The road trip was getting back underway, as soon as the day began. With empty highways, and beautiful countrysides to be viewed. Trailbreaker kept his focus on the road, while Sunset just laid back, relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Occasionally there would be a big rig driving on by, or some regular car, but other than that everything was pretty nice.

The wheels of the camper danced on the road as the knobs on the radio consistently switched, trying to find a station that would have some good music.

"How is it you always find the most beautiful places to drive in?"

"I don't. I just drive and eventually I just find something pretty."

As Sunset laid back, she opened up a small compartment near the cup holders. Inside were a few cassette tapes which held heaven knows how many songs. Taking one of them, she pushed it into the cassette player, turning on the music.

Hey now, hey now,
don't dream its over
hey now, hey now

Sunset's head slowly bobbed to the beat, enjoying the tune. Trailbreaker couldn't help but hum along to the music, but he still kept his focus on the road. It wouldn't have been good if the both of them were in a terrible accident. Turning to the right, they passed by a sign for a nearby produce stand, filled with apples.

"Wait, I think we're almost there! I remember, I took some screenshots from an internet map, there was always a produce stand at that exact spot! We're just a few houses away!"

"Then let's hike up!"

Trailbreaker picked up the pace, and kept driving forward. Instinctively, Sunset gave the instructions and ordered him to turn to the right again, this time now driving on a long pathway that would eventually lead to someone's house. The mailbox on the side of the path proved that theory.

As they drove up, they could see a beautiful rustic house in a big grassy plain just up ahead. Two stories, a few apple trees surrounding the house, widespread of fences surrounding the area. The sun up in the morning sky made the land look even more lovely than ever.

And parked in some of the grassland were a few individual trucks and cars, four to be exact. Not Cybertronian, just normal looking cars that you would see in everyday life. And as they were pulling up, Trailbreaker slowed down a little bit so they wouldn't be startling anyone.

Trailbreaker finally stopped, as he and Sunset gazed ahead. The door to the house opened up, and a woman stepped out to gaze at the uninvited visitors. Sunset felt her heart pounding, the time was now. But she didn't move.

"Sunset? Aren't you going to say hi?"

Sunset took a deep breath, her voice shaking like someone was pointing a gun to her head.

"What... what if they don't want to see me? What if... what if she tells me to leave?"

"Sunset, you won't know unless you try. Just give it a shot, it'll be okay," Trailbreaker said, with a sympathetic tone.

Sunset swallowed her pride and nodded. The car door opened up on its own, and Sunset got out; sporting an orange tank top and blue jeans. She grabbed her bag, and started to walk up the path, going towards the house. The first person she could see was an orange skinned girl, dressed in a plaid button-up, and long jeans. A signature cowboy hat on her head made it stand out even more, making her recognize who was there.

Sunset gulped. "Hey, Applejack... its... its me. I uh, I know we haven't talked in a long time but uh... I'm back!"

Applejack was still silent, but Sunset didn't stop.

"I know you weren't expecting me to arrive, and I know I am such a horrible friend. I'm probably the worst friend you ever had, I should have stayed in contact with you guys after we graduated but... no. There is no excuse for me not calling you. Applejack, I don't expect you to forgive me, but I need you and everyone to know from the bottom of my heart, I am so, so, so sorry," Sunset said.

By this point, Sunset was so distraught she felt like crying. She was pouring her emotions all out onto Applejack's front path, and she didn't know when she would stop! Her legs started to shake and she felt her skin turn cold. She was anticipating Applejack to start yelling and scare her off. But she didn't. Applejack didn't say anything.

Applejack took a few steps down off her porch and walked towards Sunset Shimmer. Her face looked blank and neutral. Sunset couldn't tell if she was secretly mad or just really unhappy.

"Or, I could just go, and then you won't have to worry about someone trespassing on your property," Sunset squeaked, feeling a bucket of tension weigh her down. Sunset slowly backed away, turning her head feeling her face clench up. But a hand was brought onto her bare shoulder. She turned her head, looking at Applejack. Applejack's blank face turned upside down, into a welcoming smile.

"Welcome back, Sunset."

Sunset felt her eyes water. Not out of sadness, but joy.

"A-Applejack?"

Applejack wiped a tear that came from her face.

"I never forgot you, Sugarcube."

Sunset sniffled. "I'm... I'm so sorry..."

"Aww, come here," Applejack opened her arms.

Sunset collapsed into Applejack's offering hug, allowing her to embrace her. Applejack gave her a big hug, and patted her back. She could feel Sunset's body shaking and trembling, but she still hugged her. And soon, Sunset found herself smiling. After what felt like an eternity from being gone from one of her best friends... she was here with her again.

After a few more minutes of a reuniting hug, Applejack and Sunset pulled out.

"You feeling any better now?"

Sunset slowly nodded before clearing her face.

"I... I don't know what to say..."

"Hey Applejack! Who's out there?" A masculine sounding voice called out.

Coming at the door was another familiar face. Cyan colored skin, skin-tight running pants, and black jacket with a few streaks of neon, accompanied by rainbow colored hairstyle that was still grown out like it was full of energy.

"Rainbow Dash...?" Sunset gasped.

The formerly CHS's team captain smirked and skipped down, allowing Sunset to attack her in a hug as well. Rainbow Dash just smiled and hugged her all the while, embracing her.

"Rainbow, I'm--"

"Its okay. I know," Rainbow said, patting her back.

"Wha.. h-how?" Sunset asked, in surprise.

"I heard you. You weren't exactly quiet," Rainbow said, smirking.

Sunset chuckled, rubbing the back of her head. "Sorry..."

"Don't be. Look, you not calling us for all of this time is... not cool, but from what we heard you say to Applejack, you sound sincere. If you really do miss us, then I think maybe we can try being friends again."

Sunset appreciatively smiled and hugged her again. "I would like that." But wait. She pulled out of the hug with a confused look. "What do you mean, we?"

"Darling?"

The next person to emerge from Applejack's house was none other than the generous fashionista herself; Rarity. Still had that beautifully woven hairstyle and that cleaned up look that always made her look divine and classy. Followed right behind was a familiar wallflower with the shyest of looks, and that energetic party animal known as Pinkie Pie.

"Sunset?" Fluttershy said, smiling.

"Sunset! You're back!" Pinkie Pie cheered. "Whoo!"

Sunset blushed.

"I told you girls, I said that one day Sunset Shimmer would be back, and here she is now!" Pinkie Pie smiled, and then turned her head. "Oh, and she brought an Autobot!"

Sunset's shoulders tensed. "Um, no I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"No I didn't!"

"He's the only car out there that looks clean as a whistle!" Pinkie Pie giggled.

Sunset Shimmer gazed back, and she was right. All of the cars that were parked were mostly regular, but she could tell they were not spick and span like they could be put on display for a car show or auction. Trailbreaker was the only one out of all of them that looked fresh and new like he just rolled off the assembly line.

"Um... I just have a really clean car," Sunset lied, rubbing her head.

"Sunset, you don't need to lie to us. We know you didn't come here alone," Applejack shook her head.

Sunset squeaked and sighed. "Okay, yes, I did come here with an Autobot. But the only reason I was with him was because I didn't know if there would be any... um, trouble, out here in the countryside. Best to someone close, right?"

Everyone gave a few short nods.

"Actually, wait. Where's Twilight?" Sunset asked.

"Oh, she's not here yet. She said she'll be here in two hours or so," Applejack nodded. "In the meantime... how about we come inside and we catch up on old times? There's so much you need to tell us."

Sunset chuckled. "I'm not really sure there's much to say girls. Nothing's really happened since we went our separate ways. Buuuut... we do have two new recruits now with the Autobots, that I can say. Other than that, nothing's really new. But if you girls don't mind, maybe we can talk about something that's not around the Autobots? What have you guys been up to?"

"Man, you really have missed a lot, haven't you?" Rainbow crossed her arms.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash, let us not rub it in any more. Lest we bring up the Fall Formal incident for the umpteenth time?" Rarity piped up.

"Heh, right," Rainbow agreed, rubbing her arm with a little bit of embarrassment.

"Anyways, come, come! There's so much to tell you!" Rarity cooed, leading them to Applejack's house. "I have so much to tell you. Do you know I've finally got stores set up in Manehattan, darling?"

"You got some stores set up after all?" Sunset smiled.

"Yes!" Rarity squeaked, happily. "Top of the fashion world now!"

"That's amazing, Rarity! What about you, Fluttershy?"

The woman grinned, flashing her pearly whites. "You can now call me, Dr. Fluttershy. I now run the leading veterinary services in Minnesota, oh and some adoption agencies..."

The girls took their conversation inside the house, closing the door behind them. Trailbreaker sighed in relief, and even though he was still in vehicular form, he was smiling all the while.

"I knew you could do it, Sunset. I just knew it."

Lowering his windows, he flipped on the radio. Fast forwarding on the cassette, he found a particular track he was interested in, pressing play.

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

And so, Trailbreaker just sat still, humming alone to some classic tunes. Maybe Sunset and her friends would come out of the house and talk to him. He know they would. But now, they needed their catching up time. She earned it.

Next Chapter: Chapter 12: Tempest Negotiations Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 41 Minutes