//------------------------------// // A Fleet of Ships // Story: The Shipping Section // by Just A Random Pegasus //------------------------------// Rarity walked into school one morning, exactly one week since she thought of her idea for the newspaper. Now, almost everybody was reading the new column, The Shipping Section. The column was flooded with cute photos and sweet quotes. Whoever was featured would be swarmed all day, getting compliments about their relationship and how everybody was happy for them. Some people ate up that praise, while others shied away but still appreciated the effort people went to make them feel special. Rarity took a breath and looked around. Everyone was enjoying was her idea, and it made her pleased with herself. "Rarity?" Came a voice. Rarity turned to find the head of the school paper next to her. "Why, hello? What do you need?" "Do you want me to send some students to get more photographs and stories? The one we just published was a huge hit today," he asked as he showed Rarity the paper. Rarity silently giggled. "Oh, this is great! Flash Sentry still wanting to be with Twilight Sparkle? This sounds interesting! Great job!" "Thanks!" "No problem! And to answer your question, yes! But try to find one that will... shock everyone! Something that nobody expected!" Rarity responded. "That's a good idea! I hope you'll be pleased!" The head then walked off and approached a group of students, who were the ones who worked on the newspaper. "This is going even better than I expected..." Rarity said to herself. At lunch, many boys were giving Flash Sentry advice about long-distance relationships, which made him blush. Rarity laughed a little at the sight, and felt happy. "Rarity, this was one of your best ideas yet! I actually am excited to read the paper now!" Sunset remarked as Rarity smiled. "Thank you!" "No problem!" She then remembered the article from a few days ago. "Remember the one about Lyra and Bon-Bon? Oh, that story is great! I'm happy they're getting together!" Rarity nodded. "Same with me! The two girls were just made for each other!" Rarity and Sunset continued to talk about shipping as Applejack and Rainbow Dash got into a conversation about video games. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie started talking about funny things they see on the way to school. Right then, everybody was finding some way to laugh. It was a very light-hearted time of day, and it made everyone happy. Rarity walked into school the next morning to see everyone was reading the paper. She then heard gasps and saw looks of surprise. Whatever the press thought of, it was very shocking. Rarity almost fell over as Pinkie appeared right next to her. "RARITY! READ THIS!" Pinkie remarked, shoving the paper in Rarity's face. "Alright..." Rarity responded. After a few seconds, she started to smile and giggle uncontrollably. "What's so funny about that? It's cute, but I'm not so sure that she'll be happy-" "No need to fear, Rainbow Dash is here!" Rainbow remarked. She seemed extra happy today; like nothing could bring her down. The whole foyer of the school was silent for a second as everybody started to whisper and giggle. "Uh... did I miss something?" Rainbow asked as one of her classmates handed her the paper, trying his hardest not to laugh. "WHAT?! WHO WROTE THIS?!" Rainbow burst as everybody pretended to be caught up in the sports section of the newspaper. "Uh... I didn't do this! I told the head of the press to find something that would shock everybody. I didn't expect... well..." Rarity responded, nervously looking down to the ground. "THAT YOU WOULD GIVE AWAY ME AND SOARIN'S SECRET RELATIONSHIP?!" Rainbow responded as a few gasps were heard. Rainbow turned to find her other friends standing in the main foyer. "Rainbow..." Fluttershy started as Dash shot a small glare. "Please, don't talk to me," Rainbow responded as she stomped over to her locker. "Uh-oh..." Rarity remarked, looking back to her friends with a look of guilt in her eyes. When lunch came around, Rainbow Dash told everybody approaching her to go away. When Rarity tried to come up to her, she just turned her head. The five left Rainbow alone and sat at their own table. "Oh, I feel horrible! I completely humiliated Rainbow Dash!" Rarity remarked as she buried her face in her hands. Sunset nodded her head. "I wonder why she's taking this so hard. I've never known someone to get this mad over a situation like this." "I have a feelin' Rainbow didn't want that secret to come out yet. She probably was upset about us knowin', let alone the whole school knowin' about this," Applejack responded as she saw Soarin take a seat next to Rainbow Dash. "And that is why I feel horrible, Applejack!" Rarity exclaimed as she put her head down on the table. "Well... how are we going to fix this?" Fluttershy asked as Rarity thought for a moment. She then lifted her head and got a stern look on her face. "Take away The Shipping Section." "What?!" The four chorused as Rarity sighed. "I know, this has become a big hit. But if it hurts others, I think I should probably dispose of it. Don't you think that's the right thing to do?" Rarity responded as Sunset put a hand on her shoulder. "Rarity, I agree with you. That is the best thing to do." "Thanks, Sunset," Rarity responded. "Now, I'm going to make sure to destroy this fleet!" The next day was very different compared to the past week. Nobody was talking about the newspaper headlines, and barely anybody was reading the papers. Rarity smiled. Even though her idea only lasted a week, she did the right thing to help her friend. And now, Rainbow and Soarin were talking together. A lot. Maybe it was a good thing that their secret was spilled, so they wouldn't have to keep their affection hidden. Rarity sighed as she walked to her locker, getting out her books for first bell.