I know things seem grim right now, but I would like to remind everyone of something.

Before I came here, my own world was in turmoil. My dear friends and I faced a foe that seemed impossible to defeat. A godlike entity, who sought to erase all life from the surface of the Bionis and restart everything. He had repeated this cycle countless times before, because he felt it was in his right to destroy his creations once they reached a certain level of development.

It was a battle we shouldn't have, couldn't have, won, and yet, we did. Beyond all odds, we banded together and we persevered.

I am writing this because I know I am not the only one here who has faced such an impossible fate. You have all done amazing things before and during your time here, and I feel it is important to remember that! We are all exceptional apart; just imagine what we can accomplish together!

So with that, I urge you all not to give up hope! We will survive, I believe that with all of my heart.

Dahling, we can't wait any longer.

We have to do it!

We have to do it right away!

[You don't get any more context.]

Well, looks like the holidays aren't cancelled.

I mean, I'm seeing mistletoe around the campus which suggests that the annoying parts are at least on as scheduled. I guess shopping won't be as easy this time around though. When it comes to making crafty gift shit, I'm not the expert. Obviously don't give any secrets away, but what are you guys planning on doing this year?

[The following message is being broadcast from the bunkers.]

So hey, I'm down in the bunker now, and you would not BELIEVE what happened to me the other day. I was out in town, when I got jumped! By the martial arts teacher! I managed to beat him before he could, you know, eat me? And, um... Long story short.

[The camera pans to the side. There's a snarling, angry wolfman in a metal cage, clawing angrily at it. There's a water bowl there with a piece of masking tape stuck to it that has the name JON written on it.]

I've kinda got him locked up here so he can't maim anyone else. Anyone got any idea how to deal with this?

[Joel is half way between school and the city, climbing up the steep incline at what looks like a rapid pace. It's a blustery day with rain and a little sleet, oh and a GIANT GRINNING MOON taking up half the sky.

But more than that... you can hear the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

....that's not normal.]

So, this got-danged moon has managed to bring high tide all the way into the city! There's about three foot of water in the central business district and more'n that down nearer the coast.

[He pans the camera on his phone so that you can see a crowd of people also making their way up the hillside towards the school.]

....looks like we're going t'be housing some guests. I hope that Vault that's been set up under the school can accommodate a few more.

[He looks over his shoulder then back at the camera.]

OK. A Lot More.

[Hey, it's that jerk. And he sounds a little on edge. Garrett may be realizing that he didn't think his brilliant plan though. He may still have his prizes, but they won't do much good if he can't leave the city. God dammit. So, have a vague message.]

The world's been on the verge of ending for a couple of months now. I know you're all enamored with the idea of solving the mystery mask puzzle, but has anyone thought about, I don't know, finding a way out of this damn town? Let's say somebody gets the masks back and opens the clock tower. What if it doesn't magically fix this little problem of the moon about to crash into us? We'd still be pretty screwed.

I want to get the hell out of here before I die in a fiery apocalypse, thanks.

So... I guess I'm getting married! Suck on THAT, Bowser! As soon as this is all sorted, you'd better believe it!

There's a lot that needs to be done, I suppose...

[Private to Kumatora]

So I was wondering... I kinda need a maid of honor. You want the job?

[Private to Mac]

When we can get out of here again, I, um... I want to go back to Sarasaland. And I want to bring you with me... After all, this is officially a royal wedding now!

Hello everyone... [She shifts a bit in place not really sure of how to start this...]

I know that we're still trying to figure out how to handle the current situation and I promise that everyone is doing whatever they can to resolve this and avoid anyone getting hurt. And we'll continue updating along as the situation adjusts...

For now however, I have finished repairs, reinforcement and rebuilding of the bunkers bellow and I feel they are fit for our protection should any other means fail to stop the moon from coming closer... [Or at least she really hopes.]

If anyone wishes to, they're ready as of now, so feel free to seek shelter there. I'll be running supply errands often to stock up the resources needed but for the most part I'll be available for anything anyone needs. Feel free to bring in supplies for the shelter; basics, medical supplies, food and water and anything you feel would be useful for the bunker should we need to use it for a prolonged time...

[She really hopes they don't need to use it and that a way is found to stop the moon... She remains silent for a few, looking a bit concerned but quickly remembers she didn't turn off the feed. She fumbles with the camera before taking a deep breath and shutting it off.

Feel free to contact her, or catch her on in person!]

( private to security team and Gordon )

= = =

( private to Harpuia )

[ When Vivian loads the video up, there's a smile that hasn't aged a day. The rest of her, however, is definitely older. Much older. And when she speaks, it's clear time has been kind to her speech development. ]

Hello, friends! Do you remember me?

It's been so long! But I haven't forgotten any of you. Hmmm. I wonder who's still here? [ She hesitates. ] Doctor? ... Taka? Are you still here?

[ It goes without saying that despite the smile on her lips, it's fading fast unless someone answers her. ]

Yeah okay so, I realize the moon's fallin' down and everything's crazy and somebody stole some masks, but whoever's sendin' a bunch of cheapass robots all over the volcano needs to let up with the cheapass robots. They get in my forge, I gotta bap 'em, a little... rabbit or squirrel or puppy pops out... and then I got all of this extra broken robot junk just lyin' around and all of these tiny animals hangin' around all happy that they ain't inside of a robot no more. I'm tryin' to make extra weapons in case of, you know, more giant monster attack things.

Just keep your puppy-powered robots out of my stuff.

Whoever you are? The punk who stole those masks? You're not just screwin' all of us over, but you're kinda doomin' yourself along with us.

Four holes in the door Wave found. Mask shaped holes. We finally found the last one and You, you huge jerk, decide to steal the other three.... why? You get that they're probably the key to savin' all our asses, right?

My guess is ransom, because ain't no-one gonna buy those things off you in any store or museum right now. Not with the moon takin' up a quarter of the freakin' sky. So you're going to try and make folks pay to get them back.

When you make your move? I will find you. And I am going to punch you so hard your grandkids'll be born with black eyes.

THE MASKS ARE GONE.

[Gordon is in his lab, and if the thunderous introduction doesn't give it all away, then the shattered glass cases still dripping with fluid should put everything into context. The camera whips around to his face. He's... never had that expression before. Maybe he should have gotten one of the larger predators from the woods to be his spokescritter; they would show a greater sense of openness and compassion on their fanged faces, than anything that he's showing right now.]

I don't know who the hell did this, but chances are they're listening in on this feed. Now normally I'd be the good guy and give you an hour to bring them back with no strings attached, but no. Not this time. You know EXACTLY what you've taken from here. We need those masks to figure out what the hell is going on in the clock tower. You've taken what might be our last chance to survive this catastrophe, and you'll be treated as such.

Consider this an all-points-bulletin, and a request for security to start searching. Also I'm going out myself.

Whoever you are, I hope they find you before I do.

[The video switches on, showing Cyrus in what was once the teacher housing. It didn't look like his specific room, especially since his had been on the second floor, but none of that really mattered since he had only used it because somehow the power still worked. His stern manner was gone, and he seemed tired and distant, not even looking at the camera]

Constructing a species to be entirely without emotion...yes, then there is no problem. Removing emotion from a creature that had previously processed them...

Changing the brain chemistry suddenly leads to adverse physical consequences. I had failed to take that into account.

This is ultimately what I wanted. But not in this way. I would be reborn anew, a perfect god in a perfect universe, free of suffering. There would be no fighting and no strife.

I fully believe that even now.

[he turns slightly, looking at the computer for the first time]

Oh...it has been broadcasting. An unintended consequence of the network. I had meant to speak entirely to myself.

[His sincerity on that statement is impossible to read, the utter flatness from him betraying nothing]

And yet.

Those of you versed in medical science, I ask you to aid me in reversing these physical symptoms while maintaining the erasure of my emotions.

You will be granted a position in paradise.

[After a pause, he reaches his hand out to turn off the feed, but stops with his hand on the switch]

I will fulfill that destiny. I will make my dream a reality. And we will no longer face extinction.

...

...God damn you all, I told you so.

[The feed ends]

[Pit loves being dramatic about things. When the video starts, there's nothing there. Suddenly, a humongous head emerges slowly from below. How cryptic! But then surprise! Pit pops out from behind it with a grin.]

Hey! How's it going, guys? I found this while digging through piles of junk. [He stops smiling, then turns the face to look at it with his face pinched in suspicion.] I think it's a mask. I thought about putting it on, but something told me that wasn't such a good idea. Besides, my face is too small, and it's kind of an ugly mug, don'tcha think?

[He twists the head around so its hollow eyes are transfixed on the screen of your personal device.]

But it seems important. I know we need four masks to get into the door of the clock tower. I'll safeguard it until we decide what to do with it.

[It's a phone video from Sonny Moe! He waves at the camera.]

So! I was saving money to buy a car this year! But then, I thought, maybe that money could be used for something better. Something to help cheer everyone up, maybe? Because I know people are scared of the moon and stuff, even though King Bowser's going to have that all under control! So, I was like, what will make everyone happier? Then I remembered it's after Halloween, sooooo...

[And lo, he swivels the camera around to show a MOUNTAIN of candy sitting in an unused classroom.]



Yeah, you guessed it! I spent pretty much my life savings on super discounted Halloween candy to share with you all! I'm in the old Algebra classroom because I thought maybe it was time something fun happened in there! Come and get whatever you like!

OK, bye!!

[Wave had been to the clock tower quite a bit since arriving at Smash. She went there when she first arrived. She went with Tails a few times, and she still sort of associated the place with him. After he left, she just... couldn't quite make herself go back. Feeling hopeless with the literal end of days approaching in the sky ahead, Wave found... she could use a taste of the familiar.

Familiarity was absolutely NOT what she found.

Turning on her camera in her necklace, Wave started an open message to the academy.]

I think I figured out what the masks are for.

[She turned the jewel so that the camera could see the giant, bizarre looking door that had somehow appeared on top of the clock tower. Positioned around the door were grooves. Familiar looking grooves, at that. Comparing them to the scans she had taken earlier of the masks in Gordon's lab confirmed her suspicions.]

I went up to the clock tower, and unless someone's made some additions lately and forgot to tell us, this is pretty new. The slots around the door frame look just like the shapes of the masks we've found. And I'd bet money that there's a link between this and what's been happening with the moon. I dunno about any of you, but I'd like to figure out what's inside of it.

[It's Gordon, and he's looking more Frazzled than he normally is. Visibly tired, hair disheveled, tie missing. He even takes off his glasses for a moment to rub over his face before he speaks.]

We've got a new development in the moon... situation. A reliable source mentioned to me that the person that caused the instance in Termina was actually under control of a mask. I mean ANOTHER mask. They, uh, drew a picture:

[So suddenly a file with this image attached is broadcast to everyone:]

[Good luck sleeping tonight, guys.]

I haven't found any other images besides this one, but the other masks we gained from the monsters makes me believe that this one really is out there, and that someone has a hold of it. Or rather, that the mask has a hold of THEM.

If you're a student and you see it, let a security team member know; Do NOT confront them on your own. We don't really know what they're capable of, but considering the recent minor reconfiguration of the cosmos, I'd put money on "a lot."

We need to find this thing, and whoever it's wearing, and put a stop to them.

[No one had seen much of Connor these days that didn't involve helping on the forefront. Evacuations were a no go. The animals were gone. The moon was falling. He knew now that there was no way he could return home. He was here.

Options were running thin, and his bird friend was even growing restless. Connor gave him the chance to leave, to find shelter in a way a bird could. But he remained on his side, even perched on his shoulder as he sat to film this.]

I think perhaps we should also consider the underground bunkers as a means for possible shelter. Perhaps we can move supplies down there.

I do not mean to give a worst case scenario, but if there is nothing left, there needs to be a place where we can try.

I am still searching and asking for ways to send the...moon back where it came from, even some of you have brought up some suggestions.

I am willing to hear anything at this rate.

It's funny to think with everything going on... Normally we'd all be making plans for Halloween about now. I even had a costume and everything. Guess it'll have to wait for next year, assuming we can get out of all of this in one piece.