"We have to talk about this," Gallus says, leaning forward and placing his elbows on the brown table in front of him.

"Why?" Sandbar asks, eyes darting around his room.

"Because, they decided to attack you not only once, but twice," Gallus says, leaning back and rolls his eyes.

Sandbar raises his hoof. "The first one doesn't coun-"

"Don't tell me the first one doesn't count. They did decide to attack you. It's just that you were with us," Gallus says, gripping the edge of the table tight. He was glad the wood was thick here. Back in Griffinstone, you didn't have to be involved in manetial arts to break a slab.

"The thing is that they decided to attack you again when you were alone" Gallus stands up and shakes his head. He looks around Sandbar's room, trying to take his mind off things. He spots the trash can in the corner of the room, the note Aura gave Sandbar not so long ago was sticking out.

"What? Have a bodygaurd with me at all times?" Sandbar stands, too, then shakes his head, "This is stupid, Gallus"

Gallus sighs and turns around to face Sandbar. "No, this is not stupid. This is serious. The Tree of Harmony won't come and save your tail all the time"

Sandbar remains silent and walks over to his bed.
He begins flipping through a photo album he put together about his friends, their happy faces smiling back at him, when everything was fine. Everything still is fine. He knows Griffin friend has undergone so much trauma and is just being supportive, but he feels that this is a little too over-the top. Everything is fine.

"I'll teach you to defend yourself," Gallus says, walking over to him. At this, Sandbar shot a glare at Gallus.

"What the fuck? You don't think I can defend myself?" Sandbar asks.

"Clearly. Why else did the Tree of Harmony send us?" Gallus asks, placing his claws on the bed, "Look, just let me teach you"

"Look, just get out," Sandbar says, motioning to the door.

It is Gallus' turn to get mad this time. "What the fuck?"

"Get out!" Sandbar bellowed, his voice painfully loud.

"Fine," Gallus replies, heading out the door.

:

    Smolder stares at the door in front of her. Silverstream is taking forever in there, but Smolder supposes that's how therapy sessions go. They take forever. Well, this isn't making Smolder feel any better. She taps her claw on the bench that they conviently placed for Dragons waiting for their Hippogriff friends, like Smolder. She wonders how much work a therapy session does to creatures. Hopefully when Silverstream gets out, she's well enough to not act weird when Smolder asks to do her mane.

Just then, Aura Light tumbles through the open window, landing in a heap in front of Smolder. She shot him a glare as he tried to get up.

"What the fuck were you planning to do?" Smolder asks. Aura stands up and furrows his eyebrows.

"Nothing, you little bitch" He storms off. Smolder is bewildered. Aura is definitely up to something, and whatever it is, Smolder is going to find out. She looks at the hallway he headed down on and is about to follow, until the small purple door of Starlight's office catches her eye. She sighs and walks back to the bench. She sits down and continues to tap her claw on the bench. She has to wait for Silverstream to come out. Or does she? She looks at the hallway again. Maybe she can follow. What's the harm in that? Besides, Aura might be planning something diabolical. Is she knows what it is, then she can warn her friends, maybe even her professors, in advance. She quickly considered whether to bring a camera with her, but then supposes that Applejack will believe her. That pony's a walking lie detector. So Smolder quickly headed down the hallway.

She's been to the hallway once. Specifically when she was lost on her way to Sandbar's room. Clay Pot kindly pointed her to the right direction. So she now knows who lives here. Clay Pot and Aura Light. As she passes by the brown doors, she can't help but wonder who they belong to, too. Maybe this part is an all pony section. Or maybe Geo lives in one of the rooms. She wonders which door Aura Light belongs to, so she knocks on the first door on her right. Right is always right, after all. Okay, so maybe right isn't always right. Smolder finds herself confronted by a light orange Hippogriff with a bold red mane.

"Sorry," Smolder quickly says, then gestures to the other doors in the hallway, "But do you know which one of these doors belong to Aura Light?"

The Hippogriff points to the door directly opposite of his, then immediately goes back in his room. Anti-social much? Smolder thinks as she aproached the door of Aura. She knocks hard and quickly on the door. A few moments later, the door creaks open and she sees a flash of dark green but then immediately replaced by the drab brown wooden color of the door. Smolder sighs and knocks again, but this time slower. She stands outside and waits for the door to open. A couple of minutes flows by and the door hasn't flown open even by just a tiny bit. Smolder sighs again. Looks like she needs some other way to spy on them. But how else?

:

"I don't want your stupid help!" Sandbar screams as Gallus drags him towards the garden. A small crowd follows them, but Gallus pays no mind. Sandbar, meanwhile, tries to shoo them off with a wave of his hoof, but his efforts to shoo them off and escape from Gallus are all in vain. He gives up and remains limp as Gallus drags him along the soft grass. The garden is full of students who are spending their afternoon happily. Some are studying for the next lesson while some are just chatting around. Some are playing games. There is this particular group having a rather competitive game of capture the flag. There is a group which is having a picnic and Gallus will bet everything that it is Smolder having a tea party. Though he is wrong.

The throng of students which gathered around to watch dispersed slowly, one student at a time, when all Sandbar and Gallus does for fifteen minutes is just to stare at each other. There are still a few students left watching them, half of which supports LGBTQ+ and one-fourth are members of the community. They are excited to know whether or not Gallus is gay, too. They all know about Sandbar's bisexuality. Many creatures know many things about you when you're in a friendship school.

Gallus and Sandbar continue to stare at each other. Two students watching are whispering amongst themselves, having a bet whether or not they will kiss. Suddenly, Gallus sits on the grass and begins to meditate. His paws are neatly tucked under his body and his claws are stretched out. He knows that students are watching, but he doesn't care anymore. In a few minutes, his mind will be as clear as the sky above them, minus the last lingering cloud that Rainbow Dash or some other Pegasus probably miss. The students make faces of disappointment as they see that meditating is all Gallus is doing and most of them quickly dispersed. Some of the students lingered to take in the fact the Gallus actually meditates and they walk off laughing endlessly.

Sandbar, meanwhile, just stares at his friend. He raises his eyebrow. This? This is what his Griffin friend wants him to do? He can almost laugh right then and there, but he has morals. So instead, he channels his bizarreness about the situation through words.

"Bro, what the frick?" Sandbar asks. Gallus does a dead facial expression and opens his eyes.

"You need this. It can help you focus on ways to cope with Aura. Seriously. Try it." Gallus sucks in a deep breath and closes his eyes again. A giant vacumm is turned on in his mind, sucking every single one of his thoughts out.

Sandbar shakes his head. This is silly, but whatever. He sits down on the grass as well, tucking his hind hooves under his body in the neatest way possible. He then stretches his front hooves wide to the side. Then he closes his eyes. He has no idea what to do. Maybe concentrate on stuff? He imagines a bubble containing a vivid image of Aura Light. Then smiles mentally as that bubble pops.

:

     "Let's start on the breathing excercises now," Starlight says. She has already asked Silverstream to tell her everything that is on her mind. If Starlight has to comment about it, everything she heard was familiar. She recalls hearing similar thoughts in their past therapy sessions months ago. Silverstream was recovering pretty quickly and Starlight was surprised to see that same Hippogriff knock on her door just yesterday. They had a short session but Starlight plans this one to be longer.

    Silverstream breathes in slowly, the breathes out. Starlight silently watches her student do the breathing excercises she's been instructed to do.

     "How are you feeling, Silverstream?" Starlight asks slowly.

     "Like the ceiling is about to collapse," Silverstream's eyes stoll remain closed. Her chest rises and falls peacefully. During these sessions, she is told tobbe honest and say exactly what's on her mind. She does so, even though her thoughts seem very obscure.

     Starlight watches her student with pride. She smiles, glad that Silverstream's thoughts jmporved from the I feel like I might explode just yesterday. She, herself, has not much idea on how therapy sessions work, but after scanning through a book regarding therapy, she figures she's good enough for Silverstream. She actually recomended a few pony therapists to the Royal Family of Hippogriffia, but they declines, saying that they only trusted her. The Royal Family is satisfied with Starlight's work, which makes her grateful for their rather low standards for therapists. Though she might eventually slip up, and that will be a long bumpy trip rolling down the mountain. She looks at her student again. Now is about as good a time as any to ask Silverstream again.

     "How are you feeling, Silverstream?" It's tiring to ask the question in that specific manner, but she knows that it helps calm Silverstream when she says her name. It is in fact, in some ways, reassuring.

    Starlight smiles again. Even though Silverstream's anxiety returned at full blast, she's definitely getting better. Though most of Silverstream's answers are about her suroundings. Another large portion of it is about herself. Starlight wonders whether these are symbolical. She takes out her planner from her drawer and jots down possible scenic changes she can add to the school. Maybe more plants and fountains. That will definitely make Silverstream feel at home. She considers spicing her questions up a bit, but it has always been like this with Silverstream. Making even the slightest changes can potentially alarm the Hippogriff and makes her anxiety rise higher, so she decides not to. Though she can't say she isn't disappointed.

     "How are you feeling, Silverstream?"

     "Like I might slowly fade into oblivion"

     Starlight smiles. Keyword: might.

     "You can open your eyes now," Starlight says, deciding to end their hour long therapy session. She whips up two steamung hot mugs of empathy cocoa and passes one to Silverstream as she opens her eyes. Silverstream gratefully accepts the steaming mug. She'd be lying if she doesn't say that this is her favorite part of the therapy sessions. Starlight's empathy cocoas are just the best. Silverstream excitedly brings the warm mug up to her beak and begins to drink. The wonderful rich taste of chocolate combines with the excellent creamy taste of the whipped cream. And she is positive Starlight added extra marshmallows. Maybe it is her, but this is the best mug of empathy cocoa she received yet.

:

"So how exactly can I 'stand up to Aura Light'?" Saandbar asks, making quotation marks with his hooves. This is silly. They don't need to prepare for the so-called Aura Light's Next Attack. The Tree of Harmony will come to save him. And if worst comes to worst, Sandbar can definitely fend for himself. And yet despite all these things he tells himself, he still finds himself with Gallus at a table in the corner of Ice Creamery. The place is decorated too cheerfully bright for Sandbar's tastes. It gives off an excessively vibrant atmosphere. He likes it better at Sugarcube Corner, where it's nice and calm, but he doesn't want ponies he know staring at him weirdly. That he needs to ask a Griffin for help to protect himself.

"Well, first off, you need food and sugar," Gallus says just as the waiter serves them their banana split with two spoons. Gallus eagerly gets one and begins to eat.

Sandbar rolls his eyes. He never thought he'll live to see this day. Here he is, at the pinkest place ever, asking tips from a Griffin eating ice cream with the said Griffin and probably looking like a gay couple altogether with the Griffin. He knows his sexuality, but he has tastes. And he's sure his tastes don't involve a praticular Griffin sitting across him right now. Nevertheless, he still reaches out to grab his spoon and begins eating the ice cream. One scoop is vanilla, one chocolate, and one strawberry. And he is lucky to have the chocolate side facing him. He can't help but convulse a little as he realizes that he is probably about to eat Gallus' saliva. The thought makes him shudder. He does not want to know the taste of his saliva, but he does want to know the taste of the ice cream. Gulping, he places the spoon in his mouth.

No saliva. Good.

"So what else do I need other than sugar?" Sandbar asks, trying the vanilla ice cream and adding a slice of banana as well.

Gallus just stares at his friend. Sandbar wonders whether he doesn't know, or is lost in thought. Suddenly, Gallus' claw immediately jerks into action and uses the spoon to grab a large portion of the chocolate ice cream. Gallus chuckles as he eats it.

"Fast reflexes. And stealth," Gallus says, winking at Sandbar.

Sweet Celestia. He's winking at me now, too? Is he flirting with me? Is he sure he's not bisexual? Sandbar shakes his head and reaches out to grab another scoop of the chocolate, but then realizes something. Gallus' spoon has hit the chocolate, so it obviously has his saliva. Sandbar carefully inches his spoon over to the vanilla ice cream which he is sure remains untouched by Gallus' spoon and saliva.

"We'll go on a walk or run later," Gallus says plainly, taking a scoop of the vanilla as well, already finished with his strawberry scoop, "Depends on what mood I am"

Sandbar screams internally. This Griffin better not try anything during the walk later. He better not hold his hoof. And they better not look like a couple. Gallus is definitely not his type.

He reaches in again but then his spoon collides with Gallus'. He immediately just takes a scoop of the nearest ice cream just to find out that Gallus swipes it away and it is the last one.

"I hate you sometimes, you know," Sandbar says, half growling to himself.

"I know." Gallus laughs playfully.

:

    Yona fumbles with her paddle, not knowing how to use it. Just then, a million thoughts strike her at once. She should've never went here. Or maybe she should've gone here but not alone. Or maybe she should've had a Yak buddy or bodyguard with her at all times to begin with. Or maybe she was better off staying it Yakyakistan. Well, whatever's best for her, she sure can't stop now, after she's trekked all the way to Horeshoe Bay on her own. She was running out of provisionaries bug managed to refill her stock in a quiant little shop at Horsehoe Bay. She managed to rent a boat. The wind was blowing strongly, but now it isn't, and this little Yak luckily found a paddle. All she needs to do now is to know how to use it.

Yona dunks the paddle into the water but then watches in dismay as it breaks free of her grasp and sinks down to the bottom of the ocean with no way to retrieve it. Yona groans and tries the other paddle, but she keeps on pushing it against the wate which is conviently very calm and still, and yet it doesn't budge one bit. The boat never moved at all. Discouraged, Yona finally settles down. She looks around her, but all she can see is open sea. She sighs, supposing that she'll just have to wait for an ocean current or wind to take her past the ocean. She takes out a compass that she packed with her from her knapsack. The compass is engraved with intricate patterns. A gift from Ocellus. Her Changeling friend told her that it was based off of Furdinand Manegellan's own compass.

Throughout her entire journey, she held onto the compass tightly, as if it is some type of lucky charm. Yona had originally regarded it as a decoration back at the School of Friendship and never in her life had she thought that one day this compass may be the only thing that can save her.

     The boat sways gently along with the waves that roll across the river. Yona feels exhaustion creeping up on her. It's true that she has spent most of her time travelling and sleeps for very short amounts of time. She grabs her knapsack and shuffles through it. Then she realizes that she never thought of bringing a pillow. Or at least a soft warm woolen comforter. Yona sighs. It's going to be an uncomfortable long while until she's going to see land again. She really hopes to see land. Yona lies down on her back and closes her eyes. The hard wooden floor of the boat is in now ways comfortable. She supposes she should just try to find the best position to sleep. She closes her eyes and lets the darkness overtake her.

:

Gallus isn't exactly walking. Not running either. He flaps his wings and flies along Sandbar across Ponyville Park. He is going at a very leisurely pace. He knows that Aura Light can and will definitely come back, and he also knows that Sandbar is perfectly fit for defeating him, but Gallus isn't taking any chances. He can't help but feel extremely paranoid for his Pony friend walking beside him. He just doesn't know how else to prepare Sandbar.

Twilight just starts to lower down the sun. It's going to be a while before she rises the moon during these spring days. She enjoys the sense of having twilight without the sun or moon interfering. It is pretty parallel to her reign right now. She's watching over Equestria now without the help of her previous mentor or her sister. She finds it a bit weird doing this, as Gallus finds it weird that his old headmare is the one lowering the sun and moon now. And his old guidance counselor is the new headmare. He has thought of asking these magnificent unicorns, but it might cause to much trouble. Besides, it's just a bully. Nothing much, right?

"Apple juice please," Gallus says. He stops flapping and lands beside Sandbar. Sandbar rolls his eyes and passes the apple juice he stored in his saddle bag to Gallus.

"What am I? Your errand Pony?" Sandbar asks, sipping his own apple juice. Or what he thinks is his own apple juice. Since the ice cream shop incident, he has been pretty paranoid about all things saliva.

"No," Gallus scoffs, before popping open the lid of his own bottle of apple juice, "You're my student"

"Haha. Hilarious," Sandbar says, sarcasm oozing in his voice.

"But we're going to the library later," Gallus says, resuming their little walk. A few groups of ponies are around the park, jogging. Most has called it a day and retreated back into the safety of their homes.

"What do you mean later? The library's about to close. It's already night time you idiot," Sandbar says, gesturing to the sky. Sure enough, twilight has already passed and Twilight raises the moon. There are already a few stars twinkling bright in the night sky. In different circumstances, Sandbar will find this moment magical. It always was to him when he was just a young filly.

"Then we'll go to the library tomorrow," Gallus says, turning the corner, "One more lap around Ponyville Park"

Sandbar shakes his head. "Fuck no. I say it's time to hit the hay"

He isn't really tired yet. He is used to staying up until the wee hours in the morning as a kid, playing non-stop with his toys. Now that he has grown out of them, he uses the night hours to binge watch all the shows he loves. Other than the fact that he doesn't like an excess of Gallus' company, that is exactly the reason why he is dying to go home. Especially since his mother makes a delicious family dinner every night. To his relief, Gallus agrees.

"Fine," Gallus says, looking at the sky. The moon hasn't risen that much yet.

"But one more lap," he adds, looking sternly at Sandbar.

With a sigh, Sandbar agrees and they cover the perimeter of Ponyville Park once more.

:

"I was wondering if you could help me," Ocellus says, following Bronchiole around as she supervises the students with their lines.

"Darling, Ocellus, I'd help you if I could, but it's already night. You might want to get some shut-eye. I'm about to send them all off anyway," Bronchiole says, sitting down to rest. A bright pink changeling hands Bronchiole her sparkling lemon and lime water with a straw and a slice of lemon attached to the class.

"Oh, Bronchus, get yourself your own water, too, won't you?" Bronchiole asks, then turns to Ocellus who is standing awkwardly nearby, "That's my brother. He isn't as famous as I am, sadly"

Ocellus stares at Bronchiole, wondeirng when she'll offer her to take the seat next to her. But that never happens so she just idly stands by. Then she waits for Bronchiole to dismiss the other club members, but turns out that's far from happening.

"Bronxy, may you please help me?" Ocellus asks again.

"Oh, Ocellus, stop yapping," Bronchiole, also known as Bronxy, says then stands up. She faces the entire room who are not paying any attention to her, too busy practicing for their show.

"Everychangeling! It's time to go home!" Bronxy yells. The creatures in the club immediately stop their practice. The non-Changelings stare up at Bronxy in disgust. They know that Bronxy, for some reason, always thinks that everycreature is a Changeling. She's done that quite a lot. But they really wish she'd change. Bronxy is not the nicest Changeling around, but she demanda attention or else can act like a brat. Bronxy isn't even that popular. Only a small group of Changelings can tolerate her, while the rest of the creatures enrolled at the acting club are just there for, well, the acting. And it just so happens that a few of Bronxy's Changeling friends managed to cheat in the elections, making Bronxy land as their club president.

The students exchange relieved bits of chatter, happy to be free from Bronxy's grasp, but apparantly their words don't reach Bronxy despite the close proximity. Either that or Bronxy just has terrible audio comprehension skills.

"I'll help you tomorrow, little Changeling," Bronxy says as the students eagerly rush out the door. The students must've been working really hard. And even though they work hard, Bronxy is sure that none of their performances can even compare to hers. She happily flits out of the club room, leaving a confused Ocellus behind. She didn't even tell Ocellus about the venue or time. Ocellus sighs, supposing that she'll just have to find the narcissistic Changeling on her own.

:

Sandbar walks on his own towards his house. Gallus has offered to walk him there but Sandbar politely - not really - declined. They looked gay enough today already. All he needs is for that Griffin to walk him home like a boyfriend. Sandbar isn't having that. He'll date any guy or girl, but not guys like Gallus.

Soon enough, he catches the sight of the brown wooden door of his home. Though it feels more like a cabin. A fancy gigantic two-story tall wooden cabin. Boughs of fir adorned the perimeter of the house right above the door. He excitedly knocks on the door. He waits outside in the chilly night air for a few seconds until the door is answered by a cheerful light yellow Earth Pony with a short cropped light pink mane. He almost mistaken Fluttershy for his mother but then his mom has a lighter hue to herself, not to mention a lot more funky. Shell Silicate has always been a cool mom, supportive of Sandbar no matter what, even if he stays up late binge-watching. And she supports Sandbar's coming out when he was fifteen.

"Hello, Sandbar!" Shell says, hugging her son, "I've missed you"

Sandbar smiles as he is enveloped in his mother's embraced. He used to counter his mom's I've missed you with I've only been gone for a day, but he stopped saying those things after the day he ran away with his friends to have a sleepover at the Castle of the Two Sisters. His mother's face was as pale as a ghost then and he pomised himself that he will never do it to his poor mother ever again.

Soon enough, Shell lets go of Sandbar and ushers him inside the house. Sandbar is immediately hit with the smell of salmon, lemon and butter. He spies his dad and his little sister just entering from the back door and taking their places at the table. Sandbar eagerly sits down as well, followed by his mother. They start to feast on the salmon, its delicious taste is perfectly complemented by the butter and lemon. Soon enough, he sits in his chair, full and satisfied. His mother walks over to the kitchen and Sandbar turns his head to the left, watching his mother walk behind the kitchen counter and open the fridge against the wall.

Sandbar's sister, Riverraft, squeals in delight, anticipating their mother's surprise. Riverraft got the best of both worlds from their parents, Sandbar thinks, looking at her adorable light pink mane with blotches of green. Ponies say that she gets her adorable energy and enthusiasm from her mother, who used to be a very spontaneuos filly. Shell never quite lost the enthusiasm, but it is still more subtle compared to the good old days.

Shell brings a box tied with a red ribbon over to the table and opens it, revealing a brownies in the shape of triangles with green frosting piped on top to look like a Heart's Warming Tree. These are definitely for Riverraft, Sandbar thinks. Shell does have quite the fondness for that adorable little filly. Shell places the Heart's Warming Tree Brownies on their plates and as they enjoy dessert, Sandbar can't help but think he has such a great family.

——————————————————————————

Yes. I made you hungry. Thrice. You can die now. Yes, yes, I know. This is an amazing Author's Note.
And, oh my gosh, I ship Gallbar so hard.
And, oh my gosh, I think I'm becoming a multi-shipper. Nico, if ever you're reading this, I'd like you to know, I think you're infecting me.
Well, I'm going to ship who I wanna ship.
I hate Bronxy. And no, it's not because she's the popular cheerleader bitch type. In fact, you can clearly see she's far from that. The famous creatures in the school are the Young 6, and if there's anything Bronxy's famous for, it's for being stupid. Childish obliviously stupid. And I just hate people like these.
On the bright side, we have Gallbar!
Let us fangirl until the day we die!

Remember to spread the Magic of Friendship!