Strangers

by Rainboom H Harmonia

First published

Button Mash can't remember this pony, but he knows and longs for them. Who are they?

My first story that I'm posting to FIM. Button Mash is no longer a foal. He is a stallion, with a job and a life, but he has amnesia issues. He can't remember anything about the filly in his most treasured picture, and she can't remember him either.

Collab with Sea Swirl

Sorry but this is going on Hiatus until my coauthor gets back on fim

First Chapter

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Button Mash looked at the photo. It was taken back in his foalhood. In the picture there was him, and somepony that he used to know. He had a strange longing for them, but couldn’t remember their name or personality. All he had to remember her by was the picture and that his memory was wiped “because it was a good idea”. The other pony had a pink and purple mane, a white coat, and green eyes. He knew that he should just get over it, but it bugged him and wouldn’t leave his mind. His mind was going, “c’mon man, that was 20 years ago,” but his heart told him to always remember and seek her out. He finally listened to his head, and locked the photo away.

<~~♪~~>

Sweetie Belle was going through some old stuff of hers for a yard sale. She noticed a few video games tucked in the corner of the attic in a small box. The label of the box was too smudged to read, but the games still looked playable. “I think I have some old game systems downstairs,” she said to herself, “might as well play them one last time before they go.” She took them downstairs, and put one into her old ponystation. What she found shocked her. The game was fully completed, but the box where the name was supposed to be was completely missing. “I’ve never beat a game to completion, and I certainly would have put my name in it if I did.” She scrolled down, and saw her name in another save file, only halfway done. “I wonder who gave me this?” She checked all the other games for a name or some sort of identification, but no luck. Every game was fully completed, but not a single one had a name. “This is very strange, why do I have this?” She decided to take it to the game store to see if they could help her with it.

“Hello Miss Melody,” The store clerk said.

“Hello,” Sweetie Belle replied. Melody was one of her pseudonyms for when she went out in public. Her mane was dyed yellow, and she dyed her coat green.

“How can I help you?”

“Yes, do you think you could tell me who these games belong to?” Sweetie Belle asked, turning around a pulling a few games out of her saddle bags.

“Umm, aren’t they yours Melody?”

“I thought they were but I couldn’t have completed all these and yet… they are. Do you think you could help me?” She asked, walking over completely to the desk and setting the game on the table.

“Did you check the name on the user saves?”

“I already tried to but it seems they’re all deleted.”

“So you’re saying that the saves are deleted? or the names?”

“Yeah, I can’t find anything saying who gave them to me or who played them.”

“Let me get our Technician out here,” He yells into the back room “BUTTON MASH!”

“Yeah Mega?” Button called out from the backroom.

“We have a pony out here who has a problem!” He called back.

“Okay, let me get out there,” Button said as he walked through the door to the back room. “What is your problem Miss?”

Sweetie Belle watched as the brown pony walked into the room, she thought he looked somewhat familiar but couldn’t place where she had seen him. Shaking her head, she pointed at the games on the counter. “I need help with finding who’s these games belong to. I found them in a box and they’re all completed but I’ve never completed any games before.”

Button examined the games, “okay, I’m assuming that you’ve already checked the save files, so I’m going to try to recover the deleted information.”

“Alright, thank you, it’s very much appreciated.” Sweetie Belle replied.

“Do you want to stay for this, or should I have somepony call you when I’ve retrieved it?”

Sweetie Belle hesitantly checked her watch and looked up with an apologetic smile. “Do you think you could have somepony call me? I have an appointment to go to soon and I still have to get ready.”

“Okay, I’ll call you when they’re ready, what is your number?”

“624-356-555” She answered.

‘her voice sounds so familiar,’ Button thought to himself before saying: “Excuse me ma'am, but do I know you?”

Sweetie Belle paused before thinking for a minute. “I-I’m not sure..” She looked at her watch again. “I’m sorry I have to be on my way, thanks again for checking, it means an awful lot to me.” She said before trotting out of the store.

“What is her name Mega?” Button asked, turning around to look at the pony.

“Melody,” He replied with ease.

“That’s odd, I feel like I should know her, but I’ve never met anyone with that name in my life.” Button went back to work, still thinking about Melody. Hmm, this is odd.

At Button’s House.

“MOM! I’m home,” Button yelled as he walked through the door.

“Hi sweetie,” Button’s mother replied.

“I need something to drink,” he said, while rummaging through the fridge and pulling out a root beer.

His mom watched in worry as he pulled out the soda “What’s wrong? You only drink root beer when you’re upset or something won’t stop bugging you.” She said, walking after him.

“Everything is fine mom.” He said as he rolled his eyes.

She raised an eyebrow. “Really honey, you can tell me.”

“It’s nothing really, just frustrated with a game I’m trying to retrieve data from.” Button said as he popped open the soda and took a large sip.

“I sure hope that won’t take long, I have tickets to go see a concert tonight, you and me!” She excitedly exclaimed as she snatched some tickets off of the counter.

“Mom, you know the only music I like to listen to is the music in video games” Button complained.

Button’s mom suddenly looked annoyed. “I know.” She sighed. “But you and me haven’t had any real time together since you’ve gotten this job, you’re going.” She stated firmly.

“Fine I’ll go mom, but only because you asked me to.” He said as he submitted to his fate.

“Oh honey, I didn’t ask, I stated now get ready, it starts in thirty minutes.” She smiled happily and trotted out of the kitchen.

He goes to his room and gets out the picture again. “Who are you?” He sighed, “I guess I’ll get ready.” The picture falls into his bag.

“Button! Time to go!” His mom called from the other room.

“Okay mom!” He yelled and joined his mother.

<~~♪~~>

Sweetie Belle looked at her appearance in the mirror as her sister picked out her outfit for the concert.

“You’re not nervous about the concert Sweetie, are you? You’re awfully quiet.” Rarity asked, shuffling through the clothes.

“I thought I ran into somebody who I knew earlier, but I didn’t actually remember anything about them.

“Did you catch their name?” She asked, finding the right dress and floating it to her little sister.

“I think their his was Button Mash”

Rarity stopped and winced. “A-are you sure that’s his name?”

“I think so, why do you know something?” Sweetie questioned.

Rarity hesitated but quickly regained her posture. “No, nothing at all! Maybe you’re just… imagining?” Eager to get off the topic, Rarity shoved the dress into Sweetie’s hooves. “Now get ready, it’s almost time.”

“Oh, okay,” she said, completely trusting her sister while putting on the dress. She looked at herself in the mirror, and then said “It’s perfect.”

“Oh when is it not?” Rarity said with pride before shooing her sister out of the room. “Now, you must not be late!”

“Okay Rarity.” She rushed to the Stage, being careful not to ruin her appearance.

Rarity winced once her sister was out of sight. “I couldn’t possible tell her,” she whispered to herself. “It’s probably best to keep it a secret.” Rarity sighed lightly before walking over to the edge of the stage, ready to watch Sweetie Belle perform.

<~~♪~~>

Button’s mom handed the tickets to the ticket mare at the stand. Wordlessly, he looked them over and nodded, pointing at the entrance. They both walked through and Button’s mom looked over to her son. “See! Isn’t this fun!”

“I guess,” He said while playing on his 3PS.

Looking over, she frowned and snatched away his game.

“Hey!” He pouted and crossed his forelegs.

“Button! Calm down. You look like a little foal.” His mother scolded. Putting the game in her saddle bag, she started walking off. “Let’s go, the sooner we get seated the better the seats are.”

“Fine” He stops pouting and follows her.

She smiled lightly. After a while of walking, they found two seats in the front and they sat down. A few minutes of silence happened before it was broken. “See! Isn’t this fun!” Button’s mom laughed awkwardly.

Before Button could answer, the lights went off and the stage lights turned on. Sweetie Belle trotted out on stage and started singing.

“She sounds familiar,” Button Mash thought to himself

“That is definitely Melody, she has the same everything minus coloring.” Button thought outloud. “Mom, who is the performer?”

His mom glanced at him before looking back at the stage, “her name is Sweetie Belle.” Button called the phone number Melody gave him, but got no response. “Now I’m even more sure of it.”

(The song ends)

That was it, he remembers, all of it. He remembered the times they laughed, the times they cried, the bond they used to share. He remembered when he first asked her out, how excited she had been. He remembered whenever she would comfort him when he lost a game. Their first school dance, how pretty she had looked in the moonlight.

Though, he also remembered the betrayal he had felt when he figured out she had cheated on him. He remembered the pain it caused, how many nights he stayed up thinking about her and what had happened. He remembered breaking up with her, the hurt and sadness in her eyes were the worst thing he had ever saw, but that’s how she had made him feel.

He remembered ignoring her for the rest of the school year, doing it until they had graduated. He tried to avoid her in town, whenever they did see each other, he would try to avoid eye contact. I could always feel those sad emerald eyes staring into his soul but he powered on. He remembered her coming to his house, she tried to talk to him but he couldn’t hear, he shut her out. That night he started to regret all her did.

Everything went black, that’s all Button remembered, regretting that night then...nothing…

Sweetie Belle was the one who broke his heart, Sweetie Belle was the one he was trying to avoid, Sweetie Belle was up on that stage right in front of him- No. The unicorn he dreaded was no longer on stage! Button looked around in a panic and froze in his spot at what he saw, Sweetie Belle was coming his way!
He had to get out of there, he couldn’t take anymore of this! Not thinking, the colt stood up and ran down the hall of chairs, trying to get out of the eyesight of that mare. He heard his mom calling for him to stop and come back, he also heard some ponies crying out if he pushed them or accidently stepped on their tails or hooves. He didn’t really care though, he would sometimes mutter a quick apology but it was halfheartedly. He just needed to get out of there.

Looking back, Button caught a glimpse of his mom trying to get through the crowd, he saw the shocked expressions of the ponies, including Sweetie Belle. Her shocked and beautiful eyes stared at him and he almost couldn’t turn his head, once he was able too, it was too late. All button could see was stars, all he could hear was panicked ponies, everything went black.

<~~♪~~>

Sweetie Belle was hurt and confused. She got Button Mash’s text that he found out what it was, but as soon as he saw her, he ran away from her. Why? She had so many questions, but no answers, and the one who could supply the answers was in a coma. She decided to go to the game store to see if they knew anything.

“Excuse me sir, but did Button Mash finish my game that he was working on?” she asked the clerk.

The clerk looked up from what he was doing on the desk and greeted the mare with a smile. “He sure did, let me get it for you.” The pony then walked into the back room and returned with a small CD in tow. Placing it on the table in front of her, he said, “there you are my dear!”

“Thank you,” Sweetie Belle left the store, eager to find out who they belonged to.

<~~♪~~>

“I can’t believe this, he just played my game while it was there!” Sweetie Belle yelled in frustration. She counted to ten, and looked again, noticing something peculiar. The last time the game was saved was...Back when she was a kid, so that means...Button Mash was her friend from long ago.

Sweetie Belle could only stare at the screen in confusion, had she ever met Button Mash before she brought this game in? No, she doesn’t remember anything like that, but wait, she had seen him before. “What am I thinking?” Sweetie Belle whispered to herself, backing up slowly. “I’ve never seen that colt up until just a few days ago.” Even though she said it, she still kept thinking. She had the slight feeling that what she was saying was a lie.

A loud crash sounded behind her, looking back, she didn’t even realize she was backing up. Her head tilted to the side in confusion when she noticed something, that was the box with the video games, but that wasn’t the only thing. “What is all this?” The mare asked herself as she trotted to the front of the fallen box. She shuffled through the what seemed like hundreds of games before coming to some photo’s. She picked up the small pile and looked at the first picture, what she saw was the backs of two small ponies. She immediately recognized herself on the right, it took her a bit longer, but she soon came to realize that the other pony sitting next to her was none other than Button Mash, the color of the coat and tail was completely exact as the stallion in the gaming store.

They were in front of the T.V., playing a game. If anything, this was more proof that he and she played when they were younger. Sweetie Belle flipped through other images, most of them playing a game or one of them were playing on a joy boy while the other watched. Though, she stopped flipping when she came to a certain picture. They weren't playing video games, it was a normal picture, they were together, both smiling and she had a hoof around his neck.

Sweetie Belle looked at the picture for a little longer before flipping to another one that sent a billion pictures in her mind. She was completely shocked to see her and Button, eyes closed and lips locked. The unicorn nearly dropped the pictures, all the memories trying to fight through finally flooded her mind. She did know this colt! They were even closer than she was to the other crusaders. They had been best friends, and at some point, they had been more.

She urged herself to continue to the next picture. This one was obviously taken by Pinkie Pie, it was a picture of the two drinking milk shakes at Sugar Cube Corner. Button’s joy boy rested next to him as he stared fondly at her. Sweetie Belle was too busy looking at the camera to notice but she still had a knowing look in her eyes. Around the edges of the picture, she could see was slightly colorful like confetti and at the bottom there were words scribbled at the bottom: Love Birds. Sweetie couldn’t help but smile at the picture, those were the days.

She flipped through a few more, more of them playing video games, some of them looking sweet while they hugged each other and there was one where Button was wrapping gauze around her leg, her mane covered in tree sap, and a bath waiting next to her. She flipped the picture, only to see the same one she had started with, only then did she notice the age difference between them. Sweetie Belle looked back at the picture that was at the bottom of the stack, the closer she looked, the closer she could make out a cutie mark under the yellow sap. She was shocked that she had gotten her cutie mark while still with button.

Why did she not remember him? She could remember when they were really young, before she had gotten her cutie mark but the rest was still a bit fuzzy. No matter, Sweetie Belle had to figure the rest of this out. She quickly levitated the box onto the small table and gently placed the items back inside. She took a few pictures with her and placed them in her saddle bag before levitating it onto her back.

She had some ponies to visit.

Canterlot

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Sweetie belle sighed in thought as she watched the terrain speed by. She looked around the private train car she rented, her eyes landing on the pile of photos and games stuffed in her saddlebags. If this so called ‘Button Mash’ came over all the time and they played games and hung out, then how come she doesn’t remember him? If there was anything she can count on when it comes to remembering things, it’s her sister Rarity.

Sweetie belle looked out the window again and saw Canterlot making it’s way into the trains view. She loved Canterlot, the giant beautiful buildings, the interesting ponies, all the fame you can earn there, it truly was amazing. She sighed, it probably would have saved more time if she went to talk with Pinkie Pie first. She thought again, or she was right with going to Canterlot and back first, she loved Pinkie, but once you get her started, it almost never ends. Sweetie belle was knocked out of her thoughts by the sound of the train whistle blowing.

Sweetie belle looked out the window before grabbing her things and exiting the car. She walked through the train, glancing around at the many different ponies. She tugged lightly at her hood to make sure it was hiding anything that would give her away to any fans. Once she had gotten out of the train, she grabbed a map to hide her face and started on her way to the carousel boutique. She looked through the map as she walked to make sure nobody noticed her identity.

“Oof!” A masculine voice grunted.

Backing up quickly, Sweetie quickly apologized. “O-oh I’m sorry.” She said sheepishly, looking up at him.

“Hey I know you.” Said the familiar looking grey stallion.

Sweetie paused for a moment to take in the voice. “You.. do? Wait.. you sound familiar..” She said, still trying to remember where she knew him from.

“Your Sweetie Belle right?” He asked.

“Uhh yeah, you are?” She asked back.

Smiling, he said, “I’m Rumble, Scootaloo is my Fillyfriend.”

That’s when it hit her. “Oh! Rumble! I remember now! “ Scootaloo had brought him along to a few of their meetups, but Sweetie Belle still didn’t know him too well.

“Yeah all three of you are pretty famous for your childhood club.” He chuckled. They suddenly felt a lot less awkward around each other.

“Aheheh.. You are too right, you’re a wonderbolt now.” Remembering something Scootaloo had said.

He chuckled and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Not yet, I’m only a recruit.” He corrected.

“Oh. So you thinking about ranking up?” She pressed, truly interested. She always hopes the best for her friends.

“Well yeah, I’ve always wanted to be a wonderbolt and now I’m so close.” His eyes showed real determination and hope when he talked about it.

She beamed. “I’m so happy for you! I really hope you make it.”

He smiled at her. “Yeah well I have to go, Scoots is waiting for me by the cafe.” He said, looking at his watch.

Sweetie Belle perked up at the mention that her friend was close by. “Hey, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen her, mind if I tag along for a little bit to catch up? The only contact I’ve had with her to far has been letters and a few calls.” She asked, hopeful to see one of her best friends again.

Rumble hesitated. “It was supposed to be a date but sure I think she’d love to see you.” He agreed. It had been a while since they’ve seen each other and it would be rude of him to reject an old friend, especially if it would probably ruin her chance of seeing her friend for another long while.

Sweetie suddenly felt rude for asking. “O-oh if it’s a date then I don’t want to intrude..” She said. If it was a special moment, it wouldn’t feel right just popping in on something important.

Rumble noticed her change in mood. “Well not really a date strictly speaking, usually we just hang out and do stuff like races.” He assured.

Sweetie hesitated. “Oh umm alright then.”

Rumble led her to the cafe, where Scootaloo was sitting at a table looking quite impatient. ”Scoots, I brought a friend.” Rumble called as he approached the table.

Smiling, Sweetie entered the cafe. “Hey Scootaloo, long time no see!” She said, trying to act cool despite her excitement.

Scootaloo, on the other hoof, surprised the unicorn by showing no attempt to hide her excitement. “Sweetie Belle! It’s so good to see you!” The pegasus said as she zoomed out of her seat and gave her friend a hug.

Sweetie Belle was more than happy to return the hug. “How’ve you been?” She asked as they let go.

Scootaloo looked around, almost as if making sure nopony saw. Look like she didn’t change as much Sweetie she thought. “Not bad, wonderbolt stuff is hard work though. What about you? See your wearing a hood, trying to keep fans off your tail?” She smirked.

Sweetie belle laughed, almost embarrased. “Heheh.. yeah. Usually I’d wear a full on disguise but I’m gonna see Rarity and didn’t think it would be necessary.” She shrugged.

Scootaloo chuckled, obviously remembering her big sister's drama. “Let me guess, she doesn’t like seeing you in that?” She guessed.

The unicorn smiled and looked off to the side. “Yeah…Green is an awful awful color!” She said trying to imitate Rarity's voice. “I wanted to ask her something and I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask you.” She turned to rumble and asked, “You and Button Mash used to be friends, right?”

Rumble nodded and smiled at the mention of his friends name. “Yeah, we’re still bros right now, do you know how he got in the hospital?” He asked, worry starting to creep into his voice.

Sweetie looked at him uncertain. “Umm that’s kind of the reason I have questions. I found a bunch of video games and pictures in a box in the attic and I didn’t even remember doing all this stuff.” She said, recalling what she had seen in her attic.

Rumble put his hoof to his chin in thought. “I mean he used to talk about a filly, but I don’t remember too much that he said, it was a long time ago.” He recalled.

She started to try and piece things together. “Really? Well just a few days ago I was doing a concert and in the middle of it he kinda just... ran. He ran into something and hit his head really hard. That’s why he’s in the hospital.”

Rumble looked at her apologetically. “I don’t know anything about that sorry. Though I do wonder why he would do something like that.”

She sighed. “Oh.. Alright I guess. I’m going to head off, I still need to find Rarity. It was so good to see you again Scootaloo!” She said as gave her friend another quick hug.

“You too Sweetie!” Scootaloo said, almost nervously as she waved goodbye. Sweetie Belle found that a little odd but didn’t pay much mind to it, as she still had to talk to her sister and figure out what was going on. After a bit more of looking at her map, looking at streets, and making sure she wouldn’t run into anypony else, she made it to the boutique.

Sweetie Belle slowly opened the door to the carousel boutique causing the bell at the top of the door to ring loudly, signaling she was here.

“I’ll be with you in just a minute~!” A voice sang from the back room. Sweetie Belle quietly walked in and sat down, waiting for her sister to come. A few moments later, Rarity trotted in, a pink cloth in her magic. Eyes closed, Rarity put the cloth down on the counter before turning to her sister. “How may I- Oh Sweetie Belle!” She shouted in surprise and delight. “What are you doing here?”

Getting up, Sweetie smiled sheepishly, “Hey big sis, uhh I wanted to ask you something and I couldn’t wait.”

Rarity looking at her questioningly. “Well what could be so important that you traveled all the way over here just to ask something?” Seeing the look on her sister's face, Rarity motioned to upstairs. “I’ll meet you in the living room, let me close shop really quick.”

Nodding, Sweetie Belle trotted upstairs and into the living room. She sat down in one of the soft sofas and once again waited for her sister to come back. Soon enough, the older unicorn trotted up the stairs and was soon in her sight.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Rarity asked as she sat on the sofa next to her little sister.

Fidgeting on the couch for a moment, Sweetie stared at her sister looking quite serious. “I would like you to tell me about a pony named Button Mash.” She stated.

As she stared at her sister, Sweetie could see just barely a hint of shock peeking out from her sisters blank face. “Whoever are you talking about dear?” She asked.

Sweetie stared at her and said sternly. “My fillyhood friend Button Mash.”

Rarity stared at her back. “I don’t believe I recall who you’re talking about.”

Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow. “Then who is in this picture?” She asked, pulling one of the pictures out of her saddlebag and showing it to her big sister.

Taking the picture, Rarity just barely hesitated at looking at it. After a bit of examination, Rarity carefully gave it back to her sister. She chuckled almost nervously. “Where in Equestria did you get this? I don’t remember anything like this happening.” She said, rubbing the back of her head.

Still staring, almost glaring at her sister, the younger unicorn started pulling out more pictures and a few video games out of her saddlebag and laid them on the cushions in front of them. “Not only that but I saw and talked to this colt myself. It felt extremely familiar but I didn’t think nothing of it at first. He showed up for my concert as well. While I was walking through the crowd, right before I would have passed him he ran off. I have no clue why but it sure felt like it was my fault.” She said, watching her sisters mood change from one of confusion and near sureness to one of worry and nervousness.

She clearly knew something.

Deception

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“Actually, Sweetie Belle, can we talk about this later? I have a few errands to run.” said Rarity
“Fine, but you better answer all of my questions when you get back” Sweetie Belle replied, sounding a bit frustrated. “ I’ll wait for you here, and practice my singing”
“Okay, goodbye Sweetie, I’ll be back in a few hours” said Rarity. She got off of the sofa, and walked towards the door.
“Goodbye” Sweetie Belle called, and watched her sister walk out the door.

Sweetie Belle sat upside down on the sofa, staring at the door thinking. She knew Rarity was lying about not knowing who Button Mash was, but she couldn’t figure out why she would hide something like this from her. It’s not like something bad happened, right?

<~~♪~~>

Rarity trotted quickly through the streets of Canterlot, slightly panicking after being questioned by her sister. She saw the hotel up ahead, and walked through the doors onto the soft red carpet of the lobby. Rarity smiled at the receptionist as she walked into the elevator. She pressed a number on the panel, closing the doors after a few seconds. Rarity watched as the floors went up and the elevator came to a stop on the 5th floor and the doors opened. Rarity stepped out of the elevator and turned left. She looks at the numbers along the wall and stopped in front of door 56. Rarity knocked 3 times and heard a muffled voice that said come in. She opened the door and saw Twilight, Spike, and Button’s Mom sitting at a table.

“Sorry, I’m late” said Rarity “Sweetie Belle was asking me about Button Mash”

“What did you say?” asked Twilight

“I told her I didn’t know who she was talking about, and she started pulling some video games and a picture of her and Button Mash out of her saddlebags. She said that she felt like he was extremely familiar and that she talked to him before. She said that he also showed up at her concert the other day and ran away when she was walking towards him.”

Button’s mother sighed, “It’s my fault that he was there, I was the one who bought the tickets to her concert and asked him to come with me, I’m sorry.” She put her head between her hooves on the table.

Twilight patted her on the shoulder, “That’s alright, but I would like you to keep Sweetie Belle away from Button for awhile in case Button does remember.”

“Oh, I hate doing that to them but it’s the only way to get rid of the heartbreak ” said Button’s Mom

“I hate doing it to them also, but the heartbreak was really bad, and I hated seeing them suffer like that” said Rarity “There’s nothing else we could have done, was there?”

<~~♪~~>

Sweetie Belle trotted through the cold, and hard cobblestone streets of Canterlot, and looked for somepony who knew anything about her and Button Mash. As she passed a cake shop, she noticed a pink pony with blue eyes and a dark pink curly mane that bobbed up and down through the front window.

‘Pinkie Pie?’ Sweetie Belle thought

As she walked through the front door, the bell rang, alerting the pink pony that a customer had come in.

“Just a minute!” she called, and finished frosting a three-tiered cake.

Sweetie Belle walked up to the front counter and looked at all of the cakes and cupcakes on display.

“Sorry about that, now what can I get for you today miss?” Pinkie Pie gasped “Sweetie Belle?”

“Hi Pinkie Pie” Sweetie Belle smiled “What are you doing in Canterlot?”

“I’m here for a party, and I’m just helping make the cakes and cupcakes!” she replied cheerily

“Anyways, would you like to order something?” said Pinkie Pie

“Uh, sure. Can I get a vanilla milkshake please?” said Sweetie Belle

“Sure, I’ll be back in a jiffy” Pinkie Pie zoomed into the back room and came out a few minutes later with a vanilla milkshake. “Here ya go” said Pinkie Pie “That’ll be 2 bits please”

Sweetie Belle handed Pinkie Pie the 2 bits and took her milkshake “Thanks” said Sweetie Belle, and took a seat at one of the tables, and set her saddlebags down beside her.

Pinkie Pie went back to working on the cake, icing red flowers on the side of the cake.

Sweetie Belle took a sip of her milkshake “Hey Pinkie Pie? Can I ask you a couple of questions?”

Pinkie Pie looked up, “Sure! What is it?”

Sweetie Belle took a photo out of her saddlebags, “Do you know this colt?”

Pinkie walked over to the table to look at the picture more closely. “I sure do! It’s Button Mash”

“And what do you know about him?” Sweetie questioned.

“I know he likes chocolate milkshakes, video games, and that he rarely comes out of his house for anything other than his work. I remember one time he had a milkshake race with-” Pinkie stopped speaking abruptly, and realized that she shouldn’t continue speaking.

“Yes with whom?” Sweetie Belle pressed.

“You know what I don’t remember” Pinkie darted her eyes, looking around the shop, “Sorry to cut our conversation short, but I have to, uh, make a bunch of cupcakes for, uh, a cute-ceanera. Gottagobye!” Pinkie Pie zoomed into the back room before Sweetie Belle could say anything.

“Uh, goodbye?” said Sweetie Belle.

She knew Pinkie knew something more about Button Mash, just like Rarity, and wondered just how big this cover-up was.

Sweetie Belle suddenly stood up, tired of the fact nopony giving her the answers she deserved to know. She put her saddlebags on her back, and walked behind the counter and into the back room where Pinkie Pie was busily frosting cupcakes.

Sweetie Belle cleared her throat, and Pinkie Pie looked up, with a bit of frosting on her face.

“Do you know what happened between me and Button Mash?” said Sweetie Belle

“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about.” said Pinkie Pie nervously

“Then why are you stuttering?” said Sweetie Belle

“Uh…”

“That’s what I thought” said Sweetie Belle “Now, do you know what happened between me and Button Mash?”

“I can’t to tell you Sweetie Belle, you or Button Mash. I really really really want to tell you, but I Pinkie Promised to someone, and nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise.”

Sweetie Belle sighed, “I know Pinkie Pie, I know.” She turned away and dejectedly started walking out of the back room.

“Sorry Sweetie Belle” said Pinkie Pie

Sweetie Belle kept walking towards the front door, her head held low in sorrow.

Pinkie Pie, who hated seeing her friends sad, rushes towards the front door to stop Sweetie Belle.

“Will a cupcake make you feel better? Cupcakes always make me feel better when I’m sad.” said Pinkie Pie

“You get sad? But you’re Pinkie Pie” said Sweetie Belle

“Everypony gets sad sometimes Sweetie” said Pinkie Pie, as she handed Sweetie Belle the cupcake.

“It’s on the house” said Pinkie Pie

Sweetie Belle smiled a little bit, “Thanks Pinkie Pie” She gave Pinkie a quick hug and left the cake shop.

As she continued walking on the cobblestone street, she took a bite out of her cupcake. ‘Wow, this is a really good cupcake’ Sweetie Belle thought, and took another bite out of her cupcake and smiles. ‘Rarity was right, sometimes a filly just needs something sweet.’ Sweetie Belle thought. Sweetie Belle stopped and gasped ‘Rarity! She’s going to be at the boutique soon! I better get back there before she does!. She trotted in the direction of the boutique but stopped. ‘No’ Sweetie Belle thought, ‘Rarity can wait, if she and Pinkie won’t tell me what happened between Button Mash and I, I’ll just have to find out what happened between me and Button Mash, then I’ll go and ask somepony who will give me the answers I’m looking for, hopefully,’ Sweetie Belle then changes direction and heads towards the hospital.

<~~♪~~>

Button Mash opened his eyes and looked groggily into the light of the hospital. As his vision focused, he turned his head and looked off to the side and saw a few get well soon balloons and cards, and flowers on the end table. He turned his head to the other side and noticed his mother’s sleeping form on one of the chairs lined up along the wall. Button smiled slightly; his mother was always worried about him and was looking out for him.

Suddenly, Buttons mother opened her eyes and looked up at Button. “Button!” she got off the chair, and rushed to the side of the hospital bed, “You’re awake!” She gave him a hug.

Button Mash returned the hug, “How long have I been out?”

“3 days” she replied, “Do you know where you are and why you’re here? You hit your head pretty hard.” She gently touched his head.

“Ouch”

“Sorry sweetie, so do you know?” she asked again

“Um, I’m in a hospital and I’m here because I got hit in the head hard?” replied Button

“Yes, that’s right”

“Umm, Mom? Do you know when I’m allowed to leave here? I want to go home” Button asked, and touched his head with a hoof and winced.

“I don’t know honey, I can ask the doctor when he comes to check on you though” said Button’s mom

Just then, a pegasus stallion who had a dark blue coat and a light blue mane and tail, walked into the room.

“Ah, Button Mash, you’re awake, that’s good, that’s good!” said the stallion, “Let me introduce myself, I’m your doctor, Steady Heartbeat, but you can just call me doctor, or Steady, or Heartbeat, or Steady Heartbeat.” Steady Heartbeat laughed. Button Mash smiled a little and gave a weak laugh.

“Glad to you see you still appreciate humor, Button Mash unlike some others.” Steady said as he threw a sidelong glance at the only other pony in the room.

“You try laughing when your son is gravely wounded!” Button’s Mom angrily retorted.

Steady cleared his throat, “Anyways” He looked down at Button Mash’s chart, and looked at the monitors hooked up to Button Mash, and read the vitals on the screen. “Your vitals seem fine, but I would like to keep you here for a few more days, to monitor your concussion, just to be safe.

“You hit your head really hard” said Steady

“That’s fine, thank you Doctor” said Button’s Mom

“Ma’am, just call me Steady”

“Alright Steady.” Button’s Mom said and he nodded at her, and left the room.

“At least he knows his stuff” said Button’s Mom once the doctor was out of earshot.

“Yeah, and he’s funny too” said Button, who earned a glare from his mother.

Suddenly, they heard a knock on the door, and a nurse walked into the room. She turned to Button and his Mom and said.

“Excuse me, sir? There’s a Mare here to see you, she said her name was Sweetie Belle.