//------------------------------// // Green Garden Act 2 (Patched) // Story: Button Mash and The Quest to Rescue Sweetie Belle // by JamesBurton //------------------------------// Resuming Game... "YOU!!! HOW DARE YOU!!!” Black Breath was seething with rage, eyes pointed towards the young brown colt. "YOU DARE TO STRIKE ME, BLACK BREATH? TRUSTED MESSENGER FOR GREAT LORD CODEX!!!"   Button Mash rubbed his right ear nonchalantly, clearly unimpressed. “You don’t need to yell, I’m right here.” The colt shot a glare of his own towards the angry figure in front of him, “Also, I don’t appreciate that you made a little filly cry, so why don’t you pick on somepony your own size!”   The crowd of ponies backed away slowly from the scene unfolding, careful not to be identified alongside the crazy brown pony. Murmurs filled the air as the crowd began chatting among themselves "Is he insane?" "Who is he and what is he doing?" "I can’t believe he did that, what is he trying to achieve?" Meanwhile, Silver Song was just staring at the commotion her new friend started, not a word coming out of her. She stood there, as if rooted to her position, paying no mind to the young pegasus tugging at her leg. “Silver, what’s Button doing?” Thunderbird asked as he tried to pull Silver, undecided whether he’s curious or afraid. Silver acted as if she didn’t hear the question, her eyes glued to the face-off between Button and Black Breath and his guards. "So, you don’t like how I show that living under Lord Codex is a blessing?” Black Breath gave a small laugh, as if the very idea was unheard of. He dramatically climbed on top of the food court, looking down at Button Mash. “If only they would accept King Codex rules this world, they wouldn’t have to suffer anymore,” the pony on the cart preached, “believe it or not, my lord cares about his ponies, and it breaks his heart to see them resist. Button Mash motioned for the filly to run away. She nodded, and quickly left with the dirty carrot still in her mouth. "Ya know what breaks my heart, Black Breath?" Button Mash practically growled out the question through clench teeth. "Making little fillies cry while preaching on how great that loser Codex is, how much of a tool can you be Black Breath?" The white pony’s right eye started twitching in frustration. "LOSER?! WHY YOU LITTLE EARTH COLT PEASANT, HOW DARE YOU CALL THE GREAT LORD KING CODEX A LOSER?!" He took a deep breath and exhaled, his face once again donning that mask of calmness and regality. "You know what, I don't even know why I'm getting so worked up over this," he chuckled. “Oh guards!” The three guards stepped forward, placing themselves between Black Breath and Button Mash. “Children of Lord Codex,” Black Breath addressed his guards, much like how a general would address an army, “the loyal enforcers of his will. Today, your great king's good name has been defiled by this… this scum,” the stallion made sure to add venom to that word, “today will your finest hour as you defend your king's honor from this rebellious youth. TODAY WILL BE THE DAY THAT- AAAAAUUGGGGGHHH." Black Breath covered his mouth in pain, eyeing the brick which just flew towards his face. Button Mash stood there with a smirk painted across his face. “Black Breath shuts up,” he finished.         The crowd started dispersing quickly, already aware of what was about to transpire. The white earth pony removed his hoof from his mouth, letting a few teeth fall out. For a while, Black Breath did nothing but stare at the pearly whites that dropped onto the ground, mouth agape in shock. A few seconds later, he looked up back at the earth pony who knocked his teeth out, giving him a calm smile. “You knocked my teeth out. You took a brick, threw it at me and knocked my teeth out.” He started to laugh jollily, causing Button Mash to follow with an uncomfortable laugh. “GUARDS!” Black Breath bellowed, his jolly expression switching to one of anger and hatred faster than Rainbow Dash could fly, “SEIZE HIM!” The three guards rushed towards Button Mash, spears poised to strike and eyes hungry for action. "Thunderbird, take Silver Song and get to safety!" Button Mash yelled at the young pegasus who was watching in the sidelines. He took a stance and braced himself for the oncoming bout with the armored stallions, a small smile making its way to his face as he remembered an old memory that was similar to this. Ponyville, three months ago... It was a beautiful spring day in the small town of Ponyville, Princess Celestia's sun was shining brightly and a gentle breeze was flowing in the air and all was well in the town. "I'm telling you, duuude,” a teal pony slurred to her friend, trying to convince her. “They spoke to me in my dreams. I’m like, the chosen one. You gotta believe me, Bonnie!” "Lyra, seriously,” the blue/pink maned mare rolled her eyes, “if anything, that was Princess Luna talking to you in your dreams again.” Lyra stuttered out her response, “B-b-bu-b-but the chosen one Bon Bon!” "Lyra did you take your medication this morning?" Bon Bon gave her an accusing glare. "Uh...Maybe?" "Lyra,” Bon Bon sternly said, her eyes narrowing. "But it tastes funny." Yep, just another normal day in Ponyville. "BUTTON! RUMBLE! STOP!” Sweetie Belle shrieked in her high pitched voice, frantically watching the situation get out of hand. "WHAT THE HAY RUMBLE!?" Button Mash thundered. "Why would you say such horrible things about Scootaloo? She's your fillyfriend man!" The gray pegasus growled viciously as his eye started to twitch. "Listen carefully Button Mash, cause I'm going to say this one last time." His right hoof stomps angrily on the ground with every word. “SHE. IS. NOT. MY. FILLYFRIEND ANYMORE.” He shook his hoof in frustration. "I am so sick and tired of her thinking that she owns me, that I actually want to go crusading for something that's going to get old in five minutes, how she always talks about that loser Rainbow Dash." Rumble gave Button Mash a very cold glare. "But worst of all, I hate how she always compared me to you." It was a lunch break out in the field of Cheerilee’s School House. The red mare was busy inside the schoolhouse checking tests and grading projects, while her students enjoyed a peaceful recess. Little did she know of the violent arguement that erupted between the two best friends. "Don't look so surprised Button Mash,” Rumble smirked coolly. "She talked about you a lot, how you always do everything for Sweetie Belle and how I should be more like you." The pegasus began chuckling to himself, “Fine, I hate her, alright!” Rumble’s grin began growing wider, “Oh, that felt good to let out! I hate her, I hate her, I hate her!” Everytime he repeated that phrase, he seemed to get happier and happier, while Button and Sweetie looked more and more shocked. Sweetie Belle just stood still, mind blank at what she just heard the ex-coltfriend of one of her best friends say about her. Good thing Scootaloo isn’t here, I don’t think she could handle this. Even I can’t, and it’s not directed at me. Sweetie’s trance was shattered when Rumble started talking again. "And you know what else Button Mash? I HATE YOU TOO!!!” The entire class instantly dropped what they were doing and silence overtook the field. Swings stopped swinging, seesaws stopped teetering, laughter and chattering instantly stopped, lunches dropped on the table and eyes turned towards the earth pony and the pegasus. The air was so tense that it was getting hard for anypony to breathe. They just witnessed Rumble, the first friend of the ex-recluse Button Mash who came to Ponyville eight years ago, confess that he hated him. "You… hate me?” Button Mash’s eyes were glued to the floor, his words betraying the shakiness in his voice. "Rumble, sweetie, that’s enough.” "Yeah, I’m gonna have to agree with Silvy on that one." The fuming pegasus turned towards his girlfriend and her best friend, known by the class as the ‘Terrible Two’, Diamond Tiara and her right hoof mare Silver Spoon.   "Come on Rumble,” begged Silver Spoon. "Let’s go somewhere else, you said what was on your mind. It’s over now." Diamond Tiara walked beside her. "That's right Rumble, let’s go eat lunch with your new girlfriend, away from all this drama,” she said, each word brimming with disinterest, eliciting a nasty look from Silver Spoon. "What?" Diamond shrugged. "I don't like drama." Rumble sighed, starting to calm down. "Yeah, alright babe, let’s go-OOMPH!" The entire class gasped at what happened next. Even Sweetie Belle didn't see coming and if Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were here they wouldn't believe it either. Button Mash just punched Rumble in the face. The earth colt gasped, fully processing what he had just done. "R-Rumble I'm so sorry, I-I didn't-" He didn't finish his apology as Rumble retaliated with a punch of his own. It was as if time was moving in slow motion as the class anticipated what would happen next. Dinky dropped her muffin and just watched the scene, not even bothering to swallow the bits of the pastry still in her mouth. Silver Spoon started hugging Diamond Tiara tightly. Shady Daze and Pipsqueak quickly hopped of the seesaw they were in and dashed towards the one of the lunch tables, careful not to get caught in the crossfire. Sweetie Belle started to cry, because in all the years that she knew Button Mash, from the annoying little colt with a crush to her eventual coltfriend, she never saw him so angry, and it scared her. "Button… Button, please don't..." She was too late, as punch after punch came from each colt and their five years of being best friends ended.   Button Mash shook his head violently. Why was he thinking about that now? What even possessed him to think about that right now? Here he was, about defend himself from big burly guards, clad in huge black metal armor and deadly spears and he thought about his fight with Rumble. Button quickly snapped out of it and turned his attention back to the matter at hoof, the three guards closing in on him. "FOR THE GLORY OF LORD CODEX!!!" One of the guard yelled, thrusting his spear downwards towards the young colt. Button Mash quickly stepped back, eyeing the spear that sparked as it clashed with the ground in front of him. He quickly scrambled under the guard, still trying to get a grip on his spear again, and bucked upwards, sending the black-armored stallion’s helmet flying off and knocking him out. The second guard scowled at Button Mash, preparing to impale him with his spear to avenge his comrade. Quickly thinking, Button Mash grabbed the spear of the knocked out guard with his mouth and swung it around like a sword, the heavy spear clanging as it shellshocked the guard’s helmet. The remaining soldier watched in horror as his brother-in-arms crumpled to the ground.         The last guard gave an unsure look to Black Breath, and then looked at the brown colt, who still had the spear gripped tightly in his teeth. He figured he could beat the foal, but still… given what he managed to do to his comrades, there was still a chance that he would lose. Now he was just wondering whether he should risk it. “Well?” Black Breath scoffed at the guard. “Get him you buffoon!”         The guard huffed indignantly, glaring at the white stallion. “Not worth it,” he muttered quietly before he turned tail and galloped away. "HEY!!! COME BACK AND FIGHT!!!" yelled Black Breath as he watched the guard run further and further away. He slammed his hoof on the cart he was on in frustration then growled, “That’s it, if you want something done right, looks like you have to do it yourself!” He glared at Button Mash and jumped off his cart, landing on the ground with a big thud. “Prepare yourself child, I shall teach you what happens to those who defy their king!” Messenger of Darkness         Black Breath "So, finally decided to do your own dirty work eh, Black Breath?" Button Mash teased him with a grin as he stroked his mane back. "Well come on then, let’s get it over with." "YOU SHALL NOT MAKE A FOOL OF ME!” The white pony cried regally, charging towards the colt in a fit of rage. Button simply sidestepped, slightly tripping up his attacker with his hoof, causing him to lose his balance. Black Breath growled after he regained his footing, intent on turning right around and trying again. Suddenly, he felt two hooves wrap around him, and he felt himself flying for a second as Button delivered a solid Germane suplex. The next thing Black Breath felt before blacking out was his head smashing on the ground. Button Mash shook his head in disappointment. “Really? Is that all?” He let go of Black Breath and sat on the ground next to the pony who just got smashed to the floor. “My girlfriend puts on a better fight than you, ya know?” he grinned as he cocked his head to the side, looking at Black Breath’s unconcious body. “Hello,” he said in a voice as if he was addressing a littly baby, “what’s this?” He leaned in closer to the two keys lying by Black Breath. “Huh, one of them must be for the carts.” "BUTTON!!! OHMYGOSHAREYOUALRIGHT?” A young pegasus ran up to him, grabbing his attention away from the keys.. Button Mash looked down at the young colt and gave a smile. "Of course," he smugly smiled, “he didn’t even stand a chance against me. Anyway, where’s Silver Song?” "I'm right here, Button Mash,” she interrupted, walking towards the two ponies. “So, where did you learn to do those amazing moves?” She looked at the four unconcious bodies lying in the town square. The victorious earth pony rubbed his head sheepishly. "Well back home me and my girlfriend used to wrestle from time to time, and well uh...." He shook his head, "but never mind that, WHO'S HUNGRY!!!" The crowd slowly creeped out of their houses, crowding around the scene that just unfolded. The crowd started reforming again, none of them sure of what happened with the guards, and none of the sure about the brown stranger who just came to their town. They did notice one thing though, the keys in his mouth which Black Breath uses to unlock the carts. After a long moment of awkward silence, a dirty mare finally stepped forward from the crowd, looking as grungy and malnourished as everypony else. "Please sir, we are so very hungry." She bowed before Button Mash tearing up a little. "Have mercy on us. We just want something to eat. We don’t want to serve Codex at all," she pleaded, assuming that Button was an enemy of Codex. Button Mash glanced at Silver Song and Thunderbird, the former who just nodded, then back to the bowing mare. “Alright,” he said, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “But on one condition.” The mare looked up to Button, fear written all over her eyes, before quickly bowing down reverently once more. “Anything you wish milord.” "Make sure you guys forgive those that gave in, alright?” he smiled at her. “Oh, and don’t call me a lord,” he chuckled as he flung the keys towards her. She looked at Button Mash with an expression that has not been seen in the town for a very very long time. “Thank you,” she cried, tears streaming down her face.        It was genuine happiness. "You're welcome,” he returned the smile, a warm feeling erupting in his chest as he watched the town gather around the carts, taking some food for themselves but leaving some for the others. He smiled as he saw colts and fillies smile when their parents approach them with apples and carrots. It reminded him of his own family back home. “I wonder how they’re doing,” he thought out loud. "Hey Button are you alright?" Button turned to find Silver Song coming from the carts,. staring at him with concern. "Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine Silver. Nothing to worry about," he lied, waving his hoof dismissively. She patted the bags on her back. "Well anyway, thanks to you, Golden Heart, the kids and I will eat well tonight. You've made a lot ponies happy today Button." Thunderbird jumped up and down fluttering his wings. "Hey Silver, can Button join us for dinner pleeeaase?" he begged, looking up at Silver with puppy dog eyes. Silver Song smiled at Button Mash. "Well, what do you say Button? We would love it if you could join us for dinner, and we live not far from here." "Hmm, well I don't know if-" *RUMBLE* Button Mash quickly covers his stomach with his hooves and blushed as the Silver and Thunderbird laughed. "Okay, I’m convinced,” he joined in their laughter. Saving Game... Save Completed...