[Just by a couple homes, a giant, metallic, futuristic bed has found its way smack dab in the middle of the road. It's clear to see that the bed, ominous and imposing with its dark purple color and 'face', though offset just a bit by the pig snout emblem above it, is occupied. Lying in the bed, protected by a glass capsule, is a familiar boy.

... Boy? Was it appropriate to call him that?

He had all the features of a fat, young boy, but over them were all the features of a decrepit man: wrinkled, pale skin and gray hair.

The man lied there, gasping for breath, lounging underneath the sunny blue sky with not a single means available to him to escape it. If anyone approaches him, he'd turn his head, weakly, and say in his tired, scratchy, though bratty voice...]

... Like what you see...?

Yeah hey hi. So, I don't really have a horse in this idiot race but I've got a question for a bunch of you. You know. You guys who want to jump back into the monster that has us here to get your friend back?

Are you idiots?

...Okay. Maybe that's a bit harsh even if it's probably true! Cause you've got every right to want to tear this thing apart. I mean I sure want to. But hey let's consider something. So you get inside to find your friend.

Then what?

Let's say that you somehow don't find yourself in an environment you know nothing about, that this thing doesn't have several layers of terrifying defense you know nothing about, and that you aren't helpless before this thing. Assuming all that miraculously happens to be true and you do find her?

How do you know this thing hasn't done something to her? How do you know it hasn't done something to all of us for that matter, but specifically the person it got its hands on? How do you know, if you can get to her beyond all odds, the thing keeping us here didn't want you to find her?

I've seen this crap happen time after time after time, and I don't care what super duper powers or junk you think you have, going back into this thing is a terrible idea that at best is just going to end in you getting caught or at worst is going to make this dumb thing angry enough to decide it needs to punish all of us.

I'm not saying don't be angry or want to do something, just don't do something that can only get you killed because you're so pissed you decide you're not going to care what you do, just that you're going to do something. You can't win in this. Only chance you got is maybe appealing to it like whatever nerdlinger wrote that sappy note here a day or two ago. The thing doesn't seem to actively be trying to kill us, so maybe it'll listen to you trying to beg it. Maybe.

...I'm not saying don't miss her. I'm just saying that maybe if you're at a point where you want to get back something you lost so bad that you're that fixated on it, it...isn't really about the thing you lost. It's just about you. And if that's the reason you're going into this monster, that's a pretty terrible reason. I dunno why people were jumping into it in the first place, I'll be a nice guy and give the benefit of a doubt that it was for a good reason. So do you really wanna negate her good reason with a bad one?

You can't brute force something like this. No matter how hard you try. That's it. It'd be a good idea to learn that.

Jeez.

Hey, what's shakin'? Name's Dandy, but you already knew that.

[WINK]

Hey! So, I got a game. Time to sit your asses down and listen up. For anyone who went on our little cosmic field trip, I need a list of names of all the GOD DAMN BASTARDS WHO YELLED AT THE FRIGGIN' DEATH HORSE SO I CAN SHOOT THEM IN THE FACE.

Bonus points if you're a cutie.

['NOTHER WINK]

Think you can do that for me? Because nothing, and I mean nothing, is gonna keep me from getting back to BooBies, baby. There is no way in hell I'm letting any of you colorful horse bastards ruin what I got going so far, you hear me? You jackasses just set me back way too far, there's a damn good reason why I screen my Team Dandy members.

You, uh, failed. So yeeeaaah...

[Seriously, gonna have a loooong talk with little miss Jappleack when she gets back.]

Oh, uh, Leatherhead? Try not to make any plans this weekend, you and me are going out, baby! OH YEAH!

[Dandy outtie]

[The scroll opens on Crmsn looking down into it, it's flat on the ground and he's hovering over it. It's pretty obvious that he's barely given himself time to breath since getting back. There's also a rather...unclear focus in his eyes.]

Alright. Alright I just...I need a second here just...okay the-nngh...

[He winces a little and shakes his head roughly.]

Ugh...kay...I...okay...the dive into Calice. Right. We went in, we did our thing...J-A's team is still in there s'far as I know. Ya might have already seen, but we lost one on the way out...I just...I wanted to give this a day but...

[He lets out a deep exasperated breath.]

First things first...I know there's a lot of feelings going around...believe me I know what it's like. And...digital gods...'Shy was brave, and is a wonderful pony. She'd be the first to tell us it was okay though. She was shy, and meek, but she was strong enough to put our needs above hers and put herself in harms way so we would be okay. That was friendship. That was bravery, and kindness the likes of which any person here would be lucky to find in their lifetime. And I for one am going to pull myself off my sorry arse and not stop believing in her. One way or another we're going to get her back.

[He takes another breath and re-steadys himself.]

...Second. Regarding Calice...

[He mulls something over and shifts a little uncomfortably, then looks back to the scroll.]

I've given this a lot of thought, and I don't think Calice and Twilight are the same...I want to say entity. I think they're sharing the same body and I don't know which we keep speaking to, but I'd imagine Twilight's still in there fighting back for control. I think...I think the power in control is getting stronger, and it keeps having to exert more control to keep its hold on her. It's...it's theory right now, but that was not the same force we felt the last time we were in there, and it was not...it wasn't as...as...nngh...

[He eases back looking more frustrated than tired and rubs at his temple.]

Fracking...work dangit! I need you to think more and hurt less. Coherent! That's the word. It wasn't as coherent as it was last time. It was more disjointed...i-it was...

Look I know this might sound strange, and everything hurts right now, but this is what I need you guys to do. For...for our friends. Don't give up on them. Don't start thinking this is hopeless. They are not gone. Fluttershy...the Twilight of that world...bit every pony that's been taken. They need our bravery, for us to face forwards. Keep them in your hearts and believe in their strength. We will get them back. So please, for them. Don't lose heart.

[He nods to the scroll, a little more affirmative in his stance.]

We all hurt, but hurting isn't going to get them back to us...that's all I have to say right now. If you want more answers I'll try and answer anything I can over the scroll, if you want someone to yell at, you can find me at the Decanter soaking this headache in a hard cider.

[The feed opens on Crmsn talking to a photograph rather abruptly.]

-even reminds me of Serre a bit...definitely has that same tenacity as the kids. You'd never think they'd run out of steam. I think you'd like her. She's gettin' married soon too...I know right? Never thought I'd have the chance to give someone away at least for another twenty years.

[He's sitting by the window of his room, half draped across the sill in the early morning light, with a stuffed purple rabbit nestled up in the crook of one of his forelegs, and smiling wistfully at a photograph.]

Hey love...It was Valentines Day recently y'know. Well...not what they call it here, but the sentiment is the same....

[He shifts a little and softly taps the photograph with a hoof.]

Wonder what you did for yours. Probably would have spent it in the lab, working on the next big project. Heh...y'know that's something I miss the most I think. Sitting back to back in the lab and knowing you were there. That any time I could just turn around and smile at you and...and you'd look over and smile back.

[His voice softens considerably.]

...I miss you, love. I miss the kids...I miss our home, and our friends. There's a big gapin' hole in my heart...I keep tryin' to fill it up, but after a while...there's just nothin' to grab onto. Isn't anything I can do about it either.

[He sniffs, then scoffs a little and covers his eyes with a hoof. Voice going from low to strained.]

I feel like I'm slowly losin' your face. I think that's the biggest hurt. All I have is this damn photo...this world couldn't even let it be normal...had to mess with it and make it different too. I think if it wasn't for that magic of yours I'd-

[He shifts to reflexively rub at his chest, a pained expression pulling across his face.]

You're so close and so far away. I can't reach you...m'not gonna stop trying though.

[He takes a shakey breath and lets it out hard...then pulls the photo up and gives it a gentle kiss. He settles on the sill, half cradling the picture and the rabbit protectively.]

[One big fluffy dog lies in front of his scroll, his big dog eyes appearing a tad lost, like they're searching for something.]

It is good to see the people of this world returning to themselves. I know losing control is not a good thing to live through...

[He shifts, letting his head rest on one paw.]

I am sorry I was not as much help as I could have been...I honestly do not remember where I have been...it does not matter.

[The diamond dog didn't come here just to make small talk anyhow.]

But I must be true...I did not call only for this. I have a question...how does one forget? How does one forget someone you know you cannot see?

I don't know the answer myself. Maybe someone knows it...

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.]

[There's an image of a white rat lying down on a pillow. It's nibbling at a cracker with a slice of cheese placed on it. The silliness of the visuals aside, the rat seems to have an intelligent, serious look in its eyes. Really that just adds to the silliness.]

... So, magic.

[The rat's still nibbling at the cheese, but you hear words and thoughts entering your mind.]

I'm fascinated by it. Even if I'm not in the body of a pony, is it possible for me to use it?

... Ah. Right. My name is George. And I'm not a rat.

[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.

[Teddie seems really happy today, more so than usual. He's also in his bear suit for a change, it feels like forever since he's last put it on. In his big fuzzy paws looks to be a small styrofoam cup, the same kind you'd expect to see from a...cafe.]

Now that the weather's not so HOT on my poor fuzzy bod, I can finally start wearing my glorious fur again just like the old days. Whew, I never thought I'd see the day where I too could call days the OLD days, they don't feel that old to me, but what can you do? So don't be so surprised when you see a devilishly handsome bear about, or think I've gone missing or something 'cause I HAVEN'T.

[He inhales, catching his breath from all that babbling. Why...why is he babbling?]

In other news, I'm super duper grateful for all these op-bear-tunities to advance my quest towards maturity what with schooool and woooork and both at the SAME TIME but it's been sooooooooooo draining on my little bear body when I finally remembered "HEY, what do adults do when they get tired?!" so I started drinking coffee and - it's awful - but I think it's WORKING!!

[Oh, that's why.]

At this rate, I'm gonna be a man in NO TIME!!

[There's been a lack of pompadour lately, but thankfully it's back in full force...baby. Don't ask where he's been, chances are he's not going to tell you.]

Hey assholes, I'm still homeless. No seriously, what the hell, where's my free house? ...We get free houses, right? I mean, it's not like I'd know since NOBODY TELLS ME ANYTHING.

I've been here since, what? July or something? Chop chop.

[Hi Dandy, no one missed you.]

[About time someone brought an end to the stream of cat and pony here. For before the scroll is a diamond dog with a couple scars over his face. With all his experience with technology, he isn't quite sure how to get it.

It's only a couple seconds into the scroll's broadcast does he realize he's speaking into a communicator. Well, better get what he set out to do what he wanted to do before whatever malevolent thing latches onto him.]

It is strange, I feel like I am remembering a dream just as I have fallen asleep...dimensional travel is a pain.

[The flood of memories is starting to give him a weird brain freeze-like feeling, just like when he tried that ice cream.]

But that is not important. I must talk to someone, I feel the Earth is in danger...that is all I can say right now.