The Path of Absolution - Forgiveness

by Morningstar1337

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Main 6, Diamond Tiara
Length: 5058

What would happen if Diamond Tiara didn't print that apology letter in "Ponyville Confidential," but changed it? Would the CMC see forgiveness, or would they forever live in another city as examples of the evils of gossip and the trage

Trust is a very fragile thing. Three small fillies learned that the hard way. Their friends, their families, the town which they live, all shun and avoid like a plague. This is where their priorities shift from getting something they never had to regaining something that once lost will be nigh impossible to reclaim again. This is their path, the Path of Absolution.

Thanks to Sereg for proofreading. and to Swirling Line for the cover art.

Published 2013-05-17 06:20:03 UTC
Last updated 2013-05-22 23:01:06 UTC

I - A Broken Apology

In the editing room if the Foal Free Press, Diamond Tiara can see the sun just starting to rise. "Where are they? They should have been here 5 minutes ago!"

"But it's only 7:00," said a blue ink-stained colt.

At this moment the Cutie Mark Crusaders had just arrived. Sweetie Belle exclaimed "Stop the Presses!"

"But they haven't even started yet." said the blue colt.

The three fillies handed Diamond Tiara a manila folder. She glared at the three fillies, "You're lucky I'm nice." She opened one of the drawers and took out another manila folder and moved toward another room.

"You're not gonna print it now?" Apple Bloom was worried. The three Crusaders know that the folder their editor took out could lead to their ruination, just as well as they knew that the column the wrote would lead to their absolution.

"Why should I?" Diamond Tiara grows suspicious. "I read the last columns you gave me. And I'm sure that this column is full of nice juicy gossip." The pink filly waved the folders. "You can go now Gabby Gums."

Apple Bloom, Sweetie belle and Scootaloo left the room, ashamed at the moniker of "Gabby Gums" they took while working at the press. Under the anonymity that name they wrote terrible things, things they turned them from harmless if over-enthusiastic fillies looking for their purpose in life into, as for as the town was concerned, unfettered sociopathic gossip-mongers.

"You think Diamond Tiara would actually read it?" Apple Bloom said as they headed to their classroom.

"No way," Scootaloo said. "We made sure we were late enough that she wouldn't have the time to read it, right?"

"I hope so," Sweetie Belle sighed. "We have to make this right somehow."

Meanwhile in the editor's room. Diamond Tiara opened both folders. The first one had some pictures depicting the three Crusaders in various embarrassing situations. The second one was the one those same fillies handed her. She adjusted her Tiara thinking that the 3 fillies she hired to work for her gossip column wouldn't dare betray her, not as long as she can print those pictures She began to read the letter.

The pink filly was shocked. The column was an open apology the town. She read every line, every detail. She said in fury "They'll pay for this!" She noticed a typewriter nearby and thought to herself "If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders left for recess, still hoping that the town would accept their apology. they approached a small lean pegasus who was taking pictures of everything. The pegasus however looked at the fillies and left without a word.

"That's strange," Sweetie Belle said. "Featherweight hasn't flew form us before."

"I wouldn't be surprised, given how everypony else feels." Scootaloo said. They looked around the playground and saw other fillies were having fun. And saw that every mare and stallion that so much as looked at them giving glares of disapproval. The populace hated their guts, and they knew it. Well everyone except maybe the other ponies working on the Foal Free Press. By now they knew the paper would have reached every part of Ponyville, Cloudsdale, and Canterlot. Eventually recess was over and the fillies finished their school day.

One their way home they saw one mare with the paper and the phone the mare was talking about layers for some reason but the three fillies decided not to eavesdrop. Eventually they've gone their separate ways.

Apple Bloom went home to a Sweet Apple Acres, though despite the name the mood around the farm was bitter. She saw her sister kicking some apple trees and noticed that she was kicking them so hard that the branches fell off along with the apples.

"Applejack?" Apple Bloom said her yellow body slight shaking in fear. "Is there something wrong?"

Applejack moved her orange legs to another tree to get some more apples, "Nope." She then took the apples and went to another field.

The small filly stroked her red mane and pink bow in confusion. She considered asking her again but she knows that Applejack wouldn't talk to her, not anymore. She knows that yesterday the identity of Gabby Gums has been exposed. She had noticed something in the trash and looked inside.

It was the Foal Free Press. Apple Bloom took the wadded paper into the trash and read the gossip column. She could not believe what she was reading. She took the paper and went to get Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo trotted on a small path. Normally Rainbow Dash, the orange pegasus' idol, would be training nearby. But now she is nowhere to be found. On the bright side she wouldn't be drenched by rainwater.

She noticed a sign on the ground near a copy of the paper. The newspaper was in a case for some reason. The sign read "If you happen to use the name 'Gabby Gums', Get out! I don't want to see your faces anywhere near here anymore!" She saw some tears on the sign.

She heard a thunderclap. "But it was just sunny a few seconds ago," she thought. She looked up and up a small storm cloud over her head. "Figures." She tried to read the paper which was turned to the gossip column and in shock went to find her the other two crusaders.

Rarity was busy packing up some luggage when she saw Sweetie Belle enter the Carousel Boutique. "What do you want?"

"Um, did you get the paper?" Sweetie Belle sheepishly asked, knowing full well that it was unlikely that Diamond Tiara would print their apology.

"Of course I did," Rarity asked. She used her white horn to levitate the paper and rolled it up into a scroll, then dropped it in front of her similarly-colored sister.

"What's the luggage for?" Sweetie Belle asked thought not expecting a response. She knew that Rarity was the one who found out that she and the other Crusaders are Gabby Gums.

Rarity was still putting the luggage together. "Well if you must know, We're going an a little retreat to Manehatten with our friends. It's been a stressful week, no thanks to you," She said with some venom in her voice. "Rainbow Dash already left to cheer up Twilight and Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie and Applejack are finishing their duties at their homes."

Sweetie Belle felt even more regret when she heard Twilight and Fluttershy's names. Since yesterday she found out that their column drove the latter to tears, and the former to seal off the Library from the rest of town.

"By the way," Rarity said. "During the trip me and Applejack are going to speak with her relatives there."

The white filly was confused. She said, "But why am I going?"

"Well I talked with our parents over this but I think it would be best if you and your friends..." Rarity didn't know what to say next. She was the one who blew the whistle on Gabby Gums and yet she was one of the rare few that didn't treat her sister as badly as the rest of the town. "...I think it would be best if you three stay away from Ponyville for a while."

Sweetie Belle was shocked. She had lived in Ponyville all her life. She could barely fathom the thought of moving.

Rarity said, "I have to go. I asked Big Mac to help with the luggage." She then went out, turning the open sign on the store afterwards.

Sweetie Belle wondered what could had been written to make moving a viable option. She took the paper and read the gossip column. She went through every page and said, "My word." She was shocked by what was written in place of their apology letter too shocked to noticed the picture of her in one of Rarity's designs. She went out to see Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders met up and went to their clubhouse. There they'd began discussing today's paper. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle noticed that Scootaloo was wet. The three began to place the copy of the paper that Apple Bloom brought on the table and began to double check it.

The gossip column read, "The Truth Behind Gabby Gums." at the top of the column.

"Dear Ponyville I'm sure by now you know that 'Gabby Gums' is actually three fillies: Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo. And we would like you to know that we don't care. We know you want the scoop and we know you want it now. So mark our words, We will leave no stone upturned, no trash can un-dived, and we will not rest until we bring you the latest scoop on all Ponyville. And to show we mean business here's some dirt on ourselves."

There was a picture of Scootaloo covered in mud at the top of the page, with a picture of Sweetie Belle in an odd outfit at the middle and one of a baby Apple Bloom at the bottom.

"This is a disaster! There's no way we can show our face here now," Scootaloo said.

"Maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing," Sweetie Belle whispered. She hasn't told her friends about the move yet.

"Beg pardon?" Apple Bloom said.

Sweetie Belle began explaining that they, their sisters, and their sisters' friends are all going to Manehatten to discuss the possibility of moving there. The other two were shocked though none more shocked than Scootaloo.

"What do you mean we may be moving?" The orange pegasus said in the midst of a panic attack.

Apple Bloom began to calm down Scootaloo. "Did she said when?"

"Not yet," Sweetie Belle said. "But it's likely to be tomorrow."

The three are feeling a little anxious. They knew that they have to make it to those we wrong before they leave Ponyville forever. They considered several options until the nightfall.

Author's Note

Well guys I'm back and the fic I'm writing will be... different then my last one. The AU tag is there because this fic starts near the end of the episode "Ponyville Confidential" and is more or less a Deconstruction of that ending so don't expecting "Gabby Gums" to be forgiven so easily, well easily enough to avoid moving out of the close-knit town they know and love.

II - Perspective and Preperation

In the Evening, Applejack, Big Mcntosh and Rarity went to Sugarcube Corner, there a certain blue pegasus flew down to the the entrance. Rarity and Big Mac went to place the luggage down for later.

“Are they coming?” Applejack said.

Rainbow Dash went inside the bakery. “Yeah, I managed to get Fluttershy to stop crying. She should be here in a few.”

“What about Twilight?” Rarity walked near the counter of the bakery. “Do you think she’s coming?”

“I don’t know. She has a force-field over the library,” Rainbow Dash said. “I asked Spike to give Twi the message though.”

Just then Pinkie Pie bounced in from another room. She had a copy of the paper in her mouth and a somewhat angry expression. She tried to smile “Alright is everypony here?”

“Not yet,” Rarity said. “Thanks for letting me put the luggage here for later.”

“No problem,” Pinkie said. “But why are you packing luggage anyway?”

“We’ll explain that later darling,” Rarity said.

Applejack looked at the gossip column. There were hints of betrayal and confusion in her eyes. “I just can’t believe this, I never thought that Apple Bloom would do something like this.”

Twilight Sparkle was lowering the barrier to her Library. “Spike can you make sure no intruders can enter while I’m gone?”

“Of course,” Spike said.

Twilight then left for the bakery.

On the way to Sugarcube Corner a blue stallion approached her. “Excuse me miss, but do you know where Cheerilee is?”

“Sure,” Twilight’s lavender fur slightly shivering from the cold of night. “The 3rd house in Trotsky Lane, to the left, slightly blue. Why do you ask?” She noticed that his cutie mark was a gravel and a piece of scripture.

“I have an urgent matter to speak with her about,” the stallion was about to take his leave. “Thank you for the directions.”

Twilight found this strange. Why would somepony look for someone in night like that? She decided to worry about it later and meet her friends at the bakery.

In a few minutes Twilight Sparkle met up with her friends in the bakery. She saw the newspaper on the counter. “So what’s going on?” Rainbow Dash handed her the paper and she read the column, her blood boiling with every word. “What!?” She was downright furious.

“Calm down darling,” Rarity said.

“Calm down? Calm down?” Twilight said her mostly dark blue mane began to burn a blazing bright orange. “How can I calm down. I must make barriers for Ponyville. They must not invade ponies’ privacy anymore.” She dropped the paper and tried to run out but she bumped into Fluttershy as she opened the door and tripped. Her mane had cooled off and returned to their usual blue, with pink and purple streaks.

“Um is everything okay?” Fluttershy asked.

“No,” Rainbow Dash said bluntly. She took the newspaper off the floor and gave it to Fluttershy while Rarity was helping Twilight up.

Applejack and Rarity were a little concerned. They were sure if their sisters could even be trusted at all least of which to stay in Ponyville.

Twilight stood up and said, “Sorry got carried away.”

“Alright y’all,” Applejack said. “I talked with Rarity before this and I think we should go to Manehatten.”

“But why?” Fluttershy said uncomfortably.

“We need to talk with the Cutie Mark Crusaders about this and I don’t think we can do this here,” Rarity said. “Even considering the previous ‘Gabby Gums’ articles this is highly unusual even for them.”

Out of all the ponies here the least trustful of the fillies are Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle. The former of whom said, “Oh really?”

Twilight read through the paper and noticed that it was done by a typewriter, well except for one piece that seemed to be ripped out of another paper.

“I need to talk with my relatives over at Manehatten first to get everything in order So it would be about two weeks at least before we can go."

“Whew,” Pinkie Pie said. “I have to go help the Cakes for their entry into the national baking competition next week anyway. Do you know how hard it is to make a cake as delicious as...”

“So in the meantime?” Rainbow Dash said. She was feeling a little enraged that she has to spend time with the three who forever ruined her reputation.

“I just don’t know.” Applejack said. The group eventually left the room having nothing further to discuss tonight.

The next day Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle went to the school. The first thing on their minds being the guilt they have for their gossip, as well as potentially moving away. Bt the time they went to the classroom they noticed that they were early, only they, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are here.

Diamond Tiara noticed the three blank flanks and approached them. “Oh there you are. I just want to tell you that I’m accepting your resignation. You are no longer working at the Foal Free Press.”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were surprised by this action. Though they knew that the damage was done and that Diamond Tiara had already read (and butchered) their letter. And they knew that no matter what they had ruined the lives of countless others. The students went to their seats as class started.

“That’s odd,” Scootaloo said.

“What do you mean,” Apple Bloom said.

The orange pegasus looked around and more of their students enter the classroom. “Isn’t Cheerilee supposed to be her now?”

The other two fillies had a look of surprise on their face, then looked around and saw that their red-violet-colored teacher wasn’t here.

“You don’t think that she’s mad too?” Sweetie Belle said, nearly panicking.

A minute later the door opened and a familiar voice said, “Okay, class is in session.” But it wasn’t the voice the Crusaders were expecting.

It was Twilight Sparkle. The fillies were kinda surprised. Diamond Tiara said, “Where’s Miss Cheerilee?”

“She said she had to go to court and asked me to teach until she comes back,” Twilight said as Spike walked in with some books. “You can think of me as Substitute Teacher and Advisor to the Foal Free Press.”

“And I’m her number one assistant,” Spike then handed her a book with “Everything you want to know about Kindergarten teaching (But were too afraid of your own experiences to ask)”.

Diamond Tiara was laughing at Spike as he handed out some coloring books and crayons and Twilight went over Cheerilee’s lesson plan for the next two weeks. Spike skipped the Crusaders’ table and looked at them dirtily, only for Twilight to notice and levitated some of the crayons and paper to them.

“Why’d you do that for?” Spike said. “You know as well as I do that they don’t deserve that.”

“And I’m sure that teachers aren’t supposed to let their personal issues get in the way of their work,” Twilight said.

It’s going to be a long day for the Crusaders.

III - Ace in the Hole

The class had left for recess. Twilight and Spike stayed inside to write a review for their students.

“So,” Spike said. “Once again, Why did you decide to-”

“I told you already Spike,” Twilight and Spike were arguing about what to do about the Cutie Mark Crusaders, unaware that they had already resigned from the school paper. “I have to treat the all the students fairly.”

Meanwhile outside the foals were playing at the playground. Featherweight looked at the schoolhouse having a folder. He went forward to talk to Twilight.

Diamond Tiara however had noticed the folder inside his mouth and block his path. “You’re not doing what I think you’re doing, are you?”

Featherweight was intimidated. He dropped the photo in surprise.

Diamond Tiara took the photo and examined it closely.

The photo depicted her looking at the Cutie Mark Crusaders while 3 certain photos are on the desk. The Crusaders as depicted in the picture were blushing. “You know I know the reason why you can’t talk, right?” she said.

Featherweight was even more shocked.

“Let me be clear,” she said. “If you show anypony this photo, I’ll see to it that your secret's printed on the front page. You got that?” She glared at the foal.

Featherweight thought he had no choice. He gave Diamond Tiara the incriminating picture.

“That’s a smart move,” she said. “Now be a good photographer and never speak of this meeting.” She then left.

Featherweight was now trapped. He can’t warn anypony without the photo.

Diamond Tiara was fully content knowing that Featherweight can’t tell on anypony. She trotted to another area of the playground. “Sucker.”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were at a table outside. They were discussion how to best express their apology to the town.

“So any ideas?” Apple Bloom said.

“We could try apologizing individually,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Nah,” Scootaloo said. “They wouldn’t let us finish.”

“We could try something like a concert,” Apple Bloom said.

“Where would we get the money?” Sweetie Belle said.

“Good point.” Apple Bloom said.

At that point an apple hit Scootaloo’s head. “Hey! Who threw this?” They saw other produce flying towards them and ducked. The Crusaders were dodging every airborne fruit until they hid behind a corner.

They then saw a group of ponies across the path. Some were holding picket signs that read “Celestia hates Gabby Gums” and “Gossipy Hens go to Tartarus.” Scootaloo was a little mad about that last sign. Other ponies were hurling fruit and booing the fillies.

At that point Twilight and Spike were near this part of the playground. She trotted towards the Crusaders and looked at the protesters. “What’s going on here?”

A protester said, “Gabby Gums stinks! She or rather they said hurtful things and you’re letting them get away with it!”

Twilight had almost forgotten about Gabby Gums, though Spike hadn't forgotten the fillies who helped wreck his relationship. She went forward to the mob, “That’s no reason to harass them.”

“It’s a perfectly valid reason,” The protester said. “They trash everypony they write about, they slander everything they touch and they-”

“That’s enough.” Twilight’s horn glowed. A giant pink fish-bowl shape formed above the schoolhouse and slowly lowered down, keeping the protesters out and the students and herself in.

The mob left with a snide remark, “You’ll be punished ‘Gabby Gums.’”

The three Crusaders were relieved, until they saw the look of anger on Twilight’s face.

“Meet me after school,” Twilight said. She went inside the classroom and recess had ended.

When school ended, Twilight had lifted the force-field so that the students can go home. The Crusaders had entered the classroom. There they saw Twilight reading another book. The day’s edition of the Foal Free Press sitting on the desk. Spike was cleaning up the classroom.

“You wanted to see us Twilight?” Apple Bloom said.

Twilight said, “Yes I did. I want to talk with you about today’s events.“ The foals sat down at their seats. “You know that I’m not supposed to erect barriers around schools right? I mean it isn’t mentioned in any of the books and...”

“We know,” Sweetie Belle said.

“We’re sorry,” Scootaloo said.

Twilight continues her rant, “...and another thi- What?”

“We’re sorry,” Apple Bloom said. “Not just about the force field, but the paper, the rumors the Gabby Gums. We’ve shouldn't have started those rumors in the first place.”

“We tried to stop but everypony just wanted more Gabby Gums, and we got swept up in the hype and Diamond Tiara had blackmailed us and we’re sorry,” Scootaloo said.

Twilight said, “Have you apologized to your sisters yet?”

“Well,” Sweetie Belle said. “I think I apologized to Rarity about her diary.”

“Applejack still won’t talk to me,” Apple Bloom said.

“Rainbow Dash practically placed a “Keep out” sign for me, and another storm cloud,” Scootaloo said.

“I see,” Twilight said.

“Don’t worry about the gossip,” Apple Bloom said. “From now on Gabby Gums has left the Foal Free Press.”

“Wait,” Twilight said. “What do you mean ‘Blackmail?’”

“Featherweight had took pictures of us in some embarrassing situations and Diamond Tiara had threatened to print then if we didn't have a juicy column.”

“Does Diamond Tiara still have the pictures?”

“I don’t know,” Scootaloo said. “She probably threw them away after printing that article.”

“I see,” Twilight said. “Well I’ll go have a talk with her soon. But for now I think you should apologize to those ponies you’ve hurt okay?”

“Okay Twi,” Apple Bloom said.

“You won’t regret this,” Scootaloo said.

“See you soon,” Sweetie Belle said. The three fillies then left.

Evidently Spike had just finished cleaning the desks. He walked up to Twilight. “Are you sure they can be trusted like that?”

“I’m sure they learned their lesson Spike,” Twilight said. “Can you find Featherweight?”

“Sure, but why?”

“I need to find something.”

Spike didn't bother asking who and left to find the school photographer.

IV - Secrets and Truth

Spike went to find Featherweight in the basement of the schoolhouse. The Foal Free Press staff were busy doing their jobs.

“What do you want?” Diamond Tiara said.

“Twilight asked me to find the photographer,” Spike said.

“You won’t find him here,” She chuckled.

Just then Featherweight entered the room. Diamond Tiara was a little stunned.

“Ah Featherweight,” Spike said. “Twilight’s looking for you.”

The colt was a little surprised, he wondered if it was about the photos. He looked at the editor who gave him a nasty glare. He decided to go with Spike.

Diamond Tiara was furious. But inspiration struck her, she now has an idea of who “Gabby Gums” should “interview” next.

Meanwhile Twilight was talking to a stallion inside the classroom.

“So you’re Diamond Tiara’s father Filthy Rich?” Twilight said.

“Yes I am,” Mr. Rich said. “Please call me Mr. Rich.”

“Very well,”

Twilight then stacked some papers.

“I’m sure you’re aware that your daughter is the editor in chief of the Foal Free Press Mr. Rich?” She said.

“Or course,” Mr. Rich said. “It was an interesting paper under her command especially that ‘Canterlot Sn--,’” He stopped himself before finishing. “So anyway what does that have to do with Diamond Tiara?”

“Well,” Twilight took out previous editions of the Foal Free Press. “I’m sure you know that I’m the substitute teacher right?”

“That reminds me, Where is Cheerilee anyway?” Filthy Rich said.

“She had to go to Manehatten for libel charges,” Twilight said. “She’ll be back in a few weeks.”

“I see,” Mr. Rich said. the two continued their conversation for a few more minutes and then Mr. Rich left.

Spike then entered the room. “So how was your talk?”

“It went well,” Twilight said. “I’d advised a Parent-Teacher Conference tomorrow with Diamond Tiara. DId you find Featherweight.”

“Yeah I found him,” Spike said. “He told me to check the printing room for some secrets and the room next door.”

‘He told you?” Twilight said.

“Well, more like wrote me.” Spike took out a note that the photographer wrote and showed it to Twilight.

“Oh,” Twilight said. The two then left the classroom.

At Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom was talking with Applejack.

“...And then Diamond Tiara blackmailed me with that photo of that other photo of me as a baby, and everypony wanted more Gabby Gums and...” Apple Bloom said.

“Sugarcube,” Apple Bloom said. “It’s alright.”

“...I’m sorry, I’ll never do gossip of any kind again and-- Wait huh?” Apple Bloom was bemused.

“You know, If you told me this from the start, I wouldn't have to start giving you the cold shoulder. So I assume Twi knows you’re sorry?”

“Of course,” Apple Bloom said.

“Big Mac?”

“Um, not yet.” She then left to find her brother.

“Um Apple Bloom?” Applejack pointed to the east field. “He’s that way.”

“Oh, Thanks,” She went to find her brother and apologize.

Elsewhere, at Carousel Boutique, Sweetie Belle wanted to make sure she apologized to her sister. She found her working on some more fashions.

“Um Rarity?”

“Yes?” Rarity said.

Sweetie Belle said, “I’m sorry, not just about the diary, I’m sorry about writing those rumors and gossip.”

Rarity said, “I know. You told me remember, then you went ahead and said that you were going to get the dirt on everypony again.”

“But that wasn’t us. Diamond Tiara took our apology letter and printed that instead,” Sweetie Belle said, though she didn’t think that Rarity would believe her.

“Apology letter?”

“We tried to get our resignation and apology letter out on the paper but Diamond Tiara stopped it.”

Rarity then begun to think about that issue.

“Come to think of it, it does seem odd that you would write about yourselves like that,” She said.

“I’ve already quit the school paper. You won’t have to worry about Gabby Gums again. Can you ever forgive me?”

“We shall see. And about Gabby Gums you’re aware that the as the editor, Diamond Tiara can change and approve anything she wants. right?”

“Oh, right.” Sweetie Belle forgot about that.

“I have to go, I want us to look our best when we go to Manehatten,” Rarity chirped.

Sweetie Belle later left the Boutique.

“Well that went better than I thought,” She said.

Scootaloo was walking down the path again, hoping to find Rainbow Dash. The rainbow-maned pegasus was lounging on a cloud until she heard hoofsteps.

She poked her head out and saw Scootaloo. “Well if it isn’t Gabby Gums, how wonderful. You’re lucky I can’t use rainwater for ‘petty revenge.’”

“Can we talk?” Scootaloo said.

“if you’re still looking for that interview, you can forget it! Didn’t I tell you that i didn’t want to see your face again?”

“I’ve already quit the Foal Free Press. I promise that whatever you say won’t appear on the paper.”

Just then Pinkie Pie popped out of a bush.

“Do you Pinkie Promise?” She said.

“Pinkie...Promise?” Scootaloo said.

“Pinkie Promise?” Rainbow Dash said.

“Or course,” Pinkie said. “Nothing loses a trust like breaking a promise, and losing a friends’ trust is the fastest way to lost a friend.”

“Where were you the last two days?” Rainbow Dash said. “We’re already there!”

Pinkie Pie ran Scootaloo through the gestures ann rhyme to her promises.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake to my eye?” Scootaloo said, She was careful not to poke her eye out.

“That’s right,” Pinkie said. “Now Dashie?”

“Okay fine,” Dash then flew to the ground and did the gestures. “Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake to my eye.”

“My work here is done,” Pinkie said. She then began to hop away.

“Actually,” Scootaloo said. “Can you stay? I have something to tell you too.”

“Okey Dokey Lokey,” Pinkie said.

Dash was getting impatient.

“Look,” Scootaloo said. “I wanted to say I’m sorry. What I did was wrong and I shouldn't have done it in the first place. I wanted to quit, but Diamond Tiara blackmailed me and the others. I understand if neither of you want to forgive me again.” Scootaloo began to leave.

“But wait,” Pinkie said. “What was it that you wanted to tell me?”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “I think that was it.” She then flew after Scootaloo.

“Oh,” Pinkie said.

“Wait up,” Rainbow Dash caught up to Scootaloo. “I suppose I’ve been a little harsh for somepony who wanted to be on that paper.”

“Does that mean--?” Scootaloo said.

“Yep, So you want to head to Fluttershy’s?” Rainbow Dash said.”You still owe her an apology for that tail extension thing.”

“Oh right,” Scootaloo said.

The three ponies the went to Fluttershy’s home.