Celestia was more than a little surprised when Sunset Shimmer and Twilight walked into her office. In fact she was downright shocked. She immediately called Luna in. The girls sat down and explained everything to the two sisters. How Twilight came back and had to keep the portal open, how The Sirens found it, crossed through, and then closed it back up; stranding Twilight here. They told them how Trixie was with them and that Twilight wanted to become a student for as long as she remained here. At the end; Celestia just shook her head.

"Well, this does put me in a rather tough spot." Celestia sighed and put her head in her right hand and then ran it through her hair before looking back at Twilight and Sunset. "I now know where Trixie is. However; I can not tell anyone. Who would believe me? I mean we covered up all the events of the past year pretty well. So I have to sit back and let the police search for someone they'll never find. I also have to let her parents suffer not knowing what happened to their daughter."

Celestia looked down at her desk and just stared. She really didn't know what to do. She felt like she was losing control and she was becoming resentful. Who were these creatures who kept coming in a ruining her school? Running a school, even a school in an affluent neighborhood like Equestria, was hard work under normal conditions. Now here she was again; putting up with and trying to fix problems caused by beings from another dimension. Only characters in sci-fi films and books had to put up with that. But this wasn't science fiction and she had to deal with it.

She wanted to lash out; to expel all of them. To tell Sonata, Sunset, and Twilight to leave and never come back. She wanted to; but couldn't. When she looked at them, she saw three frightened and confused girls, trying to make their way in life. They weren't girls. At least not as she knew, not by human standards. They weren't even human. God knows what they were. But perception is reality. So she held back her anger and decided to help.

"Do you know how long you are going to be her Twilight?" she asked.

"No. It could be days, it could be two years. It all depends when someone sees my message and how much damage was done to the dimensional gate. I wish I could be more precise, but that's the best I can do." Twilight felt ashamed. While this Celestia was merely a human with whom she had almost no contact with; her voice, demeanor, had all the majesty and power of her Celestia and she couldn't help but feel as though she were sitting in front of the princess.

"Ok. Well, you are going to need papers. Birth certificate, school reports, doctor's reports, all the documentation of ones life." Celestia started telling Twilight but was interrupted by Sunset.

"I can take care of that. I know someone. It's the same guy who took care of mine."

Celestia and Luna exchanged nervous looks which caused Sunset and Twilight to wonder why. Celestia rubbed her head again and shook it yes. "Alright, you may be a student. But once you are back in your dimension; I'm having the portal destroyed."

"You can have the statue destroyed, but the portal is fixed. It will open up regardless of what's there or not," Twilight said and then realized it was the wrong thing to say at the wrong time by the way Celestia looked at her. "Sorry," she said and sank into the chair.

"And once you go back; will you be able to find Trixie?" Luna asked. She thought of Trixie's parents and the pain they must be going through. She hoped Twilight and Sunset could find her and bring her back.

"That is the plan. But no guarantees," Sunset said in her best sympathetic voice.

"Alright. Have your papers for by next Monday. You're both dismissed," Celestia said and both girls got up and left.

After they had left; Celestia looked up at her sister who was standing beside her chair. "What do I do now?"

"You're doing it right now." Luna put her hand on Celestia's shoulder and patted it. "If you could handle me, you can handle anything. They're good girls you know. Twilight came through twice for us and Sunset has changed drastically. She really is one of the best students here. Have faith dear sister. Who knows, you may grow quite found of both of them."

"I hope so sister. Not for my sake, but for everyone's."

**********************************************************************************************************************

It was lunch time and all the girls plus Flash were sitting down and trying to help Twilight.

"Ok," Sunset started, "You're gonna have to come up with a birthday. You look sixteen, so keep it in the fifteen to seventeen range. Like I choose March sixth, nineteen ninety- eight for mine."

"Mine is June first, nineteen ninety-eight," Rarity said.

"December thirtieth, nineteen ninety-seven here," said Applejack

"August twenty-fourth, ninety-eight," Rainbow added.

"July eighth, ninety-eight." Pinkie said happily.

"Oh cool!" Sonata said. "Any plans on what you want to do for your birthday? It's not too far away."

"I don't know. My parents are coming that week and they're not really 'party people' if you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I remember you telling me about them. Total bummer. That and we'll have to sleep in separate rooms again."

"Ok, waaaaayyyyy too much information there," Applejack said. She loved and accepted all people, but she was still a straight girl and certain images she just did not want in her mind.

"Well, we've come this far," Twilight said, "what's the rest of your birthdays?"

"February eleventh, ninety-seven; don't forget it," Flash said with a smile.

"April seventh, ninety-eight." Fluttershy spoke last.

Twilight wrote all those down. "Ok, I got an idea now. How about I choose . . , November second, nineteen ninety-seven? It puts me the same year as Flash."

"And me!" Applejack said, a bit insulted Twilight forgot her.

"But that's good," Sunset said. "Since you were 'born' after September, that means you would be in the same grade as the rest of us. Well not Flash. He's one year ahead."

"Alright; all settled then. What about the rest?" Twilight asked a bit concerned. Picking a birthdate was easy. But what about all the rest.

"Don't worry; Discord will take care of the rest," Sunset said. She hated going back to him, but he was their best option.

The gang talked some more. They filled Twilight in on some of the teachers she was going to have and what to expect. Eventually the bell rang and everyone got up to go to their next class. As Fluttershy went to leave, she felt a hand grab her shoulder. She turned around to see Rarity.

"Fluttershy, I want you to spend the night at my house. I already asked my parents and they said it would be fine." Rarity had a forced smile on her face.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. I have to get home to momma," Fluttershy whispered. She knew that Rarity knew about her situation. It was obvious. Fluttershy felt sad and embarrassed.

"Darling, Rainbow told me everything. Don't get mad at her, I made her. After this morning, I had to know what was going on. Rainbow's right; she's going to kill you." Rarity spoke softly. She loved Fluttershy like a sister. She could talk to her for hours about hair, clothes, make-up, and everything that was great about being a girl. The idea that she was in danger, was being abused; broke Rarity's heart.

Fluttershy shook her head. "I have to go back sometime Rarity. Besides I have no clothes for a sleepover." It was a flimsy excuse; but it was all she had.

Rarity's face lit up. "Well you know what that means?- shopping trip!" Rarity sang the last two words.

"Thanks again, but I don't have any money."

"Nonsense! It's all on me. Think of it as a fashion experiment. I'll get you some clothes and make-up and if they look good on you; I'll get them for myself. Now I simply won't take no for an answer. Sooooo?"

Fluttershy smiled. It would have been so easy to just give up and end it in despair. It was the love of friends like Rarity and Rainbow who kept her going. Whatever love was missing from her home life; they more than made up for it. "Well if I can't say no, I guess I got to say yes."

"Excellent! I'll meet you at your locker at the end of the day. Until then, think fashionable thoughts." Rarity waved and walked off.

Fluttershy kept smiling as a tear ran down here cheek. She really felt like the luckiest girl alive at the moment.

*****************************************************************************************************************

As Sunset and Twilight walked through the front of Sunset's apartment; Twilight could feel something vibrating in her back pack. "The book!" she squealed and quickly took her back pack off and opened it up to get the book. She opened it up and began reading to herself. Her face became sullen.

"What does it say?" Sunset asked concerned.

"'Dear Twilight, talked to Princess Celestia and informed her about what had happened. She came and looked at the machine but has no idea how to fix it. She said you're stuck there until the next time the portal opens up. She said that she'll get the security forces to start looking for The Sirens. She also said for your actions and the harm you have caused; once you return; you'll be stripped of your Princess status and will no longer be her pupil. I'm so sorry. Everyone loves and misses you. Spike.'" Twilight just let her arms fall down and looked straight ahead.

Sunset walked over to her and put her arms around her. "Twilight, I'm so sorry." It was then, Twilight burst into tears.

Author's Notes:

Act 2 is all about the fall out from act 1. We'll see how Twilight copes and how the rest grow and change as their high school days wind to a close.