To get a feel for how Vale sounds, imagine her being voiced by Christina Vee in this game. Everyone else has the same voice.
Once again, all songs are from Tales of Symphonia unless specified otherwise.
Phase 7: Once Again Through the Everfree Forest
~Equestria~
(Play Song: Land of Sylvarant)
As you and your party make its way to the Everfree Forest, you hear Rarity and Emma start to conversate, Pinkie Pie really close to their conversation.
Title of Skit: Why Are You Even Here?
"I hope Fluttershy is okay..." Rarity says with a worried expression.
"Are you two good friends?" Emma asks, both of them unaware of Pinkie Pie's slow approach.
"Best friends," Rarity says, "She and I spend the day together every Saturday at the local spa. I'm one of the few people she'll open up to."
"You seem to really care about her. But sheesh, I'm kind of worried having her out there alone. What happens if she runs into the chimera?" Emma asks.
"If that happens, then that chimera better watch out. Her stare can scare even an Ursa Major!" Pinkie Pie shouts out, not making any sense as usual. Emma seems to be having a hard time with something.
"What... but... Argh! WHY ARE YOU HERE?" Emma shouts, shocking everyone (Yet Pinkie Pie is still smiling for some reason).
End Skit
With that conversation over, and a new question looming over your head (why is Pinkie Pie here?) you continue to gallop to the Everfree Forest. It only took a few more minutes to reach it.
Current Active Party
Vale
Rarity
Pinkie Pie
~Everfree Forest~
You don't waste any time. You and your party begin to make your way further through the forest. As you run, you see three Batty's in your way. You can't avoid it.
~Battle: Batty x3 (Play Song: Full Force)
"Ugh! How hideous!" Rarity shouts, refering to the monsters.
Vale and Pinkie Pie ran forward, while Rarity stepped back. Vale began shooting arrows at one Batty while Pinkie Pie began frolicing around hitting the other Batty, though she looked more like she was playing. The third Batty slowly made it's way too Rarity, who began whacking it with her hooves as if slapping it.
"Harpoon!" Vale shouted, tackling the Batty she was fighting, killing it. She then turned to help Rarity.
"Pow Hammer!" Pinkie Pie shouted, a red hammer appearing out of nowhere and hitting the Batty. The Batty tackled Pinkie Pie knocking her back a bit, but after Vale and Rarity killed the Batty in front of them, Vale ran over to Pinkie Pie and shot her Arrow attack at the Batty, dealing the finishing blow.
(Play Song: Won the Battle)
"Alright, we win!" Vale said waving her mane to the side.
~End Battle~
After that fight you continue to explore the Everfree Forest, hoping to get some sort of sign of either Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy. While searching, Spike begins to look around in fear, Emma and Rarity nearby.
Title of Skit: It's Nothing Serious
"I can't believe I'm back here..." Spike says to himself, unaware that Emma is slowly approaching him, "It was okay before, but that was because Twilight was here."
"Are you afraid Spike?" Emma asks, making Spike jump.
"Whoa!" Spike shouts.
"It's okay to be scared, you know," Emma explains.
"I know, but Rarity is here, and I can't let her see me being a scaredy dragon."
"Rarity, huh?" Emma looks at Spike with a taunting manner.
"I-i-i-it's nothing, okay! I just really like her, that's all."
"That's all?" Emma asks.
"Yes, that's all," Spike says, unaware that now Rarity is walking up to him.
"What's all?" she asks, making Spike jump again.
"Whoa!" Spike cries out.
"Is everything alright, Spike? You know, the Everfree Forest is a dangerous place these days. If you want, you can ride on my back," as she speaks, Spike looks up at Rarity with a love sick expression, Emma seems to notice, "I'm not Twilight, but I can at least offer my hoof for protection if you need it."
"Um..." Spike pipes up when she says that, "I'm okay, Rarity! I uh... don't need protection. I'm a big dragon."
"Oh, well okay," Rarity says, beginning to walk away, but Spike runs up to her.
"Uh, if you ever need me to protect you, then please let me know," Spike says, making Rarity giggle, and Emma shake her head.
"Okay Spike," Rarity says with a sweet smile, "Thank you, my 'knight in shining armor'," with that she walks off, Spike watching her as she walks off."
"Oh, Rarity..." Spike says to himself.
"Yeah, it's nothing, huh?" Emma asks with a raised eyebrow.
End Skit
You and your party continue down the winding path through the Everfree Forest. After you reach a clearing you see two Trolls and a Batty in front of you. You decide to engage them.
~Battle: Troll x2, Batty (Play Song: Full Force)
"It's party time!" Pinkie Pie shouted happily.
Vale and Pinkie Pie ran forward and each took on a Troll while Rarity began casting a spell. Vale turned around and fired an Arrow at the Batty, and then followed up with a Harpoon attack, killing it. She then went back to the Troll she was fighting.
"Barrier!" Rarity shouted. A blue crystal appeared around Pinkie Pie, raising her defence. The Troll Vale was fighting didn't stand a chance, so it fell pretty easily. Pinkie Pie crouched down to defend an attack, "Surprise!" Pinkie Pie shouted after guarding, blowing a streamer at the Troll, actually killing it.
(Play Song: Won the Battle)
"Huh? Where'd everybody go?" Pinkie Pie asked looking around.
Rarity felt like she got a little stronger.
Vale felt a little stronger. She learned the skill "Demon Fang".
~End Battle~
You continue to run forward. You see what looks like somepony in the distance lying down on the ground. You run forward until you see exactly who it is. It's Fluttershy! You run over to her to make sure she's okay.
Fluttershy!" Emma calls out as you, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Spike, and Emma rush over to her.
"Hang on," Rarity said kneeling over her, "First Aid!" she called out. A small light comes out of her horn, and Fluttershy begins to glow herself. A few seconds later Fluttershy begins to stir a bit, looking a little healthier.
"Rarity? Guys? What are you..." she slowly asks.
"That's a dangerous place to take a nap you know," Pinkie Pie says.
"I wasn't napping..." Fluttershy says softly, "Rainbow Dash and I got attacked by the Chimera... I got hurt, but Rainbow Dash said she was going to stop it from getting to Ponyville... so she lead it to the shrine far south..."
"And she just left you here?" Emma asks.
"I told her too..." Fluttershy explains, "She wanted to wait for me to recover... but I didn't want to slow her down... so I told her to go on without me..."
"Do you know where this shrine is?" Rarity asks.
"Yes, I do..." Fluttershy says with a nod, "but we need to hurry. That Chimera wasn't too hurt when it ran off.... Rainbow Dash could be hurt..."
"Are you sure you're okay though?" Spike asks, "Maybe you should stay back with me."
Surprisingly, Fluttershy shakes her head, "You're going to need my help to stop the Chimera..." Fluttershy says.
"Alright!" Pinkie Pie shouts happily, "Now it's a party!"
"You do realize that this is a rescue mission, right?" Emma asks.
Party Adjustment
Vale
Rarity
Pinkie Pie
Fluttershy
Now with Fluttershy with you (can she fight?) you resume your search for the Chimera, now heading for the shrine at the far end of the forest. As you get a little deeper in the forest you see stronger monsters, some of them looking like wolves. Two wolves run over to you, followed by a Troll and even a monstrous bear.
~Battle: Lobo x2, Grizzly, Troll (Play Song: Full Force)
"Can't we avoid this fight?" Fluttershy asked weakly.
Vale, Pinkie Pie, and even Fluttershy ran forward. Fluttershy did a shocking move though, stopping mid way.
"Tempest!" she said, soumersaulting into the enemies kicking them with her hooves. She then began fighting the Grizzly, getting on her hind legs and kicking it with her front hooves. Vale shot her horn darts at one of the Lobos, and Pinkie Pie froliced around the second Lobo hitting it. The Troll made it's way to Rarity, who had been casting a spell the entire time, and couldn't move from where she was standing.
"Beast!" Fluttershy said, tackling the Grizzly. At the same time, a lion's head magically appeared biting the Grizzly, knocking it back. She then ran over to help Rarity.
"Demon Fang!" Vale shouted, doing a back flip sending a shock wave at the Lobo.
"Pow Hammer!" Pinkie Pie shouted, hitting the Lobo she was fighting right in the head, actually stunning it. Vale switched targets, running over to that Lobo.
"Harpoon!" she shouted flying through the Lobo, killing it, "One down!" Vale shouted.
Fluttershy was able to make quick work of the Troll, letting Rarity charge up her magic again. She then ran back to the Grizzly and continued to fight it, Pinkie Pie helping her.
Vale got attacked from behing by the Lobo, which knocked her down.
"First Aid!" Rarity shouted, healing Vale.
Vale ran off, and began charging her magic. While that happened, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were able to kill the Grizzly, and were now running over to Vale.
"Lightning!" Vale shouted, casting her spell on the Lobo, killing it.
(Play Song: Won the Battle)
"Alright, we win!" Vale said, waving her mane to the side.
Pinkie Pie felt like she got a little stronger. She learned the skill "Prank".
~End Battle~
After the fight, you can't contain yourself. You and Emma go over to Fluttershy and tell her what you thought of her fighting prowes. Rarity and Pinkie Pie are there as well.
Title of Skit: Unexpected Skill
"Fluttershy, that was amazing!" Emma cries out, you smiling in agreement.
"Oh? What do you mean?" Fluttershy asks sweetly.
"YOU! Fighting those monsters!" Emma continues, making Fluttershy blush.
"Oh... It was nothing... really..." Fluttershy insists.
"Fluttershy, you're too modest," Rarity says.
"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie says with a bright smile, "Everyone knows you're the best monster tamer in Equestria!"
"Um... really though... I bet there are much better fighters in Equestria than me..." Fluttershy says, now looking down.
"How did you learn those skills?" Emma asks.
"W-well... I learned a lot from my animal friends..." Fluttershy explains, "But Rainbow Dash taught me a lot more about hoof to hoof combat... I don't have a lot of skills, and I don't learn very fast..."
"None of that matters," Rarity says, "Because the skills you do have are really something."
"I feel a lot safer with you here Fluttershy," Emma says.
"Of course you do. With Fluttershy protecting us, we don't have anything to fear!" Pinkie Pie says, all of these statements making Fluttershy blush uncontrollably.
"Um... Um..." it looks like Fluttershy is really uncomfortable.
What do you say?
You'll protect me too, right?
If you ever need help, I'll be there for you
Everyone looks at you, a little taken aback.
"Wow, you're really brave, Vale." Pinkie Pie says.
"Well, she is right," Rarity says, "We can't just hide behind Fluttershy here. We need to try our hardest too."
"Well, I'm inspired!" Emma shouts, "I'll try my hardest too!"
"Then let's go!" Pinkie Pie shouted, rallying everyone. They all part ways, but Fluttershy walks over to you.
"Vale, thank you," Fluttershy says, you nod to her with a smile.
End Skit
You get the feeling that you should avoid fighting for a while, so that's what you do. Besides, you can see the shrine in the distance. Before you go any further, you go over to Spike.
"Do you want to send a letter to Princess Celestia?"
Send a letter to Princess Celestia (save)?
Yes
No
Spike writes down everything that you've done so far, and then sends it to Princess Celestia.
"Done," Spike says, "Come talk to me whenever you want to send something to her."
After sending the letter to Princess Celestia, you and the team proceed onward. After gallopping a bit, you hear what sounds like an explosion.
"What was that?" Spike asks.
"The Chimera had fire abilities..." Fluttershy says, "If it's allowed to go out of control it could create a forest fire."
"If that happens then Rainbow Dash is in even more danger than we thought!" Rarity stated.
"Unless she and the Chimera decide to have a barbeque, then the fire is put to good use!" Pinkie Pie says with a smile, as if she said something really thoughtful, "Maybe he'll invite us!"
"Yeah, cause I'm so sure that the Chimera is thinking about having a barbeque right now," Emma says rolling her eyes, "Vale, we need to move!"
You nod and lead the team over to where the explosion was.
Rainbow Dash is thrown into a tree, and falls to the ground. The monster walking over to her is a large creature with black fur, and two heads: one being that of a lion, and the other being that of a goat. Both heads have red eyes, and the same symbol on their heads as the Condor.
The beast's lion head begins charging up fire in its mouth, but a red hammer falls on it, breaking its focus. The Chimera looks around, but is when it looks to its side, it sees you flying up to it and kicking it away from Rainbow Dash.
"Dash!" Rarity calls out as she, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Spike run up to her.
"Are you alright?" Fluttershy asks.
"Yeah... I'm okay..." Rainbow Dash says forcing herself up. Unfortunately she falls again, showing how hurt she really is, "Okay... maybe not..."
"Hey guys!" Emma cries out, "I don't think he's done!"
The Chimera is starting to get up, and it doesn't look happy. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy all run up to your side, all ready for battle.
"Rainbow Dash, you should sit this one out," Rarity says, "We'll handle this."
"But-" Rainbow Dash was about to argue, but Fluttershy turns to her.
"Please, you're hurt," Fluttershy begs, "I... I think with Vale with us... we can beat it..."
Rainbow Dash seems a little surprised at how confident Fluttershy is at your skills, but a little more surprised at the fact that she's right there next to you.
"Well then," Rainbow Dash says looking down, but then looking up at you, "I'm watching you. Consider this your test," she says directly to you. You nod and look back up at the Chimera.
"Here it comes!" Emma cries out. The Chimera roars loudly before looking at your party. Looks like the fights about to start.
~Battle: Chimera (Play Song: The Struggle to Survive)
"Wow... that's really big..." Pinkie Pie said, mesmerized by its size.
"Pinkie Pie, please focus," Rarity scolded as Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Vale ran over to the Chimera. Rarity herself began charging her magic while everypony began hitting the Chimera with basic attacks.
"Pow Hammer!" Pinkie Pie shouted, throwing the hammer at the Chimera, only doing a little damage.
"Barrier!" Rarity shouted, raising Fluttershy's defense. She then began casting again.
The Chimera used its claws to slash everypony back, but Vale and Fluttershy were able to catch themselves in the air and land on their feet. Pinkie Pie, not so lucky.
"Demon Fang!" Vale shouted. The attack hit the Chimera, but it only did monor damage. Rarity cast Barrier on Vale as she was charging up for her magic. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie both ran over to the Chimera and gave it a few basic attacks.
"Beast!" Fluttershy said, sending the Chimera flying back a bit from the attack and doing a good deal of damage. She and Pinkie Pie both ran over to it to continue their assault.
"Lightning!" Vale shouted, hitting the Chimera and finally doing a good chunk of damage. Apparently though, the Chimera had enough of getting hit, so it shot a fireball at both Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, both of them screaming in pain as they fell down.
"First Aid!" Rarity shouted, casting it on Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy ran back a bit, pulling out an Apple Gel to heal herself. As that was going on, Vale had to change strategy, and switched from magic to skills for a little while.
"Arrow!" Vale shouted, firing at the Chimera. It took damage, but it was still able to get a good slash in. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie ran over to the Chimera and began attacking it to help Vale, who was able to go over to where Rarity was and help defend her.
"Sharpness!" Rarity shouted, this time sending a red wave over to Fluttershy raising her attack, who apart from Vale was doing the most damage actually.
"Tempest!" Fluttershy said, flying and soumersaulting into the Chimera and doing a lot of damage. The Chimera's goat head fired a series of fire balls at Fluttershy, who hunched down covering her head blocking the attacks.
"Prank time!" Pinkie Pie shouted before giving the Chimera a slap, electrocuting it with a small shocker on her hoof, surprisingly that did a good deal of damage.
"Lightning!" Vale shouted. The spell actually stunned the Chimera a bit.
"Beast!" Fluttershy said, tackling the Chimera, and surprisingly, she took it out.
(Play Song: Won the Battle)
"I wish we didn't have to fight..." Fluttershy said looking down in sadness.
Fluttershy felt like she got a little stronger.
Rarity felt like she got stronger. She learned the spell "Field Barrier".
Vale felt like she got a little stronger.
Pinkie Pie felt like she gota little stronger.
~End Battle~
The Chimera falls back, yet it's still breathing.
"Is it over?" Emma asks.
"Not quite," Rarity says. At that moment, the Chimera slowly gets up.
"Now what?" Spike asks, he sounds really scared.
"Damn it. If I could stand then..." Rainbow Dash says looking down in frustration.
Fluttershy looks at everyone, and then at the Chimera. At first she looks scared, but soon that fear turns into determination.
"That's IT!" she shouts, stunning you. She then walks up to the Chimera, "You hurt my friends, you attacked me, and your threatening Ponyville! I'm not going to stand for it, buster!" the Chimera tries to roar, but Fluttershy puts her hoof up, "Nuh uh, don't you give me that tone! I don't care if you came from Chaos, you will not, and I repeat, NOT. HURT. MY. FRIENDS!" she looks right in the beasts eyes, "Now what do you have to say for yourself?" she asks sternly, giving it a death stare that even makes you cringe a bit, and she's not even looking at you.
The Chimera backs away, both heads actually looking at Fluttershy as if they're afraid of her! Just who is she? No, what is she?
After a second, the Chimera actually disappates into tiny bits of darkness, as if its running away. Now its done, you think.
"Fluttershy, what did you do to it?" Emma asks.
"Oh, I just... well..." Fluttershy looks like she's having a hard time finding the words for what she did.
"Good job, Fluttershy," Spike says, "You showed that thing who's boss!"
"Um... I... I mean..." Fluttershy continues to stutter.
"Well, either way," Rarity speaks up, "We're finished now, so we should head back to Ponyville and report to Twilight Sparkle. Also, we need to get Rainbow Dash out of here."
"Aw... but it was just getting fun..." Pinkie Pie says looking down.
"You truly scare me," Emma says simply, looking at Pinkie Pie. You're about to leave, but something glows from inside the shrine, "No way," Emma says as you all turn back around. Sure enough, a small glowing circle third flew out of the shrine over to you. You go over to it to claim it.
In a shocking turn of events, you found the second Piece of Courage. Two down, one to go. You're at the end of your search, but with your new allies Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, you feel that you'll be able to see the end of this journey soon, at least... you hope...
"I don't believe it," Emma says, "We weren't even looking for it. Wait till Twilight hears about this."
You nod in agreement to Emma's statement, and you and your new friends all leave the Everfree Forest. As you leave, Pinkie Pie stops and takes another look at where the Chimera was. She, as strange as it is, glares a bit, and then hops after you, her original mood returned.
~Ponyville~
As you and your team return to Ponyville, you see Twilight Sparkle and Applejack running up to you.
"Guys!" Twilight calls out.
"Are ya'll alright?" Applejack asks.
"We're fine," Pinkie Pie says, "Fought monsters, saved Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash-"
"I totally had that thing by the way!" Rainbow Dash retaliates quickly, making everyone laugh.
"Well, I'm glad to see that you guys are okay," Twilight says, then looking at you, "Vale, you seem a little stronger. Did something happen while you were there?"
"You won't believe it, but we found a piece of Courage while there," Emma explains, shocking Twilight and Applejack.
"What in tarnation?" Applejack cries out.
"I already knew that there was a piece in the Everfree Forest," Twilight says thoughtfully, "But what are the odds of finding it on your own."
"That glowing thing?" Rainbow Dash asks, "The Chimera stood right in front of it as if guarding it."
"That's weird..." Twilight says.
"Not if Chaos knows that Courage can kill it," Spike says with a shrug, "It was trying to keep us from getting to it."
"I don't know Spike," Rarity says, "Didn't it seem a little more like it was leading us to it?"
"This is getting really weird," Emma says, "But at least we're almost done."
"I'll look at the map to try and find the last piece," Twilight says, "Vale, I'll let you know when I've found it so we can go immediately." You nod in response, and Twilight turns to everyone else, "It looks like we're all involved now. Let's be ready to move out any time."
Everyone nods. It's kind of touching knowing that they all have your back. After saying your good nights to everyone, you decide to head back to Twilight's Library. There, you send Princess Celestia a letter (save) and then hit the sack.