[Not long before several of the offworlders get sucked iinto an epictaking place in the distant past, some in the Commune might have noticed some meetings between a certain blue Commune leader and what looked to be construction workers. Most of the time, they seemed amicable, but once or twice, there was some clearly deep discussion, both sides waving hooves in grand gestures, indicating something foreign to anyone not privy to the conversation.

It's after one of these talks, that Nephenee shows up on the scrolls, sweaty and a bit disheveled, but no more so than usual during the summer. The Sentinel peers about for a moment to be sure somepony isn't around, before addressing everyone else, voice a bit hushed.]

Hey folks, Ah wanted to let y'all know somethin', an' ask a favor o'few.

So, Morgan's birthday's comin' up the 29th, an' Ah really wanna have a nice party for him, an' everypony's invited! In fact, it's a pool party! Ah mean what better way to spend time when it's gettin' to be the hottest part o'the year?

Ah gotta few ideas, but Ah've never thrown a pool party before, an' wanted see 'bout gettin' some ideas...mean, what's normally at a pool party?

Second, Ah've been workin' to get the pool for the house, since that's..kinda the big present, an' even managed to haggle for one for the Commune, too, but...we ran into a problem. Namely, since it's a surprise, Ah'm..kinda at a loss for figurin' how we hide the enclosures.

[Her expression looks very confused now.]

Mean. how do ya hide a buildin'? So...Ah need ideas on how to either hide it somehow as it's gettin' built, or, probably a better idea, distract him long enough for a bunch o'us to do it, an' hide it til he gets back or whatever. Ah'd probably be better at figurin' this out myself, but... [She holds up some theoretical magic homework.] Ah think this done fried my brain.

Also, if folks would like, Ah could use some help settin' up for the party, too. Like...Miss Pinkie, Miss Mina, would y'all be willin' to help me with the cake? Ah gotta idea for one, but...don't really know how to do it. Y'all are the best party planners around, though!

If..anyone else got any ideas, Ah'd be all for 'em!

~~~~

( Action to Minato & Shinjiro )

[Any good pony would probably be in bed right now, or at least, any good filly. This isn't meant to happen, but there is a bellowing roar echoing out from deep within the Everfree Forest, made even louder by anyone who might have their scroll open for any reason.]

[Upon the scroll itself appears the familiar rippling of flames, but without the typical light or smoke. They're a peculiar black; the kind almost capable of swallowing any light it was against, and certainly making the surroundings appear darker than usual even for the evening. They didn't move anywhere else or spread to their surroundings. Instead, they seem to move with some manner of sentience, glowing red eyes soon making themselves known as a massive head turns and rises, attention not even on the parchment below. Claws rip at the ground, and the scroll is knocked away as the flaming beast heads elsewhere.]

( For more Action-oriented )

[OOC: Eventually he'll be able to answer the scroll (once it warps to him too), but action people can approach to fight, calm him down, or talk to him after the shadows disappear.]

[The face In the scroll this time is... familiar, yet different? It was a Unicorn, sure, and the colour was different, but... odd. He was outside, somewhere in the town center of Ponyville, but out of the way of the other Ponies walking around. He looked pretty confused and more than a little worried.]

Ah... excuse me, everyone.

[His voice however, was a dead ringer for a certain in-trouble pony. He bowed his head lightly in apologies, but also allowing the viewer to see-- yeah, you weren't seeing things, he definitely had a horn on his head.]

My name is Souji Seta- and I'm from-- [There was a slight pause there, like he was wondering if it was right to say what he was going to mention] --Inaba, a small country town in Japan... on Planet Earth? [Might as well be specific]

I, ah... I'm not sure if I'm dreaming or not, but I've never had a dream like this before... And I tried hitting myself, and didn't wake up.

[It hadn't been easy, either. He couldn't walk too well like this... that's why he was sitting on his butt until he could get some answers.]

Can someone tell me what's going on, and where am I?

[The scrolls have a brand new face today: It's a white pegasus with a fetching pair of red-framed glasses. Said glasses are off-center, accentuating his already visible stress.]

Ah-! Why is nothing written on here!? What help does this give me?!

[But he paused, sighed, and pressed a hoof to his forehead in despair.]

The visual cues aren't here, this makes no sense. The same objects always appear in my dreams, but never talking horses, much less full-body transformation.

...I'm stressed. Clearly, I'm stressed! I need to calm down. I need to think this through, and wake up. Then I can forget this whole thing ever happened.

It's that simple, Ryugazaki. You just need to wake up.

[He sucked in a breath and, with no fingers to pinch himself, tried biting into his own lower lip. A brow furrows in discomfort, but he's still here. He's still here.]

What am I doing wrong!?

[With everything settling back down again, it should be the best time to relax. But it apparently was the opposite for Tadashi, who could be seen pacing around his room at the commune. His tail flicked with every turn, and the expression on his face was more agitated and troubled than normal for those who had seen him before.

Another passing turn had him pausing, finally noticing the scroll was open. And for a moment he almost seemed to glare at it, his hardened expression persisting as he debated whether to simply roll it up.

But it only lasted a moment before his expression softened, and he managed a small, if somewhat weary smile.]

Anyone feel like grabbing a drink?

...Or taking a walk. Or...something.

[It just seemed like he could use the company.]

[Well now, there's a two-tailed fox on the scrolls. The fact he isn't wearing that red scarf shows that it's the younger one. He's holding what appears to be a strange gun in his gloved hands, though he has it pointed towards the ground.]

Umm, I know this is likely a bad time to ask since the chaos from last year has happened again, but does anyone that know about Evokers could help me with this? My Evoker collar turned into a gun when I changed back to normal and I can't seem to summon my persona with it.

[He points the gun upwards and fires, but nothing happens.]

I've looked at it and I haven't quite figured out how to fix it yet, but I have a feeling there's some trick to it.

[The scrolls will glow. Open it at your leisure. 'Cause Kanji's feeling fiery as hell and can only find one outlet for it... for now.]

[He's lying on a mat at first, but he planted his hooves and is forcing himself upright from what shelter he'd been taken to. His legs are shaky and his eyes are dull from the loss of his magic, and at first his voice is raspy...]

W-we're not gonna take it...

[He took a deep breath, grit his teeth, and sucked in a breath. This is his first time, be gentle. Time to stop being shy. It had to happen eventually, right? He knew this song among many others. Maybe it'd been sung before, he didn't know. But it was appropriate for right now. Have some slightly-abridged Twisted Sister!]

NO! We ain't gonna take it!

We're not gonna take it anymoooore!

We've got the right to choose, and
there ain't no way we'll lose it

This is our life, this is our song!

We'll fight the powers that be, just,
don't pick our destiny 'cause
YOU DON'T KNOW US
you don't belong!

We're not gonna take it-
NO! We ain't gonna take it!

We're not gonna take it anymooooore!

[His scowl deepens, his voice stronger now. Eyes on what passes for the camera on this thing.]

Oh, you're so condescending
your gall is never-ending
we don't want nothin', not a thing from you!

Your life is trite and jaded,
boring and confiscated,
if that's your best, your best won't do!

Oh...
Oh...

We're right!
We're free!
We'll fight!
You'll see!

We're not gonna take it!
NO, we ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it anymoooore!

We're not gonna take it!
NO, we ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it anymooooore!

JUST YOU TRY AND MAKE US!

We're not gonna take it!
NO, we ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it anymoooore!

[Good. He feels better. Maybe someone else out there feels better, too. It tired him out, but he wasn't about to show it. But even though they were dull, his eyes sharpened the best they could as he rolled the scroll shut, ending the feed.]

Is on, Alpha! [Someone calls from out of the frame of the shot that shows a massive, St. Bernard-esque Diamond Dog sitting atop a stone and crystal throne. His collar is studded with intricate gem patterns, and his green and much less ratty than the ones that the average Diamond Dog might be seen in. He lifts his snout regally before speaking.]

I, Alpha, extend greetings from the Kingdom of the Diamond Dogs to all of Equestrian ponies. Many years we have lived beneath the lands, minded its gems, worked hard to tunnel and explore and build our culture. But maybe we stay too far from the sunlight. Is long time coming, but We have talked with the pony princesses, all pony princesses, and arrange for diplomacy. Dogs trade gems and goods, allowed to travel safe above ground, and ponieses are safe below where we call home.

I say thank you to all ponies for help with sleeping sickness. But thank you most to Luna, Captain Celestia, Wondrous Bolt, Littlepip, and Pyrrha. Will always be friends to Diamond Dogs and are welcome to call on Alpha at all times.

As ambassadog, I name Ruby. [He makes a come-hither motion and a grinning Irish setter-esque Diamond Dog appears. Her collar is, helpfully, studded with rubies for identification purposes.] If ponies come to mines and have questions or want things, Ruby gives directions and helps. All Dogs will help if they can, but some maybe are not enthusiastic like Ruby. [Ruby's tail is wagging as she waves.] It takes long time to build bridges over deep ravines. We will try, though. And hope that all is well. Ponieses have Dogs to call on as allies in fight against anyone, especially the one who makes Dogs disappear in rainbows.

[Ruby's enthusiastic waving halts along with her wagging tail. She droops a bit and Alpha seems very solemn.]

Good luck to all.


((OOC: Please see this post for more information on what's going on with the Diamond Dogs and Mines.))

[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.

...Today's the fifth, huh?

[There's a noticeable pause, too long for just announcing a random date. For thse perceptive to it, there's a strange melancholy behind those words, too.]

That's the day I- ...the day I left home in Iwatodai. Think it's been four years now? Hard to tell with dates changing every time I arrive somewhere new.

...I need a drink. Anypony want to come with?

[A dingy and darkly dressed earth pony in Town Square appears on your magic scroll, his deep frown and narrowed gaze greeting you...not so cheerfully. It might be a bit intimidating to some. Hearing the scroll chatter with activity almost like a cell phone, he attempts to communicate with it...or whoever it's connected to.]

I just wanna know one th--!

[Said dingy dressed pony does a face plant as his scroll bounces against the ground beside him, though it captures the spill perfectly.]

Goddamn it...

[Shinjiro slowly climbs back on all four hooves and carefully inches back towards the scroll. A bunch of birds start tweeting...are they laughing at him? He frowns and shoots a glare at them, but decides it's not worth it to pursue the issue further. They'll just get another laugh out of his misfortune.]

Is this the first stop on the itinerary, or is this it?

[Because if it is the last 'stop', it's...not what he was expecting.]