"Yeah! One more level until the final boss!" Button remarked to himself. He could barely sit up straight, since he spent all night playing his new game. His hooves were tired and sore from pressing the buttons all night long, but he continued to play anyway, ignoring the pain. Suddenly, he heard the doorbell ring. He heard a voice a few seconds later.
"Button! Sweetie Belle is here for you!" The voice called. Button's tired brain tried to make out the voice. "Button?!" The voice called again. Hoof-steps were heard, coming closer and closer to his room.
"An intruder!" Button said to himself as he picked up a foam sword with his mouth. The pony entered his room as he charged and swung his sword.
"Ow! Button!" The cream colored pony grunted as Button realized who she was.
"Oh..." he blushed, embarrassed he didn't recognize her. "Mom..."
"Why didn't you come when I called?" His mom questioned as she looked at the video game Button was playing.
"I didn't realize it was you that called me..."
"How do you not recognize your own mother..." Button's mom then looked into his eyes, which were red and tired. "You stayed up all night, didn't you?"
"Mom, I had to save Equestria from Zamtek! We all would've been thrown into Tartarus otherwise!"
"What?" His mom asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You wouldn't get it, since you have never played Equestria Conquest," Button informed as his mom rolled her eyes.
"I'm guessing you wouldn't want to see Sweetie Belle, either," his mom assumed as Button snapped into realization again.
"Sweetie Belle?! I forgot she was coming today!"
"That's why I called you over! Didn't you hear me?"
"Mom, I was focused! And where is she?"
"No, you were drowsy. You should get more sleep." Button rolled his eyes at his mom's comment. "And Sweetie is waiting patiently at the door for you."
"Can you bring her in?" Button asked as he picked up his game controller.
"No, Button! She is your mare-friend, so you should greet her yourself!"
"But-"
"No buts from you! Go over to the door and greet her!" The cream colored mare declared as Button drowsily walked over to the door. "Sometimes I wonder how she puts up with you..." Button's mom said to herself as she started folding laundry.
Sweetie was standing in the doorway, circling her front right hoof on the pavement. She looked up and saw Button.
"Hey, Button!" She greeted.
"Wha- Oh, hi, Sweetie!" Button greeted as Sweetie sensed tiredness in his voice.
"Did you forget we were hanging out today?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I didn't forget..."
"Then why were you so late to come and greet me?"
"I was playing Equestria Conquest!" Button explained as Sweetie rolled her eyes.
"Button, it seems like you're not in the mood to hang out with me today. Or ever. You always have your head buried in video games!" Sweetie accused as Button got a harsher glare.
"Sweetie, I do like to hang out with you! I told you that you are more important to me then most video games!"
"Excuse me?!"
"What?"
"Most video games?!"
"All my video games," Button corrected as Sweetie kept her hard glare.
"I want some proof for that statement," Sweetie demanded, obviously upset with Button.
"What do you need?"
"Take me on a date tomorrow, and make sure I have a good time. Oh, and you can't bring your video games! Promise?" Sweetie decided as she held out her hoof.
"Promise," Button agreed, shaking her hoof.
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow!"
"But weren't we going to hang out today?" Button asked as Sweetie started walking away.
"I'll let you spend some more time with your game," Sweetie insisted as she walked away.
"Alright," Button said to himself as he walked over to his room.
His mom got a glance of him walking to his room alone. "What are you doing? Where's Sweetie Belle?"
"She left, mom."
"What? Why?"
"She wanted to give me more time with my game!"
"Honey, you better be paying more attention to her, otherwise she might break up with you."
"Mom, she wants me to take her on a date tomorrow and show her a good time."
"You better!" His mom informed as he walked to his door.
"I will, mom!"
"That means you better start thinking. She might be upset if the date seems sloppy and rushed," his mom informed as he kept his back turned to her.
"Can I beat Zamtek first?" Button asked as his mom rolled her eyes.
"Fine. But I will come in in an hour, and if you haven't started working on plans, you won't be allowed to get a new video game for another month!" His mom declared as he glared at her and closed the door.
As Button beat Zamtek, he quickly saved his game and placed it down. He took out a pad of paper and started brainstorming ideas.
"A fancy dinner? No, too expensive... The mall? Too girly..." Button kept thinking of more and more ideas. "Sugarcube Corner... Oh wait, we've been there already... I give up!" Button exclaimed as he threw the pen and pad on the floor. "Maybe watching some TV will give me an idea..."
As Button turned the TV to his favorite channel, he found an ad for an arcade.
"Come to The Joystick! It is voted the best arcade in all of Ponyville! We cater as well! Want to plan a special event here? Call the number at the bottom of the screen! We hope to see you there!" The stallion on the screen said as the camera panned to show tons of ponies playing arcade games in the background.
"I should take her there!" Button exclaimed to himself as he picked up the phone and dialed the number.
"This is The Joystick Arcade, how may I help you?" The operator at the other end asked.
"I would like to plan a date here," Button informed.
"Okay... there are private rooms available for two. You and your date will have a nice choice of food there, and you both will each get ten free tokens to spend on games."
"That sounds great!"
"Please, tell me your name and your date's name."
"I am Button Mash, and my date will be Sweetie Belle."
"Okay. When you get to the front desk, tell the pony your names. You will pay then."
"How much is it?"
"Thirty dollars."
"Alright! Thank you!"
"Have a good day!" The operator said as Button hung up. Button then heard footsteps approaching his door for the second time that day.
"Button! It's been an hour!" His mom informed as she entered the room.
"Hey, mom! I already figured out a place for the date!" Button informed excitedly. His mom was surprised, for she thought that Button wouldn't have even considered an idea yet.
"That's great, honey! What are you thinking?"
"The Joystick Arcade!" Button answered with a smile on his face. His mom face-hoofed.
"Are you sure Sweetie Belle would appreciate you taking her to an arcade? I mean, you normally spend all day on those machines. I don't think she will be a big fan of watching you zap little monsters off the screen."
"Mom, it'll be fine. They even have private rooms for dates! I know she will appreciate it!"
"Alright... just don't play too much."
"I know mom!"
"Alright. I'll call you down when dinner's ready."
"Bye!" Button concluded as his mom shut the door to his room. "Alright! Time to play another game!" He said to himself as he opened up a drawer in his dresser. Inside were about one hundred games, which have all been opened.
"Super Ponies! I love this one!" Button remarked as he slotted the game into his game machine and picked up a controller.
Sweetie was cleaning up her room, unable to stop thinking about what she would do if Button broke his promise. She would like to forgive him and move on, but she knew that if he is unable to spend some time with her on a special date, then she should probably let him go for a while. She heard her door open, breaking her thoughts. In the doorway stood her sister Rarity.
"Hello, Sweetie! How was your day with Button Mash?" Rarity questioned as she fluttered her eyelashes a bit. She always wanted to know what went on between her younger sister and her colt-friend.
"Uh, yeah, about that..." Sweetie said, avoiding eye contact.
"Yes?" Rarity questioned, obviously curious.
"Well... He stayed up all night playing his game, so he was really tired... and I felt like he didn't want to spend time with me... so I left..."
"You WHAT?!" Rarity questioned as Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes.
"I didn't break up with him, sis! I asked him to show me proof that he loves me, so he promised to show me a good time tomorrow with a date!" Sweetie explained as Rarity's look softened.
"He wanted to make you feel better, so he asked to take you on a date? That's adorable!" Rarity cooed.
"Well, technically I came up with the idea, and he just agreed to it..." Sweetie Belle admitted.
"Oh, okay. Next time, you should let him ask you out instead of forcing him to," Rarity informed.
"I know, sis. I just felt a little upset and didn't think."
"It's fine. We all make mistakes, and our temper can drive us to make it worse. Just make sure that you don't lose it tomorrow, and make sure he has a good time too, okay?"
"Okay. Thank you, Rarity!"
"No problem. I'll leave you alone now!" Rarity said as she shut the door. Sweetie then let her sister's words sink in a little.
"I'll make sure he has a good, no, great time tomorrow!" Sweetie declared as she continued to pick up things in her room.
The night passed rather slowly, since Sweetie Belle couldn't get much sleep. She was concerned that she might have to draw the line between herself and Button. She knew it would hurt, but not as much as being ignored by someone she's trying to love. When the sun rose, Sweetie sat up and made her way downstairs where Rarity was cooking breakfast. She took a seat at the table as Rarity hovered some eggs over.
"Here you go, Sweetie! Are you ready for later?" Rarity questioned as Sweetie swallowed her food.
"Yea! I just hope I wouldn't have to break up with him..."
"WHAT?! WHY WOULD YOU BREAK UP?!" Rarity questioned.
"Because it would hurt more to keep him and watch him ignore me than to let him go," Sweetie explained. Rarity nodded her head in response.
"Whatever happens, happens. I personally hope that you two stay together. When he was over at our house, he seemed like the perfect colt for you!"
"That was at the beginning of the relationship. Now, he's just ignoring me."
"I'm sure he still loves you, Sweetie. Now, get prepared. You want to be looking your best when he arrives!" Rarity informed as Sweetie finished eating and trotted upstairs.
Meanwhile, Button was also preparing. He made sure his mane and coat were neat, and then put on a tie. He made sure that his little propeller hat was perfectly situated upon his head.
"Mom! I'm going to go pick up Sweetie Belle!" Button called as his mom came up to him.
"Okay! And remember what I told you yesterday!"
"Mom, I will make sure she has a good time!" Button said as his mom smiled.
"Alright. You have the money?"
"Yep!"
"Okay! Have fun!" Button's mom said as she waved goodbye to her son.
Button knocked at the door to Carousel Boutique. He was greeted by none other than Sweetie Belle herself.
"Hi, Button!" Sweetie greeted as Rarity came up behind her.
"Have a good night, you two!" The unicorn said as Button and Sweetie walked off.
"So... where are we going?" Sweetie asked.
"It's a surprise!" Button responded as Sweetie gave him a smile. After a few minutes of walking, Button spotted their destination.
"Here it is!" Button said as Sweetie got a huge grin.
"You took me here? To the fanciest restaurant in town?!" Sweetie asked, looking at the restaurant positioned right next to the arcade.
"Uh, no..." Button responded.
"Where are we going, then?"
"Here!" Button said, pointing up at the arcade. Sweetie rolled her eyes.
"I should have guessed that you would go here..." Sweetie mumbled as she walked in with Button.
"You'll love it! Trust me."
As the two reached the front desk, the stallion sitting there looked down at them.
"How may I help you today?"
"Hi! I'm here for the date reservation of Button Mash and Sweetie Belle," Button greeted.
"Hm..." The pony typed something on the computer. "The cost is thirty dollars."
Button placed the money on the counter. "Thank you, sir."
"No problem. I'll show you your room," the stallion said as Button and Sweetie followed him to the room. After the two got situated, the stallion walked back to the front desk.
"You rented out a room just for us?" Sweetie questioned.
"Yep!" Button informed.
"Thanks! You didn't have to do this!"
"I felt like it was my obligation!"
"Okay. Thanks, again!" Sweetie responded, now feeling happier. She had a feeling that the date would be perfect, and they could become even closer. A waiter entered the room, got their orders, and soon came back with some nice, fancy food. He also gave them each the ten tokens that were promised.
"This is great! Who knew an arcade had such an excellent catering system?" Sweetie complimented as Button nodded his head, still chewing. When they were finished, Button sprung out of his seat.
"You know what time it is?" Button questioned, putting the tokens in his saddlebag.
"What?" Sweetie questioned as Button got a grin.
"Arcade time!" He said, running out. Sweetie followed behind him.
"So... what do you want to do first?" Sweetie questioned. Button started walking towards a hunting game. He then encouraged Sweetie Belle to come over.
"You want to play? You hold the gun like this, and then fire at the screen!" Button explained, holding the gun as Sweetie cringed.
"I don't like those kind of games..." Sweetie explained as Button slotted a coin in the machine.
"Then you can play another game, or watch me win!" Button said as Sweetie turned and walked away.
"So much for staying together..." she said to herself. She wanted to give Button a chance, but right this second, it wasn't looking good. During dinner, he mostly talked about the video games he played, which wasn't very interesting to Sweetie Belle. Sure, she played Minecraft now and then, but only with Button. She came up to a claw machine and slotted one of her coins in.
"Alright! New high score!" Button cheered. He looked behind him to find an empty space. "Sweetie Belle? Are you here?" He questioned. He looked around the arcade and saw Sweetie walking around with a small plush.
"Sweetie Belle!" He called. Sweetie looked over and trotted up to him.
"Did you win like you said you would?" Sweetie asked as Button smiled.
"I actually got the high score!" He boasted. He then looked over to Sweetie Belle. "So... what do you want to do now?"
"I already used all of my coins... and I didn't bring any money, so I can't get more..." Sweetie explained.
"Really? I only used two, both on that game!" Button said as Sweetie looked surprised.
"Wow! So... what are you going to do?" Sweetie questioned.
"I'm going to play some more games, duh! You can get some prizes with tickets over there," Button answered as he pointed to the redemption counter.
"Whatever..." Sweetie mumbled to herself as she walked away.
Sweetie was able to get candy and a small figurine before walking back over to Button, who was still on an arcade machine.
"I'm back," she said as Button kept his eyes on the game.
"Don't worry, this won't take too long. I already lost one life, and I'm out of tokens," Button exclaimed as Sweetie nodded her head.
Sweetie looked out the window to see that the sun was already going down. She checked the clock. She had stood there, eating her candy and examining her figure, for a whole hour. She then tapped Button on the shoulder.
"Yeah? I'm kinda busy right now," Button informed as Sweetie felt a bit of anger rise in her.
"Button, the sun's setting!"
"So?"
"I've been sitting here, watching you play for a whole hour!" Sweetie informed. Suddenly, she heard a little explosion sound from Button's game.
"Man! That was my last life! Oh well," Button remarked, looking at Sweetie Belle. "I still have one more thing to do."
"Now what?" Sweetie questioned, getting even more fired up. She then saw Button take his gaming console out of his bag.
"Button! You promised me you wouldn't play that!" Sweetie informed.
"If I take this to a worker in this arcade only, I can get a special character for my game!" Button explained.
"Oh, so you brought us here just so you can do this?!"
"No, but I thought that since we were here, I might as well do it anyway," Button explained as he walked up to the front desk.
After Button got the character in his game, he walked Sweetie home. They both were silent. When they reached the door of Carousel Boutique, Button held it open for Sweetie.
"Thanks..." Sweetie said.
"No problem. Did you have fun?" Button questioned.
"Uh, not really."
"Why not?" Button questioned as Sweetie started to feel angry again.
"As you can recall, we were apart for most of the afternoon! You then made me wait for an hour, just so you could finish your game! I then had to wait for you to do that thing with your new character! You broke your promise, Button! You said you would make sure I had a good time! You obviously weren't putting any effort into it!" Sweetie ranted.
"Um, I'll have you know that I payed for today. I payed for the private room that you enjoyed so much! You know what, Sweetie Belle? It feels like you are only thinking about yourself! You only care if you are having fun! That's the truth and you know it!"
"Whatever! You've been ignoring me! All you care about is your video games!"
"I cared about you! Well, until you started becoming selfish!"
"I'm not! And I've had enough of this, Button!"
"What are you saying?"
"We're through."
Button blinked a few times, realization coming to his mind. "Fine. I couldn't have said it better myself!"
"WHATEVER!" Sweetie yelled one last time as she slammed the door. Button then ran home, upset with himself. Because of his carelessness, his mare-friend had broken up with him. He slowed down as tears fell from his eyes. When he got home, his mom saw him come through the door, his face wet with tears.
"Honey, are you okay?" His mom asked as he slowly walked towards his room.
"She broke up with me..." he said in a saddened tone before closing the door.
Meanwhile, Rarity was comforting Sweetie Belle.
"I can't believe I did that!" Sweetie remarked, crying a little more than she already had.
"Sweetie, you did what was right for both of you. Maybe some time alone from each other could cause you to want to be together again," Rarity remarked as Sweetie wiped a few tears from her face.
"I guess..." she responded as Rarity started to leave her room.
"I suppose you want to be left alone, now. Sometimes you need to be alone when you go through these kinds of things."
"Alright. Goodnight, Rarity.
"Goodnight, Sweetie!" She responded before shutting the door.
Years later, on that same night, a mare and stallion from two different locations looked out into the night. They were Button Mash and Sweetie Belle. As they stared at the darkened town, memories of their relationship came back to mind; when they truly loved each other. Now, they were strangers. They never communicated and rarely saw each other during all those years. They both shed a few tears, remembering the mistakes they had made.
"I miss you, Sweetie Belle."
"I miss you, Button Mash."
They both said it at the same time, completely and blissfully unaware of the other.