"This time, it will work," Aura Light says for the twentieth time that day. He gathers up all his magic and stores it just at the tip of his horn, then he directs everything to a stout blue unicorn with an orange mane that looked like a mop just landed atop his head. The unicorn created a strong shield with his own horn, trying his best to protect his green and red pony friends behind him. Aura falters, feeling the magic being sucked out of him, and immediately stops. The color drains out of his eyes and he flops down onto the ground. The three other ponies walk over to him and the blue unicorn helps him up.

"You're ready, Aura," the blue unicorn says. Aura touches his forehead.

"How are you sure?" Aura asks. He sits down on the floor of his room and looks around. It looks more ramshackled than the last twenty times he blasted his best friend with his magic. He feels optimistic, but he still has his doubts whether or not he's ready to take down that damn annoying pony named Sandbar.

"You almost got past my shield," the blue unicorn replied.

"Yeah, dude," another one of his friends said, fixing his messy violet hair back to its original less messy form. He then looked at the painting of fruits on Aura's wall and straightens it, creaking louder than ever before.

"Yeah, definitely. Besides, Turtleneck has a very strong shield," the red Earth pony said.

"Blood Curl's right," their green Pegasus friend said.

"You're ready," Turtleneck said, "You just need a bit of a rest"

:

    "Headmare Starlight?" Gallus asks, slowly opening the door to her office. He takes a peak and sees her arranging a couple of files on her desk. He proceeds to open the door all the way, tentatively stepping inside and closing the door as he did so. Starlight sighs, letting all the files drop on her desk. There were eyebags beneath her eyes, but she still manages to smile.

    "Gallus," Starlight says.

    "Is this a bad time?" Gallus asks.

    "I'm kind of busy," Starlight says matter-of-factly, but then her tone softens down, "But I'll always make time for you. So tell me what's bothering you"

     Starlight gestures to the couch in front of her table where countless students have sat to tell her about their problems. Gallus sits down, sinking in the soft velvet. The couch is one of the many other things that make Gallus feel calm. At home.

    Gallus sighs. "It's Sandbar. He hates me for some reason"

    Starlight nods slowly as he speaks. He likes how Starlight has always been a great listener. When Gallus finishes talking, she places her hooves together.

    "Have you ever tried talking to Sandbar about this problem?" Starlight asks.

"Well, no," Gallus says. Starlight nods slowly once.

"We all have fights with our friends," Starlight says, "But you'll make up in the end. Take some time off, and then you'll remember what a great friend Sandbar has been"

Gallus sighs again, hopelessness with Sandbar a new scar on his collection of emotional and mental scars. "I don't think it'll ever end"

"You'll want it to end," Starlight says, "What makes Sandbar a great friend?"

Gallus racks his brain for an answer to the question. The memories of Sandbar comes spreading through him, like a medicine to the scar.

"Well, he doesn't judge me," Gallus says. He looks at Starlight, wondering if he did it right, but she just smiles at him and remains silent. Gallus wonders whether or not he should continue. Figuring that there isn't much better things for him to do, he continues.

"And there's this time when he spent Heart's Warming with me," Gallus says.

"You'll see that in a few days, you'd want to be friends again. Trust me on this, okay?" Starlight asks.

"Okay," Gallus replies.

:

     Ocellus stares at the door and breathes deeply. She can do this. It's just Bronchiole. She opens the door and the gazes of everyone in the room surounded her like a whirlwind. Ocellus can see countless chairs arranged in rows, leaving a gap in the middle for important creatures to walk across. Suddenly, joining the drama club doesn't seem like such a bright idea. She gulps and reminds herself that she is only doing this because she needs to survive Applejack's session later. She collects herslef and stares at the crowd of creatures. A tall Changeling with a pink hide and violet wings stands proudly in the middle aisle, intimidating Ocellus to no end. She heard plenty about Bronchiole, but she never thought that she can appear this intimidating.

    "And who do we have here?" Bronchiole asks, her voice as sweet as sugar. Ocellus smiles. Maybe Bronchiole isn't as mean as the stories make her seem.

    "I'm Ocellus," she says. Bronchiole smiles.

    "Such a pleasure to have you in our presence! I believe that you are first-year?" Bronchiole asks.

    "Aren't we all first-years?" Ocellus shoots back. Bronchiole lets out a light-hearted laugh.

    "No, of course not, dear. I wouldn't brag but 'm too advanced in my friendship studies. I'd help you if you'd like," Bronchiole says.

    "Uh... no, thank you," Ocellus says.

    "No offence, but that was very rude of you to decline the offer," Bronchiole looks at the students gathered in her quite large club, earning a collective murmur of agreement. An orange pony laughs.

    "Oh, I'm sorry," Ocellus says apolegetically. The laughs get even louder.

    "I'm sorry for them acting this way. I can't control them. They're lucky enough that I'm willing to apologize for them," Bronchiole says, "Now would you mind telling me why you're here? You're not allowed to join clubs anymore"

    "Yes, I know, but I really love to act!" Ocellus says, smiling as best she could.

    "Such a beautiful smile, dear!" Bronchiole says and the countless students all laugh. She leans into Ocellus again.

    "I truly am sorry for their behavior," Bronchiole says. The entire room laughs again. Ocellus is getting quite irritated by all the annoying snickers, but she's glad Bronchiole is here to soften the blow.

    "We're practicing on Dear Evan Hoofsen. All spots are currently filled but we can squeeze you in as background character," Bronchiole winks. Ocellus feels a surge of gratitude erupt through her.

    "Thank you, Bronchiole," Ocellus says. Bronchiole waves this away.

    "Please, call me Bronxy," Bronchiole says.

    "Alright, Bronxy" Ocellus replies.

:

"Have you ever wondered if you're worrying too much?" Silverstream asks Smolder. And that is a sure sign that she is worrying too much. But she can't help it. As she stares at the recently shined floors of the hallway leading to their dorms, she realizes that she has no idea how to bring it up to her professors. But she already wrote about it in her Honesty homework and Applejack will definitely notice, so that won't be a problem, will it? Applejack can potentially skip her paper because of the amount of papers she has to read. Or she just reads a few parts of her work and never gets to that part. Silverstream tries the slow breathing exercises that they have taught her, but it isn't working. Her heart is beating really quickly. Will she be able to have a heart attack out of this? Probably. Anything is possible.

    "No, I haven't," Smolder replies, looking at Silverstream with concern. Silverstream looks at her and she knows that she manages to pull her down to Equestria. For now. Smolder is worried for Silverstream. She knows her friend has been suffering from anxiety in the past. In fact, Smolder is feeling a little anxious on what Silverstream will say if she just asks her about her mane. Smolder shakes her head. She can't do that. Silverstream's probably too preoccupued already.

    "Smolder?" Silverstream asks, "Did I do something wrong?"

     Her eyes widen and her eyebrows are scrunched up in serious concern. Smolder thinks that this concern is probably both for her and Silverstream. And those sad eyes are pleading to be freed from anxiety, but Smolder knows that she can't do it. At least, not on her own. But she knows that she has to make this tiny situation better, somehow, because nothing is ever tiny when you're with an anxious friend.

    "Of course not, Silverstream. I'm fine. You don't have to worry about a thing!" Smolder smiles as wide as she can. Silverstream visibly relaxes, but that Hippogriff's brain is far from calm. The gears of her brain keep turning no matter how much she begs them to stop. She ends up wondering if Smolder is just lying to make her feel better. She hates it when creatures say that she didn't do anything to them when in fact she did! But something scares her more. It's the thought of Smolder only being this nice to her in order to betray her in the future. It's not like the rest of her friends care as much Smolder does, anyway. Silverstream gets jittery as they cover the last few steps of the hallway they're walking on and turn right.

     Smolder frowns. She absolutely hates seeing Silverstream in her anxious state. She just looks so traumatised when she's like this. This sweet innocent angel doesn't deserve such horrid thoughts to haunt her. Smolder wishes she can just stop this. Block the thoughts somehow. But she knows there's nothing she can do but watch, and that is a burden that she bears with tremendous weight. Smolder hates it how she just watches Silverstream flap her wings even though they are on the ground. She can't help it, seeing Silverstream's sad face, anymore. She knows she has to do something. And since she has no idea what else to do, she wraps Silverstream in a tight embrace.

Silverstream never thought that anycreature will do this to her when she's being extremely anxious. Even her best friends. So she finds it a big surprise when her orange dragon friend suddenly places her claws around her, entrapping her in a warm hug. Silverstream feels somthing pleasant bubbles inside her, and she likes the feeling. She wraps her hoof-claws around Smolder as well. She's never felt so loved and understood until this very moment.

"You don't have to worry 'bout a thing, Silverstream," Smolder says, "I've got your wing, always"

:

    Sandbar uses his pen to write a his name at the bottom of the letter. He carefully places the crisp old slightly-browned paper into the envelope and smiles, knowing that his cousin Riverbed loves old paper. Sandbar doesn't know why, but he does believe that there is a slight homey feel to it. He grabs the paper and starts walking down a route he has walked at least a thousand times so far. Turn left at the next hallway and exit the school. Move forward through Ponyville until the third intersection. And he loves the path before that intersection. It is lined with shops of ice cream and cheesecake and basically every single amazing food. He really loves it here, and he knows that his friends will, too. But Sugarcube Corner will always be their go-to place.

     Sandbar finally reaches the intersection and turns right, hoping that the mailpony working right now isn't the disabled one. He arrives at the mail office and he pushes the door open. The ring of the bell anounces his arrival and the smell of paper and books greet him. Oh, how he loves the smell. Okay, so maybe he does understand Riverbed's weird thing for the smell of paper. Sandbar playfully rolls his eyes and proceeds to walk to the counter, his eyes growing in fear as he sees that the pony behind the counter is none other than the grey Pegasus with a light yellow mane.

    "Good afternoon, Derpy," Sandbar says, testing his luck.

    "But I thought it was morning," Derpy says, tilting her head to the sighed. Sandbar rolls his eyes and places the envelope on the counter, its red wax seal greeting him.

"This is for Ri-ver-bed in Rain-bow Falls," Sandbar says, enunciating each word. He knows that Derpy isn't exactly known for being accurate with the ponies she delivers the mail to, so he needs to be extra careful on this. He really wishes that his cousin receives the letter. Riverbed always has some advice to give.

"Reevirbead in Raynbouw Fals?" Derpy says, writing down the address and the name of the receiver. Sandbar can't help but slap his forehead. The address is clearly written on the envelope.

"Yes," Sandbar confirms, faking a smile. He supposes that it's close enough.

"Alright, I'll have your mail delivered in Raynbouw Fals!" Derpy says.

"Thanks!" Sandbar walks out of the mail office as quickly as he can, saying a silent prayer that hopefully his letter will be delivered. As he walks the path back to school, though, he sees a neon green unicorn walking towards him.

    "Aura Light?" Sandbar's eyes widen in surprise, staggering a step backwards. He heard from Starlight that the student's name is Aura Light, and he is sure that Starlight talked to him, which is why he has no idea why Aura is here. Can it be that he's just apologizing? Sandbar looks at Aura, wondering what that unicorn can do. The other bullies - "They're Blood Curl, Turtleneck and Rainshower," Starlight said -appear behind Aura. Aura flashes a smile.

"Why, hello, Sandbar," Aura says, then his tone turns menacing, "Now make your wish, for the breath you're about to breathe will be your last"

Sandbar subtly shakes his head and chuckles. Aura Light is terrible at poetic-related things, and he knows that. But his chuckle surpresses into a scream of shock as he sees that Aura Light is pointing his horn directly at him, a grimace settling on their faces, and Aura goes for it.

Sandbar can see the straight beam of magic coming from Aura's horn hurtling at him. It's as if the world is in slow motion, giving him precious time to contemplate on his life. Just then, his friends magically appear by his side. Sandbar can't help but gape in the last few seconds the beam is about to hit. His friends look equally as surprised. Then they seem to understand what's going on, that they're about to be hit by a beam of magic. They all cuddle together for one last group hug. Sandbar closes his eyes, expecting the final blow, but nothing hits. He opens his eyes to see his friends all gaping at a white dome over their heads, acting as a shield for them.

"I have no idea what's going on, but the Tree of Harmony saved us," Silverstream says.

Sandbar turns to look at Aura Light, who is glowering at him.

"This isn't over yet," Aura says, turning away, but in the opposite direction of the school.

"Uh... What is?" Smolder asks Sandbar, but he just shakes his head.

"Come on. We gotta get to Headmare Starlight," Sandbar says, "Prepare for the next blow"

——————————————————————————

Oh my gosh, Smolder and Silverstream's friendship is so pure! I might start shipping them! They'd make a great couple!

So... hello, everycreature! I'm back! Much sooner than I thought! I'm not really statisfied with this chapter, and this was rushed, but hopefully I'll make up for it in the next chapter for EOF. And I realized that I really miss writing this! Expect a second surprise update sometime this March!

Remember to spread the Magic of Friendship!

Question: What are your Young 6 ships? TELL. ME. ALL.