I woke up the next day and I could think of nothing but having a day of trotting and it being the weekend, the fillies should be out enjoying the day too. Leaving my home after a drink and a snack of muffins, I began trotting around the town.

I was trotting along by the filly school when I saw the cellar doors by the side of the school opened fast and the CMC's jumped out and landed on the grass, all dazed with stars around their heads. I walked on over to see what was that all about, I then saw hats and notes fly out towards them too.

"Now what, do you know what I had to do to get that story?" Scootaloo moaned.

"Oh you don't even know what ah had to sit through." Applebloom replied.

"Hi there you three, what was that all about?" I asked them.

"Oh hey Bond, not much." Sweetie answered.

"I think those hats and notes means way more than not much, now tell me the real reason." I smiled.

"Alright, Miss Cheerlie set up a all week long task called the Foal Free Press and Diamond Tiara is the editor." Scootaloo explained.

"And that would be the same Tiara who bullies you three?"

"Yeah..." Applebloom sighed.

"Now why would Cheerlie do that? Does she not know about the bullying issue?"

"Actually, we've never talked to her about it." Sweetie said. "She's always too busy."

"Well, do you want me to go and speak to her for you?"

"No thanks, we'll take care of it." Scootaloo replied.

"Oh, do you want to be interviewed?" Applebloom asked.

"Nah...I'm against anything that goes in the press which emotionally hurts the ponies that are in the stories." I replied with a hoof on my chest.

"Okay, we'll see you later." Sweetie said.

"Alright, but if Tiara starts giving you grief, just come to me....speaking of which, where's her friend?"

"Silver Spoon? She's not interested in taking part." Scootaloo replied.

"Well if you ask me, good for her...because I've got an idea for the future...but that can wait, see you later."

I then trotted off before stopping and catching a breather and a snack by the cafe. I then saw Derpy flying by with her daughter, Dinky and landing by me.

"Hey there Bond." Derpy greeted with a hug.

"Hey there Derpy and hi Dinky, how have you both been?" I asked.

"We're doing great and we've got a muffin for you."

"Oooh, thank you." I then ate the muffin...which had custard inside this time. "Now that's really sweet."

"Yeah, Dinky came up with the custard idea."

"Really, well she's a little genius."

"Thanks Mr. Racer!" Dinky exclaimed.

"Well, I should be going, you two take care."

"Okay, we'll see you again, bye Bond." Derpy waved as she flew off with her daughter on her back.

I then made my way back to my home for a rest on the sofa. Sometime later though, I heard a small thud outside my door, I opened it and on the ground was a newspaper called the Foal Free Press, I read the first few pages and seeing one article, it confirmed my displeasure about newspapers, I decided to go and look for the girls to hopefully warn them that any of them could end up getting caught in the press too.

I wondered where they could be, though...I could try the spa if none of them are at their homes, I entered in and just my luck, I heard the girls chatting with getting treatments from the spa twins.

"Oh this is the life, isn't it girls?" Rarity asked. "The best hooficure I ever had."

"You said it, oooh." Applejack replied who was getting hoof chops on her back.

"I don't think I've ever been so relaxed." Spike said slowly.

"Guys!" Dash exclaimed as she walked in. "The new Gabby Gums column has come out...the great and powerful Trixie's secrets revealed."

"Wait...what?!" I yelled as I galloped on over to see the article. "How did they get that story?"

"We already read that one, Rainbow Dash." Rarity said. "Come on, relax, have a hooficure, it feels so amazing."

"How can I relax when an article about my marefriend is in there?"

"Did you forget who you're talking to?" Dash asked Rarity. "The day I get a hooficure is the day I turn in my daredevil's license. Besides, I haven't read this Gabby Gums yet."

"Umm...am I getting through to any of you?"

"Well do it quietly, will you?" Spike asked as he somehow grabbed a pair of sliced cucumbers and placed them on his eyelids. "Some of us are trying to unwind."

"EVERYPONY!" I shouted...now I got their attention.

"What is it?" They all asked me.

"I've been trying to tell you that what's being written in the papers is wrong, don't any of you even think that this Gabby Gums is being a little mean?" I asked firmly.

"She's not mean, Bond, she's a hoot." Applejack replied.

"Celestia, just like us?" Twilight said as she read a title of another article, "Gabby Gums doesn't value anypony's privacy."

"Oh lighten up Twilight, it's nothing but harmless gossip." Rarity said.

"Girls, that's not the point-"

I then got cut off...I hate it when that happens.

"Yeah Twilight, I mean listen to this one." Pinkie interrupted, showing another article the paper. "Mayor, not naturally grey, the mayor in a mane dye scandal. Who wouldn't wanna read that?"

"The mayor itself would not read that...I mean how do you think she feels, seeing herself in that paper."

"Bond's right, I just can't help feel sorry for the ponies that are featured in her columns. It's gotta be a little embarrassing."

"Are you kidding, do you know how awesome it is until you get your name in the picture?" Dash asked happily.

That...was the last straw.

"That's it girls, I cannot stand by and listen to this anymore...enjoy your laughing at other ponies's misfortunes, but when you come across an article about any of you, you'll change your tune...good day!"

I then trotted off in anger and slamming the door behind me and leaving the spa....I stopped and sighed in anger, only to then notice a filly with a camera go inside. Thinking that an article might come into play, I used my magic to grab the filly and bring him over to me.

"Oh no you don't, who are you and what were you about to do?" I asked him, holding him in the air.

"The name's Featherweight and I was going to take a photo to bring out a juicy gossip for Gabby Gums." he replied.

"I've been hearing that name a lot today, I have a feeling you know who it is, right?"

"Yes, I'll tell you...they are three of them and they go by the name of Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo."

"Those three fillies? Those silly girls...I knew I should've helped them out from the beginning." I said with a hint of sadness, "But that doesn't mean I'm going to let you take a photo and hurt another pony's feelings."

"But what else am I supposed to do?"

"Just find a picture of something else...something that isn't to do with hurting a pony's feelings."

"Alright mister..."

"Bond Racer and good, now run along." I then let him go to which he began galloping to another part of town.

It was the beginning of sunset and I had just spotted Silver Spoon walking down the street...without Diamond Tiara. This was my one chance to try and see if I can find out more about those bullies and maybe try to get her to change her behaviour.

"Hello there, Silver Spoon." I said with a smile.

"Oh uh...hi mister Racer, what do you want?" she asked politely.

"You ask me politely? I guess there is more to you than being a follower for Tiara, am I right?"

She walked a little forward to me.

"Well, let's just say that she and I have been friends for a long time...I can't say anymore, I've gotta go." she then galloped off with a sad expression.

This got me curious...when did they became friends and why does she have to follow Tiara around? I guess I could find out in time...but right now, I wanted to go home and just have a bit of time to myself. I laid on the sofa and began to feel quite down and disappointed at the girls who didn't seem to care about the feelings of those ponies.

Just then, at the beginning of the night, I heard a knock on the door.

"Bond Racer, are you in there? We need help." I heard a young voice call.

It sounded like Sweetie Belle's voice, I got off the sofa and opened the door to see the three fillies and they looked quite worried.

"Oh hey there fillies, come in and tell me what's wrong." I replied.

They nodded and walked into my home, I sat on one side of the sofa and the fillies all sat on the other side.

"We need your help, it's about Diamond Tiara." Scootaloo said with a sad tone.

"Just tell me...and I'll help you."

"Alright, when we went back to the editing room, Tiara got mad at us for not getting any new articles or juicy gossip for the paper." Applebloom explained.

"Then Tiara began to threaten us with blackmail, saying if we don't find an article by tomorrow." Scootaloo added.

"She'll print embarrassing photos of us on tomorrow's paper release to make up for the lack of gossip." Sweetie finished.

"Why that little...how dare she use blackmail to get her way with you...well I can help you...if you tell me how you managed to get the gossip about my marefriend Trixie." I said with a little bit of firmness.

"Wait a minute, she's your girlfriend?" Applebloom asked surprisingly.

"She is and I much prefer to call her my marefriend, now tell me, how did you find out about it?"

"We're sorry Bond Racer, we didn't know about it, Tiara was the one who asked Featherweight to take all the photos he could find around and beyond Ponyville." Sweetie said...but it looked like she was about to get emotional.

"And then get us to make stories about them...please don't be mad at us." Applebloom added.

I sighed with a little bit of guilt..."I'm sorry fillies, it's just that Trixie has been through so much in her past like I have...and besides, you shouldn't make up lies and print it out in the papers as true."

"We know that, we just wish we didn't have to go through blackmail." Scootaloo said.

"Alright...I forgive you fillies, I'll let you stay here for the night and I'll go to the school with you to help you out tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, thank you Bond." they all said in unison.

I gave them a quick group hug before I prepared some beds for them thanks to my spare supply of duvets and pillows from under the stairs, they then got into them and began to sleep away.

"Goodnight Bond."

"Goodnight fillies, don't you worry, just sleep well."

They looked back and began to sleep as I walked up to my bed and started falling asleep...I'm really glad they came to me for help when they needed it, I hope I can solve this in time before another pony gets hurt emotionally.

The next morning came by and I woke up before the fillies and I walked past the living room to find them just about to get up. "Morning you three, did you sleep well?" I asked them.

"We sure did, so how are ya gonna solve this?" Applebloom asked.

"Just take me to where the printing happens and I'll make sure Tiara doesn't print those photos."

"Okay, we'll lead the way...and then get a quick breakfast." Scootaloo said.

So I followed them to the school and when we got there, they took me the cellar doors to find they're already opened, I'm guessing they're just about to start printing.

"Wait here fillies, I'll be bright back." I said to them as I walked down the stairs into the printing room.

"Stop the presses!" I yelled in my random way.

"Uh, they haven't started yet." a filly replied who covered in patches of ink

In front of me a chair turned around and there was Tiara herself.

"Oh it's you...what do you want?" she asked rudely.

It was time for me to play it smart and try to outwit her.

"I hear you have some juicy photos of your employees?" I asked.

"Who wants to know?"

"Why me of course, I am an alicorn remember, you don't wanna disrespect ponies of the highest order, do you?"

"Maybe not, wanna have a look at the photos?"

"With pleasure..."

Now was my chance to use my magic and grab the folder and have it with me.

"...thank you, pleasure doing business."

"Hey...come back here-"

I cut her off by closing the door behind me as I went on back to the outdoors. "I've got the photos, but I'm also gonna do a favor for you, wait right here while I go to speak to Miss Cheerlie."

They nodded as I walked into the school building and over to one of the classrooms to find Cheerlie writing a few things down.

"Morning Cheerlie." I greeted her as I knocked on the door.

"Oh morning, Bond, is there something on your mind?" she asked.

"Yeah, there is and it's about the Foal Free Press."

"Okay, what's the problem?"

"From what I know, the three fillies have said that they've been bullied to write hurtful gossip and stories because if they don't, the editor Diamond Tiara will print these embarrassing photos in this folder."

I then brought the folder onto her desk and Cheerlie opened it to see the photos...suddenly her expression changed from smile to displeased, she then got up from her chair and gave me the folder with the photos back.

"Bond, could you come with me please?" she asked.

"Sure."

We then walked out of the school and Cheerlie saw the three fillies looking down.

"Oh hi you three fillies, I'm sorry that I put Diamond Tiara as editor in the first place. In a moment, I'm going to put things right. Please follow me, girls."

The fillies could only nod as well made our way into the cellar and into the printing room.

"Class, can I have your attention please?" Cheerlie stated as she walked to the editor's chair and signalled Tiara to get off. Tiara showed an expression and looked at the ground...yep, she was in big trouble right now. Soon, the other fillies came to the centre of the room and we all paid attention to what Cheerlie had to say.

"Alright children, I have received a complaint about our editor and I had to agree. Bullying and blackmailing will not be tolerated at this school."

The three fillies looked at me with smiles for the first time, we looked back to see Cheerlie continue.

"So staff, I guess I gave a little too much authority to a first time editor." she then looked at Tiara with a slight hint of anger. "I'm sorry Tiara, but I have to punish you. First, you are hereby stripped of your editor title."

She then kicked the back of the wall and Tiara's portrait rolled up which made Tiara growl like a dog...I can think of a better word than that, but I kept that to myself.

"Secondly, to make sure you have learnt your lesson. You will receive one whole month of detention where you must write the line 'I will not use blackmail'."

Tiara could only walk to the side of the room and look down, as if she just got owned big time.

"And now class, here is your new Foal Free Press editor and chief, Featherweight." Cheerlie announced.

The fillies cheered and I let out a big smile...I'm sure Feather weight will be terrific as the new editor.

"Him, but what about me?" Tiara asked in her moaning voice.

"Here you go, I've been promoted to staff photographer." said the filly beside her as he took a picture which caused Tiara to lose her balance and fall backward into the printing ink machine when we got covered in ink in many areas.

All the fillies laughed and Cheerlie and I shared a quick giggle.

"Come on you three, let's get on out of here." I said to them. "And get you some breakfast."

The fillies smiled back as we left the cellar and out of the school and made our way to the cafe that had opened a few minutes ago. As we had our breakfast and other ponies began to start their days, the CMC's couldn't stop smiling.

"Wow, thank you so much Bond, you were amazing!" Scootaloo praised.

"You're welcome, what are friends for...I'm sure the others will be happy to hear about it all."

"Ah believe they will." Applebloom agreed.

"By the way, what do you want to do with these photos in the folder?"

"Oh leave them with us, we'll take care of it" Scootaloo replied as I gave the folder over to them.

"Alright, I'm going to go now and have a quick rest, have a good day you three."

"We will Bond, see you soon." Sweetie Belle replied.

I then left the cafe with a satisfied breakfast meal and walked on home, along the way, I saw Twilight coming out of her home.

"Morning Twilight."

"Morning Bond, what brings you out on the morning before me?" Twilight asked.

"I think the Cutie Mark Crusaders have a story to tell that can answer your question and they may have learnt something too, you can find them at the cafe."

"That's terrific. Oh by the way, later on, we're going to be helping Pinkie and the cakes escort a cake to Canterlot, wanna come along for the ride?"

"I might just do that, I'll see you then."

"Great, see you Bond."

I then walked back to my home and decided to do a bit of quick reading before recapping on yesterday and today. I was still against reading the papers and whilst it did do some damage, I feel proud to have not only prevent more gossips from being spread, but I helped the CMC's out with a bullying issue. It probably won't go away permanently, but they know that I'll always have their back.

This left me wondering with two questions...is there more to Silver Spoon than what she could be letting on and what does this cake look like and why does it need a pony like me to help? oh well, I guess I'll find out later. In the meantime, my random mind told me what I had learnt...ponies have secrets and they don't like their secrets being aired. Next Chapter: Desserts, Desserts Everywhere Estimated time remaining: 17 Hours, 17 Minutes