I really make no changes in my approach to dealing with the three stallions. That introduction is necessary in order to provide the catalyst to Pinkie Pie's behavior later on. In my second encounter with the three stallions, though, when my character cleans up the unicorn vomit, afterwards I offer copies of the Book of Mormon to the stallions, and invite them to a reading at my character's house, or "my house," as I call it, on the other side of the Everfree forest; and the stallions accept.

I also change nothing about my first encounter with Pinkie Pie. Again, her reaction is an important part of the story.

I was able, in the playthrough I lost, to limit the body count to four deaths. In this, the playthrough I intend to win, I will prove that no more than one needs to die to win this game. But, I digress.

When I free myself from Pinkie Pie's straps, I still refuse to Pinkie promise the party pony not to say anything about what happened in the basement of the factory, opting instead to Maori promise.

One thing of interest to note here, though, is that Pinkie Pie starts calling me Mormon, the name I gave my character in my first playthough, the one I deliberately lost. While I don't remember giving the pink mare the ability to do so, it's clear to me that she somehow read the data from my previous game file to get my user name from there.

My next minor change is after my encounter with Gilda the griffon, and after I help Fluttershy with the family of ducks. When I reach her house, I request a container where I can throw away the paper towel I used to clean up the mess that Gilda had made earlier.

The yellow pegasa directs me, directs my character, to a pile of leaves and stuff that looks to me like a compost heap, and I have my character toss the paper towel with the griffon feces into it. Fluttershy will likely never know why I was carrying griffon feces around in the first place, as she never asks about the paper towel.

At the party, without the paper towel of feces to catalyze the griffon's early expulsion from the party, my character has as many encounters with Gilda as Pinkie has, with similar conversations. Whereas she grabs Pinkie Pie by the neck, she grabs my character by his arm and pulls him behind the cake, where she says, “I'm also watchin' you like a hawk.”

I answer, “I would've expected you to watch me more like an eagle. But, if you've studied the observation techniques of a hawk that well, and you're more comfortable with those techniques, then you're welcome to watch me that way. Whatever you prefer.”

My response causes Gilda to groan in anger and toss my character past the table.

It doesn't take him long to recover.

Later, when the female griffon opens the can of snakes that causes her to fluff up her feathers in alarm, I have my character produce a camera and take a picture of her before she can regain her composure.

Gilda, seeing my character as the source of the flash of light, approaches him and demands to know why he flashed her.

This is one of the things I can't help but laugh at.

My character shows her the picture that he took, then hides the camera away before the griffon can grab it from him, as I tell her, “Just think of it as a memento of this occasion. It's the perfect way for me to remember you.”

Furious, the griffon growls and slowly marches toward my character, forcing him to back away from her, as she says, “You step on my tail in the middle of town, then you scare the hell out of me.”

I answer, “I'll have you know I cleaned up your 'hell' when you left. It's now part of a compost heap.”

The griffon retorts, “I'm not finished yet,” before continuing, “Then, you make jokes about me watching you. 'Oh, I'd rather you watch me like an eagle.'”

I respond, “What I said was that I would've expected you to watch me more like an eagle. You are part eagle, aren't you?”

Not answering the question, Gilda continues to rant, “And then, to top it all off, you flashy-thing me looking like an idiot!”

Doing my best to keep from laughing, I answer, “I wouldn't say you looked like an idiot. You did look kind of funny, though.”

Gilda glares at my character, growling for a few seconds, then, thrusting the empty snake can at him, calmly says, “You know what, I don't care anymore. In fact, I don't wanna stay here anymore.” Her rage builds as she continues, “I've had it with you, I've had it with this stupid place, and I've had it with this stupid town! Never have I seen such a pathetic excuse for a party, and never have I seen such lame excuses for practical jokes!” Turning to the azure pegasa, she continues, “Rainbow Dash, if you've had enough of this stupid place, then come with me. If not, you can stay here with these lame-os. So, what do you say?”

As my character turns to Rainbow Dash, I can see she's deeply offended and angry. He watches as the azure pegasa floats in between him and the griffon, and says, “Lame-os, huh? Lame excuses for practical jokes, huh? Well, I'll have you know I set up those lame practical jokes, all of 'em. They weren't all meant for you, it was just dumb luck that you happened to set 'em all off.” Taking a moment to land, the azure pegasa continues, “I thought my old friend would get along with my new friends, but obviously I was wrong about that. So, if you're uncomfortable with my real friends, then you can just leave now.”

All eyes are on the outraged griffon as she retorts, “Alright then, I'm outta here.” And, with that, she turns around and walks out the door, but not before capsizing a table full of presents on top of the nearby giant cake, causing nearby ponies to scatter to escape the potential disaster.

After my character watches the disgruntled griffon leave through the door, I say, “Well, I don't know about anyone else, but this is the most fun I've ever had at a lame party.”

The statement, as I hoped, triggers laughter throughout the bakery, and ponies resume their festivities.

I watch, through my character's eyes, the azure pegasa trembling, but otherwise not moving, before I ask, “Rainbow Dash, are you alright?”

The azure pegasa doesn't turn to look at my character, but she relaxes a little and says, “I'll be fine. I just need some time.” Then, she slowly walks to and out the door.

Not long afterward, Pinkie Pie also leaves.

I know what she plans to do, and, again, it's an important part of the story. So, I do nothing to stop her. I'll deal with her later. In the mean time, through my character, I enjoy the party for its duration, then help with the cleanup before leaving.

At the doorway, I'm greeted by the three stallions, Emerald Hill the pegasus, Stunts the unicorn, and Berry Ground the earth pony, who ask if they can follow me to my house on the other side of the forest, so we can read the book I gave them a copy of together.

Seeing only advantage in the proposal, I agree; and the group of four proceeds from the bakery toward the Everfree forest. As we pass Fluttershy's house, seeing the yellow pegasa, I wave hello to her, and she waves back.

After spending maybe half an hour traveling through the forest, we make our way to the turn in the road, and, a short time later, to my character's house.

Once the party of four is in the yard, I invite the three stallions into the house; but they refuse. So, I go inside and get a copy of the Book of Mormon, then return to the stallions. In the playthrough I lost, I got as far as the fourth chapter of First Nephi, and I didn't record all of the verses read. But, that was that game. I open the book and turn to the first chapter, inviting the stallions to do the same.

Once we're all on the same page, I decide to read the first verse: “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.”

The three stallions and one human have formed a circle, and I have my character turn to Berry Ground on my right and invite him to continue reading.

Nodding, he looks into his copy of the book and reads, “Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians.” Before Stunts can read the next verse, Berry Ground says, “I saw a griffon fly away from Sugar Cube Corner, and the rainbow-maned pegasa fly up into a cloud a short time later. That cloud turned gray after a while. Is the pegasa alright?”

I answer, “She said she would be. She and the griffon were friends, and they had a falling out.”

Emerald Hill snorts and says, “I know Rainbow Dash. She's really sturdy. If she says she'll be fine, then she'll be fine.” Then, turning to the unicorn, he says, “Stunts, go ahead and read the next verse.”

The unicorn looks into his copy of the book and reads, “And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.”

Then Emerald Hill reads, “For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt in Jerusalem all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.” Looking up from the book, the pegasus comments, “I wonder what this city, Jerusalem, did to be worthy of destruction.”

I answer, “Things there had gotten pretty bad. They'd gotten away from worshiping their true God, and had gotten into worshiping false gods. And, they'd also gotten into other practices that they shouldn't have gotten into. Because of what they were doing, God was going to teach them a lesson by allowing the Babylonians to capture and enslave them.” After a moment of waiting for further questions and not hearing any, I add, “I appreciate you asking questions. If you have any more, don't be afraid to ask. It might just be that whatever answers I don't have another of you may have.” As my character looks back into the book, I read, “Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.”

Berry Ground reads, “And, it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly.” Looking up from the book, Berry Ground thinks aloud, “I wonder what this human could've seen and heard that would've scared him so much.”

Before anyone can respond, Stunts reads, “And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen.” Looking at Berry Ground afterward, the unicorn states, “Whatever it was, it was pretty powerful. It seems that it wore him out.”

I must say, I'm finding this dialogue among the ponies and me really exciting. The ponies seem to be really getting into the story.

Emerald Hill reads, “And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.” Looking up at the rest of us, he says, “I haven't read anything like this in our history. Does this normally happen among humans?”

I answer, “Not often. But, I'm sure it happens more frequently in my time, since God has started speaking to his children again after so many years of them wandering in spiritual darkness. The fact of the matter is this book is evidence of God speaking to His children in lands other than the Middle East on earth.” Again I wait for further questions or comments. When I don't hear any after a few seconds, I read, “And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.”

It's Stunts that says, “I'm guessing there's some significance in this word, 'One,' since it's capitalized.”

Before anyone can answer, Berry Ground reads, “And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.”

Stunts then reads, “And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth, and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.” Grunting, he states, “I wonder if it's anything like our reading.”

Emerald Hill reads, “And it came to pass that as he read he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord.”

I read, “And he read, saying: Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations! Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem—that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon.”

Berry Ground states in my character's direction, “You did mention something like that happening to this city, Jerusalem,” before reading, “And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou are merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!”

Stunts then reads, “And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God; for his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen, yea, which the Lord had shown unto him.”

Emerald Hill reads, “And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father hath written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams; and he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account.”

I read, “But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father, upon plates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after I have abridged the record of my father then will I make an account of mine own life.”

Berry Ground reads, “Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.”

Stunts reads, “And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them: for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.” Looking up at my character, the unicorn says, “Something tells me that the Messiah and the One mentioned in that earlier verse are the same creature, the same human?”

Before I can answer, Emerald Hill reads the last verse in the chapter: “And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.”

Now, let me state at this point that reading from the Book of Mormon doesn't make a significant difference this early in the game. The real game changer takes place in the game's tomorrow, and the days following that, when I take a different approach to Pinkie Pie's killing Gilda than I did in the first game. To give you a clue, Applejack offered a good suggestion relating to the party pony, as did Pinkie Pie, and I plan to take the approach suggested by those two this playthrough. And, I'll show soon enough that Pinkie Pie will accept, this time, the invitation to join my group in reading from the Book of Mormon, and turn away from her course of destruction. Now, back to the story.

As my character closes his copy of the book, signaling the three stallions to do the same, I turn to Stunts and say, “Whatever it was that told you that the Messiah and the One were the same human informed you correctly. As we read through this book, we'll find that He and His mother are named specifically. We'll also read about His visit to the descendants of Lehi in the land that they'll call Bountiful, or Nephi, but in my time is known as South America.” Pausing for a moment for my character to look at each of the stallions, I say, “If you want to stay here for the night, I can provide sleeping quarters for each of you. On the other hand, if you prefer to return to your homes, I'll be happy to guide you back through the Everfree forest.”

The three ponies briefly discuss the proposal among them, then Berry Ground turns to me and says, “We appreciate the offer. But, we'll go ahead on our own. You've given us much already. When we return to our homes, we'll continue studying from our copies of the book you've given us. Once again, thanks.” And, with that, the three proceed toward the gate to leave.

My character gets up and runs ahead of them, opens the gate for them to let them out, then closes the gate behind them. Once the four say their goodbyes, my character collects his copy of the Book of Mormon, puts it in his inventory, and goes back inside, while the stallions, or so i assume, make their way through the Everfree forest and back to Ponyville.

My character gets food for himself, eats, then retires to his bed.

The purpose for reading from the Book of Mormon is not for filler; there is an objective to it. And, the three stallions will have more of a role in this playthrough. But, for now, I end by saving and closing the game. And, as I do so, I find myself looking forward to continuing this playthrough.

Author's Notes:

The next chapter is when the major divergence happens. I think I've provided enough hints about what the catalyst is going to be, but what exactly does it catalyze? Find out in the next chapter, Game Changer in the Basement.

Oh, and by the way, the reading at the end will be First Nephi, chapter 2.