“Hi, welcome back to Access Applewood! I’m your host, Star Maps, and we’re here live at the Historic Applewood Theater, where thousands are gathered here tonight to see the stars, and the premiere of the hotly anticipated Transformares: A New Age!” The enthusiastic host bellows into her microphone towards the camera pony.

The world famous Applewood Theater is one of glamour and extravagance; holding a massive two thousand seat theater, with a gigantic ten storey tall screen that is fifteen storeys wide. It is a majestic place that ponies far and wide are eager to go, should they ever visit the bustling and sprawling city.

Press ponies and the public gather outside of the theater, as the red carpet is rolled out for its guests of honor, namely the cast and crew of the fourth entry in the Transformares series. Many are ready and waiting for the stars to arrive, so they can take pictures and ask questions, not necessarily in that order.

Meanwhile on the road a few miles away, a particularly extravagant carriage that sticks out amongst the otherwise normal carts, is waiting in traffic just like everypony else.

Inside, is a nervously shaking Silver Screen, dressed up in a high class tuxedo, along with Milano in a nice and fetching white dress, and Button, in a smaller tux. The mother and her son cannot help but look upon the up and coming actor with concern and care.

Milano scoots closer to her fiancée, putting her head on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. It works, but only a little bit, as his hooves continue to tremble with trepidation and fear.

“It’s okay, SS.” Milano says, “There’s no need to fret.”

“Whenever I would go to premieres, I would always cheer at the actors and directors that come out of these carriages.” he reminisces, “But…now I’m one of them. What if they go into that theater, and hate my guts? What if I let Michelin down, and turned in a crummy performance? What will my parents think? What would you and Button think?”

“I think you’ll do fine, sweetheart.” Photoplay says from across the carriage. Silver Screen looks over to his parents, who have donned appropriately fashionable wear for the premiere. Not high class like some other ponies, but not cheap either.

“Your Mom’s right, son.” Joystick smiles with a glass of whiskey floating by his lips. One of the many pluses about being in a high class carriage; free alcohol. “Wow, this is fantastic. You want some?” Joystick floats the glass over to Silver Screen.

“Dad, I don’t want to get drunk before the movie. Maybe afterwards…when the reviews come in.”

“Good point.” Joystick nods, preparing to take another sip. Photoplay takes the glass away from him, much to his chagrin. “Hey!”

“This is Silver Screen’s night, and you’re not going to be drunk for it!” she looks at him sternly before glancing at the pony sitting by him. “Fleur, back me up on this!”

Fleur De Lis, wearing a shining sliver dress, sits by with Arcade; listening to the bickering of Silver Screen’s parents with a great deal of amusement. She giggles, reacting to Photoplay’s attitude towards her husband.

“Photoplay is right. No drinking until the after party.”

“Yes…” another voice calls out next to Fleur, “I do say the lovely mare is correct.”

Joystick leans forward to get a better look at the other unicorn in the carriage. Next to Fleur and Arcade is the one and only Fancypants, a white coated and (living up to his name) fancy looking stallion, holding up his own glass of whisky.

“Hypocrite.” Joystick sneers.

“Oh…” Fancypants looks at his glass, putting is down immediately. “I guess I am, aren’t I? My apologies.”

“It’s okay, dear.” Fleur assures him, “You’re not a big drinker, anyway, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Hey! Are you insinuating that I’m a drunk?” Joystick growls.

“Of course not, Joystick.” Fleur responds with a smirk, “I apologize for suggesting that.” She looks over at Photoplay, “My apologies, I meant no offense.”

“None taken. My husband can be a bit kooky with the bottle.”

“Photoplay!” Joystick gasps in shock.

“What? It’s true.”

“Hey!” Silver Screen calls out to the busy side of the carriage, “Are you guys getting along over there?”

“Swimmingly, my dear colt!” Fancypants replies with a confident grin, “Just swimmingly!”

“Yeah, we’re okay, son!” Photoplay waves Silver Screen off.

Silver Screen chuckles, momentarily distracted by the nervousness he was feeling minutes before. Button inches closer to the former Projectionist, with Silver Screen now nearly sandwiched between the gaming colt and his mother.

“Don’t be nervous, Silver Screen.” Button shakes his head, “You could be the racist comic relief, and I’d STILL think you were cool for being in a Transformares movie! The trailers made you look badass!”

“See?” Milano giggles, “You already have a fan.”

“Let’s see how you feel after three hours.” Silver Screen says frankly to Button.

“THREE HOURS?! It’s that long?!” Arcade shouts his question.

“Yep.”

“Sweet Celestia! Michelin is going nuts!” Button chimes in with his similarly shocked thoughts.

“We shot a lot of material. Guess he didn’t want to let it go.”

“Probably…” Button rubs his head, trying to comprehend the running time of the film he’s about to see. “Three hours…I’m going to need a cup to pee in, so I don’t miss anything.”

“Button!” Milano says sternly, “You will do no such thing!” she turns her gaze to Arcade, “This goes for you as well! If you want to pee, do it before the movie, and DON’T get the extra-large soda.” She looks back at Button, “Got it?”

“Aw Mom, but I LOVE the extra-large soda!” “Button whines.

“He’s got a point, Milano.” Silver Screen shrugs, “He does love the extra-large soda.”

“Don’t encourage him.” Milano pushes Silver Screen playfully with her hooves. “Fine. You can have the extra-large soda IF you moderate it. You don’t want to drink the whole thing early on, and regret it ninety minutes into the movie.”

“Oh, fine.” Button pouts, sitting back in his seat. “But I’m not promising that I’m NOT going to eat all the popcorn.”

“That’s why they have free refills.”

“I said ALL of it!” Button says with determination, causing Silver Screen to laugh. “Don’t laugh! I’m going to eat it all faster than you can say ‘Popcorn’!”

“Popcorn.”

“That only works when I ACTUALLY have popcorn in front of me.”

“Hmm…” Fancypants looks out the window, “Mr. Screen, I do say that I think we’re here!”

“Really?” Silver Screen looks out the window, seeing the red carpet that lies before him. “Crap.” He breathes in and out; his panic and nervousness coming back. “Keep calm, Silver Screen. Keep calm. Keep…” soon, he feels Milano’s hoof in his. He looks over into her sweet and loving eyes, giving him an assured smile. “…calm.” He breathes out, feeling calmer than he has ever been so far this night.

The carriage door opens, and Silver Screen walks out first, to a flurry of camera flashes and applause from the public. He is confused as to why they are applauding him, as they haven’t seen the film yet, but the thought moves over to the back of him mind, as he maintains a bright smile, waving to the press ponies and the public.

Milano and Button follow suit, with the press immediately asking Silver Screen questions as to who is with him. More questions arise when Photoplay and Joystick come out, staying close to their son, as Joystick tries his best not to be blinded by the flashbulbs.

The applause rockets up again, when Fleur and Fancypants come out; all smiles and waves. Their rekindled relationship had been the subject of more than a few celebrity and tabloid newspapers for the past few weeks. The status of their courtship is still a hot topic for many.

“Silver Screen! Silver Screen!” Many of the press ponies shout in unison that was more than a little creepy for the stallion. “What was it like working with Michelin Hay?! Are you excited to be in this big movie by such a hated director?! Who is that mare next to you?!”

Milano guides Silver Screen over to the crowd of curious ponies. He alternates his gaze from Milano to the press, before letting out a loud clearing of the throat noise.

“Wow, um…this was a lot easier on the set. Um…” the press chuckle at his comments, “Like I said in the many interviews, it was a joy to work with Michelin Hay, especially for my first movie. Second, I AM excited, but if he was so hated, none of them would be making very many bits, would they?” the comment once again brings laughter to the press. “Lastly…” he wraps a hoof around Milano, bringing her in closer. “This is my fiancé, Milano Mash. And this…” he points down to the ecstatic Button, “…is her son, Button Mash.”

“Wait…” a reporter for the Manehattan Weekly notices, “…that’s the ex-wife of Almighty Dollar! The stallion you beat up!”

The news gets the press riled up, asking more questions in unison, making the trio step back a little bit.

“Was that why you beat him up?! To get his wife?!”

“What? No.” Silver Screen shakes his head, “We started dating, and Almighty thought it would be a fun idea to insult her and myself. THAT’S why I beat him up, and I’d do it again. I don’t care if I end up in prison!”

That’s the bad colt the press knows and loves. Silver Screen gained a fast reputation for the incident with Almighty Dollar; with some calling him a common thug, and others a hero for the little guy. At any rate for the former Projectionist, it got him way more attention than he ever thought an event like that would bring.

As for Almighty Dollar, he’s slinked off to Manehattan, with any questions to what he is up to dismissed with the words “who” and “cares.”

More camera flashes abound, alongside more questions. Suddenly, heads turn and jaws drop at what is no doubt an amazing sight. Milano, Silver Screen, and his little party also turn, and just like everypony else, their jaws nearly detach from their heads.

Trixie comes out of her carriage, wearing a stunning gown, befitting a star such as her. But…she’s not alone. With her is somepony that nopony ever thought would be present at such an event; maybe the Grand Galloping Gala, or some ceremony, but not for a premiere of a loud and long action flick.

None other than Princess Luna herself, wearing a shining dark blue gown, with an emblem that resembles her cutie mark present at the bottom.

Every press pony goes galloping to the two, asking questions that come so fast and furious, that they are nigh intelligible.

“Is that…Princess Luna?” Milano asks.

“Yes…that is…” Silver Screen says in amazement, “She’s friends with the Princess?” Suddenly, Luna and Trixie share a passionate kiss for the cameras. “Oh…they’re not friends at all.”

Trixie and Luna go through the press to get to the still amazed Silver Screen and company. Trixie greets him with a warm and friendly hug, and a kiss on the cheek.

“Good to see you, Silver.” Trixie smiles. She looks over at Milano, who has just put away her expression of hatred for kissing Silver Screen, and replaced it with a small smile. “Oh, don’t you worry. Silver here wouldn’t stop talking about you, so I knew to keep my distance.”

“It’s true.” Silver Screen confirms, “I was the only pony on set who didn’t fall for her charms.”

“Oh, all the eyes staring at me on some days. I love the attention.” Trixie chuckles.

“I see…” Milano’s smile becomes a little more genuine. “It’s nice to meet you…and the Princess.” She bows in Luna’s presence.

“There’s no need.” Luna giggles her alarmingly cute giggle, “You may call me Luna. You must be the one known as Milano Mash, Trixie tells me that Silver Screen has said many things about you.”

“He has?” Milano blushes, “I-I’m surprised. I didn’t think I was interesting enough to relay information about.”

“Trust me…” Trixie interjects, “The way Silver spoke of you on the set, it was like he was talking about the Princesses, or even a goddess.”

Milano turns her attention to Silver Screen; her face glowing a bright red from flattery. Silver Screen nods in confirmation at his onset behavior.

“Well…” she tries to hide her blush, but it doesn’t work. “It’s nice to be considered as highly.”

“Judging by your attire tonight…” Luna looks at Milano’s dress, “It’s clear to me why he loves you.” Milano’s blush returns with a vengeance, prompting Luna to chuckle. “Come Trixie, let us see your great and powerful flank in three glorious dimensions!”

Silver Screen and his group watch as Trixie and Luna make their way through the flashing lights and querying ponies, going into the theater with nary an interruption.

“Did you really talk about me when you were filming?”

“I had to.” Silver Screen smirked, “It was the only way to get her to back off. She’s nice when you get to know her, though. Apparently, she’s friends with some pretty well known figures, other than Princess Luna. She once told me about a story involving the human in Equestria.”

“Really? I guess she’s a pretty popular pony, then.” Her expression then turns into a teasing grin, “Jealous?”

“No way.” he shakes his head with a chortle, “The only pony I need to know is you...” He sees Button walk over to his mother’s side. “…and Button, of course.”

More chatter and applause abounds, as Michelin Hay arrives with his entourage of models. He’s all smiles and waves, wearing a suit that probably cost him a million bits and some change. He has no time for things such as questions, as he uses his army of models to get him through the red carpet with barely any problem.

It’s when he gets to the front door, that somepony blocks his way in.

“What’s happening? Why aren’t we moving?” he goes past two of his models to see the obstruction at the front.

Button Mash, with eyes big and glazed, looks upon the director with admiration and pride. Michelin cannot deny that the colt in front of him looks positively adorable, bringing a smile to the notorious director’s face. He kneels down to face the colt, who is frozen at how close he is to a famous film director.

“What’s your name?” Michelin asks.

“B...But….Button Mash.” he eeks out, “My name is Button Mash.”

“Button Mash?” Michelin tilts his head, finding familiarity to the name, “Do you know Silver Screen?”

“He does.” Silver Screen arrives to Button’s side, along with his friends and family. “He’s the son of Milano Mash.”

“Silver Screen.” Michelin smiles wider, “So great to see you again. Sorry for the little bull rush to the theater; I don’t really like the press and their questions.”

“I can see why.” he chuckles, remembering conversations from minutes past. “Hey…I was wondering…do you think you could give Button an autograph?” He sees Button look up at his with wide and ecstatic eyes, “That’s what you want, right?”

“I was going to ask!” Button replies with a bit of a pout, but it’s a playful one at best.

“I’d be happy to.” Michelin responds, more than agreeing to acquiesce to the request. Silver Screen, using his magic, floats up a nearby poster from the walls, not caring that it’s currently being used as a display, and brings it over to Michelin, who floats up a pen from his model secretary’s breast pocket. “Let’s see…” he thinks of what to write, before jotting down on the poster, “Button…you are the reason why I make movies. Am in your debt. Sincerely…Michelin Hay.” He completes the autograph with a little smiley face, before nodding to Silver Screen that’s he’s done.

The poster floats over to Button, who looks upon the autograph with admiration, and a little bit of tears welling in his eyes. He sniffles as Silver Screen rolls up the poster, floating over to the carriage from afar. Perfect aim.

“That’ll be waiting for you after the movie.” Silver Screen puts a foreleg around Button’s waist, bringing him in for a small embrace. He looks back at Michelin, “Thanks, Michelin.”

“Any time.” He motions to his models to get into the theater, “Come on, we have a movie to watch.”

Michelin and his crew trot into the theater, picking up their 3D glasses on the way in. Silver Screen and his group, not wanting to be overtaken by other members of the cast on the red carpet, follow suit. They are lead into the massive theater, with the equally massive screen.

They all find their seats; reserved specifically for them in the center row, giving the most absolute perfect view of the screen before them. They all sit down, as the theater slowly but surely gets packed with cast and crew, followed by members of the press, studio heads, and the general public.

Button gets his customary giant sized popcorn and soda, with the rest of the group getting regular sized concessions. Despite his small size, Button could eat a freighter full of food if he wanted.

Milano watches Silver Screen float up his 3D glasses, preparing to put them on.

“Are you sure you need those?” she says teasingly, indicating his eyes.

“Very funny.” Silver Screen genuinely chuckles, “Unfortunately, my eyes aren’t optimized for theater 3D, only real life 3D.” he puts the glasses on, before leaning in for a small kiss with Milano. “Even if the film sucks, will you still love me?”

“Of course I will.” she confirms with all the sincerity in her voice.

It doesn’t take much longer for the introductions by Michelin to be underway, thanking the cast and crew for helping him create what he considers to be a tremendous product. Alongside the hopes that other members in the audience enjoy the film as much as he did making it, he makes his exit, and the lights dim, starting the film off after a few seconds of darkness.

Three hours pass, as the final end credit rolls, and the crowd’s thunderous applause dies down; either because they loved the movie, or they’re just happy the thing is over and they don’t have to sit through another second of it. No pony will know until the review embargo lifts in a couple days.

Ponies begin to pool out of the theater towards either home or the after party. First the press, then the public, then everypony else.

The last ones left inside, save for a few theater ushers commencing clean up of all the trash and popcorn, are Silver Screen and his group.

“So…” Silver Screen started, “…what did you think?”

“WHAT?!” Photoplay shouted, “DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?!”

“I think that about sums it up.” Joystick says, “It was really loud. However…” his serious look turns into a smile, “I thought you were great.”

“Really?”

“Yeah!” Button jumps up, “You were like ‘POW!’ and ‘WHAM!’ and ‘DIE DECEPTICOLT SCUM! RATA-TAT-TAT!’ it was so cool!” he then crosses his legs, “But now I have to pee.” He hurriedly gets up, and gallops to the lobby, where the bathroom awaits. “DANG IT!!!” he screams, as he sees a long line of other colts and stallions waiting to get in.

“It’s not usually my kind of movie…” Fancypants chimes in, “But I do say, I found it most enjoyable.”

“I agree.” says Fleur, “And we’re not just saying that, because we’re your friends.”

“You can admit you didn’t like it, you know. It won’t hurt my feelings.”

“No, we dearly mean it!” Fancypants continues, “I was genuinely touched by your valiant effort to help your computer generated robot friends! Plus…that kiss!”

“Oh, yes!” Fleur beams, “That kiss, indeed! So well shot, and the explosion really accentuated the passion!”

“Funny story…” Silver Screen giggles, “That explosion wasn’t supposed to go off at that time. It was an error by the pyrotechnics crew. It was so good however, that Michelin kept it.”

“Oh my.” Fleur gasps, “I hope you weren’t hurt.”

“Maybe a couple singes, but nothing major.”

“So, should we expect to see you at the after party?” Fancypants asks.

“Most likely. We did come in on the same ride.”

“Well, that’s what taxi’s are for.” Fancypants chuckles, “If we see you, it’ll be a most pleasant evening. In the meantime, I must depart to the latrine.” He gets up, going over to the bathroom and waiting in line like every other pony.

“He’s certainly…fancy.” Silver Screen tells Fleur, “But likably so.”

“It’ll warm up to you eventually.” she giggles, “Thank you…for everything.”

“It’s no problem. I’ll see you and Fancypants later, okay?”

“Okay.” She gets up and leaves.

Shortly after, Photoplay, Joystick, and Arcade leave the theater; either to go to the bathroom, or wait outside. Only Silver Screen and Milano are sitting in the near empty theater. Silver Screen has no idea what she thought of the movie. She was laughing at the jokes, gasping at some of the more thrilling sequences, but by the time the credits came to a close, she was absolutely silent.

Silver Screen looks over at her; she is still staring at the screen.

“Mila…” he doesn’t get another syllable out, as Milano suddenly turns and presses her lips against his in a fiery lip lock. It’s a moment that could last for ages if they let it, as their tongues dance together, and moans occasionally leave their mouths. Almost a couple minutes pass, when they separate. Silver Screen reacts as he once did the first night they met, “Oh….oh wow. I take it you liked it.”

“I loved it.” she smiles, “Loud…but I loved it. But you…you were flawless.”

“Oh, stop.” he blushes, “You’re just saying that.”

“Anypony who says otherwise will have to answer to me. And they WILL answer to me.” she defiantly growls, ever so serious.

“Still happy that we met?” he asked.

She replies first with another passionate kiss, before answering “Always. Now, let’s greet your adoring public.”

The two exit the theater, and after their trips to the bathroom, they reunited with their group to attend the after party.

Reviews for Transformares: A New Age were predictably mixed, with some of the more negative reviews being the vitriolic messes that Silver Screen and the rest of the cast and crew were certain would happen.

On some review gather websites, the film’s consensus was that the film was an “Overlong, overexplosive, and overdone slog of a movie, that wastes its promising talent with multiple scenes of mindless explosions and mayhem.”

However, despite the less than kind critical reception, the film was a massive hit with audiences. Silver Screen and Trixie were signed on for two more films, and they both found themselves attached to other projects.

Shortly after the success of the movie, Milano and Silver Screen were married in Ponyville. It was a fairly small ceremony, and one that wasn’t covered by many members of the press, since Silver Screen’s relationship status was made public by day one. Only friends and family were invited to the wedding, with Michelin being Silver’s best colt, and Fleur as Milano’s main bridesmare. Bon-Bon and Junebug also attended, with Bon-Bon holding a slight bit of jealously, still not forgetting the time Silver saved her from falling into what she believed to be an endless pit of despair.

Silver Screen finally moved out of his apartment, and brought over his belongings to Milano’s house, as there was an extra room that was initially Almighty’s office. Now, it’s more of a playroom, with the walls adorned with posters, standees, and Silver Screen’s own video game and movie collection. Button framed his signed poster, and hung it over his bed, still staring in awe whenever his gaze would fall upon it.

One morning, four months after the film’s release, Silver Screen and Milano were having a relaxing day together in the house, when Button came down the stairs, ready to seize the brand new day.

“Hey, guys!” Button says excitedly, “What are you guys up to?”

“Nothing.” Silver Screen says candidly, watching television as Milano has her head on his shoulder. “What’s up?”

“Don’t you want to go to the store? Transformares 4 came out.”

“It did?” Silver Screen flips to the guide on the television, revealing the day’s date. “Oh, it did.”

“I’ll go brush my mane.” Milano says, getting up from the couch.

“What’s the point?” Silver Screen asks, “It’s just going to get messy again when we put the movie through the sound system. Plus…I dig the messy mane.”

“You might, but the citizens of Ponyville do not. It’ll only be a few minutes.” she gives Silver Screen a loving smooch, before leaving the two to their own devices.

“Is there a commentary?” Button wonders.

“Yeah. Remember when I left for a couple hours a few weeks ago? It was for that.”

“Nice.” he smiles, “Hey…um….Dad?”

“Yeah…um…Button?” Silver Screen isn’t used to being called Dad yet. He tried to tell Button to keep calling him Silver Screen, but Button continues to address him as Dad.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“It’s…kind of personal.”

“I’m all ears.”

“You and mom…never told me how you two met.”

“We didn’t?”

“Nope.” Button shakes his head, “I always wondered when and where you guys met. Was it at one of her friends’ get togethers?”

“It…um…wasn’t….that.”

“Was it at the movies?”

“No…not that either.”

“At some shop?”

“Close…but no.”

“Okay, I don’t get it. You two had to have met somewhere.”

“Oh, we met somewhere alright.” Silver Screen chuckles. “We totally didn’t just see each other across the street and magically get together in an instant.”

“Then, when did you two meet?”

“A few hours before WE did.”

A pause passes between the two. Button’s mind goes back to the day they first met; Silver Screen was sleeping in Milano’s bed, and Button stared at the then mysterious and unwanted stallion that slept where his father did. He remembers when Silver Screen woke up to see the angry face and the nasally voice of Button crying out for his mom to come over and explain who the stallion in the bed was.

“So…you two met…the night beforehoof?”

“Yeah.”

“Um….” Button tries to comprehend this, “Where?”

“At a bar.”

“So…you two met at a bar…then came over to the house…and….” He stops his train of thought, looking back at Silver Screen’s knowing face. Suddenly, shock adorns his expression “EWWWW!” Button jumps off the couch, “YOU TWO MET AND….” unwanted and disturbing images go through his head, “GROSS!!! YUCK!!! ON A FIRST DATE?!”

“It wasn’t really a date.”

“SWEET CELESTIA! NO WONDER THE BED SMELLED!!! ACK! YOU TWO ARE SICK!” He gallops up the stairs.

“Where are you going?”

“I’M GETTING A GAS BOMB!”

“Hey! Get back here! You’ll do no such thing!” Silver Screen follows him up the stairs. He gallops over to Button’s room where he sees the little colt holding up a lone gas ball. “Button…I know you’re a little disturbed, but it’s all good now.” He tries to calm the colt down. “You’re mom and I love each other, and you think I’m cool, remember?”

“I do. But you must pay for putting those images in my head.”

“What? All I said was that we got together.”

“What’s going on here?” Milano asks, walking in on the scene.

“REVENGE!!!” Button runs at them.

“BUTTON HAS A GAS BALL! RUN!!!” Silver Screen shouts.

“BUTTON!!!” Milano runs with Silver Screen as Button chases them around the house, threatening to gas them. “YOU PUT DOWN THE BALL THIS SECOND!”

“REVENGE! REVENGE!” Button shouts with all the rage and fury he can muster.

They all run in circles, through various rooms, all around the house with speed and agility. It goes on for what seems like an eternity, until…

GAS!

The bomb was more powerful than Button anticipated, with all three of them falling fast asleep on top of each other, huddled together like a peaceful group.

In an hour or so, they will wake up, and resume being the happy family that they always were.

Such is the life of the Mash family.