Rubble and broken glass were scattered everywhere on the floor.  The front entrance to Canterlot High had now become a wide hole blasted into existence.  And there was also a crater in the middle of the courtyard, right next to the statue of a horse.

Sunset Shimmer didn't know where to start cleaning up this mess.  She had settled on cleaning up the fragments of glass, pushing them off to the side with the small spade she was given.  The fact that it was close to midnight, and her recent experience as a demonic-being, had exhausted Sunset so much.  But she knew that after 30 moons of being a jerk, she no doubt deserved it.

Her two ex-henchmen, Snips and Snails, were at the far end of the main hall, avoiding eye contact as they loaded pieces of a bulletin board into a recycling bin.  Before all this, Sunset had felt superior to those two boys.  Now Sunset knew that they blamed her for everything that happened.

What distracted Sunset from her cleaning, was the presence of six friends gathering in the courtyard, bidding farewell to Twilight Sparkle.  Moments later, Twilight Sparkle bravely strode into the hidden portal at the base of the statue.  In a flash, she was gone.

Peeking from the holed front of the school, Sunset witnessed all that had happened.   Knowing that this could be her ticket back home to Equestria, she sprinted down the steps.

Yet Pinkie tried to follow Twilight through the portal, only to bump into the hard surface of the statute instead.

With the moon’s position in the sky confirming the portal was closed, Sunset realized that it would be another two years and three months before she could go home again.

“Are you alright, sugarcube?”

Sunset hadn't realized that she was now standing amongst Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, all wearing unique and creatively designed dresses.  Standing in the middle of such a well dressed group, Sunset wanted to run back into the school and finish working, feeling out of place in her ruined everyday-garments and scratched up face.

Despite Twilight entrusting them as Sunset Shimmer’s new friends before she left, Sunset didn’t respond to Applejack’s question, and trudged back up the steps.  She told herself that she didn’t earn anyone’s forgiveness or friendship just because Twilight had saved the school’s population from becoming mindless zombies.

“Give the darling some time – even now I feel sorry for her.” Rarity advised.

Sunset overheard Rarity as she kept moving shards of glass into a corner.  Perhaps some people at the school did feel sorry for her.  And some probably despised her more or were relieved that she, as school bully, that finally met her match.

Principal Celestia came over to Sunset Shimmer.  “You better get some sleep, Sunset.  I’ll have you work on this after school with anyone who volunteers.  If someone asks, you will say that the school is getting a new entrance after it was destroyed by a prank done by unknown vandals.”

“Yes ma’am.”  Sunset replied, looking away from Celestia’s cold gaze.  She dropped the spade and sprinted past the entrance and into the school courtyard.  She disappeared into the night once she crossed the street.

“Hey! What about us?!” Snips hollered to Principal Celestia.

“Yeah? Why does she get a break only?” Snails moaned

Principal Celestia replied “You are free to go – but if I hear that you two are absent tomorrow because you didn’t want to come and work on this, the consequences will be severe.”

Then Snips and Snail walked together away from the rubble, arguing whose was to be blamed for joining up with Sunset Shimmer.

------------------

“I feel like ah really want to help Sunset Shimmer, but I don't know what ah can do.”  Applejack commented as she and her four friends walked home.

“I know what you feel, AJ.”  Rainbow Dash commented “But part of me says that Sunset deserved this ever since freshman year.”

“I mean…yeah she was kind of mean…but…”  Fluttershy stammered.

“Kinda?!” Pinkie boomed, scaring Fluttershy. “She called you pathetic! That's 'definitely' mean - not kinda.”

"Okay..." Flutterhshy whispered "But look at her eyes...she was sad."

Rainbow huffed "Yeah - she's soooo sad tonight. Then she going to go back to bully again. I think she she was pleading for help too quickly."

"Almost as quickly as she was going to be turned herself into a demon?" Applejack bought up.

"That I'm never going to forgive her for." grumbled Rainbow Dash.

Rarity sighed “I guess the entire school might as well be debating on whether or not to condemn Sunset for her actions. Now might as well be too soon for that….”

Just then a black sports car pulled up beside the six girls. The driver, Flash Sentry, rolled down his window and asked “Need a ride home, ladies?”

All five girls took Flash’s offer.  Rarity sat in the passenger seat with Flash while everyone else was sandwiched in the back.

"Five girls and guy in a car. We sure make you look like a ladies-man Flashy." Pinkie stated.

"Thats funny." Flash stated distantly. It a five seconds of silence until Rarity decided to ask a question.

“Flash?  You were Sunset Shimmer’s boyfriend, correct?”

“Yes, I was.” Flash answered, sounding distant as he drove around a corner.

“Did you know by any chance that’s she was…a pony too?” Rainbow Dash wondered.

It was a while before Flash spoke again.  “Yes, I did. It was about two years ago when I first met Sunset outside the school; it looked like she had phased right out of the base of the school statue.  She was so confused, acting oddly in her human form.”

“Excuse me, Flash…how did you and Sunset Shimmer …fall in love? If…you don’t mind me asking…”  Fluttershy asked Flash, barely audible.

“Huh?” Flash wondered

“What Fluttershy here is asking, is how did you two end up becoming the apples of each other eyes?” Applejack clarified.

“That?  Oh, that level of our relationship didn’t come until I danced with her last year’s Fall Formal.  Before that, I was busy helping Sunset get used to her new environment.  In return, she told me all about Equestria and her history as a unicorn.  Despite being magical and interesting, she left her home because she wanted to ‘prove something’ to her former mentor.  Months after we admitted we loved each other…Sunset Shimmer had changed…becoming mean…uncaring…unkind….”

“So after Sunset Shimmer became a mega-meanie-pants, she called off the best-high-school-romance-until-Twilight-came-along?” Pinkie said aloud.

Flash shook his head, concentrating on his driving. “No – I was the one who called off the relationship.  It was pretty hard to do at the time.”

Before the rest of her friends could interrogate Flash about his feelings for Sunset Shimmer, Rarity asked “Do you want to say anything more about it?”

“No.” Flash settled sternly, prompting everyone in the car to be silent.

Then he whispered “I’m just going to miss Twilight Sparkle a lot.  I didn’t want to say goodbye to her at that portal, because it always reminded me of the special feelings I once had for Sunset."

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As tired as she was, Sunset felt too miserable to sleep.  Her head was filled with endless questions about the past, present and future.  Eventually she couldn't stand it anymore and walked silently to her mirror.

Sunset's face was cut up pretty badly and a few traces of dust had spotted her face.  Her clothing and her hair were in similar conditions.

Once she was done cleaning herself up, she kept thinking intently about how to make up two years of bullying…and how to establish a better picture of herself.  There was no doubt she would have to wait here for another two years before the portal opened up again, but that was something for the future.  Sunset knew she had to fix the mess she made here once and for all.

All of sudden, she began to ask herself why she was thinking this way.  Was it because she wasn't ruling the high school now? Or maybe because she had seen the power of friendship? Or...was it after she been the worst possible person she could be for roughly minute, she felt so much regret.

Sunset sighed, "Celestia....You were right about me. I wasn't ready for this."

Then, Sunset tore a piece of notebook paper from her binder and snatched a pencil from a coffee mug.  When she seated herself at the kitchen table, she worked on a speech, using the moonlight to see what she was writing.

Sunset Shimmer kept looking over her work again and again.  First it started out as a short apology to the school as whole – yet it didn’t feel like it was enough; it was the individuals at the school, not the building itself, that this apology was for.

It wasn’t until the break of dawn Sunset Shimmer had finished her speech.

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In the middle of the day, Principal Celestia received a knock at the door.  

Setting aside documents regarding repairs for the school and Sunset Shimmer’s record, Celestia stressfully replied “Come in.”

It was no surprise to her that Sunset Shimmer had been the one at the door, nor the fact she looked ashamed of herself or had a huge lack of sleep with bed hair and dark circles under her eyes.  What was unusual was a packet of papers she held to her chest as she came in.

“Principal Celestia?  Can…you…gather everyone in the cafeteria?”  Sunset requested.

“Most of them are there already, having lunch. However, I’ll make an announcement for everyone to report there, in case they may be at the library or still in class.  Why?”  Celestia asked, interested in Shimmer’s papers.

“I have a speech I want to give to them in person.”  Shimmer explained before showing it to Principal Celestia.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset Shimmer was escorted to the cafeteria by Principal Celestia through the silent hallways.

It had been a quiet, nerve-wrecking walk – at every step, Sunset squeezed the speech in her hands, tighter and tighter.  Would everyone forgive her? What if this speech backfired and brought back terrible memories?  Would it make any difference at all? Was this too early?  Should she finish building the front of the school first?

“Just relax; you have showed me that you have reformed your true self, and the students will see it soon…” Principal Celestia advised, setting her white hand on Sunset Shimmer’s shoulder.

Sunset Shimmer silently nodded, before opening the cafeteria doors.  As expected, all the groups in the school were distracted by the noise of chatter and chewing, too busy to notice Sunset or the principal.

Sunset took a deep breath, knowing that if she made it this far, she could make it further.

“Ahem…may I have your attention please?”  Sunset called out, but everyone else remained occupied.

“May I have your attention?”  Sunset called out louder.  None heeded her except three familiar faces at a table.  It was Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack.

“I’ll take care of it for you shimmer!”  Pinkie squealed, yanking out a microphone from her hair.  After setting the volume to its highest peak, she shouted “EVERYONE!”

That sure got the entire cafeteria’s attention.

“Thank you – Sunset Shimmer has something to say. Then you may return to your drinks, meals, and vending machine snacks.”  Pinkie announced in the microphone before retaking her seat.

With all eyes on Sunset Shimmer and Celestia, Sunset was starting to feel alone and powerless.  

Sunset then remembered that Twilight had accepted her apology.  Maybe these students would follow the same action as their new Fall Formal Princess did.

Sunset pulled her mind together and read her speech aloud and clear.

“Fellow students…I, Sunset Shimmer, would like announce that I’m sorry.  Not just for ruining the Fall Formal and damaging the school, but for two years of being a jerk.  I don't…know…if rebuilding the front of the school is enough, but I want you know that I’m sorry to what I’ve done to each and every one of you…”

Sunset looked to five familiar faces at the table in front of her. “Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack.  I’m sorry for breaking up your friendship – it was something I could never understand at the time.  You guys aren't pathetic… you guys are awesome and now you are the first friends I ever had.  And for that, I thank you.”

Sunset glanced up from her papers, seeing the four of the five girls smiling warmly.  Rainbow looked rather upset, until applejack nudged her shoulder, causing Rainbow to Smile.  Sunset proceeded with the rest of the students in the cafeteria.

“Vinyl, I threw too much pressure on you during the Spring Fling.  It was wrong of me to request you buy all of that unnecessary audio equipment for the event.  Time Turner, I'm the one that broke your 'Screwdriver' in half.   Zecora, I helped spread the false rumors about your family consisting of evil enchanters and enchantresses.  Twist, it was me that sent those hurtful texts …..”

“…Roseluck, I framed Carrot Top as the one who spoiled your garden; I regretfully admit being the one that did it.  And Flash…I’m sorry about being a jerk to Twilight.  I should have just respect that you have found someone else and that you were happy….and….that’s it…I'm sorry for all what I have done to each and everyone of you… ”

Reading the list was very tiring and Sunset Shimmer’s mouth was dried up.   It had taken twenty minutes to go through it.

Pretty soon a student by the name of Ditzy Doo began to clap slowly, with the student next to her joining in.  Within five seconds, the entire table began to clap.  Within ten seconds, the cafeteria was cheering for Sunset Shimmer.

Then the cheering died down and the Cafeteria resumed its usual activity.  People ate, chatted, and didn't bother to give Sunset another chance.

Sunset sighed upon seeing how people could go back to their daily routines early.

Celestia followed Sunset out of the lunchroom.  "There are two things I want you to remember."

Sunset paused in her track and turned around.

"I was going to transfer you to another school far away and have your academic record terminated. If you live up to words for the rest of the year, then I won't mind keeping you. However, that wall has to be taken care of."

"How come?" Sunset asked, looking away "I sure deserve being sent away or thrown into jail. And I'm sure you want to forget about me.  Just like my mentor did."

Principal Celestia placed a hand on the teenager's should, prompting Sunset to look at Celestia's purple eyes. They were neither cold nor stern but rather held years of wisdom and experience.

"That's the second thing, Sunset Shimmer: I don't want to send away a bad student, like what you were.  I want to teach a lost student, who you are now, to be a good student."

"You don't think this is going to be a mistake you'll regret making?" Sunset asked.

Celestia frowned and her eyes looked away from Sunset.  Sunset spun around and saw Luna, upset and half-tired. The Vice Principal stormed into her office.

Sighing sadly, Celestia said "Please, don't make it one of my many mistakes. I don't want to send someone else away again."

"What happened?" Sunset insisted.

Celestia said immediately "I thought firing my sister from her job was the right choice any principal would make if a vice principal wasn't doing her job correctly.  Luna left me for months, until I cried for her to come back.  She did, but she never was the same little sister I once had. She was jealous of me, she hated me. I don't know if she still does."

Then Celestia left Sunset in hallway.

"No wonder Principal Luna is so grumpy." Sunset murmured.

------------------------------------------------------------

Once School-hours had ended, Sunset had found herself sweeping the last bits of glass and rubble off to the side in pile.  Now that the floor was cleaned, she had to figure out how she was going to fix the front entrance and the hole in the courtyard.

“Why don’t we just ask for some help from the school?”  Snails wondered.

“Yeah, right.” Sunset uttered sarcastically “It’s our mess – we should be the ones to fix it.  I didn’t make that ‘I’m sorry’ speech because I regretted fixing up the school.”

“No…its your mess, and it’s all three of us that has to fix it.”  Snips groaned.

Sunset was about shout at Snails but she held in her anger, surveying the the damage she had caused.  

She sighed “We're going to need some construction machines, new concrete, bricks, glass….”

“And some help.” Flash’s voice added behind her.

Sunset, Snips, and Snails, turned around, finding not only Flash, but the entire student population behind him.  Some students were carrying the required items Sunset had listed, with price tags indicating they were bought from nearby stores.

“It may be your mess…” Flash stated “…but we're doing this for our school.”

"No it's 'her' mess!" Snips pointed out.

"And this is our help so shut up and take it." Sunset demanded.

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What was meant to be about five months work was completed in four days.  The students had sacrificed their free time to fix the school, with the first priority as filling up the hole in the courtyard.  Adults from the local construction department came over to supervise the students and provide materials.

The new school entrance looked fantastic compared to the old one.  It was bigger, in the shape of a semicircle, with layers of steps shaped in the form of horseshoes.  Once it was completed on a Wednesday afternoon, Principal Celestia rewarded all her students with service hours, some extra credit in their classes, and a day off tomorrow.

Sunset used that day off to get know her friends more.  She spent some time in her new beginning with having a rocking party with Pinkie Pie, learning how to make cider-pop from Applejack, trying out dresses that Rarity requested, meeting Fluttershy’s animals, and competing in a soccer match with Rainbow Dash.

-----------------------------------------------

A few days later……

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“So what you are saying is that...you have found my human counterpart – the one that belongs to this world?” Sunset Shimmer asked Celestia.  Both were seated in front of each other in Celestia’s office.

“Yes; the school cameras caught a student that looked a lot like you. She was exploring the neighborhood during after-school hours.”  Celestia pulled up the recording on her computer and displayed it to Sunset. “It was about a day before the Fall Formal started.”

Sure enough, there was a person in the courtyard.  She resembled a lot like Sunset Shimmer, but she was dressed differently and had a slightly different hair style.  Sure enough, she wandered over to the statue and had decided to rest her back against where the portal was.  Before she noticed that she was sinking into base of the statue, she fell into it.  Then there was nothing else as the courtyard remained silent for the rest of the day.

“We never saw that Sunset Shimmer come back out. With the portal closed now, it seems that you have taken her place here and she has taken yours in Equestria. An interesting fact is that her file says that she lives alone, too.”

“What about Twilight – the human counterpart that belongs to this world?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

Celestia smiled “Oh, I know about her already.  She lives in the city and is in the honor roll at High School there.  Her brother is the head of the city’s police department and is the boyfriend to my niece. She doesn't know about the video you made of...the other-her.”

“How?”  Sunset asked.Though she had taken it down after the Fall Formal incident, she wanted to make sure that all loose ends were cut.

Before Celestia could give an answer, a figure dressed in a black jumpsuit with night vision goggles and wild pink hair kicked the office door open, making Celestia and Sunset jump out of their seats.

“Of course not, Sunset!”  The figure, who was Pinkie, chimed.  “…I had that video shown to be view in the school network only.  It was to make sure that only one Twilight Sparkle was hurt, in order to see that she needed help to win the crown for Fall Formal.”

“How did you get access into the school network and to my video?” Sunset asked.

“And…why are you dressed like a spy?”  Principal Celestia questioned.

Pinkie simply replied “To answer both your questions, its because the school policy doesn't says that I can't dress like this when I work. Also, I was able to logically guess the passwords of Sunset's Viewtube account and in the school administrator account.  But don't worry.  Your passwords are safe in a pinkie promise....also, this conversation never took place.  And I was never here.”  Then, Pinkie slammed the door shut.

“Well…I guess that takes care of everything….in fact I’m thinking about staying in this world for good.”  Sunset Shimmer said.

“Are you sure?” Celestia asked.

“Yes – because my old mentor, who was no different than you, sent me to places to learn the Magic of Friendship. The only place where I found it….was here.”

“The…magic…of friendship?  Is that another name for social philosophy?”  Principal Celestia wondered.

Sunset Shimmer shrugged. “Yeah, kind of. I’ll see you later, Principal Celestia.”

----------------

At the steps of the front entrance, a familiar face was waiting for Sunset Shimmer.  He was hiding something behind his back.

“Flash? What are you doing here?”

Flash responded “I’m here for you….because…I was wondering…”  

“Yes?” Shimmer asked eagerly.

“…I was wondering...if we can start our relationship again.” Flash requested.

Sunset was about to erupt a train of ‘yesyesyesyesyes….’ and hug Flash, but a thought prevented that from happening.  “Weren't you in love with Twilight Sparkle?”  Sunset bit her lip after she said that.  She didn't know if she rekindled Flash’s possibly-buried feelings for Twilight.

“Sure, I loved her…” Flash stated looking at the portal, then looking back at Sunset “…since she reminded me of you when you first came here…”

Sunset still felt pained that Flash still had feelings for Twilight.  That pain dropped when Flash took Sunset’s hand.

“…Yet, no matter what I felt for her I could never stop loving you.  I asked Twilight for that dance because, well, you were different and we had broken up.  And when I danced with her it reminded me a lot of you when we first met.” Flash explained, before pulling Sunset closer with one hand, keeping the other one behind him.  “Now…I still see that same kind-hearted Sunset that I met two years ago.”

“I wasn't that kind-hearted…I was an ambitious jerk.”  Sunset refuted, blinking back tears “I didn't reveal like that until I…I learned all about the human world…from you…”

Flash presented with his other hand a Canterlot Wondercolt headband and tail-strap. “The past is the past Sunset…you’re not a demon or a jerk anymore…”

Flash first strapped the tail around Sunset's waist, tickling her as he did so.  Next he crowned the Wondercolt headband on her, kissing her on the forehead.  Sunset blushed so hard, that her face was as red as her hair.

“Now you’re someone….or somepony who is going in a new direction…”  Flash and Sunset pulled each other close and kissed on the lips for the first time in a few weeks.

From her office window, Principal Celestia smiled at the entire scene before closing the blinds and letting the two go about their afternoon.