Chapters Hearts & Hooves - Triangle, Diamond, Circle, Square
Three fillies – a unicorn, a pegasus and an earth pony - were sat around their usual tree stump in the school-yard at lunchtime. It was Friday and so the weekend was drawing near, but more importantly tomorrow was Hearts & Hooves Day.
As had become tradition, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had made an impossibly big card for their teacher. This year they also provided a signed promise that they would leave Ms Cheerilee alone and would not attempt to give her any more potions, and especially no more poisons. The mare was very thankful for that, as she and Big Mac had plans for the following day… secret plans she didn’t want the three fillies knowing about!
Whilst it was sad to think of their teacher not having a special somepony, most of the students were a little too young to be worrying about their own situation. There were a few minor crushes floating around the classroom, but most colts still thought fillies were just full of cooties, whilst the fillies thought of the colts just as immature foals…and with Snips and Snails in the classroom who could blame them.
But one of the Crusaders did feel some attraction to one of the colts in the class, a colt that she had once spent some time with in the town’s milkshake parlour. Sure, he was a bit immature, but that was part of his coltish charm…
A lone colt sat on one of the benches, his trademark hat spinning on his head, his tongue poking out ever so slightly and the pings from his JoyBoy reverberating around him. Button Mash knew half of lunchbreak had already passed, and so time to enact his master strategy was fast running out.
He looked over to the thing he possibly loved more even than the upcoming Mare Gear Solid V. Her perfect white fur, her mulberry and white rose mane and tail, and the way she could handle a gamepad. How he wanted to go over and ask her to the cinema tomorrow…
But there was a problem; the filly was being flanked by her support crew, who never left her side, preventing any chance of catching her alone. He had to isolate the target so he could swoop in and initiate first contact. He just didn’t know how to do it outside of a video game, and took his frustrations out on the poor simulated creature he was battling.
Diamond Tiara looked over to the three fillies chatting away in the middle of the playground, and the brown colt sitting off to one side. She could see Button’s attention flicking between the game in his hooves and the trio of fillies, whilst Sweetie Belle’s eye would occasionally sweep around the playground and over towards the colt.
The pink filly was remarkably mature for her age, at least when it came to certain things. On the subject of emotions and relationships, she was a master of manipulation. And as usual for the evil mastermind, a planned formed in her head, one that made a smile form across her face.
“Ohhhh, we’re up to something aren’t we?” Silver Spoon, Diamond’s perpetual hanger-on sang out as her pink friend got up and started heading over to the tree stump.
Hearts & Hooves - Triangle, Diamond, Circle, Square
“So how about Manticore training?” the most adventurous of the trio pitched.
“Whilst that would be an awesome Cutie Mark, we had enough problems with controlling rabbits, let alone something with claws and wings!” Applebloom applied her voice of reason.
“Can’t we think of a nice, safe idea?” Sweetie Belle added “Like, I don’t know, can’t we try normal things like baking again, rather then just give up on the first failure?”
The trio then noticed their sworn arch enemies, minor antagonists and general pains in their flanks approaching, and prepared themselves for the usual insults. Blank Flanks, Cutie Mark Catastrophes…I wonder if they have anything new they all thought in unison.
“Erm, Applebloom, Scootaloo, can we talk to you about something…over there” Diamond pointed away from where the crusaders sat, to the other side of the playground. This caught the trio completely by surprise, and Silver Spoon looked just as lost. “We need to talk to you two about…erm…stuff?” the pink earth pony added.
“Stuff?” Scootaloo finally found her voice, although it was filled with confusion.
“Yeah, it’s to do with the…the…thing?” Diamond practically face-hooved at her own words. The four other fillies looked around each other equally confused, wondering if Diamond Tiara had eaten something funny or banged her head or something.
“Why only us two?” Applebloom replied “It seems mean to leave Sweetie Belle out!”
“Because, you know, the reasons!” and her eyes instinctively darted between Sweetie Belle and the other side of the playground where Button Mash sat.
Noticing Diamond Tiara’s eye movements, and following her gaze, the orange pegasus finally cottoned on to what the earth filly was trying to do. A sly smile spread across her face and although confused as to why the earth filly was getting involved, felt it was a good thing to go along with “Oh, I remember, we had to talk about the stuff…to do with the thing…at the place!”
“Yes , exactly, the place!” Diamond shouted back a little too excitedly, glad she now had somepony else helping her with her plan.
“I aint got no clue what on tarnation you two are going on about!” Appleboom replied “But I aint leaving Sweetie Belle alone!”
Scootaloo got up and started trying to pull Applebloom away “It’ll only take a few minutes…Sweeties a big pony, she can look after herself”
Applebloom went to protest, but Sweetie Belle spoke up “It’s okay…if Scootaloo knows what this is about I trust her!” she added still a little confused at what was going on. Her birthday was coming up soon, but she doubted that their rivals would be helping to organise a surprise party or something.
Applebloom gave up protesting and allowed her pegasus friend walking next to Diamond Tiara to lead her away from their usual table, Silver Spoon just following as she always did.
Sweetie Belle now found herself sat alone at the Crusaders table as her two friends walked off Well, that was unexpected, I wonder what is going on?
Button Mash looked up from his game and noticed the four ponies walking away from his current location, across the gamemap and away from his target. This left the flag he desired isolated in open land. This is my chance he thought to himself But with clear lines of sight it’s going to be difficult to approach without being detected by everypony!
The most natural thing to do would be to simply start walking nonchalantly, playing his game as he always did. Unfortunately, being an earth pony, he couldn’t play his game with magic as he walked, so he had to turn off the JoyBoy and place it in his saddlebag. This made it impossible to act natural, so the colt looked around and surveyed his tactical options.
He noticed Snips and Snails practising their magic act about two clicks north of him, which would allow him to approach them and close the gap to his ultimate goal, without giving away his true strategic intentions. He made towards the pair, trying to act cool and aloof, but in doing so acted so unnaturally that he attracted the attention of everypony around him.
Having reached a suitable distance from Sweetie Belle, Diamond Tiara and Scootaloo waited until the unicorn filly wasn’t looking and dived into a nearby bush, each dragging their startled friend with them.
“WHAT…” Applebloom started to shout but found Scootaloo’s hooves silencing her “What in Equestria is going on!” the filly mumbled through her covered muzzle.
Diamond Tiara parted the leaves of the bush a little and pointed first to Sweetie Belle sat alone, and then over to Button Mash who was walking in Sweetie’s general direction. “I don’t get it!” Applebloom whispered.
Scootaloo and Diamond Tiara rolled their eyes at each other “Button Mash wants to ask Sweetie Belle to be his special somepony tomorrow, but we were in the way...” her pegasus friend explained “...only we didn’t realise it!”
“Oh!” Applebloom exclaimed and the four ponies peered out of the bush and watched the playground like spies.
Sweetie Belle looked over to where her friends had been, and to her surprise noticed that they had seemingly disappeared. Okay, something really weird is happening!
That is when she saw Button Mash was talking to Snips and Snails. Wait, is he trying to get over here? the filly thought to herself Or is that simply letting my heart rule my head? Regardless, the filly found herself instinctively checking her mane and tail, brushing a few strays hairs into place. She sat up as tall as she could, “like a lady always should” her sister always reminded her, and tried to act as cool as she could despite the butterflies in her stomach.
Step one of my quest completed the colt thought to himself as he let the pair show him their new magic trick, despite his obvious split attention. Okay, to complete the quest to reach the white unicorn, my fair maiden, I just need to cross the unforgiving open plain.
At the end of the trick, which went wrong and failed spectacularly, Button said his goodbyes to the unicorn pair and headed towards Sweetie’s table. The colt nervously looked around, trying to act unbothered, and was surprised how empty the playground had become. By now most of the ponies had picked up on what was about to happen, and had found hiding spots. The playground was so empty that had this been a western, a tumble weed would have blown pass.
Even Cheerilee was watching, hiding behind the school blinds. Despite lunchtime now officially being over, she decided to not ring the bell for a few minutes to give the lovebirds a chance to meet Go on Button, you can do it! Don’t turn away now…
Of course this made those final few steps for the young colt even more nerve wracking…
Hearts & Hooves - Triangle, Diamond, Circle, Square
Target acquired, initiate dialogue options “H..hi Sweetie Belle” the colt started as he took a seat next to the filly.
Oh sweet Celestia, he’s actually talking to me! “Hi Button Mash”
The colt rubbed the back of his head nervously “Erm, nice weather we are having?”
The filly looked around the sky in a slightly over-exaggerated fashion, holding her head up tall and letting her mane sweep around her.
Nice move Sweetie Belle Diamond Tiara thought to herself You’re a natural at this but then I guess Rarity had a lot to teach!
“Yeah…the pegasi sure know what they are doing!”
An awkward silence fell over the pair.
“So, it’s Hearts & Hooves day tomorrow…” Sweetie Belle tried to prompt the colt a little without coming across as desperate.
“Oh right…you made a lovely card for Ms Cheerilee.”
“Well, given what we did to her last year, it’s the least we can do.”
Button laughed a little before composing himself to try to be cool again “Yeah, a love poison, who knew such a thing existed! Glad you managed to finally cure them both.”
“Yeah, it taught us a lesson alright, that love has to develop naturally” Sweetie replied before catching Button’s eye, the pair looking away from each other in embarrassment.
“Oh by Lunas night! They are soooo awkward.” Diamond whispered to the group in the bush.
“It’s sweet...” Scootaloo replied a little wistfully, before adding a bit more gruffly “...if you like that sort of thing!”
“It’s not getting them anywhere!” Diamond whispered back.
“Give ‘em time” Applebloom added “Sweetie Belle’s got this in the bag!”
Meanwhile Button Mash was findleing a rock on the ground and generally avoiding what he came here to do. Knowing time was running out, he mentally drank the potion of courage and put on his hat of +5 charisma “So, got any plans for tomorrow?” he blurted out.
Sweetie Belle turned away a little shyly, and then fluttered her eyes “Not yet, my whole day is free."
“Well, if you have nothing better to do, do you fancy going to the cinema or something to fill the time?”
“With the other crusaders?” Sweetie replied, trying to be sure of the colts intentions before committing her heart to the cause.
“No…just me and you, as, you know…a date. Sweetie Belle, will you be…” the colt gulped nervously and started to blush“…my special somepony?”
The whole playground, and the mare spying on them all, held their breath…
“Of course Button Mash, I would love to be your special somepony.” Sweetie Belle replied blushing.
“Yes!” shouted Scootaloo, jumping up out of the bush, before being dragged back down by Applebloom.
“If you like that sort of thing?” Diamond whispered sarcastically whilst looking at Scootaloo who wilted under the embarrassment.
The young couple looked around nervously as they knew the ponies were watching them, and the blushes on their faces grew in intensity. “The new Bridle Jones Diary film is out…” the colt started until he was interrupted by a laugh “…what?”
“I don’t think that’s your sort of film! Perhaps we could go and see the Stallion of Steel?”
“That’s not exactly romantic?” Button replied a little confused.
Sweetie giggled, and extended a hoof until it was just touching the colts “No, but we’re both more likely to enjoy it, and that’s much more important!”
Diamond got a smug look on her face and pointed with both of her front hooves “Right there…that’s why they are perfect for each other!” she whispered.
A massive smile grew on Buttons face “Okay, but I’m paying for the film, and a snack afterwards!”
“Oh, of course darling, a lady never pays on the first date,” Sweetie replied in her best Rarity impression, before adding “Just don’t try to down the milkshake this time, that was embarassing!” causing the pair to burst out into laughter.
Hearts & Hooves - Triangle, Diamond, Circle, Square
“Wow, Diamond Ti-ar-a you know that was really nice of you!” Applebloom stated as she climbed out of the bush the four had been hiding in, the other students doing the same from their hiding places.
“Well, those two are so made for each other, it just seemed silly not to help them out,” Diamond replied, smoothing down her mane and helping Silver Spoon out “They certainly weren’t getting any help from you!”
“Okay, Okay, we get it, you're so smart!” Scootaloo replied sarcastically as she ruffled her feathers to knock a few twigs out of her wings.
“You were just too close to the problem…well, you were the problem, but that doesn’t matter now, the seeds have been sewn and the first shoots of young love can bloom!”
“Wow Diamond Tiara, that is, like, totally poetic” her silver companion gushed.
Applebloom moved next to the pink filly and gave her a playful prod in the ribs “I have ta say that I’m pretty surprised yaw such a romantic?”
Diamond Tiara blushed a little “What can I say…there’s slim pickings in this school so if there a couple that could be special someponies, it seems silly not to give them the push they needed”
The four of them looked over to the pair still chatting away, and a smile spread across there face as they saw how happy both Sweetie Belle and Button Mash looked.
“Erm, I don’t suppose that the two of you want to do something tomorrow, like go to the cinema, go bowling or something?” Scootaloo asked a little nervously, “Sweetie Belle’s obviously going to be busy, so we can’t go crusading. And I don’t want to hang out in town and possibly get asked out, because, you know, colts are immature and stuff…” she trailed off and her body sunk a little towards the ground.
Silver Spoon raised her eyebrows and was about to speak, but Diamond put a hoof up to stop her friend “You know what Scootaloo, that would be nice” and the pegasus perked up at hearing this, much to the silver pony’s dismay.
“So what, are we like friends now?” Applebloom asked, still a little unsure of her former enemy’s intentions.
“Not exactly…It’s just who would you rather hang out with tomorrow? Fillies who are mature despite being blank-flanks –“ Scootaloo and Applebloom rolled the eyes but Diamond Tiara continued “- are clean, and smell nice or…” Diamond Tiara gestured towards Snips and Snails who had somehow got their tails entangled in gum, again, “…colts like that!”
With the pair of clowns now pulling against each other, stumbling around and generally doing everything but separating themselves, the four fillies laughed at the silly colts antics. Sweetie Belle and Button Mash shyly left each others company, both looking forwards to the following day and seeing that the deed was done, Cheerilee rung the school bell signalling the end of lunch…and perhaps the beginning of a few new friendships.
Author's Note
I like to think that Diamond Tiara is actually a nice pony, just socially awkward like Twilight but rather then studying etc, acts out in frustration. I also think she’s a lonely single child and that’s why she wanted Button-Belle to work out.
That my headcanon anyway.
