Bright Eyes and Lancer were sparing, throwing in everything they had been taught, when Bright Eyes jumped, somersaulting over Lancer, grabbing him, and flipped him over her shoulder and onto the ground.
Bright Eyes smiled, as helped him up. "Almost had me that time," she said.
"Yeah," Lancer said.
"You two are progressing well," Leo approached them.
Mikey nudged Blade Swipe. "Yeah! Don't yah think so, Blade?"
Blade Swipe only sulked. But answered, "Yes. They did well." He still wasn't sure about this.
"Uh, Thank you?" Lancer said, unsure.
"You know, that was a pretty awesome flip you did there, Bright Eyes," Rainbow Dash commented.
"Thanks," Bright Eyes said. "Smolder taught me."
"So you know the Young Six?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
Bright Eyes raised a brow. "The Young Six?"
"Mikey," Everyone answered in unison.
Mikey grinned sheepishly. "That’s what I call Sandbar, Ocellus, Yona, Gallus, Silverstream, and Smolder," he said. "You know, cause they're young and there's six of them."
"Oh. Then yes I do," Bright Eyes confirmed. "They taught me some of the basics of ninjitsu back In Equestria."
"How did you meet them?" April asked.
"Well, I'm gonna have to start from the beginning to explain that," Bright Eyes began. "I came to the school from Manehattan with my brother Teddy."
"You have a brother?" Mikey asked. "What's he like?"
"A big jerk!" Bright Eyes said, bluntly. "Kind of like you, Raph."
"Hey!" Raph snapped.
"What were you like back then?" Fluttershy asked.
"I was... kind of shy and not good at standing up for myself," Bright Eyes said, a bit hesitant. "But, all that changed when Princess Twilight introduced me to the Young Six..."
Right before the Turtles and Sunset had arrived in Equestria, the Young Six had come to Twilight's office for something important.
"You wanted to see us, Headmare Twilight?" Sandbar asked.
"Mmm hmm," Princess Twilight nodded. "I have a special task for all of you."
"Oooo!" Silverstream coed. "What is it?!
"I'd like you all to show one of the new students around," the Princess of Friendship answered.
While Silverstream still wore her excited expression, the other students just looked confused.
"Don't you usually do that?" Smolder inquired.
"Normally, yes. But I have to head back to the castle to meet with some far off friends of mine," Princess Twilight replied. "Another reason is because the six of you represent what true friendship is about."
"Well, can't deny that," Gallus bragged.
"I’m so excited!" Silverstream flew up, ecstatic. "Are you guys excited? We’re going to meet a new friend!"
Yona jumped up and down. "Yak excited to meet new friend too!" She said, shaking the room and her friends with her jumping until Ocellus calmed her down.
"So where’s the new student?" Ocellus asked.
"Right here," Princess Twilight motioned to the door and opened it with her magic. "Every creature, meet Bright Eyes."
The students looked back, as a light blue unicorn filly, about their age, walked in slowly. She had a light orange mane, tied in a single braid and green eyes, staring through a pair of red glasses. She had her head hung low as she walked in.
"Hi," she said, quietly.
The students looked at one another in confusion, before Sandbar stepped up. "Nice to meet you," he greeted. "I’m Sandbar. And this is Gallus."
"Sup?" Gallus waved.
"There’s Yona."
"Yak happy to meet new pony!" Yona jumped in place.
"Ocellus."
"Please to meet you," Ocellus smiled, sweetly.
"Smolder."
"How’s it going?" Smolder said.
"And here’s Silverstream."
"Hi!" Silverstream flew up and extended her claw to Bright Eyes who nervously accepted the shake.
Princess Twilight smiled. "Now I better get going," she said, heading out. "If any creature needs anything, you know where to find us. Have fun."
Later, the Young Six were showing Bright Eyes around.
"And that's Professor Fluttershy's class," Ocellus said, motioning to the classroom.
"You'll like it there!" Smolder said.
"I'm sure I will," Bright Eyes replied.
Yona pointed to Pinkie's classroom. "That professor Pinkie Pie's class," she said. "Bright Eyes like it there too."
"Best part about that class is free cupcakes," Gallus said. "Even if we have to share them."
"Sounds like fun," Bright Eyes said. "You know, I've never actually been around other creatures before. It's different. But in a good sort of way."
"Glad to hear it," Smolder said, before she frowned. "Cause Chancellor Neighsay sure didn't think so."
"The pony from the EEA?" Bright Eyes asked. "I've heard about him. Didn't he close down the school once?"
"We're afraid so," Sandbar said.
"Just because of us!" Gallus grumbled.
"He didn't like the idea of non ponies attending the school," Ocellus added. "And he was rude to our diplomats too."
"Wow," Bright Eyes said. "If I didn't know better, I'd probably call Neighsay a Prejudice Old Crone!"
The students laughed.
"That's so true!" Smolder said.
Silverstream piped up. "Well, at least other ponies don't think that way."
Bright Eyes stopped walking. "I... wouldn't be so sure," she said, hesitantly.
"What Bright Eyes mean?" Yona asked.
"Well... in Manehattan, I heard a lot things said about each of your kind," Bright Eyes said. "Well, except yours, Silverstream. Since Hippogriffs spent most of their lives hiding under water."
"That's true," Silverstream nodded.
"And the things I heard, were not nice things," Bright Eyes continued.
"And just how not nice were they?" Smolder asked.
"Very not nice. I heard," she looked at Gallus and Smolder. "That all griffins and dragons are rude, selfish, nasty, greedy, jerks and bullies who are anything but nice! Especially to ponies."
Gallus and Smolder frowned, feeling offended.
Bright Eyes looked Ocellus. "And that Changelings are vicious love-sucking parasites! Even after you turned good."
Ocellus is on the verge of tears.
Bright Eyes then looked to Yona. "And that yaks are loud and destructive perfectionists who smash everything in sight!"
Yona looked sad. "Yaks not smash everything..."
Gallus, Smolder, Ocellus, Yona looked saddened by the fact that some ponies thought badly of their kind. Until...
"But I never listened to any of that junk!" Bright Eyes said, bluntly.
The Young Six were surprised.
"Bright Eyes not think bad things about us?" Yona asked.
"Absolutely not!" Bright Eyes replied, sternly.
"How come?" Smolder asked.
"My dad's a journalist for the Manehattan paper," Bright Eyes explained. "And he taught me to never judge a book by it's cover. He always told me 'Not everything is what it seems, Bright Eyes. Always check the facts. Get the whole story.'. So I took his advice and I figured, maybe not all griffins, dragons, yaks, and especially changelings are bad. And I had some experiences to prove it."
"What kind of experiences?" Sandbar asked.
"When my family and I went to visit my grandponies in Fillydelphia, I met a dragon named Mina and she was really nice," Bright Eyes went on. "And on my way to the school, I met a griffon named Gabby and she's the opposite from the griffons of Griffinstone!"
"You have no idea," Gallus rolled his eyes, knowing the said griffin well.
"And coming here and meeting all of you, it just proves that I was right not to listen to all the bad things about your kind," Bright Eyes looked down, dismally. "I just wish I could've taken a stand when I heard those hecklings."
"So why didn't you?" Smolder asked, flying up next to her.
"I may have never liked those things ponies said about your kind," Bright Eyes began, before she lowered her head and stared at the floor. "But I'm afraid I'm not good at standing up for others. Or myself for that matter."
Silverstream gasped. "But why?!"
"Because I'm..., well, you know? I'm..."
"Shy?" Ocellus finished for her. "It's okay, I'm shy too. But do you want to know how I got past it?" She walked next to Bright Eyes and put a hoof on her shoulder. "Knowing I've got good friends by my side."
"And now, so do you, Bright Eyes," Sandbar added.
"Yeah!" Silverstream gave her a hug.
"Yep," Gullas.
"Definitely," Smolder said.
"Bright Eyes is Yona's friend too!" Yona beamed.
Bright Eyes smiled, as the Young Six began to sing...
Soon, they were showing her Rarity's classroom. Bright Eyes gazed at the finished dresses. She thought they looked good. Then they showed her Rainbow Dash's class and Gallus and Smolder taught her how to play Buckball.
When they showed her Applejack's class, Bright Eyes tried to buck some apples down, but her buck wasn't strong enough.
"Let me give you a tip, Professor Applejack taught us," Sandbar said. "Support yourself on your front hooves." He demonstrated as Bright Eyes followed along. "Then lift both your hind legs up and buck with all your strength!"
Bright Eyes bucked the tree again. And this time, some apples fell down.
"Yeah! Nailed it!" Sandbar cheered.
After showing her more classes, Bright Eyes' confidence grew and grew until she held her head up high and marched down the hallway, with the Young Six right behind her.
As they all walked, Yona tripped and crashed into the others, sending them all tumbling into the library in a heap. Then they all burst out laughing.
"Shh!" Hissed a voice. They all looked up to see Cozy Glow getting a book from a shelf. "Quiet in the library please."
"Sorry, Cozy," Sandbar said, as they all got to their feet.
"Oh, hi guys," Cozy Glow said, then noticed the unicorn. "Who’s your new friend?"
"Cozy Glow, this is Bright Eyes," Ocellus introduced. "Bright Eyes, this is Cozy Glow."
"Nice to meet you, Bright Eyes," Cozy Glow held a hoof out.
Bright Eyes looked hesitant at first, but she eventually shook Cozy Glow's hoof. "N-nice to meet you too!" She said, nervously.
"Well, I found what I need," Cozy Glow said. "Love to talk more but I’ve gotta study for exams. Nice meeting you." She flew off with a book while Bright Eyes stared after her, with a concerned look on her face.
Bright Eyes looked back at the Young Six. "Does any creature get a funny feeling around her?"
"No. Why?" Ocellus asked.
"I don't know? But she kind of gives me a funny feeling," Bright Eyes said "And not in a good way."
"Well, I think she's kind of weird," Smolder admitted. "What with her being all happy and everything."
"But never mind that," Silverstream chimed in. "We still got more of the school to show you!"
Later, the group was walking through the hallway, close to the entrance.
"So, what do you think of the school, Bright Eyes?" Sandbar asked.
"I think I'm really gonna like going here!" Bright Eyes replied, with a smile. Then something else caught her attention. "Hey? Who are those ponies with Headmare Twilight?"
She pointed toward the entrance, where Princess Twilight and her friends stood with the Turtles and their allies.
"So, you had a bad feeling about Cozy Glow?" Mikey asked.
"Yeah," Bright Eyes said, crossing her arms. "I don't know why, but being around her gave me the chills!"
"Well, you weren't off. Cozy Glow was pure evil! I knew that from the minute I met her," Mikey clarified, then motioned to his brothers and friends. "But nobody here would listen." Then he pointed directly at Sunset. "And when I tried to warn them not to trust her, Sunset yelled at me."
Sunset Shimmer groaned and covered her face in both embarrassment, regret, and annoyance.
"Augh! We get it!" Raph snapped. "You were right! We apologized! So DROP IT ALREADY!"
"That’s enough!" Leo broke in. "So Bright Eyes, did you enjoy your time at the school?"
"Oh yes!" Bright Eyes nodded. "After meeting the Young six, we all became good friends, especially me and Ocellus. In fact, we actually solved a Friendship problem."
"You two solved a friendship problem?" April asked, remembering how she and the rest of the Ninjas had each solved a Friendship Problem, the last time they were in Equestria.
"Mmm hmm," Bright Eyes nodded.
"So who needed the help?" Keno asked.
"Starlight Glimmer and Trixie," Bright Eyes answered. "You see, it all started when me and Ocellus were studying together....."
Bright Eyes and Ocellus were in the school library reading from two large books and taking notes. Bright Eyes had just finished a very interesting chapter from the potion section of the book she was reading, when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. She turned in the direction and her eyes widened.
"Uh, Ocellus?" Bright Eyes said, still staring. "You're glowing!"
Ocellus turned to her friend and her eyes widened. "So are you!" She said, pointing.
The two looked each other over and saw they were right. Bright Eyes' cutie mark was glowing and so was Ocellus' wing shells.
"What's going on?!" Ocellus asked, in shock.
"I don't know?!" Bright Eyes replied, in equal surprise.
"Maybe Headmare Twilight will know?" Ocellus suggested.
"I think she said she was going to the park with Princess Cadence and Flurry Heart," Bright Eyes said, as the two headed out.
Soon, the pair arrived at Ponyvile Park and hid behind a tree so as not to attach attention. They peeked out and spotted Princess Twilight with Princess Cadence and Flurry Heart in crowd of Ponies as they watched one of Trixie and Starlight's magic shows. They were preforming a trick known as The Terrifying Trunk Escape. After the performance, Princess Twilight and Cadence congratulated them.
"Trixie, that was an amazing show!" Princess Twilight said.
"Flurry Heart and I loved it!" Cadence added. "I'm so glad we decided to come. You two have a real chemistry."
"The Terrifying Trunk Escape does require a grrrreat and powerful assistant," Trixie stated, nodding to Starlight.
"The way you two work together, it's like you've known each other as long as Twilight and I have," Cadance commented.
"It was pretty fun," Starlight admitted.
"Of course it was!" Princess Twilight smiled, "There's nothing better than a bond with another pony. You can share all kinds of things."
Then to set an example, she and Cadence did their friendship chant. "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"
Bright Eyes and Ocellus couldn't help but giggle at how silly they acted. Starlight and Trixie on the other hoof, only stared at the alicorns in confusion.
"I think we'll stick to the stage magic for now," Starlight said.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't chant," Trixie stated, matter of factly.
After that, Bright Eyes and Ocellus waited behind the tree and Princess Twilight, Cadence, and Flurry Heart walked past, Bright Eyes quietly called out, "Pssst! Twilight?"
"Hm?" Princess Twilight looked behind her as Bright Eyes and Ocellus peeked out. "Bright Eyes? Ocellus? What are you two doing here? I thought you were studying for next weeks lesson?"
"We were, until something happened..." Ocellus started, nervously.
"What happened?" Princess Twilight asked.
"We were hoping you could tell us," Bright Eyes said, as she and Ocellus came out and showed her.
Princess Twilight gasped. "I don't believe it! Why. There’s no doubt about it!"
"What is it?!" The unicorn and changeling asked in worry.
Princess Twilight smiled excitingly. "You two are being called to solve a friendship problem!"
"Us? For a.." Bright Eyes started.
"Friendship problem?" Ocellus finished, as the two looked at each other in surprise.
"First my New York friends and now two of my students!" Princess Twilight said, to Cadence. "I think I'm both fascinated, proud, and excited!"
"Not as excited as they appear to be," Cadence noted, as the two friends were bouncing up and down in giddy joy.
Later, Princess Twilight was looking over the Friendship Map. "Looks like... There you are," she had spotted Bright Eyes' cutie mark and Ocellus' shells circling above what appeared to be a dessert with a pyramid. "You seem to be heading to Somnambula!"
"Somnambula?" Ocellus said. "That's a long way from here! We don't even know the way!"
"Well, actually, I do know the way there," Bright Eyes informed. "I have an uncle who's an archaeologist and he sometimes invites me and my brother Teddy on some of his expeditions." She levitated out a rolled up map. "He's been to Somnambula before and gave me this map to it."
"Even so, Somnambula is very far for two young creatures," Princess Twilight pointed out. "Which is why I'm having Spike accompany you."
Spike flew over to them. "You can count on me, Twilight," he said, with salute. "I won't leave their side for even a second!"
The two could only roll their eyes.
"But, what will the Friendship Problem be?" Ocellus asked.
"I'm afraid that's something you'll both have to find out for yourselves," Princess Twilight said. "But don't worry, girls. You'll know the problem when you see it."
After Bright Eyes, Ocellus, and Spike packed for the mission, they were getting ready to leave when Twilight had a favor to ask them.
"When you guys get to Somnambula, make sure you check in with Starlight and Trixie," she said. "I just remembered Somnambula is one of their stops."
"We will," Bright Eyes said. And they headed off.
"You know, I actually solved a Friendship Problem once," Spike recalled.
Bright Eyes and Ocellus smiled slyly. "You mean caused a Friendship Problem you had to fix," Bright Eyes stated.
Spike's eyes widened. "Huh?! How did you?"
"Councillor Starlight told us in class once," Ocellus informed.
Spike face palmed. "Of course she told you," he mumbled. "Well, I learned a few tips on solving a Friendship Problem that I can share with you. Tip number 1: Two ponies having a simple argument does not automatically make it the Problem. Learned that twice. Tip number 2: If they're arguing over an item, convincing them to share is not as difficult as it sounds."
The unicorn and changeling rolled their eyes as Spike rambled on, before they trotted ahead.
"And finally, tip number- Hey wait up!" Spike called, as he flew to catch up with them.
By the time they had reached Somnambula, it was already night. Brightly lit Glowpaz decorated the streets and markets
"Wow!" Ocellus marveled at sight.
"Yeah!" Bright Eyes agreed. "So what do we do, first?"
"I say we find a place to sleep," Spike suggested, with a yawn.
Unfortunately, when they went to first inn, the inn keeper, Mrs. Trotsworth said "We're all full!" And every other inn they tried said the same thing. "Nope." "Sorry." "All full!"
"Or, not," Spike said.
"How can every inn be full?!" Bright Eyes exclaimed, in annoyance.
"That's quite simple actually," said a voice. The three turned to see a tall periwinkle unicorn pulling a large elegant wagon. "It's the Glowpaz Festival. It is impossible to find an empty inn at this time of year." He stated. "Oh, but where are my manners? Salutations and good evening to you three. I am Hoo'far."
"Nice to meet you," Ocellus greeted. "I'm Ocellus and this is Bright Eyes and Spike."
"Hey, didn't we see you at Starlight and Trixie's magic show?" Bright Eyes noted.
"A keen observation, my dear, I was indeed," Hoo'far confirmed. "Though, might I ask what you are all doing so far from Ponyville?"
"We were called by Princess Twilight's friendship map to solve a friendship problem right here," Ocellus explained. "It's so exciting!"
"But like you said, with this Glowpaz Festival, every inn is full," Bright Eyes sighed. "I guess we’ll be sleeping under the stars tonight."
"You know, you are all welcome to bunk with me in my caravan if you'd like," Hoo'far offered.
"You sure?" Ocellus asked.
"I got plenty of room," Hoo'far replied. "And I welcome changelings and dragons as well as ponies."
"Thanks, Mr. Hoo’far!" Spike grinned.
"My pleasure," Hoo'far said.
"Then we can find Starlight and Trixie tomorrow as well as our friendship problem," Bright Eyes said to Ocellus.
The next morning, Bright Eyes and Ocellus exited the caravan, wearing a pair of robes that Hoo'far had given them. They yawned and stretch.
"That was the best night sleep I've ever had," Ocellus sighed.
"Tell me about it. Spike's still sleeping," Bright Eyes motioned to the little dragon, who was snoring away on a pile of pillows. The two chuckled, but then they looked and saw that Trixie's wagon was right across from them.
Starlight sat outside, cooking and then eating a haycake. Unlike the two, she didn't look so well rested. In fact, she looked the opposite. She had bags under her eyes and a grumpy look on her face. Then Trixie burst out of her wagon, looking just as grouchy. They apparently didn't get much sleep last night.
"Sleep well?" Trixie asked Starlight, grumpily.
"Sure did," Starlight replied dryly, and without looking at her.
Trixie trotted up to a barrel and levitated a sack with a picture of some haycakes. But when she turned it upside down, she found nothing but crumbs. "Is, uh, that the last of the haycakes?" She asked Starlight.
Starlight turned to face her and chomps the last piece of the one she was eating. "Oh. Yeah," she said, coyly. "Sorry."
"It's fine," Trixie forcefully waved it off, and poured a picture of juice into a glass.
"I don't suppose there's any more juice?" Starlight inquired.
Trixie poured the last drop and drank it all right in front of her. "Ahhh! Nah," she said. "I guess we'll have to resupply."
Hoo'far burst out of his wagon with a flip of his mane. "What a glorious morning!" He announced to the pair. "I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to the first show of your tour!" He trotted off into a restroom building to freshen up.
"Is he gonna be following us for the whole time?!" Starlight asked Trixie in annoyance.
"I do not know," Trixie replied.
Bright Eyes and Ocellus looked to each other before they walked up to the unicorns.
"Uh hi, girls?" Bright Eyes greeted, shyly.
Starlight grouchily turned to her. "Oh, hi, Bright Eyes?!" She said, in surprise. "And Ocellus! What are you two doing all the way out here?"
"Uh we were called out here to a friendship problem," Ocellus explained. "Princess Twilight sent Spike to help us and she also asked us to check in with you two."
"Well, That’s nice and all, but as you can see, we are very busy now so just run along now!" Trixie shouted, making the two back up in surprise.
"Okay then..." Bright Eyes said, nervously, and pushed the shocked Ocellus back toward the caravan.
"Wow," Ocellus said, once they reached the wagon. "I never seen them so upset."
"Me neither," Bright Eyes agreed. "Maybe by the time we find and solve our problem, they’ll have calm down?"
"Let’s get Spike and look around," Ocellus said, motioning to the snoring dragon.
Later that day, the unicorn and changeling walked through the market place with Spike walking beside them. And they had their own sour looks on their faces.
"Ugh! Nothing!" Bright Eyes griped. "We've been all over Somnambula, and even inside that pyramid, and we haven't found anypony with a Friendship problem!"
"You know, I'm beginning to wonder if Discord sent us on a fake friendship mission, just like he did with the professors," Ocellus wandered around.
"That does seem likely," Spike agreed, before pointing out, "But Fluttershy made him promise not to do it again and Twilight double checked the map to be sure."
"Oh, right," the two students said, in unison, before they sighed.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find the friendship problem eventually," Spike assured them, then he saw something. "Hey, what's going on over there?"
He pointed to a crowd of ponies that had gathered to watch Starlight and Trixie's magic show. The two unicorns were preforming the same trick they had done in Ponyville, but this show was far less exciting then the last one.
"She's been in there a long time," Starlight said, un-enthusiastically, as she leaned on the chained trunk. "Do you suppose the Terrifying Trunk Escape is too much for a pony who drinks all the juice and talks non-stop in her sleep?!" She added in complaint. "What if the Great and Powerful Trixie can't..."
In a poof, a grumpy Trixie appeared behind the crowd, just as she had done before.
"Sleep?!" Trixie asked, in her own compliment. "Because her roommate snores like an ursa major?!"
Crowd murmured to one another in confusion.
"But if you're there, who's in here?" Starlight asked,
In another poof, Trixie was see trying to get on the stage. She smiles nervously then trotted up and opened the trunk.
"There's not much room in here!" Said a pony named Cortland, who had once told Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie the story of the pony Somnambula.
"At least you don't have to sleep in it with another pony!" Trixie shouted, slamming the trunk shut.
Fanfare played dully as the two smile awkwardly at the audience.
Hoo'Far clapped weakly. "This show is much better in Ponyville," he said to the crowd.
"Yep," Spike added.
As the crowd murmured in confusion, Bright Eyes and Ocellus look worriedly at each other. Princess Twilight was right. They did know the Friendship Problem when they saw it.