Again I start the game, waking my character, to the sound of knocking on his bedroom door.

As my character rises and leaves his bed, I hear Pinkie Pie's voice call out, “Wakey, wakey, Mormon! You're the last one up! We've already got breakfast ready for you!”

As my character approaches his bedroom door, I'm pretty sure I hear bouncing sounds away from it. Thus, when my character opens the door, I'm not surprised to see, through my character's eyes, Pinkie Pie from behind. As, for the moment, I don't see her moving, I ask, “So, Pinkie, how are you this morning?”

As she turns to face me, I see, through my character's eyes, the smile on her face as she answers, “I'm great! And, how about you?”

As my character steps into the hallway and closes the door behind him, I answer, “I'm lookin' forward to seeing what happens next.” Just then, I hear the introduction of the song Light Up the Land, which seems to be coming from the front room. And, while it's not what I'd initially thought of when I talked about looking forward to the next happening, I do welcome it. I think aloud, “It sounds really good so far.”

Pinkie Pie answers, “I know.” Then, I'm guessing she's thinking aloud when she says, “I wonder if they're trying to tell us something.”

I ask, “Have Vinyl and Octavia eaten already?”

Pinkie Pie answers uncertainly, “I don't think so.” Then, turning to the kitchen again, she grunts and says, “Maybe they're just going through another practice round before they eat.”

I don't say this aloud to Pinkie Pie, but I'm considering the possibility that they're getting close to being ready to go back to Ponyville. Sometime, either today or tomorrow, I'm going to have to talk to them about their progress. They are sounding really good.

In the mean time, as the two enter the kitchen, Pinkie Pie leading my character, we find no one there. Then, we hear Lyra start to sing the first verse of the song, and again it's coming from the front room.

I notice that Pinkie Pie seems to hesitate at the doorway to the kitchen.

On the other hand, my character, after looking at the table and showing me the absence of either food or Weed Whacker, turns to the door between the kitchen and the front room, then proceeds toward it and goes through.

Before he can walk into the front room, I hear Pinkie Pie say, “Mormon, I'm worried about something.”

My character turns to the pink party pony, and I can see her trembling. I say, “Now Pinkie Pie, your friends, our friends, are playing music for us. Let's just enjoy it while we eat.”

By the time Pinkie Pie decides to enter the front room with my character, I can hear the second verse conclude, meaning it's time for the chorus. Then, as the pink earth pony enters the room, allowing my character to close the door behind her, I decide to harmonize with Lyra and Weed Whacker as they sing the chorus.

I can't say whether Pinkie Pie is moved by the music or distraught at the prospect of Octavia and Vinyl Scratch moving out in the near future. Whichever the case is, I hear her sniffle loudly as she circles to the side of the couch opposite the performers, who have set up their performance in the more empty part of the room.

My character, on the other hand, circles the couch on the other side, then takes a position on the couch more-or-less facing the door.

I guess I don't really hear Pinkie Pie whimpering until the chorus is finished, and I've stopped singing. And, by that time, my character has grabbed a piece of pear from the coffee table. I decide not to say anything, just let my character eat his piece of fruit and rub the side of Pinkie Pie's neck closest to him. When he's finished eating the piece of pear, I have my character take a piece of apple and offer it to the pink earth pony.

In response, Pinkie Pie pushes the apple, and my character's hand, away, and quietly sobs, “I'm … not … hungry.”

At this point, I have my character put the slice of apple down on the table again, then pick up Pinkie Pie by her forelimbs and drape them over his shoulders so that, for all intents and purposes, she's hugging him. Now, I have him hug her in return as I say, “Now, you're the one that invited me to breakfast. And now, you're not going to eat with me?”

The performers look at my character uncertainly, but I have him give them a thumbs up, encouraging them to continue with their performance.

In the mean time, Pinkie Pie says, “That was before … I heard Octy … and Vinyl … play that song … you wanted them … to work on. Like you said, … they sound really good.” Then, I can only guess she's hiding her face in my character's shoulder, hiding her face from the performing band, as she goes back to whimpering.

As my character strokes her back, I say, “Now, Pinkie Pie, you know as well as I do that I didn't intend for Octavia and Vinyl to stay here for the rest of their lives. Just until they broke their addictions. And, it sounds to me like they've done that. And, whether they go back to Ponyville today or tomorrow, they will be going back soon. And, it'll be up to them whether they come back for the readings or not.”

By this point, Vinyl starts singing the chorus with Weed Whacker in the background, while Lyra and Octavia sing in the foreground. And, it's more than just flawless, it's downright spiritual.

Now, Pinkie Pie sobs, “B-but, … they're leaving. Don't … you … care … about that?”

I answer, “What should matter to you as much as it does to me is that our friends are going to get their freedom back, completely. They don't need to be here anymore.”

At first, all I hear her say is, “I know.” Then, as Vinyl and Lyra finish singing the chorus in the background and Octavia and Weed Whacker finish singing in the foreground, Pinkie Pie suddenly pushes against my character's shoulders by her forelimbs. I then see her ears flap, then her eyes blink, then I notice her forelimbs vibrate at the … elbows?

Based on my understanding, that means Diane is warning Pinkamena that a door is either opening or about to open. That, or perhaps a door is closing or about to close. But, I have to wonder, is that always literal? In this case, could Diane be informing Pinkamena that the door to Vinyl Scratch's and Octavia's freedom is opening? If I'm not mistaken, Diane seems to be communicating that to me.

Whatever the case is, it has immediately stopped Pinkie Pie from crying. At first she seems dazed. Then, she turns to the performers, who seem to be unsure about what to do next. Then, she says, “Let's have breakfast. We need to talk about your performance.”

The pink party pony moves off of my character's lap and onto her previous place on the couch, claiming the piece of apple I'd offered her before.

In the mean time, Vinyl, Octavia, Lyra and Weed Whacker take positions on the couch opposite Pinkie Pie and my character, and each claim a piece of fruit from what's still on the coffee table.

Vinyl asks, “So, Pinks, did you like the song?”

Vinyl's question comes just as Pinkie Pie has taken a bite of the piece of apple she claimed. She chews it for a few seconds, then swallows, then says, “You did a really, supper good job with it. It was beautiful.” She then looks down at the piece of fruit in her front hooves, then back at Vinyl, before saying, “In fact, I'm wondering if you need to stay here any longer.”

At Pinkie's declaration Vinyl and Octavia seem to start. Then they turn to each other, then back to my character and Pinkie Pie, and Vinyl says, “Really?”

Pinkie Pie answers, “That's right. But, first I have some questions for you.”

Vinyl Scratch says, “Well, ask away, Pinks.”

Octavia asks, “Yes, Pinkie Pie, what questions do you have for us?”

Pinkie Pie and my character exchange looks, then Pinkie Pie, after I have my character nod, turns and focuses on Octavia as she asks, “Well, Octy, when you go back, what do you plan to do?”

In response, Octavia grunts in either uncertainty or incredulity.

At this point, I have my character focus on the gray earth mare, and I ask, “I think what Pinkie Pie means is, do you plan on going back to drinking wine when you go back?”

If I'm not mistaken, Pinkie Pie points her grunt of affirmation at my character, at me.

In the mean time, I can see Octavia scrunch her face and groan in disgust, which I sense as sincere. Then, she says, “After what it took for me to break away from that, I don't ever want to go back to drinking wine or anything with alcohol in it again.” After a momentary pause, she continues, “I'd thought taking drinks in moderation, just enough at a time to enjoy the flavor, would be enough. I never got drunk from it, I was always careful about that. But, it took living with you, Mormon, having to separate myself from it, to realize what it was doing to me. If I had known that breaking away from it was going to be so painful, I would never have started in the first place.” She then smiles at my character and says, “Mormon, thank you for being with me through that time. If it hadn't been for you, I doubt I would have survived the withdrawal pains I was going through.”

The first thing I think to say, in fact, the first thing I say after Octavia's answer, is, “Flaxen cords.”

At this statement, I think four ponies and one dinosaur grunt in curiosity.

I continue, “In the scriptures, in fact in the Book of Mormon, flaxen cords will be used as an analogy to the devil tempting some people very gradually with certain things. They don't even realize the destructive habits they're getting into until it's impossible to break them.” I pause for a moment for my character to take a slice of apple from the pile on the table before I continue, “Octavia, I was in time to rescue you from a habit that could've claimed your life. And, it was an honor for me to do so. And, if you've learned your lesson, and will never go back to that habit again, then the effort was well worth it.”

I'm definitely surprised when Octavia suddenly jumps over the coffee table and into my character's lap, then buries her face in my character's chest and starts sobbing.

In an effort to calm down the gray earth pony, I have my character stroke her back with his free hand.

Evidently the action is as much a surprise to Vinyl as it is to me, as she seems unable to talk for a few seconds. When she does speak, she says, “I started drinkin' beer and hard cider because it looked like fun. Everypony else was doin' it, so I figured, why shouldn't I?” She pauses for a moment, then continues, “I didn't like the taste at first, but I got used to it. At least, I didn't like the taste of the beer at first. The cider always tasted like apples, so that made it easier to drink. I figured if I drank a lot of the beer, then I'd get used to the taste a lot faster, and it was kinda fun to get drunk, and even pass out.” Now, the white unicorn turns to the pale-green one next to her as she says, “Lyra, I had no idea I was doin' those things when I was drunk, when I was passed out. Or, I didn't care at the time. But, I do now.” Now, her voice starts to shake as she continues, “I'm so sorry about messin' and peein' on your and Bon-Bon's floor. I was bein' selfish, gettin' drunk and messin' on your stairs like that.”

At this point, Lyra hugs the white, blue-haired unicorn and says, “Oh, Vinyl, I forgive you. And, I'm sure Bon-Bon will, too.”

Now, Vinyl closes her eyes and sobs, “Thank you, Lyra. Thank you … so much.” She chuckles once before adding, “You know, … I didn't … realize … how much … that meant to me … until … you … said it.” She then opens her eyes again, turns to my character again, and says, “And, … thank you, … Mormon. I … had no idea … a human ... could care that … much.”

I can't help smiling as I open my mouth to speak.

But, Pinkie Pie beats me to it, as she says, “You'd be surprised.”

Again Vinyl chuckles as she turns to Pinkie Pie and says, “And, thank you, Pinks. I guess I should've known how much you care about me.”

With my character still focused on the white unicorn, I can only hear Pinkie Pie say, “Oh, Vinyl, I just want you to be somepony I can respect.”

Vinyl, evidently still focused on Pinkie Pie, says, “I know that now, Pinks.” She then turns to my character and says, rubbing an eye with a front hoof, “Look at me … crying again.”

At this point, I have my character put an arm under Octavia's hind legs, trapping her tail between her behind and his arm, then, supporting her, stand up, and move to the side of the table as I say, “Ah, come here.” I then have him kneel down and place Octavia on her hind legs on the carpet.

In response, Vinyl chuckles one more time, then gallops and jumps off the couch and into my character, wrapping her forelimbs around him and Octavia.

Pinkie Pie follows suit, getting in behind and between Vinyl and Octavia to join in the group hug.

Lyra and Weed Whacker also join in, taking positions on the right and left of Pinkie Pie.

At this point, I can't help but notice the group hug reminds me of a rugby skirmish, except there's no pushing, and no rugby ball. But, this isn't something I mention aloud. And, while I can't participate personally in the hug, I find myself still able to enjoy it.

I lose track of time as to how long the group of six remains in this position. But, when they eventually separate, they go back to eating until the fruit is gone. Then, after that, Octavia packs away her cello, Vinyl Scratch prepares her sound system for travel, and the other four help in their own way to get the two musician ponies out the door, across the lawn, and to the front gate.

Just then, I hear Scout growl, and my character focuses on the timber wolf to show me, through my character's eyes, him approaching, growling and snarling with each step.

At this point, I say, “It's alright, Scout. Vinyl and Octavia have proven themselves. They're free to go to their own homes now.”

Just then I see a flash of white, and I hear Celestia's voice say, “Is that so?”

As four ponies, one dinosaur and one human turn and focus on the daytime alicorn, Pinkie Pie nods and says, “It's true, Princess. I'm releasing Vinyl and Octavia from their Pinkie promise.”

At this point, the daytime princess focuses on Octavia, then Vinyl, studying them intently for at least one minute each. Then, evidently satisfied, she turns to my character and says, “Very well, then. You've done well, taking care of these little ponies of mine. And, if you're satisfied with their progress, and believe they're ready to return to the lives they had before, then so am I.” I watch through my character's eyes as Princess Celestia closes her eyes and her horn glows. Then, after a few seconds her horn stops glowing; and she opens her eyes again and says, “Vinyl, Octavia, you are free to go. The timber wolves will bother you no more. All I request is that you remember for the rest of your lives the lessons you've learned from Mormon. For, he is as much a friend of mine as he is of yours.”

I must admit, I'm pleasantly surprised at Princess Celestia's declaration about me being a friend of hers. But, in the mean time, she's made it possible for Octavia and Vinyl to return to their home or homes, whether in Ponyville or wherever else they choose, without interference from the timber wolves. I say, “It's been as much of an honor helping Vinyl Scratch through her problems as it was helping Octavia through hers.” I then have my character turn to the white unicorn as I add, “Vinyl, as I said to Octavia, if you'll remember the lessons I taught you, and will never go back to your old habit of binge drinking again, then the effort I put into you was well worth it.”

Vinyl smiles and answers, “You've been a big help to me and Octavia, Mormon. If that's what it takes to thank you for your help, I'll do everything I can to prove that your effort was well worth it.”

Although I'm sure the characters in the video game can't see it, I smile as I say, “I hope so. Now, let's get going back to Ponyville.” And, with that, my character opens the gate and allows the four ponies and the dinosaur to exit first, then follows behind them and closes the gate again.

As the group makes its way back to Ponyville through the forest, I can't help thinking to myself how much quieter it's going to be at the house, other than the readings, now that the musician ponies aren't going to be staying with my character anymore, how much more space will be available. Not that long ago, Trixie was also living with my character, Pinkie Pie, Lyra, and Weed Whacker. I don't know if Lyra will change in the next three years she'll be living with my character, but I do plan that Pinkie Pie will change. But, I can wait for that. Right now, we just need to get the musician ponies back to Ponyville so they can return to their jobs, whether in Ponyville, Canterlot, Manehattan, Las Pegasus, or anywhere else in Equestria they might go.

As is typical, the journey through the Everfree forest takes about half an hour, then it's another few minutes to get into Ponyville, then a few more minutes to help Octavia and Vinyl back to their home again.

It's not until they enter their house before I notice, with the help of my character, Pinkie Pie's tail vibrating.

I'm not surprised that Pinkie Pie also notices it, as she grabs her tail and says, “Hmm, twitchy tail.”

I know that when Pinkie Pie's tail is twitching like that, it means that Diane is warning Pinkamena that something has a lot of potential energy that's going to become kinetic. That is to say, something's going to fall, and that something could hurt her, or someone else. But, having seen the episode, “Feeling Pinkie Keen,” on which this day is based, I also know what's going to fall. So, I immediately have my character look up, hoping to see, through his eyes, Fluttershy with her wagon full of frogs.

I can only guess that Pinkie sees my character looking up into the sky, as I only hear her ask, her voice full of innocence, “Mormon, why are you looking at the sky?”

As my character looks down at the pink earth pony, I answer, “Well, your tail was twitching.”

Pinkie Pie states, “Yeah, and it still is.” Then she asks, “And, you think something's gonna fall outta the sky?”

I answer, “I wouldn't be surprised.”

I can see, through my character's eyes, Pinkie Pie relax as she says, “You know, normally I'd be wearing a rainbow umbrella hat and ducking under everything from here to Sugar Cube Corner; but, since you're on lookout, I'm thinkin' I won't need to do that.”

I didn't realize I, or my character anyway, was going to be such a reassuring influence. But, since that's what Pinkie Pie's seeing in me, in my character, I might as well go with it. So, I have my character watch the skies for Fluttershy and her wagon of frogs and walk at the same time, while Pinkie Pie bounces around him, and Lyra warns him of possible obstacles in his path.

It's not until I hear Spike ask, as innocently as Pinkie Pie had done, “What's Mormon doing?” that my character turns to see where the little purple dragon is. He focuses on Spike just in time to show me, through his eyes, the top hat over his head suddenly turn into a boulder, the black-and-white suit turn into leaves, and the cane turn into a stick, and the boulder land on Spike's head.

Then, as my character's focus turns to Twilight Sparkle, who suddenly comes into view, I hear her say, “Spike, this magic needs our full attention to make it happen.”

At this point, I know what was going on. Evidently Twilight needed Spike to concentrate with her to make objects like a stick, a few leaves, and a rock turn into a cane, a suit, and a top hat, respectively. And, evidently I provided just the right amount of noise to break the little purple dragon's concentration.

Twilight continues, “There's no other way.”

Spike answers, “I'm sorry, but I couldn't help it.” As he stands up again, he continues, “I've never seen Mormon just look up into the sky the way he was.”

I have my character divide his attention between the purple unicorn and her assistant and approach them, then after he stops a few feet away from them, I say to the little purple dragon, “I'm sorry, Spike. I didn't mean to distract you. I just noticed Pinkie's tail twitching, and I figured I'd better keep a look out just in case something falls.”

I hear Twilight Sparkle incredulously say, “Pinkie's tail twitching makes you look up at the sky?”

I have my character focus on her as I answer, “Only when we're outside.” I pause for a moment so my character can look up into the sky for something that might be moving, then I continue, “I know how strange it sounds, but there is a method to my madness, to our madness. You'll just have to trust me and Pinkie Pie on this.”

At this point, I hear Pinkie Pie say, “Hmm, twitchy twitch-a-twitchy twitch.”

Just then I see Fluttershy with her wagon full of frogs flying just past a cloud. I just need to wait for one of those frogs to jump out of the wagon, or off of Fluttershy herself.

In the mean time, I hear Twilight say, “Pinkie Pie, what in the whole wide world of Equestria have you gotten Mormon into?”

I then hear Pinkie Pie answer, “Oh, it's my tail, it's my tail. It's a'twitch-a'twitchin'. And, you know what that means.”

Then I hear Twilight Sparkle say, “Actually, Pinkie, I haven't the slightest idea.”

At this point, I notice one of the frogs in the wagon leaning out a little too far to get a look at things down below it.

In the mean time, I hear Pinkie Pie say, “The twitchin' means that my Pinkie sense is telling me that stuff's gonna start falling. You should better duck for cover, or stick close to me and Mormon.”

And then it happens: the frog leaning too far slips free and starts falling, ready to use Twilight as a landing base.

As my character holds out his hands over the purple unicorn, she says, “Oh, Pinkie, it's not gonna rain.”

At this point, I say, “Just a moment.”

Then, the frog that was going to land on Twilight's face instead lands in my character's hands.

As my character lowers his hands full of frog into the view of the ponies and dragons, I say, “And, there we have it. The rain of the frogs, as brief as it was, is over now.”

The now-safe frog turns to my character, smiles and croaks, then frowns and croaks in a lower key.

Pinkie Pie then says, “He just said 'Nice catch, and not-so-funny joke,' in frog.”

I answer, “Well, it was worth a shot at least.”

Pinkie Pie covers her mouth with a front hoof and giggles for a moment, then puts the hoof down again.

Just then, I hear Fluttershy say, “Oh, I'm so, so sorry. Is everypony alright down there?”

I look up at the concerned yellow pegasa and answer, “Everyone's fine. I was just in the right place at the right time.”

I then hear Pinkie Pie say, “You know what, Mormon, I'll bet there's more to it than that. Like, your good source of information.”

I don't answer, although I appreciate the reference.

In the mean time, Fluttershy continues, “I couldn't stand seeing the pond getting so overpopulated, what with the frogs hopping into each other and all? So, I decided to fly as many as I could over to Froggy Bottom Bog.”

While I try to keep the frog quite literally in-hand, I hear Twilight Sparkle say, in a low, disparaging tone, “Of course you were.”

In the mean time, I ask, “Would you like to take this frog with you?”

As Fluttershy comes in for a landing, she says, “Oh, yes, of course. And, thank you so much for catching him.”

Once the wagon's on the ground, I have my character put the frog in his hands into the middle of the pool of frogs, then grab frogs ready to fall out and put them in the middle as well, as I say, “You know, maybe you should take fewer at a time, so you don't run the risk of so many falling out.”

I think I hear shame in the yellow pegasa's voice as she says, “You're right, I should do that.” Then, before she flies off, she concludes, “Thanks for the help. Bye-bye!” At least I think that's what she's saying. It's difficult to tell what she said with her mouth full of wicker basket handle.

In the mean time, I observe, through my character's eyes, that, for the moment anyway, Pinkie Pie's tail has stopped twitching. I say, “Well, that seems to be all for now. Shall we head on over to Sugar Cube Corner?”

Twilight Sparkle groans in response, “Yeah, we should get going too, Spike. We need to find a place where there aren't so many distractions.”

As the two parties head in opposite directions, I hear the purple unicorn and her dragon assistant talking to each other: Spike talking about how Pinkie Pie predicted the future and I was there to defend everyone, and Twilight Sparkle talking about how it was all coincidence.

Then, just as I notice Pinkie Pie's tail twitching again, I remember what happens in the episode.

Pinkie Pie and I exchange looks, then Pinkie Pie turns and gallops toward Twilight again and, sticking her tail in the purple unicorn's face, says, “My tail, my tail! Twitch-a-twitch! Twitch-a-twitch!”

I look ahead of where Twilight's walking, and I see the stream bed just ahead of her. If Pinkie Pie hadn't stopped her, Twilight would've walked right into it. She still might do so if she keeps walking in the direction she's headed.

Fortunately, she's paused for the moment.

I call out, “Twilight, before you take another step forward, I think you'd better look ahead of you, and down.”

At least Spike listens to me. As he sees the dried-up stream bed, he stands up on Twilight's back and prepares to jump off.

In the mean time, Twilight turns ahead and closes her eyes, then starts walking again as she says, “You two are taking this too far. Nothing else is gonna fa—ah!”

My character runs to try to catch the purple unicorn before she can fall, but to no avail.

At least Spike had the good sense to jump off before Twilight could take that last dangerous step. Looking into the stream bed at his fallen adoptive-mother, he says, “Oh no, Twilight fell.”

I add, “And, if she'd listened to me, she wouldn't have.”

Then, Spike turns to Pinkie Pie and asks, “Is it … save to go help her?”

As my character steps into the stream bed to help the fallen purple unicorn out, Pinkie Pie answers, “It's okay. My tail's not twitchin'.”

Then, as my character grabs Twilight in his hands, picks her up, and sets her on her hooves again on the ground next to the stream bed, I ask, “Are you alright, Twilight?”

Twilight responds by growling, “Hands off me, human.”

I have my character step out of the stream bed, hands in the air, and away from the purple unicorn, as I say, “Fair enough.”

Then, Spike laughs and says, “That was amazing!”

I have my character take a few more steps away from Twilight and the stream bed as I hear her say, “Oh, please.” And, I do notice Applejack approaching.

The orange earth pony innocently asks, “Uh, Twilight, why was Mormon a'diggin' ya out of a ditch?”

Pinkie Pie had bounced a few steps away, but had stopped, probably to allow my character to catch up to her.

As he arrives at the pink earth pony's side, I hear Spike say, “Because Pinkie Pie predicted Twilight'd fall.”

Then I hear Twilight Sparkle say, “Honestly, Spike, she did not. Two coincidences in a row like this may be unlikely, but it's still easier to believe than twitchy tails that predict the future.” And, while she says “twitchy tails,” she wiggles her backside.

The evidence seems to dawn on the orange earth pony as she gasps and nervously says, “Twitchy tail? Pinkie sense?” and dives under the nearest cart, one carrying vegetables, and starts trembling.

I have to admit, I have to struggle to keep from laughing at how absurd she looks, even having been there to change the story just a little bit.

Then, Spike approaches her and says, reassuringly, “Don't worry, it's safe. The prediction already came true.”

As Applejack crawls out from under the cart, the incredulous Twilight says, “Oh, wait. Don't tell me you believe in this stuff, too.”

The orange earth pony answers, “Ah know it doesn't make much sense, but those of us who've lived in Ponyville for a while have learned that if Pinkie's a'twitchin', you'd better listen.”

Just then, Pinkie Pie dashes in front of her fellow earth pony, and I notice, through my character's eyes, her ears seem to be involuntarily flopping over her eyes. She says, “My ears are flopping, my ears are flopping!”

Spike recoils and whimpers, “What does that mean?”

I think it means specifically that someone, or something, is about to be splashed with mud; but I'm not entirely sure. It could be more generic, simply that a mess is about to happen.

All I know is that Pinkie Pie knows what it means, as she says, “When we get to Sugar Cube Corner, I'll draw a bath for you.”

Twilight Sparkle laughs as she says, “Huh, a bath? This thing keeps on getting more ridiculous by the minute.”

Just then, a pony-drawn cart rushes past behind the purple unicorn, running over a nearby puddle and drenching her in mud.

At this point, Twilight, head lowered, turns to my character and growls, “You knew this was gonna happen, didn't you, Mormon?”

I answer, “Well, as a matter of fact, …”

Before I can complete my answer, the purple unicorn continues, “And you didn't do anything?”

Again I answer, “Well, you said you didn't want me to touch you.”

Laughing, Spike says, “He's gotcha there, Twilight.” But, a glare and a growl from her quiets the purple dragon. Now downcast, he says, “I think I'll head over to Rarity's.”

As Spike wanders off toward Carousel Boutique, Pinkie Pie says, “Let's get to Sugar Cube Corner before anything more can happen. The Cakes should have a bathtub you can use.”

For a few more seconds Twilight growls, then finally she sighs and says, “Alright, let's just get goin'.”

Pinkie Pie leads the way, while the human, the unicorns, and the dinosaur follow behind her.

As the group approaches the bakery, Lyra turns to her fellow unicorn and asks, “Twilight?”

Evidently still upset from being baptized in mud, Twilight Sparkle turns her scowl on Lyra and growls, “What?”

Lyra shrinks away from Twilight and says, “Nothing.”

At this point, I decide to say, “Now, Twilight, …”

Before I can continue, Twilight turns her scowl on my character and barks, “What!”

I continue, “Just because you've had a bad day doesn't mean you have the right to take it out on someone else. Remember, it's not Lyra's fault you've had so many problems lately.”

Evidently my words of wisdom have gotten through to the purple unicorn, as she turns to look at the road immediately ahead of her and, humbled, says, “You're right.” Then, turning to the pale-green unicorn, she says, “I'm sorry, Lyra.”

Lyra hesitates, then says, “I just wanted to know if you were alright.” She then turns to me and says, “Thanks, Mormon.”

Simultaneously Twilight says, “I'm fine, thanks,” and I say, “Glad I could help.”

By this time, the group has reached the front door of Sugar Cube Corner.

Pinkie Pie opens the door and leads the group inside; and my character, at the back of the line, closes the door behind himself and the others once all are inside.

The pink party pony calls out, “Mr. and Mrs. Cake, could we use your bathtub? Twilight's covered in mud!”

From the kitchen we hear Mrs. Cake answer, “Go on ahead, dear! It's up the stairs, just past your room!”

I don't know if I dare laugh at the exchange. But, I decide that my character shouldn't follow the pink earth pony and the purple unicorn to the bathroom either. And, as I watch Pinkie Pie ascend the stairs, I happen to notice something green attached to the underneath of her tail. Is that Gummy? Somehow, it wouldn't surprise me.

In the mean time, I have my character lead the remaining two into the kitchen to see if the group of three can help with anything.

As we enter, I hear Mrs. Cake ask, “Wait, did Pinkie Pie say 'Twilight's covered in mud?'” She seems to be stirring something at the side counter next to the stove.

I answer, “On our way here, we met up with Twilight, and Pinkie Pie's tail started twitching.”

Mrs. Cake gasps and says, “Oh dear. Did anypony get hurt?”

I answer, “Nothing too serious. I was able to catch a frog that had jumped out of a cart that Fluttershy was taking to Froggy Bottom Bog. It seems that Twilight Sparkle hasn't had experience with the Pinkie sense before, and she's incredulous to the whole thing.”

Mrs. Cake looks back at my character and asks, “Well, is she alright?”

I answer, “I'm sure she'll be fine.”

Mrs. Cake pauses for a moment, then asks, “Just one thing: How did Twilight Sparkle get covered in mud?”

I answer, “A pony-drawn wagon came up behind her and ran over a mud puddle, and she got the brunt of it.”

Mrs. Cake asks, “Well, didn't Pinkie Pie warn her about it?”

I answer, “Well, her ears started flopping, and Pinkie Pie did mention that; but Twilight couldn't make the connection until it was too late. Actually, I'm not really sure Twilight is still willing to make the connection between Pinkie Pie's ear flops and being splashed with mud.”

At this point, Lyra says, “Twilight also fell into a ditch after being warned by Mormon and Pinkie Pie.”

Before Mrs. Cake can ask, I state, “She's fine. I managed to help her back out again.”

Mrs. Cake replies, “Well, that's good to hear.”

Finally, I ask, “So, is there anything we can do to help out here?”

My guess, when the blue earth mare turns back to her bowl, is that she's checking to see if the contents are ready yet. She hums with uncertainty for a moment, then grunts in affirmation, then says, “Lyra, could you get a cupcake pan from the cupboard over there?”

The pale-green unicorn seems to know where Mrs. Cake is gesturing, as the handle of a door to a cupboard becomes possessed by a pale-green aura and opens up; and a well-used, metal cupcake pan floats out toward the blue earth mare, also possessed by a pale-green aura.

Mrs. Cake thanks Lyra for the assistance, then asks, “Mormon, could you spoon out the batter into the holes? We're making muffins for Derpy when she comes.”

My character automatically steps forward as I say, “Sure, no problem.” Then, my character steps next to Mrs. Cake and accepts the bowl of muffin batter from her and starts scooping it out of the bowl with the wooden spoon she'd been mixing it with and pouring it into the holes of the cupcake pan.

While my character is doing that, Mrs. Cake says, “Good. Now, I'll put slices of lemon on top of each muffin to show that these are lemon surprise muffins.”

At this statement, I can't help chuckling a little at the memory of a fan-made video of the gray pegasa going crazy after not getting her “lemon muffin surprise.” She calms down at the end of the video, after Mr. Cake comes back with, as he put it, “one muffin left,” leaving Vinyl Scratch, nearby, disappointed that the laser show ended so early. I don't include that event in this game, it's just funny to remember it. And, one thing among many that I decide not to ask about: If the lemon in the muffin is supposed to be a surprise, why put a slice of it out in plain sight on top?

In the mean time, while Lyra, Weed Whacker, and my character are helping the Cakes, Pinkie Pie is likely talking to Twilight about the involuntary energies, the “niggly feelings,” in her body that tell her when certain things are going to happen. It's also during this time that Twilight learns about the existence of Pinkie's pet alligator, Gummy, who, unbeknownst to Twilight, is evidently taking a bath with her. I wonder if Pinkie ever tells the purple unicorn about how the alligator and the pink earth pony met.

At any rate, by the time Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle join Lyra, Weed Whacker and my character in the kitchen of the bakery, Derpy has already been in and claimed her supply of lemon surprise muffins.

As soon as she enters the kitchen, Twilight Sparkle says, “I really need to get back to the library now.”

Just then, Pinkie's leg closest to my character trembles, then collapses under her, causing the pink earth pony to fall.

As she gets up, Twilight comes to her aid and asks, “Pinkie, are you alright?”

Pinkie answers, “I'm fine. But, my Pinkie sense just told me that I should go with you, and Mormon needs to come along, too.”

At this announcement, Twilight groans and says, “Whatever. Let's just get going.”

Lyra turns to my character and asks, “Could I come along too?”

Pinkie Pie answers, “Nah. Just Mormon needs to come along.”

I add, while my character looks at the pale-green unicorn, “You and Weed Whacker stay here and help the Cakes. Pinkie and I'll come back when we're finished at the library.”

Unlike Twilight's groan of frustration, the groans that come from Lyra and Weed Whacker are more of disappointment. But, they agree.

In the mean time, my character follows the purple unicorn and the pink earth pony out of the bakery.

As the three walk to the library, Twilight says, “Well, I still don't believe all this 'special power' stuff. It's just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo.'”

I'm almost surprised that there isn't a pony nearby to grunt in curiosity at his or her name being called.

In the mean time, Pinkie Pie responds, “What's not to believe? You do magic. What's the difference?”

Twilight stops and, as though it's something obvious, answers, “Huge.” Then, as she catches up to Pinkie Pie, she starts to say, “For one thing …” when she notices a cart with various soap products being sold.

Next to the cart is a box with various types of soap in and on it, with a picture of a bubbling bar of soap on it.

The purple unicorn moves the soap products aside and jumps up onto the box, then turns to Pinkie, clears her throat and says, looking upward with her eyes closed, “Magic is something you study and practice. It only happens when you decide to do it. And, it's meant to make something specific, that you choose to happen, happen!" She then opens her eyes and focuses on Pinkie Pie as she concludes, "With you, it makes no sense at all!”

Pinkie Pie, focused on the purple unicorn, says, “That's so not true, Twilight." Her eyes then dart in seemingly random directions as she adds, "Sometimes it's a bunch of random things happening to my body at random times that supposedly predict the future. I call them combos.”

Twilight jumps off the soap box and, cantering toward the library again, asks, “Combos?”

Pinkie Pie bounces twice toward the purple unicorn and answers, “Sure! Like, ear flap, then knee twitch, then eye flutter? That means that the sky is going to be graced with a beautiful rainbow.” And, she demonstrates these actions for effect.

This gets me to wondering about something, although I don't ask it out loud. When Pinkie Pie first saw Rainbow Dash's sonic rainboom, did she get that combo? My guess is she probably didn't. Then again, would Pinkamena, or Diane, have known about it? Knowing Diane, she probably would. She was in command of Pinkie Pie at the time. But, that's a story for another time.

In the mean time, Twilight pauses long enough to say with incredulity, “Yeah, sure.”

Then, Pinkie Pie stops and says, “Uh-oh, I feel a combo coming on.”

I have my character catch up to the purple unicorn as I hear Pinkie Pie say, “Ear flap. Eye flutter. Knee twitch!” At this point, I have my character grab Twilight Sparkle and lift her up above the doorway, just as the door opens, and Spike comes out backwards.

The purple dragon takes a few steps past my character, then, seeing him, stops and says, “Hi, Mormon.” Then, seeing him holding his adoptive mother, innocently asks, “What are you doing with Twilight?”

I have my character put the purple unicorn down in front of the open doorway, then I answer, “Just keepin' her safe.”

At first confused, Spike asks, “Safe from what?” Then, as he sees where my character puts Twilight, he says, “Oh.” Focused on the purple unicorn, he says, “Sorry, Twilight.” He then turns to my character and says, “Thanks, Mormon.”

As Spike continues on his way, Twilight, scratching the back of her neck, says, “You said that combo meant beautiful rainbow.”

Pinkie Pie answers, “Oh, no-no-no-no-no. You're thinking of an ear flap, then knee twitch, then eye flutter. This was an ear flap, then eye flutter, then knee twitch. That usually means, 'Look out for opening doors.' You okay?”

I guess this answers my thought from before when I saw this combo through my character's eyes, as it happened on his lap. Although, who's to say that it couldn't warn about closing doors as well?

Then, my last thought is answered when I hear Pinkie Pie say, "No, Mormon, just opening doors."

As my character's attention is drawn to the pink earth pony, and I see her smiling face through my character's eyes; I hear Twilight grunt in curiosity.

Then, as my character's attention is drawn back to the purple unicorn, I hear Pinkie Pie answer, "Nothing, Twily." And, at this point I decide to keep my character's attention focused on Twilight.

The purple unicorn, in the mean time, pointing to my character, says, “Well, I'm fine, thanks to Mormon.” Then, as she looks at my character, she asks, “Wait, how did you know about that?”

I answer, “Experience and observation are great teachers.”

At this point, Twilight groans, “I don't believe this.”

Then, Pinkie Pie approaches her and says, “You don't believe because you don't understand.”

As I observe, through my character's eyes, the look on Twilight's face, not to mention her posture, I know what she's planning on doing when she hums with interest, then focuses on Pinkie Pie and says, “Would you mind following me into the library? There's a basement downstairs, and it'll give me the perfect opportunity to learn more about this Pinkie sense of yours.”

I can see the worry in Pinkie Pie's eyes as she looks up at my character. I say, “Maybe I can help.”

For a moment, Pinkie Pie goes from worried to fearful, then instantly smiles and, bouncing over Twilight into the library, says, “Okie dokie lokie.”

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Diane was telling Pinkamena what she thought I was planning to do. For all I know, for all the two of them know, Diane may be right.

As one unicorn, one earth pony, and one human, in that order, enter the library, I say, “So, I'm guessing Spike was delivering those books to someone in town?”

Then, as my character closes the door behind him, I hear the sound effect of wood hitting wood, then Twilight saying, “Oh, that's right. Bon-Bon had ordered some books about how to make candies from apples, and they just arrived today.”

As the purple unicorn speaks, my character turns to show me, through his eyes, her with a front hoof planted between her closed eyes. Come to think of it, that reminds me. I'd completely forgotten about that incident when Applebloom had tried to earn her cutie mark selling apples. She'd managed to more-or-less guilt Dr. Whooves into buying an apple, and her treatment of other possible customers had caused her big sister, Applejack, to unload the rest of the apples they'd brought onto Bon-Bon. I had given the pale-yellow earth pony some ideas about what she could do with all those apples, but that's all I'd done. Hopefully, those books can help her.

In the mean time, Twilight opens her eyes and puts her hoof down again, then turns to Pinkie Pie and my character and says, “If you'll follow me downstairs, I found a bunch of rooms in the basement, and I've set up a lab in the lowest one. I'll get Pinkie Pie hooked up to one of the machines, and maybe it'll give me a better idea of what her Pinkie sense is all about.” Then, as Pinkie Pie and my character follow Twilight under the stair case and through the door she opens, the purple unicorn turns to my character and says, “Mormon, there should be a box of paper next to the staircase. Could you get that before coming down the stairs?”

I do notice a box of paper there; so I have my character turn to Twilight; and I say, “Sure. You go on ahead, and I'll grab the box.” Then, as the two ponies proceed down the hallway to the staircase that'll lead to Twilight's underground lab, I have my character look around and find the globe, which I know is in the library. Once he finds it, I have him remove it from its stand and place it on top of the box before taking the stacked objects with him through the door and down the hall.

It's about at the end of the hall when the expected happens, and the large sphere rolls off the box, down the rest of the hallway, and down the stairs, just as I hear Pinkie Pie say, “Uh-oh, twitchy tail.”

I call out, “Heads up!”

Then, as my character walks down the staircase, I think it's Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle in unison that I hear calling out, “Mormon!” Then, when my character gets to the bottom of the staircase, I see, through his eyes, Pinkie Pie basically mooning my character and Twilight glaring at him, holding the globe in the air with her magic. As my character takes the last steps to the basement, I ask, “Is everyone alright down here? I guess using the globe as a paperweight wasn't such a good idea after all.”

As my character puts the box down, I hear Twilight say, “A paperweight! The box is secure. There was no need for a paperweight!”

I have my character focus on the top of the box, which I can see is closed; and I say, “I guess you're right.”

My character then looks at the furious unicorn as she continues, “Do you realize how dangerous it is to have things like this rolling around down here? What if it had damaged one of my machines? What if this globe had been damaged? Do you realize just how rare one of these globes is? I'd have to get the whole thing replaced, which'd mean at least a month without a globe! And then, what if I needed to do a project involving geography, huh?” While she asks about “this” being damaged, the globe, possessed by Twilight's magic aura, moves toward my character.

I answer, “I'm sorry, Twilight. But, I did get Pinkie's tail to twitch.” Then, as my character grabs the hovering globe, I say, “I guess I'd better take this back upstairs.” Then, as the purple aura disappears from the globe, my character proceeds up the stairs again, with the globe in his hands. Now, why does this remind me of a song?

I think my character makes one round up the spiraling staircase before I hear Pinkie Pie say, “I'm so sorry about Mormon, Twilight. I guess I'll have to have a talk with him when this is over with.”

The purple unicorn answers, “That's alright, I guess. He's right about two things. He did get your tail to twitch, and he warned us in time so nothing was damaged.”

After that, I lose track of the conversation between the two element bearers as I continue up the stairs, which, as far as I can tell, spiral only twice before ending in the hallway that goes past a few rooms on it's way to the door to the library.

Once there, I see Spike entering the library from the door to the outside.

As the purple dragon enters and sees me, he asks, “So, where's Twilight?”

I have my character put the globe back on it's stand as I answer, “She's downstairs hooking Pinkie Pie up to a machine. She wants to understand her Pinkie sense better.”

Seeing my character's actions, Spike asks, “And, what were you doing with the globe?”

I answer, “I thought it'd be a good paperweight. And, it proved me wrong.”

Spike chuckles and says, “Yeah, I tried that out, too. Twilight really chewed me out for it, too.”

I also laugh as I state, “Well, that's one thing we have in common.” I then leave the purple dragon laughing about it as I have my character head through the door, closing it behind him. Then, I have him head down the hallway, then down the spiral stairs to the basement. On the way down the stairs, I hear Twilight say, “Okay. Now, when you get another twitch, we'll have all sorts of scientific information.”

When I saw this in the episode “Feeling Pinkie Keen,” I couldn't help thinking Twilight was going about it all wrong. Hearing it in the context of this video game, my attitude toward Twilight's approach doesn't change.

In the mean time, I hear Pinkie Pie say, “Okie dokie lokie.”

About the time my character's down the first half of the first spiral, I hear Twilight ask, “Any twitches yet?”

Then, I hear Pinkie Pie answer, “Nopey lopey.”

As my character completes the first spiral, he can look down at the underground lab and show me, through his eyes, Twilight as she asks, “Now? Anything?”

As scientifically incorrect as Twilight's approach is, it's still fun to watch the two. For instance, I can see Pinkie Pie building suspense, or I'm guessing that's her objective, as she says, “Wait, hold on.” Then, after a second, she says, “Uh, no.” That, or she's just having fun with the purple unicorn.

Presently, Twilight says, “Are you kidding me? After a whole day of non-stop twitching, after I've got you all hooked up, you're not getting a single one?”

As I reach the bottom of the stairs to the lab, I wonder if I should mention the saying about a watched pot never boiling. Then, I decide against it.

In the mean time, Pinkie Pie says, “I don't control it. They just come and go.”

Then, Twilight says, “It makes no sense.”

Pinkie Pie responds, “Sometimes you just have to believe in things, even when you can't figure 'em out.”

You know, now that I'm getting a good look at the strange helmet strapped to Pinkie's head, while I'm not surprised at the number of different types of light-emitting diodes blinking on and off, I am surprised that so many could be found in Equestria. While I don't ask aloud, I have to wonder, did Twilight make all of them herself? At least, when I saw this in the episode I mentioned, that was the question I was asking myself.

In the mean time, Twilight states, “I will not believe in anything I cannot explain.”

Then, Pinkie Pie says, “Wait, hold on. I'm feelin' somethin'.”

Her scientific interest aroused, Twilight asks, “Oh my gosh, what? What? What is it?”

Then, I hear a rumbling sound from Pinkie Pie, after which she says, “That's my tummy. That usually means I'm hungry. Let's eat!”

Twilight groans in frustration, then violently disconnects Pinkie Pie from the machinery as she says, “You know what? Just forget it. I don't need to know if this is real or not. I don't need to understand it. I don't even care!”

Watching her purple unicorn friend walk away, Pinkie Pie seems surprised for a moment. Then she easily frees herself from the machine and the helmet as she says, “Okie dokie lokie,” then bounces behind Twilight as they head up the stairs again.

None of us says anything as the three make their way up the spiraling stairs and along the hall to the door to the library.

Then, Pinkie Pie, behind Twilight and ahead of my character, suddenly stops as Twilight approaches the door.

My character moves ahead of the pink earth pony, and I notice, through his eyes, that her ears flap, then her eyes flutter, then her knees twitch, causing her to moan in fear and fall over backward. I immediately have my character grab Twilight and hold her up as the door between the library and the basement swings open, and Spike walks through.

The little purple dragon looks up at my character and, seeing him holding the purple unicorn above him, asks innocently, “Why are you holding Twilight that way?”

I have my character put her back down on her hooves as I answer, “Just keeping her safe.”

As Pinkie Pie bounces past the human, the dragon, and the unicorn, back into the library, Twilight says, “I'm beginning to think this is some kind of conspiracy.” Then, as the door closes behind her, she turns to my character, growls, and says, “This is ridiculous! This can't be happening! It makes no sense!”

At this point, I say to the purple unicorn, “Well, Twilight, it seems to me that your problem was with your approach.”

Glaring at my character, she asks, “What do you mean?”

I answer, “In your lab, everything was under control, maybe too much so. You had nothing for Pinkie Pie to react to, so she didn't react to anything.”

At this point, Spike chimes in with: “I think Mormon's right.”

Pointing at my character with a front hoof, Twilight says, “Well, you got her to twitch.”

I answer, “Well, that's because of an event that I planned.”

Twilight puts her hoof down again and asks, “What do you mean you 'planned?'”

I answer, “Actually, the fact of the matter is I intended to lose control of the globe and have it roll down the stairs. I knew such an event would cause Pinkie Pie's tail to twitch. The only problem with planning an event like that is it puts me in some danger.”

At this point, Twilight's anger melts away into concern as she asks, “What do you mean?”

I answer, “The best I can hope for right now is that Pinkie Pie'll just chew me out for what I did. But, you were right about one thing. I did get Pinkie Pie to twitch. I just don't recommend that you do such a thing. Let's just say that it's best not to tempt fate.”

I can't say for sure if Twilight's just covering her fear, or feigning it. All I know is she asks, “So, what do you suggest I do?”

I answer, “Well, my best suggestion is if you want to get a better understanding of Pinkie Pie's Pinkie sense, your best option is to observe her from a vantage point of safety. It is possible to watch her without being in direct contact.”

At this point, Twilight turns away from my character and hums with interest. After a few seconds, she turns back to my character and asks, “Mormon, could you help me study Pinkie Pie?”

I answer, “I suppose I could do that. But, I really think we should be getting back to Sugar Cube Corner as soon as we can.”

Twilight's response is to sigh and say, “Oh, alright. I just need to get this figured out.” And, with that, she opens the door and leads Spike and my character back into the library.

Once there, a cheerful Pinkie Pie approaches my character and says, “So, let's get back to Sugar Cube Corner.”

I agree, and human and earth pony head back to the bakery. Then, as we head through the back door, I see, through my character's eyes, Mrs. Cake sitting canine-style on the floor in the middle of the kitchen, trembling, with Lyra and Weed Whacker on each side of her, and Mr. Cake facing her, a look of fear on his face.

Pinkie Pie trots a couple steps ahead of my character and asks, “Mrs. Cake, are you alright?”

My character takes a few steps forward and shows me, through his eyes, a dark green, shiny puddle which ends, or perhaps starts, just under Mrs. Cake's mouth, while a shiny dark-green particle drips off the end of her mouth into the puddle. Whatever happened, it was probably just a few seconds ago.

Mr. Cake looks up at my character and asks, “Mormon, do you think you could pick Cup Cake up off the ground?”

As my character looks the blue earth mare over, I can see, through his eyes, that her evident pregnancy has made her extremely round. When he focuses on Mr. Cake again, I answer, “I'm not sure how I'll be able to do that.”

Through my character's eyes, I think I see the orange earth stallion tear up as he looks into his female's eyes and says, “You stay here, dear, and I'll get a wagon for you. You'll be fine, you hear me?”

The blue mare says nothing. But, as Mr. Cake steps past her, over Weed Whacker, she opens her mouth and spews dark-green slime into the puddle, increasing it's size and causing Pinkie Pie, Lyra, and Weed Whacker to scream in fear.

In the mean time, I hear Mr. Cake next to my character say, “Mormon, I'm gonna need your help.”

Instantly my character turns and follows the orange earth stallion back out the back door.

Once outside, Mr. Cake turns to my character and says, “I'm really scared for her. I don't wanna lose her.”

I answer, “Let's get that wagon. Mrs. Cake will be fine.”

As the human and earth pony emerge from the alleyway behind the two buildings, I hear Twilight's voice say, “Mormon, Mr. Cake, is everything alright?”

As soon as my character focuses on the purple unicorn, I answer, “Mrs. Cake is ill. She needs to go to the clinic as soon as possible.”

Presently Twilight turns around and says, “I know where the library's cart is. I'll get it and be back as soon as possible.” And, with that, she gallops back to the library.

In the mean time, I hear sniffling sounds coming from Mr. Cake, and my character turns to him to show me, through his eyes, he's starting to cry.

I state, “Like I said before, Mrs. Cake is gonna be fine. There's no need to worry.”

Mr. Cake sits down canine-style, rubs his nose with a forelimb, then says, “I just can't help worryin' about her.”

I say, “And, I understand that. It's just that I know that your female will survive this. And, she'll have two foals.”

Focusing on my character now, the orange earth stallion asks, “H-how do you know that?”

I answer, “I have a good source for my information.” As old as this excuse might seem to get, it seems to me better than telling him that I saw it on an episode of a cartoon, or that Mr. Cake is a character in a video game that I made, and I planned things to happen this way.

Mr. Cake rises to his hooves again and says, “I'm gonna trust you, Mormon. I just hope you're right.”

Just then, Twilight Sparkle arrives with the library cart, which Mr. Cake and my character help guide into the alleyway as close as the three can get to the back door.

Then, Mr. Cake goes inside and, with the help of Pinkie Pie and Lyra, guide Mrs. Cake through the back door and into the cart. After that, he moves to take the place of Twilight and gently starts moving the cart forward, then speeds up slowly enough to make sure Mrs. Cake stays in the back of the vehicle as he proceeds toward the clinic, but not before turning to my character and saying, “Close down the bakery for me! I don't think we'll be back in business for the rest of the day!”

Following Mr. Cake's orders, I have my character turn and head back into the bakery through the back door. Once inside, I tell Pinkie Pie, “Mr. Cake wants us—“

Before I can finish my statement, Pinkie Pie says, “wants us to close down the bakery. Yes, we heard him.” Then, she goes into the main room of the bakery and calls out, “I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but due to a medical emergency, the bakery is closed for the rest of the day!”

I hear groans as ponies leave through the front door, and Pinkie Pie continues to say she's sorry for the inconvenience. Then, some time after the customers have left, Pinkie Pie returns and says, “Well, that's it. I just need to put the 'Closed' sign in the window, and it'll be official.”

Lyra says, “You go ahead and do that, and Weed Whacker and I'll get to work and clean up the mess that Mrs. Cake left in here.”

And, with that, the ponies get to work on the jobs they've assigned for themselves. It's not long before all have done their jobs, after which the group of five leave through the back door.

Once outside, Pinkie Pie says, “Well, now that there's nothing to do here anymore, I think I'll go to the park. That should take my mind off of this thing with Mrs. Cake.”

I ask, “Are you sure you don't want to visit the clinic and find out what they learned about Mrs. Cake?”

Pinkie answers, “Like you said, she'll be fine. And besides, I don't wanna block the way for any emergencies that might come up.”

I respond, “Well, alright then. So, shall we go then?”

The pink earth pony looks behind her at Lyra and Weed Whacker, then back to my character, then says, “Sure, let's go on ahead.”

At the leisurely stroll we take, the park is just a few minutes away. Then, while Pinkie Pie starts smelling flowers and playing in the grass with Gummy, Lyra provides rides for Weed Whacker around the park area; and I have my character go in search of Twilight Sparkle, who I know is hiding herself in a bush somewhere in the park. As I wander around the park, I go in search of a bush that develops purple pony legs and moves from one spot to another, following Pinkie Pie. Fortunately, considering Discord won't be freed from his statue until the beginning of the next season, such a bush shouldn't be that difficult to find.

I have my character circle around a static bush just in time to see the purple unicorn jump out of the mobile bush, holding a pad of paper and a pencil with her magic.

She notices me, but doesn't register my presence for a moment as she starts writing something on her note pad, at least not until after she says, “Oh, hi, Mormon.” Then, realizing what she said, she turns to my character and loudly whispers, “Mormon, what are you doing here?”

I answer, “It's not that difficult to spot a bush that gets up on purple pony legs and moves around on its own.”

Not giving my character time to react, the purple unicorn grabs his hand with a front hoof and pulls him down as she says, “Well, get down here. I don't want subject Pinkius Pieicus to know I'm trackin' her.”

I don't say this aloud, but I think she already does know.

But, before I have a chance to say anything, I hear Spike behind my character saying, “Twilight?”

As much as I expect Spike to say something about this time, I don't expect Twilight to leap half out of her skin. Still, she manages to keep from screaming as she turns to her dragon assistant and shushes him. Then, she asks, “Honestly, Spike, don't you know better than to sneak up on ponies?”

Innocently Spike scratches the bottom of his chin as he says, “Uh, sorry, Twilight.” Then, seeing my character, he asks, “Whatcha doin' with Mormon?”

I can't say for sure if Twilight's choosing to ignore Spike's question when she asks, “Is anypony else gonna show up now?”

I keep my voice down as I answer, “I doubt it. Lyra's giving Weed Whacker a ride around the park, so that should keep them occupied.”

Twilight simply answers, “Good.”

Then, Spike asks, “So, Twilight, aren't you sneakin' up on another pony?”

Twilight shakes her head and answers, “No.” Then, after repositioning the bush to hide the unicorn, the human and the dragon as best she can, she continues, “I'm doing scientific research. I'm observing Pinkie Pie, scientifically, …”

Before she can continue, I say, “Scientifically Pinkius Pieicus, right?”

I'm guessing Twilight has her hoof on my character's mouth as she answers, “Right,” then continues, “In it's natural habitat.”

I almost feel like laughing at this point. Yes, she's in a place as close to the wild as ponies in this town would dare to get without going into the Everfree forest, but Pinkie Pie doesn't exactly live here. She's just trying to relax and get her mind off of what happened at the bakery, and, I guess, enjoy her time off. And, considering the giggles I'm hearing from her, I'm guessing it's working.

In the mean time, Spike incredulously says, “Pinkius Whaticus?”

Twilight jumps into the bush, dragging her assistant with her, and I can hear her say under her breath, “There's something fishy going on with the whole twitchy prediction thing.” I have my character move a few branches aside so I can see the two of them through my character's eyes as she continues, “And, I'm getting to the bottom of it. So, shh!”

In response, Spike holds a claw up to his mouth, and his lips form a circle, indicating he understands his instruction.

After that, as Pinkie Pie bounces off, Twilight rises again, raising the bush with her, and says, “Come on. Pinkius Pieicus is on the move.” And, with that, and with Spike in tow, she runs on ahead, forcing my character to let go of the branches he was holding.

I wait for her to stop and set the bush back down again before I have my character catch up to her. Then, when my character has reached her, I see her stalking the pink earth pony in the yard at the school. Surprising, or perhaps not, that the school playground is so close to the park. Anyway, while Twilight observes through her binoculars Pinkie Pie rolling around in the grass, I have no problems observing the pink pony without them, just through my character's eyes.

Then, as I watch Pinkie Pie start rubbing her nose once, then again, I hear Twilight say, “Hmm, itchy nose.”

I then watch as the pink earth pony gasps, then runs for cover under an over-sized horse shoe. Knowing what's coming, I say, “Uh-oh.” Then, after Twilight asks me what's wrong, I turn to her and ask, “Do you know a shield spell?”

Twilight answers, “Well, as a matter of fact, yes I do.”

I say, “Well, then you'd better use it right now.”

Twilight asks under her breath, “Why?”

I whisper harshly, “Just do it!”

Twilight just groans and closes her eyes. Then, her horn starts glowing and sparking, and a shield forms around her, Spike, and my character. When she opens her eyes again, she says, “I really think you're overreacting to this whole Pinkie-twitchy thing. I mean, look at Pinkie Pie. She's hiding under that horseshoe like something's gonna fall out of the sky. But, she had an itchy nose. A twitchy tail means something's gonna fall.”

Then, before the purple unicorn can say anything more, I hear the sound effect of something lightly tapping on glass. When my character looks behind him, where the sound is coming from, I can see through his eyes bees ramming the force shield that Twilight conjured up.

As much as the attack from the swarm of bees doesn't surprise me, neither does it surprise me that Twilight and Spike have also taken notice of it.

I hear Twilight ask, “Mormon, you knew we were going to be attacked by that swarm of bees, didn't you?”

As my character turns to look at the purple unicorn, I can see, through his eyes, the look of surprise on her face. I answer, “As a matter of fact, yes I did.”

Twilight continues, “And that's what Pinkie Pie's itchy nose meant?”

I answer, “I don't know if it specifically meant that. But, an attack of some kind was coming, and Pinkie Pie's Pinkie sense was warning her about it. Just because she's hiding from something doesn't necessarily mean that something's gonna fall. You just have to observe her and see what she does before she goes into hiding.”

By the time I'm finished talking, the bees have given up their attack and flown off.

In the mean time, I hear Spike saying, “Itchy nose means attack is coming,” evidently based on the scratching sounds, while writing it down. When he's finished, he says, “Got it.”

I have my character turn back to Twilight as I say, “You can remove the shield now.” Then, I watch as the purple unicorn's horn glows and sparks, and the shield disappears.

Looking at my character again, Twilight says, “Thanks, Mormon. It seems you're able to tell us what all of Pinkie Pie's twitches are all about.” Just then, she turns to the giant horseshoe where Pinkie Pie was, then says, “Subject Pinkius Pieicus on the move once again.”

As subject Twilighticus Sparkelus jumps into her bush and starts following the pink earth pony, I can't help thinking that Pinkie Pie is having all sorts of fun with this. And, I know where she's headed next. So, allowing Twilight a minute's head start, I then have my character follow the walking bush to Sweet Apple Acres.

Not far from the front gate, I watch as Twilight abandons the bush, then makes a mad dash for a stack of hay bales near a barn. Then, as she turns and sees my character, she gestures for him to approach her, evidently hoping my character won't be spotted by Pinkie Pie.

As my character, followed by Spike, casually walks to Twilight's impenetrable barrier where she's hiding, as soon as he's close enough, she comes out, grabs his arm and pulls him in as she whispers, “Get down here!”

While my character struggles to get up at least on his hands and knees, I say, “I didn't know you wanted me to start dancing.”

Twilight shoves a front hoof into my character's mouth, or I assume that's where it went, as she whispers, “I don't! But, I don't want Pinkie Pie to spot us, either!” After that, she removes her hoof from my character's mouth and puts it down again, then looks in the direction, I'm guessing, of the pink earth pony.

As I watch her grab her binoculars and put them up to her eyes, I hear Spike ask, “So, what's Pinkie Pie doin' now?”

Twilight answers, “Smelling a flower.”

Presently, Spike says, “Holy guacamole! I wonder what that means.”

Twilight answers, “Probably that the flower smells good.”

I state, “Well, why not? I mean, after all, Pinkie Pie's as capable of enjoying the smell of flowers as the rest of us. So, why shouldn't she?”

Twilight turns and shushes my character, then turns back to observing Pinkie Pie through her binoculars, then says, “Wait, I'm getting something.” Then, as Spike resumes scribbling in his notebook, Twilight continues, “Ear flap, eye flutter, knee twitch.”

I can't help asking, “Wait, is Pinkie Pie looking directly at you?”

Not moving from her spot, the purple unicorn answers, “No, she's looking at the silo.”

Before either Twilight or I can say anything more, I hear Spike say, “Ear flap, eye flutter, knee twitch. I wonder what that means.”

I answer, “That's a warning to Pinkie that a door's gonna open nearby.”

On hearing my statement, Spike freaks out, then jumps up and runs ahead to hide behind another stack of hay bales.

Twilight, after watching her assistant do this, incredulously says, “You really, really believe this stuff, don't you?” Then, stepping back from her impenetrable fortress, she continues, “Here, let me show you that there's nothing to be afraid of.” Then, leaning on the door of the barn next to her, she says, “You see?”

In the mean time, knowing what door's going to open, I have my character move ahead of the purple unicorn and hold her off by her chest before she can fall into the cellar door she can clearly not see has opened in front of her as she trots forward and says, “There's nothing to fear from that—woah!”

As she sees that my character has stopped her from going any further forward, Twilight looks up at him and asks, “Hey, Mormon, what are you doin'?”

I have my character start to point to the open cellar door, when Applejack emerges. As she turns to look at him, she says, “Oh, hi, Mormon. Ah see you found my new apple cellar.” Then, seeing him holding back the purple unicorn, she asks, “Uh, what're ya doin' with Twilight?”

As my character takes his hand away from the purple unicorn, I answer, “Just keepin' her from droppin' in unexpected.”

For a moment Applejack looks at where Twilight was clearly headed, then at her open cellar door, then says, “Oh.” After forcing a couple of nervous laughs, she asks, “So, whatcha doin' here, anyhow?”

Spike answers, “We're trackin' Pinkie Pie.”

I add, “Twilight wants to get a better idea of what the Pinkie sense is all about.”

As the orange earth pony comes out of her cellar, she says, “Well, yer welcome to give it a try, Ah guess.”

As we watch Applejack close the door to her cellar, Twilight asks, “What do you mean?”

Applejack continues, “The last one that tried ended up beat up in a really bad way. Since then, we just accept the Pinkie sense.” She points to my character as she adds, “Yer lucky, bein' with Mormon here, who's been able to protect ya so far. Just, be careful.” And, with that, the orange earth mare canters off toward one of the orchards.

As Twilight circles around my character and watches Applejack wander off, she says, “So says anypony that doesn't wanna unravel a mystery.” Then, she looks up at my character and asks, “So, Mormon, why are you so lucky that you can keep me from getting hurt?” Then, she says, pointing a front hoof at him, “No, never mind. I think I already know what you're gonna say. You've got a good source for your information.”

I answer, “That's right.”

Just then, I hear Spike say, “Woah, Pinkie Pie's on the move again.”

Twilight turns to her assistant and asks, “So, where's she headed?”

At this point, I answer, “Lyra and Weed Whacker are still in the park. So, she's probably headed back that way.”

Now Twilight turns to my character as she says, “Well, then, let us go back that way.” And, with that, Twilight starts her march out of the orchard and back towards the park as she says, “I still haven't figured out this twitchy-Pinkie nonsense.”

As my character catches up to her, I say, “You've had two witnesses so far. And, one of those witnesses has been keeping you safe. What more do you need?”

Presently, the purple unicorn turns to my character and growls, “I don't know.” Then she calms down and says, “I'm sorry, Mormon. It's just that this whole Pinkie sense thing is driving me up the wall. I just can't rest until I've got it figured out.”

I answer, “I understand. It represents a puzzle, a mystery. And, such things can be fun to figure out.” Then, after a meaningful pause, I continue, “But, it seems to me that the way you're treating it is bordering on obsession, and that can get to be dangerous if you're not careful.”

Twilight sighs, then says, “You're probably right. And, I guess it's a good thing I have you around to keep me from falling into any traps. Thanks, Mormon.”

I state, “I'm glad to be of service.”

No more is said between us, no more is really said at all, until the unicorn, the dragon, and the human arrive at the park; and Twilight decides to hide from Pinkie Pie behind a park bench.

As Spike produces his notebook and prepares to start taking notes again, I have my character take a look up into the sky, and notice a moving carriage pulled by two pegasae, and followed by three others, including Ataahua. I watch, through my character's eyes, as the carriage passes overhead, then the door latch starts to rattle loose.

Just then, I hear Twilight Sparkle say, “Okay, take this down: twitchy tail.”

At that point, I notice, through my character's eyes, Ataahua fly in front of the pegasae to stop them before anything can fall out. And, in a way, she succeeds.

As Spike says, “Twithy tail? Twitchy tail!” I take action and have my character grab Twilight and run away from the park bench, and Spike follows close behind him.

Evidently my character was a little rough on Twilight, as she yelps in pain and says,”Mormon, what are you doing?”

My character trips and falls after a few running paces, throwing the purple unicorn in the process, but those running paces prove just enough.

I hear a soft thud behind him; and my character turns to show me, through his eyes, a flower pot on it's side on the ground where Twilight had been. Presently, an anvil lands on the flower pot, then a cart filled with bales of hay lands on the anvil, and last of all a piano lands on top of the other fallen objects. My character then looks up to show me, through his eyes, a somewhat-dark-tan pegasus wearing a baseball cap, seemingly ready to attack Ataahua and another pegasa. I have to wonder if that pegasus had been pulling the cart with the bales of hay in it. It'd make sense, considering that cart wouldn't have fit in that carriage.

In the mean time, I hear Twilight, her trembling voice just barely above a whisper, say, “Oh, Celestia!” As my character focuses his attention on the clearly terrified unicorn, she continues, “I could've been …”

As my character gets to a crawling position, I state, “But, you weren't. Are you alright?”

Twilight turns to my character, then stares for a second, then collapses sideways.

At that point, Spike tuns to the purple unicorn and asks, “Twilight?”

I say, “I'm sure she'll be alright.”

Just then, from above, I hear a gruff voice say, “Eh, you're not worth it.”

My character looks up to show me, through his eyes, the pegasus fly off, then Ataahua descend to the park bench. My character, under my orders, then rises and walks over to the distraught pegasa and sits down on the bench next to her; and I ask, “Are you alright, Ataahua?”

The gray pegasa looks at my character and sobs, “I tried to stop it. I saw the latch almost undone. But, then the flower … and the anvil … and the cart … and the piano!”

I have my character stroke Ataahua's neck as I say, “Well, at least there were no casualties.”

At this point, Ataahua grabs my character around his chest and wails, “I … almost … killed … Twilight!”

I answer, “But, Ataahua, you didn't even hurt her. She's fine.”

Now the gray pegasa pushes away from my character and, before he can react, stumbles and falls off the bench. She then gets up on all fours again and, looking up at my character, sniffles and says, “Just … I … need to be alone … right now.” And, with that, she stumbles her way out of the park.

Just then, I hear Pinkie Pie's voice ask, “Hey, Applejack, whatcha doin'?”

As my character turns his attention to the two earth mares, Applejack answers, “Takin' more apples to my new apple cellar.” She then asks, “How about you, Pinkie? What you doin'?”

At this point, I can't help laughing when Pinkie answers, “Oh, just lettin' Twilight secretly follow me all day without me knowin'.”

However, Twilight makes it known that she isn't as amused by the response as I am. Marching up to the pink earth pony, she growls, “You mean you knew all along? Why didn't you tell me?”

Pinkie chuckles and answers, “Silly, that would'a spoiled the secret.”

As the purple unicorn fights to reign in her emotions, Spike peers from behind her and asks Pinkie, “Tail still twitchin'?”

Pinkie smiles and says, “All done. Clear skies from here on in as far as I can tell.” Just then, the pink earth pony's body is seized by a vibration that bounces her off the ground, just enough that Applejack tosses aside her basket of apples in alarm.

As alarmed as Applejack, Spike says, “Oh no. What does that mean?”

I watch, through my character's eyes, as Applejack pushes her bucket of apples upright again and puts the few escaped apples back inside; and I listen as Pinkie Pie answers, “Don't know. Never gotten anything like it before. But, whatever that shutter's about, it's a doozy. Something you'd never expect to happen is gonna happen.” Then, after another vibration, which attracts my character's attention, the pink earth pony adds, “And, it's gonna happen … at Froggy Bottom Bog!”

Presently, Applejack gasps and says, “That's where Fluttershy's headed.”

Worried, Spike asks, “Oh no, is it about her?”

In response, Pinkie Pie rubs her chin with a front hoof and answers, “Uh, I'm not sure.”

At that point, Applejack jumps a hundred eighty degrees in her place, then, her voice rich with concern, says, “We better go make sure she's okay.”

Then, as the two ponies and the dragon run off, Twilight says, still incredulous, “Calm down, everypony. All we know right now is that Pinkie Pie just got a case of the shivers. That's all.” Then, realizing that my character is the only one with her, she looks up at him and grumbles, “Well, aren't you goin' with them?”

I answer, “I need to get Lyra and Weed Whacker first. I'll catch up to you afterwards.”

As my character walks off to find the pale-green unicorn and the herbivorous dinosaur, I hear Twilight groan in defeat and say, “Whatever.”

Not far from the scene of the accident with the moving trailer, I spot Lyra still giving Weed Whacker a ride. So, I call out to Lyra.

In response, the pale-green unicorn turns, being careful not to lose Weed Whacker, and makes her way to my character. After slowing to a stop just less than a foot, I'd say, away, she asks, “Mormon, is anything wrong?”

I answer, “I'm gonna follow Pinkie Pie and a couple of her friends to Froggity Bobbity Bog.” I know. A reference to Disney's Cinderella. I just couldn't resist. At any rate, I ask, “Do you want to come with us?”

Lyra gives my character a dirty look as she answers, “I think you're thinking of Froggy Bottom Bog.” Then she smiles and says, “And, sure, I'll go with you. Why?”

I answer, “Pinkie Pie got this vibration that shook her right off the ground.” I watch, through my character's eyes, as Lyra's smile melts into a look of worry as I continue, “She said something really big's gonna happen at …”

Lyra concludes for me, “ … at Froggy Bottom Bog.” Scratching the bottom of her chin with a front hoof, she asks, “Didn't Fluttershy say that's where she was taking all the frogs?”

I answer, “That's right. And, while I don't think it'll have anything to do with the frogs, I do plan on being helpful to Pinkie Pie and her friends.”

Lyra puts the hoof back on the ground, then says, “Well, we'd better get going then. If you're gonna be helpful, you'd better be there to help.” And, with that, keeping Weed Whacker on her back with her magic, the pale-green unicorn gallops out of the park and toward Sweet Apple Acres.

As the two groups merge, and Spike, now riding on Twilight's back, sees that my character has caught up with the two of them, he asks, “So, Mormon, how do you think Lyra's gonna help us?”

I answer, “I can't say for sure. But, I'm sure Lyra and I will prove helpful at some point.” Then, I look ahead and watch as Pinkie Pie's gallop is arrested by another vibration. As my character catches up to her, I ask, “Should I carry you until we get to the bog?”

Presently the vibration stops, and the pink earth pony bounces high enough into the air so that my character catches her easily. At that point, I hear her cheerfully say, “Thank you, Mormon.”

No more is said among the group of seven creatures as, just before Sweet Apple Acres, they turn on an alternate route into the Everfree forest. At that point, the group slows down to a stroll as they enter.

Spike jumps off of Twilight's back and runs to catch up to Applejack and Lyra, and my character puts Pinkie Pie back down on the ground on her hooves, just as she gets another vibration.

Now, having seen the episode before, I know they'll find a hydra there, and I know it'll be a lot larger than my character because I modeled it that way, based on the creature in the episode. But, the big event that Pinkie Pie is sensing, the unexpected one, will be Twilight finally deciding she believes in the Pinkie sense. So, there are no surprises for me. But, that doesn't make this game any less fun for me. I still plan to find enjoyment in the journey.

In the mean time, Twilight turns to Pinkie Pie and kids, “Cold? Need a jacket or something?”

Pinkie Pie turns to her and, smiling, answers, “No thanks. I'm fine.” Then, she's overcome with another vibration.

Then, further ahead, I hear Spike ask, “So, what do you think happened to Fluttershy?”

Applejack shakes her head and answers, “Ah hope nothin'.”

Spike, evidently not satisfied, asks, “I know, but, what do you think happened?”

Applejack, probably trying to hide her concern for the yellow pegasa, answers, “Ah'm tryin' not to think about it.”

Spike, clearly not trying to hide his concern, looks ahead and says, “Me, too.” Then, he turns back to Applejack and says, “But, I'm thinkin' about it anyway.” Then, he asks, “Like, … what … if … she exploded?”

Incredulously, Applejack turns to the purple dragon and asks, “Just exploded? For no reason?”

Spike answers, “Yeah, like, boom.”

Pinkie Pie, just ahead of my character, says, “Woah.”

Then, Spike says, “I know.”

Then, Pinkie Pie gets into the spirit of it and asks, “What if … what if she exploded, a-and then exploded again?”

Now it's Spike's turn to be incredulous as he asks, “Can you do that? Can you explode twice?”

Applejack answers, “Of course not.”

At this point, I say, “Fireworks are designed to explode as many as three times, but that's for display. Ponies, not so much.”

But, it seems I've given the purple dragon something to latch on to, as he asks, “But, what if Fluttershy was like a firework? Like, what if she exploded, then exploded again, and then—“

Fortunately, Twilight's there to stop her assistant before his imagination can run too far away with him. In a few galloping strides she'd caught up to the dragon, and is standing on his tail before he realizes it. Then, when Spike has noticed that he can't move forward anymore, Twilight says, “Will all of you stop?” Then, as she removes her front hoof from Spike's tail, allowing him to move again, she adds, “She's fine, I'm sure of it.”

Now, I say, “I'm with Twilight on this one.”

Then, Lyra says, “I agree with Mormon. Like, how's he gonna help Fluttershy if she explodes?”

And that seems to settle the argument just in time as Applejack calls out, “Hey, look, it's Froggy Bottom Bog!”

Then, I'm sure I hear a smile in Lyra's voice as she says, “Or, if you're Mormon, Froggity Bobbity Bog.”

That seems to break the tension in the air, as Lyra, Pinkie Pie, and I laugh over the joke shared between me and the pale-green unicorn. I think even Twilight smiles about it.

As the group hastily makes its way on ahead toward the swamp, Applejack is the first to call out, “Fluttershy!”

Pinkie Pie backtracks a bit and calls her yellow pegasa friend's name.

Twilight climbs a slanted tree, but just searches among the branches.

Applejack trots under an arched tree limb.

Pinkie Pie checks under a lily pad, but is first surprised by a frog jumping onto it, then Spike jumping onto her head, pushing her face into the mud.

But, it seems that meant he was the first to spot the yellow pegasa perched on a boulder in the swamp. He jumps off of the pink earth pony's head and onto the yellow pegasa's neck, hugging her as he says, “Fluttershy, you're okay.”

The surprised pegasa answers, “Of course.”

Applejack sighs and, in all sincerity, says, “What a relief.”

Pinkie Pie adds, “I'm so glad everything's alright.”

Twilight says, “Sorry. I know it's not nice to gloat, but, ah-hah! I told you there was nothing to worry about, and I was right.” At this point, a dark green mist rises around the purple unicorn, causing her to start to cough as she continues, “Pinkie Pie said there was gonna be a doozy, and, … and the only doozy here is how right I am.”

While Twilight gives her speech, I have my character walk across part of the swamp to where Applejack, Fluttershy, Spike, Lyra, and Weed Whacker are. When she's finished talking about her rightness being a doozy, I say, “Uh, if you don't mind me saying, first of all, and this goes for everyone here, I seriously doubt a doozy is necessarily a bad thing. And, second of all, …”

Spike finishes my thought by calling out, “Twilight, l-l-look b-b-beh-h-hind y-y-you!”

Twilight stops glaring at my character long enough to look behind her, then up, at the four-headed, wingless version of Ghidora that's risen above her.

In the mean time, I have my character grab Pinkie Pie and run on ahead before Twilight can say, “I see it, but I don't believe it.”

My character, pink earth pony in hand, or in one arm, is already a few paces ahead as I hear Applejack shout, “Let's do what Mormon's doin', and run!”

After a few seconds of the whole group running, I hear Fluttershy say, “Oh, I'm so sorry.”

My character doesn't look behind him, but he doesn't have to, either. I know the yellow pegasa's talking to a frog she passes, who's also fleeing from the hydra. I do have to wonder, though, if she thinks the frog might be hopping mad at her.

In the mean time, I hear Pinkie Pie, still in my character's arm, ask, “Mormon, why did you grab me when you started running away from that hydra?”

As my character looks down for a moment at the curious pink pony, then back in front of him, I answer, “I know you would've frozen up back there. I wasn't going to leave you to the mercy of a monster like that.”

I suppose Pinkie Pie would be in the position to emote as she says, “Oh. Well, thank you, Mormon.”

No more is spoken for a few seconds, although I hear heavy thuds here and there, followed by laughter coming form the hydra. Evidently, three of the heads have snapped at, and failed to catch, three of the ponies; and have caught other things instead.

In the episode, as far as I can tell, panic can be the only reason for the screaming before the ponies arrive at a dead end, which proves to be just a turn in the pathway. In the game, I guess I provide a better excuse as I call out, seeing the turn, “Uh-oh, turn!”

The ponies follow my character, that is until we hear Spike scream, “Help!”

I'm not surprised when Twilight turns and heads back to rescue Spike from an especially sticky part of the bog which he unluckily stepped into. But, I have my character lead the group up the hill, then stop when he's around a foot from running off the edge of a cliff. Then, he looks behind him to show me, through his eyes, Twilight Sparkle, Spike on her back, galloping to catch up to the group.

I know that nearby is a series of half a dozen natural monuments that provide a pathway across the ravine to the other cliff; where the group'll be safe. So, I have my character make the jumps across the monuments to the other cliff.

It's notable that Pinkie Pie, the entire time, has been vibrating on and off. And, if I'm not mistaken, her vibration attacks are becoming more and more frequent, as well as stronger and stronger. I'm not sure if I dare have my character put her down.

In the mean time, I hear Twilight call out, “He'll be up here in no time! Quick, one at a time! Cross!”

My character is in no position to help Spike as he stumbles and nearly falls in the swampy ravine. The good news is he doesn't need to be, as Spike's natural reflexes keep him from falling in. As he tuns from the dangerous position to Twilight, he asks her, “Uh, do you know any spells for turning a hydra into a mouse?”

Twilight answers, “No.”

Spike makes a couple more suggestions, but Twilight finally answers, “No small rodents of any kind!”

Fluttershy hesitates as she looks down into the ravine below.

Applejack jumps the six monuments ahead of her, calling to the yellow pegasa, “Hurry it up, Fluttershy!”

In response, the timid yellow pegasa backs away and, looking up at my character, says, “Oh, Mormon, why did you have to run across first?”

I answer, “I'm sorry about that, Fluttershy, but it's alright.”

Before I can say more, I hear Twlight say, “I'll distract the hydra. Fluttershy, you take Spike and get over to the other side.” And, with that, she picks up the purple dragon with her magic and settles him on her back.

As Twilight gallops at full speed under the hydra, Fluttershy turns to my pale-green unicorn friend and says, “You go on ahead, Lyra. I'll follow behind you, if you don't mind.”

Lyra just nods before jumping across each of the monuments to my character and Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

Again I call out, “Now Fluttershy, if you can humble a full-grown dragon and get it to move to another mountain, it seems to me you can make it across this ravine! And, since it's not an uphill battle, you should have no problems flying across!”

As I have my character set Pinkie Pie on her hooves on the ground, Lyra calls out, “Mormon's right! It should be just a hop, skip, and a jump!”

Again Fluttershy peers over the edge of the cliff to look at the swamp below as she chants to herself, “Hop, skip, jump. Hop, skip, jump.” Then, she backs up a few paces, then, focusing on my character, gallops a pace forward and jumps as she says, “Hop, skip, jump!” then opens her wings and flies toward him.

I can only imagine it's good fortune that keeps the hydra silent until Fluttershy is more than halfway over the swampy ravine. But, it is a cry from the enormous creature that, once again, causes the timid yellow pegasa to snap her wings folded, then dive toward my character.

I have my character open his arms just in time to receive the pegasa as she hits him in the chest, forcing him backward into the mountain behind him. Then, when I'm sure my character can say anything, I say, “There, ya see, no problem.”

Fluttershy answers, “Oh, thank you, Mormon, for being there to catch me again.”

I'll admit I'm surprised to hear Pinkie Pie say, “Just back off of him, sister. He's mine.” And, immediately after that, she's seized by another fit of vibrating.

Seeing PInkie Pie's evident seizure, I'm left with no time to respond to her outburst, as I also see Twilight, still on the dangerous side of the ravine, galloping at full speed ahead of the rampaging hydra.

Just a few of Twilight's paces before she can jump, one of the hydra's heads lunges forward to grab her.

Spike screams out, “Twilight!”

That seems to be enough to make the purple unicorn jump, and just in time to dodge the lunging head, causing it to crash into the edge of the cliff with enough force to break it off, and hit and knock over one of the pillars where Twilight could've landed and jumped off to the next pillar, on her way to safety from the hydra.

Looking at the stunned head, I have to wonder if the pain it must be feeling is the only smarts that head'll ever have. What I say aloud is, “Ouch, that'll leave a mark.”

But, the mark that's left is on more than one of the hydra's heads; as knocking over one of the pillars causes a chain reaction that leaves only two of the six pillars standing. As a result, it's evident that Twilight is stranded on the one side of the ravine with a hurt and furious hydra.

It's Pinkie Pie that, in between vibrating fits, calls out, “Twilight, you have to jump!”

Twilight shouts back, “I'll never make it!”

Pinkie Pie calls back, “You'll be fine!”

Twilight responds, “I will not!”

I wouldn't be surprised if Pinkie Pie's evident confidence is due to my character, under my instructions, moving down the path a little ways to show me, through his eyes, a better perspective of what I know is coming.

In the mean time, the hydra's four heads roar, and the giant creature starts moving forward again.

Pinkie Pie calls out, “It's your o-o-only ho-o-ope!”

Whether it's in this video game environment or in the episode, it doesn't matter. I still find it fascinating to watch.

Twilight still hesitates as the hydra marches towards her.

Then I hear Pinkie Pie shout, “You have to take a leap of faith!”

From this point, I have my character watch the swamp below, and I do notice what I expect will be the bubble that saves the purple unicorn's life forming in the slimy mud. From my character's perspective, I don't get to see Twilight Sparkle back up a few steps, then run and take her leap of faith off the cliff. But, I do get to see her bounce off of the bubble, then back up onto one of the pillars. I have my character run and jump into the place where I know Twilight will land, providing her with a relatively soft place to land after she bounces on the two pillars and onto the side of the ravine with the rest of the group.

Instead of a squee to her friends representing recovery from a daze due to hitting the cliff wall; the squee is directed at my character, and represents recognition that he was once again there to keep her from getting seriously hurt.

After her friends cheer over her evident safety, Pinkie Pie hugs her and says, “I knew you could do it, Twilight.”

The purple unicorn responds by saying, “I don't know how it happened, coincidence, dumb luck or what. But, you said there'd be a doozy here at Froggy Bottom Bog, and I'd say we just had ourselves one heck of a doozy. I mean, that hydra—“

Just then, Pinkie Pie's seized by another vibrating fit.

Watching her pink earth pony friend, Twilight says, “Pinkie?”

As soon as Pinkie Pie stops vibrating, she says, matter-of-factly, “That wasn't it.”

Twilight grunts in surprise and confusion.

Then, Spike asks, “What wasn't it?”

Insistently, as Pinkie Pie vibrates again, Applejack asks, “What are you talkin' about, Pink?”

Pinkie Pie, after the vibration ceases, replies, “The hydra wasn't the doozy.”

Through my character's eyes, I happen to catch a glimpse of one of the hydra's heads, before the creature marches off, blowing a raspberry at the group on the side of the swampy ravine safe from it. In fact, as I notice the lump on it's head, I recognize it as the head that inadvertently played dominoes with the monuments over the ravine.

As my character turns back to Twilight and Pinkie Pie, I hear the pink earth pony say, “I'm still getting the shudders.” When another vibrating spell passes, she says, “You see, there it is again. Whatever the doozy is at Froggy Bottom Bog, my Pinkie sense says it still hasn't happened.”

At this point, I watch the purple unicorn completely loose her composure as she says, “Uh—but I—what?” I can't tell, at this point, whether she's trembling from fear or fury as she adds, “The hydra—wasn't—the doozy? How—could—it—not—be—the doozy? What could be doozier than that?”

Pinkie Pie answers, “Dunno, but that just wasn't it.”

Another fun part of the episode to watch, which I've effectively recreated in this game, is Twlight's transformation into a juvenile, yet fully evolved, pokemon.

Twilight Sparkle growls, then roars, then bursts into flames, taking on the appearance of a very young-looking rapidash. After a few seconds, the flames instantly die out, leaving the purple unicorn to collapse on the ground and groan, “I give up.”

At this point, I have my character start to sit up.

In the mean time, Spike walks up to the purple unicorn and asks, “Give up what, Twi?”

I have to wonder if I'm the only one that thinks of the words of the chorus from an REO Speedwagon song when I hear Twilight answer, “The fight. I can't fight it anymore.” The purple unicorn continues, “I don't understand how, why, or what; but, Pinkie sense somehow … makes sense. I don't see how it does, but it just does. Just because I don't understand doesn't mean it's not true.”

Pinkie Pie, in the mean time vibrating more than ever, asks, “Y-y-you m-m-mean y-y-you b-b-be-e-elieve?”

With a somewhat defeated expression on her face, Twilight looks up at her and says, “Yep, I guess I do.”

At the purple unicorn's answer, Pinkie Pie's vibrations climax, and she comes as close as I can imagine she can to exploding without being torn apart. Then, after looking around, she gasps and says, “That's it! That's the doozy!”

After Spike shakes himself out, Twilight trots toward Pinkie Pie and asks, “What? What is?”

Pinkie Pie answers, pointing at Twilight, “You believing! I never expected that to happen. That was the doozy! And, oh what a doozy of a doozy it was!” And, with that, she trots past the purple unicorn and starts singing, leaving the rest of her friends, other than me, wondering what just happened.

In the mean time, I have my character rise to his feet, take a few steps down the path, following Pinkie Pie, and get a good look over the tree tops. As I notice something, I say, “Fluttershy, could you fly up and get a look over there?” And, I have my character point past the trees. I don't quite expect it, but I'm sure I can see, through my character's eyes, his house.

When I first called the yellow pegasa, I heard her yelp in surprise. Then, when she hears my request, she flies up and hovers in place next to him, then states, “Oh, you can see your house from here. So can I.”

My character doesn't look to see, so I can't say for sure if it's Lyra or Twilight that says, “That should mean the trail out of the Everfree forest isn't that far away.” I'm pretty sure it's Twilight's voice I was hearing.

At any rate, as the yellow pegasa approaches my character, I ask her, “Do you think you could guide us to the trail? Once we're there, we should get back to Ponyville with no problems.”

Presently, I hear Pinkie Pie call out, “Well, let's get goin', sillies!”

Fluttershy then answers, “I suppose I could. But, I don't think I'll be takin' anymore frogs to Froggy Bottom Bog anymore.”

With the yellow pegasa to guide the group from above, and a few instances of Pinkie Pie's pinchy knee, the group is able to choose a safe course to the trail, then eventually back to Ponyville, although Fluttershy chooses to stay back at her cottage, probably to make plans to find a safer place to move the extra frogs to. And, just outside the forest, Applejack decides to return to Sweet Apple Acres to get back to harvesting apples.

In the mean time, as the group makes its way back to the library, Pinkie Pie's tail starts twitching, prompting a rapid movement into the library.

Once again, Twilight turns to me and asks, “So, did you know there was gonna be a hydra at Froggy Bottom Bog?”

I don't want Twilight to know that I programmed this game to have as many elements in common with the cartoon series as possible, including the hydra that would show up on this particular day; so, I answer, “I never saw it before.” Then, as I see Pinkie Pie's tail twitch again, I say, “I'll keep an eye out for anything, or anyone, that might fall.” Of course, that's when I notice that Spike isn't in the library.

And, of course, that happens to be when the purple dragon comes through the front door.

Twilight says, “Oh, good, Spike, you're here. Take a letter.”

Spike, running to the desk, answers, “With pleasure, Twilight.”

I decide to let my sense of humor shine through as I state, “Preferably with a quill and parchment.”

As Spike stands there for a moment confused, Twilight and Pinkie giggle over my joke. Then, looking at the supplies ready on the table, he chuckles a couple times and says, “Oh, that was a joke.” Then, after grabbing a quill and some of the parchment, he turns to Twilight and says, “Ready when you are.”

At her assistant's announcement, Twilight clears her throat and says, “Dear Princess Celestia, I'm happy to report that—“ Then, noticing her assistant hasn't start writing yet, she asks, “Spike, what've I been saying about focus?”

At this point, I'm not sure if I dare ask a question about why Twilight's happy to report a question about Spike's focus.

In the mean time, the little purple dragon points the feathery end of the quill at my character and asks, “Why is Mormon here?”

Twilight answers, “Well, Pinkie's tail's twitchin'. Mormon's kept me safe so far, so what else can I do?” And, again the two mares laugh.

Until he's stopped by Twilight, Spike also laughs. Then, he gets ready and starts writing as the purple unicorn dictates, “I'm happy to report that I now realize there are wonderful things in this world that you just can't explain, but that doesn't necessarily make them any less true. It just means you have to choose to believe in them, and sometimes, it takes a friend or two to show you the way.”

At this point, Pinkie Pie pushes on Twilight's nose with a front hoof and says, “Honk!”

I still find it funny that Spike even writes down Pinkie Pie's “Honk,” even saying it as he writes it. That's one of the many things I have preserved in this game.

At any rate, Twilight concludes, “Always your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”

As Spike rolls up the letter and prepares to send it off, Twilight leads Pinkie Pie and my character out of the library and asks my character, “So, shall we head on over to your house now?”

I can see, through my character's eyes, that there seems to be plenty of daylight still left; so I answer, “We still seem to have some time left. We could go to the clinic and see how Mrs. Cake's doin'.”

I hear Pinkie Pie ask, “You really care about her, dontcha?”

I answer, focusing on the pink earth pony, “I'm sure she'll be fine. I just figure it's still a good idea to let her know we're thinkin' about her.”

As the group makes it's way from the library, again Pinkie's tail vibrates.

Pinkie Pie says, pointing to it with a front hoof, “There it goes again.”

Twilight turns around and approaches her, then seeing the pink pony's tail stop twitching, says, “I wonder what's gonna drop out of the sky this time.”

I amend, “What or who.”

Pinkie Pie giggles and says, “You never know.”

Then, as the group walks away from the library, after a few seconds I hear a thud coming from the arboreal house of books; and my character turns to it to show me, through his eyes, Princess Celestia on what I'm guessing is the back porch. I'm surprised, neither by that, nor by the fact that Pinkie Pie's tail has stopped twitching, as I watch the daytime princess take the letter from Spike and fly off.

It's not long before Spike comes out of the library and catches up to Twilight Sparkle, at which point the group of six makes its way to the clinic where Twilight asks about the Cakes.

The nurse pony at the front desk strolls off to the back, and in about a minute returns with Mr. Cake, who, seeing Pinkie Pie, Lyra, Weed Whacker, and my character, says, “I'm afraid I'm gonna have to keep Sugar Cube Corner closed for a few days. Cup is fine, they're just keepin' her here for a few days to keep an eye on her.”

Pinkie Pie asks, “And, her foals?”

Mr. Cake answers, “That's the main reason why they're keepin' her here, so when she's ready to foal, …”

At this point, I say, “I understand. Right now, your place is with your wife.”

Mr. Cake nods, appearing relieved, and says, “We'll let you know when the foals have arrived.” And, with that, he goes back into the clinic.

As the group makes it's way out of the clinic, Twilight says, “I guess that means the Cakes won't be coming to the readings for a while.”

I state, “That's fine. They can read between the two of them. But, like I said, Mr. Cake's place, right now, is with Mrs. Cake.”

The group makes it's way out of Ponyville and on their way to, then through, the Everfree forest.

At my character's house, as my character opens the gate and allows the ponies and the dinosaur in, Pinkie Pie sighs and says, “I'm gonna miss havin' Vinyl and Octavia around.”

At the pink earth pony's statement, Twilight turns to my character and asks, “Did something happen to them?”

I answer, “They proved they were ready to leave, so Pinkie Pie, Lyra, Weed Whacker and I guided them back to Ponyville. My guess is they're getting settled again.”

As my character, seeing the ponies and dinosaur in the yard, closes the door behind him, Twilight turns to her pink friend and says, “Well, the good news is you won't have to worry about them keepin' you awake at night.”

As I watch, through my character's eyes, Pinkie Pie turn to the purple unicorn, I notice her glaring, which causes Twilight to pause for a moment. Having effectively silenced the purple unicorn, Pinkie Pie turns to my character and asks, “Do you remember if Vinyl and Octy took their books with them?”

As I remember, the white unicorn and gray earth pony took their instruments with them. But, I can't say I remember seeing them with their copies of the Book of Mormon. So, I state, “It might be a good idea to check their room and make sure.”

Taking that as encouragement, Pinkie Pie runs into the house, making sure to open the door first, and, I'm guessing, into the room where the two musicians had been, to search for the books they might've left there.

In the mean time, Lyra looks up at my character and says, “It may be a good idea to get the snacks ready for the ponies that'll be coming to the reading.” And, with that, she heads off to the vineyard, while Weed Whacker makes her way to the vegetable garden.

Before they can get very far, though, Pinkie Pie comes out with two copies of the Book of Mormon on her back and says, “They forgot their books, they forgot their books!”

I have my character kneel on one knee in front of the pink earth pony and stroke her neck as I say, “It's alright. You can leave the books on the coffee table; and, when they come to the reading, you can give them their books.” Then, seeing Pinkie Pie relax, I continue, “When you've put the books on the table, you can come out into the orchard with me; and we'll get some fruits to make snacks for the reading this evening.”

Pinkie Pie smiles and says, “Good idea.” Then, she gallops back into the house.

In the mean time, Twilight heads to the house; and my character heads to the orchard in search of fruits.

Not long after he's made it into the orchard, the pink earth pony, now being controlled by Diane, jumps over the fence. And I can see she's wearing her saddle bags.

The pink pony with straight mane and tail kicks a tree so that nine apples fall from it, after which she collects the fruits and puts them in her bag. She's gotten pretty good at apple bucking. I wonder what Applejack would think about that.

In the mean time, I collect a few summer fruits, then put them in the bag opposite the one where Diane had put the apples. I also pick a pear or two. And, whereas Diane Pie had no problem leaping over the fence entering the orchard, she needs my help getting back out over the fence.

When all are finished with the harvest, the pink earth pony, the pale-green unicorn, the dinosaur, and the human congregate at the front door, which Twilight has evidently closed behind her as she entered; and I have my character open the door for the others to enter.

In the kitchen, Twilight helps by cutting up the vegetables that Weed Whacker harvested; and Pinkie Pie, now being controlled by Pinkamena, places the pieces of fruit and vegetables on the platter my character has provided for the snacks. And, my character joins forces with Lyra to either separate fruits from their stems, or to cut them into bite-sized pieces. And, once again, when the preparation is complete, the pile of snacks looks like some kind of royal crown.

And, it's just then that we hear a knock at the door.

My character answers the door, to find Vinyl Scratch, closely followed by Octavia, ready to come in.

I say, “It's good to see you back, Vinyl. I'm guessing you're here for the reading?”

The smiling white unicorn answers, “Of course. And, we realized when we got home that … we forgot our books. So, can we have them?”

I have my character move out of the doorway and gesture to the position of the books as I say, “Sure. They're right here on the coffee table.”

Pretty much the only evidence that I get that the bespectacled white unicorn sees the books on the table is her squealing, “Yes!” Then, my character turns to the table to show me, through his eyes, the books, possessed by a bluish-white aura, rising from the table and floating across the room, one to Vinyl, and the other to Octavia. After that, Vinyl nods to my character and says, “Thanks, Mormon. We'll wait outside.” And, with that, the two musician ponies leave the porch to take positions on the lawn.

Once my character returns to the kitchen, Pinkie Pie asks, “So, Mormon, who was that?”

I answer, “It was Vinyl and Octavia. They've reclaimed their books, and are waiting on the front lawn for the reading.”

The bounces may not be very high this time, but it's still very funny to watch the pink earth pony bouncing in a circle squealing, “Oh, yes-yes-yes-yes-yes!” once again at the rate of one bounce per yes. When she's finished bouncing, she turns to me and, smiling, asks, “Can I go see them, please?”

I answer, “Sure. And, while you're out there, you can greet the rest of the guests as they come in.”

At my response, it takes one high bounce for the pink pony to get from the counter where the snack tray is to the door to the front room. With surprising ease she opens the door and gallops to the front door. From there, I can only assume, based on the sounds, she opens the front door and runs out to greet Vinyl and Octavia.

As my character turns back to the two unicorns and the dinosaur, Twilight says, “Yeah, that's Pinkie Pie for you. So, shall we take the snack tray out to the guests?”

I answer, “I like to make sure the guests have arrived first. But, if you prefer, sure, we can take the snack tray out now.”

Turning to the pale green unicorn next to her, Twilight asks, “Lyra, will you help me?” And, I notice, through my character's eyes, one side of the tray glows with a purple aura.

As Lyra nods in affirmation, the other side of the tray glows with a pale-green aura.

I have my character open the kitchen door and stand to one side to allow the two unicorns to pass with the snack tray in the grip of their magic.

And, Weed Whacker follows closely behind the two unicorns.

Once the trio are past the kitchen door, I have my character close the door behind them, then run around the couches to the front door to open that for them, or to hold it open for them. Then, once they've made their way outside, I have my character follow, closing the door behind him. Then, after following the trio to where they place the tray, approximately in the middle of the lawn between the sidewalk and the orchard, I ask, “So, do you have your copies of the Book of Mormon?”

At this point, the look on Twilight's face morphs into one of surprise and horror, after which she closes her eyes and plants a front hoof between them, and, shaking her head, answers, “I left my copy at the library.” Then, dropping the hoof, opening her eyes, and looking at my character, she adds, “I'm sorry, Mormon.” Judging by the present expression on her face, I almost expect her to start crying any time now.

I state, “That's alright. I can always loan you a copy. I have plenty.”

Twilight emits a genuine sigh of relief and says, “Thanks, Mormon. I'll be sure to bring my copy next time.”

I simply answer, “No problem.” And, my attention is drawn to the line of ponies at the front gate.

It's evident that Pinkie Pie's taking the time to give each of the visitors an enthusiastic greeting as she allows them to enter.

From what I can see, aside from Vinyl and Octavia, there's also the Apple family that arrives together. And, I can see, through my character's eyes, that Cheerilee is used to separating the school bullies, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, Ponyville's equivalent of Laman and Lemuel, from other foals she brings with her, in this case Twist, Scootaloo, and Namby Pamby.

My three stallion friends, as well as Snips and Snails and their parents, are already in the yard.

Lyra runs toward the next pony to enter the gate, Bon-Bon, making the cream-colored mare one of the few to be doubly greeted. Then, as they walk away form the gate, I happen to notice, behind the school teacher pony, Rarity, followed by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

Following them are Mayor Mare, Colgate, Berry Punch, and Carrot Top.

As Twilight marches forward to greet Rarity, the princesses appear in the open area of the front yard, along with Hoity Toity and his servant, leaving me to wonder if they're going to be regulars to the reading from now on. But, that question will be answered with time. As I notice Zecora coming from the other direction, it's clear to me that all the guests for the reading have arrived.

Once all the guests are in the yard and have taken places around the snack tray, I take a position between Weed Whacker and Pinkie Pie. Seeing that there are no newcomers, I ask, “Are there any volunteers to start reading chapter seven of Second Nephi?”

I'm pleasantly surprised when Berry Ground says, “I'd like to start.”

I nod and say, “Go right ahead.”

Berry Ground nods back, then looks down and reads, “Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.” Looking up at my character, he says, “I notice in the heading of this chapter, the end of the heading, it says I should compare Isaiah 50.”

I nod and state, “This is one of those times when Nephi, or his brother Jacob, quotes Isaiah. Later on, Nephi'll quote as many as thirteen chapters in a row from the book of Isaiah. If you're interested in Isaiah's prophesies, I can see if I can get them for you by the next time you come.”

The earth stallion nods and says, “I would appreciate that. Thank you, Mormon.”

At this point, Stunts, next to him, reads, “Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make their rivers a wilderness and their fish to stink because the waters are dried up, and they die because of thirst.”

Emerald Hill reads, “I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.”

Lyra reads, “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of Israel. When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. He waketh mine ear to hear as the learned.”

Bon-Bon reads, “The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.”

Weed Whacker reads, “I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”

At this point, I say, “Here, what Weed Whacker just read is Isaiah referring to what the Christ, from Isaiah's perspective, will go through, towards the end of his ministry, the end of his life.” I then read, “For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”

Pinkie Pie reads, “And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth.”

Rainbow Dash reads, “For the Lord God will help me. And all they who shall condemn me, behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up.”

Following a groan of disgust from the rainbow-haired pegasa, Fluttershy reads, “Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?”

Rarity reads, “Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand—ye shall lie down in sorrow.”

Spike says, “Well, I'm guessing that, since that was such a short chapter, I can go ahead and start reading chapter eight?”

I have my character nod in the purple dragon's direction, and I answer, “Go ahead, Spike.”

And, with my encouragement, Spike reads, “Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness. Look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged.”

Twilight reads, “Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah, she that bare you; for I called him alone, and blessed him.”

Applejack reads, “For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.”

Applebloom reads, “Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation; for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light for the people.”

Big MacIntosh reads, “My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arm shall judge the people. The isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.”

Granny Smith reads, “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner. But my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.”

Hoity Toity reads, “Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.”

Hoity Toity's servant reads, “For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool. But my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.”

Zecora reads, “Awake, awake! Put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days. Art thou not he that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?”

Mayor Mare reads, “Art thou not he who hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?”

Princess Luna reads, “Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”

Princess Celestia reads, “I am he; yea, I am he that comforteth you. Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man, who shall die, and of the son of man, who shall be made like unto grass?”

Warm Heart reads, “And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth, and hast feared continually every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor?”

Snails reads, “The captive exile hasteneth, that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.”

Snips reads, “But I am the Lord thy God, whose waves roared; the Lord of Hosts is my name.”

Cold Hands reads, “And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion: Behold, thou art my people.”

Namby Pamby reads, “Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury—thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out—“

Twist reads, “And none to guide her among all the sons she hath brought forth; neither that taketh her by the hand, of all the sons she hath brought up.”

Scootaloo reads, “These two sons are come unto thee, who shall be sorry for thee—thy desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword—and by whom shall I comfort thee?”

Cheerilee reads, “Thy sons have fainted, save these two; they lie at the head of all the streets; as a wild bull in a net, they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.”

Diamond Tiara looks up at my character, and I can see, through his eyes, the evil grin on her face as she says, “Oh, by the way, my dad's coming tomorrow. And, he's looking forward to meeting you.” And, she sings the last statement.

I answer, with a more sincere tone in my voice, “Well, I look forward to meeting him, too.”

The pink earth filly growls for a few seconds before looking down into her book again and reading, “Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, and not with wine:”

Silver Spoon reads, “Thus saith thy Lord, the Lord and thy God pleadeth the cause of his people; behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again.”

Octavia reads, “But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; who have said to thy soul: Bow down, that we may go over—and thou hast laid thy body as the ground and as the street to them that went over.”

Vinyl Scratch reads, “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.”

Colgate reads, “Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.”

Seeing, through my character's eyes, that there are two in the circle that still haven't gotten the chance to read yet, I say, “Well, after two chapters, I can see that Berry Punch and Carrot Top have yet to read. So, I say we read one more chapter. Any objections?”

The two earth mares look at me, and Carrot Top says, “Oh, that's alright. You don't have to start another chapter on our account.”

But, it seems that Carrot Top is the only one that seems to have an objection. Even Spike seems to think it's a good idea to read another chapter.

Finally, Princess Celestia says, “It seems that everypony thinks that reading one more chapter is a good idea.” Turning to the purple-red earth mare, she says, “Go right ahead, Berry Punch.”

I can't help noticing a concerned look on Carrot Top's face as Berry Punch nods, then looks down and reads, “And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—“

I must admit that I'm starting to get concerned about the purple-red earth pony now. Was that a stream I was hearing from her position while she read? And, not only that, but, while she read, she seemed to be having problems, like she was slurring her words, or at least just having trouble reading, or perhaps saying, some of the words.

But, I don't get much time to worry about that, as Carrot Top reads, “That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.”

Then, Berry Ground reads, “Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.”

Stunts reads, “For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.”

Emerald Hill reads, “Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.”

Lyra reads, “For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.”

Bon-Bon reads, “Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.”

Weed Whacker reads, “O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.”

I read, “And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.”

Pinkie Pie reads, “O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.”

Rainbow Dash reads, “And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.”

Fluttershy reads, “And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.”

Rarity reads, “O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.”

Spike reads, “Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness.”

Twilight Sparkle reads, “And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.”

Applejack reads, “And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end.”

Applebloom reads, “O the greatness and the justice of our God! For he executeth all his words, and they have gone forth out of his mouth, and his law must be fulfilled.”

Big MacIntosh reads, “But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.”

Granny Smith reads, “O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.”

Hoity Toity reads, “O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.”

Hoity Toity's servant reads, “And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.”

Zecora reads, “And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.”

Mayor Mare reads, “And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.”

Princess Luna reads, “And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.”

Princess Celestia reads, “Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him.”

Warm Heart reads, “For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel.”

Snails reads, “But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!”

Snips reads, “O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.”

Cold Hands reads, “But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.”

Namby Pamby reads, “But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.”

Twist reads, “And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish.”

Scootaloo reads, “Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also.”

Cheerilee reads, “Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.”

Diamond Tiara reads, “Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell.”

Silver Spoon reads, “Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die.”

Octavia reads, “Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell.”

Vinyl Scratch reads, “Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them.”

Colgate reads, “And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.”

Berry Punch reads, “O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.”

I must admit I'm still concerned about Berry Punch. She still has that impediment that she had with the first verse she read. If, as I suspect, she did wet herself, that's long past now. But, besides her speech, I can see, through my character's eyes, that Berry Punch just isn't acting right.

In the mean time, Carrot Top reads, “O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.”

Berry Ground reads, “O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.”

Stunts reads, “And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.”

Emerald Hill reads, “But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.”

Lyra reads, “O, my beloved brethren, remember my words. Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you; I pray the God of my salvation that he view me with his all-searching eye; wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of their works, that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him, and am rid of your blood.”

Bon-Bon reads, “O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation.”

Weed Whacker reads, “Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery.”

I read, “But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things? Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin?”

Pinkie Pie reads, “Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.”

Rainbow Dash reads, “Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.”

Fluttershy reads, “Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

Rarity reads, “Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.”

Spike reads, “Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.”

Twilight Sparkle reads, “And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.”

And, last of all, Applejack reads, “And now, my brethren, I would speak unto you more; but on the morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words. Amen.”

At this point, I have my character stand up; and I say, “Well, everyone's gotten a chance to read at least two verses now. And, I can see you've enjoyed yourselves. But, I'm thinking it's time to call an end to the reading for now. Next time, we'll begin the reading with chapter ten of Second Nephi, and see what happens from there. Is that alright with everyone here?”

The second of the group to rise, as it turns out, is Berry Punch. As my character's attention is turned to her, I see, through his eyes, the purple-red earth mare open her mouth, and I have to wonder if she's going to say anything. But, then I hear a belch from her, and she seems to freeze up, perhaps in shock, as, I'm guessing, instead of words, the contents of her stomach come out of her mouth.

The rest of the ponies in the circle rise even more quickly, and various ponies scream in surprise and disgust.

Cold Hands and Warm Heart move to protect Snips and Snails from the sight, and Applejack does the same with Applebloom. Even Twilight moves to protect Spike, and my character blocks Weed Whacker's view of the eruption.

After a few seconds, Berry Punch stops vomiting, then stumbles a bit; and her legs give out under her as she collapses. But, she seems more breathless than anything else. She still demonstrates evidence of being awake.

In the mean time, it's evident that her eruption has missed her copy of the Book of Mormon, and, for that matter, those of the others nearby. And, while that's good news, even if Berry Punch had gotten sick on her copy, or that of anyone else for that matter, I could've replaced it or them easily enough. Still, this display from the purple-red earth mare leaves me even more concerned about her.

As Carrot Top nervously settles back down next to her friend, she looks up at my character and says, “I think you're right. Let's call it a night.”

As the other ponies exit, Zecora lingers to get a better look at Berry Punch.

The princesses also stay in place, probably awaiting word on Berry Punch's condition.

As Zecora puts a front hoof on Berry Punch's forehead, undoubtedly to feel for her body temperature, it's Carrot Top who says, “I know what's wrong with her.” With the eyes of the remaining ponies, the dinosaur, the human and the zebra on her, she concludes, “She's just drunk.”

Zecora opens her mouth to speak, but it's Princess Luna who asks, “What doest thou mean, 'She's just drunk?'”

Carrot Top answers, “Just before she came, she was drinking at the tavern with DJ Pon3's band members.”

My character turns to the line and shows me, through his eyes, that Vinyl Scratch is still among the ponies that hasn't left yet.

But, now, she gallops in between me and Zecora, landing a rear hoof in Berry Punch's vomit as she comes to a stop. She then asks, “Who, exactly, did this to her?”

Before Carrot Top can answer, Berry Punch pushes Zecora's hoof away, rises on all fours, and says, “It's alright. I'm perfffectly fffine.”

Then I hear a zipper sound effect from behind her, and watch her as she raises her tail. With my character's attention drawn to the purple-red earth pony's backside, I get a view as she, most likely involuntarily, empties her bowels. Seeing this, I say, “Somehow, I don't think so. Generally, ponies that are 'perfectly fine' have control over their bowels.”

At this point, I hear Vinyl say, “This is the sort of thing that was happening to me before Mormon helped me.” As my character turns to the white, blue-haired unicorn, she adds, “And, just like he helped me, I think Berry Punch should stay here so Mormon can help her.” She then focuses on me and asks, “Mormon, is that alright with you?”

Before I can answer, I hear Carrot Top say, “Well, if Berry Punch is staying here, then I should stay here, too. I'm her friend, after all, and it wouldn't do to have her face whatever she's gonna face alone.”

I wait for a few seconds for input from other sources. When I don't get any, I say, “Berry Punch would be better off with someone, some pony, who could stay here with her while she's breaking her alcoholic habit. Pinkie Pie, Lyra, Weed Whacker and I generally go to Ponyville for whatever Pinkie Pie needs to do for that day. And, I do have things that should help Berry Punch focus on other things than the withdrawal symptoms she may face.” I have my character focus on the purple-red earth pony as I ask, “Are you good at any kind of gardening work?”

By this point, Berry Punch has stopped defecating, which would most likely means her bowels are empty now. She answers, “Whaddo you think? My sss-ssspecial talent is raise-raising fff-fff-fffruits. Didn'tcha sssee my cutie mmm-mmmark?” And, she points with her nose to the picture on her left hip.

I say, “Excellent. Then, I guess it's settled.”

As my character, following my instructions, focuses on Carrot Top, the bright-orange earth mare says, “My special talent is raising and digging up roots. I know you have a vegetable garden, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to provide veggie snacks.”

At this point, I hear Weed Whacker say, “Now, just a minute. The veggie garden is my turf.”

And, my character turns to the herbivorous dinosaur to show me she's glaring, evidently at Carrot Top.

I say, “Now, Weed Whacker, calm down. If Carrot Top is gonna stay here, she needs something to do. And, since you're so often with me, Lyra, and Pinkie Pie in town, it'll be good for the garden to have someone here to take care of it. And besides, it's only until Berry Punch is better, free from her alcoholic habit.”

Then, Berry Punch says, “Hhhey! I may be dddrunk nnnow, bbbuttt thhhat doesssn't mean I'm annn alchhh … annn alchhh …”

Vinyl Scratch pushes the purple-red earth pony's head down just as she starts to dry heave.

As she watches her friend gagging, Carrot Top says, “So, it's settled then.” She focuses on my character again and says, “Berry Punch and I will stay here while Berry Punch recovers, and I'll keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't try to escape or do anything harmful. That is, I'll keep her here until you say it's alright for her to go back to Ponyville.”

I say, “That's fine with me. You two can have the room where Vinyl and Octavia stayed.” I then turn to Pinkie Pie and Lyra and ask, “Will you two lead Berry Punch and Carrot Top to Vinyl and Octavia's old room?”

The pale-green unicorn and pink earth pony agree; and Pinkie Pie helps Carrot Top carry Berry Punch while Lyra opens the front door, at least, and allows them to enter.

In the mean time, I have my character gather up the remaining copies of the Book of Mormon, and Weed Whacker cleans up the messes that Berry Punch made.

Zecora says, “You also helped Octavia and Vinyl Scratch. The recovery plans should almost match.”

As my character works to gather the books, I say, “Vinyl and Octavia have given me experience helping ponies break their alcoholic habits. I'll just be getting more with Berry Punch.” At this point, my character looks up to show me that Zecora seems to have disappeared. As he looks around to show me, through his eyes, that there seems to be no evidence of her presence, I'm left to guess that, while I was talking, she made her way out of the gate, or over the fence, and back into the Everfree forest, to her home.

In the mean time, Vinyl has also left for Ponyville, with the other ponies that came for the reading, save for Berry Punch and Carrot Top.

And, considering I don't see them anymore, I'm guessing the princesses have teleported back to Canterlot with Hoity Toity and his servant.

With most of the evidence of the reading gone, I have my character take the books and platter back inside.

My character puts the books on the coffee table, then takes the platter into the kitchen and puts it into the sink.

You know, thinking about it, I almost wish Weed Whacker had left the messes that Berry Punch had made. Then, the game's tomorrow morning, Berry Punch, as part of her recovery, could've cleaned them up. But, that's not for me to complain about. What's done is done. And, there's still plenty for Berry Punch to do to help with her recovery.

Lyra, Carrot Top, and Pinkie Pie come back without Berry Punch, saying that the purple-red pony is asleep in one of the beds, from what they say, I'm guessing the bed that Octavia once occupied.

Carrot Top and Weed Whacker go to the vegetable garden to harvest roots, Lyra goes to the vineyard to gather fruits from there, and Pinkie Pie and my character go to the orchard to gather fruits from there. After that, all go back inside, where they prepare the fruits and vegetables for dinner.

Carrot Top sets aside some of the fruits and vegetables for Berry Punch when she wakes up.

The rest are eaten by the rest of the group for dinner.

After that, each character retires to his or her chosen room.

But, before Pinkie Pie can retire to her room, I call to her and ask, “Will you join me in my room for a moment?”

As she turns to my character and nods in agreement, if I'm reading her expressions correctly, she alternates between excitement and fear.

My character stands at the door to allow her to enter first, then follows, closing the door behind them.

In the mean time, I watch, through my character's eyes, as Pinkie Pie jumps on my character's bed, then turns to me, nervously laughs, and says, “So, Mormon, what do you want to talk about?”

I answer, “Back in the Everfree forest, after Lyra and I convinced Fluttershy to cross the pillars across that ravine in Froggy Bottom Bog, you told her to leave me alone, that I was yours. Is there something we need to talk about?”

Pinkie Pie's ears turn backwards and flatten against her head, and she lowers into some kind of submissive pose. Then her eyebrows form an upward-pointing arrow as she says, “Well, … you see, …”

I have my character approach the pink earth pony, but she backs away from me. I then have him kneel on one knee just off the bed from her as I say, “Now, you don't need to be afraid of me. I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to know if there's some meaning to what you said to Fluttershy, that's all.” Then, when I see her trembling and apparently unable to form words, I say, “You don't have to talk aobut it if you don't want to. I just want you to know that you can talk to me whenever you feel like it. I won't hurt you.” I then have my character stretch his arms to her as I say, “Now, come here and give me a hug.”

That invitation seems to do more to calm Pinkie Pie down than anything else. While not the most enthusiastic she's ever been, she does accept, rising on all fours and taking the step towards my character, then wrapping her forelimbs around his neck, and allowing him to wrap his arms around her.

A few seconds later, they separate; and I have my character go to the door and open it, allowing the pink earth pony to leave.

At that point, Pinkie Pie jumps off the bed and trots through the door. Back in the hallway, she turns to me and says, “G-goodnight, M-mormon.” Then, she heads to her room.

I watch through my character's eyes as she opens the door, then enters her room, then closes the door behind her. After that, I have my character enter his room again and close the door behind him, then proceed to his bed, grabbing writing equipment along the way so he can write his letter to the princesses. But, I can't help thinking about what kind of feelings the bearer of the element of laughter might have for me, or at least for my character.

In the letter my character writes to the princesses, I note the number of times I had to rescue Twilight from possible disasters throughout the day. I also note that, for the most part, Lyra seemed to be a silent observer through the adventures in Froggy Bottom Bog.

I don't have my character write about my knowledge of Pinkie Pie's Pinkie sense, just that she's been a great teacher to me of that part of her life, and that knowledge has helped me keep Twilight from getting seriously hurt when things would fall, or when an attack was eminent.

I also have my character write that, at least from Twilight, I've gotten a better understanding of unicorn stubbornness, and what its limit seemed to be.

I decide not to have what Pinkie Pie said to Fluttershy on the cliff noted, at least not until I can get a better idea of what it was all about. Whatever's going on, I decide it's best for Pinkie Pie to come to me, to my character, with it.

With the letter completed, I have my character roll it up and deliver it to Weed Whacker, who is actually in the hallway when my character goes out to meet her. After that, my character returns to his room, where he gets ready for and goes to bed.

Well, I can't think of anymore to take notes on than what's already there. So, as I save and close the game, I suppose that ends it until the game's tomorrow.