//------------------------------// // A Clue // Story: Student of Friendship // by zalla661 //------------------------------// Twilight, Sunset and starlight all walked down a busy Street to a small sweet shop. It was a quaint little shop. It was similar to a corner cafe but had an Italian vibe to it. Starlight followed Sunset and Twilight inside where they were greeted by a barista in a cute maid outfit. “Hello ladies!” She said with a skip in her step. “Table for three?” “Yes, please,” Sunset replied as the barista lead them to a booth. The booth was a simple wooden table with two leather covered seats. It had a small candle in the center of the table with a few bread sticks in a fancy wine glass that had an intricately folded white napkin around it with tiny blue flowers. Sunset and Twilight sat together while Starlight sat by herself on the other side of the table alone. Once everyone was seated and comfy Sunset opened the topic of discussion. “So, Twilight and Starlight. Thanks for helping me. I was beginning to get worried I wouldn’t be able to find anyone to help me,” Sunset said twirling her thumbs, and looked around nervously. “I’m not sure who I can trust anymore.” Twilight looked worried placing a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “What’s going on anyways Sunset? Why are you helping the sirens?” Twilight asked. Starlight quickly held up her hands getting both of the girls attentions. “Okay, I know I’m not part of the group here Twilight, but who is this? Why does she know you? Where am I? Why does your mirror send ponies to…. This… world? And Why are there sirens here and no magic?” Starlight asked in quick succession, Pinkie would have been proud. Twilight sighed tapping her head tenderly with a finger. Sunset simply smiled drumming her fingers on the table. Finally after a good minute Twilight sighed again slumping down in her chair and said, “Sunny, get me the usual while I go through the steps as, “Princess of Exposition”. “Sure thing Twilight.” Sunset said, getting up from her seat and went to the counter to get two chocolate milkshakes. Once she paid for them and returned Twilight had just finished talking about the Battle of the Bands and how the human Trixie trapped the group under the stage where they performed. Setting the shakes down, one for Twilight, one for Starlight, and one for herself, Sunset sat down beside Twilight as she went on to explain the fight with the sirens in great detail, emphasizing the importance of friendship in the battle. “-afterwards the sirens were booed off stage and I haven’t heard or seen them since,” Twilight said sipping her shake. “Thanks, Sunny.” “No problem Twilight. So, not to interrupt your story time, but who is this woman?” Sunset asked pointing to Starlight. “She said she’s your student, but she’s clearly older than you. What’s the deal?” “Ugh! Why do you ask so many questions Sunset?!” Twilight whined, smacking her head on the table. Starlight quickly grabbed her shake, as the princess's head hit the table shaking it. Sunset simply held her shake, clearly anticipating Twilight’s reaction. “Don’t worry Twilight, I was just curious. It’s just the student is usually younger than the teacher,” Sunset said playfully, Starlight quickly understood where she was going but hoped it wasn’t. “You got a thing for older... “ Sunset leaned into Twilight’s ear and whispered a single word, “Mares?” Immediately Twilight pushed Sunset away, huffing and crossing her arms with a bright red blush. Starlight heard the words spoken and looked away sipping her milkshake. “Sunset you’re awful!” Twilight said giving a light punch to the other girls arm. Sunset laughed pushing back at Twilight with her own punch to her shoulder. It wasn’t a real punch, more like a nice soft cuddly shove with a closed fist. Both laughed and Starlight watched feeling a tiny warmth in her heart. Seeing Twilight in such good spirits made her feel better about herself. Starlight still to this day had felt the ponies of Ponyville were secretly conspiring and talking about her behind her back. Seeing Sunset, someone who was just like she was once made her feel more confident in her growth as a pony, and as a friend. After silently enjoying their shakes, Sunset took her turn to talk with twilight who was nursing the last of her own shake. Starlight told her tale of how she met Twilight, her village in the frozen mountains in eastern Equestria, and how she tried to alter time to get back at Twilight.Twilight added the occasionally comment to the story when needed. Then as Starlight concluded her story, Sunset sat silently as if she were contemplating something deep. After collecting her thoughts she said something that neither Twilight or Starlight thought they’d hear from her or anyone for that matter. “You are a better pony than I ever was Starlight,” Sunset said calmly. Twilight and Starlight both gave her shocked looks. Neither expected her to say that. The shock was more on Twilight who seemed to have taken this poorly. “What do you mean Sunset?” Twilight asked holding, Sunset’s hands with her own. “I know you had issues in the past with your anger and jealousy, but you made friends in the end, and you changed yourself. You’re a great person. A great pony.” Sunset smiled at Twilight. “Thanks Twilight,” She then turned to face Starlight who was sitting quietly. “And thank you for agreeing to help me even though you don’t know me.” Starlight sighed sagging her shoulder a bit before saying, “It’s what Twilight would have done. She tried to help all those in need.” Twilight then got a sad look on her face. It was a look of regret. “No Starlight, not everypony go the same help as I’d have liked.” “I know you did what you could Twilight, and I’m sure Trixie would agree,” Starlight said. “Yeah you’re right. She would,” Sunset said holding to Twilight’s hand. “So, Sunset, in the journal you mentioned that you had a lead on where we could find Adagio?” Twilight asked. Sunset nodded repeatedly with a deep frown on her face. Twilight and Starlight didn’t like the look she gave them. “I didn’t say I had a lead on the case, I know who was responsible,” Sunset said accusingly. Both Starlight and Twilight looked worriedly at each other wondering who could be behind this. Starlight had only what was told to her now. To her understanding, Adagio, A siren from Equestria, was defeated by Sunset, Twilight, and the human counterparts to this world. Vinyl was there too apparently. Later Adagio and her sister’s became friends with Sunset and the others, but there was some distrust which only amplified when Adagio started going on dates with Sunset. Now Adagio Was missing and Sunset was determined to find her, not matter the case. “So, who did it, Sunset?” Twilight asked. Sunset took one long sip from her milkshake and set it down firmly. She got a very serious look in her eyes like what she was going to say might rub them the wrong way. Then she leaned forward on one are pressing all her weight on it as the others leaned closer to hear her whisper one word, or rather one name. “Rainbow.”