Suddenly, from out of the sky, a whirling torrent of fire and hearts descends with thunderous impact in front of the Carl, Greynbow Dash and Noxid. As the dust settles, Heartglass butterscales steps forward from the crater. The other ponies stand in shock, eyes wide and mouths agape at the sudden intrusion on an otherwise unremarkable afternoon.
"GREETINGS MORTAL PONIES" Heartglass booms with a echoing and metallic voice. "I HAVE SENSED YOUR NEEDS AND HAVE COME TO MAKE YOU AN OFFER YOU CANNOT REFUSE". An unsettling silence falls as the others are hesitant to answer this beast's unsettling proposal.
Carl is the first to step forward. "Yeah, okay, that's great and all, but I don't really care. I'm just going to the liquor store to-"
"HEARTGLASS KNOWS. YOU AND THE OTHERS WILL COME WITH ME ON A QUEST TO RETREIVE THE LEGENDARY PILSNER OF HEINDUNKLE, BREWED BY BLIND GERMAN MONKS DEEP BENEATH THE SURFACE OF AUSTRIA."
"God, can you stop shouting already? I don't give a fuck about some magical german cave beer, I just need more Coors." Carl's reply is curt and full of disdain. What the hell is this guy's problem, he wonders.
"Certainly.." Heartglass switches to a smooth female voice without missing a beat. "However, I foresaw this and took the liberty of leveling every liquor distribution center and outlet within 40 miles. It will be several weeks, if not months, before there is coors, or any form of alcohol to be found anywhere near here." Heartglass saunters idly up to Carl, her four pupils burning with cold fire. "So, you don't really have a choice."
"Fucking great." Carl mutters with all the joy of a thousand Chinese rail workers. The thought of going on some half-assed adventure with a psychotic probably-robot pony was about as appealing as flossing with barbed wire, but going for a month without booze was a whole other level of misery. "And just how am I supposed to get to germany or australia or wherever the hell it is you're trying to drag me? I don't exactly have wings if you haven't noticed."
"I have more than enough strength to carry all of you." Heartscale replies coolly. The plurality of that statement does not sit well with Carl.
"Wait, all? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Five are required to overcome the challenges that await. the other two here shall accompany us, however, a fifth is needed.."