Section #1:
The Student 6 and the Crusader 6 were traveling down a big hall. The Younger 6 were right behind them. The creatures who could fly were fluttering along; the rest were walking. (Scootaloo was riding her scooter, propelling herself with her wings.)
It was late afternoon, and everyone was feeling a little tired. Except maybe for Silverstream, Yona, Yapper, and Hydroplane.
"Professor Gallus," asked Winger (the little lovebird boy), "where are we going, again?"
Gallus grunted with frustration. But then he smiled and turned his body toward Winger. Now flying backward, he answered, "It's called a 'dormitory'. But we often say 'dorm' for short."
"And what's that, again?" asked Winger.
"It's the place where the students sleep, when they're away from home," explained Napper (the little cat girl), looking up toward him.
"A lot like a hotel?" asked Winger.
Napper giggled. "More like a boarding house."
"Kind of like the sleeping quarters for Queen Kat's servants?" asked Yapper (the little dog boy).
Napper laughed. "It's funny ... your queen is a dog ... yet her name sounds like 'cat'!"
The 18 creatures entered a great big living room. This room connected with several halls and a stairway. The ceiling was three stories high. On the second and third floors, there were nearby lounge areas with a balcony view.
The Student 6 and the Crusader 6 stopped in the middle of the room. The Younger 6 also stopped.
"Students," said Sandbar, the teachers now facing the little students, "this is the dorm! And this is the main living room."
Striper (the little zebra boy) looked all around. "This is amazing, Professor Sandbar! It's like living in a palace! Or a mansion."
All the students were amazed how big and fancy this residential area was.
"This living room is a great big place to relax, do fun activities -- and meet new friends!" said Apple Bloom.
"Will I see my mom and dad?" asked Winger.
"They're on the third floor," said Gabby. "But that floor is for adults only, along with authorized workers."
Winger's eyes started to get a little wet.
"So," said Whirlwind (the little abada girl), "where's my bedroom? And where's my bathroom? Let's just get this tour over with, okay?"
"Don't worry, Whirlwind," said Ocellus. "That's our next stop."
"Then let's go!"
"Right this way!" said Silverstream. Silverstream pointed to the great wide staircase. "Right up these stairs!"
Section #2:
The 18 creatures made their way up the stairs. Again, those who could fly simply flew their way up. (Scootaloo carried her scooter.) Sandbar led everyone onto the second floor.
"Down this way!" said Apple Bloom. "Down this left hall!"
The 18 creatures walked into the left hall.
"Just a few doors away until you reach your new bedroom!" cheered Silverstream, flying backward to face the little students.
To the left, the Student 6 and the Crusader 6 stopped in front of a big door.
"And here it is!" exclaimed Silverstream. "Your new bedroom!"
"Bedroom?" said Whirlwind. "As in -- a single bedroom?"
"Come on, Whirlwind!" said Striper. "It's like having a big sleepover! Every night!"
"I wanna sleep on my own!" protested Whirlwind, stomping her hooves. "Trust me -- you do not want me as a roommate!"
Suddenly, Whirlwind yelped. She had slipped off her hooves, and now she fell flat on the floor.
The 12 teachers gasped. Everyone paused in place.
Hydroplane laughed (the little kelpie boy). He had just used his water powers to shape part of his body into a puddle.
"I don't blame you, Whirlwind!" he teased. "I might wet the bed!"
Whirlwind looked up at him. She growled with anger. But then ... she smiled and laughed. Looking mischievously toward him, she got back up.
Whirlwind whispered into Hydroplane's ear, "I think we could have a lot of fun together! This roommate stuff might not be as bad as I thought!"
Whirlwind turned back toward the crowd. Clearing her throat, she said, "I take back what I just said. I think this roommate stuff might not be so bad after all!"
"Don't worry, students!" said Apple Bloom. "You won't be alone. Every night, two of us will be assigned to your room. This way, if you have friendship problems, then we're right there for you!"
Whirlwind sighed. "You mean adult supervision?"
"Well," said Sandbar ... "we're not exactly adults. At least not most of us."
Then Whirlwind put on a smile again. "Yeah! I suppose I can live with that!"
Ocellus whispered to Sweetie Belle, "I think Whirlwind is acting a little weird. Do you think she's okay?"
Sweetie Belle whispered, "I think she's just a silly kid. As children often are."
Sweetie Belle giggled, and so did Ocellus.
With her horn, Sweetie Belle popped a key into the scene. She unlocked the big door.
Section #3:
The 18 creatures walked inside.
"Here it is, everycreature!" declared Sweetie Belle, pointing her hoof forward. "Home sweet home!"
"Or should I say 'dorm sweet dorm'?" joked Smolder.
The six little students looked all around. On the far side of the room, there were four bunk beds -- two by the left wall and two by the right. The far wall had a great big window, allowing a lot of light into the room (but with curtains to shut out the light if desired). In front of each bunk, there lay a toy chest. Beside each bunk, there stood two bed tables, one for each side. Between each pair of bunks, there was a dressing table.
Walking around the room, the students looked back and forth, up and down. Striper, Napper, Yapper, and Hydroplane were all amazed. Whirlwind was a little impressed, though mostly unmoved. Winger seemed kind of scared and anxious.
On the near side of the room, there was a great big study area and play area. There were six study tables, two big play tables, two big bookshelves, and two toy shelves. The toy shelves were mostly empty, but had a few board games and stuffed toys. The bookshelves were full of books, but with plenty of room to add more.
Between the two pairs of bunks, there was a big rug. The study area also had a big rug, and so did the play area. Beside the door to the bathroom, there stood a big wardrobe.
"This is amazing!" exclaimed Napper. "I've never lived in anything fancy! At least not until Capper became king!"
Napper jumped onto a bed and started relaxing.
Yapper barked with excitement. "This feels just like home!"
Yapper jumped onto the same bed as Napper, sitting in front of her.
"Are you sure?" teased Napper. "Isn't this place a little plain for you?"
"What do you mean?" asked Yapper.
"You say you live with Queen Kat and her sisters, didn't you? Doesn't that make you, like, a prince?"
Napper laughed. "I'm only her third cousin. Her Majesty wanted me to sleep in the servants' quarters. But Fiona insisted I be treated as royalty. So they came to a sort of compromise ..."
"You ponies must be pretty rich!" remarked Striper. From a toy shelf, he pulled down a board game titled "Friends & Ladders" (which closely resembled Snakes & Ladders).
Hydroplane slid all around the room, as if he were skating. "This is far bigger than my bedroom! Lots of room for skating around!"
Whirlwind laughed scornfully. "This is a room for six, you know?"
"Eight, actually," corrected Striper. He opened the board game and placed it on a play table.
Winger flew onto one of the top beds. He started to cry again.
Gallus slapped his forehead. He growled with frustration.
Gabby gave him a dirty look.
Gallus took a deep breath and forced himself to smile. He flew onto the same bed as Winger.
"Winger, my little lovebird," asked Gallus, trying not to act irritated. "What's wrong?"
"Couldn't Mommy or Daddy come down to comfort me?" sniffled Winger. "At least until I fall asleep?"
"I know you're really attached to your parents. But they're not gone. They're on the other side of this building."
"If I can't see them, then they might as well be on the other side of the world!" Winger started to get a little angry.
Gallus cringed. He was unnerved.
"I want my daddy!" exclaimed Winger. "Can't I at least have him!?"
Winger started sobbing again. He cried into the pillow.
"Can't we send that bird to live in a cave?" demanded Whirlwind, standing in front of the teachers. "I will not be sleeping with a crying baby!"
Striper turned to face the teachers.
"She-she has a point," he said nervously. (Striper rolled the dice, playing Friends & Ladders by himself.)
"I second the emotion," said Napper, raising her paw.
Turning to face the teachers, Yapper also raised his paw. "Me, too."
Hydroplane stopped sliding around. Standing in front of the teachers, he raised his hoof.
Striper raised his hoof now, and so did Whirlwind.
The 12 teachers all sighed.
Gallus flew back to Gabby. He whispered, "If we always let him have his way, he'll be a spoiled little brat!"
"It's going to take baby steps," whispered Gabby, trying to stay calm. "And no pun is intended."
Gallus sighed, still feeling a little angry.
With her hands, Gabby grabbed Gallus. Carrying him like a hawk, she flew out of the room with him.
Section #4:
Gabby shut the bedroom door. She placed Gallus back on the floor. Now the two of them were standing in the hall.
"Gallus," scolded Gabby, no longer having to whisper, "don't you remember Professor Dash's story about separation anxiety?"
Gallus crossed his arms, giving Gabby a dirty look. Gabby took some deep breaths, starting to calm down.
"Rainbow Dash," continued Gabby, "was looking forward to winter -- until she realized she had to say goodbye to her pet turtle for the season. She was mad with grief. She was so desperate -- she destroyed the weather factory in a failed effort to stop winter from coming."
"Didn't we agree," said Gallus, "that Winger could meet his parents tomorrow for lunch?"
Gabby took another deep breath. "Gallus, you need to see things through his eyes. Twelve hours without his parents is like three months to him. Have you ever had a friend so dear to you, you constantly wanted them to comfort you?"
Gallus stammered. "M-m-maybe ... but not like that ..."
"Well, Gallus," said Gabby -- "Winger's father is his best friend. In a proper family, your parents would be the first friends you ever had!"
Gallus stared blankly at Gabby. Then he started to sniffle. His eyes became a little wet.
Gallus sat on the floor, resting his face on his hands.
"I never knew my family," lamented Gallus. "I can't imagine they were half as good as Winger's."
Gabby sat beside Gallus. She hugged him with her wing.
"This little bird really needs your love," encouraged Gabby. "And you really need his, too. He could be the little brother you never had! Or nephew!"
"He really looks up to me. And I don't want to make him hate me." Gallus scratched his chin. "Maybe ...?"
Gallus reopened the door. He flew back into the bedroom.
Section #5:
Gallus flew back onto the bed where Winger was crying. (Meanwhile, Gabby walked back in and closed the door.)
Winger's eyes started to dry a little, but he was still sniffling. His face continued to rest against the pillow.
Gallus hugged Winger with his wing. Once more, Gallus took a deep breath.
"Winger," said Gallus. "I'm sorry."
Winger turned onto his back, now facing Gallus.
"Please," Winger begged, with a weak voice. "I beg you -- let my daddy be with me tonight."
"I will let you have your wish," assured Gallus. "But on one condition: You cannot disturb the other students, no matter how sad you are. You don't want to disappoint your parents, do you?"
"Yeah," interjected Whirlwind, looking up toward the two birbs. "You wouldn't wanna be expelled. Your parents would hate you for sure!"
Gallus gasped with shock. So did the other teachers.
Winger started to cry his eyes out again. He gave Gallus a big hug and cried into the blue gryphon's fur. Winger tried not to make too much noise, but he couldn't entirely control himself.
"What if I get kicked out of the School of Friendship?" asked Winger. "Will my parents stop caring about me?"
Gallus placed Winger in his lap. He hugged the little bird with his arms. "No, Winger. Your parents just want you to love them. As long as you love them, you will always be their precious treasure!"
"You really think so?"
"My little lovebird," assured Gallus, "I will always be by your side. You really want my affection, and I refuse to let you down. Your mom and dad love you far better than I ever could!"
"Oh, Gallus! You feel a lot like my daddy!"
For a moment, Winger had a big smile. But then he started to sniffle again.
"Will I still get to see Mom and Dad when it's lunchtime?"
"Of course, my little one!"
"Would you please let me visit them -- whenever I really need them?" Winger stared at him with big wide eyes.
"Not during school hours," said Gallus. "You can see them during lunch. Other than that, you must make friends with other students."
"What about after school? Or before?"
"I have to discuss it with your parents. They're trying to make new friends, too. And there are special things they want to do alone. But I'm sure they will have plenty of time."
Gallus stared lovingly into Winger's eyes. "Be brave, my little one. This friendship stuff is not as hard as it seems. I'm trying to make it easy for you -- because that's what a friend does!"
"I'm still scared," said Winger. "I'm still feeling sad. And maybe I'm kind of angry. But I will face my fears. With you by my side, I'm sure I can do it!"
Giving him a really big hug, Winger squeezed Gallus -- knocking the wind out of him!
Gallus's eyes watered a little. He was feeling overjoyed.
"Awwww!" said the other teachers, glowing warm with affection.
Using the ladder, Yapper climbed up to the bed where Gallus and Winger were. He gave Winger a big hug.
With her claws, Napper also climbed up. She also hugged Winger.
Meanwhile, Striper's game piece found itself back at square one, thanks to a few bad rolls of the dice. Striper tossed the dice aside (feeling a little frustrated with the game) and walked toward the beds.
Hydroplane turned himself into a pony-shaped cloud. He grabbed Striper and carried his zebra friend up to where Winger was. Striper also hugged the little lovebird. Maintaining his cloud form, Hydroplane gave Winger a big soft hug.
Winger started to laugh. "That tickles!" he exclaimed.
Gallus slid Winger off his lap. He slid some inches back, letting the four other students continue to share hugs with Winger. Winger gave Yapper a big hug. Then he hugged Napper, Striper, and, finally, Hydroplane.
"You're all such good friends!" said Winger. "I know I'm feeling sad. But I don't want to make you sad, too. I don't want you to be angry at me. Once, my dad yelled at me ... and I felt rotten ... and so did he."
Just then, the door burst back open. Pinkie Pie popped into the room.
Pinkie shouted, "My Pinkie senses tell me that some little bird needs a great big hug!"
Jumping across the room, she fell toward the bed where Winger was sitting. Four of the little friends screamed -- except for Hydroplane, who was simply surprised. Gallus yelped and jumped off the bed.
Pinkie crashed right on top of the five students. She grabbed all of them and squeezed them with her arms. They could barely breathe -- except for Hydroplane, who could easily slip out, thanks to his water-shapeshifting properties.
"Pinkie!" shouted Gallus, hovering just next to the bed. "You scared our students! And you might have hurt them!"
"You wouldn't want to start a war, would you?" mocked Whirlwind.
"Shut up, Whirlwind!" yelled Gallus.
The room went silent again. Except for Whirlwind, who was laughing.
Shocked and embarrassed by the words that came out of his mouth. Gallus covered his beak with his hands.
Sandbar and Sweetie Belle walked to where Whirlwind was standing.
"Whirlwind," said Sandbar, "we want to have a word with you."
"In the Headmare's office," said Sweetie Belle. "Let's go!"
Sandbar and Sweetie Belle stayed calm. But they were getting really frustrated with the mean little girl.
Whirlwind laughed nervously. With her horn, Sweetie Belle held Whirlwind by the hoof. She and Sandbar walked her out of the room.
Meanwhile, Winger was hugging Pinkie Pie. So were Hydroplane and Yapper. At first, Napper gave Pinkie a dirty look. But then she, too, hugged Pinkie.
"What brings you here?" asked Gallus.
"I knew this little bird was missing someone he loves," answered Pinkie -- "so now I've brought him to him!"
Mr. Lovington flew into the room. He perched on the edge of the bed where Winger was sitting.
"Dad!" exclaimed Winger. He popped out of Pinkie's arms and flew to his father.
With his wings, Lovington caught his son and held the little bird in his arms. With a loving smile, he said, "So, my little one, do you love your home away from home? Do you enjoy being able to do things without me watching you? Do you love the new friends you're making?"
Winger's eyes were a little wet again, but this time with happiness. Lovington's eyes were slightly wet, but this was barely visible.
"It's wonderful, Dad!" exclaimed Winger. "All these teachers and students want to make me happy. And I want to make them happy. Because I want them to keep loving me! What about you, Dad?"
"Well, Mom and I are having a lot of fun together. Special time just between the two of us. Tonight, we're doing something special that we haven't done in a long time!"
"What's that?" asked Winger.
Lovington cleared his throat. "Lava surfing. Too dangerous for little children."
Winger cringed. "I-I hope you don't get hurt."
"Of course not! The magic of our love keeps us safe!"
Winger jumped out of his father's arms. He fluttered back down onto the bed. "Well, Dad! I don't want to stop you from having fun! You and Mom have the best night of your life!"
Lovington laughed. "I will! I certainly will!"
Lovington jumped off the bed and flew back to the door. Hovering backward, he waved back to his son. "Goodnight, my little Winger! I'm going back upstairs to get ready!"
Lovington flew back out of the room.
Winger waved back. "See you tomorrow ... Dad!"
Winger tried to keep a smile, but he started to sniffle again. A tear streamed down. Despite his best efforts, he needed to cry a little more.
This time, Winger was crying only a little, not much. Still, the other four students started to get worried again.
Gallus landed back on the bed. He picked Winger back up and held the little bird in his lap.
"I'm sorry, everyone," said Winger, looking toward the other four students. "I'm such a crybaby."
Winger looked back up to Gallus. "I'm happy for Dad. I really am. And he doesn't even seem to miss me right now. I wish I could feel that way, too."
"If you ever need a safe place to cry," said Gallus, "just call for one of your teachers. We have a special place for students -- to help them let out their anger or sadness in a safe and useful way."
"Yeah!" remarked Gabby, now hovering next to the bed. "It was Rainbow Dash's idea. And Autumn Blaze helped design and test it!"
Winger started to smile again. "Thank you so much, everyone! I never thought any creature could love me more than Daddy. But now I've found many who do!"
Winger jumped and gave Gallus a kiss. The other students laughed, along with a few of the teachers (including Smolder, Silverstream, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo). Gallus blushed with embarrassment.
Section #6:
In their own bedroom (complete with their own bunk bed), Gallus and Gabby sat around the play table. They were eating slices of prune cake.
"Wow, Gallus!" exclaimed Gabby. "I didn't realize you could be so empathetic. You felt ... quite wise for a father. And I didn't have to teach you!"
Gabby took another bite of cake (using her beak).
"Well," said Gallus with a proud smile, "I was only trying to be a friend. And friendship is about giving and taking."
Gallus also took another bite (also using his beak).
"Still," continued Gabby, "it was pretty clever the way you handled it. You made it clear that he couldn't see his parents all the time. But you allowed him to accept it on his own terms. You gave him a sense of control -- and he respects you far better for it."
Gabby finished her slice of prune cake. She now cut out another.
Gallus sighed. "Grampa Gruff never let me have my way. Except when he was too tired to care. I feared and hated him -- but I could never respect him."
"I know it's been a rough start for you," said Gabby. "We have a sweet little boy who needs special attention. And we have a little girl with some serious friendship problems."
"Are you angry at me," asked Gallus ... "over the bad word I said? Right in front of the little kids?"
Gabby giggled, with another bite of cake in her beak. "Being a parent isn't about having all the answers. It isn't about doing everything right the first time. If you want to raise a child, you have a lot of growing up to do, too! That's what Shining Armor and Cadance say."
Gabby swallowed the bite of cake. Gallus started to smile again. He finished his slice of cake, and now he cut himself another.
"It's been only one day," said Gallus, "and this little boy already feels like my best friend! There are few other creatures who feel so close to me. I hope they feel the same about me!"
"You feel like a brother to me, Gallus!" said Gabby. "Do I feel like a sister to you?"
"Of course, Gabby!"
Gallus got up and gave Gabby a big hug. "I haven't loved you nearly as much as I should. But now I've started to see what a wonderful sister you are! I want to be the same for you!"
Gabby giggled and hugged him back. Gallus also giggled.