Chapters Chapter one: The Beginning
Dreams
Chapter one: The Beginning
“She's staring at him again,” A raspy voiced, orange filly giggled. She nodded over to her friend next to her, who wore a giant bow on her beautiful red mane, and bore yellow fur. “That's the third time this week.”
The country filly nodded with a chortle. “Ah always thought that somethin' was goin' on, but now ah know. They'd make a cute couple, wouldn't they?”
“Heh. If they could get it through their thick skulls.”
Miss. Cheerilee, though sometimes her actions could betray her name, glared at the two fillies seated in the back row. “Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, there's testing going on! What did I say about chatter?”
All eyes turned on them, including their friends. “S-sorry, Miss. Cheerilee.”
“Yeah, sorry. Won't happen again.” Scootaloo assured her, giving her a determined nod.
The schoolteacher sighed and went back to reading a book. She mumbled something about 'Not getting enough pay', but the class couldn't hear the rest. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom gave each other a smirk, although still shaking because of that incident, they both told each other silently that the conversation wasn't over. Sweetie Belle, still clueless, continued to stare at the colt in question.
After a few long, agonizing minutes, each foal completed their assignment, and passed them up to her with smiles on their muzzles. In return, she sighed with relief. “Alright students; I'm glad you all finished your test in time. The bell would be ringing shortly, so if you just—”
However, the children were so eager to play out in the fresh air they haven't had in a long time, that as soon as the bell rang they bolted out.
“—wait... a few seconds...?”
One student though, stayed in his seat, his mind wandering. He only had one problem to complete on his test, but he couldn't concentrate for the life of him. A very important date was coming up for him, and on that same day his father was coming home. It's been way too long!
A cough brought him back to Equestria, and he grinned sheepishly up at the mare. “Everything okay, Button?”
He nodded, picking up the paper to hoof it to her. “Yeah, I'm just thinking about my dad coming home. You know my birthday is next week?!”
She giggled and nodded as she walked back to her desk. “You've been talking about it all month, Button. I can tell you're really excited.”
He nodded so vigorously that his head looked like it would fall off. “I haven't seen my dad since I was six, since he's away at his company most of the time. And he sends us presents and letters so it's like he never really left.” Miss. Cheerilee fought back a frown as she listened to the young colt, but he continued on as if it didn't bother him. “And I can't wait to see what he got me for my birthday! The new Pokemon game came out over a few months ago; he promised me he'd by it for a special occasion! I really hope I get it!”
She smiled, recalling of how highly the game was thought of among her class. Nearly every colt and filly had one, save for a selected two. “Well, I'll keep my hooves crossed then. I hope you have a wonderful time at your party.” She saw Sweetie Belle and her friends waiting out the door. “I don't want to keep you waiting. Go on, the weather's really nice out today.”
He thanked her with a smile, before practically skipping out the door. Miss. Cheerilee watched the foal in amusement. What I would give to be young again ... she sighed, and returned to grading papers.
Apple Bloom saw him first and called him over, raising a suspicious eyebrow. “What took ya so long, Button? Ya ain't in trouble are yew?”
He laughed, shaking his head as the four of them walked out of the schoolyard. “Nah, I just had to finish the last problem on that test. I was... too busy thinking about my dad coming home that I forgot about it.” He sheepishly added, causing the fillies to giggle.
Sweetie Belle smiled at him, causing those butterflies to fly around in his stomach again. “Good. It'd be annoying if you got detention for something-- you'd be so upset because you won't be able to play with your precious joyboy's.” She mocked, and Button blew a raspberry at her.
“Hey, I'm not that bad.”
She gave him a flat look. "You cried when a zombie-pony killed you in Minecraft."
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both giggled, smirking at the gamer. “That actually happened?”
Button's face grew a very deep shade of pink. “Sw-sweetie Belle! You promised we wouldn't talk about that!”
Seeming oblivious, Sweetie nodded, and put her hoof on her forehead in despair, much like how her sister did. “'Oh, this is horrible! I'll never be able to complete the side missions! Never! Rage quit!” The colt's brain couldn't formulate a proper comeback to that, for he was too focused on how embarrassed he was. He pushed her off him when she leaned against his shoulder, causing her to fall on top of Apple Bloom. He had to admit though, that was pretty darn good acting.
During their little banter, the group of friends didn't notice a pair of bullies walk up to them, both wearing smirks on their faces. “Oh, ho, check this out Silver Spoon, looks like Button Mash and Sweetie Belle are getting rather chummy after their play-date.”
She giggled, narrowing her eyes. “What name should we call them, Diamond? ButtonBelle? SweetieButt?”
The protagonist shook her head. “It doesn't matter what we name them. They're both blankflanks, so they're a perfect match either way! I, personally, like the tittle Looser.”
“Aww... I kinda liked ButtonBelle...” Silver Spoon drooped her ears, causing a few odd looks casting her way.
“I was only kidding, you idiot!” Diamond hissed at her.
Apple Bloom yawned, checking the imaginary clock on her hoof. “Welp, if ya'll are done here, I better go. I havta uh... go... help mah brother! Buck apples! Yeah!”
Scootaloo caught on to what she was doing, and grabbed her scooter that came out of nowhere. “I need to work on my stunts, which are waaaay too cool for you ponies.”
Sweetie Belle pretended to look in the direction of the boutique, smirking as she did so. “My sister's calling me! I better see what’s wrong with her...!”
The three fillies looked at each other for a few seconds before bolting the heck out of there, leaving a trial of dust at their wake. Button, when he was finished coughing, pointed a hoof at the bullies. “It's super effective! Player one wins!” And, still smiling, he ran after them.
Diamond Tiara stared at the group with her mouth agape; Silver Spoon closed it for her, shaking her head in disappointment. “What just happened?"
She shrugged, and turned to walk back to the school house. Her answer, took longer than she expected. “I... I don't... know.”
"Uh-Huh."
Chapter two: The eve Before
Button Mash grinned as he completed that last level on his game console, feeling a sense of loneliness coming over him. Normally he’d have Sweetie Belle with him, sometimes cheering him on, or laughing at his eccentric behavior. However the filly wanted to spend some time with her CMC today, since they had an important meeting to do. Not that he was complaining over that. Really, he wasn’t.
So, with over six hours of gaming on his belt, Button was officially bored. Yawning, he carefully placed the game on his shelf so he could get back to it later. The house was so quiet that Button couldn’t exactly tell what time it was. His curtains were drawn—something that’s become a habit of his—making it difficult to see outside. He didn’t have the energy to move them either, considering the state his mind was in.
He yawned again, but this time more loudly than before. He begrudgingly got up on his own accord to see what his family was doing; he needed somepony to annoy to make his many wasted hours worthwhile.
“Mom?” He called out once he reached the living room, and saw her on the couch. She was positioned on her back with a magazine on her head, snoring her life away. She was probably finished decorating the kitchen for his party; he was strictly told not to go in it until then, much to his disappointment. And he knew that if he wanted to keep his gaming system he wouldn’t dare wake her; a mother’s rage is worse than all the Hell down in Tartarus, and Button knew that too well.
He slowly took a few steps away from her and galloped down the hallway, past the guest room and his parent’s room. The only room that was lit was his brothers, and a wicked grin spread across his face.
Record Wire was the complete opposite of him; shy, reserved, and didn’t really appreciate social interaction. However, he loved mechanics, something that ran in the family, and that he got his cutie mark in. Whenever Button’s games were broken, he would be the one to fix it.
Okay… keep your eyes on the prize, He reminded himself, crouching low. Finding ways to freak out his older brother was a tough game. Sometimes he caught him, sometimes Button was too quick. Grinning, he put on a joker mask, one that his father gave him for the movie’s premier. From where the colt was, he could see that Record was trying to fix something, and had much difficulty doing it. It was up to him to figure out what, and distract him.
One… He lifted his right hoof. Two… he slowly made his way across the foyer. One two three GO!! “Incoming!”
“Gah!” Record managed to gasp out, before being tumbled off of his chair. The mouse key fell with him. He glared up at his brother.
Button however, didn’t notice for his curiosity had reached maximum level by now. He reached over to get a good look at the screen. His eyes darted back and forth in wonder at the new technology. “Ohh, cool can I play on it?”
Record gasped and quickly shoved him away, blocking whatever he saw. He pointed a firm hoof. “No.”
Button moaned in despair. “But I’m boooored and I’ve played all my games twice already! Sweetie Belle is hanging out with her friends.”
The eldest raised his muzzle to the heavens, cursing the fact that the adorable unicorn couldn’t save him this time. A light bulb seemed to go off in the little colt’s head and he looked back at the screen, then to his brother, and back to the screen.
“I get it! You’re working on my birthday present! Now I really gotta see! Move, move, move!”
Record glared down at his brother and shook his head, still continuing to point at the door. Unfortunately, he knew that this small act of rebellion wouldn’t help him one bit. He raised his hoof to his temples and sighed, shaking his head. “Alright, fine,” He muttered, “I’ll show you. But don’t tell mom, okay?”
Button, grinning over his victory, nodded as he climbed onto Record’s lap. “See here?” He asked, picking up the mouse key and shifting it so that the area was zoomed in. On it displayed the usual Pokemon Y features, with its legendary in the centre. Below, there were two options.
Play as usual , or, Jump in?
“It’s one of dad’s creations. He sent it to me to help him; there’s a glitch, Button, and I’m trying to fix that before it’s safe to play.”
Excitedly, Button pressed a hoof against where it asked the second option. “What’s that mean? It’s so cool I wanna try it out now! Please, please, please, please, pleeeeeaaaaseeeee?”
Record calmly pulled him away from the screen, settling him back on his lap. He gave him a firm look. “Do you want me to explain it to you before you go running around willy-nilly?”
Button raised his hoof, “Technically running around willy-nilly is a plan. Of sorts.”
For the second time that hour, the stallion rubbed his temples. He would’ve facehoofed, but he needed his brain cells in that moment. He cleared his throat. “Anyway, we got the idea from the original Pokemon -Amie, a mini game where you could interact with select Pokemon. Dad managed to create a separate system where not only you could do that, but have yourself put inside the game and interact with them all the time, even in trainer battles and gym battles. It’s a genius idea, but there are a few glitches that come along with it that I’ve mentioned earlier, and dad’s a little worried about sending it out to the public.”
The gamer colt stared at his brother in shock, never had he heard him talk so much before. This must be an important thing to Record then, if that’s the case. He pointed another firm hoof in Button’s face. “You. Saw. Nothing.”
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Button smirked, and nodded rapidly. “Nope, nada, zilch. My lips are sealed, bro!” Hopping off of his lap, he was just standing by the doorway when he turned around. “Or are they?” He added with a maniac laugh, before running out with a skip in his step. Record slowly turned around after he left, staring blankly at the computer screen. He finally groaned and gave himself a good facehoof. He knew without a doubt that all sense of logic has exploded.
"Record! What was that scream?!" His mother called from the living room, and he looked towards her with a deadpanned expression.
Chapter four: The morning of
Chapter four: The morning of
"Button, get off your lazy flank and wake up! Rise an shine, it's yer birthday!"
The tired gamer rubbed his sleepy eyes to make out a blurry vision of Applebloom, who was hopping on top of him. Along with Dinky, Pip, Rumble, Sweetie, and Scootlaoo. He groaned, falling back asleep.
"No, it's okay the cats got it with the salad...."
An amused chuckle came from Rumble. "You've pulled an all-nighter, didn't ya?"
"I was determined to catch all 152 Pokemon in FireRed; I almost got Mewtwo before mom came in and slapped my head with my joyboy," He replied grumpily, glaring at the pillow. "Ugh, get off! This bed is too small for all of you!"
Sweetie folded her hooves and sat on top of him. "Button, I swear to Celestia, if you don't get out now I'll slap you so hard you'll be crouching for the rest of your days, and never pick up a game console again."
Button's eyes grew wide as if he made a deal with the devil. "You... you aren't serious, are you?"
With a cheeky smile, she stood up, and hopped out of the bed. "See you downstairs! Your mom made breakfast for us!" Giggling to each other, the rest of his friends hopped off, leaving him shaking like a leaf. Rumble turned to Scootaloo.
"She's got him wrapped around her hoof," he snickered, "I bet ya ten bits they'll be together by the end of the week."
"No way! At the party, for sure!" She retaliated, and they shook on it. The two argued over many things, but Button and Sweetie Belle's relationship was one thing they were both certain of.
9:30 pm
Miss Cheerilee glanced around at her students, narrowing her eyes towards four fillies in particular. They were talking among themselves in hushed excitement, while Button strained to listen. Though, every time he tried, Rumble and Pipsqueak would call his attention.
She giggled. She knew all too well as to what they were planning, and had wished them all good lucky. Button Mash was one of the shyest colts she'd met when he first moved to Ponyville, but she was glad that he now had such good friends that were willing to plan him the bestest birthday party ever, as Sweetie Belle dubbed it. Yawning, she clapped her hooves together, grabbing everypony's attention so class could start.
1:00 pm
The school bell rang, causing the foals to rush out of their seats in a hurry. Rumble wrapped his hoof around Button's shoulder as they began to walk out the door. "Hey bro, what do you say about going to the old arcade center and hang out there for a few hours? I hear a new Mario game was installed, and it's in 3D!"
He frowned, giving him an odd look. "Well, okay, but... what about Sweetie Belle and the girls? Don't we normally hang out with them?"
Pipsqueak bit his lip. He was a horrible liar. But there was a first time for everything, right? "W-well, uh, they had to run back to the farm; Applebloom's brotha got sick, an'... she needed support."
Button seemed disappointed, but he just shrugged in response. "Eh, okay. Come on then, race ya there!"
The Trottingham colt let out a sigh of relief. He was in the clear, for now, at least.
1:45 pm
"Hurry, hurry! Scoot, do you have everything?" Sweetie Belle called over her shoulder, fastening the strap on her saddlebag. The girls had stopped by the clubhouse to pick up a few things, before heading over to Sugar Cube Corner. All of yesterday was spent sending out invitations, and getting Button's mother's help with wrapping presents. She was grateful that they were willing to do a whole shi-bang, even though she had plans of her own. Their pleading faces scratched off anything that was on her list.
"Record! Get in here, you're wrapping your brothers present, now!" She had shouted, and the gifts were finished in less than a half-hour, thankfully with no interruptions.
The pegasus grinned and nodded reassuringly at her. "Yup, I got the party streamers and the DVD's. Hey Dinks, need some help with that?" She sighed and mumbled a small affirmative, handing Scootaloo the giant bag of balloons. Applebloom, trailing behind, carried a crate of apple cider on her back.
She glanced at her friends while they piled out of the clubhouse. "Knowing Pinkie, she'll probably be done with setting up most of the tables there. The party starts at three , so we have enough time to get everythin' ready 'fore Button Mash arrives," She grinned, "That means we have no time ta waste! Let's move out, gang!"
"Woo! This is gonna be so awesome!" Sweetie Belle cheered, and her three friends couldn't help but burst out laughing as they followed her to Sugar Cube Corner.
2:15
"Keep at it, Button! You're almost to the boss level!" Rumble cheered, pumping his fist in the air. Pipsqueak worriedly glanced around, checking the area for the girls. They've been running back and forth for the past twenty minuets, and thankfully his friend wasn't suspicious at all yet. Sometimes he wondered if the gamer was really that dense, or if he was just pulling everypony's hooves.
"Yeah.... you the man..." He mumbled, to which Rumble gave him an odd look.
Pipsqueak quickly leaned into his ear. "When did the girls say we were s'posed to bring him there? They should be ready soon, right?"
He nodded, folding his hooves. "Around 2:45, they said. He hasn't suspected anything yet, so we're in the clear. Stop worrying."
"I jist want everything to go alright. Button's brought us all together, this is the least we can do in return."
Rumble didn't say anything in return, and smirked when their friend smacked his head against the buttons. He shrieked out a desperate cry and reached out to Pipsqueak to hold him, while he caught Dinky carrying a big blue box across the road. This was going to be such a long day.
2:30 pm
"SHE'S GONNA BLOW!" Pinkie Pie screamed, grabbing the nearest pan she could find, and place it on her head. The three girls have been working so fast within the hour, and so under pressure, that something must have gone wrong in the blender. They were trying to make the Pokemon molded chocolate Dinky suggested, but from the way things look now, nothing will ever be made in that poor machine ever again.
Sweetie Belle shrieked and fell on top of Applebloom, pushing her underneath a table. Unfortunately for Scootaloo, she was the first to get hit with the chocolaty goodness. She tried to cover her face with her wings, but most of the substance got into her mouth, and she was sent flying across the kitchen, ultimately crashing into a pile of pots and pans.
"Scoots!" Sweetie exclaimed, levitating things out of her way so she can get to her friend. Applebloom ran over to help Pinkie, who was licking herself clean. To the unicorn's surprise and relief however, she was completely unharmed, a big grin across her muzzle. "Are you okay?"
After a few moments of stunned silence, Scootaloo nodded.
"That... was... awesome!" She exclaimed, fluttering up in the air. "O man, did ya see me? I was going super fast right then! Maybe I can get my cutie mark as a stunt pony!"
Pinkie Pie giggled, smiling fondly at the little filly. "Hey, ya never know. But what I do know, is that we won't be able to give out party favors this year..."
"Dang, and we worked so hard for it to," Applebloom muttered, kicking a spoon out of her way. The party pony lifted her chin when she caught the sorrowful tone in her voice.
"Aw, come on 'Bloom, don't feel so down! That's not even the best part of the party, anyways! The fact that you girls put in all this effort for your special friend, and managed to get everypony you wanted to come on the list, is a win on its own! And the best part is seeing the excited, happy look on Button's face when he walks in here! That's what counts. It makes my life worthwhile every time I get to witness it."
Sweetie Belle grinned and nodded at her words, letting them sink in. "Thanks, Pinkie. That means a lot to us."
"Hehe, I'm sure he does." She giggled, winking at her. Applebloom and Scootaloo snickered while Sweetie just raised an eyebrow. "Now, come on! Let's clean this mess up pronto. When Pip gives you three the signal, just run out there, okay?"
2:50
Taking a deep breath, Pipsqueak stuffed his hoof in his mouth, and whistled loudly. From Sugar Cube Corner's window, Dinky peeked her little head out, and nodded. She slipped back inside.
Button Mash gave him an odd look and was about to comment, when something blinded his eyes. "H-hey! Who turned off the sun?!"
Rumble chuckled as the three of them moved away from the arcade. "Relax, man. We're not going to throw you in a dungeon."
"B-but I have to at least finish one more level in that game! And I was so close this time, too!" He wailed, tugging at the dirt. Pip rolled his eyes and trotted forward. Groaning, he folded his hooves, letting his two friends push him. The sky was awake, the sun was shining, and it was the perfect day to hold a party. Smiling brightly at each other, Rumble and Pipsqueak pulled off the blindfold from Button's head, letting him see that work they put together.
"SURPRISE!" Everypony screamed, causing the awkward colt to nearly fly all the way to the ceiling. When he came down, he might've lost a few more brain cells along the way, but that didn't matter- he had his friends with him, and that topped anything he could ever ask for. Even if his father didn't show.
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Chapter three: Cutie mark crusaders party planners, YAY!
"Alright, so, first order of business," Sweetie Belle looked around at the small group. The Crusaders have grown within the past year, going from three members to seven; the three friends were more than happy to allow them to join. On her left, sat Scootaloo, a funny smirk on her lips. To her right, was Applebloom, who was chiding the orange pegasus for it. In front of them were a purple unicorn named Dinky, who was already like a sister to the girls, and Rumble, as he was requested to join -partially because his brother wanted him to have more friends (though she didn't want to admit it, Scootaloo wanted to spend more time with him). The last little pony was by the name of Pipsqueak, and he joined the group simply for the experience, and to his mother's demand as well.
"What's so important that we all had ta come here, Sweets?" he asked in his Trottingham accent, causing Dinky to blush and look away when he caught her staring.
She giggled. "It's ideas for Button's birthday, silly! We have to come up with the biggest, bestest celebration for our super awesome friend!"
Scootaloo leaned across her and winked at Applebloom. "Super awesome friend, huh?" To which, she got a whack in the head. "Worth it."
Sweetie Belle ignored this and pulled out a clipboard. She levitated a pencil in her ear. "So. We know Pinkie Pie is willing to rent out her space so we can hold it. Let's start with party favors first." She pointed to Dinky.
The unicorn bit her lip as all eyes were turned to her. "Um.... since Button loves video games, how about we mold chocolate into a joyboy console?" She blushed even redder when her friends reacted positively to her reply.
"Awesome! He'll love that. Mrs. Cake can teach us how," She jotted things down, "Pip, what ideas do you got?"
He put his hoof to his chin and thought about it. "Hmm. How 'bout we get Discord to dress up as a clown and make balloon animals for us? Ah bet it'd be a really funny sight!"
Applebloom fell over with laughter, her chest hurting so much that tears came out of her eyes. "W-write tat one down, Sweetie! Oh sweet Celestia...."
Both Dinky and Pipsqueak couldn't help but join in the laughter, smiling at each other warmly. They loved it how each of them came so close in a matter of months, and they trusted each other so much so that whatever goes in the clubhouse, stays. And with the CMC's help, dealing with bullies weren't so much of a problem anymore. Dinky's mother even stopped worrying, though she could always feel that watchful eye on her back whenever she walked past her.
She was taken out of her memories when Sweetie addressed Scootaloo. She puffed out her chest in response. "Well duh! What else would make this party epic? DJ-PON 3! Rainbow Dash and her are bros, she can hook us up!"
A chorus of excited agreement spread around the room. "Nice one, Scootaloo. Okay, Applebloom?"
"Ah can ask mah sister if she could make some home-made apple cider. Button loves that stuff, so it'll be a nice treat for him. An'... an'... it could be Pokemon themed, because that's his favorite thing in the wide wide world of Equestria!"
"Pokeballs falling from the ceiling!" Sweetie Belle chimed in, grinning.
"With the episodes playing on a projection screen!" Dinky added enthusiastically.
"An' Button the center of attention!" Pipsqueak cheered.
"The cake could have Charizard's face on it," Scootaloo added, making her teeth look sharper. She tried to scare Applebloom. "That way we can say we KO'd it by eating him!"
She took a deep breath, jumping up so everypony can slap her hoof. "Cutie Mark Crusaders Party Planners, YAY!"
Their cheers echoed into laughter as they piled on top of each other, the clip board flying out of Sweetie Bell's hooves. Across the town of Ponyville, the colt's mother sighed while staring at a picture of her husband. "One more day, honey. One more day and you'll be home from work. Celestia-willing everything goes alright." Putting the picture frame back on the fireplace mantle, she turned to make dinner, calling out her sons' names.