> Little Ninja
>  by DanishDash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Dear Sweetie Belle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Button Mash slammed the door shut behind him, he tossed his saddle bags to the floor. Bulky was such a giant prick! The school bully had been waiting for him as Button made his way home. Suddenly he had flown down from the tree, his bully friends jumping out from the bushes. The three of them had bombarded him with paradise apples. Button Mash had to run away fast, but Bulky managed to toss one of the apples right into Button's side.

He winced, feeling the sore spot where the apple had hit. Wiping a tear from his eye, he made his way to the hallway mirror and looked at himself. In the reflection he saw a brown colt with a fiery brown mane, a red, yellow, and orange beanie with a green propeller that spun continuously on his head. His flank was still blank, something he had only recently started to care about. The fur hid any marks, but Button was sure that under his brown coat was a racer red mark from the apple Bulky had tossed into his ribs. 

Button opened the door into the living room, it smelled like freshly baked bread. Love Tab, Button's mom, sat on the couch reading one of her books. She was a light tan colored mare, with a long brown mane tied up in a ponytail. His mom had always been very easy going, reading comics with him, playing video games, and had always been able to stand up for him when he was little. Now Button was almost 13, and he had pretty much stopped telling her about any problems he had at school.

"Hi, sweetie," she said and smiled at him.

Button forced himself to smile back, not wanting his mom to find out what had happened. "Hi, mom." He gestured towards the kitchen with his head. "What are you baking?"

Love Tab didn't seem to notice anything, and so just smiled lovingly and returned to her book. "Just a loaf of bread."

Button couldn't help but smile a little. His mom had many talents, but baking wasn't one of them, although she was getting better the more she practiced. Her last attempt at a bread could have been used to make a wall of solid stone, so there was still some practice to be had there.

"How was school?" She then asked, almost making Button flinch. 

"Uhm, fine, the usual," Button replied, trying not to show any signs of discomfort. "Do we have any more apple juice?" He asked, looking for anything to change the subject. It just so happened the distraction suited him with the thirst he felt after the long run back home.

His mom looked up from her book, and nodded. "Yes, there should be two juice boxes left in the fridge."

"Thanks, mom."

He made his way to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took out a green juice box. His older brother, Gibson, told him juice boxes was for little foals, not growing colts like Button. He didn't care, he enjoyed them, and Gibson was not here to tell him how lame it was.

Gibson was in Manehatten, this time not with their dad, but studying at a university. His room still remained as he left it, as he used it whenever he happened to visit. His dad on the other hoof, Chip, traveled a lot across Equestria. He was a computer wiz, he'd pretty much invented all Button's games and consoles. His inventions had taken Equestria by storm, and so he was often away to set up stores, or set up deals.

It was a good job, and he did what he loved. Button was happy for his dad, and supported it as much as his mom did. That didn't mean Button didn't miss him when he was gone, because he did. Not that his dad was absent from his life, but he wished the two of them could play more games together, or Button could watch his dad work on one of his games.

Still, he and his mom did quite well, and she was everything a colt could ask for. His mom was really cool, and shared Button's love for not only comics and video games, but for a whole bunch of nerd stuff she had passed on to her son. She could even speak fluent Humgonian, how many moms could do that? Of course, she did have a temper when it came to other ponies picking on Button. She was very protective, but always did her best to give Button a push in the right direction when needed.

Maybe that was part of the reason Button didn't tell his mom about his bullies, he didn't want to worry her. Not to mention if she did find out, she would confront Bulky and his stupid friends, and while she might scare the living daylight out of them, Button knew it would only make the problem worse. Besides, he was at an age now when telling your parents something personal felt wrong, or embarrassing. 

Finishing his juice box, puttting it in the trash, and made his way upstairs. His side had stopped hurting, now it just felt a little sore whenever he moved in a certain way, nothing that bothered him. He entered his room, which was a little chilly, and smelled of some sort of cleaning product. His mom had apparently cleaned his room while he was away, so it was strangely refreshing to walk into.

Closing the door behind him, Button jumped into his bed, laying down on his back, and listened. Silence. There wasn't a sound, or rather, there was the sound of birds, and the occasional passing pony on the street, but otherwise there was total silence.

He thought back to the events of the day. School was pretty ordinary, nothing really stood out. Miss Cheerilee was a really good teacher, and had a talent of making her lessons interesting. Although even she could not fight the mundane times when the lessons seemed to blend in with each other to a strange boring blob.

Button hadn't started in the school house, like most other foals in Ponyville. Button and his family had moved here when Button was just eight years old. He'd never really been good at making friends, and had pretty much kept to himself and his Joyboy, whenever he could play it. In turn, most of his classmates had left him alone, finding him strange.

There was one who approached him though. A filly in the class, around his own age, and with the most beautiful singing voice he had ever had the luck to hear. Sweetie Belle was her name, and she was part of a group of friends that called themselves Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Button didn't have a word for it back then, but he had known he liked Sweetie Belle. She was not just kind, but seemed genuinely interested in who he was, and what he liked to do, and not just because of pity, or a dare. Now that Button was older, he knew that the word he had not grasped back then was love, or crush.

They'd never really spend time together, but whenever Button saw Sweetie Belle, he saw that kind and sweet side she had. Her loyalty to her friends, her beautiful eyes, she was just so cute. Button wished he could get to know her better, or at least have the guts to talk to her, even once!

He'd often thought about how it would be if he could just sit beside her in class. Maybe Sweetie Belle would lean over, place her hoof on his and ask. "Button, can I borrow a pencil?" 

Then it was just a matter of playing it cool. "Pencil? Of course you can, one hundred percent." Or, maybe just give her the pencil with a relaxed smile. "Here you are, babe." Okay, maybe that was a little too much Coffee House attitude. Ponies who used the expression, babe, so casually had a habit of being stupid.

Button got up, and sat down at his desk. He took out a piece of paper, grabbed a pencil with his mouth, and started to write. 'Dear Sweetie Belle.' What was he doing? He knew he would never dare give Sweetie Belle such a letter. Nevertheless, it felt almost taboo just writing her name, like somepony was looking over his shoulder. Button erased the line, feeling it was wrong to use the word 'dear', like it was a knight who wrote a poem.

He tried again. 'Hi, Sweets.' A little too casual, Coffee House attitude again. "A skinny latte for, Sweets!" Perhaps Button should get a cap, and seek employment. 



'Hey, Sweetie Belle.'

'I'm sure you've probably already forgotten who I am, but I know who you are. I'm writing this to tell you that I think you're very cute, and sweet, even if I don't know you very well.'



Right, that sounded super lame to write that she was sweet. He erased the word and wrote, nice, instead, but that was also kind of a loser thing to say. "Yo, what's up Sweets?! You're a totally nice filly!" He wrote, kind, instead. Button blushed. Screw it, it wasn't like he was going to send the letter anyway, 



'Hey, Sweetie Belle.'

'You probably don't remember who I am. My name is Button Mash, and I'm writing because I think you're really beautiful, and kind. I often glance your way in class, and I really want to be your coltfriend.'



Button put down the pencil. 'Sincerely Button Mash from school'? Yeah right, nice one, Button. His granny usually say that love has no age, but she was eighty-one and had no special somepony. When you were at school then love very much had an age. Button sighed, wishing he was bigger and stronger. "Hey, Sweetie Belle. Do you want to walk home together?"

Button picked up the letter, and read through it a few times. Then he closed his eyes, and kissed the paper. He didn't really know why, Button didn't wear lipstick or anything, but it was like the letter had to be sealed in some way. 

Suddenly he heard hoofsteps outside his door, and with a beating heart he quickly hid the letter in a drawer. He closed it just as his mom opened the door to his room. "Honey, are you hungry?"

Button looked at his mom, answering without thinking. "Y-yes!" He felt a bit stupid, it wasn't like he had done anything wrong, but this was so personal he didn't want anypony to know what he had written!

His mom raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment on his hasty answer. "Me too. The kitchen is a death trap right now, so I won't be cooking unless I have a gasmask on. What would you say if we just ordered some pizzas?" She smiled casually. 

Now that she mentioned it, Button could smell the smell of burned bread. Thankfully it wasn't severe enough to alarm him, but he knew it was another failed attempt at baking. With his heart calming, and a bemused smile on his face, Button nodded. "Sounds good, mom."
> Chapter 2: The Expedition
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia's sun was setting in the west. It looked like the warm orange colored shape was slowly sinking into the ocean. The sky above was turning from red and orange, into deep blue and black, the first few stars already showing. A soft breeze came in from the horizon, bringing with it the distinct smell of ocean with it. 

Hasty Notes would miss sights such as this once he was back in Equestria. Not that the sunsets back home weren't beautiful, but seeing them in a faraway land such as Nippone, well, it somehow made the sight even more beautiful. Sadly that time was coming to an end, and six weeks of an incredible journey was over.

It had been worth it though, Hasty Notes got to see incredible sights, and help bring artifacts back to further study back to Equestria. Sadly his mentor, professor Papyrus, had sent him ahead to prepare everything back at the museum. That meant going with the cargo ship that would transport all the artifacts back to Equestria. 

One whole week crossing the sea, something Hasty dreaded. He hated to sail, knowing how rough the sea could be. Meanwhile his mentor would be gliding through the air with an airship, spending less than half the time he would be crossing the sea.

Still, no use complaining. He had seven days on board a ship, yes, but that meant he could study, and work in peace for seven uninterrupted days. Before everything had been loaded into crates, Hasty had selected some items that he could study safely in the comfort of his cabin. More delicate objects would have to wait for the museum to be studied more closely.

For now though, his thoughts were brought back to the present by the soft hum of the ship's engine starting up. Slowly but surely, he could feel the faint vibrations moving through the large ship. Taking a last look at the town, the port, and the landscape, Hasty Notes returned inside to begin his studies.

Hasty had one whole cabin for himself, the crew shared their cabins, but he had one all to himself. It wasn't big, but Hasty didn't need a big room for himself, this would do the trick quite nicely. He had a bed, and a desk, and that was really all he needed. At the end of the cabin was a large trunk, it was where Hasty had stored the artifacts he wanted to study on the trip. 

There was plenty to do, and too little time. Hasty loved his job, it was utterly fascinating to study the past, and when he got back to the museum, he would have to share everything, and fight for time for artifacts. While he hated the sea with a passion, he was excited to have a whole week to himself and these fascinating relics from the past.

Trotting over to the trunk, he had it unlocked, and gently opened it, as if he did it too fast, it would break something. Inside were some old scrolls, stones, two beautifully carved wooden containers, and so much else besides. However it was the two wooden containers that held his interest the most.

They were masterfully carved, showing figures, and symbols all around. Red strings had been tied around them, with paper seals attached to them. They had been discovered in the center of an ancient underground tomb, beneath the ruins of an old palace. The history of the area was immense, and local legends said the palace was home to a feared warlord named Nobunaga, or the Demon King, as the ponies of the province called him. 

The stories varied somewhat, but they generally agreed he was killed in battle. Some stories say he was killed by a vengeful spirit of a village he destroyed. Other stories said he was killed by a rival, or an assassin. The details of Nobunaga's final hours were a bit foggy, and likely it was just stories that had been inflamed over time.

However it wasn't in doubt that Nobunaga had lived, and he had been a powerful warlord in his time. He was feared, cruel, and ruled with an iron hoof. Some legends say he summoned demons to empower his most loyal warriors and himself, but that was absurd. Hasty Notes would figure this out in time, and fortunately he had a week to go through this entire trunk of artifacts.

He took up one of the wooden containers. It was small, like a burial urn, it was old, but the wood was still in fine condition. He had seen burial urns before. They had been made of clay, stone, and yes, sometimes even wood. However these two were the most interesting he had come across. 

These ones seemed very unique. They had not seemed to have been buried in honor, but more like they had been placed there for safe keeping. If Nobunaga was such a feared lord in his time, then perhaps it made sense for the locals to keep his angry spirit sealed away. Not that Hasty believed in ghosts, magic, of course, but not ghosts. If anything lingered, it would be a spell, not anything else.

Of course they had examined all items for magic, spells, and curses. Any such items would be under lock and key until they could be more closely examined back at the museum. Luckily not many of such items were present in the tomb, which was why Hasty felt so comfortable examining these items in his cabin.

He put the first urn on his desk, and reached into the trunk to get the other. The second one was a little bigger, and had more of those red strings around it. Hasty figured this had something to do with the so-called Demon King himself. Hasty chuckled to himself, and brought it up to the desk. 

"Right, let's see..." 

He mumbled, getting out his notebook, and started to examine the urns. Hasty hummed a little to himself as he went over everything, he knew he had already examined them once, and the professor had too. However he hoped he could learn something new. They were special, he knew that much, he just needed to be sure that he could not learn anything new.

As Hasty Notes worked in his little cabin, he never considered how much time passed. He was like that, absorbed by his work. It was always satisfying if he could get such dedication to pay off, sadly, no matter how much he studied the urns, read the reports, scrolls, and local legends, he just couldn't seem to learn anything specific.

Then suddenly, as the clock was approaching midnight, a thought entered his mind. If he couldn't learn anything by studying them on the outside, perhaps he should take a look inside. Chances were that he would not find anything other than ash, but...

But what if there was something else inside..?

Of course, chances of that would be low...

Then again, maybe if there was something new inside, the professor would surely reward him for the risk he took.

But, if it really just were ash, then he would have ruined the seals and the old strings for nothing...

Those could be repaired, he'd repaired lots of works before. He could even blame them on the sailors' carelessness.

"Yes, well, perhaps..."

It would be so easy, you just need to reach out for it.

"So easy to repair, so easy to hide..."

Reach out, nopony would know...

Hasty Note looked at the biggest of the two urns, pulled it closer. His mind was heavy with thoughts of the pros and cons, but he had to chance it. If he did this, then he might be able to move up in the world, maybe even leading the next expedition. 

"Yes..." 

He smiled as he carefully loosened the strings, broke the seals, and opened the lid of the urn. It wasn't much, barely crack, but that act alone seemed to suck all the light out of the cabin. The air grew cold, the shadows grew, and Hasty Notes froze in place. He could not move, he was stuck in his current position as a shadow seeped out of the urn.

His heart beat faster and faster, as he noticed the shadow slider down to his hooves. He could feel it, it was ice cold. Hasty tried to call out, but he couldn't even make a croak. The shadow moved up his hooves, up his front leg, and then, everything went dark.

Hasty Notes's body went limp, he fell out of the chair and landed on the floor of his cabin... 

It would be several hours later before the stallion would wake up once again, when he did, there would be no memory of what had just happened, just a bad feeling that something was not as it should be...
> Chapter 3: Great News
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Love Tab poured some lemonade for herself, as she sat at the couch, enjoying a quiet afternoon with her son. Well, maybe not so quiet, Button Mash was sitting near the large screen, and playing a game on his Nintenpone 64. The music and the sounds the game made was something Love Tab was used to... She didn't mind, it was a nice background noise while she turned a page in her book.

She raised the cold glass, and then looked over at her son, who was sitting in front of the screen, a controller in his hooves, and concentrating on jumping on another enemy. "Button, are you sure you don't want me to invite your class home?"

They'd had this conversation before, and Button couldn't help but feel a little bad. His mom only asked because she wanted him to make more friends, although Button knew it wouldn't do anything. "It's okay, mom," he said. "I'd rather just celebrate here at home."

In a few days Button Mash would turn thirteen, his birthday. His mom always wanted to invite other foals to a birthday party, but Button had never really been a fan. It wasn't as though he did not want to celebrate, but he rather avoided making a fool out of himself, and gave bullies like Bulky Brawn more ammo to bully him with.

Button made his avatar leap forward, and he managed to jump on three enemies, giving him a bonus point. Love Tab frowned, but didn't press the issue any further, knowing her son would never budge. "Well, it will just be family then. Gibson should come on Friday."

Button smiled, it would be nice to see his older brother again. It would be pretty cool to see if he had brought something back from Manehatten, perhaps a snow globe? 

"What do you want for breakfast?"

"Now?"

"On your birthday, on Sunday."

"Oh, right... Uhm... Chocolate chip pancakes."

His mother smiled, some things just never changed. "Alright, sounds good. It's been some time since I've treated us." She giggled, and Button could practically hear his mother lick her lips. They were pretty alike, only, his mother was much more outgoing than him, much more confident. His dad had told him lots of stories about how much trouble his mom got him into when they were foals, and things Button would never dare.

He frowned a little. "Mom?"

"Mm?"

Button paused the game, looking over his shoulder. "Can dad come?"

Love Tab frowned. "I'm sorry, sweetie. Your dad is still overseas, if he could be here, I know he would." 

Button nodded, "right..."

"But," Love Tab then said, her smile returning. "Do you know who will be here on Sunday?"

"No, who?"

"Uncle Stardust."

Button Mash turned fully around, looking at his mom with surprise. "Really? I thought he was in Nippone?!" He asked, not being able to contain his excitement. 

"Yes he was, but now he is on his way back. If they don't get hit by a storm or something, then he should be back on Saturday, and then come by Sunday for your birthday."

"Awesome!"

Love Tab smiled. "I thought you might like that."

Stardust was his mom's dad's brother, he was a sailor, and was out months at a time with a big container ship. There weren't many in the family, other than Button Mash, that missed him when he was at sea. Uncle Stardust was like the black sheep of the family, and at family get-togethers he was always a bit drunk, and always ready with an inappropriate comment. He couldn't care less about what other ponies thought about him, and Button couldn't help but admire that little character trait.

"Then you have to remember to buy those small bottles for him, he loves those."

His mother smirked, shaking her head. "Think again, I rather not have him start a brawl... Again..."

Button Mash grinned, uncle Stardust was in a league of his own, but he never thought he did it to be cruel. It was just the way he was. Button turned back to his game, saved, and shut it down. "I'm going to do some homework."

Love Tab nodded. "Do you want something to drink and eat?"

"If it's okay?"

His mom sent him a loving smile. "Of course it is, honey. You go up, and I'll bring you a tray."

"Thanks mom!" And with that, he hurried up the stairs.
> Chapter 4: Encounter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stardust stood in the galley of the large container ship MS Sunrise. The weather was calm, and Luna's moon shone its light through the small round windows. He and Brisk Shadow had the night watch, and Stardust had suggested making them a midnight snack. It was why he stood by the stove in the galley, making his famous stew.

He whistled a happy little tune, feeling the slight vibration of the ship's engine. Stardust put in some cut up onions, and was about to reach for the bottle of tabasco when the door suddenly opened, and Brisk Shadow trotted inside. Stardust drank the last of his beer, and belched loudly without taking his eyes off the large pot. 

"Brisk, don't we have some real beer? These Nippone beers taste like fox urine, and I know what I am talking about as a former forest ranger. Hehe."

Brisk snorted, smirking as he sat down by the table. "Sorry, Stardust, we got what we got."

Stardust nodded. "Fair and square, sailor."

"By the way," Brisk continued. "Have you seen our passengers lately?"

"Oh, the nerdling? No, not really, why?"

Brisk shrugged. "Well, he hasn't really been out to eat much, and some of the others have heard him more around the ship late at night. Some even say he mumbles to himself."

"Isn't that what those types do? Keep to themselves, and rarely leave their cabin?" Stardust smirked. "He's probably not feeling so well, the sea does not agree with everypony after all."

"I guess." Brisk nodded, although he didn't seem too convinced. "I wonder if we should talk to the captain..."

"What for? We'll be back in Equestria in a day or two. If he isn't making trouble, then why bother the captain? Talk to the doctor if you're worried."

Brisk nodded again, humming. "You're probably right."

"Yes sir," Stardust grinned, and added two teaspoons of sugar and pepper.

Brisk trotted over and, and grabbed himself a beer before plopping back down on the chair. "What do you intend to do when you come back?"

"At home? As little as possible, eat, sleep and get myself some flank." The older stallion let out a laugh. "Isn't that the way for a true sailor?"

Brisk chuckled, rolling his eyes at him. "I have enough to work with at home. Family, you know."

"Yes sir, speaking of which, I have to go to my nephew's birthday on Saturday." He made a face, then shook his head. "I mean Sunday."

Brisk smirked, looking up at the old sailor. "Did you get him a present from Nippone then?"

Stardust grinned back. "Of course I did. I got him this plushie from a trader at the market the other day. I hope the kid will like it, they are getting harder and harder to get presents. His brother Gibson is one picky colt, one hearth's warming I showed up with a model ship for him to build. It was as good as new, and almost had all the parts needed, but that didn't go over well. I had seen the wish list, but that didn't make any sense. Power Ponies, ogres and something."

"I hear that, I have two fillies with my wife, and they haven't been easy to find gifts for either. My wife has always been way better at that sort of thing." Brick said, taking a sip of his beer. "What sort of plushie is it?"

"Uhm," Stardust hesitated. "It has a funny suit on?" He said, not sounding sure. "Look, I was partying when I stumbled across it, I may have had a few too many."

Brisk let out an amused snort. "Alright, then why don't you go get it? I'll keep an eye on the stew for you."

Stardust looked behind him at the pot. "Hm, well I guess it could not hurt... Do you mind adding the cheese and pasta while I'm gone? Make sure to stir it until it has mixed well."

"Sure thing, Stardust."

"Thanks, sailor."





It hadn't taken Stardust long to trot to his cabin, get the doll, and make his way back. He was above deck, making his way down towards the door to the galley. The sea was as still as glass, and the cloudless sky made the full moon light up the sea. It was quite beautiful, if you took the time to notice such things.

As Stardust moved past one door, a figure suddenly came out, bumping into the stallion. He let out a grunt, dropping the plushie. Something else clattered onto the deck, but Stardust didn't pay it any attention. Instead he looked at the stranger that had bumped into him.

"Easy there sailor, where is the fire?" He asked good naturedly. Then he saw who it was, their one passenger, Hasty something. Stardust had never actually laid eyes on him, but he knew everypony else on the ship, so he made the logical conclusion. The stallion shook his head, looking as if he was about to fall to his knees. "You seasick? Then you need to try the Stardust secret remedy, I can whip it up lickety split!"

The stallion stilled his body, then looked at Stardust with an annoyed glare. "Watch where you are going, you clumsy oaf." He looked down to the deck, letting out a frustrated sigh.

Normally Stardust would have punched his lights out for such a comment and rudeness, but he was hungry, and wanted to get back to his stew. He looked down as well, finding the little plushie on the deck, lying next to a strange looking urn. "Oh, you dropped this." Stardust said, picking up the wooden urn before Hasty Pasty could get to it. "Fancy looking bucket, did you throw up in it?"

Hasty Notes grabbed the wooden container. "It's none of your business."

"Alright, alright, I know when I'm not wanted. It's just like those mares at the bar." He let out a belch, which made the stallion grimace. "Well, I'll be out of your mane then." He picked up the plushie, and winked at Hasty. "So long!"

Hasty didn't reply, not that Stardust cared. He continued on his way, and reached the door leading into the galley. Stopping for a moment, he looked back down the deck, seeing the strange stallion standing by the railing, holding his little urn in his hooves. Stardust rolled his eyes, and went inside.

"There you are." Said Brick, looking over at Stardust as he trotted closer.

"Yeah sorry, I bumped into our passenger. Strange fellow to be sure." Stardust said, smelling the air. "Mmm, just about ready I should say."

"So, is that the plushie?" Brisk asked, looking at the doll in Stardust hooves.

"Hm? Oh yeah!" He placed the doll on the kitchen counter, smirking. "What do you think?"

The plushie had the form of a pony, and was about as big as a puppy. It had two black buttons as its eyes, and it wore some sort of dark blue suit and hood that covered its entire head, allowing only the eyes to show. Around its lower barrel was tied a black belt, with a tiny sword in it.

Brisk grinned. "Looks like a little ninja."

"Ninja? Oh, so that's what it is." Stardust mumbled. "You think he will like it?"

"It's pretty cool, I'm sure your nephew will love it. It even has a sword." Brisk said, then moved a bit closer. "Bit dirty though, is that ash?"

"Hm?" Stardust looked closer, and noticed some gray ash on the doll's side. "Oh, don't know where that came from. Perhaps some ash from me pipe."

"Better clean it before wrapping it." Brisk said, smiling. "Other than that, it is really nicely made." Brisk looked into the black button eyes of the doll, they had a sort of strange shine to them. For a moment, Brisk could even swear he felt as if the doll was looking back at him.

"Well!" Stardust suddenly said, breaking Brisk from his thoughts. "Let's eat, will you set the table?"

"Oh, uhm, sure..." Brisk nodded at Stardust, moving over to one of the cabinets. He eyed the doll one more, but it simply sat there on its rump, staring lifelessly ahead.

Stardust brought over the pot, grinning. "Right, let's get the powdered sugar, and something to drink, and the salt."
> Chapter 5: Recess
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What did you get?" 

Rumble asked, as he Button, and the rest of their class trotted out of the town's library. Their teacher, Ms. Cheerilee, had made it into a tradition that every Wednesday they would go to Twilight's library, and borrow books they would like to read. Button did enjoy reading, but he didn't like to be forced to get a new book every week.

He had in protest borrowed the same book for over a year, but Ms. Cheerilee finally noticed his little trick. 'Button Mash, put that book back. It's time for you to try something else. I can't force you to read, but you have to borrow one book that you think looks interesting.'

Button had to get out of the line, and put the book back. He'd browsed aimlessly for a few minutes after that, and it didn't take him long to pull out a random thin red book from one of the less populated shelves. 'Ninja: The Shadow Warriors Of Nippone.'

Sure, whatever...

He showed Rumble the book, who nodded in recognition. Rumble had borrowed a novel about a Wonderbolt, and seemed really excited about it. He placed the book in his saddlebag, and even took Button's book to carry as well. Button always forgot his saddlebag whenever they went to the library, so Rumble was used to it.

Rumble was a Pegasus colt, with a black mane, and a grey coat. He was the only one in school Button could really call a friend, and while he was a bit more wild than Button, the two clicked really well. They both liked comics, and Rumble was always excited to play some of Button's games. Although Rumble clearly preferred sport, which was fine with Button, they still had a good time whenever they hung out.

"I forgot my lunch," Rumble said. "Do you want to go to Sugarcube Corner?"

Button hadn't forgotten his lunch, but it was still in his saddlebag, which was back at the schoolhouse. "Sure, if I can borrow from you?"

Rumble always had a few extra bits, his dad owned some sort of magazine, so Rumble was a bit spoiled. Not so much as Diamond Tiara, or Silver Spoon, but he always had bits to spare. Normally they couldn't leave school to get something to eat, but they were getting older, and on Wednesdays they were always away, so Ms. Cheerilee had allowed students a bit more freedom.

It was a nice warm summer day, with a nice open sky, and only a few white fluffy clouds above. The two colts trotted down towards Sugarcube Corner, chatting about this and that, nothing too important. When they arrived, they were lucky enough that there was no line.

Mrs. Cake stood behind the counter. She was a cubby blue mare, with a mane style that made her look like a cupcake, or at least Button thought so. She smiled at them as the two colts trotted up to the counter. "What can get you two?" 

Rumble ordered a blueberry muffin, and Button ordered a chocolate one. As Rumble started paying, Button turned around, and froze. Coming through the door was none other than Sweetie Belle, it was like everything went into slow motion after that.

Button had known her since he and his family moved to Ponyville, but other than that one conversation he had never actually interacted with her. Still, it was quite clear she was growing into a fine and beautiful looking mare. While they were still foals, they were close to starting their teenage years, and it showed.

She was slender, elegant, and her almost fluffy mane looked very soft to the touch. Button always felt warm and fuzzy whenever he was near her. All of his senses were getting bombarded, like a punch to the face. Then there was the letter, Sweetie Belle hadn't read it of course, but the fact he had written it made it extra intense to see her so close.

The world started to move again, and Sweetie Belle was trotting towards him. She was talking with her two friends, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, that flanked her sides like two bodyguards. They didn't look at him, but Button still felt his heart beat like a million miles per hour.

As they approached, he stepped aside, perhaps a little too fast, because he bumped into Rumble who was just finishing paying. As the three fillies passed them, Sweetie Belle looked at him, smiled and continued the last few steps up to the counter.

She smiled at him, she had actually smiled at him! Button felt as light as a feather, and he would probably have kept standing there, gawking at Sweetie Belle like some creeper if Rumble hadn't pulled him away. He heard the fillies giggle, a musical sound Button thought.

He let out a dreamy sigh, which made Rumble snort. "Come on, Button, you can keep dreaming outside." Rumble pulled the still lovesick Button Mash outside, and only when the door closed the Button Mash managed to snap out of his trance. Rumble rolled his eyes. "Why don't you just get it over with and ask her out, Button?"

Now it was Button's turn to snort. "She wouldn't say yes..."

"Button, if you don't ask her out, somepony else will, and then you will regret it later on."

Button Mash eyed his friend, he wanted to argue the point, but he knew he was right. He thought back to the letter he wrote, and a brief moment he considered giving it to her, but he discarded the idea almost right away. He could never give Sweetie Belle that letter, she would laugh at him, or even worse, take pity on him.

No, it was better and safer to just admire her from afar...

Seeing he wasn't going to convince Button to give it a shot, Rumble nudged his friend. "Come on, let's eat and get back to class. Otherwise Ms. Cheerilee will throw a fit."

Button let out a laugh. The idea of the gentle and patient Ms. Cheerilee throwing a fit was so out of this world it was funny. As the two started to trot, they spotted Bulky Brawn and his two companions trotting towards Sugarcube Corner. They were laughing, making sounds, so Button figured they had been at the movies the day before.

Rumble looked at Button, then nudged him again. "Come, let's get out of here before they see us." 

Button nodded, and followed...
> Chapter 6: Birthday Party
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you."

Button dreamt there was a large fish that was slapping him with its fin while singing for him. Button gasped, and woke up. Love Tap sat on the edge of his bed, and stroked his mane, she had a small Equestrian flag by her hoof.

"Happy birthday, dear Button Mash."

Oh, his birthday was today...

"Happy birthday, to yooooou."

His mom made a dramatic look, as if she was trying to serenade him. Button couldn't help but laugh a little, she was really putting on a show for him. However he imagined if this was the introduction round for that talent show, his mother would have been stopped right about now. 'Yeah sorry, I have to go with a no, but you I can tell you have a really good personality.'

Button snickered, and his mom ended the song with a smirk. "What are you laughing about?"

"Nothing." Button continued to snicker.

"Probably your terrible singing, ma."

A voice came from the doorway. It was Button's older brother, Gibson. Gibson was an earth pony just like Button and their mom. He shared the same coat collar as Love Tab, but his mane was dark blonde, or something like that. Button had never pinpointed the exact collar.

"What was that sweetie?" Love Tab asked, smiling but giving Gibson a look that made the older colt gulp.

"Uhm, nothing..." He smiled nervously, then quickly turned his attention to his younger brother. "Hey, runt. Happy birthday."

Button smiled. "Thanks, Gibson."

"Happy birthday, sweetheart." Love Tab smiled, running another hoof over his mane. "Did you sleep well?"

Button nodded. "Better get up so we can eat, squirt, I'm starving." Gibson added.

"Take all the time you need." Love Tab told Button, grinning teasingly at her oldest son.

"You're spoiling him!"

Love Tab stuck her tongue out. "Only because he is still my baby colt."

"Mooooom..." Button whined.

"Oh hush, in a few years you will be just as unbearable as Gibson, then who will I spoil?"

Button and Gibson exchanged glances, then both suggested in unison. "Dad?"

There was a few seconds of dead silence, and then the three of them burst out laughing. When the laughter died down, Love Tab looked over at her eldest son. "Sweetie, do you mind setting the table?"

"No problem, mom." He nodded, then winked at Button before he left.

Love Tab turned her attention back to Button, smiling lovingly. "I hope you will have a great birthday today, Button. Your father has sent you a package."  Button smiled, but Love Tab could see the slight disappointment in his eyes. She pulled him in for a hug. "I've also gotten a quick letter from a certain somepony who is back in Equestria." 

Button's eyes lit up. "Uncle Stardust!"





The guests arrived around 2 PM, most of them anyway. Button's great grandmother arrived first with her male nurse, who talked really loudly. "Let's sit you down here, gran gran!" He yelled, and rolled his grandmother's wheelchair to the end of the table.

Button gave her a very gentle hug, so as not to break anything off her. Grandma didn't return the hug, but Button didn't mind, she was 98, and probably didn't have much energy. She did however manage, with a shaking hoof, to give Button a small coin purse with 50 Bits inside.

Button thanked her.

Uncle Glitch arrived with his Zebra wife, Calista. "Congratulations, Button Mash," his uncle said. "That's great!" Button wasn't sure what he meant by 'great', did he mean that he was born 13 years ago? That wasn't really his achievement. 

Calista kissed Button on the cheeks, and gave him a long thin package with silver ribbons. "This gift is from your uncle and me, and I assure you it is for free. Try it on, if you can, otherwise we need a whole new plan" She rhymed. Button smiled, and opened the box. Inside was a T-shirt, a hoofball team T-shirt from her homeland. Button didn't care much for sports, but it looked pretty cool.

"Thank you, aunt Calista!" He said and slipped on the T-shirt. It fit him perfectly, which made Calista smile even more as she hugged him.

Aunt Delilah Gem, his mother's sister, arrived as usual without uncle Jackpot, and went outside to light up a cigarette. However she had brought her son, Button's older cousin, with her, along with his wife and their newly born filly. Button got some trading cards, and some new figurines he could add to his collection.

Then there was another knock on the door, and there stood uncle Stardust. He looked like himself, with his side beard, and his white sailor cap. Button leaped into him for a hug, and Stardust laughed heartily. "By the royal rear!" His black leather vest was cold against Button's cheek, and he smelled of beer and tobacco mixed with some aftershave. He ruffled Button's mane. "Yes sir, it's shore leave time. Happy birthday, my boy."

Love Tap trotted over and smiled. "Welcome home, uncle," she greeted, and gave him a peck on the cheek.

Stardust grinned widely so his gold tooth glinted. "Thanks, my lovely." 

Uncle Stardust trotted inside the house, and followed Love Tab into the living room. He yelled out a greeting, and winked at aunt Delilah, who quickly turned around with an annoyed look in her eyes. He didn't notice, or didn't care, because he trotted on, and was about to pass Calista when he smacked her flank.

"Ahoy, Calista!"

"Stardust!" She chuckled. "Let me be frank, keep your dirty hooves off my flank."

Stardust just grinned, and licked his lips. "Striped meat." He hummed, then continued to the table and gave grandma a kiss on the cheek. "Hey, gran gran, enjoying yourself?" She did not answer, but Stardust was used to her silence. Instead he pulled out a chair and sat down beside Gibson. "Long time no see, Gibson! How is Manehatten treating you?"

Gibson smiled. "Oh hi, uncle Stardust. Well, it is going pretty well, it's really interesting, and I met this mare-"

"Remember to reach out if you want some tricks." Stardust winked at his nephew.

"Uhm, well..." Gibson blushed, and Button had to bite his lip in order not to laugh. Stardust always liked to tease Gibson, but it was never mean, it was Stardust's way of showing he cared for Gibson.

"Of course, it depends on which kind she is. If she is a Pegasus, you should try rubbing her right between the-"

"Stardust!" Love Tab cut in with a strained smile, carrying a mug of coffee. "Do you want something to drink?"

Stardust chuckled. "Thank you, las. I'm as dry as a desert." He took the mug, and in one go emptied it. Button was ready to swear under oath that he saw steam leave his uncle's muzzle.

"Isn't it hot?" He asked almost in awe.

Stardust shrugged. "Nah, I would call it ready to be consumed, but it is as thin as piss, Love Tab. You need to work on your brewing skills." He wiped his lips and reached down. "Button, open your present!" He called, and threw a brown package over the table.

Button caught it, smiling excitedly. The wrapping paper was brown and boring, and instead of having used ribbons, he had used white string. It didn't bother Button Mash, the more boring a present looked, the more interesting it was. The package was just as big as a huge squirrel, or a puppy, you never knew with uncle Stardust. At aunt Delilah and uncle Jackpot's last wedding, he had showed up with a stuffed fish, the kind that could sing if you pushed a button.

"Is it alive?" Button asked with a small smile.

Uncle Stardust answered, his mouth full of cookies. "You would think so, Button my boy. That package has shaken and made sounds all the way back from Nippone. Hah! I was tempted to call an exorcist!" He wiggled his eyebrows, as if to show off how mysterious the whole affair had been.

Button ripped off the paper!

It was some sort of doll, or a plushie. It wore a hood, and two black shining buttons for eyes. Button had never seen anything like it. "What is it?" He asked, pulling the plushie free from the brown wrapping paper.

Stardust hesitated. "It's a, uhm.. It's a.. Wait, what was it again..?" 

Gibson looked up from his coffee. "Looks like a ninja."

"A ninja, bingo!" Stardust smiled excitedly, and punched Gibson's shoulder in excitement, almost making him fall out of the chair. "It's a ninja plushie from Nippone. By the royal rump it was expensive!"

The doll had a little metal sword in his black belt, and Button was pretty impressed by the little ninja suit the doll was wearing. He wasn't sure if he believed that the doll was expensive, but it was from uncle Stardust, and that was enough for him.

"Thank you so much, uncle!"

Stardust smiled widely as he took a bite of one of Love Tab's home cooked buns. "Anything for you, my boy!" He replied, then spat the unchewed bun pieces out in a napkin. "Seafoam and hell fire, what kind of devil worship took place to create these abominations?" 

Both Button and Gibson had to look away in order not to laugh. Love Tap huffed a bit, but soon smiled as she pushed another package towards Button. "This one is from your father and me."

Button Mash gently placed the ninja doll on an empty chair, and reached out for the package. Smiling excitedly, he started to open it, and gasped as he saw what was inside. "Wow, isn't that dad's new PlayPony 1?" It was one of his dad's new inventions. It was a small gray box, with a power button on one side, and a button to open the CD player on the other. 

There were also a few games, and these ones used CDs instead of game cartridges. There were also two controllers, and of course the power cord, and the cable that went into the TV. All of this wasn't even supposed to come out for another six months!!

"Wow, thanks mom!"

Love Tap smiled. "You're welcome honey."

"You better share, runt." Gibson smirked, still rubbing the place uncle Stardust had playfully punched.

Button nodded. "Can we go play?!" He asked his mother.

"Of course, sweetie."

"Yaay!"

Gibson rolled his eyes, but smiled. "Alright, if you want to get beaten that much." 

Button just smiled, excited to play some video games with his brother again. He took the package with the PlayPony console, but stopped, looking at the doll. The black buttons had a sort of strange shine to them. Although he assumed it was just because of the lighting. He took the plushie, and took it with him to the TV.

Love Tab smiled. "Thanks for coming, uncle. It means a lot to Button."

Stardust grinned. "No problem, my girl. Anything to see him smile." He winked at her, and drank another mug of steaming hot coffee in one go. "Say, you don't have a beer, do you?"
> Chapter 7: Too Much Food?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Button Mash threw himself down on his bed, there was about half an hour until midnight. They'd just gotten back from Button's birthday dinner. After the last guests had gone home, Love Tap had suggested they go out to eat. He and Gibson had eaten a lot, and gotten large desserts. It really had been a great dinner, even a great birthday. Button let out a small belch, feeling more than stuffed. Still, he couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh. 

He looked over to the chair in the corner of his room, the little ninja sat in it, lifeless, and stared at him with its black button eyes. It really looked like it was watching him, he almost felt a little uneasy, but he didn't pay it much attention. It was just a plushie after all.

Button thought about the book he had borrowed from the library. Reaching down beside his bed, he pulled the thin red book up from his saddlebag. Button didn't really know anything about ninjas. The only thing he knew was that they dressed in black, could do some flips, and vanish in a plume of smoke, or something like that.

The book looked a bit dry, on the front cover was drawn a ninja that was scaling a wall with some rope. Button rolled over onto his stomach, and turned on the little lamp beside his bed. He flipped through the pages, there were drawings of old ninja weapons, and fighting techniques. He read about the history, and their role in Nippone back in the old days.

As far as Button could understand, they were a sort of religious ponies that lived in the mountain forests of Nippone, hiding from the samurais and their lords. The ninjas lived in small communities where they tended their crops, trained, and defended their villages. They developed their own fighting style, and became experts in survival by disguises, misdirection, spying, strategy, and so on.

The ninjas were constantly hunted by the ruling class because their philosophy and mystic was seen as a threat. Even though they were seen as criminals and ponies with no honor, the nobles still used them in their wars, and political games. The samurais had to abide by a lot of strict rules about honor and fair play. 

Everything that the ninjas didn't care about. The only thing that mattered to them was being effective. That was why the ninjas could use a wide range of tricks, and dirty fighting. Arson, assassinations, night raids, spreading false information, and a lot of other things. Button stretched, making some joints pop before reading on. 

The ninja communities spread in two regions in particular, and there were soon several clans that competed with one another. A typical ninja was trained from foalhood to fearlessly complete his mission, no matter what. The ninjas preferred that their involvement was as secret and hidden as possible, so it was only as a last resort that they would get involved in direct battles. 

However, when that happened the ninjas were really effective, and it was then they donned their combat uniform with the hood. The uniform was black, or indigo blue, but it could also be white during winter time. Button looked over at the chair, the little ninja was gone...

Button sat up a little. "Wasn't it there just a moment ago..?"

Almost instantly he noticed a figure to his side. He looked, and saw the little ninja sitting at the end of his bed, the little sword in its hoof. The black button eyes seemed to shine, almost as if there was something behind them. Button felt a shiver run up his spine.

"How the hell..?" 

Buttoned mumbled, using a word his uncle often used. Had he placed the doll there without remembering it? Well, that was the only possible explanation, otherwise it had to have come alive, and made it there itself. Perhaps he had eaten a bit too much, perhaps he had gotten food poisoning. 

Button thought of a page in the book that talked about the ninja's partisan nails. Usually they were tossed onto the ground during an escape, the nails always landed with one of the ends pointing upwards. Then when a pursuing samurai came running, he would step on the nail, but sometimes the ninja would have dipped the tip in rotten meat, fish, or even feces to ensure the samurai would die of blood poisoning. 

Button belched again, and stood up. He didn't feel too well. He trotted into the bathroom to brush his teeth. It was past midnight now, and the whole house was deadly silent. Button looked at himself in the mirror, spat the toothpaste out in the sink, and drank some water from the tap. 

When he stood up straight, and looked in the mirror, his blood turned to ice. Gibson stood right behind him, and was staring at Button in the mirror. Button hadn't even heard Gibson enter because of the running water. His brother held the little ninja in his hoof.

Why was that?

"Button, can you please keep your stuff in your room?" He said, and tossed the little plushie to him. "Night."

Button caught the little ninja, looking confused after his brother. "Uhm, night..." Button heard as the door closed to Gibson's room. He steadied his breathing, and looked at the little ninja. It was totally lifeless, the eyes that had seemed so alive before were nothing more than two ordinary black buttons. He could see the threads going between the holes in the button eyes.

Button took it back to his room, and once again placed it on the chair. "Are you sneaking around the house?" He didn't expect an answer, however the following silence did creep him out a bit. Button started to mumble, "it's fine by me, but only if you stay out of trouble, because I'm going to bed." Button thought he sounded like a complete idiot.

He placed his saddlebag over the ninja's hind legs to keep it in place. What was he doing? This was ridiculous. Button got back on the bed, this time getting under the covers. He took the ninja book again, but the letters didn't make any sense. He was too tired...

Placing the book on the nightstand, he turned off the light, and stared into the darkness. He'd never liked the dark, he wasn't afraid or anything like that, but it was always a bit intense. His mom had told him it was perfectly normal, and it was a fear they had inherited from their ancient ancestors. When the sun went down, then the predators would come out. It was a coded fear. 

He let out a small sigh, and thought about the events of the day. It had really been fun, and it was super awesome to have seen Uncle Stardust again. He still missed his dad, but he knew he was coming back...

Button fell asleep.

He didn't hear the sound of tiny hoofsteps running across the floor. Neither did he sense his door open and close...
> Chapter 8: Trouble At School
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Wow, is it a ninja?" Asked Rumble, with his maw full of that daffodil sandwich he had been eating.

They sat in the classroom, and ate their lunch. "Yeah, from Nippone. Apparently it was really expensive."

"Did you get it from your Uncle Stardust?" Button nodded, and Rumble held out his hoof wanting to take a closer look. Button was just about to give to him, when Sweetie Belle trotted inside the classroom. She was heading straight for their table, closely followed by Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Button quickly stuffed the plushie back into his saddlebag. Rumble raised an eyebrow. "Can't I see it?"

Button tried to divide his attention between Rumble and Sweetie Belle. "Uhm, sure, mm, just a moment..." Sweetie Belle stopped, what now? Time seemed to freeze for maybe a second, and then she turned and trotted over to the table Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon was sitting.

She was giving out some papers, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo smiled. Button tried to pretend not to notice, but he couldn't really behave normally when she was so close to him. During class it was fine, as they were normally sitting so far apart. He had to try and look cool, he tried to drink from his Juicebox, but that didn't help much.

Sweetie Belle smiled as she talked to the two fillies. "It's on Saturday, at my place." Apparently she was throwing a party? The fillies studied the invitations, and Silver Spoon did so with one hoof, while still holding her sandwich in the other. She nodded, as if to say, 'I was right, it is on Saturday, it says so right here.'

"Oooooooooh," Rumble suddenly said loudly. "Is it Sweetie Belle?" Button laughed loudly in order to drown him out. "Want me to call her over?" Rumble asked teasingly. Button Mash stared angrily at him, and mimicked a very hard 'NO!'  Smirking, Rumble leaned back in his seat. "Sweetie Belle, could you come here for a second? Button Mash wants to ask you something."

Button felt all the blood leave his head. Sweetie Belle turned around towards the table. "What?" 

"Button Mash wants to ask you something." Rumble repeated.

Button was terrified, and everypony from Diamond Tiara to the Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at him expectantly. What should he do? His head was completely empty. Fuck Rumble, that giant prick. Sweetie Belle trotted closer, tilting her head as she waited patiently for Button.

By the stars, she was so beautiful...

Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow, as if to tell him she had other things to do. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exchanged confused glances, then giggled. A few seconds later Sweetie Belle decided she didn't have any more time to spare and was about to leave, but then Button heard a loud smack.

Rumble's head flew forward, almost smashing his face into his lunch. Rumble let out a small groan, and looked behind him to see who had smacked the back of his head. Bulky stood and laughed along with his two friends. As they stood there, with Bulky in the middle, Button imagined they were standing on a podium, waiting to get a medal for the ugliest mug. Bulky definitely won the gold medal, no contest.

Bulky laughed. "What's up, tiny?" Rumble bit his lower lip, he wanted to say something, but Bulky could creak him in two. Bulku let out another laugh. "What's up, tiny? Cat got your tongue?" His two companions giggled.

Rumble mumbled. "Moron..."  

The three colts stopped laughing. Bulky glared at Rumble. "What did you say?!"

Rumble's voice got really tiny. "Nothing..."

Bulky trotted closer, and placed his hoof behind Rumble's head. "Go on, tiny, eat your lunch." Rumble looked up at him, then back at his lunch. He reached out with his hooves, but Bulky dug his hoof into the back of Rumble's head, making him whine. "No, not like that. No hooves, you can stick your muzzle into it."

"Bulky, please..." Rumble tried, but Bulky just grinned, and started to press Rumble's head closer to the food. Bulky's companions laughed loudly.

Button looked around, somepony should do something, but nopony did.  There was nothing you could do, every school had its bullies, that was just part of life. Sweetie Belle and her friends watched on as well, although they looked more outraged than uncomfortable like the others. 

But even they said nothing, no one did...

But then, some pony did say something, or rather, yelled something. Button's voice cut through the noise of the bullies so every pony could hear. "Let him go you brain dead idiot, or I'll kick your ass!"

The whole classroom became utterly silent, everypony froze. Bulky slowly looked up at Button, and looked like he didn't understand what had just happened. Rumble looked up as well, too stunned to slip away from Bulky. He looked at Button with utter shock, as if couldn't believe what he just heard.

Button understood exactly what they were feeling, because he didn't understand what had just happened either. The only thing he knew for sure was this. He hadn't said anything, but he had heard his own voice yell out as clearly as the rest of the class. His eyes went down, and his eyes landed on the little ninja in his saddlebag. Its eyes had that strange shine to them.

Then the world moved fast once again. Before Button knew how it had happened, Bulky had leapt up and pushed Button Mash against another desk. It really hurt. Bulky leaned forward so their faces were close, his breath smelled of old apples. "I don't think I heard that right, Button. Mind repeating it?" He said in a low snarl.

His friends held their breath in excitement, while Rumle and the rest of the class still looked at Button with shock. What the hell was going on? Button wanted to cry, to yell it wasn't him. But at the same time there was something about the situation that overshadowed his fear of Bulky. The way the class was looking at him in shock and admiration. 

They thought he had called out Bulky, even though Button knew he hadn't uttered a single word. That meant that in this very moment, everypony thought he of all ponies was pretty cool. It was a strange, but nice feeling, even if he was about to be killed. He stole a quick glance at Sweetie Belle, she had the same look in her eyes as the others. She had her hoof on near her mouth, as if she could not believe what was happening. It also looked like she was holding her breath.

"What is going on in here?" It was their teacher, Ms. Cheerilee. 

Button felt as Bulky let him go and stepped away from him. He looked towards Ms. Cheerilee. "He was... It wasn't..." Bulky tried to come up with some explanation, but seemed at a loss for words.

Cheerilee raised a questioning eyebrow at Button, but he just shrugged. "You three," she then said. "My office, now." The three colts followed her outside, but just before Bulky went out the door, he turned his head and looked in Button's direction. He moved his hoof across his throat to show he was a dead, or he had swollen lymph nodes, one could hope.

"Thanks, Button." Rumble patted him on the back.

"But it wasn't me," mumbled Button, but nopony heard.

Another colt trotted up to him. "Or I'll kick your ass!" He yelled, laughing. "You're not sorry, huh?"

Button tried again. "It wasn't m-"

Then he suddenly felt a hoof on his shoulder, a soft hoof. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was, but he did so anyway. Sweetie Belle smiled at him. "That was really awesome, Button Mash." She rubbed his shoulder a little, then let her hoof drop.

'No no no!' Button thought. 'Never let me go!'

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo nodded, clearly impressed with him as well. Button looked into Sweetie Belle's emerald green eyes, they seemed to have this sparkle to them, which reminded him of stars in the sky. Button opened his mouth without thinking.

"Yeah well, he shouldn't touch my friends. Good thing Ms. Cheerilee showed up, or I would have ripped him apart."

That sounded completely ridiculous of course, but his classmates seemed to love it. Sweetie Belle tilted her head slightly, and narrowed her eyes a bit as if regarding him. Apple Bloom nudged her, and she nodded a little. "I forgot," she said. "I'm giving out invitations to a party at my place." She gave him an invitation. 

Button stared at her. "T-thanks..." 

She sent him another smile, and then started to distribute the other invites to the rest of the class. When she left along with her friends, Button allowed himself to fall back down on his chair. His mouth felt dry, so he downed his entire Juicebox in one go.

Rumble patted Button on the back again, it felt good, even if he wasn't sure what had just happened. Once again, his eyes went to the little ninja in the saddlebag...
> Chapter 9: Great Escape
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Button made his way behind the school as soon as the last lesson ended. He tossed his saddlebag on the ground, and watched as the little ninja sat lifeless, and stared ahead with its dark button eyes. Its right foreleg hung limply out of the bag, gently rocking back and forth.

Button gave the bag a careful kick. Nothing happened, and so Button kicked it a little harder. "S-say something," he stammered, but the ninja still didn't say anything. "Hello?" Button tried a bit more loudly. "Say something."

"What do you want me to say?" A voice suddenly said from behind Button Mash. 

Button jumped, and even before he turned around he knew it was Bulky Brawn. Bulky made a snarl, then spat on the ground. "I hear you were going to rip me apart?" He began to trot towards Button.

Button Mash in the meantime stepped back, his chest was burning, and his mouth felt dry. He tried to act surprised. "Wha? Hah, no, that doesn't sound like me..."

Bulky came closer and closer. "Oh? But that is what the others are saying." Bulky took his time, he clearly enjoyed the situation. 

"Uhm, no, it wasn't me who said it, it was..." Button quickly pulled the ninja up from his bag and held it out. "It was the ninja..."

Bulky laughed, but still had that evil look about him. "Your plushie called me a brain dead idiot?"

Button could feel himself going out into the deep end. "Yeah, well, it sounds weird when you put it like that..." Bulky came to a stop in front of Button, pointing at his chest with his hoof. 

"Sounds to me like you're a coward, and a loser."

Button nodded. "Yup, that's me... A total coward..." He smiled nervously, hoping to appease the big bully.

Bulky took a hold of Button's throat, pinning him against the wall of the school. "If you say something like that again I will break your teeth." He hissed angrily. 

Button could barely get any air, but he did manage to stammer out. "Yesh, yes, I mean, no... Sorry..."

Bulky shook him. "Do you get me?"

"Yes!" Button gasped..

Bulky looked him over, then snorted. "Then piss off, chicken shit." He said, and let go of him. 

Button let out a relieved sigh, glad he was to keep his teeth this time around. Bulky spat on the ground, turned around and trotted away. Button in the meantime picked up the ninja, put it in his saddlebag, and put it on. He had to get out of here before Bulky changed his mind. He looked back at the little ninja sticking out of his saddle bag.

It blinked, but before Button had a chance to be startled about it, the little ninja sat up straight, and yelled out in a voice that sounded like Button's own. "Yeah you better run, you stupid, slimy, dickhead!" Button gasped in horror. The little ninja was alive, and it was yelling curse words at the school bully with Button's voice!  

Bulky turned around, and Button was ready to swear he saw flames of anger in his eyes. "YOU'RE DONE!!"

Button took off running, he would have left the little ninja behind, but he had no time to think about ditching him. Bulky took off into the air, doing his best to follow Button from above. Thankfully he was still a novice at flying, so Button had a little head start.

Button's heart was galloping faster than it ever had before. He knew even before he left the grounds that Bulky was gaining on him. The little ninja held its plush hooves up to its muzzle and yelled in Button's voice. "Come get me, Bulky Pig, I'll kick your ass into next week!"

"No, stop!" Button yelled back at the little ninja, and then even louder at Bulky. "I'm sorry! It isn't-"

"YOU'RE DEAD!"

"And you're ugly!" Came the reply from the plushie.

Button yelled in horror. "No you're no- well... It wasn't me!" Then he yelled at the doll. "And you shouldn't be able to talk!"

"I'll decide that for myself, chicken shit." Replied the little ninja, not with Button's voice, but with this tiny tough voice. It sounded like a midget that had inhaled a helium balloon. 

Button desperately shook his head. "What the hell is going on?!"

The ninja blinked, and came with a suggestion. "Well what is going on is that fat bully is going to kill you, unless we work together."

"What?"

"Yeah, I'll help you, and you help me."

Button considered that all of this could be a dream, and perhaps princess Luna would come and put an end to this nightmare. "You're not even alive!"

"Alright," the little ninja said. "So you don't want my help?"

Bulky flew closer and closer. "I got you now!" 

Button didn't even think before he answered. "No no! Please help me!"

"Then you help me?"

Button yelled back at him. "Yes! Yes!"

But that wasn't good enough for the little ninja. "Promise that you'll help me!"

Bulky was only a meter from touching Button now. Button panicked and yelled. "I promise I'll help you!!" The little ninja nodded satisfied. It dove back into the saddlebag, and started to work. "What are you doing!?"

"Just run!" 

The ninja replied. He ripped a page out of one of Button's books, and then folded it into a long pipe. He then took one of Button's pencils, and took off the small pink eraser at the end of it. The little ninja placed the eraser inside the tube, stuck it out of the bag, aimed, and then gave one single powerful blow.

Button didn't see what happened, but he heard Bulky let out a scream. "OW!" Looking back, he saw how Bulky held a hoof to his left eye, and plunged into one of the small ponds lining the path. Button didn't stop, he kept running to the sound of Bulky yelling after him. "I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS, BUTTON MASH!!"

Button felt a flood of relief wash over him, but it passed quickly as he heard his own voice yell from the saddlebag. "HA! Better luck next time, you sad sack of shit!"
> Chapter 10: Little Ninja
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Button threw his saddlebag onto his bed, he heard the small voice let out a grunt. "Do you know what you have done?!" Button yelled.

No reply. Button heard a metal lid open up, and the helium voice exclaimed, "mm, there's food in here!" Then the little ninja popped out of the bag, with a half-eaten sandwich in its hoof. "Want a bite?"

Button shook his head, not as much to say no thanks, but in an attempt to make everything make sense. "Who are you?" He asked with a voice that almost broke.

The little ninja let out an annoyed sigh. "Do we really have to go through all of that? But I will poke you if you call me a doll." He warned, and held out his little metal sword.

Button stared at the ninja, who calmly placed the little sword back in his belt. "But what are you?"

"You first, who and what are you?" The ninja asked back almost accusingly. 

"I'm a pony, Button Mash..."

"I see." The little ninja nodded thoughtfully, then bowed his head respectfully. "Well, I am as you can see a ninja. Nice to meet you Button Mash the pony."

The door suddenly went up, and his mother trotted in with a smile. "Button, I thought I heard you come home. Gibson has already left for Manehatten, I'm sorry if you hurried home to see him off." She said that last part with a worried expression.

It took Button a second to catch up to what she was saying. He glanced over at the ninja, who was limp once again, pretending to be lifeless. He looked back at his mom with a small smile. "Uhm, it's fine mom, I'll just write to him later."

"Are you sure?" His mother asked, and Button nodded. "Alright, honey. I'll just go down and start dinner." She was about to turn around and walk out, but she stopped up as she spotted the doll. "Why does your ninja doll have a sandwich?" 

Button looked back at the ninja, who did indeed still hold on to the sandwich. "Uhm, it was hungry..?"

Love Tap smirked, then rolled her eyes. "Very funny," she said as she trotted over and took the sandwich. "I'm happy to see you like your ninja doll, but try not to make it messy. It was from your uncle Stardust after all." 

"Okay, mum..." 

"I'll call when dinner is ready." And with that she left the room, and closed the door behind her.

Button let out an exhausted sigh. Then he looked at the ninja, glaring a little. "Why did you create so much trouble for me back at school?"

The little ninja sat up, glaring at Button. "Somepony had to do something." He pointed at Button accusingly. "You clearly weren't going to do anything!"

"I couldn't do anything, Bulky would have killed me."

The ninja snorted. "You really are a coward. Heeelp, some brat is bullying me at school, heeelp, I don't have the guts to talk to a filly. Hells bells, write a book, and call it Pity & Whining." The little ninja crawled out from the bag, and jumped down onto the floor, trotting back and forth. "Bulky is just a foal, just like you."

"But he'll-"

"Stop being so dramatic, as if you have any problems."

Button yelled. "You don't think I have any problems?"

The little ninja took a hold of a pillow, and threw it right into Button's face. "I'm a warrior, so excuse me if I'm having a hard time taking your childish problems seriously."

Button let out a heavy sigh, and looked down into the ninja's black button eyes. They looked really friendly, despite the harsh tone. "So what am I supposed to do?"

The ninja jumped back onto Button's bed, and padded a spot beside him. Button came closer, and sat down beside the ninja, although he kept some space between them. The doll looked at him with a serious expression, or at least he thought it looked serious. It was hard to tell with the hood and the eyes.

"You can keep running away with your tail between your legs, or you can fight."

Button let out a small laugh. "I can't fight..."

The ninja snorted. "Can't? What do you know about what you can and can't do before you even try?" The ninja had a point, but Button was pretty sure he couldn't fly, even if he hadn't thrown himself out his window to try. The little ninja stood up. "I'll help you," he yelled. 

"You?"

"I'm your new best friend. I've promised to help you, and you've promised to help me!" The ninja trotted closer to Button, and then held out his tiny hoof.

Button reached down and touched the soft plushie hoof, shaking it gently. This was the strangest day in Button's life, no contest. "Do you have a name?" He asked.

"My name is..." The little ninja thought for a moment. "Taiko."

"Taiko?"

"Do you have a problem with that?"

Button shook his head. "Not at all, but, can I ask you something?"

Taiko nodded. "Of course."

"What do you need my help with?"

Taiko nodded, and stuck his hoof into his suit, and pulled some paper out. "You can read, right?"

Button let out a little bemused chuckle. "Sure, can't you?"

Instantly Taiko reached for the sword, and before Button knew it, it flew past his head, and got stuck in the wall behind him with a loud smack. It happened so quickly that Button didn't even get a chance to be shocked. Taiko looked pretty happy with himself. "Let's just say I'm good at other things, okay?"

Button gulped. "Of course, sorry..." He reached down and took the piece of paper. Only when he got it did he realize it was some sort of business card. "Ponyville museum, assistant archivist, Hasty Notes."

"Hasty Notes..." Taiko repeated in a low voice, then nodded to himself. "I need to find him!"

"This guy?" Button asked, looking at the card once again. "Why?"

"You don't need to know that yet. The more important thing is that we find him and fast."

Button Mash raised an eyebrow. He already got a bad feeling from this, but decided not to ask more into it yet. "Uhm, okay... Well it says Ponyville museum, so I guess he works there."

"Do you know where it is?"

"Sure, it's right here in Ponyville. We're actually going there on a fieldtrip the day after tomorrow." Button smiled, feeling a little proud he knew something the ninja didn't.

"Perfect! That means fate is with me!" Taiko let out a little chuckle.

Button frowned. "Will you tell me what is going on?"

Taiko shook his head. "All in good time. First things first, I need you to tell me where I am, and what year it is!"
> Chapter 11: Midnight Conversation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hasty Notes sat in his office, he was exhausted. The time was approaching midnight, and Hasty wanted nothing more than to go home and rest. Only he couldn't, not since he was on that cursed ship...

Hasty wasn't sure what to do, was he sick? Overworked? Or was he really possessed? Maybe he was just going mad, but that didn't explain everything happening to him. The voice had been with him since he opened that urn on the ship. It started out as whispers, and then he would get blackouts. Now, he was having full on conversations with this voice, with his reflection even.

While Hasty wanted nothing more than to declare it stress related, he knew in his heart of hearts that the voice had a mind of its own...

"It's time..."

The voice said in his head. It was creepy, cunning, like a snake in the tall grass, it seemed to slitter into his thoughts without him even noticing. Now that it was there and had made itself known, he felt as if roots were growing inside his mind. Dark thoughts seeped into his head as the voice spoke.

"Leave me alone..." Hasty Notes said, rubbing his forehead.

"All in good time, Hasty. However I'm afraid I still require your services."

The voice sounded amused, which only irritated Hasty even more. "You're not real, you're just..." He hesitated. "My imagination."

"That didn't sound convincing." The voice actually chuckled. It was a dry and cold chuckle, and it sent shivers up Hasty's spine. "It does not matter, you are going to help me, even if you don't want to."

"Shut up..."

"Look at me!" The voice suddenly demanded, and Hasty felt how his body acted on its own, turning towards an old mirror on the wall. Hasty gasped, seeing himself smiling back at himself, his eyes glowing red. "Do you think you have any choice in the matter? No, from the moment you opened that urn, you became my puppet."

The mirror image smiled, but Hasty could feel that he himself did not smile. "What are you?"

"Something sealed away for a long time." The voice replied. "My spirit is still weak, but that will change in due time. Until then, I need you to run some errands for me."

"A spirit?" Hasty couldn't believe his own ears. Has he been cursed?? Why did he even open that stupid urn!? His eyes went wide as he suddenly realized something. "The urns, where are they?"

"I discarded them, they were no longer needed." The voice replied.

"But there were two, what was in the other?"

His reflection narrowed his eyes. "A nuisance, nothing you need to concern yourself with." Hasty wanted to protest, and demand an answer, but the voice continued before he had a chance to do so. "And we have work to do. The artifacts you collected, are they here at the museum?"

Hasty nodded. "Yes, but the professor has some scrolls on him, and he won't be back before next week."

His reflection glared. "No matter, we'll make do without them for now. Until then we can prepare."

"Prepare what? I don't understand."

"Nor will, scholar, not yet anyway. The only thing you need to know now is this. I do not intend to inhabit your body forever, but it will do as my vessel for now. I need a new body, but it will be better than the mortal body I had in the old days. But to get a new body, I need a few helpers, and you are going to help me get those helpers."

Hasty didn't like the sound of that. "Who are you going to call to help you, and what will you do once you get a new body?"

"That is not your concern, scholar."

"I think it is, and I'm not going to help you if yo-ARGH!!"

Hasty screamed, his head, it felt like it was going to split open. His mind, it was on fire, or at least it felt like it. Hasty fell to the floor, screaming in pain. Above him in the mirror, his reflection still stood calmly and looked down at him with disgust. 

"Let me be clear with you, scholar." The voice said, his voice dripping with poison. "I am not asking for your help, I am demanding it. I can kill you, and I will if you defy me."

"Arggghh! STOP! PLEASE! ARGHHHhhhhh!!"

"That pain you're feeling now, it is nothing compared with what I will make you go through next time. I will kill you, but it will be slow, and you will be begging for death long before the first hour has passed." He smirked, almost looking amused as Hasty squirmed on the floor. "Unless you pledge yourself to me, do as I ask, and do not fail me. If you do that, I will let you live, and I'll even reward you. But, you don't..."

To his horror, Hasty felt the pain worsen, if that was even possible. It was like he could feel every vein in his body suddenly stretch, his muscles burning, and his throat closing, cutting off his air. His screams became this pathetic little croak. He couldn't move, or scream, he could only look up at his own demonic reflection, smiling back at him.

"Do we have an understanding, scholar?"

Somehow, maybe because the voice allowed it, Hasty nodded, and instantly he felt the pain stop. It was as if some sort of force had been holding him from within, he could feel the grip loosen, then vanish. Hasty gasped, panting as he laid there, too shocked to cry, or whine. He was beyond terrified, there were no words to describe what he was feeling.

His reflection smirked. "Now then, let's get to work."

Hasty wanted nothing more than to run away, but he knew it was hopeless. He could try to get help, but he'd likely be dead before he could even utter a word to anypony. He knew for certain that this spirit, whatever it was, whoever it was, would not loosen his grip on him before he had done its bidding. Likely he would kill him, if he did, then hopefully it would be done quickly and without pain...

By the stars, what horror had he unleashed..?
> Chapter 12: The Challenge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday morning seemed to come earlier than Button would have liked. His mind was still spinning from the realization from yesterday. His ninja plushie was alive, it could talk, and now it had made him promise to help him.

The entire evening yesterday had been spent telling Taiko about Equestria. Apparently he knew of the nation, but had never visited. Button had tried to learn more about Taiko, but he had managed to dodge every question. He had however found out that Taiko wasn't from this time period. 

Button wasn't sure how old he was, but he was definitely old enough to be shocked at the many advances in technology. Button Mash had given him the basic rundown of Equestria, and Taiko had asked a few follow up questions. He didn't ask any more after that, and Button couldn't get anything out of him regarding who or what he was.

But now it was morning, and Button was on his way out of the house. After eating breakfast and saying goodbye to his mom, he had a toast slice with some butter for Taiko. The little ninja himself had requested the food, although Button wasn't really sure what he wanted to do with it.

As Button trotted outside, he was sure he could hear munching coming from his saddlebag. "What are you doing?" Button asked.

"What do you think?" Taiko replied in between bites. Or at least Button assumed it was bites.

"I didn't think you needed to eat."

The munching stopped, and Taiko's little head popped out of the saddlebag. "Need, no, want to? Yes. I haven't had bread like this before, or butter."

Button frowned. "How come?"

"I'm from the dark ages, Button. We didn't make butter or bread the way you are making them now." So Taiko was from the dark ages? Button had expected as much, although he hadn't been sure. He wanted to ask more, but right then Taiko nudged his side impatiently. "Now get a move on, we don't want to be late!"

Button frowned. "What if we meet Bulky?"

"We will, but let's try to avoid him until the lunch break." 

"Why?"

Taiko shook his head. "Just trust me."





Tuesdays were always special, because it meant they had workshop class at Sweet Apple Acres. Ms. Cheerilee would be there, but it was Apple Bloom's brother, Big Mac, who taught them everything he knew about woodwork and the likes.

He was a massive stallion, not fat, but big and muscly after years of hard work on the family farm. Button only knew him by reputation, and what he had overheard from Apple Bloom. Normally he didn't speak much, but when it came to explaining the class about tools, and what they had to do, he managed to explain in terms you could understand. He had patience, and was all around a pretty chill stallion.

Button liked his lessons, even if he wasn't the most talented workshop student...

So far Button had managed to stay out of Bulky's way and sight. With the class going out to Sweet Apple Acres, it was pretty easy to avoid him. So far he did not seem to be paying Button any mind, at least for now. As the time went on, it became lunchtime, and Big Mac and Ms. Cheerilee let them all eat outside in the sunshine, while they trotted off, probably to get some coffee.

It was then that Button snuck off out of sight from the others. He opened his saddlebag, and looked down at the little ninja. Taiko blinked, shielding his button eyes with his tiny hoof as the flap was opened. "Right," said Button Mash. "It's lunchtime, what now?"

"Is the teacher there?"

Button shook his head. "No, she went with Big Mac to get some coffee I think..." 

"Perfect!" Taiko punched his other hoof, and while Button could not see, he imagined the little ninja was smirking behind the hood, if he even had a mouth. "Then we have to strike now, before Bulky gets a chance to set the terms."

"What do you mean?"

"Just trust me, Button. Go to the others, and get up on the table." Taiko explained. "Can you whistle?"

"Uhm, yeah?"

"Good, do it when you get up on the table, make sure you have everyponys attention."

Button frowned. "Then what?"

"You just have to mimic speaking, I'll be the one talking." Taiko patted the saddlebag. "Get it?"

Button hesitated for a moment, but then nodded, and put the saddlebag back on before trotting back to the others. The rest of the class was sitting around on benches scattered around the front of Sweet Apple Acres. As usual there were small clusters of friends talking here and there. The Cutie Mark Crusaders sat by themselves, talking excitedly about something Button could not hear. 

Spotting Bulky was much easier than finding Waldo in the books, he stood out like a sonic rainboom. Button gulped, but trotted over to an empty table and climbed up on top. Some of his classmates were already giving him weird looks, but he ignored them and looked back at Taiko in his bag. He gave a small encouraging nod, and so Button did as asked.

He let out a loud clear whistle that cut through the noise of his classmates. Everypony went silent, and their eyes all turned towards him, including Bulky's. For a moment he thought that Bulky would come charging at him, but then his voice called out from the saddlebag. 

"Hey, everypony!" It really sounded like Button Mash, so much so it creeped the real Button Mash out. He felt a nudge in his side, as Taiko whispered to him in his own voice. "Mimic, you idiot." Button took a deep breath, and opened his mouth as if to speak. 

Taiko spoke up, using Button's voice yet again. "You all know Bulky Brawn!" Button opened and closed his mouth the best he could, and then pointed over at Bulky. Everypony looked at Bulky, then back at Button. Bulky Brawn looked at Button, his eyes as cold as ice. 

Taiko continued. "How many of you have at some point or another been harassed by this bully?" Button continued to mimic in his best kung-fu movie style, while he gestured dramatically towards them all. It only took a moment before several classmates raised their hooves, including one of Bulky's friends, but he lowered it as soon as Bulky sent him a glare.

"Therefore will I, Button Mash, in the name of justice challenge you, Bulky zit face." Button was too scared to even look at Bulky as Taiko talked. Several of his classmates laughed, clapped, and there was even one 'yeah!' Among them. "You and me, Saturday at school, nine PM, if you dare!"

Bulky jumped up from his seat. "Are you insane?!"

Button whispered desperately to Taiko. "Are you insane?"

Bulky yelled, "if I dare?! I'll destroy you!"

"If you win," continued Taiko. "Then I'll promise to show up at school in a chicken costume on Monday!" Everypony laughed and clapped.

Bulky pointed at him. "You won't be able to walk on Monday!"

Button felt like fainting, and he had a hard time getting air. Still he continued to mimic, knowing there was no turning back now. "In which case I'll take pictures from my hospital bed and post them all around school." Promised Taiko, much to Button's horror. The others clapped, and nodded respectfully. "Maybe I'll get my flank handed to me!"

"Maybe?!" Bulky interrupted, smirking. "It's a guarantee!"

"Then you won't mind promising that if I should be lucky enough to win, then you will show up at school with a chicken costume?" More applause from the audience, and some even let out a 'oooooh.'

"It's a deal." Bulky responded, smiling broadly now. "You are SO dead."

"Button Mash!" Ms. Cheerilee's voice suddenly called out from the farmhouse. "Get down from the table!"

"Yes please..." Mumbled Button, and started to get down.

Rumble and a few other colts came trotting up to Button, all grinning widely. They were all talking at once, all sharing their admiration for him, and how cool they thought Button was. Rumble patted Button on the shoulder. "What is going on with you, Button?" You're not dying or something?"

Button let out a small nervous laugh. "No, not yet..." Rumble grinned, and continued his praises with the other colts. Button let out a sigh, glancing around as the others talked over one another. Then he spotted Sweetie Belle, still sitting with her two friends, but she was looking his way.

Their eyes met for a split second, but then she looked away. Did she blush..? 





When the last lesson ended, Button and Rumble made their way out of the schoolhouse. Rumble was still talking about what happened at lunch. "You were so cool, Button!" He grinned.

"Thanks..." Button replied sheepishly.

"First you called him out yesterday, then today, what has been going on with you lately?"

"I'd like to know that too..." Button mumbled.

Rumble chuckled. "You want to go to Sugarcube Corner?"

Button couldn't think about anything else, but being alone with Taiko, and getting an explanation. "I'm not really feeling so good, I think I'll go home and rest a bit."

Rumble looked a bit disappointed, but then nodded. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow!" The two parted ways, but before getting too far away, Rumble turned and yelled after him. "I'll come and see the fight Saturday!"

Button waved, then left. Normally the walk back home in the sunlight was a relaxing affair for Button Mash, not this time though. It felt as if his stomach was doing knots. Taiko stuck his head out from the saddlebag, looking his way. He looked pleased with himself.

"So what now, Button?"

"So what now? Isn't that my line?"

"How does it feel?"

Button replied sarcastically. "How does it feel that I'm going to die Saturday? Or how does it feel that my friends are excited to see me die on Saturday?"

"Don't you feel more alive than you ever have before?"

Other than the fear knot in his stomach, he had to admit the ninja had a point. It was like his blood was moving a bit faster now, and there was a bit more calm over him. "Maybe..."

Taiko smiled, that much was clear even though his mouth was hidden inside the hood. "Then forget what happens Saturday."

Button didn't like the sound of that. "Does that mean you're not going to do something?"

Taiko still smiled, and answered in a teasing tone. "Are you going to do something?" What the hell, was this some sort of trick question?

"Me?!"

Taiko looked serious. "I can't do it for you, but I can help, we can do this together.

Button sighed. "It's a bad plan, we should just have kept a low profile..."

Taiko interrupted. "And wait to be beat up by Bulky?" The little ninja sounded angry, so Button didn't reply. "We have challenged him, so we can control the upcoming battle. Firstly, we have chosen the place, which gives us an advantage. Secondly, we chose the time, that means we know when he arrives, and so can arrive before him."

Button listened, then relaxed a bit. It was nice to know Taiko really had thought about it. "It also means that you don't have to trot around worrying to get beat up before Saturday at nine."

"We can't know that for sure."

Taiko nodded. "He'll wait patiently for Saturday. Even if you meet him right now he won't touch you, I'll guarantee it! He looks forward to kicking your ass in front of the entire school. He has every chance to win easily, and you have even promised to show up at school wearing a chicken costume. That gives us the biggest advantage, the bait is so good that Bulky forgets to think about anything other than he is going to win a fair fight."

Button smiled expectantly. "And it won't be fair?"

"Are you an idiot? A warrior lives for one thing, to fight, and he fights for one thing."

"To win?"

Taiko pointed at Button. "Boom!"
> Chapter 13: Training
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Button Mash trotted up the path he was so familiar with. It was dark, the sun had gone down. Button had never snuck out of his own house before, and it was kind of creepy to be trotting around at night all alone. Taiko however had insisted that he found them a place where they could be alone.

If there was one place Button knew nopony would be at this time of the evening, it was the school playground. It was pretty creepy going out this late, he had to wait until his mom would believe that he had gone to bed, even gone so far to stuff his blanket with a few pillows, trying to make it look like he was sleeping soundly.

"My mom is going to flip out if she finds out I've snuck out..." Button said to the little ninja.

"She won't, don't worry." Taiko assured him, climbing onto Button's back from his saddlebag. 

"You don't know that."

Taiko shrugged. "No, I don't, but I say our chances are pretty good. She trusts you."

The word trust made Button cringe a bit. He had a point, his mom did trust him, and right now he was doing something behind her back, something he had never done before. He tried to tell himself there was no other option, he couldn't tell his mom that he was going to fight somepony, she would flip out, and then that would open a whole can of emotions, and revelations. Button couldn't tell that Taiko was alive either, for one she would never believe him, not to mention Taiko had made him promise not to tell anypony.

Button made his way up the familiar path, and suddenly found himself on the road leading up to the school. It looked really strange in the moonlight, almost like a small castle. Button thought back on all the games he had played where he had to fight his way through some evil castle to save the princess. Button had always felt so brave when he was clearing levels with his little hero, now he wasn't feeling so sure.

They made their way up to the school, then trotted to the side, and got to the playground itself. Taiko had seen it before, but had never really studied it probably. There were a wide variety of playground activities. There was an activity tower, with small bridges, climbing nets, two slides, and towers that formed a square, with a large sandbox in the center of it. There were balancing tracks, monkey bars, a swing set, climbing walls and a carouse. 

Taiko nodded satisfied. "This place will do nicely." Taiko said, jumping off Button's back, and trotted towards the playground. 

"What exactly are we doing here?" Button asked.

Taiko drew his little sword from his bet, and stuck it in the ground. "Over here." He said, and walked to the center of the playground. Button followed, but stopped again when Taiko halted, and turned around taking a fighting stance. "Okay, let's say I'm Bulky."

Button looked confused. "Uhm, you don't expect that I'll fight him, right?"

"What's the problem?"

"I can't do that..."

"What do you mean by can't?!" Yelled Taiko angrily. "The only thing that makes you unable to do it is because you think you can't!" Taiko gestured for Button to stand across from him.

Button did as Taiko asked, although be it a bit hesitantly. "Bulky is bigger than me..."

"You're bigger than me, right now." Taiko said, and then suddenly leaped forward, rolling underneath Button Mash. He felt a punch in his underbelly that made Button wince and crumble a bit. The little ninja then grabbed Button's hoof, and used his weight to fling him onto his back. "But not now." Taiko chuckled.

Before Button could even think a single thought, the little ninja once again grabbed his hoof, and bent it a certain way so Button felt as if it was going to break. He was really strong for a soft little plushie. Taiko let go, and Button let out a small whine. 

"That wasn't fair..." Button mumbled.

"What?"

"It's not fair to hit ponies in the groin..."

Taiko snorted. "It was the groin, now come on." Button got up, but still mumbled that he thought it was unfair and cowardly. Taiko pointed at him. "Listen here, Button. You're already a coward, so you might as well use it to your advantage. Now come on, try and kick me." Button hesitated. "Come on, chicken shit, kick me as hard as you can!"

Button bit his lip, and then stepped forward, raising his hoof to kick the little ninja. However Taiko simply stepped aside, and wrapped his tiny hooves around his fetlock, giving it a certain amount of pressure that made Button cringe. Before he knew what was happening, Button flew over Ninja in one powerful swing, and landed on his back, with the little Ninja following.

"OW!" He said into the little plush rear of Taiko as he landed on his face.

Taiko jumped off. "Ow? You say that a lot." Taiko laughed, but then became serious. "It's one thing that is hurts, alright, but does the whole world need to know? Keep it to yourself, and come back at me.

Button felt some embarrassment for being such a wuss, but he didn't say anything. He stood up, tried to gather some courage, and got into a fighting position. Taiko nodded, satisfied, and then leaped into the air towards Button's face. Button made a wild motion with his front leg, hoping to block Taiko's attack. It looked way better in his mind than it did in reality.

Taiko caught Button's ear, and with a yank got Button on the ground once more. Then, still holding onto his ear, moved over his head, dragging the ear along, forcing Button to follow so he moved onto his back. Taiko jumped, and gave him a light kick to the gut.

Button didn't say anything this time, but it really did hurt. "You're moving too much," Taiko stated. "You have to fight with lightness, as if you're picking an apple." Button sat up, looking at Taiko as he explained. "If you're picking an apple and there is a branch in the way, you wouldn't move like this." 

Taiko started to pretend to pick an apple, making his moves big and dramatic. With one big circle movement of his right hoof, he moved the branch aside, and then picked the imaginary apple with the other. He looked at it, nodded satisfied, and polished it dramatically on his blue suit before taking an imaginary bite. Button laughed a bit.

"Do you see? Don't make a big deal out of it, just pick the apple." Taiko then did it again, but this time he moved calmly. In one movement he moved the branch away, picked the apple, and took a bite. Taiko moved lightly, and with purpose, just as when he fought.  "Get it?"

Button understood, and nodded. "Yeah, but I don't understand how you can take a bite without biting down on your hood."

Taiko chuckled. "Let's try again." They got ready, and Taiko launched another attack towards Button's face. This time Button moved much less. "Better," mumbled Taiko, before attacking again and again. He repeated the same attack over and over again, and each time Button moved more and more calmly. Taiko nodded satisfied.

Button thought about how insane it was to be taught martial arts by a ninja doll. If this was a dream, then it was pretty cool. They kept training until Button felt his entire body sweat, and he had to lay down to catch his breath. "Nice!" Yelled Taiko. "You're making progress, Button. Let's head back for today." Button panted and got up, his green hat with a propeller fell to the ground. Taiko frowned. "Why are you wearing that?"

"Hm?" Button looked down at it, then picked it back up. "Uhm, I don't know... I've kind of always had it..." The little propeller started to spin as soon as Button put it on.

Taiko looked around. "How does it spin when there is no wind?"

Button chuckled. "It's a secret!"

Taiko rolled his eyes, or at least Button imagined that was what he was doing. "Whatever, let's go!" He picked up his sword, and jumped back up onto Button's back. 

Then the two of them started to make their way back home in the moonlight.