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Tales of Equestria: Friendship is Magic

by Azure Sandora

Chapter 4: Phase 4

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Phase 04: The Journey Really Begins

You wake up with a yawn. After rubbing your eyes you jump off the bed and stretch a bit, ready to face the day.

After taking a quick shower you trot downstairs, where Emma is waiting for you.

"Good morning," she says to you, "Did you sleep well?"

Before you can answer that question, you hear the bell on the door ring.

"Oh, hey Pinkie Pie," you hear Twilight say.

"Pinkie Pie?" Emma asks, "Isn't she one of the ponies who has the Elements? We should go meet her too, don't you think?" you nod and start walking to the door. Once you get there you see the pink earth pony with the puffy mane poking her head in constantly, Twilight trying to block her entry.

"Where is she? Where is she? Is she here? I bet she's here! Oh boy! I can't wait to meet her!" she says happily.

"Hold on, hold on!" Twilight urges, "I don't even know if she's awake yet first of all, and second of all, how did you know the Guardian would be here?"

"Ooh, the Guardian is here too?" Pinkie Pie asks, "That's great! This means we both get what we want!"

"Um..." Twilight sounds so confused, as are you. Pinkie Pie pokes her head in and spots you, her eyes lighting up instantly.

"I KNEW IT!!!" she screams gleefully running past Twilight over to you, "I knew it was you! My name is Pinkie Pie, but of course you probably knew that. I mean, you would have to know that if you were to grant my wish. But if you didn't know, now you know, and by the way, I love your mane, and your fairy is really cute. I always wanted a fairy, but instead I have a pet gator. His name is Gummy, and he's reeeealy cute, and cuddly, and-"

"Whoa, whoa, WHOA!!!" Emma cries out cutting Pinkie Pie off, "First of all, I am NOT anyone's pet, and second of all, SLOW DOWN!!! You're giving me a headache!"

"Sorry about that," Twilight says walking up to you guys, "Pinkie Pie is... special... to say the least. Pinkie Pie, this is Vale and Emma. Vale is the Guardian of Equestria."

"Wow..." Pinkie Pie says with an oooh-like expression on her face, "Wait! So that means... OH MY GOD!!!"

"WHAT?!!!" Emma screams out.

"I have to get to work!" Pinkie Pie turns to Twilight, "Could you bring these two to Sugar Cube Corner tomorrow?"

"Um... sure?" Twilight says, sort of questioning the whole thing herself as well.

"Great!" Pinkie Pie turns to you again, "Bye bye! See you tomorrow!" she turns to the door, "This is going to be the bestest one yet!" with that she runs out of the library. You just stand there completely bewildered by what just happened.

"Um..." Emma begins, "I'm literally too afraid to ask..."

"I am so sorry you had to meet her like that," Twilight says, "She's a pony who follows the beat of her own drum. She's really special though. Often times she knows about a crises before anyone else in Ponyville, and more times then not has saved Ponyville with her unique way of thinking."

"She certainly seems like a character," Emma says, "Was she really the same Pinkie Pie who traveled with you to get the Elements of Harmony?"

Twilight sighs, "The very same. She represents the Element of Laughter. I don't care what the situation is, she has this innate ability to laugh in the face of danger. I bet she'd even laugh at the bird we fought yesterday."

"Sheesh, she sounds unrealistically perky." Emma says rolling her eyes.

"Actually I have seen her upset a few times," Twilight states, "It's rare, but I've seen her get really angry at people, and I saw her cry once, only once since I've known her. It can happen, but usually, it's all what you just witnessed.

"Well, she scared the bejeezus out of me," Emma says, "Can we avoid her for a while?"

"Sorry Emma," Twilight says, "But we're gonna have to see her tomorrow. Trust me, it's worse if you don't show up."

"Geez..." truth is, unlike Emma, you sort of like that funny pink pony. She's weird, very weird, but you get a really interesting vibe from her.

"Hey, at least today you guys get to see Applejack again," Twilight says.

"That's true," Emma states, "At least she's normal."

"Sweet Apple Acres is west of here," Twilight says, "I'll let you lead the way," she then turns to the stairs, "Spike, come on, we're leaving."

"Coming!" Spike calls out from upstairs. He runs down the stairs and immediately jumps on Twilight's back, "Why was it so noisy down here?"

"Pinkie Pie," Twilight says simply, getting a nod from Spike. Apparently that's usual for them. What else is there that you need to get used to? You all leave the library.

~Ponyville~

While you walk through Ponyville, Emma and Spike strike up a conversation.

Title of skit: Pinkie Pie is Pinkie Pie

"Sheesh," Emma says, "That Pinkie Pie is scary."

"Yeah, that's usually the first impression she gives off," Spike explains, "The day Twilight and I met her was sort of weird like that."

"What happened when you guys met?" Emma asks.

"Well, Twilight and I had just landed in Ponyville, and we were walking through town. Twilight saw Pinkie Pie in front of her and tried to talk to her."

"Wait, tried?" Emma looks confused now. Spike laughs awkwardly.

"Well, Twilight said hi, but Pinkie Pie looked at her, gasped loudly, and ran off. We didn't see her again until the end of that day," Spike explained, Emma looking incredulous.

"She... gasped..."

"Another time, everyone was arguing about something. I couldn't quite hear what anyone was saying, but Twilight got everyone to stop, and I remember Pinkie Pie shouting 'and I said, Oatmeal! Are you crazy?' I never did find out what she was talking about."

"She's not just scary," Emma says looking terrified, "she's insane! Seriously, how do you guys deal with her?"

"Truth is," Spike says shrugging, "I just tell myself that Pinkie Pie is being Pinkie Pie. She's strange, but she always comes through, and she's only concerned with making others happy. You should give her a chance, I bet you'll like her."

"Yeah... maybe..."

End Skit

After that conversation, you begin to wonder about the two other ponies you met yesterday. You and Emma feel now is the time to ask Twilight and Spike about the other two ponies.

Title of Skit: Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy

"Those pegasi yesterday were interesting," Emma says, "It was like looking at two sides of a coin."

"Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy?" Twilight asks, "I know, and seeing them together is something else. Hard to believe they've known each ohter since they were fillies."

"Wow, that long?" Emma asks.

"Yep, apparently when they were kids Rainbow Dash would protect Fluttershy from the bullies," Twilight explained.

"Somepony had to, I guess," Emma says, "I mean, she looked utterly pathetic trying to say hi to Vale the other day," Emma crosses her arms and looks down thoughtfully, "Personally, I agreed with Rainbow Dash. It seriously looks like she cries about anything."

"Not necessarily," Spike chimes in, "She is really sensitive, but she's really, really nice. Honestly, I wonder if she just bottles up the negative thoughts, or if she's just really that nice."

"What about Rainbow Dash?" Emma asks, "Is she really that arrogant?"

"Yep," Twilight says quickly.

"Absolutely," Spike also says at the same time. You and Emma are shocked by their quick responses.

"Geez, I guess that was a no brainer," Emma looks at you now, "What do you think of those two? Honestly, I like Rainbow Dash myself, even if she is kind of full of herself."

Who do you like?
I liked them both
They were both annoying

"You seem like a really friendly person, Vale," Twilight says, "I'm glad you like them. They may be flawed-"

"Seriously flawed," Spike says rolling his eyes, right before getting bonked on the head by Twilight, "Ow!"

"But they're both wonderful ponies," she continues, "I hope you get the chance to know them better soon."

End Skit

You're almost at Sweet Apple Acres now. Right before you reach the gates leading to the acres you see Rainbow Dash lying down on a lowered cloud. She's right there so you figure 'why not talk to her'.

"You may be the so called 'Guardian of Equestria', but you've got a lot to learn before you reach my level of awesomeness," she brags.

"Oh please," Emma says rolling her eyes, "I bet Vale could show you up any day."

"Oh really? Well, those wings look impressive, but..." she gives you a quick up and down look, "They obviously don't get much use. Tell you what, after you get a little bit of practice with those, come look for me. I'll race you anytime, anywhere," Rainbow Dash says with a competitive grin.

"All I can say is: Bring. It. On! Vale, kick her into next year!"

"See you around, "Guardian" Vale," Rainbow Dash says with a laugh. Once you learn how to fly and get some practice in, you decide you'll challenge her to a race. With all of that said, you keep moving to your original destination.

~Sweet Apple Acres~

Out in the open area of Sweet Apple Acres, you see Big Mac in the fields plowing the ground. You were wondering how he was doing so you decide to go over to him and talk to him.

"Big Mac!" Emma calls out once you get to him, "You're feeling better now?"

"Eeeyup," he says simply.

"Fantastic. Vale and I were worried about you, right Vale?" she asks you. Resisting the urge to say "eeeyup" you just nod.

"Do you know where Applejack is?" Spike asks him.

"She's prob'ly in the house restin up. I swear, that sister of mine pushes herself too hard."

"So we noticed," Emma says rolling her eyes, "Anyways, thanks Big Mac, and you try to take it easy too, alright?"

"Eeeyup," he says, apparently leaving it at that. Clearly he's a stallion of few words. You go to the house and Twilight knocks on the door. When it opens, the cutest filly walks out. She's yellow, and has a long red mane and tail. She's extremely tiny, apparently only six or seven years old, she has a red ribbon in her mane, and she doesn't have a Cutie Mark. Her's must have not come in yet.

"Hey there, Apple Bloom," Twilight says sweetly.

"Hi Twilight! Hey Spike!" she says in a sweet voice full of southern pronunciation, maybe even more than Applejack, "Who's the new face?"

"Oh, this is my new friend Vale and her fairy friend Emma," Twilight says, you nodding to her.

"It's mighty nice ta meet ya!" Apple Bloom says, "You must be here fer mah sistur, hold on," she then turns around and walks back inside, "Applejack! Twilight is here! She brought some other pony with her! Get yer fat butt down here!" she calls out, her voice fading into the house. You hear her and another female voice yell at each other for a few seconds, before Applejack walks to the door still looking inside.

"An' my butt ain't fat, either!" Applejack calls into the house before looking at you guys completely composed, "Hi ya'll."

"Hi Applejack," Emma says awkwardly, "Is everything okay?"

"Oh, yea. Everything's fine. That's jus normal talk 'tween me an' mah sister."

"Geez, I'm glad I don't have a younger sibling," Emma says.

"Vale," Applejack says turning to you, "Mighty fine seein ya again. How ya been? Twilight treatin ya right?" you nod in response.

"Actually Applejack," Twilight says, "We need to talk. It's about Vale."

"Well, Ah'm all ears," Applejack says. You, Twilight, Emma, and Spike fill Applejack in on everything that happened yesterday. After the conversation Applejack looks down thoughtfully.

"So it's true then," Applejack says seriously, "Vale's the Guardian of Equestria?"

"Yep, it's true," Twilight says sighing, "This means things are about to get really serious here soon."

"Aw now, stop with that look," Applejack says walking up to Twilight, "Look here, hun, Ah said it once, and Ah'ma say it 'gain, it ain't your fault. We jus did what we felt was right. Nopony can blame yal fer that."

"I know," Twilight says, "I just want to get this done so we can put this whole thing behind us."

Almost on cue, Spike belches, and a scroll materialized in front of him. He opens it and looks really happy.

"We won't have to wait long," Spike says, "This is the map Princess Celestia said she was making. Look, it has three places in Equestria marked." He shows you and Twilight the map, and sure enough, it does have three areas marked off: one back in the Everfree forest, one in the sky, and one actually really close to Sweet Apple Acres.

"Looks like there's one nearby," Emma states.

"Applejack, do you know any places here in Sweet Apple Acres that stands out at all?" Twilight asks.

"Well, Ah know there's a really weird tree over yonder," Applejack says pointing outward, "I reckon what ya'll 're after is over in that tree."

"Thanks Applejack," Twilight says, "Let's go, Vale." You nod and gallop off a bit, but...

"Now hold up one COCK. PICKIN. MINUTE!" Applejack calls out running after you. You all stop and turn to her, "Ah ain't 'bout ta let ya'll go in there alone. Ah'm goin wit ya!"

"Applejack?" Twilight says, confused with Applejack suddenly jumping into action.

"Vale and Emma saved mah life yesterday, and it's like I told them before, we at Sweet Apple Acres always remember our depts. If she's goin on a mission to save Equestria, then damn it, Ah'm gonna be a part of it too!" Applejack looks at you, "Come on, Sugar Cube, take me wit ya."

"Well, what are we going to do?" Emma asks you.

Will you take Applejack along with you?
Yes
No

"Now we're talkin!" Applejack says happily, "Ya'll won't regret it."

Apparently when she said you could count on her for anything, she really meant anything. Still, you welcome the new addition to your team with open arms. You and your party now begin running to the fields, where Applejack said she saw that weird tree.

Next Chapter: Phase 5 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 26 Minutes
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