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!

[Dan looks really REALLY tired at the moment. He has bags under his eyes and several bruises. Most importantly, he's on the ground, nursing a headache, and lying next to Mr. Mumbles.]

I'll make this quick.

I don't remember most of the last few days but let me just go over what I do understand after looking through some things.

Harvester was an evil dictator.

And the Bee Princess was an imposter sent from the future.

...Mr. Mumbles and I expect a written apology from everypony that doubted us.

[And without another word he closes the scroll.]

( Private to Pierrot )

what the buck do hoofbea2t2 eat, anyway?

*He's mostly been scrounging around town since he got here, so aside from the potluck Sollux hasn't had a good meal in Equestria yet. And since he was sick of plants, he instead tried catching some mice. It...did not work as well as he would have liked.
Sollux can currently be found sitting by the edge of Everfree Forest and peering at it, wondering if he should try something of a different species or non-mammalian next. Also still being sort of sick.*

[It's a little hard to tell just where Vinyl is right now, judging by the limited perspective of the scroll, but there are some pretty solid hints. A dimly-lit room, wood paneled wall behind her, the constant background murmur of converwsation and clinking glass, and a glass of something dark and amber hovering at her side all manage to paint a pretty clear picture.]

Whoof. Feels good to be back where the action's at.

[She takes a long, appreciate sip of her drink and leans closer to the scroll.]

I mean, don't get me wrong. Manehattan's real nice this time'a year. Can't get all down on your hometown like that. Just a little too, uh, serene for my taste. Almost kinda started to miss all the monster attacks. Speakin' of which, A plus job on that shadow thing guys. Really killed it. Little sorry I missed out but, y'know, think I've had enough existential bunk goin' around already.

But that ain't what I wanna talk about. Nuh uh. No.

Now, normally I'd still be back at the ol' homestead, spendin' some time with the fam. Y'know, dead of winter, got your Winter Moon and your Heart's Warmin'. But seein' as they're not around, looks like I'll be stuck here with you chumps. So, what I wanna know is, what're you fine folks out there gonna be doin' for the holidays? Got anything real special lined up?

C'mon, spill.

[In the center of town is a worried looking unicorn. She is standing next to a cart while looking at a map. She keeps looking up from it, then back down to it. What's in her cart may catch some peoples attention. There are 2 large machines that do not look like they are powered by normal means like steam or manually, with pictures of oddly dressed ponies on them, and a bunch of buttons and a screen. The Pony sighed, and mumbled softly to herself.]

But it should be right here... was there a fire or something... Why wouldn't they tell me the house I just bought burned down before I moved here...

[The Red Pony turns and approaches the first person she sees.]

Excuse me. I am trying to locate a building. It was supposed to be be right here, but it's not. It was here when I bought it a few weeks ago...

-es it even function?

[Cue the scroll cutting in abruptly to an..upside down red pony with a goatee and a rather pink magenta colored shirt. He looks a little tired, and slightly disheveled.]

Is...is this working? Is it on? I'm going to pretend it is. It's hard enough figuring out how to work these....clopping cloppers...let alone magic scrolls...

[The pony waves his hooves at the scroll. Less a means of saying hi and more a frantic showing of what he's dealing with.]

So uh...hi...I think. The name's Crmsn...like the color sans the vowels...admittedly this is kind of new for me. I've been a lot of things, seen a lot of things...been a lot of places too, but "vibrantly colored pony land" is definitely new. [He looks off a little, rubbing his chin thoughtfully and looking a little more distant.] Never've tried hay before, haymakers sure, but I've never been too much into the bit and bridle fanci-[He stops and clears his throat abruptly, straightening up as he remembers he's still on camera.]

Er...sorry.

[He awkwardly begins to jab at the scroll.]

Now...how to turn it off.....

So this is Equestria huh? Its really colorful. Definitely what I expected from what I heard about it.

So, uh for anyone who hasn't met my face-twin which I heard serves a royal guard of all things, I'm Flash Sentry and I'm a teenager at Canterlot High. I was born human and I was a friends with a lot of people who you might know as ponies. Fortunately for me, a lot of hairstyles are similar or I'd have difficulty with everything.

So... any place a suddenly homeless musician pony can stay for a while?

[Strangely enough for Pinkie Pie, this appears to be an audio-only post, and there's a little bit of shuffling and whispering before she finally starts.]

HELLOOOOOOOOOOO, Ponyville~! This is Pinkie Pie, coming to you live from the Everfree Forest with our second ever Crisis on Evil Earths-cast! First, lemme just say - Happy Nightmare Night to everyone! I know this one's gone just a liiiiiittle bit wonky, but that doesn't mean we can't have a good time, right? I hope you all stocked up on candy!

Now, you've probably all noticed that Nightmare Moon's back. Maybe that cut your candy-getting a little short - if it did, just come find me later! You know where! I don't really know what her problem is, but we can't let her ruin our fun! I know she can be a little scary sometimes, but I don't want any of you to worry your pretty little pony heads about it! It'll all be okay, I totally Pinkie Promise!

If you're already in the Everfree, well, you might've noticed there's a bit of a fog out tonight! Weird, huh? I didn't think Moony had THAT much hair! She's like Rapunzel, y'know? Except instead of letting her prince climb up, she's giving everyone nasty nightmares! And that's no good. Someone should bring her some shampoo!

So since Moony's got such a creepy case of dandruff, I think we're gonna cut to our music a little early tonight! Listen close, everyone, 'cause DJ Pinkie's about to tell you just how to deal with your fears! And remember, if you've got something to say, call on in! We wanna hear ALL your Nightmare Night stories! Until then, here we go -

[And now, the weather.]

[The scroll's feed shows a somewhat familair Zoey using magic to unsucessfully levitate her costume carefully unto a chair. (To note: this is what her costume looks like))]

Finally. It's finally finished. I have a question to ask all of you, what do you have planned for Nightmare Night? Besides the obvious, I mean. It seems that despite being here for the third time, I don't really know a lot of people. I think it's time to change that. For those who don't know me, I'm Zoey.

[There's a new face on the scrolls today, one of a blue-hued, brown-maned Earth Pony with a few distinctive scars running across the left side of his face. Near the bottom of the picture, a suit jacket and collar can probably be made out.]

Honestly, I'd suppose I'm dreaming. It's not every day that you go to sleep in Washington and wake up in a horse's body, wearing a suit, in what can only be described as the perfect backdrop to a children's show.

But the fact of the matter is, my dreams usually take a much different turn, so I have to assume that there's something else at play here. Besides, my coffee told me so... it said "Do not be afraid of sudden change; there will always be time to recover."

So I figure some introductions are in order. I'm FBI Special Agent Francis York Morgan. Please, call me York. It's what everyone calls me.

[And... cue York trying to reach into his suit for something, becoming a bit frustrated with how the hell hooves work. Or, in this case, don't.

Cue 5 minutes of this until a small black wallet falls out of a pocket. He sighs, picks it up with his mouth, unfolds it and holds it up towards the scroll. Sure enough, it's an official-looking badge with his ponified face on it, his name, and... the Canterlot Royal Investigation Bureau. Or CRIB. Looks like that got changed, at least, and the joke is not lost on him as he looks down and lets the badge drop, slightly annoyed.]

Huh... looks like this place has a sense of humor.

[Today on the scroll network, the pony community may get the distinct honor of meeting this lovely batpony. The one glaring at the feed.]

Alright, here's how this is gonna work. Whoever is in charge of this vacuous collection of depravity, send me home immediately. Even if you do not, I will be merciful and choose to simply OBLITERATE this asinine carouse of deceit!

If you heed my words and don't try to bilk me of my safe return, I will try and forget that I have been kidnapped against my will, transformed into this abomination, dropped off in some candy coated sinkhole, with-

[He pauses mid-rant.]

On second thought, SCREW THE DEAL! I'LL ERADICATE WHATEVER MALEVOLENT JERKWAD THAT THINKS IT CAN STULIFY ME BY TURNING ME INTO A HORSE! I'll PURVERIZE YOU! I’LL EVISCERATE YOU! I'LL TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!

[He finally stops to take a deep breath.]

...So, get back to me when you get this.

...I'm Dan.

[The feed flickers on, revaling a pony that might be familiar, if you were at the races. Yes, once again, B is disguised as L. The false L flops onto one side, holding out his scroll to capture his face.]

Hello, other ponies.I am something of a new arrival here, and I've been watching your interactions via this scroll and other means.

I am aware that some of the ponies here are, like me, human beings that have for some reason turned into ponies.

[B twists his head sharlpy to the side, cracking his neck loudly.]

However, there are some of you that were born ponies in this upbeat and strangely bright world. [B rolls his eyes up in the back of his head, appearing to think it over before he speaks again:] It is to the latter parties I address my question.

Why are so many of you miserable? It's killing me [a soft chuckle.] to see and hear such cheerfully designed ponies acting so unhappy.

Help Wanted

Do to not being used to this pony body, I am of need of ponies to assist me in building my house, The Hakurei Shrine: Ponyville Branch. The Shrine will be built on the top of the hill in Whitetail Woods, overlooking Ponyville.

I need assistance with:
*Clearing the trees
*setting up the foundation
*supplies
*building the shrine
*Building the the Torii
*Painting
*Supplying furniture
*Tea and snake maker
*Alcohol supplier

COntact me, Reimu Hakurei, right away, so I can start building my house ASAP, and so I can start protecting your town as soon as it's finished.

[It's a wonderful day, isn't it, Ponyville? Fall is just starting out, and the sun is shining brightly overhead. It's a wonderful sun, isn't it? So nice, in fact, that the scroll is showing an image of it, itself! ...Or, wait, that's just a standard feed. Seems like whoever's recording has it just laying on the ground outside for whatever reason.]

[Okay, so it's not too interesting. However, closer inspection reveals that a corner of the feed is actually in shadow. Seems to be a building, of sorts. Perhaps the balcony of the Town Hall, judging by its round appearance. Seen on it is a silhouette of a bird. A rather large bird, come to think of it, and it appears to be... shimmering? Like it was slightly on fire, minus the actual burning and light. After a moment, the figure spreads its wings and majestically takes off from the balcony! A cry can be heard as it takes flight...]

Taiyyyoooooooooooohhhh [THUD]

[...and immediately falls out of the air in a horribly failed attempt and crashes directly into the scroll, revealing that the bird is, in fact, a yellow-colored phoenix. Don't see that in Ponyville too often. It recovers quickly enough, now standing somewhat on top of the feed as it- he- muses to himself.]

Hm! It would seem that flying with wings is quite different than floating! Something I shall have to adjust to, given the situation.

[It's at this point he finally notices what he's standing on. Its use had been explained to him upon arrival, but he never got a chance to play with it, especially since this was not designed with wings in mind. Regardless, he does manage to figure out why this scroll seemed to be behaving oddly.]

...Ah, it seems to be functioning. Must have done so when it fell off the balcony. Does this mean I am being recorded, I wonder?

[...If he is, he may as well say something.]

Greetings, anyone who may be be listening or watching! I am Otenko, Messenger of the Sun. It would appear that I have been relocated to this quaint, if rather strange, town. I know not why, but I am certain the answers shall reveal themselves in time, but for now, I suppose I should work on being able to navigate it.

[Since that's going so well right now.]

In any case, I shall look forward to meeting those that use this device, as well as the rest of the inhabitants of the town. May the Sun be with you!

[And with that, he walks off to go try the balcony again, this time taking the scroll with him. It manages to turn itself off after a few moments of movement.]

(The dragon can be seen lazing about in his cave, just as he usually does...but there's something noticeably different this time around. And it's kind of glowing. He rests an arm on it, checking out his claws as he speaks.)

So...this can't be the first time someone's stuff got switched out for something else, right?

(A pause as he glances at the scroll.)

The two swords I had...don't exactly have 'em around anymore. Instead, I got this bulky thing right here.

(Dante holds up the demonic suitcase for the viewers to get a better look at it. After a moment, he sets it back down.)

Don't get me wrong; this thing's pretty awesome and it's kind of a fair trade, but you think they'd be polite enough to at least ask me about it first. Can't just up and take a guy's stuff, you know?

( Run Forest, Run! )

[OOC: The race post itself may be found HERE.]

Ever since my arrival here, nearly five months ago, never did I expect the situation here to become quite as exciting as it is now. I had thought perhaps that this might be a land that truly seemed to know peace. It would appear my consideration of such was wrong, though I can't say I'm surprised. It would seem that event after event seems to just build upon one another.

I wonder. Do you think things would be more peaceful, would be calmer, if we were never here? Or do you think perhaps that our presence is simply another symptom of something more inevitable? That, underneath it's calm appearance, events such as these were merely bound to happen? That the ruptures we're only just beginning to see might have come whether we are here or not, and we're simply caught within it.

Regardless.

I'm curious. Has anyone actually taken stock of all those who are missing, let alone looked to see if there's a common factor between those who're missing?

I would hope those openly investigating have an idea as to where to start.

[For any hapless soul that happens to wander by about the middle of Ponyville's square there is a rather agitated white unicorn sitting in the middle of the walkway with seemingly no intentions of moving what-so-ever.

She huffs a bit, the tags in the buns her mane is done up in blow in the breeze. For whatever reason she looks less than happy to be in this place, even more so with the fact she already seems like an awkward foal that can't walk properly.]

This has to be some sort of dream. I refuse to believe that I'm some... some horse of all the things. Nor do I believe that blasted fox is no longer speaking to me, he never silences himself...

So I gotta say, this isn't my phone, but it's a heck of a lot cooler than my usual stuff. A magic scroll, who'd have thought?

HELLO EQUESTRIA! I'm Gentarou Kisaragi and I'm going to my friends with every single one of you! There's no need to be coy, or shy or anything! I'll just make friends with you no matter what, who or if you're anypony at all. That's just how I do things.

So I gotta ask, is friendship really the most powerful force in this world? If it is, then everyone and I are alike. Check this out. [And he held up the FourzeDriver in his hoof.] See this? This is my bond with the rest of my buds. I made friends with the Fourze Driver and you can too!

You're thinking this is a weird looking piece of plastic right? Well, I made friends with the driver too. Even if some of the Astroswitches aren't with me right now, the symbol of my friendship is with me!

So! What's all of your stories? It sounds like this place has gone through some difficulty. C'mon, lets hear some. There's no secrets between buds and you're all mine now!

[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.