[Over the span of a day, things have gotten quite... freaky. A panicked family talking about a strange looking horse without skin invading their home and kicking them out. Even more, outside the town, a menacing tower has appeared. What would cause such a thing? Well, if you look at your scrolls, you'll see the culprit and holy crap, he's an ugly one - metallic bones with tubes attached to them flowing across his body and his muscles and brain exposed. His horn has a "Z" mounted on top, glowing as it holds a large silver staff crowed with a "Z" on it as well. His visor flashes as he finally speaks.]

Ahh, good morning, citizens of Ponyville. I am Lord Zedd, Emperor of all I see. From this moment forward, your happiness and goodwill are at an end for I am taking over. Oh, and don't try to run to your precious princesses. I don't care if they can move traffic - their power is no match for mine! I have defeated my long time nemesis, Zordon, and his teenage do-gooders, the Power Rangers, were helpless to stop me! The same will happen here; I guarantee it.

I'd advise you enjoy your last little bits of freedom while you can...

The scroll resolves into the spiky-maned countenance of an extremely confused pegasus.

"Um...uh...can someone explain me a thing? I was out patrolling the Night Market earlier - since, you know, it's my job and all - and, uh...I saw a couple necking behind one of the buildings? Only...only they were both girls."

Pause to nervously adjust her wings.

"Is that...possible? Like...physically? What do you even call it? Is there a word for it?"

And she ends on a distressed plea.

"What is even happening anymore?"

[The scroll opens up to reveal a very muddy Luna as she's standing on something that seems to be moving slightly.]

Sister! The one with the hat! We bore easily today! Thus being said, shall we crash the Grand Galloping Gala in style? We have obtained a wondrous dress.

Also the hydras are low quality today. We have wrestled naught but four headed ones. What happened to the seven headed ones?

[A hydra head rose up behind her and made to bite, but without looking, backhoofed the head which collapsed like a Guy Gardner.]

(Regardless of where everyone is, every scroll opens up at the same time and the same voice is heard across all of them.)

This day is going to be perfect
the kind of day which I have dreamed since I was small
I will crush all of my foes
And leave them buried in their woes
While I drain their love and stand above them all~

(A laugh accentuates the song as the scrolls finally pick up visual contact, revealing the changeling queen herself.)

I'm glad to see all of you getting acquainted with my changelings; they'll be around for a long, long time, so why fight it? You won't be able to fight them off for long. My changelings will always stand back up, no matter how hard a blow you deliver. You're much better off surrendering now while you can kneel of your own volition. I might even make your death less painful if you do.

(The visual pops up to reveal one (1) green maned unicorn parked right in the middle of what appears to be a store, based on the various goodies scattered about the place. They're far from your typical groceries, however; they're more like...accessories. Bracelets, necklaces...maybe even a helmet or two. The sort of stuff you'd see in fantasy RPG games, pretty much.

And the only one in this store is the aforementioned unicorn. She, however, seems very confident in herself.)

I've actually been in town for a few months now and I'm just now doing this. I figured this would be a good enough occasion to warrant it. I'm Harvester and I've been spending a lot of time in that dungeon in Canterlot. If you've been there already, then I don't have to tell you how weird it is, but there's plenty of neat stuff in there...stuff made and enchanted by Star Swirl the Bearded himself...stuff I've been bringing back little by little.

That's the other half of what this is all about: now that I have a vendor license, I can get to selling these trinkets and goodies. As part of the grand opening, everything's 25% off, so come visit The Hoard, just down the road from Quills and Sofas. My stock is limited to what I can dig up, so jump on these goodies now before they're gone.

(And with that, the video ends.)

[The week was nearly over, and the air was starting to clear significantly... the town wasn't quite as blue as it was Monday morning. Literally or figuratively. Yet, trueberry-induced awkwardess hung in the air even still, liable to last a few more days yet. Now seemed like the perfect time to strike.

He'd spent most of the week watching from a vantage point nopony would question - after all, they were so worried about blurting out their deepest secrets that nopony paid the suspiciously new potted plant near Town Hall any mind, even though it was blatantly wearing a ratty toupee. And with that, he learned of the situation... including what was going in in town, and how he had gotten to a place like Ponyville anyway, when normally changelings still couldn't get within miles of Canterlot.

Making sure he's not seen, the changeling reverts back to his normal form, unrolling the nearby scroll and working its magic.]

Greetings, my little ponies. I see that I have arrived in your world during a bit of a... crisis. Something in the air compels you to speak truths uncontrollably, yes? I notice a large number of you are highly uncomfortable with the idea, and yet it is highly liberating, is it not? Being able to vent what is truly hidden deep in your minds. Perhaps it would help you to seek a neutral third party in this situation, to allow that truth to flow without fear of judgement.

I would like to introduce myself. I go by the name "Hain" amongst ponies, and yes, I am fully aware that I am a changeling. However, I have nothing to hide. I shall not pretend to be some random pony whom you have never met simply to garner love from you - I will do that, instead, with honesty and promise.

You see, I am a deserter of my changeling hive, and as of such have to subside on whatever love I can gather from ponies directly. To that end, I have taken up profession as a therapist. I help ponies with their problems, and in lieu of coin, they provide me sustenance. It is actually truly a remarkable deal, yes?

And it sounds to me like many of you need the assistance. While I do not have a place of residence as of yet, my non-existent doors are quite open for any and all of you.

However, do bear in mind that I do not work pro-bono. As I said, I ask only for my next meal, but that is payment I am unwilling to negotiate at this present time, as a sheer matter of self-preservation. I also do not take kindly to being short-changed.

Regardless, my offer is on the table. Allow me a meal, and I will listen to your problems, even help you through them.

And I assure you; despite the teeth, I will not bite.

[The image flickers to life, showing what appears to be the depths of Everfree Forest. For a good minute or two, the owner of the scroll does not make itself known, and it would be simple to dismiss the message as an accident… until a rather intense-looking changeling with a red color scheme in contrast to the normal teal drops into the image from above in the most dramatic way he can manage. Aiming a piercing glare at the scroll, he uses a hoof to briefly brush his forelock out of his face.]

It has come to my attention that this world, cheery and pastel as it seems, is suffering from a rather regrettable complete lack of discipline. Why, how you ponies can even function as a society at this point boggles the mind. But no matter, I am nothing if not adaptable.

[For lack of his beloved cloak, the changeling flares his small, insectoid wings and points a perforated hoof at the 'screen.']

I, Valvatorez, shall accept this challenge! I will shoulder the burden of every pony in this land, and teach them all the true meaning of fear!

[And with that, the image cuts out.]

[Only to come back on a few seconds later.]

Also, I find myself lacking proper attire. I will need to procure some clothing, so if some…pony could point me in the direction of a tailor, I would be much obliged.

( And then this happened )

Ah! There's my scroll!

[And with that, Celestia floats the paper over to her.]

I figured I'd find it again sooner or later. Anyhow, I do apologize, my little ponies, for being so silent these past few...weeks? Its hard to tell how much time has passed without seeing the sun. Especially down in this part of the library! I completely forgot how deep this could-

[A suddenly chorus of "yooooguuuuuuurts" echo behind her. She turns, seeing a giant cadre of skeleton pony zombies, of various types, staring at her, tongue spurs instantly out and licking their lips.]

Hmm. Hold that thought.

[Cue the fight music!]

[She wasn't sure what to do.

Having grown up mostly in a climate where animals breaking into one's home wasn't a concern, she wasn't prepared for it here. Her kitchen was a mess, most of her food had been partially eaten, and now there were... sizable patches of ice everywhere? In summer?

Oh, and all the weasels running around.]

Does anyone know how to deal with pests? Or wouldn't mind coming to [insert some address here] and helping me with them?

Hyaaa ha ha ha! Tremble in terror, Equestria! I, the almighty Overlord Zetta, the most badass freaking Overlord in the entire cosmos, have kidnapped one of your own! Even as I speak, your most skilled fashion designer is my prisoner! Let the terror sink in as you realize that Rarity is at my mercy, subject to the full evil of the Overlord--

Zetta, do come look at these magnificent designs I've drawn up to modernize this dreadful castle.

What-- I'm BUSY AT THE MOMENT!

Now now, fashion waits for nopony!

LATER! [The Overlord clears his throat.] Erm. Right, um... TREMBLE WITH FEAR, knowing that Rarity will remain my prisoner forever--

AND SO WILL I!

YOU'RE NOT MY PRISONER! WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?!

Because you kidnapped me! Remember?

NO! I did NOT! YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE!

You see? Here I am in his castle! Such evil he's doing to me! HE LOVES DOING EVIL! HE LOVES TORTURING ME!

That's it! You're going in the closet!

No, Zetta! Don't put her in the closet! She'll rumple the linen!

[The angry stomping of hooves precedes the sound of a door opening.]

AWW! You FOUND me!

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY CLOSET?!

I WAS hiding. But now I'm it and it's your turn to hide!

YOU GET OUT OF THERE! YOU GET IN THERE!

Hey! She can't hide in there! I already KNOW she's there!

Why not simply forget, Pinkie? Then it will be like finding her all over again.

GREAT IDEA!

This isn't a ga-- oh holy crap, is this thing still on?!

[The scroll audio cuts off for a minute. When it comes back on, it's a moment of furtive if audible silence, then the Overlord clears his throat again.]

If you want your precious Rarity back, you'll have to brave the depths of the Everfree Forest, battle my minion army, and then withstand the full wrath of an Overlo--

[A sharp WHAM, the noise of a door violently hitting the wall, precedes a familiar voice.]

I FOUND YOOOOOOU! He was up in the TOWER, girls!

Really, I don't know how he stands it. That tower simply cries out for curtains.

Tell them about the EVIL you're doing to me!

[The Overlord's strangled cry of agony is mercifully cut off by the scroll deactivating.]

[The video opens up with the younger Luna, who's clearly at the castle as it can be seen. You may want to move away from the scroll as she's about to use the Canterlot voice or your ears are going to hurt a lot. She opens her wings and her eyes start glowing white as she speaks.]

MY FELLOW EQUESTRIANS!

Greetings, our name is Princess Luna, sister to Princess Celestia and ruler of the night. We are aware of the confusion tis will cause, but we can assure ye thy tis no jest. A creature of nightmare no longer, but instead a stranger of these lands much like thou. Together we may find a way back home, but in thy meantime, we only desire your love and admiration!

We assure ye that thou will have our protection in the night as your princess.


(OOC: She'll be replying in video unless otherwise stated.)

[Well. This is...fun. Sort of. Maybe. Not.

Honeycomb is admittedly frowny-faced, though maybe not for the obvious reasons. In fact, the minute she opens her mouth-]

Um, so I have a question. Um...apparently I'm not in Equestria but I am? And, uh...

[Hoof shuffle. And her wings flap--wait, are her wings actually buzzing?...They actually buzzing!]

Do you guys...know where I can find Langstride frames? Or, um, supplies where I can make them? Because I don't wanna miss out on the first nectar flow of the year...I was totally all ready back home, too...

[So either this girl is really oblivious, or really used to just waking up in random places. Or too concerned with her beekeeping to care.




Yeah, its the bees she's concerned about. Seriously, her wings even buzz like a bee's!]

[Sometime after the ponies wake up, scrolls and quills suddenly start raining from the sky. Don't worry, its not the ponypocalypse, its just a squadron of flying white ponies dropping them from above.

Once everyone receives one, the scrolls suddenly glow and come to life, its surface revealing the visage of a large white alicorn with rainbow hair and a golden crown, sitting on a large, velvet-upholstered throne. She has a calm, reassuring, regal smile on her face as she speaks, though those who know her better can see the light of worry and concern in her eyes.]

Good afternoon, newponies! I am Princess Celestia.

I've heard of your arrival in Ponyville and of some of the more interesting stories that have come from it. We're...not certain how this phenomenon has occurred, but we here at the royal castle will put our efforts into solving this mystery, and I hope you will help us out as we wish to help you out!

Rest assured, no harm will come to you. Nor, as some of you have worried, are we holding you against your will. On the contrary, you're free to move about Equestria as you please, be it through Ponyville, Los Pegasus or anywhere in between. I only request that you use the scrolls we have provided you to check in from time to time, so that we know where you might be when we figure out the solution to this current situation.

If you have any questions, you are free to ask them of me. If I am not available - and, I will admit, there are times when I can be quite busy - there are many other ponies willing to help you, including the other princesses of Equestria. We are all in this together, after all.

[And then she smiles a little more. Its a much more relaxed smile. The concern is still there, of course.]

But, in the meantime, I'd also like to get to know all of you! I always like to meet new people, after all. I hear we even have a dragon?