Before I get into the game, I'd like to mention that I added a DLL to it to allow video files to play on a “video” cube that I've imported and specially programmed. I also have a “video” folder, which has a file containing the episode of Pokemon I mentioned in the previous day of the game, in case Pinkie Pie, or any other characters in the game, might want to watch it. I'm sure there will be other videos that will be of interest to the characters in the game later on, but the “video” cube will only be available in the house of the only playable character. Also, the programming in the DLL I just added doesn't allow for gamers' video, audio, document, or picture files to be saved when the game is compiled for export.

As I resume the game, there is, once again, knocking at my character's door.

As my character rises from his bed and answers his door, it's once again Weed Whacker, with a scroll in her mouth. My character accepts the scroll, allowing the little herbivorous dinosaur to move on, then opens it; and I read, “Dear Mormon,

“By the time Tia had arrived in Filly-delphia, there was indeed an invasion of parasprites that had taken over the city. But, it seems that a pack of timber wolves has since also invaded the city, after the parasprites, and have been breaking into buildings in order to attack and eat the flying insects. Tia is doing her best to organize a marching band to help lead the parasprites, and hopefully the timber wolves with them, out of Filly-delphia; but it's going to take a while, perhaps days, to get the problem under control. In the mean time, in order to avoid further problems, warnings have been sent throughout Equestria about the menace posed by the parasprites.

“In the mean time, yes, Mayor Mare is back in Ponyville. She does understand why I ordered her back into the reading circle, and the wrong she did, both in pushing your dragon friend out of her place, and in discriminating against Zecora. I just wanted thee to know that when I said that she should stay and read or be mayor no more, I was just warning her that she had the eyes of the readers on her, and they weren't going to trust her as the mayor of Ponyville if, at that point, she were to leave the reading circle. I did not intend to make it sound as though I was using the reading as a punishment for her.

“I had noticed, during the reading, the timber wolf sitting on your porch. Because they are the first evidence that parasprites do indeed have predators, as well as a way to rid thee of the menace they pose, I am not surprised that thou wouldst keep a timber wolf as a pet. I am sure thy timber wolf friend, Scout, will serve thee well. I have had no personal contact with the parasprites, but Tia has informed me of the problems they have caused, both as invaders and as food for timber wolves, in Filly-delphia. I hope she will be successful in ending the problem there and will return soon. And, considering the presence of Scout on your property, it is evident to me that he and Lyra are also friends, and will continue to be so, as long as Lyra no longer hides parasprites in her mane.

“My sister and I look forward to hearing from you again.

“Signed, Princess Luna.”

Assuming Pinkie Pie, and perhaps Lyra, have each received a similar letter, I decide to leave my letter in my character's room, and have my character head to the kitchen to get some breakfast.

When he gets there, I see, through his eyes, the ponies living with my character gathered around the table, fruit prepared and ready to eat, but untouched. Pinkie Pie is facing away from me, but the other three are showing sad or angry expressions on their faces.

I have my character reach out and grab a piece of fruit from the table, then back against and lean on the counter behind him, then eat the fruit, before I say, “I'm guessing you received word about Filly-delphia.”

It's at this point that my character shows me, through his eyes, that the expression on Pinkie Pie's face is one of worry.

In the mean time, Lyra folds her forelimbs in front of her, drops her head into them, and starts sobbing.

At this point, Pinkie Pie, looking up at my character, says, “I think Lyra could use a party to cheer her up.”

Presently, Lyra cries, “If—it were just the parasprites—then—Filly-delphia would be fine. … B-but—did it have to be timber wolves too?”

I have my character stroke the side of Lyra's neck that I can see, through my character's eyes, with his closest hand, while I say, “I'm sure Princess Celestia is doing everything she can to get rid of the parasprites and timber wolves in Filly-delphia. And, I'm sure she'll be successful. We'll know she's succeeded when she shows up at a future reading. In the mean time, we just need to have faith that she will succeed.”

At this point, Lyra looks up at my character and pushes his hand away, preventing him from stroking her neck any more. But, my character shows me, through his eyes, the streams under her eyes and nose, as she asks, “And—what about Filly-delphia, huh? … Do you think—it'll survive?”

I answer, “If the ponies of Filly-delphia are anything like the ponies of Ponyville, then yes, it'll survive.”

At this point, she stops crying altogether, and starts smiling. She jumps into my character's arms, hanging from his neck, and says, “Oh, thank you, Mormon. I needed that.”

At this point, Octavia says, “Lyra informed us that she has family living in Filly-delphia. So, you can understand that she has an emotional connection to that city.”

It's at this moment that I notice Pinkie Pie's eyes bulge just a little bit before returning to normal, and before she says, “Oh, I just remembered, we're having a Cute-seniera over at Sugar Cube Corner today.”

I think aloud, “A Cute-seniera?” I say it as more of a statement than a question. Having seen the episode “Call of the Cutie,” on which this day will be based, I know what Pinkie Pie's talking about; but, she'll describe it soon enough. In the mean time, I wonder to myself how similar it is to the Spanish-speakers' Quincenera, the celebration of an individual's fifteenth birthday. As much of a big deal as it is among Spanish-speakers, even if I had heard about it before my own fifteenth birthday, I can't say for sure if it would've been that big of a deal for me. As I remember, the celebration of the fifteenth anniversary of my birth wasn't that much different than the celebration of any other such anniversary.

In apparent response to my question, Pinkie Pie says, “It's when we throw a party for somepony that's just gotten their cutie mark. We're throwing one for a filly, Diamond Tiara. You're welcome to come along, if you want.” The smile she'd had on her face when she was describing the event morphs into an expression of worry again as she says, “In fact, I need to get over there as soon as possible to help get it ready.” She then jumps out of her chair and to the door, then turns around. I notice her expression is now one of sorrow as she says, “Octy, Scratchy, I'm sorry you won't be able to attend the Cute-seniera. I'll see if I can bring back some cupcakes for you.” After that, she opens the door and bounces through it to the front door.

My character, still carrying Lyra, and Weed Whacker follow the pink earth pony to the front door, but not before the pale-green unicorn and the herbivorous dinosaur, as well as my character, salute the two musical ponies goodbye. After that, and with my character closing doors behind the group, they make their way to the front gate and are on their way back to Ponyville.

As the group runs through the Everfree forest on their way to Ponyville, I can't help thinking about Diamond Tiara and her friend Silver Spoon, the Laman and Lemuel of the school foals. I seem to remember in the episode, “Call of the Cutie,” that the lesson of the day by the teacher, Cheerilee, no doubt going on right now, is about cutie marks. In fact, about this time, I'd imagine Applebloom is being bothered by the two because of her lack of a cutie mark. I have to wonder if I'll get to Ponyville in time to see Applejack set up her apple stand, and watch Applebloom scare other ponies into, or away from, buying apples in an attempt to get a cutie mark.

Between ten and fifteen minutes after leaving my character's house, we arrive in Ponyville, then a few minutes later we reach Sugar Cube Corner.

I decide to have my character head to the market place in town, not far from the bakery, while Pinkie Pie goes inside to help set things up for the Cute-seniera.

It's not until I get to the market place when I turn around and find that Lyra, carrying Weed Whacker on her back, has followed me. And, it's not long afterwards that she's found another pony, evidently a foal, to talk to.

My character looks around to show me that Applejack, her little sister, and the cart haven't arrived yet. Evidently I have time to take a position where I can watch the drama unfold. Fortunately, not far from the town square is a set of tables, each covered by an umbrella. In fact, based on their appearances, I wouldn't be surprised if one of those is the table where Pinkie Pie saw me chase off Gilda the griffon and offer to assist Fluttershy with guiding her parade of ducks through Ponyville. I have my character take his position at the table that offers the best view of the town square.

Not long after he's seated, I hear a female voice next to him ask, “May I take your order, sir?”

My character turns to the origin of the voice to show me a dark-green unicorn mare with blue mane, manipulating a forest-green tray with her magic.

I say, “Sure. Do you serve orange juice here?”

The unicorn mare answers, “Yes, sir.”

I state, “Then, I'll have that.”

Without saying anything more, the unicorn mare trots off to get the drink I ordered.

In the mean time, I watch as Applejack, with her little sister in tow, arrives with her apple cart and prepares to sell her stock of apples. Soon after getting the decorations set up on her stand, she begins calling out, “Get your delicious, nutritious apples here!”

I then watch, through my character's eyes, as Applebloom talks about, and demonstrates, how apples can be used for more than just eating.

A piece of the apple she tries to use as a tennis ball lands just short of where my character is sitting.

I can't help chuckling when I see one unfortunate unicorn stallion get splattered from some of the apple that Applebloom kicks into his canvas.

In fact, my chuckling seems to have attracted the little earth filly's attention just as my character's drink has arrived.

Before her big sister can stop her, she gallops up to me and asks, “Mormon, could I sell you some apples?”

I answer, “Applebloom, I'm sure you know as well as I do that I have a few apple trees in my orchard, and they supply me with all the apples I need.”

One thing I can say about the little yellow earth filly: she's persistent. She takes a step toward my character and asks, “Are ya sure you couldn't use a few more apples?”

Before I can answer, Applejack circles around her little sister, then grabs her by her tail and drags her off.

I can't help at least smiling as the little earth filly, pleading with her eyes, calls out, “Well, could ya think about it, at least?”

Back at the stand, Applejack lets go of Applebloom's tail and tells her under her breath, “Now, Ah don't want you causin any … “

But, before she can finish her statement, the little yellow earth filly is distracted by Doctor Whooves walking by; and she runs up to him calling out, “You, sir!”

Now without her intended audience, the orange earth mare sighs in exasperation as she concludes, “trouble.”

In the mean time, having caught up with the brown earth stallion, Applebloom asks, “Care to buy some apples?”

He answers, “Uh, no thanks.”

The little yellow earth filly, seeming to have borrowed some of Pinkie Pie's powers, appears from a vegetable cart and asks the now startled stallion, “Why not?”

Backing away, Doctor Whooves answers, “I have plenty at home.”

Now, once again appearing behind him, Applebloom asks, “Are ya sure?”

The brown earth pony nervously answers, "Uh, pretty sure."

I appreciate persistence, but I must admit Applebloom's technique is going from persistent to predatory as she appears in front of Doctor Whooves again and says, “You're pretty sure. But, you're not absolutely, positively, super-duper sure, are ya?” all the time, backing the brown stallion into the apple stand.

I can't really tell if Doctor Whooves is sweating or crying or both as he asks, “Uh, if I promise to buy some apples, will you please leave me alone?”

The little yellow earth filly cheers, “Alright!”

Presently, the brown stallion produces a bunch of bits and tosses them into Applejack's pouch on her apron, then grabs an apple and gallops off.

At this point, I must admit, I'm feeling sorry for Doctor Whooves.

While Applejack is calling to the brown stallion about having forgotten his change, Applebloom is running in circles, cheering about having earned her cutie mark, theorizing about what it could be. When she finds no image on her hip, she decides she needs to sell more apples.

Unfortunately, it seems that Berry Punch is her next victim.

Seeing her sniffing in a barrel of apples, Applebloom jumps at her and calls out, “You touch it, you bought it.” Then, more quietly, she adds, “We take cash or credit.”

As funny as it is to see the purplish-pink pony stumbling away from the little yellow filly, still I'm finding Applebloom's methods too aggressive for my taste.

And, her big sister evidently agrees with me as she says to the alarmed earth mare, “Ah'm sorry, ma'am.”

Presently, Berry Punch gallops off, leaving a cloud of dust and flying paper in her wake.

And, before her big sister can chew her out, Applebloom is dumping a tub of apples into one of Bon-Bon's saddle bags, demanding payment for them.

When the pale-yellow earth pony insists she didn't put the apples in her bag, Applebloom retorts, “Likely story.”

Before Applebloom can further demand payment for the apples, Applejack shoves a front hoof into her mouth, effectively silencing her. She then hands over the rest of her stock of apples to Bon-Bon, insisting that the apples are “free of charge.” She then turns to her little sister and calls an end to the day's sales, much to the disappointment of the little yellow filly.

I lose track of the conversation between the two sisters when Bon-Bon stumbles up to my character and asks, “Could I interest you in some apples?”

I turn to the light-yellow earth mare and answer, “As I told Applebloom, I have trees at home which provide me with plenty of apples. Sorry.”

Bon-Bon groans in frustration before asking, “So, what am I gonna do with these?”

Her overloaded saddle bags make her cutie mark all the more evident to me.

I ask, “Aren't you known for making candy?”

Bon-Bon answers, “It is my special talent.”

I ask, “So, why not make candies out of the apples?”

The pale-yellow earth pony stares at my character incredulously. After a second or two, she asks, “What kind of candy can I make out of apples?”

I answer, “Well, you could make caramel-covered apples, and maybe cut up some apples and dehydrate them, make apple snacks out of them. I'm sure there are other ideas you could come up with.”

I have my character remove the wooden tub of apples from Bon-Bon's back as she thinks aloud, “Caramel-covered apples and apple snacks.” She then turns to my character and states, “You may have some good ideas there.”

As my character sets the tub on the ground, I notice Lyra approaching, still carrying Weed Whacker on her back.

As soon as she's right next to her earth pony friend, she asks, “Are you alright, Bon-Bon?”

The pale-yellow earth pony answers, “I'm fine. Mormon just gave me some ideas about what I could do with all these apples.”

As soon as my character lets go of the tub, it becomes possessed by a pale-green aura and rises on its own, indicating that Lyra is using her magic on it.

The unicorn says, “I saw what happened, and I can understand why Applejack dumped all her apples on you. I also heard Mormon's idea for what you can do with them.”

Bon-Bon replies, “He has some good ideas, but they're the only ones I have so far. Do you have any other ideas?”

Lyra pauses for a moment, humming with interest. Finally, she says, “Well, there's no reason why you couldn't make apple-flavored candies. Like, you could make apple-flavored taffy or suckers or lollypops or any of the other candies you'd normally make.”

Bon-Bon squees before saying, “Those are good ideas, too. Let's go home, and we'll see what we can do with those ideas.”

Lyra uses her magic to set the tub of apples on her own back, forcing Weed Whacker off.

I have my character turn to the herbivorous dinosaur before saying, “Maybe you should go to Sugar Cube Corner and help Pinkie Pie out while Lyra and I help Bon-Bon.”

Weed Whacker nods, then turns and runs off to the bakery to offer assistance to Pinkie Pie.

In the mean time, my character turns away from the pale-green unicorn and the cream-colored earth pony to show me the dark-green unicorn standing in his way.

She says, “That'll be two bits, please.”

I have my character produce two gold coins and hand them to the unicorn waitress as I say, “Oh, of course. Here you are.” After that, I have my character grab the drink in one hand and help support the tub of apples Lyra's carrying with the other hand, as he follows the two friends to their home.

Bon-Bon, the first to enter, has to remove her saddle bags and drag them into the house.

Lyra has to leave the tub outside while she uses her magic to bring the apples one-by-one into the house. When all the apples are inside, she then uses her magic to turn the tub sideways and move it into the house; then, once the tub is righted again, she puts the apples back into it, inside the living room.

Once everything is inside, Lyra turns to me and says, “We may have a problem. If what I've heard is correct, then the Cute-seniera for Diamond Tiara is just over an hour from now. So, the plans for the apples may have to wait until later.”

I state, “Well, that doesn't sound like a problem for me. While I do plan on attending, I haven't Pinkie promised or anything like that.”

Lyra looks down for a moment, then looks up at my character again and says, “Well, I have. And, it's best if you go with me.”

I take a deep breath and let it out before saying, “Well, if that's how it's gotta be, then I guess we'd better get going.” I then turn to Bon-Bon, who's evidently been listening, and say, “Well, like Lyra said, the apple project is gonna have to wait. I hope you don't mind.”

Bon-Bon answers, “A Pinkie promise is extremely important to Pinkie Pie. If Lyra's made one, and you need to go with her, then you need to get over there and keep that promise. So, go ahead.”

Having thus been dismissed, Lyra and my character make our way to and out the door, just in time to run into a depressed-looking Applebloom.

I have a pretty good idea of what the little yellow earth filly's problem is, but I decide to ask anyway, “Applebloom, is something wrong?”

She prepares for her speech by taking a deep, somewhat noisy breath, then, in rapid succession, says, “Diamond Tiara's Cute-seniera's this afternoon, and Ah wanna go, but Ah don't have my cutie mark yet, and Ah was a'gonna go with Twist because she didn't have her cutie mark, except she does, and now Ah'm the only one without a cutie mark.” Finally, she whines, “Ah need my cutie mark right now!”

I have my character look over at Lyra, then back at Applebloom; and I say, “I'm probably not the best to turn to for advice on getting a cutie mark. After all, I'm a human, and humans don't get cutie marks.”

Lyra states, “That's right. I saw for myself. Mormon said that, for humans, a cutie mark is like a brand or a tattoo, and actions speak louder than cutie marks.”

I appreciate how the pale-green unicorn quoted me.

On the other hand, Applebloom looks down and says, flatly, “Well, Ah'm a pony. And, ponies need cutie marks.”

I add, “However, just because your friend got her cutie mark just recently doesn't mean you can't go to the party with her.”

At this point, the little yellow filly glares up at my character and says, “It's Diamond Tiara's party. And, besides, like Ah said, Ah'm the only one in my class that doesn't have a cutie mark.” Her glare morphs into a look of sadness again before she looks down and says, “Ah just can't go to a Cute-seniera without a cutie mark.”

I consider mentioning that I'm on my way, with Lyra, to the party, but then I decide to wait on that. Instead, I ask, “Well, do you have an idea of what makes you unique form the others in your class?”

Applebloom slowly looks up at my character and asks, “You mean, besides not having a cutie mark?”

I continue, “For instance, do you have a talent that the other foals don't have?”

The little earth filly looks down again and answers, “Well, Ah'm no good at sellin' apples.”

I've seen that; but, considering that's common knowledge and mentioning it isn't likely to help the situation, I decide to hold my peace on that subject. Instead, I ask, “Is there anything you do frequently that you enjoy doing, anything that makes you happy?”

I hear Applebloom answer, “Ah thought sellin' apples was a'gonna make me happy, but that didn't work.”

I state, “Well, that's just one of many possibilities. Besides, being able to do something well isn't the only way, from what I understand, for a pony to earn a cutie mark. There are ponies, both here in Ponyville and elsewhere, with cutie marks that don't represent a special talent of theirs, but a unique quality. And besides, just because you failed at one thing doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything else.”

At this point, the little yellow earth filly looks up at my character again and asks, “But what about Diamond Tiara? How can Ah go to her Cute-seniera if Ah don't have a cutie mark?”

I answer, “Well, as for Diamond Tiara, I'm not all that worried about her. I suppose, if my father's first name were something on the order of Filthy, that'd likely color my attitude toward the world, too.”

What I don't notice, that is until it's too late, is that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are passing right behind my character. Before I know it, there's a pony on my character's back screaming, “How do you know so much about my family?”

I suppose it's better to have a kitten-sized pony on my back, or that of my character, than a monkey. Still, while my character tries, and fails, to grab the little filly on him, I answer, “I have a good source for my information.”

In the mean time, I hear snickering, then chuckling, coming from Applebloom.

That is, until Diamond Tiara, now perching herself on my character's head, says, “Oh, you'll attend my Cute-seniera, Applebloom. You'll attend, and show everypony just how not-special you are.”

In just a few seconds, Applebloom goes from laughing to bawling as I, through my character's eyes, watch her gallop off.

At this point, my character is finally able to grab the foal on his head and remove her as I say, “Alright, Little Richy, that's enough.” But, my character is only able to hold onto the filly long enough to stand up again, when a lucky kick from a front hoof manages to get him in the hand, forcing him to let her go.

The pink filly has a rough landing, but manages to get back on her hooves again. Glaring up at my character, she growls, “I'm gonna tell my daddy on you!”

Just then, her gray earth filly friend, Silver Spoon, comes between my character and her and, looking at Diamond Tiara, says, “Let's just get going. We'll go to Rarity's, and you can get a new dress. Just forget about that human.”

Something tells me that won't be so easy to do, especially when my character shows up at her Cute-seniera. Which reminds me.

Or, at least Lyra reminds me. She says, “Well, Mormon, we need to be getting to Sugar Cube Corner now, so I can keep my Pinkie promise.”

Silently agreeing with the pale-green unicorn, I have my character run behind her as she gallops toward the bakery. On the way, I have my character show me the hand that Diamond Tiara kicked. From what I can see, through his eyes, it's just a minor bruise. It'll heal.

In a matter of seconds, Lyra and my character arrive at Sugar Cube Corner, where they enter through the back door, which connects directly to the kitchen.

As soon as Pinkie Pie sees the two, she says, “Lyra, Mormon, nice of you to come! We just need your help making final preparations.” Focusing on the unicorn, she says, “Lyra, you go help the Cakes with the decorations.” Then, after Lyra salutes, then trots off to the front room for her assignment, the pink party pony focuses on my character and says, “Was there something keeping you from getting here sooner?”

I answer, “We helped Bon-Bon get her groceries back to her house, and were coming back here when we ran into Applejack's little sister. It seems she didn't want to be the only one at Diamond Tiara's Cute-seniera without a cutie mark, but all I could do was offer some advice I thought might be helpful. For humans, just a name, and maybe a job, are enough for an identity. But, evidently, that's not enough for a pony. Applebloom seems to be having quite the identity crisis.”

Pinkie Pie hums with serious interest, then says, “Well, there are two other fillies that haven't gotten their cutie marks yet. I'm sure they'll show up to the party. And, I'm sure the three will eventually meet up, and Applebloom will realize she's not the only one without a cutie mark.”

Knowing what's going to happen, I'm in full agreement with Pinkie Pie.

Then, the pink party pony asks, “So, did she say anything about Diamond Tiara?”

I answer, “Mainly that she didn't want to attend the Cute-seniera without a cutie mark.”

Pinkie Pie adds, “And, what advice did you give her about Diamond Tiara?”

I'm just willing to chalk this up to Pinkie Pie knowing the ponies in town so well. I answer, “I said she shouldn't worry so much about her. Why do you ask?”

Pinkie Pie answers, “Well, I saw Applebloom run down the road, crying. Then, when I went outside, I heard Diamond Tiara say something about a human who called her 'Little Richie,' then grabbed and dropped her.”

I state, “That would've been me, although I wouldn't have dropped her if she hadn't kicked me.”

Before I can say more, Pinkie Pie adds, “She also said something about her father's name having something to do with how she saw the world.”

I snicker as I say, “I did tell Applebloom that if my father had a first name something like Filthy, that'd probably color my view of the world, not unlike Diamond Tiara.”

Pinkie Pie sounds like she's grumbling when she looks down for a moment and says, “Well, that explains that.” She then looks up at my character again and says, “You've gotta be careful what you say around ponies. You never know who could be listening to you. You're lucky you didn't get more than that bruise on your hand.”

I answer, “Yeah, I made Applebloom laugh when I made that comment about Diamond Tiara and her father. Then, before I knew what was going on, Diamond Tiara jumped on my back and asked me how I knew about her father. I said I had a good source for my information, and she threatened Applebloom. I was able to catch the little pink filly when she was standing on my head, but she kicked free when I stood up again. That little filly can really kick when she's not thinking about it. I did call her 'Little Richy' when I grabbed her off of my head, and said she'd done enough damage. She landed a little ungracefully when I let her go, but then she went off with her friend, Silver Spoon.”

Pinkie Pie says, “I hope she's alright.”

I answer, “Well, based on how she got up and trotted off, I'd say she's just fine.”

Pinkie Pie looks away from me and says, “I was thinking of Applebloom, but it's nice to know Diamond Tiara can still attend her Cute-seniera, too.”

I have to admit, I find it interesting how Pinkie Pie was able to separate her thoughts from my response, so that she didn't misunderstand me. I say, “She's very likely getting some advice from Rainbow Dash right now.” At this point, I also wonder to myself if the little yellow filly has added my advice to her complaint to the blue, rainbow-haired pegasa. For that matter, I suppose I'll have to wait and see if my advice will be part of her complaint to Pinkie Pie when the two finally meet this afternoon. Then, a thought dawns on me, and I ask, “So, Pinkie Pie, is there anything you need me to do around here?”

The pink earth pony looks around, then says, “Nothing I need help with. You can go and see if the Cakes, Weed Whacker, and Lyra need any help with anything.”

I say nothing more as I have my character head into the main room of the bakery. From what I can see, through my character's eyes, as he wanders into the room and looks around, the room seems to be well decorated with ribbons and bows and balloons and whatnot, giving the room a few extra colors, besides those of the pastries prominently placed throughout. As my character turns to the orange earth stallion, I ask, “So, Mr. Cake, is there anything I can help you with?”

In response, Mr. Cake answers, “Lyra just helped us put up the last of the ribbons, so we're pretty much set here. But, thanks for offering.”

As my character looks around at the ribbons and bows hanging all over the room again, I think aloud, “I've never attended a quincenera, much less a Cute-seniera.”

Mr. Cake asks in understandable confusion, “Quincenera?”

As my character focuses on the orange earth stallion, I answer, “In one human culture, it seems that having lived fifteen hears is a major milestone. It wasn't that way for me where I come from. For me, one birthday celebration was no different from another. Whether a human where I live reached their fifteenth birthday, or their fiftieth or beyond, it didn't make that big of a difference, although there is some importance in living eight years, twelve years, fourteen years, sixteen years, and eighteen years. But, those are stories for a different time.”

And, wouldn't you know it, the moment I finish talking is the moment when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walk into the main room of the bakery.

Diamond Tiara, who's carrying a box perhaps twice as tall as she is, glares at my character, lowers her head, paws at the floor, and snarls, “You! What are you doing here?”

I answer, “I thought I could be helpful getting things ready for the party here.”

While Diamond Tiara snorts and tries to dig a hole in the floor with one hoof, Silver Spoon asks, “Mr. Cake, is there a room where Diamond Tiara and I can get dressed?”

Mr. Cake leads the way up a flight of stairs as she says, “Well, there's Pinkie Pie's old room. You could get dressed in there.”

As Silver Spoon nudges her toward the stairs, Diamond Tiara, still focused on my character, growls, “Don't tell me you're attending my Cute-seniera?”

As I watch, through my character's eyes, the two earth fillies make their way up the stairs, I salute Diamond Tiara and say, “I wouldn't miss it for the world.” I have a sneaking suspicion that in reality the two fillies wouldn't have such an easy time getting that big box up the stairs.

My character's gaze follows the trio of earth ponies as they make their way up the stairs, the pink one with the tiara on her hip still growling about my character, then Mr. Cake opens a door and allows the two fillies to enter.

After the last of the two, Silver Spoon, enters the room, Mr. Cake closes the door behind them, then heads back down the stairs.

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the two are planning to get me kicked out of the bakery before the party can begin, or perhaps during the party.

And, it's approximately then that I hear Applebloom's voice from the kitchen saying something about a cupcake-eating cutie mark. I'm guessing Pinkie Pie got my character and Lyra into the front room of the bakery so she could go out and retrieve the little yellow filly without us knowing. The only problem I see, which I expect the two earth mares to solve on their own, is there are no cupcakes for Applebloom to eat. Of course, I also remember, in the “Call of the Cutie” episode, that Applebloom fails at making cupcakes, although according to Pinkie Pie, her second batch will be, or at least will look, better than her first one.

While Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are evidently preparing to make their triumphant entrance from Pinkie Pie's room, the first to come in for the party are Snips and Snails, who are immediately run over by a bunch of other foals ready for the party.

I, feeling sorry for the two unicorn brothers, have my character move to help them stand up again and move out of the entrance to the bakery. And, I'm just in time for a group of adults, including Carrot Top, to enter behind them, and I have my character keep the two unicorn colts from getting run over a second time by herding them away from the doorway.

One thing I can say about the two unicorn foals, they recover readily. In a matter of seconds, they're exploring the bakery, looking for other ponies to talk to, or for snacks to eat.

Then, just as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon exit Pinkie Pie's bedroom and start descending the stairs, a message box appears on the bottom of the screen reading, “The smell of sweet cake.”

In the mean time, Diamond Tiara says, “Welcome, one and all, to my Cute-seniera. Please enjoy yourselves.” She then looks at me and says, “You weren't invited. Go away.”

I ask, “And miss a Cute-seniera? And besides, wouldn't you rather I stay, so you can make fun of me because I'm one of the few creatures at your party without a cutie mark?”

The pink filly smiles evilly at my character and says, “Prove it.”

I know where Diamond Tiara's going with this, but I still ask, “Huh?”

Diamond Tiara answers, “Prove to me you don't have a cutie mark.”

I state, “I'm a human, remember? And, humans wear clothes.”

Her evil smile intensifies as she says, “So, take your clothes off, and show me you don't have a cutie mark.”

At this point, the message in the box changes to “The smell of charcoal.”

At the same time, Lyra shows up and says, “Now, fillies, that's rude. Besides, I've seen it for myself. Mormon does not have a cutie mark.”

I add, “Now, if that matter's settled, I think there's a problem I need to attend to.”

That's when Silver Spoon says, “Not so fast. Why don't you have your cutie mark yet?”

I turn to the gray filly and answer, “Humans don't need cutie marks.”

Then, Lyra steps in to give a more detailed reason, based on my explanation, why humans don't get cutie marks.

In the mean time, my character's path to the kitchen, short as it is, is blocked by ponies at least old enough to attend grade school, either talking or eating pastries and other candy.

I start by talking politely, trying to persuade the ponies to move out of the way; but, my voice doesn't carry well over the conversations among the ponies. So, finally, having my character move his arms in something of a swimming motion, I call out, “Everybody, move!”

Immediately all conversation stops, and all pony eyes in the room are focused on my character.

Now that I have their attention, I say, “I just need a path to the kitchen.”

In response, the ponies in my way move either forward or backward or sideways, providing me a path to the kitchen.

I must admit, the activity reminds me of the portrayal of the parting of the Red Sea in the movie The Ten Commandments. Now that I have a pathway to the kitchen, I have my character make his way along it until he's at the doorway. Once there, I have him turn to the ponies in the main room; and I say, “Thanks. Uh, as you were.” Then, as the party resumes, I have my character turn to face into the kitchen as I ask, “Is everything alright in here?”

Pinkie Pie answers, “Everything's fine. Why do you ask?”

I answer, “Well, I could smell something burning in here.”

Pinkie Pie, tilting her head, asks, “Burning?”

Presently, I hear Applebloom's voice say, “Oh, shoot, the cupcakes!”

I take a few more steps into the kitchen to see the yellow filly open the door of the oven, and release a dark gray cloud into the kitchen.

The good news is that the back door is open, and the cloud is making its way in that direction.

The bad news is that Mr. Cake seems to have taken notice. I hear his voice ask, “Is everything alright in here?”

Before I can answer, I hear Applebloom's voice say, “Ow-hot-hot-hot!” followed by a clanging sound, like a thin, heavy piece of metal landing on a solid surface.

In the mean time, Pinkie Pie, her head straightened out again, bounces up to her employee and says, “Everything's fine. There's nothing to worry about.”

My character's attention turns to the oven again, so I only hear Mr. Cake's voice as he says, “Well, if you say so, Pinkie Pie.”

In the mean time, I have a look at Applebloom's first batch of cupcakes.

The bad news is they look like pieces of charcoal. The good news is they're not glowing red.

Pinkie Pie grabs a cupcake in her mouth, starts chewing, and, with her mouth still full, says, “Mmm, crunchy.”

I can see that being all sorts of trouble. Generally, when I think of cupcakes, crunchy isn't the first thing that comes to mind.

And, it seems that the yellow filly agrees with me as she whines, “But, they're burned!”

I state, “We humans have a saying: 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' Was the oven the right temperature? Maybe you just need to keep a better eye on the cupcakes while they're baking. Learn from what you did wrong, and you'll do better next time.”

Pinkie Pie swallows her mouthful of charcoal cupcake, then, focused on Applebloom, asks, “So, do you want to try again?”

Grudgingly Applejack's little sister answers, “Oh, alright.”

Pinkie Pie squeaks, “Sweet! I'll take care of these, and you can get started on the next batch.” And, with that, she grabs the pan of charcoal cupcakes in her mouth, puts them on the island counter, then goes to the fridge and produces some icing.

At this point, I'm picturing things going from bad to worse for Sugar Cube Corner, especially if their customers were human. But, still I turn away from the kitchen, hearing Pinkie Pie humming her Cupcakes song. And then I notice that the party seems to have come to a screeching halt. Everyone in the room is focused on my character or the doorway, and all have worried looks on their faces.

I say, “Everything's alright. There's nothing to worry about.”

That's when Lyra shows up, propping herself up on the counter as she says, “But, Mormon, you said something about something burning. And, we did see smoke coming from the kitchen.”

I state, “There's nothing to worry about. We've got everything under control.”

Now there are random ponies' equivalents of shrugs around the room as the ponies go back to what they'd been doing before.

And, seconds later, Pinkie Pie comes out with the first batch of charcoal cupcakes and sets them up in a display in the main room.

Before I can worry about that, Lyra, still propped up on the counter, asks, in a lowered voice, “Mormon, are you sure everything's alright?”

I have my character kneel on one knee on the opposite side of the counter from the pale-green unicorn mare as I answer in an equally lowered voice, “Not really. But, I don't see any reason to alarm the guests.”

Lyra asks, in a voice just above a whisper, “What's wrong?”

I answer, “Well, Pinkie Pie's invited a new cook, and let's just say that, with her first batch, she's proven just how new she is to cooking.”

Lyra asks, “Do you think everypony'll be alright?”

I answer, “I hope so.”

Before either of us can say anymore, Pinkie Pie puts something on my character's head and says, “Don't forget your party hat.”

At this point, I find it curious that my character is the only one in the room wearing a cone-shaped, rubber-band-strapped hat. From what I understand, the only pony that'll be wearing such a hat will be Applebloom, and then it'll be for a very short time.

But, before that, I notice the message box on the bottom of the screen reads, “The smell of sweet cake.” At this point, I decide to end my conversation with Lyra and go in to see how the second batch of cupcakes has turned out. Maybe I can help the little yellow filly so she doesn't burn this batch.

I have my character stand up and turn to the doorway of the kitchen and enter, then I notice the mess throughout and can't help calling out, “Hey, batter!”

This causes Pinkie Pie to giggle and say, “Ah, Mormon!”

In the mean time, I have my character focus on Applebloom as I say, “Maybe you should take those cupcakes out of the oven now.”

Applebloom sighs and says, “Alright,” then opens the door of the oven.

This time, a cloud of white steam jumps out of the oven, then rises and dissipates before it can reach the ceiling. Based on how I programmed this game, that's a good sign.

The little yellow filly then grabs a protective cloth from a nearby counter and proceeds to pull out the pan with the newest batch of cupcakes. But, it seems that the protective cloth isn't quite protective enough, as Applebloom calls out, “Ow! Hot! Hot!” then drops the pan onto the floor.

As the pan comes to rest in the middle of the floor, I can't help noticing the brown coloring of the cupcakes. I state, “I didn't know you were making chocolate cupcakes this time.” And, then I realize I said something wrong, as my character turns to Applebloom and shows me her lower jaw trembling. I'm guessing the cupcakes weren't supposed to be chocolate.

Then, Pinkie Pie says, “Wow! Those look a lot better than the last ones.”

Now, there's a phrase that's puzzled me since the first time I heard it: <insert comparative here> than the last. What exactly does that mean? Let's take Pinkie Pie's statement, “better than the last,” for an example. This is Applebloom's second batch of cupcakes, and, for the present time, her last. How can something be better than itself? And, what if Applebloom were to decide to make another batch of cupcakes? Wouldn't the phrase imply that her cooking skills had peaked, and hat it was downhill from then on? But, that's not what's really important right now.

Pinkie Pie chomps down on one of the cupcakes, and seems to be enjoying it.

Then, Applebloom grabs one in her mouth, chews on it as though test-tasting it, then spits it out, groaning in disgust. Then, she strolls away, distraught, saying in bitterness, “Ah guess Ah'm not cut out to be a baker, either.” As she makes her way to the back door, the whines, “Ah guess Ah'm just gonna have ta face it. Ah'm gonna be a blank flank forever!”

At this point, I wonder aloud, “Were the ingredients wrong, perhaps?”

Pinkie Pie trots up to my character and answers, “They were according to my recipe, so they shouldn't have been.” Then, she looks and sees something on Applebloom and, trotting to her now, says, “Wait, I see something on you.”

The little yellow filly runs in circles now as she asks, “What do you see? Is there something on my flank? Is there? Is there? Is there?”

While Applebloom occupies herself with the spot of flour on her backside trying to figure out what it is, I have my character walk up to the pan of cupcakes, pick one of them, and take a bite out of it. And, from there, I quote the keyword in the message box that shows up: “Hmm, pancakes.”

At this point, I hear Applebloom ask, “Really, Mormon? Do ya really think Ah'd'a have pancakes as a cutie mark?”

I answer, “Well, you never know. But, I was actually referring to this cupcake. It tastes like pancakes to me. All it needs is some maple syrup.”

Pinkie Pie bounces over to my character again and takes a bite out of the cupcake where my character had bitten it, then says, “You know what, Mormon, you may be right. I wonder if we have any maple syrup.”

I think aloud, “I wonder how good maple-syrup-flavored icing would work on these cupcakes.”

And, that's when I hear Applebloom groan and say, “It was just flour.”

Just then, I hear Twilight Sparkle's voice say, “Woah, what happened in here?”

Seeing that Pinkie Pie is too occupied looking for maple syrup in the fridge and Applebloom is too distraught at finding that the spot on her flank was just flour, I decide to answer, “We've just been having adventures in baking.”

From the fridge, Pinkie Pie says, “There's some cupcakes in that pan on the floor, if you want to try one.”

At her friend's invitation, the purple unicorn trots over to the pan and sniffs at the pancake-flavored cupcakes, then, scrunching her nose in distaste, says, “Uh, I don't think so. Not that they don't look … “ then she chuckles uneasily before she concludes, “ … delicious.”

I state, “I guess pancakes aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I like them.”

Then, I have to laugh when Pinkie Pie expresses disgust over the concept of drinking pancake-flavored tea. And, it seems that her search for maple syrup has proven fruitless.

In the mean time, Applebloom approaches the purple unicorn and says, “Twilight, you have to help me.”

Twilight asks, “What's the matter?”

Applebloom takes a deep breath, then spouts off a lengthy sentence, something about her struggles with trying and failing to get a cutie mark, which she believes she needs for the Cute-seniera, finally ending in: “ … right now!”

While the little yellow earth filly tries to convince Twilight to make her cutie mark appear using her magic, Pinkie Pie approaches me and says, “Well, I'm sorry Mormon, but I couldn't find any maple syrup.”

I answer, “Well, that's alright. Maybe if you take some vanilla icing and mix some brown sugar and a little extra butter into it, it'll approximate the flavor of the syrup.”

Pinkie Pie goes to the refrigerator again and says, “Yeah, it's worth a shot. First I'll get the icing.” She then runs to the island and puts a bowl of icing next to my character, then turns to the counter next to the now-crowded sink and says, “Now for the brown sugar.” After bringing that to my character, she goes back to the counter and says, “And, finally the butter.” Then, once she retrieves that, she gets a cup from one of the shelves and brings it to my character, along with a couple spoons, then uses one spoon to dish out some of the icing, then adds some of the brown sugar and the butter, then mixes it together, then hands it to my character to sample it.

As he tastes the icing, the message box at the bottom of the screen reads, “Too sweet to be syrup.”

I say, “I'm thinking it could use a little more butter.”

Pinkie Pie complies, slicing off a sliver of butter and dropping it into the icing, then mixing it together, before offering it to my character to test taste it again.

At this point, Twilight is firing her magic at Applebloom's hip, trying to make a cutie mark appear. While it succeeds, each mark disappears after a second. One of the more notable cutie marks to appear is a plate with three pancakes stacked on it, covered in syrup and topped with a sphere of butter.

In the mean time, as my character samples the icing, the message box reads, “A good approximation of syrup.”

As my character turns to Pinkie Pie, I say, “I'm thinking this is as good as it's gonna get.”

The pink pony smiles, then gets the pan of cupcakes, as well as a plate, then places a cupcake on the plate and spreads the icing on top of it, in a design that reminds me either of an ice cream cone, or a pile of cartoon poop. Then, for each cupcake, she makes more of the icing, then piles it on the cupcake, making a similar shape, and does so with the remaining cupcakes. After that, she takes the cupcakes out to the party guests in the main room.

In the mean time, it seems that Twilight Sparkle has exhausted herself trying to make a cutie mark appear and stick on Applebloom's hip. And, Applebloom is clearly not happy about it.

Once Twilight catches her breath, she says, “I told you, nothing can make a cutie mark appear before it's time.”

Upset, the little yellow filly stomps a front hoof for emphasis as she says, “Ah, it's hopeless.” Then, as she wanders past my character into the main room, she spouts off a speech about how she'll just refuse to attend the Cute-seniera. And, only too late does she realize she's right in the middle of the party. At that moment, she wonders aloud three questions: having forgotten the time and location of the party, and the fact that Pinkie Pie was hosting it, is hosting it.

And, just at that moment, Pinkie Pie straps a paper cone onto her head and says, “Don't forget your party hat, Forgettie Forgetterson.”

As the pink party pony bounces back into the kitchen, I find myself more interested in Applebloom, and how she plans to get out of her predicament. I know what she'll try to do, and that she'll fail at it. But, I expect it to still be interesting to watch.

Actually, it proves to be as much fun to watch in the context of a video game setting as it has been to watch in the episode on which this particular day is based.

I watch her, through my character's eyes, until she makes her way under the punch table; but then I'm interrupted by Twilight Sparkle, who says, “Mormon, you need to check on Pinkie Pie. There's something wrong with her.”

As my character turns to the purple unicorn, I can see through his eyes the worried look on her face. I ask, “What is it?”

She answers, “I don't know exactly. All I know is when she came back in here after putting a party hat on Applebloom, I saw her face turn green, and she started moaning. I think she's sick.”

Automatically my character looks into the kitchen while I ask, “Where is—?” Before I can finish asking the question I see her at the back door, or at least her backside. Wanting to know how she is, but at the same time not wanting to alarm the guests, I have my character walk over to the pink earth pony before I ask, “Pinkie Pie, are you—?” Again, before I finish asking the question, I see her, through my character's eyes, standing over a puddle of what looks like black tar, just to the side of the steps. I then watch, through his eyes, as Pinkie Pie's abdomen convulses, and she spouts from her mouth more of the black tar.

From next to me, I hear Twilight Sparkle ask, “Is she going to be alright?”

My character turns to show me her speaking, and when she's done I answer, “I'm gonna take her to the clinic. You go and tell the Cakes and Lyra where I'm going, and that they're in charge of the party, either until Pinkie and I get back, or until it ends, whichever comes first.”

The purple unicorn doesn't say anything, just runs into the main room of the bakery.

In the mean time, my character is in the perfect position to catch Pinkie Pie as she starts to collapse. He picks her up in his arms, then runs to the clinic in town.

As he bursts through the doors of the clinic, I call out, “We have an emergency here!”

A white unicorn mare, who happens to be checking out the oddly-bent wing of a blue pegasa, who I immediately recognize as Rainbow Dash, looks up to see the green-faced Pinkie Pie in my character's arms, then sighs and says, “Here we go again.” She then calls out to the pathway past the waiting room, “We need a gurney in here stat!”

Presently, Pinkie Pie starts vibrating, then points her head past my arm and spews out more of the black tar.

Then, the gurney arrives, running over the puddle of tar from Pinkie Pie.

I put the pink earth pony on the gurney, which immediately rolls back through the hallway and disappears around a corner, leaving a track of her vomit behind it.

Now, I hear Rainbow Dash ask, no, demand, “What did you do to Pinkie Pie?”

As my character turns to the blue, rainbow-haired pegasa, I answer, “I didn't do anything. I think she just had a bad reaction to a burnt cupcake.”

The glare on her face intensifies as she says, “You're lucky I can't fly right now. What were you doing, feeding her burnt cupcakes?”

I answer, “I didn't feed her any. She was teaching Applejack's little sister how to bake them, and she had a sample of the first batch, which didn't exactly come out top-quality.”

By now, janitors have arrived, and are cleaning up the divided puddle of Pinkie Pie's vomit.

I must say, I find it interesting that the janitor ponies, instead of using a bucket or a dust pan for the shiny black stuff, are using what looks like a jar. I have to wonder if they suspect that there's more in the vomit than the burned remnants of a cupcake.

In the mean time, I hear Rainbow Dash say, “She'd just better be alright.”

As my character turns back to her, I see her turning away from me and settling down again, after which I hear her sniffle, then see her make a movement, which I assume is her rubbing her nose with a forelimb. I decide it might be a good idea, while I'm waiting for news about Pinkie Pie, to visit with Rainbow Dash. So, I have my character go around the two rows of five ponies, the pony in one row with his or her back to the one next to him or her in the other, until he's in front of the blue, rainbow-haired pegasa, then sit down in front of her; after which, I ask, “So, how are you?”

Rainbow Dash settles down, sphinx-style, then rests her head over one hoof so she's facing away from me, then says, “I'm fine. My last stunt just went wrong, that's all.” Then, she looks up at my character again and says, “So, what happened to Pinkie Pie? She doesn't usually get sick from eating a cupcake, even if it's burned.”

I answer, “I'm not sure I understand it either. All I know is she gave a party hat to Applebloom, then left. Next thing I knew, Twilight's telling me she isn't looking very good, and I find her half outside, getting sick.”

At this point, Rainbow Dash tilts her head and asks, “Why would Pinkie Pie give Applebloom a party hat?”

I answer, “They were at the Cute-seniera at Sugar Cube Corner.”

At this point, I watch, through my character's eyes, as a look of shock on Rainbow Dash's face morphs into fury, then she closes her eyes and taps a front hoof, the one below her injured wing in fact, between them, groans, then says, “Just shoot me now.”

I ask her, “What's wrong?”

Presently she waves the hoof she was tapping between her eyes past me, opens her eyes, focuses on me, and says, “I was practicing the stunt for Diamond Tiara's Cute-seniera, and I landed wrong!” She then puts the hoof parallel to her other front hoof as she continues, “I was lucky enough to land in front of the clinic, here. I probably just need to pull out a few broken feathers. But, it looks like I won't be able to perform for the Cute-seniera now.”

I consider what the stunt was going to be. But, before I can ask, a gurney comes out, possibly the one that wheeled Pinkie Pie away; and the mare at the desk says, “Rainbow Dash, it's your turn now.”

Instead of asking about the stunt, as Rainbow Dash rises and stumbles toward the gurney, I ask, “So, will you be attending the reading this evening?”

The blue pegasa looks back at my character, half-smiles, and says, “Even if I have to walk there, I'll be sure to make it.” Then, as she approaches the gurney, it lowers, allowing her to step up onto it. She then settles down on it as the bed part rises again, and she reminds me of a sad dog as she's being wheeled away.

After watching Rainbow Dash disappear on the gurney, I have my character turns to the mare at the desk; and I ask, “Any news on Pinkie Pie?”

The mare, a unicorn that's darker pink than Pinkie Pie's mane with her own mane two shades of yellow, looks at my character and answers, “They're doing a blood test on her right now. When they get the results from that, they'll give them to Pinkie Pie. Whether she informs you about them will be her decision.”

Based on the rule of patient confidentiality, that sounds fair to me.

Then, a few minutes later, when my character has taken a seat in the waiting room, a white earth pony shows up at the entrance to the hallway and calls out, “If there's somepony named Mormon here, Pinkie Pie's awake, and she's asking for you.”

I, of course, am not a pony, and neither is my character. But, still, I have my character rise and approach the white earth pony.

I must admit, I'm surprised when the nurse pony, seeing my character approach, shows no signs of being scared of him. She just turns around and calmly trots off into the hallway, leading my character to a room where Pinkie Pie is stretched out on one side on a patient's bed.

As soon as she sees my character, she whimpers, “I'm sorry you had to leave the party early because of me.”

I answer, “That's alright. Your health matters more to me than some party.”

At this point, the nurse pony that lead my character into the room says, “Excuse me, but the patient informed me that she was hosting a party at Sugar Cube Corner?”

My character turns to the nurse pony, and I answer, “That's right. She was hosting a Cute-seniera for Diamond Tiara.”

The nurse pony grunts with understanding, then says, “And, did she eat anything unusual while she was there?”

I answer, “Well, she was teaching a young filly now to bake cupcakes. The first batch that she produced was basically pieces of charcoal, but Pinkie Pie ate one of them anyway, and remarked on it being crunchy. I have to agree with Pinkie Pie about the second batch. It was a major improvement on the first one. The student sampled one of the cupcakes and spit it out, saying she wasn't cut out to be a baker. I had a sample from the second batch, and to me it tasted like a pancake. I made a suggestion on what would make the perfect icing for it, and Pinkie Pie went to work preparing it. Long story short, we got the frosting perfected for the cupcakes, Pinkie Pie got them out to the guests, then put a hat on the student, then went outside and started getting sick.”

At this point, a light-brown stallion in a lab coat enters the room, dismisses the nurse pony, then turns to Pinkie Pie and says, “I have the results of your blood test here.” It seems to be then that he notices my character standing nearby, as he turns to him and says, “I'm sorry, but this is between the patient and me.”

And, that's when Pinkie Pie speaks up and says, “Oh, that's alright. I trust Mormon. He won't talk about the results with anypony else but me. Not unless I say it's alright.”

The stallion, evidently a doctor pony, eyes my character before saying, “Well, alright, if you say so.” He then marches up to Pinkie Pie and, evidently reading from the paper on his clipboard, says, “Pinkie Pie, according to the results from your blood test, you have diabetes. It's recommended that you cut back on your sugar intake for a month. That means no more sweets. Then, you should come back in for another blood test, and maybe a urine test, to see if further measures need to be taken.”

My character watches the doctor pony leave the room, after which I hear Pinkie Pie ask, “Why do I feel like I'm being punished for something I didn't do?” Then, my character turns to her and shows me the sad look on her face.

I say, “I'm sure it won't be that bad. While you've been living with me, you have been eating fruit. Maybe it's time to add some fresh vegetables and grains to your diet.”

At this point, the pink party pony whines, “Mormon, not you too?”

I answer, “Now, it wouldn't hurt you to start eating some carrots and oats.”

Pinkie Pie groans in disgust, then again whines, “But, what about my friends? Remember, I'm the party pony.”

I say, “I'm sure that you eating veggies and grains won't hurt them either.”

At this point, Pinkie Pie glares at me for a second or two, then says, “I mean, what are they gonna think about me? I have a reputation to uphold. I can't have them knowing about my condition.”

That's when Rainbow Dash, her injured wing now bandaged up, walks in. Seeing her pink friend on the bed, she asks, “Pinkie Pie, are you alright?”

Pinkie Pie groans, “Yeah, I'm fine.”

Rainbow Dash adds, “Mormon told me you got sick over at Sugar Cube Corner.”

Pinkie Pie answers, “I just ate a bad cupcake.”

Rainbow Dash continues, “I heard the doctor say something about diabetes.”

At this point, Pinkie Pie groans and looks away, then says, “That's all I need.”

I explain, “Pinkie Pie doesn't want anyone else to know about it.”

I then hear Pinkie Pie growl, “Mormon!” and my character turns to her to show me that she's glaring at him.

I don't see Rainbow Dash canter in from the doorway, but I do see her prop herself up on the bed where Pinkie Pie is. She then says, “It's alright, Pinkie. I can keep a secret. Remember, I'm the element of loyalty.”

I watch as Pinkie Pie stares, frowning, into her friend's eyes for a few seconds. Then, she smiles and says, “Alright. But, I don't want anypony else knowing about my condition. You Pinkie promise, Dashie?”

I see Rainbow Dash nod as she backs away from the bed and drops down, then sits and, I assume, even goes through the actions as she says, “I won't tell anypony about your condition. Cross my heart and hope to fly, again, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

I can't help laughing at the rainbow-haired pegasa's little addition to the Pinkie promise.

In the mean time, Rainbow Dash turns to the doorway and says, “I'll go ask the doctor if it's alright for you to leave now. I'm sure you need to get back to that party as soon as possible.” And, with that, she trots out the door again.

When the rainbow-haired pegasa has left, Pinkie Pie turns to my character and says, “I don't want you saying anything about my condition either.”

I answer, “I assure you, I won't say anything about it. Ki tahi au. Continue.” What I don't say, what I don't even need to mention, is that I have still said nothing about the basement of that factory, and what went on in there.

When the split-second pause is over, Pinkie Pie says, “Thank you, Mormon. I know the promise you made is as important to you as my Pinkie promises are to me.”

A few seconds later, I hear Rainbow Dash in the doorway again saying, “The doctor says we're both free to go. You, as long as you don't have anymore sweets, and me, as long as I don't try to fly again until they remove the bandage.”

My character turns to her just in time to see her indicate by turning to show Pinkie Pie the bandaged wing and waving it slightly.

He then turns to Pinkie Pie to show me that she's rising on the bed.

I watch, through my character's eyes, as the pink earth pony jumps off the bed onto the floor, then says, “Good. Let's get out of here.”

Rainbow Dash is the first to move out into the hallway, and she waits, providing enough room away from the doorway for Pinkie Pie to join her so they can walk side-by-side, with my character following behind them.

As my character follows the two ponies down the hallway, I hear Rainbow Dash ask, “So, Pinkie, you're the one—“ My character then looks down, and has to stop mid-step in order to avoid stepping on the blue pegasa as the two ponies have already stopped.

It seems that Pinkie Pie has shoved a front hoof into Rainbow Dash's mouth in order to stop her from finishing her sentence, which I can also assume was going to conclude with “—with diabetes?” At least, that's what I get from her mumbling through the hoof.

In the mean time, Pinkie Pie glares and growls at her. Unusual behavior from Pinkie Pie, and effective.

Indeed, Rainbow Dash makes it clear that she understands, as her ears droop, and she swallows hard. Then, as Pinkie Pie removes the hoof from her mouth, Rainbow Dash sincerely says, “Sorry, Pinkie.”

The two resume their walk, allowing my character to continue walking behind them.

Before my character can make his way out of the clinic, though, I hear the voice of the doctor pony say, “Mormon, I'd like to have a word with you before you leave with Pinkie Pie.”

I tell the two ponies to go ahead and wait for me in the waiting room, then have my character enter a room which is evidently the doctor pony's office.

The doctor pony is in front of his desk holding what looks like a leather-bound notebook in his mouth. He gives my character the item, then backs up a pace and says, “I had to give Pinkie Pie a shot of insulin to get her blood sugar to a normal level. I want you to keep an eye on her from now on, and if she eats any more sugary foods, I want you to give her a shot of insulin from one of the needles in the case I gave you. Is that understood?”

I have my character nod in agreement, after which I have him put the case of insulin shots in his inventory. After that, the doctor dismisses him; and he makes his way back to the two ponies waiting for him.

The three make their way out of the clinic and back to Sugar Cube Corner, where the party is still in progress. In fact, they make it in time for me to see, through my character's eyes, the formation of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, which starts out with three fillies: one unicorn, one earth pony, and one pegasa. And, even in the video game setting, it's still funny to see Scootaloo try to celebrate with a cupcake, only for Applebloom to put an immediate stop to it, in favor of cookies instead.

In the mean time, Rainbow Dash apologizes to Diamond Tiara for being unable to make a picture of her cutie mark in the sky, with the words “Happy Cute-seniera” underneath it. I'm guessing that was the stunt Rainbow Dash was working on when she crashed in front of the clinic.

Without that kind of conclusion to the party, Diamond Tiara settles for removing her dress to show off her cutie mark, which all her classmates have seen anyway, and her and Silver Spoon dismissing the guests.

The party thus over, I have my character assist in cleaning up, including taking down the decorations.

It's during that time, after Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and the other guests have left, that Lyra and Twilight Sparkle approach Pinkie Pie with their questions about how she's doing, which Pinkie Pie answers with the same answer she gave Rainbow Dash.

With the bakery showing no more evidence of the party thrown there, the group of seven, joined by Mrs. Cake, make their way outside, where Mr. Cake puts a “Closed” sign on the front door. After that, the group makes its way out of Ponyville, and into the Everfree forest.

It takes an hour from the time the group enters the forest to the time they reach my character's home, at which point my character opens the gate and allows the others to enter, then enters behind them and closes the gate.

Once the seven of them are inside the gate, Pinkie Pie ascends the steps to the front porch, then turns and says, “Lyra, Weed Whacker, if you'll go gather fruits and veggies and make snacks for the guests, Mormon and I have something we need to discuss. Mr. and Mrs. Cake and Rainbow Dash, you're welcome to help Lyra and Weed Whacker if you want.”

There's something in the pink earth pony's tone that leads me to believe she wants to ask me about what the doctor pony wanted to talk to me, to my character, about. I have him join her on the porch, then follow her into the house, through the front room around the couches, into the kitchen, then down the hall and into my character's bedroom.

Once my character closes the door behind them, Pinkie Pie turns to him, to me, and asks, “So, what did the doctor want with you?”

I have my character produce the case of insulin shots from his inventory and show it to Pinkie Pie, after which I say, “He told me he'd given you an insulin shot to get your blood sugar level under control.”

Pinkie Pie eyes the case suspiciously as she asks, “So, what does that thing have to do with it?”

I answer, as my character puts the case back in his inventory, “He gave me instructions to keep a close eye on you. He wants me to give you a shot of insulin if I see you eating anything with a lot of sugar in it.”

The way Pinkie Pie is grimacing, one would think the insulin shots were a punishment. And, I can't say I blame her for feeling that way about it. She stammers, “D-do you think I sh-should've P-pinkie promised?”

I answer, “That would've been up to you. But, I think he knows that I care about you.”

The pink party pony seems to be on the verge of a panic attack as she says, “I never thought having treats would become a bad thing.”

At this point, I have my character kneel down and open his arms as I say, “Come here, Pinkie.”

Accepting the invitation, Pinkie Pie gallops and jumps into my character's arms, then starts sobbing.

My character carries her to his bed and sits down on it, stroking Pinkie's mane with his free hand in the mean time.

After a few seconds, Pinkie Pie says, through her sobs, “The w-worst thing is—th-those cupcakes I ate—w-weren't even s-sweet!”

I have to restrain myself from laughing at Pinkie Pie's comment. When I feel like I can talk without sounding like I'm going to laugh, I say, “Maybe, after all the oxygen and hydrogen was burned away, there was enough carbon left behind that it didn't matter.”

I hear Pinkie Pie say, “Th-that w-wasn't f-funny.”

I say, “I'm sorry, Pinkie. But, you still have me with you. I'm not going to abandon you.”

That assurance seems to calm her down. As her sobbing subsides, she pushes away from me and says, “Thanks, Mormon. I needed that.”

I add, “Now, if you want to take a shower or something before the reading tonight, go right ahead. The rest of us will take care of everything else.”

As my character stands up again, I hear Pinkie Pie say, “J-just—carry me to the bathroom, alright?”

I answer, “Sure,” then have my character open the door to my bedroom, walk into the hallway, then open the door opposite my bedroom and walk inside, then place Pinkie Pie on the ground.

Once on her own hooves again, Pinkie Pie looks up at my character and says, “Thanks. I won't be in here too long.”

For a pony her friends rarely take seriously, Pinkie Pie has a lot of serious moments. She reminds me of a character from Star Trek the Next Generation.

I have my character close the door behind him as he leaves, allowing the pink party pony to take her shower or bath in privacy. After that, he heads into the kitchen where Lyra, Rainbow Dash, and Weed Whacker are preparing the fruits and vegetables they gathered for snacks for the guests that'll be arriving for the reading.

Before any of those three can say anything, the door between the kitchen and the front room opens; and Vinyl Scratch walks in. After looking around, she asks, “So, where's Pinkie Pie?”

I hear the whistle of pipes allowing hot water to flow through them towards the closest bathroom before I answer, “She's taking a shower. That, or a bath.”

The white unicorn grunts, “Oh,” then asks, “So, how did that party at Sugar Cube Corner go?”

I notice, from the top of my character's periphery, Rainbow Dash droop a bit. I answer, “Not quite the way Diamond Tiara planned it, but, from what I saw, it went well.”

Vinyl Scratch grunts again, then asks, “What things happened that she didn't plan on?”

I answer, “Well, for one thing, she made it clear that she didn't plan on a human, specifically me, showing up at her Cute-seniera. Pinkie Pie got sick, and I had to take her to the clinic; but, I don't think Diamond Tiara knew anything about that. Pinkie Pie's fine, by the way. Three fillies without cutie marks got all the attention Diamond Tiara wanted. Beyond that, I think everything went about according to her plans.”

Vinyl asks, “What about Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie mentioned something about her performing a stunt for the party.”

From behind her, Rainbow Dash angrily approaches the white unicorn as she says, “I got hurt, alright? I couldn't perform the stunt.” Having backed her against the door, the blue pegasa adds, turning her side with the injured wing to Vinyl, “Here, you wanna see?”

At this point, I have my character put an arm between the two mares and push Rainbow Dash away gently, and I say, “Alright, Rainbow Dash, at ease.”

The rainbow-haired pegasa glares up at my character, then, growling loudly, pushes past his arm and marches through the hallway. If I understand what I'm hearing correctly, based on which door slams, she ends up in Pinkie Pie's room.

After a few seconds, a now distraught Vinyl Scratch says, “Oops.”

Presently, I hear the barking of a timber wolf from the front porch.

An alarmed Vinyl Scratch rears up on her hind legs and whinnies, kicking with her front legs, then gallops to the side of my character opposite the door and hides.

As my character stands up, I say, “That's probably just Scout. I'm guessing the guests are arriving. I'll go have a look.” And, with that, my character makes his way to the front door and opens it to see what's going on.

Indeed it is Scout barking from the steps, at the first guests, my three stallion friends, who are waiting at the gate, evidently wondering if they want to enter and face the wrath of the timber wolf barking at them.

I have my character turn to my timber wolf friend as I say, “It's alright, Scout. Those are some of my friends.”

Scout looks up at my character to hear him out, then, hearing about how the ponies at the gate are friends of mine, turns to one side of the porch and takes a position there.

In the mean time, my character makes his way to the gate and opens it, allowing the unicorn, earth pony, and pegasus to enter.

Berry Ground, who enters first, says, “Maybe some day we'll get used to you keeping a timber wolf as a pet. And, maybe your timber wolf pet will get used to guests arriving for the readings.”

I answer, “Scout means no harm. I'm sure he knows you're friends of mine, and he trusts me. In the mean time, please make yourselves comfortable.”

And, as I watch the last of my stallion friends enter the yard, that's when I notice the next group emerge from the forest.

This time, it's the Apple family, with Cheerilee followed by five foals, including Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Twist.

As the Apples are the first to emerge from the forest, I greet them. Then, as Cheerilee enters, I say, “I notice Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are with you this time.”

She answers, “And Twist. Diamond Tiara's father is off on a business trip, and he's left Diamond Tiara in my care. I figured, why not bring her and Silver Spoon along with. And, since Applebloom comes to these readings, she invited Twist to come along.”

I answer, “Well, as I've said before, the more, the merrier.”

As Silver Spoon enters, she turns away from the gate for a moment and groans, “Since when does that zebra come to the readings?”

I answer, “Since yesterday.”

In the mean time, my character turns to the other entrance to the Everfree forest to show me that indeed Zecora's coming with her copy of the Book of Mormon. At the same time, I look in the opposite direction and see Carrot Top, Berry Punch, and Bon-Bon, followed by Rarity, Spike, Twilight Sparkle, and Fluttershy.

As my character greets those eight, I notice, on the edge of my character's periphery, Cold Hands and Warm Heart emerging from the forest along with their two foals, and followed closely behind by Mayor Mare. My character greets the last of the guests at the gate, then closes it behind them, then turns around to show me that Princess Luna has teleported in as well. My character walks up to her, and I say, “Welcome, Princess Luna. Please, make yourself comfortable. I just need to go inside and get the others, as well as get more copies of the Book of Mormon for the three newcomers.”

I hear Princess Luna say, “It's an honor to be here,” as my character enters the house to invite the others outside, and get three copies of the Book of Mormon for Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Twist.

As my character opens the door, Pinkie Pie, evidently fresh from the shower, is there to greet him. She says, “Hey, I thought I was supposed to be the one greeting guests.”

As my character makes his way past her to the closet, I say, “Well, you were busy taking a bath, and, when Scout started barking, I decided to go out and see who was coming. It started with my three stallion friends, and the rest just kept coming. Anyway, you, Lyra, Vinyl Scratch, Octavia, Weed Whacker, Rainbow Dash, and the Cakes can go ahead out there now and talk with the guests. I just need to get copies for the three new guests: Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Twist.”

As my character gets the copies of the Book of Mormon from the closet, I hear Pinkie Pie say, “Oh, that's right. Filthy Rich is off on a business trip. So, Diamond Tiara most likely came with Cheerilee. Well, I better go gather everypony in here so they can go out with the rest of the guests.”

While Pinkie Pie is informing the rest of the creatures in the house that it's time to go out to the reading, my character, after getting three copies of the Book of Mormon from the closet, heads outside to deliver them to the three foals in the now-formed circle outside.

As my character takes the last position between Lyra and Weed Whacker, I turn to my earth pony friend and ask, “Pinkie Pie, will you bring everyone up-to-date on what's been going on in the story so far?”

The pink pony perks up and asks, “Really?”

I answer, “Sure. Go ahead.” Then, as I see her, through my character's eyes, taking a deep breath, I add, “Just go slowly. We don't want to lose anyone in a rapid-fire description of events leading up to where we are.”

Pinkie Pie exhales, then nods, then says, “Well, you see, there are these two families, one of a human called Lehi, and another of a human called Ishmael. They lived in a city called Jerusalem, which was becoming really bad a long time ago. Lehi tried telling the people there to stop being so bad, but that didn't work. So, his God told him to take his family and leave Jerusalem. Then, after a few days traveling in the wilderness, Lehi's God told him to send his sons back to get some records they'd need from another human called Laban. They managed to get the records, but they had to kill Laban in order to get them. After that, they went back with the records and gave them to Lehi, who gave his approval. Then, Lehi's God told him to send his sons back to get Ishmael and his family, which they did. Then, they traveled in the wilderness until they got to the ocean, at which point Nephi, Lehi's youngest son when they left, got the help of his brothers to build a ship so they could cross the ocean. At this point, they've arrived in a new land, and are settling in. Oh, and Lehi has six sons: Laman, Lemuel, Sam, Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph.” Turning to my character, Pinkie Pie asks, “Was that alright, Mormon?”

I answer, “Yes, Pinkie Pie. Thank you.” Then, addressing the group, I say, “We're down to the last three chapters of the First Book of Nephi, and I figured we could read them this evening. The longest is the last chapter, with thirty-one verses, and it should give everyone at least two verses to read.” As my character looks around and shows me general nods of agreement, I continue, “The first two chapters we'll be reading will be quoting the Book of Isaiah in the Bible.” I then turn to the pink earth filly and ask, “Diamond Tiara, will you begin with the first verse of chapter twenty?”

Diamond Tiara groans, “If I have to.” She then flips through the pages until she gets to her verse, then reads, “Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of baptism, who swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness.” Looking up, she says, “I was always taught that it isn't nice to swear.”

After the ripple of laughter, I have my character turn to the gray filly next to Diamond Tiara, and I ask, “Silver Spoon, will you read the next verse?”

Silver Spoon nods, then opens her copy of the book and flips through the pages until she gets to the right one, then reads, “Nevertheless, they call themselves of the holy city, but they do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel, who is the Lord of Hosts; yea, the Lord of Hosts is his name.”

Next, Cheerilee reads, “Behold, I have declared the former things from the beginning, and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them. I did show them suddenly.”

Twist reads, “And I did it because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and they brow brass.” At this point, the little orange-haired filly looks up and grunts in confusion.

I answer, “Humans are creatures of habit. Here, God is warning his people, through his servant Isaiah, that they've very firmly set themselves on the wrong path.” Seeing that Twist seems to be satisfied with the explanation, I have my character turn to Applebloom while I say, “You can go ahead and read now.”

Applebloom nods, then looks down and reads, “And I have even from the beginning declared to thee; before it came to pass I showed them thee; and I showed them for fear lest thou shouldst say—Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image hath commanded them.”

Sweetie Belle reads, “Thou hast seen and heard all this; and will ye not declare them? And that I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.”

Scootaloo reads, “They are created now, and not from the beginning, even before the day when thou heardest them not they were declared unto thee, lest thou shouldest say—Behold I knew them.”

Warm Heart reads, “Yea, and thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time thine ear was not opened; for I knew that thou wouldst deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.”

Snails reads, “Nevertheless, for my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off.”

Snips reads, “For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”

Cold Hands reads, “For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for I will not suffer my name to be polluted, and I will not give my glory unto another.”

Mr. Cake reads, “Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called, for I am he; I am the first, and I am the last.”

Mrs. Cake reads, “Mine hand hath also laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens. I call unto them and they stand up together.”

Pinkie Pie reads, “All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; who among them hath declared these things unto them? The Lord hath loved him; yea, and he will fulfil his word which he hath declared by them; and he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall come upon the Chaldeans.”

Granny Smith reads, “Also, saith the Lord, I the Lord, yea, I have spoken; yea, I have called him to declare, I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.”

Big MacIntosh reads, “Come ye near unto me; I have not spoken in secret; from the beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me.”

Applejack reads, “And thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I have sent him, the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it.”

Twilight Sparkle reads, “O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments—then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”

Spike reads, “Thy seed also had been as the sand; the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.”

Rarity reads, “Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter to the end of the earth; say ye: The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob.”

Stunts reads, “And they thirsted not; he led them through the deserts; he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; he clave the rock also and the waters gushed out.”

Vinyl Scratch reads, “And notwithstanding he hath done all this, and greater also, there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.”

Octavia looks up and says, “I guess that means I start chapter twenty-one,” then looks down and reads, “And again: Hearken, O ye house of Israel, all ye that are broken off and are driven out because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people; yea, all ye that are broken off, that are scattered abroad, who are of my people, O house of Israel. Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken ye people from far; the Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.”

Carrot Top reads, “And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;”

Berry Ground reads, “And said unto me: Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

Berry Punch reads, “Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.”

Fluttershy reads, “And now, saith the Lord—that formed me from the womb that I should be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him—though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.”

Emerald Hill reads, “And he said: It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth.”

Rainbow Dash reads, “Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nations abhorreth, to servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, princes shall also worship, because of the Lord that is faithful.”

Bon-Bon reads, “Thus saith the Lord: In an acceptable time have I heard thee, O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;”

Lyra reads, “That thou mayest say to the prisoners: Go forth; to them that sit in darkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.”

I read, “They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the head nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.”

Weed Whacker reads, “And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.”

Zecora reads, “And then, O house of Israel, behold, there shall come from far; and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.”

Mayor Mare reads, “Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; for the feet of those who are in the east shall be established; and break forth into singing, O mountains; for they shall be smitten no more; for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.”

Princess Luna reads, “But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me—but he will show that he hath not.”

At this point, I decide to say, “You may find it interesting to know that, at least in the King James version of this verse in the Book of Isaiah, that last phrase, ' but he will show that he hath not,' is missing.” I then have my character turn to Diamond Tiara, and I say, “You can go ahead and read now.”

Diamond Tiara nods, then looks down and reads, “For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.”

Silver Spoon reads, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Looking up, she asks, “Wouldn't that be painful, engraving something on your hands?”

I agree, “Literal engraving of images or messages on one's hands would be painful, that's true." Then, I add, "But, I'm thinking there's all sorts of symbolism in this saying. For one thing, I'm thinking this is a reference to the way the Christ was executed, which wouldn't take place, from the perspective of when this was written, for between six and seven centuries. It wouldn't surprise me if there's symbolism beyond this, though.” I then have my character turn to Cheerilee as I say, “You can go ahead and read now.”

She nods, then looks down and reads, “Thy children shall make haste against thy destroyers; and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.”

Twist reads, “Lift up thine eyes round about and behold; all these gather themselves together, and they shall come to thee. And as I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on even as a bridle.”

Applebloom reads, “For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants; and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.”

Sweetie Belle reads, “The children whom thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the first, shall again in thine ears say: The place is too strait for me; give place to me that I may dwell.”

Scootaloo reads, “Then shalt thou say in thine heart: Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? And who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where have they been?”

Warm Heart reads, “Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.”

Snails reads, “And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for thee.”

Snips reads, “For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives delivered?”

Cold Hands reads, “But thus saith the Lord, even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save my children.”

Mr. Cake reads, “And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Mrs. Cake says, “And, I guess that means I start reading chapter twenty-two.” Then, she looks down and reads, “And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had read these things which were engraven upon the plates of brass, my brethren came unto me and said unto me: What meaneth these things which ye have read? Behold, are they to be understood according to things which are spiritual, which shall come to pass according to the spirit and not the flesh?”

Pinkie Pie reads, “And I, Nephi, said unto them, Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh.”

Granny Smith reads, “Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; for it appears that the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations.”

Big MacIntosh reads, “And behold, there are many who are already lost from the knowledge of those who are at Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the tribes have been led away; and they are scattered to and fro upon the isles of the sea; and whither they are none of us knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away.”

Applejack reads, “And since they have been led away, these things have been prophesied concerning them, and also concerning all those who shall hereafter be scattered and be confounded, because of the Holy One of Israel; for against him will they harden their hearts; wherefore, they shall be scattered among all nations and shall be hated of all men.”

Twilight reads, “Nevertheless, after they shall be nursed by the Gentiles, and the Lord has lifted up his hand upon the Gentiles and set them up for a standard, and their children have been carried in their arms, and their daughters have been carried upon their shoulders, behold these things of which are spoken are temporal; for thus are the covenants of the Lord with our fathers; and it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our brethren who are of the house of Israel.”

Spike reads, “And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land; and by them shall our seed be scattered.”

Rarity reads, “And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders.”

At this point, I state, “By my time, this has already happened. The Lord God has, at least, begun a marvelous work, which I have been, and am still, part of.”

Stunts reads, “And it shall be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.”

Vinyl Scratch reads, “And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations.”

Octavia reads, “Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel.”

Carrot Top reads, “Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.”

Berry Ground reads, “And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.”

Berry Punch reads, “And every nation which shall war against thee, O house of Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lord. And all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that great whore, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lord, yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it.”

Fluttershy reads, “For behold, saith the prophet, the time cometh speedily that Satan shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of men; for the day soon cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly shall be as stubble; and the day cometh that they must be burned.”

Emerald Hill reads, “For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.”

Rainbow Dash reads, “Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire.”

Bon-Bon reads, “Behold, my brethren, I say unto you, that these things must shortly come; yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must come; and it must needs be upon the face of this earth; and it cometh unto men according to the flesh if it so be that they will harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel.”

Lyra reads, “For behold, the righteous shall not perish; for the time surely must come that all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off.”

I read, “And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, unto the fulfilling of the words of Moses, which he spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people.”

Weed Whacker reads, “And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel; wherefore, he shall execute judgment in righteousness.”

Zecora reads, “And the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall not be confounded. But it is the kingdom of the devil, which shall be built up among the children of men, which kingdom is established among them which are in the flesh—“

Mayor Mare reads, “For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet.”

Princess Luna reads, “And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory.”

Diamond Tiara reads, “And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.”

Silver Spoon reds, “And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power, wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.”

Cheerilee reads, “And now behold, I, Nephi, say unto you that all these things must come according to the flesh.”

Twist reads, “But, behold, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will repent.”

Applebloom reads, “And now I, Nephi, make an end; but I durst not speak further as yet concerning these things.”

Sweetie Belle reads, “Wherefore, my brethren, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are true; and they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God.”

Scootaloo reads, “Wherefore, ye need not suppose that I and my father are the only ones that have testified, and also taught them. Wherefore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day. And thus it is. Amen.”

At this point, I stand up and say, “And, that concludes the First Book of Nephi. Next time, we'll begin reading the Second Book of Nephi. Until then, let's call an end to the reading for the night.”

There are expressions of agreement around the circle, and equines and dragons rise and start talking amongst themselves.

Zecora turns to my character and says, “Thirty-six readers I did count. There hasn't always been that amount.”

I answer, “That's true. When I started these readings, there were just four in the group: three ponies and one human. The group really has grown since then.”

Before the conversation between human and zebra can continue, we're interrupted by the voice of Applebloom saying, “Hey, Mormon, we've decided we wanna try scripture reading, and see if that's our special talent.”

Two sets of eyes focus downward on the little yellow earth filly, and I notice, seeing through my character's eyes, that Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are right behind her.

When Applebloom is finished with her announcement, the three call out in unison, “Cutie Mark Crusaders Scripture Readers, yay!”

I have my character kneel down in front of the three fillies, and I say, “I'm glad you enjoyed it. I don't know if that's going to be your special talent, or what makes you unique from other ponies; but, even if it isn't, it might help you find out what is. And, as a bit of advice, don't give up on an idea after failing at it once. One saying among us humans I'm familiar with is, 'It matters not if you try and fail and try and fail again. It matters much if you try and fail, and fail to try again.' Just because you haven't gotten something to work for you once, that doesn't mean you should give up on it. Learn from your mistakes. If you can get it to work, and it isn't leading to you getting your cutie marks, or isn't even making you happy, then it may be a good idea to try something else.

“Also, don't lose a friend just because he or she has a cutie mark and you don't. Who knows? That friend may just help you find your own. And, don't be surprised or sad if each of you gets a different cutie mark, and at different times.”

At this point, Scootaloo says, “What about you? Applebloom said something about humans not having cutie marks.”

I answer her, “That's true, but that doesn't mean I'm without my talents, or that I'm exactly the same as every other human. The fact of the matter is I've discovered that I have several talents. And, I'm very much unique from other humans.”

Now, Applebloom asks, “So, does that mean I should invite Twist to be one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, even though she has a cutie mark and we don't?”

I answer, “That's up to you. But, even if you don't let her join your group, you can still keep her as a friend. Like I said, your friends who have their cutie marks might just help you find your own.”

At this point, Sweetie Belle bows in front of me and says, “Thank you, Mormon, for your advice.” And, with that, the three run, cheering, into the herd.

As my character stands up again, Zecora laughs and says, “Advice from a human. We shall know how much further that will go.”

I answer, smiling, “They're good foals. And, who knows when they'll get their cutie marks? It took my three stallion friends, evidently, into their adult years to get theirs. And, they each got their cutie marks sharing a scripture reading. It might not work the same way for Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle; but I hope they'll enjoy the effort in the mean time.”

Again our conversation is interrupted, this time by Princess Luna saying, “I need to return to Canterlot now and raise the moon.” And, by the time my character can focus on her, she's disappeared.

My character's attention returns to Zecora, who says, “So, I must return to my home, too. Until next time, when I shall see you.”

My character walks with her to the gate, as I say, “Agreed.” Then, as he opens the gate for her, and she trots through it, I say, “See you later, Zecora.”

The zebra turns to me, bows slightly, then waves a forelimb to salute my character farewell, then turns around again and disappears into the Everfree forest.

My character doesn't get a chance to close the gate, at least not just yet, as Twilight Sparkle has followed close behind her, at least going through. She turns to me and says, “I guess that means the rest of us ought to be heading back to Ponyville. As always, it's been a pleasure joining in the reading.”

As I accept her compliment with gratitude and say goodbye to her, I find that she's the first pony to leave, and she's carrying Spike on her back. Behind her are the rest of the element bearers, except for Pinkie Pie. Next are my three stallion friends, then Bon-Bon, Carrot Top, Berry Punch, the rest of the Apple family, Snips and Snails and their parents, the Cakes, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, Cheerilee, Twist, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, and last of all Mayor Mare. They form a group that makes its way into the Everfree forest and disappears.

I'm not bothered by the fact that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon took their copies of the Book of Mormon without asking. I just hope they'll continue reading, whether together or each by herself; whether they start from the beginning, from where this evening's reading ended, or wherever they want.

In the mean time, the empty snack tray is brought in by Vinyl Scratch, Octavia, and Weed Whacker, while Pinkie Pie, Lyra, and my character linger outside to gather more fruits and vegetables for the evening's dinner. Once we've gathered the items, we go back inside, and the six prepare and eat the gathered food. It's also worth noting that, since that first evening that I was asked to bless the food, it's become a tradition for the group, once they're ready to eat, to offer a blessing on the food before eating it. We each have been taking turns, and this time the turn has fallen on Weed Whacker to say the prayer.

After dinner, each heads to their room to prepare for bed.

For my letter to the princesses, I start out mentioning my discovery that Lyra has family living in Filly-delphia. I write my hope that they can get rid of their parasprite and timber wolf problems, and be able to rebuild their city.

I mention the Cute-seniera, including that it's the first I've ever attended, and how, from what I saw, it was a success, in spite of plans that didn't work out for Diamond Tiara.

While I don't provide the specific name for the condition, I do write to the princesses that Pinkie Pie has developed a condition that requires that I keep a closer eye on her.

I also mention that three fillies, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, have formed a group they call the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Finally, I mention that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came to the latest reading, and they seem to have behaved themselves, at least as long as Cheerilee was there to separate them from the newly-formed Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Having finished my letter to the princesses, my character delivers it to Weed Whacker so she can send it off. After that, he returns to his room and prepares for and goes to bed.

As I save and close the game, I can't help wondering to myself if a certain religious practice I'm familiar with wouldn't help Pinkie Pie. I know it helps humans, so, who knows? I'll see what happens in the future. So, until the game's tomorrow.

Author's Notes:

The next two chapters will based on the episode, "Suited for Success." In the first of these chapters, Rarity insists on making dresses for each of her fellow element bearers. But, the dresses she made for them turn out to be not what they wanted; so, with each element bearer's instructions, Rarity proceeds to make another dress for each of them. And, of course, Mormon will be there to help, at least with the dresses of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. The day ends, after the scripture reading, with a fashion show, judged by Hoity Toity. These events and more in chapter twelve, "Rarity A'Dressin' Her Friends."

The chapters read in the scripture reading will be the first three of the Second Book of Nephi.