I had intended to introduce this story by talking about the things that went into the “Angel of Mirth” expansion pack.  But, I’ve decided, instead, that it’s best to introduce my notes by completing the last day of the success playthrough.  After all, these notes are all about what went into this first expansion pack.  And, come to think of it, I suppose adding to the game makes this playthrough incomplete.  And, after all, I suppose that adds up to one more good reason why I should introduce the expanded game this way.

At any rate, I open my success game and find the group heading into the Everfree forest.

Just then, Pinkie Pie turns to my character and says, “You know, it seems to me that we’re forgetting something.”

I guess I can take this as my first clue that the expansion worked.  Which is to say, the last day from the unexpanded game can be completed now, at least.  I suppose I'll have to wait and see how successful the expansion is.

In the mean time, Lyra, who’s been strolling on ahead, stops, turns around, and approaches my character again.  Looking up at him, she asks, “So, are you and Pinkie going to bring your pets with you after all?”

At this point, Pinkie Pie gasps and slowly rises into the air for a second before dropping to the ground again, then says, “Lyra’s right.  We’ve forgotten about the pet play date.”  She then leaps over the fence and gallops to the front door, then turns to my character and says, “You’re lucky.  Scout’s here on the porch.  I need to go and find Gummy.”  Somewhat more calmly, she scratches her chin with a front hoof and asks, “Now, where could he be?”

I might mention, at this point, that, while Pinkie Pie was galloping to the front door, I saw her limping on a front limb.  I’m sure that’ll give her a clue as to where she could find her pet alligator.

While I have this thought in mind, I see her rubbing her opposite shoulder with the hoof she used to scratch her chin.  Then it clearly dawns on her, and she beams as she shouts, “Bathtub!” and zooms into the house.

Evidently, she did get the message.

A second later, she appears on the front porch again, this time with the toothless alligator on her back, takes a moment to close the front door, then gallops to the fence where the rest of the group is, leaps over it again, and comes to a stop just between my character and Lyra.  And, the pink party pony isn’t limping anymore.  She turns to me and asks, “Aren’t you gonna call for Scout?”

I nod and say, “Good idea.”  I then have my character turn to the front porch, only to see that it’s unoccupied.  My character automatically focuses on a large, dark-brown spot near the fence, which immediately jumps over it, barking once under its breath.  As my character focuses on the spot, which looks up at him, eyes glowing yellow, I say, “I’m guessing that means you’re looking forward to coming with us.”

As I see the timber wolf smile up at my character and bark three times in rapid succession, it almost seems to me that each bark sounds like he’s grunting, “Yeah.”

I can’t help chuckling a little as I say, “Well, in that case, let’s get going.”

The only response I get is that the group of six once again proceeds into the Everfree forest, on their way to Ponyville.

An uneventful half hour later, the group is in front of Fluttershy’s cottage, where she can be seen attending to her chickens, while her rabbit pet, Angel, is stamping a foot in impatience.

Pinkie Pie, on seeing her, waves to her, as much with her wings as with a front hoof, and calls out, “Hi, Fluttershy!”

The yellow pegasa starts at the evidently unexpected sound, then turns and sees the mixed group of ponies, dinosaur, human, alligator and timber wolf on the other side of the bridge.  She focuses on Pinkie Pie as she flies over the bridge and says, “Pinkie, you have wings now.”

As Fluttershy approached, Pinkie Pie folded her wings again.  After hearing what the yellow pegasa said, she looks behind her at her wings and says, “I know.  Aren’t they amazing?  Mormon helped me get ‘em.”

Fluttershy pauses for a moment, then turns to my character and says, “Wait.  You helped Pinkie Pie get wings?”

I nod once as I answer, “I did,”  before I continue, “Now, she just needs to learn how to use them.  Do you think you could help her with that?”

At my question, the timid yellow pegasa answers, “Oh, I don’t know.  I’m not that good of a flier.  Maybe she should ask Rainbow Dash.”

I have my character kneel on one knee in front of Fluttershy as I respond, “If you can teach her the basics of flight, that’ll be a good start for her.  Then, after you’ve taught her all you can, she can learn from other pegasi.  So, what do you say?”

Fluttershy slowly turns to an eager-looking Pinkie Pie, then back to my character, then says, “Well, if it means that much to Pinkie Pie, then, alright.  I just need to—”

Before she can say more, Pinkie Pie grabs her around the neck with her forelimbs and proceeds to dance around her, squeezing, as she says, “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Fluttershy!”  Then, hearing the yellow pegasa strangling, she lets go of her and backs away a step or two and, with a nervous giggle, says, “Sorry about that.”

The representative of kindness smiles at the pink party pony and says, “That’s alright.  Learning how to fly is kind of exciting.”  She then turns back to my character and says, “As I was saying, I just need to take care of my critters here.”

I ask, “Is there anything we can do to help with that?”

Fluttershy shakes her head gently as she says, “Not really.”  She then stops shaking her head as she continues, “I just need to feed the chickens.  Then, after that, I’ll be happy to help Pinkie Pie learn to use her wings.”  And, with that, she flies off back to her chicken coop.

I ask, “So, shall we just wait here for you?”

In the mean time, I notice Angel closes his eyes and plants a front paw between them.

Fluttershy turns to my character and answers, “That depends.”  She then turns to the representative if laughter and asks, “Pinkie, do you want me to train you here?”

The pink party pony answers, “Actually, we’ve been hoping to go to the park for the pet play date.  You can teach me how to fly there.”

I think Fluttershy divides her attention between my character and Pinkie Pie as she says, “Well, in that case, you can go on ahead to the park.  Angel bunny and I will catch up with you there.”

I have my character focus on Pinkie Pie, who, focusing on my character, on me, in return, says, “Well, in that case, let’s get goin’, Mormy.”  And, with that, she turns toward Ponyville and starts galloping in that direction.

As Lyra gallops to keep up with the pink party pony, I have my character focus on the yellow pegasa; and I say, “Well, in that case, we'll see you there.”

Taking that as his signal, and while I hear Fluttershy say her own farewell to the group, my character turns to follow after the angel pony and the unicorn as they completely leave the Everfree forest, then head for, then into, Ponyville.

Not too far along the main street of the town, Pinkie Pie slows to a stop, then turns to my character and says, “You know what, I wonder if Twilight’s been invited to the pony pet play date. After all, she’s got a pet now, too.”

I allow my character to come to a stop next to her before I reply, “Well, if you want to go and see for sure, even invite her, then you’re welcome to do so.  We really have nothing to lose.”

Pinkie Pie says no more, just turns and gallops ahead of the rest of the group to the library, with everyone else running or galloping to keep up.  And, once she gets there, she tries to push the door open with a front hoof, only to find that the door won’t budge.  Noticing this, she turns to my character and grunts in curiosity before saying, “The library seems to be closed today.  I wonder if Twilight and Owlowiscious are at the park already.”

I shrug and say, “Well, there’s just one way to find out.”

Evidently I don’t need to say anymore, as Pinkie Pie nods and says, “Well, alrighty then, let’s go.”  And, she gallops off toward the park, again leaving the rest of the group to keep up with her.

A minute later, as the group arrives at the park, I can see, through my character’s eyes, Rarity already there with her Persian cat, Opalescence.  And, within talking distance, in fact evidently conversing with Rarity while waiting for everyone else, sure enough, is Twilight, with her pet owl on her back.

Not stopping until she reaches her two unicorn friends, Pinkie Pie calls out, “Rarity, Twilight, hi!”

I watch as, once Pinkie comes to a stop about an inch, I’d say, away from the purple unicorn, considering how she flinches, Rarity says, “Hello, Pinkie.  I see you're here with your pet lizard.  And, Mormon’s here with his pet timber wolf.  And, Lyra’s also here with Weed Whacker.”

By the time Rarity’s finished speaking, the group is reunited, although increased by two unicorns.

When she’s recovered her composure, Twilight notices something different about her pink friend.  Looking at her back, she says, “Pinkie Pie, are those wings I see on your back?”

Pinkie smiles as Rarity looks at her back as well and answers, “Yes, indeedy.”

The white unicorn then asks, “How ever did you get them?”

Pinkie Pie closes her eyes while she smiles as she answers, “Mormon helped me get ‘em.”

The two unicorns look up at my character and tilt their heads in curiosity.

I add, “it’s something Pinkie and I have been working on for the time we’ve been together.  She got them sometime between last night and this morning.”

I can’t say for sure if the smiles are sincere or not.  All I know is that Twilight and Rarity smile at their pink friend as they congratulate her on her achievement.

And, it’s during this time that Fluttershy arrives on the scene, with her pet rabbit riding on her back.  It’s only when she’s a foot or so away from Pinkie Pie that she stops and says, “Pinkie Pie, as soon as you’re ready to learn, I’m ready to teach you how to use your wings.”

The rabbit hops off of Fluttershy’s back, then glares up at her and snorts, which, to me anyway, sounds more like a cute, controlled sneeze.

The yellow pegasa turns to the white rabbit and, while frowning with her eyes, smiles with her mouth as she says, “I’m sorry, Angel bunny.  I won’t be able to play with you this time.”  She then turns to the pale-green unicorn and asks, “Uh, Lyra, will you play with Angel bunny while I’m teaching Pinkie Pie to use her wings?”

Lyra looks at the rabbit, who turns away from her, closes his eyes, folds his forelimbs, and sticks his nose up in the air.  She then turns back to Fluttershy and, shrugging uncertainly, answers, “Uh, I don’t know.  What games do you play with him?”

At this question, Angel turns to the pale-green unicorn and fixes her with his most menacing glare.  Which, I might add, is surprisingly frightening for what one might expect from a rabbit.

Fluttershy grunts in sad uncertainty before answering, “I usually just watch him while he runs around on his own.”

In, I suppose, the most pleasant tone she can muster, Lyra snorts before saying, “Doesn’t sound too difficult.”  She then turns to the white rabbit and asks, “So, what do you say, Angel?”

The white rabbit continues to glare for a few more seconds at the pale-green unicorn, who smiles and chuckles nervously.  He then looks down at the ground in front of him for another second or two, then hops toward Lyra.  Evidently he’s decided that it’s better to play games with a willing unicorn than with no one at all, since Fluttershy’s going to be teaching Pinkie Pie how to fly.

Lyra sighs as she looks up at Fluttershy and says, “Well, I guess it’s settled, then.”  She then circles around Angel and, from behind him, gently nudges him away from the yellow pegasa.

The white rabbit demonstrates his distaste for that kind of attention by turning to Lyra and growling at her.

Let me go on record right now as saying that I’m having trouble taking the high-pitched sound coming from the rabbit seriously.

On the other hand, the sound is enough to make Lyra stop and take a step back away from Angel.

In the mean time, it seems that Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie have ambled a few paces away from the rest of the group.

Fluttershy turns to her pet rabbit and says, in a gently reproving tone, “Now, Angel, there’s no need to be mean.  This is just for one day.”

In response, Angel turns away from Lyra for a second or two, and once again folds his forelimbs and points his nose in the air.  Then, after another second or two, he looks back to be sure that Fluttershy isn’t paying attention.  On seeing that the coast is clear, sort of speak, he looks up and blows a raspberry at the pale-green unicorn, then turns ahead of him again and hops off.

And, it’s about this time that Applejack arrives on the scene, with her pet dog Winona.

The dog, seeing the rabbit running away, starts pursuing him, barking.

Applejack, seeing this, calls out, “Winona, you git back here now!”

Presently, the dog stops in place, apparently grimacing for a second, then turns and runs back to her owner.  Once in front of her, Winona sits human-style, allowing her front paws to hang in front of her, and pants and barks.

The orange earth mare smiles down at her dog, then produces the disc I gave her, then jumps and swings herself around, releasing the disc so that it flies off behind Winona.

Seeing her pony toss the disc, the little dog turns and runs off, evidently trying to get ahead of the flying object.

Just then, I notice a slight vibration; and my character looks down to show me, through his eyes, Scout smiling up at him.

At this point, I remember that my character has a disc to throw for him; so I have him produce it, then toss it past the timber wolf, who, like Winona, gallops off, trying to get ahead of the object.

And, while Scout’s occupied with the flying disc, I decide to have my character move to a position where I can hopefully best divide his attention between playing with Scout and watching Pinkie Pie take flying lessons from Fluttershy.  Actually, finding a position is the easy part.  Dividing my own attention between the two tasks is not so easy.

As soon as the two winged ponies are what they clearly hope is a sufficiently safe distance away, I hear Pinkie Pie tell her pegasa friend that she thinks flying may take a lot of her concentration, so much of it that she won’t be able to keep her mane and tail curly; and that, if her hair loses its curls, and her voice begins to sound emotionless, she shouldn’t worry about it.  Then, when Fluttershy nods uncertainly in agreement, I see Diane take over Pinkie Pie, as her mane and tail go straight, and her mane falls to one side of her face.

With Scout to remind me of when I need to throw the disc for him, I watch, through my character’s eyes, as Fluttershy starts off instructing Pinkie “Diane” Pie by example on how to extend her wings in preparation for flight, then how to flap her wings.

I find the most fascinating thing about watching the pink pony as she learns from the yellow pegasa is watching Diane as she patiently follows Fluttershy’s instructions, going so far as to match flapping speed with the yellow pegasa.  Then, when it comes to actually getting off the ground, well, it’s clear that the pegasa and the angel pony are just different enough that they don’t rise up off the ground at the same time.  And, when Diane does get up off the ground, she’s also the first to land again, with the slightest thud.

It doesn’t surprise me at all that she spends so little time in the air on her first try.  After all, Pinkie Pie has never had wings before.  On the other hand, what I do find surprising is that she doesn’t make a heavy thud when she lands on the ground.  In fact, she makes a very graceful landing on all four hooves.  And, she graciously accepts Fluttershy’s congratulations for her first flight.

From there on, Diane, using her wings, spends more and more time in the air, rises higher and higher each time, and manages to land quietly each time.

And, it seems that her last lesson for the day is displacement in the air.  Which is to say, not just hovering, but taking off from one spot and landing in another.

Again, Fluttershy leads by example, opening her wings and taking off, then moving her wings so that she moves more horizontally for maybe a few feet, then lands again.  And, once she’s landed, she turns to Pinkie “Diane” Pie and gestures for her to try it.

From what I can see, Diane has no problems getting off of the ground.  Her main problem is angling her wings so she can move horizontally instead of vertically.  She does manage to land maybe a few inches away from where she started; although, from what I see, she flies that distance backwards.  But, at least she’s flying now.

In the mean time, Fluttershy trots over to Diane and, taking a position next to, but perhaps a foot away from, her, opens her own wings and shows how she angles them so she can move forward in the air.

Diane patiently watches and follows along as Fluttershy demonstrates; then the pink angel pony makes a few more attempts to actually fly.  And, with her third or fourth attempt, she does manage to fly a few inches forward.

One thing I can respect about Fluttershy as a flight instructor, aside from her patience, is that she can tell when it’s time to end the lessons for the present time; as, from where my character is standing, I can see, through his eyes, that, when Fluttershy calls break time, Pinkie “Diane” Pie is showing signs of exhaustion.  With the yellow pegasa to lean on, the angel pony makes her way back to the main group, where she collapses on her side, panting.

It’s clear to me that, if the play date ends before Diane can recuperate enough, the group of at least six will have to stay a little longer.  The good news, from what I can see, is that at least Diane had her wings folded before she collapsed on one of them.

In the mean time, Gummy and Fluttershy are there to keep her company during her recovery.  And, they aren’t the only ones.

The rest of the ponies, as well as my character, get signals from their pets that it may be time to stop and make sure the newly-winged pink pony is alright, as they stop playing and join the alligator and the pegasa in keeping Pinkie “Diane" Pie company.

Even Angel stops playing hide-and-seek with Lyra and returns to Fluttershy’s side to check up on Diane.

After a few minutes, noticing the gathering around her, Diane lifts her head and looks around, then says, “Thank you.  I will be fine.”  Then, she struggles to get back up on her hooves.

My character offers his assistance, which the pink angel pony accepts; and soon she's back on her hooves.

Diane looks at my character, at me, and nods, then shakes herself out.  Since it’s clear, by now, that she’s gotten her breath back, she returns control to Pinkamena, as is indicated by her mane and tail curling again.

By this time, it’s evidently getting somewhat late in the afternoon.

Seeing this, it’s Twilight Sparkle who decides it’s time to call an end to the pet play date and get ready for the reading later in the afternoon.

So, with the agreement of all members of the group, the pet play date ends; and the group separates to return to their homes and make preparations for the reading at my character’s house.

On their walk through Ponyville, Lyra turns to the pink angel pony and asks, “Are you sure you’re alright to walk?”

Pinkie, who’s been holding her wings away from her body since the group started the trek back home, groans for a second before answering, “My wings feel like they’re on fire, but my legs are perfectly fine.  I don’t plan on flying again any time soon, not until my wings have cooled off.”

I state, “I suppose that makes sense.  You’re using muscles you’ve never even had before, and you’ve used them quite a lot today.  So, it’s only natural that they’d be really heated.  But, you’ve made quite a lot of headway.”

Pinkie smiles up at my character, at me, and says, “Thank you, Mormon.  I guess you’re right about that.”

Pinkie and Lyra continue talking about various things, not the least of which is how her wings are going to change how she works at Sugar Cube Corner.

I’m not sure how that’s going to matter all too much, although the new wings will likely help Pinkie keep up with Pound Cake.  Didn’t Mr. and Mrs. Cake say something yesterday about Pound starting to fly?  And, considering that Pinkie will likely start taking care of the two in a couple weeks, what about Carrot?  Has she started using her magic yet?  I wouldn’t be surprised if she has.

At any rate, it’s not until the group gets out of Ponyville and into the Everfree forest, past Fluttershy’s cottage, that I hear something from Pinkie Pie about her wings having cooled off enough so she doesn’t feel like she’s going to overheat by folding them against her body.

When my character looks down at her, I notice Gummy isn’t riding on her back.  He then looks to the other side, where I can see Scout; and I notice Gummy riding on his back.  My guess is the two must’ve agreed that Pinkie was tired enough learning from Fluttershy how to fly, and didn’t need the extra burden of a hatchling alligator on her back.

I have to wonder, though.  Considering Gummy is likely cold-blooded, wouldn’t having him on Pinkie’s back help her cool down?  On the other hand, Gummy might also be worried about getting too hot, or heating up too fast, based on what Pinkie had said about her wings, Diane’s wings, back in town.

My thoughts on the matter are interrupted by the sound of giggling from the pink angel pony.  As my character’s attention turns to her, she says, “Maybe I should go back to eating a lot of candy, you know, to keep up my energy for flight.”

I ask, “Do you think that’s really going to be necessary?”

Pinkie Pie looks up at my character and answers, “Who knows?  It might.  That, or maybe I should just eat more fruits and vegetables.  Or, just more of everything.”

I chuckle a little before stating, “I’m sure that sooner or later you’ll get good enough at flying that you’ll be able to fly without using up so much energy.  Hovering is just flying over one spot.  I’m sure you’ll learn, soon enough, to take off from one spot and fly over long distances.”

I even hear Pinkie smile as she says, “Thank you, Mormy.  I really appreciate that.”

When the group gets home, Lyra, Weed Whacker, Pinkie Pie and my character get to work harvesting fruits and vegetables from the vineyard, the vegetable garden, and the orchard.

As my character helps gather up the apples that Diane kicks out of the tree she chose, I hear Pinkamena ask, “Do you think Discord’s arrival tomorrow will cause any major changes?  After we turn him back to stone, I mean?”

I have to chuckle over Pinkie’s question.  Evidently either she or her sister Diane have been reading ahead in the programming.  Eventually, I answer, “I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few changes.  Whether they’ll be major or minor depends on who you ask.”

At my answer Pinkie groans, then says, “I’m just worried about Vinyl.  I can't help thinking she’s gonna be affected more than anypony else.”

Now, I have programmed the game so that, after Discord is turned back into stone, the impact he left on Ponyville will cause Vinyl Scratch’s friends to leave town for Canterlot.  Then, after the changeling invasion, they’ll leave Canterlot for the frigid north of Equestria.  From there, well, it’ll have to wait for the second expansion I’m working on while I’m not playing “Hey, Batter!”.  In the mean time, when Vinyl’s friends leave, it will have a major impact on her, an impact that I’ll take notes on when the time comes.

To respond to Pinkie Pie, I say, “You may be right.  We’ll just see what we’ll be able to do when the time comes.”  By this point, my character and Pinkie have gathered up all the apples; so, I conclude, “In the mean time, let’s get back to the house.  We still have some preparations to make for the reading.”

Pinkie Pie responds by sighing before she says, halfheartedly, “Okie dokie lokie.”  Then, she hops over the fence and ambles toward the house.

Again the preparation of the fruits and vegetables doesn’t take very long, and again it’s completed just in time as guests start arriving for the reading.

My character gets the TV tray to put the snack tray on, Pinkie Pie greets guests, and Lyra and Weed Whacker carry the snack tray out.

With my character out positioning the TV tray, he’s in the right position to hear when Rainbow Dash, noticing Pinkie’s new appendages, says, “Pinkie, you’ve got wings now.”

I again hear Pinkie smile as she says, “I know.  Mormon helped me earn ‘em, and Fluttershy’s been teaching me how to use ‘em.”

I don’t know if I should laugh or not when Rainbow Dash, the tone in her voice rising, says, “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!  This is so—awesome!”  Still, hearing her, I’m finding it difficult to keep my composure.

In the mean time, Pinkie says, “I know!  Soon I’ll be able to fly with you!”

Just then, from behind my character, I hear Princess Celestia say, “Alright, you two, calm down. It is exciting that Pinkie Pie has earned her wings, but now it’s time for the reading.”

A somewhat humbled Rainbow Dash, still hovering in the air, looks down, sighs, and says, “You’re right, Princess.”  She then lands next to Pinkie and asks, under her breath, “So, when do you think you’ll be flying?”

I lose track of the conversation between the two after that.  it’s either that, or the conversation ends very quickly.  At any rate, the group gathers around the snack tray, once Lyra and Weed Whacker have placed it on the TV tray, then the individuals produce their books and turn to where the reading left off.

I have my character turn to the pale-green unicorn, and I ask, "Lyra, will you start the reading with the first verse of Mosiah chapter nine?"

The unicorn next to me answers by nodding, then looks down and reads, "And now, it came to pass that after Abinadi had spoken these words he stretched forth his hand and said: The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just."

Next, I read, "And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not."

Weed Whacker reads, "For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil."

Princess Luna reads, "Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state."

Princess Celestia reads, "But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him.  Therefore he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God."

Rainbow Dash reads. "And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption."

Pinkie Pie reads, "And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection."

Twilight Sparkle reads, "But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ."

Spike reads, "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."

Rarity reads, "Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil—"

Applejack reads, "If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation—"

Fluttershy reads, "Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent."

Lyra reads, "And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved?"

I read, "Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to come—"

Weed Whacker reads, "Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father.  Amen."

At this point, Princess Luna looks up and says, "I suppose I shall start chapter ten."  And, after seeing my character nod to her in agreement, she looks down and reads, "And now it came to pass that when Abinadi had finished these sayings, that the king commanded that the priests should take him and cause that he should be put to death."

Princess Celestia reads, "But there was one among them whose name was Alma, he also being a descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he believed the words which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew concerning the iniquity which Abinadi had testified against them; therefore he began to plead with the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he might depart in peace."

Rainbow Dash reads, "But the king was more wroth, and caused that Alma should be cast out from among them, and sent his servants after him that they might slay him."  She then looks up and says, "That's kinda harsh, isn't it?  I mean, after all, he just asked king Noah to let Abinadi go.  And, after all, Abinadi wasn't a criminal."

I answer, "Well, that's how bad people are.  King Noah, for instance, didn't like Abinadi telling him that he needed to make changes to the way he was living.  People are lazy that way.  And then, when Alma came to Abinadi's defense, that was more of a threat to king Noah and his position.  So, he tried to kill Alma as well."

Pinkie Pie doesn't wait for my character to nod to her, but goes ahead and reads, "But he fled from before them and hid himself that they found him not.  And he being concealed for many days did write all the words which Abinadi had spoken."

Twilight Sparkle reads, "And it came to pass that the king caused that his guards should surround Abinadi and take him; and they bound him and cast him into prison."

Spike reads, "And after three days, having counseled with his priests, he caused that he should again be brought before him."

Rarity reads, "And he said unto him: Abinadi, we have found an accusation against thee, and thou art worthy of death."

Applejack reads, "For thou hast said that God himself should come down among the children of men; and now, for this cause thou shalt be put to death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people."  She then looks up and says, "Now, Ah understand that king Noah didn't like what Abinadi'd been sayin'.  What Ah don't understand is how saying that their God was a-gonna pay 'em a visit was sayin' anythin' bad about him or his people."

I answer, "I don't blame you for thinking that way.  To tell you the truth, I don't understand it either.  My guess is that King Noah's thinking was so badly corrupted that he chose to see Abinadi's preaching that way.  Then again, Abinadi did warn king Noah and his people that they were doing bad things, and needed to make changes.  King Noah may have been thinking about that."  I then direct my character's attention to the yellow pegasa, and I say, "Fluttershy, you may go ahead and read."

The pink-haired pegasa nods, then looks down into her book and reads, "Now Abinadi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands."  She then looks up and tilts her head and grunts in confusion.

This time, it's Princess Celestia who answers, "Basically what Abinadi is saying is that he's not hiding anything.  He's come out to testify that king Noah and his people need to change their ways, and he's not going to negate that testimony by going into hiding."  Then, seeing that Fluttershy appears to understand, she nods to Lyra.

The pale-green unicorn nods back, then looks down into her book and reads, "Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you.  And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day."

I read, "And now king Noah was about to release him, for he feared his word; for he feared that the judgments of God would come upon him."

Weed Whacker reads, "But the priests lifted up their voices against him, and began to accuse him, saying:  He has reviled the king.  Therefore the king was stirred up in anger against him, and he delivered him up that he might be slain."

At this point, I'm surprised to hear Pinkie Pie say, "You know, if it hadn't been for Mormon and his idea, I might have done something similar to what King Noah's priests did here."  As my character's attention turns to the pink angel pony, she sighs, then continues, "Back in Appleoosa, when the rest of us were helping Applejack deliver Bloomberg to her cousin Braeburn, the buffalo took him hostage and wanted to drive out the ponies living there.  If it hadn't been for Mormon, I would've gone with my idea of performing a musical number, which would've caused the buffalo to attack the settler ponies.  When the time came for the fight to begin, the bison calf, Little Strongheart, would've convinced her chief to not fight."  She sighs again before continuing, "And, knowing me, I would've started the musical number all over again just to celebrate, and ended up triggering the battle anyway."  She then aims a sad smile at my character, at me, and concludes, "But, thanks to you, Mormon, that didn't happen.  Thanks, Mormon."

Princess Luna smiles at Pinkie Pie, then looks down into her book and reads, "And it came to pass that they took him and bound him, and scourged his skin with faggots, yea, even unto death."

Princess Celestia reads, "And now when the flames began to scorch him, he cried unto them, saying:"

Rainbow Dash reads, "Behold, even as ye have done unto me, so shall it come to pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains that I do suffer, even the pains of death by fire; and this because they believe in the salvation of the Lord their God."

Pinkie Pie reads, "And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all manner of diseases because of your iniquities."

Twilight Sparkle reads, "Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be driven and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven by wild and ferocious beasts."

Spike reads, "And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer, the pains of death by fire."

Rarity reads, "Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his people.  O God, receive my soul."

Applejack reads, "And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death."

At this point, I say, "Here's another interesting point to bring up.  In subsequent chapters, we'll see that King Noah suffered death by immolation, just as Abinadi did.  And, he's not the only one.  Just as Abinadi said, others were cast into fire to be burned alive because they believed in the Christ and His coming.  But, like I said, that's for future chapters.  Right now, let's call an end to the reading so that those living in Ponyville or Canterlot can go to their homes."

The princesses offer their thanks to my character before disappearing.

The other five element bearers and Spike offer their thanks for another reading before being let out by Pinkie Pie and heading through the Everfree forest and back to their places of residence.

Now that it’s back to two ponies, one dinosaur and one human, the normal pattern of gathering fruits and vegetables and preparing and eating them for dinner takes place, after which the group disperses to their rooms.

Based on what I dictate to be written in my letter to the princesses, one might think that I might’ve forgotten about Pinkie Pie having earned her wings the game’s previous night.  But, the fact of the matter is I don’t record that information in the letter because, since they already know about it, I don’t feel the need.  Why write to them what they already know?  But, I do record, or have recorded, that Fluttershy gave Pinkie her first lesson in how to use her new wings, and that Pinkie did very well with her first lesson.  I imagine it’ll be interesting to see how a winged Pinkie Pie will influence things in the future.

After my character signs the letter and delivers it to Weed Whacker to send to the princesses, my character returns to his room and prepares for and goes to bed.

Since, at the end of this playthrough before expanding it, I helped Pinkie Pie earn her wings, I wonder if I should help Lyra work on earning earth pony abilities, or wings.  After all, from what I’ve observed, a unicorn isn’t exactly an earth pony with a horn.  The type of pony with a horn and earth pony abilities I’ve given the title of terra-corn.  And, a pony with wings and a horn, but minus earth pony abilities, I’ve given the title of alicorn second-class.  As I save and close the game for now, I’m left to wonder which Lyra would want to be, and if she’d want to progress toward being a full alicorn.  I suppose I’ll have to ask her about that at some point.  In the mean time, this concludes my introduction.  I expect the game’s tomorrow to be quite the adventure. Next Chapter: Chapter 1: Ponyville's Darkest Day, Ponyville's Brightest Night Estimated time remaining: 11 Hours, 7 Minutes