Tales of Equestria: Friendship is Magic

by Azure Sandora


Phase 5

Even though Vale is the main protagonist of the story, there will be times where POV switches to another pony. Just a note for the future.

Phase 5: First Piece of Courage - Learn to Fly Vale!

Applejack lead you deep through Sweet Apple Acres. You had no idea that her land extended so far, it doesn't even look like you're in Ponyville anymore. The trees have begun to close in on you, and in the distance you even see monsters.

"So this must be where the monsters that attacked yesterday came from," Emma reasons, "Look Vale, I even see those trolls over there."

"Applejack," Twilight says, "Why didn't you tell me your family lived so close to a monster's nest?"

"Cause it wasn't nobody's business," Applejack says seriously, "Me an' mah family've been takin care of this land for generations, an it's up ta me ta look after this land," Applejack looks away and closes her eyes, "Now that Granny Smith..." you notice Applejack tense up a bit. You're worried about her.

"Applejack? Are you-" Emma asks, but Applejack trots forward a bit cutting her off.

"That tree is right up ahead," Applejack says suddenly, "It's the biggest tree at the end, ya'll can't miss it," she turns to you, you can see how much she's pushing herself, "Somethin up?" she asks you. She probably shouldn't be here, but knowing Applejack, she's probably trying to deal with some sort of inner pain on her own, and telling her otherwise would just make things worse.

What do you say?
Are you going to be alright?
Let's get going Applejack

"Right," she says nodding, and then walks off, Twilight and Spike following her. Emma flies over to you as you watch Applejack.

"She's hurting a lot on the inside, don't you think?" Emma asks. You nod and then walk after her.


Current Active Party

Vale

Twilight Sparkle

Applejack


~Deep Acres~

As you all run through the forest, you and Emma decide to open up to Applejack a bit.

Title of Skit: Head of the Family

"Wow Applejack," Emma begins, "You're amazing. You've lived out here all this time with these monsters. You must be really strong."

"Mah family don't breed no weak ponies. Whether they growin up ta be stallions or mares, everybody in mah family's strong an independent," Applejack explains.

"Are you the head of the family?" Emma asks.

"Well, sorta. Mac an Ah spilt it up fifty-fifty, as we the oldest children. Mac though insists that Ah'm pushing myself too hard," Applejack looks down a little aggravated, "Jus cause he's bigger than me don't mean Ah'm weak."

What do you say?
You just have to show him your strength
I don't think your brother thinks that

"Ya don't, huh?" Applejack asks, not really convinced.

"I think he just worries about you. You push yourself so hard, you might collapse one day," Emma says.

"Well, Ah ain't gonna," Applejack says defiantly, "Ah'm made of tougher stuff than that. You'll see, Ah won't let ya down."

"Well," Emma says, "I'm looking forward to working with you."

"Same here," Applejack says with a smile.

End Skit

As you run through the forest, you see a troll pacing in front of you. You walk up to it, and it calls two bird monsters to aid it.

~Battle: Troll, War Rooster x3 (Play song: Full Force)

"Ya'll must be fixin for a beat down!" Applejack shouted.

Vale and Applejack rushed forward while Twilight began charging her magic. Applejack began fighting the Troll and one of the War Roosters by herself while Vale used Harpoon to tackle the third War Rooster. She then began fighting it close quarter.

"Fire Ball!" Twilight shouted, hitting the Troll. It was weak, so after that all it needed was a jab from Applejack to kill it. Applejack turned around and began fighting the War Rooster, "Stampede!" she shouted, knocking it down to the ground and beating it to a pulp.

"Arrow!" Vale shouted, firing a larger dart from her horn, knocking the War Rooster she was fighting back. Applejack was having trouble, so Vale ran over to her and began firing darts from her horn at the War Rooster fighting Applejack.

"First Aid!" Twilight cast that on Applejack, healing her. Applejack noticed the second War Rooster approaching Vale, so she rushed over to that one and started fighting it.

"Heavy Stomp!" Applejack shouted slamming her hooves on the ground hitting the War Rooster, eventually killing it. While that was going on Vale was hitting the last War Rooster with her horn darts. It got a few good pecks in, stopping her assault.

"Fire Ball!" Twilight shouted, firing at the War Rooster, killing it.

(Play Song: Won the Battle)

Twilight sat up straight and chuckled to herself, "Was that a bit too much?"

Twilight felt a little stronger. She learned the spell "Icicle".

~End Battle~

After the fight you proceed forward. Emma noticed how strong Applejack was and wanted to compliment her. Twilight was there listening to the conversation as well.

Title of Skit: Applejack the Strong

"Wow Applejack," Emma says, "You hit hard!"

"Well, thank ya kindly, Emma," Applejack says tipping her hat with a smile.

"Applejack has always been the strongest of us," Twilight states, "She can kick a tree so hard that she knocks all the apples out of it in one go."

"She's that strong?" Emma asks in shock. Applejack looks embarrassed.

"Now, it ain't that special," she says with a smile, "Every one of the members of mah fam'ly can do that. Honestly, Big Mac's stronger than me. That plow of his is so heavy, only he can pull it."

"So Applejack's family is all just really strong. Well, your definitely the strongest one here, so I'm gonna refer to you as Applejack the Strong!" Emma stated with a smile.

"Wh-wha?" Applejack says looking shocked.

"Definitely," Twilight agrees, "Applejack the Strong is a fitting title!"

"H-hold up!" Applejack is smiling awkwardly, "Don't Ah get a say in this?"

Applejack earned the title Applejack the Strong

End Skit

After that conversation you're almost at the giant tree. As you approach it, you finally begin to notice how creepy it looks. It looks like it has a creepy smiling face on the front, and the bottom opens up to reveal a staircase made of roots.

"W-we're not going in there, are we?" Spike asks trembling.

"Come on," Emma says, "You're starting to sound like that Fluttershy."

"It's okay Spike," Twilight says, "You can wait out here if you want."

"Yeah," Applejack adds, "All alone, with all these monsters roamin about, an nopony ta defend ya," she taunts, making Spike looks at her in fear.

"All alone? You mean you're all going?" Spike asks.

"Well yeah," Twilight says, "Vale is the one leading us, we're going to need Applejack's strength, and they're both going to need my magic."

"Wh-what about Emma? Can't she stay here?" Spike urges, making Emma roll her eyes.

"Yeah, cause a fairy's going to be soooo useful against a giant rooster or a fork wielding troll," she says sarcastically.

"Don't worry Spike," Twilight says, "We'll be back before you know it."

You, Twilight, Applejack, and Emma begin walking into the tree. Spike looks around in fear, and then hears a bird call out. He screams and runs in after you.

"Guys! Wait for me!" he shouts running after you guys.

~Deep Acre Tree~

It's surprising inside. It looks like a complete dungeon made of stone, filled with a pit below you, and overrun with monsters. All of you marvel at the sight of the dungeon around you.

Title of Skit: Under the Woods

"I had no idea all of this was under the farm," Applejack states.

"You never explored it?" Emma asks.

"Naw. The farthest I ever got was right in front of the tree. I wanted ta explore, but Mac caught up wit me an brought me home."

"I wonder if Princess Celestia knew about this place," Twilight asks looking down confused.

"Twilight?" Spike asks with a worried expression.

"It's... nothing..." she looks up at you, "Vale, let's get going." You nod in response, feeling just as determined as everyone else.

End Skit

You proceed down the only known path straight ahead. At the other end of the hallway was a staircase leading further down, but on the staircase you see two War Roosters waiting for you.

~Battle: War Rooster x2 (Play Song: Full Force)

"Get out of our way!" Vale shouted.

Vale and Applejack each chose a War Rooster, Vale rushing forward with her Harpoon attack, and Applejack leading with her Stampede attack. All the while, Twilight was charging her magic.

"Icicle!" Twilight shouted. Afterwards, a block of ice appeared over the War Rooster Vale was fighting, pushing it back. Vale then led with her Arrow ability killing it.

"Heavy Stomp!" Applejack shouted stomping the second War Rooster into the ground. Vale ran over to her fight and began helping her fight the second War Rooster while Twilight charged her Fire Ball spell. She didn't get to finish her spell though, because Applejack got in the finishing blow killing the War Rooster.

(Play Song: Won the Battle)

"Ya'll picked the wrong pony to mess with!" Applejack said as she threw her hat in the air, did a back flip, and let her hat fall on her head while striking a suggestive pose.

~End Battle~

With that fight in the bag you come across a large door. There are two pathways on either side of the door, but they look like they all go down other paths. Twilight goes over to the door and tries to push it open, to no avail.

"Guess not..." Twilight says.

"Outta mah way," Applejack says trotting over to the door. Twilight moves out of her was like requested, and Applejack turns around and does a back leg kick to the door. It still doesn't budge, which is surprising considering how hard she kicked it.

"Well that didn't work," Emma states.

"And I bet the piece of Courage is right behind this door," Spike says with a sigh.

"Hm..." Twilight looks down the two paths, "There's a way to open this door, I know it," she turns to you, "Vale, what do you and Emma think we should do?"

"Well, seeing as there's no other way forward than that door and the other two passages," Emma says, "I say we choose a pathway and see if we can find another way in or a switch."

"Hold up," Applejack speaks up, "That's gonna take forever. I say Vale an Ah each choose a path an investigate. Twilight can stay here an use her magic to keep communication open between us an her."

"I see," Twilight says nodding, "That way I can also let you guys know if the door opens."

"Is it okay for us to be here alone though?" Spike asks, "What if monsters come here?"

"This place seems pretty safe," Twilight says, "And if monsters do show up there's enough room for me to charge up a spell before they get here."

"Okay..." Spike looks scared, but he seems to be okay with the plan.

"Vale," Applejack turns to you, "You okay wit the plan?" you nod, "Alright. Ah'll take the path on the left. Vale, you and Emma got the path on the right."

"Got it. Be careful Applejack," Emma urges.

"Same ta ya'll," Applejack says seriously. You, Twilight, and Applejack stand in a circle, "Remember, stay in touch at all times."

"Right, good luck you two," Twilight says. You nod, and you and Applejack proceed down you're chosen individual paths.

Vale's POV

Since you're alone right now, you decide to avoid fighting groups of monsters and focus on one at a time. It feels strange with only Emma as your company, which is strange as it's started out with just the two of you. You guess you just got used to Twilight, Spike, and their friends. The pathway up ahead is straight for the most part, but it turns down a corner up ahead.

At the corner you see a staircase going up. As you walk up you see a new monster, this one shaped like a small plant.

~Battle: Sprout (Play Song: Full Force)

"Get out of our way!" Vale shouted.

"Harpoon!" Vale shouted rushing forward and tackling the Sprout. Vale then stepped back a bit and began using her horn darts to attack, but the Sprout shot out seeds from its head at Vale, hurting her.

Vale decided to try a different tactic running back and then charging a spell. The Sprout wasn't able to move very quickly so while it waddled over to Vale, it wasn't able to get to her in time. "Lightning!" she shouted, firing at the sprout. She then ran over to it and kicked it with her front legs, killing it.

(Play Song: Won the Battle)

"Alright, we win!" Vale said, waving her mane to the side.

~End Battle~

Thankfully that monster wasn't hard, so you were able to kill it with ease. Now that the way was cleared you run up the stairs. At the top you see a closed door (of course). There's no known way of opening it, so you call Twilight.

"Twilight," Emma says, "there's a closed door in front of us. We can't move on."

"Another one?" Twilight asks, "Princess Celestia wouldn't have sent us if she didn't think we could solve this puzzle. Hm... Applejack, see if there's anything on your end."

Applejack's POV

"Ya'll got it," Applejack says before running forward herself. Her pathway is more indirect, yet as she's more athletic than you she's able to go through a lot faster than you. She eventually runs into a War Rooster, which seems to be guarding a switch of some sort.

~Battle: War Rooster (Play Song: Full Force)

"Ya'll 're barely worth mah time!" Applejack taunted, as this fight looked easy.

She rused forward, and simply did her three hit combo a few times on it. The War Rooster retaliated with it's pecking attack, but she crouched down in a defensive stance blocking the attack.

"Stampede!" she called out, rushing up to the War Rooster knocking it down, then stomping on it a few times until it showed no signs of getting up.

(Play Song: Won the Battle)

"Don't come back know, ya hear?" Applejack said sitting up straight and tipping her hat forward.

Applejack felt a little stronger. She learned the skill "Vigor".

~End Battle~

After the fight, Applejack had to sit down for a second before she proceeded on.

Title of Skit: It is harder alone...

"Damn it," Applejack said to herself, "Maybe Vale and Emma're right. Pulling an apple cart's one thang, but fightin monsters... I didn't realize how tired I was till I was alone..." she instantly pulls herself together and looks up determined, "Naw, that talk's nothin but hogwash! Granny Smith fought all the way till the end, an Ah'm her grandaughter! Equestria's countin on me as well, an I can't let it or Granny Smith down!"

End Skit

After Applejack forced herself up she walked over to the switch.

"Ah wonder what this thing does," Applejack says looking at the switch. She then puts a hoof on the switch and pushes down on it, "That do anything on your ends?" she asks.

"Sorry," Twilight says, "The door is still closed."

"Hold on," Emma says from your end.

"What's up?" Applejack asks.

Vale's POV

"The door Vale and I ran into just opened," Emma states as you two look at the now opened door.

"I guess you had the right idea, Applejack," Twilight says, "I bet this place was designed where at least three ponies were needed to explore this dungeon."

"Applejack," Emma says, "We're going to go on ahead. If we find anything like a switch on our end we'll let you know."

"Alright."

You and Emma decide to proceed onward through the door, which opens up to another staircase. At the top you find yourself approaching a large pit, two sprouts along the side. You go in their direction to face them.

~Battle: Sprout x2 (Play Song: Full Force)

"Get out of our way!" Vale shouted.

Vale rushed over to the Sprouts and began shooting on with her horn darts. "Arrow!" she shouted, firing at the Sprout in front of her. She then turned around and began fighting the second Sprout.

While she fought it, the first Sprout shot out seeds at Vale, causing her to flinch. When she did the second Sprout got in a few good on her, actually knocking her back. Okay, that was bad. Vale gets up and backs away from both Sprouts and begins charging her magic.

"Lightning!" she shouts, hitting both but only killing one. She then immediately follows up with a Harpoon attack, killing the last one.

(Play Song: Won the Battle)

"Alright, we win!" Vale said waving her mane to the side.

~End Battle~

You and Emma make your way to the edge of the pit, and look down.

"Well, that's the end of the line I guess..." Emma says with a sigh. She then looks up and begins bouncing up and down excitedly, "Vale! Up there!" you look and see a switch up on a raised platform, and two closed doors: one in front of it and one to the side. Only problem, it's above the giant chasm, and it's too far to jump.

"I bet that's important," Emma says, then looking at you, "Well, you are a pegasus. Give it a go?" she asks you. You jump up flapping your wings, actually rising up a bit, but then you immediately fall to the ground, landing awkwardly on your flank, "Guess not, huh?" Emma looks back up at the switch, "It's gonna take forever to learn how to fly, and who knows how strong Chaos will be by then. What are we going to do?"

Applejack's POV

"Alright," Applejack says, "Ah'll see what Ah can find."

Applejack then gallops off. Once she gets upstairs she arrives in a room with a closed door and a golem walking around, "Dead end?" Applejack asks herself. She then looks at the golem walking around, "What would you tell me, Granny Smith," Applejack says softly to herself, she then shakes off her sadness, tips her hat forward, and them begins stomping the fround with her front right hoof, "Her spirit, and the spirit of may ma all rests in me! Let's do this!" she then rused up to the Golem.

~Battle: Golem (Play Song: Full Force)

"I won't back down!" Applejack shouts, talking herself up as the foe looked a little tough.

She ran over to the Golem and began doing normal attacks. The Golem wasn't flinching, so it was able to throw a punch at Applejack, knocking her into the air, but Applejack flipped in the air and landed on her feet.

"Stampede!" she shouted, not knocking it to the ground, but pushing it back. When she stopped her assault, she jumped back from the Golem, just in time too, as its upper body started spinning with it's arms out. When it stopped it slowly began making its way over to Applejack.

Applejack crouched down and then stood straight up giving a loud high pitched whinny, causing her body to begin glowing for a second, and raising her own attack (this is Vigor). She then began hitting the Golem, now doing more damage. The Golem threw a punch at Applejack, but she crouched down in a defensive stance.

She then ran around to the other side of the Golem, and did her Stampede attack again, this time causing it to fall over, allowing her to get the most of her attack by stomping on it a few times.

"Heavy Stomp!" she said shouted, once again stomping on it while it was downed. She then jumped away letting it get up, and ran around to the other side of it again. The Golem's upper body began spinning again, this time actually getting Applejack in passing. After shaking off the pain she ran up to the Golem and did her Stampede attack again, this time knocking it out, and hopefully killing it.

(Play Song: Won the Battle)

Applejack hunched over in exhaustion, "Dang, no more o' that..."

Applejack felt that she got a little stronger.

~End Battle~

After she defeats the Golem, she notices a treasure chest appearing a bit in front of the door, "Well, that looks promisin," she says. She then slowly makes her way to the chest, thankfully it wasn't locked so she opened it, revealing a golden necklace of some sort with a purple gemstone in the center. The stone looks important.

"Hey, Twilight," Applejack asks, "What's this weird purple stone?"

"Purple stone... I wonder if that's the Flight Stone," Twilight says.

"Flight Stone?" Spike asks.

"I read about it in a book once. Somewhere in Equestria is a stone that has the knowledge of the greatest flyer in Equestria. Best worn by a pegasus, it could make even an amateur fly like the Wonderbolts."

"Hey, I bet Vale could use that!" Emma cries out, "She can use that to cross the chasim and get to the switch we're looking at. Applejack, do you think you could find us?"

"Ah ain't got no use for this thang," Applejack says, "Give me a second, Ah'll be right over."

You received the Flight Stone

Applejack continues through the door, which now opens. On the other side she sees you and Emma, and the giant pit in between. Thankfully the pathways connected.

"Applejack!" Emma calls out.

"Ah see ya'll!" Applejack calls in response, "Vale, Ah don't know when yer birthday is, but at least consider this an early gift!" she then surprisingly throws the Flight Stone over the pit, and right over to you. Emma flies up and catches it.

"Nice throw, Applejack," Emma says, then flying down to you, "Here, I'll put it on for you."

After she puts it around your neck, you look around seeing if anything changed. Nothing looked different physically, but mentally though... you see exactly what you were doing wrong before. You know how to flap your wings, and you even know how to get the maximum speed.

You walk back away from the pit, and then get a running start and soar into the air, flying right up to Applejack. As you elegantly land you hear Emma clapping in amazement.

"Vale, that was amazing!" she cries out.

"Ah'll say," Applejack says walking over to you, "You looked as good as Rainbow Dash there." After saying that you notice that she's limping a bit.

"Applejack! Are you alright!" Emma asks.

"Ah'm fine. Just had a bit of a scrap before Ah got here, is all. Don't worry, Ah'll manage. Besides, Twilight's waitin for us."

You nod, and then walk over to the switch. The second you push it the door in front of you guys opens.

"That did it," Twilight says, "The door just opened."

"Guess that finally did it," Applejack says, "Let's get what we came for an get outta here."

You and Applejack walk through together, Emma flying after you.


You a wandered into a really large room, sort of shaped like a temple. Below you Twilight and Spike walk in as well. Spike looks up and points to you guys.

"Twilight, I see them!" Spike calls out. Twilight looks up at you and smiles.

"Vale, Applejack, Emma, good to see you guys," Twilight says. You and Applejack use a nearby staircase to run down to where she is waiting for you.

"This looks like the last room," Twilight continues, "If the piece of Courage is anywhere, it'll be here."

You guys look around for a little while. After a while, you all break off and look around.

"Guys! I think I found it!" Spike calls out. You all run over to Spike to see what he's looking at.

"Where is it, Spike?" Twilight Sparkle asks.

"Up there," Spike says pointing to an altar up front. In the center of the altar is a glowing triangle with a rounded bottom side, making it look like a piece of a circle.

"That must be it," Emma states.

"Ah'll get it," Applejack says running up to the altar.

"Applejack!" Twilight calls out holding out a hoof.

Applejack runs up to the altar, but the room starts shaking.

"Wh-what's that?" Spike asks in fear.

"Something's coming, I can feel its presence," Twilight says looking around. You look up and notice the ceiling above Applejack about to fall.

"Applejack, look out!" Emma calls out. Applejack looks up and freezes in fear when she sees the ceiling about to fall. Acting fast, you run over to her and push her out of the way, right before the ceiling broke.

"Vale... thanks..." Applejack breaths out. You nod in reply and help her up. When you turn around you see what looks like a larger, spikier version of the Golem that Applejack faced (only Applejack recognizes it as such).

"OH MY GOD!" Spike cries out, "That thing is HUGE!"

"It's probably the guardian," Twilight says, "Something that important is going to be guarded."

"Applejack, can you still fight?" Emma asks.

"Ah'm fine," Applejack says walking forward, "C'mon! Let's take this vermin out so we can go home!"

You nod, and you, Twilight, and Applejack all run over to the monster, prepared for battle.

~Battle: Gigas (Play Song:The Struggle to Survive)

"Everyone, stay sharp!" Vale said, as the fight looked like it would be difficult.

Vale charged Forward with her Harpoon attack, and Applejack led with her Stampede attack, neither one really doing much damage. While this was going on Twilight was charging a spell. The Gigas spun around hitting both Applejack and Vale away.

"Icicle!" Twilight shouted, casting the spell onto the Gigas, actually doing some damage, but not a whole lot. Vale began firing her horn darts at the Gigas, while Applejack rushed over to the Gigas and began hitting it close quarter.

"Arrow!" Vale shouted firing her attack at the Gigas, knocking it forward a bit, "Heavy Stomp!" Applejack shouted, trying to hit the Gigas into the ground, but the Gigas punched Applejack really hard back, and she was already really hurt, so...

"Ah'm sorry... Granny... Smith..." she breathed out as she passed out.

"No... No! NO!" Twilight shouted looking at her friend fall. The Gigas then turned to Twilight and began slowly making it's way to her. Vale ran over to in front of the Gigas and defended Twilight while she reached into her bag and pulled out one of the assortments of items she bought before they departed for Applejack's place.

"Use this!" Twilight shouted, throwing a Life Bottle at Applejack. It's magic gave her enough energy to get back up. After helping Applejack, Twilight began charging up her magic again, this time casting First Aid at Vale, who right now wasn't looking too good against the Gigas.

Applejack gave a loud whinny, using Vigor to raise her own attack. She then rushed over to the Gigas, "Stampede!" she shouted, this time actually knocking the Gigas onto the ground. While she did that Vale charged up her magic alongside Twilight.

"Lightning!" Vale shouted.

"Fire Ball!" Twilight shouted.

Both spells hit the Gigas, doing moderate damage, but not enough to really matter. After that, Vale ran up towards the Gigas, then using her Harpoon attack to close in the distance, and do some more damage. From here she used basic attacks along with Applejack. The Gigas' upper body spun around with it's arms out and hit both Applejack and Vale away. They both hit the ground hard, but they were able to force themselves up.

"Jus' die already!" Applejack shouted as she and Vale ran up to the Gigas again.

"Fire Ball!" Twilight shouted, once again the spell not doing a lot of damage, "It's not working!" she shouted in fear, even as she and Vale both charged up other spells. The Gigas flailed its arms around moving forward, hurting Applejack, and knocking Vale out.

"NOOOO!!!" Vale screamed as she fell out.

"Ya'll 're gonna PAY!" Applejack shouted. She then gave another loud whinny as she recharged Vigor, and then rushed over to the Gigas and began hitting it with her basic combo (jab, hoof stomp, buck kick).

"Use this!" Twilight shouted, using another Life Bottle, this time waking Vale up. Vale got up and ran back away from the Gigas, and charged another spell.

"Lightning!" she shouted, firing at the Gigas, still only doing moderate damage, but now it looked like it was getting tired. Were they almost done?

Vale ran up to the Gigas and began hitting it with her horn darts, followed by her Arrow ability. Applejack needed to catch her second wind, so she ran back a bit and pulled out an item she had herself, an Apple Gel.

"Watch out, 'kay?" she shouted, actually throwing it at Vale, healing her.

"Thank you," Vale said. At the same time, Twilight cast her First Aid spell on Vale, healing her completely. After eating an Apple Gel herself, she ran up to the Gigas with her Stampede attack. After that hit the Gigas, it fell down and fell apart. They did it. They beat it.

(Play Song: Won the Battle)

Applejack threw her hat in the air, "Ya'll picked the wrong pony ta mess with!" she said as she did a back flip, landing elegantly and giving a suggestive pose as her hat fell onto her head.

Vale felt stronger. She learned the skill "Rising Falcon".

Twilight felt that she had gotten a little stronger.

Applejack felt that she got a little stronger.

~End Battle~

The Gigas falls out, and crumbles to pieces.

"Alright!" Spike cries out in triumph, "You three were amazing."

"Are you guys okay?" Emma calls out flying up to you, Applejack, and Twilight.

"Yea," Applejack breathes out, "Ah'm... fine..." she then faints right in front of you.

"Applejack!" Twilight cries out as you all gather around Applejack to make sure she's okay, thankfully she's still breathing, "Vale, go and get the Element Piece," Twilight says to you, "Spike and I will take care of Applejack."

"Let's go, Vale," Emma says to you, "We'll check on Applejack in a second." you nod and run over to the altar. Once you reach it the Element Piece flies up a bit, breaks up into tiny pieces of magical light anf flies into you, filling you with a warm light.

You received the first Piece of Courage. Your journey is still long, but with your new friends Emma, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, and even Spike, you feel that victory is close at hand.

You and Emma head back to where Applejack collapsed. She's waking up, but she still doesn't look too good. Twilight turns to you.

"Vale, Emma," she says to you, "Applejack is exhausted. We need to get her out of here."

You nod, and help Twilight move Applejack out of the dungeon.


~Sweet Apple Acres~

Applejack is on your back as you walk her to her house. It's dark now, showing how long you guys were in the tree.

"Ah'm fine now," Applejack says to you, "Ya'll can set me down now."

You nod as you kneel down so Applejack can get off your back.

"Are you sure you're okay, Applejack?" Spike asks.

"Yea, Ah'm fine. Jus... a little tired, is all," Applejack states.

"You probably pushed yourself too hard in there," Emma says, "If you were tired then you should have told us."

"Well," Applejack says looking away a bit, "Ah didn't want ta slow ya'll down."

"Applejack," Twilight says, "Fluttershy slows us down, and I don't mind. Why would we mind it if you needed a little bit of rest?" Twilight turns to you, "Right, Vale?"

How do you respond?
That's right
I'm not in this

"You guys..." Applejack says, looking touched, but a little pained for some reason.

"Remember Applejack," Emma says, "We're a team now. You're needs matter just as much as Vale's."

"R-right," Applejack says still looking away, "Ah've gotta get home 'for Big Mac gets in mah face 'bout how late I was gettin back," Applejack turns to you, "Remember, mah offer still stands. Ya'll need anything, don't hesitate ta call."

Applejack turned and began making her way to the house, it was clear that she was still tired.

"I better go after her," Twilight says, "She's a horrible lier, and I have a feeling she's going to need an excuse for why she looks so scrapped up. You coming with me? Or are you going to head on home?"

What are you going to do?
Go back to the Library
Go with Twilight

"Okay then," Twilight says, "Spike and I will see you back at home," she turns to Spike, "Come on, Spike." she says.

"Got it. Good night Vale," Spike says before they make they're way after Applejack.

"I hope Applejack will be okay," Emma says, "Come on, let's go get some rest."

~Ponyville~

You and Emma just left Sweet Apple Acres and are on the pathway between the Acres and Ponyville. As you walk you hear a woman singing. Who could that be?

"Wow..." Emma says, "Whoever that is has a beautiful voice. You want to see who that is?" you nod.


At the end of the voice is that cream colored pegasus, Fluttershy, who's also surrounded by various animals. She doesn't look too busy right now, so this might be a good time to get to know her better.

Do you want to talk to Fluttershy?
Yes
No


Fluttershy continues singing as you and Emma go over to her. After her song ends, the animals slowly make their ways back to their homes, "Good night then," Fluttershy says, "I'll see you all tomorrow." She gets up and turns to you, jumping when she sees you, "Ah!" she then looks away awkwardly, "Um... hello there..." she says in her sweet whisper of a voice.

"You have a pretty voice," Emma says.

"Oh... thank you..." she says smiling nervously.

"What are you doing out here? It's kind of late, don't you think?" Emma asks.

"Oh, I know," Fluttershy says, "I couldn't sleep... so I decided to see my friends..."

"Your friends? You mean the animals?"

"Yes," Fluttershy says nodding, now looking at you, "I've always been able to talk to animals, that's what my Cutie Mark represents," she elegantly turns to her side and shows you her Cutie Mark, three pink butterflies.

"It's beautiful, just like everything else about you," Emma says, making Fluttershy blush.

"Oh, stop..." Fluttershy says with a giggle, "There are ponies much prettier than me."

"You're too modest," Emma says turning to you, "Right, Vale?"

How do you respond?
I guess a little
Way too modest

That statement makes Fluttershy blush uncontrollably, "Oh... uh... thank... you..." she seems flustered, but it makes her look even cuter, if that were possible.

"Its getting late," Emma says, "So we better get back to the library."

"Oh," Fluttershy says, "Are you two staying with Twilight?"

"At least until Princess Celestia gets us our own place," Emma explains.

"That's nice..." Fluttershy says, "Twilight is a really nice pony. She'll take care of you..."

"I'm sure. Maybe we could meet up one day and hang out. Vale and I would love to get to know you better," Emma says, you nodding in agreement.

"I'd..." Fluttershy looks away, but she's smiling and blushing again, "Like that..."

"Great. It's totally a date then," Emma says, neither one of you noticing Fluttershy suddenly looking shocked at the statement, "We'll see you later Fluttershy."

"Um... bye..." she says. With the conversation over, you and Emma make your way back to the Library. Once there you decide to make a note to Princess Celestia (save) and go to bed.