Sunset Shimmer stepped out of the bathroom, finally relieved to have gotten to use one. She took no rest stops on the trip over. Well, okay, she took a few stops when driving into the state, but she didn't want to waste any time and fail to meet all of her friends who would probably be at Applejack's for only an estimated time.

"Took no rest stops, huh?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, no, I wanted to get here in time, I thought I'd get here late."

Rainbow chuckled, "Now you sound like Twilight."

"No I don't."

"Yeah, you kinda do."

"Lets meet in the middle and say yes and no," Applejack finalized.

"Deal," both of them agreed.

As Sunset walked with her reunited friends into the main room (which was a kitchen connected directly with the living room) she took a look at everything around her. A coffee table in front of a couch and a big-screen TV, small console station with video game controllers, a shelf with DVD's, this girl didn't give up anything!

And on the shelf there were a few pictures. Some of them were from when she was a little kid, to pre-teen, and all the way to high-school and graduation. And some of the newer photos she saw were showing some more detail she didn't see before. One of which was a picture of herself and a man she had never seen before in a wedding photo, sharing a kiss.

"Oh... Applejack, did you..."

Applejack looked over and chuckled. "I see you're eye-ballin' my wedding photo like a little girl starin' at some lollipops."

Sunset rubbed her head. "Sorry. I never saw him before, who is he?"

"He's her husband, silly!" Pinkie giggled.

"Well, no, I got that, but... who is he?"

Applejack smiled, looking at the picture. "A few years after college, I started to look at jobs with my kind of handiwork, and that's when I met him. He was a city boy, but he wanted to be away from the city, and, well... that's when he met me. Over 200 dates later, we... we got married."

"Oh, Applejack... that's so sweet," Sunset's heart melted. "But wait, where is he now?"

"He's in New York, visiting family for a week," Applejack answered.

"So I guess I'm catching everyone at all the convenient times then?"

"Apparently," Rarity thought.

"Yep!"

Sunset then turned her head and took a seat on a chair, over at a countertop in front of a stove. Rarity was busy cooking some food in a pan, with the help of Applejack of course.

"So I still don't know, if you're running new boutiques, and Fluttershy's now a doctor, and Applejack's now running a new farmland, what did you ever do?" Sunset asked, looking at Rainbow Dash who had sat down on the countertop chair next to her.

"You're talking to the new coach of an undefeated high-school baseball team," Rainbow Dash smirked. "The Blazing Pegasi to this day have reigned victorious thanks to me."

Sunset rolled her eyes, smiling. "You always were the captain of every team at Canterlot High."

"Yep! Though being a coach isn't as interesting as being leader of aliens from outer space," Rainbow winked.

"Heh, I suppose," Sunset replied, sounding a little sorrow.

Rainbow frowned. "Sunset? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am, its just... I don't know, I guess that's part of why I went to try and find you guys. Its not easy being boss but... its honestly lonely."

"But don't you have all of those Autobots around to talk to?" Pinkie Pie asked. "There has to be over 50 of them by now!"

"That's actually the other thing... ever since we all went our separate ways, and with the lack of activity from any Decepticons or even Megatron for that matter, Bots and ex-Cons started to drop out and call early retirement, so now there's just a few of us left."

"Really? So, how many are even left? Two of you?" Pinkie Pie twisted her head around in spinning motion like a top.

"No, there's... okay, I don't know. I stopped counting as soon as more and more began to leave. The only thing I do know is, there are some who still stuck around, just like... me."

Pinkie Pie couldn't help but frown, and offered a hug to the former bad girl. Sunset accepted the hug, feeling some soft pats from the party girl's hands.

"Its okay. You still have us!" She squeed.

Sunset smiled, giggling. "Yeah... I guess I do."

Pulling out of the hug, Pinkie Pie sniffed the air, and jumped. "Oh no, the steaks!"

In a flash of smoke, she rocketed out the room to the outside and to the back porch to a grill that had been turned on. All that was left was a trail of fire behind her. And then came back literally 2 seconds later.

"Never mind, steaks are okay!"

"Just keep em grillin' for a few more minutes, Pinkie," Applejack said.

"Okay!"

As Pinkie went over to wash her hands, Sunset cleared her throat.

"So, Pinkie, what are you doing these days?"

"Oh, I'm now running a super-duper fun party planning committee! We get to party almost every day of the week, and its so fun!" Pinkie Pie squeaked, still bubbly as ever. "--Also I'm a children's birthday party entertainer!"

"That's great, Pinkie!"

A solemn of silence had fallen, everyone not sure what to even say now.

"Say um, I'm not sure I asked but... is Twilight doing okay these days?"

Everyone stopped whatever it is they were doing and all looked at Sunset like dogs.

"Um... did I say something wrong?" Sunset sunk in her chair.

"Well about that..." Pinkie took a sharp hiss. "Yeah, um... Twilight's not really... wanting to... see. you?"

Sunset's face fell into her hands. "Oh..."

"I'm afraid the poor dear's heart had been broken when you stopped talking to her. In fact, the poor girl hasn't even said or mentioned one part of you."

"And she has no idea that you're here..." Rainbow said, realizing the situation.

"Oooh..." Pinkie Pie hissed again. "This is going to be sooooooo awkward..."

And speak of the devil, they could hear the doorbell ring.

"That must be her right now," Applejack said, standing up.

"Wait, allow me. Perhaps I could try and prepare her," Rarity said, walking to the door.

"No, let me. Its my fault for not calling her."

"Already at the door!" Fluttershy called.

"Dang it!"

The veterinarian opened up the door, greeting the woman on the other side; Twilight Sparkle. And there she was, in a cute sleeveless blouse, purple jeans with a little sparkling star graphic for her belt buckle.

"Twilight!"

"Fluttershy!"

The two of them shared a hug, bigger one than the ones at Canterlot High.

"Its so good to see you, I haven't seen you in forever!"

After breaking from the hug, Twilight let out a soft giggle. "How's everyone else doing?"

"Really good, actually. But, um, there's something we should warn you about..."

"Fluttershy, if the food's running behind, I don't mind waiting."

"No, not that, its just... well, someone else is here as well."

"Really? Who?"

As Fluttershy led her to the kitchen, Twilight immediately went quiet. Just one glance was enough to confirm who was right there in front of her. That same fiery hair, yellow sun colored skin, and the teal eyes... all added up to one.

"Twilight, hey! Its so good to see you!" Sunset said, reaching up out of her chair and approaching her with a warm welcome. Twilight however didn't reciprocate the warmth.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you guys! I came to see all of you, I... I missed you."

"Surely not enough to even call us when we said we'd stay in touch," Twilight passive-aggressively replied, ignoring her and brushing right past her.

"Twilight, please, I..." Sunset stopped herself, thinking of what she was going to say. "Okay. Twilight, I know why you're upset. I know. You have every right to be mad at me, and I should have stayed in touch with you. I let everything overwhelm me, and I didn't think maybe talking to you or anyone else could have helped. But believe me when I say I want to be a better friend."

Twilight stopped. The bespectacled girl turned her head half-way, enough so her eye could look at her.

"Please, Twilight. I want to be a better friend."

Twilight sighed, shaking her head. "Well its hard to just say yes when you haven't seen someone in years."

Sunset nodded. "I understand."

Not even looking back, she looked to Rarity who offered to find a place to set her things. After taking her belongings and hanging them over a chair where she'd be sitting at the dinner table for lunch, Rarity yanked Twilight aside so they could be out of hearing range.

"Darling, I understand its hard, but Sunset means well. She just wants to be friends again, she didn't come here to hurt you," Rarity said, rubbing Twilight's shoulders.

Twilight sighed. "I know, but... how can I talk to someone who wouldn't even bother to try and talk to me in 6 years?"

Rarity smiled, putting on a positive face. "Because I know those you haven't seen in a long time can still be your friend. Times may have changed, but she hasn't forgotten you, or me, or anyone. Can you just try to talk to her?"

Twilight couldn't argue with her. Rarity was right after all. So hesitantly, she shrugged and nodded. "I suppose I could try... but I'm telling you, its not going to be easy."

Sunset sighed, heavily. She could hear everything from where they stood, trying to sneak and listen in on their talk. Shameful for sure, but she wanted to know. And she could already figure out that this was going to be harder than she thought...

---

Texas, 1:00 PM

The sun was setting down, as the day was soon coming to an end. The sun was hanging above the end of a road, ready to give day-light to another end of the planet, and begin nighttime for the people in the United States. In an empty plains, there wasn't much to be seen. There was a wide spread of growing wheat, and a flat straight road. Occasionally you'd see a few people driving on it, mostly some truckers or bikers, or just regular people who were going home for the day. Never would you guess that an alien would be traveling on this road.

A hangin' grille guard, buffalo skull mounted on the front hood like those bull horns that game hunters like to show off, busted headlights, rusted wear, faded paint, covered in dust, chains hanging out the back for securing loads... If you looked at it from the outside, you could probably guess the truck belonged to a big game hunter like maybe Lord Chumley or maybe one Quint Quarry who held onto a family treasure. But to the Lone Stars of Texas, they had no idea of the girl underneath the rusted exterior.

The truck's rear-view mirrors adjusted and tilted around, looking at all of its surroundings. No one in sight, no civilians or a single passer-by. Not even ahead of her. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to boost up her speed? Pedal slamming to the floor of the cab, the truck drove faster. It flashed by a field, the growing wheat blowing to its side from the speed. The engine roared, and the truck raced harder and harder. But a few flashing lights grew its attention. The rear-view mirror adjusted, looking behind. An older police car, flashing its siren and lights were behind her.

Where did that even come from, the truck thought. Wait a minute... I recognize that car.

"Pull over to the side of the road, right now!" A voice shouted from the police car.

The pickup's tires swerved and grinded on the road, creating a few skid marks as it's wheels sprayed gravel and dust in all directions. Just in time, as the police car had finally caught up, slowing down. Its siren lights continued to spin around, flashing blue and red towards the dusted truck.

"Sir, may I ask what you are--"

"Hans-Cuff, I know its you. You don't have to pretend," the truck replied, bluntly.

The police car's lights, seeming to blaze brighter, flickered off. A soft whirring sound emitted from the police car, converting into an 12-foot tall robot, which stared down at the truck.

"Smallfoot? Is that you?"

Smallfoot sighed, dejectedly. "Yeah, its... its me."

The former car smiled. "Its so good to see you, I didn't think I would be seeing a friend out here. Say, why were you racing to begin with?"

"I'm on a mission, Hans-Cuff. And I've got to get going, so--"

"--No, no, hold on. You can't just go racing like that, someone could get hurt. Tell me what's going on. And why are you covered in all of that gear, you look like... like... oh what's the word, I know the name, there's a franchise name that describes you... um..."

"--That's not important. What's important is me tracking down the Con who took my son... and then, the ones who killed my Sour."

The news dropped like an atom bomb to the Guardian.

"Wait... Sour, is... gone?"

"Yes," Smallfoot said, dryly.

"Oh, no... Smallfoot, I'm so sorry, I didn't know. But wait, you said you're tracking someone down?"

"Yeah, and if you'll excuse me--"

"--Whoa, now, hold on," Hans-Cuff jumped in front of Smallfoot's headlights, blocking her direction. "You're not thinking of taking them head on, are you? Let me help you track them down."

"Hans-Cuff, there's nothing that you can do. Its my responsibility that I lost them, and its time I get them back!"

"Smallfoot, I can--"

Hey ya'll prepare yourself for the rubberband man...

Smallfoot completely ignored Hans-Cuff's request by turning on her radio station. A cassette tape that was still left in the player turned on, and a song began to bleed from the speakers inside. Bad that she played it to ignore him, but she turned it up louder and the windows lowered to let the song play. Hans-Cuff, unamused, crossed his arms.

"Blasting your mix tapes aren't going to make me go away any faster, Smallfoot! Can you just--"

Smallfoot reversed, backing away from her old war mate. Then with a single push of the stick-shift, she raced around Hans-Cuff and charged down the road once again. Hans-Cuff coughed as dust kicked in his face, and as the cloud cleared, he watched as she vanished off into the horizon, determined to never give up on her quest...

Next Chapter: Chapter 15: Swamp Of Unbalanced Emotion Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 55 Minutes