Oh... oh, it's goin'! [Wow, crap, how does he do this!?]

Uhh- yo! Name's Kanji. Been here for a little while. Took me a while to work this scroll stuff out, but I-I got somethin' to ask.

[A hoof lifted and went behind his head, ruffling his mane as he looked away.]

I went a little overboard back when I was makin' Hearth's Warming presents for my friends here, and wound up with some extra stuff that needs a home. Anybody want these?

[He turned his body, and on his back are three plush dolls: A deep purple rabbit, a light blue dragon, and a tawny brown sparrow. They're very elaborate.]

Cute, right? Makin' stuff like this is just a hobby of mine, nothin' pro... but I can make clothes and stuff too if peop- er, ponies want 'em. I'm takin' a couple days off next week for my birthday, but other than that I'm pretty free whenever to put stuff together.

[An awkward pause. His eyes shift up, then left as he tries to think of something else to add.]

Uhh... Yeah, that's it.

[This is the heir to a small family business, folks.]

[Minato's not looking at the scroll as he addresses it, instead looking up at the ceiling of his cloud home as he lies on his bed.]

Over the past few days, I've been thinking. Our situation here doesn't seem to be all that unique, does it? Bunch of people from different universes all gathered in one place for some reason or another... I'm sure a lot of us here have been to at least one other place like that. The Thor for me, Mayfield, Rauken, Garden, 'murder school'... I'm probably not even scratching the surface of how many of these places there are.

[He pauses for a moment to roll over and look at the scroll directly.]

I'm starting to think these places aren't just formed out of coincidence, like there's some bigger cause out there, bigger than Calice or anything else we've seen. Could all just be me being crazy, though. Never know.

Still, I kinda want to hear stories from all of these places, maybe figure something out, or at least have a good time exchanging all the stupid stuff that happens. The idea was brought up a few weeks ago, but with the holidays and everything, I didn't have time to put anything together.

Now I do. Who would be up for sharing, or at least coming and listening?

[Not long after Hoovesweek comes out and the invitation delivered, Celestia appears on the scrolls. While she didn't get an invite herself, it wasn't difficult to see the courier scurrying about to deliver them.]

I'm sure by now many of you have gotten a certain letter. I cannot claim to know the ulterior motive of this... 'benefactor', but I would advise you to remember previous events.

[She's referring to that warning a few days ago, but she could also mean any number of incidents in the past. It's vague on purpose, but the message should get across, anyway.]

As it is merely an invitation, you may choose to not go and ignore it. However, I would advise against shows of anger in refusing the invitation. That sort of reaction is exactly what caused this situation in the first place. Likewise, if you choose to go, go as a guest, and not as a party crasher. A polite, level head will most likely prove to be the best course of action. Those of you who cannot handle that, I implore you to refrain from attending.

[As in, she may take action to make sure this goes off without incident.]

If anyone knows, knows of, or is any of the people listed here, I'd like to have a word in private. There are many things that I would like to talk about with all of you--it's been so long, and despite this not exactly being the highlight of my existence, there are a few people here I'd rather not forget.

( The List )

For everyone else: if you recognize anyone listed up there and they just so happen to be a loved one, or at least someone who had some effect on your life--they're safe. For now. After the killing games ended we were all revived by a great, prismatic deer god (who was pretty alright, as deer go), so at least the danger of being killed so that someone else can leave (or executed for being caught trying to do so) is over.

Most of us still died at least once. Some of us had better deaths than others.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

MY SECRET WORK IS COMPLETED!

And now...

[Luna throws off her towel in full pony glory as steam rises from a walled off area. There's a massive hoof-built structure with steam from the huge area bordering Sweet Apple Acres less used areas of land as she throws the doors open. Inside there's a huge walled area, some labeled Stallions, Mares, Mixed, Oversized.]

IT IS TIME TO PARTAKE IN THE FIRST PONYVILLE HOTSPRINGS! Come my faithful friends, let us bathe in its warming waters on the edge of the Whitetail Woods!

I simply must thank the good ponies at Canterlot Power and Electric for supplying the hook up to the power grid to empower the steam system.

COME HAVE A BALL! FIRST ONE INTO THE POOL!

[And she leaps in and comes out soaking wet with a laugh as the scroll floats to the side.]

Luna...

Can you come to the Everfree forest...? I'm in a meadow with Trillium's.

[From the sound of her voice, Rarity's not... in the best of shape.]

Please...

 [This holiday season, the scroll feed is proud to present... a bleary-eyed sky-blue pony with white bed hair that encompasses his entire head. Groggily, he pushes himself semi-upright and smacks his lips, blinking off his sleep.]

...hhh...where...where in the world am I, do you suppose?...Archimedes? Archimedes, are you about somewhe- oh.

[Enough cognisance has been regained that he suddenly notices his hoof, and he examines it for a moment.]

...mm. That's odd. I don't remember turning into a shetland pony. Let's see now...

[Finally getting up, the old equine trots around a bit, giving himself a once over.]

Beard's still here, unusual, that. The rest seems OH! Oh, that had better not be a tattoo down there. Ngh... won't rub off. No, that won't do, I'm not going through that nonsense again. Now, where I w...Hmm. Glasses still there, that's good. Pointy hat? Yes, yes, that seems to be in good nick. Bit crumpled, but nothing a goo- ...by george, is that a horn on my head?!

*The video opens on Margulis sitting on the edge of a desk, next to an impressively full bookshelf for how long he's been here. On the back of the desk, perfectly centered next to the wall, is a black sheathed wakizashi on a matching stand.*

I'm not going to bother adding to the chorus of people commenting on the last three days. In fact, what I'm here to talk about is more related to discussions I've had with a recently arrived... *He pauses, seeming to debate the appropriate word.* ...associate of mine.

I've noted both similarities and differences between this world's literature and that of my own, particularly those that have survived in the form of books. Given that this is the first world I've been to that didn't have Earth as a common point in history, it's left me curious.

What was literature like in your worlds, or those you've visited? I'm certain some themes and tropes are common among all cultures with a strong history of storytelling, but others may be different.

*He gives a faint but amused smirk.*

Not that I would be adverse to discussing themes in common or different takes on stories from Earth, either.

( Private to Gaignun )

[Here's a face you don't see on the scrolls too often. It's Patchy at her usual place in the library, deliberately addressing everypony for once.]

It has been a quiet month. Normally I would welcome the peace, but I have been through this long enough to tell that extended quiet only means an incident is sure to happen soon. Given the holiday next week, I would not at all be surprised if something happened around that time and "themed" around the festivities, be it from our corrupt friend, or a different source entirely. I would advise preparing for such an incident- gathering rations in case of an invasion or a prolonged night, setting up shelters, and/or preparing apology letters and gifts for those you will inevitably harm or annoy during the incident.

[Can't hurt to be prepared, right?]

With luck, however, we will have a few days before it comes to pass, and I would like to get something done with that time. Would anypony be willing to assist me in drafting up a short publication we can use to get new arrivals up to speed on the situation here? It is annoying to have to repeat oneself repeatedly to every soul that ends up crying in hysteria in the middle of town over the scrolls.

[Looks like Luna has finally taken her leave from Zetta's castle now that he's slowly but surely starting to regain his power. As of such, she's once again in her "office" at the Night Market radio station, though thankfully this time there are much fewer plushies. Unlike last month, as well, her attire is much more obvious - a nebula-patterned miniskirt that accentuates her hips and draws a decent amount of attention to that region. She doesn't seem as bothered as she would have been beforem though that might be partially because her mind is elsewhere right now.

As expected, she speaks.]

And so another Nightmare Night approaches rapidly. I am sure those of you that were here last year heard my tale of how the holiday came to be in my own Equestria, and those newer have been able to hear the story from natives, or the unique slant Surprise had in her own land. Either way... the story of Nightmare Moon is very clear and present in all your minds. Thus, I would like to speak of another.

I would like to tell you all of the one they called the Black Crystal King, the Tyrant of the Crystal Empire. The one who steered myself, at least, down the path of Nightmares, and the pony whom I once loved.

[Luna takes a deep breath. Talking about her fall helped her let that go, a year ago... and it was time to let this go.]

( appropriate time for a commercial break )

[Good October everyone. Is everybody enjoying the middle of the month? Yggy certainly is though as she appears on the scroll her eyes appear disinterested and distant. Her tone, on the other hand is disdainful, perhaps even... destructive.]

Attention, everyone.

I have grown tired of this world.

I think I will destroy it.

[She stops to stare at her scroll before smiling, a big, broad smile that is completely without positive emotion.]

If you wish to stop me, I will be waiting in the building with the bell.

((OOC: the chances of her even coming close to following through with this is equal to Discord making sense.]

I, Princess Luna, hereby solemnly swear never again to use my dream powers in that manner.

Thus being said, until further notice, I am... what is the word for it... abstaining, from all involvement in the crown's duties, my own duties as dreamwalker, and give up my princess rights till further notice. What has done has been done. Even the Royal Canterlot Voice is removed from my list of abilities for now.

Thou shalt treat me like any normal pony, and I welcome all retribution done for the wrong I have done.

Thus being said, I have chores to do as the fall running of the leaves is coming. Good day to you all.

- Luna, Former Princess of Equestria

[The feed this time comes on to Luna sitting at the management office in the Night Market radio station, her unofficial "chambers" when she's not spending time elsewhere. There's a pretty large sewing kit nearby, and a small mountain of plush animals. A lot of them are of simple Equestrian animals, ranging from bunnies and stuffed bears to parasprites and fun-sized griffon and pony dolls.

In addition, there are a few odd creatures atop the pile that aren't native to this or any Equestria, really.]

Greetings, Ponyville. It appears that in my attempt to calm myself over recent occurances, I discovered a previously unknown skill at crafting plush toys. While it is certainly not cutie-mark quality work, I seem to have... a bit of a surplus. Thus, if anyone desired such toys, perhaps for early Hearth's Warming gifts, I would most certainly be willing to oblige.

[So... yes. Coping with Zetta's depowerment, her other self's lingering insanity, and the native Princess's conspiracies? Meant PLUSHIES FOR EVERYONE.]

So, um. Some of you know this already. But during the eclipse, I realized that I...sort of have pieces of your magic. The unicorns, anyway; I don't know how to tell if I got it from Bertie, Andrew, and Joshua too. My aura has other colors in it now sometimes, and it's much stronger than I'm accustomed to.

Don said he felt a pull when I used magic near him, so I've been trying to use it as little as possible. I'm not sure it's safe. Princess Luna, do you know anything about this...?

[In the middle of all this talk of everything, a (perpetually) curious unicorn comes on to the scrolls. She seems intent on asking something.]

An observation. The plotting of the one known as Zetta in conjunction with the Princess Luna and Celestia, was to draw out the one known as Calicé, hereafter known as the antagonist, for a successive of strikes against her with the intent of ensuring a long-lasting defeat.

I should say that this design was rather ingenious. The plan assessed the psychology of both yourselves and the antagonist well. This is evidence by the ruse successfully fooling the antagonist which allowed for a temporary defeat.

However, I must state my confusion. I had been told that the bonds of friendship and unity were what would ultimately empower and embolden yourselves to be able to overcome any obstacle. In this case, however, the totality of the population was used as agents to create animosity. This created the appearance of weakness which the antagonist hoped to take advantage of. Furthermore, in order for the deception to be perceived as authentic, both the populace and the one known as Zetta needed to be perceived as authentic threats.

Is this what is believed to be friendship? By plying on the fears of the populous the scene was set to allow for this final outcome? Zetta was fortunate that he and his followers were powerful enough to quell the dissent of their own antagonisms, while his own restraint was tantamount to success. Likewise, the desire for survival caused many of your number to choose extreme actions against each other and against your own laws of nature in order to acquire a sense of security that a more destructive outcome would not to come to pass.

Had the antagonist employed similar methods to foster her own ends, this deception would be viewed with hostility and anger. Is the justification that this sequence needed to be executed in this manner was necessary to ensure survival adequate? I, too, could have proposed several outcomes had I known that ultimate survival was more important than the lives that you have come to find desirable. However I was lead to believe that honesty and the ability to make informed decisions was vital for foster interpersonal relations, and that the consideration and trust of friendship would be sufficient to overcome any obstacle.

Or was I misled yet again?

Okay, I told Mako about this already but you guys remember those weird dreams we've been having lately? I was able to talk to Woona in my dream last night and she told me to tell you guys this.

Something really bad is going to happen in the ninth day of these dreams. I'm not quite sure what is going to happen, but she told me that, among other things, that all dreams will be lost if we don't act.

So in about four days from now, you guys you probably try to not sleep. And we should probably find a way to stop this before it's too late.

*There is what appears to be a robotic pony on the scrolls. Even his voice sounds robotic!*

You know, not to be seen as playing devil's advocate, but don't you think you're all acting a little bit entitled? I understand that you were all scared during the supposed takeover plot, but has it occurred to anypony that that was the point? You needed to be convincing in your anger and fear. All it would have taken was one person whowas a poor actor and the Pale Pony could have caught on. Really, it was a brilliant scheme, and I have to commend those who thought it up.

Bravo, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Overlord Zetta. With minds like you on our side, I'm having trouble imagining how we could lose.

"Hey. If, uh, anyone here's been having unusually nice dreams lately, it's thanks to Princess Luna."

Pause.

"The one that is currently in Zebrica? Y'know what, let's just give her a nickname, or this'll get confusing. So. If you've been having nice dreams, it's because Woona apparently feels like she needs to do something to make our lives a little brighter after all the recent nonsense we've been put through."

...Mako's ears are flat against her skull. That is a bad sign.

"So now I come to the bad news: last night, I had a chat with Woona in the dreamworld, and, well...some kind of dark spirit of nightmares has latched onto her fear and self-doubt and is working to trap her in the dreamworld forever. So! I'd like to know if there's any way to physically enter the dreamworld and save her, or if I just have to hope there are enough of us capable of lucid dreaming to defeat the spirit on its own turf. Mako out!"