//------------------------------// // 9: Dinner With the Family // Story: Button Mash and Sweetie Belle Love // by Masked_Frenchman //------------------------------// Chapter 9: Dinner With the Family Sweetie Belle and her friends watched Button Mash hug the guard with their eyes twitching and their jaws wide open. They were lost for words, absolutely nothing could be said to clear their shock. Cheat Code raised his head and looked down at Button Mash. “Well you’ve grown since the last time I saw you. You forgot to tell me that you moved. I came over to our house in Canterlot and found it empty,” Button Mash loosened his grip and stared into his big brother’s eyes in confusion. “But didn’t mom tell you that we moved?” “Yea, I got the letter a day after I came over. Mom gave me the new address so I could arrange another visit. With all the training and my promotion, I had a hard time finding time to come see you guys,” “What?! You finally got a level up?” Cheat Code burst into laughter, letting him go and standing up tall. He easily towered over Button Mash and the two ponies, who were still in complete shock. “Still using game references, huh? Yes I am finally a Sergeant of the 3rd division recon team,” Button Mash looked up at his brother in amazement. “That is soooo cooool!!!” Applebloom stared at Button Mash with a slightly different look upon her face. Sweetie Belle couldn’t quite explain it, but it made her feel uncomfortable. “I guess you could say that,” Cheat Code looked over at the two fillies and put on a firm stare with a small smile on his face. “Now excuse me, little ones, but please do not pick on my little brother, that’s my job and I am a professional at it,” He gave a playful jab at Button Mash’s shoulder, making him rub it and glare up at his brother. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon nodded nervously at him and got back up. “Y-y-yes sir, we w-w-will sir!” And like that they took off running the other direction, leaving a cloud of dust where they were standing. Watching them run off like that made Cheat Code laugh a little. “Wow, they really took off, that was kinda funny. Friends of your’s?” Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo ducked down into cover in some bushes to get out of sight. “Button Mash’s brother is in the royal guard? Ah didn’ know that!” “I know, right. That is so awesome!” “Keep it down, girls. We don’t want to be caught. We spent all this time not being seen, so let’s try to keep it that way,” Sweetie Belle’s friends gave her a confident nod. “Right!” They both said with a firm look and a small smile. Applebloom raised herself slightly to have a look. “They look a lot alike, it’s easy to tell that they are brothers. I wonder if. . . “ Button Mash shook his head firmly, his smile disappearing. “No, they pick on me at school, they are really annoying,” Cheat Code gave a hearty laugh once again, slapping his knee with a metalic SLAP. “That is so like you. Ok then, so what about the ones that have been following you?” He pointed to the bushes where the Cutie Mark Crusaders were hiding. Applebloom ducked down, her eyes wide open in fear. “Girls, ah think he knows where we are!” Button Mash looked over to where he pointed with a confused look on his face. “I don’t see anyone,” Cheat Code shook his head, taking a step towards the bushes. “Come on out, you’re not in trouble. I simply wish to speak to you,” They didn’t budge from their spot, too scared to move. He chuckled a bit to himself, shaking his head. “Alright then,” He raised his right hoof up and his armour started to glow. The glow traveled through and gathered at his right hoof. He slammed it into the ground, creating a small shock wave that rushed towards the bushes and shook it violently. The bush ignited in a blue fire and made it disappear almost instantly, revealing the three fillies crouched down. Button Mash was surprised to see them, like the trio of fillies. “Oh. . . I didn’t know. They are my friends. How did you do that?” The three lifted themselves up and smiled nervously towards the two in front of them. They tried to say something but were lost for words. Sweetie Belle’s face turned beat red and she took off running. Her friends were stunned to see her run for a second but took off running as well. “I’ll explain later, but it looks like your friends are a tad bit shy, huh?” Sweetie Belle run as fast as she could, feeling embarrassed as she could possibly be. After a while she managed to run to the club house, panting loudly as she opened the door and walked in. Her friends caught up to her a few minutes later, panting like her. “Sweetie Belle! Why did. . . you run. . . away. . . like that?” Scootaloo asked between pants, leaning up against the wall. Sweetie Belle didn’t answer, her throat felt dry and her heart was pounding through her chest. She didn’t answer her friends, mostly because she lacked the ability to. “Sweetie Belle, are you ok?” Applebloom asked in concern, slowly approaching her. Her face was red and her breathing was short and shallow. “Sweetie Belle?” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Button Mash and Cheat Code walked back home, talking about things that have happened, Cheat Code telling him about some of his missions that he had taken on with the squad he leads. “And once we defeated the hydra, we found out that the cave was only home to an angry bear. So we had no choice but to retreat,” "Why didn't you fight the bear? If you can take on a hydra, you can take on a bear," "Because, little brother, we invaded it's home, it was only defending itself," Button Mash looked up upon his brother star struck. He never truly knew how amazing his older brother really was. “I never knew that you did such awesome things!” Cheat Code laughed a bit, rubbing the back of his head humbly. “Well I wouldn’t say that, all I was doing was doing my job. It is my duty to-” Cheat Code glanced back without turning his head then glanced back forward. “Stay close Button,” He looked up nervously at him. “What? Wh-why?” They continued walking in silence until they were at the park and Cheat Code turned around. “Alright, what is it that you want?!” Button Mash turned around and saw a dark brown pegasus with a fire red mane and light red eyes stumbling towards him with a bottle in his hoof. “Yea, I got *hic* a bone to pick with you!” Cheat Code guided Button Mash behind him.   “Listen Quick Run, it wasn’t my fault. They choose me over you because you broke down,” The stallion in question glared at him, drinking the rest of the contents of the bottle. “Well because of you, I’ve hit rock bottom! Because *hic* of you, they won’t let me back into the recon team! We settle *hic* this, right now!” Cheat Code glared at him, taking a step towards him. “I’m with my little brother, can we please talk about this later?” Quick Run charged with the empty bottle with a loud battle cry. “You don’t want to do this!” Cheat Code leaned back with one hoof out, the armour started to glow faintly and then transferred to his hoof, making it glow now. “FALCON-” The pegasus continued the charge, raising the bottle for a strike. As soon as he was a foot away, Cheat Code slammed his hoof into the attacker’s chest, the glowing energy was disbursed. “PUNCH!” Quick Run blasted off and slammed into a tree, hard. He gasped out in pain and his eyes rolled back, falling unconsious. Cheat Code stood back up, dusting off his hoof. "I told you so. You should have listened,” He turned back to Button Mash, which his mouth was wide open in shock. “How did you do that?!” Cheat Code looked at him confused. “How did I do- Oh yea! Everypony who joins the recon division get’s a special suit of armour that powers up our natural abilities. I won’t tell you anything but let me tell you this-” He leaned in closer to Button Mash till he was a foot away from his face. “They don’t call me Cheat Code for nothing,” He gave him a wink and stood back up. “Wow, that is sooo coool!” Button Mash exclaimed with excitement, his eyes sparkling in admiration. Cheat Code chuckled a bit, messing up his mane, earning a pout from Button Mash. “You are too easily impressed. Come on, now that that little annoyance is taken care of, let’s get back home. Don’t tell mom or she will freak out!” Button Mash Nodded his head with a firm smile. Cheat Code lifted his hoof down to him with a matching smile, which Button Mash pressed his hoof up to him with a faint THUMP. Cheat Code dropped his hoof and with one quick, swift motion ducked under Button Mash, lifted him off the ground, then tossed him up to reposition him so that he was riding on his back. “Yea!” He cried out with excitement, holding onto him. Cheat Code chuckled a bit then looked forward with a firm look and a cocky half smile. “Next stop, home!” He jumped up on his back hooves, waving his front hooves in the air a bit, then launched forward. Button Mash had a hard time holding on but was laughing in bliss either way. While they were running, he remembered the fight that just occurred and looked down to him. “Hey Cheat Code, what was that fight about?” Without breaking stride or looking back, he replied. “Don’t worry about that, he is just a sore sport. Blames me for something he did. We trained together at boot camp and he was a bit of a better fighter at the time but I got into the recon division and he didn’t. He threw a hissy fit and got kicked out. I’ll explain the whole story later, just don’t tell mom about this,” “Don’t worry, I won’t. I promise!” “Bro Promise?” Button Mash rolled his eyes but looked right back to his older brother. “Cross my flag, with a battle cry, and spread my wings like the pegusi. For if I lie to my brother’s eye, I can kiss my flank good bye,” Cheat Code glanced back and nodded with a smile. “Good, now we are good,” They traveled for a little while longer till they reached their destination, home. Cheat Code lowered himself so that Button Mash could get off. With one last nod he took off his helmet and opened the door. After dusting their hooves off, they turned the corner and saw a large banner which read ‘Welcome Home’ on it. Button’s mom was setting up some plates and turned to Cheat Code with a large smile on her face. “I was gonna keep it a surprise for Button but it looks like that was spoiled. It is so good to see my little Cheat Code again. Just not so little anymore,” She walked up and hugged him tightly, in which he returned the favor with a nostalgic smile. “I missed you so much dear!” “I missed you too!” They held that embrace for a good while, simply soaking in the emotions that they radiated from one another. After a while longer they break the hug and simply stared into each other’s eyes, smiling. “I am so happy to see you after so long. I’m so sorry I didn’t mail you our new address sooner,” Cheat Code chuckled a bit, letting go completely. “It’s fine. I was surprised but not offended. I’m glad to see everyone again. Where is dad?” “He is on another business trip, he told me that he should be back tomorrow though. How long are you staying?” “I can stay for the week, but then I need to get back on the field,” Button’s mom looked at him with worried eyes. “I wish you wouldn’t have joined that branch. It’s so dangerous!” Cheat Code rolled his eyes. “Don’t you roll your eyes at me!” He knew that this was gonna happen. She had always forbid him joining the recon division due to most of their missions consists of exploring the Everfree forest Where some of the most dangerous monsters have made their homes. Once she heard that Cheat Code had joined them, she was devastated. “Mom, I am fine and safe. I trust my team to watch my back,” “But what if you get eaten alive by a Hydra, or what if you get trapped in a cave and a manticore is chasing you!” Cheat Code shook his head. “Mom. . . I’m grown up now. I can protect myself. You don’t have to worry,” Button’s mom smiled weakly and nodded, fighting back a tear. “I know, it’s just so hard to accept that you have grown up. I just wish I had more time with you two together,” Button Mash and Cheat Code looked at each other, smiling, then back to her. “It’s ok, I understand,” They hugged once more and then sat around the table as Button’s mom prepped the final dishes for tonight’s dinner. Once the dinner was all set up, they heard a knock on the door. “I’ll go get that,” She walked over to the door and opened it. Standing at the door was a lean stallion with a blood red mane, golden eyes, and with dark brown fur carrying a small banquet of roses. Her mouth opened slightly and her eyes widen in shock. She raised a hoof to cover her mouth.   “Oh my Celestia, Rage Quit!” The stallion in question smiled at her lovingly, nodding to her. “Hello, dear. I’ve missed you,” Button’s mom jumped forward and hugged the stallion. “Hunny, I didn’t know you were coming home. You said you wouldn’t be here till Thursday,” Rage Quit chuckled, snuggling up to her. “I managed to come back a day early. Once you told me that our son Cheat Code was going to be here, I tried my hardest to get here as fast as I could!” Button’s mom smiled at that, snuggling back. After a few more moments, Rage Quit let her go and guided her to the kitchen. Button Mash and Cheat Code were making faces at each other at the dinner table. They stopped as soon as they entered the room, both being shocked to see Rage Quit. “DAD!!” Button Mash jumped down from his seat and took off for him. Rage Quit saw the little colt charging at him and smiled widely, crouching down and opened his arms wide. He caught his son and spun him around, hugging him. “Oh wow! I swear you get bigger and bigger every time I see you. You must be so popular with the fillies by now,” “Oh stop it dad!” They laughed some more, nuzzling one another. Button’s mom watched and sighed in bliss, seeing them together. After a while he looked over at Cheat Code with a smile. Button Mash got down and stepped aside to allow his brother to walk up and give their dad a hug as well. “It’s good to see you, son. We’ve missed you,” Cheat Code chuckled a bit, patting his back. “Did your mother lecture you about your military position yet?” Cheat Code laughed a bit, letting him go. “Yea, she sure did. Every time,” “Thought so,” They both chuckled and Rage Quit looked over at the table and licked his lips. “Mmm-mmm, this looks good. May I join you all for dinner?” Button’s mom giggled, kissing his cheek and taking the flowers. “I suppose you could,” She giggled playfully and walked over to the table, getting a vase for the flowers. The males of the family went to the table and sat themselves down, waiting for the mother to return to the table. After a few moments she returned and placed the vase down as the center piece. “This all looks amazing, as always. Thank you Elaina,” She smiled over at him and sat herself down right next to her husband. She looked around the table, smiling at every one of them. “It has been a long time since we last had the whole family together,” They stopped for a second and all looked at one another, smiling. “She’s right, it has been a while,” “It’s nice to have a dinner with the family,” Button’s mom said with a wide smile.