Author's Note

Though this story recognizes the canon of Equestria Girls, all of the characters have regular colored skin, as shown by the cover picture (that's how I envision Sunset Shimmer in this story). Rated M for strong language, violence, and sexual themes and content.

I'm trying to portray a true Persona feel with this story, so I'm experimenting with the main character. If there's a moment when she talks, that when there's no avoiding it. Tell me what you think.

Chapter 1

In what looked like a dark forest, a single horse drawn carriage slowly made its way through the darkness of the forest, which seemed to be endless. The carriage itself was very large, its driver not present. The black horse seemed to know where it was going though.

The interior of the carriage was odd. It was dark blue with a hint of purple, with lush, fancy seats surrounding a single table in the middle. Cocktail drinks were present on a shelf at the side, making it look like the room was made up for a party, or an important meeting.

In the room were two of the oddest characters. One was an extremely beautiful woman sitting off to the side. She wore a blue suit like a secretary of some sort, and had extremely long and full blond hair. In her lap was a large book, and her eyes were yellow, sort of like a demon.

The other figure was an older man with white hair that was balding, and the longest nose. He wore a black suit, and had his hands folded under his nose and his eyes closed in a thoughtful position. When he opened his eyes, they were creepy to say the least, as was the smile on his face.

“Welcome, to the Velvet Room,” he said, his voice oddly calm and friendly, which didn't seem to match his appearance at all.

The guest finally looked around, taking in their surroundings. Strangely, they felt absolutely safe here in this room.

“My name is Igor,” the man continued before turning to his assistant, “Over here is my assistant, Amelia.”

The woman turned to the guest with a soft smile, “It's a pleasure to meet you,” she said, her voice deep and sensual. The kind that would be a hit on a phone sex hotline.

“This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter,” Igor said turning back to the guest, “Now then, why don't you introduce yourself?”

It was odd, but the guest actually had to think about their name. After a second, it came to them, and they spoke it aloud.

“Sunset Shimmer...”

Igor chuckled, “Throughout my time maintaining this room, I have seen many guests of all types. However, you are the most interesting guest I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I can sense an oddity from you, as if you are one between worlds. The world you live in isn't your own, yet it feels as though it is, correct?”

How did he know that? Well, there was no point in lying, so the guest nodded and confirmed that he was right.

“So young, yet already thinking about the hard question of 'where do I belong',” Igor chuckled again, “Truly a remarkable young lady.”

Amelia giggled, “Master, you're just a sucker for pretty young girls, aren't you?” she teased.

“Caught red handed,” Igor said through his laughter. These two, while odd looking, were very pleasant to be around. The guest liked them already.

“Tell me, do you believe in fortune telling?” Igor asked, pulling out a deck of tarot cards, “Each fortune uses the same cards, but the results are always different. Shall I read your fortune?”

He handed the deck to the guest, who shuffled it for a few seconds before handing it back to Igor. He then took the top three cards and placed them side by side. He turned the card on his left over first.

“The Emperor in reverse represents your past,” Igor said, “It tells me that at one point you pushed others away, and refused to accept others.”

He turned the middle card over, “Ah, the Temperance upright, which shows your maturity over the course of the events in your past. You've clearly come a long way.”

He turned the final card over, “Now this is truly interesting. The Fool represents your future. It seems that you're about to enter a new chapter in your life, and the lessons you've learned will be put to use.”

The cards disappeared, “You will need to awaken to a new power to face the challenges ahead. We can help you, but first you must sign a simple contract,” a piece of paper appeared where the cards once were, “It's nothing too serious. Simply that you will take responsibility for your own actions.”

The guest looked the contract over, and sure enough there was only one simple sentence:

I choose this fate of my own free will

The guest signed her name with the pen provided, and the paper vanished, “We will keep a close watch over you in the days to come. I look forward to our next meeting,” Igor said. Everything became fuzzy, and the entire room faded away, as if it were all a dream.

Monday, September 4th
Morning

When Sunset Shimmer woke up, she was in her “true” form, that being a yellow/orange unicorn pony with a red and golden mane and tail, her Cutie Mark being the sun with a red and yellow swirl in the middle. She remembered a time when this was natural for her, but oddly now it felt foreign.

The room she was staying in was really nice, much fancier than her room in the other world. At one time, this was her dream room. She envisioned herself coming back to Equestria with an entire army at her disposal, taking over Canterlot castle and making Celestia her plaything.

Now being in this nice room given to her by her good friend Twilight Sparkle, she just felt overwhelmed. She was staying here for summer vacation, but she couldn't wait to get back to her world and see her friends.

Wait, wasn't this her world? Weren't her friends over there just that worlds equivalents of Twilight's friends? They had the exact same personalities, and even sounded the same. Well, not the exact same personalities.

The other world's Applejack was somewhat more approachable, if that made any sense. The Rainbow Dash that she knew was slightly more humble, but only slightly. Also, the Rainbow Dash on this side was somewhat more responsible.

The Rarity on this side had her own business, and was busy more often then not, while the Rarity on her side helped out in her mother's shop, and only worked part time. The Fluttershy on her side was more independent, and had actually become a good friend of Sunset's.

Speaking of good friends, the Pinkie Pie on this side was the only one who was just like their other world's counterpart. However, even she managed to be somewhat different. The Pinkie Pie on the other side seemed more in tuned with the world around her, and she seemed to be somewhat more serious.

Sunset hadn't had the luxury of meeting the Twilight on the other side, but she did meet the Trixie on this side. She was humbler than the Trixie she knew, yet somehow she wasn't as nice. Sunset had wanted to get to know Trixie better, but the Trixie on this side wasn't approachable at all. Hopefully the Trixie on her side would be.

Her side? What?

A knock on her door caught her attention, “Sunset Shimmer? Are you up?” Twilight asked from outside. Sunset trotted to the door and opened it.

“Hey, did you have a good night's sleep?” Twilight asked, Sunset nodded with a smile, “Today you're heading back to the other world. Are you sure you don't want to stay here a little longer?”

“I'm sure. I miss my friends,” Sunset Shimmer replied. Twilight looked down sadly.

“Right. They may have the same names, but they're not the same. Even I realize that. I hope you had a good time over here though,” Sunset nodded, telling Twilight that she had a wonderful time. That brought a smile to the purple alicorn's face.

“Good. I was worried you wouldn't like my version of them, but I understand how you feel,” Twilight explained, “I'd escort you there, but I have a meeting with Princess Celestia today. We can at least see you off though.”

Sunset Shimmer thanked Twilight, and watched as she trotted off. She closed the door, deciding to pack up and get ready for the trip home.

September 4th
Midday

Everyone gathered around the portal in the throne room. It was strange, since on one hand she was saying good bye to most of them, but on the other hand she was going to see them again tomorrow if not later on today.

“It's a shame you can't stay,” Rarity said, “I had planned to make a new dress for you.”

“I can't believe you're actually excited to go back to school!” Rainbow Dash said, “You do realize that makes you an even bigger egghead than Twilight, right?”

“Now Dash, Ah think it's nice that she actually cares this much about her education,” Applejack said, “If Ah didn't have ta take care of the farm, Ah'd 've gone back mahself.”

“I... liked school,” Fluttershy said softly, making everyone laugh.

“When you see me over there, tell me I said hi, okay?” Pinkie Pie asked brightly. Sunset laughed, and then nodded smiling. Twilight walked over to Sunset, and the two of them hugged.

“You always have a home here,” Twilight said, “and friends. Never forget that.”

Sunset and Twilight parted, and Sunset turned to face the portal. She trotted over to it, stopping right in front of it. She turned back to Twilight and her friends again, seeing them waving to her. Sunset Shimmer waved to them one last time, and then trotted into the portal.

Through the portal, she felt her entire body change. Her fur vanished, leaving her smooth Caucasian flesh in its place. Her figure changed until she was standing completely upright, her front hooves turned into hands, her breasts grew on her chest, and her horn and tail vanished. Her hair changed somewhat, looking less like a pony's mane and flowing perfectly down her back. Finally, her clothes appeared, being a purple top, orange mini skirt, black leather jacket and matching boots. What entered the portal on one end as a unicorn pony...

Emerged on the other side as a human teenage girl.

Sunset Shimmer looked around at the school campus, which right now was empty. She walked to the schoolyard, seeing the soccer field where Rainbow Dash would probably be practicing throughout the year.

Closing her eyes, Sunset Shimmer took a deep breath. She then fell back onto the grass, unable to contain herself. What started as a small giggle soon evolved into euphoric laughter, complete with tears in her eyes.

She was home.

After spending a few more minutes walking around the campus, she walked to the parking lot, where her ride would be waiting for her.

“Sunset!” someone called out to her. Sunset looked around, seeing an older woman waving to her in front of a blue car. This woman had rainbow colored hair and the fairest skin, and currently wore a somewhat fancy white top, blue jeans, and sandles. This was not only her ride, but also her legal guardian and school principal.

Celestia.

Sunset walked over to Celestia, “Hope I didn't keep you waiting,” she said. Celestia waved it off.

“I just got here, so it's fine,” she said. She then held her arms out, and Sunset immediately ran into Celestia embracing her. Who would have thought she would get along so well with this worlds counterpart of the mare she betrayed years ago, or that she'd have no problem living with the principal of her school?

“I was thinking we could go get some lunch before heading home,” Celestia said, “What do you say? Hungry?”

Considering that she missed the taste of human food, Sunset Shimmer nodded eagerly. Celestia laughed taking Sunset's bag and putting it in the trunk. Sunset took one last look at the school, imagining it full of students. She couldn't wait to see her friends, but for now, Celestia would do.

Celestia and Sunset walked into a pizza shop. She didn't recognize this place. Was it new?

“They opened up a few new stores over the summer,” Celestia explained. Sunset asked Celestia what sort of stores, making Celestia giggle, “Don't worry, Sunset Shimmer. I doubt it's anything sinister like the Dazzlings last year. Just an antique store no one visits, a few food stores like this one, and someplace called Daidara's Metal Works, whatever that is.”

A metal works shop? That sounded interesting. Maybe she could go there with her friends one day.

She and Celestia went to the front counter to place their orders. They sat down after making their orders.

“So, did you get to see the me over in that world?” Celestia asked. Sunset made sure that Celestia knew about the other world so she wouldn't have to hide, and she kept in touch with Sunset via the book that the Equestrian Celestia gave her.

Ironic.

Sunset explained to Celestia that her Equestrian counterpart was royalty, so she didn't get to see too much of her. Celestia almost choked on her pizza when she heard that.

“Royalty?!” she exclaimed. Sunset went further to explain that the Equestrian Celestia was actually in control of the sun, and her sister Luna controlled the moon, “If I didn't have that book, I wouldn't believe it,” she looked up wistfully, “Queen, I bet I'm beautiful over there.”

“You're beautiful over here,” Sunset said, making her guardian giggle..

“Oh Sunset, you're making me blush,” she said, sure enough her cheeks were turning red, “One of these days I'd love to see what it's like over there. Would that be possible?” Sunset nodded, “Oh! Thank you Sunset Shimmer!”

The contrast between the two Celestias was probably the biggest difference. The Equestrian Celestia, being royalty, was somewhat stoic if not relaxed, while the Celestia over here was borderline a party girl at times, only reserved at work. Even then she was one of the coolest principals ever. Sunset figured this would be what Princess Celestia would be like had she lived a normal life.

“So, find a man yet?” Sunset asked. Once again, Celestia's face turned red, but this time she looked shocked.

“U-um, what makes you ask that?” Celestia asked. Sunset noted that Celestia was wearing fancier clothing than usual, “W-well, not quite yet, but I'm... in the market you could say. Like you said before the summer, I can't stay single forever. That's not what Sombra would have wanted.”

Sombra was the name of Celestia's past lover, who she met years before Sunset moved to this world. Apparently they had a serious fling, and Celestia wanted to marry him, but he vanished one day, leaving only a letter urging her to try and make something of her life.

“So, are you going to try it tonight?” someone asked behind their table. Sunset and Celestia looked and saw two teenagers walking to another table and sitting down.

“You mean that rumor? Do you know how silly that sounds?”

“You're actually questioning it? Think about all the craziness from last year. This is normal compared to that.”

“It still sounds ridiculous to me.”

Their conversation turned to regular teenage stuff, so Sunset stopped paying attention.

“I suppose that's one thing,” Celestia said, catching Sunset Shimmer's attention, “There's this strange rumor going around that if you look in a mirror at midnight, you'll see your deepest desire manifested. I never tried it myself, but it sounds harmless enough.”

Sunset hoped it was harmless. She'd look into it herself when she had time. She and Celestia continued to eat their pizza, but out of her peripheral vision, Sunset saw a familiar girl with full blond and orange hair and a purple hoodie get up and walk away.

Was that... Adagio? Sunset shrugged and went back to her pizza.

“What about you?” Celestia asked with a smirk, “Anyone over in the other world you're interested in?”

That question caught her off guard. Sunset should have known that asking Celestia about her relationship issues would open up a can of worms.

September 4th
Evening

It was nighttime when they made it back to Celestia's house. It was a small three bedroom house, nice for the neighborhood but humble compared to how her Equestrian counterpart lived.

“Luna, we're home,” Celestia called out. Luna stepped downstairs, wearing a midnight blue bathrobe that matched her dark blue hair perfectly. She had slightly darker skin than her sister, making her almost look Latino. Sunset figured they were half sisters, or one of them looked more like their mother and the other looked like their father.

“Tia, you came back just in time,” Luna said, “Welcome home, Sunset Shimmer.”

Hearing that made Sunset smile. She thanked Luna, and asked why she was wearing a bathrobe.

“Well, unlike someone here, I actually have a date tonight,” Luna said with a proud smile. Celestia folded her arms.

“You do know that tomorrow if the first day of school right?” Celestia asked raising an eyebrow.

“You do know that I'm Vice Principal, right?” Luna asked, “Maybe if you got laid once in a while you wouldn't have such a stick up your ass.”

Celestia pursed her lips, and Sunset Shimmer couldn't hold in her laughter. Celestia may have been somewhat whimsical and playful, but Luna was truly the wilder of the two sisters, stating that she truly felt “alive” at night.

“I won't stay out too late,” Luna stated, “But you probably shouldn't wait for me tonight or in the morning.”

“Believe me, I won't,” Celestia groaned. Luna stuck her tongue out at her sister and walked back upstairs to get ready for her date. Sunset wondered who the lucky guy was, “If you want, you can worry about unpacking in the morning,” Celestia said, “You're room is exactly the same as it was when you left it.”

Sunset thanked Celestia and took her bag upstairs. On the way to her room, she saw Luna, now applying her make-up wearing midnight blue lingerie. Sunset thought for a second, and then decided to stop and say something to Luna before she left out. She missed both of them, after all.

“Oh, hello Sunset,” Luna said, “How was Equestria?”

“It was nice, but I'm glad to be home,” Sunset said.

“And home is glad to have you back,” Luna said, “Seriously, it's so much more fun here with you living with us.”

Sunset noticed that after she moved in with them, Celestia started smiling more often. Maybe she was more caught up on the past than Sunset originally thought. Not wanting to pry too much into something that she was sure was private, Sunset instead inquired as to who Luna was dating.

“Well, while you were in the other world I connected with the older brother of one of your friends. I think her name is Applejack.”

Wait, the Vice Principal Luna was dating her friend's brother? Was that okay? I mean, she had never met Applejack's brother in person, and she assumed he was a grown man, but he was the brother of one of her students.

“I know what you're thinking,” Luna said, “and you're right. Celestia probably would have a problem with me dating someone related to one of our students, which is why you're not to tell her anything, alright?”

Man, one night and Sunset Shimmer was already in between their family drama. Well, she was beginning to see them like her own family, so she nodded.

“Thank you,” Luna said, “Now if you'll excuse me, I have to choose a dress that goes with this shade of lip-stick. Bonne nuit, Sunset Shimmer.”

Knowing that she said “Good night” in French, Sunset Shimmer said good night and continued to her room.

Yes, this was her preference. Simple, practical, and LOTS of red. A poster of her favorite boy band hanging on her door, and her vanity mirror and dresser at the side of her bed. She thought about trying out that rumor, just to see if it was true or not, but instead fell onto her bed. The new school year started tomorrow, and she wanted to be well rested for it.

Special thanks to my friend The Spectralist for being my first ever Patreon! You are awesome! I love you!