“Button Mash!”
“Button!”
“Button Mash, answer me!”
“Where are you, Button?!”
“Your mom’s worried about you, sweetheart!”
Half the town was awake. All the grownups and some of the foals were going to and fro calling out for Button Mash, looking behind every house, going door to door, asking if anypony had seen him or have any idea where he might be. At the same time, Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich were searching using their own random, pop-out-of-nowhere way by randomly popping out of any where and any thing, such as flowerpots, chimney stacks, windows, from behind trees or poles too narrow to hide fully-grown ponies, even popping out from under ponies’ hats or out of their manes, and so on.
“Button Mash, where are ya?”
“Button! Come out, come out, wherever you are!”
“Button!”
“Button!”
Love Tap was sniffling as she sat beside Mayor Mare, who was doing her best to assure the worried mom that they’d find her colt while the Pegasus guard stood nearby like a protective sentry. Applejack and Thunderlane had taken the lead in organizing the search party (to Pinkie and Cheese’s chagrins although they were given the go-ahead to use Pinkie’s night-vision goggles).
Rainbow and Soarin led the pegasi in searching from the air, but seeing as it was night they really had to keep their eyes sharp in case they missed Button or a clue. Blueblood led the unicorns, their horns illuminated to help see in the dark and a few of the more powerful unicorns trying their best locater spells to track Button down. But none were detecting anything.
Applejack led a band of searchers around town and in the park while Big Mac had volunteered to search Sweet Apple Acres. After taking Fluttershy home to their house, he patrolled the farmlands, looking for any sign of Button… and he found it!
As Big Mac walked the farthest side of the orchard, the one closest towards the Everfree Forest, his keen ears picked up a sound he’d heard before. It was faint but consistent…
*Fwip-fwip-fwip-fwip…*
Following the sound, Big Mac realized he was leaving the grounds of Sweet Apple acres and getting closer towards the edge of the Everfree… when he saw it!
Hurrying over, he bent down and confirmed he’d found, “Button’s hat!”
It was Button Mash’s propeller-cap, orange- and white-sided with a little propeller with green rotors, spinning in the evening breeze. Picking it up, Big Mac hoped this didn’t mean what he feared it meant, and looked around. Finding nothing, Big Mac took a deep breath.
“BUTTON MAAAASSHH!!” he called in his deep bellowing voice, looking around, “ANSWER ME, HAYSTACK! C’mon now, Button Mash, yer mama’s real worried about you!”
Aside from the chirping of crickets, silence was his only answer. Sighing, Big Mac looked to the only other place he could think of, and started making his way into the Everfree Forest. He hoped Button was alright but Big Mac couldn’t help but wonder for what possible reason Button would have ventured into these woeful woods.
It didn’t take long for the twisted branches to thicken into a dark canopy that blocked out the moon and starlight. Thankfully, there were a few fireflies buzzing about and even a glowing mushroom here and there. If only their soft glows didn’t add to the macabre scenery. Big Mac was scared. Like, real scared.
Everywhere he looked, he saw something creepy, sometimes something crawly, and for a fleeting moment when he glanced in a general direction he was absolutely certain he saw some glowing menacing eyes!
Reminds me o’ when th’ gang an’ Ah first stepped into these parts back when Nightmare Moon came around…
Big Mac made sure to move quietly as he kept his eyes and ears on high alert, for any sign of danger and more importantly for any sign of Button.
*ROOOOAAAARRRRR…*
It was far away but Big Mac could hear it clearly enough that he knew there was something dangerous ahoof. He had to find Button Mash quickly and get outta-
“EEYAUGH!!!”
Big Mac cried out in alarm as his forehoof stepped out onto nothing and he was sent over a steep hill! He rolled and tumbled, grunting and yelping, unable to stop!
As quickly as it had begun, Big Mac found himself in an aching heap at the bottom of the steep hill, groaning as laid there in the dirt. He righted himself so that he was sitting on his haunches and rubbed a sore spot near the dock of his tail.
“Errgh…” Big Mac very slowly stood on all four of his hooves, a little banged up but it didn’t feel like anything was broken, much to his relief.
*Sniff-sniff-sniff*
Big Mac’s ears perked towards a familiar sound. He’d heard it before, whenever his sisters were sad. He looked around and saw he was in a thick grove of trees with an open middle, only a small opening in the canopy letting in the barest light.
“Mom, uh-huh-huh…”
Is tha’…? Big Mac thought before he whisper-shouted, “Button Mash! Tha’ you?!”
He heard a light gasp as a little voice answered in a weepy voice, “I-is somepony there…?”
“Button Mash, it’s me! Big Mac!” Big Mac stepped into the grove and sighed in relief to see Button Mash, sitting on an upturned root, looking back at the big red stallion with big red eyes.
“Haystack, wha’cha doin’ all th’ way out here?”
“B-B-Big Mac!” Button wailed as he ran up to Big Mac, who kindly held the crying colt, and let him have a moment. Button took a deep shuddering breath as he looked up at Big Mac and sniffled, “A g-guard came, and… he-he said…!”
“Sh-sh-sh…Ah know,” Big Mac gently shushed him to help him calm down. “Yer mama showed up at th’ party lookin’ fer ya. Button, ya gotta know she’s mighty worried about you.”
“I-I know, it’s just-!!” Button sniffle-gasped as he tried to calm down, Big Mac gently patting the colt on the back.
“When the guard showed me… the Red Heart of Service and he-he mentioned Cheat Code, I just- Uh-huh-huh-huh! Big Mac, he’s go-ha-ha-one!”
“Shhh…” Big Mac hugged the crying colt close, “let it all out, haystack. Y’ll feel better…”
Big Mac held Button there, letting the colt let out all the hurt and heartache, knowing this is what he needed. Just somepony to be there for him as he cried out the sadness. Just like Big Mac did a long time ago.
After a while, Button just couldn’t cry anymore, and Big Mac knew it was getting really late. Finally, he roused Button from his cried-out dazed and asked, “Button… why’d ya come out here?”
“…I… didn’t really mean to come here,” Button whimpered, looking down so sadly. “After… after I figured out what the guard had come to tell us, I just… I just ran!
“I ran and I didn’t care where I was going! I just wanted to… I don’t know, I-!! I just…”
“Wanted t’ run away from th’ bad?”
Button looked up at Big Mac, the big red stallion’s words ringing with truth and in Big Mac’s eyes he saw a reflection of his own pain.
“Ah know how ya feel, Button… Cuz me, Applejack, an’ Apple Bloom? We lost our ma an’ pa long time ago… `Bloom was only jus’ born, she can barely even remember wha’ our folks looked like. Sure we got pictures, but tha’ ain’t th’ same as seein’ yer kin right before ya an’ rememberin’ ev’ry special part o’ them.
“Every time Ah think o’ muh ma or muh pa, Ah always feel a lil’ hurt in muh heart. But then Ah remember all th’ happiest times we had t’gether, an’ Ah also think o’ wha’ they taught me an’ muh sisters t’ help us get through life.
“It helps it hurt a little less, but it don’t make th’ hurt go away entirely. But y’know what does help it hurt less even more?”
“What?” Button hung on every word.
“Time,” Big Mac said with tone that made it sound so simple. “Th’ hurt ne’er goes away entirely, Button, but time helps it hurt less an’ less. Rememberin’ can hurt but it helps a whole lot more.
“It might not feel like it right now, but yer gonna be okay! As long as you remember th’ good times an’ wha’ made yer brother so special, you an’ yer mama will get through it all together.”
“Mom…!” Button gasped as he realized, “I ran away when she was sad! …She must be really worried...”
“Tha’s wha’ mamas `re for, haystack,” Big Mac patted Button on the back before he reached behind and pulled out Button’s cap, making him gasp at the sight of it.
“Y’know, mah mama used t’ say… when things are lookin’ dark, tha’s when you look for the light!”
He paused a moment before he smirked, “`Course… she did say that once when th’ power went out during a rainstorm.”
Button accepted his cap back and sighed morosely, “I shouldn’t have left her…”
“Oh Button Mash! Don’ give up!” Big Mac stood up, smiling brightly. “Scoot yer caboose, cuz’ we’re gonna find our way home!”
Button looked at the dark grove around them before meeting Big Mac’s gaze, “How?”
When yer stuck way out far and ya don’ know where ya are
When it’s so dark ya can’t see even one lil’ star
Ya wonder which way is wrong an’ which road is right…
The best thing that you can do is just look for th’ light!
Big Mac started walking through the grove, Button slapping his cap on as he followed closely. They found an animal trail and started along it, and as they did they passed some strange buds that suddenly bloomed to reveal luminous pollen.
Look for the light, one little spark, a lil’ ray o’ hope to lead you outta th’ dark
Somewhere deep inside o’ you it’s shinin’ so bright
Button marveled at the glowing pollen as it floated through the air like dandelion fluff.
All ya gotta do is look, ya gotta look for th’ light!
They came to a river that looked rather deep, but on the bank there was an old tree trunk that appeared to be standing on its’ last roots.
Somethin’ in yer way, you gotta buck it
Big Mac bucked the tree, causing it to topple into the river, but it didn’t quite reach all the way across. Big Mac helped Button onto his back as he walked along the trunk.
A great divide? Go on an’ jump it
Big Mac landed them safely on the other side and let Button down.
Maybe yer tired, maybe yor scared
Button gasped at the sight of some scary claws over Big Mac’s head…! Only to sigh in relief when he saw it was just a dead branch.
But th’ only thing ya hav’ to be… is be prepared!
To look for th’ light, an’ open yer eyes! Ya never know when yer gonna find a surprise!
Big Mac led Button into a clearing where fireflies filled the night air wherever they walked in the thick grass. Some of the fireflies danced around Button’s propeller cap, making him laugh.
Some things may tickle you, others may bite! Jus’ listen to muh mother, brother, an’ look for th’ light.
C’mon an’ look for th’ light.
Get up an’ look for th’ light!
Big Mac and Button smiled to see the fireflies flying down a path that led straight to Ponyville!
C’mon an' look fer th’ light…
Button and Big Mac hugged, relieved that they were almost home, that they were together, that things were gonan be okay.
“`Least tha’s what mah mama used t’ tell me,” Big Mac chuckled as he led Button out of the forest and back into Ponyville where they belonged.
The search party was still going on despite several ponies calling it quits because of the late hour. But as everypony began to notice Big Mac headed towards town hall with Button at his side, the worry over Ponyville quickly lifted and in its place was joy that one of their own had been brought home safe and sound.
As they sat on the verandah of town hall, Love Tap looked solemn, her cheeks stained with tears that had run dry, she heard Mayor Mare gasp and then point out while saying, “Love Tap, look!”
Love Tap followed Mayor Mare’s hoof and took a shuddery-gasp as she saw who was coming her way.
“Mom!”
“Button…!” she whispered before jumping forward and galloping towards her son, “Button!”
“Mom!!” Button yelled, smiling and tears welling up in his eyes as he leapt into his mother’s embrace, everypony watching, happy to see mother and son back in each other’s forelegs, as Love Tap gave a bunch of kisses to her little colt’s face, hugged him so tight he squeaked that he couldn’t breathe, just holding him and never wanting to let go.
“Mom, I’m so sorry…!”
“It’s okay!” she assured, crying but just overjoyed that her baby was safe and sound. “As long as you’re okay…!”
Earlier, over at Ponyville General Hospital…
“He’s gonna be alright,” Doctor Stable assured Doctor Whooves, Ditzy, and Dinky, as he levitated a chart and read the diagnosis that was made for Twinken when the concerned family had brought him in.
“The strange magic surge you described and the whole fiasco just threw him for a loop. He’ll sleep off the excitement and wake up fresh as a daisy in the morning.”
They all stood in a hospital room Twinken sleeping soundly in bed while surrounded by the Whooves-Doo family and his doctor. The concerned family had brought Twinken in, followed by Nightjar, Bulk Biceps, and Chili Spice who’d brought in Joe. Both were cleared but given the circumstances of what happened the staff decided to keep both patients overnight.
“Thank you very much, doctor,” Dr. Whooves shook Stable’s hoof, “Twinken’s such a good colt, it shocks us that this occurred on his birthday of all days.”
“Daddy, Mommy, why did Twinken’s big brother hurt him?” Dinky looked up at her parents with eyes threatening to tear up.
Ditzy hugged her little muffin close, “Sweetheart, I don’t think Prince Midnight did it on purpose, he just… Well, things just turned out bad, and he made a bad decision…”
“Now then, it’s getting late and I think it’s time we all got some rest as well,” Doctor Stable started to herd the family out, but Dinky cried, “Wait!”
He backed up for her as she said, “Just a moment, please.”
They watched as Dinky went over, reared up to be right beside Twinken, and whispered, “I wanted to give you your present after your birthday cake, but…”
Dinky leaned over and gave Twinken a soft kiss on his cheek before she rejoined her parents and gave Twinken one last look before the doctor closed the door and flicked out the lights.
For a few long and quiet moments, Twinken laid peacefully asleep, alone in his hospital room… before a shadow slithered in through a crack in the window, and rose up at his bedside. The shadow fell away, as did a hood, revealing a despondent Midnight. He’d heard every word, and while he was glad that Twinken was okay, Dinky’s question had cut deep despite Ditzy’s words.
Tears ran down his face as he gently placed a hoof on Twinken’s cheek, the warmth of it a bittersweet comfort he knew he didn’t deserve to feel.
I did this… he thought in deepest shame.
Midnight was glad Twinken wasn’t awake but a part of him wished his little brother was, so that he could answer all the little colt’s questions, as he’d promised. To tell him how sorry he was.
For everything.
He reached into his cloak and pulled out the present he’d given Twinken, the one the birthday colt never got the chance to open.
Because of me…
Midnight undid the golden ribbon and then pulled off the box lid to reveal a circular locket of the purest silver with an engraved crescent moon and an encrusted star-cut obsidian on the cover. With his mana, he opened it, revealing the picture inside.
Of himself as a thirteen year-old alicorn colt, Twinken as a sleepy newborn in the forelegs of their beautiful mother, and their father behind his family, holding them all together as they smiled at the camera.
Midnight didn’t know how long he stood there, in the darkness of his little brother’s hospital room barely lit by the gentle glow of starlight through the window, by his brother’s bedside, looking at that picture.
Finally, he closed the locket, placed it back in the box, redid the ribbon, and then set it on the bedside drawer.
He turned to the window but gave Twinken one last look, his heart wavering wanting so much to wake him up and tell him he was sorry, but his guilt was too heavy.
He vanished from the room as though he were never there.
The airship was prepped and ready to go, it just needed a prince to take back to Canterlot. The guards who’d been sent to wait for Midnight were waiting patiently but the increasingly late hour was raising their anxiety.
Midnight stood near enough to see the airship but was hidden well enough that the guards couldn’t see him. He didn’t want to go, but he was just too ashamed to stay. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a silver mirror with onyx stones on the frame.
“Master, are you there? …I need help.”
The mirror only showed Midnight his reflection but after a few moments, the looking glass rippled like a pond after a stone had been thrown in. Midnight’s reflection was shimmered away and in its place was his master, Prince Sombra.
“Midnight. I am aware that Celestia has summoned you regarding Hossmane’s suicide, but… you look like your world is about to end.”
“It's… everything’s just gone so wrong and- Master... I did something very wrong,” Midnight explained, feeling so ashamed, so lost, as he gave his mentor a full recount of all that had transpired tonight.
Sombra listened to every word, his face inscrutable, nodding every now and then but he never interrupted or even asked a question. He listened, without judgment, without reaction, as his student, the closest thing he had to a son, poured his broken heart out.
“…and y’know, for just… just a moment! Honestly, for the first time since I manipulated my past self into unleashing the Whisperer, I thought… everything’s just fine! Everything is as it should be, everything’s gonna work out, but… it didn’t.”
“Hmm,” Sombra nodded, having been there once himself. “And it hurts.”
“Like hell!” Midnight shuddered with a tearful nod. “I’ve… I’ve alienated everypony important to me, that they’ll never look at me the same way again! And… maybe I’m just not meant to…”
“Not meant to what, son?” Sombra asked with a gentle voice.
“…To be happy!” Midnight felt like a big crybaby by his answer but he couldn’t help it! He was even wiping his tears using his cloak.
“Maybe I’m just supposed to… do the hard things and make the hard choices, so that nopony else has to. So that… everypony else can be happy.”
“…Midnight, take it from somepony who knows,” Sombra spoke, sounding like a father about to sit his foal in his lap.
“It takes a noble and selfless spirit to do the things you do, when you shouldn’t even have to!”
“There’s nothing noble about me-” Midnight shook his head.
“Yes there is!” Sombra insisted, causing Midnight to meet his forefather in the eye through the glass.
“Midnight… Secrets never stay secret, and so much bad happens in this world, often to good ponies who don’t deserve it in the slightest. And sometimes, we make choices that we have to live with for the rest of our lives. I made the choice to leave Celestia after Luna’s deception tore us apart, and I made the decision to hold onto a misplaced grudge that continued to divide us.
“My heart wasn’t strong enough to let go… and we both know what that led to.”
“It just feels like… all this pain and-and guilt, it-!” Midnight took a sharp deep breath, trying to maintain his shaky composure.
“I just don’t know if I can…”
“I thought the same thing after you brought me back to Celestia,” Sombra responded. “But it did. Not entirely, but… Midnight, what gives a pony the strength to face his fate is his courage to bear his vulnerabilities. We are strange creatures, marked by destiny whether or not we understand why.
“We are all striving to find our own harmony in this life and we all have the potential to find it, whether or not we recognize it once we do! You are a great pony, Midnight! You’re not perfect, but who is? Certainly not me, not Luna, not Cadance or Shining Armor, and certainly not my wife!
“The things you have accomplished, and the things I know and don’t know that you will accomplish, you have no idea just how much hope you inspire! And your cloak-and-dagger business, it’s done a lot of good. It’s not always ideal, but it’s done so much more good than you realize!”
“You really think so…?” Midnight asked hesitantly.
“I do, son, and as far as you’ve come, your journey? I’m pretty damn sure there’s still so much more to look forward to, so much more good for you to accomplish. And yes, you have reached a point where you have to look inside yourself and ask the big questions… but you will rise up to meet this head-on, just like you always have.”
Midnight as tearing up, but he was smiling a little, grateful to his master’s words. Yet the guilt still shadowed his mind.
“But what about Twinken? And Twilight? …How can I face them after all that’s happened tonight?”
“I don’t know, Midnight,” Sombra sighed, knowing he couldn’t fix this for his apprentice. “But if you don’t… you may very well lose them, son.”
And then Sombra’s image in the mirror faded away, and Midnight was once again looking at himself. He held his reflected gaze a moment longer before sighing and standing up, knowing there was no point putting it off any longer.
He made his way towards the airship, the guards noticing him and saluting as he stepped onto the catwalk to board.
I’m standing in a field. My feet lift off the ground
He stepped to the bow of the airship as he heard the pilot shout, “Cast off!”
No one here will see me, no one will hurt me now
The airship rose to meet the night sky, rising over the clouds like the moon over the world.
I’m brushing off the rain while climbing through the clouds
Nopony can see me, no one can hurt me now
The airship changed course and started making its way towards Canterlot, the wind of the dizzying heights blowing at Midnight, his cloak billowing behind him while his horn through the brim of his hood kept it in place.
Goodbye, gravity! Goodbye, enemies. I’m going up to a place where the world is small
Where I can fly above it all
His master’s words had helped, but the pain would linger.
If I don’t make it sing my song. From here, I’m weightless! No stars are famous!
And the world is small. And the world is small…
But despite this, Midnight would face whatever the future held for him. A tear trailed down his cheek, which pulled back into a smirk as the alicorn prince boldly faced his destination.