//------------------------------//
// A Final Goodbye 
// Story: A Final Goodbye 
// by The Orange Nebula 
//------------------------------//

    Sweetie Belle sat still on her bed, eyes fixated to the pink and white wallpaper of her bedroom. The room was tinted a dim orange from a single candle, and the moon shown its brilliant light through her window.  She could feel her hooves, shivering, wracked in stress and worry. Her mane; frazzled and unkempt. She aimed her head down, trying to contemplate if this was nothing but a sad nightmare, or harsh reality. It all just seemed so unreal to her.

Her best friend in all of Equestria, just as loyal and caring as Scootaloo or Apple Bloom, was moving away. The one that she has grown so very close to over the months, a bond that can’t be broken so easily. 

It was only a matter of time before Button Mash was leaving Ponyville forever.

Sweetie Belle’s mind raced at the thought of him, so many memories of the times they have shared with one another. All the countless hours of Minecraft, enjoying chocolate smoothies at SugarCube  Corner, and fun sleep overs that lasted through the thick of night. Their friendship became something truly special, a trust stronger than fire or stone. 

Sweetie Belle relished her company with him, but the thought of him leaving now, cracked her heart and yanked at her soul. She gulped back a lump in her throat, her mouth dry and eyes strained. She continued to think of past events she had experienced with her best friend. 

The two would talk for hours with one another, discussing secrets that could only be trusted with somepony they respected deeply. But something about her time with Button Mash felt different than it did with Scoots or Apple Bloom. It felt stronger, more powerful, and beautiful. She felt as if there was something she still needed to get out of her system, tell him how she really felt. They had been the greatest of friends during his stay in Ponyville, but she could sense something more than just friendship. Feelings that confused her.

Sweetie Belle had already said her last goodbyes to Button a few hours ago, but she couldn’t just leave it on that note. She had to act, she must.
With haste, Sweetie opened her bedroom door, and crept down the stairs, trying not to wake Rarity. Finally, she left the boutique, and was off. Trotting quickly down the empty streets of Ponyville, all the way to Button's house.
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Button lay in his bed, covers draped over his body. Quiet sobs echoed from the obscured colt, tears streaming down his cheeks. “W-why do we have to leave,” he choked aloud. His room lay completely empty, all his valuables packed in boxes, and only his mattress remained.

He could hear his mother from downstairs, discussing with the moving pony on how they must leave as soon as possible. Buttons mom was failing to pay for the rent, but a much better deal was found in ManeHatten for the two of them. But leaving Ponyville behind was just horrendous to Button.

He never really made friends when he moved from home to home, but Ponyville was different. He was never shown such kindness and love from his fellow peers than anywhere else in Equestria. But one particular little filly lingered in his mind. He could still smell her cotton candy scented mane, feel her perfect white coat, and stare into her green shaded eyes.  

Racked in so many different emotions, Button was left unknowing of what to do. No matter how much his mom attempted to cheer him up, he knew he could never make the same kind of friends he had made in Ponyville, not in a million years.

Button sighed, letting out a cold breath of air into his bed sheets, trying to calm himself down. But suddenly, he heard some kind of tapping on his window. He snapped out of bed to investigate, and as he approached, he saw small pebbles being tossed at the glass. When Button opened it, he looked down, shocked to see Sweetie Belle.

Button quickly rubbed the tears from his cheeks, hiding them from her. “S-sweetie Belle!” he whispered harshly. “What are you doing here? If my mom finds you here we’ll get in big trouble.”

Sweetie stared back up at him, eyes glossed over, “I-I…. I’m not done saying goodbye yet. I still need to tell you something.”

Button looked unsure before replying, “Well how are you gonna get up here?”

Sweetie scanned her eyes over the empty streets before noticing a lone chariot just across the road. Suddenly, her horn lit a faint green before the chariot began to move itself towards her. Button was surprised to see how much she has improved with her magic. The chariot was placed just below the window, and with caution she climbed atop it. Unfortunately it wasn’t tall enough to reach the windowsill.

Button extended his arms, reaching out to her, “Just jump,” he said, “I’ll catch you.”

With a worried look, Sweetie Belle lifted herself off the roof of the chariot. Just as she was about to hit the floor hard, her hooves made contact with Button’s, catching her last second. With heaves and grunts, Button attempted to pull Sweetie threw the window.

“Man, your heavy,” he blurted under his breathlessness.

With one final pull, Sweetie and Button both tumbled onto the carpet, landing on their rumps.

After regaining focus, the two shot back up, staring at one another. Button was still unsure what Sweetie wanted to tell him, and he feared that his mom would find him with her, but inside he couldn’t have been happier knowing she came to see him.

The long silence was finally broken by Sweetie Belle, “Uh…  Button?” she asked, stumbling with her words.

“Yeah?”

“I don’t know if you know this but… I have never had more fun with anypony than I have with you,” Sweetie said, too shy to share eye contact.

“R-Really?” Button asked. Nopony has ever said that to him before. “I feel the same about you, hooves down.”

Sweetie smiled lightly before continuing, her mane just barely falling over her forehead, “I mean, you’re the nicest colt I know, and… I just can’t believe your leaving,” she could feel tears welling up in her eyes.

Button’s face flushed, he was flattered that she cared so much for him. He poorly attempted to cheer her up, “Well… Sweetie Belle, I’m not dyeing or anything, just… leaving,” faking a chuckle, desperately trying not to cry along with her. He hated saying that dreadful word, ‘leaving’. 

Sweetie’s eyes began to run, her voice becoming inaudible under her silent cries, “B-but I’ll never…*Hic*…. Get to s-see you again,” and with that, Sweetie lunged herself forward, hugging him in a tight embrace. 

Button was caught a bit off guard, but hugged her back, his arms wrapped around her white coat, resting his muzzle in her hair. His tears rained, falling into her mane. 

Sweetie spoke once again, “But, Button…t-there is just one m-more thing.” 

“What’s that?” Button asked, still burying his face in her locks.

Sweetie raised her head from Button’s shoulder, staring into his eyes, “I really like you, Button.”

Before he could say anything, hoof steps could be heard beyond the door, followed by a voice. “BUTTON!” called his mother, “Were leaving now! Time to come down!”

Button turned back to Sweetie, just as she planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “I’ll miss you Button… I always will.”

Sweetie turned and leaped out the window, running off into the dark. Button only sat there, awe struck by what just happened. His face fuming red and eyes began to water again. He watched as Sweetie ran around a corner in the distance, gone from his sight.

“I’ll miss you too, Sweetie Belle. So… so much”