#1 - Return of the Knights [new version]

Section #1:

Princess Twilight Sparkle stood in front of Canterlot Castle. She hung her head and sighed.

Five of the Mane 6 stood by her side. Rainbow Dash and Spike hovered in front of her.

"Don't worry," assured Pinkie Pie. "I'm sure it's not as bad as it seems!"

"Yeah!" exclaimed Spike. "Didn't you see the great work our new allies did rebuilding Canterlot -- with their own Elements of Harmony?"

"Yeah!" exclaimed Twilight's friends.

Maud Pie approached her, with a team of surveyors.

"So, Maud," asked Twilight, "what's the prognosis?"

"The terrain of Canterlot is highly unstable," answered Maud. "I am afraid that Canterlot must be condemned."

The Mane 6 gasped, along with Spike. Twilight froze, as if in terror. Her eyes started to water up.

Rarity cried her eyes out.

"Not our beautiful Canterlot!" she wailed.

Just then, Rainbow Dash looked up in the sky. She gasped in horror.

Violently, she shook her head. She looked back up.

"Is it really ... ? Is it really?"

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes again. Then she looked back up.

She shrieked!

"TWILIGHT! LOOK BEHIND YOU!"

Section #2:

Dash rushed down to the ground, hiding behind Twilight.

"IT'S THEM! AGAIN!! THE KNIGHTS ... THE KNIGHTS OF TERROR!"

Twilight stared at Dash. "Dash! This isn't funny!"

"I'm serious, Twilight! Call our fellow Elements! We're gonna get killed! Us and all we love!"

Spike looked up in the same direction as Dash. "Twilight! Trust me! It won't hurt to look!"

Twilight and friends looked up to the sky. So did Maud and her surveyors.

Twilight gasped with surprise. She shook her head violently. Then she looked back up.

"It's true!" she screamed, shaking with terror. "Dash is right!"

The rest of the Mane 6 shrieked, paralyzed for a moment with fear. So did Maud's surveyors, ducking and covering. Maud herself remained cool and calm.

"Girls, get ready to fight!" cried Twilight, tears of fear welling up in her eyes. "Spike! Send a message!"

Pinkie Pie wrote up a scroll, charring the paper from the friction of the pen. Rolling it up and sealing it, she flung it at Spike, knocking the wind out of him.

Spike threw the scroll in the air and burned it up with his magic fire breath.

"Girls! Activate your Elements!" commanded Twilight.

With great concentration, she activated her Element of Magic. The rest of the Mane 6 activated theirs. They started to glow, engulfed with the colors of their Elements.

"NOT TODAY!" cried a familiar voice.

His whole body glowing with magic, Shining Armor was floating in the sky -- dashing like Starlight Glimmer in the Season 5 finale. The Royal Guard was just behind him. The pegasi were flying, and the unicorns and earth ponies were charging on the ground.

Shining Armor activated his shielding powers to full force. Just then, Cadance flew into the scene -- along with Flurry Heart. They also activated their shielding powers.

Shining Armor was grinding his teeth with rage. So were Cadance and Flurry!

Section #3:

Still far in the distance, the Knights of Order (or "Terror") were also floating -- also flying like Starlight Glimmer. Glowing with Balor's magic, Balor (the red monster with dragon wings and the green kilt/skirt) was carrying them all!

King Danu (the horse-lion monster) spotted Shining Armor's family and the Royal Guard coming for them.

"Comrades, I think we might need a change of plans," he declared, calmly.

"I knew this was a bad idea, Morrigan," said Ceridwen (the bird monster with the green head), with an angry stare. "You really believed the ponies would that sentimental? After we tried to murder them?"

"We had to make a leap of faith!" responded Morrigan (the red-and-off-white bird monster), defensively. "No other nation would ever let us find refuge. This was our best hope!"

"What about the changelings?" asked Ceridwen. "Nowadays, I think they are softer and mushier than the ponies."

"Bug ponies who can change shape to anything they want -- they just creep me out!" said Morrigan. "Especially now that we've lost connection to our Elements."

Rainbow Dash screamed and flashed off into the sky. One moment, she was there. The next moment, she was gone -- as if she had teleported!

"SORRY, GIRLS!" Dash cried, her voice echoing across the land. "I HAVE TO GET HELP!"

Suddenly, the Mane 6 lost their glow. Without Dash at the scene, their Elements were no longer active.

Spike closed his eyes. Still hovering in the air, he crossed his legs and started to meditate.

"PONIES!" called Ceridwen. "WE COME IN PEACE!"

"Why should we believe you?!" exclaimed Shining Armor, his horn glowing brighter than ever.

"WE'RE SERIOUS!" called King Danu. "WE DON'T EVEN HAVE OUR ELEMENTS ANYMORE!"

"I'm not falling for it!" shouted Shining Armor. "You are going down! Guards! Do your worst!!!"

"YEAH!!!" called Twilight, Cadance, and Flurry Heart.

"Go, big brother!" called Twilight.

"Show them your stuff -- my knight in shining armor!" cheered Cadance.

"Go, Daddy! Go!" called Flurry Heart.

With all his might, Shining Armor blasted at the "Knights of Terror". So did Twilight, Cadance, and Flurry.

With all his might, Balor channeled his and his comrades' powers into a giant laser beam, too.

This time, it was a complete reversal from the Season 10 finale. This time, Balor's counterattack was no match against the attacks of Twilight plus Shining Armor's family!

Fluttershy looked up at the battle above. She was deeply worried.

Section #4:

Blackened from the four giant laser beams, the "Knights of Terror" plummeted to the ground, just in front of Canterlot Castle. Lying on the ground, they struggled to get back up.

Armor was still floating. Cadance and Flurry Heart were still hovering.

"Let's show what we're really made of, comrades!" shouted Shining Armor.

Like ants to a candy bar, the Royal Guard savagely beat the defeated Knights. Some even shoved their spears. The spears couldn't pierce the skin, but they certainly could cause pain and bruising.

Twilight and Cadance gasped, cringing at the level of violence.

"Girls," Fluttershy told Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, "I'm really worried about Shining Armor. And Twilight and Cadance. It's not like them to act this ruthless."

"You know what, sugarcube?" said Applejack. "Twilight, Shinin' Armor, and Cadance ... are makin' me nervous, too."

King Danu and Balor managed to break free from the mob. Danu stomped the ground, but nothing was happening.

"Come on! ... Come on!" growled Danu under his breath.

Finally, the ground started to crack ever so slightly. Slowly, the crack started to grow.

"Let's finish them off!" cried Shining Armor.

"Shining Armor!" called Twilight, feeling very concerned. "Don't you think you're taking things a little too --"

"NOW!" yelled Shining Armor.

With his horn, Shining Armor fired another enormous blast. So did Flurry Heart. But Twilight and Cadance just stood and watched, feeling confused.

Unfortunately, the explosion also hit the Royal Guard -- throwing them every which direction into the air!

Shining Armor and the alicorns gasped in horror. With their horns, they grabbed the guards who had been thrown off the cliff.

Armor laughed nervously under his breath. "Sorry, guys ... I guess that was a little ... 'friendly fire'!"

Battered and bruised, the Knights of Order could no longer get back up.

"You monsters are under arrest!" declared Shining Armor.

Armor threw some special devices to the Mane 6, minus Dash.

"Wrap them around their necks!" he commanded.

"I recognize these things!" exclaimed Fluttershy. "These are anti-magic collars from Abyssinia! Strong enough to defeat Discord!"

"NOW!" cried Shining Armor.

Immediately, each of the Mane 6, minus Dash, jumped onto one of the Knights. Twilight handled two of them. Before the Knights could react (not that they had much strength left, groaning in defeat), the "Abyssinian collars" were secured around their necks.

With his powers, Shining Armor restrained the Knights. Paralyzed by the glowing magic, the Knights couldn't move at all.

Suddenly, the ground crumbled around Applejack.

Section #5:

The ground opened up -- and Applejack fell through the earth.

"AAAAAH!" screamed Applejack. "HELP!"

The Mane 6 gasped, minus Dash, along with Shining Armor and his family.

"I told you the ground was unstable," said Maud, with her usual dispassionate voice.

Still hovering and meditating, Spike's body started to glow. Suddenly, he was engulfed in a yellow light.

Toward the ground far below Canterlot, Applejack was rapidly plummeting. Twilight dived down to grab Applejack.

Suddenly, the ground opened around Pinkie and Rarity. They also fell through. The two girls shrieked in terror.

"Don't worry, girls!" cried Fluttershy.

Fluttershy dived down after them. Unfortunately, Rarity was flailing her arms violently. By mistake, she knocked out her yellow pegasus friend.

"I feel so strangely warm ... !" remarked Spike under his breath. "It's like a giant mother hugging me tightly ... !"

"Spike!" cried Shining Armor. "Wake up!"

Spike opened his eyes. He was still glowing yellow, but he didn't notice. He rubbed his eyes and yawned.

Moments later, Spike gasped. He looked down toward the ground.

"My friends! They're in danger!"

Spike dashed into the sky. He dived toward the ground far below Canterlot.

Section #6:

Pinkie and Rarity continued to scream. Meanwhile, Twilight had already pulled Applejack back to safety, perching herself on the roof of Canterlot Castle. Thanks to perceptual blindness, Twilight had no idea about Pinkie or Rarity.

"Rarity!" cried Spike. "I'll save you!"

His body glowing brighter, his hand reached out for Rarity. The yellow glow engulfed the white unicorn! Suddenly, Rarity calmed down.

"Spike!" she cheered. "My hero!"

With ease, Spike pulled her back up. He placed Rarity on top of Canterlot Castle, near Twilight.

"WHAT ABOUT MEEEEEEEE!!!???" screamed Pinkie Pie. Her voice echoed across the land.

Twilight and Spike gasped. Both raced down to grab their pink friend.

Spike reached out his hand. Twilight used her horn. Pinkie glowed with both the glow of Twilight's horn and the glow from Spike. Together, the two grabbed Pinkie and carried her to the top of Canterlot Castle as well.

Pinkie had no idea she had been rescued. Again, she screamed: "HELLLLLLPPPP!!!"

"Pinkie!" said Twilight. "You're safe!"

Pinkie gasped with surprise. She looked up at Twilight and Spike. Then she looked down at the surface below her.

"I am!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah!" declared Spike. "Me and Twily did it as a team! For once in my life!"

"Hey!" said Twilight. Slightly annoyed, she stared at Spike.

Finally, the yellow glow started to fade from Spike's body.

"Spike!" said Pinkie. "Your body was glowing yellow!"

"Really?" asked Spike, with a hopeful smile. "Did I do it? Did I activate one of the Elements?"

Twilight and Pinkie laughed.

"I don't know about that," replied Twilight. "But -- the Tree of Harmony works in mysterious ways."

"Maybe it was just the general magic of friendship!" said Pinkie.

Section #7:

Suddenly, the castle started to shake. Twilight turned her head to the ground in front of the castle. Then she looked down at the roof she was standing on.

The roof was starting to crack!

The Mane 6, minus Dash, screamed in horror, along with Maud's surveyors. Even Maud had to gasp.

The sirens sounded throughout Canterlot.

With the Canterlot voice, Twilight called -- "THIS IS NOT A DRILL! CANTERLOT, WE MUST EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!"

The residents of Canterlot screamed with fear. Flooding the streets, they started to panic. They tripped and trampled over one another. Pegasi were crashing into one another in the sky.

Just then, what should appear -- but some new but familiar faces?

The other sets of Elements had arrived -- the Abyssinian 6, the Farasian 6, the Caninian 6, and the Ornithian 6! All of them floated toward Canterlot.

An exhausted Dash was resting her eyes on Captain Celaeno's back, hugging her neck. Dash was completely drained.

"Don't worry!" cried Zecora. "We saved Canterlot once! We'll save it again!"

True to their word, the other four sets of Elements stopped and undid the damage to the earth.

Twilight sighed with relief.

Section #8:

Shining Armor swooped down toward the defeated and disempowered Knights. With his horn, he lifted the Knights off the ground.

"There is only one place where you're welcome here," Armor declared. "And it begins with the letter 'T'!"

#2 - The New Students

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Section #1:

Shining Armor floated off with the defeated and battered Knights, using his horn to carry them along. Cadance and Flurry Heart flew along. His Royal Guard followed alongside him.

Back on the Canterlot grounds, the Elements from the other four countries (the Abyssinian 6, Farasian 6, Caninian 6, and Ornithian 6) landed on the ground.

"Greetings, our new friends!" said Twilight. "Didn't think we would meet again so soon!"

"We were just dying to meet you again, anyway!" said Queen Fiona Floppyears.

She grabbed Twilight off the ground and gave her a big hug! It knocked the wind out of Twilight.

"What are your girlfriends' names again?" asked Fiona.

"The Mane 6? First, there's Pinkie Pie!" Twilight pointed to her pink friend.

"... Then there's Rarity!" She pointed to the white unicorn.

"... Rainbow Dash!" She pointed to the blue pegasus, still napping on Captain Celaeno's back. In fact, Dash seemed fast asleep now!

"... Applejack!" Twilight pointed to the orange pony.

"... And ...?"

Twilight grew pale.

"Fluttershy!" she cried, tears starting to fall. "We forgot about her!"

"Well, I didn't!" said a familiar voice. He did not sound happy.

Discord was carrying Fluttershy on his back. She was giving him a big hug!

"Discord!" cried Pinkie Pie. "Thank Twilight she's alright!"

"No," said Discord. "Thank me!" With his thumb, he pointed to himself.

Pinkie laughed nervously. "Just a figure of speech ... using my Princess's name as an interjection ..."

"Uhh ...," said Twilight. "I don't think that's a good use of my name."

"Discord," cried Rarity, "Canterlot is closing down!"

On her knees, Rarity seemed to be begging and pleading.

"Let me guess ...," replied Discord. "Canterlot has taken one earthquake too many."

"Is there not something you could do?" cried Rarity, her eyes watering up again.

"Please, Discord," said Fluttershy gently, rubbing her face against his. "I don't think we can do this ourselves."

"Alright, then," replied Discord, blushing a little. "But satisfaction is not guaranteed."

Discord snapped his fingers.

For a moment, a bright light flashed around Canterlot. It stunned the citizens, causing them to fall to the ground.

Unfortunately, nothing seemed to have changed.

"Well, ladies," replied Discord, "I am unable to completely solve the problem. But I at least bought you some time."

"Thank you so much!" said Rarity. This time, she was crying happy tears. She gave the draconequus a big kiss!

"Honestly," continued Discord, "who builds a city in such a precarious spot? It was always a disaster waiting to happen."

"I second the emotion," replied Maud Pie.

Fiona continued, "Your girlfriends are such awesome girls. And so are you!"

As she spoke, she picked up the rest of the Mane 6, squeezing them, too!

Twilight laughed, pawing the ground. "I don't want to brag too much about myself."

"What about me?" asked Spike, hovering in front of her. "Am I not your best friend, too, Princess?"

Spike stared toward Twilight, his eyes getting a little wet.

Twilight hung her head, sighing with sadness. She looked up to her little dragon.

"I'm so sorry, Spike. The more I think about it, I realize you really are a poor little dragon ... longing for my affection." As she spoke, her eyes got a little wet, too.

Flapping her wings, she leapt up and gave Spike a big hug.

"Hugging and making up!" exclaimed Fiona. "Those are my favorite hugs of all!"

With a big jump, Fiona grabbed Twilight and Spike and gave them a big hug. It knocked the wind out of both.

"That reminds Us," said Queen Katherina Proudpaws. "We have a new student to show you for your School of Friendship."

"So do I!" added Capper.

On his head, he was wearing a crown!

"Capper!" exclaimed Rarity. "You're a king now?"

"Oh!" said Capper with a smile. "Call me King Capper now. Or 'Your Royal Cleverness'."

As King Capper spoke, he fidgeted with his crown.

"I also have a student!" said Captain Celaeno.

"And I!" added Zecora. "In fact, I have three!"

"Where are they?" asked Applejack.

"They are at the School of Friendship, Your Majesty," replied Queen Katherina.

"Seriously?" asked Fluttershy, with a concerned voice. "You brought your kids to a battlefield?"

Fiona laughed. "Of course not! We dropped them off before we arrived to help you."

"So," asked Twilight, "how did you all get here so fast? It's like you teleported!"

"We were already on our way," replied Ocypete -- "to deliver your new students." She laughed. "Dashie actually crashed into me, and I had to calm down the poor scared pony. But -- yeah -- these Elements feel like the future of transportation!"

Rainbow Dash's eyes started to open. "Uh ... uh ... I'm still alive! I ... I guess ... it was all just a dream."

The rest of the Mane 6 laughed, along with most of the other Element bearers. (Queen Katherina, King Thaumas, and Queen Ozomene tried to keep straight faces.)

Section #2:

At the School of Friendship, Starlight Glimmer stood in front of the entrance. So did Trixie and Sunburst -- along with the Student 6 (aka "Young 6").

The six new kids stood in front of the nine creatures. The six included a zebra (boy), abada (girl), kelpie (boy), dog (boy), cat (girl), and bird (boy). They were much younger and smaller than the Student 6.

"Welcome to the School of Friendship!" greeted Starlight.

"Hello, everycreature!" greeted the Student 6.

"I'm your headmare!" said Starlight, pointing to herself.

"And the Great and Powerful Trixie is your counselor!" said Trixie, pointing to herself.

"And these are the 'Student 6'!" said Sunburst, pointing to the Student 6. "Oh -- and I'm Sunburst ... the vice headmare."

"Our veteran students will be your new mentors," said Starlight. "Each of you will be assigned to one of them."

"I want the dragon!" said the little cat girl, jumping with excitement.

"And I want the yak!" said the little dog boy, wagging his tail. (The dog looked like an Australian shepherd.)

Smolder, the dragon, flew to the little cat (a calico). "My name is Smolder. We could get into some wild misadventures together!"

Yona, the yak, bounced on over to the dog. As she bounced, she shook the ground.

"Yona happy to meet you!" She jumped with excitement. "Yaks great at smashing stuff. And Yona think dog can join me! There plenty stuff in school to smash!"

The little dog barked with excitement. He jumped onto Yona and licked her face.

With a happy meow, the little cat gave Smolder a big hug. She rubbed her face against Smolder's. Smolder blushed with embarrassment. Then she laughed.

Smolder gave the little cat a big hug, too. "I see you're super excited to be here! It took much longer for me to warm up to this place!"

"I'm not excited," protested the little abada girl, sitting on the grass and crossing her arms in protest. "That friendship stuff may work for Dust Devil. But not for me. I wanna be alone!"

"Come on!" said the little zebra boy. "Dust Devil is so much fun to play with. I love getting rides on their tornadoes!" As he spoke, he spun around like a twister.

"How can you resist a creature like them?" asked the little kelpie boy. "All they want is to love you!" As he spoke, he hugged the air.

Sitting on the walk, the little bird (a lovebird) started to cry.

"I wanna go home!" he wailed. He blew his nose into his wing feathers.

"Oh, poor boy!" said Ocellus, flying on over to the little bird boy. "I was homesick, too. But then my new friends became my family away from family!"

"It's just not the same! I want Mommy and Daddy!"

"Can you show me some photos?" asked Ocellus, flapping her wings with excitement. "I could change into your parents if you want!"

"Ocellus!" shouted Starlight. "That is against the rules!"

Starlight turned red with embarrassment, laughing nervously. "I forgot -- we don't yell at our friends."

All the creatures laughed, except for the little bird and abada.

"What should we call your group?" asked Sunburst. "We have the Student 6, also known as the 'Young 6'."

"How about the 'Younger 6'?" suggested the little dog.

"Yeah!" agreed the cat, zebra, and kelpie.

Section 3:

Just then, the Farasian 6 arrived at the scene. Zecora walked to her three little students.

"Now, my little ones, go and have some fun! Don't worry; you will not be alone. It will be your home away from home!"

"We will!" said the little zebra and kelpie. Both hugged Zecora's legs.

"I won't!" said the little abada.

The Abyssinian 6 arrived. Capper walked to his little student.

"You behave yourself, all right, my little Napper?" said Capper with a warm smile, picking her up for a hug. "Don't be stealing too much stuff, okay? We're trying to cut down on that, to be better friends."

The Caninian 6 arrived. Katherina walked to her little student.

"Now, my little Yapper," said Katherina. "do not embarrass us. You are our ambassador now. So do not be scooting on the floors or scratching your ears in class."

The rest of the Younger 6 laughed. The abada girl also laughed, pointing her finger mockingly. Even the little bird found himself smiling, chuckling under his breath.

Ever so slightly, the little bird's tears started to dry.

The Ornithian 6 arrived. Captain Celaeno flew to her own little student.

"Would you like to give your parents one last goodbye?"

The little bird sniffled. "Could they stay one last night? At the school?"

"I don't see why not. My bird friends wanted to stay overnight anyway."

The little bird's parents walked to him (also lovebirds). The father was also crying, but trying to smile.

"We will miss you, too!" said the father. "But we will visit once per week, whenever we can!"

The bird father blew his nose into his wing feathers.

The mother was also smiling, but didn't seem too upset at all.

"You do want to be a big boy, don't you?" she said. "This is a great responsibility for you. You are our little diplomat. We don't want to lose our new friends with the zebras, dogs, cats, or ponies."

"And kelpies and abadas!" added the abada girl, feeling annoyed by the omission.

The bird father lifted up his little boy, giving him a big hug. The mother scratched her son's head.

"I will be a big boy!" said the little bird, his tears nearly dried up. "I will miss you. I will miss my home. But I wanna make you happy! 'Cause it'll make me happy!"

The bird father put his son back down. Both parents waved toward him.

"Goodbye, Winger!" they said.

"Goodbye, Mommy and Daddy!" Winger waved back to them.

The parents flew off. So did the Ornithian 6.

The rest of the foreign Elements started walking away.

"Remember what I told you," said Capper, waving back to Nappy. "Don't earn a reputation as a thief."

Katherina gave a little wave with her paw. "Yapper, do not be a diplomatic disaster for us. We do not want a war."

Zecora looked back toward her three students. "You kids please work together. And be best friends forever!"

Marini (zebra; F), Dust Devil (abada; NB), and Crystal (kelpie; F) waved to their respective cousins. "See you later, cousins!"

"See you!" The little zebra and kelpie waved back.

"See you later, Cappy!" called Napper, also waving.

"See you, Kattie," called Yapper, also waving.

Katherina gave him an angry stare, grinding her teeth. "Don't call me 'Kattie". Or 'Kat'. I hate those words!"

Yapper hung his head, whimpering. "Sorry, Majesty."

"That's okay, Yappy. Just remember it is poor manners to address a queen in an informal manner unless she invites you to do so."

The Farasian 6, Abyssinian 6, and Caninian 6 left the scene.

Up in the sky, the Mane 6 and Spike floated alongside Discord. Even Discord couldn't help but smile and sniffle at the emotional scene. He snapped a tissue box into existence ... and blew right into the box!

#3 - Camp Harmony

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Inside the School of Friendship, inside their special bedroom, the Student 6 were sitting in their bunk beds.

The sun had already set. The moon was starting to rise.

Starlight Glimmer teleported herself into the bedroom -- along with her office desk and the chair she was sitting in! Twilight teleported herself plus Trixie and Sunburst, along with the chairs they were sitting in.

The six students gasped in surprise.

"Is there a problem, headmare?" asked Sandbar.

"I've heard of going to the principal's office," remarked Smolder. "But not the principal's office coming to us!"

Gallus pointed to Smolder. "She did it!"

In the bunk beds, Gallus, Smolder, and Sandbar sat in the top beds. Silverstream, Ocellus, and Yona sat in the bottom beds, respectively.

"Gallus," said Starlight, calmly, "what have we told you about honesty?"

Gallus turned red with embarrassment. He hung his head with sadness.

"Please forgive me, Smolder. It was me who burned down the kitchen. ... I didn't mean to."

Smolder flew to Gallus's bed. She gave the gryphon a big hug.

Then she blew a flame in his face! Gallus yelped.

"All forgiven!" said Smolder, with a mischievous smile.

Gallus's face was blackened by the flame, but he was perfectly fine.

"Speaking of 'honesty'," announced Starlight, "we have a special project for you students!"

"What is it!?" exclaimed Silverstream, flapping her wings and leaping into the air.

"Yona wanna know! Yona wanna know!" Yona jumped on her bed ... smashing right through!

Silverstream continued to hover, barely able to contain her excitement.

"We are starting a special new program for the School of Friendship," announced Trixie, who was wearing her magician's outfit. "It's called ... Camp Harmony!"

Trixie teleported a blackboard into the scene, with big letters saying "CAMP HARMONY!" Taking off her hat, she launched some fireworks out of her hat.

The others coughed from the smoke ... except for Smolder and Ocellus.

"You remember what happened last week?" asked Starlight Glimmer.

Sandbar sighed, hanging his head with sadness. "Yeah ... We almost lost everything we love."

Sandbar sniffled. He started to cry. From under his pillow, he pulled out a photo of his father, mother, and baby sister. He started to hug it.

"There is one bright side," said Starlight Glimmer. "Why don't you tell them, Princess?"

"Believe it or not," said Twilight -- "the Knights of Terror gave us one good word of advice."

As Twilight spoke, she flashed her horn and erased the blackboard.

"Stay isolated?" asked Gallus.

"Keep other countries isolated?" asked Yona.

Twilight laughed. "No, my friends. Let me finish."

Twilight cleared her throat. "According to King Danu, each generation of Knights trains from birth to wield the Elements of Patriotism."

Flashing her horn, she created a crude figure on the board. It was a picture of baby versions of the Knights, along with a shining jewel above each one.

"So I thought we should do the same thing," Twilight continued -- "with our Elements of Harmony. And not just a few of us -- we want the whole class to control the magic of friendship!"

Twilight created a second figure below the first. She drew a whole bunch of children, along with the Student 6, the Mane 6, and the Pillars of Equestria. Next, she drew the School of Friendship shield above, with rays and sparkles shining down on the crudely drawn crowd.

"Yeah!" cheered Silverstream, twirling around in the air. "Instead of 'Student 6', let's make it 'Student 6000'!"

"Are you sure this will work?" asked Sunburst, as he was studying his notebook. "Might we spread our Elements too thin, or something?"

"If there's one thing the Knights don't understand," said Twilight, "it's the magic of friendship! You might not believe this -- but that wasn't the first time my Element of Magic got hijacked. But that's a long story ... back when I first became a Princess. The lesson is -- the magic of friendship allowed me to get my Element back!"

"Camp Harmony sounds wonderful, my dear Princess!" said Sandbar. With a tissue, he blew his nose and dried his tears. "Can I bring my mom, my dad, and my baby sister?"

Smolder laughed. "I've heard of your parents taking you to camp. But not you taking your parents to camp!"

"Hold your horses, Sandbar," said Starlight Glimmer. "We need to set our camp up first!"

Smolder and Gallus chuckled. (They were still sitting next to each other.)

"And you six will be our special helpers!" declared Twilight. "You are going to be the Camp Counselors!"

Silverstream squealed with delight!

"Yeah!" cheered Gallus and Smolder, with their fists in the air.

"Yona be great counselor!" On her already broken bed, Yona jumped with joy, shaking the whole room.

Unfortunately, her body smashed into the bed above hers (where Sandbar was sitting). The impact threw Sandbar out of his bed.

"YAHHHH!" cried Sandbar.

"I got you!" cried Silverstream.

Swooping down, Silverstream caught him just in time. Flying back up, she placed him back on his bed.

Yona looked up toward Sandbar. "Yona sorry. Yona no mean to hurt pony friend."

Sandbar stared toward Twilight. With a weak smile, his eyes watered up again. "Me ... a Camp Counselor? ... THIS IS SO AMAZING!"

Sandbar leapt out of his bed and jumped with joy. Now standing on his bed, he asked, "So, my dear Princess! What's my Element?"

Flashing her horn, Twilight erased the blackboard again. "As you know, there are six Elements of Harmony."

"Loyalty!" called Smolder.

"Generosity!" called Gallus.

"Kindness!" called Ocellus.

"Laughter!" called Silverstream.

"Honesty!" called Yona.

"And Magic!" called Sandbar.

Twilight laughed. "That's so funny! Those are the Elements I wanted you to stand for!"

Twilight flashed a new figure onto the board. It was a sketch of the Elements of Harmony, the jewels arranged like the points of a hexagon. By each of the Elements, there was a sketch of one of the Student 6. Each jewel was colored with its respective color.

Starlight explained, "For our new program, we will divide the students up into six camps. Each of you will be Camp Counselor for one of the camps."

With her horn, Starlight added crude sketches of crowds of students -- one by each of the Student 6.

"Let me guess," said Smolder, "... Camp Loyalty, Camp Generosity, Camp Kindness, ... and so forth."

"Your Great and Powerful Counselor would love to tell you all about it!" announced Trixie. "But now it's time for bed. Growing friends need at least 13 hours of sleep!"

"Seriously?" asked Gallus. "I need only 6."

Just then, someone started snoring. The others looked to see who it was.

Already, Sandbar was fast asleep. He was hugging his pillow, cuddling with his photo of his family!

"Awwww ... !" said the rest of the creatures.

Twilight hovered over Sandbar's bed. "You really love your family, don't you, Sandbar? My big brother feels much the same way!"

Perching on his bed, Twilight hugged Sandbar with her wing. "Sleep tight, my little earth pony!"

Twilight tucked him under the sheets.

#4 - A Royal Guard Problem

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Section #1:

Back at Canterlot Castle, Twilight's family was having a reunion. In a fancy dining room, everyone was there: Shining Armor, Cadance, Flurry Heart, and Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle ... and don't forget Spike! They were all eating spaghetti with hay sauce. (For the moment, Twilight was absent.)

Other guests included Flash Magnus, Rockhoof, and six Royal Guards (five stallions and one mare). For the moment, Twilight was not at the scene.

Outside, it was now dark, the moon shining high in the sky.

"So, Shining Armor," asked Mr. Sparkle with a smile, "how did it feel having to fight the Knights of Terror?"

Mr. Sparkle took another bite of his spaghetti with hay sauce.

"Oh!" said Shining Armor. "The first time was terrible. Half my Guard fell victim to Danu's earthquakes. And those Knights stole my magic before I could really use it. Deep inside, I was a scared little boy. Thank goodness all my guards survived!"

Starting with a smile, he started hanging his head with sadness.

Then he smiled again. "But the second time, it was completely different! My Guard actually felt useful for a change! We got our revenge. We beat their flanks!"

Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle clapped their hooves, along with Flurry Heart.

"I was feeling on top of the world!" continued Shining Armor. "But then ..."

He hung his head again, starting to sniffle. "... The alicorns and I used our powers to blast the six monsters one last time."

Armor's eyes started to get wet. "But when we did ... we accidentally blasted my Guard, too!"

Armor started to cry. "This is absurd! Our Guard is supposed to protect our Princesses. Instead, the Princesses are always protecting them ... and me!"

He started to cry his eyes out. "Where have I gone wrong!" he wailed.

Section #2:

Just then, Twilight teleported back to her seat at the table.

Twilight heard the sound of crying. She turned and looked at her big brother.

Twilight gasped. "My big brother! What's wrong?!"

"I'm no big brother!" cried Shining Armor. "My little sister is so powerful! But I'm so helpless!"

Twilight flew to her brother's side. She started to hug him.

"That's not true," Twilight tried to assure him. "You and Cadance drove off the changelings, with the power of your love! And you two helped save the Crystal Empire!"

"But Chrysalis brainwashed me. And almost turned me against you. My shielding powers were no match against that!"

In his angry sadness, Shining Armor threw down his glass. "And King Sombra disabled my magic early on! It was up to you and Cadance ..."

"And me!" called Spike, his arms crossed in frustration.

"... to rescue the Crystal Heart. But then one day, Sombra returned. And we were not ready for it! It took you and your girlfriends to rescue me and my family!"

Getting sadder and angrier, Armor threw down his plate. Remnants of spaghetti and hay sauce splattered onto the floor.

"As Sombra squeezed the Crystal Heart ... ," continued Armor, "I saw it starting to break ... along with my own heart!"

"Dear Armor," said Cadance, trying to soothe him, "I've been kind of unlucky, too, in the fight against evil. It's not just you."

"But it's like I'm the born loser!" As Armor raised his voice, he stood up.

He yanked the tablecloth ... causing everyone's dinner to fall onto the floor. "You've had your victories. But I never get to save the day for myself!"

Shining Armor took a couple deep breaths. "Why can't I be an alicorn? Is it even possible? Or is it something only girls get to do?"

Twilight's eyes started to water up. So did Cadance's. Flurry Heart started to cry.

Spike turned toward Shining Armor, looking him in the eye. Spike hung his head and sighed. "I must admit ... big brother ... life has been nicer to me than to you. As far as saving the day is concerned."

Armor sat back down. Resting his head on the table, he silently wept.

Section #3:

Just then, Shining Armor's cutie mark started to glow. It was pulsating.

"Shining Armor!" said Twilight. "Your cutie mark!"

Armor gasped, jerking his head back up. "Did it disappear!"

Twilight chuckled. "No, Shiny. It's glowing!"

Armor looked back at his cutie mark. He laughed with relief. "I suppose it is!"

"And you know what that means ... ?" asked Twilight.

"What?"

"The Cutie Map is calling you!"

"But why?"

"It must be a friendship problem!"

Shining Armor got back up. "But where does the map want me to go?"

"Spike!" called Twilight. With her horn, she started writing a note on a scroll. "Send this letter to Lyra and Bon Bon!"

With her horn, Twilight sealed the scroll and threw it toward her little dragon. Spike blew his magic fire breath, burning up the letter.

Section #4:

In the Castle of Friendship, Lyra and Bon Bon were sitting around the Cutie Map. Both were wearing their sunglasses and spy suits. Each had a black suitcase, leaning against her chair. They sat on opposite sides.

"Incoming!" called Lyra.

Lyra's horn flashed. Twilight's scroll popped out of Lyra's horn.

Bon Bon leapt on top of the table, sliding to Lyra's spot. She snatched the letter and pulled it open.

"It's from the Princess!" said Bon Bon. "Shining Armor's cutie mark is glowing."

"We already knew that, you know?" replied Lyra. "His mark is floating right over Canterlot Castle."

"But he doesn't know," said Bon Bon. Quickly, she pulled out a sheet of paper and wrote a letter. "We must tell him immediately!"

Sealing the letter in an envelope, Bon Bon threw it over Lyra's horn. Lyra zapped the letter, and it disappeared.

* * *

Back in Canterlot Castle, everyone was eating dinner as normal again. The table was back to normal, and the floor was clean.

Suddenly, Spike belched out a jet of fire. Bon Bon's letter landed in front of Twilight ... falling onto her spaghetti and hay sauce!

With her horn, Twilight opened the letter. "Shining Armor, your cutie mark is hovering above Canterlot Castle!"

"You mean my friendship problem is right here?"

"Apparently so."

Shining Armor got back up. "But where? Where in the castle?"

Just then, Sunburst teleported into the scene. "Twilight! Shining Armor! Come to the throne room -- immediately!"

Section #5:

Shining Armor, Twilight, and Sunburst teleported into the throne room.

"What's the problem, Sunburst?" asked Twilight.

"It's pretty loud in here," remarked Armor. ... "It sounds like ponies ... fighting ... ?"

"That's exactly what it is!" exclaimed Sunburst. "The Royal Guard is fighting -- among themselves! Look!"

In the throne room, the Royal Guards would usually be standing in neat lines, guarding the paths to the throne. They would barely move or make a sound. But now it was chaos.

Different sets of guards were fighting one another, hoof to hoof. One female guard and one male guard were fighting with their spears!

Shining Armor and Twilight both gasped with horror.

Shining Armor shone his horn over the fighting Guards. Pulling the guards apart from one another, he immediately ended the fights.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" he exclaimed.

The guards stood silent. Turning toward Shining Armor, their eyes were wide with fear.

Armor started to sniffle again. "This isn't what you're supposed to be about. You comrades are supposed to love one another -- be there for one another. You know ... like my sister and me! And my wife and me!"

He hugged his sister. Cadance teleported into the scene and hugged him.

With his horn, Armor disarmed the two guards who were fighting with spears. He started to cry again.

"I think I finally know what's wrong," said Armor ... "My Royal Guard doesn't understand the magic of friendship."

#5 - Welcome to Camp Harmony

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Section #1:

At the School of Friendship, there was now a great new sports stadium. It was so big, it could allow just about any sport. In addition, it could double as an auditorium that could hold all the students, in this ever-growing school. The number of students had grown to over 3,000!

All the students (along with other guests) were sitting in the bleachers. Some of the school staff were handing out food and drink (no bits required!).

Sandbar's parents were sitting among the crowd, along with baby Coral. In the bleachers just above, Thorax was sitting with Ember and Pharynx. Beside Sandbar's family, there sat Ocellus' family, along with Yona's family. In the bleachers just below sat Garble and his gang, plus Gilda and Grampa Gruff.

"I'm so proud of my little Sandbar!" remarked Sandbar's mother, with a happy tear in her eyes.

"How much he's grown up!" added the father, also crying happy tears.

"And now he wants us to learn what he's learned!"

"Sammbah! Sammbah!" cheered baby Coral, in her mother's lap.

Ember turned to Thorax. "Thorax, I just want to apologize, once more, for threatening to burn down your kingdom. That was extremely cruel, and I knew it."

Thorax gave her a big hug. "I love you, Ember. You're like the sister I never had!"

Ember blushed. She hugged him back. "You're like the brother I never had!"

Pharynx turned to Thorax. "You know how Celestia and Luna have a book called The Journal of the Two Sisters? Why don't we write a book called 'The Journal of the Two Brothers'?"

"I could help you write it!" said Stygian, sitting beside Pharynx.

Garble and his gang were cheering as if they were at a hoofball game -- complete with T-shirts featuring Smolder's name and picture, along with other paraphernalia.

"Go, Smolder! Go!" called Garble, holding up a big foam finger. "You're #1!"

The purple dragon with the yellow "hair" (Fume) grabbed a whole tray of food and drinks from one of the workers (Lemon Hearts). He tossed most of them to his friends, giving the rest to himself.

"Thank you very much!" said Fume, with a friendly but mischievous smile. "You are very generous!"

Lemon Hearts laughed nervously. "Well ... thank you, boys!"

Garble and his gang started gobbling the snacks and sucking down the drinks.

Wearing their sunglasses, Lyra and Bon Bon were also offering drinks and snacks.

"Remember, Agent Heartstrings!" whispered Bon Bon. "We are on the lookout for suspicious creatures who might crash this assembly!"

Lyra and Bon Bon approached Ocellus' family.

"No, thanks, ma'ams!" said Ocellus' mom. "We aren't feeling very hungry ... now that we have so much love to give!"

Ocellus' family was hugging one another, rubbing faces. They faintly glowed, as if they were literally feeding each other with their love.

"A likely story ... ," said Bon Bon, with a deadpan face.

Lyra offered food and drinks to the two gryphons. Bon Bon proceeded to Yona's family (her parents and her little brother and sister).

Suddenly, she tripped and fell -- causing her tray to fly onto the yaks! Her sunglasses fell off in the process.

Bon Bon gasped with fear. "I'm ... I'm sorry, yaks."

"No worry!" said Yona's father. "Yaks no smash pony. We friends now!"

"Thank ... thank you!" said Bon Bon with nervous smile. She picked back up her sunglasses.

Yona's family started eating the snacks off one another's fur. Lyra walked on by. The yaks grabbed the drinks and started slurping them down.

"Pony food great!" said Yona's mom.

"It no yak food! But perfect for pony!" remarked Yona's sister.

Suddenly, the sound of microphone feedback pierced through the noise of the crowd. Everyone stopped talking and sat still ... after plugging their ears for a few seconds.

Section #2:

"Attention, ponies!" called Starlight Glimmer. "School is back in session!"

Starlight was standing at the center podium. Twilight and Sunburst stood at the podiums beside her.

With a puff of smoke, Trixie teleported in front of the podiums. She was holding a microphone with her horn.

"Counselor Trixie is really proud of your progress on your friendship lessons!" she announced. Now the Great and Powerful Trixie wants to take it to the next level!"

Starlight, slapped her hoof against her forehead. Trixie was still one of Starlight's best friends, but her self-absorbed manners could still get on Starlight's nerves. Twilight and Sunburst were also annoyed.

Putting back on a smile, Starlight said, "That's right, Trixie. Today, we are here to announce our latest school program. Why don't you tell them, Sunburst?"

Sunburst put on a nervous smile. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "We are starting a new summer camp. But not just any camp. It's called ... Camp Harmony!"

With his horn, Sunburst brought down a giant banner (which had been rolled up on a giant hanger far above). In big letters, it said "CAMP HARMONY!" Surrounding the text were the jewels standing for the six Elements of Harmony.

Pressing a remote control, Trixie let off a bunch of fireworks, colored like the Elements of Harmony.

The crowed cheered, clapping their hands and whistling.

Sunburst continued, "You see, my faithful students ... many of you know what happened last week. Six monsters almost stole our Elements of Harmony!"

Many in the crowd gasped in shock.

"What can we do!" cried out one of the students.

"That is what this camp is about!" declared Sunburst. "For far too long, we have kept all our eggs ... or Elements ... in one basket. If we lose one of our Mane 6 ... who will take their place?"

"So," continued Twilight -- "we want to train all of you to bear the Elements of Harmony! And we have some special creatures to help you out!"

From behind the curtain, the Student 6 walked onto the stage. Again, the crowd cheered.

"Here are six of our newest graduates!" declared Twilight. "They are the Student 6. Why don't you introduce yourselves?"

Each of the Student 6 carried a microphone. They stood in front of the podiums, standing side by side. Sandbar stood between Yona and Ocellus. Gallus stood between Smolder and Silverstream.

"Good morning, my fellow students! My name's Sandbar!"

"I'm Gallus!"

"My name is Smolder!" Smolder jumped slightly into the air, hovering for a moment.

"I'm Silverstream!" Silverstream leapt into the air, hovering above her friends.

"My ... my name is Ocellus!" Ocellus blushed with shyness.

"And Yona Yona!" Yona jumped with excitement, shaking the stage. The other students lost their balance and fell ... except for Silverstream, who was still hovering.

Sitting on the ground, Sandbar continued talking. "Camp Harmony will be divided into six different camps. Each will specialize in a different Element of Harmony. My Element is Magic."

"I'm Loyalty!" declared Smolder, pointing her thumb to herself. Flapping her wings, she got back onto her feet.

"I'm Generosity!" said Gallus, also getting back up.

"I'm ... I'm Kindness!" said Ocellus, blushing again. "I ... I don't mean to brag about myself ..."

"I am Laughter!" With her wings, Silverstream did some loops in the air. "Why did the gryphon cross the road? To get to his friend on the other side!" In the air, she rolled around with laughter.

Gallus cringed, kind of amused, kind of annoyed. Ocellus and Sandbar also got back up.

"Yona Honesty!" Yona jumped again with excitement. "Yaks perfectly honest! Yaks say what yaks mean!

Once again, Sandbar fell back onto the floor. This time, Smolder, Gallus, and Ocellus kept their balance by flapping their wings.

"These veteran students," announced Twilight, "will be your new Camp Counselors! With their magic of friendship, they have helped save us on multiple occasions. And they're ready to help you do the same!"

The crowd clapped and cheered.

Smolder leapt into the air, hovering slightly off the ground. "Don't be fooled by my appearance." She pointed her thumb toward herself. "This dragon has a warm heart deep inside!"

Smolder blew a big friendly fireball that looked like a heart.

Garble blushed with a smile, feeling the warmth of his sister's affection. His gang also blushed and smiled. Many of the older students gasped a little in fear. But many of the younger students felt their hearts being warmed.

"We're gonna have great fun!" exclaimed Silverstream. She did more loops in the sky. "We'll laugh ... we'll cry ... we'll all be friends forever!"

Section #3:

Twilight jumped into the air, picking up her microphone with her horn. Hovering in front of the giant banner, she continued, "In addition to our new school program, we also have some new foreign students! Cutie Mark Crusaders -- bring them in!"

One by one, the Cutie Mark Crusaders came out from behind the curtain.

Apple Bloom walked along with the little zebra boy. "Hello, everycreature! I'm Apple Bloom!"

"And my name is Striper!" said the little zebra. Standing on his hind legs, he waved to the crowd. "Zecora has told me great things about you ponies!"

The little kelpie boy, using his water powers, slid onto the stage. Flapping her wings, Scootaloo rushed into the scene on her scooter.

"I'm Scootaloo!"

Scootaloo tried to stop, but her scooter slipped on the little kelpie's watery tail.

"YAHHHHH!" cried Scootaloo.

Scootaloo was flung off her scooter. She fell off the stage and onto the field below.

Most of the audience gasped. The little kelpie, on the other hand, continued to smile. Unfortunately, some of the dragons were laughing (along with a few other creatures).

"And my name is Hydroplane!" The kelpie twirled around with excitement. "I hope you love water sports! 'Cause you're in for a splash!" He splashed his arms, causing some water to splatter onto the others on the stage.

Flapping her wings, Scootaloo climbed back onto the stage. She gave the kelpie an angry stare.

Sweetie Belle walked into the scene. The little abada girl sat behind her.

"My name is Sweetie Belle! Little filly, why don't you introduce yourself?"

"Hmph!" said the little abada, her arms crossed with annoyance.

"Her name is Whirlwind!" announced Sweetie Belle.

Babs Seed arrived with the little cat girl (a calico). "My name is Babs Seed! I am the founder of the Cutie Mark Crusaders' Manehattan branch!"

"And my name is Napper!" The little cat girl was wearing a coat just like Capper's, except it was pink. "I hope you love games. I'm great at hide-and-seek! And sneak-and-find!"

Rumble flew in. The little dog boy rode on his back. (Again, resembling an Australian shepherd.)

"My name is Rumble!" Rumble landed on the floor. "And I'm also a Cutie Mark Crusader now! These girls are wonderful ponies, I have to say!"

"My name is Yapper!" said the little dog boy, jumping to the ground. "And I'm great at playing catch! And digging for treasure!" Yapper wore a golden collar with a big diamond heart hanging from it.

Gabby also flew into the scene, wearing her mailbag. "My name is Gabby! I can't grow a cutie mark. But I created my own!" Proudly, she pointed to the symbol on her mailbag.

Several moments passed.

Then several more.

Gabby looked behind, starting to get worried.

"Winger!" she called. She flew back to the curtain. "Come on out, so you can tell everycreature your name!"

Section #4:

Gabby landed behind the curtain. "Winger! Where are you?"

The little bird boy (a lovebird) was sitting nearby. He was crying again, covering his eyes with his wings.

Gabby heard the noise and looked his way. Gabby was really worried now. "Winger ... ? What's wrong?"

"I want Daddy!" cried Winger. "And Mommy!"

Winger's father (Lovington, also a lovebird) flew into the scene.

"Don't worry!" cried Lovington. "Daddy's here!"

Grabbing his son off the ground, Lovington wrapped his wings around his little boy. Lovington was also crying.

"Lovington!" called Winger's mother (Strongheart, also a lovebird), walking into the scene. "You'll see your son again within two weeks!"

Just then, Rainbow Dash dashed into the scene. "Bird missing! I hear a bird's gone missing!"

Gabby giggled. "Don't worry, rainbow pony! Winger's right here!"

"Gabby, the little boy's crying. I don't think that's funny." Dash continued to hover in the air.

"That's not ... ," stammered Gabby ... "I mean ..."

"Professor Dash," said Strongheart. "My husband and son are nearly inseparable. And it's becoming a serious problem. I swear, if one of them has to leave for more than a day, it feels like death to them!"

Rainbow Dash sighed, feeling kind of sad herself. She landed in front of the father and son.

"Winger? Lovington? It's me, Rainbow Dash."

"Good morning, Professor Dash," said Lovington. "I'm just trying to say goodbye one last time to my little son."

"And me to my big daddy!" said Winger.

The father and son started crying again.

"I think I can offer a diagnosis," said Rainbow Dash, turning to Strongheart. "It seems that Winger and Lovington have a severe case of separation anxiety. Trust me ... I know what that's like. A pony might do things she knows she shouldn't, in a desperate bid to get relief."

Rainbow Dash flew to Strongheart. "Strongheart, I don't think your husband is suited to leave just yet. You need to go without him, if there's somewhere else you need to be."

Strongheart sighed. "I admit, I don't like being anywhere without my husband. In fact, I was looking forward to him and me having a few weeks to ourselves -- not burdened by having to raise a child. But it seems those plans have been rained out."

"No problem!" said Dash. "While Winger is here, we're the ones doing the heavy lifting. You and Lovington can have your own room in the guest quarters! It'll be the best of both worlds! Your son gets to see his parents, from time to time. And you get to have a weeks-long honeymoon!"

"Wow, Rainbow Dash!" said Twilight, also landing at the scene. "You sounded ... kind of like me!"

"Well," said Dash, "I guess I've had to be an egghead for so long in this school ... it's kind of rubbed off on me!"

Twilight walked to the little lovebird. She looked him in the eye. "Winger? Do you feel ready now? Mommy and Daddy won't be leaving just yet. It's going to be their vacation, too!"

"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Winger. "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Winger popped out of his father's arms and hugged the alicorn Princess. This time, he was crying happy tears.

Twilight laughed and blushed. She gave Winger a hug, too. "Every student of mine is precious to me. By the way, you can just call me 'Twilight'. Or 'Sparkle'. I want to be your friend, Winger. That's what it means to be a Princess of Friendship!"

Winger's parents looked in amazement. They had never seen such warmth and humility out of a ruler!

"Are you ready now to go out on stage?" asked Twilight.

"Yes!" exclaimed Winger. "I'm ready now!"

Section #5:

Gabby flew back on stage. Winger flew behind, alongside Twilight. Gabby and Winger landed beside the other Cutie Mark Crusaders and new students. Picking back up her microphone, Twilight hovered from above.

"Sorry, creatures!" Twilight apologized with a smile. "It seems we had some technical difficulties."

Gabby picked back up her microphone. "My name is Gabby!"

"And my name is Winger!"

"And I'm Lovington!" Lovington flew onto stage beside his son. "I just want you ponies to know -- we feel more welcome to this land than we could have ever imagined! When Twilight says she's a Princess of Friendship, she means every word she says!"

The crowd cheered -- louder than ever!

Strongheart peered from behind the curtain, kind of surprised and bothered by her husband's fearlessness. For a ruler to live like one of her own subjects ... that was not a concept that Strongheart could grasp.

"Now you have met all six of our new foreign students!" announced Twilight. "I hope you will all treat them well. We don't want any disasters that could threaten our new friendships with other kingdoms."

"By the way," announced Starlight Glimmer, "the EEA has long been concerned that this school doesn't have strong enough security."

The crowd booed.

"I know ... I know ... Technically, we are not certified, so we don't have to play by their rules. Still, the chancellor gave us some important advice. So I want to introduce you to another new set of students. Creatures -- give a big welcome to Shining Armor and his Royal Guard!"

The Royal Guard were sitting in their own section in the stadium. Shining Armor floated above, glowing with the magic of his horn. Starlight pointed in their direction.

Once again, the crowd cheered.

Twilight flew by her big brother. "My big brother wants to learn all he can. This way, the Royal Guard can have the magic of friendship like me, my girlfriends, and the Student 6! And as a bonus -- the School of Friendship will have a far stronger security system!"

Just then, Princess Cadance flew into the scene. With her horn, she was carrying Prince Blueblood.

"Aw, Caddy!" said Blueblood. "I do not want to go to this plain old school. Do I really have to mingle like this with common subjects?"

Cadance gave him a hard stare. She pressed her nose against his. "Blueblood, this is not how our kingdom works! If you want to be a royal in this kingdom, you must learn the ways of friendship!"

Blueblood gulped.

Celestia and Luna descended beside him.

"My dear nephew," said Celestia with a wry smile, "you don't want to disappoint your Aunt Celestia, do you?" She gave him a hug.

"Uhh ... , no, Aunt Celestia ... or Luna."

"Now go down there and have fun!" encouraged Luna. "Our new Queen commands it!"

Cadance brought Prince Blueblood down to the stage.

"Oh!" said Twilight. "We have one other special guest."

She landed next to Blueblood. "Creatures, here is Prince Blueblood. He's not a ruler, but he's still part of our royal family!"

The crowd sat silent. Then some started to boo. (Garble and his gang also booed for the fun of it!)

Cadance picked up another microphone. She dropped it, causing ear-piercing feedback. The crowd quieted down.

Then Cadance picked the microphone back up. "I know, my loyal subjects. My cousin can be hard to get along with. But that's why he needs your help. We must show him that every one of us is a precious gem. As Twilight always says -- if you want to make friends, you must be a friend. You must give creatures a reason to like you!"

Some of the crowd started clapping, but most stayed silent. Among those who clapped were Shining Armor, the changelings, and Sandbar's family. (Garble and his gang cheered just for the fun of it!)

Section #6:

"Now that we've met all our new special students," said Starlight, "let's get started with our new program! As I said, each of you students will be assigned to one of six camps! Sunburst, do you have the cards?"

"Yes, Starlight!" said Sunburst. "Every last one!"

With his horn, he handed the big box to Starlight. Starlight opened the box.

"In just one moment," continued Starlight, "each of you will receive your card. It will have your name, your cutie mark, and the Element of Harmony to which you've been assigned. In three ... two ... one!"

Starlight zapped the cards in the box. Each card was teleported to its respective student, landing on their laps.

"As for our new foreign students," continued Starlight, "each of them will be mentored by one of the Student 6 -- along with one of our Cutie Mark Crusaders!"

Apple Bloom and Striper walked to Sandbar.

"Sandbar!" said Apple Bloom. "Your special student is Striper!"

Scootaloo and Hydroplane scooted to Silverstream.

"Silverstream!" said Scootaloo. "Your special student is Hydroplane! Oh -- and tell Terramar I said hello!"

Using her horn, Sweetie Belle took Whirlwind to Ocellus. "Ocellus, your special student is Whirlwind! She could really use some extra love, from a changeling like you!"

Babs Seed and Napper walked to Smolder.

"Hi, my little kitty!" greeted Smolder. She picked Napper up and hugged her. Napper hugged her back.

Babs giggled. "Smolder, looks like you've already made a new best friend!"

"Yapper! Yapper!" called Yona. She bounced with excitement, charging toward her little dog friend.

Rumble had to fly out of the way. Then Yona tripped and fell, cracking the floor. Her head fell just an inch away from Yapper.

Yapper laughed, saying, "Yona smash stage floor!"

Yona sat up and gave Yapper a big hug. "Yapper smash stuff, too! Yapper and Yona smash together!"

Gabby and Winger flew to Gallus.

"So let me guess ... ," said Gallus. "By process of elimination, I receive the little bird boy."

"Aren't you excited!" said Gabby, hugging and squeezing Gallus. "He's such a precious little lovebird! He's scared to be alone without his mom or dad. And his dad's scared to be alone without him! You're such a good friend, Gallus! I know you will give him the love he needs from fellow birbs like us!"

Winger also gave Gallus a big hug. "I hear great stories about you, Gallus! Is it true you once saved Equestria from losing all its magic? Just you and your five student friends?"

Gallus blushed and laughed. "I ... I didn't know that I was such a celebrated hero!"

Gallus whispered into Gabby's ear, "I must admit, Gabby, I don't feel ready for this taking-care-of-little-children thing. But now the little bird is looking up to me. I don't want to let him down."

Gabby giggled. "Don't worry, Gallus! You're not alone. He's my student, too, you know!"

Suddenly, Bon Bon leapt onto the stage, with the help of a grappling hook. For the moment, Bon Bon wasn't wearing her sunglasses. She marched up to the little cat.

"Little kitty!" she demanded with a deadpan face. "Agent Sweetie Drops demands you surrender those sunglasses right now!"

"What is secret agent talking about?" asked Napper.

Bon Bon pulled off Napper's coat and dumped its contents. One of the items was Bon Bon's sunglasses. There were also a couple of diamonds and pearls, along with a big commemorative gold coin depicting Twilight's coronation as "queen".

Starlight gasped. So did Twilight and Sunburst. (Trixie giggled.)

Lyra (still wearing her sunglasses) climbed up the rope attached to the grappling hook.

She also confronted Napper. "Napper! What you did was very mean. Agent Sweetie really loves her sunglasses. You've really hurt her feelings. And mine!"

With her horn, Lyra returned the stolen glasses, putting them back on for Bon Bon.

"That's right, Napper," said Smolder, taking a seat beside the little cat. "I understand the thrill of the game. But nowadays, I don't play for keeps. I return everything!"

Napper hung her head in shame. "Sorry, Smolder. I let Capper down big time!"

"As for you, little dog!" said Bon Bon, pointing to Yapper. "My sources say that you've buried some stolen treasure yourself!"

"It was just a few diamonds ... ," said Yapper, scratching the floor nervously. He also hung his head with shame. "They were so pretty!"

"In your kingdom," said Lyra, "diamonds may be a dime a dozen. But in Equestria, they're much more expensive."

"Yaks no steal!" boasted Yona. "Yaks honorable creatures!"

Starlight walked to the scene. She turned to the crowd. "Just remember, students! The most valuable thing of all is ... "

"Your friends!" cheered the crowd.

Starlight walked to Yapper and Napper. "My little students ... money cannot buy you friends. But some creatures sell out their friends for money. But in the end, if you care only about money, then you're shortchanging yourself."

"I guess this friendship stuff is harder than I thought," said Napper.

"Don't worry!" said Twilight. "Trust me -- Capper is a big work in progress, too!"

"And so is Queen Katherina!" added Yapper.

The little cat laughed. So did Twilight, Starlight, Trixie, and the Student 6!

#6 - Setting Up Camp

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Section #1:

Starlight teleported back to her podium.

"Well, creatures," she announced, "that about wraps up our special announcement. Students -- today is your first day at Camp Harmony! I cannot stress this enough -- this is one of the proudest days of your lives!"

The crowd cheered and whistled.

"Now that you have your cards," said Twilight, hovering above Starlight, "it is time to divide up into your camps. Camp Honesty -- come on forward!"

Over 500 students got up and started making their way down to the field. One sixth of the Royal Guard got up. So did Flim and Flam. Ocellus' baby sister (let's call her "Shelly"), also carrying a card, took off and joined the group.

"See you later, Shelly!" called Ocellus' father.

"If you need us, we'll be right nearby!" called Ocellus' mother.

For a moment, Shelly descended to give her parents and brother one last kiss. Then she flew back off.

The vast majority of the students were still ponies, but there were a fair number of other creatures -- gryphons, dragons, hippogriffs, changelings, and yaks. There were even a few breezies, buffalo, and deer.

In the middle of the field, there stood six small stages, one for each Camp. Above each stage, there hung a banner designating the name of each camp: "CAMP HONESTY", "CAMP KINDNESS", "CAMP GENEROSITY", "CAMP LOYALTY", "CAMP LAUGHTER", and "CAMP MAGIC". Each banner was colored like its respective Element.

Applejack walked onto the Camp Honesty stage. Rarity walked onto the Generosity stage, and Pinkie Pie bounced her way onto the Laughter stage. Fluttershy fluttered onto the Kindness Stage, and Rainbow Dash swooped down onto the Loyalty stage.

With her horn, Twilight carried the Student 6, the "Crusader 6", and the "Younger 6". As she flew onto the Camp Magic stage, she placed the other 18 onto their respective stages. Each stage had its own microphone, able to pick up the voices of everyone on stage.

"Don't worry, sugarcubes!" said Applejack. "Don't get in a rush. Let's all get down in a calm and orderly manner!"

Garble's gang included the following dragons: Fume (thin purple boy with yellow "hair"), Clump (fat brown dragon boy), Backdraft (or "Vex"; blue-indigo boy with plump belly), Charcoal (gray dragon boy with blond hair), Prominence (aka "Belcher" or "Maar"; lavender dragon girl with purple "hair" and long ears), and Fizzle (white dragon boy with red-pink crest).

The one assigned to Camp Honesty was Clump. Clump opened his wings and started flying his way down. (For creatures without cutie marks, their cards showed their faces instead.)

"Go, Clump! ... Go, Clump! ... Go, Clump!" cheered Garble and the rest of the gang.

"Honesty's gonna be a great challenge for you!" called Fume. "But I know you can rise to the occasion!"

"The joke's on you!" retorted Clump, pointing back at him. "Your assignment is ten times harder!"

Section #2:

All the "Honest Campers" now stood in front of the Camp Honesty stage. (Some who could fly hovered just above the crowd, including Clump and Shelly.)

"Welcome, y'all, my 'Honest Campers'!" announced Applejack. "Is everycreature here?"

"Yes!" called an earth pony.

"I'm here!" called a gryphon.

"So am I!" called a Royal Guard (a unicorn).

"So's me!" called Clump.

Shelly waved her hoof.

All the other students affirmed that they were there.

"Yona welcome new friends! Yona wanna meet new friends!" Again, Yona jumped with excitement, shaking the stage. "And that the truth!"

To avoid being knocked off his hooves, Rumble jumped up and hovered just above. Applejack herself struggled not to lose balance. (Unfortunately, Yapper lost his balance.)

"Thanks for the warm welcome, Yona!" said Applejack. "However, I think you should do a lot less bouncin'. We've had too many earthquakes as it is."

Yona hung her head with disappointment. "Yona sorry. Yona try better."

Applejack faced the crowd. "Honesty ... Honesty's all about trust. When people lie to ya, it makes ya angry at bein' deceived ... and scared ya might be tricked again. When ya can't trust someone, you can't feel close to 'em. You might still love 'em ... but their behavior drives you away. All friendships start with trust. Trust by itself ain't enough. But without trust, there can't be no friendship."

As Applejack spoke, some of the students started to yawn ... including Clump.

"So," continued Applejack, "when y'all have somethin' importan' to say, then say it! And when ya make a promise --"

"Especially a Pinkie Promise!" called Pinkie Pie -- landing right in front of Applejack!

The students laughed -- including those who'd been starting to fall asleep.

Applejack gave Pinkie a hard stare. Then she turned back to the audience.

"When ya make a promise, make sure ya keep it. When ya make a promise but change yer mind, it's like tellin' a lie. And when ya take advantage of creatures' trust, don't blame 'em if they do the same to you!"

Pinkie Pie bounced back to the Camp Laughter stage.

Applejack turned to Yona. "Yona, you got somethin' to say?"

"Yaks best at honesty!" declared Yona. "Yaks say what yaks mean! But we learning not to hurt others' feelings."

(This time, Yona stood still, not bouncing.)

"That's right, Yona," said Applejack. "Tellin' the truth ain't always easy. On the other hoof, if ya like hurtin' others' feelin's, then you're a bully. Ya wanna show creatures that you care. Always try to find somethin' nice to say. And some thin's don't need to be said at all. Some thin's are not important."

Rumble hovered near Applejack, and he faced the audience.

"I must admit," said Rumble, "I myself am still learning to be an honest pony -- I mean 'creature'. But we're all in this together. We will keep on learning!"

Again, the audience clapped their hands and hooves. At first, Clump refused to clap. Then, after a few moments, he smiled a little smile -- and started clapping with the rest.

"It's been great teachin' y'all how to be good friends!" announced Applejack. "But nowadays, Twilight's princess duties have got us girls pretty busy. "Thank Twilight we got these graduate students to help us out!"

"Don't worry, my dear creatures!" added Fluttershy. "We'll be coming back and forth!"

"However," said Rarity, "our graduate students will be doing most of the teaching for themselves."

"... With the help of our headmare Starlight Glimmer!" added Twilight. She teleported Starlight onto the Camp Magic stage.

"Yona be great teacher!" Still bubbling with excitement, Yona tapped her hooves. "Yaks best at teaching!"

The audience applauded again.

Ocellus' baby sister perched onto Applejack's back. She giggled and hugged the orange mare's neck. Applejack blushed with embarrassment.

"Now that I've introduced you to the Element of Honesty," announced Applejack, "it's time to give a warm welcome to ... Camp Kindness!"

Applejack pointed her hoof toward the Camp Kindness stage.

"My dear 'Kindness Campers'!" said Fluttershy with her soft and gentle voice. "I look so forward to meeting you! Come on down ... if you don't mind!"

Once again, the audience cheered. Another sixth of the Royal Guard got up. So did Gilda. Once more, over 500 students started making their way down to the field.

One more member of Garble's gang got up. This time, it was Fume!

Garble laughed. "Clump isn't wrong you know."

"Yeah!" teased Backdraft. "Kindness is the toughest thing for us dragons!"

"Hah!" retorted Fume, still keeping a smile as he flew away. "Your challenge is probably the toughest of them all!"

Section #3:

All the Kindness Campers now stood in front of the Kindness Camp stage. (Some who could fly hovered just above the crowd, including Fume and Gilda.)

"My dear creatures," said Fluttershy, with her soft and gentle voice -- "welcome to Camp Kindness!"

The audience cheered.

"Ocellus," asked Fluttershy, "would you like to say some words?"

Ocellus blushed with shyness. "Uhh ..."

She cleared her throat. From her shell, she pulled out some notes and started reading them.

Ocellus cleared her throat once more. Then she looked back toward the crowd.

"My dear creatures!" she began. "Kindness is such a wonderful thing! When one creature loves another ... and the other feels the same ... it is such a magical experience! But what if some creature is mean to you? Why, then, should we be nice to them?"

"You tell me!" called Fume, with a mischievous smile.

"Sometimes," explained Ocellus, "a bad creature turns out not to be so bad after all. Sometimes they really do want someone to love them. If you make them feel good, they might want you to feel good, too. But ... if that doesn't work ... then we must do what's necessary to defend our friends."

"That's right, Ocellus!" replied Fluttershy. "If I can, I will show kindness to my worst enemies. But I won't let them hurt my friends!"

Fume started scratching his head.

"Let me tell you the story of my people!" said Ocellus. Getting excited, she started flapping her wings. "Not so long ago ... we were not such sweet and innocent creatures."

Ocellus transformed into her pre-reformed state. The audience gasped. Some of them screamed.

"Instead of giving love," hissed Ocellus, baring her fangs and waving a forked tongue, "we would steal love! We would suck the love out of our victims -- and break their hearts!"

The audience gasped again.

"But then ... there was a changeling named Thorax." Ocellus transformed into pre-reformed Thorax. "He showed us that we don't have to steal others' love. We don't have to break others' hearts to keep ourselves satisfied. In fact, it was making us lonely and miserable! In other words ..."

Ocellus, still disguised as pre-reformed Thorax, sat on the floor. Her eyes started to water up. "Most of us changelings ... we were also victims. Deep inside, we wanted to be loved. But our evil queen used our hunger as a weapon against us -- and every other creature. She told us that love was something we had to eat -- not something we could ever share."

In the audience, creatures' eyes started to water up. A few started crying. Even Fume started to sniffle!

"But now," continued Ocellus -- "things are so much better!"

Ocellus transformed back into her normal self. She stood up, her eyes starting to dry. "I am full of love to give! And if no other creature is there to share it, then I will still love myself! No creature can take that away from me!"

The audience clapped, cheered, and whistled. In the bleachers, Garble himself secretly wiped a tear with his finger. Out in the field, Fume wiped his eyes, and he blew his nose (blowing into his hands).

In her excitement, Fluttershy started hovering in the air. "This is the lesson we want you to learn: Whenever you can, use your kindness to warm your enemy's heart! But don't let anyone hurt your friends. The power of love is not just a feeling -- it's the power to protect and build!"

The audience cheered louder than ever!

Back in the bleachers, Charcoal whispered to Fizzle, "That little bug-pony is a pretty cool girl, wouldn't you say?"

"So is that butterfly pony hovering near her!" whispered Fizzle.

"I think we've seen her before ... "

Fluttershy continued, "I think that wraps up our introduction to Camp Kindness! Without further ado, let's give a warm welcome to ... Camp Generosity!"

The audience clapped again.

"Well, Backdraft," teased Garble, as he put some marshmallows on a stick -- "Fume might be right. Your assignment might be the toughest of all!"

"Yeah!" added Charcoal. He also put some marshmallows on a stick. "If there's one thing we dragons are known for, it's our enormous greed!"

With his fire breath, Charcoal blackened his marshmallows.

"That little purple dragon we used to beat up on?" said Fizzle, also putting marshmallows on a stick. "I hear he once became a giant greedy monster!"

Prominence also put marshmallows on a stick. "That's kind of cool! Only some of us can grow like that."

Spike descended into the scene.

"It wasn't cool at all!" he protested, as he hovered above the dragon gang. "The greedier I got, the angrier I got! I was lonely and miserable!"

As Spike spoke, his eyes started to water up. He sniffled. "In learning the value of generosity, I can actually be happy with what I have! And stop wanting more and more!"

The five teenage dragons stopped and stared.

"My friends," continued Spike -- "my friends are my most precious treasure of all! If I'm going to be greedy for anything, then I wish to have more friends!"

The five teenage dragons were at a loss for words.

"Wow ... ," said Charcoal. "I ... I almost feel bad for you now. ... What's your name again?"

Charcoal bit off one of the blackened marshmallows ... but then spit it out.

"My name is Spike. And I look forward to being one of your friendship assignments! I don't ask for much. I don't care what you did to me before ... as long as you'll be my big brothers now!"

"And your big sister!" added Prominence. With her fire breath, she toasted her marshmallows -- getting them perfectly brown!

The remaining dragons toasted their marshmallows.

"I must admit ... " said Charcoal, as he replaced his marshmallows ... "I fail to appreciate ... that all of us were once little baby dragons. Why should some giant dragon care about us -- whether they're our parents or not? What value is a baby dragon in the first place?"

Spike descended a little closer to Charcoal.

"Well, my big dragon," said Spike ... "if you will love me as your little brother, then you don't have to worry about such questions. If you love me, then you love yourself -- no matter what you are!"

"So ... ," responded Charcoal, putting down his marshmallow stick ... "would you like it if I gave you a hug?"

"Oh!" said Spike. "That would be great!"

Spike landed against Charcoal's chest and gave him a big hug! Charcoal blushed with an embarrassed smile. Then he gave Spike a big friendly squeeze.

Spike's face was warm with affection.

"It feels so good, doesn't it?" said Spike. "Hugging me like the baby dragon you once were!"

Spike's body started to glow a faint yellow.

Charcoal's face was also warm with affection. "You're right, little one! It really does feel ... like being in my mommy's arms again!"

Spike now glowed a bright yellow.

"Wow, Spike!" exclaimed Garble, eating his marshmallows. "You're glowing like a fireball!"

Charcoal took a closer look. "You're right, Garble! He's bright yellow!"

"Is this like ... the magic of friendship?" asked Backdraft.

"I bet it is!" exclaimed Charcoal. "After all ... I've been assigned to Camp Magic. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it! Oh ... and by the way, Spike -- my name is Charcoal! I'm sorry I was your enemy for so long. Thank you so much for forgiving me. I'll be making it up to you ... by being one of your best friends!"

Charcoal rubbed his nose against Spike's. Spike returned the favor.

Secretly, Garble used his finger to dry another tear. Backdraft had to do the same thing.

Spike shed a happy tear. "No need to hurry, my big brother! I just want to know that I'm safe in your arms."

Charcoal also shed a happy tear. "Smolder is a really cool girl. She's like a little sister to us. I'm so glad she introduced you to us!"

"Same here!" said Backdraft, eating his marshmallows.

"I agree!" added Fizzle, as he ate his.

"He's such a cute little boy!" said Prominence. She rubbed the little purple dragon's head.

"He certainly is!" agreed Garble. "Almost as cute as my little sister!"

Putting down their marshmallow sticks, the rest of the gang gave Charcoal and Spike a big group hug!

Section #4:

On the Camp Generosity stage, Rarity had gone missing.

"Oh dear," said Twilight. "I hope Rarity is all right."

Rarity rushed back onto the stage. She stopped a few moments to catch her breath.

"Sorry, darlings!" she said. "I had to make an emergency visit to the powder room."

"Why don't you just say 'bathroom' like everyone else?" asked Gallus.

Some of the audience laughed, including Garble's gang ... along with Trixie, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Spike. Rarity turned red with embarrassment.

"So," said Gallus, "without any more chatter, let's get this camp started. Camp Generosity, come on down!"

Once again, the audience clapped. The "Generosity Campers" started making their way down, including Backdraft. The next sixth of the Royal Guard got up. So did Grampa Gruff. Once more, over 500 students started making their way down to the field.

Ocellus' baby brother (let's call him "Shelldon") gave his mother and father a kiss. Then he flew off to join the others.

Back on the Generosity stage, Rarity was pretty angry at Gallus. Leaning in toward him, she almost pressed her face against his.

"Gallus!" she whispered. "How dare you upstage your own professor!"

"I was getting sick of waiting," protested Gallus. "Why do ponies need these long speeches? Why can't we just get to the point?"

Rarity sighed and walked away from him.

* * *

All the Generosity Campers now stood in front of the Generosity Camp stage. (Some who could fly hovered just above the crowd, including Backdraft and Grampa Gruff.)

Facing the audience, Rarity cleared her throat.

"My dear creatures!" she declared. "Welcome to Camp Generosity!"

The audience clapped.

"Generosity," she continued, "is such an amazing thing! When one creature gives to another -- expecting nothing in return -- it is such a mysterious experience!"

Gabby hovered beside Rarity. Now she faced the audience.

"Generosity," said Gabby, "is the sister of kindness. Kindness is about getting pleasure from helping others -- rather than hurting them. Generosity is about sharing with others -- rather than keeping everything to yourself."

As Gabby spoke, she did some loops in the air, along with some gestures to illustrate her points.

"But what if they don't say thanks?" continued Gabby. "How, then, should you react?"

"I punch 'em in the face!" called Backdraft, punching the air with his right fist.

Some of the students laughed ... including Smolder, Gallus, Whirlwind, and Grampa Gruff.

"How many of you are parents?" asked Rarity. "Raise your hands or hooves."

Sandbar's parents raised their hooves, along with Yona's and Ocellus's. So did Shining Armor. Many parents had brought their children to the School of Friendship, and many of them were sitting in the bleachers. Some of them were students themselves. These parents also raised their hands and hooves.

After a while, Grampa Gruff also raised his hand.

"How many of you love to do nice things for your children?" asked Rarity.

All the parents continued to hold up their hands or hooves. Hanging his head with shame, Grampa Gruff lowered his.

"You want to give your children a good life," continued Rarity. "But oftentimes, they do not appreciate your efforts. They may act as if nothing is enough."

Spike flew to the stage and landed beside Rarity. (For the time, he was no longer glowing.)

"Hello, Spikey!" said Rarity, giving him a big hug. "Is there something you want to say? To me? Or to the audience?"

Spike looked toward the audience. Then he hung his head with sadness. Fidgeting, he started scratching the ground with his foot.

Spike looked back toward the crowd. "As many of you know ... I once destroyed Ponyville ... or at least a fair bit of it. Some creatures gave me presents for my birthday. And I grew greedy. And I grew and grew ... until I became ... became ..."

Spike sniffled.

"... a giant greedy monster!"

Spike's eyes started to get wet again.

"So, please, creatures! Don't spoil your children. If they are mean to you, then don't give them any more presents!"

For a moment, Spike cried. Then he took a few deep breaths.

"Don't get me wrong," said Spike ... "you should never stop caring for your children. Don't hurt them. Don't abandon them."

Spike took a few more deep breaths.

"It's every child's right to get plenty to eat ... and have a good place to live ... and have someone to protect them ... and to teach them. But everything else is a privilege."

Once more, he sniffled. "For so long ... ponies thought dragons were evil by nature ... just because they were dragons. I felt I had to deny who I was, if I wanted to be a friend. But then Smolder came along ... and explained that it was just a weird power burst. I'm not sure how it happened ... and it's never happened again. All I know is ... for a long time ... I was terrified whenever a creature offered me a present!"

Back in the bleachers, Garble started to laugh. So did the rest of his gang. Charcoal himself had to laugh under his breath, his hand covering his mouth. Some other creatures also laughed ... especially many of the other dragon students. Smolder herself had to smile.

Spike hung his head, feeling humiliated.

"Don't feel ashamed, Spikey," said Rarity, giving him a warm smile. "I'm proud of you!"

"That was a great speech, my little dragon!" praised Gabby, picking him up and giving him a big squeeze. "So eloquent! So insightful!"

Smolder flew down to the scene. "Girls, why don't I talk with Spike for a moment?"

Smolder picked up Spike. Holding him in her arms, she whispered to him, "Spike, please don't take it to heart. I must confess, I myself was laughing on the inside. But it's nothing against you."

"You really mean that, Smolder?" whispered Spike, hugging her back. "You don't think I'm a joke?"

Smolder laughed for a moment, but then she stopped herself. "You enjoy watching funny movies, don't you?"

"Of course."

"You laugh at the misadventures. You laugh at some of the creatures' mistakes. That's what many of these dragons are doing with you."

Spike hung his head again. "Now I feel like a bully, too."

"Here's my advice: Don't take yourself so seriously. Why don't you laugh at yourself? Or should I say -- laugh with yourself? If you can laugh with the others, then maybe they'll love your company! I'm sure my big brother would! Be a comedian!"

"I'll try, Smolder ... I'll try ... "

Smolder gave him a big squeeze. "Now go on out there and make some new dragon friends!"

She put Spike back down, and she flew back to the Camp Loyalty stage. Spike stood between Gabby and Rarity.

"My little friend gave a wonderful speech!" said Rarity. "I don't think I could have said it better myself. I think that about wraps up our introduction."

"So," said Gabby, leaping back into the air and hovering -- "let's give a warm welcome to -- Camp Loyalty!"

The audience cheered again.

#7 - Starting Up Camp

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Section #1:

Once again, the audience clapped. The "Loyalty Campers" started making their way down. The next sixth of the Royal Guard got up. So did Yona's family. Once more, over 500 students started making their way down to the field.

"That's my camp!" declared Garble, rising up from his bleacher. I don't know about you ... but I think my assignment's the easiest. I'm very loyal to my little sister!" With his thumb, he pointed to himself.

"Wanna make a bet?" asked Charcoal (gray dragon boy with blond hair), with a determined smile.

"Yeah!" said Fizzle (white dragon with red-pink crest). "I think mine's easiest! I laugh all the time, you know!"

"And so do I!" added Prominence (aka "Belcher" or "Maar"; lavender dragon girl with purple "hair" and long ears). Finishing her marshmallows, she burped a large puff of smoke.

Spike flew back down to the scene.

"So, Spike ... my little bro!" called Garble. Garble grabbed Spike and squeezed the little dragon in his arms (which kind of knocked the fire breath out of Spike). "Which Element do you think is the easiest? Loyalty? ..."

" ... Magic? ..." asked Charcoal, rubbing Spike's head.

"... Or Laughter! ..." said Fizzle and Prominence, also getting out of their seats. Prominence burped again, this time releasing a big fireball.

Spike started to feel a little scared again. He started to fidget nervously. Could he make one of them happy without making the others angry?

"Don't be shy!" said Garble. "Tell us what you think!"

"Don't make me choose!" exclaimed Spike, popping out of Garble's arms. He hovered just in front of the gang.

Spike took a few deep breaths. "Look, my big brothers -- I love you all. I don't like to pick favorites."

"We're just having a friendly bet," said Charcoal. From his "pockets", he pulled out a big ruby. "I wager this precious ruby!"

Charcoal threw the gem onto his seat.

"I wager this big sapphire!" declared Fizzle. He pulled out a big sapphire and added it to the pile.

"I bet this diamond!" added Garble. He pulled out a big diamond and threw it down with the rest of the gems.

"Whoever wins, I'll be his girlfriend for a whole month!" said Prominence. She stuck a loaf of sliced bread onto her stick and toasted it a dark brown.

"So, my little dragon!" said Garble, tickling Spike's belly. "What's your bet?"

Spike took a few deep breaths. Then he smiled, feeling a stroke of genius.

"Well," said Spike, with a playful smile, scratching his chin ... "whoever wins ... they must do something embarrassing for the rest of us. Something to make us laugh!"

"I'll wear my necklace!" said Charcoal. He pulled out a gold necklace with silver spikes and a heart-shaped diamond.

"I'll play with my stuffed toys!" said Fizzle. He pulled out some stuffed puppies, with tags saying "My Little Puppy".

"I'll read the mushy poems I've written about Smolder -- and Prominence!" Garble pulled out some stone tablets.

Prominence giggled. She gobbled down her loaf of toast. "I love a boy who will embarrass himself just for me. You boys have fun! I know I will!" She burped another fireball.

"That all sounds great!" said Spike. "Whoever wins -- you will embarrass yourself for an entire week!"

"Deal!" said Charcoal, Fizzle, and Garble. They bumped fists. So did Spike.

Garble jumped into the air and started hovering. "See ya later, losers! Those gems are mine!"

He flew down to join the rest of the Loyalty Campers.

Section #2:

All the Loyalty Campers now stood in front of the Loyalty Camp stage. Some who could fly hovered just above the crowd, including Garble.

Rainbow Dash, Smolder, and Babs Seed stood proudly on the stage. So did Napper.

"Good morning, sports fans -- and book fans!" said Rainbow Dash. "Welcome to Camp Loyalty! As you all probably know, my name is ..."

"... Professor Egghead!" said Smolder.

Half the audience laughed (along with Trixie, Gallus, and Silverstream).

For a moment, Dash was red in the face, staring at Smolder. Then she calmed down ... and started laughing, too.

"Good joke, Smolder!" said Dash. "But this is Camp Loyalty. Camp Laughter is coming up next."

The whole audience laughed now.

"Hi, Smolder!" called Garble. Still hovering, he blew a jet of fire into the sky.

Some of the Loyalty Campers screamed, ducking and covering.

Smolder laughed. "Hello, big brother!" she greeted, waving to him. She also blew a jet of fire. "I hope you and Spike are getting along!"

"Smolder is my little sister!" boasted Garble. "She's so loyal, I think she should be the professor instead!"

Half the audience laughed. Pinkie Pie also laughed ... along with Trixie, Gallus, Applejack, and Silverstream. (Fluttershy covered her mouth, trying to suppress her own laughter.)

Smolder blushed with embarrassment, trying to suppress her own laughter. "That's the sweetest thing you've ever said, Garble! Thanks for the disruption. But now I think it's time to let Professor Dash continue her speech."

"You know what, Smolder?" said Rainbow Dash, wrapping one arm around Smolder. "I think you can handle this!" Dash gave Smolder a wry smile.

Smolder looked toward the crowd. For several moments, she stopped and stared. She tried not to show it, but she was feeling a little nervous.

"Go on, Smolder!" called Garble, with an encouraging smile. "We wanna hear your speech!"

Smolder cleared her throat. "Loyalty ... It's what I am with my big brother ... and my friend Spike ... and my friends Sandbar, Gallus, Silverstream, Ocellus, and Yona. Spike is like a little brother to me. And the others also feel like my brothers and sisters."

Smolder took a few deep breaths. "Ever since I met Spike, I've felt kind of like a mother for him. He was raised by ponies. So I felt ... he could really use my guidance, as a dragon. When some scumbag pretended to be his dad ... I wanted to beat that monster with my tailspade!"

Smolder swung her tailspade, breaking a hole into the floor. Then she started to sniffle.

"But I didn't. I didn't want a violent conflict. Not when it was easily avoided. All I wanted was to make sure no one took away my sweet little dragon."

Back in the bleachers, Charcoal was holding Spike in his lap. Both their eyes were wet, as they smiled. Fizzle and Prominence also smiled.

"What is loyalty to me?" continued Smolder. "It's protecting everything you hold near and dear. It's having the courage to get hurt -- to stop others from hurting your friends. It's standing up with a baby dragon who has no voice of his own."

"That's how Capper feels about the homeless," said Napper. "Especially the kittens!"

Napper gave Smolder a big hug. "Professor Dash, what do you do to protect the weak and vulnerable?"

"Hmmm," Dash scratched her head ... "one of my best friends is Scootaloo."

Rainbow Dash flew off. One moment, she stood on the Camp Loyalty stage. The next moment, she landed right in front of Scootaloo, on the Camp Laughter stage. Dash picked up Scootaloo and flew her back to the Camp Loyalty stage.

Rainbow Dash placed Scootaloo on the floor. "As you can see, my little friend has wings. But she can't fly. That's why she rides a scooter. Yet -- Scoots is one of the coolest ponies you've met, wouldn't you agree?"

Many of the classmates voiced their agreement.

"Yeah!"

"She's so friendly!"

"She helps me with my homework!"

"She does lots of cool stuff!"

"She got me my cutie mark!"

Scootaloo laughed. "I admit ... you might say I'm handicapped. But that's because I'm a pegasus. If I were an earth pony, I'd be considered normal. So, Dashie ... have you ever made friends with some creature who really is handicapped? For example ... a weak earth pony?"

Rainbow Dash stood for a moment. "In fact ... I have!"

Dash flew off again. She came back with Quibble Pants (the brown earth pony with gray hair whose cutie mark is a talking balloon).

"His name is Quibble Pants. And safe to say, he's no athlete." Dash held him in her arms. "But he found himself a wonderful mare ... a single mom whose daughter really wanted a father in her life. Most of you could probably beat him up. But if you call him 'pathetic', you'll be suspended."

Dash placed Quibble back on the floor. "No matter how strong or weak -- I want every pony to be awesome ... in their own special way!"

Smolder sniffled, wiping her eye. "That's so amazing, Professor Dash! I feel like ... you're finally becoming my friend!"

Some members of the audience giggled.

Napper gave Dash a big hug. So did Babs Seed.

"Rainbow Dash," said Babs, "I didn't realize how much you really cared! I myself was once a bully. If I wanted to be strong, I thought I had to make others weak. But now I know that others' strength can be my strength, too!"

The audience clapped.

"We are all strong girls," said Scootaloo -- "including me! But we won't let any creature hurt our little boys!"

Scootaloo hugged Quibble Pants. So did Babs and Napper ... along with Smolder.

The audience cheered.

"That was awesome, Smolder!" called Garble. "You're #1!"

Smolder laughed again. "That's why I love you, Garble! You always want me to feel awesome! And you're starting to help Spike!"

"I must say," remarked Rainbow Dash -- "for Camp Loyalty, this place has been full of laughter. So let's give it up for ... Camp Laughter!"

The audience cheered again.

Section #3:

Carrying Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash flew back to the Camp Laughter stage. She put Scootaloo back down, and she returned to the Camp Loyalty stage.

Dash picked up Quibble Pants. Flying off again, she returned Quibble to his new wife and stepdaughter (Clear Sky and Wind Sprint). Both held him in their arms.

Once more, Dash flew back to the Camp Loyalty stage.

Pinkie Pie blew her yovidaphone, using it as a giant noisemaker. (Some in the audience covered their ears.)

"What's up, party ponies!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "What are you waiting for? Camp Laughter -- come on down!"

Once again, the audience clapped. The "Laughter Campers" started making their way down. The next sixth of the Royal Guard got up.

So did Sandbar's parents. Sandbar's mother carried Coral on her back. The parents started walking down toward the field.

"Look, Coral!" said Sandbar's mom. "We're all going to the School of Friendship!"

"And Sandbar will be one of our teachers!" added Sandbar's dad.

"Sammbah! Sammbah!" cheered Coral, waving her arms. In her hoof, she carried her Camp Harmony card. (Since she didn't yet have a cutie mark, the card showed her face.)

Once more, over 500 students started making their way down to the field. Pinkie Pie started playing a song on her yovidaphone. This time, her music actually sounded like ... music. (Still, it might be that many of us just don't like the instrument.)

Fizzle and Prominence started to fly off. They looked back toward Charcoal.

"See you soon, Charcoal!" said Fizzle.

"We can't wait to share our new jokes with you!" added Prominence. She belched some more fire.

* * *

All the Laughter Campers now stood in front of the Laughter Camp stage. (Again, some who could fly hovered just above the crowd, including Fizzle and Prominence.)

Pinkie Pie stood proudly on the stage. Silverstream hovered just above

"Good morning, party creatures!" called Silverstream. "Welcome to Camp Laughter! My name is Silverstream!"

Scootaloo ran back onto the stage. She ran up to where Pinkie and Silverstream were.

"And I'm -- YAHHHH!"

Scootaloo slipped and fell on her back, right next to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie and Silverstream gasped.

Hydroplane started laughing. He was the one who caused Scootaloo to slip ... using his watery leg!

"You have to watch your step," he teased. "Floors are slippery when wet!"

Garble and his gang laughed, along with Ember. Smolder and Gallus tried to suppress their laughter. Many in the audience were laughing or smiling -- especially most of the dragons. Spike was a little unnerved by the other dragons' sense of humor.

"That wasn't funny, Hydroplane!" yelled Scootaloo, with angry tears in her eyes. "You could have caused me to have a serious accident -- twice! Can't you have some pity for a pegasus who can't fly?"

Almost everyone stopped laughing. Most were no longer smiling, including Smolder, Gallus, and Ember. Garble and his gang were still smiling, but they at least tried to contain their laughter.

Whirlwind, on the other hand, continued to laugh out loud. Most of the dragons, in fact, continued to laugh. (Whirlwind was standing on the Camp Kindness stage, where Ocellus was.)

"QUIET!" yelled Pinkie Pie.

"STOP LAUGHING!" yelled Silverstream.

Stunned by Pinkie and Silverstream's change in tone, the creatures who were laughing stopped in their tracks.

"I thought this was Camp Laughter!" called Fizzle.

"Yeah!" called Prominence. "So why can't we laugh?"

Prominence burped again, letting out a puff of smoke.

"There's a right kind of laughter," explained Pinkie Pie ... "and a wrong kind."

"That's right!" said Rainbow Dash. Dash landed at the scene. She sat beside Scootaloo.

As Dash gave the little pegasus a big hug, she looked toward the audience. "The Element of Laughter is not separate from the Element of Loyalty -- or the Element of Kindness. The Element of Laughter is about friendship -- like all the other Elements."

"Couldn't have said it better myself!" said Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow Dash jumped back up and hovered in the air. "I must admit -- I enjoy pulling a prank now and then."

"And so do I!" added Pinkie Pie.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash bolted into the sky.

"But you have to be careful," warned Silverstream, landing next to Pinkie Pie. "You could really hurt some creature's feelings."

Rainbow Dash came back down with a small gray cloud. There was a little rumble of thunder.

"A joke should be funny for both creatures," she said. "If one is laughing while the other is sad or angry, then it's just another form of bullying."

"Twilight knows," said Pinkie Pie, "that Dash used to make such mistakes all the ti--"

With a crack of thunder, a lightning bolt struck Pinkie Pie!

"YAHHH!" Pinkie jumped, feeling shocked and surprised.

Pinkie's fur was slightly blackened. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was laughing, rolling on the cloud (which was now white).

Most of the audience was now laughing, and so were the other four members of the Mane 6. The Student 6 were also laughing, except for Ocellus. Garble and his gang were laughing, and so was Spike.

Pinkie looked toward Rainbow Dash. For a moment, she seemed upset. But then she started laughing, too!

"Wait, pink pony!" said Prominence. "You're not upset at your rainbow friend?"

"Rainbow Dash and I are in the middle of a prank war," explained Pinkie Pie. "And safe to say, it's really escalated!"

"That's payback for making me think it was winter again!" declared Rainbow Dash, with a triumphant smile.

Pinkie laughed. "Dash was scared half to death -- because her pet turtle goes to sleep for the winter."

Silverstream was getting worried. "Professor Pie, these pranks are starting to feel pretty mean to me. Professor Dash really seems to need her turtle."

"Don't worry, Silverstream!" said Pinkie Pie, continuing to laugh. "Dash and I are just playing a game. No different from hoofball or kickboxing."

"It's all right, Silverstream," assured Dash, bringing the cloud down to meet Silverstream face to face. "Pinkie can stop this game whenever she wants, and so can I. Of course, if she quits, then she's the loser!"

"Let me get this straight," said Fizzle, raising his hand. "There's a right way to pull pranks -- and a wrong way."

"It's all about having fun with friends!" replied Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow Dash broke up the little cloud, causing it to dissipate into the air.

"Just remember," said Rainbow Dash, jumping back into the air and hovering just above -- "be the friend you want others to be for you!"

The rainbow-haired pegasus dashed back to the Camp Loyalty stage.

"Wow," remarked Fizzle, scratching his head. "This laughter stuff is harder than I thought."

Section #4:

"Now!" shouted Pinkie Pie. "Last -- but not least -- let's give a big shout-out to ..."

She leapt into the air. "CAMP MAGIC!"

The audience cheered louder than ever.

Charcoal got up and started flying his way down. Sandbar's family also got up. The mother carried baby Coral on her back.

The last sixth of the Royal Guard got up -- with Shining Armor floating his way down. Wind Sprint kissed her mother (Clear Sky) and stepfather (Quibble Pants) and then flew off.

Escorted by Princess Cadance, Prince Blueblood also started walking down to the field. One last time, over 500 students started making their way down.

* * *

All the Magic Campers now stood in front of the Magic Camp stage. (Again, some who could fly hovered just above the crowd, including Charcoal and Wind Sprint.)

"Good morning, my dear students!" greeted Princess Twilight, hovering just above the stage.

Sandbar, Apple Bloom, and Striper stood together, right below the Princess.

"It's great to see you!" called Sandbar, waving his hoof.

"We look forward to making friends with you!" said Apple Bloom, also waving her hoof.

"Same with me!" called Striper, the little zebra boy.

"Magic," said Twilight ... "what is the Element of Magic about?"

"Casting spells?" asked Charcoal, raising his hand.

Twilight laughed. "Did you know that I wasn't always a Princess?"

Many of the students raised their hands or hooves. The vast majority were ponies, but some other creatures also knew the story.

"Did you know that I wasn't always an alicorn?"

Some who had raised their arms now lowered their arms. But most did not.

"Girls!" called Twilight. "Activate your Elements!"

With concentration, each of the Mane 6 started to glow with the color of her Element. The six of them now floated in the air. The other five drifted toward Twilight.

Once again, the six girls' eyes glowed bright white.

The students stood in awe. Some gasped, feeling surprised or frightened. A few screamed.

"It's all right, my dear creatures!" assured Fluttershy, with her soft, gentle voice. "It's just the magic of friendship doing its thing!"

"The Element of Magic is what gives friendship its magic," continued Twilight. "But it requires the support of the other five. When I first discovered the Elements, the Element of Magic wouldn't even appear ... until the other five were activated."

Spike flew into the scene. He hovered next to Twilight. In his hands, he held the School of Friendship shield.

"See the jewels on this shield?" said Spike. "Originally, the Elements of Harmony were six jewels. At first, Twilight and the girls had to wear these jewels -- to activate the Elements."

Spike pointed to the jewel standing for magic. "When Twilight first discovered the Elements, the sixth jewel wouldn't even appear ... until the other five were activated."

"One day," said Twilight, "when Sombra temporarily took over Canterlot, he destroyed the Tree of Harmony, where the jewels originally came from. The jewels also got destroyed. We thought all hope was lost ... until we realized that the Elements were now inside us!"

Discord popped into the scene. "I might have helped with that!"

"We appreciate your help, Discord," said Rainbow Dash. "But you didn't have to set the most dangerous villains free to prove your point."

"You might be asking yourself," said Sandbar, "how can we connect other creatures with the Elements? In the beginning, the Elements chose six girls to represent them. Will the Tree of Harmony allow more than just them?"

"You bet she will!" said Apple Bloom. "And she already has! Student 6 -- activate your Elements!"

Sandbar sat on the floor. He closed his eyes and meditated. So did the rest of the Student 6.

Pretty soon, they started to glow like the Mane 6. Each student glowed like the Element that Twilight assigned them to teach. The other five floated toward Sandbar.

"Sammbah! Sammbah!" called Coral, waving her arms again. She jumped on her mother's back.

Sandbar's parents watched in awe, as did the other students.

"Girls and boys," said Twilight -- "let's lift this whole class up ... if you know what I mean!"

Closing their eyes, all 12 Element bearers started to meditate. Spike put down the School of Friendship shield. Hovering next to Twilight, Spike also meditated.

Slowly, the other students started to glow. They glowed a faint white. Then ... they started to float!

Those standing on the ground, they now floated a few feet above the ground. Those hovering in the air no longer needed to use their wings.

Most of the students were fascinated. But some were scared.

Fume gasped.

Backdraft screamed.

"Whoa -- whoa, there, ponies!" called Garble.

Garble and his gang were floating like the others -- but the white glow kept them from doing much with their wings. For them, it was the equivalent of getting swept off their feet. The same was true for other winged creatures.

Finally, Spike started to glow. Once again, he was engulfed in a yellow light. Now he was floating, too.

"Spike!" called Starlight Glimmer. "I didn't know you had an Element!"

Spike opened his eyes, which were now glowing bright white. "Starlight, don't you remember -- the battle with Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Chrysalis? I was glowing with Twilight and the girls ... along with the Pillars and the Student 6. I'm not sure where you were ... but did no one tell you?"

"You have a point ..."

"In addition, I have a throne next to Twilight's -- in the Castle of Friendship!" Spike pulled out a photo for the audience.

"I ... I already knew that ..."

Spike sighed, hanging his head. "I'm just as important as the rest of you ... but you all seem to forget ..."

"I won't forget!" called Gabby. She flew up to Spike and gave him a big hug.

"Neither will I!" called Smolder, also flying on over. She, too, hugged Spike.

Twilight picked up Spike and held him in her arms.

"Please forgive me, my little dragon," she said with a gentle voice. She gave him a reassuring smile. "I love you more than I can say. More and more, I realize how badly I neglected you."

"It's not that I don't forgive you," said Spike. "It's just that ... the healing process ... You believe in me. But sometimes it's hard for me to believe in you. ... And I don't think that's fair for you."

Spike's eyes started to water up. So did Twilight's. Twilight rubbed her nose against his. Spike returned the favor.

Spike glowed even brighter.

"Students," said Starlight, "don't be surprised if you sometimes have some good advice to tell us. We don't just teach friendship. We want to be your friends, too!"

The audience clapped.

"I feel bad for you, Twily," said Spike. "And you feel bad for me. And I think ... that is what keeps us loving each other ... and makes us feel happy to be together ... !"

"I couldn't have said it better myself!" said Twilight.

Twilight looked toward the audience. "I've been called the Princess of Friendship. But that doesn't mean I'm a perfect friend. I will teach you everything I do. In turn, I am ready to learn from you!"

Twilight deactivated her Element. So did Sandbar. The other Elements also deactivated. Gently, everyone who was floating drifted back down to the ground. Spike also deactivated his Element.

"Students," announced Starlight -- "today is your first day of classes. Here are your welcome pamphlets!"

Sunburst handed a big box of pamphlets. Starlight zapped the pamphlets. Each pamphlet was teleported to its respective student, landing at their hooves or feet.

"Enclosed, each of you will find your class schedule," said Sunburst, "along with your assigned bed. You will also find maps of all locations on campus, plus a map of Ponyville. Also enclosed, you will find a summary of each class."

"And if you ever have a problem," announced Trixie, "the Great and Powerful Trixie will help you solve it!"

"You'll also be seeing me!" added Discord. "Now and then, I'll be there to make things more interesting."

Fluttershy flew up to him. "Not too interesting, okay?"

The Student 6 laughed.

#8 - Revenge of the Statue

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Section #1:

The Mane 6 walked down the streets of Canterlot. Spike flew alongside the girls.

The streets of Canterlot were nearly empty. It was like a ghost town.

Twilight sighed. "I thought this place would always be my home."

"Look on the bright side!" said Pinkie Pie, bouncing in front of her. "You can move back to Ponyville!"

"Yeah!" added Rainbow Dash, now hovering in front of her. "I think the Castle of Friendship is missing you!"

"I would be able to spend more time with Big Mac," admitted Spike, his finger on his chin. "Discord sometimes summons me to play Ogres & Oubliettes ... but he opens his portals only when he feels like it."

Fluttershy laughed. "He's certainly no genie. He won't be at any creature's beck and call."

"Could that be why he don't use his chaos magic very much for us?" asked Applejack. "Because it would make him feel like ... a slave?"

"Also," added Fluttershy, "it is chaos magic. If he used it all the time, it would probably cause more trouble than good -- upset the cosmic balance or something."

"That would be a convenient plot device," remarked Rarity.

Spike and the Mane 6 were getting close to Canterlot Castle.

"Discord can be be a bully at times," remarked Rainbow Dash. "But I don't think there's any better creature to have his chaos powers."

"Yeah," added Applejack, quietly laughing. "Pinkie Pie would probably be worse."

Pinkie landed right in front of Applejack. With a hard stare, she shoved her nose into Applejack's. Applejack stopped in her tracks, kind of unnerved.

"Applejack!" scolded Pinkie. "That is very insulting to me. Do you honestly think I'm a mean girl?"

Applejack took a few deep breaths. "Pinkie. You're scarin' me. I don't think that's very nice, either."

Pinkie sighed, hanging her head. She started walking again, and so did Applejack.

Deep inside, Pinkie wondered ... was she really the source of joy that she thought she was? Or was she a big jerk who makes many creatures miserable?

"How about we go to the park?" said Twilight, now hovering in front of the group, facing them. "And enjoy a picnic?"

"A picnic party!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, leaping into the air, facing the group. "I love it!"

Spike and the other girls laughed.

Section #2:

In the park near Canterlot Castle, there stood the statue of Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek. More accurately (as you might recall), it wasn't exactly a statue. Rather, they got turned into stone.

At the end of the Season 10 comics (as you might also recall), the stone prison started to crumble. The three villains were on their way to breaking free. But as of now, the statue seemed intact. For some reason, though, a pile of crumbled rock circled around it.

Spike and the Mane 6 passed by the statue. Twilight was flying, carrying a big basket with her horn. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were also flying, along with Spike.

Spike laughed, pointing at the statue. "Look at their faces! It's like they're smiling for the camera!"

"Seeing them finally feeling their sense of doom," added Rainbow Dash, also looking toward the statue ... "that really is satisfying!"

Fluttershy sighed. So did Twilight.

"I admit," said Twilight, "it was sweet victory to me at first. But in reality ... I wish it didn't have to be that way."

"We've made many friends out of enemies," said Fluttershy. "Accepting that some must be locked away ... that is the hardest thing for me."

The rest of the Mane 6 hung their heads, along with Spike.

"Don't get me wrong ... ," said Spike.

"We protected our friends," said Rainbow Dash ... "That's what I want to celebrate ..."

"I have such mixed emotions!" exclaimed Spike, pulling the tufts where his horns would be (if he had any). "I want to feel bad for those three villains. But I don't believe we should!"

"How about we just enjoy our picnic?" said Rarity.

"Yeah, everypony," added Applejack. "Let's save the philosophical stuff for our dreams!"

Spike and the girls stopped at a fountain a little distance from the statue. Twilight started setting up the picnic.

"So, Twilight," asked Rainbow Dash, as Twilight set the picnic blanket -- "how's Moondancer doing in the dream world?"

Twilight laughed, now pulling out the dishes and utensils (still using her horn). "Luna gave her a big book of instructions to follow. Unfortunately, dreams don't play by books."

Rainbow Dash laughed, as she sat down on the blanket. "I imagine it must drive her crazy!"

"There are still some common principles she can lean back on," explained Twilight, setting the dishes, glasses, and utensils. "Even so, it seems she's not the best at connecting with different ponies' feelings."

"More and more," remarked Spike, also sitting down, "I realize that cold logic does not warm a creature's heart. Creatures have to perceive that you care about their feelings."

"That is true," remarked Twilight, as she and the rest of the group sat on the picnic blanket. "I've been learning that the hard way myself."

With her horn, Twilight pulled out the food. It was hay sandwiches and potato salad. She also pulled out a big bottle of cider.

"More and more," remarked Spike, "I realize that empathy is not just a feeling. It's a skill!"

"Wow, Spikey!" remarked Rarity, as Twilight served the food. "You have become really insightful as of late! So how are those big dragons treating you now?"

"They really seem to like me now," replied Spike, as Twilight served the cider. "They're still kind of rude and obnoxious. But at least they seem to care about my safety. They even give me hugs!"

"If you ever feel they're causing you too much trouble," said Fluttershy, "they will have to face six ponies with the Elements of Harmony!"

Spike pulled out a big sapphire. He took a big bite and started chewing. "In befriending Garble and his gang, I've learned another friendship lesson!"

"What's that?" asked Rarity. With her horn, she held her sandwich. She took a small bite and started chewing.

With a big gulp, Spike swallowed the pieces of gem. "Different friends bond in different ways. Oftentimes, Garble and his gang seem kind of mean to one another. But a lot of it is just for fun. Their manners look pretty bad to us -- but a lot of it is just part of their game."

Spike took another bite of his sapphire. Once again, he chewed and swallowed.

"In the end," continued Spike, "good etiquette is not about which fork or spoon to use. It's about respecting others' feelings -- and doing the things that win others' respect."

Spike made a loud burp, releasing a big ball of fire. Fortunately, it didn't burn anything.

The Mane 6 clapped their hooves.

"I think you should be a teacher!" remarked Applejack, holding her sandwich with her hooves.

Spike fidgeted nervously. "Uh ... I don't know ... I'm ... I'm kind of awkward in front of a crowd."

"That's part of the fun!" said Rainbow Dash. She chugged down a whole glass of cider. "You live and learn -- together with your students!"

Dash took a big bite of her sandwich and started chewing. "And the best part is ... any students who make fun of you ... your awkwardness helps expose the true flaws that lie beneath!"

Spike took some deep breaths. "I still want some creature by my side. Maybe you ... Smolder ... Rarity ... or Gabby ...? Babs Seed also seems pretty cool ... And don't forget Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy fluttered to where Spike was sitting. She hugged him with her wing.

"It's okay, Spike," she assured him, with her soft, gentle voice. "If you feel too shy, then don't be ashamed. I've been there myself, and I know how terrible it feels. I'll help you every step of the way! Any student who wants to be part of Camp Kindness -- they better learn to be good to you!"

Spike hugged Fluttershy. "Thanks, Fluttershy. I feel better already. I'll give it a go!"

"Awwww ... !" said the rest of the Mane 6, with warm smiles.

Section #3:

Back at the statue of the three villains, a small reddish pink pony walked into the scene.

She had wavy hair, relatively short, descending just past her chin. Her tail was also wavy. The hair and tail were light blue with lighter blue stripes. The filly also wore a crimson cape and a black beret.

The pink filly stopped just in front of the "statue" of Chrysalis.

"Little filly," whispered the statue of Chrysalis -- "is the fake statue now finished?"

Under her breath, the pink filly gave an evil laugh.

"It's all ready, my queen!" she said under her breath. "But we have to wait until nightfall. We don't want to make the change when everypony can see us."

"It figures," muttered Chrysalis the statue. "I might be the most powerful changeling ... but pretending to be a statue is really tiring!"

The pink filly laughed again. "At least you're not Tirek. That big centaur can't really disguise himself, you know. So he can never come out -- except at night!"

* * *

Near the park, there was an art shop -- featuring paintings and sculptures by a famous artist. For the moment, it was closed (as indicated by a "CLOSED" sign).

The artist was a white unicorn with blond hair. She looked a lot like what Prince Blueblood would -- if he were a mare. Her cutie mark was a golden hammer and chisel. And her name was "Fancy Arts".

In the basement, Fancy Arts was finishing her replica of the statue of the three villains. But she did not look happy. In fact, she seemed so scared -- it was a wonder that she could function.

Finally, she gave the rock one last strike with the hammer and chisel.

"It's ... it's finished ... Lord Tirek ...," said Fancy Arts.

"Excellent, excellent!" said Tirek. "I knew I could rely on you!"

"So ... what will you do now?"

"This!" Opening his mouth, Tirek sucked the magic out of Fancy Arts.

The unicorn collapsed onto the floor. She could no longer stand up, and she could barely keep her eyes open.

With his big muscular arms, Tirek carried the replica statue up the stairs.

"It was nice doing business with you!" Tirek opened the door (momentarily balancing the statue with one arm). "But I'm afraid I can't let you leave. So I have to lock you up!"

Tirek took the statue out into the hall. He placed it by the door. Then he closed the door and locked it with a padlock.

The red centaur gave an evil laugh. "Soon, we'll be running free. But those little ponies will think we're still trapped in that pathetic statue!" He continued to laugh.

"H ... h ... help ... ." Fancy Arts tried to cry for help, but she could barely make a sound. She was terrified, but she hardly had strength to cry.

Finally, she gave up trying to get up. She decided she might as well rest her eyes.

#9 - Camp Magic

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Section #1:

In a big lecture hall, 100 students sat in the benches surrounding the teaching area. Ten of them were Royal Guards, including Shining Armor. Prince Blueblood sat beside him. Blueblood was feeling kind of bored.

There were six gryphons, six dragons (including Charcoal), six changelings, three kirins, six yaks, and six hippogriffs. There were also two deer, one buffalo, and two Breezies. In total, there were 39 non-pony students, including Striper, the little zebra boy. (Pony students also included Sandbar's family and Wind Sprint.)

Charcoal (gray dragon boy with blond hair) sat with five other dragons. Two were twice his height (boy and girl, named Firebomb and Pyroclast). One was the size of Garble (girl, Lavastream). One was as big as Smolder (Ash, a boy), and one was as small as Spike (girl, Claws). All of them had wings.

The foreign creatures sat mainly in their own groups, islands in a sea of ponies. The dragons sat between the changelings and the yaks. Some of the pony students were nervous around these creatures.

The benches were soft and cozy, forming a half-circle, bounded by a wall covered with bookshelves. This was Twilight's usual teaching area.

But now the teachers were Sandbar and Apple Bloom. On the little stage, they stood behind the podium. Striper sat in the middle of the front bench, straight in front of the teachers. Two Royal Guards sat beside him.

"As you know," said Sandbar, "Princess Twilight is very busy with her Princess duties."

"But she ain't abandoned you," assured Apple Bloom. "She'll come by to visit. She misses you, too!"

"So," asked Sandbar, "is everycreature ready to begin our class?"

The room stood silent.

"I'll take that as a yes!"

Section #2:

Above the chalkboard hung a projector screen, rolled up into its container. Sandbar pulled down the screen. Apple Bloom turned on a slide projector.

"As you also know," said Sandbar, "Princess Twilight was not always a ruler. She was not always an alicorn."

"Long ago," said Apple Bloom, "she was a unicorn who loved to keep to herself."

Pressing a button on the projector, Apple presented the first slide. The first slide was a drawing of Twilight lost in her studies. She was surrounded by a fortress of books. (Spike sat next to her.)

"Twilight was lost in her books," explained Sandbar. "Oftentimes, she didn't like other ponies' company. She sometimes got angry when another pony wanted her to join them."

The second slide was another drawing: Twilight snapping at a stallion wearing glasses, who was looking into her fortress of books.

"Twilight wasn't always nice to her baby dragon, either."

The third slide was Twilight snapping at Spike; her horn was glowing with anger. He had accidentally burned one of her books, and he was feeling ashamed and a little afraid.

"Hey!" called Firebomb, raising his hand. "Who said it was HER dragon?"

"Dragons are not pets!" shouted Ash, holding up a fist.

"Yeah!" called Claws, standing on the bench. "Nopony owns me! And nopony owns him!"

"We admire your feelin's, everydragon," assured Apple Bloom. "Y'all really care about our dragon friend. That's great! Thin's are much better now, we assure you."

Charcoal cleared his throat. Facing Firebomb, he said, feeling a little nervous, "Can we ... let the little ponies finish their presentation?"

For the moment, the dragons calmed back down.

Apple Bloom moved to the next slide. The fourth slide was a photo of (then-Princess) Celestia and Shining Armor hugging Twilight, feeling warmed by their affection.

"Even in her worst moments," said Sandbar, "Twilight had at least two ponies she loved: Her former mentor, Celestia -- and her big brother, Shining Armor -- who is sitting right here in the audience!"

Sandbar pointed in Shining Armor's direction. With a proud smile, Blueblood wrapped one arm around Armor.

"Yak prince once hate blue-and-white unicorn," said Rustler, who was Prince Rutherford's younger brother (my fanon for "Unnamed Yak #2" in "Party Pooped"). "But now realize he perfect as pony. No need to be yak."

Nervously, Shining Armor said, "Yes ... I've learned to just be myself. I can't be a perfect yak, so I shouldn't even try."

Rustler gave Shining Armor a big hug, knocking the wind out of him.

"As many o' y'all know," said Apple Bloom, "Celestia used to be the Princess of Equestria."

The fifth slide was Celestia sitting on her throne, wearing her crown.

"For many years," continued Apple Bloom, "she dreamed o' havin' a student who could someday take her place. When Celestia discovered Twilight, she saw somethin' very special."

The sixth slide was a photo of little Twilight with newly hatched Spike sitting beside her. Spike was sitting on fragments of his eggshell, with one on top of his head. Celestia was looking at both of them with a warm sense of affection.

"But," said Apple Bloom, "it would take a lotta love -- and a lotta pushin' -- to turn Twilight into the friend Celestia dreamed of."

"So," asked Button Mash (the brown earth pony colt with the propeller beanie), raising his hoof, "how did Twilight get that dragon egg?"

Section #3:

The classroom turned dead silent. Sandbar's and Apple Bloom's expressions turned blank.

"Yeah!" called Lavastream, holding up a fist. "I wanna know!"

"Hold on, sister," said Pyroclast. "Let the teachers explain."

Apple Bloom and Sandbar stood nervously.

"I'm ... I'm sorry ... ," said Sandbar. "I really don't know. We'll have to ask Celestia. She was the one who gave Twilight the egg."

"She stole a baby dragon!" called Ash, hovering and pointing toward the photo of Celestia.

"And turned him into her slave!" called Claws, also hovering and pointing fingers.

"I wanna burn her flank!" shouted Lavastream, hovering in the air and blowing a big flame.

The non-dragon creatures gasped.

One of the changelings jumped up and hovered above the classroom.

"Wait! Stop!" she cried. This changeling was a "filly" named Shellamar. She looked toward the dragons.

"What do you want, bugpony?" demanded Lavastream.

"Spike is one of our heroes!" said Shellamar. "If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be here today!"

"That's right!" added another changeling (a "mare" named Dot). She flew up beside Shellamar. "We would still be hungry and miserable."

"Thorax really wanted a friend," continued Shellamar. "He was tired of stealing love to stay alive. He wanted a better way to live."

As Shellamar spoke, Dot descended toward the teaching area. She landed just in front of the little stage. Shellamar hovered above the teaching area.

On the floor, Dot turned into pre-reformed Throax.

"Thorax really wanted to make friends with the ponies," said Dot. "But he feared they would reject him if they knew he was a changeling."

A third changeling (a "colt" named Chris) landed next to Dot.

"One day," said Chris, "when visiting the Crystal Empire, Spike discovered him."

Chris transformed into Spike without wings. "With Spike's encouragement, Thorax came out of his shell. This was not an easy task for Spike. Long before he was a hero for us, he was already a hero to the Crystal Empire."

A fourth changeling (a "stallion" named Spots) hovered above the teaching area. He transformed into the statue of Spike holding the Crystal Heart.

"For him to take sides with a changeling," continued Chris ... "that put his great reputation at risk. For a moment, Spike was a coward, and failed to stand up for his new friend. This betrayal nearly caused Thorax to give up on friendship."

With angry tears in his eyes, pretend Thorax (Dot) turned his back on pretend Spike (Chris).

"But then," said Shellamar. "Spike saw that he had done great evil. He had failed to be a friend for a creature who needed one the most."

Pretend Spike was full of regret. With sad tears in his eyes, he sat on the ground, looking up toward pretend Thorax.

Shellamar continued, "When Spike admitted he had no excuse, Thorax regained hope. In turn, Thorax proved that he believed in the power of forgiveness."

Pretend Thorax turned back toward pretend Spike. He hugged pretend Spike, and pretend Spike hugged him.

"Thanks to Spike," said Dot, "Thorax found a new way to feed his hunger for love. Never more would he have to steal others' love -- because he now had his own love to share!"

"One day," said Spots, "Thorax showed us what he learned."

Spots turned into Queen Chrysalis.

"But," said Dot, "Queen Chrysalis didn't want to do things the good way. She wanted to stay evil. So we told that tyrant she could buzz off!"

As Dot spoke, she turned into reformed Thorax. Pretend Thorax (Dot) flew up to pretend Chrysalis. His horn and antlers glowing, he gave her an angry stare and pointed as if pointing toward a door. Pretend Chrysalis flew off, but she looked back, grinding her teeth.

"I don' know how Spike ended up with Celestia," said Apple Bloom. "But I know this: Spike is dearly loved by every pony who helped raise him. The love he learned from them -- he has shown to every other creature!"

As she spoke, Apple Bloom skipped to Slide #81. It was a photo of Spike (before wings) riding on Luna's back as she flew in the sky. Slide #82 showed Spike (before wings) sharing a hug with both Celestia and Princess Twilight.

Slide #83 showed Spike (with wings) playfully chasing both Cadance and Flurry Heart in the sky. And Slide #84 showed Spike (with wings), Ember, and Thorax playfully chasing one another in the air.

The changeling students sat back down.

"Spike is no slave," said Sandbar. "He is a valued member of Twilight's family. But for most of his life ... no other dragon loved him. He could not have survived in the Dragonlands. There were many dragons who'd have loved to kill or kidnap him."

Slide #85 showed Shining Armor shielding Spike from a gang of teenage dragons -- and scaring them off! This was not Garble's gang; it was a different group of thugs, who were three times Garble's size. All of them were girls!

The dragons sat silently. Charcoal hung his head.

"I confess," he said ... "I was one of those dragons. These dragons who are sitting with me ... they seem kinder than I ever was. They've never even met Spike, but they already seem to love him as one of their own. I had my own gang and all ... but we'd have sold each other out if we'd thought it would benefit us. So, no ... I can't say that I've ever had a friend. At least ... not until recently."

Firebomb took another look at Slide #85. He gasped.

"Sulphur! My big sister! I didn't know she was a big thug! She was fairly gentle with me."

"Professor Smolder," said Charcoal, "had a similar reaction about her big brother ... who was the leader of my gang."

"I think dragons are widely misunderstood," said Firebomb. "Until recently, most dragons didn't believe in kindness. That much is true. Even so, most dragons had at least one loved one."

"Unfortunately," said Pyroclast, "good dragons had no voice in that cruel world. They would be seen as weak -- or as troublemakers. Most of our friends left the Dragonlands for other countries."

"You know those dragons who live in the Everfree Forest?" said Ash. "And some of the mountains in Equestria? Most of them are not that bad. But they're lonely, and they get angry at feeling they don't belong. I think Spike met one of them. And I think Twilight and her girlfriends met one other. They both want to say they're sorry for turning evil on you."

"The Mane 6 apologize if they did anything wrong," said Sandbar. "And so does Spike. Maybe we can arrange a field trip for the Professors to reconcile with them?"

"I think it can be safely done," said Firebomb.

"They're much happier now that we've arrived!" said Claws.

"So," said Charcoal, "do we agree that Spike is not a slave? And even if he were, most dragons would have been far crueler to him?"

Lavastream hung her head with embarrassment. "I'm sorry about jumping to conclusions. I'm very proud to be a dragon. ... I sometimes forget that most dragons have not shared my sense of honor."

Lavastream, Ash, and Claws sat back down.

Section #4:

"There are many beautiful stories about friendship," said Sandbar. "So many stories that deserve to be retold. Princess Twilight would love us to write them down -- so that they won't be forgotten!"

As Sandbar spoke, Apple Bloom turned to Slide #25. It was a photo of Twilight writing a letter with her horn, with Spike sitting beside her.

"When Twilight was still Celestia's student," said Apple Bloom, "Celestia had 'er write regular letters about her friendship adventures -- and the things she learned along the way!"

Slide #26 was Spike burning a sealed scroll to send it off. Slide #27 was Celestia receiving a letter and opening it up.

"Therefore," said Apple Bloom, "we wish each o' you to keep a diary."

A treasure chest lay in front of the small stage. As she spoke, Apple Bloom opened it, revealing a whole stash of blank books.

From the podium on the stage, Sandbar pulled out his own diary.

"Ever since I met my foreign friends," he said, "there have been so many precious moments -- starting from the very first day! And I don't want to forget a thing!"

Sandbar flipped through his book. It was full of writing, doodles, and photos. "And that's just the first three months!"

Half the students groaned.

"What's wrong?" asked Apple Bloom.

"I hate homework!" protested Diamond Tiara.

"Yeah!" said Silver Spoon. "It'll take all the fun out of friendship!"

"I don't like writing," said a kirin (Winter Fire, a "colt").

"This class stinks!" protested a gryphon (Gary).

"Don't worry," said Apple Bloom. "You don't have to write somethin' every day. All ya need is a few sentences per week. Or a few photos or doodles."

From the podium, Apple pulled out her own diary. She showed a very brief entry for "Week 25", with only three sentences: "More an more, I realize frenship is messy bizness. It's offen chaotic and umperdictable. Frenship ain't for the faint o heart -- but it's what makes life worth livin!"

For "Week 26", there were just three photos: One was Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara hugging after both got covered in mud. The second was Apple drinking milkshakes with Button Mash, Featherweight, and Tender Taps. The third was Snips and Snails smiling and hugging, their tears drying (with Apple Bloom smiling in the background).

"Week 27" was a doodle of Apple and Scootaloo gliding in the sky -- being pulled by Thunderlane and Rainbow Dash, respectively.

Silver Spoon laughed. "I didn't think you had it in you, Diamond!"

"My friend was stuck in quicksand," said Diamond Tiara. "It was the one time I'd get my hooves dirty for anything."

"This is about the memories that you want to keep," said Sandbar. "Things you would love to share with friends in the first place! How does that sound?"

Silver Spoon scratched her chin. "Diamond and I have had a lot of adventures. But many of them are things most ponies can't afford."

"Hey!" said Blueblood. "I think we've met before!"

Silver Spoon paused. "Aquapulcolt? ... Scuba diving? ..."

Blueblood scratched his chin. "I remember helping two fancy fillies find their way out of Corral Cave."

"That blond white unicorn seemed quite nice," said Diamond. "He feels a lot like me!"

Blueblood blushed again, laughing a little. "I couldn't let a little filly get lost underwater -- even if she's a common pony. Aunt Celestia might banish me to the moon."

Diamond and Silver both gave him a hug. Blueblood hugged them in return.

"I almost wish you three were assigned to Camp Generosity," remarked Button Mash. "Then you'd have to invite us to your fancy adventures!"

The rest of the class laughed.

"So, Prince Blueblood," asked Sandbar, "would you like to give all the students their diaries? I imagine you have some of that royal magic, too."

Blueblood activated his horn. "I'll try!"

He fired his horn at the books in the treasure chest. With a big flash of light, every student had their diary sitting on their lap! The Breezies received tiny diaries, a convenient size for them.

"That was amazing!" exclaimed Diamond Tiara.

Silver Spoon clapped. "Good show!"

"So, students!" said Apple Bloom. "If there's an adventure ya wanna remember, your diary will help ya remember! If there's a problem ya wanna solve, yer diary will help ya get yer thoughts on paper! An' if you wanna write a letter, yer diary will help ya figure out how to write it!"

"Even after Twilight became a Princess," said Sandbar, "she continued to write about her friendship lessons. This is not for a grade. These are your notes -- for you to learn and grow!"

"I used to dream o' bein' an alicorn princess," said Apple Bloom. "But I had no idea what a hard job it really is."

Button Mash raised his hoof again. "So what does Prince Blueblood do? Since he's a prince but not a ruler."

Section #5:

Sandbar and Apple laughed nervously.

"So," said Sandbar ... "what job do you have, Prince Blueblood?"

Blueblood stood on his bench. He faced the class with a proud smile.

"Many ponies say that I am lazy. My life may be easy, but my job is just as important. I am a diplomat. I bring together the elite members across Equestria and beyond. I help them work out their problems. Even Shining Armor and Celestia look up to me. My greatest achievement, I believe, was securing peaceful relations between the Crystal Empire and Yakyakistan!"

Blueblood showed a photo of Prince Rutherford giving him a big hug. The yak students stomped their hooves, their equivalent of clapping hands.

"Yak prince like pony prince almost as much as pink pony!" said one yak (Horner, a boy about Yona's age).

Blueblood blushed nervously. Again, he wasn't quite expecting this much praise.

"Blueblood," said Shining Armor with a low voice (now standing beside Blueblood), "this friendship stuff may be easier than you think. You already have some new fans!"

"Well," said Blueblood, feeling slightly nervous ... "I certainly don't want to let them down."

Inside, he was thinking, it would be a diplomatic disaster.

"So, students," asked Sandbar, "do you have any more questions?"

"I suppose I have spoken my piece," said Blueblood, sitting back down. "Continue at your leisure."

Shining Armor also sat down.

"Professors," asked Button Mash, raising his hoof again, "can I write to Celestia, too?"

"Me, too!" said another colt (Skeedaddle, a background unicorn in "Marks and Recreation"), raising his hoof, too.

"Me, three!" said Amethyst Star (light grayish magenta unicorn mare), also raising her hoof.

Many ponies raised their hooves.

"I wanna write to Luna!" said Chipcutter (gray pegasus colt, background pony), standing on his bench.

"So do I!" said Dark Moon (dark gray male unicorn, background pony), his horn glowing.

A few other ponies raised their hooves (mainly colts and fillies).

"Cadance!" called Crystal Beau (light bluish gray Crystal Pony, a male background earth pony). "Will you let me write to Cadance?"

All the Crystal Ponies raised their hooves. Shining Armor seemed a little nervous.

"I wanna write to Shining Armor!" exclaimed Sunshine Splash (earth pony mare from "Games Ponies Play", a Crystal Pony), standing on her bench.

Several ponies raised their hooves, both male and female. Shining Armor felt even more nervous.

"I don't think he gets enough credit," added Night Knight (light grayish blue earth pony, from the episode "The Crystal Empire", a male Crystal Pony). "He saved our kingdom, too!"

Shining Armor started to smile again!

"Please let me write to Twilight!" called Star Tracker (from "Once Upon a Zeppelin"), raising his hoof. "I'd really love to hug her again!"

Many of the students raised their hands or hooves -- including some of the foreign students.

"Can I write to Blueblood?" asked Diamond Mint (light blue mare, a background unicorn).

Several mares raised their hooves. Blueblood blushed.

"And Spike!" called Crystal Beau. "I wanna write to Spike!"

All the Crystal Ponies raised their hooves.

Sandbar blew a whistle. "We will talk with the entire royal family -- including Shining Armor and Prince Blueblood. I am sure they would love to hear how you all are growing as friends! But we must make sure we have their permission. It would not be friendly to send them unwanted mail."

"You're right, Shining Armor!" whispered Blueblood. "I really love my new fans. They make me feel so important. I think I shall enjoy this school!"

"I'm happy for you, Blueblood," said Shining Armor, wrapping an arm around him. "I really am!"

Shining Armor had never felt so important before. Every Crystal Pony loved Cadance, along with Spike. To see that he had a cult following himself ... it made him feel like former Princess Luna!

#10 - The Game of Loyalty

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Section #1:

In the gym, Smolder and Babs Seed stood in the center of a basketball court. Napper (the little cat girl) was sitting on a basketball. All three were wearing jerseys, with whistles hanging from their necks.

"Is everycreature here?" asked Smolder.

"Yes!" called many of the ponies.

"I'm here!" called a kirin.

"So am I!" called a deer.

"Sarah here!" called Yona's little sister (my fanon name), bouncing on the floor.

"And David!" called Yona's little brother (my fanon name), also bouncing.

"Are you ready to have fun?!" shouted Smolder, throwing a fist into the air.

"Yes!" called all the students, also throwing their fists.

This class also had 100 students. They sat on the floor, forming three half-circles around their teachers. Again, ten of them were Royal Guards. There were six gryphons, six dragons (including Garble), six changelings, two kirins, six yaks (including Yona's parents and little sister and brother), and six hippogriffs. There were also a deer, a buffalo (Little Strongheart), and a Breezie. In total, there were 36 non-pony students, including Napper.

(In my fanon, Yona's mother is named "Barbara"; her father is "Richard"; her little sister is "Sarah"; and her little brother is "David".)

"Rainbow Dash is a wonderful pony!" remarked Babs. "She thinks you're awesome -- whether you're strong or weak!"

"So she thinks I'm awesome, too?" called the Breezie (a little boy named "Breezewood"), flapping his wings. He was perched on Garble's shoulder.

"Absolutely!" said Babs. "In fact, she once helped some Breezies make their way home!"

"We're not gonna be heroes today," said Napper. "But we're about to have lots of fun ... learning the magic of teamwork!"

Napper got off the basketball and gave it a few bounces.

"Working toward a common goal," said Smolder -- "it is such a beautiful and mysterious thing. Each making sacrifices for the others -- so that all can be happy!"

As she spoke, she picked up the basketball and bounced it. She bounced the ball back and forth between her legs.

"It sometimes means delaying your immediate satisfaction," said Babs Seed. As Babs spoke, Smolder threw the ball to her. Catching it with one hoof, Babs started spinning it on her hoof.

"But in the end ... if each of you values the other's happiness, then you end up with more joy than you started with!" As Babs continued speaking, she threw the ball onto her other hoof, continuing to spin the ball.

Then Babs bounced the ball between her legs. Giving it a hard bounce, she launched it into the air. Napper leapt into the air and gave it a big karate-style kick!

"Usually," said Napper, as she did the stunt, "when Capper's gang rescues a homeless kitty, they cry with joy and relief. There have been some ungrateful ones ... but we can usually correct them with love and patient discipline."

As Napper spoke, the ball fell straight through the basket!

"Excuse me," said one pony (Lucky Streak, a gray pegasus, one of the background ponies), raising his hoof, "but I don't think that's a legal move in basketball."

"Don't worry," said Babs. "Today, we're not playing basketball."

"Instead," said Smolder, "we're playing Dragonball!"

"Dragonball!" exclaimed Garble. "My favorite!"

"What is Dragonball?" asked Bluenote (a light blue unicorn stallion with dark blue and magenta hair), raising his hoof.

Smolder leapt into the air, hovering a few feet above the floor. "As Rainbow Dash would say, it's an awesome game. It's 2000% cooler than basketball! You throw rocks at your opponents, and you play in a pool of lava!" As Smolder spoke, she pretended to throw some rocks.

Most of the creatures gasped with fear and horror. The dragons smiled, and so did three of the changelings.

"Don't worry, ponies," said Smolder ... "and other flammable creatures. We won't be going to volcanoes today."

"Instead," said Babs -- "we'll be using the pool."

"And," said Napper -- "we'll be using rubber balls!" As she spoke, she pulled in a wagon carrying a hundred rubber balls.

Half the creatures sighed with relief, but some of the creatures were still nervous.

Kettle Corn raised her hoof (earth pony filly from "Marks and Recreation"). "Professor Smolder, I don't think I like this game. It feels kind of mean."

"It's a sport, my dear student!" replied Smolder, trying to encourage her. "If you agree to the rules, then it's okay!"

"I ... I don't think I agree ...," said Kettle Corn, nervously.

Smolder flew down to the wagon full of balls. She grabbed one and flew back up.

"Here, Kettle Corn!" called Smolder. "Have a ball!"

Kettle Corn looked up. Smolder hovered right above her and dropped the rubber ball.

The filly gasped with surprise. Still, she managed to catch the ball.

"Go on, Kettle!" encouraged Smolder. "Throw it at me!"

Kettle Corn stood for a moment. Then she tossed the ball a little into the air. With the ball still in the air, she turned around and gave it a big kick.

The ball hit Smolder in the face! Smolder yelped.

Bouncing off her face, the ball flew toward Garble. It hit him in the face, too. (Garble had been so busy watching that he didn't really see what was coming.)

Breezewood was sitting on Garble's thigh. The ball fell down toward him. He, too, was so busy watching that he didn't see he was about to get hit.

Too late, the little Breezie saw what was happening. He screamed, unable to react in time. The ball squashed him, bouncing off of Garble's thigh.

The nearby students gasped in horror. Smolder also cringed, and so did Garble.

Smolder flew down and landed next to Garble. Just then, Nurse Redheart (white earth pony mare with pink hair) burst in through the doors.

"Professor Smolder!" called Redheart. "Take me to the patient!"

Smolder flew to her, grabbed her, and dropped her next to Garble. Landing on the floor, Smolder stood next to her.

Breezewood was lying flat on Garble's thigh. His eyes were closed, and he wasn't moving. He looked as if he'd been beaten up.

From her first-aid suitcase, Redheart pulled out a special pair of glasses, which looked like black sunglasses. She put them on and gave the Breezie a quick lookover.

"No broken bones," she said. "At least none I can see."

Redheart took off the black glasses. Now she put on what looked like red sunglasses. Again, she briefly examined the tiny boy.

"His organs seem unharmed."

Redheart took off the glasses. She put both pairs of glasses back away.

"In that case," asked Smolder, feeling a little nervous, "do you know what happened?"

Nurse Redheart pulled out a bottle of water. She poured some of it onto the tiny Breezie.

Slowly, Breezewood opened his eyes. He groaned. Slowly, he struggled to sit back up.

Nervously, Garble, Smolder, and some other students watched. Kettle Corn also stood at the scene, her eyes a little watery.

“Uh ...? Uh ...?” asked Breezewood. “What happened ...?”

“He’s alive!” exclaimed Kettle Corn.

She kneeled and looked closely at him in the eyes. “I’m so sorry, little Breezie. I didn’t think I would cause such a terrible accident.”

Garble hung his head. “I must confess,” he said ... “there was a time when I would have stomped a Breezie into the ground — and laughed in his face. But my little sister, Professor Smolder, taught me that even the tiniest creatures can be precious gems. Just like the diamonds on my sister’s necklace, tiara, and toe ring!”

Smolder cringed and blushed with embarrassment.

“That’s so cool, Professor Smolder!” exclaimed Kettle Corn. “When I first saw you, I thought you were a boy. A big, rough boy. But now I see you’re not just big and tough. You’re kind and sensitive and love pretty things!”

“Yeah!” added Little Strongheart, approaching the scene. “You must have been Rainbow Dash’s star student!”

Smolder started to smile, though still blushing. "You ... you ... think I'm cool ... doing girly things like ... wearing dresses, wearing makeup, and going to spas?"

"You're a girl!" said Kettle Corn, with an encouraging smile. "Don't be ashamed to act like one!"

The mares and fillies clapped their hooves, and so did many of the boys. By now, Breezewood was back to normal. Sitting again on Garble's thigh, he clapped his hooves, too.

Kettle Corn looked toward Little Strongheart.

“Have you ever met Professor Dash, little buffalo?” she asked.

“I certainly have!" replied Little Strongheart. "You see, some ponies started building stuff on our land without our permission ... we thought we had to drive them out ... but then Dash helped us see that other creatures could live with us and be friends with us. It’s a long story. Anyhow, we are happy that the ponies want to share their world with us -- as we have done for them!”

Kettle Corn looked back toward Smolder.

"So, Professor Smolder," she asked, "do you still want to play Dragonball?"

Smolder scratched her chin. "I wanted a game that could include everycreature. But I didn't think about Breezies."

"Never mind, Professor!" called Breezewood. "I could be a referee. I could keep score. Or be a cheerleader!"

Some of the students giggled.

"In that case," asked Little Strongheart, "how do we play?"

Smolder jumped back into the air. Hovering once again, she started to speak.

"The rules are quite simple. First, you ..."

Suddenly, the whole class poofed and disappeared. One moment, everyone was in the basketball court. The next moment, every creature was gone.

Section #2:

Outside, in the school pool, Applejack was waterskiing, with only her hooves. Rainbow Dash was flying and pulling her with a rope.

"Yeehawww!" called Applejack. "Rainbow Dash, you're the best!"

"Anything for my best friend!" replied Rainbow Dash.

Applejack laughed. "I guess you are!"

Just then, the class poofed into the scene. They appeared next to the pool, in the bleachers. Smolder was still hovering. Babs and Napper stood on the concrete in front of the bleachers (which surrounded the pool).

When things are teleported, it's common to hear a zapping or poofing sound. This was no exception. Rainbow Dash and Applejack heard the sound.

"AJ," asked Rainbow Dash, looking toward Applejack, "what was that sound?"

Without her eyes looking ahead, Dash didn't notice that she was hurtling straight to the edge of the pool.

"Watch out!" cried Applejack. "You're getting too close to the --"

Dash looked back in front of her. She and Applejack screamed. Flapping her wings backward, Dash tried to stop. But it was too late.

Applejack's hooves were just about to hit the edge of the pool, which was made of concrete. She tried jumping off the wake she was making with the water, but it seemed she would still hit the concrete ground around the pool.

Applejack continued to scream.

Then suddenly, Dash and AJ poofed and disappeared!

AJ popped back up sitting in the bleachers. Dash popped back up hovering next to Smolder in the air.

The class remained silent. They looked around, feeling confused.

"Wow, Professor Smolder!" called Kettle Corn. "How did you do that?"

"Yeah!" added Breezewood. "How did you teleport us to the pool?"

Smolder smiled, laughing nervously. "I suppose ... I don't know my own magic ...?"

Just then, a familiar face poofed into the scene. It was Discord, floating in front of Smolder.

"Uh ... Discord," said Smolder ... "that was very ... thoughtful of you ..."

Discord chuckled. "I said I would be here, now and then, to make things more interesting!"

Snapping his fingers, Discord vanished from the scene. Dash and AJ barely had time to give him a dirty look.

Smolder turned to Rainbow Dash. “Professor Egg ... I mean Dash ... we could really use the pool right now. We’re playing a special game of mine.”

“Let me guess,” said Dash ... “Dragonball?”

“That’s right! Wanna play with us?”

“That sounds great!” With her wings, Dash leapt higher into the air. “I’ll lead one team and you’ll lead the other!”

Dash turned to the students.

“It’s a pretty simple game to play,” she explained. “You throw balls at your opponents. If one hits them in the head, then they’re out and have to leave the pool!”

As Dash spoke, she swooped down to grab a dodgeball. She threw it at Smolder, hitting her pretty hard.

“If you catch the ball,” said Smolder, “then you can bring in an extra player!”

Smolder threw a ball at Rainbow Dash. Dash caught the ball, though it knocked a bit of wind out of her.

“The two teams are restricted to their own sides of the pool,” continued Smolder. “And they are separated by a solid wall.”

Just then, a concrete wall popped up between the two sides of the pool. It extended from the bottom of the water to a foot above the surface.

(Discord floated a distance away, smiling.)

"How high may we fly?" asked a changeling.

"You must stay in the water at all times," said Smolder. "But you may slide on the surface. In fact, that's what dragons normally do when they play this game."

Smolder descended to the surface of the pool. She started waterskiing, using her wings to propel her.

"A lot like waterskiing?" asked Applejack.

"Exactly like waterskiing!" Smolder started dancing as she skied, like a tomboy ballerina.

"By the way," she added, "I have made the rules nicer and easier for you ponies. When dragons play this game, it's not enough just to hit your opponent. To put them out of the game, you have to knock them out!" She punched the palm of her hand with her fist.

Kettle Corn sighed. "I wish I had wings."

"So do I," said Applejack.

Rainbow Dash flew out of the scene. Moments later, she dashed back with her pet turtle, Tank. Dash landed beside Kettle Corn and stood on the bleacher beside her.

"I think I can help you with that," said Dash. "You could wear a little helicopter, like my pet turtle here."

Smolder sighed. "I wanted every creature to have fun. But it seems I picked a sport meant only for flying creatures. And even then, I had to make it safe for creatures other than dragons."

"Don't feel bad, Smolder," said Babs Seed. "I know you'll find a way to include everyone."

"Yeah!" added Napper. "That's what loyalty is about!"

"Can I sit this one out?" asked Kettle Corn, raising her hoof. "I admire your skills, Smolder. But this sport feels kind of scary to me. I don't want to get hurt. And I don't want to hurt any creature."

"I don't mind just watching," added Smallfry (a little colt, dark blue earth pony with teal and light blue hair, seen in Pony Life). "That's what I do with hoofball!"

"Yaks no like water," said Barbara.

"Richard agree," said Richard. "And do Sarah and David."

"I have an idea, Smolder," called Napper, "for a game that everyone should be able to play. Come on down and I'll tell you!"

Smolder landed beside Napper. With a playful face, the little cat jumped onto her and whispered into her ear.

Smolder giggled. With a soft voice, she said, "That sounds like something I'd love to do with Gallus! We've long been partners in crime, so to speak!"

Smolder turned back to the class. "Okay, students! You can play, or you can sit in the bleachers. Next time, I'll have a game that won't have to be a spectator sport!"

"In that case," said Rainbow Dash, "let's start picking teammates!"

"Pick me, Dash!" called Little Strongheart.

"Pick me, little sister!" called Garble.

"And me!" called a changeling.

#11 - Gallus the Generous

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Section #1:

In the study hall by the library, 100 students sat in the couches and comfy chairs. Again, ten of them were Royal Guards. On a big couch, Backdraft (blue-indigo dragon boy with plump belly) sat with Shelldon (Ocellus' little brother), along with a little kirin and a little yak.

There were six gryphons (including Grampa Gruff), six dragons (including Backdraft), six changelings (including Shelldon, Ocellus' baby brother), three kirins, six yaks, and six hippogriffs. There were also one deer, one buffalo, and two Breezies. In total, there were 38 non-pony students, including Winger, the little lovebird boy.

In the middle of the study hall, Gallus, Gabby, and Winger sat on a round carpet. Next to them was a pretty-looking treasure chest.

"Good morning my dear students!" called Gabby, with her normal cheery voice.

"Good morning, Professors!" called many of the students.

"Good morning, big birds!" called Backdraft.

He blew a big flame to greet the teachers. Most of the students screamed with fear. Winger hid behind Gallus.

The flame blackened part of the ceiling, leaving a big hole. But at least nothing was on fire.

Backdraft laughed nervously. "Sorry ... I forgot that everything's flammable in Equestria."

"If you love arts and crafts," said Gabby, "then today's gonna be lots of fun!"

Backdraft raised his hand. "So, Professor Gray Bird, what do arts and crafts have to do with generosity?"

"Have you ever received a present?" asked Gabby.

Backdraft scratched his head. "No, not really ... Dragons don't really do presents ... at least not the ones I know ..."

Then the dragon's face brightened up. "Actually ... I received this from Garble's little sister!"

Backdraft pulled out a stone tablet. It was a drawing of Garble's gang (the six boys) floating, engulfed with a bright aura of light. At the bottom were the words "Elements of Brotherhood". Backdraft flew up and presented it to the group.

Gabby squealed with delight. With a burst of energy, she flew up for a closer look at the picture. "That's adorable, Backdraft! How did you feel when Smolder gave it to you?"

"At first," admitted Backdraft, "I didn't know what to do with it. I was kind of disappointed it wasn't a big gemstone. But then I took another look."

Backdraft looked back at the drawing. "And then I thought ... the little dragon girl actually likes me! I don't know why ... but that made me feel good!"

"Well," said Gallus, "no creature likes to be insulted, that's for sure."

"And," said Backdraft, "it got me to thinking ... Garble, me, and the others ... we're no longer just a bunch of thugs. We actually love each other. We really are like brothers! And when I look at this picture, I feel that Smolder is my sister, too. She feels like a little sister to all of us!"

As Backdraft spoke, he started to hug the stone tablet.

Gallus remarked, "They say it's the thought that counts -- not the gift. But too many creatures don't think about what I want. So I end up with stuff like ... paw warmers ... a stuffed rat ... and a prune cake. Oh, come on! Gifts should be fun -- not some lame gesture we do to be polite!"

As Gallus spoke, he pulled out a pair of plaid socks, a stuffed rat with buttons for eyes, and a brown-and-black cake that dropped like a rock. (The socks had holes where Gallus's claws had poked through.)

Gabby suddenly grew concerned. She flew back down to Gallus.

"Gallus," she whispered into his ear, "can I have a word with you?"

"Why do we need to whisper?" whispered Gallus.

Gabby, putting back on a smile, turned to face the crowd. "Class, we need to take a short break. Gallus and I have something we need to do."

Section #2:

Gabby took Gallus to her office, shutting the door.

Gabby's office was decorated with Cutie Mark Crusaders memorabilia. Several pictures hung on the wall. One was a photo of her with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Another showed these four plus Babs Seed and Rumble. Other pictures included a painting of all six cutie marks, a photo of the CMCs and their students from Cutie Mark Camp, and a photo of last year's class at the School of Friendship.

On Gabby's desk, there stood a picture of Gabby and Spike hugging each other, along with one of Gabby hugging Gallus and Gilda. On another table stood trophies for good citizenship, along with figurines of all six CMCs.

For such a cheerful gryphon, Gabby seemed quite angry at Gallus.

"Gallus!" she scolded. "I'm ashamed of you."

"I don't understand," said Gallus. "What's your problem?"

"You might have hurt someone's feelings!"

"I was just telling the truth," asserted Gallus. "Oh -- I forgot. This is Camp Generosity -- not Camp Honesty."

Gabby took some deep breaths. "Gallus, I don't want you to be dishonest. It's just that some things are better left unsaid."

"That's not what I want in a friend!" protested Gallus. "I want to be open and honest about how I feel."

Gabby sighed.

"Sometimes the truth hurts," said Gallus. "Didn't Applejack teach us that?"

Gabby replied, "Didn't she also teach us to speak nicely and politely?"

Gallus sat in a chair. He crossed his arms. "If they won't give me gifts I like, then I'd rather receive none."

"What if you gave your friend a present," asked Gabby, "and they said it was pathetic? How would you like it?"

Gallus paused.

"Doesn't feel so good, does it?" declared Gabby.

"The truth is," explained Gallus ... "I have never given a present in my life. I love receiving presents. I love getting something for nothing. But ... I hate giving up any of my own stuff ..."

"What about on Hearth's Warming Day?" asked Gabby. "Didn't I see you give gifts then?"

"It was stuff from Twilight and Applejack. I just repackaged it."

Gallus hung his head, feeling embarrassed. "I've been assigned to Camp Generosity. But I'm like a dragon. I hate giving gifts. ... I love to be a hero. ... I can sacrifice myself to save the world. ... But ... in everyday life ... I want what's mine to stay mine. I ... I don't like doing things unless something's in it for me."

Gallus sighed. "Smolder should be here ... not me."

Gabby started to feel bad for Gallus. With her wing, she gave him a hug.

"Don't worry, Gallus. There is something in it for you! You have friends who love you. If you give them things they want, you know they're gonna hug you and tell you how great you are!"

In Gabby's office, one other picture hung on the wall. It was a photo of the Student Six hugging one another in front of the revived Tree of Harmony (aka the "Treehouse of Harmony"). (Gallus and Smolder were mostly hugging each other, with Ocellus hugging mostly Smolder and Sandbar. Sandbar and Yona were mostly hugging each other, and Silverstream was mostly hugging Gallus.)

Gabby flew off and grabbed the picture. She brought it back to Gallus.

"Gallus," she asked, "do you remember the time you did some arts and crafts in remembrance of the Tree of Harmony?"

Gallus paused. "Now that you say so ... yes, I do!"

"And you really loved putting it all together, right?"

"Yeah ... after my friends and I stopped fighting over what to make."

Gabby asked, "You say the Tree of Harmony has talked to you now and then?"

"Yeah," said Gallus, "But that was months ago."

"Maybe she doesn't speak to you in words," replied Gabby. "But there's still a part of her inside of you." Gabby pointed to the photo of the tree, and then she pointed to Gallus.

"And there's a part of you inside of her!" She pointed to Gallus again and then pointed back to the photo of the tree.

Gallus paused, fidgeting with his hands and feet.

Gabby put down the photo. She wrapped her wing around her blue friend.

"The spirit of generosity is within you, Gallus," she assured him. "You just have to believe in it!"

"That little lovebird really is counting on me," said Gallus ... "I know he hates to be away from his parents ... I really want to be his father when his father's away. Like a fun uncle!"

"Now go on out there and make him a present!" encouraged Gabby, pointing her wing to the door.

She flew to the door. "And no matter what Winger makes for you -- tell him that you love your present. All that he wants is to show that he cares."

"Yes," said Gallus, as he walked to the door, "but ..."

Gallus sighed. He stopped in front of Gabby.

"I really want to make Winger happy. But I want to be happy with my present."

He sighed again. "But sometimes ... the best present is someone who went to a lot of trouble to make you happy."

Gallus started to smile. "Whatever it is ... I'm sure it'll be more thoughtful than giving someone a prune cake!"

Gabby laughed. "Those store-bought cakes really do taste like trash. But -- if you try one of Pinkie Pie's, you'll find you didn't know what you were missing!"

"Did some creature say 'prune cake'?!" exclaimed a high-pitched voice.

Pinkie Pie dropped into the scene, carrying a big prune cake. It was fresh out of the oven!

"Wow," remarked Gallus. "Speak of the Pie and she will come!"

"Actually, it's cake," said Pinkie.

Gabby laughed.

Section #3:

Gallus and Gabby returned to the study hall by the library.

“Hello again, class!” called Gabby, as the two flew back to the round carpet in the middle. “We’re now ready to start ...”

Gabby paused. She took a second look at the class.

To her surprise, the students were already busy doing their arts and crafts! The pretty treasure chest was already open, and most of its contents had been removed.

Many students were doing paper cutouts with construction paper. Many were drawing with the markers and crayons, along with the glitter glue. Some were building things with craft sticks, along with pipe cleaners. Many were decorating things with colorful feathers, colored cotton balls, and plastic stars and dots. A few were sewing things together with pieces of cloth.

"Wow, class!" said Gabby. "You're really enjoying yourselves, aren't you?"

"Look at this necklace I made!" called a hippogriff, proudly holding his creation. He had strung together some beautiful seashells.

“I made this little dollhouse!" called a Royal Guard (male earth pony). He also presented his creation, which had walls painted pinkish purple and a roof that was violet-purple.

"I made this quilt!" called a female deer, showing a quilt made with brown and green patches like the forest. It also had patches that looked like colorful leaves.

Shelldon, making some happy bug noises, presented a crude drawing of him and his baby sister hugging Ocellus.

"Look at mine!" called Backdraft.

Backdraft had made some crude stuffed toys that looked like the other boys in his gang -- plus Smolder. (In total, that was six stuffed toys.) They had buttons for eyes, and each was accurately colored (with the appropriate cloth).

Gabby squealed with delight. "Oh, Backdraft! They're adorable! I'm sure your friends will love them!"

"You really think so?" asked Backdraft.

"I know that Smolder will, at the very least!" said Gallus.

Suddenly, Backdraft felt a sneeze coming. He tried holding his breath, but it was no good.

Backdraft sneezed a great ball of fire. Unfortunately, his stuffed toys were severely burned, covered in gray and black. (Part of the carpet was also burned.)

The blue-indigo dragon hung his head, feeling sad. Both Gabby and Gallus felt sorry for him.

"I'm sorry, Backdraft," said Gabby. "We should have found some fireproof fabric."

"In the Dragonlands," said another dragon, "we make blankets out of asbestos. But I hear that it would be dangerous for ponies."

"Very dangerous," said the Royal Guard who made the dollhouse.

"Sorry, guys," said Backdraft. "I guess I will have to make new stuffed toys back in the Dragonlands."

"Don't worry, big dragon!" said a young girl's voice. "We'll be your new stuffed toys!"

Backdraft looked back down. "Wait, what?" He shook his head vigorously and looked again. "I don't believe it!"

Backdraft's stuffed toys were back in pristine condition. Or at least that was what it seemed.

"You like what you see?" asked a young boy's voice.

"AAAH!" screamed Backdraft.

He leapt off the ground. Flapping his wings, he crashed into the ceiling.

Backdraft now hovered in place. "That stuffed toy talked to me!"

The stuffed Garble sighed. "I'm sorry, big dragon. We thought you'd be happy."

The other stuffed toys sighed. All six hung their heads.

With a blue flash of swirling light, the stuffed Fizzle (white dragon boy with red-pink crest) suddenly disappeared. As it turned out -- it was Shelldon in disguise!

The other stuffed toys also revealed themselves to be changelings.

Backdraft landed back on the carpet. "Don't -- don't get me wrong, little changelings. I'm glad you tried to help. But I wanna make these arts and crafts for myself."

Suddenly, there was a loud snapping of fingers -- and a bright flash of light. Everyone yelped with surprise.

"You don't have to," echoed a familiar voice ... "Because I've already fixed them!"

Backdraft looked back down. His real stuffed toys were good as new!

"I don't believe it!" exclaimed Backdraft. "Someone fixed my toys! Was it you, one of you changelings?"

"No," said the familiar voice ... "it was me!"

With a flash of light, Discord popped into the scene. The class yelped with surprise again.

Discord declared, "Not only are they good as new -- I added a non-toxic protective coating that is resistant to brief bursts of fire."

"Uh ... uh ..., thank you, dragon horse," said Backdraft.

"I don't do this every day," said Discord. "But today, I want to make my students feel extra welcome!"

With a snap of the fingers, Discord disappeared again.

Backdraft's toys were better than new. But everything else he had burned was still burned.

Gallus looked in dismay. "That was pretty nice of him. But I guess he's not gonna be nice enough to fix the fire damage in the library."

"Or the kitchen!" said Gabby, staring at Gallus with a wry smile.

Some of the students laughed.

Section #4:

Gabby turned back to the class.

"By the way, Grampa Gruff," asked Gabby -- "what did you make?"

Grampa Gruff answered, "I made this ..."

He coughed and wheezed.

"... this card for you, Gallus. It's the least I can do for the years I hated you."

Gruff flew to Gallus and handed him the card. Gallus opened the card.

On the left half of the card, Gruff had written the following words: "I'm sorry, Gallus. I've been an angry and miserable man ... and I kind of took it out on you, along with Gabby and Gilda. Now I know the power of friendship, thanks to you and your friends. I want to be your friend, too. Can you forgive me?"

On the right half of the card, Gruff had drawn the following picture: Gruff hugging Gallus, both of them crying happy tears. Gilda and Gabby were also hugging him. (Both the writing and the drawing were surprisingly well-done!)

Gallus was at a loss for words. "I ... I ... don't know what to say. ... I never thought I would hear ..."

Gallus started to sniffle. Then, with a big smile, he leapt toward Grampa Gruff. He gave the old gryphon a big hug!

Gruff was taken by surprise. Gallus's hug knocked the wind out of him. Gruff nearly lost his balance, but he flapped his wings and avoided falling down.

For a moment, Gruff seemed annoyed. Then he saw Gallus smiling, crying into his shoulder. He stopped and stared. Then he smiled, too. Gruff also gave Gallus a big hug. Rubbing his beak against Gallus's, he also started to cry.

Gruff seemed really touched. "You mean ... you can forgive me so easily ... even after years of me treating you so badly?"

Gallus said, "I don't care who you were before. All I care about is who you are now! You now care about me, and that's all that matters. This is what Princess Twilight's kingdom is all about!"

For a few more moments, Gruff and Gallus hugged each other. Gruff gave Gallus a kiss. Gallus kissed him back.

Grampa Gruff put the blue gryphon back down.

"Professor Gallus!" called Winger. "Would you like to see my arts and crafts?"

Gallus turned to face the little lovebird. "Uh ... uh, sure ... Winger ...," he answered a little nervously. "Let's see it!"

"It's a stuffed puckwudgie!" Winger showed his masterpiece.

For a little boy, Winger was surprisingly good at making stuffed toys. It looked a lot like the real thing -- but could easily be held with one hand. Unlike a typical puckwudgie, this one would always smile, always ready for cuddles.

Gallus cringed, trying to smile. "Why ... why, thank you, Winger!"

"Those creatures are really cute!" said Winger. "Dad and I played with one a short time ago, and we shared some of our crackers."

Gallus laughed nervously. "I -- I can't say I've had such a good experience."

"He did get a little angry at my father," admitted Winger. "But I got him to apologize for shooting a quill into my father's tail."

Gallus picked up the stuffed puckwudgie. He held it in his arms. "I ... I hope I someday meet a puckwudgie that's as friendly to me as one was to you. But be careful. Many will cut you up with their quills if the slightest thing annoys them."

"They say that lovebirds have a special way of reaching creatures' hearts," said Winger. "If I just approach a creature without fear, ready to show that I care, I find that I am almost always safe."

Gallus blushed, feeling a little shy. With a warm smile, he held the stuffed puckwudgie with his wing. He picked up Winger and gave the little boy a big hug.

"I love your present," said Gallus. "But I love you even more! You're like the nephew I never had!"

Winger gave Gallus a big hug, too. "So, Uncle Gallus, what are you making for arts and crafts?"

Grampa Gruff laughed. "Looks like I'm a grampa who's no one's actual grampa. And Gallus is an uncle who's no one's actual uncle!"

The class laughed.

#12 - Camp Kindness

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Section #1:

In a big classroom, 100 students sat in the desks. Ten of them were Royal Guards, including the two Shining Armor had caught fighting each other with spears (a stallion named Archer and a mare named Spearhead).

There were six gryphons (including Gilda), six dragons (including Fume, the purple dragon with blond hair), six changelings, one kirin, six yaks, and six hippogriffs. There were also one deer, one buffalo, and three Breezies. In total, there were 37 non-pony students, including Whirlwind, the little abada girl.

(All the dragons seemed rather big for their desks, along with the yaks. Whirlwind sat in the front desk directly in front of the teacher's desk.)

“Hello, class!” greeted Sweetie Belle, waving her arm.

"Good morning, Professor Belle!" said the students in various tones of voice.

In her hooves, Ocellus was sorting through some index cards. These cards had various notes written on them. It was a pretty big stack, 53 cards to be exact. As Ocellus sorted through them, she arranged them into a neat stack.

Ocellus cleared her throat. She took a moment to read the first card.

"Good ... good morning, class!" said Ocellus. She was trying to smile, but she was somewhat nervous. "I ... I hope all of you are feeling the love in your hearts."

Ocellus looked back at her card. "Because this is Camp Kindness! And we want to make friendship fun!"

She threw her hooves with excitement, as per the instructions on the card. As Ocellus spoke those words, she became a little more confident.

"That's right!" said Sweetie Belle. "In the School of Friendship, Fluttershy has long been the students' favorite teacher. In fact, she's won the Teacher of the Month Award every time! We want to carry on her legacy -- and keep making friendship fun!"

"Will we get to pet some dogs?" asked Zipporwhill (the pegasus filly with glasses and three paw prints for a cutie mark), raising her hoof.

"We'll get to that later," replied Sweetie. "But today, we have a different assignment."

Ocellus turned to the second index card, moving the first to the bottom of the stack. Taking a moment to read it, she cleared her throat once again.

"I love math!" said Ocellus. "What about you?"

Most of the students groaned (including Gilda -- and all the dragons except a boy named Lavaball). But one fifth raised their hands or hooves.

(Lavaball wore glasses. Although he looked kind of nerdy, he was still big and strong.)

"I used to think math was boring, too," said Sweetie Belle. "But now I realize it's an important part of life."

"How's that?" asked Fume, with a wry smile.

"When you're at the store," explained Sweetie, "you want to know how much things cost -- and how to add them up. You want to know how much money you have to spend."

Apple Bytes (dark purple earth pony filly with dark blue hair) raised her hoof. "I don't need to know that! The cashier adds it up for me."

Ocellus brought up the third index card. Reading this card, she cleared her throat once more.

"But," explained Ocellus ... "what if the cashier makes a mistake? Or what if somecreature realizes you can't do math -- and tries to cheat you?"

"Don't forget Flim and Flam," added Sweetie Belle.

"Please don't mention their names!" said Blossomforth (light gray pegasus mare with green and magenta hair). "I can still taste the bad cider in my mouth!"

"I think they want to get better now," said Sweetie Belle ... "but I don't think they'll reform overnight. But I know the magic of friendship is in them, too. They were with the army of creatures who helped save the world from the Windigos!"

Coconut Cream (light gray earth pony filly with purple, green, and yellowish green hair) raised her hoof. Nervously, she asked, "What if we get our math wrong? Will you fail us?"

Sweetie Belle laughed. "Of course not! This is not a math class!"

"I'm confused," said Toola Roola (another filly, who sat in a desk next to Coconut Cream), raising her hoof. "How's it not a math class if we're doing math?"

Ocellus also laughed for a moment. But then she caught herself. "Uh ... s-s-sorry."

Ocellus now glanced at the fourth index card.

"The goal," she explained, "is to work together as friends to solve problems. We just happen to be doing math. But it could have been something like building a clubhouse."

Apple Bytes raised her hoof again. "Why couldn't we build a clubhouse instead?"

Many of the students raised their hands and hooves, including Fume the dragon.

However, at least one student disagreed: a little orange pegasus colt with big round glasses (a background pony in "Daring Done?", whom I'll call "Number Cruncher"). He said, "I would rather do math. I hate having to lift heavy things."

"Well," said Sweetie Belle -- "when building a big project, you still have to calculate the resources you need. You have to do some heavy lifting with your brain -- not just your arms and legs."

Ocellus placed her index cards on the desk. From the desk, she pulled out the stack of assignment sheets. With her horn, Sweetie Belle zapped the sheets. Suddenly, all 100 students had their sheets on their desks.

"Wow, Sweetie Belle!" exclaimed Blossomforth. "I didn't think you had so much talent!"

"Not really," said Sweetie Belle. "It's just a matter of having the right teacher. Headmare Glimmer helped me write this script." For a moment, Sweetie pulled a script out of her "pocket".

"Again, students," said Ocellus, glancing at her fifth index card -- "the goal is to solve problems together as friends. Don't be afraid if you mess up! We're here to support you -- not grade you!"

"Without further ado," said Sweetie -- "let's get started! Everyone, find a partner! As many partners as you want!"

Section #2:

Fume sat with the other five dragons, the six desks crowded together. Again, one of the dragons wore glasses. His name was Lavaball. Although he looked kind of nerdy, he was still big and strong.

Lavaball was smiling, but the rest of the dragons seemed bored.

"This is a very interesting problem," remarked Lavaball. "Especially for us dragons."

He started to read the problem. "Sweetie Belle has 88 bits, and she wants to buy some gems. Emeralds cost 3b; sapphires cost 5b; and diamonds cost 10b."

As Lavaball spoke, another dragon yawned. Her name was Cinder, but usually called "Cindy".

"In addition," Lavaball continued, "there's a special promotion --"

"Who needs this stupid math?" interrupted Cindy, with a snide smile. "For centuries, we just took all we could steal!"

"Yeah!" added Fire Hazard (another dragon boy, the second biggest of the group). "But ever since Ember took charge, we don't get to plunder anything."

"She even made us return what we plundered from the yaks!" said Wildfire (another dragon girl).

"No Dragon Lord has ever felt guilty for attacking another kingdom!" said a third dragon girl ("Ah-Ah"; more formally, "A'a", the biggest of the group). "I thought being a dragon meant never having to say you're sorry."

Fume sighed. "I know ... I couldn't understand it at first ... But ever since I met Garble's little sister, I've found myself wanting a friend. I want somecreature to love me. And I want to love them!"

"That big red coward!" remarked Hazard. "That boy talks so tough, but he crumbles the moment he feels in true danger!"

"Don't you all remember a time when you felt loved?" asked Lavaball. "A time when you loved being in your mother's arms?"

The rest of the dragons paused.

Cindy sighed. Hazard started to sniffle. Wildfire's eyes started to get a little wet. Ah-Ah shed a tear.

"Why did my parents have to abandon me during 'the molt'?" asked Hazard.

Cindy crossed her arms. "Having to hide from giant hungry birds -- not fun!"

Ah-Ah started to cry. "I never felt so scared -- or betrayed!"

Wildfire was crying more quietly. "I never wanted to love anyone again ... but I still wanted somedragon who would treat me well. And that's how I met the rest of you ... Hazard, Cinder, Ah-Ah, and Lavaball. I didn't want to admit it ... but you feel ... kind of like my friends!"

"I must confess," said Hazard ... "trying to fight giant hungry birds ... that kind of brought us together."

"I suppose it was a psychological necessity," admitted Cindy.

"Whether we liked it or not," said Ah-Ah, using her assignment sheet to wipe her eyes ... "I was starting to ... love my new ... partners in crime?"

Ah-Ah finished wiping her eyes. Then she blew her nose, which burned up the sheet.

"I don't wanna fight it anymore!" exclaimed Ah-Ah, getting up from her seat (knocking down both her desk and chair in the process). "I love you all! You mean so much to me! No matter how much we enjoyed robbing and hurting other creatures, you've had my back and I've had yours!"

"I care about you, too!" said Lavaball, smiling to her.

Cindy laughed. "Lavaball, you always were a little mushy and sentimental. You would beat a pony into the ground and then help them get medical treatment!"

"I guess that's why I always trusted you," said Hazard, starting to smile. "There was always some good side to you."

Wildfire gave Ah-Ah a big hug. "I love you, too, Ah-Ah!"

Hazard hugged Lavaball. "You're big and tough -- yet you're the nicest thug I've known!"

Cindy looked toward Fume. "So, blond purple dragon," she asked with a playful smile -- "what's your name?"

Fume blushed. He smiled nervously. "My ... my name is Fume."

"I love the sound of that name! It has a nice noxious smell to it!"

Fume laughed nervously.

Cindy got out of her seat and walked to where Fume was. "I don't want to go too fast, big boy. But I really want to give this friendship thing a chance!"

"I ... I do, too!" stammered Fume.

Sitting on her knees, Cindy placed her elbows on Fume's desk. She rested her head on her hands. "So, Fume -- what was it like when you had your molt?"

"Oh! It was horrible!" exclaimed Fume. "It felt like a nightmare! I kept trying to wake up -- but my fears had really come true! And then ... the great big bird caught me. Helplessly, I found myself in its mouth. I was about to be eaten alive! But then ... then ..."

Fume popped out of his seat. "I grabbed it by its tongue -- and pulled as hard as it could!" He grabbed the air, as if he were grabbing the bird's tongue. "The bird started choking! Suddenly it threw up! I fell to the ground -- and so did five other dragons! And that's how I met Garble and his gang!"

"Isn't it ironic?" asked Cindy. "What felt like the ultimate betrayal by our parents ... caused us to find our own friends. We gave up on love -- but not completely."

"Dragon Lord Ember was one of the lucky ones," remarked Fume. "Her dad was secretly watching her. And when she'd defended herself all she could, he burned the big giant birds to ash! Torch may be cruel even for a dragon -- but not with his precious daughter!"

"I've seen some small purple and green dragon with the Dragon Lord," remarked Hazard. "When they think no one's looking, they love to hug each other. Are they brother and sister?"

"No," replied Fume. "But Spike and Ember certainly feel like family! I even hear that Torch is starting to warm up to Spike! He'd always wanted a son, though he's found that daughters can be just as awesome."

Sweetie Belle teleported herself and Ocellus into the scene.

"I'm so happy for you all!" remarked Sweetie. "You've all brought one another so much happiness!"

"Friendship may be a challenge," remarked Cindy. "But now I love friends almost as much as eating gems!"

"Many times, kindness really isn't that hard," replied Sweetie Belle. "When others love you, it makes you feel important. And when you feel that others value you, you want to make sure it stays that way!"

"Back when I beat up on creatures just for fun," said Lavaball, "there was always a bit of brotherly instinct in me. I couldn't go too far without feeling a little bad for my victims."

Ocellus started to sniffle. She cried a happy tear. "You're solving your problems as friends -- finding your love for one another. That was all that we wanted to give you -- the chance to see how magical friendship can be!"

"If you don't like math," said Sweetie Belle, "then feel feel free to skip the assignment! If you ever have trouble with numbers, we'll be here to help you out!"

"Actually," said Cindy, "I think I want to try some math after all. I think I'm ready to start buying stuff -- and stop beating up others and stealing."

"Us, too!" added the other five dragons.

"In that case," said Lavaball, "I'll read the problem again."

Section #3:

Once again, Lavaball started to read the problem. "Sweetie Belle has 88 bits, and she wants to buy some gems. Emeralds cost 3b; sapphires cost 5b; and diamonds cost 10b. In addition, there's a special promotion -- buy three gems of the same kind and get one free. How can Sweetie get the best value for her money?"

The other dragons sighed.

"I really want to learn this math stuff," said Ah-Ah. "But it's really hurting my head."

"How about we give you some real gems?" proposed Sweetie Belle. "And some real money? One of you could play the storekeeper."

"I'll be the storekeeper," said Lavaball.

"Of course, you will!" teased Cindy.

"In that case," said Sweetie, "I'll give Lavaball the gems and the rest of you the money. At the end, you can keep the stuff -- sharing it with one another! Here you go!"

With a flash of her horn, Sweetie teleported 88 bits and a box of gems into the scene. The box of gems landed on Lavaball's desk. A big pile of coins landed on the other five desks.

The dragons gasped with amazement.

"Wow!" exclaimed Hazard. "It's like you unicorns can just dream stuff into existence!"

"Actually," said Sweetie, "I was just teleporting it."

"Professor Belle!" called Apple Bytes. "Can I have some money and jewels, too?"

All the other students raised their hooves and hands. They had already formed their own groups, having brought their desks together or sitting on the floor.

Sweetie laughed nervously. "But, of course! ... There's no Kindness without Generosity. ... I'm sure Rarity won't mind if I share some of her stuff with you. But you must do the problem and make a proper effort to solve it."

Sweetie ran to the door and left the scene.

"So, my dragon friends," said Lavaball, "you can buy three emeralds and get one free. You can buy three sapphires or diamonds and get one free. So how can we get the most free stuff with our money?"

The other five dragons scratched their heads and chins.

"Diamonds!" said Wildfire. "Let's get as many diamonds as we can!"

Hazard pulled ten coins from the pile. He pulled two more tens. "Four diamonds for 30 bits. That's a savings of 10 bits!"

Hazard gave the 30 bits to Lavaball. Lavaball wrote "4 diamonds = 30b (savings 10b)". Then he picked up four diamonds and placed them on the other dragons' desks.

Ah-Ah pulled 30 more coins from the pile. "And 8 diamonds is 60 bits!"

She gave Lavaball the 30 coins. Lavaball wrote "8 diamonds = 60b (savings 20b)". Then he took four more diamonds and also placed them in front of the other dragons.

As the dragons were doing the math problem, Ocellus and Sweetie Belle were giving gems and bits to the rest of the classmates.

"Can we buy four more diamonds?" asked Fume.

"Let's count what we have left," suggested Lavaball.

Fume divided the coins into fives. "Five ... ten ... 15 ... 20 ... 25 ... 26, 27, 28."

Fume sighed. "If only we had two more bits. Then there would be two diamonds for each of us."

"Don't worry about that right now," said Lavaball. "I'm sure Professor Belle will help us again. Let's see what we can purchase with the remaining 28 bits."

"Let's get four sapphires!" said Fume. "That'll be 15 bits!"

Fume had the remaining coins divided into piles of five (except for the last three). He gave three of these five-coin piles to Lavaball. Lavaball grabbed four sapphires and placed them on the other five desks.

Lavaball wrote "4 sapphires = 15b (savings 5b)".

"I hope we can get four more sapphires!" said Fume. He counted the remaining coins: "Five ... ten ..., 11, 12, 13."

Fume sighed again. "I guess we'll have to buy four emeralds. That'll be 9 bits."

Fume gave nine coins to Lavaball. (He took the two five-coin piles but left out one of the coins.) Lavaball gave the group the four emeralds. He wrote "4 emeralds = 9b (savings 3b)".

"Well," said Cindy, "that leaves us with four bits. We can buy one more emerald -- but nothing else. Looks like we have one bit left."

Once more, Fume sighed. He gave three bits to Lavaball, and Lavaball gave the group one more emerald. Lavaball wrote "remainder of 4b".

"Well, Lavaball," said Cindy, "you've always loved counting coins and gems. So how much would you say we saved?"

Lavaball wrote a few more notes. "First, we saved 20 bits by buying 8 diamonds for the price of 6. Next, we saved 5 bits by buying 4 sapphires for the price of 3. Finally, we save 3 bits by buying 4 emeralds for the price of 3. That is 20 + 5 + 3."

Fume thought the problem over. "Twenty ... five ... 25!" Then he started counting with his fingers. "Twenty-six ... 27 ... 28! Twenty-eight bits! We saved 28 bits!"

"Exactly!" said Lavaball.

"That's a lot of bits!" remarked Wildfire.

"I think we can save one more," said Lavaball. "But we'll have to buy slightly different things."

The other dragons were confused. Fume scratched his head.

"I don't know what you mean," said Ah-Ah.

"We were able to save 28 bits," explained Lavaball -- "but we had four bits left over. Those bits weren't enough to get us any more free stuff. All the free stuff, we got by spending 84 bits. I know a way we could spend 87 bits."

"Then we'd have only one bit left over?" asked Wildfire.

"And we would save 29 instead of 28?" asked Hazard.

"Right! Once you learn to play with numbers, it's a fascinating problem to solve!" Lavaball continued to write more notes.

"You're the numbers guy, you big tough nerd," said Cindy. "You love to count coins, jewels, and even rocks! So why don't you just show us?"

Lavaball finished writing. "Here you go!" He gave the paper to Cindy.

Cindy studied the paper:

12 emeralds (3 groups of 4) = 27b (savings 9b)
8 diamonds (2 groups of 4) = 60b (savings 20b) *
___________________________________
Total gems = 87 (savings 29b)
32 emeralds (8 groups of 4) = 72b (savings 24b)
4 sapphires = 15b (savings 5b)
___________________________________
Total gems = 87 (savings 29b)
* Instead of 8 diamonds, we could get 16 sapphires.

Cindy was a bit breathless. "Wow, Lavaball! You waste your time on this stuff a lot more than I thought. But since we're now buying stuff, I guess these skills are really useful."

Ah-Ah grabbed the paper and studied it for herself. "Wow, Lavaball! Numbers are much more beautiful stuff than I thought. I notice that we could spend 27 or 72 bits on emeralds. These numbers look like each other spelled backwards. Why is that?"

"All these numbers," explained Lavaball, "are multiples of 3. That is, if I gave you 27 or 72 bits, then you could divide them into groups of 3."

"You mean like 3 ... 6 ... 9 ... ?" asked Wildfire, counting by threes with the gems.

"Right. The numbers 15, 27, 60, and 72 are all multiples of 3. So is 87, which is 29 times three."

"Hey!" exclaimed Fume. "That's the number of bits we save with your solutions!"

"That's because we've been buying four items for the price of three." Lavaball still had a bunch of gems left that he hadn't "sold". From this pile, he took out four more sapphires, making one group of three and leaving the fourth to the side.

"For example," continued Lavaball, "when we buy three sapphires, we pay 5 bits for each. Three groups of five equals 15. So we pay 15 bits."

For the group of three sapphires, Lavaball placed five bits behind each sapphire.

"Let me get this straight," said Hazard. "The number 15 can be five groups of three -- or three groups of five."

"Right. Three times five or five times three -- it's all the same numbers."

Lavaball paused for a couple moments to let the other five think. Indeed, the other five were still trying to comprehend the new things they were learning.

Lavaball continued, "Here's where the true magic of numbers comes into play. For every three bits we spend, it's like someone has given us one extra bit!"

Lavaball took the 15 bits behind the three sapphires and started dividing them into groups of three. "When we pay 15 bits for three sapphires, it's like someone has given us an extra 5 bits." For each group of three, he placed a fourth bit beside it.

"Therefore, when we pay 87 bits, it's like someone's given us an extra 29."

Lavaball took out another piece of paper and wrote some more notes. "We started with 88 bits, but the number 88 is not a multiple of 3. Therefore, 87 bits gets us the most free stuff."

"Is it possible to spend all 88 bits?" asked Ah-Ah.

"Yes," replied Lavaball, "but we won't get as much free stuff. We get the most free stuff when we spend 87 -- because it's the closest multiple of three without going over."

"You're kind of a genius," said Cindy. "I'll give you that. But I'm still the mastermind when it comes to successful heists!"

"At least I'm good at following your plans," replied Lavaball.

"And that's why I love you!" Cindy got up and gave Lavaball a big hug and a small kiss.

"Well, Cindy," said Fume ... "I might like you as a girlfriend ... but I don't wanna share you with another creature ..."

"He's just a good friend of mine; he's like a brother to me! I haven't actually picked a boyfriend yet!" Cindy rubbed her face against Lavaball's.

Ocellus and Sweetie Belle walked back to where the dragons were. They watched affectionately, enjoying how the six dragons were bonding with one another.

"Professor Belle," said Ocellus, "I never thought I'd say this, but ... I think I want to date a dragon! But would it be wrong to date one of the students?"

"Many of the dragons are at least as old as you," responded Sweetie Belle. "Still, Chancellor Neighsay says there might be some conflict of interest ..."

#13 - Honesty & Laughter

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Section #1:

In another big lecture hall, 100 students sat in the benches surrounding the teaching area. Again, ten of them were Royal Guards. There were six gryphons, six dragons (including Clump, the fat brown dragon boy), six changelings, one kirin, six yaks, and six hippogriffs. There were also one deer, two buffalo, and one Breezie.

In total, there were 36 non-pony students, including Yapper (the little dog boy). For the moment, however, Yapper was not in the scene.

Flim and Flam sat in the back, between a dragon and a gryphon.

"So, brother," said Flim, "I hope this honesty stuff isn't as hard as it looks."

"I hope so, too," replied Flam. "After we tried to scam students with our friendship university, we started cheating each other. We had never done much of that before."

Ocellus's baby sister ("Shelly") was flying around, feeling warm with love.

"Of all ponies," added Flim, "I thought I could trust you. But I cheated you first. I hate feeling there's not one single creature I can count on."

"Same with me," responded Flam.

"I feel lonely without you."

"So do I!"

Flim gave his brother a hug. Flam hugged him back.

Just then, Shelly entered the scene, hovering over the two brothers. She seemed to be attracted by the brotherly love. Shelly landed on Flam's lap and gave him a hug.

With an awkward smile, Flam said, "Hello there ... little bugpony."

Shelly fluttered onto Flim's lap and hugged him, too.

Flim also smiled awkwardly, laughing nervously.

Just then, there was a loud smashing sound. Half the class yelped, including Flim and Flam.

Yona had just smashed through the door. Lying on the floor, the door was now broken into pieces, with Yona standing on top of it. The doorframe was also in pieces.

"Good morning, friends!" shouted Yona, with a great big smile. "Today, Yona teach you to be honest. And tell the truth!"

Rumble flew in right behind Yona, with Yapper (the little dog boy) running alongside. Both of them were laughing, though Rumble was kind of cringing.

"Yona best teacher!" called the six yaks.

"Yaks best at honesty!" called a small yak boy (named "Chuckie Khan"). "But Yona bestest!"

Yona blushed, not being accustomed to being on a pedestal like this.

Rumble now hovered in front of Yona. "Professor Yona, why did you smash through the door?"

"Door locked. And Yona lost key. And Yona not be late for class!"

"Nice way to make an entrance! But I don't think Professor Applejack will be happy about this."

"No problem!" declared Yona. "Yona tell Professor Jack what happened! Yona honest! Open and honest!"

Yapper barked with excitement, jumping in front of Yona. "I wish I could smash doors like Yona!"

"Yapper smash lots of stuff today!" declared Yona. "Whole class learn to smash! Like yaks!"

The yaks cheered, jumping on their seats -- smashing the seats in the process.

Clump was sitting between the yaks and two of the dragons. Yelping, he flew out of the way before he could get smashed by mistake. A number of the non-yak students ran or flew out of the way.

"Pony classroom perfect for yaks to smash!" shouted a small yak girl (named "Amarjargal", or "Amar" for short).

One of the pony students laughed ("Gifted Schoolpony" from "A Royal Problem", light yellow unicorn filly with reddish brown hair and violet eyes; whom we'll call "Angelica"). "What isn't perfect for yaks to smash?"

A unicorn colt next to her (also from "A Royal Problem", light bluish green with cyan-blue hair and pinkish ruby-colored eyes; whom we'll call "Hornigan") whispered, "Please, Angelica! Don't give them any ideas!"

"Class no smash classroom today," said Yona.

The six yaks sighed, along three of the dragons (Clump along with a small boy and girl), six of the Royal Guards, and a third of the other students.

"Instead," said Rumble, "we have a whole bunch of junk that needs to be broken up!" He turned his head back to the doorway. "Big Mac! Come on in!"

Big Mac pulled in a great big wagon -- with a mountain of old and beaten-up stuff. The old items included furniture, appliances, kitchenware, storage containers, toys, and much more. The doorway was just barely wide enough to bring it in.

Unfortunately, the junk was piled a little too high, and it got caught by the doorframe. Big Mac pulled a little harder. Finally, he got the wagon inside. In doing so, though, the top of the pile got knocked off by the doorframe, causing a little more damage to the doorframe. A chair, a chest, and a lamp crashed down onto the floor, along with some dishes, a toaster, some cups, and a chest of drawers.

A third of the students cheered. The yak students jumped with joy. In their excitement, three of the dragons (including Clump) blew great big flames of fire.

"That's not all, students!" said Rumble. "We have one more load. Rockhoof! Bring it in!"

Outside the classroom, there was the sound of loud hoofsteps. The ground rumbled a little.

Just then, Rockhoof burst through the doorway. His wagon was much bigger and wider than Big Mac’s. And his pile of junk was much taller. His wagon destroyed the doorframe and left a great big hole where the doorway used to be.

The six yak students cheered. So did Clump and two other dragons, along with a third of the other students.

“Big pony make honorary yak!” called Enkhtuya, a teenage yak girl.

“Tuya,” said Batbayar, a teenage yak boy, “only Prince Rutherford can do that. And Princess Ember would have to approve it.”

“Dragon Lord!” said Clump.

“Red pony! Big blue-green pony!” said Yona to Big Mac and Rockhoof. “Help us take stuff off wagon and put it on ground!”

Big Mac detached himself from his wagon. He climbed on top of the pile of stuff. With his head and hooves, he started to push stuff onto the floor, a little at a time.

Rockhoof also detached himself from his own wagon. He went to the side of his wagon — and bucked it. The wagon fell over — and the giant pile of junk came crashing down!

Rumble yelped and flew out of the way. Students in the front seats screamed. Those who could fly leapt off the ground. Some others ducked and covered. Others jumped over their seats and landed on the students sitting behind them.

Big Mac was knocked over, and so was his wagon.

“Nope! Nope! Nope!” he cried.

As Big Mac's wagon turned over, his pile of junk also crashed onto the floor.

The teaching area was now covered with old, broken, and worn-out stuff. It was like a giant sandbox of garbage!

The pile of junk included old furniture, such as wooden chairs, kitchen tables, desks, couches, coffee tables, beds, shelves, cabinets, coat racks, and chests. There was also old kitchen stuff, such as plates, cups, toasters, blenders, refrigerators, stoves, counters, pots, pans, bowls, microwaves, and coffee makers. Other stuff included lamps, toys, ceiling fans, sinks, toilets, wheels, and storage containers. Also scattered around were old parts from vehicles, buildings, and machines. There were also old books, along with various other stuff.

Then the students gasped.

"Where's Professor Yona!" cried Hornigan.

"And the little doggy boy?" cried Angelica.

Yona popped out from under the pile of junk.

"Students!" called Yona. "Time for students to smash!"

Yapper also popped out from under the pile of junk. In his mouth, he was carrying what looked like a stuffed Rarity. Playfully, he was growling and shaking the toy around (much like what a dog might do with a squirrel).

"Look at this cute little toy I've found!" called Yapper, dropping the toy from his mouth. "Do I have to smash it? I really just want to play with it."

"Doggy don't have to smash if he don't want," assured Yona.

"Thank you, Professor Yona!" With his mouth, Yapper picked the toy back up. Playfully growling again, he got back to shaking his "new" toy. He started chewing on it a little.

"That toy looks a lot like Professor Rarity," remarked Flim.

"Eeyup!" remarked Big Mac. "Reminds me of a toy my friend Spike once had. He made it himself!"

"That's a beautiful makeup table!" remarked Angelica. She pointed to a fancy makeup table half-buried within the junk. It was kind of beaten up, but it was mostly intact.

"Rarity has a table that looks a lot like that," replied Rumble, who was now standing on the pile of junk.

"Can I have it?" asked Angelica.

"Yak smash table!" called another teenage yak boy (named Elbek). He leapt into the air, making a great big jump. Landing right on top of the makeup table, he crushed it like a pile of twigs.

Angelica's eyes watered up a little.

"This is great!" exclaimed Hornigan, using his magic to float his way down to the teaching area. "Finally, I can break a lamp -- and be praised for doing so!"

Hornigan noticed a pretty-looking lamp. It had butterfly patterns on both the main part of the lamp and the lampshade. With his hooves, he flung it onto the floor. The lamp shattered into little pieces.

"Fluttershy's got a lamp kinda like that," remarked Big Daddy McColt.

Flam whispered to Flim. "Somethin' strange is goin' on. Some o' that stuff doesn't look like trash to me."

"I hear you," whispered Flim.

"Everycreature!" called Rumble, hovering again. "Find something to smash! But if there's something you wanna keep, just let us know!"

The remaining five yaks rushed down to the teaching area, smashing the seats in their path. Some students got trampled on by accident. Fortunately, none seemed to have more than bruises and minor scrapes. Three of the dragons, including Clump, also hurried down (but used their wings).

In their hurry to get down, one third of the students were tripping over one another. The remaining two thirds were in no hurry. Many of them were actually nervous about joining the wild scene.

Big Mac, who wasn't very interested in smashing stuff, backed out of the way. He now stood just outside the lecture hall. Rockhoof, on the other hand, was playing with the yaks and the children.

Chuckie Khan (the small yak boy) smashed up some old wooden chairs. Amar (the small yak girl) smashed up some beat-up tables. Enkhtuya (teenage yak girl) destroyed an old beat-up couch.

A small dragon boy grabbed some chipped vases and picture frames. He flung them onto the floor and into some of the beat-up furniture. A small dragon girl (named Pyromania) burned some old books with her fire.

Rumble swooped down with a pail of water. He dumped it onto the fire.

"Pyromania," he said, "we're supposed to smash things -- not burn them."

With a nasty grin, Pyro grabbed a plate and flung it at his head. Rumble yelped as it shattered on his head, but he was more surprised than anything else.

"Pyro," said Rumble, "we're not supposed to hit creatures, either."

Pyro laughed. Rumble pretended he didn't hear. Slowly, he flew off to join Yona.

With his "tail ball", Clump was breaking up an old refrigerator. Some of the kids stood around him just to enjoy the show (including some ponies, a kirin, a deer, and a changeling.)

Meanwhile, Rockhoof was entertaining another group of kids (including some ponies, a changeling, a hippogriff, and a gryphon). In front of them, he smashed an old Skee-Ball machine like a pile of twigs. The kids cheered.

Then Rockhoof kicked apart a video arcade machine. Some of the pieces flew into Clump's face, knocking him over. Some of the pieces also hit the face of one of the yaks (a teenage girl named Bayarmaa). The kids watching Rockhoof and Clump cheered even louder, some of them clapping their hands or hooves.

Rumble and Yona stood beside each other.

"Well, Professor Yona!" said Rumble. "It looks like they're having a smashing good time!"

"Yaks best at having fun!" boasted Yona. "Ponies and yaks make new friends!"

Section #2:

In a performance hall, 100 students sat in the seats. Again, ten of them were Royal Guards. There were six gryphons, seven dragons (including Prominence [the lavender dragon girl] and Fizzle [the white dragon boy with the red-pink crest]), six changelings, three kirins, six yaks, and six hippogriffs. There were also two deer, one buffalo, and two Breezies. In total, there were 40 non-pony students, including Hydroplane (the little kelpie boy).

"Good morning, class!" called a voice from above.

The students all looked up.

"Are you ready to have fun!?"

Turning their heads, the students continued to look around the ceiling.

"Professor Scootaloo?" asked Petunia Paleo (from "The Fault in Our Cutie Marks"), raising her hoof. "Is that you?"

"I hope you are!" continued Scootaloo. "Because this is Camp Laughter!"

Finally, the students noticed Scootaloo. They gasped with surprise and worry.

Wearing a helmet, Scootaloo was standing at the edge of an air duct near the ceiling. In this great big room, the ceiling was three stories above the floor.

"Scootaloo!" exclaimed Cheerilee. "What are you doing!"

Suddenly, Scootaloo jumped headfirst -- diving toward the stage!

Many of the students gasped. Some screamed. Cheerilee was also scared.

"Scootaloo!" cried a greenish blue colt with blue hair (earth pony from "On Your Marks", whom we'll call "Red Skies"). "You can't fly!"

Just before Scootaloo could hit the stage floor, Silverstream swooped down and grabbed her.

"Don't worry, students!" called Silverstream. "It was all part of the plan!"

The students sighed with relief.

"What do you mean?" asked Red Skies, raising his hoof.

Hovering just above the stage, Silverstream was holding Scootaloo in her arms.

"I guess you're all wondering why I would skydive without a parachute," said Scootaloo. "It's because I knew that Silverstream would catch me!"

"So, Professor Scoots," asked Blossom Burst (darkish gray kirin mare with blond mane), raising her hoof, "you mean you have wings -- but you can't fly?"

"Doesn't that make you cry?" asked a little kirin boy ("Gentle Storm").

"Not really," said Scootaloo. "Not anymore. Because I've learned to appreciate what makes every creature special!"

As Scootaloo talked, Silverstream landed back on the stage. She put Scootaloo back down.

Scootaloo continued, "You, see, students -- everycreature has their strengths and limitations. If I were an earth pony, then nocreature would call me handicapped. And since I'm not a unicorn, nocreature expects me to cast spells. It's only because I have wings that anyone expects me to fly. You know what I'm saying?"

Many of the students scratched their heads.

"So," asked Fizzle, raising his hand, "you mean that if you're a dragon, then you're handicapped if you can't breathe fire? But if you're a pony, then you're not?"

"We'll talk more later," said Scootaloo. "Let's get on with today's lesson!"

Silverstream leapt back into the air. "Today, my students -- we're gonna learn acrobatics!"

Silverstream started to dance in the air. "Acrobatics -- it's the art of dancing in the sky. And you don't even need wings to do it!" In the air, she performed pirouettes, loops, and backflips.

"That's right!" said a voice from above. "Today, we will teach you how to do the flying trapeze!"

Some of the students gasped with surprise again. All the students looked back up toward the ceiling.

An earth pony was sitting on what looked like a giant swing. "I'm Professor Lighthoof! And there's my partner Shimmy Shake!" She pointed to the opposite side of the lecture hall.

"Hello, students!" greeted Shimmy Shake, waving her hoof.

Lighthoof and Shimmy Shake were sitting on what looked like two giant swings, on opposites sides of the lecture hall. These were the trapezes. (These two earth ponies were the pair of cheerleaders from "2, 4, 6, Greaaat". Lighthoof was teal, and Shimmy Shake was orange.) The pair of cheerleaders were sporting their cheerleader outfits.

"Wow!" exclaimed Berry Bliss (background earth pony mare at the School of Friendship). "I didn't know you two could do dangerous stunts!"

Lighthoof and Shimmy stood up. Standing on the trapezes, they started to swing.

"We're not just cheerleaders!" said Lighthoof, as she built momentum.

"We're acrobats!" said Shimmy Shake, as she flung herself off. Doing a big flip, she landed on a platform hanging in the middle.

"And stuntsmares!" Lighthoof also flung herself off -- doing a double flip.

Shimmy stood on her hind legs, facing away from Lighthoof. As Lighthoof fell toward the platform, Shimmy reached up with her front hooves (while still facing the opposite direction). Lighthoof's back hooves landed squarely on Shimmy's front hooves!

The two cheerleaders stood proudly together -- Shimmy standing on the platform and Lighthoof standing on Shimmy's front hooves!

Then Shimmy lowered her left hoof. Now on one leg, Lighthoof was balancing on Shimmy's right hoof!

Most of the students clapped their hands or hooves. Many of them cheered -- especially the ponies. The yaks bounced and stomped with delight, accidentally smashing their seats and knocking over surrounding students.

"Cheerleaders teach yaks how to fly!?" exclaimed one of the yaks.

"It's not really flying," said Shimmy Shake.

"It's falling with style!" said Lighthoof.

"Falling without getting hurt!" Then Shimmy lifted her right hoof -- and flung Lighthoof off the platform!

Many of the students gasped again. But Lighthoof had no worries, and neither did Shimmy. Silverstream swooped down and caught Lighthoof, just before she could hit the stage floor.

Red Skies fidgeted nervously. "I don't think I wanna be up so high. What if I fall and no one catches me?"

Hovering in the air, Silverstream was holding Lighthoof in her arms.

"The flying trapeze is all about trust," said Lighthoof. "It is literally about catching you when you fall."

The students sat silent.

A red-pink filly with purple hair (earth pony from "On Your Marks") raised her hoof. "D-don't you think you should have a ... s-safety net or something ... ?"

"Come on, little girl!" said Dumb-Bell, who was sitting next to her. "Safety nets are for losers!"

"Why don't we clip your wings?" teased Red Skies. "I think wings are for losers, too!"

All the earth ponies laughed, along with other flightless creatures. Dumb-Bell sulked in silence.

"Actually," said Scootaloo, using a weather balloon to float back up, "we do have a safety net. But it's invisible."

With her wings, Scootaloo steered herself onto the platform between the two trapezes. She detached herself from the balloon, deflated it, and tossed it back down.

Chip Mint (background pegasus colt from "A Friend in Deed") was also sitting next to Dumb-Bell. "So, Mr. Bell, what brings you to the School of Friendship?"

Under his breath, Dumb-Bell said, "I didn't wanna go to this stupid school. But Mom threatened to disown me."

"What do you mean, Professor Scoots?" asked Chirpy Hooves (background pegasus filly from "Trade Ya!").

"A special friend of ours is using some of his magic," said Scootaloo -- "to make sure that no creature gets hurt if something goes wrong."

"Who's this friend?" asked Chirpy.

"I can't tell you. It's a secret."

As Scootaloo was talking, Silverstream returned Lighthoof and Shimmy Shake to the trapezes where they'd been sitting before. The pink hippogriff now landed on the platform between the trapezes.

"Students!" called Silverstream. "It's time for the main event!"

Silverstream picked Scootaloo back up. Scootaloo was now balancing on the palms of Silverstream’s hands. She was facing the second trapeze.

"Silverstream, Lighthoof, and Shimmy Shake!" called Scootaloo. "Let's show them how it's done!"

"Here you go!" shouted Silverstream. She flung Scootaloo high into the air, in Lighthoof's direction.

As Scootaloo sailed through the air, she performed a big flip.

On the trapeze, Lighthoof was swinging upside down. Swinging forward, she caught Scootaloo just in time.

Lighthoof was now holding Scootaloo by her front hooves. Scootaloo was hanging right side up and facing the wall, while Lighthoof was facing the platform.

As Lighthoof swung backward, she built up more energy. She swung forward again, rising higher than before. As she swung back up, she released Scootaloo, flinging Scootaloo back toward the platform.

As Scootaloo sailed through the air again, she made a big backflip.

Holding out her left hand, Silverstream caught Scootaloo. This time, Scootaloo was balancing, on one leg, on the palm of Silverstream's left hand!

The class gasped with amazement. Some of the students were nervous, but most were really enjoying the show.

With her arm, Silverstream flung Scootaloo back toward Lighthoof. This time, Scootaloo flipped two times! Once again, Lighthoof caught Scootaloo by the front hooves.

This time, Lighthoof did not return Scootaloo to the platform. Instead, as she swung back toward the platform, she turned herself right side up and sat on the trapeze. In doing so, she gave Scootaloo a big flip -- and now Scootaloo was sitting on her lap!

The two girls were now sitting with their backs facing the platform. As the trapeze continued to swing, Lighthoof hung back upside down -- but now Scootaloo stood on the trapeze. Lighthoof was now facing the platform again. Scootaloo continued to face the wall.

As she swung back up, Lighthoof flung herself above the platform. Silverstream ducked.

Many of the students gasped nervously. But they shouldn't have worried. Doing three somersaults in the air, Lighthoof was caught by Shimmy Shake -- who was swinging upside down on the other trapeze. Shimmy was now holding Lighthoof by her front hooves.

As she swung back up toward the platform, Shimmy turned herself right side up and sat on the trapeze. As she did so, she gave Lighthoof a big flip. Now Lighthoof was sitting next to her! Both were facing away from the platform now.

As the trapeze continued to swing, Lighthoof and Shimmy Shake both stood up. They turned around to face the platform again.

"Show us more!" cheered Berry Bliss.

On the first trapeze, Scootaloo was still facing the wall. Giving herself a big swing, she jumped off the trapeze. Sailing through the air, she performed three backflips! Silverstream, still on the platform, reached out her hands. Once again, Scootaloo landed back on the palms of Silverstream's hands.

On the second trapeze, Lighthoof and Shimmy gave themselves another big swing. This time, Shimmy jumped off the trapeze. Doing three backflips in the air, she, too, fell toward Silverstream.

Silverstream turned to catch Shimmy Shake. She held out her left hand. Once more, Scootaloo had to balance on one leg -- this time on Silverstream's right hand. Shimmy landed on Silverstream's left hand. She, too, now balanced on one leg.

With one more big swing, Lighthoof jumped off the trapeze, too. With a big backflip, she fell toward the platform. Scootaloo and Shimmy Shake reached out their hooves.

Lighthoof landed ... balancing herself on Shimmy's and Scootaloo's hooves!

The crowd went wild, cheering and whistling. They clapped their hands and hooves, and the yaks jumped and stomped with delight.

"Wow, girls!" exclaimed Cheerilee. "It's like the best of the circus and cheerleading all rolled into one!"

"It's like an interpretive dance," remarked Twist -- "about catching your friends when you fall!"

"That's the whole idea!" replied Scootaloo.

Silverstream flew back down, carrying Scootaloo and the two cheerleaders. With great concentration, the ponies continued to keep their balance. For a moment, it seemed they might all fall ... but they held strong! (Admittedly, Scootaloo had to flap her wings.)

Gently, the hippogriff landed on the stage. From there, Lighthoof jumped off, landing gracefully on the floor. Shimmy Shake did the same. Flapping her wings, Scootaloo fluttered down.

"Professor Scootaloo," asked Red Skies, raising his hoof, "did you feel scared?"

"A little bit," admitted Scootaloo. "Yet I also feel safe and warm. I knew my partners wouldn't let me down!"

Red Skies laughed.

"So, class," asked Silverstream -- "did we make you laugh!"

"I don't think 'laugh' is quite the right word," responded Twist. "But you made us all happy just the same!"

"And isn't that what laughter's all about!" said Cheerilee.

Silverstream laughed. "I guess it is!"

Scootaloo and the two cheerleaders also laughed, along with Cheerilee, Twist, and most of the students.

Section #3:

Back in Yona's classroom, many of the students were still smashing old junk. It remained a loud and noisy scene.

The two deer and the buffalo were playing Monkey in the Middle with an old soccer ball. Finally, the buffalo (Springfield) caught it and jumped on it. The ball exploded!

A hippogriff (Skywaters) was popping old sports balls with her finger claws. She popped a football, a basketball, and a volleyball. Then she found a dodgeball and poked her finger into it, too. But this time, it didn't pop -- rather, a changeling popped into the scene! Skywaters jumped with surprise. The changeling was pretending to be a ball, and now he was laughing!

Three Royal Guards were smashing a washing machine, kicking and stomping on it. Three others were smashing a dryer. Three unicorn guards were blasting their horns at a kitchen stove. The tenth guard and another teenage yak girl (Tümen-Jargal) were smashing old school desks and old office desks.

Just then, Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst walked into the lecture hall. Starlight gasped, along with Sunburst.

Starlight stopped and stared. One third of the students were laughing and having a good time smashing stuff up. Unfortunately, some of them were throwing things, and many of them were reckless about flying debris. Some were even throwing stuff at one another.

Meanwhile, Yona and Yapper were breaking up an old bed. Yona was jumping on it, and Yapper was tearing up the sheets with his teeth. Rumble was smashing mugs, glass cups, dishes, and lamps. Hornigan was learning to use his magic to blow stuff up. Angelica was smashing old action figures.

With great effort, the Breezie (Hurricane) was flapping her wings to pick up teacups and small dishes. One by one, she let them crash onto the floor.

Trixie started to laugh. But Starlight and Sunburst were not amused. They were both unnerved that their new teachers would be encouraging such destructive activity. They also noticed that two thirds of the students seemed to be scared to join in.

With her horn, Starlight teleported a whistle into the scene. It hung on a lanyard, now hanging around her neck. Using her horn again, she put the whistle into her mouth and blew it.

The ear-piercing noise stopped everycreature in their tracks.

"Yona! Rumble!" called Starlight. "This activity is not appropriate!"

Yona was confused. "Headmare Star! Yona just sharing yak culture with pony friends!"

Rumble was kind of nervous. "Yes -- yes, Headmare Starlight. What she said!"

Sunburst whispered to Starlight. "Star, we must be very careful. We don't want to insult Yona's culture."

Nervously, Starlight tried to think of what to say next.

"Wow, Yona!" exclaimed Trixie, continuing to laugh. "Trixie wishes she'd had this much fun back when she was in school!"

"Trixie!" exclaimed Starlight. Then Starlight gasped and covered her mouth.

Suddenly, Yona seemed a little angry. Looking Starlight in the eyes, she said, "Headmare, does purple pony have problem with yak culture? Tell me truth!"

Starlight was speechless. For a moment, her lips quivered. Then she exploded.

"Yona! How dare you talk to your headmare like that! If you want to stay in the School of Friendship, then you'd better respect me like a friend would!"

Now Yona was speechless. Then she lashed back. "Yona just speaking what's on Yona's mind! Yona just saying how Yona feels!"

"Well, I'm telling you how I feel!"

For a couple moments, Yona and Starlight stared at each other, both of them showing a sense of tranquil fury.

Suddenly, they laughed.

"Yona honest -- and so is Headmare!"

"You love to share your culture -- and I respect that. It's just that pony culture is a little different."

"Next time," suggested Sunburst, "why don't you smash stuff outside? And let's keep the junk in the garbage dump."

"That's right!" said Starlight. "The garbage dump could use some help from a big yak like you!"

Yona jumped with excitement. "Can Yona take class to garbage dump?"

"Not today," replied Starlight. "But when we let you, we need to establish some rules. Your fun activity got far too loud and noisy. And most of the students were afraid to join in. I think they were afraid that they would get smashed."

Yona sighed, feeling embarrassed and disappointed. The six yak students walked next to Yona.

"Thanks, Headmare, for being honest," said Chuckie (the little boy), with a smile.

"Yaks can have hard time handling truth, too," admitted Amar (the little girl), also smiling. "Yaks speak their mind. But yaks also fight a lot."

"I've had my share of fights, too," replied Starlight. "Especially with Counselor Trixie."

Hornigan laughed. "You get into fights with the school counselor? Isn't she, like, supposed to be the one who stops fights?"

Starlight laughed again. "Ironically ... one of my worst fights with her was back when I was the counselor!"

The students were confused.

"How can you be good counselors if you also have friendship problems?" asked Angelica.

"Every time we fight," answered Trixie, "we learn more about what makes us different. We can't be mad at each other for too long ... before we start to miss each other and feel bad for each other."

As she said this, she sneaked up behind Starlight. Putting her in a headlock, Trixie gave Starlight a big noogie and rubbed her face against Starlight's.

At first, Starlight was annoyed. But then she laughed. Starlight popped out of Trixie's headlock and gave her a noogie as well, also rubbing her face. Trixie also laughed.

"Headmare," asked Hornigan, "how's your friendship with your other assistant?"

"You mean the Vice-Headmare?" asked Starlight.

"Yeah, the one with the odd glasses who never likes to show his cutie mark."

Sunburst blushed with embarrassment.

"Well," said Starlight ... "he was the first friend I ever had. And he was a boy! ... We used to love doing everything together. ... And that's what we're trying to do again!"

Starlight hugged Sunburst and rubbed her face against his. Sunburst laughed nervously. Then he returned the favor.

"Do you and Sunburst get into fights?" asked Angelica.

"Actually," said Starlight, "I think Sunburst is a little too afraid of conflict."

Sunburst cringed with embarrassment. "Starlight! You're embarrassing me again -- and not in a good way!"

Starlight laughed, and so did Angelica, Hornigan, and Trixie. Some of the other students also giggled.

"So," said Yona, "is it okay that yaks fight? As long as we friends?"

"Yes," said Starlight. "Friends can fight -- as long as they don't become enemies."

Trixie added, "As long as you still care about each other's happiness, fighting can be a healthy way to work through your differences. And it can help both of you let out your true feelings."

"Sometimes," admitted Sunburst, "when we try too hard to avoid conflict, we end up drifting away from each other -- losing the friendship we thought we were protecting. The anger may build up inside until it finally explodes. Or we may simply be so afraid of rejection that we never get to enjoy having someone we can trust."

Yona sighed again. "Yona thought she was best at honesty. But can Yona teach students how to fight and not lose friends?"

"You've had some fights with your best friends, haven't you, Yona?" asked Trixie.

Yona scratched her chin. "Yes! Yona and friends had big fight one Hearth's Warming Eve. And we had big fight when building memorial for Tree of Harmony! For short time, Yona thought she lost friends. But Yona no want to lose friends, and neither do friends!"

"You've lived and learned!" praised Trixie, hugging Yona. "Why don't you spend the rest of the class telling your stories about you and your best friends? And the struggles you've all had to overcome to love one another."

"That's right," said Starlight Glimmer. "Even as we try to teach friendship, we find ourselves struggling with friendship lessons, too. Our students need to know this."

Sunburst added, "It's easy to feel that you must put on a perfect face. More and more, I realize we should admit our true struggles in building healthy relationships. If we're to teach friendship to our students, then we must be open and honest the way a friend should be. Our students have to feel that we're their best friends!"

"Aw, Hornigan!" said Angelica. "Isn't it cute how our teachers fight and then make up?"

"That's some stuff I'd love to read about!" remarked Hornigan.

"How much time left for class?" asked Yona.

"Fifteen more minutes," replied Sunburst, pulling out a watch.

Yona turned back to face the class. "Hey, class! Yona tell you stories now! Stories about Yona and her best friends! And how friends can fight and still be friends!"

Hornigan and Angelica laughed. So did some of the other students.

As Yona continued to talk, she walked back to the center of the teaching area. By this time, all the students were back in their seats.

"Yona start with story about how she met best friends! And how she met special pony named Sandbar! ..."

Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst also laughed.

Section #4:

In the teachers' lounge, the Student 6 were having lunch. Smolder was sitting between Gallus and Ocellus. Yona was sitting between Sandbar and Silverstream.

The teacher's lounge was built to hold a large number of teachers. It was like a small cafeteria. It was also divided into several dining rooms, for more quiet conversation. The Student 6 were in one of these dining rooms.

Silverstream was leaning back in her chair, with her hooves on the table. On her lap was a plate with two hayburgers.

"So, Yona," asked Silverstream -- "how did your class go today! Did they have lots of fun telling the truth!"

Silverstream tossed a hayburger into her mouth. Chewing it three times, she swallowed the whole thing. Meanwhile, Yona had a whole pile of hayburgers on a big plate.

"Class had lots of fun!" said Yona. "But Yona and Rumble also get in trouble. Guess we had too much fun."

"How can you have too much fun?" asked Gallus, who was eating a bowl of dumplings. "Until I came here, I never had enough!"

Yona gulped down one of her hayburgers. "As Yona's friends know, yaks best at honesty. So Yona thought she introduce students to yak culture! And yaks love to smash! So ..."

"... you turned the classroom into a junkyard," said Smolder -- "and tried to give the students a smashing good time?"

Yona sighed. "But now Yona disappointed. Headmare say many students were scared. They thought they get smashed, too." Yona put another hayburger into her mouth. She chewed it three times and swallowed it.

Silverstream took a big bite out of another hayburger. "Don't take it too hard, Yona! Headmare Glimmer wasn't very happy with me, either." Silverstream swallowed and took another bite.

"Let me guess, Silver," said Smolder -- "you also had too much fun?"

Silverstream swallowed the bite still in her mouth. She sat back upright in her chair, taking her hooves off the table and putting her plate back on the table.

"Some of the students were really scared to do circus acrobatics," admitted Silverstream. "But I kept pushing it on them."

"You mean like Professor Pinkie Pie?" asked Ocellus.

Gallus and Smolder laughed, and so did Sandbar.

"Well," said Silverstream, "it's not entirely my fault. I'm afraid Discord gave me some bad advice."

Just then, a portal opened up. Discord stuck his neck out through it. "Professor Hippogriff, I can't believe you. I give your students an invisible safety net, and this is the thanks I get?"

"The safety net was great, Discord!" said Silverstream. "But I wish we hadn't forced students to do things they were scared to do."

"Hmph!" Discord crossed his arms, feeling a little disgusted and frustrated. "I was only trying to help them face their fears."

"It's just that ... I think many of the students are scared of you now. So every time they go to school ... they have to hope you've taken the day off ... if they come back at all. ... Is that what you want?"

Discord continued to give Silverstream a dirty look. Then he sighed. "No ... it's not. Fluttershy won't be happy with me."

"I'm certainly not," said a familiar voice. "But I know that you want someone to love you. And you want someone you can love. I know you can be a bully sometimes. But I know that you also care about me and my friends. I believe in you!"

Fluttershy was standing next to him, her neck also sticking through the portal.

"Fluttershy!" Discord looked toward her. "How did you get here?"

"You might say ... if our love can move mountains, then it can open up new dimensions!"

Discord blushed, laughing nervously.

"I think it's time for a vacation from school," said Fluttershy -- "and do a little homeschooling with me!"

"Sounds ... sounds great!" said Discord. "I think I've done enough favors for now anyway."

Discord snapped his fingers. The portal disappeared along with him and Fluttershy.

Silverstream started to laugh now. "It's ironic ... I was teaching my class the flying trapeze ... because I wanted them to learn the value of trust and loyalty. But ... but ... I broke their trust when I let Discord use his powers to force everyone to participate." As she said that last sentence, she tried to restrain herself.

Yona also laughed. "Yona wanted to show how fun yak culture is. But ponies not yaks. They not like same things. And ponies more fragile than yaks."

"So tell me, girls," said Gallus, taking another bite of his dumplings, "what Elements are you teaching again?"

"Honesty!" said Yona.

"Laughter!" said Silverstream.

"Well, Yona," said Gallus, "it seems you did a better job teaching Silverstream's class -- and Silverstream did a better job teaching yours."

Yona and Silverstream scratched their heads. The two laughed again.

"I guess we did!" said Silverstream.

"But not very well," said Yona.

The two girls laughed again. The rest of the Student 6 also laughed.

#14 - Meeting the Students

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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.

#15 - A Whirlwind of Emotions

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Section #1:

Sandbar and Sweetie Belle brought Whirlwind into the Headmare's office. With her horn, Sweetie continued to hold Whirlwind by the hoof -- until Sandbar shut the door.

"Good afternoon, Sandbar and Sweetie Belle!" greeted Starlight Glimmer. "What brings you here?"

On the desk, Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst were playing a game of Ogres & Oubliettes.

"Take a guess," said Sweetie.

Starlight looked down and noticed Whirlwind.

"Having trouble with one of the new students?" asked Starlight.

"Whirlwind made fun of Winger, our student from Ornithia," explained Sandbar. "You see, Winger was crying because he missed his father. He was crying so loud it disturbed the other students. Whirlwind was making fun of him -- telling him he would get expelled and that his parents would stop caring about him."

Starlight and Sunburst gasped. Starlight was in the middle of rolling two dice. In her surprise, she accidentally rolled them off the table and onto the floor.

Deep inside, Starlight was fuming with anger. But she took a few deep breaths and calmed down.

"Whirlwind," asked Starlight, "was there ever someone you loved? One you thought you couldn't live without?"

Whirlwind stood for a moment. Then she laughed.

"You have to be kidding me," she remarked. "I'm not some fragile and sensitive little boy."

"It gets worse," continued Sweetie Belle. "When Professor Pinkie Pie was playing with the other five students, she pounced on them. And they weren't expecting that. For a moment, we were worried she might have hurt them. Whirlwind made fun of Pinkie and said she might start a war. We were all getting angry. Gallus scolded Whirlwind and told her 'shut up'."

"Oh, dear," said Starlight. "One of our teachers said a bad word?"

"He was as mortified as us," said Sandbar.

"If a student is bad enough to make a good teacher say a bad word," remarked Sunburst, "then that sounds like a really bad student."

Whirlwind laughed again. "You got to admit, it was good situational comedy ... right?"

"Whirlwind," said Starlight sternly, "it seems you know much less about friendship than I first thought. You will need to take some remedial courses."

Whirlwind laughed nervously now. "You mean ... more homework?"

"I don't want you to sit in a desk reading books and writing papers," said Starlight. "I want you to get up and do the things friends do. You can start by doing some favors for Professor Gallus."

"Right," said Sunburst. "Yesterday, Gallus burned down the kitchen when he tried to make deep-fried hayburgers. Every day now, he has to help clean up the mess and rebuild the kitchen."

"And he could use some help," added Starlight.

Whirlwind smiled nervously, scratching the floor with her front hoof. "S-S-Sentencing a child ... to hard labor? ... You ... you don't want to start a diplomatic disaster, do you ...?"

"I'm sure Zecora will understand," retorted Sweetie. "We've been friends for a long time!"

Whirlwind gulped, not feeling so happy now. "I'm ... I'm not much for heavy lifting, you know. ... And ... I think there must be some law against child labor ..."

"Those laws are meant to keep adults from taking advantage of children," explained Sunburst. "It does not stop children from earning extra money, or supporting the family business. Nor does it stop them from helping those who could use an extra hoof."

"It's not going to hurt you," said Starlight.

"Apple Bloom does heavy lifting all the time on her family farm," said Sweetie. "And she feels proud of what she does. Not to mention -- you're Dust Devil's cousin. You must have a lot more power in that horn than you think!"

"Fine, fine," said Whirlwind. She sat down and crossed her arms. "I guess I don't have much better to do anyway. Let's just get it over with."

Section #2:

Starlight teleported herself, Sunburst, and Whirlwind into the burned-down kitchen.

With a sledgehammer, Gallus was busy breaking up burnt-up cabinets and walls.

Gallus muttered, "I can't believe I'm spending my days cleaning up this great big mess -- when I could be having fun with my friends! I never want to see another kitchen in my life!"

Whirlwind giggled. "Hey, Professor Birb! Look who's here to help you!"

Gallus turned around. Horrified by the sight of Whirlwind, he dropped the sledgehammer.

"Oh, no!" he said. "Not that little brat again!"

Gallus gasped. "Did I say a bad word again?"

Whirlwind giggled once more.

"Gallus," said Starlight, "I understand that you're trying to mend your manners. You're going to make a few mistakes, and I accept that. Raising children is one of the greatest tests of character."

"Starlight brought me here so that I could help you out," said Whirlwind. "But ... if you'd rather me not be here, I guess that makes things easier for me!"

Starlight gave Whirlwind a dirty look. So did Sunburst.

"Whirlwind," said Sunburst, calmly but firmly. "I don't care if you want to help him or not. You're going to do it. Or you will be in real trouble with Zecora!"

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie burst out of one of the burnt-up cabinets (causing the burnt doors to crumble in the process). Gallus yelped. Starlight jumped with surprise, but Whirlwind wasn't really startled at all.

With a big smile, Pinkie shouted, "I hear that a certain blue gryphon misses his friends. So I brought them to you!"

One by one, the rest of the Student 6 jumped out of the cabinet.

"Don't worry, Gallus!" said Sandbar, carrying a box of tools with his mouth. "We'll have a new kitchen by the end of the day!"

"Yona smash burnt-up kitchen!" Yona jumped on the kitchen island and smashed half of it.

"And I'll vaporize those ashes!" added Smolder. She took in a deep breath. "On second thought, I probably shouldn't add fire to the fire."

"I could try turning into Discord," suggested Ocellus. "Maybe I could copy some of his reality-bending powers?"

"It's all good, my favorite birb!" declared Silverstream. Hovering in the air, she was carrying a chainsaw and a paint bucket. "After the Storm King destroyed my kingdom, we rebuilt it in less than a week! It's like nothing ever happened!"

Gallus was bewildered. "Wait -- wait ... How did she do that? Can earth ponies teleport?"

"It's Pinkie Pie," replied Starlight. "She works in mysterious ways."

"Hey, Whirlwind!" greeted Smolder, approaching the little abada. "Would you like to break some stuff with me?"

Ocellus also approached Whirlwind. "I-I don't normally break stuff ... but it's destruction for a good cause. Smolder and I are going to have lots of fun! Would you like to join?"

Whirlwind sat on the floor. She crossed her arms and pouted. Then she started to smile. She got back up.

"Yeah!" remarked Whirlwind. "Why not? Friends who love to break things are my kind of friends!"

With a karate kick, Smolder smashed a large chunk of the burnt kitchen counter. Ocellus turned into her dragon persona. With her tailspade, she smashed out another large chunk.

"Show me what you got, Whirlwind!" cheered Smolder.

"Yeah, Whirlwind!" cheered Ocellus. "I think there's a lot of power in your horn -- if you just believe in yourself."

Starlight waved to Whirlwind. "See you later, Whirlwind! Maybe there's something you can teach me!"

"Friendship isn't just about love and hugs," added Sunburst. "It's a science! The more we learn from one another, the more we see the value in one another!"

"All we want is to see the value in you!" said Starlight. "Then maybe you will see the value in us."

Whirlwind felt kind of touched, but she wasn't sure if she liked these new feelings. She blushed a little but tried to maintain a normal smile.

"See you later, Headmare," said Whirlwind. "I think Professors Smolder and Ocellus might make some good partners in crime!"

Starlight laughed a little nervously. "They certainly seem to love each other's company. Well ... I have to go now. Sunburst and I have some serious business to do!"

Starlight teleported herself and Sunburst out of the scene.

"Go on, Whirlwind!" cheered Ocellus. "Let's see what you can do!"

"Yeah!" cheered Smolder. "Can you blow up this refrigerator?" She pointed to the burnt refrigerator.

With a mischievous grin, Whirlwind laughed mischievously. Facing the refrigerator, she closed her eyes and concentrated.

Slowly, her horn started to glow -- both her big horn and her nose horn. Finally, it was glowing like a torch.

With a big grunt, Whirlwind let out a big burst of power. She blew off both doors of the refrigerator!

It wasn't a massive explosion. Mainly, the doors just got disconnected, falling down a few inches away. But still, she might be able to send a full-grown pony to the hospital.

Smolder and Ocellus stared with amazement.

"That was amazing!" praised Smolder. She picked up Whirlwind and gave the little abada a big hug.

"I love it!" exclaimed Ocellus. Turning back into her normal self, she also hugged Whirlwind (which doubled as a hug for Smolder).

Whirlwind blushed warmly. Then smiled a little smugly.

"This friendship stuff might not be so bad," said Whirlwind to herself. "I think I like being popular -- and having other creatures praise me and doing me favors. Maybe I should ask Rarity for some more tips ..."

#16 - Spike's Friendship Triangle [new chapters being added between #14 and #16]

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Section #1:

Once again, it was nighttime in Ponyville. At the Carousel Boutique, Spike was modeling again for Rarity. He was wearing a cheerleader outfit. The skirt covered his feet.

"Just a few more measurements, Spikey," said Rarity -- and then we'll get to the boy's outfit!"

Rarity was now doing some final measurements, carrying her tape measure with her horn.

"I'm glad I could help!" said Spike. "By the way, how do you use me as a model -- if the outfits you're making are too big for me?"

"I've used you for so long," replied Rarity -- "I know how to adjust the outfits accordingly!"

As the two spoke, Rarity measured the length of the shirt. Then she measured the length of the skirt. Finally, she measured the waistline, the "chest line", and the collar. (There were no sleeves, so that was a step she could skip.)

"Perfect!" said Rarity. "I now have what I need to make all five!"

"Whew!" sighed Spike with relief. "I could use a rest."

With her horn, Rarity took the cheerleader outfit off of Spike.

"Thank you so much, my little Spikey," said Rarity, "for modeling these cheerleader outfits! When my sister and her friends see their new dresses, I'm sure they will be cheering!"

Rarity now brought the boy's cheerleader outfit. It looked like a sleeveless shirt (no skirt).

"Rumble's cheerleader outfit should take only a minute," said Rarity. "He wanted just a shirt, so that makes things much simpler."

Rarity dressed Spike up with the boy's outfit. "I wish Sweetie Belle loved designing clothes as much as you do!"

"Well," said Spike, clearing his throat ... "if you want to know the truth ... it's mainly because I love to make you happy."

Rarity gasped with surprise. Her horn lost grip on the tape measure, and it dropped onto the floor. "You mean ... you were pretending to enjoy being my assistant?"

"Wait! Wait!" stammered Spike. "That's ... that's ..."

Rarity sighed. She hung her head. "You ... you love to do everything together with me. ... Or ... at least ... that was what I thought ..."

"I just wanted you to be my friend," protested Spike. "When I first met you, I was in love, don't you know? All I wanted was for you to love me back!"

For a moment, Rarity was speechless. "I ... I do, Spike! When ... when you started making friends with Gabby ... I missed having you around ..."

Spike sat on the floor. "I do all these things to make you happy. But how much do you think about me? And not just what I can do for you?"

"Don't I do nice things for you, too?" Rarity was shocked, and getting a bit alarmed. "Don't you love the presents I've given to you? And my hugs and kisses?"

"But was it ever for me? Or were you just trying to be popular?"

Rarity sighed again. Then she started to sniffle, her eyes getting wet.

"I confess!" wailed Rarity. "Too many times, I've taken advantage of you. You were willing to do just about everything for me ... and I ... I couldn't resist ... I'm such a terrible friend!"

Rarity sat on the floor. With her hooves over her eyes, she continued to cry.

Spike was taken aback. By now, he knew that Rarity could be a drama queen. But this time, it seemed more serious.

Spike took off Rumble's cheerleader shirt. He flew to another part of the room. With the help of his wings, Spike pushed that long red chair that looked kind of like a sofa -- the thing that Rarity loved to lie down on when having a breakdown. (This sofa-chair was called a "chaise longue".) He pushed the chaise longue to Rarity and set it just behind her.

Again, with the help of his wings, Spike dragged Rarity onto the sofa-chair. Rarity was now lying against the headrest, with her neck against that pillow shaped like a cylinder.

Spike now hovered above Rarity. He descended toward her, now hovering only inches above her.

"It's all right, Rarity," he tried to assure her.

"No, it's not!" she cried.

"I know what you feel. I know what it's like to be greedy. I once turned into a giant monster, you know, who nearly destroyed Ponyville. But then you reminded me how fun it can be to give -- and not just to take. When I realized I didn't want to live without your friendship, I couldn't stand to be filled with greed and hate. That is one thing you've done for me -- and not just for your glory."

"You were more generous than me," said Rarity. "I didn't really teach you the joy of giving. You learned it for yourself -- doing it for someone who pretended to appreciate it ... until the day it saved her and everything she loved."

As Rarity spoke, she sat back up. Spike moved out of the way and landed on the floor. He now stood on the ground, continuing to face her.

"To be fair," admitted Spike, "when I first saw you, I wasn't really thinking of you as a friend. You were this pretty, beautiful thing -- and I wanted to keep you all to myself. Could it be ... that most of my greed was ... my dangerous obsession with you?"

Rarity started to smile again. She laughed a little, and so did Spike.

"I'm really proud of how you've grown!" said Rarity. "You're not the silly little boy you were when I first met you. You're now a true ambassador of friendship!"

"I'm really proud of you, too!" said Spike. "You're no longer the self-absorbed gold digger who could just barely bear the Element of Generosity. Finally, you actually deserve to be popular!"

Rarity was shocked by that remark. For a moment, her teeth ground with anger. But then she hung her head, realizing he was probably right.

With her horn, Rarity picked up Spike. As she reclined on her chaise longue, she placed him on her lap.

"When I first met you, I made you think I was your best friend. I loved having you as my servant, and all you seemed to want was a few hugs and kisses in return. I was being mean to you. But I didn't want to admit it."

Spike laughed. "Sometimes I feel Twilight is no better. Yet she's called the Princess of Friendship!"

Then Spike sighed. "How is it that Twilight is so attached to me -- yet sometimes I feel she doesn't think much of me? How much does she care how I feel?"

"The girls all care about you," said Rarity. "But maybe we've often seen you as a pet, rather than a full member of our family."

"Let's write a new chapter in our book!" Spike pulled out a scrapbook that contained pictures of him and Rarity. He turned to the first blank page (more than halfway through the book), and then he pulled out a quill pen. "Let's be what we were meant to be all along!"

"I want to believe that I'm your best friend," said Rarity. "But I know you really love Gabby now. I suppose you're already over me."

"Don't get me wrong," said Spike. "I haven't made my mind yet. But you know what's so funny?"

"What's that?"

"I don't think I completely appreciated you as a friend ... until I got over my puppy love for you. You were an object of my desire. You are a pretty face. But now I see so much more in you!"

"Even if we are just friends," said Rarity, "can we still hug and kiss?"

"I don't see why not," said Spike. He tossed aside the scrapbook and quill pen. "You're like family to me. You're like a big sister!"

With Spike still in her lap, she gave him a great hug and kissed his cheek. Spike did the same for her.

As they exchanged their affection, Spike glowed a faint yellow once more.

Section #2:

With a big smile, Gabby flew to the Carousel Boutique. She knocked on the door.

"Rarity!" she called, bubbled up with excitement. "I can hardly wait to try on my new cheerleader outfit! Is it ready yet!?"

Gabby waited a few moments, but there was no response. Gabby knocked again.

"Are you there, Rarity?" she called.

Gabby grew a little concerned. "Where could she be?"

Gabby hopped to one of the windows. She looked inside.

Back inside the Boutique, Rarity was lying down again in her chaise longue. But this time, she was not distressed. Instead, she was relaxing. And Spike was relaxing on her belly, his arms wrapped around her.

"You know, Rarity," said Spike, with a warm smile, "when I'm in your arms, I feel so safe and warm!"

"And when you're by my side," replied Rarity, "I feel you're my knight in shining armor!"

Spike climbed up Rarity and gave her another kiss. Rarity kissed him again. Spike glowed even brighter, with his mysterious yellow aura.

Gabby gasped with horror.

She stormed to the door. She burst into the store -- and marched toward Spike and Rarity.

"Spike!" scolded Gabby. "What do you think you're doing!"

Spike gasped with surprise.

"We're just hugging and kissing," protested Rarity. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"Yes I do!"

Gabby walked toward Spike. "Spike! Come with me!"

Spike looked nervously toward her.

"Now!" demanded Gabby.

Spike jumped off of Rarity. He hovered in front of Gabby, his yellow glow fading away.

Section #3:

Gabby stormed out of the Carousel Boutique, with Spike flying just behind her. With her hind foot, she slammed the door shut. She now walked toward the street.

"I can't believe you, Spike!" exclaimed Gabby. "I thought I was your best friend. But now I see you're still hugging and kissing Rarity!"

"Rarity is my friend, too!" protested Spike. "She's like family to me! I can't believe that you, of all creatures, would have a problem with it!"

"How did you expect me to feel!"

Spike started to burn with anger. He flew in front of Gabby (now flying backward) and looked her in the eye. "You don't own me, you know!"

Gabby stopped in her tracks. She was kind of surprised by Spike's outburst.

Spike hovered in front of Gabby. "I am best friends with Rarity. I am best friends with Smolder, Ember, Thorax, and possibly a few others. They all feel like family to me!"

Gabby was speechless. Then she protested, "I thought we had something special!"

Spike's eyes got a little wet with anger. "You're acting like a jealous girlfriend! It seems to me that you want to keep me all to yourself! I won't let you do that. That is not how friendship works! If I can't have my other friends, then I don't want you!"

Gabby paused for a couple moments. Her eyes started to get wet.

Then she started crying like a baby, wailing toward the moon.

Spike was stunned. He started to feel a little bad about the way he spoke to the sensitive gryphon.

Gabby sat on the ground, on the grass beside the street. She cried into her hands.

"I want to think the best of you," sobbed Gabby ... "I really do. ... I ... I don't want to lose you as my friend. It would break my heart. ... I got jealous ... and had it in my head that you were cheating on me. ... But I guess it was all my imagination."

Spike landed on the ground. He sat in front of her.

"It's all right," assured Spike. "I don't want to lose you, either."

"You don't understand!" Gabby cried out. "Everyone thinks I'm so happy, naive, and trusting of everyone. But they forget where I come from. In Griffonstone, I could never count on anyone -- except sometimes Gallus and occasionally Gilda. Gallus was my best friend before I met the Cutie Mark Crusaders. And they were my best friends before I met you!"

Screeching with anger and frustration, Gabby cried like an eagle.

"The day you said you were too tired to go out with me ... and then I saw you playing a game with Rarity ... I thought you'd lied to me!"

"I didn't mean to lie!" cried Spike. "I didn't even know what was happening! One moment, you were my friend ... the next moment you seemed to hate my guts. If Rarity hadn't confessed that she was to blame, I don't know if you ever would've forgiven me. You seemed so angry and unforgiving ... I never expected that out of you! I felt so rotten! I thought it was all my fault!"

Spike roared with anger and frustration, blowing a great flame of fire into the sky.

"Maybe you're right," wept Gabby. "If it weren't for some guardian angel, I might have stayed angry at you forever."

Spike sighed. "I feel the same way about Twilight. When some lowlife dragon pretended to be my father, he caused me to hate Twilight -- the one who'd cared for me since she hatched me. If Smolder hadn't stepped in, I might have forgotten all my friendship lessons! I might have become a giant greedy monster all over again, and this time forever! I was that desperate to be like my father -- and win his approval!"

Spike hung his head. "And you know what's ironic ... I was the one who introduced friendship to other dragons ... along with changelings."

Gabby wrapped her arm around Spike. "It seems that both of us have been tempted beyond what we could handle. But each time, the spirit of friendship gave us the friend we needed to save us. When we were too weak, someone else made us strong!"

Gabby took a few deep breaths. "I confess, Spike -- I have some serious trust issues. More than I knew."

"I guess I do, too," said Spike. "Like, sometimes I don't feel I know who Twilight is. Am I her son ... her little brother ... her pet ... her servant? I know she's deeply attached to me ... she might surrender her kingdom just to save me ... but somehow, I feel she's kind of selfish and insensitive. For a Princess of Friendship, she leaves me confused."

Spike also took a few deep breaths. "But I could never leave her, knowing I literally mean the world to her. I guess ... I guess ... I'm like her favorite teddy bear ... or a precious jewel ... or a little dog? I'm her most valued possession. She's the Princess of Friendship ... but I don't feel she loves me as a friend. I guess I didn't know how to put it into words ... until now."

Spike hugged Gabby, clinging to her. Once more, his body started to glow yellow. "Twilight is the most wonderful princess I know. She doesn't expect her subjects to bow to her. I don't think she even wants to call them her subjects. I think she just wants to call them her friends. The way she treats her fellow ponies, it is a great inspiration to me. So what makes me feel separated from her?"

Spike cried into Gabby's fur. "Maybe it's because I'm a lost dragon in a pony world. Maybe it's because ponies don't understand dragons very well. How can I think the worst of Twilight? She's one of the kindest creatures I know. I think she just doesn't know what she's doing. If I told her how I feel, would she brush me off? Or would she work hard to make things right? Shouldn't I know by now?"

Spike's body glowed brighter. "I'm so proud of Twilight. She's not the unicorn she was when she first moved to Ponyville. She cares far more about me now. But old habits are hard to break ... and sometimes we have bad habits without realizing it."

Gabby sniffled. Her eyes were still wet, but she started to smile. "I guess we just have a hard time trusting other creatures -- even when there's nothing to fear. And sometimes we think too much about the bad and fail to enjoy the good."

"I feel kind of broken inside," said Spike. "And it seems you feel the same way. We could be broken together -- and comfort each other!"

Spike glowed even brighter. "Wouldn't it be ironic ... if our trust issues proved to be the thing that brings us closer than ever?"

Now Gabby clung to Spike. "I swear, my dear Spikey -- from now on, I will always trust you. Innocent until proven guilty!"

"Same with you," said Spike, clinging tighter to her. "I love both you and Rarity. And I love Smolder, Ember, and Thorax. You are all the best friends I've ever known. One of these days ... I hope there's a creature I can be more than just friends with. I feel you might be the one ... but I have no serious plans at this time."

"Sometimes," said Gabby, "I think romance stinks. I think it ruins too many friendships."

"Sometimes," said Spike, "I think the same way. I don't want to 'just' be friends. I want to be friends for the love of friendship. Maybe my romantic interest won't actually be my best friend -- just a good friend who enjoys having fun with me. Romance and friendship are very different things."

"Can I kiss you just the same?" asked Gabby.

"Of course! You're like a sister to me, too!"

Gabby gave Spike a big kiss on the cheek. Then she rubbed her beak against his snout. Spike did the same in return. Now Spike glowed so bright that both of them had to close their eyes.

Rarity walked out of the Carousel Boutique. With her horn, she was carrying the six cheerleader outfits. She saw Gabby and Spike on the grass beside the street.

Gabby was lying on the grass. Spike was resting on her belly, giving her a big hug. Spike was still shining bright yellow. Standing some distance away, Rarity found the light to be very bright -- but she didn't have to squint her eyes.

Spike climbed up Gabby's belly and gave her another kiss. Gabby did the same for him.

Rarity watched the scene with loving eyes. Her eyes began to water, but she was more happy than sad.

"My dear Spikey!" she said softly to herself. "I think you've finally found the friend you deserve. I think she connects with you more than I ever could. Just as you started falling out of love, I started falling in love. But now I'm ready to let go ... and learn how to be a real friend for you. And a real friend would want you to be free. Go on, Spikey! Enjoy your new life with Gabby!"

As Rarity spoke, she, too, started to glow. She glowed bright green. The light was so bright that it shone into Spike and Gabby's eyes.

Spike and Gabby looked toward the light, squinting their eyes.

Gabby watched with amazement. Rarity was floating a few inches above the ground. Spike also watched with amazement.

"Rarity," said Spike softly to himself, "you're no longer just a popular girl. You're now the kind of friend who deserves to be popular. I know there's a special creature out there ... who will fall in love with the power of your generosity!"

#17 - Sleepless in Tartarus

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Section #1:

Inside Canterlot Castle, Spike and Princess Twilight were fast asleep. Twilight's royal bed was so big that Spike could easily fit and make a little bed for himself. Spike was resting his head on Twilight's tail, and he had his own little blanket.

Just then, an alarm clock rang. Twilight popped up and sat on top of the bed. Suddenly without Twilight's tail for a pillow, Spike's head fell flat on the bed. He yelped with surprise.

With her horn, Twilight turned on the lights. Then she turned off the alarm on the clock. It was 12:30 a.m., thirty minutes past midnight.

Twilight yawned and stretched her limbs. But now she was wide awake. Meanwhile, Spike continued to rest his eyes.

"Good morning, Spike," greeted Twilight. "It's time to get up."

"Is it morning already?" Spike groaned. He yawned, his eyes still shut.

"It's thirty minutes past midnight," explained Twilight. "So technically, yes. It's time to grab our things and go!"

Twilight flew out of bed. Struggling to open his eyes, Spike also tried to fly out of bed.

"But why do we have to get up now?" yawned Spike. "Couldn't it wait until after sunrise?"

His eyes barely open, he was now hovering with his blanket ... along with a new stuffed toy -- his stuffed Gabby!

"Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood are transporting an enormous load of dangerous animals," explained Twilight. "And they need help taking these creatures into Tartarus."

As Twilight spoke, she levitated three storage chests into the scene. She opened all three, just about to check the contents of each one.

"How do they do it?" asked Spike. "They're just an earth pony and a pegasus."

"I'm curious, too," said Twilight. "I'm going to ask them tonight."

Twilight looked through the first chest. "Books -- check! Paper ... notebooks ... pens ... envelopes ... check!"

Now she searched the second chest. "Portable food packets -- check! Bottled water -- check! Uni-cola -- check ... Coltlombia coffee -- check!"

She checked the third box. "Toothbrush -- check! Toothpaste ... floss -- check! Sleeping bags -- check! It appears we're good to go!"

Twilight closed the storage chests and secured them shut. Spike yawned and started to fall asleep again. Yet he was still hovering!

Section #2:

Flying high in the sky, Twilight used her horn to carry the three chests of supplies. Spike flew beside her. His eyes were barely open -- but from the way he was breathing, he was clearly sleeping.

"We're almost there, Spike!" encouraged Twilight. "I know just the place in Tartarus for a great night's sleep! It's also great for meditation!"

Twilight looked down below. Near the entrance to Tartarus, there was a caravan of wagons loaded with dangerous animals in cages. Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood were pulling the front wagon. The rest of the wagons were being pulled by Royal Guards -- including batponies.

In all, there were twenty wagons. In some of the wagons, the animals were visible. Other wagons concealed their contents. The two wagons in the very back were coupled together. Whatever was in Wagons #19 and #20, it was apparently really big!

In the first wagon (whose contents were concealed), Scootaloo was riding in the middle seat, between Starswirl and Flash Magnus. Scootaloo was happy to watch her parents in action. But she was also shaking nervously. For comfort, she held Starswirl's and Flash's hooves.

Twilight descended toward the scene. Now she hovered three stories above. With the Canterlot voice, Twilight called, "Good morning, everypony! Your Princess is here now!"

Twilight landed in front of Scootaloo's parents. She placed the three storage chests inside the wagon pulled by Scootaloo's parents. Spike landed beside her, still sleeping with his eyes barely open.

"Good morning, Your Majesty!" greeted Snap Shutter.

"And who's the little dragon boy?" asked Mane Allgood. "I hope he doesn't need to be locked up, too. He seems like a precious little baby!"

Twilight laughed. "His name is Spike. He's a little brother to me. I've raised him from an egg that I hatched, don't you know?"

Standing in his sleep, Spike mumbled, "Who do you think I am ... Cozy Glow?"

Scootaloo's parents giggled.

Both Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood were wearing their explorers' clothing. In addition, Shutter had a big camera hanging from his neck, resembling a medium-format rangefinder camera. Allgood carried a saddlebag featuring her cutie mark (a compass with a swirl of wind).

"So," asked Twilight, "what dangerous creatures have you brought this time around?"

"Here's the list!" said Snap Shutter, handing her a long scroll.

With her horn, Twilight held the big list. "Manticore ... Ursa Minor... Ursa Major ... Parasprites ... Hydra ... Cockatrices ... Timberwolf ... Cragadiles ... Tatzlwurm ... Chimera ... Bugbear ... Flash Bees ... Maulwurf ... Biteacudas ... Roc ... Puckwudgies ... Ophiotaurus ... Wow, Shutter and Allgood -- you must have been all around the world!"

"Indeed!" replied Snap Shutter. "We've even been to the Dragonlands and the Changeling Hive."

Lyra and Bon Bon jumped out of the second wagon (whose contents were also concealed). Both of them were wearing their secret-agent clothes and carrying their secret-agent gear.

"Put on these sunglasses, everyone!" said Bon Bon, with a straight and serious face.

"Right!" said Lyra, using her horn to carry the sunglasses. "You cannot look directly into a cockatrice's eyes. You could turn into stone!"

Lyra passed one pair to each pony among the team, along with a pair for Spike. Most of the ponies kept the sunglasses in their pockets for the moment; it would be quite a while before they actually started unloading anything.

"Also," added Bon Bon, "some of these creatures could hypnotize you with their stares."

"The most dangerous creatures," said Lyra, "have been restrained with Abyssinian collars, other special devices, and/or some special spells. Even so, you must never let down your guard!"

("Abyssinian collars" are the anti-magic collars used to de-power Discord and Trixie when they were in Abyssinia.)

"So, Princess," asked Starswirl, "are you ready to open the door to Tartarus?"

"Yes, I'm ready!" replied Twilight.

Twilight flew to the entrance to Tartarus. Starswirl levitated his way there. In addition, Snap Shutter unyoked himself from his wagon. Snap Shutter was carrying an artifact resembling the "Key of Unfettered Entrance" (that magical prism-shaped key that Twilight used in the Season 8 finale).

Still sleeping, Spike flew to where Twilight was. "Wow ..." he remarked with a weak voice ... "it takes all three of you to open one door ...?"

"It's called three-factor authentication," replied Starswirl. He shined his horn at the big lock.

The lock, as per Season 8, was a shaped like a big square rotated 45 degrees -- with one smaller square at each of the vertices. This arrangement looked vaguely like a baseball diamond. Inside the big square was a big circular plug.

As Starswirl shined his horn, two of the small squares lit up.

"Shining Armor and I," explained Twilight, "agreed that we needed to tighten up security all around Tartarus. We're building a security system that will be a challenge even for Discord!"

Twilight shined her horn, lighting up the other two small squares.

"The Abyssinians have some amazing technology," remarked Snap Shutter, "especially since they recovered from the Storm King! Tempest has also recovered some of the Storm King's technology."

Snap Shutter placed his prism-shaped artifact into the circular plug (the same spot where Twilight inserted the Key of Unfettered Entrance in Season 8). Finally, the big square lit up.

The great big double doors finally opened up.

Scootaloo screamed with fear. Hugging Flash Magnus, her eyes started to get wet. "Mom! Dad! I'm not so sure about this!"

Mane Allgood tried to encourage her daughter. "Don't worry, my little Scoots! We have been to Tartarus several times before."

"Yes!" added Snap Shutter. "We know this place forward and backward!"

Scootaloo shrieked. She hid behind Flash. Now she was shivering with terror. "You ... you ... visit this place all the time? Don't ... don't you fear that something bad will happen to you."

"No, not really," replied Shutter. "We just do our job, as good heroes do."

"Don't get us wrong," explained Allgood. "We're not fearless. We try to prepare for the worst, but we try not to fear for the worst."

"I love to think I'm so big and brave," cried Scootaloo. "But you two make me feel like a big little coward!"

She cried into Flash's fur.

Twilight walked up to Scootaloo. With her horn, she picked up Scootaloo and held the little pegasus in her wings.

"My little filly," said Twilight with a calm, reassuring voice, "there's nothing to be ashamed of. Fear is a good thing when it keeps you from doing something destructive. It becomes a bad thing only when it keeps you from protecting the things you love. These creatures are terrifying. And to get trapped in Tartarus ... I don't even want to think about that! There's no reason for a little girl like you to be here -- unless you feel you need the practice facing your fears."

"You -- you really mean it?" asked Scootaloo.

"I know it!" replied Twilight. "And I know that you've been pretty brave tonight. To be so scared, yet to last this long -- you should be proud of yourself. And don't forget the times when you weren't afraid to help save the day! If someday you ever need to visit Tartarus, I'm sure your love for your friends will overcome your fear of failure!"

"Thanks ... thanks, my dear Princess!" Scootaloo gave a weak smile. Then she yawned. "Could somepony take me home now? I just want to get some sleep now."

Suddenly, Fluttershy fluttered out of one of the wagons. It was the giant wagon carrying the Ursa Major, with the Ursa Minor's wagon standing beside it. These bears were in great long cages, lying on their backs. (They looked smaller than you'd expect, but we'll get to that later.)

"I'll take you home, Scootaloo!" said Fluttershy. She grabbed a big saddlebag and placed Scootaloo inside. She zipped it shut, leaving only Scootaloo's head exposed. Then she attached the bag to her back.

The two giant bears roared with frustration. Scootaloo yelped again.

Fluttershy jumped into the sky. Hovering above, she faced the crowd. "So, everyone, do you think you can manage without me?"

"You've been a great help for us!" said Starswirl. "I think the magic of your kindness is rubbing off on us!"

"In that case, I look forward to seeing what you've learned!" Fluttershy waved her hoof. "See you later, everyone!"

Scootaloo also waved. She was now getting sleepy. "See you later, Mom and Dad! I look forward to having breakfast with you!"

"We'll be back before you know it!" declared Snap Shutter.

Scootaloo gave a big yawn. She closed her eyes and started to fall asleep.

"Goodnight, my little one!" said Mane Allgood.

"Goodnight!" said Snap Shutter.

Fluttershy flew out of the scene. Scootaloo was now fast asleep in the big bag.

Twilight walked to the double doors. "Okay, Spike!" said Twilight. "It's time to make our way in!"

Twilight looked down. "Oh ..."

Spike was lying on the ground, in a deep sleep. With a warm sense of affection, Twilight held him in her arms. "Let me find you that safe little place for a little dragon boy to get a good night's sleep! Starswirl, hold the fort for me!"

"Will do, Your Highness!" said Starswirl.

Carrying Spike in her arms, Twilight fluttered her way into the great big dungeon.

Section #3:

A few feet inside the great rocky prison, Twilight hovered just above the rocky ground.

As Twilight remembered from earlier visits, the entrance to Tartarus led to a fairly narrow and rocky path, not much wider than the entrance. If you walked off the path, there would be nothing to hold you up -- you would fall down the great abyss.

Of course, Twilight didn't have much fear of falling -- since she had her great alicorn wings. Deep inside, however, she was nervous for her flightless friends.

Twilight flew up and hovered high above.

Down the narrow and rocky path, there were great bunches of cages along both sides. Many of these cages were empty, but many of them were occupied by deadly creatures. Some distance down, the path split into three. Around here, Cerberus was standing guard. He was eating from three doggy bowls.

Beyond the intersection, the central path led to a narrow staircase leading up to cage where Lord Tirek used to be imprisoned. This cage was housed inside a great rocky pinnacle, which stood out from the great abyss.

From high above, Twilight could see many great rocky pinnacles, all of them coming out from the abyss. There were paths and stairs leading to each one. All of these pinnacles were for confining the most dangerous and unreformable creatures. Each pinnacle had a top with most of the rock carved out -- making for a platform flanked by two giant walls. On these platforms, dangerous prisoners would be caged and/or shackled. It was a lot like sitting on a pedestal -- in an open display of humiliation.

Most of the pinnacles were vacant, not even having a cage. But there was one that held a giant dragon, his tail shackled to the ground and his mouth muzzled. Other chains limited his use of his limbs. Similar prisons held several more giant monsters, including a Godzilla-like creature, a giant moth-like creature, a giant spider, a giant ant, a giant serpent, and an Ursa Major.

Far away, there were seven pinnacles arranged in a group -- forming the points of a hexagon with a seventh point in the middle. The six points of the hexagon each had a prisoner in a cage. The point in the middle was completely vacant. Without a pair of binoculars, it was hard to see who was inside these cages -- but these areas were clearly occupied.

"Okay, my little dragon," said Twilight. "Let's get you to that safe place I was talking about!"

At the wall by the entrance, there was a corner where it was safe to sit [as there seems to be here]. In this corner, Twilight used her horn to pull out a big rock. This rock was hiding a passage just tall and wide enough for a pony to walk into.

Inside was a comfy-looking cave. In fact, it came complete with a bed and pillow! There was also a bathroom.

Twilight placed Spike on the bed. Into the scene, she teleported his blanket and his stuffed Gabby. She also left a lantern on the bed table, as a big nightlight.

"Goodnight, Spikey!" whispered Twilight. She gave him a big kiss. "I'll see you in a few hours!"

At the entrance to the rocky bedroom, there was a barred door. Twilight locked the door shut, but she left a key for Spike on the bed table, while taking one for herself.

Exiting the cave, Twilight returned the rock that was hiding the passage -- but she left just enough of an opening for Spike to pop out.

Section #4:

Twilight returned to the entrance to Tartarus. Looking out through the doors, she called, "All right, everypony! Let's bring in the dangerous prisoners!"

"It's about time!" called one of the Royal Guards (a unicorn), who'd been growing impatient.

"Hey, don't talk to your ruler that way!" said another Guard (a pegasus).

"Follow my lead!" called Twilight, with a smile.

One by one, the wagons started making their way into Tartarus. Twilight led the way, walking down the rocky path toward Cerberus (who was still eating). Starswirl followed right behind. Just behind him, Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood pulled their wagon, leading the rest of the wagons.

"Twilight," asked one Royal Guard (a batpony, pulling the wagon just behind Scootaloo's parents), "do you think all twenty wagons will fit at once?"

Twilight paused and scratched her head. "I think we should save the biggest carts for last. Let's handle the smaller animals first."

Ten wagons made their way just inside the great big dungeon. It was kind of crowded, but not too much a hazard.

The ponies pulling the wagons now unyoked themselves. They started unloading the wagons. Everyone now put on their special sunglasses (provided earlier by Lyra and Bon Bon)

Scootaloo's parents, wearing their special sunglasses, started unloading their own wagon. With great effort, they pulled out the first cage. It was filled with cockatrices.

Twilight gasped. She was kind of nervous, but she remained committed to the mission.

"I don't blame you, Princess," said Allgood. "Some powerful creatures have been turned to stone by a cockatrice's stare."

Twilight laughed nervously. "I ... I might know from personal experience ..."

"Don't worry too much," assured Snap Shutter. "These bird monsters have been blindfolded."

Twilight took a second look. Indeed, they were. Twilight sighed with relief.

With his horn, Starswirl lifted the cage of cockatrices. He placed it on top of one of the Tartarus cages. The little bird monsters were clucking and roaring with anger and frustration.

"You think that cage will be secure enough?" asked Flash Magnus, who was now struggling to pull out a second cage.

"They're just cockatrices," said Starswirl. "They can turn unicorns to stone -- but they can't escape a well-built cage. We save the anti-magic cages for the strongest or most magical creatures."

Flash now pulled out another cage. It was filled with parasprites. The big swarm of parasprites was crowded into a relatively small space. Surprisingly enough, they were smiling -- blissfully accepting their imprisonment!

Twilight sighed with relief. "At least parasprites are not so scary."

"I wouldn't say that," said Starswirl. "At least not with these. These little critters started with eating apples and hayburgers. But then they tried eating little colts and fillies. Fortunately, we caught them just in time."

"Ughhh!" Twilight cringed.

Again, Starswirl used his horn to grab the cage. He placed it on top of another of the Tartarus cages.

Starswirl now pulled out the third cage. Twilight gasped even more than with the cockatrices. "Is that ... is that ...?"

"Yes," replied Starswirl. "It's a changeling. As it turns out, Chrysalis wasn't the only one who never reformed."

"I hope he can't turn into a snake or something ... or into a three-headed dog that could seduce Cerberus ...?"

"He's wearing an Abyssinian collar," assured Flash. "Take a look!"

The non-reformed changeling hissed and growled, sticking out his forked tongue. But he could do nothing. Once again, Starswirl used his horn to grab the cage. He placed it on top of another of the Tartarus cages.

Lyra and Bon Bon uncovered the second wagon. It contained a chimera and a manticore.

"We've been cleaning up the forests," explained Bon Bon -- "to make the place safe for ponies."

Two Royal Guards now uncovered the third wagon. (These guards were a unicorn and a batpony. The unicorn's head looked like that of a batpony as well.) This wagon contained a bugbear and an Ophiotaurus. Both of them roared at the ponies.

Again, Twilight was a little rattled. She hyperventilated a little.

"I-I don't understand," she stammered. "I'm -- I'm a great and powerful alicorn. Many of these creatures should be easy for me to beat. So -- so what am I afraid of?"

With his horn, Starswirl held Twilight's hoof. With a calm and reassuring voice, he said, "All of us have different fears, my dear Princess. Some make perfect sense. But some make no sense at first glance. Even so, I think every fear tells us something about ourselves. Every fear is our body's attempts at self-preservation. A fear that seems irrational may be a clue to something we do need to watch out for."

"You -- you mean like ladybugs?"

"Don't be ashamed, Your Majesty. Let's think it through."

"I -- I used to think ladybugs had spots that were extra eyes. And ... and ... I guess that ... makes me feel some creature is always watching me ... maybe some evil wizard trying to gather intelligence? Or maybe the thought of extra eyes makes it just feel like some abominable monster seeking to destroy space and time itself?" Twilight laughed nervously.

"You mean something like this?" asked a Royal Guard (named "Jester", an earth pony with a bat-like face). With a mischievous grin, he uncovered the fourth wagon.

Twilight shrieked. She hid behind Starswirl. In her effort to scramble out of harm's way, her special sunglasses fell off.

Inside a big cage, there was a big green monster resembling a ladybug. And it actually had eyes on its spots! The Royal Guard laughed.

"Don't scare your Princess like that!" scolded Mane Allgood.

"Any other Princess," added Starswirl, "would probably lock you up for your disgraceful conduct!"

"I must admit, Mr. Jester," said Twilight, "I think you would find a more fulfilling job with Cheese Sandwich."

Jester sighed, hanging his head.

In the fourth wagon, there were two other containers. One was a box containing a Flash Bee hive. Another was a caged aquarium containing Biteacudas.

"Those particular Flash Bees," explained Snap Shutter, "are exceptionally aggressive. I call them 'killer bees'."

"Indeed," said Mane Allgood. "One pony was stung thousands of times and ended up in the hospital -- even though she was two miles away from the hive."

"Those biteacudas," added Snap Shutter, "would eat a bear."

The fifth wagon held a cage with 13 puckwudgies. They were being kept in a plastic cage that they could not shoot their quills through -- but that wasn't stopping them from trying.

"Thanks, Shutter and Allgood," praised Twilight, "for making the schoolgrounds much safer. How do you do it?"

"See this camera around my neck?" answered Shutter. "This isn't just for taking pictures. It can also stun bigger and more powerful creatures -- if you shoot them in the eyes!"

"In my saddlebag," added Allgood, "I have lots more gadgets, which I'd love to show you!"

Mane Allgood pulled a compass of her saddlebag. "See this compass? It's not just for navigation. It helps detect dangerous creatures." Putting the compass back, she pulled out some glowing ropes." These are magical ropes that can tie up even a Hydra or an Ursa Minor." Allgood now pulled out a bottle of potion. "And this potion can knock out an Ursa Major and even make a Tatzlwurm dizzy!"

In addition, the fifth wagon had a caged aquarium containing three monsters resembling seaponies -- these creatures were kelpies in the more classical sense. These kelpie monsters would look kind of cute and approachable -- if they weren't roaring and thrashing around. All three were wearing blindfolds.

"Again -- be extra careful!" warned Bon Bon. "These kelpie monsters hypnotized three captains into wrecking their cruise ships."

"They've been blindfolded," said Lyra, "but, again -- never let down your guard!"

Twilight watched the three monsters, impressed at how well they seemed to be contained. Just then, one of the kelpie monsters managed to knock off its blindfold. Growling and hissing, it stared toward Twilight.

Twilight started to get hypnotized. Freezing in place, her eyes turned white. Suddenly, she gasped, snapping out of it. Yelping with fright, she ducked to the floor and covered her head.

Pulling up his camera, Snap Shutter snapped a photo of the offending kelpie monster. The magical flash stunned the monster. With her horn, Lyra put the blindfold back onto the creature, this time securing it more tightly.

Twilight sighed with relief again. She got back up. Lyra also put Twilight's special sunglasses back on.

The sixth and seventh wagons each held a Cragadile in a great big cage.

"Did you catch those things, too -- Shutter and Allgood?" asked Twilight.

"Yes, we did!" said Shutter and Allgood, with proud smiles.

"We don't usually fight monsters directly," explained Snap Shutter. "Mainly, we outwit them, outmaneuver them, and ambush them. And strike them at their weakest points!"

"Flash Magnus has been a great mentor for us," said Mane Allgood. "And so has Mage Meadowbrook. Oh, and Starswirl -- he invented some our magical devices."

"No need for thanks," said Flash. "I'm just doing my job!"

"Same with me," said Starswirl.

"And me," said Mage Meadowbrook.

Meadowbrook was with the eighth wagon. She herself was equipped as a Royal Guard. She revealed the contents of her wagon.

It was a cage with three dragon prisoners, two boys and one girl. These dragons were wearing Abyssinian collars, and they were muzzled. The girl was growling and snarling. One boy seemed to be terrified. The other was crying a little.

"These dragons were smashing dragon eggs," explained Meadowbrook. "We stopped them before they could cause serious injury."

"Did you get Ember's permission?" asked Twilight.

"Ember herself asked if we could send them here. Can't really argue with a Dragon Lord."

Twilight sighed, hanging her head. "The more I visit this place ... the less I feel afraid to enter ... but the more I feel sad. I can't help but feel ... that something's wrong with this picture." She took a few deep breaths. "Every time I walk into those sinister-looking doors, I ... I ... I feel I'm in a demon's lair." Twilight took some more deep breaths.

The ninth wagon was a caged aquarium holding a shark monster. The tenth was holding a "lightning ray" -- a stingray that could shoot little lightning bolts.

Twilight walked back outside Tartarus to observe the remaining creatures. Wagons #11-20 all contained the biggest animals -- the ones that would take the most work to secure in prison.

Outside, Wagon #11, pulled by Big Mac, held an Ursa Minor. Wagon #12, pulled by Rockhoof, held an Ursa Major. Both these creatures were huge -- but not as big as you'd expect from "Boast Busters".

"Hey, Big Mac!" said Rockhoof. "I'm ready for a rematch. I was out of practice before -- but now I'm back to my legendary strength!"

Wagon #13 held a Hydra in a caged aquarium -- with all the heads chained and muzzled. Again, this creature did not look as big as you'd expect. Wagons #14 and #15 each held a Timberwolf, whose size was about as you'd expect (and could probably just barely be squeezed through the door).

Wagon #16 held a Maulwurf; Wagons #17 and #18 each contained a roc (those giant birds that love to eat molting baby dragons). The Maulwurf and the rocs also looked kind of shrunk.

Wagons #19 and #20 were coupled together. Together, they held a cage containing a Tatzlwurm. This creature definitely seemed to have been shrunk.

"Big Mac," asked Twilight, "some of these creatures look as if they were shrunk. Do we actually have shrinking spells that are that powerful?"

Rockhoof explained, "Ceridwen agreed to shrink some of these creatures for us. She didn't have much choice, being a prisoner herself."

"Yup!" agreed Big Mac. "Still purdy angry at 'er for shrinkin' me!"

Shining Armor and Flash Sentry had been standing around Wagons #19 and #20. They walked over to meet Twilight.

"It's funny," chuckled Shining Armor. "Even without the Abyssinian collar, she was just barely able to use her size-changing powers."

"Loosening her collar," remarked Twilight, "sounds like a pretty big risk."

"Not that much," replied Flash Sentry. "Especially not when faced with all six Pillars of Equestria -- while she herself is disconnected from her own Element."

Shining Armor growled toward Flash Sentry, giving him a hard stare.

"Shining Armor," said Twilight, "why are you being mean to Mr. Sentry?"

Armor sighed. "I ... I guess I just don't trust him. Maybe ... maybe I'm jealous ... that you'll start to love him more than me ...?"

"Do you love Cadance more than me?" asked Twilight.

"Don't be silly!" exclaimed Shining Armor, giving Twilight a big hug. "You mean as much to me as my entire kingdom!"

"That's what you mean to me," said Twilight, hugging him back. "I wish Spike could know that I feel the same way about him. Having no one to call his parents ... I wish I could be as precious to him as he is to me!"

"Captain Armor," said Flash Sentry, "Twilight is not committed to me. She has a few others on her mind. Right now, we're just friends."

Armor sighed again. "Or maybe I just try too hard to be protective? Because deep inside ... I feel helpless to protect my loved ones from our most deadly enemies?"

Armor turned to Sentry. "I'm sorry, Sentry. Maybe I take my fears and frustrations out on you?"

"Maybe I need to be more professional in my conduct," said Flash Sentry, "to avoid sending the wrong message."

"I don't really care who's wrong or right," said Twilight, wrapping her arms around both Armor and Sentry. "All I want is that we care for one another and keep growing in friendship!"

"So, Twilight," asked Shining Armor, "do you really feel ready to spend a whole week in Tartarus? I was down there last night, you know -- and I was terrified the whole time. Starswirl had to calm me down."

"I don't feel that scared, anymore," said Twilight. "But I do feel kind of sad. I feel almost as if no creature should have to suffer such darkness and despair. But I guess we're just doing what we have to do."

Armor sighed. He sat on the ground. "Ever since the Knights of Order tried to destroy us ... I can't trust the ground I walk on. I kept feeling the abyss might swallow me up, along with my Royal Guard. The defeated Knights, on the other hand ... they seemed pretty calm. Confinement in the depths of Tartarus didn't seem to bother them that much."

"They do seem to have nerves of steel," remarked Twilight, also taking a seat. "They say, 'Because our elements are tied to love of country, we are not at the whims of feelings.' " Twilight took a deep breath. "But somehow, I don't think that's true. They were passionate for something ... or why would they work so hard trying to destroy us?"

"This place called Tartarus," said Flash Sentry, sitting next to Armor -- "it seems to expose our deepest and darkest fears. Anyone who could explore this place -- understanding the true dangers ... they must fear nothing but fear itself."

"Do you really think you can reform the Knights of Order?" asked Shining Armor. "It seems like a lost cause to me."

"There is at least one," said Twilight -- "at least one who didn't really want to destroy us. You know ... the size-changing bird."

"You really think you see some good in her?" Armor was kind of surprised. "What's her name again?"

"Ceridwen. Rainbow Dash tells me, Ceridwen actually tried to keep King Danu from destroying Equestria. She tried to make Princess Ocypete marry a bad man -- to keep the Elements of Love from getting activated. It was when Celaeno turned on the final Element ... that was when Ceridwen stopped caring about us."

Twilight paused. "But if she really didn't care anymore, then why didn't she try to destroy Canterlot in one fell swoop? We should have been glue under her feet. Or tail or whatever. Was she not able to? Or was she too squeamish?"

"Well," replied Flash Sentry -- "Ceridwen was supposed to be the Element of Equity. But I don't see anything fair or just about trying to destroy innocent kingdoms."

"Maybe she was already losing her connection?" said Shining Armor. "Along with all the others."

"I bet they were all running on fumes," agreed Flash. "If they had managed to destroy us, then I'm sure they would have paid with their own Elements."

Twilight yawned. "I think it's time for me to sleep now. My big brother, do you think you can handle these creatures by yourself?"

Armor scoffed. "It's just a bunch of animals, you know!"

Twilight tried to stop herself from giggling.

#18 - Knights in Tartarus

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Section #1:

Twilight returned to the rocky bedroom next to the entrance to Tartarus. She brought in her three chests of supplies. Afterward, she locked the barred door shut. She pulled out her sleeping bag and placed it on the floor.

Twilight took another look at Spike. Spike remained fast asleep. Twilight picked Spike up and placed him on her lap. She gave him a big hug and rubbed his head.

"Spike," she said softly, "you don't know how much you mean to me. I know that I'm not your mother. But I wish I were. You're my brother ... you're my son ... you're my best friend! I wish I had known long ago what a precious creature you are. Someday ... I hope you can hold me in your lap ... and be the one who protects me!"

Twilight tucked Spike back in bed. She rubbed her nose against his and gave him a kiss.

Twilight yawned. She got into her sleeping back and lay down. In a few minutes, she was fast asleep, too.

Section #2:

A couple hours later, Twilight woke up. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but she was feeling refreshed now.

Getting up from the floor, she looked back at Spike. Spike remained fast asleep, even after she rubbed his head a little bit.

"Okay, Spike," Twilight said softly. "I'm leaving for a while, but I'll be back soon."

With her horn, Twilight pulled out a piece of paper and a quill pen. She wrote a note and taped it on the door. The note said, "Be back in three hours -- your friend Twilight."

Twilight unlocked the door, walked out, and then re-locked the door.

Moments later, Spike yawned. He sat up. Rubbing his eyes, his eyes started to open.

"Wow," remarked Spike, with a weak voice ... "That was a strange dream. Twilight took me to Tartarus, and there were all these monsters, and ..."

Suddenly, something caught Spike's eye. "Wait ... I don't remember the Royal Bedroom being this small ... or being made of rock. Technically, the Royal Bedroom might be made of marble or granite or some other standard building material -- but it certainly doesn't look like a cave!"

Still sitting on the bed, Spike looked around. He saw the bed table and the lantern. He saw the door to the bathroom. Then he saw ... the barred door.

Spike gasped with horror.

He closed his eyes again. He banged his head against the headboard. Opening his eyes, he took another look.

Spike screamed. "No! Dear Twilight! No!" His eyes started to get wet.

With his wings, he rushed to the door. With his fire breath, he melted the barred door. Spike rushed through the passage. At the end, he saw a crack big enough for him to climb through.

Spike climbed out of the hidden passage. He looked around the new surroundings.

Spike saw the double doors that guarded the entrance to Tartarus. Taking deep breaths, Spike flew straight into the doors -- trying to push them open. But it was no good. He crashed and plopped back onto the floor.

Just then, Spike heard some scary animal noises. He gasped.

He turned his head. He saw great numbers of dangerous creatures in their cages.

The cockatrices were making angry chicken noises. The manticore and the chimera were roaring, and so were the bugbear and the Ophiotaurus. The puckwudgies were making angry rodent noises. All the animals that were locked up were making noise now -- most of them angry at being locked up.

Spike started walking down the narrow rocky path leading deep into Tartarus. Looking around, Spike gasped with surprise again.

He noticed the non-reformed changeling. The changeling growled and hissed at Spike, sticking out his forked tongue.

Moments later, Spike noticed the three dragon prisoners (the ones who'd been smashing dragon eggs). One boy was weeping. One boy was sobbing. The girl herself was now on the edge a nervous breakdown.

Spike gasped even louder.

Just then, Spike heard what sounded like the cry of a hawk or eagle. It echoed throughout the giant dungeon. It sent chills down his spine. He gulped with fear. He knew that sound all too well.

Looking down the narrow rocky path, Spike saw one of his worst fears ... a roc -- that giant bird which loves to eat molting baby dragons. The roc was locked in a giant bird cage, on the pinnacle that used to hold Tirek.

Spike screamed with terror. On the ground, he curled himself into a ball, trying to hide himself.

"Twilight!" cried Spike. "Why have you done this! Was I a giant greedy monster again? Maybe it happened once or twice in my sleep. But I didn't mean it! That's not what I want to be! Please, Twilight! Don't leave me here!"

He wailed with grief. "Twilight! I beg you! There has to be a better way!"

Spike started to sob. His cries started to echo throughout the dungeon.

"I've gotta get out of here! A place like this shouldn't be allowed to exist!"

Section #3:

Meanwhile, Twilight was perched on top of one of the pinnacles. This pinnacle was surrounded by six others, which formed a hexagon. The Knights of Order were all locked up in big cages, each of them still wearing an Abyssinian collar. Each pinnacle held one cage.

Twilight was looking down toward the Knights, to study their expressions. She was thinking of what she should do next. Right now, four of the Knights seemed more bored than anything else. Danu gave her a hard stare. Meanwhile, Ceridwen seemed kind of sad. Mannah seemed a little sad as well.

Spike's cries reached all the way to where Twilight was standing. It was hard to hear -- it was so faint that it was easy not to notice. However, the Knights could hear it pretty well (especially since they had nothing else to do). And it was starting to annoy them.

"Excuse me, winged monster," said Taranis, "but could you tell your dragon friend to shut his mouth?"

"What are you talking about?" asked Twilight. "I don't understand."

"You know," said Balor -- "the little purple creature flying toward you?"

Twilight looked toward the entrance to Tartarus. She saw Spike flying frantically toward her.

"Twilight!" cried Spike. "My dear princess!"

Spike crashed into her. Twilight lost her balance. Flapping her wings, she fell safely onto the platform carved into the pinnacle. Still, she landed flat on her back.

Spike wrapped his arms around Twilight, clinging as tightly as he could.

"Please, Twilight! Don't abandon me! Don't leave me here to cry ... never to be loved again! Tell me you love me! Tell me you'll visit me every week!"

"Spike, Spike!" said Twilight, feeling concerned. "You need to take a deep breath."

Spike wept into Twilight's fur. He took a few deep breaths.

Twilight sat up. She placed Spike in her lap and wrapped her arms around him.

"My dear little dragon," she said with a calm, reassuring voice, "Your big sister is here for you! But please try not to panic. When you panic, I can't understand what you're saying."

Spike sniffled. "Twilight -- please don't lock me up. Once in a blue moon, maybe I have a really bad dream. And once or twice, maybe I became a giant greedy monster in my sleep. Just like how some ponies walk in their sleep. But that's not what I want to be! I need love -- not cruel and unusual punishment! I don't think I will get any better -- being locked up in an evil place like this! Just let me wear an Abyssinian collar. I swear, I will never take it off!"

Spike took a few more deep breaths, trying to stay calm and catch his breath. Twilight paused to make sense of Spike's words.

Then she started to laugh. Immediately, she cringed with embarrassment, trying to suppress her laughter.

"Spike," assured Twilight, "you are not in trouble. You know that safe place I was talking about -- that safe place in Tartarus that I've occasionally used for meditation? I was just giving you a safe place to sleep for the night."

"Then why did you lock me up?" asked Spike.

"I left you a key ... and a note. But I guess you didn't notice. I guess I should have woken you up before I left to do my business."

"So tell me," said Spike -- "have I ever been a giant greedy monster -- except for that one time long ago?"

"Not that I'm aware of," replied Twilight.

"What if I do become a monster again?" asked Spike. "Will you still love me? Will I still love you?"

"Spike, my little baby," said Twilight with a warm smile -- "even if you destroyed Canterlot, you would still be my precious dragon. Am I not precious to you -- more valuable than diamonds could ever be?"

Spike was at a loss for words.

"If you do become a giant greedy monster," asked Twilight, "won't I still be your most valued possession? Would you really trade me for something as common as gold or diamonds?"

"No! No!" said Spike. "I could never do that! I love you more than my own wings! I could live without my wings. But I don't know if I could live without you."

"Just remember how precious I am to you -- along with Rarity, Gabby, and Thorax. If what you envy for is to have more friends, then the magic of our friendship will bring you back to your senses. The power of your friendship saved you once -- and it will save you again! You just have to believe."

"I must admit," said Spike, "Rarity wasn't a very good friend at the time. But she made me feel precious. And that made her feel precious to me! She's been as crucial to my life as you've been. The day I became a monster, she taught me the value of friendship better than she knew it herself. We were both grossly immature. But over time, we both started to see the true value in each other as creatures. Starting with a little compassion for each other, our feelings multiplied!"

"That's what I feel about us!" said Twilight. "Nothing can separate us forever. Every test we have faced, we have passed!"

Spike started to cry again ... but this time, he was starting to feel happy. "I'm sorry I ever doubted you, Twily. I shouldn't have panicked. I should know you better than that."

Twilight's eyes also started to get wet. "I'm sorry that I dragged you here when you really needed your sleep. I -- I just feel that you're my partner ... in friendship. No longer do I call you my #1 Assistant. I now call you my best friend! We will continue to have our ups and downs. But at least the healing can begin."

As Spike continued to cry, he felt the healing in his heart. Suddenly, he started to giggle. Twilight paused for a moment. Then she started to laugh.

Spike jumped out of Twilight's lap. With his wings, he dashed two stories above her.

"Bet you can't catch me!" he teased.

"I bet I can!" Twilight teased him back.

Spike started flying as fast as his wings could carry him. But Twilight had other ideas.

With her horn, she fired in Spike's direction. Suddenly, Spike disappeared in a flash of light ...

... and popped back in Twilight's lap.

"Aw, mare!" said Spike with a weak smile. "I keep forgetting that you can teleport me."

"I may have great magic," said Twilight. "But you can swim in lava, and even drink it!"

"I do love lava soup," remarked Spike. "It's hard to find a restaurant in Equestria that can make it."

"Yeah," remarked Twilight. "We have to visit a metallurgist for that!"

With a sneaky smile, Spike started tickling Twilight's belly. Twilight started to laugh. With her own sneaky smile, she pulled out a feather from her wings ... and then started tickling Spike's toes. Spike laughed even harder than she.

"Ms. Princess!" called Danu. "Will you be quiet?"

"Yeah!" called Balor. "It's bad enough that you've locked us up in this stygian prison."

"Can't you just leave us in peace?" called Taranis.

"Danu!" called Ceridwen, "For Cunabula's sake, let's not insult our host!"

"Whose side are you on?" demanded Morrigan.

"I'm only trying to protect our best interests!" protested Ceridwen. "Your angry rebellion will get us nowhere. Literally!"

"She has a point," admitted Mannah.

"So, Princess Twilight," said Ceridwen, "let me get this straight: You never intended to harm our country, right?"

Twilight huffed with frustration. But she tried to stay gentle and calm. "Ceridwen, we didn't even know about your country. But now we do -- and so do all the other Elements. If we wanted to find it, we probably could."

"I didn't think it was good strategy myself," admitted Ceridwen. "But when you and your friends messed up my plans to spare Equestria, I wanted revenge just like my siblings."

"I don't mean any hard feelings," said Twilight. "This can all be forgiven if ..."

"We don't need your forgiveness!" shouted Danu.

"You think you can brainwash us into being your servants?" demanded Morrigan. "I know what you're doing, and it won't work on me!"

"So let me get this straight," said Twilight. "All of you are brothers and sisters."

"Right," said all the Knights.

"You and your dragon seem so close," remarked Mannah. "Are you related, too?"

Twilight chuckled. "Technically, no. But it doesn't matter. To me, he's my brother ... he's my son ... he's my best friend."

"In Cunabula, it's like all the races are mixed up," remarked Spike. "There could be a snakepony, a gryphon with butterfly wings ... or even a male alicorn!"

"We have all of those," remarked Ceridwen.

"Mannah! Ceridwen!" shouted Danu. "Don't engage with them! That's how they win your trust!"

"Danu!" demanded Taranis. "Stop acting like you can boss us around!"

"I'm the king! I can do what I want!"

"Not anymore!" retorted Balor. "You've been overthrown along with us, you know!"

"If I didn't think I needed you, I would be done with you right now!"

"Come at me! If you can get out of your cage! I dare you!"

As Danu continued to argue like a big child, his five siblings started shouting him down.

Twilight sighed. "Well, Spike, I'm not sure we can do any more today. I guess we need to leave and try again tomorrow."

Spike flew back up and hovered above. He took another look at the Knights of Order. Twilight followed him, hovering beside him.

"You have bossed me around for the last time!" declared Ceridwen. "I will think for myself!"

"Same with me!" declared Mannah.

After shouting these last words at Danu, Ceridwen got back to resting in her cage. Mannah also withdrew from the fight, and went back to resting.

Balor, Taranis, and Morrigan continued to argue with Danu.

"We always have to do things your way!" complained Taranis.

"I'm the king!" shouted Danu. "I don't have to answer to you!"

"Not anymore!" reminded Balor. "You're one of us now!"

"King or not," declared Morrigan -- "you're nothing without us!"

"Will you traitors shut up!" exclaimed Danu.

"There's nothing more to say anyway," said Taranis.

"Hmph!" said Balor and Morrigan, turning their noses up and turning their heads away.

Spike paid close attention to Ceridwen and Mannah. Ceridwen now had her head buried in her wings. It seemed she might be crying. Mannah sighed, looking wistfully toward Spike and Twilight.

"Spike," asked Twilight, "what do you think you see?"

Spike flew down to the pinnacle where Ceridwen was caged. He kept a short distance from the cage, just out of the bird monster's reach. Twilight landed and stood behind him.

"Spike," whispered Twilight, "don't get too close. And please don't try to do anything behind my back."

Spike looked toward Ceridwen. He thought about what to say. Suddenly, he had an idea.

"You really miss your people, don't you, Princess Ceridwen?"

Ceridwen's ears perked up. (She doesn't really have ears, but you get the picture.) She pulled her head out from under her wings. Indeed, her eyes were wet.

"I'm a little surprised," she remarked ... "that you would call me 'princess'. That sounds strangely respectful coming from you."

"I feel really bad about what happened to your people," said Spike. "I want you to know ... Discord used to be our enemy, too. You know -- the "serpent". We had him trapped for a thousand years. But then he escaped and we had to trap him again. Later, we felt that we should try making friends with him. It wasn't easy, but I believe it was worth it."

Ceridwen paused. "You have to be kidding me. That can't be true."

"Princess Twilight wishes everyone could be her friend. Some of her loyal friends used to be deadly enemies."

The Knights of Order stared in disbelief.

"You're insane," called Danu. "You don't make friends with your enemies. You destroy them! That's how you destroy a threat -- and avenge your honor!"

"I suppose," said Ceridwen, "I felt a little bad to see you ponies repeating our ancestors' mistakes. But for a moment, I was too angry to care. I still think you ponies have a poor sense of self-preservation. What's your name again, little dragon?"

"My name is Spike."

"You are a precious-looking creature, I must admit. You remind me of some of my own children -- children of my own people, that is."

"It's kind of a shame," remarked Mannah, "that you weren't born as one of us. You would probably have been a very loyal subject for us."

Spike hovered above and looked toward Mannah.

"Actually," remarked Spike, "I am a citizen of three nations."

The Knights were feeling even more surprised and confused.

"You must be joking," said Mannah. "You can't serve two countries, let alone three. No wonder you ponies are so confused. You don't seem to know who's your people and who's not."

"I guess what you're saying," said Spike, "is that I have to love one country and hate all others. Something like that."

"Perhaps a bit of a hyperbole. But we certainly hate the other countries with Elements of Harmony. I guess you might say ... we got sick of accepting their existence."

Spike flew to the pinnacle where Mannah was imprisoned. "Prince Mannah, finding my true loyalties has not been easy for me. I have grown up as a dragon in a pony world. And until recently, no other dragons cared about me. Until now, dragons didn't share much of a common cause; they were mainly fighting one another. They didn't have much of a nation. And the changelings --"

"I might have heard of those bug monsters," said Mannah. "I guess you're about to tell me that you made friends with them, like with that serpent who nearly destroyed our own country."

Spike responded, "I just want you to know -- the ponies were not responsible for what happened to your kingdom. We were victims, too. None of us liked being ruled by that serpent."

Mannah and Ceridwen were at a loss for words.

"Mannah! Ceridwen!" called Danu. "Don't listen to that little monster. He's our enemy!"

"It doesn't matter!" said Morrigan. "We're not getting out of here anyway. Those two beasts won't brainwash me."

"Go on and keep talking," said Taranis, with a smug smile. "It's actually kind of entertaining hearing your pathetic pleas for friendship."

"Same with me," agreed Balor.

Spike sighed. He sat on the floor.

"The more I think about your ancestors," said Spike, "the sadder I feel. Your ancestors wanted friends. But they made enemies by mistake. I must admit ... we ourselves have had more than one close call. When we first tried to make friends with the yaks, they got angry and almost waged war against us. When we started a school of friendship to bring together several other nations ... the foreign students ran off, and it almost started a world war. I guess if you'd had your way, there would be no fighting -- because no one would be left to start a fight."

"Well," said Mannah, "if there were no other nations to worry about, that would be nice for us. Even so, our ancestors did not believe in conquering other lands. Destroying the world was not their idea of order. But when you ponies repeated our ancestors' mistakes, we decided we'd had enough. We would've invaded sooner, but Ceridwen was feeling squeamish at first."

"I see where you're coming from," said Spike. "I ask myself, what if we had been as unfortunate as your ancestors? Would we have tried to destroy other countries, too? If only we could be the friends your ancestors would have wanted. Would that make things right?"

Balor and Taranis laughed a little. Not very loudly -- Spike didn't even notice. But Twilight did. She hovered above and looked down toward those weird-looking creatures.

"Those ponies really are sentimental to the end," remarked Balor, with a low voice.

"At least our ancestors learned from their mistakes," said Taranis. "But these ponies never learn, do they?"

For a moment, Twilight growled. But she kept it to herself. Meanwhile, Spike was too focused on Ceridwen and Mannah to notice Balor and Taranis talking trash.

Ceridwen sighed. "I guess I might as well try out this thing you call 'friendship'. Don't get me wrong. I like having friends. It's nice if you can get it -- but I don't build my life around it."

"What are some of your favorite things," asked Spike ... "things you love to do with friends?"

Ceridwen scratched her head.

Section #4:

Ceridwen was telling Spike a story.

"... And that's how the Knights of Harmony secured peace for the world. Not by uniting it -- but by making sure everyone kept to themselves! And their plan worked for thousands of years!" Ceridwen spoke with a proud smile.

"Wow," remarked Spike, sitting a safe distance in front of her. "It's a tragic story, yet you make it sound like a bedtime story."

"When I was little," replied Ceridwen, "I loved hearing my mother tell me that story. The horrors of long ago didn't feel so real to me ... until your princess started messing with things she shouldn't have."

Spike sighed. "I guess the lesson is ... don't trust powers with those who can't be trusted. And don't make enemies out of those who want to live in peace."

Twilight was standing behind Spike. "Ceridwen, we didn't mean to take anything that belonged to you. If you had given us a warning at the beginning, I'm sure we would have listened."

"You should have had the good sense not to give magic to other creatures!" said Danu. "Your foolishness is not my fault!"

Twilight sighed. "Danu, how can you value the lives of your own people -- but not the lives of anyone else?"

"You don't get to question me, princess!" snapped Danu. "No one does!"

"Our kingdom is our responsibility," declared Taranis. "And your kingdom is your responsibility. And you failed!"

"Everything was working well for you, too," said Twilight, trying to stay calm and gentle. "There was no more war until you started one."

"We were only trying to protect our country -- and avenge our honor!"

Twilight's anger was starting to bubble underneath. At this stage, however, she was more sad than anything else. "I wish you could see how wonderful it is to have friends -- to have creatures you can trust. Then maybe you would see -- there are great creatures who'd be great for your country ... if you would only allow them. Maybe you would see ... life isn't much unless you feel the magic of friendship."

"I don't need friends!" said Danu. "All I need is power!"

"We don't need your goodwill!" said Taranis. "We don't need you for anything!"

The others stayed silent. Ceridwen and Mannah sighed.

"So, little dragon," said Ceridwen with a little smile. "Do you have a good bedtime story to tell?"

Section #5:

"... So," said Spike, hovering above the Knights ... "that's how Twilight and I defeated the Storm King -- and made friends with his former assistant."

Balor scoffed. "How many of these stories do you have -- about defeating one enemy and making friends with another?"

"Sometimes," said Spike, "making friends has been a better solution for us."

"I guess you brainwash them with your magic of friendship," scoffed Morrigan, rolling her eyes. "But it doesn't work on us!"

"Well, Spike," said Twilight, "I think it's time to go. We'll come back tomorrow."

"I must admit, little dragon," said Ceridwen with a little smile, "I've enjoyed some of your stories. They can be entertaining -- even if I don't always like the message."

"I've enjoyed some of your stories, too," said Spike. "Some of your ancestors' adventures are very relatable."

"If you were one of my subjects," remarked Mannah, "I might wish you a goodnight. But you're not one of us, so I wouldn't."

Twilight started to fly away. "I guess I'll just say ... I might see you next afternoon."

Spike also started to fly off. As he looked back, he thought he might have seen Ceridwen waving to him. Or maybe it was just a twitch of the hand.

"See you soon, Princess Ceridwen!" said Spike. "I look forward to more stories!"

Ceridwen smiled toward him. It was a small smile, easy to miss. She didn't want to admit it ... but she was starting to feel a small connection with Spike.

Spike and Twilight flew toward the entrance to Tartarus and returned to the hidden cave near the entrance.

The "Season 11" Project! -- Camp Harmony! (And What Is Patriotism?)

by starponys87

#0 - Introduction (Season 10 comics spoilers)

#1 - Return of the Knights [new version]

#2 - The New Students

#3 - Camp Harmony

#4 - A Royal Guard Problem

#5 - Welcome to Camp Harmony

#6 - Setting Up Camp

#7 - Starting Up Camp

#8 - Revenge of the Statue

#9 - Camp Magic

#10 - The Game of Loyalty

#11 - Gallus the Generous

#12 - Camp Kindness

#13 - Honesty & Laughter

#14 - Meeting the Students

#15 - A Whirlwind of Emotions

#16 - Spike's Friendship Triangle [new chapters being added between #14 and #16]

#17 - Sleepless in Tartarus

#18 - Knights in Tartarus