From atop the dais that had been erected for the occasion, and bedecked in her formal Headmare robes, Twilight Sparkle let her proud smile beam down upon the gathering of students, parents, relatives, and friends which were arrayed before her. Every seat was filled, and there was a fair number of attendees sitting or standing in the grass behind the formation of chairs. The weather was perfect for an outdoor event; a situation coordinated to perfection by the local weather team. Trays of refreshments and snacks were arrayed in neat rows along with several tables, all of which stood beneath a pavilion brilliantly decorated in the school’s colors.
Everything was perfect.
Twilight took a sip of water from a glass she had staged behind her podium and cast a quick eye over the final notecard in a moderately thick stack. Then she spoke in a firm but even tone and let the mild afternoon breeze carry her words.
“Friends and family, thank you all for coming to the School of Friendship’s inaugural graduation. From all of the faculty and staff, we couldn’t be more proud of our student’s accomplishments, and I know that you are too.” A collective cheer rose up from the students and attendees as many a handkerchief appeared to dab at moist eyes.
Twilight primly raised a hoof and tilted her head, a little trick of stage dramatics Rarity had whispered to her just before the ceremony began. “This concludes our ceremony, but please stick around for refreshments. And for those of you who haven’t spent much time here at our campus, there is staff available to show you around.” She raised her wings and let the primaries spread wide, as though embracing everyone in the audience. A little trick of the stage that Celestia had imparted.
“Now, for the last time.” She raised her voice into a jubilant decree. “Class...dismissed!” There was an explosion of felt-covered boards and tassels as the students whirled their caps into the sky. The student section quickly scattered in all directions to seek out family members and trade congratulations with fellow students.
As the front of the student section dissipated into a milling mass, a young stallion detached himself from the crowd and energetically waved to five other creatures that were converging upon him.
“We did it, you guys!” Sandbar embraced each of his friends, the corners of his smile reaching from one ear to the other.
Silverstream hopped into the air and flitted back and forth, her wings and voice buzzing. “Can you believe it? I can’t believe it. We’re graduates!”
Gallus pulled his graduation gown off over his head and tossed it over the back of a nearby chair. “Seriously. Hey Ocellus, nice job on the valedictorian speech. I don’t know how you managed it, but I stayed awake for the whole thing.”
The changeling adjusted the gold sash that was draped across her gown’s shoulder so the fringe would not drag along the floor. “It wasn’t nearly as intimidating as I imagined it might be.” She blushed. “I think the standing ovation was a bit much, but I’m glad everyone liked it.”
“Nice tassels, Yona.” Sandbar lifted one of the ends of a tightly woven braid of fibers that had been dyed in vivid hues of red, brown, green, and blue. The braids have been woven into the gown Yona was wearing with the bitter ends of the fibers lightly brushing against the ground.
“Yona wear traditional Yak tassels of victory,” the yak replied with pride. “Made in traditional style from special yak looms.”
Silverstream alighted next to Yona and proudly cradled a broach that was pinned to her gown. “Mine’s got a seashell from Princess Skystar’s own collection.”
Gallus stretched his wings and glanced at his plain gown laying askew. “I prefer the minimalist approach.”
“Hey!” Sandbar abruptly exclaimed. “I’ve got an idea. Who wants to go to the lake after the party? We have the whole afternoon off.” He wriggled out of his graduation gown and laid in next to Gallus’. “In fact, we have all of our afternoons off now.”
“That sounds like fun, but I can’t,” Smolder answered. “I’m leaving with Dragonlord Ember to head back to the Dragonlands today. She’s got plans for me to start showing some of the hatchlings what I’ve learned here.”
“And King Thorax,” Ocellus chimed in, “is very excited for me to start a lecture circuit back at the Hive. He wants every changeling to benefit from the experiences we’ve had together. So, I’ll be leaving later today too.”
Sandbar’s ears folded back against his head, and his smile waned. “Oh. I guess that makes sense.” He looked to another of his friends with hope. “What about you, Yona?”
“Yona also go back home. Yaks want to learn more about friendship and parents say it time for Yona to take place in yak village.” She shifted her weight from one side to the other, causing her traditional tassels to sway, as Sandbar’s hopeful gaze dropped to the grass. “Yona is old enough now for responsibilities.”
“That’s what my parents said too,” Silverstream added, her cheerful demeanor flagging in fading light of Sandbar’s spirits. “Mount Aeris has been rebuilt, but with our old home and Seaequestria both needing helping fins and hooves, every hippogriff is expected to do their part. I...I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“Wow.” Sandbar’s voice had lost all of its earlier jubilances. “All of you are leaving? Even you, Gallus?”
Gallus shrugged. “Not right away. I don’t really have anything big in Griffinstone to go back to, but I can’t really stay here now that school’s over.” He tapped a talon against his chin. “I’m actually thinking of trying to convince a few of the griffins to start rebuilding some of the rundown houses, for a start.”
Sandbar sat down and brushed a bit of mane from his eyes. “I...I never thought about what would happen after we graduated. For a little while, it felt like we were all going to be together forever.” What remained of his enthusiasm drained from his face, and his shoulders drooped. “I guess...everything has to end at some point.”
Smolder eyed him with arched brows. “Um, what are you talking about?” She looked at Yona. “Do you know what’s got his tail in a twist?”
“Yona not know. Why Sandbar talk like this goodbye forever.”
“Isn’t it?” Sandbar mourned. “School’s over, and I know Gallus is right. Even if most of you weren’t leaving, we couldn’t all stick around here at the school even if we wanted. We’re all moving on to different lives; to different futures.” He pawed at the floor, unable to look his friends in their eyes. “That sure sounds like an end to me.”
There was silence for a moment. It was a quiet eye in the storm of activity around them as other students and families mingled with school faculty, availing themselves to the offered refreshments and social opportunities.
Gallus, Ocellus, Silverstream, Smolder, and Yona exchanged glances. Then, Yona snickered. “Sandbar silly,” she declared, clapping her pony friend across his back. Sandbar barely managed to stay on his hooves. “Yona not stop being Sandbar’s friend just because school is over. Yona not forget any of her friends.”
“She’s right, you know,” Gallus offered, nudging Sandbar with an elbow.
The pony’s ears perked up, and he raised his eyes. “What?”
“If you think that we’re all going to fall apart,” the griffin continued, “then you ought to return that friendship diploma.”
Ocellus nodded ardently. “The School of Friendship is what brought us together. None of us would have met if it weren’t for this place, but we didn’t become friends because of the school.”
“We haven’t stayed friends because of the school,” Silverstream added.
“And we’re not going to stop being friends just because classes are over.” Smolder put her claws on her hips. “Seriously, Sandbar. You’re a pony. I thought all of you were already, like, supposed to be experts in this friendship thing.”
“Heh.” Sandbar pulled himself up and looked around. He breathed in the sights, smells, and sounds of his friends. “Looks like I still have a lot to learn from every creature. Gallus, Smolder. Get ready to roll your eyes.”
Gallus edged away. “Wait. You’re not going to—” Sandbar threw his forehooves around the griffin and embraced him tightly. Laughing, he went around the circle, hugging each of his friends. Smolder attempted to stay out of reach, but the combined weight of Silverstream and Gallus forced her down to within hugging distance.
When they were all were settled again, Sandbar’s initial enthusiasm had returned. “We’re really going to make it, right? We’re still going to be friends and write letters and get together every chance we get?”
Yona sat back on her haunches and pounded one hoof into the other. “Just try and keep Yona away from friends.” They all laughed. Then, Ocellus pointed at a tree a short trot away. Under its branches stood two familiar ponies.
“I wonder what Headmare Twilight and Counselor Starlight are doing off by themselves?”
~*~
Headmare Twilight Sparkle was practically prancing in place as she watched the six former students from beneath the shaded canopy of a tree. After having shaken many hooves immediately following her closing remarks, the alicorn had politely excused herself and retreated to a distance far enough away that the conversations of the crowds had dwindled to a murmur.
“Oh. Do you think they will be okay?” Twilight turned to the mare standing next to her. “I know that they earned those diplomas and that, by all educational metrics, they’ve met or exceeded every standard that I outlined but--”
Starlight Glimmer smirked. “Twilight.” She reached out and turned her friend’s head back towards the small group. “Look at them. Does that look like a group of friends who are in danger of losing each other?”
“I see your point, and they are back to hugging and smiling and laughing.” She breathed a sigh of relief, but then immediately tensed up again. “What if they’re crying on in the inside? What if they start doubting some of the lessons they’ve learned?” She turned back to Starlight. “What if their new responsibilities get in the way and they can’t stay in touch very often? What if—”
A hoof to the lips from Starlight silenced any further words. “What if all of that happens? Of course, some of it will happen. That’s life.”
Twilight stepped back out of shushing range “Well, that doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“Nothing lasts forever. We both know that.” Starlight stepped past Twilight and looked over at the six as they chatted animatedly. “Life is hard, and it throws a lot of bumps into the road that can make people stumble or fall. Maybe something will happen, and it won’t turn out as we hope, but we have to accept that as another part of life.” She turned back to Twilight. “You and the girls are role models. You’ve been teachers long before you opened the School of Friendship. You’ve all been examples of the magic and power of friendship. And it hasn’t always been perfect, right?”
Twilight blushed. “I can think of a few missteps here and there.”
“And yet, you came out on top every time. All those who have learned from you guys have the tools they need, and they’ve been shown the right path.” She smiled and hugged Twilight, the princess leaning into the embrace and returning it with equal emotion.
“Now it’s time to let them walk that path on their own.” Starlight released Twilight and gave her a nudge and a wink. “I think you might be surprised just how much they’re all capable of, even without all of us watching over them.”
“Thanks, Starlight. I know you’re right,” Twilight admitted. She worked through a quick breathing exercise, and her muscles visibly relaxed. “I can’t help being worried, but I know you’re right. We’ve watched them grow together now a while. Their friendships are strong. They are strong.” Twilight sniffed and blinked moisture away from the corners of her eyes. “They’re going to be okay without us.”
“Besides,” Starlight added with a grin and a chuckle. “This also means we can finally take a vacation.”
“Hehe. Yeah. I think I could use a little break myself. My reading list backlog has really been piling up this last year.”
As the pair laughed together, they noticed a group of six former students trotting over towards them. A changeling was at the head of the group.
“Miss Sparkle. Miss Glimmer,” Ocellus called out to them. “We’ve all decided to stay a little longer and go to the lake after the reception. Would you like to join us?”
Twilight and Starlight looked at each other and traded grateful smiles. Twilight nodded to Ocellus. “We’d love to. Lead the way.”