Life Up To Now: Life of a Gamer
Button Mash
Bright lights and flashing colors consumed the area. Sixteen teams, both made of seven ponies. One championship for the title video game champion. The finals would soon be underway. Representing the Manehattan ponies was none other than Button Mash, the youngest stallion to find their way onto their team. He’s come a long way from being just a pony from Ponyville. He’s showed us that great skill doesn’t require age. Representing the Trottingham ponies was the current titleholder. A silver-coated pegasus stallion. The undefeated champion for five years running, Ivory Snow. Neither side seemed to give in to each other’s intimation. This was going to be a championship ponies were going to remember for years to come. Both ponies took their seats, taking hold of their controls. A nod was exchanged between the two of them. The true spirit of gaming. Even as two opposing forces, friendly competitive spirit was ever more present. The game footage appeared on the large screen for all in Equestria to observe. Sirens wailed, commencing the start of the end. The final match to determine the Equestrian Gaming Champion. Will Ivory Snow walk away with another championship on his belt, or will the young underdog sweep it from beneath him? No matter what happened, nopony was going to be upset.
K.O.
The entirety of the audience, including all of the teams, were silent as they took in what happened. After a heated match, both sides not holding anything back, a winner was determined. It was a close match, way too close. Ivory Snow had Button pinned for most the bouts, not wanting to relinquish his title, but Button Mash pulled through. In a last moment flash of hooves and buttons, Ivory was left staring at his character’s unconscious body. Button Mash, the earth pony from Ponyville, beat Ivory, taking the title away.
Ivory, even after realizing he lost, didn’t hang his head in shame. Instead, he approached Button Mash, who was being crowded around by his teammates. “Hey. Button Mash was it?” His tone held a slight Southern accent. Button’s teammates opened up, letting the two ponies stand in front of each other.
“Ivory Snow. No hard feelings right? It was a good game.” He held up his hoof towards Ivory Snow, a silly grin on his face.
“You’re kidding me.” Button stared at him confused, his hoof lowering slightly. “That was the farthest thing from a good game Button Mash.” A grin formed on Ivory’s face. “That was a spectacular game.” He pounded Button’s hoof, matching the goofy smile he had. “If you’re ever in Trottingham, hit me up. We’ll see just how far that, young experience of yours goes.” Their expressions both turned serious.
“I’ll take you on any time, any day. I’ll look forward to playing you next Ivory Snow.”
“You as well Button Mash.” Ivory gave him a smirk, trotting off to join his team.
The championships were over. The Button Mash had led the Manehattan team to victory. By all accounts, he was ecstatic, but he felt a part of him longing for something else. Something he had left from years ago. No matter how hard he tried to rack his mind on it, he couldn’t figure out what it was. “Hey. Buttons. You feeling alright?” Button’s concentration was broken when one of his teammates put their hoof on his shoulder.
“Y-yeah. I’m good.”
“Dude. He’s probably still shellshocked by his victory. Give him some space. And maybe even a crown. Seriously. I’ve been gaming my whole life and I’ve never seen a pony’s hooves move like his does.” A pegasus hovering above the group looked down at Button Mash. “You have got to show me where you learned how to play so well.”
Button, still feeling a bit bothered, simply nodded. “Pony… Ponyville. I grew up there. And spent my entire childhood playing video games.”
“Childhood? Dude. You aren’t that old.” The pegasus’ comment got a laugh out of the group.
“Hey, guys… Would it be alright if I took some time off?” Button’s sentence halted the group’s laughter, turning all of their attention towards him. “I know the Manehattan League is coming up and all, but… I really want to head home for a bit. Not too long… Just long enough to say ‘Hi’ to my friends. I promise I’ll be back before the League.” Despite the level of distress shown in his tone and expression, his teammates looked at him like they knew he was going to ask.
“Dude. You just won us the Championship. You’re pretty much an idol to some of us now. If you want to go home and see your family, go right ahead. Heck. Stick around for a while. Don’t worry about us. We think we can manage without you Buttons.” The group chuckled seeing the relief wash over their friend.
Button Mash was beyond relieved to know his team was okay with him ditching them to go see his family. That relief quickly turned to haste when he almost missed the last train to Ponyville. Button took a seat, wiping the sweat off his forehead. He placed his small suitcase filled with a few changes of clothes and several games, got to keep his priorities up, onto the seat next to him. As the train left the station, he leaned against the window, peering out at the passing scenery. That feeling still bit at him. What could he have possibly been missing? And why couldn’t he remember what it was? As fate would have it, Button Mash would quickly find his answer.
The train pulled into the Ponyville station, opening its doors. Button was in the midst of stepping out of the train when a mare’s voice caught his attention. He couldn't quite see the mare through her various, and quite numerous, suitcases. Oh geez. This is exactly what Ponyville needs. More snot-nosed preppy ponies from Canterlot. Why the hell was she even in Ponyville in the first place. Button Mash stepped fully onto the platform, grabbing his case and walking off. “What do you mean you can't find one of my bags?! I specifically asked for all of them to be placed, and handled, with the utmost care. This is preposterous!” The mare’s posh tone and accent were vaguely familiar, causing Button to inadvertently veer off to the side in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the mare. As soon as he made it passed the wall of suitcases, he got a good look at the mare. Her coat was a pristine white, not a single speck of dust or dirt to be found. Part of him wondered if she had even ridden the train here. Button couldn't get a good look at the mare’s mane from the angle he was at. He found himself walking towards her, coming to an immediate stop when she turned. The mare’s two-toned mane waved in the air. His eyes widened when he saw her face. The kind of face nopony could ever forget. Green eyes stared at him puzzled, before growing wide as well. There was no mistaking those eyes.
“Sw-sweetie Belle? Is that really you?” She had changed a lot over the years. Her time in Canterlot was not wasted on her. She held herself with grandeur elegance. It would be hard to say she didn’t resemble her older sister. “It's… Great to see you.” Button felt a bit upset with himself. When they parted with each other, he had promised to keep in touch with her. And he would have too, if he didn't end up getting absorbed into his gaming. He had all but forgotten his promise to her after all these years. “I'm, well, sorry for not getting back to you.”
Sweetie Belle just stared at the station talking to her, waiting patiently for him to finish. She cleared her throat, asking a question that would shatter Button Mash. “I'm sorry, but, do I know you?”
Button was lost in his thoughts. She had forgotten him. Forgot him like they didn’t spend their early years here, in Ponyville. “It's me… Button Mash. We used to hang out here when we were kids. Don't tell me you’ve forgotten about me.”
“Button Mash…? Doesn't ring a bell.” There was a slight hint of hostility in Sweetie’s tone. “Now. If you don't mind, could you take a few steps away from my clothing bags? I'd hate to get them filthy with your hooves.” This was a nightmare. Some sick joke right? There was no way Sweetie Belle could have forgotten about him. Right?
The nightmare only grew darker as another pony stepped out of the train. “Sweetie darling. I found the other bag.” A brown unicorn stallion stepped out from the train, the small bag held up by his magic. His eyes met Button’s and the realization hit hard. Not only did Sweetie Belle forget about Button, but she now had found herself a coltfriend, and a preppy unicorn one at that. “Oh. It appears you have some company. Who is this sweetie? An old friend of yours?”
“No dear. He’s just some stallion who mistook me for somepony else. You got everything?” The unicorn recounted the luggage, giving a resounded ‘Yes’. “Then let's be off. I cannot wait to show you to my older sister. She is really going to love you.” The two of them walked off, the train of luggage following in tow. Button Mash was left alone on the station platform, fighting the urge to curl up and cry. His back was buckling under the weight of the nightmare. What happened over the years to cause this happen?
Author's Note
I was going to both sides in one chapters, but ended getting stuck on Sweetie Belle. Come to find out a fashion diva is hard to write about.
Life Up To Now: Life of a Fashion Diva
Sweetie Belle
The Day They Parted
“You sure you have everything packed Sweetie?” Rarity’s voice echoed from downstairs. Another few suitcases magically flew down the stairs, joining the mass of others that stacked up by the door.
“I think I have everything now sis.” Sweetie Belle trotted down the stairs. She had grown a lot from the small Cutie Mark Crusader she used to be. Her curly mane had been grown out, now matching her sister’s. After getting her cutie mark as a designer like her big sis, Sweetie spent her time and effort designing new dresses for mares, and even outfits for stallions, colts, and fillies. Nopony should be excluded from looking good. A motto Sweetie had adopted for her inspiration. With her current level of fashion expertise, Rarity figured it would be best to send her sister off to the fashion school up in Canterlot. As great of an opportunity, this was for Sweetie Belle, leaving for Canterlot would mean she wouldn't be in contact with her friends for some time. Six years worth of time, just for the schooling itself. Additional time would be spent out on fashion streets. It would be a while before Sweetie Belle would see or speak to her old friends. Even if they went to Canterlot.
With the last of her bags being stockpiled onto the carriage, a familiar voice approached Sweetie. "Hi, Sweetie Belle. Going somewhere?" She turned away from the carriage and met eyes with her close coltfriend, and inner circle known interest, Button Mash.
"Oh hey, Button." She broke eye contact for a moment. She hadn't told him about her plans. Yeah... I got accepted into a big fashion college in Canterlot... I won't be coming back to Ponyville for several years..." Sweetie looked back at Button, expecting to see a look of sadness on his face. Instead, he just smiled at her.
"So you're going to be a fashion expert just like your big sister. You go girl. I for one still need to figure out what I'm doing with my life. Mother wants me to go out and make something of myself, other than playing video games. But I don't know..." Seeing Button looking upset about how his life was going made Sweetie chuckle. Not because she didn't care, but because even though he said he wasn't sure of his life course, he would find some way to incorporate video games into it.
"I wouldn't think too much into it Buttons. I know you'll figure something out. Heck, by the time we come back here, we both could be famous in our own rights. We can talk all about it then." That snapped him back to his senses.
"It's a deal. Would it be too much for us to at least stay in contact? I know it might be hard, being that you'll probably be busy with school and all, but it would be very nice to be able to talk to you. But I understand if you-"
"Button Mash!"
"Huh? What?"
Sweetie put a hoof on Button's shoulder. "No matter how busy I get, I would never forget to write to my friends. Especially not you. I promise. So long as you don't get too absorbed into your gaming." She gave him a sly grin and kissed him on the cheek, whispering into his ear. "Consider 'that' an answer to the question you've kept asking yourself." Button didn't know what to say and just stood there as she trotted onto the carriage and rode off towards the train station.
He shook off his blush just long enough to shout over to Sweetie. "I promise to write as well! Promise." He couldn't tell if Sweetie Belle heard him as her carriage rounded the corner and vanished.
That would be the last either of them truly spoke to each other for years. Sweetie Belle sent the occasional letter to Button Mash, who did return the favor for a while. However, as his professional gamer life began starting up, the frequency of his responses grew less and less often, building a wedge between the already distant relationship Button Mash and Sweetie Belle had.
