There are many things in this world we don't understand. How does physics work, how did we evolve from apes, why is the best food in the world bad for you health? But the biggest questions deal with ourselves. What does that girl see in that guy? Why does she purge herself every night? How can two people city same sex be attracted to each other?

The truth is we don't understand other people because truly we can't understand ourselves. We're not honest, we hide behind masks because we're afraid of admitting our weaknesses, our guilty pleasures, or even our true callings. I'm no different.

I thought I had all the answers...but I was horribly wrong and it was only after the following events took place that I finally understood, but in turn it would change the world forever. My name is Sunset Shimmer and this is my story...

Another day was over at Canterlot High. Go figure right as I'm about to head home my damn bike has motor trouble. Thankfully it's nothing major but it still gets my hands covered in grease.

"Oh Sunset Shimmer, there you are!" Of course it was only now that she'd come find me. I turned around and smiled politely at Miss Cheerilee while inside I was grimacing.

"Miss Cheerilee," I said.

"Seems like you're having some issues so I won't keep you too long but I suppose you know why I'm here?"

Of course I knew, she's been trying to get me alone for the past week. "I'm guessing it doesn't have to do with my recent test results?" I say, trying to break the tension.

Cheerileee chuckled. "No although I do hope you come up with a better plan for studyingCheerileently transferred here and since you're already a junior you need to start thinking ahead to what would you want to do after school. Have you thought about it at all?"

I actually had been thinking about it a lot. It had been quite the year for me so far: my parents had moved to Canterlot since my dad go himself a new job at the new tech company which was headed by the Sombra Corporation. I didn't have a lot of friends at my old school so the transition wasn't really traumatic for me.

Canterlot on the other hand was...different. Within a matter of weeks I managed to find a few friends who introduced me to other friends. It was strange though...despite them all being in certain clubs and whatnot, they were in their own little circle.

"I'm not sure what to go into yet, but I've certainly thought about going to college," I said.

Cheerilee brightened. "That's wonderful Sunset! I'm glad you're thinking ahead early...but that doesn't mean you shouldn't focus on the present. Anyway, I'd like to see you after class tomorrow so we can talk more about this and don't even try to wiggle your way out of this one."

I sighed as she headed back inside the school. I should've known she wasn't fully satisfied. I then went back to fixing up my bike.

It was shortly after I finished I heard the door nearby me open again. "Oh, there ya are sugarcube." I turned around and saw a tan girl with freckles and a cowboy hat staring at me.

"What's up AJ?" Her actual name was Applejack but her closest friends called her AJ.

"Well Ah didn't wanna bother ya about but uh..." Applejack sighs. "Dash is going at it again."

I shake my head slightly. Rainbow Dash is a friend of the girls, although we haven't quite gotten to that point yet. She's part of a band called the Rainbooms and she's been indirectly asking me to join her band. "She's still asking? Look, I'm decent on a guitar but-"

"Decent?" Applejack chuckled. "Ah think yer better than decent personally. Anyway, after Flash Sentry got tired of her nonsense and started his own band she's been needing a new guitarist. Look, ya think ya can do us all a favor and git her ta shut up about it?"

I sighed. "Alright...yeah I guess I better do this now sooner or later. Where's she at?"

"The old abandoned warehouse outside of town as always," Applejack replied. "Mind if Ah tag along? Dash can sometimes be unreasoable but she'll listen ta me at least."

I grinned slightly. "Can you handle riding a bike?"

Applejack returned it. "Ah've handled worse sugarcube."

I go to my bike and start it up as Applejack gets behind me and puts her arms around my waist. "Hold on." I rev the engine and the two of us shoot out from the school parking lot towards downtown.

Upon reaching the warehouse I stare at it for a moment and can't help but feel a shiver go down my spine. "Does she really have to practice here of all places?" I ask.

"With all the noise complaints she didn't have much choice," Applejack said. "But yeah Ah get yer point."

I go to the front and pull up the door. I can hear faint music coming from downstairs. "I'm actually surprised Flash of all people quit."

"Rainbow Dash has a bad case of inferiority complex," Applejack said, looking annoyed. "It's her way or the highway. Ah know you wouldn't be okay with that." I decided not to comment.

As we head downstairs the music gets louder. Once we open the door the music cuts off and I hear a high-pitched yell. "For crying out loud Flitter, how do you keep missing that cue!? I made it super obvious!"

"Look I'm sorry I've been trying to concentrate on it and you yelling about it isn't helping!" I then witness two girls glaring at each other, one with prism colored hair and blue skin, and the other with light Robin egg blue hair and grayish blue skin.

"Just get off her case already will ya Dash?" There was a third girl, the drummer who looked similar to the girl Flitter but had a slightly different hair style and color. I guessed they were twins.

Dash grunts slightly and upon seeing Applejack and I walk over she suddenly grins. "Heeey Sunset Shimmer! Finally taking up my offer huh? You won't regret it!"

"Sunset hasn't taken up nothing yet Dash," Applejack said. "But she does want to talk about it."

Dash's grin faltered slightly. "Look, I guess I should've been more up front with ya. But believe me I'd love to have you join and I've heard you're pretty good."

"I guess so but I'm not sure if I'm interested," I say, shrugging. "I'll have to think about it more."

"Oh come on don't make me beg!" Dash whined. "Who else can I turn to!?"

"Oh let it go Dash!" Applejack snapped. "Sunset gave ya yet answer and ya should respect it!"

"Oh butt out AJ," Dash growled.

"Wasn't Flash enough of a clue?" Applejack continued. "Yer too busy being a control freak to realize yer pushin' people away. All cause of some stupid incident years ago."

"Shut up," Dash said quietly. Something in her tone seemed different.

"Incident?" Flitter said. "What do you mean?"

Applejack's eyes widened and looked down slightly. "It was...nothing...just something stupid that Dash won't-"

"I SAID SHUT THE HELL UP!" Dash yelled. I suddenly felt alarm, not at Dash's outburst but something else...

"You think it's no big deal but I was a kid and I suffered through it for years!" Dash said. "The hell with you AJ, I oughta just-"

Suddenly it started glowing blue around Dash as... something came out of her and floated above her. It looked like an angel from old stories.

"I am thou...and thou art I...my name is Nike, the Goddess of Victory. My powers are yours to command.

"What in tarnation!?" Applejack yelled. Even Dash was looking up in surprise.

Almost unconsciously, I felt something stir inside me and soon it was starting to glow around me as well. The large figure above me had a presence that would've made any normal person cower.

"I am Ares...the God of War...I will come to your need whenever you desire..." I felt power flowing through me and honestly I was almost afraid.

To our surprise then (especially AJ), she started to glow as well as another figure appeared.

"I am Demeter, the Goddess of Agriculture...my power grows within you as you mature...I will always protect you..."

Suddenly the three figures disappeared and all became quiet. "What was...?" Dash began.

"What the hell just happened!?" Applejack exclaimed.

"Um..." The three of us looked over to Flitter and her sister, who were staring at us. "We're those...special effects or something?"

"Cloud...I'm scared..." Flitter whispered.

"Uh...yeah! Totally!" Dash said, suddenly chuckling. "Totally wanted to surprise you guys! Yep!"

Suddenly, the lights in the warehouse went out as a figure suddenly appeared between the three of us. For a moment, I felt not just fear from myself but from Applejack and Dash too.

"So...the three of you have awakened...but I sense others as well." I couldn't make out the figure at all, almost like he was a shadow. "No matter, this will only make things more interesting." It then turns to the twins. "Now then, I am here to collect..." With a sudden scream, the whole place turns white and suddenly as it clears the two girls are gone, along with the figure.

"What...? Flitter? Cloudchaser?" Dash said. "W-Where'd they go!?"

"This has to be a dream...it has to be!" Applejack looked almost ready to have a panic attack.

"No...it felt way too real," I say. "Like it said...something's awoken inside us..."

"It is time..."

"Oh no now what!?" Dash whimpered.

There was another flash of light and I felt as if I were floating off the ground...

A man is standing on what looks like a tower, a tower in the middle of the cosmos. He is wearing a mask that conceals half of his face. "Hello...so you have awakened to the power inside you. Your confusion is understandable so allow me to explain. I am Philemon and you are currently in the realm between conscious and subconscious. You may consider me your guide on this new journey.

"What you witnessed was the manifestation of your inner self. We call this Persona. Think of it as a mask, a mask that portrays your true self. There are many masks, many Personas and they will rely on your strength of heart. Something is about to happen and only you, and others like you will be the only ones who can face it. But never fear, you are not alone and throughout your journey there will be those willing to help you.

"For now...you must rest and think of what I've said...but there won't be much time to ponder... I only hope you will be ready when the time comes..."

Author's Note

After been reading MythrilMoth's Persona: EG, it gave me the inspiration to start this fic. I want to make it clear I am not stealing any of his content and all themes in this were ideas of my own. I hope you'll enjoy this as much as you enjoy other Persona-type stories. Thank you.