As the game resumes, I hear a knocking at my character's bedroom door. As my character rises and walks to his bedroom door, I hear Pinkie Pie moan as though she's losing her balance, followed by a light thud. Then, my character opens the door to see the pink party pony on her back. Whatever else her sense had done, it evidently kept her from getting hurt from my character opening his door.

As she rolls onto her hooves, Pinkie Pie turns to my character and says, “Hi Mormon. If we're gonna get to Ponyville in time for me to get to Sugar Cube Corner, we'd better start preparing now. And, Lyra's gonna wanna visit Bon-Bon.” Cantering toward the kitchen, she continues, “Lyra's already gathered fruits from your orchard and vineyard. I hope you don't mind.”

As my character follows the pink earth pony into the kitchen, I answer, “No problem. So, what all's for breakfast?”

There's no answer, but I see three of the chairs around the the table already occupied by two unicorn mares on opposite sides of the table, with Weed Whacker occupying the chair on the side of the table opposite my character.

As the three invite my character to sit down, I see the plate in the middle of the table has a few apples, pears, summer fruits, grapes, and kiwi fruits. Before he sits down, my character goes to a cupboard and retrieves a plate for himself. Then, once in the remaining chair, he chooses a pear, a few grapes, and a peach, and starts eating them.

Then, remembering there aren't quite enough chairs for all, my character turns to the pink party pony, and I say, “I need to get a chair for you.”

Sitting canine style, Pinkie Pie closes her eyes and waves a forelimb as she says, “No, that's alright.” Putting her hoof down again and opening her eyes, she adds, “I've already eaten.”

I have to assume she's being honest with me. I guess we'll find out when we make our way through the Everfree forest, on our way back to Ponyville. And, that's another thing.

I turn to Trixie and ask, “So, will you be coming with us to Ponyville?”

The azure unicorn answers, “I can't go back there, not yet. I have to get back on my hooves.”

I understand what she means. After all, she lost her home there in Ponyville, and all she can do is try to build a new one. I say, “I suppose the least we can do, while we're in Ponyville, is get some tools and other items to help you build your new home. Is there anything in particular you need?”

Trixie has chosen a kiwi fruit and was about to bite into it when I asked. She pauses for a moment, then answers, “Since we're right next to the forest, I should have no problems finding wood. But, I could use a hammer, a saw, a bunch of nails, and some cloth for a curtain, preferably red.” She floats the fruit to her mouth, which she opens to prepare to bite it. Then, she floats the fruit away from her mouth before saying, “For that matter, if you could get a needle and some thread, I'd appreciate it.”

As I watch the azure unicorn eat the fruit, I answer, “That should be no problem.” As my character turns to Lyra, then Pinkie Pie, I ask, “Are there any hardware stores in Ponyville?”

Pinkie Pie answers, “There's one in Ponyville, and I'm sure you could find what you need there. As for the cloth and thread, Rarity should have some. Just say what you need, and she'll give it to you.”

As my character turns back to the azure unicorn, I say, “Well, it sounds like we can get what you need, then.”

Trixie looks down and says, “Nopony outside of family ever helped me before.” Then, with a sound that could be a cough or a forced laugh, she looks at my character and continues, “Fitting, is it not, that the one creature that helps me isn't a pony, but a human? Thanks, Mormon.”

Somehow I feel that, if I could've been there physically instead of through an avatar, I would've tried to stroke the azure unicorn's mane. Then, I would most likely have had my hand batted away. I answer, “Happy to be of service.”

Other than Lyra volunteering to carry what I get with her magic, no more is said among us as the four finish eating. After that, Lyra, Pinkie Pie, Weed Whacker and my character leave the house and head into the Everfree forest, leaving Trixie to gather wood to build a new mobile theater home.

Round about an hour later, the party of four is in Ponyville; and at Sugar Cube Corner, the unicorn, the dinosaur, and the human are saluting Pinkie Pie good luck at her job. Then, the remaining three tour the town, searching for the hardware store Pinkie Pie mentioned.

Not far from Sugar Cube Corner, the trio come across what is evidently the marketplace, where a few ponies have gathered to sell whatever they have to sell. Among these is the familiar orange earth pony, Applejack, selling apples and products made from them.

It's Lyra who approaches the orange earth pony.

Seeing the pale-green unicorn, Applejack says, “Howdy, Lyra. Wouldja like an apple?”

Lyra answers, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Then, she asks, “Would you know where the hardware store in town is?”

Applejack points over her stand as she answers, “Sure, it's right over there?”

As my character looks to see where Applejack is pointing, I see through his eyes what looks like a rather plain-looking building, one-floor, with a wooden sign hanging over the door.

Lyra thanks Applejack, then turns to my character and says, “Well, let's go and see what they have.”

As we enter the hardware store, Lyra and Weed Whacker go to the front desk to ask for where they could find the hammers and nails.

I have my character make his way to the back wall, to one corner, where he immediately finds the hammers. After my character chooses three hammers, I direct him to an isle, where, through his eyes, I can see boxes of nails.

As my character grabs a paper bag and proceeds to grab handfuls of nails and put them in the bag, I hear Lyra's voice say, “This seems to be your first time in the hardware store, but you seem to know where you're going.”

I answer, “This isn't the first hardware store I've been in. I've found that one hardware store is the same as another.”

Once my character has gathered enough nails, he takes what he's gathered and heads to the front desk, with the unicorn and the dinosaur following close behind him.

The stallion at the desk eyes the items, evidently counting them, then looks up at my character and says, “That'll be ten bits.”

My character produces ten gold-colored, flat cylinders and drops them on the desk next to the bag of nails.

Simultaneously, the stallion collects the coins, and my character gathers the hammers and nails.

That's when the pale-green unicorn steps up to the desk and places a saw in front of the stallion and says, “I'd like to get this, please.”

The stallion looks at the saw, then back at Lyra, and says, “That'll be five bits.”

Lyra produces five gold-colored flat cylinders and places them on the table, then lifts the saw with her magic and returns to my character's side.

As the three exit the store, I say, “Well, Lyra, here's another reason why it was a good idea for me to accept custody of you. You remembered the thing I'd forgotten. Nicely done.”

The pale-green unicorn nods and says, “I saw you getting hammers and nails, and I figured you'd forget something. Thanks for the compliment.”

After I welcome the unicorn's gratitude, the group heads to Rarity's boutique for the cloth, thread, and needle.

As we arrive at the cylindrical structure, Lyra opens the door and enters, calling out, “Rarity, we need your help with something.”

I'm sure I hear something land on a wooden surface from one of the rooms that I can see through my character's eyes before I hear Rarity's voice call, “I'll be right there!” Somehow, I wouldn't be surprised if Lyra accidentally surprised the white unicorn.

As I watch, through my character's eyes, Rarity come down the stairs, the white unicorn looks at Lyra and asks, “Yes, dear, what do you want?”

Lyra answers, “Just some red cloth, a needle, and thread.”

Rarity looks at my character, then back at Lyra, and says, “If you want to make clothes for your friend, I can make them easily enough.” And, with that, a rolled-up band of measuring tape nearby, possessed by a pale-purple aura, drifts past Rarity and toward my character.

Lyra, somewhat alarmed, says, “Oh, it's not for him.”

The measuring tape stops, then drifts back to it's place on a shelf, as Rarity asks, “Oh? Then what's it for?”

I answer, “I have a friend who needs some material for making a curtain. Do you have any?”

Rarity looks at my character again and answers, “I don't have material for making a curtain, but I do happen to have some red curtains available to use. Here. Let me get them for you.”

Lyra seems to be just as curious as I am about the red curtains Rarity has available.

We only have a few minutes to wait, as the white unicorn comes out with two red curtains that look oddly familiar to me.

As Rarity uses her magic to stretch the curtains in front of us, she says, “I managed to salvage these yesterday after the Ursa Minor ran amok through town. I couldn't stand to see perfectly good curtains go to waste, so I took them. I even repaired the holes.

“I was thinking of how I might use these red curtains, but if you want them, you can have them.”

As Rarity uses her magic to fold the curtains, Lyra answers, “Thank you so much. I'm sure these'll help our friend out a lot.”

As Rarity produces a bag and places the folded curtains in it, she says, “Oh, not at all.” Then, as Lyra accepts the bag from her, Rarity turns away and asks, “Oh, by the way, … “ And, that's all I hear her say as Lyra, Weed Whacker, and my character are suddenly outside the door to the boutique.

Lyra, as an explanation, half-whispers, “I don't want Rarity to know that we're getting the curtains for Trixie.”

Now, I know Lyra wasn't in Ponyville to see Trixie turn Rarity's mane into a literal rat's nest, so I have to wonder if there isn't a deeper history between the blue unicorn and the white one, one that Lyra's more familiar with. Still, I say, “A wise precaution, especially after what happened yesterday.”

My suspicion is apparently confirmed as the pale-green unicorn says, “Uh-oh. What happened this time?”

Once we're a few paces away from Carousel Boutique, I answer, “Rarity was one of those that challenged Trixie. In response, Trixie turned Rarity's mane literally into a rat's nest.”

Lyra looks down at the ground and groans, then looks back up at my character and says, “That sounds like what normally happens when Rarity and Trixie meet. This time it was Trixie who was meaner to Rarity. Before that, it was Rarity who did something worse to Trixie. I have yet to see an end to it.”

As unicorn, dinosaur, and human make their way toward Bon-Bon's house, I say, “Well, maybe that's part of the reason why I'm here, helping you. Maybe it's time to help build a lasting bridge between Trixie and Rarity. And, just maybe it starts with the two reading together, at least in the same group.” After a strategic pause, I continue, “When I first saw Trixie in Ponyville, I heard her say something about naysayers, or as she put it, neigh-sayers. I made fun of that and hurt Trixie's feelings. Later on, I took the opportunity to make it up to her, and she forgave me. Now, we're friends. If I can repent to Trixie and she can forgive me, maybe I can help her and Rarity become friends. Whether the two forgive each other or not is up to them. But, I figure the least I can do is help them take the first step toward building a relationship of trust between them.”

Lyra sighs and says, “The difference between you and Rarity, aside from species and gender, is that you don't have the history with Trixie that Rarity has. Trixie forgave you more easily because you repented to her not long after making your mistake. Rarity and Trixie have been at each other's throats ever since they were fillies. And, maybe the fact that they're unicorns and mares has something to do with it, I don't know. Unicorns can be pretty stubborn, and it's not easy for a unicorn to admit when he or she is wrong.” Then, looking up at my character again, she concludes, “But, if you can get Trixie to forgive you, then maybe, just maybe, you can get her to repent to Rarity.”

I answer, “At the very least it's worth a shot. But, just to let you know, it isn't easy for humans to admit doing wrong either. Frequently, one human may do something to another, not knowing it offended the other. I've been in that situation before, or at least sensing that I've offended someone, and I've gotten into the habit of waiting to be sure that an offense has taken place so I'd know what to do next. I can't say that an offense has been confirmed, so I wasn't able to do anything about it if there was an offense. But, I feel like I learned some level of self-restraint.”

Before we can say anymore to each other, Lyra demonstrates that we've arrived at Bon-Bon's house by leading my character and Weed Whacker to the front door and knocking.

After a few seconds, the door opens; and I see the pale-yellow earth mare Bon-Bon on the other side. Seeing her pale-green unicorn friend, she says, “Lyra! Come on in. I have to warn you, you're not the first guest I have here.”

Lyra answers, “And, I've brought others with me.” Before she enters, she points to my character and says, “You remember Mormon, right?” then points to the herbivorous dinosaur between her and my character and says, “And here's a new friend of mine, Weed Whacker.” She then enters her friend's house, followed by Weed Whacker and my character.

As my character enters, his attention is drawn to a white unicorn with mane and tail of two shades of blue lying on her face on one of two couches facing each other across a coffee table with a glass top. Evidently the setup in the front room of my character's house isn't all that unique.

The unicorn groans, then looks up at the new guests. Seeing my character, she says, in a tone I'm not sure about, “Oh, it's you.”

I open my mouth to say something, but Lyra beats me to it: “Is Vinyl alright?”

I was going to ask Vinyl Scratch directly, but this ought to get the answer to my question as much as my asking the white, blue-haired unicorn would've done.

Bon-Bon answers, “Vinyl went on a binge last night, and Octavia didn't want to deal with it. So, Vinyl stayed with me for the night. I guess her concert was a big success.”

The white unicorn on the couch moans, “Not so loud!”

I've never experienced a hangover, and, from what I've observed, I never want to. Experience with migraines is enough. And, if I want to lose my sense of equilibrium, I can spin in one place until I can't tell up from down. For that matter, I don't need alcohol poisoning to make a fool of myself; I've done that plenty of times without any help.

The white unicorn mare stares at me for a few seconds before saying, “So, I'm guessing you want me to play that Slender game again, huh? Wanna grab me again, maybe make me pee all over the place?”

From her last question, it's clear to me Vinyl hasn't forgiven me for what happened at her and Octavia's house, when I scared her by grabbing her by the shoulder just as Slenderpony appeared. I say, “About that. I really shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry.”

In response, Vinyl says, “Well, you did clean up the mess I made, so I have no reason to—“ Just then, she closes her mouth and her cheeks puff up; and with one hoof she covers her mouth and with the other forelimb she grabs her stomach.

Presently different things are possessed by different colors of aura: the doorknob to an apparent bathroom nearby by a blue aura as it opens; Vinyl herself by a pale-green aura as she floats upward; and Vinyl's mouth by an aura between her blue and Lyra's pale-green, evidently keeping her mouth closed so she doesn't vomit before she can reach the bathroom. On arriving at the toilet inside, the white unicorn is lowered with her head over the basin. When she's safely on the ground, I finally hear a long, loud gagging sound and splashing sounds as whatever Vinyl last ate and drank end up mixing with the water in the toilet.

Only needing to hear what's going on to understand, I turn to Lyra and say, “Not quite the response I was hoping for.”

In the mean time, I notice, on the edge of the periphery of my character's vision, a pale-green aura possess and close the bathroom door, giving Vinyl the privacy she needs.

And, that's when Bon-Bon enters the room with a plate full of what once again resemble French fries made with Yukon Gold potatoes. And, once again, I'm not sure if my character should eat any, considering they're probably not what they appear to be.

In the mean time, Lyra and Bon-Bon delve into the snacks, each grabbing one of them and biting off pieces, clearly enjoying them.

As soon as Bon-Bon chews and swallows her snack, she turns to me and asks, “So, did you come here to apologize to Vinyl?”

I answer, “Not really. I'm actually here for Lyra's benefit. Being able to repent to Vinyl was an unexpected opportunity for me.”

Bon-Bon says to me, “Oh,” then turns to Lyra and asks, “So, what's this about your benefit?”

The pale-green unicorn looks down at the remainder of the snack in her hoof, sighs, then puts it down on the coffee table. Looking at her friend, she says, “A couple days ago, I broke into Canterlot Castle and tried to get to a magic mirror so I could get into the human world.”

Bon-Bon answers with an extended “Oh,” then adds, “And, based on the fact that you're still here, I'm guessing you didn't succeed.”

Lyra explains, “I don't know how he did it, but Mormon got some kind of sound-transmitting device into my ear; and, before I could get that last door open, he called out something I didn't understand. I freaked out, and then the guards came, and … I wet myself.”

In Lyra's pause, I notice that Bon-Bon doesn't vocally respond. As my character looks at the yellow earth pony, I can see an expression of concern on her face.

Lyra continues, “Needless to say, I was caught and thrown in jail. Mormon visited me with Pinkie Pie, and I guess Princess Luna decided it'd be a good idea for Mormon to take care of me for my sentence. Since then, Mormon has been taking care of me, and I've been assigned to write letters to the princesses about what I learn about humans from him.” Pointing to the herbivorous dinosaur, Lyra continues, “Weed Whacker here sends the letters I write directly to them.”

After hearing what Lyra said, Bon-Bon turns to my character and asks, “So, what was it you said to Lyra?”

I answer, “I asked her in a language she wouldn't recognize what she was doing.”

Bon-Bon, more focused, asks, “What were your exact words?”

I answer, “Raira, kei te aha?”

Bon-Bon asks, “And, that language is … “

I answer, “Maori.”

Bon-Bon looks down for a moment, then back up, and says, “That's certainly not a language I've ever heard of. And, you seem really good at it.” Before I can thank her, she points to the snacks on the plate and says, “By the way, I can't help noticing you haven't had any of my snacks yet.”

I ask, “If you don't mind me asking, what are they?”

Bon-Bon answers, “Fried, breaded asparagus.”

I have my character reach for one of the snacks, and I say, “That does sound good. I do like asparagus.”

And, as my character bites down on the stick, a message box on the bottom of the screen reads, “A pleasant mixture of corn and herb.”

I say, “Corn breading. Nice touch.”

That's when Lyra turns to me and says, “Didn't your mother teach you any manners? You shouldn't talk with your mouth full.”

I wait for the message box that reads, “Your character swallows,” before I say, “Oops.”

In the mean time, Bon-Bon squees and says, “Thanks for the compliment.”

Just then, the bathroom door opens, and an unstable Vinyl Scratch stumbles out. She looks up at my character and says, “Mormon, I forgive you,” before collapsing. Aside from her chest expanding and contracting, the main evidence that she's still alive is her snoring.

Bon-Bon finishes her asparagus in one big bite, then turns to Lyra and asks, “Could you help me with Vinyl?”

Lyra nods, and the two mares move to each side of the sleeping white unicorn. Then, once in position, they turn around at the same time and pick up their friend, holding her up under each forelimb, and proceed to drag her to and up a flight of stairs.

Having programmed this game, I know that, unless my character intervenes, something's going to go horribly wrong with this plan. I have my character stand up and turn to watch the two mares as I say, "Excuse me, but I think you're dragging Vinyl in the wrong direction."

Lyra ignores my warning, and instead says, “You stay there. We can handle this.”

So, my character continues to watch the three mares, even moves around the couch to follow them to the stairs; and again I warn, "Trust me, you really need to take her back to the bathroom, right now."

This time, it's Bon-Bon who, dragging the blue-haired unicorn up the stairs with Lyra's help, says, "What Vinyl needs right now is to go to bed."

Then, half-way up the stairs, I see, through my character's eyes, Vinyl Scratch's hind legs twitch slightly, and I can only watch as her tail rises, and a waterfall starts flowing from her behind, accompanied by the the sound effect of water being poured on carpet.

As the two pause, Bon-Bon looks down under Vinyl, groans, and says, “Well, that's one thing Mormon won't have to scare out of her.”

I must admit, I'm feeling disappointed that Lyra didn't trust me, as I watch, through my character's eyes, the yellow waterfall, or urine-fall, land on the stairs just behind Vinyl, then continue on a path back down the stairs.

When Vinyl Scratch stops urinating and lowers her tail, Lyra and Bon-Bon resume their trek up the stairs.

At the top, Lyra stops and asks, “Now, Bon-Bon, if Vinyl peed when we were half-way up the stairs, doesn't that mean that … “

Bon Bon, having stopped to hear Lyra out, realizes why her pale-green unicorn friend trailed off, and I can only assume she closed her eyes and put her free front hoof between them as she shakes her head and says, “Oh, no.”

But, it's too late to do anything about it.

Vinyl's tail rises again, and what resembles greenish chocolate pours from the base of her tail between her hips onto the second or third step from the top, then starts flowing slowly down the stairs, ready to join the unconscious mare's urine.

I have to keep from laughing as I hear Bon-Bon say, “The worst thing about it is it doesn't make her any lighter.” Then, she turns to the unconscious unicorn and says, “The next time you go on a drinking binge, Vinyl, you're sleepin' outside.”

Just then, the front door opens, and I hear Pinkie Pie's voice say, “Hi, Mormon, Lyra, Weed Whacker, Bon-Bon! I'm on my break, and I thought I'd see how things were going … “ As my character turns to her, I see her pull a sour face as she says, “Eww, did someone just poop and pee in here?” Then, before my character can stop her, she canters toward the stairs where she sees the freshly-made messes; and my character turns back to the trio to show me Vinyl's tail lowering as her bowels have finally emptied, then Lyra and Bon-Bon drag the white unicorn to a doorway.

As my character turns away from the scene to look at Pinkie Pie again, I can see her mane and ears droop and tears form in her eyes as she turns around and wanders out the door again. Her tail remains curly, just not as much as before. Evidently Pinkamena is still in control, just not as happy as she was when she first came in.

Weed Whacker follows my character, who follows Pinkie Pie out the door.

Once outside, I don't need a direct look at Pinkie's face to tell that she's trying to recompose herself. I assume she's using the front hoof she just picked up to rub her nose as she sniffles, then says, “It never fails. Every time she goes out binge drinking, it always happens.”

As my character approaches the pink mare, she makes a wide U-turn to the nearby yard and to a chaise lounge as she continues, “She comes home the next day all hung over, throws up, then falls asleep. Then she loses all control of her bowels and bladder, leaving her friend or friends to clean up the mess.”

Evidently, what I observed isn't just a one-time event. It's happened frequently.

As we arrive at the chaise lounge, I ask the pink earth pony, “Have you had experience … ?”

As Pinkie Pie jumps up on the lounge, minus her normal enthusiasm, she answers, “No, I haven't cleaned up her messes, but I have seen her mess herself when she was asleep.” As she slumps down into sphinx-style position on the lounge, she continues, “Lyra, Bon-Bon, and Octavia know better than I do how difficult it is to get pony poop out of tail hair. After what they say about it, I don't even want to try drinking anything with alcohol in it.” Her voice goes up an octave as she continues, “I want to respect her, but how can I when she does … that?” Finally, she folds her forelimbs in front of her and buries her face in them as she sobs, “Oh Vinyl.” And, she doesn't stop sobbing.

Having had experience with the real Pinkie Pie, I know how much she cares about her friends; and I think I've incorporated that rather effectively into the game. And, for that matter, I've also programmed variations of this effect of intoxication into the game for all ponies.

My character sits down next to the pink pony and massages her back as she continues to sob, and I say, “Maybe it's time to invite her to join us in our reading.”

Pinkie Pie turns to me, and I can see the streams of tears from her eyes, as well as a streamer starting to form from each nostril, as she smiles weakly and says, “I think she needs to wake up first.”

I chuckle and say, “Alright, when she wakes up.”

Pinkie Pie forces a chuckle and nods.

In the mean time, Weed Whacker says, “If you want. There's just something about her that scares me.”

As my character turns to look at the herbivorous dinosaur, I can see that she is indeed trembling. Under my direction, my character uses his other hand to massage the little dinosaur behind her head, which does the job of relaxing her.

Pinkie Pie peers over my lap to see the herbivorous dinosaur and says, “I'm sorry about that. But, she is my friend. I worry one of these days she's gonna get herself killed.”

It seems to me Pinkie Pie's concern is valid, even in this fictional, computer-generated world. Vinyl could die of hypothermia if she collapses outside in a cold rainstorm or in a snowstorm. Or, her binge drinking could just destroy her internal organs. Thanks to the way I programmed the game, physical and spiritual laws apply. And, while Vinyl Scratch is not on the same course that Pinkie Pie was on in the first game, she's still on a course of self-destruction. And, like Pinkie Pie's downfall, Vinyl's is affecting her friends, and not in a positive way.

I ask, “So, Pinkie, when she wakes up, do you want to invite your friend, or should I?”

The pink earth pony sighs and says, “I don't know if I'll be around when Vinyl wakes up. My break'll be over soon. But, I would like to be the one that invites her.”

As my character stands up again, I state, “Well, in that case, Lyra, Weed Whacker and I will keep an eye on Vinyl, and let you know when she wakes up.”

At this point, the pink earth pony rises and looks at my character. Her mane and tail are returning to their normal level of curliness.

She answers, “Nah, that's alright. I'll be back after work, and Vinyl should be awake by then. You just keep her here, and it'll give me the perfect opportunity to invite her.”

I say, “I'll see what I can do to keep her here.”

Pinkie Pie looks up at the sky, then back at my character, and says, “Oh, I'd better get going. If I don't leave now, I'm gonna be late. Bye!” And, with that, she's on her way back to Sugar Cube Corner.

As my character turns to Weed Whacker, I say, “Well, I guess we'd better go back inside.”

The herbivorous dinosaur groans, but follows my character as they enter Lyra and Bon-Bon's house.

Once inside, I notice the two mares on the steps, evidently in the process of cleaning up the messes made by Vinyl.

Lyra is saying, “if that … so-called musician … messes my bed, so help me, … “ then she grunts angrily and punches her two front hooves together.

I ask, “So, is Vinyl alright?”

The two turn to me, and Lyra answers, “That depends on what you mean by alright. She's still asleep, and, as usual, she has no idea how much trouble she's caused.” Then, after a pause, she asks, "How did you know she was gonna wet and mess herself on the steps?"

Clearly, the two ponies hadn't expected Vinyl to urinate and defecate, at least not when she did. They should've taken her back to the bathroom and propped her up on the toilet until she'd done so, then taken her upstairs. But, in the interest of keeping peace among the three of us, I decide not to say that. Instead, I say, “Well, I have a good source for my information. And, just so long as she's alive, Pinkie Pie and I have decided to invite her to the reading tonight.”

Bon-Bon, pausing from her evident job of scrubbing the musical mare's feces off one step, looks at Lyra and asks, “What reading?”

Lyra turns to Bon-Bon and answers, “I don't know how long it's been going on, but Mormon has been having readings of a book of scripture at his house, a book called the Book of Mormon.”

Not turning to me, the yellow earth pony asks, “Is there any particular reason why the book is named after you?”

I answer, “It's not so much the book being named after me, as it is I'm named after one of the prominent people in the book.”

Lyra adds, “I brought a copy of the book with me, if you want to read it. You don't have to read it with us, although your input would be appreciated. If you want, we read at Mormon's house on the other side of the Everfree forest.”

I add, “Pinkie Pie will be coming back when she's finished at work. Then, she, Lyra, Weed Whacker and I will be heading back to my house. If you want, you can follow us.”

Bon-Bon sighs and says, “I have a feeling I'm gonna be busy scrubbing Vinyl's poop out of the stairs here for the rest of the day. I don't know if I'll be able to make the reading.”

I say, “If I help, that should speed things up.” I then ask, “If the three of us can get the mess cleaned up before Pinkie Pie comes, will you come with us, and take part in the reading?”

Bon-Bon looks down at the greenish-chocolate-colored dung she just scooped up, then back at my character, and says, “You're a guest in my house, and I wouldn't feel right making you clean up a mess you didn't help cause. On the other hand, like you said, it would help move things along.”

I say, “In that case, I volunteer to help clean up the mess.” Then, when my character turns to Weed Whacker, I ask, “Will you help?”

The little herbivorous dinosaur groans and says, “I never though I'd be cleaning up pony dung. But, if it'll help get the job done quicker, I guess so.”

As half-hearted as the acceptance was, at least Weed Whacker accepted.

My character turns to Bon-Bon, and I say, “I guess that means you have two volunteers to help.”

From the edge of my character's periphery, I see Lyra's horn glow, and a door opposite the stairs from the living room opens. From inside the evidently opened room, a bucket and a couple scrubbing brushes float out, evidently possessed by Lyra's magic aura. The three objects are followed by a bottle of cleanser.

The four objects pass by my character and Weed Whacker, though the two brushes stop and hover, one in front of my character, the other in front of Weed Whacker. The other objects make their way to another room, where more of Lyra's magic aura possesses the door and opens it, allowing the items to enter. After that, the cleanser and bucket float back out, the bucket stopping and coming to rest in front of my character and Weed Whacker, and the cleanser bottle returning to the room (closet?), after which the door closes.

Lyra pants for a bit before saying, “You can use the bucket of cleanser water and the brushes to clean. Mormon, you can scrub the stairs Bon-Bon started on, the ones with Vinyl's poop on them. Weed Whacker, you can clean the stairs I started on, the ones with Vinyl's pee on them.”

The dinosaur and I agree, and soon the unicorn, the earth pony, the human, and the dinosaur are cleaning the messes Vinyl left behind out of the stairs.

At times, it seems that Bon-Bon might gag, and add the to the mess we're trying to clean up. But, Lyra says she needs to learn to grin and bear it.

I seem to remember something about people who, confronting a nauseating situation, learned that smiling kept them from feeling sick, and thus from vomiting. As I watch Bon-Bon attempt to smile, I notice it seems to be working for her, even just attempting to smile.

With the four of us working together, we do get the job done before Pinkie Pie arrives, and just as Vinyl comes out and wonders aloud what the four of us are doing on the steps.

I find my character has to restrain Lyra as she marches up the steps toward the white unicorn mare and says, “If you'd emptied your bowels and bladder in the bathroom before we had to drag you to my bedroom, we wouldn't have had to clean it out of the stairs.”

Vinyl bursts into laughter, falling against a nearby wall as she says, pointing between her hind legs with a forelimb, “You mean I actually peed and pooped on the stairs?” she then slides down the wall, continuing to giggle at the thought.

Lyra, struggling to free herself from my character's hold, growls, “It's not funny.”

I say to the pale-green unicorn, “Lyra, let me talk to her. And, don't forget that I also warned you that Vinyl wasn't ready to leave the bathroom when you were taking her to the stairs. If you'd followed my advice, we wouldn't have been cleaning her urine and feces out of the stairs.”

Hearing what I say, Lyra calms down and, agreeing with me, allows my character to let her go.

With his hands thus free, my character heads up the stairs and settles down next to the still-laughing white unicorn; and I say, “I heard from Pinkie Pie that this isn't the first time it's happened. In fact, from what she said, you become completely incontinent when you've been on a drinking binge, after you've vomited and passed out. And, from what she's said, that happens often. You need help.”

At this point, the white unicorn has stopped laughing, and is now snarling at my character. She arises, paws at the carpet, and growls, “Who are you to tell me what I need? What, are you a doctor or something? You've only met me twice, and you think you know my whole story? What are you even doing here?”

I watch Vinyl's horn start to glow, and have my character grab it and hold it firm, to the evident surprise of all three ponies. Even Weed Whacker vocalizes surprise.

The now alarmed Vinyl backs away from my character, struggling to free her horn from his grip, as she says, “Hey, what're ya doin'? Leggo my horn!”

At the same time, Lyra grabs the arm that's holding Vinyl's horn and says, “Let go of Vinyl! That's no way to treat a unicorn! You could hurt her!”

My character turns to Lyra, and I say, “I know what I'm doing. I'm handling the situation.”

Lyra says, “You're handling it the wrong way. You're gonna break her horn off.”

My character turns back to Vinyl as I say, “Only if she keeps struggling.”

I watch through my character's eyes as the white unicorn pulls back hard. Then I hear a snap, and Vinyl stops struggling and yelps, “Ow, ow, ow, ow! My horn! It hurts!” Then she collapses and starts sobbing.

My character finally releases her horn, and I say, “I'm sorry I had to do that, but you didn't leave me much of a choice. Now, if you're willing to keep calm and listen, I think I can help you.” After a few seconds of waiting for a response, and not getting any, I continue, “I did see you urinate and defecate on the stairs. And, I helped Bon-Bon clean your feces out of the stairs toward the top, and Weed Whacker helped Lyra clean your urine out of the stairs further down. Now, I don't know that much about pony physiology or anatomy, so I have no idea if alcohol poisoning would work on other ponies the way I saw it work on you. All I know is it isn't treating you very well.”

Looking at Vinyl and seeing the evident pain as too much of a distraction for her, I have my character heal her horn by touch. And, yes, that is an option in this game.

Evidently noticing the absence of pain, yet still holding her head, Vinyl looks at me and says, “Why would you do that? First you break my horn, then you heal it?”

I answer, “I didn't mean to hurt you. But, I do want to help you, if you'll let me.”

Vinyl opens her mouth, evidently intending to say something, but is interrupted by the door opening.

All I know is my character turns to show me that Pinkie Pie has just entered.

The pink earth pony, seeing us on the stairs, tilts her head and asks, “Is everything alright?”

I answer, “Everything's fine. And, Vinyl's awake.”

Next to my character, Vinyl Scratch rises to her hooves and, seeing her pink friend, says, “Hi, Pinks!”

As she enters the room, Pinkie Pie kicks the door closed with a rear hoof. Focused on her white unicorn friend, she says, “Hi, Vinyl. Could you come down the stairs? I have something I'd like to talk to you about.”

Under her breath, I hear Vinyl say, “Uh oh.” As the others on the stairs clear a path for her, mainly by descending them ahead of her, the white unicorn swallows as she looks at me and whispers, “Did she see me, you know, when I was passed out?”

I have my character nod.

I watch Vinyl as she grimaces and freezes up in fear. Then, a moment later, she relaxes and sighs, looks ahead, and makes her way slowly down the stairs. She pauses for a moment, looks at Pinkie Pie, and says, “I'm sorry, Pinks. I really didn't want you to see me that way.”

Pinkie Pie, still focused on Vinyl, watches her continue her descent down the stairs as she says, “You know as well as I do that wasn't the first time I saw you that way. But, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Vinyl, now at the bottom of the stairs, emits a sigh of relief before asking, “So, what did you want to talk to me about, Pinkie?”

At this point the pink earth pony turns away from the white unicorn and trots to the couch more-or-less facing her as she says, “Come over here and join me on the couch. We'll talk about it there.”

Vinyl freezes in place, and her ears point straight up as she says, “Pinkie, I didn't think you were that kind of mare!”

At this point, Lyra and Bon-Bon start giggling.

And, I can understand why. Right now, I can't tell if Pinkie Pie realizes the connotations of her invitation.

That is, until the pink earth pony tilts her head and asks, “Huh?” Now, it's clear that she didn't.

Vinyl, seeing her friend's curious posture, starts walking toward her again; and her ears point behind her again as she says, “Uh, nothing.” When she gets to the couch and jumps up next to the pink earth pony, she asks, “So, Pinkie, what did you want to talk to me about?”

Straightening her head again, Pinkie turns to one side, searches her saddle bag (When did she get that?), and produces a copy of the Book of Mormon. Setting it next to her friend, she looks up at her again and says, “I'd like to invite you to a reading of this book. It'll be at Mormon's house, sometime around dusk, and a bunch of other ponies will be joining us. Are you interested?”

Scratching the back of her head with a front hoof, Vinyl answers, “Uh, I don't know. Where is Mormon's house?”

I answer, “It's on the other side of the Everfree forest.” As I see the two ponies on the couch look at my character, I continue, “If it'll help, there'll be at least three stallions heading there. You could follow them if you want. And, Pinkie Pie, Lyra, Weed Whacker, Trixie and I will be there to let you in.”

Vinyl asks, “Is this how you wanted to help me?”

I answer, “It's one of the ways. And, you do need help giving up your drinking habit.”

Vinyl groans, then resumes scratching the back of her neck with the forelimb as she says, “I really don't see how reading a book is gonna help me give up drinking.” Then, her ears point straight up again, and she drops her forelimb to her side as she asks, “Wait, did you say 'stallions?'”

Before I can answer, I see a hammer, possessed by a pale-green aura, float into the middle of my character's periphery.

I have my character grab the hammer and turn to the pale-green unicorn as I say, “Lyra, I don't need the hammer right now.” I then have him turn back to Vinyl, who I see evidently snickering over what I said to Lyra, and answer, “The stallions are friends of mine. If you want, I could have them wait for you in the entrance of the forest, and guide you through it. Then, afterward, you could go with them back to Ponyville. Is that alright?”

The white unicorn regains her composure as she listens to me, then says, “I suppose that'd be alright. So, when can I expect to see them?”

I answer, “That's up to them, I suppose. I don't know what their schedule is, but they've been coming after dusk on a regular basis for the past few days for the reading. Like I said, I could ask them to wait for you at the entrance to the forest, in case you're interested.”

At this point, I hear Lyra loudly whisper, “Mormon, you don't know what you're doing!”

As my character turns to the pale-green unicorn, I ask, “What's wrong?”

Lyra, still whispering, answers, “I know how Vinyl thinks. And, from what I've seen, she thinks you want her to sleep with the stallions.”

I whisper my answer, “How is she gonna sleep with stallions that are standing? And, besides, they'll be traveling through the Everfree forest. And, Berry Ground, Emerald Hill, and Stunts are just gonna be guides.”

This is when I hear Vinyl ask, “Wait, did you say Berry Ground, Emerald Hill, and Stunts? The Blank Stallions? Trust me, they're not my type. I'd rather go alone.”

Presently, Pinkie Pie says, “Well, I've also invited some of my friends to the reading. Twilight Sparkle and Applejack. I even gave them their own book to read.”

By the way it sounds, at this rate, it won't be long before all of Ponyville will be traveling to my character's house to read from the Book of Mormon.

Before I can say anything, I hear Lyra ask, “So, Bon-Bon, will you be going to the reading?”

As my character turns to the yellow earth pony, she, much like Vinyl did, scratches the back of her head with a forelimb and says, “Well, I'll have to lock up here first. But, if you don't mind, afterward, I'd like to travel with you, at least until I know where the reading's gonna take place.”

As Lyra and Bon-Bon look to my character, I say, “That's fine with me.” Then, as my character turns to Vinyl, I add, “If you want to join us on our way through the forest, you're welcome as well.”

Peer pressure is not one of my favorite motivators, and I can see Pinkie Pie demonstrating that she's better at applying it than any of the other ponies, as she pleads and begs and appeals to the fact that Vinyl will have a growing audience there.

I hear Bon-Bon say, “Well, Vinyl, my locking this place up means that you're gonna have to leave. Either you go back and stay with Octavia, you come with us through the forest for the reading at Mormon's house, or you have to look for another place to stay.”

The white unicorn looks down at the book, grabs it in her front hooves, and looks at the cover for a moment. She looks at Pinkie Pie, then back at the book. She looks at my character, then back at Pinkie Pie. Finally, she looks back at my character, sighs, and says, “I don't know if I can face Octy just yet, so it looks like my best choice is to go with you to that house on the other side of the forest. I won't guarantee that I'll join in the reading, although I might decide to read this book by myself.”

I can only guess it's the fact that Vinyl Scratch has decided to join us on the walk that causes Pinkie Pie to jump up and down and cheer in excitement.

In the mean time, I say, “Well, we may want to get going now. But, before we go, I think it'd be a good idea to go to that boutique first.”

Presently, Pinkie Pie stops bouncing, tilts her head, and asks, “Carousel Boutique? Why?”

As my character descends the stairs, I answer, “I think it'd be a good idea to invite Rarity to the reading.”

As my character turns to Pinkie Pie again, I can see her drawing circles on a cushion with a front hoof as she says, “Oh, I don't know about that.”

I hear Lyra ask, “Didn't I tell you about the history between her and Trixie? If you want Rarity to trust you, you're gonna have to tell her about Trixie staying at your house.”

I answer, “So, that's what I'll do. Whatever happens, she'll have the right to accept or refuse.”

Pinkie Pie asks, “Do you think you can promise Trixie'll behave herself while Rarity's there?”

I answer, “If Trixie respects me, then she should behave herself; so, yes.”

Lyra asks, “And, what about Rarity? She'll expect Trixie to pull some sort of stunt.”

I ask the pink earth pony, “Do you think you can keep your friend under control, Pinkie?”

Pinkie Pie stops drawing the circles, looks up at me, and asks, “What are you suggesting?”

I answer, “if you can keep an eye on Rarity, I'll keep an eye on Trixie.”

At this proposal Pinkie Pie looks up at the ceiling and starts scratching the bottom of her chin with the front hoof she wasn't using to draw circles. Her hum reflects the worry on her face as she says, “I just realized, Trixie also gave Applejack a hard time yesterday. If I'm gonna have to watch Rarity, I'm also gonna have to watch Applejack.”

I answer, “Well, the good news about Applejack is she can't cast spells. She should be easier to watch than Rarity, I'm thinking.”

Bon-Bon, who with Lyra has followed my character down the stairs, says, “Well, if it helps, I can watch Applejack. But, another good thing is that she doesn't have the history with Trixie that Rarity has.”

Taking that as evidence that everything is in order, I ask, “So, is everyone ready to go?”

Pinkie Pie bounces off one side of the couch while Vinyl jumps off the other side, and Vinyl grabs her copy of the book with her magic. Neither of them says anything, they just make their way to my character.

In the mean time, I hear Lyra and Bon-Bon say in unison, “We're ready.”

Weed Whacker, after making her way down the last step, answers, “I'm ready to go.”

It's Bon-Bon who approaches the door and opens it, allowing the rest of us to leave. She then follows us out and closes and locks the door behind her.

I must admit, I'm puzzled that the door locks on the outside. Something about that doesn't make sense to me. But, now is not the time to worry about it.

My character leads the group toward the Carousel Boutique, where, from several feet away, I can see that Twilight Sparkle and Applejack are already there, evidently inviting Rarity to join them at what they're calling “a party at Mormon's house.”

I say, “Well, it looks like Twilight Sparkle and Applejack have beaten us to it.”

My character looks down to see Pinkie Pie catch up to him, and, from my character's vantage point above her, I can see her grimace as she says, “Oh, goddesses, I'm in trouble now.”

I must say, as panicked as Pinkie Pie seems to be right now, I'm pleasantly surprised that she isn't wetting or messing herself. I say, “Well, if you'd prefer to stay here at the moment, I could approach them and talk about the situation.”

The pink earth pony sits down, and I can see her trembling as she points ahead and says, “No need. They're coming. No, scratch that. They're here.”

After watching the pink party pony hide her face in her flexed forelimbs, I have my character look toward the trio of ponies that are just a foot away from my character now.

Twilight, seeing her pink friend cowering, asks, “Pinkie Pie, what's wrong?”

I answer, “She's just worried about something she forgot to mention to you.”

Still focused on her pink earth pony friend, Twilight calmly, but curiously, says, “Pinkie Pie, please, tell me what's wrong.”

Pinkie Pie, now whimpering, can only stammer incoherently.

I say, “Maybe I should answer the question.”

Twilight sighs, then turns to me and says, in an uncertain tone, “Alright.”

I say, “Yesterday, when you returned the Ursa Minor to the Everfree forest, … “

Presently Twilight tilts her head and says, “Wait a minute. You weren't there at the time. How did you know about that?”

I suppose I could ask how Twilight knew I was gone at that time. Instead, I answer, “I have a good source for my information. Now, as I was saying, that particular incident left Trixie without a place to live. So, …”

Before I can continue, Twilight asks, “So,?” Then, as I open my mouth to continue, what I'm ready to say dawns on the purple unicorn. She gasps as she says, “Trixie is at your house right now, isn't she?”

I answer, “She'll be spending time, at least a few days, at my house until she can build a new mobile theater house for herself.”

I can see, though my character's eyes, the fury building in Rarity's face.

The white unicorn with purple hair marches toward the pink earth pony and says, “You knew about this, didn't you, Pinkie Pie?”

It takes a few seconds, but then Pinkie Pie bawls out, “I'm so sorry, Rarity! I didn't mean to hide it from you!” Turning to Applejack, she continues, “I forgot all about it! Can you ever forgive me!?”

The orange earth pony steps forward, a glare with, I'd say, less than half the fury of Rarity's on her face. She says, “Ah didn't believe Rarity at first. Not until that blue witch hogtied me with my own rope.” She sighs before continuing, “Well, at least she'll be gone in a few days.”

Presently, Rarity turns her fury on my character as she asks, “How could you harbor that … that … monster?”

Alright. So far, from these two, I've learned I'm harboring a witch and a monster. I say, “I don't know if this'll help, but I've gained Trixie's respect and trust. I understand how you feel about her, Lyra told me about it. But, I can promise you that Trixie'll behave herself as long as she's on my property. You have nothing to worry about from her.”

Rarity answers, “Oh, I have no reason to distrust you. But, I have every reason in the world to distrust Trixie.” She then turns to Twilight Sparkle and says, “I'm sorry. But, as long as that blue witch is there, I won't be going to Mormon's house.”

As my character focuses on Applejack, I ask, “And, you?”

The orange earth pony sighs and says, “Well, Trixie only attacked me once, so Ah s'pose Ah can forgive her. But, y'all better be careful. If'n she pulls one more stunt like she did last night, Ah don't care. Ah'll walk home by myself.”

I have my character kneel down and stroke the pink earth pony's mane as I say, “I'm thinking it's alright now. Rarity won't be joining us on this reading, but Applejack's still coming with us.” Then, as he stands up again, I add, “Still, it is unfortunate that the holder of the element of generosity can't forgive.”

Still whimpering, Pinkie Pie rises to her hooves again. Looking at Applejack, she says, “I really am sorry about forgetting to tell you about Trixie. It just slipped my mind.”

As my character's group turns around and is joined by Twilight Sparkle and Applejack, I hear Applejack answer, “That's alright, Pinkie Pie. Ah may be the element of honesty, but that doesn't mean Ah have a perfect memory. Even Ah forget things.”

I lose track of what the ponies talk about as they and my character venture out of town and into the Everfree forest. But, as they pass Fluttershy's cottage, a now recomposed Pinkie Pie separates from the group and makes her way to the building, requesting that we wait for her.

A few minutes later, three stallions join us, my three friends. Seeing my character waiting in front of the bridge over the stream which separates Fluttershy's cottage from the main path, Berry Ground, Emerald Hill, and Stunts decide to wait with us for Pinkie Pie, and perhaps Fluttershy, to join the group.

A few minutes later, a distraught Pinkie Pie comes out and rejoins the group, saying something about her friend being too shy to go with a large group to a human's house and read in front of everypony.

I console her by saying that at least she got to choose to come with us or stay at her cottage.

She answers that she left her friend with a copy of the Book of Mormon, and added that to the list of good things.

And, besides conversation on other topics, that's pretty much all that happens from the time the large group enters the forest proper until the time they make it to the other side, and to my character's house.

Seeing that there hasn't been time to prepare snacks, everyone, including Princess Luna, who was there to meet the large group, joins forces to prepare a platter of snacks for consumption during the reading.

Finally, the group gathers in a wide circle in the front yard, ready with their books, to read the fifth chapter of First Nephi.

My character turns to Twilight Sparkle as I ask, “Will you begin the reading?”

The purple unicorn nods, looks down, turns to the right page with her magic, and reads, “And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto our father, behold, he was filled with joy, and also my mother, for she truly had mourned because of us.” Looking up, she says, “I'm gonna have to read the previous four chapters to understand what's going on here.”

Before I can ask Applejack, who's seated next to Twilight, to read the next verse, Weed Whacker asks, “Uh, Twilight Sparkle, don't you have a dragon companion?”

Twilight turns to the curious herbivorous dinosaur and answers, “I do have a dragon that assists me, yes.”

Weed Whacker asks, “So, where is he?”

Twilight answers, “Spike's taking care of the library. Why do you ask?”

Weed Whacker answers, “Mormon lets me read with you ponies. I was thinking you could have Spike come with you, and join us in the reading.”

With a somewhat surprised tone in her voice, the purple unicorn grunts, then says, “I hadn't thought of that. Do you think I should invite him to come to the next reading?”

Weed Whacker answers, “I've appreciated joining in the readings. I'm sure Spike would appreciate it as well.” She then turns to my character and asks, “Mormon, will you get a copy of the book, so Twilight can offer it to Spike when she invites him?”

I have my character nod to the female dinosaur, then stand up to go inside and retrieve a copy of the book.

Before my character can leave the circle, I hear Weed Whacker say, “Besides, I would look forward to seeing him again.”

The herbivorous dinosaur's last statement leads me to wonder if she's developed a crush on the purple, jewel-eating dragon.

The process of getting the book, and returning to hand it to the purple unicorn, then taking his place in the circle again, takes less than a minute. Then, as my character turns to the orange earth pony, I ask, “Applejack, will you read the next verse?”

Applejack nods, then turns to her book and reads, “For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and she had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man, saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness.”

Applejack looks like she wants to say something; but before she can, Pinkie Pie on her other side says, “I read next!” before reading, “And after this manner had my mother complained against my father.” She then turns to Princess Luna and cheerfully says, “Your turn, Princess!”

The nighttime princess nods, then looks down at her book and reads, “And it came to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.”

Trixie, between Princess Luna and Vinyl Scratch, says, “I guess that means it's my turn now.” Looking down at her book, she reads, “But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.” She then turns to the white unicorn next to her and asks, “So, Vinyl, do you want to read next, or should Stunts read?”

The DJ Pony, a blue aura raising her goggles from her eyes, says, “You know, I'm actually excited to read.” She then looks down at her book and reads, “And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, comfort my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.”

Stunts turns to Vinyl and says, “You should read more often,” before turning to his own book and reading, “And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted.”

Berry Ground then reads, “And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak.” The earth pony then looks up and says, “When I read about Nephi saying that 'after this manner of language did ... somepony ... speak,' I get the idea that he's not quoting that somepony's words exactly. It seems like Nephi is just like the rest of us, unable to remember words perfectly, and quoting what he can remember as best he can.”

I find myself welcoming that kind of adaptation of the scriptures. I answer, “I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case. And, somehow I'm not surprised that you ponies have that same problem, not able to remember exact words, but able to remember the ideas those words represent.” As my character turns to Emerald Hill, I ask him, “Will you read the next verse?”

The pegasus nods, looks down at his copy of the book, then reads, “And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel.”

I read, “And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning.”

Presently, before Weed Whacker can get a chance to read his verse, I hear a female voice with a British accent call out from the gate, “Please, may we come in?”

All turn to the gate to see Rarity and Spike waiting to enter.

My character stands up and walks to the gate and opens it as I say, “Well, it's nice to see you here.”

At the same time, I hear Weed Whacker call out, “Spike!”

Defensively, the purple dragon, following Rarity as she enters first, says, “This was Rarity's idea. I just followed along.”

Rarity, waiting for the purple dragon to catch up to her, says, “I tried to get some sleep, but I couldn't.” Looking at my character, she continues, “Mormon, you were right. I can't very well hold the element of generosity if I can't forgive somepony else, even if we are lifelong rivals.”

As space is made among ponies and dinosaur around my place to allow the new arrivals to take positions, I say, “You and Trixie can talk later. Right now, you're just in time to join us in the reading. Rarity, if you want to read next, then Spike, Weed Whacker will read after Spike, and we'll continue on from there.”

As the pony and dragon take their positions, Twilight Sparkle floats the copy my character had given her to Spike.

As my character goes back inside to retrieve another copy of the book, I hear Spike say, “Wow. Thanks, Twilight.”

After a minute Rarity has her own copy of the book; and after my character settles down again with his own copy, the white unicorn with purple mane and tail reads, “And he beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents;”

Spike then reads, “And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah;”

I then see Weed Whacker snuggle next to Spike, and watch the purple dragon react with discomfort from the attention, before she reads, “And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah.”

I hear nickering from Rarity and Bon-Bon as Weed Whacker rests her head in Spike's lap before Bon-Bon reads, “And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine.”

Lyra reads, “And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them.”

Twilight reads, “And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records.”

Applejack reads, “And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed—“

Pinkie Pie reads, “That these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed.”

Princess Luna reads, “Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed.”

Trixie reads, “And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us.”

Vinyl Scratch eagerly reads, “And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children.”

Stunts reads, “Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise.”

As ponies start to rise, I say, “Well, that is the end of the chapter, and each of us has gotten to read at least one verse. But, the next chapter is only six verses long. So, if it's alright with everyone else, I think we should go ahead and read chapter six now.”

As my character turns to Berry Ground, I'm sure I can see eagerness in his eyes. He seems to agree.

Princess Luna says, “Well, not everypony will have a chance to read that chapter tonight, but they will get the opportunity to read it on their own after this. I have read the chapter, and indeed it will not take very long. So, let us go ahead and read it.” As all settle back down again, the nighttime princess turns to Berry Ground and asks, “Will thou read the first verse?”

Smiling, the earth stallion nods, looks down at his book again, and reads, “And now, I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part of my record; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these plates which I am writing; for it is given in the record which has been kept by my father; wherefore, I do not write it in this work.”

Emerald Hill reads, “For it sufficeth me to say that we are descendants of Joseph.”

I read, “And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God.”

Rarity reads, “For the fullness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.”

Spike, immobilized by a now-sleeping Weed Whacker on his lap, and so unable to get to his book, turns to Rarity and says, “Uh, some help please?”

Nickering, Rarity floats her own copy of the book to Spike for him to read.

Grinning, although still uncomfortable with the sleeping herbivore in his lap, Spike says, “Thanks,” before clearing his throat and reading, “Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world.”

Seeing that Weed Whacker is asleep, Bon-Bon reads, “Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men.” Looking up at my character, she asks, “Are we finished reading for tonight?”

I decide to ignore the connotation of impatience in that question and say, “The next chapter is another twenty-two verses, so, sure, let's call an end to the reading for tonight.”

As she rises, Applejack says, “Ah reckon, if this keeps up, we're gonna have to read two chapters each time, unless'n there's a chapter with more than, say, thirty verses comin' up.”

My character turns over a couple of pages, and I say, “Well, it looks like chapter eight has exactly that number in it. Besides, there's a chapter in the book of Jacob that has about eighty verses in it. Even at two chapters per reading, I don't think we'll be getting there anytime soon, though.”

Just then, I hear Trixie, not far away, ask, “Rarity, do you remember yesterday, when I turned your mane into a rat's nest?”

I hear Rarity answer, “I do still remember, yes.”

I then hear Trixie say, “I shouldn't have done that. Can you forgive me?” I can hear the sincerity in her voice.

I then hear Rarity answer after a few seconds, “In the times we've met, you've never repented of anything you've done. I was going to forgive you anyway, but this is just extra incentive. Yes, Trixie, I forgive you.”

The conversation between the two unicorns follows a similar pattern: one brings up something she did to the other, asks forgiveness, and the other forgives. I have my character turn away from the two to look around. Then, when I finally decide to have him turn back to the two unicorns, after several minutes of them thus conversing, I see them, through his eyes, hugging and crying on each other's shoulders.

In the mean time, as other ponies are leaving, I hear Pinkie Pie ask her unicorn friend, “So, Vinyl, are you goin' back to Ponyville?”

I hear Vinyl Scratch answer, “I don't think so. If Mormon'll let me, I think I'll stay here. If I go back to Ponyville, I'm gonna get drunk again, and wet and mess myself again, and probably somepony's house too. I won't be able to do that if I stay here, and it's about time I admit ... I have a problem.” After a few seconds, I hear the white unicorn with blue mane and tail continue, voice maybe an octave higher and trembling, “I want you to respect me, Pinkie.”

When I hear Vinyl Scratch say no more, I have my character turn to her, and I can see through his eyes that she's sobbing on Pinkie's shoulder.

The pink earth pony strokes her friend's blue mane and says, her own voice trembling, “You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that. I'll do everything I can to help you.”

I look at Lyra and Bon-Bon, and see them hugging and saying their farewells, before Bon-Bon turns and follows Applejack and Rarity out the gate.

As they leave, I hear Applejack say, “So, what do you think of Trixie? Do you think she's serious?”

Rarity answers, “I've known her for a long time, and I know when she's being sincere. And, I heard her being sincere when we talked.” And with that, she turns and joins the rest of the group of ponies as they disappear into the forest.

As my character turns back to Pinkie Pie and Vinyl Scratch, Vinyl turns to me, having separated from Pinkie, and asks, “Is it alright if I stay with you for a while?”

I answer, “Sure. Whatever I can do to help you rehabilitate, I will. We just need to find a room for you.”

Sighing, yet smiling, Pinkie Pie says, “I'll share my room with her. There is one more bed in my room. We can call it a slumber party.”

Vinyl Scratch chuckles, then says, “Thanks, Pinks.”

Lyra offers to show the white unicorn the way to Pinkie Pie's room, and Vinyl follows her into the house.

I watch through my character's eyes as Trixie follows the other two unicorns into the house, then I have my character look at the pink earth pony as I say, “It looks like my house is turning into a rehab clinic. At this rate I'm gonna have to add another floor. Maybe a basement.”

Being the only non-resident pony left, Princess Luna says, "I must return to Canterlot now and raise the moon." And, with that, she disappears.

In the mean time, Pinkie Pie covers her mouth with a front hoof and giggles, then uses the hoof to point to the house as she says, “Let's go inside.”

My character follows the pink pony as she bounces up the stairs, turns the doorknob with her front hooves, pulls the door open, and enters, leaving my character to close the door as soon as he enters.

Inside, the two make their way to the kitchen to see the platter on the table, empty.

As my character proceeds to move the platter to the sink, I hear Pinkie Pie ask, “Mormon?”

I answer, “Yes, Pinkie Pie?”

The pink pony asks, “When are you gonna start experimenting on me?”

I have my character turn to Pinkie Pie, holding the dish brush Statue-of-Liberty style, as I answer, “What's not to say the experiments haven't already begun?”

I can see the pink mare's tail start to twitch as she nervously, but innocently, asks, “Mormon, whatcha doin'?”

I say nothing, just watch as Pinkie starts to sweat.

Pinkie Pie, after a few seconds, swallows and says, “Mormon, I'm warnin' you, Diane doesn't like bein' tested like this.”

I wait for a couple seconds, then have my character toss the brush away from Pinkie Pie as I say, “So, I'll just throw this over there.”

I then watch as Pinkie Pie just sits there canine style, watching the brush fall to the ground, and her tail stops twitching. Instead, her mane straightens out and flows to one side of her head, and I can also see her tail straighten as well.

The stoic, emotionless Diane rises to all fours again, then walks up to my character and says, “That was not a nice thing to do to my sister. Yes, it is part of the code between us, so I can defend her the best I can. I make her tail twitch when I see something ready fall that could hurt her. And, I have other ways of warning her against danger. But, I do not appreciate you threatening her, just to get my attention, or just to prove a point.” She props herself up on my character and adds, “Continue to include my sister in reading the Book of Mormon. I like how she reacts to that, and she enjoys the reading. But, keep your experiments unintrusive. If I have to warn you again, I may not use words next time.”

I say, “I understand, and my intention wasn't to hurt Pinkamena. But, what if I wanted to play a game with her?”

Diane's only movement is to look right and left as she says, “We're in a room with lots of objects that could hurt Pinkamena. A falling object doesn't have to hurt her directly.”

I say, “Agreed. But, if I did want to play a game with Pinkamena, could you let her know about that? Say, similar to the tail-twitch, but with less frequency and more magnitude?”

Diane turns to look back at her tail, then rapidly and slightly wags it, then turns to my character again and asks, “Like that?”

I answer, “That'd work, yes.”

The straight-haired pink pony pushes away from my character and drops on all fours to the ground again as she says, “Pinkamena will answer your question.” Then, in a second her mane and tail curl again.

Pinkamena Pie, a worried look on her face, asks, “Are you alright?” Not waiting for an answer, she adds, “Like I said, and like Diane said, it's not a good idea to test her. I know you were just curious when you held and threw that brush, so I won't hold it against you, not this time.

“But, I do love playing games. If you want to play the game with me that Applejack plays with Winona, I could do that.”

Just then Vinyl Scratch enters the kitchen and asks, “Diane? Who's this Diane?”

Pinkie Pie, turning to her friend, answers, “Nothing to worry about. Let's get something to eat.”

It's important to note, at this point, that there are dire consequences to the gamer's character torturing Pinkamena Pie. After the vocal warning, which I've already gotten, the second offense means Diane bites the gamer's character on the leg. After the third offense, she kicks the gamer's character in a tender spot, disabling him or her long enough for her and Pinkamena to escape. With the fourth offense, Diane will break at least one of the bones of the gamer's character, and the fifth offense is answered by Diane killing him or her. I will not demonstrate this in the game, nor in any subsequent game of this I may play. I'm just informing you as a warning. The game is only lost if Pinkie Pie is lost.

Now, back to the game, Pinkie and Vinyl gather food, then bring it in for the ponies and dinosaur in the house to prepare and eat. After that, we retire to our rooms, and I can only assume Lyra is faithful in writing her letter to the princesses.

In the mean time, I have my character write in his letter, “My progress with Lyra seems to be equal to that with Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie Pie is demonstrating manners, and an eagerness to help. She's shown me she cares deeply about her friends, and I'm helping one of them, Vinyl Scratch, break her drinking habit.

“On that subject, I'm finding my house is turning into a rehab clinic, or a boarding home. I'm helping another unicorn, Trixie, build a new mobile theater home, so she can get back to performing.

“I joined Lyra in visiting her friend, Bon-Bon. In fact, it was at their house where I met Vinyl Scratch, who was hung over. I don't know if this is typical of unicorns, or ponies in general; but I was there to see Vinyl Scratch get sick and pass out, then urinate and defecate involuntarily as Lyra and Bon-Bon were dragging her up the stairs to put her in Lyra's bed.

“Pinkie Pie is sharing her room with Vinyl, and I have to wonder what'll happen over the next few days as Vinyl recovers. If a pony's recovery, or at least a unicorn's recovery, from alcoholism is anything like that of a human, we're going to be occupied for a while.

“Signed,

“Mormon.”

My character delivers the letter to Weed Whacker to send to the princesses, and then returns to his room and goes to bed.

I have nothing much more to say than what I've already said and written. If the group of readers at my character's house continues to grow, the readings will have to be of at least two chapters. And, I won't mind that. With that in mind, I save and end the game for now.

Author's Notes:

In the next chapter, which will be based on the episode "Dragonshy," Mormon, Lyra and Weed Whacker follow the Mane Six as they prepare for and head to the cave where a dragon's sleeping, and the smoke from his snoring is threatening to cover Ponyville until he wakes up and leaves. For those who have watched the episode on which the next chapter is based, it'll be no surprise how the adventure ends. The question is, what role does Mormon have to play in the episode, besides that of an observer? The answer to this question and more in Chapter 5, "Of Dragons and Griffons."

The reading at the end of the chapter will cover the First Book of Nephi, chapters 7, 8, and 9.