[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.

[Almost everyone will be treated to the sight of old Doc once again, goggles askew over his ears. He seems to be out in a field somewhere, stretching in the open space.]

Good afternoon, everyone. I know I've been absent for quite a while, but I've been considering the consequences of the action I'm about to take. After a lengthy debate with myself, I'm fairly confident that this is the correct path. So I'll ask you to lend me your ears for a few minutes.
( Another )

Hello again, everybody!

[Yep, it's Littlepip disguising her voice again.]

This is The Lightbringer, and it's only been a short while since I broadcast a message to all of you. Well, I'm back and I have some wonderful news! A reliable source has informed me of something absolutely incredible.

You know how people get absorbed into Calice? That's no longer going to happen! In fact, people have been escaping from Calice with help from some of the native Element Bearers including Twilight Sparkle!

So what does this mean? Calice is being distracted by something, but what? I'm going to try and have my associate look into this matter. But my source mentioned the elements getting a spark every now and then, which empowers the native Twilight Sparkle. Maybe whatever's happening with The Elements of Harmony, we should find out how to do it more often.

And for the last bit of business... As you've no doubt heard from Alastor... Yes, Griffaltar and Equestria are now united again. Some offworlders helped with the whole thing, but my source mentioned Calice against the idea of us and them being at peace. She wanted us to start a war. We're better than that.

Keep on making friends, everyone! This has been The Lightbringer, bringing the truth to light!

[Second time this month she was using the scroll like this. It's not so private this time....]

I never did report my discoveries in Canterlot, and it doesn't appear as though Kanji did either before his untimely disappearance. What it was, I cannot say openly over the network; however, I am requesting assistance from anyone with extensive knowledge on magic and alternatives methods of performing it. I'll explain the details in person.

Besides that, I must inquire something else. Has anyone else, in their world before this one, had regular contact with ghosts before? I need some help in that matter if you have.

[That's all she has to say... or is it?]

( Private to Homura )

The arcade is a scam. Or, uh. More of a brainwashing facility, if we're going to be fully honest.

The thing is being orchestrated by a creature called Giegue who came from the same place I did, kind of. Long story short, he's an alien warlord and a psychic. A powerful one. Really, really powerful, like things would get really bad if he ever went all out. His specialty is manipulating negative emotions, and the more powerful a set of negative emotions he can build and manipulate in others, the more powerful he becomes in turn.

So, uh, if you've been wondering why there's been a lot of hostility in the arcades, and why some people are even just kind of staying there. Giegue is influencing them through the arcade machines in order to build his own power and gain an army to try and challenge the big stupid death goddess that has us here. He's going into overtime because he's having a hissy fit since. Well. I guess he actually had a friend, and now that person is gone.

I've known what he was going to do for a while. I planned it with him. ...I didn't actually think we'd get to this point. I thought he'd realize by this point that he couldn't use brute force in places like this to succeed or get out. I thought he'd come to rely on people in...you know, a good way. To care about people. And, I guess he did but-

I guess I thought he'd change. I mean, hey, I know places like this change people. I'd seen it. I'd experienced it. I thought it'd happen just the same here, and that I wouldn't have to do anything to help it because hey, not like I'd be any friggin' good at helping people change.

I guess I could have told people about this earlier. I didn't really want to, because I don't really have the right to. I'm a pretty terrible person. I've done a lot of terrible things. I guess it felt like...I dunno. I owed him the chance to change without me doing something. Kinda screwed that one up, so uh. Sorry on that.

I need people to help me sabotage the place. I don't want to hurt him, and I've already had some plans on how to shut this thing down if it went to far. But I dunno if they'll be enough on their own. You can all piss and whine at me about this if you want, hey, I've heard it all before. But right now I really need help stopping this before it actually becomes dangerous.

I'm trying a new manestyle. I hear its a thing.

How do I look? Eh? EH? Cool huh.

[Yeah all day, all around town, Pinkie looks G3. Can't be tamed yo. Are you brave enough to approach?]

[The next day, Pinkie is in. And the barber looks uncertain as he works.]

Is this the face you want?

Totally! Mirror, give me a mirror!

[And he gives her a mirror and it looks like she is the avatar of some kind of famous video game designer.]

I love it!

[Good times yo.]

[So many folks lately had lost others...and her own heart was burdened a bit by this, truth be told. But Nephenee was bound and determined to try to make the best of the situation...as much as she could, anyways. She wanted to help those who had lost loved ones recently, and while she ultimately wanted to do it for all that had, she needed to start somewhere small...]

[So there would be a pony knocking on doors today, handing out some gifts. When they open the door, they see a possibly-familiar pelorus pony there.]

( List of people inside; Find the peace within ourselves, No need for a cure )
[OOC: I'm sure I forgot some people who've lost some recently, so please poke me via PM or Plurk if you think of any!] 

I always thought of the creatures born of Earth as weak and helpless. They entrust their feeble hearts and pitiful strength to each other to distract them from their own futility. But I think I understand how they must feel.

What happens when the people they counted on being there for them simply vanish in an instant? All the treasured time spent with the ones they call their "friends" becomes just little more than a memory. As if it had never happened. This is the eternal burden the weak bear, a consequence of their inability to trust their own power. They latch onto the warmth of the past, but the cold, vast future inevitably consumes them.

This thing called friendship only makes isolation that much more unbearable.

Remember that escape is our highest priority. Our experiences here are transient and inconsequential to the goals and responsibilities that still await us in our own worlds.

I won't forget that anymore.

[A face shows up on the scrolls that hasn't been for awhile and she's sitting in her office at the Investigation Agency. With her hooves pressed together she sits up straight and looks at the floating parchment in front of her. It's funny about these eyes that look back at the item; clear and focused like she has a mission. And guess what? She does.]

Good afternoon to all of you, I hope the Gala was a wondeful time. Considering the recent developments, I'm also glad that nothing too crazy happened. But now there's something I want to discuss with you all...something involving the one who helped Tirek escape.

[She breaths slightly as she keeps her focus. She told Luna she would do this...and she refuses to back down from it.]

I know a lot of you are asking this: why would you help him? He deserves what he had gotten or let him rot away and move on. But that's only what WE know. While most of us were dancing or enjoying ourselves, I had another goal in mind: I went to see Princess Luna. She told me and a friend of mine what exactly was happening to Yu: that his guilt is overpowering him to the point where he's about to lose himself. I happened to see it myself on two occasions: during Minato-kun's session and at the Gala as he defended me from some of Shanks' supporters.

[His eyes were the thing that scared her the most...still haunt her. Keep going...]

The princess told me because of it...he cannot sleep. Yu's becoming more and more distant and...he's wasting away and she has no idea what to do at this point. And that's when we stepped in...and why I'm talking to all of you now.

[...she's not sure if this is right but this is the point of no return. This is her proof of friendship right here...]

Tirek told us...that friendship is meaningless. That when something goes wrong, we turn our backs on what hurt us and ignore it until it vanishes. Calice believes the same thing...and we've proven them both right. Even I turned my back on the man I said I would love until my last breath...but I'm stopping it. And I'm asking for anyone who feels the same way...that believes friendship can triumph over darkness and emptiness...please listen to what I want to do to help Yu.

A week from today, on the 25th...I and anyone else with Luna's permission will be making a dive into Yu's dreamscape and show him that the friends that he made were not due to murders or a portal to another world. It will be my howntown of Inaba as if none of it ever happened and we live the year as normal. We will know who we are...Yu however won't. If anyone wishes to join me, you can reply to this message and see me in Canterlot on the 24th to prepare. This is open to ANYONE who wants to do this...but it's delicate as well so be careful while making this choice.

I know there will be some who think I'm crazy and maybe naive...perhaps saying that he's too far from redemption. But I know of at least two who managed to get there for far worse things that have happened. I'm willing to use what I've learned and seen within the past two years, to show what friendship truly is and how powerful it can be.

And I know others are wanting that too. So...let's show the world what kind of magic it is.

[And that's it...publicly at least.]

( Private to Homura )

[The face In the scroll this time is... familiar, yet different? It was a Unicorn, sure, and the colour was different, but... odd. He was outside, somewhere in the town center of Ponyville, but out of the way of the other Ponies walking around. He looked pretty confused and more than a little worried.]

Ah... excuse me, everyone.

[His voice however, was a dead ringer for a certain in-trouble pony. He bowed his head lightly in apologies, but also allowing the viewer to see-- yeah, you weren't seeing things, he definitely had a horn on his head.]

My name is Souji Seta- and I'm from-- [There was a slight pause there, like he was wondering if it was right to say what he was going to mention] --Inaba, a small country town in Japan... on Planet Earth? [Might as well be specific]

I, ah... I'm not sure if I'm dreaming or not, but I've never had a dream like this before... And I tried hitting myself, and didn't wake up.

[It hadn't been easy, either. He couldn't walk too well like this... that's why he was sitting on his butt until he could get some answers.]

Can someone tell me what's going on, and where am I?

Ah...I'm just speaking up to inform everyone...well, actually...if Miki Sayaka is here, please respond.

Th-that's all.

( [private telepathy to Kyouko] )

[It's a familiar apartment if anybody saw the video of an earth pony on guitar. But there's some commotion, hooves clicking against the floor somehow rather than the usual clop. But nobody's in view...]

A'right! I'm open for commissions! The Gala's comin' up real fast, but I can take on as many orders as I can and get 'em done, damn it!

[Then, a sigh.]

Just drop a scroll, got it? ...And for those who want a sample, here's somethin' I just kinda threw together.

[Samples? What's he mea-- oh. Oh that's definitely a stallion trotting into view of the 'camera', wearing an ornate white dress with lace and pearl, something that couldn't be 'thrown together' if anybody tried. He'd even styled his mane to match, and kicked a back leg to show the flow of the skirts. Well, at least he doesn't look embarrassed to be in the stuff. In fact, he looks awfully comfortable.]

Could be as simple or as fancy as ya want it, but you gotta be able to walk in the stuff, got it? I ain't takin' orders for 30-foot dress trains. You'll thank me later.

[Did he just do a little mane flip? He just did a little mane flip.]

Oh look, Mako's on the scrolls. What fascinating wisdom will she regale you all with this time?

"Somehow, I did it again - that's two years running. Equestria, you are bad for my long-term memory."

...some context would be nice, Mako.

"Anyway, yeah, it seems to be a theme that I can't remember my birthday anymore. I turned 20 last month, so...go me?"

Pause for thought.

"...does this make me too old to be a magical girl? Am I a magical woman now?"

So, hey. I've got a question, now that th'world is back to what passes for "normal" 'round here.

What do you do if it turns out that you've been livin' a lie all your life? Not, like, in the Mayfield sense, but... what if you thought you were a hero and you turned out to only be hurtin' people, or...

[Flare goes quiet, and glances away.]

...or what if you believed you were cursed, only t'find out it was all in your head, and you were only holdin' yourself back? What do you do when you find that sorta thing out?

( [Private to Zetta] )

[Well, now that the phenomenon's ended, its time for business. Princess Luna, looking quite livid, is staring into the scrolls. Behind her is a small cadre of royal guards.]

Now that things have calmed down, I think its time to do what needs to be done.

[She stamps her feet, letting out the Royal Canterlot Voice as she does so. Judging by how Luna's voice suddenly echoes through Ponyville, well. Three guesses where she is.]

CITIZENS! WE REQUIRE YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE ON A SERIOUS CRIMINAL MATTER! ONE OF YOUR FELLOWS AIDED THE ONE CALLED TIREK DURING HIS INVASION, AND MUST BE BROUGHT TO OUR CUSTODY IMMEDIATELY!

...You Highness, does this involve the cows in the--

SILENCE! THAT IS SPECIAL INFORMATION THAT YOU CANNOT RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC! If the criminal knows, they will try and flee!

Ok then.

WE SHALL KEEP ANY TIPS YOU MAY HAVE CONFIDENTIAL! BUT REST ASSURED! COWARD, IF YOU ARE READING THIS, WE WILL FIND YOU! GIVE YOURSELF UP AND ACCEPT THE PUNISHMENT OF THE PRINCESS OF THE MOON!

[Not long after that little event with the Princesses, Patchouli opens the scroll to address everypony. She appears to be working on a spell in the middle of the road as she speaks.]

I am assuming you all saw what just transpired.

There is no time to lose. We need defenses set up and the general populace evacuated somewhere safe. We shall also need whatever information we can on what that thing is and the best way to combat it. Until then, stay out of the main thoroughfares on the north side of town, towards Canterlot. It will be a dangerous place, and not because of that creature.

[The spell finishes casting, and a large glyph appears on the road for a moment before fading away. It's still there, but hidden.]

Let us deal with this quickly; I'd rather not have to deal with two threats for long.