Button shook as he stared into the mirror. He had spent most of the day with Diamond Tiara, hopping from store to store to make her satisfied. From food that he needed to host company, to the tight, stiff suit that he wore now, she had gotten him ready for the event tomorrow. A shiver ran down his spine, and he looked to his hands. “Yeah, ready, that’s what I am.”

“I think so, but then again, that’s what I’ve always thought.”

Button froze. Not even his heart dared to beat as he stared into the mirror. The longer he stared, the more of a brown mane came up behind him, until the long strands framed half of his head. He reached back with one hand, and felt an all too familiar, but also distant grip on his hand. A gentle peck on the top of his head brought tears to his eyes, and he tried to use his other hand to stop them. It seemed futile, as instead he simply kept it there, staining the side of his sleeve, as he couldn’t help but sob.

A hand ran itself through his well groomed mane that had been done only a few hours ago, gently scratching his scalp as the mare behind him gently hummed. Her fingers intertwined with Button’s, and she gave it a firm squeeze. “You know, I never thought I would get to see the day you wore a suit.”

Button couldn’t help but chuckle. “Mom, you… you shouldn’t say such stupid things.”

Love Tap smiled and lowered the hand from his head to his chest, and gently squeezed him. Button only shut his eyes as her head began showing itself above his shoulder. He must have been knocked out by thieves or something, and was lying on the ground unconscious, because this simply wasn’t possible.

The mare’s hand moved to his chin, and guided him to look into the mirror. There, he saw his mother, tears coming down her own face as she smiled. She looked so… alive. Even more than she had when she was around even. Button tried to open his mouth, to say something, but he couldn’t, not to those shining eyes.

Love Tap did not have the same paralysis, as she squeezed his hand again. “Button… I want you to know I’m proud of you. I thought when I passed, you would become nothing, but instead, I have been able to watch my young colt turn into a true stallion, able to stand up for those who he cares about, and to love those he wishes to.” A tear fell down the side of her face, and she whispered, “A lot better than you have any right to even.”

Button blinked as he heard the dip in her voice, and the shine in her eyes disappeared. He hadn’t heard that voice often, but he remembered every time. His mother on the couch had always filled him with sorrow as he wished he could join her and Derpy and help. Back then, he had been too afraid. Now though, he wasn’t going to take it. Not from that bastard.

Button slammed his hoof into the hard floor, before turning on it and turning to his mother. She was in a nice, white dress, her skin unblemished by pain, scars, or flame like Button had last seen it. He crinkled his face inwards, the beauty of the sight seemingly making him angrier. For a moment, he imagined seeing Dia, Scootaloo… any of them looking down to the ground, looking like they should be happier, but crying instead.

“I won’t let him. No matter what my father tries tomorrow, I will not let him simply walk away scot free. Not again.”

Love Tap looked up, staring into the clear, alert, orange eyes of her colt. So strong, so focused, and not about a video game for once. She stepped forward, and put a hand on his cheek, before pecking the other one. She then whispered against his ear, “I love you, my brave knight.”

Button brought a shaking hand to hers, and now it was his turn to squeeze her hand. “I love you too, my lady.”

Love Tap shut her eyes as more tears came, and she stepped back. She looked upon her little colt one more time, before shaking her head. He now had the suit on properly, and looked right in it. He was not a colt in his father’s clothes, but a stallion, ready to face the world. “Save those words for the new mares around you, alright?”

Button nodded as she began to walk to the door. He didn’t want to see her go, but if this was some reward for him making it one month without her, to have a visit with his mother, he would not try to extend it any further. He’d been given too much already to ask for more. He did need to know one thing though. “Mom, if… if I thought I could, would you be okay being brought back?”

Love Tap put her hand on the door frame, standing there for a few moments, before nodding. “When you’re done with that book of yours, please, feel free to at least try to bring me back. I won’t fight it.”

Button nodded as she faded, and the door closed. What he did not see was the spell over the mare on the other side of the door break, and Kiara collapsing onto the ground.

She pushed against the ground, her vision swimming as it felt like her limbs were made of jello. Looking behind her though, she saw the same fray shirt and yellow horn that belonged to her fellow conspirator. “Th-thanks for the help, phew, with the transformations spell.”

Eris smiled as she helped the demon up. With a simple shrug, she dismissed the praise, before shooing the mare away. “You should get going, in case Button tries to text you. Don’t want your pager being heard.”

Kiara nodded, and began to walk away, while Eris giggled to herself about the whole thing that had just happened.

Author's Note

I felt I had to do something special for Mother's Day, so I will be entirely honest about breaking comments here. Not even gonna hide it.

As for the next chapter, while the main event is still known, Button has made it so that he will have one of his ladies there with him for it. So, part of the comment this time should be wish, and mare you want to see with him when he sees his brother and father.