"Alright guys," Spoke the brown mane pegasus as he turned on the monitor. " We know that Dark Force is here but what they are trying to do is beyond me."
The small town of Ponyville was shown on the screen as Button Mash and his friends looked at the town. "Nothing looks different though." Scootaloo said as she looked at the monitor.
"That is true," Replied her green hoodie wearing counterpart. "Any thing that Dark Force does is like subtle changes. They don't want anypony to know that they exist and that they have unimaginable power."
"Even the Elements of Harmony are no match against them." Added Rumble. "We seen it fail many times. Like laughter for instance. You know how Pinkie Pie always has a smile on her face?"
Everypony in Button Mash's world nods their head. They know all to well Pinkie's overly bubbly, hyperactive, everywhere at once party planner.
"Well, during one of our adventures we encountered a Pinkie Pie who laughed at others pain and misfortune." Continued the gray pegasus. "It was then at that time we learned of Dark Force's ability to change the minds of others."
Applebloom claps her hooves together. "Like some sort of hypnosis!"
"Close enough, uh other me." Replied her counterpart.
"But how did they get here?" Asked Dinky. "And what do they intend to do with my mother?"
Rain Catcher hangs his head low and sighs. "Its my fault that they are here. We were fighting and I planned to toss them into the nexus."
" The nexus?!" Gasped Dinky.
The other three look at the blond unicorn hoping for an answer. "Care to share what a nexus is Dinky?" Asked Button Mash.
"The nexus is one point in space-time where all the universe are connected."
"Wait there is more than one universe?" Questioned Scootaloo.
Dinky smirks and puffs out her chest. "Of course! If what The Doctor told me is true then there is entire multiverse of alternate versions of us, like for example, you and our Rumble's break up three months ago."
The two crusaders plus Button Mash look at Scootaloo who started to growl angrily. "Probably could have chosen your words better Dinky." Replied Sweetie Belle rolling her eyes.
"I'm sorry, would you have preferred if I said that you and Button broke up and he stared dating me instead?" Dinky smiles to herself as Sweetie Belle's eye started to twitch a little. "Didn't think so. Anyway I'm pretty sure that there is a universe where me and Button are dating." She looks back at Rain Catcher. "What you did was extremely dangerous, you could have been erased from existence."
The blue pegasus doesn't move or break his serious expression he just keeps looking forward avoiding the very angry glare from his green hooded companion. "I knew the risks of such actions." He changes the screen from Ponyville to a portrait of Derpy Hooves. "As for your mother I have absolutely no idea what they want with her. But I do intend to find out. Scootaloo!"
"Yes?" Both of them replied.
The Doctor facehoofs and sighs. "My Scootaloo."
"Aw isn't that soooo cute." Giggled Castor as Rumble stifled a laugh with his hoof. " You said My Scootaloo again."
"Castor, shut up." Replied the two annoyed ponies as they regained their composure.
Button Mash looks down sadly. How was he going to save his mother from Dark Force's control? It didn't take him very long as he was soon plagued with horrible thoughts wondering if they got his dad or his brother. He shakes his head pushing the thought away, he had to get back to Ponyville and stop them somehow. "Rain Catcher I need to get back to Ponyville!"
The main control room got very quiet as Button Mash made is request to return to Ponyville. He didn't care that every pony in the main control room was just staring at him not saying a word.
"Huh?!" Exclaimed The Doctor. He looked almost surprised at Button Mash's request to return to Ponyville.
"I said I need to get back to Ponyville and stop Dark Force!" He said with his voice of determination. Sweetie Belle looks at her coltfriend with a smile on her face, though she would never admit it but she secretly liked it when he showed some confidence.
The Doctor serious expression returns quickly as he looked at the brown earth colt a little annoyed. "And just how do you plan to stop them, Button Mash." The earth colt glances down, he had no idea how he was going to stop them but he couldn't sit here and do nothing. "I don't know if you been listing to a word I've been saying Button Mash! But Dark Force is a powerful entity that can-"
"I know what Dark Force can do Doctor!" Button Mash stomps his hoof on the ground. "If they are as dangerous as you say they are then why are we just sitting here? We need to strike now before they can do anymore damage."
"Sigh ok look, you're right Button Mash. We cant afford to waste anymore time." Rain Catcher walks over towards a blue circular pad on the floor. "I'll go to Ponyville and begin searching for Derpy Hooves."
Button Mash walks over to the spot next The Doctor who looks at him with a glare. "And what do you think you're doing?"
The earth colt hero looks at the Doctor confused. "Going with you of course."
"No you are not." Replied Rain Catcher shaking his head. "You'll only get in my way." Button Mash starts to frown at his bluntness, he was starting to wonder if Lyra was right about the whole invaluable ally thing. "And two you'll only put yourself in danger."
"Just like a certain blue pegasus I know." Added the hoodie wearing Scootaloo as Rain Catcher gives her a mean look. "But maybe he's on to something, think about it, both of you have been targeted by Dark Force right? Well if both of you go to Ponyville maybe you can draw them towards you."
Rumble pounds his hooves together. "And take them out with one strike!"
"Maybe." The Doctor looks on the ground wrestling with his thoughts. "Button Mash do you still intend to return to Ponyville and fight against Dark Force?"
The brown colt nods. "They have my mother and who knows how many others. And I promised my father that I would look after my mother while he's away. I cant let him down."
Sweetie Belle smiles at her friends who quickly return the warm gesture.
"Very well then." The Doctor turns towards the orange pegasus wearing the green hoodie. "Scoots. Lets go!" She pushes a blue button and both ponies disappear in a flash of light.
Castor and Rumble glance at Scootaloo with wide grins on their faces. "Hehe he called you Scoots this time." Grinned the orange filly.
"Are you two doing pet names now?" Added Rumble before both of them started to bust out laughing.
"Shut up you two." Retorted Scootaloo leaving the room in a huff while the others stayed in the main room. Applebloom sighs and motions for the girls to follow her.
"Ya'll must be plum exhausted from today's excitement. Follow me so you girls can rest a spell." Applebloom, Dinky and Scootaloo follow her while Sweetie Belle looks back at the spot where her coltfriend once stood.
"Don't worry about your friend." Sweetie Belle looks down her other universe self who was messing with some of the controls. "Me and Applebloom may not like Rain Catcher very much but he does come through in the end." The white filly nods and rushes off to catch up with her friends.
In a small clearing in the middle of a field far away from town a strange white light appears with Button Mash and Rain Catcher. The earth colt looks around confused wasn't he just on. "Uh what just happened?" Asked Button Mash. He had no idea what happened. All that he could remember was a bright flash of light.
"Teleportation," He said "Real handy for situations that-." He stops and reaches behind his neck and pulls out a small circular pad from his scarf.
Button Mash looks at the extremely confused pegasus pony. "Uh what's that?" Rain Catcher doesn't say anything as he pushes a button and Scootaloo's face appeared in a blue light. "Scootaloo?"
"Very sneaky of you to put a commutation pad in my scarf Scootaloo." He said.
I seem to recall you doing this same thing Rain
Button Mash's face lights up with pure excitement. "Whoa! That's so cool!" It kind of reminded him of one of his favorite video games. He never expected to see one in real life though.
"How did you put his on me without me noticing?" He asked.
A mare gotta have her secrets, but right now focus on locating Derpy Hooves, But be careful, there's no telling how many ponies are under Dark Force's control. I will your navigator for this mission.
"Aren't you always." He muttered.
Head into town, and be on your guard! Good Luck!
The blue light disappears and The Doctor puts his communicator away as he looks at the brown earth colt. "Alright Button Mash, before we get started let me tell you a few rules."
Button Mash looks at Rain Catcher with a very blank stare. "What?" He honestly could not believe that he just said that and was REALLY starting to question Lyra's judgment.
"That's right," He said nodding his head. "Rule one, trust no pony we have no idea if they are our enemy. Rule two do NOT wander off." The earth pony could not believe his ears. Was he seriously doing this? "And finally and this is the MOST important one Button Mash. Trust me I'm The Doctor." He puts a hoof on Button's back. "And I'm here to help."
Meanwhile on the Phase Distorter, Sweetie Belle along with Applebloom, Scootaloo and Dinky were sitting in a room talking about what was going on back home.
"Oh I hope they're ok. " Sweetie Belle said worriedly as she paces around the room. "After what happened to his mother and my sister Ohh please be ok.
Dinky however chuckles at the frantic Sweetie Belle. " Some fillyfriend you are Sweetie Belle showing no faith in Button, where I have complete faith that he will destroy this Dark Force!" Truthfully she was just worried as Sweetie Belle was, but she didn't need to know that.
"What was that Dinky?!" Sweetie Belle's voice was high pitched and her face was red with anger. "If you have something to say, then say it in my face!."
Applebloom and Scootaloo glanced at each other as Dinky and Sweetie Belle traded verbal jabs. "I said that you show no faith in Button Mash." She repeated getting in the unicorn filly's face. "There I said it!" The room got very quiet as Sweetie Belle just stood there not moving. Applebloom grabs Scootaloo and hides behind the couch away from impending disaster that was about to happen.
"Dinky." Sweetie Belle's voice was eerily very calm for a filly who been told that they don't support their special some pony. "You are THIS close to getting punched in the mouth."
"Go on Sweetie Belle! Just give an excuse."
The two scared fillies sighed as they continued to hide behind the couch away from Sweetie Belle and Dinky's combined wraths. They really hoped that they could go back home soon.
It was still a beautiful summer day in the small town of Ponyville as Button Mash and Rain Catcher traversed throughout the lively town as they saw many of the townsponies go about their daily lives without a care in the world. Button Mash looks around as many ponies greeted him with a smile as they do every time they see him. It almost made him forget that a evil force is trying to take control of his world.
"Don't be fooled Button Mash. They're probably waiting for us to let down our guard." The Doctor looks around paranoid making sure that any pony doesn't get the jump on them. "Always be on your guard!"
They continued to traverse the town keeping their eyes peeled for Derpy Hooves, the poor mare who was unfortunately under Dark Force's control.
"Well well well if it isn't Button Mash."
But they find a pink earth pony with a diamond tiara instead. "Its been two weeks since last we met." Button Mash growls in annoyance as Diamond Tiara circles around two. "Who's your friend?"
"This is The Doctor." He figured it would be best if he kept Rain Catcher's true name to himself. " Where's yours?" He actually did wonder where did Silver Spoon and Rumble was, even if he and Rumble did have some unfinished business.
The pink filly chuckles as she pats Button on the cheek. "Oh Button, always looking for a fight are you? Well you're outta luck, both Rumble and Silver Spoon are in Manehatten for the weekend. But I'll be sure to send him your regards." She walks pass the two with her nose in the air. Rain Catcher glances at Button Mash blank expression.
"Did something happen between you and the Rumble of this world?" He asked.
The earth colt slowly turns his head and looks The Doctor straight in his eyes. "And your first clue was?" He walks forward to continue his search for Derpy Hooves with The Doctor not far behind.
"Augh I'm not sure how much more of this I can take!" Groaned Scootaloo. She and Applebloom left the room while Dinky and Sweetie Belle continued their verbal argument. "What does Dinky hope to achieve anyway?" They were currently roaming the corridors of the Phase Distorter moving away from the feuding fillies.
"Well Dinky always did have a crush on Button Mash. But he never did notice her advances." Replied Applebloom. "And this was before Sweetie Belle started liking him back."
Scootaloo rolls her eyes. "Yep, that does sound like ol' Button Mash alright." They continued to explore corridors of the strange machine. "Completely clueless."
"Hehe, Oh Rumble."
The two fillies look at each other. "What the hay was that?" They wondered as the two hide behind a corner watching the scene before them.
"Tarnation Rumble, why must ya be so good at this?" Applebloom and Scootaloo take a peak from their hiding spot to observe the scene before them. "Why do ya decide to do this now? You know we have guests." Rumble grins and continues to nibble on Apple bloom's ear.
"So? We haven't had any time to ourselves throughout these adventures." He said kissing her neck. "And you know we cant do this back home. Not with your sister watching our every move."
Apple Bloom leans back in Rumble's embrace. "Yeah, I wonder how long we've been gone? Ah wonder if Applejack is looking for us as we speak? I mean we was supposed to just to back in time for our history reports, but." She looks down sadly but Rumble gently holds her head back up.
"Its alright Apple Bloom." He said nuzzling her cheek. "I know we'll find a way back home. But in the meantime." He spins her around and looks her in the eyes. "I think I'm in the mood for some apple pie, how about you?" Rumble wiggles his eyebrows suggestively at the yellow filly.
"Well if you're a good colt I might let have a piece." Apple Bloom pushes him and walks away swishing her tail from side to side.
Rumble sighs and shakes his head. "Well its official, she has me wrapped around her hoof." He takes a deep breath and walks away as Scootaloo and Applebloom watch him leave the area unsure of what they just saw.
"So we go back to the room and forget that we ever saw this?" Asked Scootaloo. Applebloom silently agrees and they walk back to the room.
"Here we are." The two ponies stand in front of a house that they have visited once before. "Derpy Hooves house." Both the pegasus and the earth pony give a nod of confirmation and walk inside looking around for the gray mare. They checked the front room where she was last located.
"Hmm she's not here." Observed the blue pegasus pony. "I'm gonna go check something, I'll be right back." He disappears leaving Button Mash in the living room.
"And today started so well too." Button Mash sits down and spots a picture of Derpy and her family. He grabs it and gently rubs the frame. "Mother I'm sorry, I promise I will save you. Wait a minute." He glances at the pink unicorn in the picture. "Where's Sparkler?"
"Not here I'm afraid."
Button Mash quickly turns around only to be caught by a magical aura as a gray pegasus steps out of the darkness. "I knew you would come and find me." She said as the earth struggled to free himself. "She and Time Tuner ran off somewhere, Oh if only they would just listen to me."
"Ms. Hooves listen to me!" He struggled. "You are being controlled!" He hoped that he might be able to reach her somehow. "I know you're in there somewhere. Fight!"
Derpy only laughs. "Silly little earth colt. Are you really going there? We'll you're half right, she is in here, but she cant hear you. We have assumed direct control of the pony known as Derpy Hooves."
"What are you planning?" He asked still trying to break free of the magical aura. "Why are you here?"
"We have two goals Button Mash." Spoke the gray pegasus. "To make the ponies more comfortable when we arrive. Two to fix the mess you have caused."
Button Mash was confused. to make ponies more comfortable when they arrive and to fix some sort of mess that he made? He needed more information and it seemed to be cooperating with him. "So what about The Doctor? Why are you after him?"
"He will be the pony that will destroy us before we can complete our plan." She said. "He will be the pony that will ruin everything. We thought he would not survive his ordeal, but he has grown much stronger. Curse that meddlesome Time Winder!"
Despite struggling to free himself Button Mash started to put two and two together. Apparently Rain Catcher destroys Dark Force before they can make ponies more comfortable when they arrive. Now this really made him curious, who was this Time Winder and what's his connection to Rain Catcher and Dark Force? And who or what exactly is Dark Force trying bring here? He hoped that they would tell him more. "So who are you trying to bring here?" He asked.
"Nothing for you to worry about Button Mash." She said grabbing a fireplace stake. "Now you must atone for your crimes!" She approaches Button Mash who struggles harder until he saw something approaching.
"Hey that's cool and all but there is a small problem with your plan." He said smirking.
"Oh and what would that be?"
CRUNCH!
Derpy fall on the ground unconscious with Rain Catcher behind her with a broken wooden chair. "Me."
The magical spell disappeared and Button Mash fell on the ground with a thud. "Ow" He rises and looks at the conscious Derpy. "So what do we do with her?"
Button, place your hoof on her.
"Huh? Did you say something?" He asked looking over to The Doctor who only shakes his head.
Time is of the essence Button! Place your hoof on her!
Button Mash places his hoof on Derpy's head as Rain Catcher looks on wondering what the brown earth colt was doing. "Uh, what are you doing?"
"I have no idea...Huh?" Something dark left the gray mare's body and on Button Mash's hoof. He immediately removes his hoof and looks at the swirling dark energy. "Uh Rain Catcher....What is this?"
Rain Catcher looks at Button Mash with a look of pure horror on his face. "That's Dark Force!"
"Hmm, I never knew that Button Mash knew how to do magic." A crimsoned maned unicorn leaves the scene as quickly as she came with sultry smirk. "Its been a long time Button and I cant wait to see you again. With my new powers I'll rule your world and make you my pet. Soon, this world will fall into darkness, Hahahahaha!"