It was after Twilight had left with her crown. Since the dance was over and almost everyone else had gone home Principal Celestia and VP Luna approached Sunset (Snips and Snails had already gone home, due to being younger and thus having more of a curfew).

"Sunset Shimmer, Luna and I were discussing what had happened recently and we were wondering…." Principal Celestia hesitated.

"Are you from Twilight's world?" VP Luna asked. "After all you did seem to know about the crown and magic."

"Y-yes." Sunset sniffled. "I-I used to be a student under the one who now teaches Twilight, a princess. I had a dream of becoming a princess, her equal, but she refused to make me one and I grew bitter and…." She choked. "Sh-she dumped me as a student so I-I escaped here, having learned about it before. I-I snuck back through the portal a few days ago to see if there was any way I could prove her wrong and I found out about Twilight and the crown and Elements of Harmony. I was hoping that putting on the crown would instantly make me an alicorn, who are the only ones allowed to be princesses, but…." She broke down. "I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone…I can't believe I even used to be a bully." She fell to her knees crying.

"Hey, we forgive ya."

Startled, Sunset Shimmer turned and saw Rainbow Dash there, along with Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy.

"Yeah, for one thing ya can't fake those tears." Applejack nodded with a comforting smile.

"Th-thank you…." Sunset Shimmer almost whispered before turning to Rarity. "Oh…right…. Rarity I'm really sorry about the Spring Fling. I guess I had just become so desperate to become a princess that the idea of anyone else wearing a crown, even a costume one, was too unbearable to handle."

"Apology accepted darling." Rarity smiled.

"Indeed." Principal Celestia smiled. "As long as one is remorseful over the bad things they did, they can be forgiven. Now, the reason why Luna and I asked if you were from Twilight's world is because we were concerned that you don't have a real home here."

The girls' eyes widened worriedly, since that had never occurred to them. Pinkie and Applejack especially were shocked, since that hinted that Sunset didn't have family here either.

"No…." Sunset Shimmer hesitated. "I-I've been camping out in an abandoned building this whole time. One of the ones that doesn't have clear ownership."

"WHAT?" Pinkie was horrified; the other girls gasped as well.

"That certainly will not do." VP Luna said seriously. "It's settled then, you will move in with me and Celestia."

"Ya sure? I was about to offer for Sunset to stay with me since the farm has loads of room." Applejack said.

"More than sure, especially since it relates to our side job." Principal Celestia smiled. "You see both Luna and I have wanted children of our own, but running a high school and having a baby when you're single is not easy. So we decided to register our home as a foster home for preteens and teenagers without families of their own, so that we could help them emotionally as well as academically. This way we could at least be guardians without it excessively interfering with our job here."

"And at the moment all of our guest rooms are empty, so we too have loads of room." VP Luna smiled. "The best benefit we got from being descendants of a rich family is the capability to afford a huge home with many bedrooms, more than enough for homeless teens. And I think it would be best if Sunset was looked after by someone who didn't already live with other students. After all your siblings may not react well to her moving in."

"Heh…oh yeah." Applejack winced while rubbing the back of her head; after all Big Mac might shrug it off, he trusted her that much, but Apple Bloom would definitely complain about it.

"Th-thank you…." Sunset hung her head. "I honestly don't want to be alone tonight."

"It's nothing, after all it's our job to make sure that all students will be able to start wonderful lives of their own." Principal Celestia smiled, offering her hand to help Sunset up.

"Still…." Sunset sighed, accepting the hand. "Also thank you, for not expelling me. I'm surprised you didn't suspend me though."

"I think since you really do regret how you've behaved in the past community service is plenty." VP Luna said. "Plus I know the rest of the students aren't going be pleasant to you starting next week, so you don't deserve further punishment. And don't worry, I'll be sure to make an announcement Monday morning telling everyone to not try to get back at you for what you've done in the past. I can't stop the glares or the shunning, but I'll do my best to prevent others from beating you up or even sending mean letters."

"And we'll protect her too." Rainbow Dash grinned. "After all no one will want to beat her up with me and Applejack there."

"And if she does get any mean letters, I'll counter them with nice ones." Fluttershy smiled.

"And I'll bring her a smiley face cupcake or cookie every morning!" Pinkie grinned. "Always start the day with a smile after all!"

"Well, what I can certainly do later is make repairs on her outfit." Rarity looked Sunset over. "And I think new clothes would be a good idea too."

Sunset didn't say anything, instead she stared at them for a few seconds as if she was surprised by the offers. She then hugged them, only to realize what she was doing and awkwardly break away before looking down ashamedly and rubbing her arm. Pinkie then gave her a big hug, as if to tell her that she was allowed to hug them. But instead of returning the hug or even accepting it, Sunset started sobbing.

"I think we'd best get her home, I think she could use a bath and a good night's rest after tonight." Principal Celestia said. "But first we should stop by that abandoned building and pick up what few belongings she has."

"Definitely." VP Luna nodded. "We'll send Sunset's outfit to you for repairs in the morning Rarity."

"No rush, I'll be thinking up ideas for a new outfit for her anyway." Rarity smiled.

With that, Pinkie let go of Sunset so that Principal Celestia and VP Luna could gently lead Sunset to their car. Sunset helped them pick up her few belongings (mostly clothes, books, school supplies, and minor survival gear) from the abandoned building, and after they arrived home she helped them carry her belongings to a guest room. She then took a bath and got ready for bed…and got the first of many nightmares she would suffer from for months.

Thankfully, though she didn't know it at the time, the students would forgive her and she would be able to start over for real in less than half a year. But of course there's already a movie about that, so I'm not going to elaborate.