Chapters It all happened very suddenly. Button Mash had only stayed for a week in Ponyville, and he even received Pinkie's "Welcome to Ponyville" party, but he is still somewhat sad due to the fact that his brother stayed behind, his job too important in the royal guard. His dad had to move away from Manehattan almost the same day as we moved, but he had to move to Tokhayo to accept his big job as head of the game producers in Neightendo.
-1st person view (Button)-
Its just me and my mom now. I don't have a cutie mark, but I don't care much about that. And now I'm exited, as its the first day of the new school year! "Mooom, I'm ready for school!" Button exclaims. "Its, Sunday, GO BACK TO BED! " She yells back. "Nevermiiiiind!"
-1 boring Sunday later-
"Hello, class." Says the teacher. "Hello, Ms. Cheerelee!" The class chimed back. "Now, before you go to your morning work......." Cheerelee began, "We have a new student!" I was nervous. Standing in the hallway for almost an eternity, waiting for her to say my name, the cue to walk in and say hi, I thought about what their impressions of me would be. Would they be good, or bad, or maybe inbetw- "Button Mash!" she finished. Here it goes... "Hello!" I exclaimed. there were three things that caught my eye in a split second. One, there was a pink earth pony with a silver earth pony, and they both gave me a vicious glare. Two, four desks were empty, I wonder If she will let me choose. Three, there were a group of three fillies, talking it out, as if there was a debate, or maybe gossip. Could it be about me? As I snapped into focus, Cheerelee asked me a question. "Button, can you tell a bit about yourself?" Oh crap, now what.... I guess i tell them. "I like video games!" I exclaimed. Ok, now two things caught my eye, and may be problems later. One is that those two earth ponies glared at my mark-less flank, and rubbed their hands as if planning something evil. The other is that there was a white unicorn in that group of fillies, now sizing me up. Oh boy, this is going to be a long day.... "Alright, now please take a seat that is available." Cheerelee said. So, I picked a seat in the front. Then, someone past me a note, though it was blank. "Hey, Button Mash is note passing notes!" The pink earth pony said. "Actually, someone passed it to me. Secondly, it's blank. I don't think someone passing me a blank piece of paper is bad." I reasoned. It seemed to work, because they frowned in frustration, and went back doing their work. The work was easy. 5,927 x 9,371 was 55,541,917. I guess it was hard for the others, because that is a big number. The rest of school wasn't fun.... Until recess happened, that son-of-a-gun recess.....
I was busting goblin heads playing "Hungoia 3rd Saga" on my Joyboy, when those three fillies walked up to me. 'darn it!' I thought. what do they want, are they going to try to bully me too? I focused on my game, trying to drown them out. I stiffened, and they must have noticed. "Heya, sir, we don't mean harm like Diamond Tiara." The yellow earth pony of the group stated, and rather calmly. I looked up because I thought she was telling the truth. "Ahm Applebloom, the orange pegasus here is Scootaloo. And here is Sweetie Belle." Sweetie was the white unicorn. That is when the flint first hit steel. it was weird, like a warm shiver, but I quickly dismissed it. "Well hi, what's up?" I replied. "We got a club called:" then in loud unison: "THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!! ". "Also known as the CMC for short." Applebloom added. "And we want you to join!" said Scootaloo. "Come on, it'll be fun!" Sweetie chimed. And there it was, that feeling. "hmm...... alright!" I decided. Then I once again sat down, and continued on the Joyboy, only this time playing Super Mareio. Sweetie must have seen the screen before walking away. "ooh, you got that one too?" Sweetie asked. "Start up multiplayer!" "alright." I simply replied. And dang, she was very competitive. She almost beat me, but I pulled a star out of a mystery brick before she got to me, but already starting the jump, she almost got me. "GG" I said. "What is GG?" Sweetie asked, curious. "Good Game." I replied. "Oh, you too!" she replied back. Then the bell rang, and we went off to class. Nothing else interesting happened at school. So I went home and sat on my bed, playing online with my pal, Rumble. He begged his parents for him to go to Ponyville with me, but they said no. So my only way to talk to my true true friend was online. But that is where I like to be. I was playing a game of Hungoia when my mom called and said: "Honey, your friends are here!" Friends? I don't remember making any good friends in school, let alone tell them where I live. I tried to to pen the door, yet before I was even able to, I was yanked out and blindfolded. A strangely-soft-for-a-colt-napper hoof was put over my mouth as i was taken somewhere. When I was unblind-folded and the hoof was taken from my mouth, I was confused and shocked to see the CMC before me. "Sorry about that, its just that this place needs to be an absolute secret, and we can't let the soon-to-be newest member reveal it, and we can't trust you until after initiation." Scootaloo said, trying to calm me down. I stood there silent, and a bit mad. Her attempts at calming me down were 'not very effective'.... "anyways, lets do this!" Sweetie exclaimed.
-Narrator-
And with that, the initiation took place. Everything went well, until a problem started to pick up pace, and swell. Chapter 2 will tell all! I'm sorry to say that a group of fillies will soon fall.
-1st person (Button)-
As initiation ended, they started working on some project of theirs. "Hey, what are you working on?" I asked. "Oh, this here is our next big project for the pony talent show!" Applebloom stated. "It's tonight!" shouted Sweetie Belle. "And this time:" Scootaloo started up: "WERE GUNNA GET OUR CUTIE MARKS!" they shouted in unison. "Alright, can I help?" I asked. "Sure, you can manage all the technology-thingys." Applebloom offered. "Ok." I said, with a simple reply.
-Later that evening, the day of the talent show-
"Alright, everyone double-check their jobs?" Applebloom said. "I'm for stunts," Scootaloo repeated, "I've got vocals," Sweetie mirrored, "I'm covering tech," I proudly exclaimed, "And I think I did good with construction." Applebloom finished. "Alright, this will work everypony!" said the brave Scootaloo. "Alright, please welcome: The Cutie Mark Crusaders!" The announcer finished. Wow, I have never been this pumped about a chance to earn my cutie mark! I hope for the best. We exit out from the curtains, in very cool costumes that Sweetie made. 'Get ready!' I told myself. This was about to get hectic. I walked over to a keyboard/other electronics stand where I prepared. Applebloom in the background was getting ready the props and scenery, as Sweetie was given a mic. Scootaloo was born ready, with scooter in-hand. then, one of the most dramatic moments started up. As if fate, everyone was already ready when I accidentally started it. Operation CMC talent-show-winners was a go.
--CMC theme-song: starting off--
I hit note after note, on perfect timing, making sure never to miss a single one. Rule 1 of the crusaders: never screw up your chances of getting a cutie mark! And then Sweetie started singing, and by Celestia, if that wasn't her talent than I don't know what would be.
"~We are the Cutie mark crusaders...We must battle on and on! We'll never stop the journey, it's the call of the cutie mark!
Day after day, we time it right, going on countless expeditions... With confidence and will on our side, we'll fight the battle 'till its won!
I will not stand being a filly with no talent to call my own! We are what we are, chosen by fate, but that doesn't mean we can't be the best! We don't wanna wait to find out who we are! We are the ponies looking for truth... We are the ponies looking for fate... We are the Cutie mark Crusaders.. We must battle on and on! We'll never stop the journey, it's the call * of the CUTIE MARK!***
While she was singing, Applebloom had brought what she was working on earlier. It was a platform, that Sweetie stood on. It suddenly burst to life, Releasing steam and a bunch of lights around her, and she had done some stunts on it too.... Before Scootaloo stole her thunder. Scootaloo was all over, doing tricks through flaming hoops that were... almost real! They were projections by Applebloom. Dang, everything here was done professionally, and done well. Then in the moment that all sang for the final note: "k",a big white flash happened around them. It was the most important, and no-one knew till after the show.
--CMC theme-song: finished--
"Wow Sweetie, you did really well!" I commented. For the big reveal... I checked my flank: there was.... nothing. I turned, but not before knowing what that flash was....... "S-SWEETIE BELLE! YOUR C-C-CUTIE MARK!" I yelped, in absolute joy of my friend's massive achievement! "Wha-" She stuttered, before a shriek of pure joy came, and she looked at it: her cutie mark was a heart with wire wrapped around it, and the wire was attached to a microphone at the side of it all. Quickly, the other girls checked their flanks: sure enough, squeaks of joy came right afterwards. Scootaloo had a rather spiky wing was being chased by a column of flame, probably to represent risk, stunts, courage, or all 3. Applebloom had a crescent wrench and next to it, a turned on light-bulb. "Way to go, guys! this is awesome!" I shouted. "Ya! ...But what is yours?" Applebloom asked. "Actually, it....." I quickly faded into disappointment as it had never shown up, and the others checked. "O-oh..." Sweetie Belle I could tell, was sorry. "Wait, but without us, the only Cutie Mark Crusader in Ponyville left is-" "Me...." I finished Scootaloo's sentence. Man, will this will become a long week...
Chapter 3: Like a Stab to the Back
I never expected the outcome quite like this. I was hoping for them to get their cutie marks, but.....
What about me? This was what I thought about on the way home. We all got a trophy, "best tech award". The others got their awards, basically for their talents. singing, engineering, and I confirmed it was stunts for Scootaloo. But by the time I had somewhat thought through what just happened, I bumped my head on the front door. "Mooooom, I'm home!" I shouted, like I always do when I get home from something. "Alright. How did it go, Button?" my mom called from the living room. ".........Everyone got their cutie marks but me....." I murmured, very sad. My mom looked up, surprised. "Button, I-" Maybe I should have listened to her, but I didn't. I just stared in bed, recalling everything that had just happened. Then, the thought of Sweetie belle's voice rushed to my head. I relaxed, and almost fell asleep to the imaginary, yet soothing sound of her voice. Then the next spark flew. This time, he felt the warm rush up his spine. He grew curious. He thought again. It happened again. He repeated it, and knew Sweetie belle was the source of this feeling. NO. The thought of the very idea almost scared him, yet it seemed so real. repeated process showed it was true. The defining thought: he remembers having a big crush on one of the fillies in canterlot, and he remembered, that same feel... only it was fainter. He figured it out. It seemed impossible, but he couldn't deny it. He............... He liked, like LIKE-LIKED Sweetie Belle! This was a horror: he was support to be friends with Sweetie, not in a coltfriend/fillyfriend way! ...This thought crept into his mind. But before he had time to think about the powder that was sprinkled on him, he instantly fell asleep.....
--Dream session #1:1st person view (Button)--
I awoke into a dream, and he was at Carousel Boutique.... Also this was Sweetie's house. I felt weird, as the only time I had ever been in here was helping the costumes get set up for that talent show. If you have ever played a game like Slender, than you know not to look behind you in creepy situations, however, that is what I did. I couldn't tell if I was shocked to see Princess Luna behind me. "Child, I come to you seeing that there is some sort of problem?" Luna asked. "Well, I may or may not have a crush on one of my best friends and I don't know what to do!" He spat out, a bit embarrassed. Luna wondered: "..What is her name?" So I replied with a somewhat happy but at the same time still disappointed sigh, "Sweetie Belle..." Luna instantly had a smirk. "Then there is no problem." She replied. "wait, wha-" before I had time to reply, I was swept upstairs and was no longer visible. Then, Luna could be seen talking to Sweetie Belle there. "Sweetie, I am in your dream on rather... pressing matters... Do you like any colts?" Luna stated. "Wh-What?!?!? Why would I want to tell you that?!" Sweetie replied, almost offended. "Because I can tell you if he likes you back." Luna stated, unfazed by her anger. "....Oh, alright, I guess....." Sweetie said, shyly. "I don't think he noticed though, but.... anyway, his name is Button Mash....." ...And that was the moment I almost fainted while still in a dream. I suddenly became visible again, and then Sweetie looked right at me! We both dream-blushed, and then it all ended.
--1st person view (Sweetie)--
Then I wake up. But that dream... that was all too real, I had to talk to Button. Turns out I missed the alarm, and I'm late! I run to the school-house, barely on time. When I got there, Button had beat me. Yet I could tell he had the same dream. He blushed, then looked away, and smiling a rather shy smile. On the way to my desk, I asked Scootaloo to bring the paper to Button, since Scootaloo was in between me and Button. She passed it back. It had a one letter question: 'Luna?' it asked. And I don't know why I was shocked when it said yes. This began to fill me with anger. Did he really just use a princess to spy on me?! And on a topic like that one... At recess, I have alot to say to him. When recess came, he had walked toward me once out of the building. I did what any sensible mare would do: smack him. "Oww... What was that for?" He complained. "That was for eavesdropping, and th-" That's where he interrupts me. "Do you want to know why I was in your dream?" He managed, before I attempted another slap. "Ok, but it better be good..." I made sure to keep a firm voice. Then, he began to explain, and bit by bit, I realized what he was saying. When he mentioned the warm feeling going up the spine, I realized I was feeling it that same moment. As I caught on to what he was saying, I stopped him right there, and gave him a big hug. We like-like each other, so that makes us coltfriend and fillyfriend, right?
Chapter 5: Flying in Style
--1st person view (Button)--
This was all too easy. I knew his mother lied about not having the Wonderbolts channel. I knew that if I made a move with Sweetie Belle, I would get caught. What my mom didn't know is that Rainbow Dash was in on me and Sweetie Belle's scheme, because she supported us as a couple. She took out the camera's memory card and bucked it hard on the ground, shattering it. The plan was set, and just in case they replaced it, she would block the camera at the very moment. We even scheduled when we would make our move, right at a commercial break, after they show the cam for the first time. All of this was done on the wagon there. This could not go wrong!
"Everypony ready?" Rainbow Dash stated. It was her first time flying WITH the bolts, and she was as pumped as me and Sweetie. "YEAH!" Me and the rest of the gang shouted in unison. However, Rarity did not share our enthusiasm. "Alright, but don't get on your hooves just yet." Rarity said, only putting on a fedora. 'Oh mom, you will have to do better than that' I thought. It was a spy hat. She would be there for when we make our move, and all of that would be sent to the hat. I whispered the though to Rainbow, who agreed. "Rarity, there are no hats allowed unless they are Wonderbolts merchandise you bought there." She stated, avoiding a glance at me. "Well ok then." Rarity said, calmly, taking off the fedora and putting a watch on. I was really mad at Rarity, but Rainbow spoke my mind for me. "Look, you can't spy on them when they make their move. ok?" Rainbow said, face-hoofing at typical Rarity, getting too involved with romance. Then with a smirk, she simply replied "That was all I needed to hear.." Rarity said, before stopping a recorder in her saddlebag and teleporting who knows where. Sadly, I knew where.
--3rd person view--
"Here it is, Mrs. Mash." Rarity replied, beaming with a tingle of pride. "Well, the show hasn't even started.." Love Mash replied. "Don't worry, darling: this is all the proof you need." Rarity stated, calmly taking the recorder out of her saddlebag, and placed it in front of Love. Button's mom played it, and was shocked at what she heard. "I AM KA-RA-TEE-SCOUT" played over and over again, making for the most repetitive and annoying thing she ever heard. She turned it off forcefully, almost smashing it. "Rarity what WAS that?" Se questioned.
--1st person view (Button)--
All too easy. It was live audio, and I could hear their conversation. "Well, there is no way Berry Punch could fail..." My mom said, almost sarcastically. "Never know." I said into the walkie talkie. Before my mom could recover from the shock that I was listening, I turned it off. Silly mom, being clever is for foals! I imitated in my mind. I was always fond of that commercial. Anyways, we approached the stadium as Rainbow flew out of the wagon to get ready and prepare for the show. We then proceeded to the auditorium. But my mom was too clever. Berry Punch was the merchandise sales pony, with a spy Wonderbolts hat. 'Come on' I thought to myself. But Rainbow was way ahead of me. She replaced the spy hat with a normal one, and she was going so fast that no-one saw her do it. With a smirk, I walked down the isle. She then proceeded to press the 'record' button that was not there. We sat at our seats, Sweetie next to me, and then Scootaloo next to Sweetie and Applebloom was gone for something. All was according to plan. Then the show started. Time to wait.
--a stunt show quarter later--
The cam was done, and we went to a 10 miniute commercial break. Now was, if any time, the time to do this. I looked into Sweetie's eyes, as she looked into mine. "I-I love you.." Came out of my mouth. All according to plan, but it was genuine. "... I love you too" she said back shyly. As we moved forward, Rainbow Dash covered the cam, taking a precisely 5 second gulg of water. 2 of those seconds we used to lean forward, yet the other 3 we spent having our first kiss. All of it was according to plan! Rainbow gave me a 'daww' face for the last second of the kiss. Scootaloo turned away and stuck her muzzle in the opposite air space, and Applebloom just returned in time to give us the second 'daww' that second. We quickly turned back to normal as Rainbow Dash had to get away from the camera, due to her being the main event this time around. We watched the a bit of her part, blushing. Then, as she performed her sonic rainboom right above us, we both had the same idea of pecking on the cheek, and ended up lips-to-lips again, but quickly pulling away, as that was unpredictable. Then, as she finished, we leaned on each other. This show has already made my day.
Chapter 6: Mash Wars, the Clever Wars
--3rd person view--
As Lyra finished showing Love the tape from her long-range supercamera, Love was mad, even though she knew this would happen. Let's see how smart Button thinks he is when I show him this! Love thinks. This got her steamed.
--1st person view (Button)--
I know my mom will see it anyhow, she always does. So I walk in, and I'm not surprised to see that she wanted to show me a tape Lyra Heartstrings gave her. Once the show started, I knew what it was, and pressed a button under my seat. Applebloom was gone installing this, and it allowed me to escape from my mother's grasp. Instantly, the seat flipped, and in my place was a doll that looked almost exactly like me. I got flipped under, and there was a roller coaster in front of me. Applebloom (With the help of Pinkie randomly having roller coaster and underground support beam parts) did this, and I knew where it lead, as it was all part of the plan. Once I got to the stop it lead me to, I took the stairs up to a 6 letter code door. I typed in 'Button' and it opened a passage under Rarity's workspace in Carosel Boutique. There, I went upstairs where the former crusaders meeted me. "Thank Celestial you made it ok, Button. So what should we do now? The Wonderbolts part of our date is over." Sweetie asks. "Ever heard of a game called Minecraft?" I asked, because she did indeed have knowledge of video games. "Ooh! I love that one!" She exclaims. So Applebloom hands me my laptop (Also part of the plan, I just didn't know what game on there we would play) and we kick up LAN. Managing whatever we could we had a house on the 2nd night. 3rd night a mansion. 4th night we insanely decked out our farms and outdoor area. It was fun. It wasn't great because of the nights. One time, while she had a cookie and was a little hungry. It took an enderman half the time to maul me compared to her cookie eating. All in good fun, though. But mom wasn't far behind, and he knew it.
(Button's Mom POV)
Hah. There! He made the move there. Daww- no, he shall not grow up yet. I grabbed him and paused it, and pointed- ... That is an awfully soft and comfy coat you have there, son. Oh, he is in SO much trouble, I thought. I too, got curious of the lever and pulled it. Getting flipped, she rode the other cart. Ha! I am on his tracks. The cart abruptly stopped, and landed. I got out, to notice a hole. I got out, and emerged from under an arcade machine. The arcade, eh? Sweetie-boy-stealer must be a gamer, too...
(Button Mash's POV)
I knew escaping my mom would be difficult, but I think we're in the clear. I mean, I've been gone for almost 5 hours already! Has she really not noticed? Oh. but there is a source of trouble. Rarity walked in. "Hello darling, have you seen that colt Bu-" She stopped and saw me. "YOU! You made a fool out of me and one of my closer social relationships! Why are you in my boutique!?" She demanded. "... Well, your little sister is my fillyfriend." I replied. "Oh, I get it. Not anymore buster! I was going to ship you two, I came up with the name ButtonBelle and everything! But this. Ends. NOW." She yelled.
Chapter 4: A Dimming Future
--1st person view (Button)--
I could not be happier. Me and Sweetie Belle are now coltfriend/fillyfriend. It was such a strange turn of events! Yet it couldn't have ended better. "Mooom, I'm home!" I yelled, in a very cheerful tone.
"Hello Button. Hey, glad to see that you're happy again!" My mom replied. "Tell me, what is the occasion?" She once more called. "Oh, its nothing, just that I'm pretty sure I have a fillyfriend....." I calmly smiled back. My mom froze for a second, then with a mix of stern-ness, anger, and worry said some words that I do not like one bit... "Button, you can't have a fillyfriend... " That is my turn to freeze. I didn't know to say. Something this simple of a matter can't have such a huge impact, I thought to myself. 'This can't be happening' Was the thought, constantly rushing in his head. Then, all of the sudden, the door bell rang: "Hey Button! It's Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo got 5 tickets to a Wonderbolt show since Rainbow Dash joined. Anyways, there is enough for you to come. Wanna?" The sweet voice outside echoed. An excuse! Perfect. "Hey mom, can I go with Sweetie and the gang to the show?" I hustled, trying to get her to say yes. "Well, who will supervise?" My mom made a point. "Oh, don't worry about that. My sister Rarity is coming." Sweetie once more saving me. "Ok then.." My mom didn't try to argue. As weird as that is, I let it slide and went with Sweetie to the show, starting in about an hour.
-1st person view (Button's Mom)-
Something is weird with what just happened. Mid-way I saw through Sweetie's attempt to get Button away from me. As cute a couple as they make, I will not stand for this! I have a plan, though. I lied to Button saying we don't get Wonderbolts on TV. They will probably show up on the couple cam. And with this, I wait for an hour.