As ponies milled about on another lazy sunny day, a pink and purple hot air balloon was traveling through the air. Its passengers were Rarity and Applejack with the Unicorn holding a camera in her magic with a wide grin. Applejack didn't seem too convinced. "And why didn't ya' just ask a Pegasus to take these aerial shots for you? We didn't need to borrow Twi's hot air balloon for this."

"Oh hush, Applejack. Taking the pictures while flying yourself is much more authentic! Besides, I'm sure these pictures will make for great inspiration for--" She suddenly cuts herself off with a squeal that was somehow both loud and silent.

"Uh, Rarity? What--" She suddenly got silenced when Rarity put a hoof on her muzzle. When the farmer looked where the excited fashionista was pointing, even she couldn't resist a smirk.

There, on a cloud not too far away, was a sleeping Zephyr with a sleeping Rainbow Dash on top of him. It looked like Rainbow had come across her boyfriend and chose to nap on top of him instead of waking him up.

Rarity loved scenes like the one she was currently seeing, especially considering which friends were involved. "Oh, I've GOT to take a picture of this! Maybe I'll even send it to them once I get copies!" Applejack wanted to know what Rarity had in mind for the pictures on her end, but kept her mouth shut because she knew she had a new avenue of teasing potential for Rainbow Dash.

After some finagling with the position of the hot air balloon, Rarity was able to snap three photos of the scene in front of her. The first two turned out as she had hoped: A Pegasus couple sleeping in a cute way. The third one had an open eye from Zephyr, staring at the camera. "Do you mind?"

"O-oh dear! I didn't realize you woke up, Zephyr!" The green Pegasus let out a long, tired sigh. "Hm? Rainbow Dash is still asleep, though? She's not usually such a heavy sleeper unless she's super comfortable."

Applejack chortled with a smug grin. "Ya' think it's because she finds her boyfriend comfortable to sleep on?"

"Oh ha ha, Applejack." Zephyr didn't want to move because he knew Rainbow was dead tired from the excitement of reading a new Daring Do book. He managed to twist a primary wing around so he could cover her, which caused her to snuggle closer.

"So when's the wedding?" That question earned Rarity a glare from a heavily blushing Zephyr. She couldn't help but giggle. "No worries, darling, I'm just teasing you. You probably don't get many moments like this with her, so we shall just leave you be."

"Look after yer' sleeping girlfriend, will ya'? Also, tell her Applejack wants to see her later today." With his free primary, Zephyr waves the two off before falling back asleep. A part of him had been increasingly afraid that Rainbow was beginning to grow disinterested, so he was grateful for the moment as embarrassing as it was for him.

Zephyr had just finished up with wind and weather duties and was heading home. Rainbow Dash said she was invited to the spa by Rarity and, as much as she's not the biggest fan, she couldn't turn it down. Zephyr silently figured out two outcomes: Either Rainbow comes out prettier than ever, or nothing happens. His bits were on the latter.

One thing that perturbed him was the random and sudden increase in newspapers being read around town. When he managed to get a sneak peak at one, he grimaced at what was being written by this "Gabby Gums" pony. It was all slanderous information and the like. "This isn't a newspaper... it's a--"

He noticed Scootaloo coming home with peculiar items in the saddle bags. When she set them on the table to go to the bathroom, the bags spilled over and Zephyr realized just what was going on.

When Scootaloo came out, she realized Zephyr was looking at her stuff. "Big bro?! Why are you looking through my things?! Don't you have more decency than to look through your little sister's--"

Zephyr turns a level glare onto Scootaloo. "Oh, but it's fine for you to poke your nose in other pony's private business, 'Gabby Gums'?"

Scootaloo immediately backed off in fright when she heard her brother's tone. "B-but I-I just wanted t-to get my C-Cutie M-Mark!"

"What, a Cutie Mark in ruining the lives of others through slander and invasion of privacy?" The disappointment in Zephyr's voice was overpowering. "Scootaloo, I thought you were better than this. There's being overeager and then there's this. What do you have to say for yourself?"

All Scootaloo could do was sit on the floor, tears building in her eyes. "I... I'm sorry..."

Recognizing he was getting too worked up, Zephyr breathed a bit to calm himself back down."I'm not the one you need to apologize to. You're also not the only one in on this, I'm guessing, so it's unfair you're the only one getting blasted..." He thought about it more before an idea began to form. "Gather your friends and we'll all go to the people you've 'exposed' to properly apologize to them. Once you do that, then I'll ease off my disappointment in you three. Am I clear?"

"Y-yes big bro..."

Zephyr smiled and patted Scootaloo on the head. "I'm not mad despite my outburst, Scoots. I just want you to know that what you're doing could lead you down a dark path in life. I don't want that for you, okay?" That got a small, tearful smile from his little sister.

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both got the same blast of disappointment from Zephyr as Scootaloo did, which told them the whole idea was a terrible idea from the start. After apologizing to the Cakes, Mayor Mare, and writing a letter of apology to Princess Celestia and this 'Trixie' pony, the four were on their way back to the school when Zephyr noticed something. "Hmm, hold on one moment, girls."

The fillies looked confused through their guilt as Zephyr enhanced his eyes with Galesight. He noticed that one of the bushes was disturbed and jumped in, causing a cry of surprise from a colt. Who should the green Pegasus extract, but a tan Pegasus colt with a camera. "Featherweight?!"

"Ah, so that's his name. Aaand confiscated."

"W-wait, my camera! All my scoops!" Featherweight suddenly felt the oppressive atmosphere the fillies were already subjected to earlier. "Uh... I mean..."

"Delete... delete..." Zephyr went through Featherweight's camera and started erasing all the photos that were invasive to privacy. He did hesitate at the rather cute picture of Rainbow, but deleted that as well for her dignity. "Now then, Featherweight, I'm sure you know what I'm going to say. You three go on ahead and wait in front of the school while I make Featherweight do the same rounds you did."

As the two Pegasus males went towards town, Applebloom shuddered. "Ah' feel like Zephyr's being extra... scary today..."

"I know. I tried to get at him for looking through Scootaloo's stuff, but his disappointment in me denied that plan of attack."

Scootaloo, having been the first to get 'talked to' by Zephyr, recovered enough for her gears to start turning. "His reaction to what we've been doing was quite... what's the word..."

"Visceral?"

"Sounds about right. We've done things that disappointed him in the past, but this time seems pretty bad even by those standards."

"Well at least you're thinking on it." The fillies gave a start when Zephyr returned with a guilty-looking Featherweight. "Alright, I need to discuss something with Ms. Cherrilee. And no, it's not to get you four further in trouble but for something else. You all have begun the process of learning your lesson, no need for anymore on that front."

"Begun the process? Y-you mean your disappointment and our apologies weren't enough?" Applebloom was beginning to regret setting her friends down this path.

Zephyr sighed at the fright. "Technically, what you've done already is enough. However, what I wish to do will help you foals appreciate just where I'm coming from with this whole thing. For this reason..." He knocks at the door of Cheerilee's office. "Ms. Cheerilee, it's Zephyr Windstorm."

"Oh? Do come in!" Cheerilee was smiling, but became surprised when she saw the foals that entered as well. "What happened? All the foals present are part of the newspaper!"

Zephyr raised an eyebrow at that. "Actually, what I've come in here for is related to that. Is it possible for these 4 foals in particular to go on an extracurricular 'field trip' with me to Manehatten?" The foals were now utterly confused.

"Well, it's certainly possible but may I ask why?"

"Well... circumstances led me to believe that they are in need of exposure to certain... 'aspects' of the world they're daring to enter. I just wish to impress upon them what they're getting into."

Cheerilee could tell something was going on that made Zephyr decide on this. While he was hiding it well, his tone spoke of worry over the foals to the teacher. "Alright. They'll have to get permission from their guardians to do so, but once you get written consent then you're good to go. Though I suppose you don't need that for Scootaloo since you're her big brother."

"For the record, if even one of them can't go for whatever reason, I'll think of something else."

A day later, the 5 ponies had gotten off the train from Ponyville to Manehatten. "Right, since we might be here for a day or two, I know somepony who can lodge us for the night. I already wrote to her and explained the situation."

"Is it mom?!" Scootaloo got excited when Zephyr nodded. "I haven't seen her in a while! She's been doing gigs here for a while and I missed her!"

Featherweight looked confused. "Scootaloo, what does your mom do?"

"She's the lead singer for Harmonecence!"

"What, really?! C-can I have a picture of her as a souvenir? I-I can't believe I get to meet the pony from my favorite band!"

Zephyr rolled his eyes. "If you behave well enough, I'm sure Harpsong will agree." That got the colt excited. "But remember that this trip isn't a pleasure cruise."

After knocking on the door, Harpsong answered and beamed at the group. "Zephyr! Scootaloo! It's been some time! And all your friends too!"

"Hi mom!"

"Hi Mrs. Earthwing!"

Harpsong smiles at the foals, though there was some pain in it. "To think such young ones were about to go down a dark path like you said... is it true?" When Sweetie Belle hoofed over her notes, which was the only one left after most of the rest were destroyed, Harpsong shook her head in dismay. "You're lucky Zephyr was there to catch you foals before it got any worse."

"Speaking of, where's Shutter Sneak? You did inform him of why we're here, yes?"

"Right here, youngin's!" Coming down the stairs was a lanky, brown, Pegasus stallion with a mustache. "When I heard about your plight, I couldn't-- Featherweight?!"

"DAD?!" The two embrace as everypony else tried to figure out the odds. "It's been so long! Mom misses you, you know?"

"Sorry, son, but I still have much to make amends for here. It's thanks to Harpsong I was able to even start, else I probably would've been stuck forever..."

Applebloom walked forward. "Uhm... Mr. Sneak? Is what you're talking about related to why we're here?"

"Ah, yes... I believe it would be faster to give you foals a demonstration. Please follow me."

The group of six, sans Harpsong since she wanted to prepare sleeping and eating arrangements for the night, went to the Manehatten Central Park. After some quick set-up with good hiding spots for the foals, Shutter did what he once did for a job so long ago.

In an isolated area of the park, a mare and a stallion were secretly meeting to avoid prying eyes from the public. Unfortunately for them, Shutter had already known they would be there and had already gotten into position for a scandalous photo. Quietly retreating, he shows the foals. "Now, look at this photo I just took. What do you think when you see it?"

As Zephyr flew off to meet the two ponies and inform them of what's going on, Scootaloo was confused. "It... just looks like two lovers meeting."

"Hmm, yes that is the impression JUST the photo would give. Now, what would you think if we added the headlines 'Shocking! Forbidden love between two celebrities?!' to an 'article'?"

"Wait that sounds like he headlines we've been--" It was at that moment it clicked in Sweetie Belle's head. "Is this what you and Zephyr have been trying to warn us about?"

"Smart filly. It is indeed. The path you four had been going down, according to your writings and Zephyr's letter, was one of a paparazzi reporter for a tabloid." While only Sweetie Belle was horrified initially, the rest followed suit after she told them what that meant.

"Even growing up, I was far too intimate with tabloids because of my mom's line of work." Zephyr had returned with the two ponies Shutter used as an example. "When I saw the 'Gabby Gums' sections and what you four were doing, all the alarm bells went off in my head."

Scootaloo shuddered at that. "Then... the reason you were so vehement about your disappointment in us was--"

Shutter nodded. "It was most likely because of that, yes." Turning to the two example ponies, he bows. "Apologies for intruding on your alone time and taking an unwanted picture. As you could surmise from our conversation, we wanted to keep these foals away from this kind of thing."

"Oh, no worries at all! Zephyr was kind enough to explain the situation and we're more than happy to be the 'example' of a paparazzi target if it means keeping them away from that life. Besides, we were going to announce our engagement tomorrow anyways so it wouldn't have damaged us much."

The stallion blushed a bit. "Though... is it possible to get a copy of that picture? For posterity?" His fiancee rolls her eyes at him in amusement.

"But of course! If it's all you want as compensation, I'd be more than happy to!" Shutter, after a quick discussion over the details with the two, turned back to the foals. "Now, obviously this example seems rather light-hearted between it being an example and the ponies involved being good-natured about it. But what I want to impress upon you all, as a former paparazzi photographer and tabloid writer, is just how badly such things can ruin lives!"

"D-dad, you were..?" Featherweight was shocked that his father was once a sleazy pony.

"I'm sorry, Featherweight, but it's the truth. More than that, once you get started down that dark road, it becomes nigh impossible to get away from it. You eventually get attached to all the scandals you cause regardless if you do it through a publication or not. Such publications are not above hanging your 'crimes' over your head in an attempt to keep you under their hooves."

Scootaloo lays down on the grass as she began to shiver. "Then... if we had continued..."

"You're young, so you don't have the same guile or tact adults do. Ponies would've quickly figured out you're the ones pushing the scandals and they would start ostracizing you. Family becomes ashamed of being related to you, friends abandon you out of fear they'll be next. You end up alone with nowhere to go but the publication who only wants you for what you can do for them."

Zephyr nodded at Shutter. "My mom managed to catch Shutter Sneak when she had become his next target. However, instead of turning him in immediately, she gave him a choice. Stay on his path and be turned in, or abandon it and turn his life around. Both her band and many others could do with a talent in photography and he was a good candidate."

"And I'll forever be grateful for the out Harpsong gave me. It is a debt I'll never be able to repay, because not everypony can get that exit from the industry." Shutter narrows his eyes at the foals. "My final piece of advice? Being a regular reporter or article writer is perfectly fine, but the moment somepony wants you to start writing about or creating scandals over ponies' private lives, walk away. It's not worth ruining your future for that chance at a short-term goal."

When all the foals were looking at the ground feeling guilty, Zephyr nods at them. "Now you know why I was being much harsher than usual. I'm just thankful I stopped you before you started doing irreparable damage and you could apologize while your reputation was still good."

"I suppose that's also why you really laid into Rarity for liking such a thing. Especially when you mentioned 'The Drama-Queen Diaries' and how she'd feel if THAT got out." Sweetie Belle was there for that particular show-down. It was one of the few times Zephyr successfully defeated her sister in such a thing.

Featherweight couldn't stop feeling guilty. "I... I was so close to becoming one..."

Shutter made sure to embrace his son. "But you didn't and I'm proud of you for correcting course before it's too late. Also, your mother already knows of my dark past but if you'd like to learn more, feel free to ask her. For now, I must get back to work."

"Thank you for the lesson, Shutter." Shutter waves at Zephyr before taking off. The green Pegasus turned to the foals. "Now, if we JUST covered the dark side of this industry, it wouldn't be fair. So now that we got the bad out of the way, how about I show you the brighter side of things?"

Applebloom looked curious. "What kind of things? Ah'm not sure what's good anymore..."

"Something like this?" Zephyr pulls out one of the few 'notes' that he didn't destroy. "Remember when you interviewed Spike? That's something more reputable publications do... minus the extraction of slanderous information, mind. Also, don't be afraid if a news item is boring or whatever. News and articles will be dry by default but nothing's stopping you from trying to put creativity in how you present it as long as the core information isn't missing or misrepresented."

"Then the pictures don't have to be taken sneakily?" Featherweight suddenly realized what his father's new job was now.

"Always gain express permission for photos from the target to prevent liability. I could talk more, but it would be better to how you. The day's still young, after all!"

With that, Zephyr went around to the various publications in Manehatten for various interviews and columns. All were happy to let the foals sit in on the proceedings, feeling it was more than worth it to get exclusive information from the singer of Three Night's Grace. By the end of the day, the field trip had been a success and they retired to Harpsong's house to filling meals and rest.

Featherweight was put with Zephyr in his old room while the fillies were to sleep in Harpsong's. Because the mother had something else to do before going to bed, the trio decided to discuss something. "Learning all we have today is great an' all, but how're we going to do things once we're home? Diamond Tiara won't simply let us go to regular articles and interviews."

Sweetie Belle frowned. "If she refuses to let us do anything besides that, then let's just walk away like Mr. Sneak said to. I want to get my Cutie Mark as badly as you two, but this is one avenue I refuse to explore anymore."

"I agree. Plus, after talking with mom about it, Ms. Cheerilee should be able to help us if we explain what's going on with the school paper. With how much she loves it, I doubt she wants its reputation destroyed by becoming a tabloid."

"Plus it sounds like Ms. Cheerilee isn't one to let slander slide." Harpsong entered the room and sat down with the fillies. "You girls have a good teacher at Ponyville and I want you to trust her with things like this."

There's one thing Applebloom was still worried about. "The thing is, we don't know how much influence Diamond Tiara has over the school. If we try to back out or expose it, she might try to ruin us in retaliation."

"Oh don't worry. If it comes down to that, I'll see to it personally that such corrupt influence is expunged."

"I swear this is the first time I've seen you this scary, mom! You're always so calm!" Scootaloo was surprised at the sudden mood whiplash.

Harpsong giggled at that. "It's just a mother thing, Scootaloo! Now, you three must get to bed. It'll be a long day tomorrow and you need all the rest you can get."

By the following afternoon, the 5 ponies got home from their field trip to Manehatten. While Zephyr got swarmed by the townsponies for the interviews he did, it was predicted and the perfect chance for the foals to sneak away to see to their own business.

True to their promise, they went right to Cheerilee about what the paper was turning into. The teacher was appalled by the whole thing, but understood right then why Zephyr took them on the field trip. When Diamond Tiara was confronted about it, she refused to take responsibility for it and threatened to call her father over it. The intimidation tactic failed when Cheerilee decided to have none of it and demoted the bully.

As for the position of editor-in-chief, Featherweight managed to get it having gained insight on how to do the job properly from his father and the trip. Outside of a short blurb saying "Gabby Gums will not be doing any further exposé work", the paper retained its popularity thanks to Featherweight and the Cutie Mark Crusader's hard work. No Cutie Marks for the fillies, but they were just glad the situation didn't turn out horrible for them.

As for Zephyr, after clearing out all the ponies asking him questions regarding his interviews, he ended up getting greeted by Rainbow Dash. "Look at Mr.Popular over here, eh?"

"Hope you're not getting jealous, Dashie." Zephyr couldn't help but use Pinkie's nickname for Rainbow as he shot her a wry smile.

Rainbow scoffed. "Me? Get jealous? Never!" There was a moment of silence before she crossed her forehooves and looked away pouting. "But with how many mares were all over you in that crowd..."

"You know I only got eyes for you, right?" That definitely got a raging blush out of Rainbow, who could only huff indignantly in response. Zephyr laughed at his girlfriend's reaction as the two went to Sugar Cube Corner. I never needed that picture because I'm with her like this all the time.

The two heard a camera shutter and saw a mare 'secretly' taking a photo of the two with a smarmy grin. "Hah, to think the singer of Three Night's Grace has a secret lover!"

Rainbow wanted to attack her, but Zephyr put a wing over her with his own smirk. ""Secret'? You might want to try again with your headline, otherwise your publisher's going to yell at you for a useless scoop."

"W-what?! You very clearly waited--" She noticed the attention it was attracting and became disgruntled. "Arrgh, I'll get you next time!"

"Do try to avoid sounding like a b-list villain next time you make your exit!"

Rainbow shook her head, accepting their relationship was now public. "You're a dork, you know that?"

"Correction, I'm YOUR dork!"

That got another pout from Rainbow as the onlookers either silently squeed at the sight or rolled their eyes. "I'll get back at you one of these days!" Zephyr simply laughs, looking forward to it.

Author's Note

One thing that kind of bothered me about the original episode was Featherweight getting off scott-free for all the pictures he was taking. In fact, I almost did the same thing during my initial draft, but realized that I could not only have him get some of the flack like the CMC, but also tie it into his eventual promotion.