Author's Note
BEFORE READING -
There are some spoilers of a Season 7 episode in this chapter so please, go watch the whole of Season 7 and then come back to this chapter. I really don't want you to miss out on any vital information that will be in this part of the book.
(The episode you need to watch to understand this is Season 7: Episode 21
As always, enjoy reading!
Button Mash
Everypony in Ponyville thinks I just play games all day. Don't get them wrong, I do play video games every day - it's my favourite thing to do! However, I don't just sit comfortably on my rump endlessly playing on a screen. Sometimes, I take some time to look back at all the goofs and achievements I had. While reminiscing, I found an old system I used when I was... different. It was then I knew I had to do another assignment.
I began my day with an early morning. I got up at around six in the morning and I turned on my gaming system. Luckily it was a Saturday so my mom wouldn't come in and bash on my door screaming, "BUTTON! YOU'RE LATE FOR SCHOOL!" or, "BUTTON, OPEN UP, YOU'RE IN TROUBLE!"
I stared at my heavy collection of games ranging from racing to shooting games. I sluggishly ran my hoof across all my games, finding what I wanted to play but instead of finding a game, I found my old cartridge with the initials 'S.I.'. The cartridge had no cover art, just the initials.
I scratched the back of my head, "Should I? I haven't done one in a while," I chuckled to myself, "It would be fun to do another assignment again."
I got up on my hooves, holding the dusty cartridge in my mouth. I chucked the aged item on my bed, now in search of another object: my old Joyboy.
Since the new 'Joyboy Enhanced' came out, I've been bringing it to school nearly every day! The only times I wouldn't have brought it if my mom found out it was in my saddlebags or if it had no charge. But either way, I couldn't use that for the cartridge.
I faced my desk and I figured an atomic bomb was launched there; books were everywhere, quills were scattered and my ink bottles were spilled. I looked through my papers from three years ago, reminiscing about my achievements - D-'s C's and E's. Nice. I can't believe I still left them there on my desk.
I opened the drawers under the desk - they were a mess too. The only thing that stood out was a card - a very pink one with a heart in the middle. Oh Celestia, the cringe! I don't blame her for liking me. We did hang out a lot when we were foals but I didn't know she had feelings for me. Heck, I didn't think I was good for anything. Unravelling the note, I decided to read it again just to refresh the memory.
Dear Button Mash,
You probably think this is weird, a unicorn such as myself, asking you to be my special somepony for the day.
But when we hung out together all the time, it felt like we had a strong bond. Okay, now that sounds cheesy but it does feel like it. You are cute though, plus I absolutely love playing those games with you!
Anyways... Do you... want to be my date for the day?
Much love, Sweetie Belle
Ah, that name: Sweetie Belle. I still remember when we were both little foals messing about. Now that I think about it, we rarely spend time together - she's always with the crusaders or her sister while I'm here doing what I do best. Come to think of it, that note was two years ago, dang, you really stuffed up, Button.
The need for the Joyboy interrupted my thought, "Oh right, that." I told myself, trotting over to a chest full of my old foal toys.
I peered inside, holding the lid up. My old toy train, I remembered when it burst into flames. I didn't know what to do so I left it there. Good thing nopony was around during the time or else I would've gotten a lecture from mom.
I gasped upon glancing at my signature helicopter hat. I still remember all the bad and good times I've had with that hat. I had stopped wearing it after Diamond Tiara kept spinning the blades, making my hat fly off. I couldn't get my hat back until Sweetie used her magic to get it. Thanks again, Sweets.
I ravaged through my old toys until I found the Joyboy. I held my head out and shut the chest, cantering over to the bed where I had placed the cartridge.
Dust was scattered across my bed so I blew everything off with me slightly coughing. I look at my old hoof-held console for a while, "Hooves crossed it still works for this to be done."
I pushed the button on the side, waiting for something to happen. One... Two... Three... Nothing had happened. Four... Five... Six... Still nothing. Seven... Eight... Nine... Nothing. Ten... Eleven... Twelve...
I huffed sharply at the inside of the cartridge, ready to be placed in the Joyboy. Sixteen... Seventeen... Nineteen...
I sighed, thinking it wasn't going to work until I pushed the cartridge in. In a flash, the Joyboy turned on with a message displaying.
Welcome back, Corporal Button.
"Yes," I whispered to myself in order to not alert anypony around, "Now let's see if I can remember..." I glanced at another incoming message.
While you were absent from your duty, eighty-three assignments were allocated to you because of your speciality - Hacking. Unfortunately, because of your absence, eighty missions have been completed for you by Agent "Bon" Sweet Drops and Private Rumble.
"Woah, really? Agent Sweet Drops, undercover pony, can hack into devices? Private Rumble, master of manipulation? Well, they've improved a lot since I was gone."
I selected the incomplete missions in hope that I would be able to do one.
Operation Wind Crasher -#012479-
Corporal Button,
We have found a major conspiracy revolving around the so-called 'Rainbow Factory'. We believe you can help us hack into the facility. We just need your approval for the case.
-Agent "Bon" Sweet Drops
Operation Deadly Cross -#012341-
Corporal Button,
I have something interesting. I was cantering around Manehattan with my older brother and I saw something peculiar: three exact-looking ponies went inside of a building, looking like they're in a rush. When I looked at the building, it looked nothing like a fashion place or something. I tried to get in but the access was denied. Something that caught my eye was a red eye symbol next to the doors. I'm sure they have cameras you can hack into. If not, tell me A.S.A.P. If they do, look into it and give me all the information you've got.
-Private Rumble
Operation Fragile Throne -#012456-
Corporal Button,
There has been a strange disturbance of magical sorcery happening in Canterlot. We advise you to go over there, set up your equipment and cameras around the city and try to suspect any suspicious behaviour. We believe that magic used is going to be an assassination weapon for the princesses.
-Private Rumble, Agent "Bon" Sweet Drops
"Oh, they all seem fun to do..." I negotiated with myself, "Hacking into a facility? That'd be cool. A spy mission using visual tech? Awesome! A disturbance of magical sorcery, a weapon to eliminate the throne? Now, who would do such a thing?"
I selected a task and suddenly my television came on.
"Ah, Corporal, your back in the organisation I see?" Agent "Bon" Sweet Drops noted from my screen.
I replied, "Yea, I am. Has this spy network been compromised?"
"Negative, but it's good to have you back. We can't crack the disturbance in Canterlot yet, the unavailable access in Manehattan has been cracked only slightly. There has been a coding glitch in the matrix and we think you can sort it out, you game?"
I asked for the final mission's details.
"Oh yes, the Rainbow Factory. Private Rumble was in Cloudsdale and already infiltrated the facility and fortunately, we found some intel on another being made somewhere in Equestria. However, we don't know where it's being held. It's probably being built as we speak. Already, there have been mass killings all around Equestria and I believe, they're being sent to that factory. Innocently, the ponies around Equestria think they've been murdered by an old pony tale: Hack the Ripper."
"Interesting..."
"I think I know what you've already chosen."
"Well, let's see about that, Agent."
"You're fifteen? I've known you for six years now, I know what you'll pick."
"Then, you know I'll choose all of them."
"I knew you would, Corporal. Good luck."
