Kevin impatiently drummed his fingers on the car's steering wheel. The car is parked in the middle of the parking lot next to a tree. He fidgets in his seat ready to go and looks at Adagio who is in the passenger seat looking at the mirror on the sun visor, checking out her new earrings, obviously enjoying what she sees.

“She said she was just going to grab something quick. What is taking Sonata so long?” Kevin asked impatiently.

“Knowing her, she has a taste for the finer things like jewelry or anything that is overpriced. She’s probably just lost at the Jewellers store.” Adagio said making kissy faces in the mirror.

“I'm giving her only 5 more minutes, after that she can either, take the bus or walk home I don't care.” Grumbled Kevin looking more irritated.

“Oh calm down Kevin she will be here soon.” Aria Blaze said from the back seat pushing the pile of plastic bags away and then plays with her purple pigtails looking out the car window.

“I thought it was just the two of us going to the mall, I didn't think we would be taking your crew along for the ride as well.” Kevin said looking at Adagio who is still looking at her earrings.

Aria turned around and stuck out her tongue at him and then slumped back in her seat looking inside the bags.

Adagio pushed up the sun visor up and looked at Kevin. “I told you this before Kevin, I and the girls have been through a lot together, we are a team.” She says with an annoyed look.

“Thought we were.” Kevin said, noticing her expression and reached for the key.

Adagio notices that this could end very badly. She breathed in and put her right hand on his right leg catching his attention. “I’m sorry hun.” Adagio side, trying to look sorry as she moves closer giving him her full attention now. “Come here I will make it up to you.” She moves closer to kiss him but Kevin resists.

“It’s because you saw Sunset right?”Adagio said putting on a sad face. "You don’t care about me even, after all, I did for you?” Laying on the guilt trip some more.

Aria rolled her eyes, knowing where this is going, it was like watching a bad soap opera.

“I.. I’m sorry. I do care, and appreciate that you got me into the prom. Then you helped me get into college, even with my bad grades.” Kevin said reaching for Adagio to pull her closer.

“And?” Adagio adds, raising and eyebrow.

“With other things too, Sunset doesn’t want me anyways, I am sorry.” Kevin said as his eyes looked away.

“Kiss me.” Adagio said feeling victorious and pulled him closer to lock lips with Kevin kissing deeply. Her right hand slides up between his legs and starts rubbing up and down. He closes his eyes, starting to moan, giving into her touch and opening his legs for her.

"Um, guys.. I’m still here..” Aria said as she starts to blush feeling her cheeks getting hot, trying not to watch. She starts squirming in her seat as her eyes glanced at what Adagio is doing.

Kevin moaned more as her fingers trace along his crotch bulge. Adagio looked at Aria with a wicked grin and reached for Kevin’s zipper pulling it down. She then starts to bend down, tugging on his underwear.

“Seriously, you're not stopping, are you?” Aria asked feeling hot all over and sticks her head out the window to get some cool air with a gasp, her pigtails gently flap in the breeze.

Suddenly the left rear passenger door opens and closes fast. “I’m back! Did you miss me?” Sonata asked, rubbing her right bracelet which has a green gem attached to it.

Adagio rises casually from Kevin lap and pulled his zipper up. He snaps out of it with a jolt feeling embarrassed. “Will finish this later dear.” She whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek.

Aria breathing deeply as she pulled her head back inside the car and looked at Sonata.

“Did I miss something?” Sonata said looking forward and then back.

“Just helping Kevin relax.” Adagio said, patting him on the leg and looks at Sonata. “So did you find any good deals?” She asked raising an eyebrow at Sonata as she moved back to her seat.

“Yes they had this necklace on special. I had to get it since it was such a steal.” Sonata answered as she reached in her top and pulling out a gold necklace.

Aria tried to reach for the necklace seeing how it sparkled, but Sonata quickly pulled it away from her and clasped it around her neck. Aira fell back in her seat grumbling.

Kevin glanced in the mirror and then started the car not really listening and as he put it into drive, then pull out of the parking lot.

“So when do I get my own bracelet?” Aria pouted looking at her right arm.

“As soon as she finishes it. But we may need Flash to give her some motivation.” Adagio looked to the girls in the back seat and pulled out a photo showing Aria and Sonata a picture of Twilight Sparkle wearing big glasses, lab coat, and Flash Sentry with his leather jacket sharing a milkshake with her. The gem on her wrist glowed green as Adagio grinned evilly.

Pinkie and Sunset are both getting their hair washed. There is just something so soothing about letting someone else wash your hair. Sunset thinks as she leaned back into the hair wash basin. Rarity is humming softly as she gently sprays warm water on her long red and yellow hair. Then she pours some sweet smelling tea shampoo and uses her finger to mix the shampoo lather into her thick hair. Sunset looked over to Pinkie.

Pinkie was getting the same treatment from Lotus as she laid back unusually quiet and peaceful. Lotus, on the other hand, was not humming and seems to be having a harder time with Pinkie’s hair as it tangled in her fingers. Mumbling to herself Lotus dumps more conditioner into Pinkie’s hair. Finally the worst seemed to be behind her as Pinkie’s hair started to cooperate.

Rarity pushed on the chair pedals, pumping it up, raising Sunset who looked like she just woke up in a daze. “Now we can get started, on your haircut please sit over here.” Rarity said as she turned the barber chair around allowing Sunset to sit down with still a towel around her neck. She is turned in the chair to see her reflection in the mirror.

Still human thank goodness. She thinks looking at hair that is wet and slicked back, exposing more of her forehead. The red and yellow hair flows all the way down the back of the chair. “Wow, I have more hair than I thought.” Sunset said moving her head from side to side.

“You have lovely colors in your hair Sunset. I have a styling book here if you want to see the different hair styles available.” Rarity said opening a book and pointing out the options.

Pinkie looked over at Sunset who was talking with Rarity. She then looked in the mirror and sees that her pink hair is wet and slicked back. There are still some curls in her hair on the ends.

Lotus looks over the hair thinking about how to start. She then pulled out a magazine with different hair styles. "What style would you like to try? There are many to choose from." Lotus asked flipping through the pages for Pinkie to look at.

"What style would Sunset like?" Pinkie asked her.

Lotus who stopped to look over at Sunset and then back. "That I do not know, why not pick one yourself?" Lotus asked her.

“Mmms” Pinkie covered her eyes and randomly touched a page with a finger.

Lotus looked at her choice and put the magazine away. "Let's get started." She said and takes out her electric clippers.

Pinkie removed her hand to look in the mirror at herself one more time as her wild curls are cut away. “Good bye.” She said to herself.

Sunset looked over at Pinkie and thought she heard her say something. Then the sound of two kids playing got her attention in the waiting room. Looking in the mirror she can see that they are sword fighting with some toy pirates. As the sniping continues her eyes looked forward and notice a bottle of green gel that shimmered from the lights in the room. She closed her eyes as Rarity started clipping at her bangs. A memory comes back to her.

Two long pencils float in the air one is glowing yellow and the other is glowing purple. The two pencils fly at each other and striking up and then down like two swords swinging at each other in mid-air. Pencils hit back and making Click, clack, click, click noises as they zoom back and forth in the air colliding with each other.

Sunset is sitting at her desk looking at the pencils with squinted eyes as she tried to concentrate, her horn is glowing yellow. In the next desk is Twilight who is also concentrating as her horn glows purple. She looks older now since her body is almost the same size as Sunset.

"Don't think you are going to win this round Sunset." Twilight said smiling as her eyes quickly look at her and then back to the pencils.

"I'm not going to lose to you." Sunset said, looking frustrated with her teeth showing.

The two pencils clicking harder now starting to show cracks. Sunset’s pencil is being pushed back by Twilight's because her magic is stronger than normal for her age. She has won every round so far and this was making Sunset angry.

"Arrggg!" Sunset yelled out as she started to lose her temper. I won’t lose to you again, I will get stronger than you, stronger than everyone. Her vision starts to see red and the color of magic from her horn changes to red as both pencils burst into flames still in the air.

Twilight gasps releasing her spell and the pencils fly across the room, landing on the marble floor near a bookcase. Both Sunset and Twilight are panicking as the flames start to spread onto the bookcase.

"We need to save the books!" Twilight yelled out as both of them jump from their seats.

“We need to put out the fire!” Sunset yelled looking left and right for water or something to stop the flames.

Suddenly there is a flash of white magic and Celestia appeared with her wings spread open. She quickly looks at Sunset and then turns to the small fire that is growing. With a burst of wind and her magic she quickly puts out the fire. All that is left now is chard pencils on the floor. There is little damage to the lower bookcase and the books are still untouched.

"Care to explain what happened?" Celestia said, folding her wings back and turning to look at the girls. Her eyes looking more at Sunset than Twilight.

"It was my fault Celestia!" Twilight lied trying to cover for Sunset. "We were dueling with our magic, and I accidentally caused the fire." She lowered her head looking at the floor.

Sunset looked at Twilight and feeling guilty that she was trying to take the blame for her mistake, even after the way she has been treating her. May be she is not that bad after all, could we become friends? She asked herself thinking.

"Don't lie Twilight, I know it was not your fault." Celestia clopped her front hoof down loudly which made Twilight jump back. "You don't know how to start a fire with your magic. In involves manipulating molecules by moving them faster. " She explained looking at Sunset.

“I get it, it’s my fault then,” Sunset said, walking back to her desk on all fours and then sat down on her chair.

Quietly Twilight returned to her desk and sat down as Celestia watched. She sighed and nuzzled Twilight, and then tried to nuzzle Sunset who pulled away.

“I am sorry for that outburst girls, it was a stressful day in the royal court. But we really need to work on your anger Sunset, I don’t want somepony to get hurt.” Celestia said as she looked at Sunset and then to both of them.

“There are only a few, who know how to make fire from magic, me for example,” Celestia said as her horn glowed white, a small ball of fire was created and floated in midair.

The two fillies watch in awe as the ball of fire changed to a shape of a pony that jumped through a ring of fire. Then both flames fizzled out to nothing.

Celestia smiled again and walked to the front of the classroom, slipping on her small black glasses. She then pulled out a large wooden box with her teeth sliding it under the blackboard as it makes the sound of broken glass shifting inside. Then she pulled down a scroll that was rolled up on the blackboard. The scroll has a drawing of a strange looking tree with branches and a trunk.

“Now girls listen up, this is the tree of harmony. Now I was going to save this lesson for last but I think today is a good day.” Celestia's horn glows and shards of different color stain glass float out of the box and line up with the drawing making it look three-dimensional. Pieces of glass form the shape of gems. Most are white, but there is an orange gem, blue gem, red gem, purple gem and a yellow gem. Then what looks like a blue sun and moon also float in the air. The color gems floated and stop at each branch. The white small pieces spread out under each gem. The blue sun and moon stop on the trunk of three. Finally a star shaped glass stops in the middle.

Both Twilight and Sunset are speechless as they learn about the legend and the history of the tree of harmony. Also how the elements were used to defeat Discord. Celestia then stops to ask a question.

“How many Elements do you see?” Celestia asked now with a bit of sadness and looked at the tree.

“There are 5 gems.” Sunset said as she counted.

“The trunk has the star, the sun, and the moon.” Twilight also added pointing with her hoof.

“That's right theses are the elements of harmony. But there should be one more. ” Celestia said looking up at the drawing of the tree with a bit of sadness.

The pieces or glass floated back into the box one after the other in single file. Sunset and Twilight look at each other and then back at Celestia.

She then pulled out another scroll and hung it top of the tree of harmony. With her magic she unrolled it. The girls gasp at what they see. This scroll has a drawing a tree that looks more like a throne bush with blackened branches.

“This is the Tree of Disharmony.” Celestia looked at it with anger and sorrow as it brought back some painful memories.

More shards of color stain glass fly out of the box up to the new drawing. A few pieces form a what looks like a centaur that has two horns, red arms, and a black body.

“Almost 1000 years ago a centaur who named himself Lord Tirek, learned that the elements from the tree of harmony were used to defeat of Discord. Fearing that this power could also be used against him. He went on a quest to find the tree of harmony deep within the Everfree forest. After months of searching he found it.” Celestia sighed wishing the this never happened and then continued.

“Tirek at first wanted to destroy The Tree of Harmony, but he was afraid of what would happen if he did. Then he had a different idea. What if he created another tree of elements using a part of the tree of harmony, that way he could grow his own elements. Using this new power he could conquer Equestria Tirek thought. She broke off a single branch and removed the gem from it.” Celestia paused with her story and pulled out a green piece of glass and floating it to the glass Tirek.

"After a long search, he found the perfect place to grow his tree deep in the swamps of the Everyfree forest. Placing the gem into the wet soil, he infused it with his dark magic and waited.” Celestia's horn glowed showing a glass Tirek moving around like he was pacing back and forth.

“After months of waiting he was ready to give up when he noticed a sapling black in color starting to grow.” Pieces black glass fly in place slowing stacking one on top of the other along the drawing representing the growth of the tree. The branches twisting round like a thorn bush. She continued.

“Tirek returned a year later hoping to find that his tree finally created his own elements, but what he found was something else.” Celestia says as green and black pieces of glass float and then come together looking more like a pony. But this one was all black with green eyes with crooked horn and insect wings.

“This is Chrysalis, the Queen of the changelings that once lived in the Everfree forest. She had been watching Tirek come and go for a long time. Chrysalis decided to try and infuse her power into the tree hoping that it would create elements that she could use. When Tirek found out he was furious, that his tree was tampered with and battled Chrysalis for control of it. So the beginning of a great war between Tiek and his army against and Chrysalis and her hive.” Celestia stopped to reflect on her words and then continued with the story.

Three red pieces of glass float into the air, followed by one green piece. “The tree reacted as their armies battled. All that negative magic, anger and hatred feed into the tree.” Celestia said, looking at the pieces of glass stopping on each branch.

“Four elements of disharmony were created that day. Three red gems and one green gem. As for the war it spread beyond the Everfree forest. By that time they no longer cared about the tree they start fighting over. Many lost there lives during that war until I put an end to it.” Celestia looked with sadness and then stopped her magic letting the glass fall back into the box breaking into more pieces.

“So what happened to that tree?” Twilight asked.

“Luckily, the tree was found and destroyed.” Celestia said with some relief.

Sunset watched and wondered if she could use these gems to become stronger. “What happened to the gems?” She asked.

“They have been sealed away.” Was the only answer Celestia would give them.

The roar of a hairdryer snapped Sunset out of her trance. Rarity smiled liking what she sees and with a few more snips of the scissors it was done. Quickly removing the hair salon bib then she brushed off the last of red and yellow hair trimmings.

“I do believe that I have created a work of art. You look very stunning Sunset. I hope you are pleased as well?” Rarity asked as she grabbed a round mirror helping Sunset check out her new look.

“My head feels lighter now, oh my goddess! Is that me!?” Sunset looked in awe at the mirror. Her hair now stopped at her shoulders. Looking at the large desk mirror she noticed that her bangs and most of the hair have been shortened. Her red and yellow hair color now has jagged cut layers that gives it a look of attitude and shaped for a funky finish still showing some of her natural curls on the ends. The style she picked out was a variation a medium wavy look that Rarity recommended.

“Wow you look so cool! I love it, I love it!” Pinkie squealed and stood up to show off her new look. Her head looks smaller now without all her curly pink hair. With her fingers she brushes her pink bohemian bob hair style. Most of her curls are trimmed down and under control. Her bangs have been straightened and stopping just above her eyes. What curls she has left are in the ends of her hair.

Applejack stood up and walked up to Sunset who looking at Pinkie is speechless.

“Looking' fine their sugar, don’t ya think so Sunset?” Applejack asked and gently elbows her.

Sunset cleared her throat. “You look so different now and very pretty,” She said with a smile.

Pinkie blushed and turned around to cover her face. Did she just call me pretty? She asks herself.

“In deed, you look much more mature now Pinkie.” Rarity complemented Pinkie and turned to Lotus and gave her a nod of approval.

“Remember to use conditioner and hair gel every day or your curls will take over.” Lotus suggested and gave Pinkie some small sample bottles which she took and nodded back.

“Thank you so much Rarity. You are a great friend, I will remember this. How much for the haircut?” Sunset asked reaching for her jacket.

Rarity smiles gracefully and looked at her friends. “For you both, your friendship is payment enough. Besides I could not stand another day with the way you both let your hair go wild. It’s a lady duty to look their best. Please stop by my place sometime, I want you both to try some outfits I have been working on.” She gracefully walked with them to the exit.

“Thanks again Rarity, ah will make sure to stop by next week for my hair.” Applejack said removing her hat and stroked her orange hair back.

“Looking forward to it. You should try and let your hair out more often Applejack.” Rarity waved goodbye as her friends head home. She turned around looking at the floor which is covered in large wads of pink, red and yellow hair. There is enough here to knit a sweater. “Oh Lotus clean up duty.” She said grabbing the broom and walked back inside.

Exiting the mall they head to bus and stopped to sit on the bench waiting for next one. Applejack glanced at her phone looking over her messages, nothing today from Rainbow. She looked at her contact number making a note to call her tonight. “Ah let ya know what is up with Rainbow tonight after ah call her.” Applejack said putting the phone back into her pocket.

“So.. Sunset, what are you doing tonight?” Pinkie asked trying to keep cool holding on to her bag.

“Just going to relax tonight, it has been a crazy day. Need to clear me head and stuff.” Sunset looked up at the white clouds, blue sky as some birds fly by.

“Wa.. Would you like to come over for dinner? I am great with salads also.” Pinkie asks moving her feet nervously. Sunset looks at her.

“Thanks for the offer Pinkie but my stomach still needs to settle. That burger didn’t agree with me in the end, but maybe next time ok?” She said just as the bus came around the corner.

Applejack looked on watching Pinkie follow Sunset into the bus and rubbed her chin thinking. She quickly got in before the door closed.

On the way back, the bus slow moved through town one stop at a time. Pinkie's head was on Sunset’s shoulder with her eyes closed sleeping. Sunset looked at AppleJack a little dumbfounded but decided to let her rest.

“I should be the one sleeping now, after everything that happened today.” Sunset said yawning as she looked at Applejack who had a grin on her face.

“She likes ah know, just be nice with her ok..” Applejack stretched in her seat looking outside.

Sunset brushed some hair out of Pinkie’s face listening to her breath softly and looked out the windows as the bus stopped at the transfer station.

Applejack stood up. “This is my stop, ah gotta catch the next bus home. Make sure to wake her up before her stop ya hear. See ya’all later.” She said putting her hat back on and walking out the rear door.

It was not long after that the bus reached Pinkie’s stop. Sunset woke her just in time. She hopped off the bus and waving bye, walking with a spring in her step.

Sunset smirked and laid back in her seat. Today was not as bad as she thought.

Later the evening Sunset crashed in her bed with clothes on. Plastic bagged were on the bedroom floor. She rolled on her back and looked at the bags. “I probably won’t need them as a pony when I get back to Equestria.” She said quietly to herself.

Just as she was about to fall asleep her phone buzzed. Sunset yawning reach and her phone and looked at a text message from Applejack.

[Rainbow says that she never went to the mall today. She was at the airport. Weird right?] - AJ

She rubbed her eyes look at the message again and sat up. There was another buzz from her phone and another message from Pinkie.

[How are you tonight hope you are not bored. I am working on Apple Bloom's gift right now. Hope you have a good night with balloons and hugs.] - Pinkie Pie

Sunset smirked and put the phone away, falling back into her bed. A few mins later there was another noise but it was not from the phone. Her desk drawer was glowing purple. Grumbling she kicked her feet out of bed and pulled the draw open to look at her book which had her cutie mark imprinted on it. Originally it allowed her to talk with Celestia but Twilight now had the other book. Sunset didn’t mind talking with her since she still had mixed feelings about her former teacher. She was the closest thing to a good friend in Equestria. With a sigh she took out the book and placed it on the desk. It was glowing the color of Princess Twilight magic.

“SUNSET WHY HAVE YOU NOT CALLED ME IT HAS BEEN WEEK'S!” Princess Twilight Sparkle’s voice yells out. Sunset closed the book quickly and grabbed the duvet went into the closet closing the door. Hopefully, this will keep her voice down.

Slowly opening the book again. “I know you are there Sunset. WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME? That the mirror is breaking.” Twilight voice sounding upset.

“Sorry, I have been busy. Life is not as easy here as in Equestria, it’s not all happy and joyful here.” Sunset replied sounded annoyed.

“Equestria is not perfect. We do have problems as well. BESIDES THAT! I just found out from my brother who in turn found out from Cadance who got a letter from Princess Celestia that the mirror is cracking. Why didn’t Princess Celestia send me a letter first. Am I not important enough? If the mirror breaks I will never see you again and you will never be able to come back.” Twilight now sounding more sad then upset.

“I know that Twilight. Please tell Princess Celestia, that one of the disharmony gems may still be here. If that is true then it is my duty to either recover it or destroy it before I return.” Sunset looked into the glowing pages holding the book close.

“Sunset what are disharmony gems?” Twilight said confused.

Author's Notes:

For the most part I think this chapter went well.

There may still be some minor errors that will be worked out in the next few days.
Still working hard on trying to get my grammar in check. It like wrestling a bull.

Now that the mall is out of the way I can push forward with the story.

Thanks for reading.