[Action]

[There's the usual rainbow explosion that heralds an arrival in Ponyville, a sight that's become a lot more common as of late perhaps. However, out of the color and smoke of this particular explosion strides, no, saunters a young mare as confidently as if she'd caused it herself. She's got a wide grin on her face, flicking her long, blonde mane back into place as she pulls out her scroll...]

[Visual]

Guess who's back??

[Yang's got an extremely wide and winning smile on her face. ...It's actually kinda frightening.]

'Bout time I got to punch some Grimm around. Man, what a rush.

[She missed punching things. Really missed punching things.]

So!

[She pauses to smile again.]

What'd I miss?

[[OOC: Yang's just returned from her canon update so she's missed the past 3 days or so. RWBY!cast: She's now post-Volume 2 but pre-stinger.]]

[Well, this is unusual. The scroll comes on, revealing a middle-aged, stocky green stallion, with slicked back dark brown hair and a pencil mustache. He would seem tobe an otherwise normal pony - nothing outwardly odd or ominous. For those who deigned to go to the movie premiere, however, there is no doubt who this is.

This is Tom Shanks.

And he's beaming.]

Howdy, my friends! That's how Ponyville talks nowadays, right? Well, in any case, this is Tom Shanks, owner of Placeton and Quarterhorse Quarterly, with a special announcement! We're expanding again!

[Why does he look so happy. Why is he telling the off-worlders.]

And we've found the perfect place to do so. See, I've wanted to expand my business to the smaller towns, spread the truth and beauty I've come to find recently, but I just can't seem to do it without a significant presence. So, I've decided to buy up some lands that were in lien - don't worry yourselves about what that means, by the way - to make a brand new production lot right here in Ponyville!

[Waving his hoof, he moved aside, revealing a curtain. An unlucky assistant pulled it, revealing a large sign with a before and after picture. The after picture is a sprawling mecca of buildings, studios, and even a mini theme park clearly designed with Quest for Canterlot in mind. Its, for pony standards, impressive and advanced?

The before side?...looks...an awful lot like Satyagraha Farm.]

We'll have the legal niceties wrapped up by the end of the week. I've already put a bid on the place, and I believe I'll be able to bring my dream of truth to Ponyville at long last.

[A pleased, deep breath of contentment. Then he comes back to the scroll again, his voice flat as he stares.]

Oh, also, to the squatters on my land? You have a week to pack up and leave before I start razing. Nothing personal, just progress.

[It's early evening at Saori's household kitchen when the scroll starts. The first face to show up belonged to an orange tabby cat. He blinked and was about to paw at the scroll but his ears pick up a noise and he turned around. Unaware of the recording scroll, Saori had her back turned. Instead she was focused on a calendar and another scroll floating in mid-air. A pen scribbled something on the scroll but hastily crossed it out. She let out a huff and shook her head.]

It's June already, huh? This isn't good. I should've had everything planned and ingredients ordered a while ago but...I think I've finally hit a slump. Maybe macarons would be a good idea this year. It'll be June 15th soon enough.

[She lets out a sigh but manages to put on a small smile.]

Still, to think I'd be turning 100. Now that's a milestone I'd never thought I'd reach and yet that's still young for someone like me.

[While Saori kept thinking out loud, Mana meowed. She turned around and went over to the cat. Maybe what she needed was a break. It was only after a side glance did she notice the scroll next to him. She went slackjaw in horror.]

Gah! How...How long was this thing on?!

[The younger Tails is standing inside a shop that looks brand new and has likely never been seen by other ponies in town before. There's a counter with glass showing different colored versions of a strange looking horn-like device. He's holding one with a yellow gem inside.]

After many delays, I'm happy to announce my new shop, which sells my creation, the Artif-Horns. Some of you might be familiar with these back in November, but since then they have been hugely improved. Those of you who weren't around to see them, allow me to explain.

The Artif-Horns are fake horns that use special gems with magical properties to simulate a unicorn's basic magic or telekinesis. It gives off a magic type of electricity that are completely safe. With these, no more having to use your mouth to pick up things.

[He slips on the Artif-Horn he was holding and yellow electricity comes out and lifts the scroll up as the gem inside glows yellow. He looks to the side and more shoot out to pick up a couple books, which are then placed over to on top of the counter.]

As you can see, no damage to the books. It's also completely safe on pets, no more tickling issues.

If you want to test them out while in the shop or if you feel like testing your unicorn magic if you're a unicorn, you can.

[He moves the scroll to the side, showing what appeared to be several small bean bags and two wooden boards with a hole in each of them.]

This game is called Cornhole. The object of the game is using either one of the Artif-Horns or your unicorn magic to throw one of these beanbags into the opponents' board to score points.

Both players or teams take turns doing so. If you manage to get one in the opponent's board, you score three points. But if both opponents have the same score, they cancel out and the person or team that was first in the last round has to throw again. You win the game by whoever scores 21 points first and whichever team wins two games wins the match.

[He lifts a beanbag with the Artif-Horn and throws it into one of the boards before moving the scroll and turns his attention back to it.]

If you have other games or suggestions on ways customers can test out the Artif-Horns, I'm open to suggestions.

[He moves the scroll closer to the counter, showing a better view of the Artif-Horns behind the counter.]

As you can see, they can come in all colors you can find in the rainbow. Though sadly rainbow-colored Artif-Horns are not available at the moment.

[The scroll is finally moved back to Tails' hoof and both the glowing and the electricity stops.]

Any questions?

[Oh hey, it's Doc again! So soon? Yup. But he looks a little...deflated. His mane's not quite as wild as usual, and the goggles are gone. He's actually set aside the work for a few minutes---but not for long, as everyone will hear.]

First, I want to assure everyone that all clock and mask orders will still be completed on time, as promised, but I'm afraid I must close to new orders for the next two days. I have a bit of a personal matter to sort out---and as it affects some of you as well, I'll go ahead and announce it.

Marty McFly is no longer with us in Equestria. If he was in possession of anything of yours, feel free to come by the---my apartment in the Commune to claim it. And before you ask, absolutely no one is weaseling their way into claiming the guitar, so don't bother trying it.

[For a moment, he looks lost, and then it looks like he might say more...but he changes his mind with a shake of his head and quietly shuts it off.]

[private to those in the know---Tadashi, Dandy, Pollo, and Andrew]

I'll be able to turn my full attention to the time mission now. Expect the field-tests to be soon, if you'd like to participate.

[The scroll comes up and Chie can be seen... though despite the time of day her face looks like it's covered up with the shadows of leaves. Her tone is hushed and her face is flushed with worry.]

Hey guys, I was wondering if there was anyone has a place that I can lay low until Monday? Preferably somebody that's far away from Ponyville or Canterlot.

Thanks.

[She looks up, as though worried that something is going to happen any minute.]

Hello! Dr. Brown here, making an announcement as it's been a while.

As it stands, I have no plans to attend the Grand Galloping Gala. I don't believe that sort of ceremonial ritual is my 'scene', given the circumstances, but I'm willing to offer my assistance to any attendees. I have a few spare parts that might give your masks some much-needed edge.

But the main reason I've come to you today is that I have a request. If you have information about the historical figure known as Starswirl the Bearded, I'd like to learn about him. Thank you.

[Tadashi is rubbing the back of his neck when he appears on the scroll, looking a bit...embarrassed.]

So...I guess I'm going to the Gala after all? [He mutters something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like 'Thanks, Yang', but it's hard to tell.]

I uh...could use a little help, I guess. I know it's a formal occasion, so I'll...need a suit. And a mask, since it's a masquerade this year.

[The expression on his face makes it clear that he still can't believe he's going.]

Oh, Kamala, since I'll be there anyway, you wanna just meet up at the Gala?

So uh... I need a dress.

I heard this Gala is coming up and I need a dress and while I'd rather play World of Battlecraft all night leveling up my Horde I can't exactly do that here. So uh, bar the issue of my Ammi coming out of nowhere with a baseball bat, I guess I'm going stag?

Unless y'know, someone wants to go with me.

How do you even school dance without people crashing it? Looking at you Loki.

[The scrolls have a brand new face today: It's a white pegasus with a fetching pair of red-framed glasses. Said glasses are off-center, accentuating his already visible stress.]

Ah-! Why is nothing written on here!? What help does this give me?!

[But he paused, sighed, and pressed a hoof to his forehead in despair.]

The visual cues aren't here, this makes no sense. The same objects always appear in my dreams, but never talking horses, much less full-body transformation.

...I'm stressed. Clearly, I'm stressed! I need to calm down. I need to think this through, and wake up. Then I can forget this whole thing ever happened.

It's that simple, Ryugazaki. You just need to wake up.

[He sucked in a breath and, with no fingers to pinch himself, tried biting into his own lower lip. A brow furrows in discomfort, but he's still here. He's still here.]

What am I doing wrong!?

Some would say that I'm rather late with this statement, but I say I'm being fashionable. I'm quite glad that that insidious centaur Tirek got exactly what he deserved! Grrgh, I offered him quality scientific genius under the conditions I could manage and he poo-poo's it like last week's chili dogs!

[Oh, yes. Some people wouldn't take too kindly to trying to team up with supervillains.]

... Ehh, not that I didn't give him the ol' what for! Don't look at me that way, I was completely on your side.

What was I saying... oh yes, having been sent flying over town gave me a good view of the place. It's, to put it politely, a backwaters dump! What you all need is mechanization. Industry!

Science!

So that some magic-hungry goat doesn't get the better of us ever again, I, the ingenious Dr. Rrrrrobotnik, am announcing plans to start up an ironworks, for metalry and robot-building! Well? This is your big break! I could use some mini-err, partners for this noble venture. So who's in!?

[Why, yes, that is indeed a train on the scrolls.]

[A very angry, rather demonic-looking train.]

[It doesn't seem to be doing much, however. Just kinda sitting there at the train station.]

[From behind the scroll, presumably holding it, Patchy speaks.]

I was not expecting this to survive long past its creation. I had intended it to be fodder to hold off the magic-hungry centaur, but, as with every other figure attempting to perform a coup, it was wholly incompetent, and failed to drain even this train. Perhaps it sensed the trap I had set up.

[The train doesn't appear to be all that happy to be referred to as "fodder," but it always looks like that, so it's hard to tell.]

Regardless, I cannot disenchant it now, due to the fact I designed to to violently combust if its magic fails, so I must leave it here at the train station. The staff isn't happy with this, but there is little to do now. It considers itself the guardian of Ponyville, and refuses to move. I simply make this announcement to let the general population know that, despite its appearance, it is harmless to you. It regards Ponyville, as well as all natives and off-worlders living within and around it as its domain, and it will serve to protect it, if violently. Do not attempt to destroy or dispel it, or we will be without a train station.

...Perhaps I may convince it to serve as emergency transport. Does anypony know how to commune properly with a train given sentience via a combination of psionics and magic?

[Good morning, all. Don looks rather somber this morning. Sad. He lets out a bit of a sigh.]

Hey, everypony. If any of you guys you've been looking for Surprise...she's gone. She was at her place last night, but not anymore. And the librarian has her scroll now, so...yeah.

I'm sorry, guys. If you need me, I'll be where I usually am.

[Private to Kanji/Visual]

Hey there again. I was wondering if I could bother you for another small commission.

[With everything settling back down again, it should be the best time to relax. But it apparently was the opposite for Tadashi, who could be seen pacing around his room at the commune. His tail flicked with every turn, and the expression on his face was more agitated and troubled than normal for those who had seen him before.

Another passing turn had him pausing, finally noticing the scroll was open. And for a moment he almost seemed to glare at it, his hardened expression persisting as he debated whether to simply roll it up.

But it only lasted a moment before his expression softened, and he managed a small, if somewhat weary smile.]

Anyone feel like grabbing a drink?

...Or taking a walk. Or...something.

[It just seemed like he could use the company.]

[Video starts up surprisingly not at the Tailses' apartment but instead at a large cloud house that might be familiar to some ponies.

It looks about three stories tall and the younger Tails is standing on the glass front porch, holding a note.]

Wally West is gone and according to his will, I'm his "sole heir", which means I get ownership of this house.

I'm not sure what to do here. Am I supposed to keep it up until he gets back here, even if that could mean months? Am I supposed to move in? I'm going to open up a shop either later this month or early next month, and I already have a home. I dunno if selling the house and his things would be right.

Any advice?

[Then he remembers something.]

Oh and his dog's still here.

[We see Pinkie in her lab, working on something. She's knee-deep in parts and is furiously polishing some kind of tube with a rag. It seems like recent inspiration has hit her, and she has taken apart one of her old damaged motorcycles and has begun reconstructing it into something new.

A visual montage of her spray painting, adding color, and taking apart a Pony-made Duel Disk was seen too. What is she up to?]

Whew! That's enough for today. Time to see if the program works.

[Tabbing it, a robotic voice chimed in.] Duel Mode, Start Up. Auto-pi-pi-pi-piiiiiiiiii-- [Pinkie kicked the side.] Pilot Engaged.

[With nowhere to go, the tired spun feebly in its chassis as she turned it off.] Must be a bug somewhere. It looked a lot simpler to do in anime...

Okay. ...Okay this is weird.

[Weird being the understatement of the year, but...anyway.

Hiro shucks a hand through his hair with a weak laugh, glancing off to the side for a moment.]

So uuhh...obviously something happened. I don't remember what...maybe I was working on something and it backfired a little. Or a lot... But, um...Honey? Gogo? Fred? Wasabi? If any of you guys are out there and are hearing this, I'm here and I'm fine. ...Could use a lift, though.

Actually, that last part would be for you, Baymax, if you're here. ..somehow.

My name's Hiro, by the way. Hiro Hamada. And uh- not that this place isn't wicked cool or anything, but I didn't really ask for a vacation just yet.

[Bertie knows he's not a fighter by this point. He's invited ponies from the village to come hide in his and Dante's cave, and there's a gaggle of them gathered around, some already gray-eyed and drained of their powers. What one of them has told him is something that needs to be shared, though. And it's something that he wants to take part in. It's already the afternoon and so many ponies are already affected. He's not sure how much longer Tirek's reign of terror will continue.]

Hullo, everypony! Bertie Wooster here. I know we've all been having an awfully rough go of it with that Tirek blighter bobbing about, hoovering up everyone's cutie marks and powers. But I know we're all fighting the good fight, as well. And there are three ponies who should be here with us to do that, powers or not.

I'm going to Tartarus to rescue the princesses. They've been down there for hours now and there are a frightful lot of fiends scurrying about in the place. If this villains escaped from there, I'm more than certain there's got to be a dreadful lot of trouble in Tartarus. Ms. Nana Granate is a pony who sort of... runs it. I think? She'll probably need our help, too.

There's something that she told us the last time Ms. Zecora, Dante, and I managed to get lost down there: The door to Tartarus appears where it's needed.

[He glances off-screen and motions. A pale blue Earth pony with a silver mane leans into the frame of view.]

Mr. Terry Cloth arrived at mine and Dante's cave just half an hour ago. He found the door to Tartarus in his home.

[Terry speaks up.]

Yeah... it's kind of, like, where my bathroom used to be. So, that's awkward.

[Bertie's earnest expression fills the scroll again as the other stallion leans back out.]

He's at 331 Clipclop Drive in Ponyville. I'll be meeting anypony who wants to help there in two hours. It's a lot of time, but we haven't got much before the whole town is drained. Be careful moving there and avoid that villain at all costs!

((OOC: The log post associated with this is located HERE.))

[The scroll opens on Crmsn looking down into it, it's flat on the ground and he's hovering over it. It's pretty obvious that he's barely given himself time to breath since getting back. There's also a rather...unclear focus in his eyes.]

Alright. Alright I just...I need a second here just...okay the-nngh...

[He winces a little and shakes his head roughly.]

Ugh...kay...I...okay...the dive into Calice. Right. We went in, we did our thing...J-A's team is still in there s'far as I know. Ya might have already seen, but we lost one on the way out...I just...I wanted to give this a day but...

[He lets out a deep exasperated breath.]

First things first...I know there's a lot of feelings going around...believe me I know what it's like. And...digital gods...'Shy was brave, and is a wonderful pony. She'd be the first to tell us it was okay though. She was shy, and meek, but she was strong enough to put our needs above hers and put herself in harms way so we would be okay. That was friendship. That was bravery, and kindness the likes of which any person here would be lucky to find in their lifetime. And I for one am going to pull myself off my sorry arse and not stop believing in her. One way or another we're going to get her back.

[He takes another breath and re-steadys himself.]

...Second. Regarding Calice...

[He mulls something over and shifts a little uncomfortably, then looks back to the scroll.]

I've given this a lot of thought, and I don't think Calice and Twilight are the same...I want to say entity. I think they're sharing the same body and I don't know which we keep speaking to, but I'd imagine Twilight's still in there fighting back for control. I think...I think the power in control is getting stronger, and it keeps having to exert more control to keep its hold on her. It's...it's theory right now, but that was not the same force we felt the last time we were in there, and it was not...it wasn't as...as...nngh...

[He eases back looking more frustrated than tired and rubs at his temple.]

Fracking...work dangit! I need you to think more and hurt less. Coherent! That's the word. It wasn't as coherent as it was last time. It was more disjointed...i-it was...

Look I know this might sound strange, and everything hurts right now, but this is what I need you guys to do. For...for our friends. Don't give up on them. Don't start thinking this is hopeless. They are not gone. Fluttershy...the Twilight of that world...bit every pony that's been taken. They need our bravery, for us to face forwards. Keep them in your hearts and believe in their strength. We will get them back. So please, for them. Don't lose heart.

[He nods to the scroll, a little more affirmative in his stance.]

We all hurt, but hurting isn't going to get them back to us...that's all I have to say right now. If you want more answers I'll try and answer anything I can over the scroll, if you want someone to yell at, you can find me at the Decanter soaking this headache in a hard cider.

[It seems like a rare shot, coming from a scroll in the middle of the street as someone had put down a bag in a hurry. The cause of this however was a fire in a lower downtown Ponyville house. One thing lead to another, and because of timing, a simple house fire grew into a blaze. Fire crews were already there and a weather team was dumping water on it.

It seemed like it was all in control.

And then the front of the building exploded.

Crews howled to get the watching civilians back when a stallion in fire truck red stumbled free from the blaze.]

Starwing is still in there! [He howled. That was enough for the owner of the bag as a familiar mare charged headlong into the blaze despite the fire crews trying to stop her.

Moments passed, and then there was another blooming fireball. The painters house had caught fire on the flammable paints when suddenly, a large figure erupted from the house, smashing through the flaming debris, clutching onto a soot-stained fire department.

All you could see, filling up the area was a giant symbol poking out of a wrecked set of burning clothing as a huge body stumbled free, smoking from many places, and clearly still on fire as the owner of the enormous hoof climbed free from the burning wreckage.]

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