Sitting in the upstairs living room during the beginning hours of the evening, Sunset Shimmer sat at the coffee table working through her trigonometry homework.

As much as she was trying to avoid it and push it away, the redhead could feel a cloudiness beginning to entrap her mind. A feeling that she became familiar with over the past month.

Her chest aches with an impounding emptiness. Her brain waves slowing down, filling her with sudden exhaustion and sadness. Why was this happening? She had friends again. Dear Celestia, she even had a real home and people she could actually consider family now. So why? Wasn’t she supposed to be fixed now? Things were going in her favor, so shouldn't she be over this depressive funk?

Sunset felt tears run from the back to the front of her eyes. Taking in a shaky breath the teen blinked the tears away, and attempted to regain focus on her homework.

Hearing a door open, Sunset looked at the opening door sitting next to the tv. There she saw Luna exiting the room that the amber-skinned teen had yet to see the inside of.

“Hi dear.” The cool toned woman said with a gentle smile.

“Hi.” Sunset said, giving a wobbly smile.

This quickly concerned the older woman as she noticed the distraught teens state. “Is everything alright?” Luna asked, sitting on the floor next to Sunset.

The red and gold haired girl nodded, “Yep, just doing homework.”

Sunset kept her head looking down at the papers, utilizing her mass curtain of a mane to cover her face from the woman next to her.

The concerned foster mother placed a hand on the closed off teens shoulder, “You can talk to me, you that right, Setty?”

Sunset let out a small laugh at the random nickname. It only lasted a moment though as her thoughts came back, “I don’t want to burden you. You already deal with crazy students at school. You… shouldn't have to bring one home.” The pale amber girl said with her word’s turning into whispers.

Luna sighed, “Dear I can assure you that you are no burden for me in any way. I’m also certain that anything your feeling now, I also have.”

Sunset finally looked over at her vice principal, making eye contact. After considering opening up to the wise woman, the teen sighed, “I-it’s just I’m feeling… sad or whatever again. I just got back from being with Dr.Night. I was feeling great, renewed almost with how great of a day I had coming back to school today. But all the sudden it’s like none of that matters anymore, I’m right back to feeling terrible and worn down. I… just wish it would stop.” Sunset whipped away tears, “What’s crazier than Discord acting normal is that I’m starting to realize I’ve always had this with me, my whole life. From living with my aunt when i was a filly to being a protege growing up in the castle. It’s always been me not feeling right and being sad or angry. I guess the first round resulted in me taking it out on others, then… you know the next.” The ranting girl said, whipping her sobs away, trying to control her breathing.

The wiser of the two placed her hand on the teen's back rubbing small circles in between her shoulder blades, “Sunset, I really need you to understand that it’s perfectly valid to feel the way that you do. Sometimes, we just feel sad or angry and that’s okay. We don’t always need some big crazy event that upsets us, sometimes it happens just randomly. Also, it’s a good thing that you recognize your depression, that’s the first step to getting better. Only time will heal and give you more breaks from random sad or anger spouts. I know it might not be what you want to hear but it’s true. You can trust me, I know from experience.”

Sunset contemplated Luna's words. In the end, the redhead realized it was something she very much needed to hear. The amber teen leaned forward, wrapping her arms around her foster mother, “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” Luna said, joining the hug. “Off subject, but Discord? How do you know him?”

“Huh? Discord is the lord of chaos in my world. He was locked away for centuries because of it, but I hear he’s reformed now.” Sunset explained.

“Hmm, makes sense honestly.” Luna said.

“Let me guess, there’s a Discord in this world and you know him.” The teen deadpanned.

“More than that, he’s my brother-in-law. Not to mention for him being a lawyer, being the lord of chaos sounds just like him.” The evening colored woman said.

Sunset blinked, “Principal Celestia is married?”

“Yep.”

Sunset nodded a bit dumbfounded, “Nice.”

The conversation was interrupted by the sound of the house's front door opening.

“My lunar eclipse, I’m home!” A male voice boomed.

“Well well, I think it’s about time you met your foster father.” The evening shaded woman said, standing up and heading to the stairs.

Sunset followed the women, curious as to who it was. In Equestria it was rare for royals to be wedded since alicorn's are immortal, most tend to avoid the subject. Sunset supposed this woman and her principal weren’t royal immortal gods though.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs the red head finally got a proper in person look at her Vice Principal’s spouse. The man was of average height with a bit of muscle squaring his natural heavy set weight, he had stale gray skin topped with wavy slicked back black hair that barely reached his shoulders. He wore a business casual suit of mostly maroon with purple accents, his blazer held an emblem for the Crystal Prep school. That detail surprised Sunset the most, her Vice Principal’s husband was a teacher at her rival school?

“You must be Sunset Shimmer, my wife has told me a bit about you, though she left out the fact that you were a wig full of bacon!” The man said with a large smile.

The red and gold haired blinked, ‘Bacon?’ Sunset thought not sure if she should be offended or not.

“I kid, I kid, but I’m also kinda serious; nonetheless I hope you’ve enjoyed our abode so far!” The escentric man said, beginning to walk forward to the dining room.

Luna placed her hands on her hips, clearly masking her amusement, “That’s Sombra don’t let his exterior scare you, he’s actually just a big goof.”

“Shush my eclipse! You can’t let them know my secrets!” Sombra said, removing his blazer and pointing a dramatic finger at his wife.

“She’s not one of your students, sombie. So, how were the National football games? I saw you won.” Luna questioned.

Sunset at that point had exited or been listening to the rest of their conversation. Instead the amber skinned teen took a moment to relax and enjoy her surroundings, as Dr.Night had advised her, now that her mind was feeling clearer she found it easy to do so. The amber skinned teen gave a content sigh, and smiled as she headed back to her after school work.

***

Saturday morning had been a calming start. Sunset had woken to a memory brewing moment as an off white pink skinned woman entered her night owled sisters home with face adorned pancakes. Apparently it was a weekend tradition that Luna had a small distaste for as she wasn’t a morning person, not that Sunset blamed her as neither was she.

After a fulfilling breakfast, pills and a good morning text from her nerdiest friend the teen counted it as a good weekend introduction to her new adult supervised life.

Sunset began to feel excited as she was nearing her meeting time with her new friends for a mall exposition. Taking a look at her phone the red head saw her ten minute warning till ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie’ arrived to retrieve her. Happily, Sunset also saw a text from her Twilight.

Sparkes :)
‘Hi Sunnybun! I was just wondering if you’d like to come over tonight? There’s supposed to be some amazing rare star constellations tonight!’
Sent 11:45 am

Sunset smiled along with the warmth forming in her chest and began typing her response.

‘Definitely, catch u at 8 ;)’
Sent 11:51 am

Sunset found herself emitting a small breathy laugh and rolling her eyes and the lavender skinned teen texted a response near immediately.

Sparkes :)
‘Wonderful! Also my mom is making us dinner, I’ve let her know you're vegetarian. :)’

The fiery redhead texted back her approval. Setting her phone down the amber skinned teen looked into her body mirror, rechecking her outfit. Her fiery untamed curled mass of a mane continued untouched, leading down to a simple black choker to accent her maroon high neck sports bra, with the skin of her arms and shoulders being covered with an open black bomber jacket with an orange inside and her fiery sun emblem on the ends of both sleeves- it had been a gift from her principal in the beginning of December as she saw the teen walking around in the cold months with her lightweight leather jacket. Her bottom half wore a pair on black knee ripped skinny jeans and black with flames combat boots.

Hearing a honk out the house, Sunset picked her small black with her signature sun emblem backpack and made her way to her friend's light blue buggy.

***

“Starry!” A nasal mid-transition voice exclaimed, alerting the friend the four girls were meeting with.

“Hi, girls!” The lilac skinned girl said with a smile blossoming on her face, with a bit a relief coating her face, almost as if she was expecting the four teens to not show up.

“Who’s excited! I am! Tell you what the GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie has some amazing plans and shops to visit that we must execute!” The eccentric illusionist said while rolling the r in her name and pointing her pointer finger to the sky.

Sunset chuckled, “I’m down for whatever, Trix.” The four girls at her side nodded in agreement; with that the group of teens set off further into the mall.

***

‘Dear Celestia, this girl shops almost worse than Rarity! How does she even have the money?’ The former unicorn thought as she witnessed the two twined teens carry numerous bags as Trixie surfed from shop to shop.

“How come you guys are so willing to carry around her stuff?” Starlight Glimmer asked the same question Sunset was about to.

“She’s our cousin so we’re pretty used to it.” Lavender Lace explained.

“You guys are cousins?” Sunset asked.

“Yep, her dad is the Los Angeles magician, JackPot and our dad, Big Bucks, who works with him, is his brother. Aka our uncle.” Fuschia Blush said.

Starlight and Sunset looked at each other, “Huh, nice.” The two teens said.

Stopping in her tracks, Starlight stared up at a store sign. Curious, Sunset looked up.

‘Kite Emporium’

A sly smile appeared on Sunset's face, “Do you wanna go there Glims?”

Trixie had now turned around, curious as to why her friends were no longer following her. Starlight played with her fingers nervously, “I…I like kites.” The beanie adorned girl said with a blush on her face.

The four teens snickered behind her, “If that’s what you like, then we shall go check it out!” Trixie said, placing her arm around Starlight's shoulders.

Starlight smiled, and began walking in with the girls following behind.

***

Exiting the store after Starlight had acquired her trio of new kites, Sunset excused herself to the restroom.

Finishing, the amber skinned teen, looking in her reflection in the mirror. Sunset grabbed a lock of her hair fiddling with the ends, ‘I kinda need my hair trimmed.’ Looking back up the fiery headed girl examined her reflection. An uncertain feeling settling over her. The amber skinned girl felt she needed a change, she didn’t enjoy that her appearance had become something that only reminded her of the hardships she dealt with, both in Equestria and in the human world. A sigh escaped the teen as she left, finding her friends waiting for her.

“Sunset, we haven't been anywhere for you yet. Is there somewhere you want to go?” Starlight asked.

The former unicorn thought for a moment, “I wanna get my hair cut.”

With that suggestion the four other girls smiled and exchanged looks, “Let’s go!” Trixie exclaimed, leading the pack.

The five entered a small saloon on the bottom floor of the mall. “Welcome in! How can I help you?” A stylist with lime green hair, pasty pale yellow skin and a rocker style outfit greeted them.

“Oh, hey, I know you girls from school.” The pixie cut teen said.

“Oh great.” Sunset whispered under her breath.

“Yes! Good evening Super Cuts! We have our lovely friend, Sunset Shimmer, here for your service.” Trixie said, making a big gesture to the red head. All Sunset could do was shyly nod her head. ‘Great she’s gonna call me a bitch and yell at me to get out.’

“Perfect! I’ve been wanting to get my hands on that wild hair for a while now!” The stylist said excitedly. “So, what exactly are you looking for?”

Sunset shrugged, “I don’t know, surprise me.”

The lime green haired hair slacked her jaw a bit, “Really?”

“Yeah, anything different will do.”

Starlight clapped, “Wow, you're brave.”

Sunset sat in the grooming chair and shrugged, “More like I’m just ready for something different, a page turner if you will.”

Trixie crossed her arms over her chest, “Oooh, get ‘em tiger- or should I say unicorn?”

“Har har.”

“Huh? I don’t get it?” Starlight said.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it.” Sunset said with a blush as Trixie, the twins and Super cuts snickered.

***

The breeze of the late afternoon January wind brushed against her neck as Sunset Shimmer and her friends exited an Italian restaurant.

“I gotta say Miss Shimmer, I’m digging your new doo.” A hipster styled teen said.

Sunset reached up to her short hair, what was once a long hip reaching mass of fiery curly hair was now a short bob that reached her just above her shoulders, showing off her small gauges and industrial ear piercings. “Thanks so much, I like it alot too.” The amber skinned teen smiled earnestly.

“I didn't know you had ear piercings! How could you keep such a secret from Trixie?!” The illusionist exclaimed with peony accusation.

Sunset giggled, “Sorry I didn't do so on purpose. I actually did them myself a while ago.”

“Really?” The twins said in unison.

“Yep, It was kinda dumb I know now, especially since I was alone and didn't really know what I was doing. I was a lot more impulsive to my wants back then.” The short haired redhead explained.

Starlight held her hand to her chin, in thought, “I’ve kinda always wanted a piercing.”

Trixie spoke up, “Trixie knows of a tattoo and piercing parlor nearby.”

Sunset raised a brow and smirked, “If you get a piercing I will too.”

“For real?” the lilac skinned teen asked. Gaining a nod from the fiery themed girl, Trixie once again led the group to their destination.

“Hey, Ladies. What are you all in for?” A Woman with an impressive mohawk, prosthetic arm and adorned in many tattoos and piercings welcomed the group of five.

Lavender Lace pointed at herself, Starlight and Sunset, “We’re hoping to get some metal done.”

The mulberry skinned woman chuckled, “You young ladies, got ID’s?”

The group paused and blinked, “Uhh…” Lavender Lace tried to think of an excuse.

“Tell you what, You guys keep it a secret and I’ll help you out.” The deep-voiced woman said.

The teens exchanged smiles. One by one the three more alternative styled girls gained their new, facial accessories, with Lavender Lace gaining a shine on her nostril, Starlight Glimmer sporting a small open septum and Sunset Shimmer smiling as round silver wrapped around her large bottom lip.

The four other girls and even Tempest Shadow- as the girls eventually learned her name through Trixie chatting up a storm about her magic gigs and using said magic to impress the intimidating woman, had been impressed at Sunset not flinching with the needle that had entered through her gums.

Sunset was proud to admit to herself that she really felt new. Not only new but also feeling like she was finally becoming the person she knew herself to be. The red head also couldn't help but feel incredibly giddy to impress her Twilight Sparkle of her new look. Sunset had faith that she would like it and she hoped that it would impress the bookworm more than the star constellations.

Author's Note

Hi!
Yes I got our lanky principal ladies spouses because, admittedly I am a hopeless romantic. Can you when I'm writing a romance book?
Anyways normally I ship Fluttercord but I realize Discord in the human world must be an older adult like Celestial and Luna- most likely older, so it'd be really weird if a fifty year old was getting it with a 17 year old.
Also yay King Sombra! I thought 'Hey what would a tyrant king who allows slaves be in the modern america human world? A Math teacher who is also a football coach!' So yea :)
Also also I wonder what Luna has been doing in that room? I bet it's something cute!
Please comment and interact, It's fun hearing from my readers :)