The hallowing death cries of the lizardmen echoed across the Forest Realm as Button Mash, Knight of the Sky Domain, used his mace to bash the skulls of five of them at once thanks to the increased range bonus he received from the last area of the level. He stood proudly in front of his fallen foes while their blood stained his shining silver chainmail and ocean-blue armor, from leg protection to the helmet. He gritted his teeth while blocking another blow from a gargoyle with his shield. There was no way he was dying now. Not after they came this close to finding the lair of the Spider Queen.

He smashed the monster away before looking at his companion, the Sorceress of the Forsaken Province, who was wielding her magical wand while blasting their enemies from afar. She too was close to death as the white unicorn was barely able to stand, her yellow robe torn nearly to ribbons. Button Mash nearly laughed when he remembered Sweetie Belle telling him if Rarity saw this outfit ruined, she would have torn through all the evil forces in a burst rage.

He shook his head, now was not the time for thinking such things. They needed to find food to heal themselves, or else they were finished. After a few more minutes of fighting, their enemies had finally fallen, giving them a moment to breathe.

“I... really... hate this.. level,” muttered Sweetie Belle in between breaths. “I still think... being a Valkyrie... would have been a better choice before we started this...”

Button Mash gave her a weak smile. “Relax, Sweetie. We’re almost at the final level. Once we beat the Spider Queen, we’ll be able to leave this Celestia forsaken realm. Besides, you’ve been doing great. I wouldn’t be surprised if we managed to get third place by the end of this.”

Sweetie’s check blushed a bit before she looked at Button with renewed confidence building up inside her. “You’re right! Let’s keep going! I didn’t waste twenty bits just to end it here! Let’s look for a chest and see if we can find some food.”

Nodding in agreement, Button split up from his partner as they searched around for a chest or any kind of item that could help them. They had no magic, weak health, and their bonuses were running out. They needed a serious miracle item if they were to have any chance of surviving. Button winced as he walked through the swampy ground, which smelled worse than a Port-a-John that the construction crews often used. Thankfully, his search was rewarded with the sight of a golden chest not too far from the right side of the corner, hidden behind some rocks.

“Sweetie Belle! I found it!” shouted Button, rushing towards the chest with renewed vigor. He eyed the chest with a glint of greed in his eyes, wondering what fortune he would get. Sweetie Belle soon galloped beside him, and the two stopped in front of it. After placing his hoof on the chest, he looked at Sweetie Belle with pleading eyes to which she giggled and nodded.

Holding his breath, he opened the chest... and out came a skeleton pony wearing a dark cloak with evil glowing eyes. Both heroes looked at the one known as Death who raised his pony hooves before they shouted out into the sky, “Oh, come on!”

It was the last words the heroes spoke before Death drained their remaining life force, leaving them nothing more than corpses on the ground before he vanished into thin air.

“Stupid! Rotten! Piece! Of! Junk!” cried out Button Mash as he kicked the Gauntlet arcade machine over and over again while Sweetie Belle watched, not bothering to do anything to stop him. Truth be told, she herself wanted to blast the accursed game with her horn for the cheap surprise, but she was fine letting Button do all the work.
She did make sure to check to see if any of the arcade staff was watching; but, thankfully, their gazes were elsewhere. Sweetie wasn’t worried about being banned for life since Button was their favorite spender and she was always with him, but even they had limits on what he could get away with. Like the time he reprogrammed House of the Zombie Ponies so that every time a zombie was hit, it made a fart noise, thought Sweetie Belle, giggling at the small amount of juvenileness that the game-obsessed colt still had despite being sixteen.

Eventually, Button Mash calmed down before he could make any more dents in the arcade machine and turned to Sweetie Belle with a maniacal smile. “Well, now that my bloodlust has been momentarily satisfied, what should we play next?”

Biting her lip, Sweetie Belle looked at the clock and saw that it was close to the deadline her parents gave her today. “Actually, those were my last bits. I only have enough cash for the train ride home.”

“That’s what you get for spending most of your money on the karaoke machine,” said Button, pointing to the singing booth where a few colts were wincing at an elder pony singing Moonlight Vocal Band. Sweetie Belle blushed, eying the heart on her flank with a musical note on it. Ever since she and her fellow crusaders got their cutie marks, they had been using their talents nonstop at any opportunity possible.

“W-well, anyway it’s getting late, and I should be heading back to my sister’s. Since it’s a school night, she’ll want me back in time to double check my report for tomorrow.”

Button Mash blinked and tilted his head. “What report?” he asked.

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes and prepared for another “Button Panic” as she liked to call them. Clearing her throat, she replied, “Oh, nothing. Just the report for science class that’s due tomorrow about the periodic table. You know, the one we’ve had a whole week to work on.”

Wishing she had some popcorn, Sweetie Belle watched as Button’s eyes widened and his beanie that he still wore after all these years, stopped spinning. Despite the sounds of gunshots, explosions, and points being collected from the various arcade machines surrounding them, Sweetie Belle was pretty sure she could hear Button’s heart beating from where she was sitting. A nervous twitch appeared in his right eye a few times before he placed his hooves over his head and screamed as he suffered a nervous breakdown.

A few others turned to see who was yelling; but, upon learning who it was, they quickly turned back to their games without a care. Sweetie, having been used to this for years, just sat down and waited for the panicking pony to tire out as he ran back and forth, sweating up a storm. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I forgot about it! I’m screwed! Doomed! Game over with no more continues!” He grabbed Sweetie by the shoulders and started shaking her. “You have to help me, Sweetie Belle! My Mom’s been on my case about my grades since my last report card! If she finds out I forgot to hand in another assignment, do you know what she’ll do?! She’ll ground me, take away my games, then send me off to military school where I’ll be inspired to join for real, then I’ll be sent into battle when a war breaks out, lose a leg, be discharged, forced to travel around like a homeless bum asking for change because I’m a war vet, and then die alone in some abandoned alley with nopony but the rats who will feast on my flesh and bones! And it will be all because I failed to give my report!”

A swift blow to the head knocked the blabbering colt to the ground. He staggered back to his feet, shaking his head to clear the stars from his vision. Sweetie Belle lowered her hoof and smiled at him and asked,“Better?”

“Yeah, thanks,” replied Button Mash, gulping for air.

With a sympathetic smile, Sweetie Belle wrapped her foreleg around his neck and winked. “Come on, let’s get to the station so we can head home. On the way, I’ll give you my notes, and if you work all night, you can maybe get a C+.”

Button’s mood instantly improved as he smiled and walked towards the exit with a small jump in his step. “Have I ever told you that you are the coolest mare I know?”

Sweetie Belle only giggled as they exited the arcade and headed for the Canterlot train station which, conveniently, wasn’t too far from where they were. “Just be glad we share most of our classes together. Or else you’d be sent back to elementary school in Ponyville.”

“Ugh, I sometimes wish,” said Button Mash, looking at a few snobby unicorns in fancy dresses that were somehow walking perfectly with their heads being held up high and their eyes closed. Despite it being winter and snowing, the nobles were still too busy gallivanting in clothing that was obviously not made for the cold. “Why can’t we have a middle school and high school in Ponyville? I hate coming here and learning about things I could learn at home instead.”

“Because if you did that, you’d never get any social interaction,” commented Sweetie Belle.

“True.”

The two made it to the ticket booth and quickly paid just as the train arrived. Once inside, they quickly found a pair of seats on which to rest their haunches while Button Mash took out his Joyboy. He was ready to turn it on, when suddenly Sweetie Belle levitated it from his hooves and put it back in his bag while taking out a pencil and notebook paper. “No Joyboy, Button. You want to get a decent grade without your mom killing you? You get writing, mister. “

“Aw, but Sweetie Belle, just fifteen minutes?!” begged Button Mash, whimpering and doing his best puppy-eyed impression. He then winced as his own notebook was bashed against his skull eliciting a few grumbles.

“If you’re gonna act like a puppy, I’m gonna smack you like a bad puppy,” said Sweetie Belle with a grin.

Button looked ready to whine a bit more, but soon sighed and gave into defeat. Sweetie Belle shook her head. You’d think he’d learn by now that I always win.

Thankfully, years of helping Button Mash, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom with their homework had made it easy to help her friend get the notes he needed. All that he needed to do now was to stay up all night writing the report and he would be out of hot water. Maybe he’ll charm our teacher with that creative writing of his, thought Sweetie Belle as she glanced at the book with a quill next to it on his flank.

It shocked everypony the day Button Mash got his cutie mark in writing after winning a short story contest Ms. Cheerilee had them enter in fourth grade. Button, however, was ecstatic as he believed storytelling was an important component of games, and he was hoping it would help him get a job at Biomare or ToldTellingGames.
But Sweetie Belle knew that he wrote more than just stuff for games as she had personally seen his work: Tales and poems he had written about adventures, romance, tragedy; he was amazing and she wondered why he was reluctant to show off his talents. Sweetie Belle, having gotten over her stage fright long ago, was always up for singing a tune or impressing somepony; not too different from Apple Bloom with her woodcraft or Scootaloo with her scooter stunts. But Button never boasted of his writing talent, just his gaming talent.

When asked, he just shrugged and figured it wasn’t important. She glanced at him, playing his Joyboy as usual, and smiled. “You really are such a simple guy, you know that?”

“Huh?” asked the colt, looking up from his game.

“Nothing,” said Sweetie Belle, shaking her head. “I’m going to the snack cart to get a drink. Want anything?”

“No, thanks,” answered Button Mash, going back to his hoofheld.

Nodding, Sweetie Belle got off her seat and headed down the car to the next one, carefully making sure to cross over without falling. Entering the next cart, she almost wished she hadn’t. Buying a latte were none other than Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, her two old bullies who she, thankfully, didn’t interact with that much anymore. Back when they were younger, with only one school in Ponyville, she and her friends had to deal with their torment day in and day out. With so many middle schools and high schools in Canterlot, it was easy enough to get to one without those two heckling her.

Wearing the fancy blue and silver uniforms of their upper class school, the two teens turned around and smirked at Sweetie Belle. “Well, well, well,” said Diamond Tiara, running a hoof through her long mane, “It’s our good friend, Sweetie Belle. What’s up, loser?”

“Just getting a drink, Tiara, but now I’m not sure I’m still thirsty,” grumbled Sweetie Belle. Despite bullying them less as they got older, the two brats still saw themselves as better than every other pony. Some things never change with time.

She turned to leave when Silver Spoon whispered, “I bet she just wants to get back to her geeky coltfriend. Right, Tiara?”

“Totally, Silver,” replied Diamond Tiara. “It must be so sad knowing that he’s the best she can ever get. Imagine their foals?” Diamond gagged. “Ugh... they’d be both nerdy and airheaded. A double trouble.”

Turning around, Sweetie Belle’s face was aflame with fury as she glared at the two. “Leave Button alone!” she said, gritting her teeth. “And he’s not my coltfriend! Just a colt who happens to be my friend!”

“Ooooh, somepony’s defensive,” joked Diamond Tiara, giggling beside her best friend.

Sweetie Belle was about to yell back, but remembered what her sister said about dealing with rude ponies. “Don’t talk back, just ignore them. But if they won’t shut up, make them shut up.”

With a simple telekinesis spell, Sweetie Belle took the hot lattes out of the hooves of the surprised rich fillies and dumped them on their heads, much to their irritation and shock. While Silver Spoon was fretting about her wet uniform, Diamond Tiara was glaring daggers at Sweetie Belle. “That was not funny!”

“Then why am I smiling?” asked Sweetie Belle with a cheeky grin before she turned her back and retreated into to her car.

She ignored the curse words Diamond Tiara was saying behind her as she felt an overwhelming satisfaction in shutting the two up. Honestly, just because Button and I go to school together, hang out a lot, and I happen to find him a great friend doesn’t mean we’re a couple... even if I want us to be...

Sweetie Belle sighed as she leaned against the wall and looked out the snowy hills out of the window. The truth was, she did like her best friend. Ever since that Hearth's Warming Eve when he sacrificed his most important game for her, she had slowly began to notice him in a new light. Nopony had ever done such a kind act for her before, and when he said how special she was it made her feel closer to him. And sure, he was weird, but in a cute way. After she and her friends finally got their cutie marks, they started hanging out with other ponies while still remaining as best friends. From everypony she befriended over the years, Button was no doubt on the top of this list.

But then came puberty.

That “new light” became evident as “feelings” when all the symptoms Rarity told her about how mares acted with colts were what she had whenever she was with Button. It wasn’t like how the stories put it on the whole blushing and sweating all the time cliche. It was about feeling a warmth in your heart whenever you spent time with each other. How much you care about that pony, and the determination to be there for for them in their darkest hour, sharing their hardship.

That became evident when Button’s parents got a divorce. A tear fell down her cheek as she remembered her friend, crying in his room while holding on to Sweetie Belle like his own personal lifeline. She saw a side of him that she never saw. One so depressed and filled with sorrow that she gave up every day she had to be there for him. And while it was a terrible time, she couldn’t help but love the touch of their fur against one another as they held onto each other so closely that she could feel the beating of his wounded heart.

Glancing at the beanie her friend had on his head, Sweetie Belle sighed and wished that she could tell him her feelings, but was it worth the risk? He’s my best friend. I don’t want to ruin things between us.

Realizing she was just standing in the middle of the train, she collected herself and headed back towards her seat. “That was quick. Where’s your drink?” asked Button Mash, looking up from his seat as Sweetie Belle sat down.

“Oh, I found something else that cured me of my thirst,” said Sweetie Belle, cryptically. The sweet taste of revenge.

“Oh, okay...”

Sweetie Belle sighed and layed her head down on her seat. Everything was great. She was heading home, the weekend was coming up soon, she had a fun afternoon with one of her best friends. Not to mention get a chance to totally embarrass Diamond Tiara. Nothing could ruin this moment.

“Um, Sweetie Belle,” whispered Button Mash, who stopped playing his game, but didn’t once look away from it.

“Yeah?”

Taking a deep breath, Button Mash lowered his Joyboy before he turned to her, looking deeply into her eyes, and asked, “Will you go out with me?!”

A long silence stood between the two as Sweetie Belle slowly turned towards a blushing Button Mash, or rather at his shaking form that was only one step away from a mental meltdown. Their faces were slowly covered in a shade of red as Sweetie Belle’s mind had to stop and reboot itself before trying to rationalize what just happened. Oh my Celestia! He asked me out! He asked me out! Okay, what do I do?! Do I say yes?! No?! No, wait, of course I want to say yes! Is this a dream?! Am I awake?! Am I dead?! Wait, why would I think I’m dead? Then again, I feel like my heart just stopped, so maybe I am dead. Okay, wait, I can feel my lungs rising up and down. I’m alive. Oh, right, need to answer... what is my answer?!

“If...” Button Mash spoke again as he rubbed the back of his head. “If... if you don’t want to... that’s fine. I was just... well...” He looked up and quickly said. “Ohlookwerehome! Gottagoseeya!”

Sweetie Belle barely had time to react when he grabbed his bags and made for the door. “Button, wait!” She raced out of the train doors, bumping into a few ponies as she chased the fleeing stallion until they were outside the station. Seeing him about to head out towards his home, she decided to shout out, “I wanna go out with you!”

Button grinded out to a halt, kicking up snow before he turned around with a stunned look. “W-what?”

Smiling, Sweetie Belle walked over to him and nuzzled his cheek. “I’d love to go out with you, Button.” She then raised an eyebrow. “But... why ask me? I mean... is it just as friends or...”

He sighed and pawed the snow. “Truth be told? I... I’ve always liked you. I’ve wanted to ask you out... but... I was afraid you just thought of me as a friend.”

Sweetie Belle stared at him before laughing. She felt her stomach tickle as she did her best not to fall down and slam all four legs on the cold ground. Button Mash backed away before Sweetie Belle grabbed his waist and pulled him close. “You want to know something? That’s why I didn’t tell you that I liked you...”

Eyes widened, Button Mash’s jaw dropped a bit before he began to chuckle. Wrapping his forelegs around his best friend, he whispered, “Guess we both were acting silly, huh?”

“Yeah,” whispered Sweetie Belle as she closed her eyes while resting her head on Button’s shoulder. She didn’t care if Diamond TIara and Silver Spoon walked down the road and saw them in their embrace. She didn’t want this to end. Him and her, holding each other in the middle of winter. A paradise of silence and cold around them as their feelings warmed them like a freshly dried quilt. “So what will we be doing on our... date?” She nearly squealed the moment this word left her mouth.

“Our... date...um...”

She looked up and saw him biting his lip while a sudden cold chill went down her spine. She turned her head for a moment to the side and grit her teeth as this scene reminded her of one of Rarity’s novel. Please do not let it be a misunderstanding... She looked at Button with awkward smile while small bits of snow started to melt around her. If this is one of those cliche moments where it turns out that it is one big misunderstanding because he didn’t finish his sentence, I swear, I am going to bury him alive in the snow. She asked, “You did plan to ask me out for a date?” while her stare spoke ‘choose your words very carefully,’ “Did you?”

“O-of course I did... we...” she saw him shift his head a bit towards the station, before beaming her a smile. “We’re going to the Canterlot Winter Ball!”

Sweetie Belle didn’t think she could get surprised again after that last revelation, but she decided to take a page out of her sister’s book and rear back. “Whaaaahaatttt?!” She shook her head before asking, “How in Equestria’s name did you get tickets for the Winter Ball! They’re expensive! You didn’t sell your games again, did you?!”

Button Mash grinned. “Relax, I’ll tell you when we get there. Just be sure to be prepared for it, okay?”

Sweetie Belle gave a toothy smile and jumped in place with excitement. She! At the most famous ball besides the Grand Galloping Gala! She was going to be the envy of so many ponies, even her sister would collapse in shock!” She reached out and kissed Button on the cheek before rushing in the direction of Rarity’s house. “I’ll see you later, Button! Thanks again! The Winter Ball! Woohoo!”

Button Mash continued his fake smile until Sweetie Belle was out of site. He then glanced at the poster he saw advertising the ball and winced. How the hell am I going to get tickets?!

Author's Notes:

Yup! The Sequel is here! Things are gonna be a bit different for this story, but I hope to capture the same magic as Gift of The Mash was. Thanks for reading everybody!