The next few days flew by. Firestorm continued to train the recruits, including Button, who was allowed to continue training and came by after school though the old soldier only allowed the colt to train for two or three hours before sending him home. Most of the training was measuring stamina and willpower through exercise though Firestorm promised the real training would begin the following week.

As he'd promised Button's mother, Firestorm never pushed the colt any further than he was certain Button could go. Firestorm watched him closely and he continued to see that Button had heart, tenacity, a bit of a stubborn streak, and most certainly courage. Once, Button tripped and scraped a knee, coming very close to crying. But the colt forced himself to stand up, hold in the tears, and he kept going.

However... Firestorm could still tell that as dedicated as Button was, he just wasn't keeping up with the rest of the recruits. More than once, Button worked himself to exhaustion despite Firestorm telling him not to push himself too hard. But the problem was, Button was feeling insecure about being left behind by the other recruits even though several of them gave him words of encouragement. Firestorm as glad that the other recruits were treating Button fairly, and though he was sworn to see Button become a guard his late brother would be proud of, a bittersweet realization was becoming painfully obvious.

Button was just too young. It was too soon.

Three days after Firestorm had spoken with Love Tap, around the middle of Thursday afternoon, Firestorm called out, "Alright, take a break, you lightweights!"

The recruits all breathed a sigh in relief as they put their training equipment away. In the days since they began training, they'd done basic exercises, ran laps around the training field, and Firestorm had given the noobs introductory sessions in weapons training while entrusting those who'd done guard training in their past to tutor and help the inexperienced recruits.

The training weapons were made of light wood and covered with foam though they'd been charmed to be unbreakable by Princess Twilight. Prince Midnight had provided training dummies for them to practice on and Firestorm oversaw all sparring, warning the recruits that any fighting would be grounds for dismissal.

Walking among his trainees, Firestorm came upon Button, who was having trouble lifting a training sword, mainly because it was too long and awkward for the colt.

"Button Mash..." Button turned to see Firestorm coming his way and the colt stiffened up and saluted, causing Firestorm to chuckle, "At ease."

Button relaxed and said, "I'm- I'm doing my best, sir! Everything's-"

"Fine, Button," Firestorm interjected with a firm yet gentle tone. "Everything is fine, son. However..."

Button had a bad feeling of where this was going as Firestorm said, "Button Mash, you are, by far, the most hardy little colt I've ever had the pleasure of seeing work hard and do his best. You do your brother proud."

"...Thank you, sir," Button gulped before hesitantly asking, "But...?"

Taking a deep breath, Firestorm said, "But... I'm afraid that perhaps this wasn't-"

"Button, sweetie! Firestorm!"

Colt and stallion turned to see Love Tap coming their way, a basket secured to her saddlebags as she approached, "Pardon me for showing up out of the blue, I just wanted to surprise you!"

Firestorm wasn't sure whether this was a bad thing or a good thing. On one hoof, once he broke it to Button Mash that it was just too soon for him to be training Love Tap would be relieved and immediately able to comfort her colt. On the other, Button might be embarrassed about being coddled by his mother in front of the other recruits.

"I'm not interrupting any training, am I?" asked Love Tap as she stopped in front of them before gesturing to the trainees all hanging around and chatting with each other through out the training field.
"It looks like you're taking it easy, and I just wanted to surprise you with a little picnic."

"Mo-om-" Button tried to complain, blushing just a bit, only for Firestorm to put his hoof over the colt's mouth.

"Not at all, Love Tap," he assured, "as a matter of fact I'm feeling rather peckish. Would it be fine if I shared in your picnic with your boy?"

"Oh by all means, Firestorm," Love Tap set the basket on the ground, only for Firestorm to levitate it up.

"Allow me," the old unicorn smiled as he meticulously set everything up in his telekinesis.

He laid out the picnic blanket, set the basket down, and then the paper plates, cups and napkins, a few sandwiches, a pitcher of iced lemonade, and a container of cookies.

"By all means, help yourselves," Love Tap invited as she sat down, Firestorm joining her and Button sighing as he sat down too.

Firestorm poured the lemonade and Love Tap made sure each of them had a sandwich, which were, to Button's delight, grilled cheese and peppers. The light kind that added just a little spiciness to the flavor. But as much as Button enjoyed his sandwich, he couldn't help looking at his mom out the corners of his eyes, unsure of what to say or do, or of what she might say or do.

It didn't escape Firestorm's notice.

"Button," Firestorm said after stifling a burp and then wiping his lips with a napkin, "I think we should finish our talk."

"Oh, is there something going on?" asked Love Tap, looking just a bit concerned. "Should I...?"

"No, no, miss," Firestorm politely declined, "This is... sort of a stallion-to-stallion talk. Come along, kid."

"Uh- Thanks, Mom," Button made sure nopony was watching before he reared up and gave his mom a kiss on the cheek before scurrying after Firestorm.

Once they were standing on the other side of the training field, Firestorm bade Button to sit with him on the grass before clearing his throat, "Button Mash, I respect your spirit, kid."

Button gulped again, his ears pressing down as Firestorm went on, "You have so much of your brother in you, more than you realize. You don't look alike, but every time I look at you... I see him. I miss him, Button Mash. Very much, and it's for that reason I want to help you follow in his hoofsteps, to be what he never got the chance to be."

Bracing himself for what he knew was coming, Button sighed, "But?"

"...But I'm afraid you're not ready, son," Firestorm spoke as gently and kindly as he could but also with a firm paternal tone, "You're not old enough. Not strong enough, not big enough, and I know you're trying your absolute hardest. You never complain or ask for it to be easy, and I've seen you trip, get back up, and keep going. You're dedicated to this goal you've chosen, Button Mash, and I respect that."

"But I can't train anymore... can I?" Button Mash hung his head in disappointment, when he felt Firestorm's hoof gently lift his gaze up to meet the old soldier's encouraging smile.

"Not for a while," Firestorm promised and his voice gave Button Mash just a little hope, "But you can still-"

"AAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!" "LOOK OUT!!" "TIMBERWOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLVVVEESSSS!!!!"

-only for the old soldier and young colt to startle and gasp to see a pack of maybe ten timberwolves or more come running out of the nearby woods behind the training field. The beasts covered in bark ran after the nearest ponies, some of whom grabbed training staffs and jabbed defensively at the monsters. The pegasi kept to the air though the zepbrasus, the griffon and Night Glider dive-bombed a few timberwolves to distract them so the others could get away.

Avalance the Sirian Dog and the minotaur were the only ones who fought the timberwolves directly. Though the timberwolves were twice his size, Avalanche was fighting one with teeth and claws and holding his own. The minotaur was doing quite well as his punches broke the monsters to twigs. The problem was they kept putting themselves back together shortly after.

"Button, go hide and stay safe until this is over!" Firestorm ordered as he extended the talons in his prosthetic leg and hurried to join in the fray.

Button was stunned and took in the battle with a coltish mixture of amazement and fear. The yells, the growls, the shouts, the snarls, and he saw them. Not even a week's training and these trainees he'd trained alongside (despite not being able to keep up) were holding their own. He saw Caramel and Lucky Clover give one timberwolf a double-buck that broke the mutt into splinters. Comet Tail and Lyra Heartstrings fire Magic Arrow spells that blew away several timberwolves piece by piece, not letting up to prevent them from putting themselves back together. Open Skies and his sister Clear Skies working in perfect sync as they flew around the pack, distracting them, frustrating them, leaving themselves open to attack from the others. That wasn't to say nopony didn't get hurt. Amethyst Star got clawed on the flank. Dangleberry Doo got tackled. Starry Eyes got yanked down hard when he flew too low and was nearly mauled, only for the others to come to his aid.

Button Mash saw blood, and it scared him with the realization of what signing up for military service really meant.

"AAAAAUUUUGGGHHHH!!!!"

Button Mash felt his heart leap into his throat as he recognized that scream and saw his mom, on her back, trying to crawl away from a timberwolf that was crouched and growling softly, ready to pounce at any moment.

"MOM!!!!" Button didn't hesitate. He didn't think. The only thought in his head in that singular moment was that his mom was in trouble and he had to protect her.

He ran as faster than he'd ever run in all his life. Noticing a training shield on the ground, he picked it up, and hoofed it! The timberwolf snarled at Love Tap, who was too terrified to even notice her son running towards her, especially when the monster lunged, Love Tap closed her eyes and held her breath... only to hear a loud clatter-y crash, like branches breaking, and a scared yelp followed by panting.

Love Tap slowly opened her eyes... and gasped to see her Button, holding a shield, pieces of the timberwolf lying scattered around him as he dropped the shield and turned to look at her.

For a moment, they just stood there, the both of them stupefied by what had just happened... until Button threw himself at his mother and Love Tap embraced her colt, who was sniffling, "M-Mom! Are-are you...?"

"I'm okay, sweetie!" Love Tap shuddered before kissing her baby all over his face and hugging him again, "I'm okay... thanks to you!"

They let go of each other, mother and son holding each other's gaze as Love Tap looked upon her colt in a way she never had before.
"Button Mash... you saved my life!"

"I... I just... wanted to protect you," uttered Button Mash, still a little stunned by what had just happened, and he began to relax when he felt his mom's hoof on his cheek.

"And you did," Love Tap smiled, a tear running down her face, "I have never felt so proud of you."

Button Mash slowly began to smile, only for the moment to be cut short when they heard a strange noise. They looked and saw the branches and twigs and pieces of bark shudder and shiver before they all slid towards each other in a big bungle that quickly took shape and they realized in horror that the timberwolf was still alive as it reared its ugly head and snarled at them angrily!

Love Tap and Button Mash hugged each other as the beast reached towards them, only for a gout of fire to come out of nowhere and burn it to ashes. The timberwolf's dying cries went unheard over the roar of the fire and Love Tap and Button Mash watched in awe as the fire went out, flits of ashes blowing away in the breeze, and Firestorm stepped towards them, his horn smoking ever so slightly from his spell.

He looked relieved to see them both unharmed when they heard whine and yelps and they all looked to see it was Prince Midnight, Princess Twilight, and Sunburst using their magic to drive the rest of the pack away. Then Firestorm returned his gaze to Love Tap and Button before holding out his prosthetic leg, willing the talons to fold away.

"Let's convene with the others, make sure everyone's alright," he suggested.

Minutes later, Midnight, Twilight, and Sunburst were calling names, making sure everypony was present, checking to see who had been hurt. To everypony's relief, nopony was seriously injured apart from scratches and bruises that would heal up in no time. But then Firestorm signaled the prince, princess and Sunburst over to him and he said, "Well, Your Majesties, it seems somepony has made their mark today."

"What do you mean?" asked Sunburst before Firestorm looked in one direction and all eyes followed... to see Button Mash standing by his mother, and Love Tap gasped when she too looked upon her colt.

"What? What is it?" asked Button, not understanding what was going on.

"...You're really growing up, sweetie," Love Tap replied in an almost bittersweet way as she smiled and pointed to Button's flank.

Button softly gasped in disbelief, for his flanks... bore his mark of destiny:

"...my cutie-mark!" Button whispered, stupefied with amazement and joy.

"You know, it's been said that ponies who bear the mark of a shield," spoke up Firestorm, "they are destined to be protectors."

"I can attest to that," Twilight smiled, feeling glad for Button Mash, "my big brother, Shining Armor, declared, when he got his cutie-mark, he would protect everyone. It's one of the reasons he originally joined the EUP."

"THREE CHEERS FOR BUTTON MASH!!!" shouted Midnight as he and Firestorm lifted the colt up for everyone to see.

"HIP HIP HOORAY! HIP HIP HOORAY!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!!" cheered all the trainees as Button Mash couldn't help but smile as well as blush, feeling a little bashful.

But seeing the tearful and smiling pride on his mom's face, it made Button feel happier than any video game ever had.

A couple days passed after the incident with the timberwolves and after receiving a summons from Firestorm, Button Mash and Love Tap were walking together towards the Castle of Friendship.

"I wonder why Firestorm asked us to come to the castle," Button said to his mom. "He also said to bring Cheat Code's badge."

"I'm not sure, dear," Love Tap shrugged before lowering her head to give her boy another nuzzle, making him smile, "but I have no doubt that your big brother would be every bit as proud of you as I am. Maybe even more."

"Thanks, Mom," Button smiled at her as they approached the doors to the Castle of Friendship.

But before Love Tap could reach up to knock, the doors opened, revealing Spike, smiling as he said, "Hi, Button, Love Tap! Everyone's waiting for you!"

"Every...? What do you mean, Spike?" Button asked as he and Love Tap entered.

"Well, let's just say... you have arrived," Spike said with a cheeky laugh before gesturing to them, "Follow me!"

It always baffled Button Mash by how much bigger the Castle of Friendship seemed to be on the inside compared to its outside. He'd only been inside the castle a few times, but it never ceased to amaze him. Nor his mom, once he noticed her subdued awe as they walked down the hall. She might not have been gawking around like a filly in a toy store, but Button Mash could see his mom's eyes filled with starry-eyed wonder.

They soon came to another pair of doors where Spike paused and looked at them.
"Love Tap, I'll need you to follow me once I open the doors, and Button... you'll know what to do."

Mother and Son shared a confused look before Spike placed his hands on the doors... and pushed, revealing the entry hall where, to Button and Love Tap's surprise, they saw all of the trainees for the Harmony Guard standing in two rows, facing inward. At the end of the rows, stood Firestorm at the foot of the grand staircase, and a few steps up, there were Prince Midnight, Princess Twilight, and their apprentices, Sunburst and Starlight standing beside their mentors, albeit a step below.

Spike led Love Tap aside and gave an encouraging thumbs-up to Button, who stood there, uncertain, nervous, until Firestorm bade, "Step forward, Button Mash."

Gulping, Button Mash slowly walked down between the rows of the trainees, surprised whenever he passed somepony, they would lift their hoof (or paw, hand, or talons in the case of a few) in salute, a lot of them giving him looks of respect and even smiles. Finally, Button Mash stood before Firestorm, who received a certain badge from Spike (which the dragon had kindly requested from Love Tap before bringing to the old soldier) and Firestorm cleared his throat.

"Button Mash... For showing tenacity, grit, and true courage that is rarely seen from ponies your age, the proof of it for all to see on your flanks," Firestorm levitated, to Button's disbelief, Cheat Code's badge, "It is my honor and my privilege to bestow upon you... this Rookie of the Year badge, once proudly worn by your brother, Cheat Code, before you, Goddess rest his soul."

The velvet necklace slipped over Button's head and the colt held the badge in his hoof, noticing it'd been cleaned and polished to the point where it shined like new.

"Young colt," Button looked back up to Firestorm, "you have the heart and the mark of a protector, and your brother may be gone in body but he lives on inside of you. It is-"

"Um, I'm sorry," Button Mash interrupted, feeling nervous but he had to get this off of his chest, "I'm... honored and grateful for all of this, but... Well, after having time to think it over, I... I understand something. I signed up to join the Harmony Guard, because I wanted to honor Cheat Code's memory, and I still do, really!"

Nopony interrupted. They listened without judgement and with understanding as Button took a deep breath, "But after what happened? Well, I know now that... I'm not ready. Not yet. But I will be one day! It's just, even though I saved my mom, I know that the timberwolf would have hurt us if it hadn't been for you, Firestorm.

"As much as I want to train and join the Harmony Guard, I understand that I have to wait for a while. Until I'm older, bigger, stronger and probably... wiser?"

He was relieved when he saw several nods and Button Mash looked at Firestorm, "So... can I come back to train when I'm big enough to?"

"Absolutely, and I applaud your maturity, Button Mash," Firestorm smiled proudly before he lowered himself to be closer to Button's level and whispered into the colt's ear, "You're gonna grow up to be a fine stallion, one day."

He stepped back, the colt and stallion sharing a mutual smile of respect and admiration... before they saluted and everypony in the hall cheered.

But none felt so proud as Love Tap, gazing upon her colt, when she felt a familiar presence beside her... and she looked in bittersweet disbelief to see it was Cheat Code! He was looking at his little brother, proud as can be, before he looked to his mother with a warm smile, leaned over, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Just like he always used to when he was a colt.

Love Tap felt her heart swell and then ache as she watched Cheat Code walk away, becoming transparent, before he peered back at her and gave her a wink before he vanished completely, and Love Tap...

She was surprised by how she felt in that moment. It was not sadness. It was not loss. It was not heartbreak. No, for the first time since that night a guard came to her door and told her that her firstborn son had fallen in the line of duty... Love Tap felt at peace. She still missed her son, Cheat Code, and she always would. But now, she realized, despite saying nothing, she got to say goodbye.

And now, instead of dreading her Button's future, she looked forward to it. Looking back to her colt, she smiled to see him being held up by Firestorm as everyone surrounded him with admiration, encouragement, and hope.

Her eyes fell upon Firestorm and she recalled something he'd said to her:

He has it in him... to become a Legend!

Smiling, Love Tap whispered, "And what a legend you will be, sweetie..."

I was originally gonna end this with Firestorm being knighted and Button Mash would become his squire, but I realized that would sort of take away the glory in this arc that is reserved for Button

Button wanted to become a guard and, understandably, he was in a rush. But he found the maturity and wisdom to realize he's not ready and the patience to wait for when he is

DFatman and Pen Dragon have my thanks for their guidance and second opinions in the making of this arc.

Button Mash's Cutie-Mark commissioned by Hoodwink MCShelster