"Moo~om, do I have to?" the irritated voice of the young brown colt rang out with the intent to show his extreme distaste in what was to come.
"Come now, dear, every colt and filly your age is doing it. Besides, it will be fun," a deep, buttery voice came from the adjoining room, getting louder as the speaker neared. As the hoofsteps drew nearer, an annoyed Button Mash looked towards the living room entrance, where his mother was making her grand entrance. The mare posed, head pointed up and eyes closed like a magazine model, before opening one eye and asking, "Well, how do I look?"
Button took it all in: a white shirt with a low cut, a checkered tie (obviously his father's), and a skirt to match. Simple black hoof-shoes and two bows as big as Apple Bloom's on both her tail and mane brought the look together. Any other colt or stallion would have lost their jaws to the floor if they saw the outfit Button's mother had decided to adorn herself with.
Button just made a gag face. His mother's face drooped as she retained her posture, bow almost deflating at his lack of enthusiasm. Silence filled the room indefinitely, until a knock interrupted it.
"Oh, that must be the others!" Button's mom trotted happily over to the door, her flank waggling innocently in her checkered skirt like the school girl she pretended to be. Again, Button tried not to vomit. Instead, he spoke up.
"W-what others?" He managed to stammer out as his mother reached for the door.
No sooner had she unlocked the door that three excited fillies barged their way in, loudly proclaiming, "Cutie Mark Crusaders Nightmare Night Crew, YEAH!!!"
The three Crusaders stood in the doorway, silent and posing for a moment, before Button coughed. The three looked back at a trampled mare they just-so-happened to not notice. Button Mash face-hoofed, as the three fillies surrounded his mom, trying to squirm their way out of trouble with offers of help or fervent "so sorry" attempts. Button Mash mumbled under his breath disdainfully, "Girls..."
Shaking off dirt from the trampling, his mother regained her composure, putting on her well-worn smile of tolerance. "It's alright, girls, just...be more patient next time. I was going to open the door for you anyways," she smiled accusingly, as the fillies laid their ears back against their heads, "ANYways...Button, you ready to go out?"
Unamusedly, Button looked down at his chest, a shining silver shirt with red trim, reminding him of his iron armor.
"OHMIGOSH BUTTON YOU LOOK SOOOOO COOOOL LOOKIT WE MATCH EEEE-HEE-HEE-HEE," squealed an overly-excited Sweetie Belle who had raced up to the colt, trotting in place. It was true, however; they couldn't have planned it better themselves. Whilst Button Mash wore his iron chestplate with his signature iron sword (made of construction paper), Sweetie wore her favorite diamond bib and tiara, with a pickaxe. Inside, this pick made Button cringe, with how many times it had caused trouble for the colt in the past.
"Y-yeah, cool..." he managed to mumble out, eyes questioning his mom, can we go now before this gets awkward?
While his mother was pushy in some ways, she was also very understanding in others, and did not want to force this encounter with an over-excited filly on her son. "Come on, kids, before all the candy is given out!"
Hearing this sent Scootaloo's wings ablaze and made Apple Bloom perk up, as they suddenly disappeared out the door and (fortunately) past Button's mom this time. Sweetie waited as Button rubbed his forehoof, recovering from sudden shyness, and regained his composure. "Come on, Sweetie, let's go score some loot!"
"Don't worry, I have Fortune III on this pick. Just watch my back!" The white mare skipped off, leaving Button rolling his eyes, remembering his luck with watching her back. Suddenly he realized he was being left behind.
"Wait for me!"
Nightmare Night had just begun, and all the colts and fillies were trotting out under the newly-raised moon with one thing in mind: Candy.
The five ponies went door-to-door, asking for sweets, trying to score big. Out of all of them, though, it was Button's mom that got the most. Sure, she didn't get much from the other mares, who seemed to look at her outfit questionably. Especially when their husbands were around. Instead, much of her haul came from all of the stallions who for some strange reason loved her simple outfit. Button was sure he was going to vomit before the night ended.
As yet another stallion tried to persuade their chaperone into his house, Button felt a tug at his shirt. "Hey, watch it," he started, but seeing Sweetie Belle as the culprit, his voice fell.
"Come on, Button, let's go play some games!" Button blushed and nodded, soon following after the little filly. He had no idea why he was blushing; he didn't understand what blushing even was. All he knew was that whenever Sweetie got near him, his cheeks went red. It annoyed him, like falling behind in a race. This made him hurry to catch up to Sweetie, who was eyeing a simple bob-for-apples game.
Without warning (and without waiting her turn), the filly bobbed into the water. Button blushed and turned away, eyeing the ground so to not look at the filly's flank. He would never be like one of those disgusting stallions his mom spoke to. A splash and a few mumbles assured him it was okay to turn his head. This couldn't be more wrong.
As he turned, he was face-to-face with Sweetie Belle holding an apple in her mouth. She mumbled incoherently, causing Button to turn his head, she let the apple fall on the ground in front of Button, "Here, have some!"
Button had no idea why she would offer an apple to him. She must have read his face, because she continued, "Rarity says if one is going to eat sweets all night, they could at least have SOMETHING healthy. So I figured we could split an apple!" The filly displayed a wide, toothy grin at Button, who blushed still and looked down at the apple.
It touched her mouth; her lips! Is it even okay to eat it? I mean, mom used to chew my food, but I'm not even related to Sweetie Belle... Button's mind went on, and Sweetie scrunched her nose, picking up the apple. As Button continued to space out, she shoved the apple in his mouth, much to the colt's surprise. After a few bewildered seconds and some awkward blinks, he chewed, biting off a piece. Sweetie caught the falling apple before in hit the ground.
"Kthanth.."
Sweetie stuck her hoof on Button's mouth and whined, "Don't talk with your mouth full!" She, in turn, picked up and bit another piece of the apple off. Right where Button had. He winced. The heat in his cheeks was rising, and he could have sworn there was some red to hers as well. The two finished their bites and looked up at each other quietly, Sweetie Belle seemingly having lost all of her former courage. Fortunately, Button's mom's voice interrupted yet another awkward moment.
"Come on dears, let's head to the statue, it's time for the ceremony!"
Everypony knew the ritual; head to the statue of Nightmare Moon and give up a bit of your candy. It was overplayed, yes, but at least now there was something else: Princess Luna herself often showed up!
If it had not been for this, Button Mash may have stayed home for yet another Nightmare Night. But this, this could be his chance. To befriend one of his idols: a gamer far above his caliber. He wasn't going to give this up for anything.
The determination in Button's eyes didn't go unnoticed by Sweetie, who waved a hoof in-front of Button eyes, "You okay, Button? You looked kinda weird for a minute there."
"YOU look weird," Button retorted unthinkingly as he shook from his thoughts, before realizing his mistake.
Sweetie suddenly stopped and squeaked, burying her head below her shoulders. "I..l-look..." Her voice faded out, and it was obvious tears were coming to her eyes. Despite being utterly dense, Button knew he'd just hurt her feelings, and that he had to fix it.
"I-I was just kidding, Sweetie! You don't look weird, you actually l-look kinda..." his voiced trailed off, but Sweetie went unhearing, sobs starting to come from her throat. Button didn't know what else to do, and thought really hard. When I'm upset, mom always hugs me...maybe that'll work? Worth a shot...
The moment Button wrapped his arms around Sweetie Belle, she stopped moving. There was no sound anymore, except for the wind, and the distant chatter of the group they would catch up to soon. Button Mash felt awkward, like he had made a big mistake. Maybe if I just go home, she'll... Suddenly Sweetie hugged back, squeezing as tight as she could. Button coughed as a reflex, and the filly loosened her grip, but still held him, sobbing a little.
"Thanks, Button...I-..I needed that.." she said as she pulled away, tears still staining her soft green eyes. Button felt a pang of guilt; he never wanted her hurt her. He just wanted to protect her. From everything. And now, he was the reason she was hurting...
"I..l-lets get back with the group, ok?" his voice wavered, unsure of how she'd take it. She nodded silently and stood up, trotting back to the group at a quick pace, not before her tail rubbed up against Button's face. He blinked, and shook his head to clear some sudden throughts, trotting back after her.
The red on his cheeks was almost glowing.
The statue stood before them, unchanged with the aches of time. It was as though somepony wanted it to remain, in all of its glory, to show everypony just what loomed in the darkness. Button, however, just thought it was a fancy rock.
"So where IS she already?" Button asked, obviously sick of waiting for the arrival of a certain mare. Sweetie Belle stood by Button's side, unsure of what to do, hoof knocking at the dirt.
"Maybe she's busy, Button. I mean, there's nothing saying she HAS to show up---"
"But she's GOTTA!!" he yelled, looking at her with determination. The filly sighed and looked away impatiently. There was no getting through to Button Mash when he was in one of these moods.
"Well, you can wait here all night if you want to, but I want to go home and eat some of my candy," Sweetie said frustratedly, and sighed, saying, "It's getting cold, Button. You should come home too..."
"I'm staying RIGHT here until she shows up." Button said, not moving a muscle.
"AUGH!!! You're so thick-headed sometimes!!!" Irritated with the colt's stubbornness, Sweetie walked back off in the direction of Ponyville.
Button sat staring at the statue. He knew this was the only night he'd have any chance of meeting the Princess, and he'd been waiting all year for this. He hadn't known about her hobbies until after last Nightmare Night, and was extremely angry with himself for missing out on a chance to meet a true gamer. Sure, Sweetie was a gamer, but...but...Princess Luna was no casual gamer! She was elite, she was pro, she was MLG!
"Come onnnnnnnn!!" Button moaned loudly. As on on queue, a flash on lightning brought forth thunder, and Button jumped from his position, looking around for the cause.
"Do not whine before your Highness!" called a deep, subtle voice, as a chariot descended from the sky, pulled by two of Luna's Night Guard: the thestral. In the seat of the chariot was a dusk-blue mare, mane twinkling in a show that rivaled the starlight itself. The hooves of the thestrals hit ground, as did the chariot, where the Princess still sat, staring accusingly at the small brown colt.
"I-u-I--uh..." Button was floored, and embarrassed. He was afraid he may have offended the Princess, and immediately bowed the way his mother showed him to. The sound of hoofsteps on the dirt made Button look up; only to see the Princess staring directly down at him.
They stood here like this, Button Mash grovelling and Princes Luna observing, for a full minute. Then, the Princess spoke, a bit too loudly, "Why did you call for us, young pony, and so impatiently? We have other duties to attend to."
Standing up on wobbly knees, Button gulped, speaking hoarsely, "I j-just.." he cleared his throat, "Princess Luna, Mistress of Gaming, I would be hu-humbled if you would take me under your wing. I am b-.." his voice cracked, "but a lowly noob compared to your greatness. Please, teach me all you know."
The silence was deafening. Luna stared down at the brown colt, cladden in an iron shirt, a strap holding a fake sword to his back. The wind danced around them, rustling the grass, until a soft sound picked up. The sound of Luna's laughter. The Princess chuckled loudly and smiled down at the colt, with warmth in her eyes. She took a deep breath, lowering her shoulders and wings as she tried to remember to speak in a "normal" voice.
"I did not expect such a request on this night. Or at all. Not many ponies seem interested in gaming with a Princess...and the ones that do, either think beating me makes them great, or that I am a Goddess at gaming. Neither is true. And I hope," she pointed a hoof at Button Mash, a glare falling upon him, chilling him, "you realize that. I will not game with fans, nor will I game with the Leetists. I will game with my equals. Now, little colt, who is called..."her voice fall flat, looking at the colt questioningly.
"B-Button Mash, y-your Highness."
"Button Mash, do you consider yourself worthy of being my friend? Of being my EQUAL?" The winds picked up as she spoke the last word, causing Button to shiver. His mind was stuck for a moment, until the Princess tilted her head. Suddenly, cogs that had frozen in his mind started to turn, and he began to speak.
"I...I think...I can be...maybe..." Despite knowing he was skilled at gaming, and despite the offer, he wasn't sure if he WAS worthy. He was having serious doubts about ever being as good as an immortal goddess such as Luna. But still...she offered...so...maybe...
"Then it is done. I take it your in-game name is Button-underscore-Mash, correct?" He nodded. "I shall add you later tonight, or morning for you. Never wake me for a game. I only play at night, and won't join any multi-player games without knowing the players first. Now, I must take my leave. This night is mine, and I missed much of it because I couldn't find a save point..." her voice trailed off, but Button nodded. This was something he understood.
"Anyhow, have a good night, Button Mash. And may Nightmare Moon overlook you!" the Princess spoke as she walked back towards her Chariot...which was now filled to the brim with candy, thanks to the thestrals collecting the offerings. "To Ponyville!" Luna decreed in her loud Canterlot voice, and the trio disappeared. Button Mash was alone.
It was cold. He had gotten his haul of candy, and everypony would start to worry soon. Heading home was the best idea. Hopefully Sweetie Belle wasn't too mad, he thought, maybe I can make it up to her with some Nether Quartz...
As he made his way home, the Lunar Princess smiled. This one...he has a good heart. I hope he is as good of a gamer as he is a pony. Her mind trailed off as Button Mash went out of view, and both ponies couldn't wait for the next night of gaming to commence.
The day had been intolerable.
Button knew that the Princess was asleep, but hoped that maybe she'd get online and add him sooner. But with every refresh, every restart of the program, nothing showed up. He knew why: she raised the moon, she obviously had to sleep during the day. But that didn't make waiting any easier.
Finally, something popped up; Button hurried to check it aaaaaand...it was Sweetie Belle asking if he wanted to play Minecraft. Ugh, I was hoping... Button stopped and realized, this would be a good distraction.
"1 sec"
He opened up Minecraft and hopped in, popping up in front of the furnaces...newly cleared-out of all their ores. No experience for him. Oh well.
Sweetie Belle was upstairs, decorating, but must have seen Button get online. Another notification popped up, an incoming call from Sweetie; accept.
"Hey, do you wanna go cave-diving or do some level-grinding?" the familiar, sweet voice came through Button's headphones as he popped down his mic.
"Probably some grinding, I need to enchant a few things." Not that he ever used those things anyways, most were safely stored away in a chest so to avoid losing them, but they'd be good for a big battle at least. Or some soloing.
"Sounds good. Gotta work on my aim anyways."
And so started the evening, Button keeping a close eye on Sweetie as she battled, whilst trying to do some killing himself. Either way, he ended up mostly killing Creepers Sweetie didn't notice. I wish she'd turn her mob sounds up...
*POP*
A notification appeared, and Button quickly dug himself into the ground to hide, before checking it.
Luna wants to be your friend ----- Accept or Decline
Accept.
Nothing.
Still nothing.
Zombie sounds and nothing.
Ding.
"Hey."
"hi 1 sec"
"Hey Sweetie, I gotta go."
"Mmk Button, I really hope we can play again tomorrow!" her voice was hopeful, and Button felt a tingle in his chest. He ended call, and re-opened the tab with Luna.
"mmk back"
"Alright. I did not mean to interrupt your game."
"nah its fine was just playing some minecraft w/ my friend sweetie belle"
"That makes me feel even worse. Not many mares seem interested in the game, I did not mean to cut your time short."
"nah i can play w/ her any day any time"
"She must like you a lot then. ;)"
"wut?"
"Nevermind, I suppose a colt your age could care less. Either way, I'm about to play some L4D, wanna join me?"
"sure"
Button quickly opened up the game, grunting as he found he needed to update. While waiting, he heard another bing from his chat window. He quickly checked it.
"You're still here?"
It was Sweetie Belle. Button instantly felt a pang of guilt for ditching her like this, and tabbed to his conversation with Luna.
"can sweetie play 2?"
A pause.
"Of course."
Button sighed, messaging Sweetie Belle.
"was invited to a game w/ luna right b4 i left, wanna play?"
"Sure!
Crisis averted. He was glad she didn't question it. He still felt bad for lying, though, and hoped he could make it up to her. The game loaded, and he was invited; he invited Sweetie.
And so it all began.
