I know Gald isn't the currency in Equestria, but I saw that they use gold coins so I'm just going to call it Gald to fit the genre.
Phase 6: Party Animal
You wake up with a yawn the following morning. After you rub your eyes you jump out of bed and stretch a bit, ready to start the new day.
Emma flies over to you as you trot downstairs. She yawns before speaking to you.
"Man, yesterday left me so tired. I could have slept another three hours and it still wouldn't have been enough," Emma sighs, "Twilight Sparkle went out to do some shopping, so we're supposed to meet her at Sugar Cube Corner. Man though, that Pinkie Pie is too much. I almost don't wanna go..."
How do you respond?
She invited us, so we're going
I understand how you feel
"I was afraid you'd say that..." she says, "Well, we're not supposed to head there for another hour or so anyway, so what should we do until then?"
You think about that for a little while, then decided to go out into town.
~Ponyville~
As you walk outside, you notice right away how festive things are around you. It feels like the atmosphere changed all of a sudden. You gallop off to the shopping center first. That last mission made you aware of how important items are, so you decide to stock up.
At the market place, you see all sorts of stores. Looking around you see a small fountain statue sitting by itself. It's strange since no one seems to be paying it any mind. You go over to it and poke it, when suddenly it disappears in a puff of smoke and standing in it's place is a white earth pony wearing a chef's hat and a blond mane. His Cutie Mark is represented by two spoons.
"I'm the Wonder Chef," he states proudly, "It looks like even I've been turned into a pony for this story... Oh well, my job remains the same. Here, I'll teach you how to make a Sandwich!"
He imparts onto you instantly the knowledge of how to make a sandwich
"This requires a few elementary ingredients, but bread is most important," he then gives you various ingredients to make a sandwich, bread being one of them, "My job is done. Until we meet again!" and with that he looks up and vanishes in another puff of smoke.
That was weird. You let it go and continue to make your way through the market place. You eventually find the item shop, and are happy to see that the prices aren't rediculously high.
Apple Gels – 100 Gald
Orange Gels – 200 Gald
Life Bottles – 300 Gald
Panacea Bottles – 150 Gald
Magic Lens – 10 Gald
You had enough to buy ten of each, which is pretty good considering how you haven't bought anything before now (the items you had before Twilight had ahead of time).
After you're done shopping you see Fluttershy at the grocery. You decide to go talk to her.
"Hey Fluttershy," Emma says cheerfully. Fluttershy turns to you and smiles.
"Good morning Vale, Emma," she seems a little easier around you now, which is good.
"Are you here shopping for your friends?" Emma asks, obviously referring to her animal friends.
"Well, sort of..." Fluttershy looks away, "You see, I found a family of birds in the Everfree Forest the other day, and the mother had broken her wing somehow. While I'm nursing her back to health I'm also helping to take care of her chicks."
"That's amazing Fluttershy," Emma says, "I guess if I were to ever get hurt, you'd be the person to call, huh?"
"Well, I guess..." she looks away meekly, "but Rarity would be even better than me actually. She's a unicorn who's actually learned a few healing spells."
"Healing spells, huh?" Emma says, now turning to you, "You know, I remember Twilight Sparkle using a healing spell once or twice. I guess this Rarity is a specialist at it though."
"Well, I better get going," Fluttershy says turning away, "Um, have fun at Pinkie Pie's today. I'm sorry I won't be able to make it," with that she walks off, leaving you and Emma a little confused.
"She won't be able to 'make it'?" Emma asks, "What are going to get when we get to Pinkie Pie's place..."
Well, it's about time you went to track the place down. It wasn't hard to find. It's roof looks like a ginger bread house, there's a top part that looks like two cupcakes stacked on top of each other, and the whole building is pink. It's definitely the epitome of a place called "Sugar Cube Corner".
"This has to be the place," Emma says, "If it isn't, then this whole world is retarded."
That seems a little harsh, you think, but either way you approach the building. It seems dark and quiet, which has you a little afraid. Eventually you slowly open the door, just to be bombarded by...
Streamers... loud streamers... The lights come on and you see the whole place decked out for a party, almost every pony in Ponyville present.
"Whoa!" Emma cries out seeing everything, "What the hey?"
"You made it!" Pinkie Pie shouts hopping over to you, "I'm so glad!"
"What in the world is all of this?" Emma asks in a shakey voice.
"Silly dilly, it's yours," Pinkie Pie says simply.
"Ours? What did we do?" Emma asks, now shocked out of her mind.
"You came to Equestria, duh," Pinkie Pie says as if you were supposed to catch onto it right away, which now that you think about it does make sense, "You're going to grant my wish! That... and apparently save Equestria or something... but none of that really matters right now!"
"Hold on! We don't even know about your wi-"
"Now why don't you go out and mingle! Go on, shoo, shoo!" she says urging you to go and talk to the other ponies around. She literally pushed you into the middle of the party. No choice now... you decide to mingle.
First you see Twilight Sparkle at the punch bowl with Spike. You go over to them first.
"Sorry about that," Twilight says, "She insisted that we keep it a surprise."
"So you knew about this?" Emma asks.
"Are you kidding?" Spike says with a laugh, "You guys were the only ones who didn't know. She sent out invitations and everything."
"Unfortunately Applejack couldn't make it," Twilight says, "She told me that Big Macintosh needed her help preparing for Applebuck Season, and that's gonna take all day."
"Yeah, we ran into Fluttershy before coming here, and she said she couldn't make it either," Emma explains.
"Well, at least everyone else is here," Twilight says, "Why don't you walk around for a bit?"
Before doing that you walk over to Spike, "If you want, I can send a letter to Princess Celestia for you," he says.
Send a letter to Princess Celestia (save)?
Yes
No
Spike writes down everything that happened with you so far, and sent it to Princess Celestia.
"Done," Spike says, "Come talk to me anytime you want to send something to her."
With that done you walk around the party, looking at all the different ponies partying and talking, and having fun. While walking you see Rainbow Dash standing in the center of the area where ponies are dancing to the music playing.
"This party is awesome!" Rainbow Dash says, "Pinkie Pie throws the best parties!"
"Are you and Pinkie Pie close?" Emma asks.
"Yeah! She rolls just as hard as I do," Rainbow Dash states with a grin, "I spend all of my days off with her whenever I can."
"You two fit perfectly together," Emma says rolling her eyes, "She's insane, and you're arrogant. Yep, two of my least favorite ponies right next to each other."
"Ah, whatever," Rainbow Dash says brushing it off, "That doesn't change a thing. I'm still the most heroic pony in Ponyville. Vale, you've gotta stay sharp. If you're gonna save Equestria then you need to keep practicing, fighting tougher enemies, and staying on top of your equipment. Here, take this."
Rainbow Dash gives you the Leather Saddle
"It's not smart to go out there without armor on," Rainbow Dash says, "It's dangerous out there with all the monsters and all. If you need any pointers, you just come to me, alright?" Rainbow Dash gives you an arrogant grin, "I'll look after ya. Stick with me and I'll make you the best damn Guardian Equestria could ever hope for."
"Gee, thanks..." Emma groans, "You'll be the first person we turn to for 'pointers'. Come on, Vale."
After that's done, you equip the Saddle and continue to explore the party. You eventually see Rarity standing by a window. It's been a while since you spoke to her, so this is a good opportunity.
"Miss Rarity," Emma calls out, catching her attention.
"Oh, hello again. You're Vale and Emma, right?" she asks brightly.
"That's right, I'm glad you remember us," Emma says with a smile.
"How could I forget. I mean, you are the ones who'll save Equestria from Chaos," Rarity says.
"Speaking of which, Fluttershy told us that you've been learning healing magic. Is that true?" Emma asks.
"Yes actually. Twilight has been teaching me. So far I can only use the basic healing and supporting skills, but I'm hoping to even be able to learn light magic."
"Um... isn't that the same as healing though?"
"Common misconception, I know," Rarity explains, "But actually there's quite different. Light spells are spells that actually use light in order to attack. Very difficult to use, but those spells are some of the strongest spells in the world."
"Wow, I'm surprised Twilight doesn't use any of them," Emma states, "You're really cool Rarity. Do you think you would be willing to help us one day?"
"I'd love to. After all, Equestria is my home too. Vale, if you need anything at all, then let me know."
You nod and walk off, feeling like you and Rarity have gotten a little closer.
After mingling a while, Pinkie Pie meets up with you in the middle of the dance floor.
"So what do you think?" she asks you, "Great party, right?"
"I have to say, as crazy as you are, you do know how to throw a party," Emma says, which makes Pinkie Pie jump up and down happily.
"Yay! I'm happy you like it! This is to offically welcome you to Ponyville. As of now, you and I are offically bestest best friends!"
How do you respond?
I didn't agree to this
Thank you
"!!!"
Pinkie Pie seems to get really happy and begins jumping up and down around you. You seem to have really made her day with that statement. While that's going on, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Spike walk up to you.
"Good to see everypony getting along," Twilight says with a smile.
"It's too bad that Fluttershy and Applejack couldn't come, though," Spike says looking down. He seemed to really have wanted the whole gang to come.
"That's okay, Spike!" Pinkie Pie says, "That just means we have to have even more fun for both of them!"
"Yes, Spike, cheer up," Rarity says, "They wouldn't want us to be down right now, especially in the pressence of Pinkie Pie."
"You're right Rarity," Spike says looking up at Rarity, "You're always right though," he continues with a smile. You can almost see his cheeks getting red. He must have a crush or something.
"Well, I'm not going to let their absence ruin my fun," Rainbow Dash says, "I'm heading back to the snack area, then I'm getting back on that dance floor."
Before she can walk off though, Spike belches, and a note from Princess Celestia appears.
"A note?" Twilight asks, "Now?"
"What does it say?" Emma asks.
"Hold on," Spike reads the note, and suddenly gets worried, "Twilight! Princess Celestia says a Chimera just appeared in the Everfree Forest!"
"What? Why so suddenly?" Emma asks, everyone now gathered around Spike.
"There have been a lot of strange creatures appearing in the Everfree Forest," Twilight says, "We ran into one the other day, remember?"
You nod, remembering the Condor. Could this beast have spawned from the same place?
"If that thing gets to Ponyville it could be disastrious," Rarity states thoughtfully.
"We need to do something," Twilight says, "For starters, gather everyone in one place in Ponyville. After that-"
"WAIT!!!" Emma calls out, "Problem! She said Everfree Forest, right? Fluttershy is in there!"
"What?!" everyone cries out.
"She's in danger!" Rarity cries out.
"I'm going!" Rainbow Dash calls out before flying out of Suger Cube Corner at top speed.
"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight calls out futilly.
"Well, don't just stand there," Rarity says suddenly, "We need to get moving."
"Wait, what do you mean "we"?" Emma asks.
"Fluttershy is my best friend, and I know how rash Rainbow Dash can be. I have reservations going out into the Everfree Forest, as I just had a manicure, but I'm not going to sit by and let my friends get hurt. Any help you're willing to provide would be appreciated."
She's looking right at you. Is she testing you?
What do you say?
We should think about this
Then let's go
"!!!"
Rarity's eyes flash strangely, and she smiles. Whatever test she gave you, it seems that you passed.
"Good then," she turns to Twilight, "Twilight, you stay here and get everyone to the town square. We'll save Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash."
"Okay," Twilight says with a nod, "Spike, you go with them."
"Right!" he gets on Rarity's back, "Don't worry Rarity, I'll protect you."
"Hm... I wonder," Rarity says rolling her eyes.
"Let's GO!" Pinkie Pie says suddenly, catching everyone's attention.
"Wait, don't tell me YOU'RE coming too?!" Emma asks incredulous. Rather than look a gift horse in the mouth, you run out of Sugar Cube Corner with Rarity and Pinkie Pie(?) following after you.