[What an unusual sight! Cloudsdale's speedster hero the Wondrous Bolt has something to say over the scrolls. He doesn't look too happy.]

Ponyville, I know there are a lot of hard hitters here so I'm asking for your help. I want to save Queen Melissa and the Element Bearers Zetta has captured but I can't do it alone. If you think you can help, talk to me about your abilities and let's get started on planning.

Cloudsdale is just about clear of minions for now. If you need my help elsewhere let me know about that too. I can be there, fast.

[The scroll opens by showing Mayfield Twilight and Dame Rarity's faces -- both of whom show no signs of consciousness. No obvious injuries, of course, but the Overlord takes particular delight in tilting the scroll back to reveal his hooves holding them down, one planted between each unicorn's shoulders.]

[When the scroll image finally reaches his face, Zetta is nothing but confidence behind one broad smirk.]

So much for how easily I'll fall. There's two of your best defeated, Equestria, and I think I'm going to hold on to these two for a while. After all, I do have a... special interest in them.

Anyone else want to add their name to the list? Of course, I like these two. I might not be so merciful to anyone I don't.

[Things are not looking good. His friends lost their memories, he had to fight the ultimate demon lord, and he supposes Zetta is a problem, too. If he's mildly irritated, then he can only imagine how everyone else is feeling right now. Well fear not, citizens of Ponyville! Your bear feels ya. Helping out the town for the past week was all well and good, but he's taken to resting in the Agency for now. As he sits in front of the scroll feed, he holds in his paws what looks to be a tambourine. Where'd he get a tambourine? I don't know, where'd you get that face?!

...I'm sorry, that was uncalled for.]

Nnngh, howdy everybody. I'm [yaaaaawn] takin' a break, but that doesn't mean I can't help in spirit. So here's a little jingle to lighten the mood.

[And a one and a two and a three... He smacks the tambourine.]

MOTIVATIOOOOOON~♪

[But before he can continue any further, he flops forward onto his face, the tambourine jingling in unison. And he just...stays like that.]

You know what? Change of plans... I think I'm just gonna... hibearnate forever...

Night night.

[...Are you motivated yet?!]

Hello.

[There is a smiling white, blonde-maned earth pony on the network, looking pleased as punch to be there. Perhaps he simply didn't think he'd get the chance before. Or perhaps he just loves attention.]

At another's behest, I have a story to tell you all. It is a story that will have great meaning to quite a few of you; to others, perhaps it will mean nothing, but I think you'd benefit hearing all the same.

It's a story of light and darkness. Of people. And of Shadows.

( Thou )