Who Is That?

I slowly started rocking back and forth in my chair, listening to the squeaking as I laughed internally. I never imagined I'd find balancing a chair on two legs and rocking back and forth entertaining until now.

"Are ya sure ya wanna meet the Crusaders? They're a nice bunch but are a hooffull or well, a handful in your case. Especially since ya said they hated you at one point," Applejack gave me a look as she sat across from at the table. "Ah'd let ya meet Granny but she is napping."

"I'm sure AJ. And that's okay, I'm sure I can meet her later on," I reassured her and stood up off the chair. "Now where is this tree house?"

"West orchard. Ah'll show ya the way Sunny," Applejack paused at the door and looked back at me quizzically. "Ah can call you Sunny, right?"

"Fine by me. At one point in my life, I'd have hated it but now it's fine," I answered and Applejack opened the door, gesturing me after her. "Lead the way. You do let me call you AJ, after all."

"Shoot, Ah let everypony call me that. Now come along because Ah ain't fond of waiting for ponies who lag behind," AJ tossed me a smirk as she straightened her Stetson.

"Can I ask a weird question?" I asked suddenly after a silence that was occupied by the crunching of leaves and sticks under our hooves.

"Shoot."

"What's with the hat? Your counterpart wears it constantly but she's never really talked about it. I mean, it really completes your look and all. Goes well with your mane and coat."

"It was mah dad's hat," Applejack said simply as I followed her deeper into the orchards and I examined the trees for moment. "He and Ma went on to greener pastures after Apple Bloom was born. Hay, she doesn't even really remember em unfortunately. They were some damn good ponies. Owe em a lot."

"I'd say sorry but I have a feeling you hear that a lot," I said and Applejack gave a dry chuckle.

"Sugarcube, ya have no idea how much we all hear that," Applejack lifted her head and I stared into her green eyes. "So thanks. Anyway, we're here."

I looked up at a decently sized tree house that had a staircase wrapped around as I followed Applejack up it, listening to our hooves clip clop on the wooden surface and Applejack pounded her hoof agaisn the door.

"Ah'm comin in!" Applejack called out and the door opened.

"Oh hey sis," a filly that I presumed was Apple Bloom glanced up from where was playing a card game with a unicorn and a pegasus. "Who's that?"

"This is mah friend Sunset. She came from out of town to visit me and the other girls. She asked to meet you three."

"Nice to meet ya," Apple Bloom nodded at me. "That there is Sweetie Belle and the other one is Scootaloo."

"You're pretty," Sweetie Belle announced as she looked me up and down as I gave her a warm smile. "I like your mane and eyes."

"Thanks Sweets," I chuckled and trotted over to a window. "I like your mane and eyes as well. Hi Scootaloo."

"Look at her cutie mark," Scootaloo trotted over and tapped it with a hoof. "It's cool as heck. Kinda reminds me of Celestia."

"Believe it or not, I used to be her at student before Twilight came along," I chuckled as they all three stared at me.

"That true?" Apple Bloom asked and shifted her gaze onto Applejack who simply nodded.

"Ah was there when Princess Celestia told Twilight about Sunset here."

"That's so cool!" Scootaloo cheered as I was swarmed by the fillies.

"How did you get your cutie mark?" Sweetie asked curiously as she looked at it closer. "What does it mean?"

"One question at a time please. I uh had a mishap with my magic, had a whole floating overload episode with sparks flying and stuff. Set half of Canterlot of fire and I got it during that. Princess Celestia had to intervene and stop me," I explained with a sheepish look. I thought about that day all the time. Best day of my life was getting my mark. "It means different things. It's obviously related to magic and my name, Sunset Shimmer. The red represents my determination and fiery personality, the gold represents my achievements."

Sweetie Belle made an "Ooh" sound as she sat back down on her haunches and I faintly made out the door shutting.

"So why exactly aren't you still Celestia's student?" Scootaloo asked and I inhaled, staring down at the floor as I sat down and tucked my forelegs under my barrel. I had expected this question to come up sooner or later. But I didn't necessarily like reliving it.

"We had a fight after I demanded she make me a princess. I always had a ego and decided I was made for great things," I started and looked up. "Anyway, after she refused, I broke into the restricted area of the library to find a spell book to make me one and find some books about a mirror she had."

"What happened then?" Applejack cut in as I glanced at her. She seemed as interested in my story as the fillies sitting in front of me.

"The librarian woke up and caught me, going straight to Celestia where she and I had our worst fight ever. We both said some things that hurt each other and she banished me from the castle and said I was no longer her student. I was escorted from the castle and swore revenge on Celestia before I ran away," I explained. "Celestia tried to teach me a completely different way than she taught Twilight. She had a more heavy handed approach with me."

"What's a hand?" Apple Bloom asked in confusion.

"Long story," I answered with a shrug. "Anyway, it's not like I'm pushing blame onto her because we both made mistakes but she tried forcing me into making friends, not letting me use the library till I did make one. I may have tried using my position to force ponies to like me because that's all I really wanted deep down but you can imagine how that went."

"I can relate. Being alone sucks," Scootaloo commented and fluttered her wings for a moment. "At least you two forgave each other, right?"

I rubbed the back off my mane with a sheepish look before I shook my head.

"It's complicated," I traced my hoof in a circle on the wood floor. "It's a bit too soon for me to go asking for forgiveness. Not until I've done something to better Equestria, like bring technology here to this world or machinery. I'd revolutionize Equestria."

"Uh what's technology?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Longer story," I said with a shrug. "Anyway, what do you three do around here?"

"Try to earn our cutie marks, do random stuff to get it. That's about it. We were about to go paragliding I think it was next?" Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle who nodded enthusiastically.

"Oh boy," Applejack muttered and I snickered.

"Wanna come with us?" Sweetie asked curiously and I gulped.

"I uh don't do well with heights," I admitted with a frown. "Sorry."

"It's cool. Not everypony can be as daring as us," Scootaloo boasted and I snorted. Clearly she spends too much time with Rainbow here too. "Hopefully we don't run into that idiot Diamond Tiara and the featherbrain, Silver Spoon."

"Be nice," Applejack chided with a frown and sat down. "They're rotten apples but doesn't mean ya get to talk bad about em."

"I mean, if I got forgiven by Twilight, you guys can forgive her," I suggested as the three gave me flat looks.

"Those two are no good bullies and ain't deservin of friendship nor forgiveness," Apple Bloom announced and slammed a hoof on the ground. "She calls Scootaloo a flightless chicken all the time."

I had noticed Scootaloo's wings were lesser developed than all the other ones I'd seen around town. Rainbow did mention she uses a scooter to get around faster or something.

"I've done bad things in my life. I've lied, cheated, stolen and broke apart friendships for my personal gain and physically hurt people for my own amusement at times. I stole a crown, pushed my way to the top with little care for who I hurt on my way to the top. Everyone I met just used to be a stepping stone who meant nothing to me except cogs in my agenda to be the best and in control. If I can be forgiven and have friends, so can Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon," I added with a frown.

The four stared at me long enough for me to start feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"Want a hug?" Sweetie Belle asked suddenly and I nodded as she flung her forelegs around me and I leaned down to nuzzle her.

"Thanks Sweets," I muttered and she nuzzled me back.

"You're welcome!"

I trotted silently next to Applejack as we continued through the woods. I kinda favored this Sweet Apple Acres over the one my Applejack has. This one feels more like home in my opinion.

"Ah wanna take ya somewhere," Applejack broke the silence. "In fact, we're almost there and then ah'll take ya on back."

"Okay," I said after a moment and followed her through some trees to two stone slabs sticking out of the ground with writing on them. "What is th-?"

"Ma and Pa," Applejack gestured to the graves and took her hat off. "Ah brought another friend to meet ya'll. She's a good'un. Y'all woulda liked her. Shoulda seen her with Bloom and the others."

I watched silently before Applejack nudged me slightly.

"Say hi,"Applejack instructed and I stepped forward slightly.

"Uh okay. Hi Miss...." My voice trailed off as I read the writing. "Buttercup and Bright Mac. Have you met all of AJs friends?"

"Eeyup," Applejack confirmed and I glanced back, jumping slightly at Big Mac standing with her. I hadn't even heard him approaching. Guess Twilight was right about the gentle giant part. "All of em have been. Rarity has been here multiple times because we grew up together. It's a sign of trust to allow others here. This here is sacred ground to us Apples. We always feel closest here to em."

I felt my eyes slightly widen and water a bit as I stepped back to allow Big Mac to place flowers down.

"You trust me that much?" I asked finally and the other two looked at each other before laughing.

"Eeyup," Big Mac answered with a smile and the two hugged me. I didn't even think Big Mac hugged people. "If AJ trusts you, then so do ah."

That was probably the most I've ever heard either Big Mac speak.