//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3: Great News 
// Story: Little Ninja 
// by DanishDash 
//------------------------------//

Love Tab poured some lemonade for herself, as she sat at the couch, enjoying a quiet afternoon with her son. Well, maybe not so quiet, Button Mash was sitting near the large screen, and playing a game on his Nintenpone 64. The music and the sounds the game made was something Love Tab was used to... She didn't mind, it was a nice background noise while she turned a page in her book.

She raised the cold glass, and then looked over at her son, who was sitting in front of the screen, a controller in his hooves, and concentrating on jumping on another enemy. "Button, are you sure you don't want me to invite your class home?"

They'd had this conversation before, and Button couldn't help but feel a little bad. His mom only asked because she wanted him to make more friends, although Button knew it wouldn't do anything. "It's okay, mom," he said. "I'd rather just celebrate here at home."

In a few days Button Mash would turn thirteen, his birthday. His mom always wanted to invite other foals to a birthday party, but Button had never really been a fan. It wasn't as though he did not want to celebrate, but he rather avoided making a fool out of himself, and gave bullies like Bulky Brawn more ammo to bully him with.

Button made his avatar leap forward, and he managed to jump on three enemies, giving him a bonus point. Love Tab frowned, but didn't press the issue any further, knowing her son would never budge. "Well, it will just be family then. Gibson should come on Friday."

Button smiled, it would be nice to see his older brother again. It would be pretty cool to see if he had brought something back from Manehatten, perhaps a snow globe? 

"What do you want for breakfast?"

"Now?"

"On your birthday, on Sunday."

"Oh, right... Uhm... Chocolate chip pancakes."

His mother smiled, some things just never changed. "Alright, sounds good. It's been some time since I've treated us." She giggled, and Button could practically hear his mother lick her lips. They were pretty alike, only, his mother was much more outgoing than him, much more confident. His dad had told him lots of stories about how much trouble his mom got him into when they were foals, and things Button would never dare.

He frowned a little. "Mom?"

"Mm?"

Button paused the game, looking over his shoulder. "Can dad come?"

Love Tab frowned. "I'm sorry, sweetie. Your dad is still overseas, if he could be here, I know he would." 

Button nodded, "right..."

"But," Love Tab then said, her smile returning. "Do you know who will be here on Sunday?"

"No, who?"

"Uncle Stardust."

Button Mash turned fully around, looking at his mom with surprise. "Really? I thought he was in Nippone?!" He asked, not being able to contain his excitement. 

"Yes he was, but now he is on his way back. If they don't get hit by a storm or something, then he should be back on Saturday, and then come by Sunday for your birthday."

"Awesome!"

Love Tab smiled. "I thought you might like that."

Stardust was his mom's dad's brother, he was a sailor, and was out months at a time with a big container ship. There weren't many in the family, other than Button Mash, that missed him when he was at sea. Uncle Stardust was like the black sheep of the family, and at family get-togethers he was always a bit drunk, and always ready with an inappropriate comment. He couldn't care less about what other ponies thought about him, and Button couldn't help but admire that little character trait.

"Then you have to remember to buy those small bottles for him, he loves those."

His mother smirked, shaking her head. "Think again, I rather not have him start a brawl... Again..."

Button Mash grinned, uncle Stardust was in a league of his own, but he never thought he did it to be cruel. It was just the way he was. Button turned back to his game, saved, and shut it down. "I'm going to do some homework."

Love Tab nodded. "Do you want something to drink and eat?"

"If it's okay?"

His mom sent him a loving smile. "Of course it is, honey. You go up, and I'll bring you a tray."

"Thanks mom!" And with that, he hurried up the stairs.