//------------------------------// // Step By Step // Story: Tales Of Friendship // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// As Celestia's sun rose over Ponyville, the School of Friendship was illuminated in its glow, standing strong and proud. Barely a week ago, its fate was very much in the air, due to the machinations of the formerly-antagonistic Chancellor Neighsay and the twisted former student Cozy Glow. But after Cozy Glow was defeated, and Neighsay had seen the error of his ways, the School of Friendship was safe once more. Of course, that meant that classes had resumed, the same as usual. The students were currently gathered in Twilight's classroom, listening to their headmare and the rest of their teachers. "I know we've had a trying few days." Twilight admitted to the students. "But I'm proud of you all for enduring through the strife. When friends stand together, they can survive anything. And you proved what good friends you truly are." She smiled widely. "Which is why, in recognition of both your friendship and Equestria once more being saved-" "We'll be having a 'hooray for Equestria being safe once again' party!" Pinkie suddenly popped up in front of Twilight. "This Friday, after classes! There'll be food, fun, and dancing to music provided by Ponyville's very own DJ PON-3, so be sure to put on your dancing shoes!" "Thank you, Pinkie." Twilight rolled her eyes. She returned her attention to the students. "As Professor Pie so kindly pointed out, we'll be throwing a party this Friday. I think we all deserve a little downtime after the last few days." The students cheered in agreement. "I know you're excited." Twilight chuckled. "But for now, let's try to concentrate on our school work. If nothing else, it'll help pass the time until the party." The students continued their studies (some less enthusiastically than others). After class, the students dispersed into the hallways. Among them as always were Gallus, Ocellus, Sandbar, Silverstream, Smolder and Yona, who were still reaping the benefits of saving Equestria. Over the past few days, they had received from their fellow students either congratulations for the act, or apologies for allowing Cozy Glow to deceive them into thinking those six were the ones behind the magic drain. "You guys rock!" One Pegasus student cheered, clearly fulfilling the former requirement. "Look at us." Smolder smirked. "Big heroes on campus. I could get used to this." "Come on, Smolder." Sandbar rolled his eyes. "Headmare Twilight and the Professors didn't save Equestria all those times just for the glory." "Neither did we, for that matter." Ocellus added. "Ya gotta admit though, it's a nice little bonus." Gallus grinned. "Why Yona and friends not bask in glory?" Yona asked. "We saved Equestria, didn't we?" "We sure did!" Silverstream nodded. "And we got to glow with all those cool magical colors, too!" "Exactly!" Yona cheered. "Yona and friends best!" "I'm just glad things are back to normal." Ocellus declared. "Better than normal, now that we don't have to worry about Neighsay causin' trouble for the school anymore." Smolder noted. "Another nice little bonus." Gallus grinned. "Now there's no threat of the school being closed, or being made to follow some EEA garbage." After lunch and afternoon classes, the six students took some time to relax in the school lounge. As you might expect, it didn't take long for the conversation to focus on the upcoming party. "This is gonna be so much fun!" Silverstream squeed. "We're all gonna dress up, and eat party food, and dance all night!" She flapped her wings excitedly. "I love dancing, don't you guys?" "Sure do." Sandbar nodded. "I'm no Maple Flaply, but I've got some moves." "Eh, I can take it or leave it." Smolder shrugged. "We started having dancing in the hive after Thorax took charge." Ocellus added. "I was a little too shy to join in back then, but I'm pretty sure I remember how the moves go..." "Yaks dance all the time in music hut back home." Yona declared. "Yona will show friends how it's done!" "Dancing was one of the things I missed most during all those years underwater." Silverstream admitted. "Now I get to share it with my best friends!" As she said this, Silverstream noticed Gallus looking disinterested. "Gallus!" She got into his face, making him jump. Are you ready to dance?" "I'll pass, thanks." Gallus said flatly, taking a step back. "Oh, don't be such a party pooper." Silverstream frowned. "I don't know how to dance anyway." Gallus shrugged. "Griffonstone isn't exactly packed with dance studios, you know." "That's not a problem." Silverstream smiled. "I could teach you a few moves." "Again, pass." Gallus scowled. "Aw, come on." Silverstream pouted. "It's so easy to learn." "I don't want to learn." Gallus retorted. "And I especially don't want to look like an idiot in front of the whole school." "That's not gonna happen." Sandbar assured him. "Don't you want to dance with the rest of us?" Silverstream asked. "No." Gallus said firmly. "Because dancing is stupid!" Silverstream gasped dramatically. "It is not!" She growled. "You take that back!" "Guys.." Ocellus said weakly. "Seriously, you just flail around, looking like an idiot!" Gallus mocked the idea. "So you think I'm an idiot?" Silverstream snarled. "I didn't say that!" Gallus retorted. "You said dancing is stupid." Silverstream reminded him. "And I love dancing, so you must be calling me stupid!" "Don't answer that." Smolder urged Gallus. "Well you're sure acting like it right now!" Gallus snarled. "He answered..." Sandbar groaned. "I knew it!" Silverstream spat. "I'm not the one getting all bent out of shape over this!" Gallus shot back. "No, you're the one who decided to insult something I love doing!" Silverstream growled. "Friends stop fighting!" Yona pleaded. "Please!" "Seriously, you both need to calm down." Sandbar instructed. "He started it!" Silverstream pointed at Gallus. "Please." Gallus scoffed. "You're the one who kept badgering me. You should've just left it well enough alone. But no, you had to keep going!" "I just wanted to share something I love with my friends." Silverstream glared. "But if you can't even give it a chance, maybe I shouldn't bother!" "Maybe you should!" Gallus said petulantly. "Fine!" Silverstream echoed resentfully. The two turned around and walked away from each other. "Come on, guys!" Sandbar called after them. "Don't be like that!" Neither one showed any signs of listening, exiting the lounge through different doors. "...Well, that just happened." Smolder deadpanned. "Yona no like seeing friends fight." Yona frowned. "Shouldn't we do something?" Ocellus asked. "Yeah, we should." Sandbar nodded. "We need to talk to them, and convince them to make up." "Something tells me that's easier said than done." Smolder noted. "We still try, though." Yona said firmly. "Help friends be friends again!" "Exactly." Sandbar nodded. "Smolder, you and I are going to talk to Gallus. Ocellus, Yona, you can talk to Silverstream." "You can count on us." Ocellus nodded. "Yeah!" Yona nodded. The four of them split up, and sought out their wayward friends. Sandbar and Smolder found Gallus in the student quarters, but were unable to talk some sense into him. "It's not my fault she can't take any criticism over their precious dancing." He said stubbornly, his front legs crossed in defiance. "I only gave her my honest opinion, just like Professor Applejack always says we should." "I think you learned that a little too well." Smolder joked. "If you'd just apologize-" Sandbar started. "For what?" Gallus retorted. "Not letting her badger me about it? Maybe she should apologize to me!" "Okay... logic's not exactly my strong suit, but I'm definitely seeing some holes in yours." Smolder declared. "Funny, it makes perfect sense to me." Gallus scowled. At the same time, Ocellus and Yona had found Silverstream in her Seapony form, swimming in the lake outside. She was proving just as stubborn as Gallus. "Sorry girls, but I am not interesting in talking to that inconsiderate, grouchy Griffon." She shook her head. "You can't not talk to him for the rest of your life!" Ocellus pointed out. "Ocellus right." Yona agreed. "Silverstream and Gallus friends. Should go back to acting like it!" "Maybe if he actually apologized for all that mean stuff he said." She pouted. "Silverstream..." Ocellus frowned. "I didn't do anything wrong here!" Silverstream insisted. "That was Gallus. He's the one who should be saying he's sorry. Until he does, I'm not budging on this. At all. Like a barnacle attached to a boat, I'm sticking to it." Ocellus and Yona shared worried looks as Silverstream dived under the water, clearly tired of talking. A short time later, Sandbar, Smolder, Ocellus and Yona regrouped in the lounge. "How did it go on your end?" Ocellus asked. "It didn't." Smolder said flatly. "Gallus isn't budging." Sandbar shook his head. "He's insisting that Silverstream should apologize to him." "Silverstream says same thing." Yona declared. "They're both being so stubborn." Ocellus shook her head, "How can we get them to make up if they refuse to even speak to each other?" "...I think it's time we called in the big guns." Sandbar announced. "In the form of a little third party assistance." "But how we get friends to third party?" Yona asked. "I think I might know a way..." Smolder smirked deviously. The next afternoon (after a day spent with Gallus and Silverstream sitting as far away from each other during classes as possible), the would-be conflict-resolvers made their move. "Silverstream!" Ocellus called, as she and Yona caught up to her outside Kindness class. "Hey, guys." Silverstream said flatly, not her usual cheerful self due to her feud with Gallus. "What's up?" "We know things have been kinda rough the last couple of days." Ocellus noted. "So..." "We make special surprise to cheer Silverstream up!" Yona announced. "You did?" Silverstream smiled. "We sure did." Ocellus nodded. "And it's such a special surprise, that we have to blindfold you before we take you there." She produced a strip of red cloth. "Ooh, fun!" Silverstream grinned. Yona tied the cloth around Silverstream's eyes. "Silverstream come this way." Yona urged. "Follow Yona's voice." "Okay..." Silverstream nodded, blindly following down the halls. Meanwhile, Sandbar, Smolder and Gallus had just departed from Rainbow Dash's Loyalty class. Sandbar had deliberately pulled back for a little while, to make the step believable. "Hey, Gallus." He caught up to the Griffon. "Guidance Counselor Starlight just told me she wants to see you." "Oh, great." Gallus grumbled. "Who blabbed about the argument with Silverstream?" "Don't look at me." Smolder said innocently. "I don't know why she wants to see you." Sandbar declared. "In fact, she wants me and Smolder there, too. Maybe it's some kind of group therapy. We should hurry over." "Sure, whatever." Gallus grumbled. Gallus's group was the first to reach Starlight's office. As they entered, they found Starlight sitting at her desk. "Ah, there you all are." Starlight smiled. "We sure are." Gallus nodded. "Now, why exactly are we here?" "Oh, I think you'll find out soon enough." Starlight declared cryptically. Seconds later, the door opened, and Ocellus and Yona led Silverstream inside. "Okay, you can take your blindfold off now." Ocellus told Silverstream. "Ooh, I can't wait to see my surprise..." Silverstream took off the blindfold, and found herself face-to-face with the scowling Gallus. "What is he/she doing here?!" They said in unison. "Sorry we had to trick you guys." Sandbar apologized. "You set us up?!" Gallus growled. "Not cool." Silverstream pouted. "We thought we didn't have much choice." Ocellus said sheepishly. "It only way to get you to speak to each other." Yona declared. "It's for your own good." Smolder said firmly. "Your friends had your best interests in mind." Starlight pointed out. "Now that you're both here, we can talk all of this out." "I don't see what there is to talk about." Gallus said stubbornly. "Unless it's an apology, I don't wanna hear it." Silverstream shook her head. "I'm outta here." Gallus made for the door, only for the other to block him. "Sorry, Gallus." Sandbar said firmly. "Nocreature's leaving until this is settled." "So why don't you both take a seat on the couch?" Starlight offered. Gallus and Silverstream reluctantly sat on the couch, averting their eyes from each other. "Your friends have already told me about why you're fighting." Starlight admitted. "You mean how Gallus was being a total jerk?" Silverstream growled. "Or how Silverstream just can't mind her own business?" Gallus spat. "Something like that." Starlight frowned. "I know from experience that telling a friend you don't like something they don't like can have nasty consequences. And I also know getting angry about their reaction only makes things worse." "She's the one who got angry, so she started it." Gallus pointed at Silverstream. "Excuse me?!" Silverstream scowled. "You're the one who called dancing 'stupid'!" "It doesn't matter who started it." Starlight interrupted. "What matters is being friends. Friendship is more important than some silly argument. You need to put your anger aside, and make amends with each other." "Not until she apologizes." Gallus said stubbornly. "You first!" Silverstream growled. "It doesn't matter who apologizes first, either." Starlight sighed. "You two are friends. You're been through more than a few experiences together, haven't you? Liked being paired up on the Spell-venger hunt... wasn't that fun? Before Discord stepped in, I mean..." "Maybe.." Gallus muttered. "I guess..." Silverstream mumbled. "And remember Hearth's Warming Eve?" Ocellus stepped in. "Silverstream, you were the first of us to offer to stay with Gallus over winter break!" "...I remember..." Silverstream recalled. "Yeah..." Gallus remembered that moment, and how touched he was at Silverstream sacrificing being at the Three Days of Freedom Festival for him. "That was... that was really nice of you..." "And when the Tree of Harmony tested us, You helped Silverstream to pass her test." Sandbar reminded Gallus. "He sure did..." Silverstream thought back, recalling how Gallus's encouragement had given her the strength she needed to pass her test. "I'd probably still be stuck down if it weren't for him..." "I just... gave you a push in the right direction." Gallus said humbly. "And when we face Cozy Glow, we all get empowered by Tree of Harmony!" Yona added. "That's right." Smolder nodded. "Because the Tree knew how powerful our friendship is. That wouldn't have happened if we weren't all together, supporting each other." "That was pretty neat." Silverstream smiled. "We did save Equestria together..." Gallus beamed. "There's no denying how magical your friendship with each other is." Starlight smiled. "Gallus, Silverstream... do you really want to lose that over a petty argument?" "...No..." Gallus sighed. "Not really..." Silverstream admitted. "The good news is, it's never too late to fix things." Starlight declared. "The next step is all up to you two..." Gallus and Silverstream looked at each other awkwardly. What seemed like an eternity passed before one of them spoke. "Look, I know I've been kind of a jerk about this." Gallus admitted. "And I'm sorry. Dancing's not stupid." "I know it's not." Silverstream pouted. "...But I guess I was a little too sensitive about it myself. I just really liked the idea of sharing I love with all my friends, including you. I wasn't ready for you to say you didn't like it. At all..." "Well, like the Professors always say, friendship is about compromise." Gallus sighed. "If you like dancing, I guess I can respect that." "Really?" A small smile appeared on Silverstream's face. "Yeah." Gallus smiled. "And maybe it wouldn't be so terrible if I did give it a shot. If you think dancing can be fun, there might be something to it after all." "Thanks, Gallus." Silverstream said softly. "That really means a lot to me." "No problem." Gallus nodded. He held out a talon. "Friends?" "Friends!" Silverstream gave him a hug. "Great." Gallus smiled awkwardly, very aware that Starlight and their friends were watching, similar adoring smiles on their faces. "Now that's what I like to see." Starlight said proudly. "Yona so happy friends are friends are again!" Yona beamed. "We all are." Ocellus pointed out. "Seriously, it was kinda weird not seeing you guys getting along." Smolder admitted. "Thanks for the help, Counselor Starlight." Sandbar declared. "It's what I'm here for." Starlight said humbly. With their differences reconciled, Gallus and Silverstream were friends once again, hanging out together, and having no problem sitting near to each other during their classes (much to their friends' relief). On Friday evening, after classes had ended for the day, the students and teachers alike had gathered for the party in the main hall, which had been appropriately decorated by Pinkie for the occasion. The students had also dressed up for the occasion, looking their best. Wherever you looked, a fun time was being had. Yona had eschewed her usual shawl in favour of a finer, more elaborate shawl with a snowflake pattern. She was also wearing a matching cap, and gold-colored hair ribbons. "That's quite a look, Yona." Sandbar noted. He himself was wearing a pale blue shirt and black jacket. "That shawl looks beautiful." Ocellus declared. She was wearing a more simple white dress with silver trim. "This Yak formal wear." Yona declared. "Yaks wear clothes like only on most special occasions. And Yona say party to celebrate Yona and friends saving Equestria is very special occasion." "Got that right." Sandbar got himself some punch. For those students who didn't have any suitable outfits (or the means to get them), Rarity, true to her nature, had made clothes especially for them. Smolder was one such student. She was currently wearing a vermillion ankle-length party dress with gold accents. As she helped herself to some snacks, she was joined by Spike, who was wearing the usual tuxedo and top hat he wore for formal occasions (albeit slightly altered to accommodate his wings). "Hey, Smolder." Spike greeted her. "Hey, Spike." Smolder nodded. "I see you got all dressed up for the big night. "I'm not the only one." Spike noted. "You look... nice." Inwardly, Smolder was pleased at the compliment. Outwardly, she needed to keep up her "tough girl" reputation, so she pretended otherwise. "I look ridiculous." She put on a false frown. "And I got half a mind to tell Professor Applejack about your flagrant use of dishonesty." "Real funny." Spike rolled his eyes. "Lemme guess, fashion's not a big deal in the dragon lands?" "You might say that." Smolder shrugged. "Still, Professor Rarity did make this just for me..." "Yeah, she's amazing." Spike smiled dreamily. "She has her moments, that's for sure." Smolder agreed. "She really does..." Spike grinned, catching a glance at Rarity, who was on the other side of the hall. "Practically every day..." "Okay..." Smolder said awkwardly. "Anyway, fashion may not be my thing, but I think I can stomach wearing a dress for one evening. There's worse outfits to be walking around in, right?" "Oh, yeah." Spike nodded. "Usually ones made by other designers. Trust me, I know." "I'll take your word for it." Smolder, keen to change the discussion to something other than clothes. "How have those wings been treatin' ya?" "Can't complain." Spike declared, flapping his newest appendages a little. "Those lessons you gave me really helped. But the stronger headwinds have been a problem..." "Keep at it." Smolder encouraged him. "Practice makes perfect." Meanwhile, Silverstream, wearing seafoam green dress, was standing close to where DJ PON-3 harvest up her turntable, bobbing her head in time to the music. She was approached by Gallus, who had chosen to go with a simple bowtie for the occasion. "Hey." He smiled. "Enjoying the music?" "Uh-huh!" Silverstream smiled. "It is a pretty catchy tune." Gallus admitted, tapping a talon to the beat. He hesitated for a moment. "...Look, I know we made up, but I still feel a little bad about what I said before, and I wanna make it up to you. So, I guess what I'm saying is, if ya wanna-" "Dance? I'd love to!" Silverstream grabbed Gallus's outstretched talon. "Come on!" "Whoa!" Gallus yelped, already regretting his decision as Silverstream dragged him onto the dancefloor. Not too far away, Yona was also getting into the musical spirit, gently swaying from side to side. "Yona love dancing!" She cheered. "So that's how Yaks dance?" Sandbar asked, slightly bemused at the final product after all of Yona's boasting. "Best dance style in world!" Yona grinned, still swaying. "Well, I hope you don't mind if I try my own style." Sandbar smiled, shimmying in time with music. "Pony dancing not bad." Yona admitted. "Ocellus, you show Yona how Changelings dance?" "Well, like I said, I never really danced much myself..." Ocellus said nervously. "So I might not be that good..." "Relax." Sandbar assured her. "It's not about how good you are. It's about having fun." "Okay, here goes..." Ocellus took a deep breath, then started replicating from memory the swing dancing moves she had watched her fellow Changelings partaking in. Her movements were hesitant and overly measured, but more than acceptable. "Hey, that's pretty good!" Sandbar grinned. "You really think so?" Ocellus smiled. "It not Yak dancing, but not bad either." Yona admitted. "Ocellus good dancer too." "Thanks, guys." Ocellus blushed. Meanwhile, Spike had entered into his own signature dance, stepping in place as he thrust his elbows back. "So that's what you call dancing, huh?" Smolder said bemusedly. "Don't be jealous." Spike smirked. "It takes time to get this good." "Sure it does..." Smolder snarked. "I could give you a few pointers, if you like." Spike offered. "That's a nice offer." Smolder admitted. "But you don't have to go to that much trouble." "Sure I do." Spike insisted. "Between the flying lessons and helping to get rid of Sludge, I owe you a couple of favours. No time like the present to clear one of those debts. Whattaya say?" "...Sure, why not?" Smolder gave in. "I may have trouble keeping up with the 'master', though..." She added sarcastically. "Like you said: practice makes perfect." Spike reminded her. "Just stay loose, and follow my lead." "Whatever you say, teach." Smolder chuckled. At the same time, Gallus and Silverstream were also dancing. Gallus's attempts were almost as awkward as Ocellus's, though without the benefit of knowing what came next. Silverstream, by comparison, moved far more fluidly. "I did tell I never danced before, right?" Gallus pointed out. "It's not that bad." Silverstream told him. "What you've gotta do is stop thinking. Just let yourself feel the rhythm, and move the way it tells you? Trust me." "Okay..." Gallus closed his eyes. Slowly, but surely, he got the feel of the beat, and starting moving in time to it. Opening his eyes, he saw a definite improvement in his moves. "Hey, I'm doing it!" "You sure are!" Silverstream cheered, dancing alongside him. "You're a natural!" "Looking good, Gallus!" Sandbar called from across the room, Ocellus and Yona waving. "Woo-hoo!" Smolder cheered, in the middle of her own amateur yet promising moves. "This is kinda fun." Gallus admitted. "Thanks for the offer, Silverstream. I never would have realized how much fun dancing is without you" "What are friends for?" Silverstream grinned. Both, Gallus and Silverstream continued dancing, with their fellow friends joining them soon after. Silverstream had fulfilled her hopes of sharing something she loved with her friends, while Gallus had found one more way for him to bond with those he was closest to. For them, it was definitely going to be a night to remember, for more reasons than one.