Chapter 3 Celebratory Counter

We ran to Sugar Cube Corner to celebrate Scootaloo getting her cutie mark, we of course were going to plan a party but we thought we should get a cupcake or something. On the door was a poster for some video game tournament.

"Hey guys we should try to get our cutie marks in gaming." Button said

"Alright sounds fun." I replied since I secretly played video games I thought it was rather embarrassing.

"Gaming? I think Ah'll pass." Apple Bloom said. The poster said we would sign up in Sugar Cube Corner so Button and I immediately walked in and put our names on the sheet, above ours was Cord's name.

"So may the best pony win." Button said as he held out his hoof I shook it and we walked over to the machine we would compete on. It was a fighting game I personally couldn't wait to actually play it.

"You two we're supposed to be celebrating you know." Scootaloo called out and we walked back to the booth where they were sitting. We ordered a cupcake for each of us, needless to say they were quickly eaten and we went our separate ways after that. I headed back home where I was greeted by the ever busy Rarity.

"Sweetie Belle how was your day?" She asked as she put blue gems on a dress probably for the upcoming gala.

"Scootaloo got her cutie mark and I signed up for a video game tournament at Sugar Cube Corner. Could you come?" I asked ]

"Well good for Scootaloo." She replied clearly not really paying attention.

"Rarity I asked if would come to a video game tournament that I'm in." I said a tad bit louder since she turned on the sewing machine.

"I don't know Sweetie Belle I'm pretty busy as you can see." She said I gave a loud groan.

"You're always busy." I replied.

"Well the gala is coming up and I must full fill these orders for very important clients." She said a tad annoyed so I left and headed to music store. Cord was putting up guitar along the wall when I walked in, there was a mini stage in the back that I got on as he walked over with a box full of CD's.

"Then she acted like I was the problem." I said as he pushed the box with his head.

"Sweetie Belle it's not like my brother is coming either, can you lend me a hoof here." He said and began helping him push the heavy box to the corner.

"But she always does this to me." I said and Cord rolled his eyes. "Well she does, now she won't even let me help her with her business."

"Why's that?" he asked

"I kind of lit a dress on fire by accident."

"How did you manage that?" He asked and I groaned not wanting to get into it to much that was a very dark day for fabric.

"Well I saw you entered the tournament. Are you trying to get your cutie mark?" I asked as we moved on to the next box.

"Not really the prize is three hundred bits and I'm going to use it to buy a guitar." He said

"Wait you play?" I asked as the bell rang and in walked Rarity.

"Yeah but I don't have my own guitar." He replied as a much older stallion walked over to my sister and greeted her. He had solid light grey coat unlike Cord's though it wasn't misty and his mane was a solid light green and his tail was also cut short.

"Cord I told you to put those over there." Cord groaned loudly and began moving the box again. "Sorry about that ma'am."

"Its fine I'm just here looking for sister its time for dinner." I heard Rarity say so I walked over to her and we left. "What a nice stallion." She commented on our way out I groaned at my sister next probably fail at love. The next morning I got up and went to Sugar Cube Corner for the tournament, Button and a mare older than him I assume his mother were already there. I saw Cord playing against another pony it looked like things had already started.

"ULTRA COMBO!" The machine yelled in a deep voice, for once Cord wasn't wearing his jacket but still had his headphones and glasses he got off the machine and I saw his name move up in the tournament.

"Alright my turn." Button said as he got up on the machine next, his opponent was Twist, I didn't know she was into these things to.

"Go Button!" The mare cheered as the game started.

"Hey Sweetie Belle you're up next." Cord informed me before pointing to my opponent Spike.

"Spike what are you doing here?" I asked

"Well I wanted to win some money so I could buy some gems to make a cake. I've been practicing all week for this. It's a shame you'll have to loose first." He said and Cord snickered a little.

"What?" Spike asked

"You're going to be beaten by me I need that money to buy a guitar." Cord said and sparks flew between the two just like Applejack and Rarity occasionally when they disagreed.

"COMBO BREAKER! HYPER COMBO!" The machine yelled and Button began cheering and I took to the machine. There was only one female character so I chose her, Spike picked the only dragon in the game and our match started. Spike kicked my character and my health dropped I countered with a punch. Then Spike began mashing the buttons quickly I got distracted and looked away from the game when I turned back my character was defeated.

"Sorry Sweetie Belle." Spike said

"It's fine." I replied before going to sit down. A couple of older ponies went and it was time for Cord to face Button who was sure of himself.

"Prepare to lose." He told Cord as they got on the machine.

"Ready! FIGHT!" And the two began mashing the buttons and moving the joystick around furiously. The match lasted three minutes and ended with Cord achieving victory, Button began to cry and the mare walked him out of the building with the promise of ice cream.

"How did you get so good?" I asked he just shrugged.

"I stay up late on weekends and play videogames." He replied. The next match Spike won and it was the semi-finals.

"Well Spike I didn't think you made it this far." Princess Twilight said as she walked in.

"I know I told my practicing was going to pay off. Now all I have to do is beat Cord and another pony then I can pay for the gems." He sounded so excited about it.

"Well good luck." Twilight said as Pinkie hooked up the machine to a big TV so we could all watch. Cord selected a small character who wore kung fu clothes and Spike picked the dragon again.

"COMBO! HYPER COMBO! ULTRA COMBO! FINISH HIM! FATALITY! FLAWLESS VICTORY!" The machine yelled Spike was crushed literally in the game and emotionally. Cord walked down from the machine, as Spike was still stunned. Spike got down still in awe over his loose.

"How did you do that?" Spike asked

"Well you know perfecting a game takes more than a week." Cord replied as the second to last match began. Spike left with Twilight who promised to give him the money he needed to buy the gems he needed. I watched as Cord won the tournament and got the money.

"Cord where are you going?" I asked as he began to leave.

"To buy my guitar want to come?" I followed him to the music store where he bought an electric guitar he plugged in to an amp and began playing.

"Bum bum bum." The guitar sounded and I began to hum along to beat. I had to go home soon after that, I walked in to the boutique to find my sister still working but dinner was on the table. It was just salad but I ate without complaining and told her thank you before going up to my room. I hummed the song that Cord had played it sounded familiar but I just couldn't name it.