Pressure

Starlight Glimmer walked towards the castle doors. She was hoping for a day where she could relax. Maybe fly kites, or practice magic. But in Ponyville, you should always expect the unexpected.

The doors flew open right as she was about to knock. “Starlight!” squealed Twilight, who was a bit more energetic than usual. “I know you already graduated, but I was hoping you would accept a little assignment.”

Starlight didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t had a friendship assignment from Twilight in a while, especially since she was now the headmare of the School of Friendship. “Um…” she thought for a moment.

“Oh, don’t worry, Starlight. It’s not anything too big. I just want you to give a little speech about what you have learned about the Magic of Friendship.”

After looking into Twilight’s pleading eyes, she knew she couldn’t say no. “Alright,” she sighed. “Just tell me where and when to go.”

“Yes! It’s in a week, in my classroom. I am just so thrilled you could give the speech! Well, I guess I might have already notified a lot of ponies about it. I mean, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will be there, as well as some other ponies who don’t know much about friendship, and it’s just going to be a great experience for everypony!” Twilight was jumping up and down by then.

“What?” Yelled Starlight. “The PRINCESSES? Listening to MY speech? I can’t do this, Twilight!” Starlight gripped on to her mentor, who was surprised by this reaction.

“Sorry for throwing this upon you so suddenly, but Princess Celestia wanted to hear from you, and I decided a friendship speech might be nice.” Twilight blushed.

She took a deep breath. “It’s okay. I can prepare the speech by next week, as long as you set up the room for everypony. And explain to Sunburst why I can’t run the school on Wednesday. And maybe help me practice my speech? And help me feel less nervous?” Starlight was really embarrassed to ask all of that from Twilight, especially after everything else she’s done for her.

Twilight softly giggled. “Consider it done. But you might want to ask Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash to help set up, and Fluttershy, Spike, and I could definitely help you practice your speech and calmness.”

Starlight grinned. “Alright, Twilight. Thank you.” She started to walk to her room before looking back. “And, let’s talk to Sunburst first thing in the morning.”

“Sure thing.”

“Thanks again Twilight. I don’t know how I’d survive without you.”

“So, as you can see, Starlight needs a few days off.” Twilight explained.

“Well, of course!” Sunburst shouted. “I’d be delighted to run the school while she is busy. Just show me a recording of the speech. I want to see how well Starlight is doing.”

“Thanks, Sunburst.” Twilight opened her mouth to say more but she was interrupted by loud screams in the halls. They both peeked through the door to see Trixie ushering everycreature to class while Starlight talked to a few foals.

Once everyone was in class, Twilight told Starlight, “Sunburst says you can have the whole week off. You can come back on Thursday, once your speech is finished.”

“Okay, thanks. To both of you. I’m glad I have such wonderful friends.”

“Starlight!” Trixie called. “The Great and Powerful Trixie needs some advice on advice. Can you come help?”

Starlight giggled. “Well, it looks like Trixie needs some help. I better go. See you later!”

Twilight turned to Sunburst. “I just had a thought. Do you think we can have the students come to Starlight’s speech? It might help them learn more about friendship.”

“That would be perfect,” Sunburst observes, other than the fact that we would need a lot more seats.”

“You’re right. I’ll tell Starlight that we have a change of plans. We’ll be having speech night in the Ponyville Park.”

Fluttershy shows Starlight some breathing exercises to calm her down. Then she flies over to get the speech Starlight wrote and then hands it to her. “Now you can practice the speech in front of just me.” Fluttershy says, before there is a knock at the door and Spike walks into the library.

“Sorry I’m late. I had to go help Pinkie and Rainbow find enough seats to fill the park,” he says.

“I thought I was saying my speech in the classroom? Twilight never told me about this,” Starlight worries. “Why did we move to the park? Ugh. This whole thing is more like a party now.”

“Oh! Twilight didn’t get to tell you because you left the school early to practice your speech. So she told me to help Pinkie, Rainbow, and Applejack and tell you about the whole park thing. I think it’s because there’s not enough space in the classroom,” Spike reasons.

“Shh. Starlight’s going to present us with her speech,” Fluttershy explains. Spike sets up a podium out of books for Starlight before joining Fluttershy on the ground.

Starlight takes a deep breath and then clears her throat. “As you were probably told, I am here to give a speech tonight. I will be sharing the wonders I have learned about friendship over the past couple years. I am delighted to say I have learned a lot of things. Friendship is important because…” Starlight pauses at that.

Spike blinks a couple times. “Why, exactly, is friendship important?”

“Um…” Starlight blushes. “I haven’t thought about that part yet.” She takes another deep breath and attempts to continue. “...because having friends makes things easier. A friend is someone you can rely on to always be there for you. Friends can make your life happier and kinder. But friendship takes a lot of responsibility. You should give as much as you take, almost always return what a friend has given to you, and don’t be shy. Friendship is an important part of our lives, and everypony still has lots to learn about friendships. But if you work hard, you can learn to make friends as easily as you learn to walk! Thank you, everycreature, for listening.”

Spike and Fluttershy applaud her. “That was amazing improvisation, and we’re lucky Spike took notes on what you said so you can have a written copy of your script.”

“Well, I wasn’t that great. I mean, I stuttered and paused, and-”

“And, you had the perfect words for it,” Spike reassured her. “Just write a final copy of your speech, set up the park, and you are on your way! What else could stop you?” At hearing this, Starlight giggles nervously.