Reborn

“Ah mighty appreciate tha help, ya two.” came Applejack’s country drawl, followed by a dull thump as the earth pony deposited a few bundles of hay onto the floor of the barn.

“No worries, AJ.” Twilight said as she finished levitating a few hay bundles of her own onto the floor. “I’m just glad that you got over the whole “too proud to ask for help”.”

“Ouch.” Sunset chuckled as she did similar to Twilight. “Should I get something to deal with that, Applejack?”

“Ah’ll be fine, Sunset. Ah’m used to tha ribbin’ at this point.” Applejack adjusted her stetson as she looked over at the amber unicorn. “But Ah appreciate tha offer. Ta be totally honest right now, Ah feel a slight bit bad that Ah asked y’all for help when’n y’all came her ta visit, ‘specially after knowin’ what went an’ happened ta ya across tha portal.”

“I’m more than willing to help a friend.” Sunset said, smiling tiredly. “And don’t worry what happened with the other you, you’re two different individuals.”

“Well still, at least allow me ta treat tha two o’ ya to some good ol’ fashion Apple family hospitality for yer help.” the mare said as she trotted towards her friends. “Granny Smith should be just abou’ finished with some fresh Apple Family apple pie.”

“Sounds good to me! Lead the way!” Sunset followed after Twilight and Applejack, relishing the idea of a hot piece of pie after stretching her magical muscles.

~

“Well now that the lot o’ us have had a bite, Ah have a question for ya, Sunset.” the amber mare looked over to the farmer, her magical fork and knife dissipating into thin air.

“Uhm, I guess?”

“Ah wanna hear abou’ what went and happened ta ya.” the farmer said, resting her hooves on the table in front of herself. “Ah know ya say that it don’t matter, shugahcube, but Ah don’ think Ah’ll be able ta sleep right proper knowin’ that somepony related ta me cause so much trouble.”

“I’m not really sure about that, AJ.” Twilight said, eyes darting over towards Sunset. “It was-”

“It’s fine, Twilight.” Sunset sighed, pushing her plate further onto the table. “And what should I say, AJ? I got framed for someone- pony else spreading secrets of the school students. Everyone came after me and I was abandoned by the Rainbooms.”

“Do ya know who was behind it yet?” Applejack asked as she got up, walking around and collecting each of the mare’s now empty plates.

“No, and if I can be honest, I’m not sure if I want to… I’m not sure what I would do if I found out who it was behind it…” Sunset said darkly, watching as the tips of her front hooves gained a slight, reddish tinge.

“I know you would be the bigger pony.” Twilight said as she rested a hoof delicately across the back of her friend.

“If’n Ah can add somethin’...” Applejack looked back over her shoulder as she put the plates into the rustic, double wide sink. “This whole thing sounds an’ awful lot like tha whole “Gabby Gums” incident.”

“Gabby Gums? What’s that?” Sunset looked over to Twilight for clarification, the mare giving a bit of a sheepish grin.

“Well, uh… AJ’s and Rarity’s sisters, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, along with one of their other friends, Scootaloo, were trying to earn their Cutie Marks, and thought maybe they could get something by working on their school’s paper.”

“The lot of ‘em went an started postin’ pictures and blowin’ the whole thing outta proportion!” AJ said with a grumble. “Asleep on tha job…”

“They shared all sorts of embarrassing stuff, and got worse over time.” Twilight explained, removing her hoof from Sunset’s back. “It got to the point that there was… infighting… You don’t think…?”

“Hey now, the situations may be somewhat similar, and I may not like the Rainbooms, but I’m not gonna go and hoist the blame for Anon-A-Miss on those three.” Sunset said firmly. “Hell, I helped the three of them with their studies, especially Scootaloo. Though…”

“Hmm…? What’s with tha look, shugahcube?” Applejack asked as she noticed Sunset staring intently at her.

“Piggly Wiggly.” Sunset said neutrally, only to watch as Applejack’s eyes grew small, a blush of indignation coming to her face.

“Now where’n tarnation did ya hear that!?” the mare demanded loudly.

“Who else knows about that name. Just your family I’m guessing?” Sunset felt a pit start to build in her stomach, increasing tenfold as Applejack nodded. Twilight was looking on in silent confusion.

“And Apple Bloom is your sister. Oh for- Celestia damnit!” the large, oaken table shattered in half as Sunset drove her suddenly clawed, daemonicly red paws through it, her mane and tail literally igniting in fury. “I should have known! How could I have been such an idiot!”

“S-S-Sunset, calm down!” Twilight yelled, teleporting to her friend’s side in an instant, grabbing the furious mare’s head with her hooves. “What’s wrong? Do you really think it was her?”

“And her two fucking lackeys, too!” Sunset bellowed, her voice echoing with a second, more sinister voice. “The week after the sleepover at AJ’s is when people started harassing AJ with pig noises and shouting out Piggly Wiggly. The weekend before was when Apple Bloom said that name out loud for me to hear!”

“Look, just calm down for a moment, please!” Twilight begged as her friend started to hover in mid air, her eyes swirling with blackness. “Sunset!”

“...Ow…” Sunset brought a now amber hoof up to her aching jaw as she collapsed onto the floor of Applejack’s kitchen, her colouration reverting instantly after Twilight’s hoof connected with her muzzle. “...Fuck… I am so sorry, Applejack! Let me fix your table.”

“It’s not a big deal, Sunset.” Applejack nodded as the two halves of the kitchen table flashed brightly before being returned to a single, solid piece. “We all did tha same when we heard taht tha girls were behind Gabby Gums.”

“AJ! What’s happen’ in here?” came a young, familiar voice. “Me’n tha others heard a huge crash!”