[It seems like a rare shot, coming from a scroll in the middle of the street as someone had put down a bag in a hurry. The cause of this however was a fire in a lower downtown Ponyville house. One thing lead to another, and because of timing, a simple house fire grew into a blaze. Fire crews were already there and a weather team was dumping water on it.

It seemed like it was all in control.

And then the front of the building exploded.

Crews howled to get the watching civilians back when a stallion in fire truck red stumbled free from the blaze.]

Starwing is still in there! [He howled. That was enough for the owner of the bag as a familiar mare charged headlong into the blaze despite the fire crews trying to stop her.

Moments passed, and then there was another blooming fireball. The painters house had caught fire on the flammable paints when suddenly, a large figure erupted from the house, smashing through the flaming debris, clutching onto a soot-stained fire department.

All you could see, filling up the area was a giant symbol poking out of a wrecked set of burning clothing as a huge body stumbled free, smoking from many places, and clearly still on fire as the owner of the enormous hoof climbed free from the burning wreckage.]

( Read more... )

By this point, Being changed is a permanent thing or someone else's idea of fun?

[Another newcomer's voice is heard over the scroll, but at least she seems calm.]

I've been exploring a bit and this seems like place is rather calm and tame. Is there anything a newcomer should know before settling somewhere?

[Short but to the point. Sorry, She's not one for starting conversations.]

*Seems Alastor didn't open the scroll on purpose, since he's currently got one hand over his snout while a bloodgoyle rests its head in his furred lap. He's also mid-sentence, talking to a rather annoyed looking pegasus mare.*

-ow I missed the appointment. I'm pretty sure I sent all of my clients letters explaining the situation as soon as I got back.

Is that what that message was? I couldn't make mane or tail of it.

*His ear flicks slightly in irritation. It's not like other people haven't been able to read his handwriting.*

Next time I'll use a typewriter. Look, this is Ponyville. Sometimes things happen here without warning, I'm pretty sure even Cloudsdale residents should know that. Especially after last year. I'll schedule you for next Tuesday at noon, how's that?

Fine, but you'd better not miss it. And leave that disgusting thing here.

*The bloodgoyle on his lap looks up with a glare, odd for the usually emotionless automaton, as the mare walks out of the foyer of Alastor's cloud castle. The demon himself just groans, before noticing the scroll open on his table.*

Oh...sorry about that. Turns out getting rainbowed is bad for business, who knew. *The sarcasm, it drips.* But I guess this is good enough timing. Some of you might've figured it out from my companion here, but Cecil's gone again. If he doesn't come back...somepony's going to have to take over the radio station. Somepony who can handle the fact that the station mascot is a demonic construct made of blood and stone, ideally.

( filtered to Night Market employees )

*Is this a new face on the scroll? Well...not quite. The purple furred, goat legged and faced gargoyle holding up the scroll definitely doesn't look like anyone in Equestria before...except that helmet and the glowing eyes under it are very distinctive. As is the smooth voice that he speaks in.*

So...has anypony else ever blinked and found themselves as a different species, in a different season and with a distinct feeling they missed something? Seriously, I feel like I should be asking what year it is or something.

Oh, uh...in case you don't recognize me even with the helmet, this is Alastor. Dante? Lyra? You guys had better still be hanging around here.

[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 )

Everypony, if I can have a moment of your time? I just wanted to try something out. A test, if you will.

I've come to understand there are a number of us here who have amazing powers and abilities and the like. And, well, after what's happened, I'd like to test something out.

Some of us have... I guess the best way to describe it is "superhero forms", giving us these amazing costumes and powers. Now, I don't want to give everypony powers - that would be irresponsible of me. No, I wanna test out how feasible it is convert that kind of outfit into something practical for other ponies to use. Like regular clothing, but can help them withstand something brutal so they can have a way to keep going without us around.

It's just a thought and I'm pretty sure it'll take a lot of work to even get a prototype running, but at the same time it'll be a nice long term goal!

[Trixie appears on the scrolls, looking a little frustrated.]

Snow... It's all everywhere, and in a flurry. It appears that The Great and Powerful Trixie will have to indefinitely cancel her performances. 'Tis a shame that the local Pegasi seem to be useless at their jobs.

[Wait, isn't that a little mean to say, even for Trixie herself?]

It's always like them, isn't it? They can barely handle the weather at all anyway.

Hello, everyone! It's Pollo...

[And he's still a bit awkward about making large-scale posts in front of everyone. But, well, he DOES recall what Donna told him about advertising a while back...]

I just wanted to let people know that I've made some solar-powered lights for the holiday. They come in strings or stars - for the tops of outdoor trees, that is. Um, and I'm still selling the usual robots as well. I've been doing a little more commission work lately - actually, I've been working with some local artists! Look, here's one I've nearly finished.

[She is very pretty.]

A mare down the road painted her casing for me! Anyway, I...I may be leaving for Stalliongrad later this week, but the shop will stay open. I just need to find someone to mind it.

[Someone. Somehow. Look, he just doesn't want to lose the holiday business.]

Hello, everyone, it's Feena again. To be blunt... I'm kind of in a pickle. You see, I've arrived here almost three weeks ago, and I have no... 'bits'? That's what your world's currency is called, right? I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any job openings available. Anywhere is fine. I'm not picky.

And... does anyone know a place that's worth adventuring?

[A certain mare is craving adventure.]

[There's been a new face around today, for what could be seen of him considering the mask and cloak he wore. After arriving he had spent a great deal of time looking around and getting used to walking on four legs; the wings, which at the moment were underneath the cloak, would wait until later.

He had also done a little poking around with the scroll, and watching other ponies go about their business. And at the end of the exploration, all he really had was one question, so he opened up the scroll to ask.]

I get that magic can do a lot of things. But how exactly do horses build things without fingers?

[Inquiring minds want to know.]

 [A white Earth pony with a green mane, a blue pendant, and strange hair accessories appears on the scrolls. The scroll is shaking slightly, most likely from the pony's trembling hooves, as it's fixated on the mare's face. The poor thing looks frazzled, nervous, and confused all in one. She takes a deep breath to calm her nerves.]

Hello... [Feena clears her throat before speaking again, this time not as weak.] Hello, anyone? Can anyone see me? My name is Feena, and I just woke up in this strange place. I have no idea where I am, and... apparently I'm not a human anymore? I've somehow been turned into a horse. [God that feels ridiculous coming out of her mouth. Still, it frightens her just to say it, and her voice turns a little shaky as she continues to speak.] Please, I don't know what to do! Can someone please talk to me? Is there at least a place I can stay? If someone knows something, anything, please don't hesitate to contact me if you can. 

[She's silent for a moment, and then...] Also, if anyone sees a boy [You mean, pony, Feena] named Justin with long red hair and blue eyes, please let me know. 

[Aaaaand the end.]

[There's a perhaps-familiar sword propped against Billy's leg. His glasses are askew, and while he might've grieved earlier, now he simply looks exhausted.]

You know, Skyfire, I believe you may have made a salient point back there. Making and losing friends over and over again is exhausting.

If any of you knew my dear friend Adam, he's been taken from us. Not that it's a surprise at this point---for some reason, it's a constant in all these dimensional conflicts that I'm always left alone in the end.

But I wonder: I've been assuming that my friends are either home safe or in her clutches, but what about another possibility? Are my friends also left alone in interdimensional conflicts elsewhere? Maybe someone's been turned into a shark on a distant planet. That would certainly be more inconvenient than a horse.

[He flashes a thin smile at that. Trying to make a joke to dispel the loneliness and regret. Then, he gingerly lifts the sword at his feet.]

And, finally: given the gifts I've been entrusted with, I believe I may need to learn the art of bladed combat. If any of you would be willing, I'll gladly hire you.

[Cloudsdale and Ponyville's local speedster masked hero appears on the scrolls with a message for all. There is a wall behind him but it is blank.]

This is the Wondrous Bolt. I'm a masked hero who has been fighting crime in Cloudsdale for the past year.

After witnessing the events during Calice's last appearance I have one thing to say: we need to work together if we're going to stand a chance.

I can't say how powerful Calice is or if it is possible to fight her head on, but I do know that I'm not the only one here who wants to protect those who can't protect themselves. I know a few ponies are attempting to work together but let's be honest with ourselves, that last confrontation was overall sloppy. If we can get more organized, if we can work together as a larger team making the most of each individual's abilities, then I believe it will open up more opportunities for us to collect information on Calice. I also know that if we work together, we'll do a lot better keeping others safe.

Calice doesn't like it when ponies cooperate. She thinks friendship, even team cooperation, are useless. Let's prove her wrong. Let's make the best team we can. Enough trying to take Calice down alone or stroking egos. [Oh how hard that lesson had hit him in the past at home.]

To start, I'm reaching out to you all now for a role call. I'm creating a list we can all access with our abilities and whatever name you would like to go by. -It's up to you if you want to share your ID. Think of adding yourself to this list as an agreement to give this team idea a chance.

This invitation is extended to all. You don't have to be a masked hero like myself. You don't even have to be a fighter- we need all kinds of talents. There is more to saving the day than throwing punches.

[He looks a little sheepish or even pained as he adds a last message.]
Lastly, Magical Girls, I know you're out there. I know I'm a guy in a mask and maybe it's not cool to let me into the group, but please consider joining. This effort is for the greater good. We can't limit our allies to those of one kind of title or power any more.
[Okay, maybe he's been a little peeved knowing that the magical girls have been keeping all the other hero-types and would-be-helpers out of the loop.]

[ooc: tl;dr This is a call upon others to all work together and make an effort to become an organized force against Calice for the next fight/to support the information gathering effort. A new page for the list (see tab "List for Team") has been added to our group's spreadsheet. If your character wants to join the effort, add their info to the list. Super powers are not required. Just a willingness to help.]

*Yep, Alastor's still looking remarkably un-demonic. Well, aside from the fact that he's wearing a pair of plastic devil horns.*

Cecil mentioned it yesterday, so I'm here to confirm that I am planning a party for Nightmare Night in the town square. It'll start just after dark, and there'll be food for everypony, Halloween games and maybe screenings of some cheesy horror flicks if people are interested. Costumes are encouraged, but you're still welcome if you don't have one.

I hope I can trust the Pinkies to help me pull this together. And Saori, Nephenee? Can I count on you two to cover the food? Anypony else who wants to bring something is welcome to, but try to keep it in the theme. I'd better not see any turkeys or pine trees.

Oh, and Applejack, is it? I'm going to need a couple bushels of apples for this.

[Here's a pony who has been curiously absent for a while. Others may have glimpsed him for the last day or two walking around lost, but only now has he come back onto the scrolls.]

Did I... miss something?

[Well. It's a valid question, at least...]

[The scroll is rolled open awkwardly as a masked unicorn peers into it curiously.]

How does this thing work...? [She clears her throat a little before speaking again.]

Hi...um...Can anyone tell me what's going on? Like...where I am, exactly? I...

[She holds up a covered hoof, examining it.] I feel like I'm someplace I dreamed up when I was five...