NeilWacaster

Just listened to Rainbow Factory yesterday ... think I'll skip cupcakes, though. All I've heard about that is bad ...

HOW CAN I KNOW WHEN YOU ARE STREAMING?

Get better!

We will all miss you when you are gone! So, let me get this right ... when you're en route to a port you won't have internet access? Is that what you're telling us?

Congrats Persnick!

YES!!!!!!!!!

Very good to know! Thanks!

Only one thing to do.

Whew! What a relief!

With a shock, the thought occurred to Newsworthy that he was probably speaking to a Syd from an alternate reality. Awfully 'convenient' that Discord exists in both worlds. "How dreadful. I'm so sorry to hear that you had that experience. Again, I reiterate, war is a horrible, horrible thing, and it clearly has taken its toll on you. But we all must put our pasts and prejudices behind us if we're going to get out of here. Will you join me on my quest to leave this accursed place?" He extended his right front hoof for a shake, hoping the stallion would join him. The survival skills of a soldier would likely be most useful.

Newsworthy stood, rolling his shoulder to try to ease the pain. "I am an humble journalist from the fair land of Equestria. I have been sent here by the wicked draconequus Discord for some type of test before I can go back home. As I would have said if you'd taken time to ask, I am an ardent pacifist. I believe that there should be no war on any world, at any time." Taking another look at Syd, he said, "It pains me deeply to see that you have been injured in some type of conflict." This is exactly why we should avoid war at all costs, he thought, remembering the kind, musically talented Syd from back in Equestria. Was this the same pony he knew? Whether it was or not, where had this monster who stood before him come from? Afraid of what the answer might be, he asked, "First, is there a war being fought nearby? And then, I would appreciate it if you would return my favor and tell me your story." Oh dear Celestia, if Discord just dropped us in the middle of a war zone, this challenge is going to be orders of magnitude harder than I thought.

Solar Empire? What in Equestria is he talking about? Syd's hoof was digging painfully into his shoulder, and he noticed with horror that he was about to draw a disturbingly sharp-looking battle axe. Out of his growing fear, he spoke rapidly. "I have no idea what you're talking about, but believe me, I mean you no harm. I clearly cannot pose any threat to you, as you have weapons and I am entirely unarmed. Let me up, and I think we can come to an understanding."

"Unhoof me you ruffian! Neither I nor my people have any quarrel with you!" Newsworthy tried to escape the soldier's stranglehold, but to no avail. Seeing Syd's cutie mark emblem on the soldier's belt, he exclaimed, "Syd!? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

As Newsworthy stepped briskly along the path, he thought he saw a pair of dark grey ears sticking out of a bush up ahead. What ho? "Hello there, stranger! Be you friend or foe?"

Newsworthy briefly described what Discord had said about this place. "So you see," he finished, "Discord has brought us here for some purpose. He's explained to me why I'm here, but I'd rather not discuss that at the moment. We have much more pressing issues on our hooves." He nodded his head toward the path behind him, heading through the forest. "Why don't we try that one?"

*he is convinced by the muffin that Derpy was the one who did this* DERPY! I'll GET YOU FOR THIS!