//------------------------------// // No 1337ists Allowed // Story: Yours and Mine // by Silver Thread //------------------------------// The statue stood before them, unchanged with the aches of time. It was as though somepony wanted it to remain, in all of its glory, to show everypony just what loomed in the darkness. Button, however, just thought it was a fancy rock. "So where IS she already?" Button asked, obviously sick of waiting for the arrival of a certain mare. Sweetie Belle stood by Button's side, unsure of what to do, hoof knocking at the dirt. "Maybe she's busy, Button. I mean, there's nothing saying she HAS to show up---" "But she's GOTTA!!" he yelled, looking at her with determination. The filly sighed and looked away impatiently. There was no getting through to Button Mash when he was in one of these moods. "Well, you can wait here all night if you want to, but I want to go home and eat some of my candy," Sweetie said frustratedly, and sighed, saying, "It's getting cold, Button. You should come home too..." "I'm staying RIGHT here until she shows up." Button said, not moving a muscle. "AUGH!!! You're so thick-headed sometimes!!!" Irritated with the colt's stubbornness, Sweetie walked back off in the direction of Ponyville. Button sat staring at the statue. He knew this was the only night he'd have any chance of meeting the Princess, and he'd been waiting all year for this. He hadn't known about her hobbies until after last Nightmare Night, and was extremely angry with himself for missing out on a chance to meet a true gamer. Sure, Sweetie was a gamer, but...but...Princess Luna was no casual gamer! She was elite, she was pro, she was MLG! "Come onnnnnnnn!!" Button moaned loudly. As on on queue, a flash on lightning brought forth thunder, and Button jumped from his position, looking around for the cause. "Do not whine before your Highness!" called a deep, subtle voice, as a chariot descended from the sky, pulled by two of Luna's Night Guard: the thestral. In the seat of the chariot was a dusk-blue mare, mane twinkling in a show that rivaled the starlight itself. The hooves of the thestrals hit ground, as did the chariot, where the Princess still sat, staring accusingly at the small brown colt. "I-u-I--uh..." Button was floored, and embarrassed. He was afraid he may have offended the Princess, and immediately bowed the way his mother showed him to. The sound of hoofsteps on the dirt made Button look up; only to see the Princess staring directly down at him. They stood here like this, Button Mash grovelling and Princes Luna observing, for a full minute. Then, the Princess spoke, a bit too loudly, "Why did you call for us, young pony, and so impatiently? We have other duties to attend to." Standing up on wobbly knees, Button gulped, speaking hoarsely, "I j-just.." he cleared his throat, "Princess Luna, Mistress of Gaming, I would be hu-humbled if you would take me under your wing. I am b-.." his voice cracked, "but a lowly noob compared to your greatness. Please, teach me all you know." The silence was deafening. Luna stared down at the brown colt, cladden in an iron shirt, a strap holding a fake sword to his back. The wind danced around them, rustling the grass, until a soft sound picked up. The sound of Luna's laughter. The Princess chuckled loudly and smiled down at the colt, with warmth in her eyes. She took a deep breath, lowering her shoulders and wings as she tried to remember to speak in a "normal" voice. "I did not expect such a request on this night. Or at all. Not many ponies seem interested in gaming with a Princess...and the ones that do, either think beating me makes them great, or that I am a Goddess at gaming. Neither is true. And I hope," she pointed a hoof at Button Mash, a glare falling upon him, chilling him, "you realize that. I will not game with fans, nor will I game with the Leetists. I will game with my equals. Now, little colt, who is called..."her voice fall flat, looking at the colt questioningly. "B-Button Mash, y-your Highness." "Button Mash, do you consider yourself worthy of being my friend? Of being my EQUAL?" The winds picked up as she spoke the last word, causing Button to shiver. His mind was stuck for a moment, until the Princess tilted her head. Suddenly, cogs that had frozen in his mind started to turn, and he began to speak. "I...I think...I can be...maybe..." Despite knowing he was skilled at gaming, and despite the offer, he wasn't sure if he WAS worthy. He was having serious doubts about ever being as good as an immortal goddess such as Luna. But still...she offered...so...maybe... "Then it is done. I take it your in-game name is Button-underscore-Mash, correct?" He nodded. "I shall add you later tonight, or morning for you. Never wake me for a game. I only play at night, and won't join any multi-player games without knowing the players first. Now, I must take my leave. This night is mine, and I missed much of it because I couldn't find a save point..." her voice trailed off, but Button nodded. This was something he understood. "Anyhow, have a good night, Button Mash. And may Nightmare Moon overlook you!" the Princess spoke as she walked back towards her Chariot...which was now filled to the brim with candy, thanks to the thestrals collecting the offerings. "To Ponyville!" Luna decreed in her loud Canterlot voice, and the trio disappeared. Button Mash was alone. It was cold. He had gotten his haul of candy, and everypony would start to worry soon. Heading home was the best idea. Hopefully Sweetie Belle wasn't too mad, he thought, maybe I can make it up to her with some Nether Quartz... As he made his way home, the Lunar Princess smiled. This one...he has a good heart. I hope he is as good of a gamer as he is a pony. Her mind trailed off as Button Mash went out of view, and both ponies couldn't wait for the next night of gaming to commence.