On the day before the Summer Sun Celebration, a public Wonderbolt exposition takes place in Cloudsdale. After the grand entrance and traditional introduction, however, Princess Celestia takes the stage. A hush falls over the crowd as she prepares to make an announcement. Then, without warning, she introduces the Shadowbolts.

Three dark figures dive out of the sky, shearing to a halt on the runway. They introduce themselves as Batflaps, the debonair leader; Wolfwind, a cold and calculating second-in-command; and a shy and skittish novice named Sugar Glider.

They perform alongside the Wonderbolts for the rest of the show. Nopony knows who they are, or why the Shadowbolts have been created at all. They fly tricks all day, but when night falls, all three disappear without a trace.