[visual][backdated to Friday]

[ponymeisters]

[Its true that she's answering questions for those in the scroll. However, she knows that not everypony was looking at the scrolls, reading the story. So, she decides to open up to others outside the story, while the story was still going.

Even if she's just the book's version of it, there's no denying the sheer presence of this creature, with good reason, of course.

So she smiles, then speaks, her voice everywhere and nowhere at the same time.]

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYPONY. I'M CERTAIN YOU ALL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY PRESENCE IN THIS STORY, AND PROBABLY OTHER THINGS.

I'LL DO MY BEST TO ANSWER THEM.

Comments

[visual]

[tinkertytonk]

[Bertie stares, wide-eyed at the figure. She's, well, if a man were interested in fillies, that would be the filly to be interested in.]

Um. H-hullo. I, erm... We've all been reading along - dashed worried about that Marecles chap and his chums - but you're... well, I mean, we've been sort of looking for you, the real you, for an age. There was some beazel named Nana Granate who said you could help us find the Tree of Harmony... er. If it exists. Does it? I don't suppose you've got a map handy?

[visual]

[ponymeisters]

NANA GRANATE...AH, NOW THAT IS INTERESTING. I TAKE IT SHE AND HER GRANDDAUGHTER ARE WELL?

IN ANY CASE, THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE. THIS WORLD'S TREE HAS NO PHYSICAL LOCATION THAT CAN BE GOTTEN TO, MAP OR NO MAP, BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT DOESN'T EXIST IN YOUR PRESENT.

[visual]

[tinkertytonk]

They were the last time we talked to them down in Tartarus. There was also another chappie down there they were chattering with. I didn't catch his name, but he helped the princesses when some fiend named Tirek stole their powers and chucked them to the bottom of the place.

If the Tree of Harmony doesn't exist, how are we meant to defeat Calice, though? All the native Element Bearers except Ms. Fluttershy are inside of her.

Re: [visual]

[ponymeisters]

I KNOW WHO YOU SPEAK OF IN THOSE PARTS, THEN, YES.

THE TREE WILL EXIST WHEN IT NEEDS TO, THOUGH SIMPLY 'DEFEATING' CALICE WON'T SOLVE WHAT IS HAPPENING.

[visual]

[tinkertytonk]

What will solve it, then? Getting rid of this Corruption thingummy? It's been around since ages ago, though, hasn't it? All that rot about Stalliongrad and alicorns going off their heads.

Re: [visual]

[ponymeisters]

THE CORRUPTION HAS BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN EVEN I. HOWEVER, THE TREE WILL EXIST WHEN IT NEEDS TO, AND THE CORRUPTION WILL BE STOPPED WHEN ITS TIME. THAT MUCH, I'M CERTAIN OF.

[visual]

[tinkertytonk]

Really? Well. That's sort of a relief! I don't suppose you've got a timeline on that? I'd like to know if I'm to spend another decade or so as a pony, what?

[visual]

[ponymeisters]

I CAN TELL YOU YOU WON'T BE SPENDING THAT LONG AS A PONY, BUT OTHERWISE, I'M JUST GOING TO LET THE VAGUE UNCERTAINTY EAT AT YOU.

...JOKING. I'M NOT THAT CRUEL, BERTIE. BUT TELLING YOU ANYTHING PRECISE WOULD ALERT CALICE.

[visual]

[tinkertytonk]

[Well, all right, that deserves a snort of laughter.]

Righto! A nods as good as a wink, then, but less than 10 years. That's something, I suppose. And you've got it all done for certain, have you? All the stars aligned and fates divined and whatnot?