"I actually wasn't looking for Sunset," Celestia said, "I had gone to the cemetery to visit Sunrise..."
*****
The morning air was quite crisp and cool for a September morning. Celestia had stopped to get a bouquet of sunflowers on her way to the cemetery. Sunflowers had been Sunrise's favorite. Today her daughter would have been 10 years old.
*****
Celestia paused for moment. She picked up the picture that Trixie had shown everyone earlier. Sunset reached out and placed her hand on Celestia's shoulder.
"It's ok mom, I'm here for you." Sunset said.
"I'm ok Sunset, it helps to remember Sunrise." Celestia said.
*****
She needed to wish Sunrise a happy birthday. As she approached her daughter's final resting place, a young girl stood up from behind the headstone, a girl with fire-red hair and blonde highlights. The girl looked familiar but it took Celestia a moment for recognition to dawn in her mind. The girl saw Celestia coming and immediately took off running.
Celestia said the first thing that came to mind.
"SUNRISE!" Celestia cried out after the girl. Then Celestia remembered that the girl said that her name was Sunset, it must have only been a coincidence that she bore such a striking resemblance to Sunrise.
Putting Sunset to the back of her mind Celestia decided to finish what she had come here for. She laid the bouquet of Sunflowers at the foot of her daughters headstone. She then went about cleaning up a few weeds that had begun to grow around the monument.
"Happy birthday Sunrise," Celestia began, "your father wasn't able to join me this year." Celestia paused. Why was this so hard?
"Both your Auntie Luna and Trixie miss you and convey their love," Celestia continued, "yesterday I met a girl who looks a lot like you."
A slight breeze began to blow, Celestia didn't notice at first.
"I believe that she needs help. I know that's what you would do," Celestia sighed, "what you would want me to do."
Celestia felt the breeze pick up. She looked up. Directly above her in the sky was the most beautiful rainbow Celestia had ever seen. She knew it was a message from her daughter.
*****
"Intense!" Pinkie said in voice barely above a whisper. Even Sunset was amazed, she had never heard her mother tell this part of the story.
*****
As Celestia got back into her truck she made up her mind to try to at least get Sunset off the streets, it was her duty as an educator to look after the well being of children. First she needed to know more about the girls situation and what she could do to rectify the situation. That meant she would have to call an old friend of hers. Celestia dialed a number on her phone then turned on the speakerphone mode. After three rings her call was answered.
"Canterlot Child Protective Services, Raven Inkwell speaking." the voice on the other end of the line said.
"Raven, it's Tia," Celestia answered, "I have a few questions and then I am going to need a favor."
"Ask away Tia." Raven said.
"What information does your office have on one Sunset Shimmer approximately aged 10?" Celestia asked. There was a pause on Raven's end of the line.
"Nothing." Raven said.
"Nothing, so she hasn't been entered into system yet?" Celestia asked.
"No, I mean nothing," Raven said, not even a birth certificate or SSN on file."
"That's not possible." Celestia said aloud.
"I know, is there anything else you need?" Raven asked, "you just doubled my work load for the day."
"Not right now, but Raven can we keep this off the books for now?" Celestia asked, "Just between us."
"For now." Raven said coldly.
Celestia ended the call and noticed Sunset go inside Sugar Cube Corner Café. Celestia immediately pulled into the parking lot behind small café. by the time she got inside, Sunset had left, looking outside she saw the girl down the block. Celestia ran to her reaching out to put her hand on the girls shoulder. Sunset spun around, nearly dropping her blueberry muffin. the look in Sunset's eyes conveyed nothing but fear.
"Sunset, why don't you come with me, and we'll get you a proper breakfast." Celestia said to the young girl. Sunset only nodded. The drive to Celestia's house was one of silence. Celestia could tell that the girl was afraid.
"Tell me about yourself, where are you from?" Celestia asked finally.
"Canterlot." Sunset answered. Celestia thought that was strange, if the girl was from Canterlot, then there should have been a record of it.
"What would you like to eat? Pancakes, waffles, or French toast?" Celestia asked as they pulled into her drive way.
"What's French toast?" Sunset asked.
"You've never had French toast?" Celestia said as she opened the door to her truck, "well that settles that."
*****
"You didn't know what French toast was!" Pinkie exclaimed, "the powders sugar buttery goodness!"
"We have something similar in Equestria," Sunset answered, "and you need this was only my second day in this world. Now, French toast is my favorite breakfast."
"Anyways, so I brought Sunset home and made her some French toast..." Celestia continued.
*****
After finishing her meal Sunset began to get tired, though she had slept the night before she hadn't gotten much rest. Celestia carried the girl to her couch and allowed her to sleep there.
After a while Celestia picked up the phone and called Raven back.
"Celestia, I was just about to call you." Raven said, "as far as the local, state and federal government is concerned, there is no Sunset Shimmer. Are you sure this girl didn't give you a fake name?"
"I'm positive that she didn't, she didn't even know i was there until i said something to her." Celestia answered.
"You mentioned a favor earlier." Raven said.
"Raven, this girl needs help," Celestia said, "I want to adopt her."
"What does Discord think?" Raven asked
"I think its a grand idea," Discord said suddenly. Celestia looked up and saw him standing in the kitchen hold the phone from the garage. He just winked at his wife.
"Alright," Raven sighed, "I'll contact Chrys and get her to make the necessary paperwork. I'll let you know when we have everything ready."
*****
"It took a little over two weeks for all the paperwork to come together," Celestia said, wrapping her arms around her daughter, "and while it hasn't been without its trials and tribulations, I wouldn't change a thing."
"Thanks, mom neither would i," Sunset said.