[It's been a long day, even if it's this early in it, and Nephenee's been pacing since her talk with Shanks. First one end of this hallway, then the other, just trying to think of everything that can be done to fix this.

Well, and occasionally berating herself for not checking on the deed like she should have. Logically, she knows she didn't know a lot about property laws when she was handed the Commune's reins, but she can't help feeling a tad responsible, and guilty.

Despite that, though, laying into herself won't solve the problem, and she knows it. If anything, giving into old habits would make it harder to save this place.

Doesn't mean she doesn't feel she owes everyone an apology, however. But that's not the only reason she comes onto the scrolls, looking pensive and tired. From the looks of things, she's outside, in Ponyville proper, and when she speaks, it's to more than just those with scrolls.]

...Reckon everypony's seen the announcement. Ah..gotta few things to say about that.

[The Sentinel's eyes close as she weighs her words, breathing.]

...First off, Ah need to apologize to everypony, 'Specially those who live or have lived in the Commune before, an' everyone who depends on this place. Ah...

...Ah slipped up. [A steeling breath to keep her anger down.] Ah let myself get overwhelmed when Ah was handed the Commune's leadership by Princess Luna, an' that's why this is happenin' now. Don't matter that Ah didn't know nothin' the laws regardin' all this racket, Ah still shoulda checked more thoroughly, an' asked more questions.

[Swallowing, she continues, opening her eyes, and a familiar edge lies behind them:]

..But no matter how much Ah get down on myself 'bout that, it ain't gonna change what's happenin' now. In a week, the bank's closin' on the final bids for the land the Commune sits on. We have that long to raise at least 1.5 million...

...Gotta admit, that scares me a lil'. Ain't even seen that much money before...it'll be rough goin', for sure.

But we ain't ever let that stop us, have we? Somehow, we'll do this...we hafta.

But Ah can't do this alone...the Commune probably can't either...So...Ah'm officially askin' for everypony's help.

The Commune is a symbol, Ah think, o'folks comin' together, despite bad times an' circumstances. It's been around since the beginnin', when we first arrived, an'..somehow, despite a lot o'bad stuff? It's still standin'...jus' like us. Jus' like Ponyville proper.

An' more importantly...it's home for a lotta folks. An' Ah've had my Home threatened too many times to count. Ah dunno what Shanks has planned - can't be nothin' good -, but we gotta stop him, else we lose our homes, an' else he gains another foothold to use against not jus' Newponies, but Equestria as a whole. We can't let that happen...

Ah'm gonna do everythin' Ah can to fix my mistake, an' make it up to everypony...but Ah need y'all's help to do that.

[Pushing aside every scrap of pride that once upon a time prevented her from seeking help when her first home was threatened, every bit that said she had to be the sole anchor point upon which all rested, that she had to be the one to fix things, she looks out to all of those over the scrolls, and to all those across Ponyville, from her rooftop precipice, and asks with all her heart:]

Please...help me save not jus' my Home, but all the homes that are there, so Ah can do that...an' so we can continue to help this place.

There you are! [The scruffy pony who appears on the scrolls seems to be talking to…the scroll itself? He tries to brush something off of it with one hoof only to put a big smear of mud down the middle of what would be its lens if it weren't a magical piece of paper, and grimaces as he uses an elbow instead to mostly get it back off. Dressed in a torn blue vest, he looks like he hasn't washed in over a week, let alone combed his mane. The view over his shoulder is of a forest canopy.]

Aren't you a sight for sore eyes! Thought I was going to have to get a new one whenever I got ho -- got back. To the commune, not home, suppose the commune is a home -- right. Ah…right.

What'd I miss? It's been…what? Few weeks? Anything happen while I was gone? And before you ask, I did not find the Tree of Harmony, that was a bad lead. A very, very bad lead.

[Not long before several of the offworlders get sucked iinto an epictaking place in the distant past, some in the Commune might have noticed some meetings between a certain blue Commune leader and what looked to be construction workers. Most of the time, they seemed amicable, but once or twice, there was some clearly deep discussion, both sides waving hooves in grand gestures, indicating something foreign to anyone not privy to the conversation.

It's after one of these talks, that Nephenee shows up on the scrolls, sweaty and a bit disheveled, but no more so than usual during the summer. The Sentinel peers about for a moment to be sure somepony isn't around, before addressing everyone else, voice a bit hushed.]

Hey folks, Ah wanted to let y'all know somethin', an' ask a favor o'few.

So, Morgan's birthday's comin' up the 29th, an' Ah really wanna have a nice party for him, an' everypony's invited! In fact, it's a pool party! Ah mean what better way to spend time when it's gettin' to be the hottest part o'the year?

Ah gotta few ideas, but Ah've never thrown a pool party before, an' wanted see 'bout gettin' some ideas...mean, what's normally at a pool party?

Second, Ah've been workin' to get the pool for the house, since that's..kinda the big present, an' even managed to haggle for one for the Commune, too, but...we ran into a problem. Namely, since it's a surprise, Ah'm..kinda at a loss for figurin' how we hide the enclosures.

[Her expression looks very confused now.]

Mean. how do ya hide a buildin'? So...Ah need ideas on how to either hide it somehow as it's gettin' built, or, probably a better idea, distract him long enough for a bunch o'us to do it, an' hide it til he gets back or whatever. Ah'd probably be better at figurin' this out myself, but... [She holds up some theoretical magic homework.] Ah think this done fried my brain.

Also, if folks would like, Ah could use some help settin' up for the party, too. Like...Miss Pinkie, Miss Mina, would y'all be willin' to help me with the cake? Ah gotta idea for one, but...don't really know how to do it. Y'all are the best party planners around, though!

If..anyone else got any ideas, Ah'd be all for 'em!

~~~~

( Action to Minato & Shinjiro )

[All right, this has gone long enough. Hiding in her little cottage is really not working. In spite of being embarrassed about the mossy mess that her mane as become, Donna takes to the scrolls.]

Okay. Scientists. I know there are, like, 20 of you out there. What's actually being done about this Poison Joke thing and how can we help? Because I'm about sick of having my hair constantly damp and slightly slimy. It's a mess on my pillow in the morning, and I'd really rather not live life on plastic sheets, thanks.

I know the regular cures for the Joke aren't working. What's next?

*Apparently Alastor's back to being a guy again, and he's sitting in a cafe in the Night Market with a cup of hot chocolate, looking quite pleased with himself.*

We had a productive trip last week. Somepony else is going to be breaking serious news that should put a lot of you at ease in the next few days...but that's their honor. Me, I'm just here to report on the results of the planned part of that trip. You guys miiiiight wanna check this weekend's paper.

*Anyone who does check the paper will find, prominently displayed, an article about restored peace with Griffaltar, thanks to the efforts of four newponies who declined to be named. Chairgriffon Elinor has, apparently, had a change of heart regarding Equestria.*

[It's been one hell of a battle against Tirek so far, and there has been a lot of people who once had power, and even just were strong physically, that are now without that, and even without that, their cutie marks are gone; for many, the power was part of their identities, and so after seeing many scared to stand up to Tirek, whether in battle or in spirit, Nephenee decides to try to raise eveyone's hopes...and simultaneously show their enemy that they won't back down.]

[So, before some of them travel into Tartarus, the Sentinel makes two posts: one locked from the centaur...and one decidedly not.]

( Visual, locked from Tirek )

( Unlocked, viewable to EVERYONE )

[There have been a lot of apologies going around since they'd managed to reforge the 'Fire of Friendship' to drive off the Windigos. Donna's been holding off, too embarrassed to join in the chorus, but there's really not a way to avoid it. At least she can limit the apology proper to the members of the commune. Everyone else? Well, there were a lot of people who could help with building.]

Hey, everybody. This is Donna Noble from the Ponyville Commune. We had some trouble recently and are looking for any help we can get to organize a building party. This isn't just for the commune, though, it's something I'd like to put together for something more regular in case any of us need the help. With everything we've faced since getting here, with as kind as the ponies in Ponyville are, I think we owe it to them to have some sort of, I dunno, on-call group. A bunch of us who'll come and fix something up if it gets knocked down in the latest invasion or whatever. If you'd like to help, please let me know. I'll be setting something up for the commune soon. I know the Agency needs some work for expansion, too, that we could see to helping with after that.


( Locked to Commune Residents )


( Locked to Terra )

[The hand writing is very crude, and those who might know Lethe's handwriting might suspect something was wrong simply from that. It was almost as if a right handed person was writing with their left hand, or they were trying to write with their foot... or even holding a pen in their teeth.]

Does anyone here have the skill to mend broken bones?

[That's the entire message.]

[It's been awhile since Reimi showed up on the scrolls; she became rather busy helping Nozomi and Jou with the shops with Hearth's Warming, but something has been on her mind, and was not the new year a chance to work on things? To that end, she appears thoughtful, and a bit pensive.]

My apologies for my silence on the network lately; the work for the holiday took up much of my time, as well as the tests we had at school.

I...have a question for you all. A few weeks ago, the one known as Diamond Tiara insulted me with the term 'blank flank', and as I did not understand the meaning, I looked into it...and what I have heard regarding this upsets me a little.

In this land, it is said by some that not having a Cutie Mark is a curse, that one does not have a destiny or talent. I...do not believe this to be true. Arceus created all of my kind with individual talents, and special powers.

But becoming a human, then pony, has made me wonder about my own, and my destiny. Do I have those as well...and what might they be? I have always thought of myself as Erika's starter, her Pokémon and friend, and still do. But...is that all? Is there more beyond that? I..am not sure how to begin this search.

Are there any among us who started as I, and gained their Cutie Mark? If there are, I would appreciate hearing your tale. Even if there are not, I wish to...what is that term...'pick brains'? I wish to hear what everypony has to say of the situation.

Excuse me, Noble-san?

Is it alright to talk to you about an idea you had earlier?

[Guess who was paying attention to a particular conversation?]

[Hey, everypony, its Princess Celestia! She looks quiet, almost solemn, as she sits by her fireplace.]

Hello.

Recently, it came to my attention that there is...another secret, so to speak, that I must indulge to you all. However, this revelation was one that the existence of which was unknown to me, my sister, or the other princesses of this world.

[She looks down at this.]

During Discord's recent prank during Nightmare Night, several of us were switched with normal ponies. When they did, they found themselves at the mercy of a voice. A voice that constantly spoke to them, sounding like us, encouraging them to do...things. Where this voice comes from, we don't know. None of us even knew this voice existed, until now.

[Closing her eyes.]

I realize this might be important information, so I apologize for delaying in reporting this. It wasn't intentional on my part to do so - I wanted to confirm and see if this was just in myself and Luna, or if Princess Cadance and Princess Twilight Sparkle also had this problem. While I couldn't confirm Cadance realizing it, I would like to speak with whoever switched with Princess Twilight Sparkle about this.

Again, I apologize for the delay on this. And also...

[A little smile plays on her face.]

I hope you all are having a lovely time with the Maze Trotter. Has anyone gotten to the end?

[Tonight people may hear the sound of jingle bells coming from their scrolls. Those who open up will see a white unicorn... staring at them like that one girl in The Ring. For a moment her eyes are obscured under a mane of white. Her face slowly rises allowing the two glowing red eyes to appear below the bangs.]

Seasons greetings.

The air has grown colder and the leaves have fallen. Yet the houses are warm and smiles are rampant. Every pony and unicorn and pagasus hearts are full of fellowship and cheer. Streamers, lights and banners decorate the hallways and roadways, illuminating the snow in a rainbow of shining sparkles. Even the air itself echoes the cheerful songs trumpeting their awe of snowflakes, mistletoe, and conifers.

It is quite the spectacle.

[The unicorn raises a hoof to the side and there is an insufferable sound like a dozen discordant pianos hammering down a note simultaneously.]

Meanwhile, you are still ensnared, here. Your goals, desires, ambitions and machinations lie elsewhere. The land that you know and the people that had been entwined with yours continues. You are still within a shell of the being this world has deemed suitable for it's denizens. And within the planes between your enemy grows in strength and insanity. All of this is true, and will continue to be so until such time has found an ultimate conclusion to the one that binds us or that our physical and spiritual form ceases to exist. Each moment of each day we find ourselves one step closer to this absolution or destruction.

And I truly doubt the hour of your demise will care that you have taken the time to enjoy the moment of the season.

[Here you go pony's, have one of your resident cats, the red scruffy one.]

Hey there pony's, the name's Cliffjumper, I'm one of the new bots in town. Been trying to get myself settled since I'm uh...I'm still a little new to this whole "organic" thing, but I think I'm finally gettin' the hang of it. Little food, a little sleep and you're good to go when the sun rises.

Enough about me though, I'm curious about all this holiday stuff going on. It sounds a lot like what humans have back on Earth...

[Is going off of a New York standard of Christmas really the proper thing to compare it to, Cliff?]

You got the same scramble for presents I've been seeing and well...I was never really able to ask before, but is that all this holiday is? Some mad dash to get the biggest and best present you can for someone? I mean I get the part where a Snowman came to life, and some red nosed mammal with high-beams helped an old guy in a red suit come to town...actually I don't get that either, and if you have answers for those as well I'd owe you one...

I mean it's like whiplash between the two, magic snowmen and big fat guys in suits, then suddenly everyone gets presents. Just what is this holiday all about?

You know, it's funny. When I first got here, I figured I'd be long gone by now. Everyone was a lot smaller, too, but you know. Details. I even treated it like a vacation. Of course, back then no one knew what happened to anyone who left, was told they just went back home.

Obviously that's not the case.

[A sort of hiss lingers in her voice just thinking about it.]

...I don't know where I was going with this, I'm just...tired.

Think some holiday is coming up, so...happy whatever that is.

[Wow, one whole year.]

Hello!

First I'd like to remind you all to add any discoveries you've made about Calice to our communal log on the topic. You can find the log in the Ponyville Library basement.

Second, I have news. I finished building the rainbow energy sensor and between that and the readings I have taken on my Sonic, I can confirm something we have suspected for a while.

The rainbows that bring us here are a match for the Elements of Harmony. Since Calice claims we're here for her experiments, it is very likely the Elements she bears on her body are the ones being used to fetch us, send us away, and so forth.

Knowing that, there's a point we also must take into account. [He holds up a hoof to ward off any interruptions.]

Calice has two types of energy. The Elements Rainbow power, and a chaotic black power. But from the very beginning she has always used the Elements to bring offworlders here. For someone so strong she sure uses the Elements a lot.

And I have to wonder: Are the Elements of Harmony actually her greatest power source? And could the Elements ever be used for... evil purposes?