> Sweetie and the Beast > by Pegasister_Animations > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's dark and dingy today in the Everfree Forest, nothing new no doubt, thought Button Mash. The 18 year old stallion went off to see a special witchdoctor named Zecora who could hopefully fix his issue. The day before, he went to the video game store seeing if his newest game had come out yet. ************************************** He trotted out of his cottage suddenly bumping into a stranger. Button didn’t bother to say sorry for that he was so excited to see his game. The stranger stopped, he was wrapped in a navy blue cloak covering his face, only showing his muzzle and legs. He turned to face Button only to say, “I’m sorry good sir but can you spare a few bits?” Button turned quickly and lied saying, “Sorry I have none to spare right now.” He turned back and galloped away. The stranger said “Hmmm..” and mumbled something only that he could hear. When Button left the store, he came across a strange flower. It had purple leaves and the most beautiful white pedals he had ever seen. And for some strange reason it was glowing. He had decided to take it back home with him. The next morning he woke up discovering the most awful, horrendous, disgusting thing he had ever seen. Himself. ************************************** He had heard about Zecora, a famous witchdoctor in the Everfree Forest, so he put a sheet over his body and ran as fast as he could. Once he was in the forest he took off the sheet thinking that there was no need for it and that he could blend in as himself. Once he was at Zecora’s she did not scream or yell instead she opened the door and nodded. She was speaking in rhyme so it was difficult for Button to understand. It went something like this, “I know why you are in this predicament, why you look so different. The reason is because of hate, that is why this is your fate. What happened to you is amiss, but it can only be fixed with true loves kiss.” “WHAT?!” he roared “So I am stuck like this FOREVER!” He didn’t know why he yelled like this, he was usually pretty gentle and shy. There was this new anger and rage inside of him. And he did not like it. He knew no one who would love him in this form. He had no wife, no marefriend, there was no one he truly cared for or cared for him. “Your appearance has been arranged, but your attitude has also changed.” She quietly said. “Also if all the petals fall whatsoever, then, yes, you will be stuck like this forever.” Button never should have picked up the flower he knew it was the reason that he had changed. And somehow so did Zecora, but he didn’t question it. His body, his personality was all gone he didn’t know what to do. Immediately, he said thank you to Zecora, put on the sheet, and ran off. He went back home not knowing what to do. He thought about it for a while then an idea popped into his head. He grabbed the sheet and his belongings but most importantly his video games. He knew that where he was going there would be no electricity but maybe he could find some way for them to work. He rushed back into the Everfree Forest not knowing if he would see a pony or his cottage ever again. He had to rest after all that galloping and when he did, he saw the most marvelous thing. It was a castle! That’s strange, what is a castle doing here in the middle of the Everfree Forest? he thought to himself. There was a sign that read Castle of the Two Sisters in fancy lettering. And with that he went inside searching if anypony was home. He saw large hallways and corridors filled with cobwebs. He was pretty sure he passed a room with a gigantic pipe organ inside it too. Making sure no one was in the castle with him, he stayed there putting down his belongings and finding the master bedroom. He wasn't exactly sure what to do next, but right now all he wanted to to was het some rest. > Hardships > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- *One Year Later The Carousel Boutique was as busy as ever with all the new customers Sapphire Shores brought. Ever since Sweetie Belle had started doing duets with her, everypony was raving about Rarity's new dress designs. "Wow Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Rarity hasn't stopped working since six this mornin' !" "Yeah, if I ever saw Apple Bloom working like this... well I don't know how I wouldn't be at least the slightest bit worried," Spike said giving a comforting arm around Apple Bloom's neck. "Well, I guess Fancy Pants got used to her running around the store like a maniac," said Sweetie Belle in a monotone voice. Apple Bloom eyed her companion in a confused manner. "Are you okay Sweetie Belle? You have been actin' strange for quite some time." "Yeah," Sweetie sighed "I'm alright." Apple Bloom wasn't sure how to respond. By the looks of it Sweetie Belle wasn't fine. Her hair wasn't as poofy and curly as it usually was. Instead her locks looked like an untidy mess of hay and her coat seemed a shade grayer than usual. How can her coat do that? Apple Bloom thought to herself. It ain't natural.... Oh no, did something happen between her and Rarity again? Applejack told her this wasn't the answer. "Did something happen between you and Rarity?" "Hmm...?" Sweetie Belle was obviously distracted. She looked back up at Apple Bloom. "Oh... no I rather not talk about it, especially in front of you and Spike." "Whatever you've got to say you can say it to both of us." Apple Bloom looks back at Spike. "Ain't that right Spike?" Spike looked back reassuringly. "Of course!" Sweetie Belle then sat on her haunches. "Well okay... I guess I've been kind of..... well... jealous.." "Of what?" Apple Bloom was even more confused. "Every time I see you two or Scootaloo and Rumble.. heck even when I just see Rarity and Fancy Pants I always feel.... lonely inside.." "Aww Sweetie Belle you kno--" "And that's not just it! I've been feeling this way for about a year and you guys have been together much longer than that! I guess the word I'm looking for is.... confused." Sweetie Belle looked back down with her ears drooping. She felt like doing what she hasn't done in a long time.... cry. "Well did anything change during that time? Maybe you did somethin' to keep yourself occupied," Apple Bloom was trying her best to help her good friend but nothing seemed to work. "No not really.." "What about singing? That is your special talent after all..." "No.. now all I think about singing is the Blues." Spike looked up seeming to have an idea. "Hey! What about that thing that you used to carry around with you all the time!... What was it called?... A JoyToy?... A--" "My JoyBoy!" Sweetie Belle looked up giving a smile which quickly turned back into a frown. "Oh that's right.... my favorite games company mysteriously closed down around a year ago.. after that I guess I just stopped playing." Apple Bloom looked back at Spike not sure what to do. Spike then gave a surprised look. Spike gasped. "Oh no! We forgot about our double date with Rumble and Scootaloo! We have to get ready!" Apple Bloom gasped. "That's right..." She looked back at her friend feeling sorry for her. "You know, you could come with us if you would like..." "No..no I wouldn't want to intrude." Apple Bloom gave a reassuring hoof around Sweetie Belle's neck. "Ah promise, you will find your special somepony one day.." And with that Apple Bloom left, leaving Sweetie Belle feel rock bottom. She sighed, "Yeah.... one day..." Sweetie Belle slowly turned her head towards the clock. It read 3 o'clock p.m. Well I have nothing better to do She shrugged and glanced at her mirror brushing the strands of her hair until it was nice and poofy again. She grabbed some bits she had been saving for a special occasion. Although there's nothing special about it... With that she left Carousel Boutique on her way to the video game store.