Once upon a time, in the Everfree Forest, a young Alicorn Prince lived in a large shining castle. Although he had everything he could ever want, the prince was spoiled, selfish.
“Bring me my food!” He yelled. The Prince wore dark purple dress robes that matched his fur, as well as a crown that was as shiny as gold. The cook brought out the food, his hooves shaking as he handed the food to the prince.
“Here’s your food, sire.” He trembled. The Prince looked at the food and knocked it out of the cook’s hooves.
“That was the wrong food!” He complained. “Bring me the correct food, or it will be the dungeon for you!” The cook shook in fear, knowing that when somepony was sent to the dungeons, they were never heard from again.
“Yes, of course, your Highness.” He ran back into the kitchen, making sure he got the right meal this time. A few minutes later, a knock was at the door. The Prince went to answer the door, only to discover an old beggar pony at the door.
“Excuse me good sir, but I was wondering if I could stay here for the night,” she began. “As payment, I offer this rose.” The Prince was repulsed by her hideous appearance, he sneered at the gift and told her to leave. “Don’t judge on appearances, for beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and outer beauty does not always count.” The Prince just turned away, and closed the door. The old beggars outer look melted, to reveal a beautiful enchantress. The Prince begged for forgiveness, only to fall on deaf ears, for she had seen that he had no love in his heart. As punishment, she transformed him into a hideous dragon, and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all that lived there. Ashamed by his appearance, he hid himself in his castle, with a mirror as his only link to the outside world. And the rose, was an enchanted rose, that would bloom until his twenty first birthday. If he could love a pony, and earn her love in return, the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a dragon forever. As the years past, he began to lose hope, for who could ever love, a dragon.
Years later, in the small town of Ponyville, a young mare was leaving her home to the market. The market was busy with shops just opening up.
“A wonderful day in Ponyville.” She said. The young mares name was Sweetie Belle. She walked down to the center of town and saw Mr. Cake getting his stand ready.
“Good morning, Sweetie Belle.” He said.
“Good morning, Mr. Cake.” Sweetie replied.
“Where you heading to?” Mr. Cake asked. Sweetie Belle smiled.
“The book shop,” Sweetie began. “I’m on my way to get a new book. Maybe this time with some romance.” Mr. Cake smiled, knowing that Sweetie Belle loved romance books.
“Sounds nice. I better get this ready before my wife gets after me for delaying.” Mr. Cake explained. Sweetie Belle nodded and continued on to the book store.
When she arrived, she ran into the stores owner, Luna. The store was like it was, filled with books. Sweetie thought that these books went all the way up to the moon, considering the size of many of the shelves.
“Hi, Luna!” Sweetie exclaimed. Luna smiled, knowing that Sweetie Belle was one of her best customers. She had a feeling on what book Sweetie would want, considering that she’s read it three times already. She had set it aside, knowing it would be another week or so before she got any new books.
“Hello, Sweetie Belle.” Luna replied. Sweetie Belle dropped off her book at the desk and went over to the romance section.
“Anything new?” She asked. When Luna shook her head, Sweetie looked around for another book, only to have Luna levitate it in front of her. “You knew I would want this one, did you?”
“I’ll also let you keep this book, since it seems to be your favorite.” Luna said. Sweetie Belle hugged her, all the while yelling ‘Thank you’. She left the shop and continued on home, not knowing that another pony was watching her behind a dark alley, his eyes filled with ill intent. He soon walked out in front of a nearby stand, along with his sidekick, Snails.
“Are you sure she’ll want to be with you, Button?” Snails asked. His face full of confusion. Button just grinned.
“Of course she’ll want to be with me,” he replied. “I’m the most handsome stallion here in Ponyville.” He looked at himself in a pan, only to be hit by the stands owner.
“Hey kid, are you just going to stand there or are you going to buy something?” he said, his voice strained with irritation. Button looked up at the blue stallion his yellow eyes glaring at him from beneath his hat. He could see the stallion challenging him, making him very angry.
“Why did you hit me?” He asked, annoyed at being hit.
“Because I’m tired of seeing you loitering around my stand, it’s become a daily routine for you.”
“Well then, I’ll just leave. Come on, Snails.” The two left, as Diamond Tiara and two other mares watched him walk by.
“Now wait just a minute there kid, you’re still not going to get her attention just by standing around another stand.”
“Who?” Button asked
“Why the girl you’re eyeing just now! She’s never going to notice you that way!”
“Of course, she’ll notice me!” Button exclaimed.
“Not without the proper equipment she won’t” He gave Button a slimy smile. “You see, the problem is that there’s nothing eye catching about you now! But don’t worry, I got just the thing!”
“What?” He asked.
“A camera! Trust me kid, girls go crazy for these things! They see a lad walking down the street with one of these here cameras and it pulls em in like magnets!”
“You’re certain?” His eyes lighting up at the advice.
“Absolutely! Here try this one on!” He said, immediately pulling out a camera and placing it on his neck. “That’s the ticket! Now you’re not just a guy in the background, now you’re important!” Button’s face lit up in excitement as he began walking away from the stand. Now he had the means to make Sweetie Belle like him, and hopefully, marry him. Unknown to him, the owner laughed and quickly closed up shop, satisfied of another pay, since Sweetie Belle paid him two-hundred bits to get Button off her back, but at the same time, upset that he didn’t fully do his job.
“He’s so dreamy!” Diamond gushed.
“I know, right?” A second mare asked. Button just walked by them and went towards Sweetie Belle.
“Hey, Sweetie Belle!” Sweetie Belle turned and saw Button walking up to her.
“What do you want, Button Mash?” She asked, trying not to sound rude. She was getting frustrated with all the times he hit on her. She had tried to get him to realize she wasn’t interested, but it never worked. He just kept on trying to get close to her, making her feel uncomfortable.
“Notice anything different?” Button asked.
“I see a joke camera around your neck.” She replied. Button was confused.
“What do you mean joke camera?” He tried to take a picture, only to have a boxing glove come out and hit him in the face. He turned to the stand, only to find, “OUT TO LUNCH?!?! IT’S ONLY 9 AM!” He yelled, as his eyes began twitching and his hooves shook in rage. Unknown to Button, the stands owner was hiding behind an alleyway.
“Ninety eight, ninety nine, aaaaand one hundred!” He said, counting his bag of newly acquired bits. “Looks like it’s payday, Trilby!” The pony pocketed his earnings and disappeared into the shadows of the alley.
“Look, right now, I need to get home and help my father.” Sweetie explained.
“That old loco needs all the help he can get.” Snails said. Button and Snails laughed, just as an explosion came from Sweetie Belle’s home, black smoke rising from the basement window. Fearing something terrible had happened, she ran home to check on her dad, whom was in the basement working on his latest invention.
“Dad, are you alright?” She asked as she entered the basement. All she could see for a few seconds was smoke before it cleared away. She looked around, noticing no damages besides a few broken chairs, and saw her dad beside a strange machine. “Still not working?”
“Not yet, but I have an idea,” he replied. “Now, hand me that wrench. I just need to tighten this bolt, and it should work. So, how was your day?”
“The usual, “Sweetie Belle answered. “Button kept on hitting on me. I just wish he would stop. He’s been getting worse, but today his attempt was pretty funny.”
“How’s that?” Magnum asked. He was also getting annoyed with the way Button was, but he knew his daughter could handle it.
“He tried to impress me with a camera, but it was one of those trick ones. He got hit with a boxing glove.” Sweetie laughed at the memory.
“I have a feeling he met that new stand owner. Never trust one that seems to friendly. Now that should do it, let’s fire her up.” Magnum said. He started the machine up, as it began to chop up more wood.
“This should really help you win at the fair this year!” Sweetie exclaimed.
“Time to head to the fair!” Just as he finished, Magnum was hit in the side of the head with a log. He began placing the machine into his cart and got himself ready to go. “Take care while I’m gone, Sweetie Belle.” He said as he began walking down the trail to Dodge Junction where the fair was taking place.