The truth about Gallus

Ever since Equestria got saved from Shade Soul's horrific reign by the magic of friendship through the Young Six, the students were feeling excited about eventually becoming the new bearers of the elements of harmony. But they didn't realize how they can tell they would really be ready. So one day, they came to visit their headmare Twilight to tell her their feelings.

"I know you all feel pressure from the possible outcome," said Twilight. "But I assure you, you all are perfect for the roles. If the past schoolyear, as well as the more recent threatening situations have shown me anything, it's that each and every one of you contribute to your strong friendship, and gave everypony benefits from the magic inside you."

"Embracing the magic of friendship through each element of harmony isn't exactly something you can be taught, which I'm pretty sure why you all came here to see me to do as well," continued Twilight. "Me and my friends can give each of you guidance and advice, but only you yourselves can take the step forward to fully embrace your own element. I have a feeling that when the time comes, you all will know when you're ready."

The Young Six felt more encouraged by their headmare's words of wisdom. They thanked her and left her house.

"So, how are we supposed to know if we're ready for our elements?" asked Smolder.

"Beats me," said Sandbar.

"Maybe there's a signal for us to know?" suggested Ocellus.

"Yona like sound of that!" chipped in Yona.

"This would be so great! Us being the new bearers…" said Silverstream with excitement.

"If Headmare Twilight says we will know when we're ready, then we will know by ourselves," agreed Gallus.

The Young Six went back to their homes in their respective kingdoms. Everyone, that is, except Gallus, who was heading to the kingdom of hippogriffs, like Silverstream.

Gallus didn't have a family who cared for him and looked after him in the kingdom of griffons. He once caused a mess in the School of Friendship to get to stay at Ponyville with his friends, whom he viewed as his real family. Now, while Gallus does spend time in Griffonstone every now and then, he often comes to visit Silverstream at her home, and sometimes even spend the nights with her family. Gallus looked up to Silverstream not just as a friend, but a loving sister he never had. And since his visits, he's never felt more grateful to have a wonderful group of friends.

One day, Gallus and Silverstream were up in the sky. They were competing together to see who was the better flyer. They were flying around Mount Aris, performing stunts and tricks mid-air.

"Can't keep up the pace, dude?" called Silverstream zooming past Gallus in a spiral formation.

"You wish," replied Gallus confidently.

The two friends flew barely above the ocean surface. They were having a wonderful time.

Then there was trouble. It was a particularly windy day that time, and soon, Gallus began finding himself flying out of control. He tried flapping back against the wind, but it sent him hurling towards Mount Aris. Silverstream looked around and Gallus disappeared.

"Gallus?! Where have you gone?!" she cried.

By now, the wind had gotten so strong, that Silverstream had to dive underwater and transform into a seapony to prevent herself from being hurtled in the air. Gallus, however, couldn't control himself.

"Oh no!" he cried, and braced himself for the impact.

Gallus crashed into the edge of a cliff. This caused the wall to shudder. Gallus looked up, and saw smaller rocks, then bigger ones heading straight for him. The griffon flew out of the way as fast as he could, before the rockslide could get him.

Unfortunately, Silverstream's brother, Terramar, was heading towards home in the mountain further down.

"Whoa, sure is windy today," he muttered to himself. Then he noticed some movement on the cliff.

"What is going on?" he thought.

He looked up, and didn't have time to react as a slide of rocks came showering on top of him. Poor Terramar found himself plummeting downwards, submerged in the rockslide covering him, before coming to a stop on the ground below.

Gallus didn't know what he had caused, because he was too busy searching for Silverstream.

"Where are you?!" he called out, flying over the sea. Then, a pink seapony leapt out of the water and transformed into a hippogriff.

"Gallus, there you are! What happened to you?" she asked, feeling relieved that her friend was alright, but then felt alarmed seeing the bruises he had from his crash.

"I'm fine, Silver. I'm just glad your okay. We should probably head back home. This wind is getting worse and worse now," replied Gallus, noticing clouds heading towards them.

Silverstream and Gallus flew back to Mount Aris. But as they approached it, something caught their eyes. A strange-looking trail was seen on the side of a cliff. On the ground at the bottom of it, there was a massive pile of rocks that look like they've slid down. And something bright yellow was sticking out from the pile.

"Is that…" whispered Silverstream, and then gasped "MY BROTHER! Terramar!"

Silverstream flew down as fast as she could, with Gallus close behind. When they approached the wreckage, they could see the yellow body of a hippogriff partially covered by the rocks around them.

"Terramar! We're coming to rescue you!" cried Silverstream, rushing towards him and struggling to move the rocks out. Gallus immediately came to help her.

It was very difficult, because the rocks were pretty heavy. But together, they were able to free Terramar and get him out. Terramar opened his eyes slowly and looked up at the two.

"…Silverstream… Gallus… is that you?" he asked meekly.

"Oh, brother!" gasped Silverstream, tears forming in her eyes and embracing her brother with a warm hug. "Thank goodness you're alright!"

Fortunately, Terramar only had several bruises around his body, but one of his wings was broken.

"I'm fine, sister. And thank you, both of you, for rescuing me. That rockslide seemed to have come out of nowhere," he told them.

Silverstream and Gallus helped him up and flew together, with him in their arms, bringing him back to their home. But then Gallus had a shocking realization. He realized how the rockslide happened and how Terramar ended up being hurt in the first place. But he didn't say anything about it to them both when they arrived back at their home.

While Terramar was being given medical attention inside, Silverstream felt very worried. Gallus didn't like seeing her in this state.

"Don't worry, Silver. Your brother will get better soon," he assured her.

Silverstream looked towards him with sorrow.

"I hope you're right," she replied. Then she added in a suddenly menacing tone, "whoever it was, whoever attempted to harm my brother, they will be sorry…"

Gallus freaked out at the mention of this, but tried to hide his shocked expression from his friend.

"Of course, they will be sorry, heh-heh… I… think I'd better go back home now," he replied.

"Ok, see you later. And, thank you, Gallus. For helping me save my brother. You're the best friend I could ask for," said Silverstream, smiling back at him.

Gallus felt more guilty inside, but just grinned back and flew back to Griffonstone.

The next few days, Gallus worried for Silverstream's brother, as much as she did, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth about what really happened. He didn't want to upset Silverstream even more than she was already feeling. Not even the rest of the Young Six could make her feel better.

And on nights, Gallus had trouble sleeping. That was because he had nightmares. Hearing the threatening voice from Silverstream inside his head, he couldn't help imagining the consequences he would suffer if Silverstream ever found out.

"I never meant for it to happen! It was an accident!" he pleaded in his nightmares.

"No excuses!" bellowed Silverstream. "You put my dear brother in danger! He could've been gone because of you!" And then what she said next made Gallus absolutely terrified: "You're not my friend anymore! Stay away from me and my family!" Then the others, Sandbar, Yona, Ocellus and Smolder surrounded him, and shook their heads disapprovingly. "You're no longer our friend too," they said, turning their backs on him, and going away, leaving Gallus isolated in the darkness.

"No! Please! This can't be true!"

And just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, faint light illuminated in the distance. The figure of a dark pony, with glowing white eyes stared right at him. Then it slowly began walking towards him.

"Oh no! It's you! Get away from me!" he cried.

But when the pony got close enough, Gallus could see that it wasn't the scary pony Shade Soul, but Princess Luna.

"Princess Luna! Oh thank goodness you're here! That means all of this isn't real!" he exclaimed with relief.

"Indeed it is not," said Luna. "But it is a vision of a fear worse than tight spaces, if I'm not mistaken."

"Princess Luna, I need help. I caused an accident on my friend's brother, and I'm worried that if I tell her the truth, she'll hate me forever and I'll lose the trust from all my friends… and end up alone again…"

"It is not unordinary for anyone to be afraid of consequences, or not forgive themselves for their misdeeds. I know that for a fact," said Princess Luna. "But whatever the punishments lie ahead, what matters the most is doing the right thing, dear Gallus. And I happen to know somepony who can prove it to you."

Then Luna whispered in Gallus' ear, and he knew exactly who she was talking about.

"Thank you, princess! I'll do as you say. If it is the right thing to do, then it is what I shall do!" he replied with gratitude.

Princess Luna beamed and disappeared out of sight.

The next day, Gallus was flying to Ponyville. He was heading for Sweet Apple Acres to find the only pony who can help him. Gallus came up to the front door and knocked. Soon, Applejack answered it.

"Well howdy, Gallus! What brings you here?" greeted the cowgirl.

"Professor Applejack? I'm in a difficult situation regarding honesty, and I was wondering if you could give me advice?"

Hearing this, Applejack's gaze became concerning. She immediately opened the door and let Gallus inside.

As Gallus was led to a spot at the dining table, he was offered a mug of cider from Apple Bloom.

"The greatest beverage in all of Ponyville! It will surely calm your nerves!" she said enthusiastically.

"Eeyup," agreed Big McIntosh.

"Thank you," said Gallus, before facing Applejack.

Gallus told her everything that happened. Applejack was indeed shocked to hear it, but Gallus expected that. When he was done, Applejack thought for a while, before replying back to him.

"Obviously, this wasn't intentional, as you've said. The sensible thing to do is to tell her the truth. And I do understand your fears and worries," she explained to Gallus.

"There is a way you could let her know that would make it less hard on yourself. Be subtle, and explain it to her bit by bit, so she can see it in your perspective, and understand it all. And if it still doesn't work, no need to worry. From what I've seen, Silverstream isn't a creature to hold a grudge on someone forever. She'll forgive you eventually," Applejack concluded.

"Thank you so much, professor," replied Gallus gratefully, before leaving her home.

"My pleasure, Gallus. And remember this: It's not just being honest to others that's important in friendship, but being honest with yourself as well," she called to him.

"I will!" he called back, flying out of the farm and towards Mount Aris.

Gallus met Silverstream sitting at the edge of the mountain, gazing at the horizon ahead of her.

"Hey, Silverstream. How's Terramar doing?" he asked her.

"He's still injured… and I'm still worried," said Silverstream.

Gallus didn't want to upset her more, but he couldn't hold it in any longer. He had to let her know, one way or another.

"Silver, there's something I have to tell you…"

Gallus told her how the rockslide happened, and how it resulted. Silverstream couldn't believe it.

"It was you…? …I can't believe it…" Silverstream whispered.

"I'm really sorry, Silver. Really," began Gallus, but Silverstream cut him off.

"Oh, you're 'sorry'? Well, 'sorry' doesn't make up for the fact that you almost caused me to lose a part of my family! What if I never noticed him down there?!"

"I had no idea! I never meant for any of it to happen-" Gallus tried staying calm and reasoning with her, but it was no use.

"I can't bear it! Just, leave me alone!" cried Silverstream, who was on the verge of tears, and she flew away, leaving Gallus alone. Gallus had feared for the worst, and it seemed like his nightmare was coming true.

Gallus decided to tell his other friends about what had happened as well. Since Silverstream didn't handle the truth as well as he predicted, he might as well be completely honest with them.

"But you never meant it!" said Ocellus.

"Anyone could've done the same thing," said Sandbar.

"Yona knows, you'd never let friends down," assured Yona.

"We believe you, Gallus," added Smolder.

While Gallus felt better hearing that he hadn't lost trust from his other friends, he still felt guilty about his situation with Silverstream.

Weeks passed. During that time, Gallus didn't visit Silverstream, or interact with her. Whenever they did come across each other, Silverstream would ignore him, or get out of his way. Gallus couldn't convince her to listen, no matter how hard he tried. At last, Gallus gave up hope. By then, he believed his friendship with Silverstream, someone who he saw the closest he got as family, was gone, and he didn't feel like a part of the Young Six anymore.

So, he decided to run away. Seek out a new home beyond Equestria. To prevent himself from causing any more damage to anyone he cared for. Gallus wrote a letter addressed to Silverstream, and multiple others for the rest of the Young Six. Then, he set off by foot.

"I shouldn't be where I'm not wanted," Gallus thought to himself, as he sadly walked away from Ponyville, and into the Everfree forest.

Gabby, the mail delivery griffon delivered the letters to Silverstream and the others. By then, Terramar had been fully recovered. Silverstream had been feeling cross with Gallus this whole time. But over time, she did begin to feel like she was being too harsh on him. However, when she read the letter, she was horrified.

"Dear Silverstream,

I'm writing this letter to let you know how sorry I am for what happened weeks ago. I don't blame you for ignoring me. You have every right to not want to be my friend anymore. What I did was indeed unbearable and I could never forgive myself for it. I should've been honest with you from the beginning, but I was too afraid.

So, I'm leaving Equestria. I don't want to cause any more trouble to anyone, especially my friends. I want you to know that even though you're most likely not my friend anymore, I would never let anything bad happen to you or your family. Ever.

Gallus"

"I have to find him!" she cried. "Mind if I join you, sister?" asked Terramar, whom Silverstream had also shown the letter to. The hippogriffs flew out and began searching for Gallus.

Silverstream and Terramar met up with the others at the Tree of Harmony, and they explained their own letters they received from their griffon friend.

"We must find him before it's too late!" said Silverstream to her friends and brother.

They led the search party, and looked everywhere.

After what felt like forever, they spotted Gallus outside the Everfree forest.

"Wait, Gallus! Don't leave us!" Silverstream called to him.

Gallus stopped, and slowly turned to face the creatures coming to him.

"What are you all doing here?" he asked. Then he saw Terramar next to his sister.

"I'm really sorry, Terramar. Thank goodness you're better now…" he said with relief.

"Gallus, we don't want you to leave Equestria. I don't want you to go," Silverstream said, coming closer to him.

"Really? After what I did to your brother? After not being honest and a good friend to you?" asked Gallus.

"Gallus… I'm sorry for treating you how I've been doing up to know. I was upset with you, but that doesn't mean I hate you. It was all an accident and you never meant any harm, like you always haven't," Silverstream glanced at her brother.

"Terramar's fully ok now, so I can't be upset with you forever. Deep down, you're still my best friend. And honestly, you're like a second brother to me," Silverstream added.

Gallus couldn't believe it. His eyes began watering as he replied "Oh, Silver, you're my bestest friend and a sister figure to me. I've always felt this way about you, ever since we've hung out together earlier… I would never ever let you down, and I promise to always be honest with you, no matter what!"

Silverstream and Gallus held out their arms, and hugged each other warmly. The others joined in too.

"Thanks, Gallus," whispered Silverstream.

Then suddenly, Gallus felt a tingling sensation. When he looked at himself, he saw that his body began to get surrounded by a bright orange glow. Everyone couldn't believe what was happening. Suddenly, a symbol appeared above Gallus. It was the symbol of honesty. It then lowered itself and disappeared inside Gallus' body. Gallus stopped glowing afterward.

"What was that?" exclaimed Terramar.

Gallus looked up to them, and smiled.

"I think I felt it!"

"You felt what?" the others asked.

"I embraced the magic of friendship through my honesty! I felt it as clear as light!"

The others were so happy for Gallus. Now, he was the first of the Young Six to experience his element of harmony. And Gallus was relieved to have made up with his best friend Silverstream, securing that their friendship and sibling bond would never be gone.

Writer's note: Hey, sorry for a pretty long wait. Not only was the end of semester a bit stressful, but honestly, this story was very difficult to come up with. From the basic premise, to the handling of a moral involving honesty, to the characters involved, to the main plot, it was no piece of cake. But, I finally got it done, and I'm happy with the final result. Here is the 1st episode focusing on the Young Six's Elements of Harmony arc. Gallus gets the focus, with his element of honesty, along with his dynamic with Silverstream. More stories will be coming soon.