*Margulis is standing outside in a wide clearing, a saber held in his telekinetic grip. He swings the sword through a series of complicated patterns, designed more to hone control of one's weapon than to deal harm to an imaginary opponent, and then sheathes the weapon before looking at the scroll.*

I seem to have finally gotten enough practice with telekinetic control to wield my blade effectively. With that in mind, I think it's time I got some more practical experience using a weapon in this manner. And given the existence of a dojo, I doubt I'm the only one here with an interest in the art of combat.

If anyone's interested in sparring, come to the gap between the town and the forest. But be forewarned; my physical abilities far exceed those of an ordinary person of my build and I have access to several abilities comparable to combat magic, some of which I have yet to find anything similar to in my studies of the native magic. That said, even if you do find yourself outclassed, I'll do my best not to bring you any actual harm.

It can't be....

[The scroll's image starts off black with only the trembling mare's voice. A little unicorn magic flips the scroll over. The sky was breaking into day but the tears in Saori's eyes are still visble. She trembles as she takes the deep breath to calm her herself. Her eyes don't look into the scroll as she speaks.]

I...managed to return from Exsilium with bittersweet news. The United Earth is no more, so I suppose it's mission accomplished. The bad news is we...can't go back. Time and world travel technology there is now permanently decommissioned according to the AI.

[She hangs her head and tears well up as her voice cracks.]

Margulis, please tell me you're still around. I'm sorry. I failed you.

*Today's backdrop is Canterlot's library and a tall stack of books sitting on a table, Margulis looking rather suspicious about something. His horn is glowing red, presumably holding the scroll up.*

I'm certain by now everyone paying even the least bit of attention to these scrolls has heard the story of the origins of that weather gem by now. The astute might have noticed that there are two versions, one as told by the zebra and one as claimed by the griffons. As the zebra's tale included mention of involvement from the various subtypes of ponies, I felt it might be prudent to investigate the local version.

*A book glows red and floats from the table to hover near the unicorn's head.*

I was unable to find anything in the history books regarding the creation of such a gem, but I did come across a reference to the names associated with it. Crazy Eights and Emerald Miner...both are connected to a magical artifact of a decidedly different nature.

*The book opens to a specific page and tilts forward to show a picture of a necklace that should look unnervingly familiar to Ponyville natives.*

This is called the Alicorn Amulet. According to these records, it grants the user a significant boost in power, but corrupts them as they continue to wear it. What I've found seems to indicate that the two individuals from the story of the gem had a hand...or rather, a hoof, in its creation and may even have been solely responsible. They're commonly regarded as mad, possibly even outright malicious.

Given this information, I have a strong suspicion that there's more going on here than the simple theft of a rare but otherwise ordinary weather control device. If the zebra's tale is correct, I'm left to wonder if these gems might be more dangerous than we've been led to believe. If the griffons have it right, then that leaves the question of why the other story references those specific ponies, particularly when it's told from the perspective of an entirely different culture.

Considering the possibility of the latter, I did go back to the history section to look into what might have actually happened to inspire the other version. I still found nothing on any form of weather gem, but I did find references to a strong international friendship between Equestria and Griffaltar as a result of unspecified actions taken by three ponies whose names seem to have been lost to history. The details are severely lacking, but they seem to suggest that these three are regarded as heroes for whatever they accomplished.

Of course, all of this is simply from searching one library. If anyone else has uncovered any other information of interest, it may be wise to compare notes. If we can fill in the gaps or find more details that seem conflicting or out of place, we might be able to figure out why someone would steal this gem and perhaps even who would have motivation to do so.

[The commune kitchen can be seen before a green unicorn waves hello. Anypony who passes by could smell a mix of spices and maybe their eyes water a bit.]

Hello, this is Saori again. So Heart and Hooves, Valentine's Day, whatever holiday you call it by is coming up. Truth be told, I'm not in the mood to celebrate it in a traditional sense. I know not everypony looks forward to it so why not...burn them?

No, I don't mean that in a literal sense. I'm making curry rice meals. Don't worry, there will be various heat levels to chose from. Though if anypony is brave enough to eat one at the hottest level, you'll win my respect and a free homemade meal voucher from me. If you're interested and want to preorder one, please contact me.

[OOC: The log can be found here]

Twilight, tell me I'm not the only one who sees that this entire town is overrun with bloody changelings. They show up and tell us exactly what kind of parasites they are, and what happens? They get hired as therapists and taken in as pets. Chrysalis tries to literally suck everyone dry, and she gets community service while everypony trips over themselves to give her changelings exactly what she was after for them. How does no one else see this? They're everywhere, and those are just the ones we can see are changelings. They're like bloody cockroaches, there are probably ten hidden for every one you see in the open.

Anything new on Hain? He can't keep up the facade forever, not even with everyone willfully ignoring what we all know he's really after.

And thus, the intrepid Pinkie Pie took continued steps forward. She stepped forward -- [click] -- and stepped on a trap. Pinkie Pie took 2 points of damage from the falling washbin trap.

[The camera swung around as Pinkie continued to delve into the dungeon beneath Canterlot, holding the parchment out like a first person view.] Moving closer and closer, she came upon a switch. She pressed the switch. She heard a faint grinding noise from somewhere. A door has opened.

Pinkie Pie has turned around. She found a secret entrance going down further into the dungeon. Down down down she goes, where she stops nopony knows. She steps on a switch. Water soaks her mane. She gets the debuff icy hoovies.

Moving further, she encounters... a slime! Select battle music!

Battle Theme Set Up

Pinkie Deals 5 damage to the slime!
The Slime deals 1 damage to Pinkie Pie!
Pinkie Pie uses Roll Out! Pinkie Pie rolls into ball, and rolls over Slime! She deals 15 points of damage!
Slime Uses Regeneration! It regains 10 HP!
Pinkie Pie continues to use Roll Out! She hits the Slime! Critical Hit! She hits it for 30 Points!
The Slime is defeated!
Pinkie Pie gains 300 EXP and 15 Bits!

Pinkie continues along her journey. She opens a chest. What's inside?
Pinkie Pie loots a Best of the West Saddle!
Pinkie Pie equips the saddle. +15 Defense Points, 5 Vitality, 3 to Party.

Pinkie Continues her journey. Save? Y/N.
Yes.
Pinkie Has saved the Dungeon Crawl. Continue? Y/N
Yes.
Pinkie continues the journey.
Pinkie finds a locked door. Pinkie cannot go further. Pinkie goes down a corridor. Pinkie Pie also finds a small chest. Pinkie opens the chest and loots a small key. Pinkie pronks back to the door and opens it up.

Pinkie enters the room.
The door shuts behind Pinkie, and bars slam into place.

Loading Battle Music now. Track 3 Loaded: Decisive Battle.

A Skeleton Manticore appears!
Pinkie charges the opponent! She deals 15 points of damage.
The Skeleton Manticore hits back for 12 points of damage.
Pinkie uses Roll Out!
The Skeleton Manticore dodges.
The Skeleton Manticore uses poison sting. It misses.
Pinkie uses Bouncing Press! She deals 20 points of damage!
The Manticore deals 30 points of damage with its spines in counterattack!
Pinkie is now at 5/40 HP.
Pinkie's Ultimate Power is unlocked.
Pinkie uses Limit Break. Cause she totally watched Dashie do it once.
Pinkie uses Party Cannon Barrage!
Party Cannon Barrage deals 9999 Cherry Pie damage!
The Skeleton Manticore is defeated.
Pinkie Pie has gained 3500 EXP!
Pinkie Pie has gained a level!
Pinkie Pie has learned Dual Wield. Pinkie Pie can now equip two party cannons of smaller size.

Save your Progress? Y/N?
Yes.

*Two unicorns appear on the scroll, a middle aged, heavily scarred stallion with a nasty looking one running down the right side of his face and a younger looking mare. It’s the stallion who speaks first, sounding as grumpy as he looks.*

Well, I suppose I should be grateful that I’ve arrived simultaneously with a familiar face this time, but I’m afraid the inconvenience of my new form outweighs that. I hope this is a temporary effect...but in either case, we could use some more detailed information on where we are. And you can skip the explanation that we’re no longer in our own worlds, we’re well aware.

*The mare clears her throat. Margy, sweetie, you're running into tl;dr territory.*

I don't know, Margulis. Ask me, it looks like it wasn't a mistake. I mean we know some places change non-human into humans so why can't the opposite happen? I'm starting to think this all part of some running gag that we get tossed to different worlds.

Anyways, I'm Saori and he's Margulis. If the words Prospero or Exsilium mean anything to anyo--err, anypony, will you contact us?

*Margulis snorts, ears flicking back briefly in irritation.*

I’m not discounting either possibility. At any rate, I’d also like to hear from anyone who recognizes the name Miltia in addition to anyone who has information on the housing options for new arrivals.

And if anyone recognizes the name Kuukan, contact me. Oh yes, housing. We'd would like a place that accepts pets since apparently my cat was brought over.

*As if on cue, an orange tabby cat pokes his head over her head and looks at the scroll too.*

Preferably with enough room that I can avoid the little pest when I’m trying to read, but at the moment that’s secondary to affordability.

*Before either of them can go on even more, the kitten on Saori’s head jumps down to paw at the scroll and accidentally rolls it up.*

[Sometime after the ponies wake up, scrolls and quills suddenly start raining from the sky. Don't worry, its not the ponypocalypse, its just a squadron of flying white ponies dropping them from above.

Once everyone receives one, the scrolls suddenly glow and come to life, its surface revealing the visage of a large white alicorn with rainbow hair and a golden crown, sitting on a large, velvet-upholstered throne. She has a calm, reassuring, regal smile on her face as she speaks, though those who know her better can see the light of worry and concern in her eyes.]

Good afternoon, newponies! I am Princess Celestia.

I've heard of your arrival in Ponyville and of some of the more interesting stories that have come from it. We're...not certain how this phenomenon has occurred, but we here at the royal castle will put our efforts into solving this mystery, and I hope you will help us out as we wish to help you out!

Rest assured, no harm will come to you. Nor, as some of you have worried, are we holding you against your will. On the contrary, you're free to move about Equestria as you please, be it through Ponyville, Los Pegasus or anywhere in between. I only request that you use the scrolls we have provided you to check in from time to time, so that we know where you might be when we figure out the solution to this current situation.

If you have any questions, you are free to ask them of me. If I am not available - and, I will admit, there are times when I can be quite busy - there are many other ponies willing to help you, including the other princesses of Equestria. We are all in this together, after all.

[And then she smiles a little more. Its a much more relaxed smile. The concern is still there, of course.]

But, in the meantime, I'd also like to get to know all of you! I always like to meet new people, after all. I hear we even have a dragon?