How did this happen? How is this possible? How could she go from the school bully, to the school hero, to graduating? It is mind boggling. But as Sunset stands on the stage accepting her diploma from Principal Luna as Principal Celestia reads off her name, she only has one thought. I did it. It's not like she was scared of not passing her classes, she always had the highest grades. It wasn't even the fact that Sunset actually graduated a schooling program instead of bailing like with Princess Celestia. It was the fact that she made friends. It was the fact that she made friends and stuck with them throughout their years here at CHS. "Ladies and gentlemen. I give you, the graduating class of CHS!" Principal Celestia announces and applause and cheers roar through the auditorium as the graduates toss their hats up in the air. And to Sunset, it is the most satisfying feeling imaginable.
She remembers the day she stepped into the portal to this world. She was heartbroken and angry at Celestia and swore revenge! And that didn't turn out well. No, it didn't. Luckily Twilight Sparkle was kind enough to show Sunset how to feel again and how to accept people into her life again and not just for control like Flash Sentry. And luckily, she was there to show this world's Twilight the same thing. Sunset looks for her friends in the sea of people, each looking for a hat they dropped or their friends, some both. But Sunset couldn't care at all for her hat right now. She sees Rainbow Dash and embraces her in a huge hug, not wanting to let go. Rainbow has pushed Sunset into exercising and sports and every Sunday morning they are on the public soccer field playing a game before Dash goes to her job at Sports Checkmate. She takes her hand and together they look for their other friends.
Pinkie Pie is busy throwing streamers as the two friends come up from behind and hug her. Sunset can't believe that she'd ever pull apart these five people that she is searching for. But there was a time where she did. In grade ten. They were already really close friends when Sunset met them. She had already built up a reputation of being a mean and demanding and scheming person, so pulling them apart was really easy. A thought that brings her much guilt as all three pull apart and all look for Rarity. Rarity, fitting name because to Sunset, that girl truly is one. So generous to those in need. And wise too. Rarity was the one who convinced Sunset to stick around this world by these simple words, "What we needed to stop them, Darling, was you." And here she is, at the front of the stage basking at the attention of those below. All four hug. Sunset starting to tear up now. She doesn't know what the future holds for her friends, but after high school she's going straight into college in a science major and becoming a physicist.
She is going to miss her friends dearly. Sunset again releases another friend and they all go look for Apple Jack, which is easier now that people are starting to disperse from the stage to their families. Apple Jack has become like a sister to Sunset. Her family gave her a home to live when they found out Sunset lived in a shelter in the city. And for that, Sunset will forever be grateful. All five of them embrace and Sunset really starts to cry then. They all have made it so far in highschool and now it's all over. Even Rainbow Dash, who almost failed, get's to be here with everyone. Sunset clears her eyes and clears away Rarity's and Pinkie's too before scanning the stage for the two people who are missing. And there they are. Hiding in a corner off stage there is Fluttershy and Twilight. Fluttershy is Sunset's closest friend, not excluding Apple Jack who gave her a home, they had been really close these past few years and it absolutely breaks Sunset's already fragile heart to think that she has to leave her to pursue her dream in becoming a physicist.
Twilight is the newest of the group, and yet has always been there since the beginning. And she too is planning on studying science only her dream is to become a chemistry teacher here at CHS. Finally, they all embrace. Tears flow as they do. Sunset remembers her days in Equestria, her days here, and her days in the future. And nothing will ever compare to this moment right here, right now. She remembers, with shame, turning into a demon creature. And remembers with pride the day she saved Twilight from becoming a demon herself. She remembers the sheer joy and accomplishment of beating the sirens and stopping Gloriosa Daisy. And she regales with a heavy heart when they found out that Rainbow Dash might've not graduated. And the relief of when they found out she would.
How did this happen? No one on the outside could say. But Sunset knew. and as all seven of them got off the stage to greet their families, one final thing became clear to Sunset. She is done high school. She is going to college in a month. And for once in her life she is starting a new chapter of her life without fear or anger, but with joy and giddy nervousness. She is ready for this.
How is this possible? Some say it is magic. But if someone walked up to Sunset at this moment and accuse her of it, she would swear up and down that she did it on her own. She made friends. She made memories both good and bad. She made this time in the human world worth while and now she is on to bigger and better things.
How could she go from the school bully, to the school hero, to graduating? With love and support from her friends. Friends that she thought she didn't need. All she thought she needed was power and nothing else. Boy, was she wrong. Now, being embraced in Big Mac's huge arms and being hugged from behind from Apple Bloom, she is sure that the was most certainly wrong.
Now, walking out of the auditorium with Apple Jack on her left and Granny on her right, she faces the world head on. Evil magic? Due dates? Scheduling conflicts? Evil creatures? Whatever it is, she knows that she can face them head on. And that's final.
