad said as they were messaged.
They were interrupted as Rainbow Dash came galloping in. She just got the latest on Gabby Gums and the girls made their own little chit chats about it. Chad then stepped in. "I've got to agree with Twilight on this one. I mean, Wouldn't you feel a little offended if something that was private about you was suddenly known to the world. I mean, I don't even see how Gabby Gums made it to Canterlot and was able to get stories on the princesses. I mean, listen to this one. "Princess Luna, the mare that keeps to herself"? I may not've been here long, but I know that Princess Luna does not seem like the one to stay away from society, granted, she may be a little behind on the times, from what you described Twilight," Chad said.
All the others made their own comments except Applejack at my statement. They then got word that Spike got a story written about him. After the Spa, everyone headed out to go about the day. The next day was a different story. Chad had just finished up his chores at the farm. He petted some of the animal critters the came by, since they were always curious about him, plus, they liked it when he petted their fur. Afterwards he decided to head to Sugarcube Corner where his friends had gathered. As he got into town, he noticed something. Some ponies were seeming to give him a bit of a cold shoulder, by turning tail or shewing their little ones away from him. Then it came. The media saw him, and he made a run for it, knowing that them being in the area was not a good sign at this time. As they chased him, he made a dash around a corner and used hid. He stayed there for a while before he was seen by Twilight. "Chad, come with me," she said.
"Wha-" was all he could usher in before a white light blinded him and engulfed the two of them.
He then felt as if he had been squished into a ball for a moment before it was gone and they were in Sugarcube Corner. He felt dizzy and said, "Woow, warn me next time your gonna do that."
"Sorry, but I couldn't risk the media catching you, I saw you were trying to avoid them. Anyways, you better read this," Twilight said.
Chad took the paper as she hoofed it to him and he read aloud, "Chad Harding, a creature lower then a pony that should be avoided because of his false magic and claims of being a warrior. Okay, who does this Gabby Gums and her editor and chief think they are?"
"That's exactly what I said, minus the editor and chief," Applejack threw in.
"What makes them think that I am some sort of phony who would say this stuff to get attention. You guys know better then anypony that I try to avoid the media as much as I can," Chad said.
"Gabby Gums is spreading lies about everypony. She ruined my life after she made it to Cloudsdale. She is 120% uncool," Rainbow Dash said.
"You are all honestly taking this way out of context, so she tweaks the stories, maybe they deserve, *gasp* I'LL DESTROY HER," Rarity said as she ranted of about how Gabby Gums gained access to her diary.
"Well, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are in the newspaper staff, maybe they know who she is," Twilight said.
"Hold on, let's think about this for a minute. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo all joined the foal free press," Chad said.
"Yes," Fluttershy said.
"And a couple days later, the Gabby Gums column became a big hit all over Ponyville," Chad added.
"Uh huh," Rainbow Dash replied.
"Hold on an apple pickin minute, Chad, yer not implyin that," Applejack said, before Chad cut in.
"That The three of them are Gabby Gums, yes. I mean look at the facts I just gave, plus, Applejack, you and I are always getting a copy before it's released to all of Ponyville, and Rarity, I reckon you do as well from Sweetie Belle," Chad said.
"Well of course," Rarity said.
"And, well, who's looking after Scootaloo?" Chad asks.
The girls all shrug. "Anyways, I hate to admit it, but I do think it may be them," Chad said.
"But, how can they do such a thing?" Twilight said.
"I don't know, but I'm gonna find out. Be right back," Chad said before teleporting himself away.
A little while later he reappeared with the three fillies. Almost immediately the six mares were expressing their anger on the three fillies. "Enough!" Chad yelled after a few moments.
This made Applejack and the other element bearers go quiet. "Now, you three girls, it seems clear to us that the three of you made columns in the Foal Free Press, am I right, Gabby Gums?" He asked.
"H-how did you find out," Sweetie Belle said as they cowered back.
"The printed pages of your betrayal," Rarity vented as the held the paper in front of them.
"Oh that," Scootaloo said.
They were given another lecture and they explained why they did this before Chad asked once again, "Did you girls honestly write this about me?"
He showed them the column and they gasped. "I would never say anythin like that. Ya saved my life, I could never say this about ya," Apple Bloom protested.
"I couldn't even think of something so cold. You're always fun to have over when you come to Rarity's place," Sweetie Belle defended.
"After I met you, I thought you were just as awesome as Rainbow Dash. There's nothing you've done that would ever make me want to say anything like this," Scootaloo said.
"As I suspected. Girls, I think this is more then just Gabby Gums making gossip," Chad said.
"What da ya mean partner?" Applejack asked.
"Apple Bloom, who's the editor and chief of the Foal Free Press?" Chad asked.
"What's that pony got ta do with this Chad?" Applejack retorted.
"Just... go with me on this. I think there is more to it," Chad said.
"Well, it's, it's Diamond Tiara," Apple Bloom sighed.
Chad gave a sigh of his own as he looked at the others. "My suspicions are correct. Diamond Tiara was trying to find a way to get back at me for making her look bad. She thought that everypony should treat me as a lower creature. And she found a way to convince some ponies. To cover her own tracks, she used the Gabby Gums gig to pin the blame on them. I think most of what was put out there recently was thanks to the one and only Diamond Tiara," Shock Wave said.
"Well, she was also telling us if we stopped she would show embarrassing photos of the three of us," Sweetie Belle admitted.
"Wha- she was blackmailing you. Girls, why didn't you tell any of us?" Twilight inquired.
"We... we were afraid to say anything," Scootaloo said.
"Girls, if that Diamond Tiara is giving you trouble, ya'll should ask us for help. We'll have a talk with her Pa and with Miss Cheerilee, get this whole thing straightened out. Meanwhile, ya'll have a final column to put out," Applejack stated.
"Huh?" the CMC asked in confused unison.
The element bearers and Chad told them what they needed to write before they went and wrote it and the element bearers, Spike and Chad soon took off to Filthy Rich's place to talk to him. After he found out what his daughter had done, he was infuriated and said she would not go unpunished for what she had done. Afterwards they went to the School and told Miss Cheerilee about what was happening and she agreed to take action the very next day.
On that very next day, all ponies apologized for their attitudes towards each other and Chad and luckily Celestia was able to find a way to keep the media off of his back after catching wind of what happened. Diamond Tiara was also given more punishment then expected as she was also sentenced to 5 days of community service, away from the presses and the CMC.
As Twilight, Applejack, Chad, and their friends relaxed from correcting a childish mistake, they all wondered how much more time would be spent together as the time for Celestia's visit drew near.