//------------------------------// // Canterlot // Story: Strangers // by Rainboom H Harmonia //------------------------------// Sweetie belle sighed in thought as she watched the terrain speed by. She looked around the private train car she rented, her eyes landing on the pile of photos and games stuffed in her saddlebags. If this so called ‘Button Mash’ came over all the time and they played games and hung out, then how come she doesn’t remember him? If there was anything she can count on when it comes to remembering things, it’s her sister Rarity. Sweetie belle looked out the window again and saw Canterlot making it’s way into the trains view. She loved Canterlot, the giant beautiful buildings, the interesting ponies, all the fame you can earn there, it truly was amazing. She sighed, it probably would have saved more time if she went to talk with Pinkie Pie first. She thought again, or she was right with going to Canterlot and back first, she loved Pinkie, but once you get her started, it almost never ends. Sweetie belle was knocked out of her thoughts by the sound of the train whistle blowing. Sweetie belle looked out the window before grabbing her things and exiting the car. She walked through the train, glancing around at the many different ponies. She tugged lightly at her hood to make sure it was hiding anything that would give her away to any fans. Once she had gotten out of the train, she grabbed a map to hide her face and started on her way to the carousel boutique. She looked through the map as she walked to make sure nobody noticed her identity. “Oof!” A masculine voice grunted. Backing up quickly, Sweetie quickly apologized. “O-oh I’m sorry.” She said sheepishly, looking up at him. “Hey I know you.” Said the familiar looking grey stallion. Sweetie paused for a moment to take in the voice. “You.. do? Wait.. you sound familiar..” She said, still trying to remember where she knew him from. “Your Sweetie Belle right?” He asked. “Uhh yeah, you are?” She asked back. Smiling, he said, “I’m Rumble, Scootaloo is my Fillyfriend.” That’s when it hit her. “Oh! Rumble! I remember now! “ Scootaloo had brought him along to a few of their meetups, but Sweetie Belle still didn’t know him too well. “Yeah all three of you are pretty famous for your childhood club.” He chuckled. They suddenly felt a lot less awkward around each other. “Aheheh.. You are too right, you’re a wonderbolt now.” Remembering something Scootaloo had said. He chuckled and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Not yet, I’m only a recruit.” He corrected. “Oh. So you thinking about ranking up?” She pressed, truly interested. She always hopes the best for her friends. “Well yeah, I’ve always wanted to be a wonderbolt and now I’m so close.” His eyes showed real determination and hope when he talked about it. She beamed. “I’m so happy for you! I really hope you make it.” He smiled at her. “Yeah well I have to go, Scoots is waiting for me by the cafe.” He said, looking at his watch. Sweetie Belle perked up at the mention that her friend was close by. “Hey, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen her, mind if I tag along for a little bit to catch up? The only contact I’ve had with her to far has been letters and a few calls.” She asked, hopeful to see one of her best friends again. Rumble hesitated. “It was supposed to be a date but sure I think she’d love to see you.” He agreed. It had been a while since they’ve seen each other and it would be rude of him to reject an old friend, especially if it would probably ruin her chance of seeing her friend for another long while. Sweetie suddenly felt rude for asking. “O-oh if it’s a date then I don’t want to intrude..” She said. If it was a special moment, it wouldn’t feel right just popping in on something important. Rumble noticed her change in mood. “Well not really a date strictly speaking, usually we just hang out and do stuff like races.” He assured. Sweetie hesitated. “Oh umm alright then.” Rumble led her to the cafe, where Scootaloo was sitting at a table looking quite impatient. ”Scoots, I brought a friend.” Rumble called as he approached the table. Smiling, Sweetie entered the cafe. “Hey Scootaloo, long time no see!” She said, trying to act cool despite her excitement. Scootaloo, on the other hoof, surprised the unicorn by showing no attempt to hide her excitement. “Sweetie Belle! It’s so good to see you!” The pegasus said as she zoomed out of her seat and gave her friend a hug. Sweetie Belle was more than happy to return the hug. “How’ve you been?” She asked as they let go. Scootaloo looked around, almost as if making sure nopony saw. Look like she didn’t change as much Sweetie she thought. “Not bad, wonderbolt stuff is hard work though. What about you? See your wearing a hood, trying to keep fans off your tail?” She smirked. Sweetie belle laughed, almost embarrased. “Heheh.. yeah. Usually I’d wear a full on disguise but I’m gonna see Rarity and didn’t think it would be necessary.” She shrugged. Scootaloo chuckled, obviously remembering her big sister's drama. “Let me guess, she doesn’t like seeing you in that?” She guessed. The unicorn smiled and looked off to the side. “Yeah…Green is an awful awful color!” She said trying to imitate Rarity's voice. “I wanted to ask her something and I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask you.” She turned to rumble and asked, “You and Button Mash used to be friends, right?” Rumble nodded and smiled at the mention of his friends name. “Yeah, we’re still bros right now, do you know how he got in the hospital?” He asked, worry starting to creep into his voice. Sweetie looked at him uncertain. “Umm that’s kind of the reason I have questions. I found a bunch of video games and pictures in a box in the attic and I didn’t even remember doing all this stuff.” She said, recalling what she had seen in her attic. Rumble put his hoof to his chin in thought. “I mean he used to talk about a filly, but I don’t remember too much that he said, it was a long time ago.” He recalled. She started to try and piece things together. “Really? Well just a few days ago I was doing a concert and in the middle of it he kinda just... ran. He ran into something and hit his head really hard. That’s why he’s in the hospital.” Rumble looked at her apologetically. “I don’t know anything about that sorry. Though I do wonder why he would do something like that.” She sighed. “Oh.. Alright I guess. I’m going to head off, I still need to find Rarity. It was so good to see you again Scootaloo!” She said as gave her friend another quick hug. “You too Sweetie!” Scootaloo said, almost nervously as she waved goodbye. Sweetie Belle found that a little odd but didn’t pay much mind to it, as she still had to talk to her sister and figure out what was going on. After a bit more of looking at her map, looking at streets, and making sure she wouldn’t run into anypony else, she made it to the boutique. Sweetie Belle slowly opened the door to the carousel boutique causing the bell at the top of the door to ring loudly, signaling she was here. “I’ll be with you in just a minute~!” A voice sang from the back room. Sweetie Belle quietly walked in and sat down, waiting for her sister to come. A few moments later, Rarity trotted in, a pink cloth in her magic. Eyes closed, Rarity put the cloth down on the counter before turning to her sister. “How may I- Oh Sweetie Belle!” She shouted in surprise and delight. “What are you doing here?” Getting up, Sweetie smiled sheepishly, “Hey big sis, uhh I wanted to ask you something and I couldn’t wait.” Rarity looking at her questioningly. “Well what could be so important that you traveled all the way over here just to ask something?” Seeing the look on her sister's face, Rarity motioned to upstairs. “I’ll meet you in the living room, let me close shop really quick.” Nodding, Sweetie Belle trotted upstairs and into the living room. She sat down in one of the soft sofas and once again waited for her sister to come back. Soon enough, the older unicorn trotted up the stairs and was soon in her sight. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Rarity asked as she sat on the sofa next to her little sister. Fidgeting on the couch for a moment, Sweetie stared at her sister looking quite serious. “I would like you to tell me about a pony named Button Mash.” She stated. As she stared at her sister, Sweetie could see just barely a hint of shock peeking out from her sisters blank face. “Whoever are you talking about dear?” She asked. Sweetie stared at her and said sternly. “My fillyhood friend Button Mash.” Rarity stared at her back. “I don’t believe I recall who you’re talking about.” Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow. “Then who is in this picture?” She asked, pulling one of the pictures out of her saddlebag and showing it to her big sister. Taking the picture, Rarity just barely hesitated at looking at it. After a bit of examination, Rarity carefully gave it back to her sister. She chuckled almost nervously. “Where in Equestria did you get this? I don’t remember anything like this happening.” She said, rubbing the back of her head. Still staring, almost glaring at her sister, the younger unicorn started pulling out more pictures and a few video games out of her saddlebag and laid them on the cushions in front of them. “Not only that but I saw and talked to this colt myself. It felt extremely familiar but I didn’t think nothing of it at first. He showed up for my concert as well. While I was walking through the crowd, right before I would have passed him he ran off. I have no clue why but it sure felt like it was my fault.” She said, watching her sisters mood change from one of confusion and near sureness to one of worry and nervousness. She clearly knew something.