Indigo sighed as she stepped out of the Shop class, backpack in hand. She headed down the hall for the entrance to find the other Shadowbolts standing there.

“So, did any of you have any luck?” she asked.

“Afraid not,” Sunny sighed.

“This friendship thing was tougher than anticipated,” Sugarcoat admitted. “And it doesn’t help we aren’t accustomed to it.”

“Still… I didn’t think it’d be impossible,” Sour groused.

The PA speaker whined to life over one of the doors. “Would the following students please report to Principal Cadance’s office: Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, Sour Sweet, and Sugarcoat. Thank you.”

The five Shadowbolts all grimaced and looked between one another.

“Ah crud,” Lemon muttered.

“We’d better go see what’s up,” Indigo said.

The others nodded, and the group quickly hurried towards the front office.

The school secretary opened the door for them, and the five Shadowbolts filed into Principal Cadance’s office.

Sure enough, Moondancer was seated in one of the chairs across from Principal Cadance, who was seated behind her desk with her fingers pressed together and propped up.

“Girls, I’m afraid Moondancer has decided to transfer from Crystal Prep to Canterlot High School,” she said, looking between them. Her expression seemed stern.

“Wait, what?!” the five of them exclaimed.

“Not again!” Lemon smacked her forehead.

“We didn’t mean to upset her, Principal Cadance, honest!” Sunny quickly said.

“We tried to be welcoming, we did!” Sour protested.

“Girls, please,” Cadance said, holding up one hand. “Perhaps you should hear Moondancer out first.”

Moondancer fidgeted with her hands in front of her backpack in her lap, staring at the front of Cadance’s desk before sighing. She hesitantly looked up at the five Shadowbolts. “I’m not leaving because of you guys. I just… don’t like Crystal Prep. The uniforms, the stuffy atmosphere, the lackluster library…”

Cadance raised a quizzical eyebrow, but said nothing.

“If anything, I’m sorry to leave you girls. I’m… not really that approachable, and friendship’s new to me. I really appreciate you all coming to talk to me, but… if I might ask, why?” Moondancer gave a quizzical frown.

Indigo sighed, both from relief and painful memories, her shoulders slumping. “Because you reminded us of a girl who used to go here too. We… weren’t good friends with her and it kinda blew up in everyone’s faces.”

“She transferred to CHS too,” Sour grumbled, crossing her arms.

“So, we wanted a do-over, I guess,” Lemon said. “Try to be friends with you.”

“Instead of shunning like we used to do,” Sunny said.

“The school used to be a lot worse when the last principal was in charge, and it got to all of us,” Sugarcoat said. “Friendship is a bit of a foreign concept to us as well.”

“Well, Moondancer told me how you five have been welcoming to her this past week, and I’m proud of all of you,” Cadance said. “I’m happy to say you’ll have one last day with her come Monday, so… I suggest you make the most of it.”

“Then I transfer to CHS. It sounds… better. A place to let me breathe,” Moondancer said. “B-But I want to thank you for being so welcoming to me. I’m glad I met you.”

“We’re glad we met you too, Moondancer,” Indigo said, flashing a sad smile. The other Shadowbolts nodded.

“Well, if you girls will excuse me, I have to get the necessary paperwork in order for Moondancer’s transfer. You have a good rest of your day,” Cadance said, flashing a sympathetic smile.

“Bye, girls,” Moondancer said softly, offering a small wave.

“See ya later, Moondancer,” Indigo said, returning the wave.

The other Shadowbolts muttered goodbyes and slipped out of Principal Cadance’s office.

“All that, and she transfers! Agh!” Sour growled, throwing her hands up in the air as they stepped out of Crystal Prep.

“But, we did befriend her… I think,” Sunny said, rubbing her chin.

“So… mission failed successfully? Or mission successfully failed?” Lemon offered.

“We did the best that we could do, and I think that is a success enough,” Sugarcoat said, tucking her arms behind her back.

“Not quite, Sugarcoat,” Indigo said. “I’ve got another idea.”

“Again?” Sour groaned.

“Listen, we can’t keep Moondancer here, but the least we can do is give her a proper sendoff,” Indigo explained. “And we’ve got all weekend to do it. So listen, this is what we do…”

Monday

“Thanks for seeing me out, girls,” Moondancer said, turning to them as they walked out of school for the day. “And I’m sorry I have to go.”

“It’s alright,” Indigo said. “I get it, Crystal Prep isn’t for anyone.”

“At least we did not scare you off,” Sugarcoat pointed out.

“But, before you go, we got you some things,” Sunny said. “Some sendoff gifts.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” Moondancer said, cheeks darkening.

“Well, seeing as we’re friends now, we thought it was only proper,” Lemon said.

Sugarcoat reached into her backpack and produced a thin, paperback book, handing it over to Moondancer. “A book of Sudoku puzzles, to keep your brain entertained,” she said.

“Wow… well, it’d definitely give me something to do. Thanks, Sugarcoat. Really,” Moondancer said, taking it and briefly flipping through the pages.

“Mine’s… not great,” Sour admitted. “But I hear you like sweaters.” She reached into her back and produced a carefully folded charcoal grey sweater with little pink pom-poms in place of buttons.

“Oh, wow,” Moondancer said. She set down her backpack to stow away the Sudoku book and took the sweater. “This feels really nice.”

“I thought it might be your style, but I didn’t know your size,” Sour admitted. “When you get to CHS, ask for someone named Rarity there. She’s a seamstress who could probably get it resized for you.”

“It’s great, thanks Sour,” Moondancer said.

“Mine sort of goes with it,” Sunny said, reaching into a side pocket in her backpack and pulling out a small box.

Moondancer draped the sweater over one arm and took the box, cracking it open. Inside was a hair tie, with two, round pink crystal fasteners.

“In case you want to try any new hairstyles,” Sunny said. “It seemed just your color.”

“It’s neat, thanks Sunny,” Moondancer said, shutting the box and stowing it away in her backpack.

“I promise mine’s not as loud as I am,” Lemon said, producing a CD in a case from her backpack and handing it to Moondancer. “It’s a mixtape I made of all the songs I like to listen to while studying. Maybe you’ll find something good in there.”

“Huh. Never tried listening to music while reading, but I’ll give it a shot. Thanks, Lemon,” Moondancer said, carefully wrapping it in the sweater and stowing it away.

“Mine’s… not great,” Indigo admitted, reaching into her shirt pocket. “But just in case some other pair of glasses breaks, thought you could use this.” She pulled out a small tube with a little screwdriver and a set of tiny screws.

“An eyeglass repair kit,” Moondancer said, taking the tube and turning it this way and that. “I’ve been meaning to get one of these, actually. Thanks, Indigo.”

As she pocketed the last item and shouldered her backpack, she blushed. “Thanks again you guys, for everything,” Moondancer said, smiling softly. “And… well, I guess this is for you.”

She reached into her pocket and produced a crumpled, folded piece of paper, handing it over to Indigo. Indigo unfolded it, and the other Shadowbolts peered over her shoulder, trying to read what was on it.

“What is it?” Lemon said, squinting.

“My phone number,” Moondancer said with a giggle. “Just because I’m transferring doesn’t mean I don’t want to hang out with you girls. Even if it’ll be long distance.” She pushed up her glasses. “Besides, I heard you were working on something for the Canterlot Science Fair, and I’d love to help.”

“We’d love to have you,” Sugarcoat said with a soft smile.

“Take care over there at CHS, Moondancer. And tell Twilight Sparkle we said ‘hi,’” Indigo said.

Moondancer nodded, blinking misty eyes. She rushed forward and pulled Indigo into a hug.

“Gonna miss you all,” she said.

The other Shadowbolts joined in on the group hug.

“Eh, it won’t be forever,” Lemon said.

“See you real soon,” Sunny agreed.

As the group separated, Moondancer gave one final wave goodbye before turning and walking towards home. The five Shadowbolts stood there, waving goodbye to her until she rounded a distant corner.

“I think we can say, mission successful,” Indigo said with a sigh, nodding proudly.

Author's Note

CHS claims another one!

I hope you all enjoyed this little story. Don't worry, there's more to come.

Oh? You thought we were done? Not by a long shot.

After all... there's still the matter of that science fair.

The song I listened to while writing this was GaMetal's cover of "Challenges" from the game Mega Man 11.

-yours truly,
The Legendary Bill Cipher, Equestria Enthusiast

1.3. 20-15 19.2.:

19-8-1-4-15-23-2-15-12-20 13-9-19-19-9-15-14: 20-18-1-3-11 4-15-23-14 1-14-4 5-12-9-13-9-14-1-20-5 19-15-13-2-18-5-18-15 18-15-10-1.