A Shadowbolt Send-off
Crystal Prep Academy; a prestigious high school known for its highly positive reputation. Many parents would give an arm and a leg just to send their teens there to excel in many studies. One would say it would be impossible to think that a student would want to leave and transfer to another school.
“Well that’s the last of them Shining.”
Unless you were Twilight Sparkle, who finally finished packing up her private lab, ready to leave her old school. After the recent and magical events at the Friendship Games, she decided to continue her studies at Canterlot High School to hopefully learn more about friendship. Her brother, Shining Armor was there to help her pack up equipment. “That’s good, I forgot you had so much junk in this place.”
“It’s not junk,” Twilight said in annoyance. “They’re all important materials and tools that I have used in my experiments and studies.”
“Whatever you say Professor Twily.” He responded, resulting in Twilight rolling her eyes. “Anyways, I’ll put these up with the rest in the car, just make sure you’re not forgetting anything.”
“I will. Oh, and thanks again for help B.B.B.F.F.” Twilight said with a smile.
“Anytime.” Shining started to leave the now empty room, before he turned back to her sister with a sympathetic look. “You know, I’m going to miss seeing you here. You really want to leave for Canterlot High?”
Twilight nearly dropped her box as she looked back at her brother and sighed. “Yes, and I know how much I wanted to go to Everton, but let’s just say that some friends I’ve made at CHS did a great job at changing my mind. Besides, you and Cadence always said that I should start being more sociable.”
“Well whatever makes you happy Twily. Besides I have noticed that students here tended to be...hostile towards you, and if you want to go to CHS then I won’t stop you. Just don’t let me catch you doing more crazy experiments when you could be hanging out with your new friends.”
Twilight shook her head. “No need to worry about that. I think I’ll take a break with my experiments for a while. I have a lot of learning to do.”
Shining smiled and nodded. “Alright Twily, I’ll be waiting in the car for you.”
At that, he left the room, leaving Twilight alone in the empty room. She looked around to take one last good at her room as memories started to resurface. The time Cadence gave her this once abandoned custodial room to her, the many times she came here to escape from the students of Crystal Prep, and the time she realized that something strange was going on at that school. “I’m really going to miss this place.” she finally said as she left the room.
In a few minutes she finally reached the front of the school where her brother's car was parked. As she turned around to open the door with her back, she felt a small chill run down her spine when she came outside. But before she could see what it was…
“Hey, you!”
Startled, she nearly dropped her box again as a screwdriver fell on the steps of the school. She turned to get it but was stopped by a sight that made her eyes widen. Five students that competed in the finals of the Friendship Games, and pressured her into releasing the captured magic in her device; Indigo Zap, Sugarcoat, Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, and Lemon Zest.
They all sat at the steps, casting annoyed glares at her, besides Lemon Zest who was too busy bopping her head to the fast-paced music of her headphones to notice her. “Really kept us waiting y’know.” Indigo said as she started to stand up.
“Well she obviously wanted to give our school a final farewell before she goes off to Canternot High or whatever it’s called.” Sunny Flare spatted out.
“Aww, now isn’t that the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard!” Sour Sweet said in a cheery tone. Before it drastically turned gruff and annoyed. “If you're really into that sort of junk!”
“Um...hi girls.” Twilight nervously squeaked as she placed her box down. “Can I help you with something?”
“You can start by not looking like a nervous wreck in front of us.” Sugarcoat quickly said as she adjusted her glasses.
“Oh...sorry guys.” Twilight hastily composed herself as all five girls stood up to face her. “Uh...you’re all not mad about the Friendship Games are you?”
Indigo crossed her arms. “Well it’s a good thing you brought that up. You see we did a lot of thinking, and we all wanted to say…”
“RULES OF NATURE!!!”
The shrill shriek caught the attention of the girls. They all turned around to see that Lemon Zest was in the middle of a sick air guitar solo, completely oblivious to the conversation in front of her. Face palming, Sunny decided to walk up to her to get her attention. “Lemon, would you be a dear and SHUT OFF THAT ANNOYING MUSIC OFF!?”
Lemon stopped as she paused her music and took off her headphones to see the girls staring at her. “My bad guys, just couldn't help myself! Oh hey Twilight!”
“Hey Lemon Zest.” Twilight said waving back.
“Anyways, me and the girls have something to say before you leave.” Indigo said as she approached Twilight. “We just wanted to say that...we’re sorry.”
The violet haired girl nearly flinched, expecting something else. She looked back at them who all started to look around in embarrassment. “Sorry,” she asked while adjusting her glasses. “Sorry for what?”
“For treating you so terribly ever since you came to Crystal Prep, and peer-pressuring you into unleashing the magic you’ve been collecting and turning you into that monster.” Sugarcoat said without hesitation.
“Yeah what she said.”
“Oh,” Twilight murmured. “But it wasn’t all your fault. It was me who…”
“Of course it was our fault you idiot!” Sour yelled aggressively. Then she lowered her head in remorse. “We all wanted to beat CHS so badly that, we didn’t care at all what would happen to you when you used that device. I let my anger and desire to win just control me, especially at the relay. We just wanted to win no matter what.”
“Sour’s right. I mean, I wanted to win way more than the others, but even I have my limits. When you turned into that she-demon thing, well let’s just say that I realized how terrible we were.” Indigo said.
“Ugh, don’t remind me of that thing.” Sunny said rubbing her temples. “No offensive dearie, but I think I’m going to have nightmares from that ordeal for weeks. Although I will admit you did look rather nice.”
Twilight was utterly speechless at the words of the girls. They actually sounded and even looked genuinely sorry about the recent event that happened. She lowered her head in shame. “I should apologize too for what I did that day. I didn’t mean to open all those portals. I just couldn't control myself with all that power, it made me want to just tear the entire world apart just so I can know everything about magic.”
“Yeah, that definitely wasn’t your best day.” Lemon said rubbing the back of her head. “But hey look on the bright side, it could’ve been worse. You could’ve well, you know...”
“Use your magic to destroy us all and enslave the other world resulting in both being completely decimated.”
Everyone shot a mix of angry and nervous glares at Sugarcoat who was casually twirling a pigtail. “Nice contribution to the team.” Sunny responded.
“It’s alright girls,” Twilight said. “I’m just glad that things didn’t turn out like that. Especially with the help of Sunset Shimmer and her friends.”
“Yeah about that, I just wanna know something. You really gonna leave us all for those weirdos at CHS?” Indigo asked scratching her head.
Twilight sucked in her breath. “Yes, and I’m sorry if that’s something you don’t agree with, but it’s my final decision.”
“Hey it’s all cool Twi.” Lemon said running up to Twilight and pulling her into a side hug. “Besides, you're better off there anyways. Cinch hasn’t been quite herself lately.”
“Principle Cinch.” Twilight said under her breath. A feeling of contempt coursing through her as she remembered her former Principal's manipulation and blackmailing during the games. “She must be livid for what happened.”
“If she is then she’s keeping it to herself.” Sunny answered. “She’s been cooped up in her office, not saying a thing to anyone. Probably because she wants to keep things quiet so nobody important hears about it. But after everything we’ve put you through, I couldn't care less about reputations.”
“I just hope she’s not angry with you guys.”
“Who cares what Cinch thinks?” Indigo said shrugging her shoulders. “But enough about her, we also wanted to say goodbye.” Picking up the screwdriver, she approached Twilight and gave her a reassuring slap on the back that nearly made her stumble. “We know you never had the best time here, so we just wanted to wish you good luck at CHS and all that.”
“You are?”
“Well after recent events it’s the least we can do dearie,” Sunny said smiling.
“You’re a nice person Twilight,” Sugarcoat nodded. “Don’t forget that we can be your friends too if you want.”
Lemon gave Twilight a playful hug. “Once a Shadowbolt, always a Shadowbolt we always say!”
“Just have fun with your new friends,” Sour said in a jovial tone. Right before she makes a complete one-eighty. “And make sure they treat you right, or else.”
Twilight started smiling at the five Shadowbolts before her. Never had she been shown kindness from these students. Almost made her sorry that she was going to leave them, she could’ve gotten the chance to know them and become friends. “Friendship.” The one thing Crystal Prep would never have over Canterlot High.
“You know,” Twilight said getting the others attention. “I might be going to CHS, but have you guys ever thought about becoming friends with the students over there?”
The five looked among themselves as if Twilight just told them the world’s hardest riddle. “You mean actually become pals with Wondercolts,” Sour asked.
“CPA never had a great history with CHS, but that can change if Wondercolts and Shadowbolts are willing to get along. It may sound weird but there’s nothing stopping us from doing that right?”
“Well now that you mention it,” Lemon chirped. “I’ve been hangin’ with that Vinyl Scratch chick, and she makes awesome music. She even gave me one of her mixtapes.”
“I have been meaning to meet with that one girl to assist me with my roller skating.” Sunny said rubbing her chin. “Rarity I think her name was?”
“I just want another rematch with Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer!” Indigo exclaimed clenching her fists. “I demand a good clean race, without any interferences from giant magical plant monsters.”
“And I’ve been wanting to talk to my sister again.” Sour Sweet said curling her hair. Then proceeded to squeeze it violently in her fist while growling. “Even though I’ll never forgive her for reading my diary!”
“I didn’t know you had a sister.” Twilight interjected.
“Yeah, haven't seen Sweeten Sour since she transferred to CHS. Heard she became the leader of their marching band.”
“What we’re all saying Twilight, is that we wouldn't mind being associated with Wondercolts.” Sugarcoat explained prompting a nod from the other Shadowbolts.
“That would mean so much to me if you girls could do that.” Twilight said in sheer happiness. She knew it would take some time, but she knew it will be worth it in the end. To see Wondercolts and Shadowbolts bury the hatchet and finally become one. She suddenly heard a chime from her phone that only played when she gets a text message. She reached into her pocket to see what it said:
‘Hey sis, what’s the hold up?’
“I almost forgot, my brother’s waiting for me in the car.” Twilight said as she turned to leave. “I have to go guys, I’ll see you guys later.”
“BYE TWILIGHT!” The five all called out as Twilight left their line of sight.”
The former Shadowbolt quickly found what she was looking for, Shining Armor’s bright blue car, and ran towards it. She opened the passenger door and went in to see her rather irritated brother. “Bout time you showed up, a little later and you would be walking home.”
“Sorry about that, I just had to say goodbye to some new friends.”
“Friends?” He questioned as he started the car up. “I thought you didn’t had friends here at CPA.”
“No I didn’t.” Twilight replied smiling. “But now I do.”
“Well if you got everything settled, I thought maybe we could go for some ice cream, my treat. How does that sound, Twilight the Wondercolt?”
“Sounds great B.B.B.F.F.”
“So what do we do now?” Lemon asked her colleagues who all started to leave the school campus.
“What we do now,” Indigo started. “Is that we make sure we promise ourselves we start making friends with the Wondercolts.”
“She does deserve that much after all she’s been through.” Sunny said. “Although it would be hard to convince the rest of CPA to do the same.”
“Well we’ll just have to do our best to make sure we’re all friends.” Sour said next. “After all this is all for Twilight’s sake. But this better be worth it at the end if she knows what’s good for her.”
“Exactly, I guess.” Indigo replied. “What about you Sugarcoat, what do you think...about...this?”
The four turned around to see Sugarcoat standing in the back with her head lowered. They could visibly see tiny tears falling down her eyes. “Sugarcoat, are you...crying?”
Sugarcoat wiped her eyes as she looked away from her friends. “No...I mean...yes. I just wish I became friends with Twilight earlier, and that my stupid blunt honesty didn’t get in the way. Probably would’ve been the first friend she had at this school.”
Before she could shed some more tears, Lemon came up to her and rubbed her hair playfully messing it up. “Cheer up Sugar, you just gotta smile and hope for the best. That’s all we need to do now.”
Sugarcoat smiled as she hugged her friend. “You’re right, thank you Lemon.”
The others looked at each other and smiled widely as they all kept on walking to the other direction. “So girls,” Indigo finally said. “Who’s up for milkshakes? Heard Sugarcube Corner is having a special.”
