After his meeting with Principal Cinch, Lone got his schedule and left the office with Sunny. When the door was closed, Dean Cadence and Principal Cinch were now starting a conversation about their newest student.

“So what do you think about him Principal Cinch?” Cadence asked while taking a seat.

Principal Cinch was tapping her fingers with her eyes closed before she answered. “That is hard to say Dean Cadence. His records of the previous schools he attended were above average, which is not bad but there is still room for improvement.”

“Is that why Sunny Flare was here earlier?” Cadence assumed. “To see if she could help Lone improve his grades?”

“Correct,” Cinch confirmed. “It’s up to the both of them to see that they don’t fail me.”

“When I was giving him the tour, we asked each other some questions and I learned that Lone is actually a boy with great potential and a ‘by the book’ kinda guy.” Cadence finger quoted. “He also said that he takes his studies very seriously and is willing to work hard for it.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Cinch stood up. “But only time can tell if he’s true to his words.” She added in a stern tone.

“I agree.”

There was a silent moment between them as Cinch made her way to one of her cabinets. “There is one more thing we should discuss.” She said while grabbing something.

Cadence raised an eyebrow at her. “And that is what exactly?”

Smiling, Cinch turned around with a bottle of champagne in her hands. “Congratulations…. Mother Cadence.”

Widening her eyes in surprise, Cadence smiled with tears of joy. “Y-you didn’t have to.”

“Why not? You’re an excellent Dean at this school. I was planning to give you a little something for all your hard work. I just needed the perfect moment to do it.” Cinch explained and tried to open the bottle. “When I heard from Shining Armor yesterday that you were pregnant I thought I should give you something to congratulate you."

In gratitude, Dean Cadence hugged Principal Cinch. Which, Cinch returned with the bottle still in her hands and smiled while closing her eyes. “And don’t worry Cadence, it’s alcohol-free. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be allowed on school grounds and it wouldn't be healthy for the baby.” She winked.

“That’s a relief.” Cadence replied. “If you crack open the bottle I’ll grab us some glasses.”

“Excellent idea.” Cinch agreed. “Oh and Cadence? Keep this just between us, please. I don’t want the entire school to see that I do have a soft spot. It might weaken the reputation of our school.”

“My lips are sealed Principal Cinch!” Cadence said as she motioned it with her fingers.

In the hallways, Sunny was guiding Lone to History Class while glancing at him a few times. “He’s tall, very tall… and a little skinny….” Sunny thought.

Lone was also glancing at Sunny a couple of times. But every time she looked back at him he quickly looked away. He didn't really know what to say to a girl who that nearly hit him with her car earlier and then bumped into him again later on. And now she is gonna help him ‘fit in’ here. It was all a little overwhelming for him to say the least.

“This is so awkward.” Lone thought.

Arriving at the classroom Sunny stopped him. “Before we enter, I need to make a few things clear between us. You better listen carefully because I’m not telling you twice!”

A little startled at her sudden bold attitude, Lone slowly nodded his head.

“You may be new here but that doesn’t mean I’ll be nice and go easy on you. In fact, Crystal Prep isn’t a school about being nice it’s about getting results!” She proclaimed. “Good results that will increase the reputation of this school. I worked very hard to earn my status here. No one, not even you are going to ruin everything I have accomplished. So you better catch up with your studies fast if you wanna make something out of yourself. Don't screw up or I’ll be the one to blame in the eyes of our Principal. Is that clear?” She finished with only inches away from him. Gulping, Lone carefully nodded at her.

“Good then you’ll have nothing to fear and we’ll both get along just fine.” She opened the door. “By the way, have I told you my name?”

Lone shook his head after being so close to her and furrowed his eyebrows in anger. “No you haven’t told me but I do know your name.” He retorted. “Your name is Sunny Flare, niece of the Principal here. You drive an Audi TT, nice car but you lack experience. I know you because you’re the girl who nearly hit me with your car earlier and then later bumped into me here at school.”

He walked up next to her. “But I’ll let bygones be bygones, nothing terrible happened. So, nice to meet you too... Sunny. Ladies first!” As he gestured to let her enter first.

Sunny just stared at him with her mouth agape. “Eh, what?”

He motioned for her again to enter the classroom first. “Ow,” Sunny then realized and quickly entered. “Thank you, deary.”

“You’re welcome,” Lone replied and followed her in.

They both took their seats next to each other, grabbing their books and notes. Sunny also checked her phone really quickly for any replies to her message. Sour, Indigo and Lemon had already replied that they’re in for another Shadow initiation during lunch. “Excellent! Now all I need is a reply from Sugarcoat.”

As on cue, Sugarcoat’s reply came in. “That fine by me as long as we don’t make it too easy this time. How are you planning to do this Sunny?”

Sunny quickly typed her reply down. “I already have an idea for his initiation. All of you meet me at my locker after class. I’ll explain everything then.”

“I've heard from Neon that his name is Lone! Pfft! Lame!” Indigo replied with a laughing smiley.

“How cute, Sunny is already best friends with him.” Sour then replied in a teasing way.

Glaring at their replies, Sunny puts her phone away again and looked at Lone who was already reading the first page of the book.

Opening her book as well, Sunny needed one more thing to say. “Hey eh…” Making Lone looking at her. Sunny then realized, she hadn’t asked for his full name.

“It’s Lone Wolf.”

“What?”

“I said my name is Lone Wolf,” Lone repeated while looking back at his book.

“How did you-”

“As far as I remember I haven’t told you my name,” Lone explained. “Unless Principal Cinch already told you. I figured she didn’t, so that’s why I’m telling you my name.” He closed his book and looked back at Sunny. “Now what is it that you wanted to tell me?”

“He is quite the logic one.” She thought with a slight hint of an impression in her eyes. “Right, well… Lone.” She calmly began. “Normally I don’t do this for others but since you’re new I’m willing to make an exception. You need to catch up quick with the classes here. So you’re allowed to copy some of my notes when you need to. And in case there’s something you don’t understand you can come to me for help or ask the teacher. I’ll leave that choice up to you deary. But you seem like a boy who knows how to take care of himself and what’s best for himself.” She winked.

Lone’s cheeks felt warm after that and smiled. “Thank you Sunny, that’s really kind of you.”

“Anytime deary, just don’t mention this to others.” Sunny quickly added. “I don’t want them to use me for their own benefits.”

“Understood, Sunny. I know what that’s like.”

“What?”

“Nothing, never mind.” Lone quickly said and opened his book again.

After that, their teacher entered the classroom and the less started. History wasn’t that hard for Lone. He made a small schedule of important dates and people. While writing a small explanation what happened then and wrote the page number of each date on it to find more information in the book. Halfway through, they had to make a small summary of what they learned.

Sunny was smirking at first. Thinking Lone would need her help but it was actually the other way around. Lone finished his summary then minutes earlier than her and used the time he had to share his notes with Sunny.

It was now Lunchtime and Sunny hate to admit it be she was rather impressed. Lone was catching up fast with all their classes so far. Though here and there she had to help him explain some formulas in Algebra. That is what Lone seems to have the most trouble with. She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn’t realize that she lost sight of him.

“The idiot must’ve gone the cafeteria.” As she pinched the bridge of her head. “Better hurry and find him so that his initiation can start.”

Running through the halls Lone finally found the entrance of the cafeteria only there was a long waiting line before him. Sighing in annoyance he joined back the of the line.

A minute later, the hall became quiet. Lone looked at his fellow students, they looked like they had seen a ghost. Lone tilted his head a bit and realized that they were not looking at him but at something or someone behind him.

Turning around, Lone stood eye-to-eye with a boy of his age. The boy had light gold skin, long black hair along with a mustache and a goatee. Besides his Crystal Prep uniform, the boy also wears dark sunglasses and had piercings in both his ears and one on his right eyebrow.

Eyeing him, Lone was a little hesitant about what to do next. The boy looked very intimidating but hadn’t said a word. It was like he was waiting for Lone do say something.

Shrugging off his doubts, Lone smiled at him. “Hi my name is-”

“Lone! What are you doing?” Sunny exclaimed. “Get away from him hurry!”

Startled, Lone took a few steps back from the boy and ran off to Sunny. The boy furrowed his eyebrows and looked down in disappointment.

“What were you thinking Lone?” Sunny whispered as they were walking away.

“Nothing, I was just going to introduce myself to him.” Lone defended. “There’s nothing wrong with that as far as I know.”

“Lone, trust me that boy is trouble!” Sunny insisted. “He’s a mean person who’ll use you and hurt you. Certainly not someone to be friends with.”

“That’s not what I saw.” Lone said in his mind.

Sunny didn’t notice Lone’s ‘absence’ and continued, “Once you pass your initiation, I’ll introduce you to Heavenly Quill. He’ll be a much better friend than Bronze Wing.”

“Wait, what?” He shook his head in realization. “What do you mean? What initiation?

Sunny pinched the bridge of her head again. “The initiation where you have to prove yourself worthy to Crystal Prep. Also known as the ‘Shadow initiation’.” As she opened the door of a nearby room. "You don't think that we allow just anyone to join our school now? Get in!"

Entering the room, Lone met Lemon Zest, Indigo Zap, and two other girls. He recognized the first girl when he was watching Archery earlier with Dean Cadence. She had an annoyed look on her face when she saw Lone.

The second girl had light purple skin, darker purple eyes with orange glasses and has white, twin-tailed hair. She looked rather unimpressed by Lone’s appearance. “So you’re the new student I assume?”

“I am and who are you, girls?”

“Our names are not important. You’re here to-”

“Come now Sugarcoat.” Indigo interrupted. “At least introduce yourself to him.”

Sugarcoat rolled her eyes at Indigo. “That is now completely pointless since he knows my name now thanks to you.” She dryly replied.

Indigo groaned at her. “Always the serious one.” She mumbled to herself.

“Well if we’re going to introduce ourselves then I’ll start,” Lemon said while walking over to Lone. “Hi I’m Lemon Zest the fastest and the most chillax girl of Crystal Prep,” she said with full confidence.

“My name is Indigo Zap. I am the best athlete here. Don't try to beat me. You'll always end up losing, I assure you.”

“No you’re really not.” The girl from Archery quietly said and then looked at Lone. “Hello Sweetie, my name is Sour Sweet. You better remember it.”

Little shocked at Sour’s sudden outburst, Lone raised his hands a bit. “Don’t worry…. I... won’t forget your name... Sour Sweet.” He assured.

“Good.” Sour smiled again. “Then I’m sure we’ll become good friends…. not.”

Lone then looked at Sugarcoat. “As Indigo said before I now know your name. So, let me say to you all then: nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, yeah good to meet you too.” Lemon patted Lone and lead him to a nearby table. “Now let’s get down to business.”

“I assume Sunny told you about the Shadow initiation that we do with every new student here?” Indigo said from the other side of the table.

“Yeah, something about proving myself worthy to the school,” Lone remembered. “Am I correct?”

“You’re right, Quill passed it and now it’s your turn deary,” Sunny said. “Now your task is going to Canterlot High and steal one of their artifacts. It can be a trophy, a medallion… as long as it is something valuable.”

Lone widened his eyes in surprise after he heard what they asked him to do. The thought of stealing something is wrong but it also sounded pretty exciting.

Sunny noticed the doubt in him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry Lone, we made an agreement with the school. We’ll return it when the Friendship Games begin.”

“Really?” Lone said hopefully.

“Of course Sweetie,” Sour added. “We’re not a bunch of criminals,” and folded her arms at him.

“Besides it’s payback time, last time they vandalized our precious relic of the school: The Crystal heart,” Indigo said and showed him a picture of the Crystal Heart that was completely painted black.

After seeing it Lone had a serious look. “Then I guess you’re right Indigo. It’s payback time!” Making the girls smirk at him.

Sunny was driving her car to CHS with Lone sitting next to her. He rested his chin on his fist as he looked at the houses, cars, and people passing by.

“Scared Lone?” Sunny asked while still focusing on the road.

“A little,” Lone admitted. “Though I’m also a little excited to do this.”

“That's understandable. But if I were you I wouldn't bother with those feelings. You need to clear your mind and focus on the task at hand.” Sunny replied. “We, the Shadowbolts have learned to put our feelings aside and to concentrate on doing what must be done correctly and with the best result, for the greater good of our school”

“I’ll try Sunny,” Lone said and rubbed the back of his head. “But what if I got caught by the students or the staff there?”

Sunny let out an irritated sigh. “You use your escape route that you have planned before you entered the school and if that doesn’t work, then….improvise!”

“But I-”

“Plan things ahead for what is to come, it’ll help you a lot.” She proclaimed. “It helped me a lot in my studies and my work. So I’m pretty sure it’ll work for you in the initiation.”

Lone took a deep breath to relax his nerves. “Alright, let’s do this.”

“That’s the spirit deary.” As she stopped the car close to the statue of Canterlot High. Lone stepped out with Sunny tossing him a black hoodie. “It’ll help a little in ‘blending in’.” She said. “Be back as soon as possible otherwise I'm gone without you got it?”

Lone nodded in understanding.

“Good, then I’ll see you later.” Sunny started the engine again. “I’ll be back in then minutes, good luck deary!” and she drove away.

Hidden behind the statue, Lone put on the hoodie he got from Sunny. After he looked at the school, finding no students outside.

“Guess it’s also lunchtime for them” Lone assumed. “That’ll make things much easier. Now what to do if I get caught?” He thought as he made his way to the entrance.

Canterlot High was a whole lot different than Crystal Prep. The students didn’t wear uniforms, the halls were painted yellow which created a much warmer atmosphere. Lone passed some students on their way to the cafeteria, luckily none of them talked to him. There were some who looked at him and assumed he's a new student here.

Lone continued his search and passed a few couples. There was a girl with red and yellow hair who was talking to her boyfriend, asking his opinion about her new clothes she had on.

Another couple was a boy with grey skin and black, spiky hair holding hands with a gorgeous white-skinned girl with long purple, curly hair.

“Thank you so much, Clyde, in helping me study for Algebra yesterday.” She kissed him on the cheek. “I probably wouldn’t have passed the test.”

The boy called Clyde smiled at her and kissed her back. “Anything for my Boo.” Making the girl blushing at him.

“Guys! Guys!” Shouted a boy from the other side of the hallway. “I’ve got it!” as he sprinted towards the two couples.

“Zero watch out! Scrubby just cleaned the floor!” A boy with white and spiky hair said.

Zero, who looked a lot like Clyde tried to slow down but it was too late. He lost his balance and slipped further on the floor straight into Lone, making him fall in the process. Their sliding stopped in the middle of the great hall.

“Ugh... Strike!” Lone managed to say while being a little dizzy from the impact.

“Zero!” The others approached him and helped him up. “Are you ok?” Said the boy with white, spiky hair.

“I’m fine Soul don’t worry,” Zero assured him. He then turned around to Lone. “Here dude, let me help you.” Zero offered his hand.

Hesitating a little Lone grabbed Zero’s hand and he helped him back up.

“Thank you,” Lone said in appreciation.

“Don’t mention it. It was my fault after all.” Zero said and scratched his chin. “Haven’t seen you before. You new here?”

“What?.... Oh! Eh, yeah that’s it! I'm new here.” Lone said with a nervous grin. “I was on my way to the Principal's office to register me but I got lost. Can anyone of you tell me the way please?”

“Sure, it’s up the stairs, the first hall to the right, last door at the end.” The girl with the red and yellow hair explained. “Do want me to bring you there?” She offered.

“No!” Lone exclaimed, making the group a little startled. “I mean no, it’s fine. I know the way.” He said in a more calmer tone.

“Darling, are you ok?” Rarity asked

Lone's head was turning red again. “D-don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m just… a little nervous about meeting new people.” He said while scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin.

“Are you sure you’ll find the way?” Clyde asked. “We don’t mind showing you.”

“It’s up the stairs, the first hall on the right, the door at the end,” Lone remembered. “Am I correct?”

“Yup! You’re right!” Zero confirmed. “Well then guys, if our new friend knows the way then we’re off to the cafeteria so that I can explain my plan for getting the Crystal Heart tonight.”

“The Crystal what-now?” Soul asked in Confusion.

Lone eyes widened after he heard that. “Note to myself, inform Crystal Prep about this.”

“Hey, shouldn’t you go to Principal Celestia?” Clyde noticed.

“Oh…” Lone shook his head. “Yeah, I better go to her, thank you. Later everyone!” He waved them goodbye and walked to the nearest stairs.

The group happily waved back at him before they made their way towards the cafeteria.

“Huh, I just realized something,” Zero said. “I haven’t asked for the dude’s name.

“Well ask him later.” Soul suggested. “Right now I’m hungry and you have your big plan to tell us and the rest of our friends."

Zero smiled and nodded at him. “Yeah, you’re right. It's gonna be big! Spectacular! Magnificent!!!”

"We get it Zero." They all said.

Soul then looked at his girlfriend Sunset Shimmer. ”Sunny? You seem distracted. What’s the matter?”

“Just thinking about the new student we just met,” Sunset said, tapping her chin with half-lidded eyes. “There was something... off about him.”

“Do you think he’s a creature from the same world as Princess Twilight?” Rarity guessed. “although, the pants and the shoes he was wearing looked familiar. But I can’t seem to put my finger on it.”

“Could be, but he doesn’t seem harmful though,” Sunset replied with a shrug of her shoulders. “We’ll see later on.”

Upstairs, was Lone sighing in relief while wiping the sweat from his forehead. “Thank goodness they fell for my lie. Now how to get one of those trophies?” Looking over the rail he spotted trophy cabinets around the hall where he and Zero crashed into each other.

Lone decided to pick the big golden one with a giant number one on it and a small hashtag to the left. As his prayers were answered, someone which Lone assumed was the Janitor, approached the trophy cabinet while carrying polish supplies.

Already got a plan, Lone walked back downstairs as the janitor opened the cabinet. “Excuse me, ...sir!”

“Can Scrubby help you?”

“Y-yes, I have to help you cleaning the trophies from the Principal.” Lone quickly said.

“What was the reason that Principal Celestia ordered you to help Scrubby?”

“I arrived a few times too late in class and she said that I have to do my punishment during Lunch by helping you cleaning the trophies,” Lone explained.

Scrubby raised an eyebrow at him.“Really?” and stepped closer to Lone. “As far as Scrubby knows, Principal Celestia always gives detention to people who arrive too late at class.”

Lone started to flinch a little as Scrubby came even closer. “W-well, I’m new here in Canterlot and I don’t know the school inside and out yet so instead, Celestia said that I should help you… as a lighter punishment.”

The janitor had an unamused look. “Scrubby smells something suspicious here.”

Lone quietly gulped but before he could say something else Scrubby stepped away from him.

“Scrubby goes to Principal Celestia and ask her if it’s true what you said to him.” He pointed to Lone. “You are coming with Scrubby and don’t try anything funny.” He warned.

Lone was starting to get nervous again. He had only 3 minutes left. Checking the trophy cabinet, he noticed that it was still open. Thinking of a new plan the boy agreed with Scrubby. “Lead the way.”

Scrubby nodded and turned around with Lone following in behind until they passed the cabinet. As quietly as he could Lone took the big trophy he wanted and immediately ran away.

The janitor heard him and started chasing him through the halls. “Give that back you, thief! That is school property!!!”

“Sorry Scrubby! But I need it to complete my task!” Lone screamed back at him. “I’ll bring it back I promise!” He started to run faster, making the distance between them bigger.

“If Scrubby’s legs were longer he would’ve caught you by now!!!” He started to slow down until he finally stopped and couldn’t go on. He began to breathe heavily as he leaned an arm against the wall for support. “Scrubby -sigh- needs to -sigh- work -sigh- on his endurance.”

A blur of Rainbow hair passed the exhausted janitor. It was Rainbow Dash, one of the best athletes in the school. She saw the whole scene happen between Lone and Scrubby and didn’t hesitate on helping in getting the trophy back.

“The dude’s fast I’ll give him that.” Rainbow admitted while grabbing her phone. “Gotta need help to catch him.”

Her call got quickly answered by another boy. “Dash! What’s up?”

“Rivet! There’s another Shadowbolt in our school and he’s getting away with one of our trophies.” Rainbow explained. “Help me catch him and ask Night too!”

“Got it Dash! We’re on our way.” As Rivet hang up.

“Knew that I could count on him.” Rainbow smirked proudly. “Once we get you Shadowbolt, you’re gonna be sorry that you messed with us Wondercolts.”

Sunny was sitting against the back of her car, tapping her feet impatiently. Lone was supposed to be back 5 minutes ago and he still wasn’t here. Sure, she could drive back to CPA without Lone but if she does that and Cinch finds out it then she’s going to be disappointed by the actions of her niece. Nop! That wasn’t an option.

While checking her phone again, she heard the front doors swung open revealing Lone running with a trophy in his hands.

Smiling, Sunny waved at him but then she looked terrified as she saw an entire group of Wondercolts going after him. All screaming and raging in an attempt to capture him.

Recognizing some of them, Sunny immediately stepped into her car and started the engines. She started to drive away while Lone just opened the door.

“Sunny! Are you craaaaaaaaaazyyyyyyy?!” He screamed while trying to get inside the car.

“Deary grab my hand quick!” Sunny reached out. Grabbing her arm, she pulled him inside with all her power.

“Full speed! Hurry!” Lone said in a panicking tone as he fastened his seatbelt. Just in time. The first few Wondercolts only manage to touch Sunny’s trunk.

Cheering in Victory, the two headed for Crystal Prep. “Yes! Whoohoo!!! I did it! I did it!” Lone exclaimed with a raising fist.

“Took you long enough.” Sunny retorted with a slight glare. “But never the less, you passed. Congratulations deary.”

Lone grinned back at her and showed her the trophy. “Look what I got.” He said in a teasing tone.

Sunny widened her eyes in surprise. The trophy was bigger then she thought it was. “That’s a nice trophy you stole there deary.”

“I did what you girls asked me. So, am I now a Shadowbolt?”

“If Principal Cinch and the rest of my friends see the trophy you stole? Definitely yes. But of course, that remains to be seen." She teased.

Lone looked at Sunny with a pouted look. She rolled her eyes at him in return. “Of course I vouch for you. For me, you’re a real Shadowbolt now. Happy?”

Lone grinned at her. “Of course that’s all I needed to hear.” He leaned back in his seat and relaxed.

The rest of ride went quietly. Lone had closed his eyes while Sunny kept focusing on the road. She did look at him a few times. when he was “Hmm, he passed his initiation. He’s better than I expected. Maybe this whole plan of my Aunt won't turn out so bad. After all, he also helped me with History. God, I hate that class!” She gave Lone a kind smile and parked her car behind Crystal Prep.

“Hey Loney, wake up you sleepy head.” As she shook his shoulder a little.

“Ugh, five more minutes Miss Rose,” Lone turned around in his sleep.

“I’m not Miss Rose whoever that is,” Sunny said with a puffy face. “And if you don’t get out of my car I’ll slap you.... hard.”

Lone shot his eyes open and quickly stepped out of her car, only to fall face first to the ground because his feet got stuck in the door opening.

Sunny snickered at him. It was kinda cute... “That's what you get for being hasty."

"You threatened to slap me." Lone retorted while trying to get up.

Sunny sighed and walked over him to help him. "You okay deary?”

Lone had covered the front of his face in hopes to ease the pain a little. “I’m…. I’m fine.” He managed to look at her.

“Good, now let’s….” Both of them were looking at each other and forget the world around them for a moment.

“Something on my face?” Lone then joked.

Sunny leaned closer to him. “Lone….

“Yes Sunny?”

“... You have a nosebleed.”

“Heh?” he touched his nose and felt some red liquid on his fingers. “Oh damn!”

“Here, let me help you.” Sunny handed him a handkerchief.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it, deary.”

“Oh, before I forget.” Lone suddenly realized. “Sunny, I’ve heard from some Wondercolts that they’re planning to steal the Crystal Heart tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. I’ve heard Zero telling his friends about it.” Lone confirmed.

“If that's the case you need to come with me. We're gonna have a lot to talk about with my friends.” Grabbing his hand, she dragged him back into the school. Lone blushed a little at this. Walking hand in hand, it almost felt like they were a couple.

Author's Note

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

I hope you all had a great time celebrating with your friends and families. I hope that 2018 will be great for us all.

Here's the next music video for this chapter. Enjoy my friends and I'll see you all in the next chapter.