[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.]]

[Oh my, Don is looking rather unusually buff and tall and sweaty. Also he's wearing an apron. Also also he is holding a giant sword and a hammer.]

So, uh. If anyone here is asking where the blacksmith is, I think I'm it.

[After a pause, he sets the sword aside. Now to think up a way to make ye olde Mr. Coffee with the supplies on hand...]

Please tell me I'm not the only one trapped in this story? If not, I can supply you guys with whatever you need to fight the pox. Not that swords and axes will actually work on a disease, but I'll see about getting a medical lab or something set up if we're staying put in...Don.

In the meantime, I'm in the smithy.

[...By the way HA HA HA HA HA HA VERY FUNNY STORY HOW THE SHELL DID YOU KNOW HIS NAME AND WHY ARE YOU USING IT FOR THIS TOWN.]

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?"

...this is a somewhat familiar face, isn't it? For some of you?

"Oh, it's this place again. Is Chie here this time? Or Rise?"

A slight pause as she recalls something.

"Yayoi, if you're here again, I wouldn't mind kissing you some more."

[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.))

[Flare looks like she's had better days, honestly, her mane frazzled and the lack of sleep obvious in her features. She's in town square, lit faintly by the streetlights late at night. Her scroll is obviously put up somewhere so she can pace as she talks, needing to get this out.]

Alright, Ponyville. What I have to say to you today isn't in fear of the most recent unfathomable evil to cross our doorstep. We all know what to do in a situation like this. No matter what, we have to defend ourselves, and those we care for. I'd ask you all to refrain from using deadly force, try to negotiate if possible... but I trust your judgement in the heat of the moment.

No, I come to you today because I know how we've acted in the past year or so. I know the fears and worries eating at some of you right this very moment. I won't lie to you; the creature who we saw is powerful. Unnaturally so, if he could harm the princesses the way he did. We may not win this fight cleanly, but I assure you, I have full faith that we will drive this creature back. How well we do that... well, it depends on us.

All of us.

[At that, Flare sighs quietly, stopping in her tracks and speaking more firmly, definitively.]

That's not to say you should immediately dive for your superpowered trinkets or your ancient forbidden magics. Certainly, we have a fair share of ponies - and non-ponies - here who are well ahead of the rest when it comes to power, and their job is the most obvious; the job to confront our adversary head on.

But if you don't have those powers, or if you have them but can't trust your control over them? I urge you, please. Trust in those who do. All of us have roles we can fill. This is going to be a war, I assure you, so we'll need ponies assisting our medics, helping keep the wounded out of harm's way and on the road to recovery. We'll need fast, nimble runners to keep supply lines moving. Scholars, this is not an evil unknown to Equestria. I don't know his name, but he's been in my world's legends, so I'm sure there's something about him here in native books. We'll need you working to try to predict these movements, to find weaknesses that we can strike at.

Those of you who are able-bodied but unable to contribute to the fight on the front-lines? Group together and start warning others. Send out words to other towns as to what is going on here, lead those who cannot fight to safety. Otherwise, you can stay here alongside me - this town will be our base of commands, and we need to protect it with everything we've got.

Remember how we took on Nightmare Moon a year and a half ago, how ponies banded together for a united cause and brought her down, freed Twilight from that infernal possession. Remember the way that Cálice tore us apart by her slightest appearance, and left us unable to connect with each other, unable to form those bonds again, striking out at each other out of pain and fear. We can work together, and all play our part... but we have to try.

I assure you; each and every one of us is important here. Even those neighsayers who would rather turn tail and run, or who think this is another trick - don't be afraid of being yourself, of speaking against this! A regime that promotes peace and togetherness only works as long as there is opposition on the outside pointing out the flaws. Otherwise, the belief becomes a farce as the system corrupts itself from within. As twisted as it may seem... without conflict, we cannot have harmony. Without the occasional fight, ponies cannot truly be friends. We are all good people, and the only way for evil like this to triumph is for all of us to do nothing.

Just remember, alone we are but single souls, but together, we can achieve anything, stop anyone!

Are you with me? Are we with each other?

[And with that, Flare awaits, to see if others will speak up.]

I simply can't decide on the outfits. I want to change my style a little and there's a few friends I could draw an idea from.

Lemme put up pictures here for a moment.

( Read more... )

...here again, huh.

[There's a very muscular, cotton candy-colored mare on the scrolls who hasn't been around in the past three days--although given her tendency to go off and train for days on end, very few might notice that.]

How long has it been for you guys? A week? A couple of months? Is everyone who was in the Dojo when I left still teaching there?

[...oh no wait]

Did Bertie ever find out what an Attractive Redhead actually was?

...look, I'm sorry for just rainbowing out like that. And for freaking out. More importantly--pretty sure most of you all who know me have met Blackberry and my other Pokemon by now, but I have a new friend I'd like you to meet!

[She takes out a Pokeball from her bag and releases...a very colorful-looking parrot.]

Everyone meet Caro! I met her while Julia and I were visiting my sister in Kalos. She can get a little, uh, nervous, but I'm trying to train her out of that.

It's...odd, I guess. I'd heard about an awful lot about Kalos, and Marla's been there even longer than I have, but you guys won't believe half of the stuff I saw when I was finally there! I'm probably not the only person whose honeymoon almost got hilariously ruined because some billionaire guy tried messing around with an ancient death ray, but at least that was...an experience.

And now that I'm back here after two years, everything just seems new again.

So how's everyone?

[Feena's day started like any other day. She woke up (though she didn't remember sleeping on the couch), made breakfast, made some tea, and just did her share of chores. It's not until early afternoon after she finishes her chores that she decides to go outside. She grabs today's newspaper and sits down at her kitchen table to drink another cup of tea. She was reading up on the current events, when her eyes just briefly glanced over at the date. She does a double-take, and she nearly chokes on her tea.

February 7th? No, it's February 3rd, not February 7th. What on earth is going on here?

Feena decides to consult those on the scrolls, holding up her calendar and smirking.]

Either this is just an innocent misprint, or an innocuous prank. Did this happen to anyone else?

You f'ing moron [Erased before it could be transmitted]

Tails, we need to talk.

I don't like what you've been doing and as a friend who is extremely bad at this, please understand I want nothing but the best for you.

That being said... you're driving people away with your antics. You need to stop, right now, and look at yourself. See what you're becoming. You're becoming angry, out of control. You're saying things that hurts people, and I don't like it.

I tried to stay out of it, but everyone told me I should talk to you. As a friend, who spent hours with you in your world, helping you out, I'm asking you.

Don't throw everyone under a bus.

I know it's easy to snap, but you're hurting people, and I can't take it anymore. You're not the friend you used to be.

So please, as a friend, don't make this hard on our friendship as well as the others. Don't hurt others, try to see their point of view. Stop being selfish and all about yourself. Open up.

Because if you don't, it'll be hard to remain friends. I missed the old you, the one who could talk hours about inventions and how much he loved flying.

I miss the old you, who wanted to become the best friend ever. The one who pelted me with snowballs and we had fun together.

I don't like this new you. And I'd hate to think that this is your real true nature.

Please, as your friend, don't turn my advice away.

Return to the one who you used to be.

Don't throw everything away.

Sincerely yours,
Yayoi

Hi everypony, I feel like I need to apologize for the idiot I call a friend from the community. I'm really bad at telling him he's wrong, and I feel bad that everypony is getting down on him but he really is bringing it upon himself. I sort of just let everyone pile on and while it's terrible it's also a bit of "he deserved it".

That being said, don't hurt him too badly. I've yet to figure out how spontaneous regeneration works on this world.

Try not to hit him too hard.

--Apples!

[There's a thonk and the scroll is turned on to show it's one of the Tailses' room. Apparently a book was thrown and that's what caused it to turn on.

The younger Tails seems to be under some stress as he's pacing back and forth.]

How hard is it to get train tickets outta here? I know the Windigoes incident made things worse, but c'mon!

[He stops and forces himself to take a deep breathe and calm himself down.]

Calm down Tails. You know you're not gonna crash any antique planes into Town Hall like last year. No need to get yourself into another week-long coma.

[He moves his bangs back.]

I'll just need to stock up and hide myself. Kick my double out of the apartment if I have to. I certainly don't want him to suddenly become narcissistic because of some tainted cupca-

[And that's when he noticed the scroll was on and his eyes widen in a panic. He quickly moves towards his desk and rolls up the scroll.]

Okay, lets take it from the top!

Back home we had a ritual to see who could dance off when we were bored. So I'm gathering a bunch to dance with me.

Please remember the following steps!

1. Don't hit anyone in front or behind you. Keep your arms to the side!

2. Young fillies and foals should be able to see the screen to follow along!

3. If You are sitting in the balcony of the theater, please by all means dance but remain in your seats!

There's more but we haven't watched a movie yet.

You all ready? Three!

Two!

One!

Lets Dance!

It's been several days since...The Event, and Terra is no closer to understanding it now than she was then. So she's decided to seek the wisdom of the emotionally normal people on the scroll network. Once she's switched it on and made sure Dust can't see it, she takes a deep breath and launches into a clearly rehearsed speech.

"Hello. I need help figuring something out. What does it mean when someone touches you and your heart starts beating fast and it's not because you're about to get in a fight?"

There's a slight pause as she goes over the second half of the speech.

"I would appreciate an answer, please."

[Somebody looks incredibly pleased with herself. ...Okay, Yang usually looks pleased with herself, but somehow she looks even more so today.]

Hey Happy New Year, everybody!!

You all know what that means, right?

[...Only 358 more shopping days left until Hearth's Warming?]

That's right! You're looking at the soon-to-be newest, full-fledged Night Market guard.

[Princess Luna did say she'd be instated as a full guard at the turn of the new year. Apparently, Yang is hoping that was meant in the most literal sense. Either that or she just really wanted to remind everybody of the fact.]

I think that calls for a little celebration, eh? Who wants to join me for dinner and a few drinks at the Decanter tonight, hmm?

[She definitely means the non-alcoholic apple cider drinks there. ...Ruby, she'll bring a juice box of milk for you or something.]

Speaking of celebrations! I'll be attending that film festival in Canterlot next week. Anybody else coming with me?

[There's an actual pause as she squints at her feed, as if looking for her friends.]

Ruby? You'll go with me, right? Blake, I know you're coming.

[That's followed with a wink.]

Oh! Jaune! How 'bout you? Wanna bring your team along? I do owe you a fun time.

[She grins cheerfully.]

Come on! Who wants to start this year off with a Yang!?

[She's been sitting on that pun since yesterday.

...Good luck trying to talk her out of any of this, guys.]

After the new year I'm going up to Canterlot to check if there's a House of Enchanted Comic Books here. If there is, anypony want me to pick some up for them?

There should be a lot, and some of them are magic too. They pull the readers into the books and they have adventures inside them. I would have brought some but I left my school bag back in the other world.

You know what I just realized?

This will be the first Christmas without Mama or KFC.

I don't think ponies can eat KFC either, so that's out. And I don't think someone would like to cook a chicken for me either.

So that's out.

Gosh I'm getting hungry. Better get a hayburger...