The six friends sit in a circle in the gardens of the School of Friendship. Classes has just ended for the day and they want to hang out with each other.

"Let's play the ultimate loyalty game" Gallus says to his friends with a mysterious smirk, "Would you rather!"

"This could be fun!" Silverstream exclaims.

"Sure" Smolder says.

"Yak love to play Would You Rather!" Yona says.

"I guess I'm in" Ocellus says. Sandbar gives a nod.

"I'll go first. Who wants to ask me?" Gallus asks. Smolder raises her hand then snickers. Loyalty test, huh? I'll give him a loyalty test.

"Gallus, would you rather be stuck on paradise with Silverstream or Sandbar?" Smolder asks. Sandbar's eyes widened.

"What kind of question is that?" Silverstream asks.

"A loyalty question" Smolder says, then turns to Gallus, "So, who is it?"

"Silverstream, I guess" Gallus muttered. Smolder laughs. Sandbar's shoulders slump. He picks his school bag from the floor.

"I'm leaving" he says then trots away.

"Alright" Gallus says indifferently, "Who's next?"

"Yona give question to Ocellus!" Yona says then turns to her friend, "Would Ocellus rather help teach Gallus or Smolder?"

Ocellus furrows her brows in thought. She doesn't want to upset any of her friends like how Gallus did to Sandbar. She needs to be reasonable with her answer. Her heart felt like a two-hundred-pound-weight was tied around it.

"I would rather help Gallus" Ocellus says, but quickly backs up her answer, "I would rather help him because he fails more often than Smolder"

"No need for that, Ocellus. We don't get easily offended like Sandbar. I guess ponies are just weak" Smolder says.

"But he's our friend!" Silverstream says. Smolder flies and faces Silverstream. Her eyes are furrowed and smoke is coming out from her nostrils.

"Why don't you answer my question? Would you rather help Yona find a perfect smashing log or help Ocellus look for her favorite book?" Smolder asks.

"Uh... Yona? Because Ocellus is smart and she could just ask the librarian" Silverstream says. Ocellus feels a bit offended that Silverstream chose Yona over her. Sure she is smart but she will really appreciate it if Silverstream would help her.

Ocellus closes her eyes. She reminds herself that Silverstream always tries to be nice, but she can be really busy, too.

"Alright" Ocellus says, "Who's next?"

Smolder crosses her arms and closes her eyes. A smile forms on her mouth. "Ask me"

Ocellus shrunk back. "Oh, okay" Ocellus says. Breathe, Ocellus. Breathe. This is just a game. None of your friends would abandon anyone in real life, but maybe it's best if I stick with creatures who wouldn't be offended.

"Would you rather never fly with Gallus again or never talk with Silverstream" Ocellus asks.

"Never talk with Silverstream again" Smolder says.

Silverstream begins to tear up. Her eyes sparkles like crystals. Without any warning, she flies away. Gallus stands up.

"Wait! Sil! No! Come back! Silverstream!" Gallus yells to the already-empty sky.

"It's fine, Gallus. It's her fault for being too sensitive" Smolder says. Gallus slouches.

"Yona, you're next. Would you rather live with Ocellus forever or live with Sandbar?" Smolder asks.

"Sandbar!" Yona responds immediately. Ocellus starts to feel sad. Among all the would-you-rather questions with her, her friends chose the other option.

"That's just mean" Ocellus murmurs, her lips quivering and her voice trembling, "I'm heading to the library where I'm actually wanted"

As Ocellus leaves, Smolder leans into her two remaining friends who are still playing.

"How is she wanted in a library?" she asks in a whisper. Gallus shrugs.

"Anyway, it's your turn now. Would you rather have Yona clean your room or Silverstream?" Gallus asks Smolder.

"I'd rather have Silverstream do it. Can't risk Yona ruining all my gems" Smolder says. Yona slams her hooves on the ground as she lets out a frustrated scream. Glaring at her two remaining friends, she left.

Gallus and Smolder exchange a look of surprise, but continues on with their game.

"All right, Gallus" Smolder says, "There's a war between the Dragons and Hippogriffs. Would you rather fight alongside Silverstream or me?"

"Silverstream" Gallus says. Smolder snickers.

"Why do you always pick Silverstream?" she asks.

"It's personal" Gallus says. Smolder raises her eyebrow but Gallus swats her question away.

"Your turn" Gallus says, "Would you rather play a prank on Sandbar or Yona?"

"Yona" Smolder replies. She thinks for a bit, wondering what kind of question she has to give Gallus. It has to be hard. Who are his top two favorites among the five of them? Finally arriving at a question, Smolder gives a sly smile.

"Would you rather have Silverstream trapped in Tartarus or the rest of us?" Smolder asks.

Gallus opens his beak to answer but is cut of by a familiar voice.

"Gallus, Smolder. In my office, now" they hear a voice say. They turn around to see that their guidance counselor is glaring at them, and their friends are behind her. Smolder and Gallus exchange a look then follow Starlight Glimmer to her office, their friends trailing behind them.

"Please take a seat, everycreature" Starlight says, and they do so. Starlight turns to Gallus and Smolder.

"I hear you two started a Would You Rather game, and called it a 'loyalty game'" Starlight says sternly, but changes her tone, "Did you really think that is what loyalty is? Choosing a friend over the other to support and prioritize?"

"Well..." Smolder starts, scratching her head. Starlight raises her eyebrows and nods for them to continue.

"Isn't it what it is?" Gallus asks. He is sure that it's exactly what it is.

"No" Starlight says, "Loyalty is choosing your friends over your own deepest desires"

They sit in silence for a while until Starlight raises her eyebrow. Smolder and Gallus exchange a look of confusion and Starlight sighs.

"Did you learn your lesson?" she asks. Smolder nods. Gallus mutters a yes.

"Good. Now go on and treat your friends properly" Starlight says.