[Looks like there’s a new face on the scrolls today. And a rather pretty one at that.

Yang Xiao Long is smiling playfully, her posture and gestures about as coquettish as they can be given she's now a pony instead of a human. She occasionally glances at things off-screen as she talks, taking in her new surroundings.]

This is a pretty cute little town you've got here. Don't see a lot of small villages like this back home. ...Deeeffffinitely not ones completely inhabited by horses either.

[Unless they were Grimm in the shape of horses maybe.]

It's kinda funny how your Scrolls are like...actual scrolls.

[She laughs, tossing her blonde mane so it frames around her face, eyes falling half-closed a little flirtatiously.]

So! Would anybody mind showing the new girl around town?

I know we've quite the agenda on our hands with the pompous overlord holding his breath until he gets what he wants, but a thought's come to mind that I feel like sharing. It may not be very appropriate to the aforementioned agenda, but hear me out.

We've many people on the battlefield, whether it's through fancy trinkets from the archives or though natural. I'm not here to question the validity of either as others have done so already. However, I can't help but wonder what kind of effects this is having on Equestria. Do not misunderstand; there is a necessity for soldiers, but at the same time, how much good will it all do? Wars are being fought in a world literally powered by love and friendship. Whether it's a war fought by humans, machines or even ponies, war is incredibly destructive. Every battle we fight takes a toll on this world. Are our attempts to save it actually bringing its downfall? Isn't anyone else troubled by the fact that a world of friendship is constantly at arms?

Again, this isn't a message against gaining powers or anything of the sort; I simply feel as if we're not learning the lessons we should be learning. Compassion, companionship, unity...yes, even the six traits the Elements of Harmony represent. Perhaps to truly save this world of ponies, we need to begin thinking like ponies. Perhaps, to save this world, we'll need fewer soldiers and more preservers of its core foundations.

(The girl shrugs.)

Food for thought. That is all.

(The visual opens with a familiar, albeit jittery mare looking over her shoulders and rubbing her foreleg. She seems exhausted and nervous about something, but is doing her best to keep a straight face.)

How long has it been since the Pale Pony made her appearance? It feels different, like weeks have passed. I...can't remember anything past that day.

(Hey eyes keep moving about, frantically looking for something.)

I tried reading her thoughts that day, but she knew what I was doing. I couldn't read hers...but I heard the thoughts of so many others. So many voices crying out from within her. Countless voices...nngh!

(The Reaper winces, but shakes her head.)

...That is all.

[Zecora looks deadly serious as she activates the scroll, a frown on her face and her usually warm tone solemn and almost hesitant.]

Strange things are at hoof in this land
And even I do not understand
The changes that keep taking place
But you may be a saving grace.
I need to know more of that story
Of the other me in all her glory.

Holy Celestia, I spent the last month getting through this fodder and look what happens. Okay Adventurers, you want a challenge? I'll give you a challenge.

First off, I've managed to secure the Salts and Flux from the Chimeras, so don't need to thank me on that part. It saves you all a battle. Secondly, I've read up on some literature of my predecessor, Gerolt the First and he had a unique method of creating stuff. Something about forging in the Fires of Mount Not-Quite-Doom or some dung like that.

In any case, what I need is stuff to recreate that level of inferno for my forging. The Excalipoor broke down really well, but now I can't reforge it into your equipment, let alone the base stuff. So here's the deal: you have that Canterlot Archives right? I'm too big to get in there so I need you Adventurers to go in there for me.

Go get me a White-Hot Coal and several chunks of Hyperfused Ore. I'm sure they're down there, Star Swirl brought a lot over here after all. The last bit I'll have to keep looking: this book is freaking tiny and I have big claws.

Get the first of them by next Monday and we'll consider our business continued.

(ooc: the first of the battles will go up this weekend)

[The scroll turns on to reveal a very frustrated-looking dragon. For not being able to make an upset face in a few days, he sure seems to be catching up on lost time now.]

Now that that utter nightmare is behind me, I'd like to take a moment to apologize to anyone I may have have inadvertently mislead by being a tiny pink cat for a week. I'm not small, I'm not adorable, and I actually know what I'm doing when it comes to battle.

Not to mention the fact that I don't make a habit of laying on people. Or chasing my tail. Or pouncing on bits. Ugh, what a disaster.

That said, I do recall running into a few unfamiliar faces, so I'd like to take the opportunity to properly introduce myself. If you met a small, pink cat with a katana wrapped in its tail, that was me.

I should have introduced myself then, but if I didn't, my name is Vergil. It was nice to meet you, even if I wasn't quite myself.

Also, Wally -- I think I owe you a proper rematch. Or at least a race.

[The video starts up in her room and she appears quite unhappy, even nervous. An opened letter can be seen next to her.]

I... I need to come clean about something.

I..

I'm...

[She takes a deep breath before continuing.]

I'm attracted to mares and I'm dating Kreutzer.

[Even after dropping that bomb, it doesn't ease her nervousness. This was a big step for her. Sure, there was that post Hayate made a while back, but she wasn't ready to come out then. Heck, she wasn't completely ready to come out now, but she felt she needed to. Most likely because of the letter that's sitting on her bed.]

We've been together since the Gala, and even before then, we met during that incident at Hearts & Hooves day.

[Her ears droop.]

Kreutzer, I'm sorry I haven't been fair to you. I know I wanted us to go slow and keep our relationship quiet for a while, but I've been selfish.

[Part of her knew this won't be backlash, but she couldn't help but fear there will be.]

[As soon as they’re out of Tartarus, Bertie goes for his scroll. Why they can’t do this while in Tartarus when it’s so important is a bit of a mystery, but Kreutzer and the Flutters are insistent about getting him out. So, he’s got the pair of them flanking him when they turn up… where are they? It’s not near the mines. In fact, they appear to be standing atop a clocktower in a dusty little town. Bertie's never been to Appleloosa, but the Flutters might recognize it. That doesn't matter now. What matters is that there's some sort of demon from Tartarus after the Princesses.]

Your Highnesses! You've got to be on the lookout. There's somepony from Tartarus coming to get you. It's the nana of some blighter named Ms. Helios... Halitos... Hallie! Ms. Hallie's nana has got a pomegranate cutie mark, and she's coming after you at the princess party.

[Have a very confused Coco, hiding in her shop and looking quite scared as well. She hasn't changed form unlike most of the off-worlders.

She had hid in the shop the whole time, not even to go to either of the shelters. Which is why she hasn't been seen lately.]

W-w-w-what's going on here?! What's happening?!

[She clearly needs someone to calm her down.]

A-are we going to die?

[Perhaps you could try to help her or make her worse?]

[There's a Lyra who has apparently performed the Squink again, and the thought bubble was over her head. But this time she was making a list.]

Lets see... bananas, check.
Eggs, check.
Milk, check.
Flour, check.
Dandelions, check.
Radishes, check.
Cocoa powder, check.

[It seemed like a normal shopping list, for the time being.]

Soap, check.
Loofa, check.
Bodywash, check.

What else do I need... maybe I need to go to Los Pegasus sometime for... oh right.

Sleepwear, check.
Sexy socks, check.

Need those too. And Bon Bon wanted.... what did she want, oh right!

Peppermint oil, check.
Bridle, check.

Can't forget about the bridle. What would I do with that?

New Tack, check.
Polished Horseshoes, check.
Bit and harness, check.

And that should be the last of it... oh right!

Riding "leathers", check. THERE that should do it! Honestly. With the first rodeo coming up in Amity Falls, you'd think they'd be more lenient on bringing your own fancy saddle and bits...

Dame Rarity and I would be happy to announce that the boutique is being expanded to the Night Market. Due to Miss Rarity's disappearance, I will be taking over the boutique there. You can still visit Dame Rarity's boutique in Ponyville, but if you're in the Night Market area, feel free to visit my shop.

[She tries to suppress her glee, though she's not able to completely do so. It had taken some convincing from Dame Rarity, but now she gets to own her own shop.]

I can do dresses, hats, suits and whatever you need made.

[She moves the scroll to the left to show her line of dresses she showed Dame Rarity before. It has several dresses with hats that's very flowery (and perfect for spring) and even flowery-lace on some of them.]

Here's an example of dresses I've designed. I can make any kind of dresses you would want. But that's not all I have to show.

[She then moves the scroll to the right and it shows a line of suits for stallions. The suits also have hats. Half of them are top hats and the other half are fedoras.]

And here's an example of suits for any stallion.

[Finally she moves the scroll to focus on her.]

Anyone that wants to be an assistant, feel free to come here or at Dame Rarity's boutique.

 [The visual turns on and hey, it's the farm pony again, except she's not in the hospital now! Huzzah! She seems to be looking better as well, and is all smiles.]

Hey folks! Jus' wanted to let everypony know that Ah was thinkin' to have that tea thing this weekend, if folks are still interested. We'll have tea and cookies and other stuff~ Everypony's invited (jus' not all at once), so lemme know if'n when ya wanna come over!

Oh, an' uh...if ya ain't small enough to come over, Ah can come to ya, too. So don't let that stop ya!

Also, since my rib's all better, since a buncha ponies were wantin' lessons in some stuff, Ah'm thinkin' next week Ah'll start offerin' to teach some classes, if folks like! Ah can teach lancework, spears, and shields, o'course, but Ah'm also a farmer, and Ah can teach cookin' and sewin' and a bunch of handy things like that. So, let me know if'n you're interested! 

Ah hope everypony has a good day!

I'm sending invites out to the Heartstrings house party for the new year. It's a little belated but I figured you'd all be tired as heck. And what better way to celebrate than this!

[And she holds up a bottle of that moonshine she had been drinking.] In short, there's a few people I'd like to see here, and I've already sent the mail via post. If you didn't get one, show up anyhow! It'll be fun.

Anypony under 18 gets juice. Also, my house, my rules. I'm cutting you off when I say you're cut off so that we won't have any ponies yelling at us.

You know you wanna so come on down and have a ball!

Inside a world, as big as your toe
there was a house covered with snow
a winter wonderland, full and fancy free
and Lyra had gotten hold, of moonshine everfree
This drink was of the hardest most deluxe liquid around
it was a gentle tingle, and a soothing trickle down
She had imbibed three cups, maybe four was more true
because Hearths Warming Eve, a tradition, this was new
She had been fooling around, with stockings and care
hanging lights and tinsel all throughout the air
the fires were lit, the food was cooked
drinking was required, and the good stuff uncorked.
Perhaps one might say she had enough, the narrator may mention
for her cheeks were flushed, and rosy like-redden
but perhaps tonight, she digressed
she had enough, well one more would be best.
Down the hatch the moonshine flowed. She hiccuped once, and a goofy grin growed
and with a slurring remark said "Bon Bon you're cute"
And kissed her roommate, who sighed and said you doof
The moral of the story, we all must once share
Is that Lyra speaks in the third person, and rhyme perhaps one shared
Her old memories of Seuss and movies galore
of human worlds, and pretty skirts adorned
She babbles on endlessly, about the things she has seen
through the mirror, or perhaps not seen
For in this life one must say, that ponies and humans, are connected this way
And maybe one, just maybe one might digress to state
That Lyra needs to sleep this off, before the hour gets too late.
So with a fond adieu, to all a good night
good night Ponyville, and the Whoville, alight.

[And with that Lyra fell over.]

[Rarity glances at the scroll as it unfurls and lets itself hang in her magical grasp. It really doesn't matter that she's holding something extra while she does this, it's good practice after all.  Once she's satisfied, she takes a step back and tosses her mane slightly before turning and walking into the clearing she's selected.

The battle mare needed to let off some steam and really, as much as she loved making garments to wow those around her, there was something soothing about what she was going to do. At least, that's what she told herself. Rarity needed to forget for a few moments and this was perfect.

She stood there, battle harness snug against her torso before she closed her eyes. fourteen glittering gems appeared around her an floated in her blue aura for a few moments before she lashed out, striking at an invisible foe and began to twist and turn like she was in the heat of battle! Her grace was that of a dancers as she twirled, gems lashing out before  tessellating together to form her sword.The mare suddenly started casting spells to propel herself across her 'battlefield'. Telekinetic blasts were simple, it was the timing that was tricky. She  blocked, attacked and even shattered the blade to half defend, half attack before finally slowing down and becoming still.

The sword formed once more before she lowered it, the point towards the ground. She was breathing a little heavier from her work out, but, it was nothing. With everything that has been happening lately... Rarity was beginning to miss her one on one lessons with her Princess Luna that they used to have during the war. 

Eventually she shattered her blade and put the pieces back into their resting places along her harness and turned her attention towards her Scroll.]

....In light of well, everything that has been going on lately, I am wondering if there are ponies interested in setting up a defense group to better aide our little community. You do not necessarily need to know how  fight, though that is always welcomed.

Potentially, it would help with everything from answering questions, to lending aide for those who need it.

[She pauses for a moment to make sure her mane is still as stylish as ever before continuing.]

If you find yourself interested, please let me know. For those ponies that may not know me, I am Dame Rarity. I look forward to hearing from all parties that might be interested in this little endeavor.

(A pair of ponies can be seen on the other side of the visual on the scrolls: one that looks exactly like Fluttershy with dimmer colors and the other a caramel color with a pink bow in her mane.)

Greetings, Ponyville. As you are already aware, we are in a time of crisis. The shadows that inhabit this fog seek only to bring death to those they meet...and for that reason, I join others in suggesting you stay indoors and out of the fog as long as possible.

As you may already know, there are two types of shadows: the lesser shadows are ones that will kill aimlessly as long as they live...and the greater shadows that take the shape of those in this town. The greater shadows are, appropriately the greater threat. They represent the darker aspects of one’s being, the part that they simply don’t like to show everyday. They will find the person they represent and try to make them deny their inner selves so that they can become free and kill their duplicates. These shadows cannot be killed by conventional means; the only way to dispose of them is to accept your shadow as yourself. Doing so grants the power of summoning your true self to fight for you, your persona, but the strength gained from accepting your darker side goes far beyond that, as I’ll let Cruelly explain.

Okay, before we go any further, I just have to say that you shouldn’t treat them as individuals like how I’m a different person than Fluttershy. Sorry about that, Spark. Anyways, as we’ve seen a couple times, your Persona will be different from person to person, based on whatever the buck problems you had before, we guess. But your problems aren’t bad, neither should they just be swept under a bucking rug. If I find out any of you have been ignoring or running away from your shadow, I will find you and punch you in the face repeatedly until-

Cruelly. (The tone in her voice and the look of disapproval get her message across well enough.)

...Sorry, Kreutz. Yes, confronting and accepting your shadow is actually a good thing. It may be tough to hear your worst thoughts being said out loud, but life’s bucking tough, and then you get stronger for it. Hay, even before we started that Reapers Game on my Equestria, back when I first introduced myself to Flutterbutt, you can say I acted like a shadow.

[Fluttercruel says that with a reminiscent grin.]

I taunted her about how kindness was weak and that I would always be there to make life much more cruel for her and the others. She even almost said the forbidden words: ‘You’re not me’. Heh… Good times back then. Anyway, what she did… was accept me. I wasn’t a shadow, but you get the idea. I really came to care for her and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So… Reaper challenge: Accept your shadow. Become a much better person. Don’t get killed or deny it. Trust the two of us and Kreutzer. This is for your own good.

And do pay attention to what they have to say. As discomforting as it will be, it is your inner voice, your true thoughts and feelings given physical form. And to deny that, to refuse to acknowledge your true self and live a lie is a fate worse than death.

Now, go. Go… and be free.

Be your true mind.

After a quick stop at the bank to exchange her Cerilian currency to something more Equestrian, Maebhrin spent a short time wandering around town to take in the sights. It seemed like a nice place, though there were one or two places that she mistook for inns, which made cause for apologies to the residents...
In truth, it didn't take her very long to figure out exactly where Sugarcube Corner was, although she was rather slow about poking her head in--there were certainly enough other ponies there to make sure business was hopping, and she didn't intend to be a bother to anyone.

At least it was a popular place, and Pinkie wouldn't be out of a job any time soon, right?

After talking to herself for a few moments (mostly to get up her courage around so many others), Mae stepped in, and took her place in the line. It was either shorter than she'd imagined, or Pinkie was a marvel of efficiency, for it took no time at all for the former elf to find herself face to face with the pink pony.

"Well met. One welcome cupcake, if you please? So is this a confectionary?" Maebhrin asked, taking in the atmosphere--and the oh-so-pleasant smells that threatened to make her stomach grumble.

Maybe she'd pick up some cupcakes for the other ponies in training, now that she had proper currency. Though she wasn't entirely sure how she'd manage to get them there...

(ooc: she'll probably be here for a while, feel free to run into Mae if you like!)

(Oh look, it's that unicorn who made an ass of herself a few weeks ago. Remember her? If not her face, then her voice might sound familiar. Otherwise, it's just a unicorn with a strange pair of skeletal wings on her back.)

...Well. I'm at least using the scroll properly this time. I certainly made a fool of myself a few weeks ago and I can say with certainty that my mission continued to proceed offtrack. As you can see, my contact hasn't quite called me back, so as an apology to all of you, I should explain my purpose.

My name is Kreutzer. I'm a Reaper, officer rank, and I work in the Reaper's Game. In short, it's a game the dead play in hopes of winning the grand prize of resurrection. The one in charge of the Reaper's Game is called the Composer; the Composer runs everything and the workers, that includes us Reapers, make sure to follow the Composer's instructions. The game changes its location every week, hopping across time and space as the Composer sees fit, which is why I was so insistent to finish my mission by week's end.

My contact, the Composer, is fairly new at her job, but has the determination to do it well. Her determination, however, is weighed down by the mystery she has yet to solve: her death. It occurred several months ago. Granted, there's little continuity to be had across different universes and their timelines, but for us, it happened two months ago. As Reaper, I offered to investigate this mystery and she agreed to send me here. Why Equestria? Because that's her home of origin. The Composer, my contact, is a zebra named Zecora.

Given how...different this Equestria is, I can only assume it isn't my contact's. As such, my mission has been updated to solving the distortion in this world.

...I apologize for being so selfish and ominous.

(In other words, she blew it, she's as screwed as you guys and is calling a truce.)

[Discord appears on the scroll once again. He's his usual self by the looks of it.]

So, looks like some of us have been turning into diaper-clad foals, while others seriously need some wrinkle cream. Am I right?

[...Yup, silence. Loving it.]

...Right. Anyways. It has come to my attention that my help might be required to return everypony to their rightful, confused selves. And I have been force-[coughcough]-asked nicely to lend a hoof.

So... whomever wants to get back to their normal selves, kindly give me a call, and I'll do what I can. C'mon, what's the worst that could happen?
[Because absolutely nothing can go wrong here. Do you sare give it a chance?]