Attention, a new phenomenon has been observed within the Everfree forest. Various caves within the area are showing a very unusual kind of sound magic. Presumably this may have something to do with one of the various encounters there. Most of the local animals seem keen to know which ones they are and have already learned to avoid them.

Those interested may enter if they wish. I have been able to identify five of them, each possessing it's own unique tone, as wind pushing past a open hole. The magic within, however, is very real and exceedingly dangerous. You may be expected to encounter voices, be inundated with sound, or perhaps even pressed back with forcible energy. Furthermore, this phenomenon appears to be random. Do not be surprised if there is no monsters within nor rewards for completion.

That being said, I would not be surprised if several parties seek to explore them anyway.

[private audio to the people she likes.]

I made a home for myself. It can be found within the Everfree Forest. If you are interested in it's location, let me know. And I can make it safe for you to traverse. The other five are decoys that I have made. Do not go there.

[Ooh~ This is certainly a brand new dream setting! Usually she's in her castle being served by her emu butlers, or fighting off thousands of Boarbatusks and making ALL the lien!

And... Ren's usually there. Scratch that, ALWAYS there.

That's the part that makes her realize that this ISN'T a dream! And it's not long until she starts frantically fiddling with this weird, actually-made-of-paper Scroll and the feed turns on.]

Oh, FINALLY! Stupid Scroll, why would you use PAPER to make one, that's just stupid! OKAY! Aaaaanybody who sees this, tell me RIGHT away if you know ANY boys with a black ponytail with a pink streak in the bangs and a green jacket! Tell him... the Queen's Castle is Empty and Needs More Syrup!

A sinister figure in a full body tattoo appears!

"Death's vastness holds no peace. I come at the end of the long road. Neither human, nor devil... all bends to my w-wait a minute..."

This is not where she should be at all!

not thii2 biit agaiin

*He's still himself but this is clearly colorful hoofbeast land. Last time they got their forms back and lots of new people showed up...*

what diid you iidiiot2 break thii2 tiime?

I'm baaaaaack!

[There's a flourish of materialized confetti, and marachi music plays just off-screen as Discord's mug appears. He seems pretty energetic today, for whatever reason.]

And you would not believe what has happened to me. First, Tirek appears and tries to get me to help him, and then Twilight's treehouse blows up...

[Context was for the weak, in Discord's opinion. He continues to ramble for a moment, before pausing.]

...Oh, yes, right. [cough cough.] So, I'm hoping to be brought up to speed on what has happened in my absence? I assume Celestia is no longer some rude teenager?

Friggin' finally!

[The teen stretches on screen of the scroll, doing it if just because he could. The differences between Pokey as a twelve year old and as a fifteen year old, from the start of Mayfield and the few years of peace in the better town to his start here are pretty miniscule and would only be noticeable to the few who knew him back in the digital town - he's taller, maybe a bit thinner though it's hard to really tell, and he has the start of a scraggly beard, something he had fought to keep under control before giving up on it when he could.

Not many differences, but for a boy who was never supposed to make it to his teenage years anyway, enough of one.

He intertwines his fingers and pops them, obnoxiously, because God. Human body. Wonderful.]

Great as it was to be a dragon [let him stress that world, he was a dragon] I was getting tired of that crap. Kind of done with it, though I'm pretty sure this dumb place isn't going to let it last. But hey, for now, if you're like me? You've got a problem. And that problem is that the dumb baby furniture here doesn't work for you anymore.

Well, lucky for you I'm here and can solve that. I've got your beds, your tables, your nightstands, whatever stupid crap you need, I can make it.

[And make it indeed he does, one of each piece of furniture appearing behind him as he mentions them, just waving his hand a little to make them materialize. He had kind of gone to Zetta's to become his minion just because it had sounded like a sweet deal at the time; with danger pretty much being inevitable, more power sounded great. Thing was, Pokey was never a fighter, and he damn sure wasn't going to just go and run at this centaur that was tearing everything up, power or not.

But using the mana boost as an accessory to strengthen the dumb little creation powers Mayfield had left him and any of its survivors with? That he could do.]

In fact, I'm such a nice guy, the first piece of furniture you need? I'll mark 40% off! Hey, easy as this is for me it isn't free you know. Guy's got to eat even in this dump. This offer is good for all you weirdos just getting here too.

Oh. Hey.

If any of you weirdos are from Mayfield and know me....hey.

Just let me know you're here, alright?

[Good afternoon folks! It's everybody favorite... oh... it's her. Clearly she's up to a deep profound philosophical discussion of everybody's current situation.]

Hello everybody.

I just wanted to tell you today: I find you all adorable.

That is all.

[Apparently somebody was too distracted or infuriated to correctly make this transmission anonymous, but the voice that sounds over the scroll is so low and choked with barely restrained anger that it's almost too hard to tell who might be speaking anyway.]

I want to know who was responsible for poisoning the water supply last week and where they are now.

[Somebody is not happy. Not happy at all.]

[Suddenly, there's a voice that goes throughout Ponyville. It's only as strong as a talking voice, but curiously only being heard in the right ear. For those curious enough to open up their scrolls to see what's going on, they would see a white unicorn with red eyes in their visual port. As they did, they would also find that their normal hearing has returned.]

[The message that is being said is the same for both.]

Greetings. Is what I am supposed to say to implicitly suggest that I come as a non-threat. I know this is the first time I have communicated with everypony this way. Do not be alarmed. I will be brief.

I have given the matter of our current circumstances some thought and I have devised two ideas that may be useful to you. As you may not be aware, beyond the reach of your universe there is a deep beyond that is intractable to you. It is a land of perpetual chaos which does not follow any known law save for the beings that reside there. Between these lands of order and chaos there is a narrow ring where the two touch. Consider a bubble; it would be the soapy suds swirling and ready to pop.

The windigo threat was another presence of chaos entering into this world. Our--their kind thrive on the energy of chaos. This Calice is similar as well - a being of chaos consuming into itself those of us she wishes to acquire. Yet we are also seeing many of the rules of order be in observance. Of course we have our Princesses to thank for this in part, but it would seem that the natural inclination of this world itself demands their intervention lest everyone succumbs to the darkness of chaos.

For those of you with the lack of intelligence to follow this locomotive of thought. We are in that narrow band between chaos and order. And it would seem the denizens of chaos has taken quite an interest in unbalancing this world into one that suits them.

If you have any questions about this, I will hear you.

[The voice then comes from everywhere.] Trust. Me.

[The images blinks and stares quietly into the scroll.]

[Somebody looks incredibly pleased with herself. ...Okay, Yang usually looks pleased with herself, but somehow she looks even more so today.]

Hey Happy New Year, everybody!!

You all know what that means, right?

[...Only 358 more shopping days left until Hearth's Warming?]

That's right! You're looking at the soon-to-be newest, full-fledged Night Market guard.

[Princess Luna did say she'd be instated as a full guard at the turn of the new year. Apparently, Yang is hoping that was meant in the most literal sense. Either that or she just really wanted to remind everybody of the fact.]

I think that calls for a little celebration, eh? Who wants to join me for dinner and a few drinks at the Decanter tonight, hmm?

[She definitely means the non-alcoholic apple cider drinks there. ...Ruby, she'll bring a juice box of milk for you or something.]

Speaking of celebrations! I'll be attending that film festival in Canterlot next week. Anybody else coming with me?

[There's an actual pause as she squints at her feed, as if looking for her friends.]

Ruby? You'll go with me, right? Blake, I know you're coming.

[That's followed with a wink.]

Oh! Jaune! How 'bout you? Wanna bring your team along? I do owe you a fun time.

[She grins cheerfully.]

Come on! Who wants to start this year off with a Yang!?

[She's been sitting on that pun since yesterday.

...Good luck trying to talk her out of any of this, guys.]

[Tonight people may hear the sound of jingle bells coming from their scrolls. Those who open up will see a white unicorn... staring at them like that one girl in The Ring. For a moment her eyes are obscured under a mane of white. Her face slowly rises allowing the two glowing red eyes to appear below the bangs.]

Seasons greetings.

The air has grown colder and the leaves have fallen. Yet the houses are warm and smiles are rampant. Every pony and unicorn and pagasus hearts are full of fellowship and cheer. Streamers, lights and banners decorate the hallways and roadways, illuminating the snow in a rainbow of shining sparkles. Even the air itself echoes the cheerful songs trumpeting their awe of snowflakes, mistletoe, and conifers.

It is quite the spectacle.

[The unicorn raises a hoof to the side and there is an insufferable sound like a dozen discordant pianos hammering down a note simultaneously.]

Meanwhile, you are still ensnared, here. Your goals, desires, ambitions and machinations lie elsewhere. The land that you know and the people that had been entwined with yours continues. You are still within a shell of the being this world has deemed suitable for it's denizens. And within the planes between your enemy grows in strength and insanity. All of this is true, and will continue to be so until such time has found an ultimate conclusion to the one that binds us or that our physical and spiritual form ceases to exist. Each moment of each day we find ourselves one step closer to this absolution or destruction.

And I truly doubt the hour of your demise will care that you have taken the time to enjoy the moment of the season.

[It's been nearly a month, and since Yang doesn't have classes or missions, things have been a little...routine. Also, she needs to start earning some bits around here for one reason or another. Only problem is, her favored skill set doesn't seem to be the most useful thing here...]

So, say you're somebody who likes a good adventure and works well with a group. Anyone have job suggestions for someone who's been training for a career protecting people and isn't half bad at it, if she does say so herself?

[She giggles.]

Honestly though, anybody hiring long-term? I'm kinda saving up for something so I'm open to any old job.

[Although one that's got even just the smallest chance for excitement would be fantastic.]

Oh yeah, and would the members of Teams RWBY and JNPR here be interested in a little group huddle? Make sure everybody's up to speed and talk some future strategies.

[Jobs, keeping up their training, weaponry issues, the fact that somepony who shall remain nameless is still living in the woods even though winter is coming. ...Speaking of which...]

We can all meet-up at Jaune's campground.

[So you know...heads up, Jaune.]

[Several weeks had passed since the white-maned unicorn has appeared, though perhaps that was for the best. In the early part of the day, however, the two red eyes appeared once again. And, once again, she has an address for everybody in Ponyville.]

[This ought to be good.]

Attention, everyone.

I had been noticing a change since my arrival in which the relative degree of coldness has increased. I have also observed that the available sources of sustenance such as apples, fruits, and berries, have also diminished.

Yet I am surprised by the lack of alarm at this. Rather than assume that this is a plot of the fiend that had blotted out the moon and sun, this new change in the environment is not worrisome? Has there been collaboration to end this threat that I am not aware of? Where is the panic? The call to arms? The melee in the streets?

Something is unusual in this instance and I would know what it is.

To the individuals who are faced with the problem of corporeal displacement: I may have a solution to your problem.

Though that solution is not without it's own challenges.

Regardless, if the thought of manifesting some semblance of your past selves is appealing, I will leave my scroll open.

For those that do find their current situation tolerable, feel free to disregard this message.

Good day.

[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.]

[One of the things Yg'baladoth came to appreciate was a consistent passing of time. The metered rate of it was so good in fact that she was willing to bet that there could be a device that would measure it's passing. A pity something wasn't invented.]

[Still, she knew well the length of the casting shadows when certain times of the day came. And when the shadows fell to the right length on one seventh day, a voice rang out specifically to one certain boy doing... well.. who knows, really. That wasn't important.]

[Only the three words that she had to say:]

Time is up.

[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.]

[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?

This darkness reminded me of a story I heard once from the Elves. Back in my world they are among the eldest peoples and they know stories from long long ago.

When my world was still young there were great powers called the Valar that helped to form the very earth and sea but they were betrayed by one of their own, who became the first Dark Lord. The first light after the stars were two lamps the Valar made that stood on high peaks at the ends of the world and poured light out into the lands all around.

The Dark Lord hated the light and threw down the lamps and ruined the Valar's hard work shaping the world. So the Valar moved into the West to start over. There Two Trees were given life on a great hill, and they shone bright with silver and golden light. These became the new source of light in place of the lamps.

For many ages the Elves and the Valar lived in great prosperity under the light of the Trees.

But the Dark Lord slipped into their lands, and he destroyed the Trees. The Valar tried to bring the trees back to life but could only bring forth one final flower and one last fruit from them. These they set in the sky with watchful guards to guide them, and my world has lived by those lights ever since. Those are the Moon and Sun of my world.

I don't expect it would be an easy task. But is there not a way we could make a sun and moon like they did? Nothing nearly as grand, we are not the Valar, but something that can help this land get by in the meantime? Large lamps? Or bright magic trees?

[He's pretty sure the story went something like that. He wasn't paying as much attention at story time in Rivendale as Frodo or Merry did.]