“The sickness still runs through your veins! You shouldn’t be out of bed, Button!” A large earth pony said towards Button, a strong look of concern present on his face. He shook his head and slowly got out of bed.
“No! I can’t stay in bed, dear brother! I have duties to attend to. The sickness has passed it’s course, now it is simply a small fever that ails me. It will pass,” The brother shook his head, placing a hoof on his shoulder.
“If you push yourself, it will affect you negatively! The fever could get worse if you push yourself! Please Button, if you must go. . . just be careful,” Button smiled and nodded at him, acknowledging his concern. He walked past his elder brother and grabbed his saddle which held his traveling supplies. With one last glance over his shoulder, he turned and smiled.
“I will be fine,” Before he could say anything, he ran out the door. With his sword at his side and his cloak firmly attached, he made his way through town, towards the woods. He plotted in his head if he should find his traveling companions that usually accompany him on guests and missions alike, but decided against it.
“Naw, they looked really upset when they confused that sickness vial with my potion. I think I will give them some time to relax. Besides, I haven’t traveled on my own for a small while now,”
Before he got to the gate, he saw a pair of ponies walking up to him, but it was a pair that he dreaded to gaze upon. It was the ruthless cut-throats, Glean Spoon and Diamond Rust. They snickered to themselves as they watched him approach, unsheathing swords.
‘Well well, what do we have here? It would appear that our little adversary has decided to finally come out of hiding,” Glean Spoon spoke outward towards him with venom in his voice. Diamond Rust smirked cruelly at that, looking him through.
“What’s wrong, Button? You look a bit pale? Feeling under the weather today? That is unfortunate. We aren’t really feeling merciful today!” They walked up to him, standing by his sides, placing the swords to his throat.
“Leave me alone! I just simply wish to travel through the woods today. I don’t have the energy to deal with your. . . . unwitty comments. Don’t you have better things to do?” The two bandits looked at each other and laughed, slaming the handles of the swords into Button’s gut at the same time. The impact knocked all of the air out of him instantly, making him fall to the ground, clutching his stomach. The pair of trouble markers grinned at their work, giving each other hoof bumps.
“I suppose we could leave you alone today, but know this. We won’t be going so easy on you next time. It’s just no fun when you don’t fight back!” Glean Spoon stated with a smirking snear. They turned away from him and started walking away, laughing as they go.
Button Mash shook his head annoyed, his joyboy in his hooves wearing a face filled with annoyance. He was in bed with the covers up and the sun starting to shine behind him. He paused his game and placed the device down.
“I really hate those guys! Every single time I try to do something, they always come up! If I had a bit for every time they bothered me, I would owe every game!” Button looked back at his bookshelf where dozens of games were neatly placed in alphabetical order. “Well. . . if I haven’t bought them already,”
The door opened slowly and Button’s Mom poked her head in, looking over at Button Mash with a small smile.
“Good morning hunny. Are you feeling any better?” She asked with her smile becoming more hopeful. Button Mash smiled over to her and nodded.
“Yeah, I feel much better! I think I can go to school today. I bet I have some work waiting for me,”
“I’m sure you do. Alright, I’ll go downstairs and make you some breakfast!” Button’s Mom announced with enthusiasm, turning over to head down to the kitchen. Before Button could even turn, his older brother, Cheat Code walked in, pushing the door open further.
“Hey squirt, how are ya holding up?” Button Mash got out of bed, putting his joyboy on his nightstand.
“I’m feeling better. I need to get ready for school though,” Button Mash explained cheerfully. Cheat Code walked over to him, placing a hoof on his forehead.
“Your temperature is ninety-eight. A lot better than a hundred and five, but you still have a fever, you should get some rest.” Button Mash pushed his hoof away with slight concern.
“I’m fine, really I am. I want to go back to school!” The older earth pony looked at him shocked and surprised from those words.
“Wait. . . you WANT to go to school?!” Button Mash tilted his head to the side with an innocently confused look on his face.
“Yeah, why?”
“Button, don’t you understand. Last time I visited you while you guys were in Canterlot, you created every single excuse to NOT go to school. Now you not only choose to go to school, but you actually WANT to go to school!” Button Mash thought to himself at that, pondering the thought. It’s true the, every single day up in Canterlot he DID try to avoid school, it was a dreadful time. The teachers kept taking away his joyboy, the students always picked on him, and he could never get away from it all. What exactly has changed since then?
Suddenly Button mash thought of Sweetie Belle. Her image of her smiling and waving over to him, her pink and purple hair in curls. Her big, emerald eyes sparkling with excitement with every visit they planned. Applebloom and Scootaloo by her side, all of them smiling and waving over at him. He couldn’t help but smile to himself.
“I don’t know, I guess school here isn’t as bad as up in Canterlot. I don’t really think much has changed,” Cheat Code smiled and said something in return, but Button Mash didn’t listen. His mind drifted towards Sweetie Belle again. Her cheerful smile, her mane, her eyes, they way how she cared for him, the hard times and the good times. The time they were trapped in a cave together, their torch slowly dying between them. Their bodies pressed up against one another for warmth, the racing of her heart pounding into his chest. Their foreheads pressed against one another, her mouth pressed gently on his shoulder, the thought of their mouths slowly getting closer and closer, their lips inches from each other, with one final breath and then they-
“Button!” Cheat Code shouted loudly, startling his little brother. Button Mash shook his head and then he realised that his face had turned beat red and small beads of sweat were forming on his forehead. “Equestria to Button Mash, come in Button Mash. Are you there?” Button Mash finally fully snapped out of his trance and he turned to his older brother.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I called your name three times, what happened? Still dreaming over there? It looked like you were thinking of something interesting,” Button Mash put a hoof to his cheek and felt the warmth radiating from it. He smiled nervously and tried to play it off.
“Oh, what? It’s nothing. Just thinking about some home work I am sure to have when I get back,” Cheat Code raised an eyebrow at that.
“Yeah, homework. What are you studying, huh? What kind of flowers Applebloom likes?” Button Mash looked away frowning.
“No, of course not,” Cheat Code smirked at that.
“No? Thinking about what kind of chocolates to buy Sweetie Belle?” His face went blood red and he snapped towards his brother.
“No! Of course not! Why would I think about her like that?! She is JUST a friend!” Cheat Code raised his hoof and slammed it to his leg.
“Bingo! We have a winner! Mares and Gentlecolts! We have our match!” Button mash pushed Cheat Code away, shaking his head.
“No! It isn’t like that, we are just friends!” His older brother laughed half heartedly, wrapping an arm around him.
“Oh Button mash, no need to feel embarrassed. Just tell me that I get to be your best stallion at the wedding,” He flared at that with the sudden image and pushed him to the bed, running out. Cheat Code started laughing, rolling on the ground. “Ohhhhh he is so gonna ask her out in a week!” Suddenly a voice announced it’self in his head.
“Do not pick on thy little brother so, we must not drive him away from the goal,” Cheat Code laughed even more at that.
“What, the plan is to hook them up? Oh that’s a good one! What’s next, the Easter Bunny is real?” There was silence in response, making his laughing cut back until he just laid their confused. “Wait. . . are you serious? Like that is the actual goal?”
“Sweetie Belle posses a very important element in the main plot of things. She is the key to Button Mash unlocking his destiny, his cutie mark. Once their hearts accept one another, his cutie mark shall appear. On the seventeenth day of this month, Button Mash will fulfill his destiny as long as everything goes exactly as planned. You must understand that I will not tell you everything, it is so that the destiny won’t change. It’s in a very fragile state currently, so I can not risk it,” Cheat Code thought about that for a moment, thinking to himself.
“So then if it’s so fragile, is it ok for you to know this?”
“The less information known, the better. If only I know of it, then no damage can be done,”
“Yeah but still, there must be- hey wait a second!” He narrowed his eyes and looked up at his forehead. “You always speak with ‘we’ and not ‘I’. . . . what’s the deal with that?” There was silence in his mind in reply, making him question what was really happening. “You better start talking, because now I am not so sure that I am helping out Princess Luna anymore, who am I working with here?!”
“Mind your tongue, soldier! Is it so wrong that one learns to speak in the form of other’s in today’s society? Our we of communicating is obsolete! We must learn to speak the way’s that common pony does!” Cheat Code was holding his ears while wearing a strong expression of pain on his face.
“Alright, alright, geez. I didn’t think it was possible for you to use the canterlot voice in my head! Alright, you’re the real Princess Luna, I’m sorry. You just sounded a lot different for a moment,” He heard her clear her throat at him with annoyance.
“As I was saying, we must make sure everything goes smoothly with only guidance. If we push too hard, all of our plans will crumble away into nothing, and he then may never find his cutie mark,”
“Alright, I got it, don’t mention Sweetie Belle and him hooking up, I got it. Look, I just want to make sure what I am doing for my little brother is the right thing to do. I mean I am no Princess Cadence, I’m not any kind of match maker! Shouldn’t this fall under her jurisdiction?”
“No, she does fit in it, but she helps those who are struggling with love. Button Mash’s destiny is fragile and requires the proper guidance. Not to degrade Princess Cadence’s magic and duty, but this requires a more gentle and flexible touch. If they go together too soon or too late, it will all be ruined. If they don’t fall in love at all, though, then he will be doomed.” Cheat Code rolled his eyes.
“Alright, so what do you want me to do next, then? I mean Should I do the usual and follow him around while he goes to school? I got nothing to do today,” His voice paused, almost as if it was thinking.
“There will be no motions today, nothing that needs done or set up. Why not take a break for the day. I believe you deserve it for your loyalty and cooperation in this endeavour,” Cheat Code’s ears perked up at the sound of that and a small smiled spread across his lips.
“is that so? I actually get day’s off? Well I won’t complain about it. Now I can go around downtown and enjoy the quiet life on Ponyville,” He heard a small giggle from his thoughts.
“of course, and I am sure you will be spending much of your time and focus on a certain, pink, party pony who just so happens to be in town, correct?” Cheat Code’s cheeks went a light shade of red and grew warm at the thought.
“I. . . I never said anything about that. If she just so happens to be in town, I might say hi, I don’t know yet,”
“Right, of course Cheat Code. Just behave, a mare’s heart might not be able to handle such a bad colt like you who enjoys to charm the mares,” His face went even darker with red at hearing that, his tail twitching nervously.
“I. . . I don’t know what you are talking about,” He heard another playful giggle.
“Of course, I’m sorry for the mix up. Enjoy your time in town,”
“Thank you, now if you excuse me, I would like to start my day off. . . in peace and solitude,”
“I understand. Go out and enjoy your day,”
“I will, thank you,” Cheat Code said with a small, peaceful smile. After a moment of silence he assumed that she was finally out of his mind, in which he decided to start heading out of his little brother’s room. Before he could step out of the doorway, he heard a snicker in his head.
“Make sure you use protection there, naughty pony,” He grunted with annoyance as his face flared up with embarrassment.
“Damn it, Luna! Stay out of my head already!” His mother called down from the bottom of the stairs.
“Did you say something, hunny?” Cheat Code snapped towards the stairway and cleared his throat.
“Nothing, mother. Just stubbed my hoof is in the doorway is all.”
“Alright dear, please be more careful. Come on down for breakfast before it get’s cold!”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Button Mash was already outside and walking to school. He was still a bit flustered from the comments that his brother said to him. He wanted to say that they were lies, but something deep inside him wanted them to be true. He really liked Sweetie Belle, she was his first REAL friend he had ever had. Maybe this is normal? I mean, maybe this is what friends feel like around one another. Maybe it’s because we are new friends? Oh I wish I knew the answers! Then an idea hit him, turning on a figurative. His face lit up with excitement and enthusiasm as he waved his hoof in the air with joy.
“I got it! I will go visit Twilight! I heard she is the expert on anything friendship related! I wonder if I have enough time to do it now?” He looked at the clock tower, seeing it was 7:18 am. He figured it was enough time and turned down a different street and skidded to a stop, seeing Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking down that path.
“Hey look, Silver Spoon! It’s that blank flank! Where’s the rest of your loser friends?” Button Mash narrowed his eyes at them and stood straight up.
“I don’t have time with you. Leave me alone!” He commanded with some strength in his voice, although it was fake. They giggled teasingly at him, walking towards him with snickers and evil smiles.
“Wooooo, looks like somepony finally got some courage!” She turned to him with a mischief expression. “Too bad it is misplaced,” As they walked up to Button mash, each one stopped by his sides. Button Mash tried to keep both eyes on them but had to look away from Silver Spoon.
“I’m not gonna let you guys bother me today,” Diamond Tiara giggled cruelly at that.
“Oh, well that’s too bad. I guess we should just leave then,” As if on cue, Silver Spoon stuck out her leg as Button Mash walked past them and tripped him. His front leg got caught on it and fell face first into the ground, receiving a pair of laughters from the trouble makers.
“Opps, looks like you should watch where you’re going!” Silver Spoon announced out loud.
“Yeah, maybe he’ll get a cutie mark of tripping on stuff, since that’s all he’s good at!” Button Mash pulled his face off of the dirt and growled at them.
“Looks like we upset the wittle cwy baby! We shouldn’t be mean to him or else he’ll tattle on us to his mommy!” They both laughed at him as they continued their way to school. Button Mash sighed annoyed and slowly got up and dusted himself off.
“They’re gonna get it one day, I swear,” He turned around as they were already gone. He inhaled deeply and shouted out at their direction. “(Humgonian) You shall perish in the firey pits of hell!!” He closed his eyes and let out a slow, long breath, attempting to calm himself down. He turned back around and started running over to his original destination. After a minute he reached the library that was well known to house the great princess alicorn, Twilight Sparkle.
“She must have some answers! I mean from what I’ve heard, she knows everything there is to know about friendship. She is bound to be able to give me some answers!” Button Mash said to himself with confidence, checking out the large tree house. He walked up to the door and raised a hoof to knock but heard voices on the other side. He raised an eyebrow with curiosity and lowered his hoof and pressed an ear up to the door. He could hear to sets of voices, one being Twilight, of course, but he couldn’t quite pick up who the other person was, but could just barely make out what the two ponies were saying.
“I know it’s a natural thing, but I want to know why I’ve never felt like this before,” Sound the mystery voice. It was easy to tell that it was a filly speaking, but Button Mash just couldn’t match it, even though it sounded a bit familiar.
“You don’t have to worry about anything. It’s natural for you to feel something towards him. It might seem a little odd at first, due to the fact that he is your first friend who happens to be a colt,” A colt? Who was Twilight talking to?
“But why do I feel. . . I don’t know, nervous around him. My stomach feels weird when he is around. Rarity says that it’s ‘butterflies’ but I don’t know what she means,” Button Mash lifted his ear off the door and shook his head.
“I shouldn’t listen to other ponies conversations, it’s really rude. I’ll just knock,” With a small, eager smile he raised his hoof and tapped the door fairly loudly against the hard oak wooden door. He heard silence and silent muffling, but couldn’t understand anything anymore. He stared at the door with confusion, wondering what was going on behind those closed doors.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sweetie Belle stood in front of the doors Twilight’s grand tree house library. She had decided to walk over here to see why she felt so. . . lost. Ever since she became friends with Button Mash, she had always felt strange around him, like she wanted more than what they already had. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. After a few moments, the bottom door opened and Spike stood there with a smile.
“Oh, hey Sweetie Belle! What’s up?” She smiled nervously and glanced around the opening that Spike had just made with the open door.
“Hey Spike, is Twilight home?”
“Yeah, she’s reading a book, as usual. Come on in!” He said with enthusiasm, side stepping out of her way to allow her access. Sweetie Belle nodded and walked in through the opening.
“Thanks,”
“My pleasure!” Sweetie Belle walked in to see the familiar sight of rows of books stacked neatly and orderly in the shelves of the book cases which surrounded her. Twilight Sparkle sat at the dining table, reading a book with a cup of tea at her side and a plate of scrambled eggs levitating in front of her. She looked away from her book as Sweetie Belle walked towards her. She smiled kindly at her and placed her plate down gently to give Sweetie Belle her full attention.
“Hello Sweetie Belle, what a pleasant surprise! Is there something I can help you with?” She said with a big, friendly smile. Sweetie Belle walked up to her and sat down a few feet away, feeling awkward and shy now that she was actually here. This only perked Twilight’s curiosity even further.
“Well. . . . I just. . it happened when. . . I mean. . . Well you see. . .” Sweetie Belle stuttered outward. She was too nervous to say anything now. She was starting to think coming here was a bad idea. Twilight giggled lightly and held her warm smile over to her.
“Just relax, take a deep breath. Let it in slowly, hold it for a second, then let it out slowly,” Sweetie Belle followed her instructions, taking a deep breath and let it as slowly. She felt her nerves flow out of her with her breath, calming her down.
“Wow, that really worked. How did you learn that one?” Twilight smiled to herself, bashfully.
“Oh, an old friend of mine taught that to me. It really comes in handy,” She looked back down at the little unicorn and took a step towards her before sitting back down. “So tell me what’s been troubling you,”
“Well, a couple weeks ago, I saw this colt getting picked on by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon-” Twilight rolled her eyes with annoyance at the mention of those names.
“I hear a lot of bad things about those two,” She sighed but looked back over at the troubled filly. “I’m sorry, continue,”
“Well, I wanted to stand up for him, but then he ended up scaring them off all by himself. I always had these sort of. . . strange feelings after that. I mean I’m not afraid of him, but I still get really nervous around him,” Twilight thought for a second at this but quickly smiled down almost motherly at her.
“Tell me, do you feel like this for any other colt in your class?” Sweetie Belle shook her head.
“No, not at all. I only get really nervous around him, and it feels like my cheeks are on fire! I just don’t get it,” Twilight nodded at that.
“I think I get it. You might just be feeling nervous for having a new friend. You don’t understand what is going on in his mind, what he’s thinking. It’s only natural,” Sweetie Belle looked unsure about that answer.
“I know it’s a natural thing, but I want to know why I’ve never felt like this before,” Twilight placed a hoof gently on her shoulder.
“You don’t have to worry about anything. It’s natural for you to feel something towards him. It might seem a little odd at first, due to the fact that he is your first friend who happens to be a colt,” Sweetie Belle blushed at that.
“But why do I feel. . . I don’t know, nervous around him. My stomach feels weird when he is around. Rarity says that it’s ‘butterflies’ but I don’t know what she means,” Before Twilight could speak, there was a knock at the door. Sweetie Belle looked at it nervously and whispered to Twilight. “Oh Celestia, I can’t be seen here. If my friends knew I was talking to you about this, they would so tease me about it!” Twilight smiled in understanding and pointed to the back of the room.
“If you go down into the basement, there is a door that goes out the back. You can use that,” She whispered back with kindness. Sweetie Belle smiled up at her and hugged her.
“Thanks, Twilight!” After the hug ended she darted for the basement. Twilight waited for her to be out of site then nodded to Spike who walked over and opened the door. Button Mash stood there with curiosity, a pondering expression on his face.
“Oh, it’s you Button Mash. Welcome! Is there something I can help you with,” Button Mash looked around the room, not entering quite yet.
“Isn’t there somepony else in here? I heard another voice,” Twilight smiled nervously, trying to think of a way to cover for Sweetie Belle.
“What, no. It’s just me and Spike here. No one else has come over today,” Spike saw the slight panic in Twilight’s eyes as she tried to keep her composure and smiled confidently.
“Yeah, it was just me. I am practicing for a role in a play in Canterlot! Did I sound like a filly, because that’s what I was going for,” Button Mash opened his eyes in amazement.
“Wow! That is soooo cooool!!! How did you do it?” Spike chuckled and rubbed his claws off his chest.
“Eh, you know. I have a talent for these sort of things,” Twilight sighed in relief and wiped some sweat off her forehead.
“So. . . Button Mash, what can I do you for?” The little pony in question turned towards her and walked in through the door.
“Oh, right, sorry. I was wondering if you can tell me some things about friendship,” Twilight smiled proudly to herself, standing tall.
“Well I have done quite a lot of studying and research on this subject. So I can definitely can tell you anything you may need to know about it,” She then looked back down at the young earth pony and smiled cheerfully towards him. “What do you want to know,”
“Well, I wanted to know what is having friends is supposed to feel like,” Twilight’s eyes went wide with confusion, not fully understanding the question.
“Ummmm. . . what exactly do you mean?” Button Mash sat down in front of her, his face twisted up with thought, trying to find a way to explain his feelings.
“Well, I’ve never had friends before. When i use to live in Canterlot, I just kept to myself. Well now I have friends who I care about very much. . . but I feel, I don’t know, different. I don’t know what having friends is supposed to feel like,” Twilight stared at him blankly, trying to figure out a proper response.
“Well. . . . you. . . obviously you would feel. . . ummm,” She stopped and thought to herself. She tried to remember what she felt when she first met her friends, but all she felt was annoyance and a strong desire to get away from them. Then she remembered the feeling of finally realizing that she had felt fulfillment and peace of mind, how her heart burst with emotions and feelings that she had never felt before. She smiled as she pieced together the best answer she could.
“It’s like you felt lost all your life, and that you finally found some ponies who you can share interests with. Finding your first friends is one of the most magical things you can possibly do! You have a strong feeling of attachment towards them, that you’re willing to do almost anything for them!” Button Mash looked up at her with wonder, smiling slowly up towards her as her speech ended.
“That’s exactly what I feel! Oh for a second I thought I wanted to date Sweetie Belle!” Twilight’s ears shot back and her eyes went wide open at hearing that, looking back down at him completely shocked.
“Wait. . . What?! That’s what you were asking about?!”
“Yeah! I mean I had these really strong feelings for her for a while now, like as if I wanted to be as close to her as I could possibly be, but now that I know that is a normally feeling for friendship, I don’t have to be confused anymore! Thanks a bunch, Twilight! You really are the right pony to come to for friendship advice,” Twilight stuttered in place, trying to figure out what exactly she just heard.
“Well. . . not. . .I mean. . . it’s. . I don’t think you-” Button Mash turned around and headed for the door as she was talking.
“Sorry, Twilight. I have to head for school. Thanks again for telling me that it isn’t something silly like love or anything. Now I have a clear mind! Thanks again,” Twilight raised a hoof towards him as he was leaving her house.
“Wait, Button! I think you might actually-” before she could finish what she was saying, the door closed behind him, leaving her there standing in the middle of the room with her mouth gaping open and her hoof stretched outward for the door. Spik poked his head out the door and watched as Button Mash hummed to himself with a cheerful tune. Spike turned back to Twilight who was still frozen in place.
“Well. . . . I think that went well. What do you think Twilight?” She didn’t respond, or even move for that matter. Spike raised an eyebrow and walked over to her, waving his hand in front of her face. “Twilight? Hellooooooo, equestria to Twilight, are you there?” Finally her hoof dropped to the ground and a sight of devastation filled her eyes.
“Did I just ruin a possible relationship?”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cheat Code walked down the streets of Ponyville, smiling and breathing in the fresh, clean air. It was another beautiful sunny day as it usually is in peaceful town of Ponyville. He watched as little fillies and colts were rushing themselves over to the school yard, not wanting to be late for school. Stalls were slowly opening for another day of business. He noticed that one of his favorite stalls had just finished opening so he decided to pay a certain big, red, earth pony a visit. Big Mac saw him approaching and gave him a big, friendly smile.
“Hey there Big Mac, just opened up?” The big brute of a pony nodded.
“Eeeyup! Just flipped the sign as of last minute. I got some fresh apples if you are looking for a bite!” Cheat Code reached into his pouch and pulled out two bits, placing them on the table in front of him.
“The usual, of course,”
“Of course,” Big Mac repeated with a smirk. A long while ago the Apple Family were struggling to sell any sort of apples during the summer, and they needed new tools desperately. Cheat Code has always been a fan of their apples during the morning and decided to advertise on how much he loved them while he was dressed in his full royal guard attire, standing right in front of their apple cart. Because of him, their sales skyrocketed over 300% of their usual sales, easily making it the highest number of sales they had ever made in one day. Ever since then he always got a discount on apples when ever he happened to be in town, and Big Mac and him had become good friends.
“So, how have sales been since the last time I was here?” Big Mac pulled out four big, red, crisp apples and pushed them towards him.
“Sales of been good. Ever since ya came along, our sales have picked up ah bit. We did ah lot ah good with that money,” Cheat Code smiled at that, taking the first apple and biting into it, rewarding him with a satisfying crunch.
“That’s great to hear! I actually ran into your little sister the other day. Oh boy do the times go by, huh? Last I was here she was just getting into the habit of chores,” Big Mac chuckled at the distant memory.
“Eeeyup, it was sure difficult to get her to do anythin’. Always whining how hard it was,”
“Has she gotten any better at it?”
“You could say that. She still has a long way to go, but she’s catching up. Her an’ Applejack get along like two peas in a pod out on the field,”
“Nice, nice. It’s always pleasant to hear siblings getting along,” Cheat Code took another big bite out of his apple, leaning against the apple stale Big Mac was running.
“Speakin’ of siblings, how are you an your brother doin’?” Cheat Code smirked over at him before returning his focus on the apple, looking at chunks already gone while chewing.
“I think it’s safe to say that we are getting along. I mean I still pick on him, but he’s been getting pretty tough. He no longer cries everytime I give him a noogie. I heard strange rumors that MY brother actually has friends, strange huh?” Big Mac could feel the sarcasm in his voice as clear as day, giving him a soft chuckle.
“I reckon that is a pretty strange rumor. Seems to be true by how much Applebloom talks about him,” Cheat Code glanced over at him, still smirking and taking another large bite out of his apple, proudly.
“Oh yeah? So the stories are true, my brother actually has friends! Good for him,” Big Mac’s smile faded by the slightest hair, but Cheat Code caught onto that.
“Yeah, mah sister seems rather fond of him, now that you mention it,” Big Mac said with the smallest concern detected from his voice.
“Oh yeah? Well they hang out a lot. Just last Saturday, your sister’s friends poisoned my brother! Oh I felt so bad for him, but I couldn’t help but laugh when I was alone. He knew that ‘medicine’ was gonna hurt, but he still drank every single drop!” He finished his first apple and tossed it aside, grabbing another and taking a smaller bite out of it. “But it seems like you got something else biting at cha. . . . What’s up?” Big Mac’s smile faltered more as he looked up at him with a serious expression.
“Ah think my sister likes your little brother,” Cheat Code burst into laughter at that, slapping his knee.
“Well duuhhhh! They are friends! I wouldn’t call people I hate OR my drill sergeant my friend. Come on Big Mac, I know you ain’t that dull,” Cheat Code chuckled some more at him, taking another bite out of the red, crisp apple. Big Mac narrowed his eyes and his smile was completely gone.
“No. . . I mean mah sister likes your brother, like I caught her daydreamin’ about her and Button getting married, humming the wedding bells!” Cheat Code spit his apple chunks right out of his mouth and started choking on what didn’t make it out. He struggled for breath as he pounded onto his stomach, trying to cough out the last piece of apple. After much struggle and with one last hard punch, he shot the chunk of apple onto the ground and started panting wildly at the fresh air rushing into his lungs.
“What did you just say?!”
“You heard me right. Mah sister has a huge crush on your brother. Everytime I ask her about him, she get’s as red as a fresh apple on harvestin’ day!” Cheat Code stared at him in disbelief, his eye twitching at the thought of them being together. He slammed both of his front hooves onto the apple stand, cracking the surface slightly.
“That’s impossible! He is supposed to be with Sweetie Belle!!” Big Mac raised his eyebrow with confusion and concern.
“What was that?” Cheat Code realized what he had just said and got down from the stall. He shook his head with a slight red tint in his cheeks from embarrassment.
“Ummm. . . nevermind that, it’s private matters. Just forget I said anything,” Big Mac looked down at his cracked apple stand and glared back up at him.
“Should ah forget that you cracked my cart as well?” Cheat Code glanced at what he had did and smiled shamefully. He reached into his bag and pulled out a large hoof full of bits. Big Mac looked at the bits and then back up at him unimpressed. Cheat Code rolled his eyes annoyed and pulled out another hoof full. Big Mac smiled satisfied and slid the bits into a bag behind the counter. “That’s better, now ah can forget about it,” Cheat Code sighed annoyed.
“You are such a haggler!” Big Mac grinned over at him deviantly.
“Some things never change, Cheat Code,”
“Yeah, I can tell. Look, I don’t know why a filly like Applebloom, a pony born into hard work and dedication, would have a crush on some pony like my brother Button, a colt who is lazy and would play video games all day if he could,” He looked up at the time and then back at Big Mac. “I got to go. I’ll catch up with you later though. Tell applejack I said hi!” Big Mac smiled a big, friendly smile over at him.
“Eeeyup! Tell Pinkie Pie I said hi!” Cheat Code stopped in his tracks and his cheeks flared up with red. He slowly turned to him, embarrassed.
“Is it really that obvious?” Big Mac smirked over at him, giving him a friendly wink.
“Some things never change,”