I resume the game, waking up my character, to, as is pretty much normal anymore, the sound of pounding at my character's bedroom door. As he gets up, I hear Pinkie Pie call out, “Mormon, you're needed at the front door right now!”

My character walks to his bedroom door and, as I hear a losing-my-balance moan from Pinkie Pie, as well as a light thud from the opposite side of the door, opens it. Through his eyes, he shows me Pinkie Pie rolling onto her front facing away from him, at which point I ask, “Is there something wrong?”

The pink earth pony gets back up on all fours before turning a hundred eighty degrees to look at my character and saying, “I don't know for sure. All I know is Zecora's there, and she looks worried.”

At this point, I figure I have a good idea about why she's there. This is no doubt the day based on the episode, “Stare Master,” in which Twilight Sparkle, a chicken, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Fluttershy encounter a cockatrice. Now, I seem to remember reading in the scriptures about the cockatrice being some kind of poisonous snake. On the other hand, in the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic world, a cockatrice is a chicken with a long reptilian tail, that or some kind of dragon with a chicken's head and feet. Whichever it is, it's capable of turning other creatures to stone by staring at them, much like the gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology was said to do. But, as I've mentioned before on other subjects, I see no reason why I should reveal to either Pinkie Pie or Zecora that I already know about this, at least not right now.

Instead, I say, “Well, I guess I'd better find out what she wants.” And, I have my character follow Pinkie Pie to the front door.

Once the two get there, I see, through my character's eyes, that Pinkie Pie has left the front door open, and Zecora is standing there waiting for him.

As my character makes his way from behind the couch closest to him, I ask, “Zecora, is there something wrong?”

The zebra nods and says, “I must warn you and Pinkie Pie, a cockatrice may be nearby.”

Well, Zecora has established the possibility of such a creature being in the vicinity.

Pinkie Pie groans worriedly and asks, “Well, have you seen any evidence?”

Again Zecora nods, then states, “I've seen a creature in stone, or two. It's why I have come to warn you.”

Another thing I know that I see no reason to reveal to Pinkie Pie or Zecora, or anyone else in the game for that matter, is that I know that and how Fluttershy will deal with the avian menace when she comes in contact with it taking care of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. In fact, her talent for staring creatures down is the reason for the name of the episode.

Instead, I ask, “So, do you have any advice for us?”

Zecora turns away from my character and Pinkie Pie and heads down the stairs as she says, “I only have this to offer: Please, enter not the land of the cockatrice!”

As I watch, through my character's eyes, the zebra make her way to the gate, I think aloud, “I wonder what the chances are that we'll see the cockatrice on the path to Ponyville.”

As my character closes the door, Pinkie Pie laughs and says, “Now you're being silly, Mormon. Everfree creatures don't go near trails. Especially not one that's as well-worn as the one that leads through the forest.”

I have my character turn to the pink earth pony as I say, “Well, in that case, as long as we keep to the trail, we should be fine.” Then, after a pause, I state, “At any rate, there's something I've been thinking about, and I'd like to discuss it with you.”

Pinkie Pie asks, “Yeah? What's that?”

I have my character start walking towards the closest hallway as I say, “Let's go to my work room. We'll discuss it there.”

Pinkie Pie squees and says, “Okie dokie lokie,” then follows my character to his work room.

Once there, I have my character close the door once he and Pinkie Pie have entered, sit in a chair nearby, and focus on her; and I say, “I've been thinking about your cutie mark, and what it means.”

The pink party pony looks at one of her hips, the one I can see, then back to my character, and asks, “Yeah, what about it?”

I answer, “Your cutie mark is two blue balloons, with a yellow one above them, in between. I'm thinking the blue balloons represent you, Pinkamena, and your sister Diane. I'm not sure which one represents which of you, but I think the yellow balloon represents the body you share, the one you two support.”

Again Pinkie Pie looks at the hip I can see, then grunts with interest, then turns back to my character and says, “I hadn't thought about it that way.” She then tilts her head and asks, “What makes you think that?”

I answer, “Well, I know you. Two spirits in one body? What better way to represent that in a cutie mark than two objects of one color under another of a different color?”

Pinkie Pie settles down and asks, “So, why balloons?”

I answer by asking, “Well, what better way to identify you as the party pony than with balloons?”

Now, Pinkie Pie rises to a canine-style sitting position, shrugs, and says, “Oh, I don't know, a grilled-cheese sandwich, maybe?”

I can't say if that's a reference to one of the episodes in season four or not, but it does make me smile. I have my character rise from his chair, then go to the door and open it, while I say, “Well, that's my theory, anyway. So, shall we go get us some breakfast?”

Pinkie Pie straightens her head again, rises up on all fours, and says, “Okie dokie,” then follows my character as he makes his way out of the room.

My character closes the door behind Pinkie Pie, then I watch through his eyes as Pinkie's ears flap, then a second later the one front leg I can see wiggles, and she rises onto her hind legs, stumbles backward, and falls. My character then looks up to show me the door to the room of Carrot Top and Berry Punch opening. It closes a moment later; and I see, through my character's eyes, the two earth ponies from behind.

It's Pinkie Pie who, getting up again, says, “Hi, Berry, Carrot!”

The two other earth ponies start, then turn and see Pinkie Pie and my character behind them.

Carrot Top chuckles nervously and says, “Oh, hi, Mormon, Pinkie Pie. We didn't know you were there.”

I answer, “Yeah, that's alright. If it hadn't been for the Pinkie sense, I wouldn't have known to wait for the two of you.”

Berry Punch looks at Pinkie Pie, who by now is back on her hooves, then back at my character, and says, “Yeah, I guess that was a good thing.”

I continue, “So, I'm guessing you're headed out to harvest some breakfast?”

The two earth mares answer together, “That's right,” then Carrot Top says, “So, are you headed out, too?”

I answer, “We are, indeed.”

Then, Pinkie Pie says, “Uh, by the way, Zecora just came and warned us, there's a cockatrice on the loose in the Everfree forest. She said it could be close. You should be careful out there.”

Berry Punch says, “Well, so should you. But, knowing that it's out there, at least we know what to avoid.”

At this point, I decide to ask, “Have you seen a cockatrice before?”

Now it's Carrot Top who answers, “I don't think either of us have seen one before.”

I say, “Well, just to give you a warning, if you see a chicken in the forest, especially one with teeth, don't bother trying to pick anymore fruits or vegetables. Just leave them and run back to the house.”

Incredulously, Berry Punch says, “A chicken. You want us ... to run away ... from a chicken.”

I answer, “Trust me, it's no ordinary chicken. It has a long, round tail, kind of like a snake, the body and wings of a dragon, and it can turn creatures to stone just by staring at them. Plus, it's the only chicken you'll ever see with teeth, as I mentioned before.”

Carrot Top turns to Berry Punch and says, “It sounds like Fluttershy in a bad mood.” She then glares up at my character and says, “It's not nice to tell stories like that. You really scared Berry.”

As Pinkie Pie steps aside, I have my character take a step or two toward Berry Punch, kneel on one knee, and put a hand on her back; and I say, “I just wanted to warn you.”

Carrot Top moves behind her earth pony friend and pushes my character's hand away with her head, then says, “Well, I think you've scared her enough.” Then, pushing Berry Punch from behind with her head, she says, “Now, let's get going, Berry.”

Pushed off balance, Berry Punch moves her front legs forward to regain the equilibrium she lost. She looks behind her; and I can see, through my character's eyes, the fear in hers, as she says, “Are you sure we should be going outside?”

Carrot Top pushes her again as she says, “It'll be alright. Mormon just told a story, that's all.”

Berry Punch looks forward again as she stumbles ahead, then starts walking on her own as she says, “Well, alright, if you say so.”

My character looks at Pinkie Pie, and I can see through his eyes that she's also looking at him, at me. I say, “Well, we'd better get going out there too, as much to harvest fruits as to make sure Berry Punch and Carrot Top'll be alright.”

Pinkie Pie only nods in agreement, and the four head to the front door, which my character opens, and head out to their fields.

As soon as my character and Pinkie Pie are in the orchard, Diane takes over, chooses a tree, and proceeds to give it a kick with her hind legs. She manages to knock six apples out of it with one kick.

I gather up the apples and proceed to carry them back to the house, followed by Pinkie Pie, who's back under the control of Pinkamena.

The two make it to the front door before I hear Berry Punch fearfully call out, “Carrot Top!”

My character and Pinkie Pie exchange looks; and I can see, through my character's eyes, the look of fear and worry in hers.

I have my character kneel on one knee and drop the apples he gathered in front of Pinkie Pie, then stand again and open the front door, then I say to Pinkie, “Gather up the apples, and take them inside. I'll go see what happened to Carrot Top.” I don't wait for Pinkie Pie to answer, just have my character run to the vegetable garden to see what happened.

As my character jumps over the fence to the garden, I see Berry Punch trembling, staring at what appears to be a statue of Carrot Top. As he gets closer, I say, “Berry Punch, go back to the house, now.”

As the reddish-purple earth pony turns to my character, I can see, through his eyes, the tears in hers. She says, “B-but, C-carrot T-top.”

I answer, “I'll bring her back to the house. You just get going. Now!”

I hear Berry Punch bawling as she gallops back to the house.

Now, alone in the garden with the literally stoned Carrot Top, I have my character circle around her to get into a position to pick her up and carry her into the house. Now, just when I'm in position, I hear a clucking sound, kind of like a chicken, but somewhat deeper in tone. I decide to stop my character from taking further action to retrieve the normally orange earth pony, and instead start programming my character to grab the creature I expect to assault him.

I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised that the cockatrice waits until I've entered the last bit of code before I see a slight vibration, indicating that something has jumped onto him; and I see, in a box, the message, “Something has jumped onto your back.”

As soon as I hear the loud squawk, I push the Enter button.

Instantly, my character reaches behind him and grabs something, then pulls it in front of him. He shows me, through his eyes, that it is indeed the cockatrice that jumped onto his back. He moves quickly to hold the now panicked creature by his draconian wings and body, as well as covering its eyes with one hand.

Once my character has the cockatrice secured, I have him move his head to the side of the cockatrice's head; and I say, “Now, I'm going to take you to the edge of my property, and let you go back into the forest. And, once you're free, you will head into the forest and not come back again. Do you understand?”

I don't get any indication of understanding from the creature, just evidence that it understands that it's trapped.

I have my character stand up again, still holding the cockatrice, then carry it, as I promised, to the edge of my character's property, then proceed to let it go over the fence, only afterwards realizing it's in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage.

The now liberated creature runs panicked into the forest. I can only hope it did understand me. But, having now had my own experience with a cockatrice, I now have good reason to warn Fluttershy, at least, about the menace I just dealt with.

I have my character return to the side of the Carrot Top statue, pick it up, and carry it back to and into the house.

Berry Punch, seeing Carrot Top frozen the way she is, as soon as my character puts her down, gallops to her and hugs her, crying, “Oh, Carrot Top, Mormon warned you! Why didn't you listen?”

As Berry Punch continues bawling over her friend, Pinkie Pie approaches my character and says, “Mormon, you've got to put your hands on Carrot Top. You've got to heal her.”

I can't help smiling as I have my character take a step toward the statue and put a hand on it.

Immediately, and evidently to Berry Punch's surprise, the white stone turns orange again; and the now unfrozen Carrot Top stumbles a bit, then turns and looks at her friend draped over her.

Presently, Berry Punch gasps and says, “C-carrot T-top, you're alive!”

Carrot Top doesn't answer Berry Punch, at least not immediately. She turns to my character, who removes his hand at that point, and asks, “Uh, Mormon, what happened?”

I answer, “I got a visit from a cockatrice, and it made first contact with you. It's alright, though. I took care of it.”

Tilting her head, the orange earth pony asks, “So, how did you manage to escape without getting turned to stone yourself?”

I answer, “It's kind of a long story. The important thing is you're fine now.”

As Berry Punch turns to my character, I have no doubt that her tears are for joy as she says, “And, it's all because of you. Thank you, Mormon.”

I smile as I say, “You're welcome.” Then, having my character focus as much on Carrot Top as on Berry Punch, I add, “Now, the cockatrice should be gone by now. You can go out again and finish gathering fruits and vegetables.”

Just then, the door to the kitchen opens and closes. A few seconds later, Lyra and Weed Whacker appear close to my character from behind the couch; and Lyra asks, “What's this about a cockatrice?”

I turn to the pale-green unicorn and answer, “Zecora came and warned me and Pinkie Pie about a cockatrice in the vicinity. Berry Punch, Carrot Top, Pinkie Pie and I went out to harvest breakfast; and Carrot Top came into contact with the cockatrice. I dealt with it, and had to heal Carrot Top from being turned to stone. About the only problem now is the cockatrice is somewhere between here and Fluttershy's cottage.”

Weed Whacker says, “Well, in that case, it seems to me that it's best that no one be outside alone.” Turning to Berry Punch and Carrot Top, she continues, “Berry Punch, if you're still going out to the vineyard, then I think you should take Lyra with you. I'll go with Carrot Top to the vegetable garden.”

I state, “Pinkie Pie and I have already gotten fruit from the orchard, so we should be fine for that. We'll wait for you back here in the house.”

The dinosaur and three ponies nod, then head out the door to gather the vegetables and the rest of the fruit.

Pinkie Pie and my character take the fruits they gathered and bring them into the kitchen, then head back to the front room to wait for the four outside. As I expect, at least for the time the four are outside, the cockatrice doesn't return. Evidently, my character holding it hostage has been traumatizing enough for it.

As soon as the three ponies and the dinosaur are back in the house, they, along with the pink party pony and the human, take part in cleaning and preparing the harvested fruits and vegetables in the kitchen, after which they take them into the front room and eat them. After that, again Carrot Top and Berry Punch stay at the house while Lyra, Weed Whacker, Pinkie Pie, and my character leave for Ponyville.

The cockatrice, it seems, has gained enough respect for my character that it doesn't bother him or the ponies and dinosaur that are with him.

At Fluttershy's cottage, I decide that my character should make a detour to warn the yellow pegasa about the menace between her cottage and my character's house. So, at the bridge, under my directions, my character crosses and heads to the front door, followed by Pinkie Pie, Lyra, and Weed Whacker.

Before I can have my character knock, I hear Pinkie Pie call out, “Fluttershy, there you are!” My character turns to the pink earth pony, then looks in the direction she's looking to show me, through his eyes, the yellow pegasa, as Pinkie Pie continues, “We were looking for you!”

Fluttershy canters toward the group of four saying, “Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't want anypony to think I was lost.”

I answer, “No, that's alright. That's not the problem.”

Fluttershy stops at about the closest corner to her cottage as she asks, “Is there something wrong?”

I answer, “I'm afraid there is.” As I watch the yellow pegasa lower her head, I continue, “Earlier today, Zecora came to my home and warned me about a cockatrice on the loose. It paid me and my guests a visit, but I managed to get it off of my property before it could do too much damage. The only problem is I turned it loose in the direction of your cottage. I just thought I'd stop by and warn you about it.”

Fluttershy turns away from my character and says, “Oh, dear.” Then, she looks back at my character and asks, “Did it hurt anypony?”

I answer, “It turned Carrot Top to stone, but I was able to heal her from that.”

Fluttershy, still focused on my character, raises her head and says, “Well, it's good to hear that the cockatrice didn't do too much damage. Thanks for the warning.”

I have my character turn around as I say, “I just thought you should know.” Then, as my character turns to the trail back to the bridge, I see an angry-looking white Persian cat in the way. I immediately ask the feline, “Aren't you Rarity's cat?”

The cat hisses and swipes her claws at Weed Whacker, who manages to jump out of the way before she can get hurt.

As surprisingly fast as Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy is there, picking the cat up by the scruff of the neck and carrying her away. She stops next to the basket, puts the cat inside, and says, “Now, Opalescence, you know better than to attack somepony like that.” She then turns to the group of four as, lead by my character, they make their way to the bridge again; and she says, “I'm sorry about that. Rarity left her in my charge for the night, so she could take care of an order at the boutique.”

I answer, “That's alright. Thanks for getting her out of the way.” I pause for a moment in thought before asking, “Uh, by the way, Fluttershy, would you like to join us on our way to Ponyville?”

The yellow pegasa lowers her head and answers, “Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't want to be a burden on you.”

I state, “Trust me, you won't be a burden. Remember, Ponyville isn't that far away; and the four of us have already made it through the Everfree forest. One more member of the group this close to Ponyville wouldn't be that much of a problem.” Seeing the yellow pegasa still undecided, I continue, “It's still your decision whether you want to come with us or not.”

Fluttershy turns and looks at the basket.

Inside, I can see, through my character's eyes, that the white Persian cat inside seems to be glaring at my character, and perhaps those with him as well.

When she turns back to the group of four, Fluttershy smiles as she says, “Well, then, alright. I'll go with you until we get into Ponyville. If you have any business in Carousel Boutique, you can follow me there. If not, then we'll separate.”

I find myself smiling as I answer, “Fair enough.” And, with that, the group of five, plus Fluttershy and Opalescence, leave her property and make their way to Ponyville, not that much further away.

Once the group arrives, Pinkie Pie and I agree that the group of four should visit Twilight Sparkle at the library.

The group salutes Fluttershy farewell, then follows the plan made by Pinkie Pie and me.

Once the group arrives at the library, Pinkie Pie opens the door; and the rest follow her inside. Then, Pinkie Pie calls out, “Twilight, are you here?”

The door between the kitchen and the main room of the library opens, and Twilight comes out and, seeing Pinkie Pie, says, “Oh, hi, Pinkie. What can I do for you?”

Before the pink earth pony or I can answer the question, Spike comes out of the kitchen, holding a small kettle and a tea bag, and says, “Uh, Twilight, we've got a problem.”

The purple unicorn turns to her assistant and asks, “What's wrong, Spike?”

Spike holds up the tea bag and answers, “Well, this is our last bag of tea.”

Twilight, seeing the bag and the kettle, sighs and says, “I guess that means I'm gonna have to get some more.” She turns and looks at the group of four and says, “Well, the good news is Zecora has my favorite tea. I can go to her house and get some.”

Isn't it nice how stories can lead to these kinds of things?

I open my mouth to speak, but Pinkie Pie beats me to it, saying, “That's not such a good idea. There's a cockatrice loose in the Everfree forest.”

Quizzically, Twilight asks, “A cocka-what, now?”

I answer, “A cockatrice. We've already made contact with it. Or, at least I have.”

Pinkie Pie adds, “That's right! It turned Carrot Top to stone, but then Mormon healed her.”

I hear Lyra ask, “Mormon, didn't you have a fight with it?”

My character turns to her, and I answer, “That's right. When it jumped up on my back, I grabbed it and kept my hand over its face so it didn't turn me to stone. I'm sure it respects me after that, but it's because of me, I think, that it's now in the forest between Fluttershy's cottage and my home.”

I then hear Twilight ask, “So, this cockatrice turns ponies to stone.” As my character focuses on her, she continues, “So, what does it look like?”

I answer, “It has the head, lower legs, and feet of a white chicken, but the rest of its body is more like that of a green dragon, except somewhat larger than an adult pony, I'd say. If you see a chicken with teeth, I suggest you run away from it.”

Pinkie Pie adds, growling and crawling low to the ground towards Twilight as though ready to pounce, “If you're heading into the Everfree forest, stay on the trail. Never leave the trail.”

Twilight seems a little frightened as she says, “Uh, alright then. Are you sure you don't need anything else?”

I answer, “We just thought you should know about it, just in case.”

I watch, through my character's eyes, as Twilight turns to one shelf of books and walks toward it and says, “I'm thinking I should do some research on the cockatrice before I head into the Everfree forest. Doesn't hurt to be prepared.”

I state, “Just as well. I'm sure the four of us have other places we need to go.”

As my character turns to the door, I hear Twilight say, “Uh, just one thing, Mormon.”

I have my character turn his head to her, and I ask, “What's that?”

Twilight asks, “Can all humans heal ponies who've been turned to stone?”

I answer, “Not all of them. It's just a gift I have.” I then have my character turn back toward the door as I say, “Well, we'd better get going.”

Then, as my character reaches for the door, I hear Pinkie Pie say, still in her growling voice, “Remember, stay on the trail. Never leave the trail.”

I say to her, “Alright, Pinkie Pie, that's enough.”

Then, as my character opens the door, I watch her, through my character's eyes, bounce past him out the door as she says, “Okie dokie.”

As Lyra and Weed Whacker follow the pink party pony out the door, I have my character turn to Twilight again; and I say, “Sorry about Pinkie Pie. I guess I'm going to have to talk to her about that.”

Twilight smiles back at my character as she says, “That's alright. It is just Pinkie being Pinkie after all. No harm done. Thanks for the warning, anyway.”

As my character makes his way out the door, I say, “You're welcome.”

Then, as my character closes the library door behind him, I hear Pinkie Pie say, “You don't think I went too far, do you, Mormon?”

As my character turns to her, I can see, through his eyes, that her head is tilted in curiosity, and she has a worried look on her face. I answer, “Well, let's just say you could've told her in a nicer way.”

Now, Pinkie Pie straightens her head again, then lowers her gaze toward the ground immediately in front of her, her expression melting into one of sadness, as she says, “I'm sorry.”

I have my character take a step toward her, kneel on one knee, and stroke her neck with his closest hand; and I say, “It's alright. The important thing is Twilight's been warned about the danger in the Everfree forest.”

Pinkie Pie sighs, then looks up at my character's face and says, “Yeah, I guess what she does with that warning is up to her.”

I respond, “That's right.”

Then, I hear Lyra say, “You know, it's been some time since I've visited Bon-Bon's house.” My character turns to her as she adds, “Let's go over there next.”

As my character stands up again, I say, “Sure, why not?”

The idea evidently appeals to Pinkie Pie, as she perks up and says, “Yeah, let's go to Bon-Bon's house!”

Weed Whacker doesn't say anything, just jumps onto Lyra's back. But, I wouldn't be surprised if she's also looking forward to visiting Lyra's earth pony friend again.

So, I say, “Well, if everyone agrees, then let's head on over to Bon-Bon's house.”

The cheers from the two ponies and the dinosaur are enough evidence for me. With that as confirmation, the group of four, lead by Lyra, makes its way to the house of her cream-colored earth pony friend.

On arrival, as my character reaches out to knock, Lyra grabs the doorknob and pushes the door open, then calls out, “Bon-Bon, you've got visitors!”

I hear a door open elsewhere in the house, then hoof-falls approaching; then my character's attention focuses on the cream-colored earth pony as she appears from the opposite corner of the front room, looks at her visitors, and says, smiling, “Lyra, come on in. I haven't seen you in a while.”

The rest of the group follows the pale-green unicorn into the house as she says, “Yeah, I thought I'd come for a visit. How've things been going?”

Bon-Bon takes a seat on one of the couches as she says, “Well, unfortunately I couldn't save all the apples that Applejack gave me. I was able to make some candies from the ones I could save, though.”

As members of the group take positions on the two couches, Lyra next to Bon-Bon and Weed Whacker next to Lyra, the pale-green unicorn says, “Well, it's good to hear that you could make use of some of the apples, then.” Then, I see, through my character's eyes, the idea dawn on Lyra before she asks, “So, could we have a sample of your apple candies?”

The request evidently pleases Bon-Bon as she says, “I can't see why not.” Then she jumps off the couch and heads for another room as she says, “I'll be back with the candies I made.”

As the cream-colored earth mare disappears, Lyra turns to each member of the group and says, “Bon-Bon makes the best candies. I'm sure you'll like these.” Then, I see, from my character's perspective, Lyra focus on the pink earth pony next to my character as she asks, “Pinkie Pie, are you alright?”

My character looks down at Pinkie Pie and shows me, through his eyes, the worried expression on her face as she's looking up at him, at me. I have my character put his closest arm over her and rub her opposite shoulder as I say, “I'm sure it'll be fine.”

I then hear Lyra ask, “Is there something I should know about?”

Before I can answer, Bon-Bon comes back in with the apple candies and puts them on the coffee table.

Each of the four takes a sample of each of the candies, which include pieces of dehydrated apple, green and red candies which I assume are apple-flavored, and what look like toffee spheres.

As my character eats each sample, the dehydrated apple piece and the green and red candies are labeled “apple-flavored” by the message box at the bottom of the screen, and the toffee sphere, as indicated by the message box, informs me that there's a sphere of apple inside the toffee.

Each member of the group gives Bon-Bon compliments on the candies.

Based on the message boxes, I have serious doubts about there being much, if any, sugar in the candies, beyond the natural sugar in the apples. And, they're pretty small samples anyway.

As a way of receiving the compliments, Bon-Bon says, “I'm glad you liked them. I worked hard, and was able to save, I think, half of the apples Applejack gave me. Now I just need to know how many ponies would be interested in apple candies.”

I smile and say, “Well, I'm sure Applejack and her family would be interested in them. Have you offered samples to anyone else in town?”

The cream-colored pony looks down, and her face seems to melt a little, as she says, “You know, I've been so occupied making these candies, I really haven't had time for anything else.”

I state, “Well, the four of us liked them.”

Lyra, Pinkie Pie, and Weed Whacker vocalize agreement.

Bon-Bon looks up at my character and smiles again as she says, “Thanks, human, that means a lot to me.”

Now, Lyra prods her earth pony friend and says, “Uh, Bon-Bon, you do know his name is Mormon, right?”

I smile again and say, “That's alright, Lyra. After all, I am the only human around here.”

Lyra turns to my character and says, “Well, yeah, but you do still have a name.”

Just then, I hear the voice of Rainbow Dash outside saying, “Thanks, Spitfire, Soarin. It was great to get to know the Wonderbolts better!”

At this point, I say, “It sounds like Rainbow Dash is back from her day with the Wonderbolts. It sounds like things went well.”

Hearing my observation, Pinkie Pie immediately perks up and calls out, “Dashy's back, Dashy's back!” then bounces off the couch and to the front door, throws it open, and bounces out to meet the rainbow-haired pegasa.

After watching the display from the energetic pink earth pony, who's left the front door open, I hear Bon-Bon say, “So, I know Rainbow Dash is a fan of the Wonderbolts. I just don't know how she managed to get to spend a day with them.”

I answer, “Yesterday, Rainbow Dash was part of the Best Young Fliers' competition in Cloudsdale, and the grand prize was a day with the Wonderbolts.”

Bon-Bon says, “Oh, and I'm guessing Rainbow Dash came in first place?”

I answer, “That's right. She managed to pull off a sonic rainboom. It was quite the display.”

Bon-Bon's expression morphs into one of curious worry as she asks, “The sonic rainboom didn't take place over your home, did it?”

I answer, “No, it didn't.”

Lyra continues, “You see, what happened was Rainbow Dash payed Twilight Sparkle an unexpected visit at the library when her practice went wrong. She told us about the competition and left with Fluttershy, then Rarity had Twilight use a spell on her so she'd get wings so she could fly up to Cloudsdale. I taught her my traction spell, and she modified it so the rest of us could walk on clouds.” She pauses for a moment, then focuses on my character and asks, “Uh, Mormon, how were you able to walk on clouds?”

I open my mouth to answer, but then I hear Pinkie Pie's voice next to my character say, “Oh, he has this 'cloud nine' cheat that he can use so he can walk on clouds.”

Presently my character focuses on the pink earth pony; and I say, “Woah, Pinkie Pie, when did you get back here?”

Pinkie Pie giggles and says, “Just a few seconds ago, silly. What, you didn't know I was gone?”

I answer, “I knew you were gone. I just didn't know you'd come back.”

Again the pink earth pony giggles, then she says, “I brought Dashy with me, too.” Then, as the focus of every creature in the room turns to the azure pegasa, Pinkie Pie says, “Say, 'hello,' Dashy.”

Clearly not expecting to be the center of attention, Rainbow Dash rubs the back of her neck with a front hoof, forces a nervous chuckle, and says, “Uh, hi everypony.”

I happen to see, from the edge of my character's periphery, Bon-Bon evidently surprised to see the azure, rainbow-haired pegasa in her front room. As my character turns his attention to her, she eventually says, “Well, this is an unexpected honor.” She then jumps off of the couch and, turning to her new guest, says, “Just a moment, and I'll get some apple candies for you to try out.”

I then hear Rainbow Dash say, “Uh, that's really not necessary.”

But, it's too late. Bon-Bon has already disappeared on her way to get more of the apple candies.

I have my character focus on the azure pegasa, then I ask her, “So, Rainbow Dash, I'm guessing things went well on the day you spent with the Wonderbolts?”

My mention of the Wonderbolts seems to snap Rainbow Dash out of her discomfort. As she looks at my character, she smiles and says, “Oh, did it ever. You remember how you said they needed work on handling a falling pony in full panic?”

I answer, “I figured it was worth mentioning after seeing how Rarity knocked out the three that tried to rescue her.”

Rainbow Dash nods and continues, “Well, when we got to their base camp, that's the first thing they went to work on. Spitfire gave those three a lecture on how they should get around a panicking pony's flailing limbs, then she played the role of Rarity, except she just flew up as high as she could, folded her wings, and went into free-fall. But, she flailed her legs just like Rarity did.” The azure pegasa giggles a bit before continuing, “Those three couldn't get anywhere near Spitfire without taking a hit and getting knocked out. Spitfire and two other Wonderbolts had to rescue them!”

As Rainbow Dash continues to laugh, I ask, “Was Spitfire able to teach them what to do?”

Rainbow Dash answers, “She woke 'em up by throwin' water on 'em. Then, she had all of us fly up, then she went into free-fall again and had me rescue her. I caught her the way I caught Rarity, grabbing her under her shoulders and angling off so we didn't get hurt. I kept from getting hit by her hooves by keeping my head closer to her head, since that wasn't flailing like the legs were.”

I state, “It sounds like you were able to demonstrate something those three Wonderbolts weren't able to do.”

Rainbow Dash answers, “It was one of those things I'd learned in flight school before I dropped out.”

I think aloud, “It leaves me to wonder if those three were there when that lesson was taught.”

Rainbow Dash pauses for a moment before saying, “Ya know, maybe they weren't. But, I know they were there at the base camp to learn the lesson from me and Spitfire. And, they learned it really good, too.”

I state, “Well, that's good to hear, just in case they need to rescue another falling pony. And, maybe then they'll coordinate better, and not get so close to flailing hooves.”

Rainbow Dash opens her mouth to say something, but then I hear Bon-Bon say, “Well, here they are. Go ahead and try 'em.”

The rainbow-haired pegasa looks at the candies, sniffs them, then grabs the ball of toffee and pushes it into her mouth. After chewing on it for a while, she says, “Hmm, not bad. I can taste the apple in the middle, and it mixes real good with the toffee on the outside.” After swallowing that, she next eats the dehydrated apple piece. After swallowing and complimenting that, she eats the red, then the green candies, and compliments Bon-Bon on the apple flavoring in them.

The cream-colored earth pony smiles and says, “I'm glad you liked them. Do you think Applejack'll like 'em, too?”

Rainbow Dash hums in thought, then says, “You know, I'm sure she will. She's in the market place right now sellin' apples, so you might wanna take some of those candies and offer 'em to her.”

Pinkie Pie says, “Mormon, Lyra, Weed Whacker and I liked 'em. And, Applejack loves apples anyway. So, why not?”

Now it's Bon-Bon's turn to hum with interest, after which she says, “You know, you're right, Pinkie Pie.” She then turns and heads back to wherever she got the candies and says, “I'll go get some more of those candies so I can offer 'em to Applejack in the market place.”

As the cream-colored earth pony disappears again, I hear Rainbow Dash say, “You know, I wonder how long it'll be before the Cakes open Sugar Cube Corner again. It's been closed for a few days now. Are they alright?”

At Rainbow Dash's question, Pinkie Pie closes her eyes and plants a front hoof between them as she says, “That's right, we need to visit them at the clinic.”

I'm guessing, by the look on Rainbow Dash's face, that she's starting to think of a worst-case scenario. Her voice even shakes as she asks, “Wh-what happened to the C-cakes?”

I answer, “It's alright. Mrs. Cake's just getting ready to foal.”

My answer seems to calm the azure pegasa, at least for the moment; I hear her sigh in relief. Then, something in what I said dawns on her, and she excitedly says, “Wait, Mrs. Cake's gonna have foals soon?” Then, she flaps her wings and rises over her position on the couch as she says, “That's so awesome!”

Then, I hear Lyra say, “Well, if we're gonna visit the Cakes at the clinic, then one of us is gonna have to let Bon-Bon know we're gonna need to leave. And, I think that should be me.” I have my character turn to see her as she jumps off the couch toward where her cream-colored pony friend disappeared and calls out, “Bon-Bon, we're gonna have to leave now!”

From somewhere further inside, I hear Bon-Bon's voice call back, “Go on ahead! I'm just gathering some candies to take to Applejack!”

As the group makes its way to the front door, I hear Rainbow Dash ask, “Can I come with? I wanna see.”

As Lyra makes her way to the door, I say, “I seriously doubt that Mrs. Cake has had her foals yet. But, you are welcome to come with us to visit.”

Rainbow Dash says nothing more, at least nothing coherent. She just falls in line next to Pinkie Pie.

In fact, no more is said among the group of now five as they make their way out of Bon-Bon's house, then make their way to the clinic.

When they get there and enter, sounds of activity suggest it's unexpectedly busy.

As the group makes its way to the front desk, I say to the white mare, “We're here to visit the Cakes.”

As the mare looks up at my character, the look of worry on her face is made obvious as she says, “This is not a good time. You see, Mrs. Cake's just started to foal. You'll have to come back later, maybe tomorrow.”

And, that's when Rainbow Dash says, “That's so cool! I wanna see!”

I grab the azure pegasa's tail as she tries to fly into the hallway further into the clinic, and I say, “Didn't you hear the nurse pony? This isn't a good time. Like she said, we're gonna have to come back later, most likely tomorrow.” When Rainbow Dash makes it clear that I have her attention, I say, “Let's just go now. We'll come back tomorrow, and hopefully we'll be able to see the foals then.”

Rainbow Dash turns away from the hallway into the clinic, lands on the floor, then groans in disappointment and says, “Oh, alright. I'll come back tomorrow then.”

As the party of five makes its way out of the clinic, Pinkie Pie, as optimistic as ever, says, “You know what this means, right?”

I have a sneaking suspicion that I already know what Pinkie Pie's going to say, but I still ask, “What's that?”

Pinkie Pie starts bouncing as she says, “It means we get to invite everypony to see the Cakes' foals!”

Actually, I thought she was going to say something about it being party time. But, perhaps she was planning on that as part of the invitation. Still, I say, “I doubt there'll be enough room for the entire population of Ponyville to fit in the hallway of the clinic.”

Pinkie Pie stops bouncing as she says, “Well, of course not, silly. I just meant we could invite Twilight, and Fluttershy, and Rarity, and Applejack to see the foals.”

I state, “Well, I'm guessing by now that Twilight's on her way through the Everfree forest to get some of the tea she likes from Zecora. Fluttershy's most likely at her cottage right now. Rarity's at Carousel Boutique, and Applejack's most likely still at the market place.”

Pinkie Pie resumes her bouncing as she says, “Well, then, let's go to the market place first. Then we'll go to Carousel Boutique, then to Fluttershy's cottage.”

The other three vocalize general agreement to Pinkie Pie's plan, but I'm left remembering the last time this group, which didn't include Rainbow Dash at the time, headed to the library from the clinic on their way to the boutique, only to discover that the boutique was going to be their first destination. On the other hand, this group, which does include Rainbow Dash, isn't heading to the library first, isn't planning on going to the library at all, not for the rest of the day anyway. I have to wonder, how close is Ponyville's market place to Carousel Boutique? And, another thing to remember is that the market place is outdoors. Taking that last detail into consideration, I decide that Pinkie Pie's plan is a good one after all.

I find that the route we take to the market place doesn't take us so close to Carousel Boutique as I thought it would. The party of five heads down one street until they see the market place, then makes the turn and follows that street to their destination. And, once they get to the market place, it's just a matter of time before they find the booth where Applejack's stationed, and tending to a customer who's purchasing a bunch of apples.

By the time the group gets there, the customer, a familiar-looking stallion, has made his purchase, and is on his way elsewhere.

As soon as the group is close enough, Pinkie Pie blurts out, “Applejack, we're gonna get a chance tomorrow to see the foals that Mrs. Cake's havin' right now. You wanna come with us?”

Applejack rubs the back of her neck with a front hoof and frowns as she says, “Well, Ah'm kinda busy right now.” Then, as more of Pinkie Pie's message sinks in, Applejack drops her front hoof and asks, “Wait, did you say Mrs. Cake's a'foalin' right now?”

Pinkie Pie nods vigorously and answers, “That's right.”

Applejack demonstrates that she didn't hear everything her pink earth pony friend said as she says, “Well, in that case, Ah doubt they'll allow us to visit 'em right now anyway. If Mrs. Cake's a'foalin', then the doctors are a'gonna be busy with her; an' they won't let anypony else in. So, chances are nopony's gonna be allowed in until tomorrow.”

Pinkie Pie giggles and says, “But that's what I'm sayin', silly. The five of us already tried to visit them before we came here. That's how we know Mrs. Cake's havin' her foals right now. They told us we should come back tomorrow.” And, again she giggles.

Now, Applejack nervously chuckles as again she rubs the back of her neck with a front hoof and says, “Oh, of course.”

Now, Pinkie Pie starts bouncing as she says, “So, you wanna come with us tomorrow to see Mrs. Cake's foals?”

Again Applejack puts the front hoof down as she smiles and says, “Well, sure. When're ya goin'?”

I answer, “It'll likely be sometime in the morning, as soon as we have breakfast and can get through the Everfree forest.”

Pinkie Pie, still bouncing, adds, “We'll be comin' with Fluttershy.”

At this point, I have my character turn his attention to Pinkie Pie; and I say, “I think we should invite her to come first.”

Pinkie Pie bounces one hundred eighty degrees, approximately, to face my character, stops bouncing, giggles, and says, “Well, of course we're gonna invite her. After all, we're talkin' about foals, and they're little critters, and Fluttershy loves little critters, so why wouldn't she wanna see 'em?”

I smile as I say, “Well, who can argue with logic like that?”

As Pinkie Pie giggles again, Applejack says, “Well, it's a date then. Ah'll meet you at the edge of the Everfree where you usually come out. Is that alright with you?”

At the same time, Pinkie and I say, “Sure, no problem.”

Now it's Applejack's turn to laugh, more sincerely, after which she says, “Well, in that case, Ah'll see ya then and there.”

We say our farewells to Applejack, then the group makes its way to Carousel Boutique. And, when we arrive, it's Pinkie Pie that opens the door and lets the rest of the group in.

Before my character enters, I hear Rarity from the second floor growl, “What is it now?”

As Lyra enters ahead of my character, I hear her ask, “Uh, do you think it's such a good time to invite her right now?”

Pinkie Pie answers, “Sure, why not? No time like the present.”

As my character, behind Weed Whacker, enters the boutique, I happen to catch, from the top edge of my character's periphery, sight of Rarity peering through a doorway as she asks, “Excuse me, invite me to what?”

Pinkie Pie turns to her white unicorn friend, inhales somewhat noisily, and says, “Mrs. Cake is havin' her foals today, and we're getting a chance to see them tomorrow morning. You wanna come with us?”

Rarity takes enough of a step forward that she's halfway through the doorway before she says, “Oh, well, that's going to be a problem. You see, I have some gold cloth to make, and an order to fill with said cloth, and I'm afraid that's going to take the rest of the day, and all night. So, I'm not going to be able to make it.” She sighs dramatically before adding, “And, I'm afraid that also means that I won't be able to make the reading tonight.”

I say, “Well, if you do get the time to join us in seeing the Cakes' foals tomorrow morning, you can meet us at the clinic. We'll be there along with Applejack, and hopefully Fluttershy too.”

Rarity says, “I'll keep that in mind,” then disappears into her room again. Then, as the group of five turns around and starts heading out the door, I hear Rarity ask, “Wait, did you say 'the Cakes' foals, tomorrow morning?'”

My character turns to focus on the white unicorn, who I can see is once again halfway through her doorway; and I answer, “That's right.”

Then, Rainbow Dash says, “When we tried to visit the Cakes at the clinic, Mrs. Cake was foaling. I wanted to see, but Mormon here wouldn't let me.”

Rarity responds, “Well, it's not a good idea to barge in on anypony that's giving birth. The clinic's probably going to be busy with Mrs. Cake all night, as I will be with my order. But, if I can fill it by morning, then sure, I'll see the foals with you.”

The thought occurs to me, and I ask, “Is there some way we can be of service?”

Rarity answers, “I'm afraid not. You see, this isn't like baking. There's a lot of intricate work that goes into making clothes.”

Just then, I hear Pinkie Pie angrily say, “Hey!” Then, as my character focuses on the pink earth pony, I hear her continue, as she marches toward Rarity, “I'll have you know that baking a cake is just as intricate as making a dress.”

I have my character grab hold of the pink earth pony as I say, “Now, Pinkie Pie, calm down. I'm sure Rarity didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Let's just get going. We need to invite Fluttershy next.”

Pinkie Pie looks up at my character, then back at Rarity, then back at my character again, then sighs and says, “Yeah, alright.”

I have my character let the pink earth pony go, and she marches to and through the front door.

Then, I hear Rarity again say, “If you're going to visit Fluttershy, she's going to have her hooves full. She's taking care of Sweetie Belle and her friends.”

Aloud, I agree, “She will be busy, then.” After all, I have watched the episode, “Stare Master;” and I remember from that what Fluttershy goes through in taking care of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Of course, in that episode, she also discovers Twilight Sparkle, who had, at the time, apparently wandered from the trail and encountered the cockatrice. This time, I have to wonder if I'll be the one to encounter her in her literally petrified condition. If I do, then it might just be one less thing Fluttershy is going to encounter.

As we make our way out of the boutique, I hear Rairty call out, “Oh, and Pinkie Pie, Mormon's right! I didn't mean to offend you!”

As my character, the last to leave, closes the door behind him, I hear Pinkie Pie ask, in an innocent tone, “What does intricate mean?”

My character turns to her, and I answer, “It means complex, detailed.”

Then, before Pinkie Pie can respond to my answer, Rainbow Dash says, “Rarity just meant that there's a lot of little things that go into making dresses.”

Pinkie Pie snorts, then says, “Well, there are a lot of little things that go into making cakes, too.”

At this point, I have my character step in; and I say, “Alright, let's just go to Fluttershy's cottage so we can invite her to see the Cakes' foals.”

As much as I might expect there to be further murmuring from Pinkie Pie, I'm happy to state that there is none as the group makes its way out of Ponyville and into the edge of the Everfree forest to offer the invitation to Fluttershy.

As the group crosses the bridge on their way to the yellow pegasa's cottage, I hear a somewhat muffled shout, “Cutie Mark Crusaders, yay!”

I find myself having to restrain myself from laughing as the group makes its way to the front door of the cottage.

It's Rainbow Dash that knocks on the door.

A few seconds later, the top half of the door opens; and Fluttershy's head peers over the lower half. She acknowledges each member of the group of five before asking, “Is there something wrong?”

I answer, “No, there's nothing wrong.”

Then, Rainbow Dash drifts forward and says, “We just got finished inviting Applejack and Rarity to see the Cakes' foals tomorrow morning, and now we're here to invite you.”

Fluttershy smiles and says, “I would like to see the Cakes' foals. Oh, but right now, I have guests.”

Just then, I see, through my character's eyes, an orange filly with wings and a yellow filly with neither wings nor horn run past behind Fluttershy, giggling. And, they seem to be wearing dark red capes with a blue crest of some kind on them.

Rainbow Dash calls out, “Scootaloo!” Evidently she recognized the orange, winged filly.

The identified filly backs into view, then turns and sees her hero looking at her. She calls out, “Rainbow Dash, you're back already! Fluttershy was just telling us you were with the Wonderbolts.”

The blue pegasa answers, “That's right. I spent the past day with the Wonderbolts. And, I just got back.”

Scootaloo smiles and says, “Me, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle are spending the night with Fluttershy.”

Just then, the other two appear on each side of Scootaloo, and the three call out together, “Cutie Mark Crusaders sleepover at Fluttershy's, yay!”

I can't help smiling as I say, focusing my character's attention on Fluttershy, “Yeah, when we invited Rarity, she told us about Sweetie Belle and her friends spending the night at your home.”

Fluttershy says, “I suppose, if I can get these three back to Ponyville early enough, I could go and see the Cakes' foals. I do want to see them.”

I open my mouth to speak, but it's Lyra who says, “Well, as long as you can make the time, you're welcome to come with us.”

Fluttershy says, “Thank you for inviting me, Rainbow Dash, Mormon, Lyra, Weed Whacker, Pinkie Pie. I'll try to be there.” Then, she looks back at the trio of fillies, then back at my character, and says, “Oh, if the four of us are going to that reading of yours this evening, now would be a good time to start out. Would it be alright if we walk with you?”

I answer, “You and the Crusaders are quite welcome to walk with me to my house. And, when we get there, we'll start preparing snacks for the reading.”

Fluttershy then turns to the trio of fillies, and she's met with smiles as she asks, “Would you like to walk with Mormon and his friends to his house?”

Sweetie Belle squeaks, “We'd love to!”

Then, the trio again call out together, “Cutie Mark Crusaders, scripture reading at Mormon's house, yay!”

And, again I smile as I say, “Well, I guess the 'yays' have it, then.”

I'm sure it's Pinkie Pie who giggles at my comment as Fluttershy opens the lower half of her door to allow the trio of fillies out, then closes the door behind her after she exits.

From there, the party of now nine head to and across the bridge back to the path, then into the Everfree forest on their way to my character's house.

But, not too far in, I happen to see, on the left side of my character's periphery, a gray object that seems like it doesn't belong to the forest.

Fluttershy makes it evident that she also notices the strange gray object, as she says, “Uh-oh.” Then, she turns to my character and asks, “Uh, Mormon, will you come with me, if it's alright with you?”

I answer, “Sure. I'm guessing you saw that gray thing in the forest?”

Fluttershy answers, “I did. I hope it isn't what or who I think it is.” Then, she turns to the trio of fillies and says, “Cutie Mark Crusaders, if you'll stay here with the others, Mormon and I are going to check out something in the woods. We'll be back as soon as we can. Is that alright?”

The three fillies nod vigorously, then start to call out, “Cutie Mark Crusaders, …”

Immediately I shush them, then say, “This isn't the kind of place where you should be shouting. There are wild, dangerous creatures living in these woods, and they don't like disturbances. So, please, keep it down.”

The three look at each other as I talk, then nod again. When they open their mouths, this time they simultaneously whisper, “Cutie Mark Crusaders, yay.”

It's all I can do to keep from laughing at hearing them cheer quietly.

Anyway, Fluttershy and my character make their way into the forest, away from the path, to find out what that gray object is, although I already know what the two are going to find.

And, sure enough, it's apparently a statue of a familiar-looking unicorn. Even her cutie mark, one big eight-point star surrounded by five much smaller stars, shows up as some kind of relief carving.

Fluttershy, just barely above a whisper, says, “Twilight.”

I then hear Pinkie Pie's voice say, “Oh, Twily, didn't I warn you? Why didn't you stay on the path?”

As my character automatically focuses on the pink earth pony, I say, “Woah! Pinkie Pie, why aren't you with the Crusaders, Lyra, Weed Whacker, and Rainbow Dash?”

Pinkie Pie turns to me and says, “Well, you know as well as I do that I was supposed to join you here. Besides, we're here to get Twily back.”

I state, “Well, I guess you're right about that much. It's not a good idea to leave her like this. Maybe I should take her back to my house with me. I'll do what I can for her when we get there.”

I think I hear an angry tone in Fluttershy's voice when she says, “No. That cockatrice is nearby. He could turn anypony to stone who tries to move Twilight.” Then, she slowly makes her way to a bush, grabs something on the ground in her teeth, and starts pulling it out into the open.

I must say, I'm surprised to see that Fluttershy has grabbed the cockatrice by its tail, and is pulling the mythological creature from its hiding place.

She throws it towards the statue of Twilight Sparkle, then gallops toward it, glaring.

Now, here's one more creature I find myself sympathizing with. I've also been on the receiving end of Fluttershy's glare, although, as I mentioned on the day when Twilight Sparkle and her friends had to deal with that dragon, it was in the game I'd chosen to lose.

But, unlike the dragon, the cockatrice isn't quite so easily intimidated. Instead, it, he, glares back at the yellow pegasa, and she starts to turn to stone.

But, Fluttershy's glare intensifies; and she says, “Just who do you think you are, going around, turning my friends to stone?” How she manages to march forward while her hind legs are petrifying is something of a mystery to me as she continues, “You should be ashamed of yourself. I have a mind to find your mother, and tell her what you've been up to, young man.” At this point, even Fluttershy can't move her hind legs anymore; but that doesn't stop her from glaring at the now alarmed creature as she continues, “Now, you're going to turn my friend Twilight, here, back to normal, and don't ever let me catch you doing this again.” And, it's just as surprising in this video game setting as it was to watch in the episode when Fluttershy's hind legs and tail unpretrify in a flash of light, although, in the episode it was just noted that the stone was just a thin external layer that shattered and fell away; as Fluttershy concludes, “Do you understand me?”

The now humbled cockatrice closes his eyes and nods, then turns his back to the statue of Twilight Sparkle and wraps his tail around her closest front leg.

Immediately the statue glows, and, after an explosion of light and sound, Twilight rises to all fours where the statue used to be. Now free to move, the purple unicorn stumbles and falls, with Pinkie Pie there to catch her.

At this point, the cockatrice looks up at my character, and I'm sure I can hear him say, “I'm sorry about your orange earth pony friend. If you'll take me to her, I'll unpetrify her as well.”

I answer, “That's alright. I've already taken care of it. She's fine now.”

I hear Fluttershy ask, “You understood that?” at the same time the cockatrice sighs deeply, then says, “I guess that's good, then.” Looking away from my character, the cockatrice continues, “This forest is too rough for me. If you'll carry me across the path to the other side, then let me go, I'll leave and never return. And, I'll never use my stare to turn another creature here to stone.”

I answer, “That sounds fair enough.” Then, I have my character grab the chicken-like creature by his sides, over his wings, then take him back to the path, across it, and to the other side, where I have him set the cockatrice down and let him go.

The cockatrice turns to my character and says, “Thank you,” then turns and runs into the forest again, evidently to find his way out and to a safer place.

From behind my character, I hear Pinkie Pie say, “Wow, Mormon, I didn't know you understood cockatrice.”

I answer, “Well, to be honest with you, neither did I.”

The other members of the group, now ten with the addition of Twilight, start cracking up and laughing, until I have my character take the lead of the group; and I say, “Well, let's get going to my house.”

Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie catch up to my character, walking on either side of him, with the others taking care of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Weed Whacker assisting them; and Twilight Sparkle says to my character, “I should've listened to you and Pinkie Pie. I shouldn't have wandered off the path like that. It's a good thing you, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were there to stop that cockatrice, or I probably wouldn't have been the only statue in that part of the forest.”

I answer, “I'm glad I could be of service. But, I'm thinking that you won't need to worry about the cockatrice from now on.”

Twilight says, “Yeah, I hope you're right. Let's just head to your house.” Then, after a few more steps, suddenly she stops and says, “Oh, shoot, Spike!”

My character stops as well and turns to her, and I say, “You probably want to let him know where you are, and that you're alright.”

The purple unicorn nods, then Rainbow Dash says, “I'll go get him.” And, with that, the rainbow-haired pegasa turns and flies off in the direction of Ponyville.

The remaining nine make it to my character's house with no further problems.

Actually, the group turns the last corner to see that Zecora is visiting with Carrot Top and Berry Punch across the fence. And, it's Zecora who notices the group approaching, as she says, “Mormon, while I passed by, I had to stop, and talk with Berry Punch and Carrot Top.”

Before I can even open my mouth to greet the zebra, Twilight gallops toward her and says, “Zecora, I just thought I'd come by and get some tea from you.”

Zecora smiles and says, turning back toward her home, “Well then, Twilight, come with me, and I'll get you some more herbal tea.”

To the zebra, Twilight nods, smiles, and says, “Thank you, Zecora.” Then, she turns back to my character and says, “And, thank you for your help, Mormon.”

I answer, “Like I said before, I'm glad I could be of service. I'll be here getting ready for the reading this evening. And, I'm sure Spike'll be here, too.”

With a bit of a laugh in her voice, Twilight responds, “Knowing Rainbow Dash, he probably will be. When I've gotten some tea from Zecora, I'll be back here for the reading.”

I state, “Well, in that case, we'll be here waiting for you.”

No more is said, at least not by the zebra or the purple unicorn, as Twilight follows Zecora back into the forest.

On the other hand, as the group of now eight enters through the front gate, Carrot Top asks, “So, is everything alright?”

I answer, “Everything's fine. I can promise you the cockatrice won't be bothering us again.”

Berry Punch asks, “Oh really? What happened?”

Now, it's Fluttershy who answers, “Mormon and I noticed something as we were heading through the forest, something that didn't look like it belonged. So, we went off the path to get a look at what we saw, and found out it was Twilight frozen in stone. And, it wasn't long after that that we saw the cockatrice that'd frozen her. I told him off, then Mormon carried him across the path to the other side, and let him go.”

I add, “The cockatrice told me that things were too rough for him in the forest, and that he wouldn't bother anyone here if I'd carry him to the other side. Then, after I did so, he turned to me and thanked me, then turned and ran off. I'm guessing he's headed out to some place he thinks will be safer.”

Carrot Top asks, “You understand cockatrice?”

I answer, “I understood that cockatrice. And, don't ask me how, because I don't know. I can only promise you that he won't trouble us anymore.”

As my character closes the gate after the last to enter, Weed Whacker, Carrot Top says, “Well, if we're gonna get ready for the guests for tonight's reading, then we need to get started as soon as possible.” Focusing on the herbivorous dinosaur, she asks, “So, Weed Whacker, will you join me in the vegetable garden?”

The little dinosaur smiles up at the orange earth pony and says, “Sure, Carrot Top. You've been taking good care of it.”

As Carrot Top graciously accepts Weed Whacker's compliment, Berry Punch turns to the pale-green unicorn and asks, “And, Lyra, will you join me in the vineyard?”

Lyra answers, “Sure, no problem.” And, with that, she follows the reddish-purple earth pony toward the vineyard.

I have my character turn to Pinkie Pie, and I say, “Well, I guess that leaves us with the orchard.”

Pinkie Pie smiles and says, “Okie dokie lokie,” then follows my character as he makes his way there.

Neither of us realizes until we're into the orchard that the pink earth pony and the human been followed. Our first sign is after Diane kicks maybe ten apples out of a tree with one try, and I hear Applebloom say, “Ah didn't know Pinkie Pie could buck apples.”

My character focuses on the little yellow earth filly, and I say, “It's something I've been teaching her.”

Applebloom smiles and says, “Ah could help if ya want.”

I answer, “I appreciate the offer, but I think we've gotten enough apples, thanks to Pinkie Pie.”

As my character gathers up the apples and Diane says, “You're welcome,” Applebloom, with a child's observant attitude, asks, “Uh, why is Pinkie Pie's mane and tail straight?”

I answer, “That just shows how much she's focused on her work. I'm sure you know how much concentration it takes to kick apples out of a tree. Well, Pinkie Pie focuses so hard, she can't be bothered keeping her mane and tail curly.”

Applebloom, as though the answer has dawned on her, says, “Oh.” Then, as she wanders away from the orchard, she thinks aloud, “Well, what does apple buckin' have to do with her mane and tail bein' curly?”

I hear a giggle from Pinkie Pie, and my character turns to her to show me, through his eyes, that Pinkamena has taken over again. She gathers five of the ten apples in her mane and tail, then hops over the fence and gallops to the house.

My character gathers the other five apples, then climbs over the fence and follows the pink earth pony back to the house.

As soon as my character meets her at the door, in fact once the other four gather there, Pinkie opens the door with her front curl and leads the way into the house, through the front room, then, once again using that curl in her forehead, opens the door to the kitchen, where she leads the group inside.

I have my character linger behind to close the door behind the last of the harvesting group, then follow them into the kitchen, where he also closes the kitchen door behind them.

The system is familiar enough: Weed Whacker cleans the fruits and vegetables; then she hands each one to my character, who passes them to Carrot Top, Berry Punch, or Lyra; they cut the fruits and vegetables or, in the case of the grapes, separate them from their branch; then they hand them to Pinkie Pie, who places them on the tray. The only difference, a minor one, is that Pinkie Pie managed to get the snack tray herself. But, ultimately, the results, a pile of fruits and vegetables that looks like some kind of crown, are the same.

After the snack preparations are complete, I have my character go to the front door to have a look to see how many guests have arrived so far.

In fact, he's just in time to open the front door before one of my three stallion friends, Berry Ground, can knock with a front hoof.

He puts the hoof down and says, “Oh, hi, Mormon.”

I answer, “Hi, Berry Ground. You, Stunts, and Emerald Hill can come inside if you want, or you can wait out on the lawn.”

It's Stunts who says, “Thank you for the offer. We'll wait out on the lawn.”

I only get the chance to say, “Very well then,” before Pinkie Pie runs next to my character and, looking up at him, asks, “Oh, can I greet the guests, please?”

I can't help smiling as I answer, “Sure, go right ahead.”

Pinkie Pie smiles back and says, “Thank you, Mormon,” then runs out the door and to the gate to greet guests as they enter.

In the mean time, the three stallions return to the lawn; and I have my character return to the kitchen to see if the other creatures need help moving the snack tray out onto the lawn.

As soon as my character opens the door, I see, through his eyes, that Berry Punch, Carrot Top, and Lyra seem to have the snack tray under control; and they just need me to hold doors open for them so they can take the tray outside without spilling the contents or otherwise being distracted. So, I have my character hold the kitchen door open for the three ponies so they can carry the tray out of the kitchen, then run to the front door and open it so the trio can move the tray outside. After that, I have my character return to the kitchen and, making sure that there are no further creatures to exit, close the kitchen door.

As it turns out, Weed Whacker followed the trio of snack tray carriers from the kitchen on outside to the front lawn, I assume to make sure they didn't spill the contents of the tray.

With that in mind, I have my character go out the front door, then close it behind him. And, as he turns around, my character is met by Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo, who ask in unison, “Mormon, can we stay at your house tomorrow night?”

I pause for a moment before saying, “I think you should ask your parents first, or in Applebloom's case, your family. But, as long as they agree, sure.”

Again in unison, the trio call out, “Yay! Cutie Mark Crusaders sleepover at Mormon's house, yay!” And, with that, they run off back to Fluttershy.

Or, at least Scootaloo does.

My character shows me, through his eyes, that Applebloom, as soon as her siblings and grandmother have entered the gate, runs to her big sister and asks permission to stay tomorrow night at “Mormon's house.”

In the mean time, Sweetie Belle, again as soon as they've entered the gate, runs to her parents and asks for their permission.

From what I hear, those two manage to get permission from their sources. All that's left is for Scotaloo to get permission from her parents.

As the other two Crusaders return smiling, I notice that Scootaloo seems to have a sincere concern about getting permission from her parents to spend the night at my character's house. The other two state that either all three of them spend the night at “Mormon's house,” or none of them do. This seems to comfort the little orange pegasa.

In the mean time, as the guests arrive, more and more of them gather around the snack tray and are already eating the snacks.

This doesn't bother me any, as they were prepared for that purpose, whether before, during, or after the reading.

Among the arrivals, Rainbow Dash arrives from above with Spike, Twilight Sparkle and Zecora arrive together from the direction of Zecora's home, and the princesses and Hoity Toity and his servant appear almost without warning, teleporting in from Canterlot. The rest come from Ponyville through the Everfree forest, and I notice there don't seem to be any newcomers this time. Just Rainbow Dash apparently replacing Rarity.

The pile of fruit and vegetable snacks is, I'd say, around half it's original height before the ponies and dragons start forming a circle around the tray.

Since I'm already outside, I take my place between Weed Whacker and Mayor Mare, who, it seems, thinks that being seen next to me will keep her in her popularity somehow.

As soon as all are settled into their positions, I look around the circle. As I remember who started the reading the previous evening in the game, I turn to one of Vinyl Scratch's friends and ask, “Sweet Tones, will you begin reading chapter nineteen of the Second Book of Nephi?”

The dark tan earth pony nods, then looks down at her book, flips through the pages until she reaches the right one, then reads, “Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, and afterwards did more grievously afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations.”

Next to her, Lotta Pipes speaks up and says, “I'll read next,” then looks down into his book and reads, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Then, Drum Roll reads, “Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy—they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.”

Vinyl Scratch reads, “For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor.”

Octavia reads, “For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.”

Bon-Bon reads, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

At this point, I decide to speak up and say, “This is one of those verses that was originally in the Bible, the Old Testament, and has become the lyrics to a song I'm familiar with, part of a musical number called 'The Messiah.' And, because of that, I'm very familiar with this verse.” I then turn to Lyra and say, “You can go ahead and read verse seven.”

The pale-green unicorn nods, then looks down and reads, “Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.”

Weed Whacker reads, “The Lord sent his word unto Jacob and it hath lighted upon Israel.”

I read, “And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart:”

Mayor Mare reads, “The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.” She then turns to my character and asks, “Are you suggesting something by this?”

I can't help laughing as I say, “You're the one that chose to sit next to me here.”

Others laugh as well before Zecora quiets them down by reading, “Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;”

Princess Luna reads, “The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.”

Princess Celestia reads, “For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts.”

Twilight Sparkle reads, “Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day.”

Spike reads, “The ancient, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.”

Pinkie Pie reads, “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.”

Rainbow Dash reads, “Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.”

Applejack reads, “For wickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forests, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.”

Fluttershy reads, “Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no man shall spare his brother.”

Rarity's mother reads, “And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm—“

Rarity's father reads, “Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.”

Big MacIntosh says, “I'll go ahead and start chapter twenty,” before reading, “Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;”

Granny Smith reads, “To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!”

Applebloom reads, “And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?”

Sweetie Belle reads, “Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.”

Scootaloo reads, “O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is their indignation.”

Colgate reads, “I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.”

Twist reads, “Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but in his heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few.”

Namby Pamby reads, “For he saith: Are not my princes altogether kings?”

Cheerilee reads, “Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus?”

Silver Spoon reads, “As my hand hath founded the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;”

Filthy Rich reads, “Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and to her idols?”

Diamond Tiara reads, “Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon Mount Zion and upon Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.”

Warm Heart reads, “For he saith: By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I have done these things; for I am prudent; and I have moved the borders of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man;”

Snails reads, “And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people; and as one gathereth eggs that are left have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.”

Snips reads, “Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!”

Cold Hands reads, “Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, send among his fat ones, leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.”

Emerald Hill reads, “And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame, and shall burn and shall devour his thorns and his briers in one day;”

Stunts reads, “And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body; and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth.”

Berry Ground reads, “And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.”

Hoity Toity's servant reads, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them, but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.”

Hoity Toity reads, “The remnant shall return, yea, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.”

Carrot Top reads, “For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return; the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.”

Berry Punch reads, “For the Lord God of Hosts shall make a consumption, even determined in all the land.”

Sweet Tones reads, “Therefore, thus saith the Lord God of Hosts: O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian; he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.”

Lotta Pipes reads, “For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.”

Drum Roll reads, “And the Lord of Hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and as his rod was upon the sea so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.”

Vinyl Scratch reads, “And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”

Octavia reads, “He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages.”

Bon-Bon reads, “They are gone over the passage; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramath is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.”

Lyra reads, “Lift up the voice, O daughter of Gallim; cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.”

Weed Whacker reads, “Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.”

I read, “As yet shall he remain at Nob that day; he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.”

Mayor Mare reads, “Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled.”

Zecora reads, “And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.”

Princess Luna says, “I shall begin chapter twenty-one,” before looking into her book and reading, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”

Princess Celestia reads, “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;”

Twilight Sparkle reads, “And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.”

Spike reads, “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.”

Pinkie Pie reads, “And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”

Rainbow Dash reads, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”

Applejack reads, “And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.”

Fluttershy reads, “And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s den.” She then looks up and says, “Oh, I thought Mormon and I had already taken care of the cockatrice.”

I have my character turn to the yellow pegasa, and I say, “I don't think the cockatrice that Isaiah was referring to was the same one we'd dealth with, Fluttershy. I suspect what Isaiah's talking about was, or is, a type of poisonous snake that lives in the middle east.” As I have my character look at the others in the circle, I add, “And, on the subject of Isaiah's prophesy here, a lot of people interpret these three verses that Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy read, and the verse that Rarity's mother is going to read, literally. That is to say, they think those things are actually going to happen. And, for all I know, they might, and in the way Isaiah described them. But, I also think there's something in what Isaiah's describing using these examples, in that he's describing a paradise where predation has been eliminated. Instead of the wolf hunting the lamb, the two are living together in peace. Instead of the bear preying on the cow, those two are grazing together. At least, that's what I'm getting out of it.” I then have my character turn to Rarity's mother, and I say, “You can go ahead and read verse eight.”

Rarity's mother nods, then looks down into her book and reads, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

Rarity's father reads, “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious.”

Big MacIntosh reads, “And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.”

Granny Smith reads, “And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

Applebloom reads, “The envy of Ephraim also shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.”

Sweetie Belle reads, “But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards the west; they shall spoil them of the east together; they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.”

Scootaloo reads, “And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind he shall shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry shod.”

Colgate reads, “And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.”

Twist looks up and says, “I guess that means I get to begin chapter twenty-two,” before looking down into her book and reading, “And in that day thou shalt say: O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.”

Namby Pamby reads, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.”

Cheerilee reads, “Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

Silver Spoon reads, “And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.”

Filthy Rich reads, “Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth.”

Diamond Tiara reads, “Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.”

Warm Heart looks up for a moment and says, “It looks like I start chapter twenty-three,” before looking down into her book and reading, “The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.”

Snails reads, “Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.”

Snips reads, “I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones, for mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my highness.”

Cold Hands reads, “The noise of the multitude in the mountains like as of a great people, a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together, the Lord of Hosts mustereth the hosts of the battle.”

Emerald Hill reads, “They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, yea, the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.”

Stunts reads, “Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.”

Berry Ground reads, “Therefore shall all hands be faint, every man’s heart shall melt;”

Hoity Toity's servant reads, “And they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.”

Hoity Toity reads, “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.”

Carrot Top reads, “For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.”

Berry Punch reads, “And I will punish the world for evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay down the haughtiness of the terrible.”

Sweet Tones reads, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.”

Lotta Pipes reads, “Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.”

Drum Roll reads, “And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up; and they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.”

Vinyl Scratch reads, “Every one that is proud shall be thrust through; yea, and every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall by the sword.”

Octavia reads, “Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished.”

Bon-Bon reads, “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it.”

Lyra reads, “Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children.”

Weed Whacker reads, “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.”

I read, “It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.”

Mayor Mare reads, “But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.”

Zecora reads, “And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her day shall not be prolonged. For I will destroy her speedily; yea, for I will be merciful unto my people, but the wicked shall perish.”

At this point, I have my character stand up; and I say, “And, I think we should call it a night now. All of us who live here appreciate you coming here for these readings. As enjoyable as they are, you, my friends, need to be getting back to your homes. Tomorrow we'll be starting with chapter twenty-four, which'll be the last of the consecutive chapters where Nephi quotes Isaiah, and we'll continue on from there. Until then, again I and those that are living with me in my home thank all of you for coming, and we'll see you here next time.”

Dragons and ponies alike rise and stretch.

Drum Roll, Sweet Tones, and Lotta Pipes approach my character and say, “If it's alright with you, we'd like to guide Carrot Top and Berry Punch back through the forest.”

I notice, through my character's eyes, that Pinkie Pie is also approaching. I say, “Well, why don't you ask Pinkie Pie about it? If she agrees, then I'll let the two go home; and I'll let you guide them.”

There is, I guess from a pony's point of view, something scary about Pinkie Pie's serious face. I don't see it directly, but I can see the effect it has on the trio of musical ponies as she studies them. Then, she backs away from them and says, smiling, “Okie dokie lokie! I don't see anything wrong with them going with you.”

The trio breath a collective sigh of relief, and Drum Roll says, “Thank you, Pinkie. We'll be sure to keep them safe.”

I respond, “See to it that you do. I don't want to even hear anymore about you guiding ponies to the tavern, or going there yourselves. If I do see you guiding another pony there, whether it's Berry Punch, Carrot Top, or any pony else, or for that matter any other creature, or if I hear about it or find evidence of it, if that pony or those ponies come here, you'll come too; and you'll help them break their alcohol addiction, is that understood?” Not waiting for an answer, I continue, “On the other hand, I'll be especially happy if I hear about or see you leading other ponies, or other creatures for that matter, away from the tavern.”

It's Sweet Tones who says, “We understand, Mormon.”

I can't help noticing, from the upper periphery of my character's vision, the two earth pony friends approaching as I hear Pinkie Pie ask, “Will you Pinkie promise that you'll stay with Berry Punch and Carrot Top through the Everfree forest? And, will you Pinkie promise that you won't lead anypony else to the tavern?”

It's Lotta Pipes who answers, “Yes, Pinkie Pie, we Pinkie promise to stay with Berry Punch and Carrot Top and keep them safe through the Everfree forest, and we won't lead anypony else to the tavern, including Berry Punch and Carrot Top.”

Just after I say “Good,” Berry Punch asks, “Does that mean that we can go back to Ponyville then?”

I answer, “It does.”

The two earth mare friends squeal with happiness, then gallop to their books to collect them, then come back.

On their return, Carrot Top says, “If you ever need help with your garden, orchard, or vineyard, please feel free to ask us. Thank you, Mormon.” And, before I can answer, the two trot off to the front gate, following the trio of Vinyl Scratch's musical friends.

By this time, the princesses and Hoity Toity and his servant have already teleported back to Canterlot.

As Pinkie Pie and I watch the ponies gather at the front gate, Pinkie Pie says, “You know, I'm gonna miss having Berry Punch and Carrot Top around here.”

I state, “They weren't here for very long, you know. Only a few days.”

Pinkie Pie answers, “I know. But, that doesn't mean I can't miss them when they leave.”

I say, “I guess you've got a point there.” Then, I have my character focus on her as I ask, “So, do you want to let our guests out now? Salute them goodbye?”

Three times Pinkie Pie bounces, and squeals “Yes” each time, at the rate of one yes per bounce. Then, she gallops to the front gate and opens it, bidding each guest farewell as they exit.

I make my way to the front porch and wait, along with Lyra and Weed Whacker, for the guests to leave. Then, as I watch the last of the guests disappear into the Everfree forest, and once Pinkie Pie closes the gate and comes back, I say, “Well, I guess we'd better clean up, then get some dinner.”

The two ponies and the dinosaur agree, and in a few minutes the four have the remnants of the reading cleaned up. Then, it's back to the orchard for Pinkie Pie and my character, back to the vineyard for Lyra, and back to the vegetable garden for Weed Whacker, to gather fruits and vegetables for dinner.

I have to say, Diane has gotten really good control of Pinkie Pie when it comes to kicking fruits out of trees. She seems to know just how much force or power to use in order to knock the number of apples she wants out of a tree. In this case, she kicks the closest tree just hard enough to knock four apples out of it.

After gathering their harvests, the four gather at the front door where Pinkie Pie, once again controlled by Pinkamena, opens the door and leads the group into the kitchen. Once there, the group cleans the fruits and vegetables, prepares and eats them, then we retire to our rooms.

In my letter to the princesses, I write about how I've dismissed Carrot Top and Berry Punch to return to Ponyville with Vinyl Scratch's three musician friends, with the warning that I didn't want to even hear about them leading any more creatures to the tavern. I also write that I'm sure I provided them incentive to lead ponies away from the tavern.

I include in my letter that and how Fluttershy and I dealt with a cockatrice that wandered in from I-don't-know-where, and that Zecora had warned me about the cockatrice this morning. I mention that before the cockatrice left it told me that the forest was getting too rough for it, and if I helped it leave, it'd never turn forest creatures or ponies to stone again, at least none in the Everfree; and it ran off as soon as I let it go on the opposite side of the trail from the one where Fluttershy and I live. I indicate that my experiences have taught me that, at least when it involves unicorns and earth ponies, sometimes it takes more than a vocal warning before they'll believe. And, that's one more way that ponies are like humans. I finish the letter noting that it was fortunate for Twilight Sparkle that Fluttershy and I noticed something different just off the path through the Everfree forest to my house.

After that, I have my character sign the letter, then take it to Weed Whacker, who sends it off. He then returns to his room and prepares for and goes to bed.

So, indeed this has been quite an experience for me. I realize, in writing about this day, that it seems much like a horror story with a happy ending. All the creatures that were turned to stone, that I know of anyway, were unpetrified; and a cockatrice is on his way out of the Everfree forest and to where he thinks will be a safer place to live. Who knows if he's right about that? Who knows if I'll ever know? One thing's for sure. I find myself looking forward to the game's tomorrow as I save and close the game.

Author's Notes:

The start of the next chapter is based on the episode, "Baby Cakes." But, of course there are going to be a few changes with Mormon around.

Beyond that, Scootaloo will get permission from his parents, but with an interesting condition attached to it.

This and more in Chapter 18: The Crusaders, The Human, The Party Pony, and the Mint Unicorn.