My Little Love Story

by Bubblegum

Scoop Daily Chapter 1

Author’s Note: To those who have read “Oh, Octavia!”, this story occurs chronologically after the events of Oh, Octavia! To those who haven’t read the story, it is not required reading, so skip it at your leisure... or don’t. Now, on to the story!

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From the personal journal of one Scoop Daily, an excerpt.

12th of Summerset, in the 2020th year of our rulers, the Princesses of the Twin Lights: I have spent the last twenty-some hours of my time in pursuit of one Miss Rainbow Dash, a pegasus resident of the hamlet of Ponyville. One wouldn’t think it would be so difficult, as several of the town’s residents are obsessed with the above mentioned pony, and therefore tend to keep close tabs on her. As of yet, she has evaded me.

I have taken it upon myself to find her for one reason: two days ago, as I was leaving the home of one Octavia Pie, a brilliant explosion shattered the sky, leaving a deep, rainbow trail cut through the atmosphere. This was not unusual, as Miss Rainbow Dash has pulled off several of her signature move, dubbed a “Sonic Rainboom” by none other than herself. While spectacular in appearance and sound, this event is a common enough occurrence. I was surprised, therefore, when a second explosion rocked the sky, sending a vertical pillar of rainbow-light into the heavens, disappearing into space.

It could almost have been a signal to some foreign entity, residing among the stars. I am sure that Miss Rainbow Dash, having finally trained herself to the point of breaking the light barrier, caused this explosion. I have dubbed it the “Warpspeed Rainboom”, and I have saddled myself with the task of finding and interviewing Miss Dash regarding her accomplishment.

If I could only bucking find her. The usually quiet town is abuzz with activity, as today marks the beginning of the annual Ponyville Flea Market, hosted by the town’s own, highly-esteemed Community College. The peace has been dispersed by the sound of rolling carts, calling voices, and the mass pounding of hooves as the residents scamper about preparing for the festivities. Most towns wouldn’t take a simple 2-day sale so seriously, but Ponyville has few celebrations; not being one of the Pegasi or Unicorn towns, they do not celebrate every spike in magic or change in weather as those two races do. Therefore, the town latches onto every opportunity to pull out the stops and make something menial into something fabulous.

This has also made it very difficult to locate any single pony amongst the crowd. I fear I shall have to use my psychic abilities to probe for her, as finding her on foot seems to have become an impossibility.

Note to self: be sure to visit Candy Land at a later date. A bubbly pink mare just gave me a sample of a most delectable treat: apparently, she has flash-frozen ice cream into tiny balls, making them much easier to scoop up and consume with a spoon or pour into one’s mouth from a cup. Not being a unicorn (and therefore, not being able to handle a spoon all that well), I found this to be a delightful addition to my list of favorite foods.

Oh, and upon closer inspection, the mare mentioned in the previous paragraph is apparently a stallion; my mistake.

Something interesting has transpired. Right in the middle of the flea market, a couple of ponies had a heated argument. I recognize one of the participants as none other than the fashion designer, Rarity. The other I couldn’t recognize right off, though upon asking around, he is a somewhat well-known bachelor by the name of Love Struck. The name is ironic, as Rarity delivered a blow to his face at one point during their argument. They seem to have simmered down, though, as they are now cavorting about the campus like a couple of lovesick teenagers.

Success! As I was watching the couple in their reverie, the pegasus I have been seeking ran up to the one known as Love Struck! I shall pursue her with gusto!

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Dash tried to hide her disappointment as she hurried through the crowd towards Love Struck. Rarity still tagged along beside him, brushing up against him every now and then in a flirtatious manner. She pasted a smile on her face. Forget it, Dash. It’s his special talent. He’s no more into you than he is into any other mare.

Her confidence began to fade the closer she got to the handsome, charming pegasus, and by the time she reached his side, her head was hung low with her ears laid flat against her head. Love Struck didn’t even notice her approach.

Before she could break through her funk and start a conversation, she was accosted by a familiar voice. “Miss Dash!” She brightened immediately and spun on a hoof towards the source of the voice.

“Scoop! What are you doing here?” she shouted, throwing her forelegs around the reporter. “It’s so awesome to see you! What the hay are you doing in Ponyville?”

“Slown down, Dash. Who’s the reporter here?” Scoop snickered. Dash couldn’t help but chuckle at the corny joke.

“I’m actually in town to talk to you! I was leaving... somepony’s house the other night when I saw your Sonic Rainboom... and your new trick!”

Rainbow smiled wide. “I call it the ‘Lightspeed Rainboom’! Some of... well, I had help to figure it out!”

“I want all the details! Is there sometime we can get together this week so I can give you an interview? I’ve already stopped by the office and an amateur photographer managed to snap a photo of your new trick! I don’t wanna brag, but if I can ride along with you while you do it, I can guarantee you a spot on the front page!”

The look of horror on Rainbow’s face said it all. “What?” Scoop said, his smile disappearing.

“Who... took a picture?” she said, her voice strained and quavering.

“I’m... not allowed to reveal my sources. What’s the problem?”

Rainbow facehoofed. “That move is a secret, Scoop! I was just practicing it!”

“Most of Equestria saw that move, Rainbow! If it was a secret, it’s not any more!”

“Yes... but... well...” Rainbow stuttered, groping about for an appropriate excuse. “L-listen, Daily; I don’t have to explain myself, but... no one can know about the trick, okay? Not until I perform it for the Wonderbolts, at least. I don’t care if everypony saw it once, but the secrets behind it will stay mine for right now. Okay?”

Scoop was aghast. He had walked all the way from Canterlot just to learn the story behind Dash’s obviously awesome new trick, and she had done everything short of blow him off. Now, he was two day son hoof from his home, his job, and most of his friends. Could this day get any worse?

“Scoop, are those your saddlebags?” asked Rainbow, gazing over Scoop’s left shoulder. Turning, Scoop observed as a pair of brown saddlebags were further trampled by the pounding hooves of the collected ponies.

Turning to Rainbow Dash with a strained smile, he said, “Well, I guess that’s what I get for tempting fate.” Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow confusedly, but Scoop just turned and cantered to where his saddlebags lay.

“Are you going to be all right?” Rainbow Dash called after him, not really wanting to get involved with Scoop’s personal problems; she had bigger fish to fry.

Scoop nodded. “I’ll be fine. I’ve been taking care of myself for years. No reason to assume I won’t continue to do so.”

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Half an hour later, Scoop sat on a park bench near the PCC campus. Having already sifted through his saddlebags, he had catalogued his remaining items; they lay spread before him on the bench. 1 lighter, a small pouch of bits, a well beaten notebook, and a pen. The saddlebags themselves were trashed, along with his supply of snacks and most of his research material. The biggest buck to his psyche, though, came with the destruction of one of the only existing pieces of portable computing technology. It now laid before him in several pieces.

Scoop picked up the pieces and looked them over. The screen of the pocket-sized computer was cracked, but other than that, most of the pieces appeared to be intact. Scoop had no idea how to reassemble the device and it was, therefore, useless to him.

I have to find a place to get this repaired. The notebook is trashed, and I need... something to record stuff.

As he took a moment to think, Scoop noticed the futility of his thought process. Now that Rainbow Dash had refused him an interview, he didn’t even have a story to tell. He didn’t need the PDA... he didn’t need the notebook... he needed rest, relaxation, respite... he needed to be home.

A low rumble rolled across the sky. Several ponies looked up just in time to see a group of pegasi in the distance, pushing before them a massive thunderhead. I didn’t hear anything about a scheduled storm... and I have contacts for this sort of thing!

The first raindrops began to spatter on the ground around him. Most of the ponies had already fled the park as the sun was blotted out by the clouds, and Scoop shoveled all of his possessions back into his saddle bag and slung it over his back. “I guess this’ll have to work until I get something new,” he grumbled under his breath. “Now I need to find a place to stay.”

Scoop plodded around Ponyville. While he had certainly visited the cozy earth-pony haven in the past, he was by no means familiar with the quiet town. As one of the most rapidly expanding communities in the whole of Equestria, Ponyville’s landscape and skyline changed dramatically and quickly; Scoop therefore had a tough time getting his bearings.

Heading east from the college and slowly circling the town square, Scoop rounded a corner onto Mane St. Most of the businesses had variations of “closed” signs in their windows, and ponies hurried past him on either side of the broad street, some pulling carts filled with their remaining goods from the now concluded Flea Market.

Finally reaching a quaint area filled with gabled buildings, Scoop noted signs for the Healing Waters Spa, Carousel Boutique, and Satin Covers Bed and Breakfast. Not willing to gamble on this not being Ponyville’s only overnighter establishment, Scoop scurried up the path to the cozy-looking, sprawling home. A small bell above the door jingled as he pushed it open. The rain had not yet begun in earnest, and yet small beads of water rolled off Scoop’s coat as he stood on the mat inside the door.

He found himself in a neatly furnished lobby area, complete with lacy curtains, floral-patterned furniture, and a white-lacquered counter, upon which rested a bell, a guestbook, and a vase filled with white roses. He heard the sound of shuffling hoofsteps coming towards him from a nearby hallway and an aged mare with a gray coat and vibrantly yellow mane and tail slowly plodded into the room. Even though her movements were stiff, the mare had a warm and friendly smile on her face.

“Welcome to Satin Covers, dear. I’m Cozy Comfort. Are you here for room and board?”

Scoop nodded unenthusiastically. “I just need a place to weather the storm, miss. I’m from out of town. Are your rates reasonable?”

“Quite,” the elegant older pony said. Her lilting accent evidenced her high birth; she was no doubt a migrant from the northern areas come to spend her twilight years in the safe haven of Ponyville. Many of the town’s residents were such, as Scoop had noted during the last empire-wide survey. “17 bits earns you a bed for the night with your own private washroom and breakfast in the morning. Additional nights are 12 bits, breakfast included, and we do have extended stay rates if you decide to remain in town for a spell.”

Scoop smiled for the first time since his last grimace at Rainbow Dash. “Thank you, miss. I’d like a room for the evening, then.”

“Very well, sir. I’ll give your key and show you to your bed.”

Scoop hoofed the bits onto the counter and watched as the elderly matron grabbed a key marked  “1” off a pegboard. Scoop noticed that there were only 2 other vacant hooks, the “5” and “13” keys being missing. “How many rooms do you have for rent, miss?” he asked as he followed the slowly shuffling pony down the hall.

“We’ve got 15 exactly, though one of them is our honeymoon suite; it requires forenotice in order to be rented. We don’t have much of that sort of business these days; most romantically-inclined ponies prefer to spend their honeymoon in resort destinations like Canterlot, Torntrot, or... Stalliongrad.”

Stalliongrad itself didn’t strike Scoop as a viable tourist destination, but the icy northern city could certainly make a good romantic getaway. The cold of the winter, the beautiful golden sun on the snow, and the only way to keep warm effectively was in the arms of your special somepony... Scoop shook off the thought as painful memories began to surface.

“And here we are,” said Cozy, pressing the small key into the door’s elegant handle. “I trust you can draw your own bath, should you need one. Breakfast runs from 6 to 9 a.m. If you oversleep, no need to worry; Ponyville has several local eateries that serve breakfast around the clock.”

Scoop nodded politely. “Thank you for your hospitality, miss. It’s much appreciated.”

The older mare eyed Scoop’s tattered saddlebags. “It looks like you could use a seamstress. I could give those to my neighbor; she runs a boutique, and she’s quite the spinster, I’d have to say.”

“I would like that. Thank you very much.” Scoop dumped the contents of his saddlebags onto the bed and hoofed them over. The coal-gray mare gave him a parting smile as she left the room, and Scoop flopped onto the bed. He considered getting in contact with his editor, but felt robbed of energy. His mind whirled as his eyes slid closed.

Ponyville’s a nice town... maybe I can find something else to write about. I’ll have a look around tomorrow and see how it goes.

…

Oh, Celestia, I’m so alone...