[The Overlord flings his scroll open dramatically, letting purple mana power wash over it as he steps back to lift one foreleg dramatically.]

In honor of our returnees, I'm pleased to announced the opening of Overlord Zetta's official Friend and Lover Matchmaking service! Want the chance to make a friend? Care to try a blind date? These ties of togetherness are our strongest bond against Calice, so now's the time to grow them and make new ones!

Sign up with your basic preferences and preferred service, and my elite team of matchmaking minions will send you the time and place to meet your new friend or date. And in honor of putting the screws to our nemesis, this service is absolutely freaking free!

[It's been a few days since her ascension, and while Nephenee was happily distracted by so many loved ones returning, her subconscious has still been at work, and with that and that one mob that keeps trying to follow her and reactions...well, suffice to say, she's still Nephenee, and that meant a tendency towards worry. Especially over relationships...]

[Of course, she's also worrying about the fact she keeps accidentally blasting things. The less said about some of those occasions, the better. There's at once excitement and nerves at the fact that she can tap that magic Patchouli once told her of, and considering she's never tapped it before on less of a passive scale...]

[Let's not even go into her worrying over everything else about being a princess.]

[...She could use some help. Which is one reason she comes onto the scroll, struggling to hold the scroll up with her new magic, as a light, bright green glow surrounds her new appendage.]

Uh, hey, everypony! Wow, been a heckuva week, huh? It's been real great seein' so many folks back!

[...Sigh, okay, she can't fake being fine. The uneasy grin drops a bit.]

Ah..Ah know Ah'm an alicorn now...but Ah don't want y'all gettin' ideas an' thinkin' ya gotta treat me different than before. No title or lil' horn can change me bein' me...so, promise y'all don't gotta bow or nothin'. Ah'm still Nephenee...

...On the other hoof, Ah...kinda gotta learn to do that princess thing. An' learn to stop breakin' things with my magic. They're gonna start callin' me the Princess o' Breakin' Things at this rate. Can Ah get help learnin' to control it? Ah've...never used magic like this before...an' learnin' to be more proper when Ah hafta be, or...whatever princesses do?

[Still, she shakes her head, scroll going along with the movements, as she tries to brighten more.]

Now that t-that's done, Ah want to hang out with folks, 'specially all the folks Ah know that've come back! We should do tea! O-or maybe a picnic for that! Or whatever y'all'd like to do!

[Yeah she's nervous. Somepony needs to hug this girl.]

~~~~
( Private visuals to NPC princesses, and Princess Twilight )
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( Private visual to Shanks )

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( Private to Zetta )
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[Action at the Dojo:]

[It's been awhile since Neph's had a chance to get to the Dojo easily, now that there seems to be at least one group of ponies that flock to her. And in need of training to relax and help Flash and Minato out again, and a million other things, she disguises herself so she can actually get there easier. Somehow, it actually works, and she makes it there okay. Right, let's find her friends and relax...]

[Zetta has no investment in the farm. Zetta really has no bond or attachment to the place. So the alicorn merely taps his scroll thoughtfully as he brings it on, looking into it.]

Far be it from me to meddle in the affairs of private citizens, subjects of mine though they might be. But a bid isn't a purchase, you know.

No owner would turn down a higher offer if one came along.

( Action, locked to Yuko )

~~~

[Visual]

[It's been a bit since Neph addressed the network at large, but some might have heard about her tipping over like a blue fainting goat. News travels fast here, after all. Here she is, though, up and at 'em. And tired looking, but hey, you can't win them all; it's lessened by her smile, at least.]

Hey, everypony! [Yaaaaawn...] S-sorry, reckon Ah'm still a lil' tired. Sorry Ah ain't been on much lately, we jus' got done with finals at the high school, so Ah was studyin' for them hard as Ah could, so Ah can get done with a few summer courses. Ah jus' got done today an' already got the results back. An' guess what?

[And that tired smile turns into a bright grin as she holds up her paper, large numbers on the side.]

Ah passed real good! Even on grammar, an' it's my hardest subject! [No one can tell that at all...] So after summer school, long as Ah do good, Ah can graduate an' look into goin' to Pranceton in the spring.

But...for now, Ah can relax a lil' an' get back into stuff. Ah wanna try learnin' other stuff in the meantime, like how to handle hot foods an' stuff, an' help others learn, too. Wanna catch up with folks, too. Anypony wanna do that?

~~~

( Private to Harvey )

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( Private to Zetta )

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( Action to Cirno and Morgan )

[So yeah. There's a familiar unicorn popping up on the scrolls, except, uh, he's not a unicorn any more. There's a couple of wings poking out from behind that massive fire mane.]

...As my first decree as Overlord of Equestria, apparently, I hereby, uh, politely request you all go light on the Princess jokes.

[...maybe he actually totally legitimately earned those wings, if he's asking like that.]

[Zetta seems completely unconcerned as he lounges in his throne, waving a hoof casually at the scroll.]

So somebody blabbed my plans already, but that minion-mimicking minx got the basics in one. You guys are losing power left and right, but I -- I, Zetta, the most badass freaking Overlord in the entire cosmos -- have it to spare!

So, how can you get a piece of my might? A slice of mana power all your own? [Zetta rubs his forehooves together in delight.] You join my team, of course. Become my loyal minion and I'll give you power. Add it to your own or replace what you lost, I don't care.

...Seriously, you guys haven't stopped this weirdo yet? You're slipping. Anyway, offer's good starting now!

[The scroll turns on. Sailor Venus is transformed, and ready to fight. However, she's currently bent low, in a corner somewhere, and her voice is low.]

Hey, everypony, I just want to give you a heads-up. Zetta is going to try and take advantage of the situation by offering ponies a small bit of power to fight off Tirek, especially if they've lost their power. But the twist is, if you do so, you have to swear to be his minion! That means he's...he's going to...

[She trails off, and is silent for the moment. Finally, she lets out a frustrated sigh.]

I don't know anymore...he's evil. Zetta's evil. Heck, he's caused so much of a ruckus. And its my duty to stop evildoers, my destiny. But I don't want Tirek to be in charge either, now that the princesses are gone. Tirek's a monster. And...I feel like I've failed.

[She slowly stands.]

They...they say better the devil you know than the one you don't. If...you guys really want to take Zetta's offer when he gives it to you...I won't stop you. I guess I can't, now.

I--

[And then the door opens.]

Ah-!

HEY! Who are you and what did you do with that hot but mysterious blonde minion that I don't remember making and that keeps randomly coming and going from my castle and who otherwise looks just like you!? SHE SAID SHE'D BE RIGHT BACK WITH MY PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH AND THAT WAS THIRTY MINUTES AGO!! I'M GETTING HUNGRY, DAMNIT!!

...Wait a second...

Gotta go--!

[DONE.]

[It's the middle of the night with the moon high in the sky when a scroll flutters open to show an other worldly display. Rarity was in the middle of the courtyard at Zetta's castle balanced on her back hooves with her eyes closed. Her horn was surrounded by a soft glow as all fourteen gems of her sword floating around her and shedding their own pale blue glow.

She remains frozen like that for several seconds before suddenly twisting about and throwing a hoof out. Her gems lashed out, slicing through a dummy at the far end as she moved about the courtyard as she went through quite the work out with her sword, shattering and reforming it in as she moved and fought imaginary opponents or destroyed training dummies.

By the time she finishes, Rarity is short on breath, sweaty and surrounded by several severely broken training dummies littering the ground. After shaking out her mane, she finally realizes that her scroll is open. She sighs softly and rolls it up. Once she's composed and not so dirty, she unrolls it again and regards her scroll.]

....I shall be available if anypony wishes a sparring partner. 

[She may look collected now, but the damage behind her portrays a different story all together. She's not happy about what happen. It frustrates her, scares her and over all worries Rarity. Especially since... There were reason's the trip unnerved Rarity a little. It may have hit a little too close to home for her.

The scroll closes moments later with her turning away and calling her gems back to her.]

[And there's a picture of a quite disgruntled Lyrical Twilight and she looks like the type whose going to go feral on someone.]

I'm back, I'm hungry and I am quite angry.

Yayoi - either one - I'm gonna need food. Lots of it. I need my strength back for what I'm gonna do.

Everyone else, if you got magic - any kind, natural or given - please, let me know so I can figure out how much I need. I'm going to find a way to bust into Calice's realm and free Fluttershy. I messed up once because Fluttershy got in trouble. I wll not let that happen again. And those of you who are going to tell me that I should wait and "trust in Fluttershy" can just go... go... buck yourselves! Friends don't abandon friends and friends don't hope that some entity that's wanting to destroy all of reality will just spit her out one day!

And if you're going to tell me that, save your breath. You're of no help to me.

What the hell, Trixie.

[Yep, Excel blabbed.]

Tis the season everypony.

[Dame Rarity appears on screen wearing a marvelous pale purple sweater with accenting amethysts added to the collar and cuffs. She does a pose, showing off the comfortable sweater from every angle before taking a step back to reveal various other sweaters in numerous sizes and colors. Along with the sweaters are comfortable winter coats and scarves that obviously match.]

You could say this is my winter collection for this years Hearth's Warming Eve.  Of course, each sweater is made with a material created by yours truly to resist collecting dust or pet hair

And for those of you who are more....battle oriented, I can design warm clothes that are still stylish and battle ready if so desired.

If any pony is interested, please contact me directly and we can discus what you would like.

( [Private to Zetta] )

[Looks like Luna has finally taken her leave from Zetta's castle now that he's slowly but surely starting to regain his power. As of such, she's once again in her "office" at the Night Market radio station, though thankfully this time there are much fewer plushies. Unlike last month, as well, her attire is much more obvious - a nebula-patterned miniskirt that accentuates her hips and draws a decent amount of attention to that region. She doesn't seem as bothered as she would have been beforem though that might be partially because her mind is elsewhere right now.

As expected, she speaks.]

And so another Nightmare Night approaches rapidly. I am sure those of you that were here last year heard my tale of how the holiday came to be in my own Equestria, and those newer have been able to hear the story from natives, or the unique slant Surprise had in her own land. Either way... the story of Nightmare Moon is very clear and present in all your minds. Thus, I would like to speak of another.

I would like to tell you all of the one they called the Black Crystal King, the Tyrant of the Crystal Empire. The one who steered myself, at least, down the path of Nightmares, and the pony whom I once loved.

[Luna takes a deep breath. Talking about her fall helped her let that go, a year ago... and it was time to let this go.]

( appropriate time for a commercial break )

[Good October everyone. Is everybody enjoying the middle of the month? Yggy certainly is though as she appears on the scroll her eyes appear disinterested and distant. Her tone, on the other hand is disdainful, perhaps even... destructive.]

Attention, everyone.

I have grown tired of this world.

I think I will destroy it.

[She stops to stare at her scroll before smiling, a big, broad smile that is completely without positive emotion.]

If you wish to stop me, I will be waiting in the building with the bell.

((OOC: the chances of her even coming close to following through with this is equal to Discord making sense.]

Hello, everypony. Some of you may not recognize me from around town, which is fair... I only just got one of these scrolls. My name is Bon Bon, and yes, that means I'm the one who runs the candy shop downtown. Either way, I've got a few announcements to make, now that the nasty business with the eclipses is over.

Firstly: Since it's only a month until Nightmare Night, I'm accepting suggestions for varieties of candy to make for the big day-before sale. Last year's celebrations being cut short by the actual Nightmare Moon I entirely blame on my stocking of way too much black licorice, so I want to know if you all can help make the holiday not a catastrophic failure this year.

Secondly: thanks to that eclipse, I actually do have a bit of a surplus here, so until the end of the month, all taffy is 75% off. Something to chew on for a while. [The mare chuckles, quietly, at her own joke.]

Finally: Until further notice, Zetta and all of those who collaborated with him are blacklisted from the Sugar Shack. I understand that it was apparently some super-secret plan to lure out the evil mastermind keeping all of the offworlders here, but you caused Lyra and Fluttershy to work themselves into exhaustion, made one of my employees sick, and turned the other into a bear! [Yes, Zetta, she's blaming you for that too even if it happened after the fact. And was technically Teddie's fault.] If you want me to lift the ban, then I'm expecting a pretty big apology. Yes, your majesties, that includes you two, too. I'm a businessmare, not a politician, and you hurt my bottom line, so I have to take action.

Thank you all for your time.


( [Private to Dame Trixie] )


( [Private to Kyouko and Teddie] )


( [Private to Lyra and OU!Fluttershy] )

As an addendum to my previous announcement, I have...

[Zetta pauses to heave an immense sigh.]

I have also captured Melissa, queen of the changelings, and one of the Pinkie Pies. Blah blah rot in my dungeon forever something something evil and somebody get these two psychological help, please.

[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.

[Atop the highest tower in his castle, the Overlord stands, a deep blue figure against the bright blue sky. The smirk on his face speaks of nothing but confidence and self-satisfaction.]

Hey, Equestria. Look up.

[No sooner does he pronounce those words then the leading edge of a black disc surges across the sun high above, devouring its light in increasing gulps. Within seconds of its appearance, the great blackness eclipses the sun entirely. Darkness falls across the land like a shroud.]

[Mercifully, the eclipse only lasts a few seconds before the sun peeks around the corner of whatever is blocking its light. As quickly as it came, the black disc fades, relinquishing to the star its rightful place in the sky. Whatever it was, it can no longer be seen thanks to the solar brightness.]

[On the scroll, the Overlord's smirk has only grown wider.]

That one I call Nemesis. It's a planet I've brought in, with the fortunate property that it's just the right size to eclipse the sun for Equestria from where I've dropped it. You'll see its counterpart, Antithesis, tonight, when it blocks the moonlight from you all for a little while.

[Zetta casually polishes one hoof on the fur of his chest with an abstract amusement, letting that sink in.] Oh, I'm sure you're not impressed by a short eclipse each day... but I don't expect you to be. It'll take me a couple of weeks to get these things tidally locked, so they block the sun and the moon both, rise to set. So you might want to spend the next couple of days enjoying this whole 'light' thing. Pretty soon it'll just be a fading memory... and Equestria will be plunged into eternal darkness. No sun, no moon, and no hope.

Unless your Princesses cede rulership of the land to me.

Hey, it's better than eternal darkness, right? [Zetta smiles in false encouragement, making a 'come on' gesture with one hoof.] Of course if you doubt I'm serious, then I'm sure you could just do your best to take care of the crops and the animals and the weather and all that crap despite the diminishing sun. I figure you can keep it all together just fine if none of you waster your effort attacking me. At least, until eternal darkness falls.

Two weeks, Princesses. This world as a Netherworld is better than this world as a dead world.