//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2: Smells Nice 
// Story: Nothin' but Button 
// by TheGandyMan 
//------------------------------//




Once the two ponies had made their way back to their cabin, Button pulled out a familiar little gaming console while Mic stretched to take a rest on the seat.

Suddenly however, a question arose in Mics head.  Turning to look at Button more comfortably he got the colts attention, "Button, what are you going to college for?  I know it's a random question, but like... I don't know many of your interests.  As far as I know, you just enjoy games, movies, and other geeky stuff."

Button paused whatever game he was playing and set the device down on the seat before leaning back, his forehooves behind his head, "Gee thanks, but to answer your question, I'm going to college to major in game design and coding.  Also, I'm minoring team management in a few art programs."

Mic was a bit taken back and it must have shown on his face cause Button chuckled and leaned forward.

"What?  Did you think I was going there just for fun?  I mean, yeah, I am going there for fun, but it's more like I'm going there to learn how to make a career out of something I have fun doing.  One bird with two stones and all that."

"It's two birds with one stone, but anyways I expected something along the lines of 'my mom wanted me to' or somethin'.  Glad to see you've actually got a plan."

Button rolled his eyes and groaned, "Tell me about it.  You remember Snips and Snails?" Mic nodded, "Well those two are still living at home and haven't really done anything to change that.  Like, seriously?!" Button suddenly stood up and opened the window, showing the greenery as it whizzed by, "There's so much adventure out there!  So many things you could try out."

Mic tilted his head, "That has got to be most ironic thing coming from you, Button.  You did nothing but sit in your room all day." Mic pointed an accusatory hoof, "I distinctly remember you once turning down that cute filly just so you could sit in line for a console you wanted."

"Hey!  I waited over two years for that console to come out.  I wasn't about to just let it slip through my hooves like butter!" Button defended.

"You let a filly slip out of your hooves." Mic shot back.  Button grinned in response

"Did I?"

A moment of silence passed before Mic sat up on his haunches, "No way!  You have a marefriend?  Since when?  Who is it?  Anyone I should know?  Is she going to the same college?  How did you me-"

Button raised a leg to stop Mic's questions, "In order.  Yes I did.  Two years now.  It's Sweetie Belle, so yes you know her, and yeah we are going to the same college so you'll get to see her soon." He waited a second before clarifying, "She's not living with us.  I have an apartment close to the School, but she's in the dorms."

Mic nodded, "How exactly did the two of you get together?  You barely glanced her way back when I was in Ponyville"

"Well..."


SIX YEARS AGO


A brown earth pony wearing a beanie cap sat with his back to a tree and his face glued to a beeping device in front of him.  He looked to be in his early teens.  The little green fan on his beanie spun slightly, despite the lack of wind as his tongue lolled out of his mouth in concentration.  Button Mash was his name and adorned on his flank was a cutie mark of a pixelated controller with a single joystick.

Button did not notice the marshmallow filly who had snuck her way in front of him.  This of course was Sweetie Belle, a unicorn filly who sat in his class, though he had yet to pay any attention to her during those times.

Button was not of course paying attention to her.  His mind was too fixated on defeating Dr. Ponotnik.  The Green Islands would not save themselves after all.

Much clicking and beeping occurred for a while until finally the words game over displayed in front of Button.  Button swung his head back in frustration, forgetting about the tree he was leaning against, bonking his noggin.  He grabbed the back of his head in pain, but soon after felt a hoof that was distinctly not his own in the same place.  Looking up, his eyes still a little blurry with water.  He noticed the pink and purple coloration.  Blurred or not, Button recognize who it was immediately.

"Sweetie?" He said at first, making absolutely sure it was who he assumed it was.

"Yeah, it's me!  Are you okay, Button?" Her melodic voice filled Buttons ears, and almost completely relieved of his pain.  The important word being 'almost'.

"Ahh, I'll be fine.  Happens more often than you'd think."  With one last rub, Button sat a bit straighter and looked at Sweetie.  She was much older, which made sense.  Ponies tended to do that as years passed.  Her mane was done up in about the same style she had always worn it, although he noticed something about it.

"Did you put fruits in your mane?" Button asked.

"...what?"

"You smell different than you used to.  I just thought..." he trailed off.

"Hold on, you remember what I smelled like as a filly?" Sweetie asked, a little disgusted before twisting to inquisitiveness, "What... exactly did I used to smell like."

Button crossed his forehooves and gave a proud smile, "Chocolate pudding.  I know what everypony smells like."

Sweetie eyed him suspiciously, "Prove it."

Button returned her gaze with a challenging one, "Try me."

"Apple Bloom."

"Sawdust and vanilla."

"Scootaloo."

"Roasted chicken."

"Cheerilee!  Wait how do you know what roasted chicken smells like?"

"Trees with a hint of frustration." Button ignored the question.

"Fancy Pants?"

"Ripped jeans."

Sweetie lifted an eyebrow, "So he smells like denim?"  Button shook his head with a roll of his eyes.

"Fresh denim and denim that's been torn with rebellion are two completely different things.  Also, would you like to go on a date?  Next one."

"Sure thing, and my next will be... wait." Sweetie's eyes went wide, "Did you just..."

"HA!!"  Button jumped up from his seated position and started doing a little jig, "You already said yes, no take backs.  We're going on a date."

Sweetie stared at the colt for a second before facehoofing.





Button finished his story with a smile, "And that's how it went.  One thing led to another as they say."

Mic looked at Button for a moment.  The time ticked by as he stared at his dark coated pal.  Button did not seem to mind and just stared back, waiting for Mic to respond.  When the Pegasus finally did, Button was ready.

"Big Mac."

"Whipped Cream, believe or not."

"Berry Punch?!"

"A slightly singed Cheerilee."

"Ah!  The Elements of Harmony!" Mic stared at with a smile.  There was no way the colt knew what all of them...

"Pinkie's like rubber, Twilight's like hot sauce, Rarity's like a fruit basket with perfume, Applejack smells like apples (shocker I know), Fluttershy's like sterilized chaos, and Rainbow's like water." Button yawned casually with a grin, "Was that supposed to be a challenge?  Come on bro."

Mic glared at Button for a moment before going into thought.  Some time passed before he smiled.  He leaned back and crossed his legs, "The entire Royal Guard."

What Mic did not expect was for Buttons grin to suddenly become sinister.  A grin that meant death was imminent.  Each sparkle of those pearly whites glittered and shined, lighting up new ways for one to experience pain.  Mic was all too late to realize the horrible mistake he had made.

Button took in a long breath...