In the garage, Sunset had awaited a response to her friends about her decision, though still keeping from them, the more crucial detail about wanting to possibly return to Equestria for good after graduation. To her delight, despite having mixed expressions upon their faces, they all eventually nodded with approval before speaking up.
"Well Sunset, it's really your choice. We can't tell you not to go." Rainbow Dash replied.
"Absolutely. We don't mind if you want to go back for a bit, there's always time to visit family. Just like my many hamsters at home!" Fluttershy cooed.
"Since we're all friends who took an oath to respect each other's decisions and such, I'd say go for it! Even if the experience in Equestria was rather... freaky for me last time." Said Twilight.
Applejack and Rarity nodded along, but didn't say anything further. Sunset was happy and hopeful that this would be the outcome. She was initially worried her friends would feel like she's abandoning them by doing so, and especially if she mentioned wanting to go back to Equestria for good. Even though, deep down, she feels her friends would respect such a decision, she just felt they weren't ready yet. This would especially be true for this world's Twilight Sparkle, who Sunset always considered her bestie, and also the one she feel would take this departure the hardest, aside from maybe Pinkie.
Once the subject of returning to Equestria temporarily was cleared up, Sunset and her friends decided to have some friendly conversations about their whole time at CHS, and how it's all built up to this moment. They mostly remembered all kinds of crazy events and magical mishaps that occurred over the last three years, when Applejack unintentionally interjected about a more sensitive topic.
"We sure had some good memories in freshmen year at CHS, didn't we all?" Applejack asked, until she realized the irony of that statement. "Actually, scratch that, I still don' look too fondly back at how we were durin' our first CHS year."
"You said it, Applejack!", Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "We sure have changed quite a bit these past few years at school. I still remember the days when most students were intimidated by Sunset for being the school bully. I think she was the absolute worst back in the day! Errr, no offense." She said as she looked toward Sunset.
Sunset rolled her eyes and as usual, said the line as if it's expected in her script. "None taken."
"Um, to be honest, girls. Back then, I still have bad memories of horrible bullies even before Sunset came to school." Fluttershy teared up, as Rainbow mentioned bullies during this conversation about freshman year at CHS. "I, I have no idea where I'd be today if it wasn't for Rainbow Dash. I remember there was this girl named Gilda who always acted aggressive toward me, made me hand over my lunch money, and threaten to hurt my little critters."
The emotional pain from such an awful memory made Fluttershy break down, and Rainbow had to hug her to calm her down. "There, there, Fluttershy. She's gone now. I made absolute certain to expose her in front of Principal Celestia and get her expelled. And she got sent to juvey. She can't bother none of us anymore." Rainbow assured.
Fluttershy wiped away her tears. "I know, but... I keep hearing rumors about how Gilda managed to break out, and ever since, if she ever finds her way back to CHS, she's still vengeful enough to take out her fierce resentment toward both of us, Dash."
Rarity, seeing the distraught shaking in her friends, decided to jump in. "Perhaps we should change the conversation to a more... positive topic, darling. No need to relive bad past memories, correct, Rainbow Dash?" She said as she glared at Rainbow in disapproval.
"Heh heh, sorry, my bad." Rainbow apologized.
Although this actually had nothing to do with her specifically, Sunset had still given a subtle look of guilt, but the feeling was much more powerful internally. Back when she didn't have any friends and ruled the school like a dictator, she had definite vivid memories of horribly bullying Fluttershy. These actions not only included taking her lunch money, but also calling her pathetic for only having animals as friends, and always kicking her when she was down. Sunset never knew of this Gilda girl they were talking about, so she speculated she must've gotten expelled some time shortly before she came through the mirror for the first time. All Sunset knew for absolute certain was, she was immensely happy she's a better person now, and stopped hurting Fluttershy when she did, not knowing what kind of further damage her bullying might've done back then. Anything that would've came from it, all she knew is that she would've certainly regretted it big time.