//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: ButtonBall // by linkman443 //------------------------------// Sweetie Belle was inside her room, lying on her bed crying her tiny heart out. Sweetie Belle couldn’t believe it. The only colt that didn't call her any names, pulled her hair, get her in trouble, or called her that stupid nickname ‘Adorabelle’. He was the only colt that reached out to her to call her a friend. She even invited him over once for milkshakes at Sugarcube Corner once. But it didn't last long because they got kicked out due to him shouting too loudly about his brainfreeze. But in the end he made it up to her by letting her join his Minecraft team. Things were going very well until last years Hearts n Hooves Day. Flashback Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exchanging their cards to all of their friends among the classroom. Also even receiving from the class. Applebloom was twitching from the sugar rush she got from all the chocolate she received. Scootaloo was having a huge fit over how she got very sweet cards from all the colts (and one filly) and not getting a shred of chocolate. But Sweetie Belle was sitting quietly moping at her desk. She had no cards or chocolate on her desk like her fellow CMC. She then looked around, there was Truffle Shuffle giving Peppermint Twist a candy cane in the shape of a heart, Rumble getting yelled at by Scootaloo over no chocolate, Diamond Tiara staring closely at her holding a very expensive looking card with eleven roses and one fake one. Cheerilee was even blushing over an apple pie in the shape of a heart. You didn't need an education to know who sent that to her. But then along came Button Mash, moving slowly to her holding a simple hoof-made card in his mouth and a determined look in his eye. “H-hey Shweetie Belle whatcha doin?” He said still a little nervous. “Oh nothing, just trying to find a Cutie Mark like always.” Sweetie replied in almost a depressed tone. “Well okay, I’ll juss leave tis wit you.” He placed the card on her desk and left back to his own desk. Sweetie raised her head and saw the card he had made for her. It was a simple card with a simple drawing of a heart with a microphone wrapped around it. Below the picture, there was a caption that said ‘This is what I think your Cutie Mark would be. Because you have a pretty voice and a face to match.’, and just like that Sweeties face was redder than Appleblooms mane. The young unicorn was so happy that she didn't notice Diamond Tiara staring at Button with an ‘If looks could kill’ stare. Present Sweetie dried her tears and decided to go on her Minecraft account and see if she could find some more glowstone. As she controlled her avatar to walk across the grassy mountains, but as she did this, she remembered that if it weren't for Button Mash, she wouldn't have ANY of the items she has now. Mostly because she took them when he died around her. But she knew how he always died protecting her from all of the evil monsters. She knew that almost everypony will protect her in real life, but nopony cared in the video game world. But Button cared, he was the person who treated her like a princess, and he was the hero who jumps over a dragon-turtle to save her. But then, Screwball comes out and yells “HI I’M SCREWBALL!!!” and takes her hero away. Then the small mushroom creature emerges from nowhere and says “Sorry Princess, but your hero is in a new castle.”, the creature then gives her the finger and walks away. Her fantasy ended when she heard her mother call her from downstairs. “Sweetie Belle! You have a visitor!” “If it’s Applebloom and Scootaloo tell them that I don't wanna talk.” Answered Sweetie. “No, its your other friend from school, Diamond Tiara.” Sweetie was in no mood to talk to anyone, especially to her schoolyard bully. But before she could tell her to go away. Diamond Tiara gave Sweetie Belle an unexpected hug. One that gave her a feeling that she was safe with her, even if she was always mean to her. The hug lasted about two whole minutes until she let go. “Before you tell me to leave, I just want you to know that I heard what happened to you with Button and if you ever wanna talk, my door is always open. I’ll show myself out.” Diamond made slowly made her way out the front door. Sweetie was at a loss for words. Diamond Tiara, the pony who drove her and her friends crazy with her constant bullying. Had just offered her emotional support, no strings attached. She felt a little better, but was still skeptical about the whole ordeal. Maybe she will talk to her. Meanwhile Button Mash was getting ready to go apologize to Screwball and maybe start over. Be was combing his mane and tail, brushing his teeth, putting on his horseshoes and waiting for an “L” block to appear. But as all this happened, he was thinking about what Discord said in dream. “A father worries about her child kid.” Those words kept playing in his head over and over again. He really hopes they don’t mean what they think they mean. Because if they are, he just broke the heart of the daughter of THE strongest being in Equestria. He knows for a fact that he couldn’t do a thing to stop him if he does what he threatened to do, so he had no choice but to give in to his demands. As he finished his business in the bathroom, he then galloped outside outside only to trip on something on his front step. He turned around to see that it was a picnic basket chopped full of various foods. On top of the basket held a note, Button picked it up and began to read it. Heya Button, Hope you use this delectable pic-a-nic basket to show my daughter a good tyme. But rememba. This is a game you never win. -D. His fears have come true.