Persona: Reflection

Sunset Shimmer opened her eyes, and found herself in a strange room. In front of her was Igor, his assistant Amelia sitting to his left.

“Welcome to the Velvet Room,” Igor said, giving Sunset his usual smile. She looked around, realizing that she remembered this place. She was here before, wasn't she?

“Do not be alarmed,” Igor said, sensing her unease, “You are fast asleep in the real world. I have summoned you here from within your dreams. You've had quite an adventure, haven't you?”

“Did you know this would happen?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“I did not know the exact event, but I had my suspicions,” Igor explained, “You see, Miss, you aren't the first guest I've had.”

That surprised Sunset Shimmer. Others had been here?

“Indeed, in my time I have seen to many guests, all of them from different walks of life. Most of them have been human, but some of them from alternate dimensions. Some male, some female,” he chuckled, “It's truly remarkable, the variety of people that I have seen.”

Sunset Shimmer could only imagine. If this was real, then this man had seen so much. She wondered what sort of people he had seen. It was hard not to be envious.

“The one thing that ties all of them together,” Igor continued, “Is the contract they sign, and the power that they possess. You, young lady, are a part of a great legacy.”

Power? Did Igor mean the power of Persona? Did Adagio end up here as well?

“You will require our assistance,” Igor said, “Which is why I have summoned you here once again. So, do you have anything you would like to ask us?”

She could ask him anything? Well, thing was she did have a lot of questions about last night. She decided to start with the most pressing thing on her mind.

“What is that thing that came out of me?” She asked.

“You refer to your Persona,” Amelia said turning to Sunset Shimmer, “Your Persona is a manifestation of your personality. It is not merely a spirit that you summon, rather it is a side of yourself that you reveal.”

“Do you remember when your friend faced her shadow?” Igor chimed in, “After you calmed it, and she accepted it as a part of herself, it transformed into a Persona. You see, Personas and shadows are very similar.”

So is that how Trixie received Dionysus? That was her shadow? She did see the shadow transform. But wait, that never happened to Sunset Shimmer? Where did Cordelia come from?

“Your confusion is understandable,” Igor said, “As we realize, your powers are different. Much like those before you, your power is that of the Wild Card. It's like the number zero; empty, yet filled with infinite possibilities. Indeed, you have more potential sides within you than any of my previous guests.”

She had multiple Personas? That didn't answer how she could use her Persona though. Did it have something to do with her being from Equestria? She asked Igor and Amelia that.

“We are not sure,” Amelia said, “Doubtful though. We shall do what we can to not only aid you in discovering the answer to that, but also in awakening your latent powers.”

That was nice. Hopefully she could come to understand what happened to her. This brought on her next question though.

“Did someone named Adagio come here?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Igor and Amelia turned to each other.

“I'm afraid not,” Igor said, “You are the only guest in this room.”

Wait, so Sunset Shimmer was the only one he invited? Was there something that made her special?

“However,” Igor continued, “Your destiny is intertwined with her. How, we cannot ascertain at the moment.”

That didn't answer her question, but she accepted it. It seemed like Igor was the type who saw everything, but he didn't know everything. Well, at least she could get answers to other questions. What she had to say next wasn't really a question though.

“I failed to save her,” she said sadly.

“It is true that you were unsuccessful in rescuing the girl,” Amelia said, “But in her place, another life was spared. Do you regret saving your friend?”

Absolutely not! Sunset Shimmer couldn't abandon Trixie like that!

“Then you did not make a mistake,” Amelia said, “It is regrettable that the little girl could not be rescued, but you made a judgment call. At that moment, you could have run away, but instead you stayed to protect your friend.”

“The time for redemption will reveal itself,” Igor added, “This was just the beginning. Those closest to you may be targeted next. Will you be able to display the same amount of courage you showed in the mirror world?”

Were her friends in danger? If so, then she wouldn't let anything happen to them. She would use this power to protect her friends no matter what. She thought hard, thinking about if she had any more questions.

“I don't have any questions,” she said.

“Before you depart,” Amelia said, “The social links you form throughout your journey will aid you. Even those you call friends can give you more power. All you have to do is look deeper.”

She remembered something happening when she and Trixie bonded. Was that what Amelia was talking about?

“Take this with you,” Igor said. A purple key floated down in front of Sunset Shimmer, landing in her hands, “When the door appears, use that to return here. Until then, farewell.”

Everything faded away in front of Sunset Shimmer, as she woke up.

Thursday, September 7th
Morning

As Sunset Shimmer walked to school, she heard two girls up ahead of her talking.

“Did you hear about that middle school student that disappeared?”

“You mean Silver Spoon, right? Weird things keep happening in this school.”

“I know, first that whole thing at the dance, then the Dazzlings, and now students disappearing? I'm starting to wonder if it's safe to keep coming to school here.”

“Still, I feel really bad for Diamond Tiara. She and Silver Spoon were best friends, weren't they?”

“Silver Spoon was her only friend from what I heard. I wonder what she'll do now?”

They fell into small talk for the rest of the walk, so Sunset Shimmer tuned them out.

When Sunset Shimmer got inside, she saw Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Trixie all gathered in front of her locker. It looked like they were waiting for her.

“Ahh, there she is,” Applejack said. Sunset walked over to them and turned to Pinkie Pie, asking if she was okay.

“I'm fine now,” Pinkie Pie said, “Applejack and I talked a bit at my house, and she cheered me up.”

Sunset Shimmer nodded, and then turned to Trixie, who actually looked to be in pretty good spirits this morning.

“I'm okay too,” Trixie said, “It's funny, because last night I still felt horrible about poor Silver Spoon, but when I woke up this morning I felt fine. Oh, I tried putting my hand in the mirror today, and it actually worked!”

Sunset Shimmer was surprised when she heard that.

“Yeah, that's what we wanted ta tell ya,” Applejack said, “Trixie ain't from Equestria, but she's able to use that... Persona thing now... right? That means it ain't Equestrian magic after all.”

“I didn't think it was,” Pinkie Pie said, “Remember when we saw Adagio summon her Persona? It felt chaotic to me. Sort of dark. Equestrian magic is bright, remember?”

“Did my Persona feel like Adagio's?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Pinkie Pie shook her head before answering.

“Nu uh. It was still darker than Equestrian magic, but it felt more controlled.”

“Does it really matter what it is?” Trixie asked, catching everyone's attention, “We never figured out how Silver Spoon fell into the mirror world. If someone threw her in there, they had the intention of killing her, and they succeeded. That means...”

“They'll try it again,” Sunset continued for Trixie, who nodded.

“Exactly,” Trixie said, “We're the only ones besides Adagio who knows about the mirror world, and there's no guarantee that she'll prioritize saving the victims.”

“She did seem more concerned with fightin the shadows,” Applejack said, “Ah mean, she knew Silver Spoon was in there, but she didn't get to her until it was too late. Who's ta say she didn't plan on that?”

Pinkie Pie looked at Applejack in horror, “Applejack, you don't really think that, do you?”

Applejack shrugged, “We can't be too sure. As far as we know, she killed the poor girl herself. She might 've even been the one ta bring her in the mirror world.”

“I have to admit, it would make sense,” Trixie said crossing her arms, “She has a Persona herself, so she can go back and forth into the mirror world. She could have been the one who brought her there.”

“But she doesn't have a motive, does she?” Pinkie Pie asked, “When she came last year with her sisters it was to feed on people's negativity. What does she gain from capturing a little girl?”

“Nothin as far as we know,” Applejack said, “But we can't rule it out. Either way, Trixie's right. The kidnapper may strike again. When they do, we gotta be ready.”

“Now that we have two Persona users, we can fight back,” Trixie said, “I'm not going to let anyone else die.”

Sunset Shimmer could feel her friend's determination to protect Canterlot City from future victims. She felt a small bond forming between her and the group as a whole.

“!”

Thou art I... and I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...

This bond shalt light the way to thy destiny...

Thou shalt be blessed when fusing Personas of the Fool Arcana

Sunset Shimmer stayed with her friends chatting until the bell for homeroom rang.

Thursday, September 7th
Lunch Time

When Sunset Shimmer left her classroom, she heard commotion down the hall. It sounded like shouting. She ran ahead to find the source.

She arrived in the main hall where she saw a girl with light purple and white hair having an argument with three students Sunset knew sort of well. Applejack's little sister Apple Bloom, Rarity's little sister Sweetie Belle, and their friend Scootaloo, who spent a lot of time with Rainbow Dash.

The girl they were arguing with was wearing really nice clothes, apparently well off.

“That's not fair,” Scootaloo said, “Apple Bloom was just trying to be nice!”

“I don't want your pity!” the girl shouted, “What I want is Silver Spoon! Unless you can tell me where she is or give her back to me, then get the hell away from me!”

Silver Spoon? Was that girl her friend?

“We're not trying to pity you,” Sweetie Belle said, “You look so lonely though, we thought-”

“You're right, I am lonely! My best friend is gone, and you three idiots can't bring her back! Leave me alone!”

Apple Bloom looked down sadly, “Diamond Tiara... Ah...”

Scootaloo put her hand on Apple Bloom's shoulder, “Let's go.”

“But-” Apple Bloom started, but Scootaloo shook her head.

“We tried reaching out to her. If she wants to sit here feeling sorry for herself, that's her problem.”

Apple Bloom looked down as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle walked off. Apple Bloom took one last look at the crying preteen in front of her before running after her friends. Sunset Shimmer walked over to Diamond Tiara herself and asked her what was wrong.

“What do you care?!” Diamond Tiara shouted, starting Sunset Shimmer, “You're the same as everyone else, only asking what's wrong because it's the right thing to do! You don't care about me or Silver Spoon!”

She was really upset. In Sunset's opinion, she shouldn't have even been in school right now, if she was this traumatized. She and Silver Spoon must have been really close.

“Go away!” Diamond Tiara continue to shout, “I hate you! I have everything! Leave me ALONE!!!”

Sunset decided to call for help. Said help turned out to be Luna, who doubled as school councilor. A few minutes later, Sunset Shimmer was sitting outside Luna's office waiting to hear how Diamond Tiara was doing.

When Luna stepped out, she looked surprised.

“Sunset Shimmer, I didn't expect to see you out here still,” Luna said.

“Is she okay?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Luna sighed folding her arms.

“I'm afraid not,” Luna said, “She and Silver Spoon were best friends, you see, so she's taking her disappearance the hardest.”

Sunset Shimmer told Luna that she should be sent home.

“I agree,” Luna said, “Sadly, her father insists that she's going to be fine. She has perfect attendance, and he refuses to let this incident compromise that,” Luna looked back into her office, “Damn it Richard...”

“What can I do to help?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Luna turned to Sunset shocked at first, but then smiled.

“She doesn't have anyone she can count on,” Luna said, “If you could try to reach out to her, that would be a great help.”

Sunset Shimmer nodded and watched Luna walk back into her office, presumably to tell Diamond Tiara that she could return to class. There were still a few minutes of lunch left. Sunset Shimmer decided to head off to lunch.

Thursday, September 7th
After School

Sunset Shimmer decided not to go right home today. Instead, she walked around the school a bit to see if any of her friends were still around. In one of the halls, she saw Diamond Tiara standing by herself. She looked calmer, but still upset. She also didn't look in too much of a hurry to go home.

Didn't she promise Luna that she would reach out to Diamond Tiara? This looked like an opportune time, so she approached the depressed preteen, who looked up surprised.

“Oh... you again...” Diamond Tiara said looking away, “Look, if you came here to get an apology for shouting at you, I'm sorry. I was... upset.”

“That's not why I'm here,” Sunset Shimmer said.

“Then why are you here?” Diamond Tiara asked suspiciously.

Sunset Shimmer explained to Diamond Tiara that she wanted to talk about her friend. After a second, Diamond Tiara frowned at Sunset Shimmer.

“You don't seem like you're lying,” Diamond Tiara said, “I guess I can talk to you for a bit.”

Sunset Shimmer lead Diamond Tiara to the statue outside the school, her favorite spot as it made her feel close to Twilight. She and Diamond Tiara sat down next to each other.

“You saw on the news, right?” Diamond Tiara asked, “Silver Spoon's been gone for over a week now. Pretty soon, they'll just give up. Adults always give up, and they only pretend to care.”

“Not all adults are like that,” Sunset Shimmer said.

“All of the adults I've seen are like that. They pretend to be interested in what I'm saying, but they're just humoring me.”

Diamond Tiara grimaced hugging her knees.

“The only person who ever cared about me was Silver Spoon,” Diamond Tiara said sadly, “She wasn't like anyone else. She wasn't my friend because of my money, and she didn't pretend to be interested in what I was saying. She and I had so much in common,” her eyes began to water a bit, “Silver Spoon...”

Sunset Shimmer contemplated lying to her, telling her that she would come back, but that would be giving her false hope. She also thought about telling her the truth, that Silver Spoon was dead, but in her current state that would only make her feel worse, assuming she didn't suspect it already. With how upset she was, she probably did.

In the end, she decided to go a different route.

“Would Silver Spoon want you to suffer like this?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“No...” Diamond Tiara said softly, “She was too nice for that. That's why she and I even became friends in the first place,” Diamond Tiara looked up at Sunset Shimmer with a small smile, “You're different than the others. I like you.”

Sunset Shimmer felt a small bond forming between her and Diamond Tiara.

“!”

Thou art I... and I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...

This bond shalt light the way to thy destiny

Thou shalt be blessed when fusing Personas of the Tower Arcana...

Diamond Tiara stood up, “I'm going to head home for now,” she said, “Think we could talk again?” Sunset Shimmer nodded, “Thanks Sunset Shimmer. I'll see you again.”

Sunset Shimmer watched Diamond Tiara run off, and then headed home herself.

Thursday, September 7th
Evening

When Sunset Shimmer got home, she saw both Celestia and Luna sitting at the table talking.

“Welcome home, Sunset Shimmer,” Celestia said with a smile.

Sunset Shimmer told them that she and Diamond Tiara had become friends.

“I was hoping for that,” Luna said, “She's a little high strung, but she means well. Hopefully you'll be able to help her.”

Sunset Shimmer told them that she was going to her room, and then headed upstairs. Since she didn't have much homework to do today, she was able to go to sleep early.

…

Sunset Shimmer dreamed that she was Trixie's parent.

It was an awkward, surreal dream, but she felt like her relationship with Trixie intensify.