Gallus and Sandbar looked up, seeing Silverstream and Yona in the doorway. Silverstream headed over and lifted up Gallus, pulling him from Sandbar.
"Come on Gallus, up."
"Noo..."
"It's okay, I just want to get you to lie down." Silverstream said, her voice oddly calm, lacking the usual energy.
"B-But..."
"Gallus no have to worry. Mean griffon not bother you anymore." Yona said simply, as if that settled the matter.
Gallus nodded silently and laid down in bed. Sandbar stood and joined him, as Yona began picking up the mess. Silverstream pulled a blanket over them both, smiling kindly before turning to help Yona. As the girls very kindly cleaned up the mess Gallus had made, Sandbar wrapped his hooves around the griffon, providing silent comfort as the griffon's breathing slowed, and he fell asleep.
"Th-Thanks girls..." Sandbar whispered. "Wh-Where are...?"
Yona and Silverstream looked at each other.
"W-Well... Dragon Lordess Ember and King Thorax went with Headmare Twilight to get them." Silverstream explained
Sandbar nodded in understanding. He settled beside Gallus, knowing there was nothing they'd be able to do. He just hoped they weren't being too hard on the girls. They hadn't done anything wrong.
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"Smolder?"
Smolder glanced up hesitantly. Twilight Sparkle stood in the doorway, behind her was Dragon Lordess Ember and King Thorax. Twilight locked eyes with her, then gave a small gasp as she saw the dresses littered around her.
"S-Smolder did... did you... are these yours?" she blurted, as Ember and Thorax stepped in, also seeing the dresses.
Smolder blushed through her tears, and gave the very slightest of nods. Twilight blinked in surprise, then lifted a mangled dress in her magic.
"Well, I suppose this explains why Rarity keeps telling us about missing fabric..." Twilight said. "But... Smolder, why did you destroy them?"
Smolder's breath caught in her throat. "I-I..."
Ember walked over and picked one up. "Smolder, you... made these?"
Smolder nodded slightly. "I... I didn't mean..."
"This is... actually pretty cool." Ember said, making Smolder blink, and wipe away tears. "Heh, so, your brother's a poet and you make dresses."
Smolder forced a laugh at this. "Y-Yeah..."
Ember smiled softly and sat beside Smolder. She laid a claw gently on the younger dragoness' shoulder.
"Where's Ocellus?" Thorax asked.
Smolder shook her head in response. She didn't know. Smolder had lost track of Ocellus after shaking her off during the brief struggle over the dresses. Thorax's eyes widened, and his jaws parted slightly. Smolder recognized dimly that he must be tasting the air for her personal scent. He then leaned down and looked under the bed.
Ocellus had heard hoofsteps and muffled voices. She pressed herself closer against the dress, still crying softly. Then, she heard her name. Hoofsteps sounded nearer to the bed, and she opened her eyes hesitantly. Thorax was staring at her, and smiled kindly.
"Ocellus, please come out." Thorax said. "It's okay. We're not going to hurt you."
Ocellus gave a soft gasp and dragged herself out from under the bed. She whimpered softly, accepting Thorax's offered hoof as she crawled out, pulling the dress with her.
Smolder blinked as Ocellus emerged, had she been under there the whole time? Ocellus was pulling something with her... a dress. Twilight smiled softly as Thorax helped Ocellus stand up.
"O-Ocellus, i-is... is that...?" Smolder asked softly.
Ocellus wiped her eyes and nodded, pulling it closer. Twilight stepped forwards as Thorax led Ocellus to Smolder, sitting down with her.
"First of all... you two need to know that you are not in trouble." Twilight began
Smolder blinked in confusion. "What...?"
"The way I see it..." Twilight began, sitting down as well. "You two were minding your own business trying to tell Ember about your relationship. You got a bit frustrated and blurted it out a bit louder than intended. However, it wouldn't have been a problem if not for Gruff. He was the real disturbance."
"S-So we... we won't be in trouble?" Ocellus asked tentatively.
"Of course not." Twilight smiled softly. "And after a... forceful talk with your leaders, Gruff left. He will no longer be a problem."
Ocellus blinked in surprise and looked at Thorax, who chuckled sheepishly.
"W-Well, uh... Pharynx did a bit of the talking..."
"And you transformed into a bear and roared at him." Ember added, then looked at Smolder as Thorax blushed. Twilight smiled and left the room silently. "Smolder... I'm not mad."
"Wait, really?"
"Of course. You think I would be after that old buzzard said that stuff?" Ember nudged Smolder gently. "Guess this means I owe Garble some gems now though."
Smolder chuckled dryly. "He mentioned that..."
Ember smiled and gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Seriously Smolder. You're... kind of like a little sister to me. I don't want to ruin that."
Smolder smiled, then looked to Ocellus. Ocellus trotted over, and Smolder reached, pulling her into a hug. The love that passed between them told each other all they needed to know.
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Sandbar was woken up from his light sleep by a gentle tap on the doorframe. He sat up, seeing Twilight standing there.
"Headmare Twilight."
Gallus stirred and sat up. "Huh...?"
"Boys..." Twilight waited for Gallus to register that she was there. "First of all, to quell your fears... Gruff has been escorted out of the school and it will be a while before I consider allowing him back."
Gallus sighed with relief. Twilight then held up a hoof.
"Second of all... I know you two did a brave thing, outing yourselves to help Smolder and Ocellus. And I commend you for that. But Gallus... how long as Gruff been treating you like this?"
"All my life..." Gallus sighed
Twilight's eyes widened, then she nodded. "I... see. Well, no promises... but I'll see what I can do."
"...Thank you." Gallus mumbled
Twilight smiled. "Now, that's all I had to say. I think I'll let you two get some more rest. Silverstream and Yona mentioned you seemed pretty worked up."
"Thank you Headmare." Sandbar said, Gallus nodding agreement.
"Of course boys." she smiled at them before leaving the room.
Gallus and Sandbar hugged, then shared a quick kiss before laying back down to go to sleep.