The controls here are written with the PS3 in mind.

Phase 8: Unfinished Business

As usual, you wake up the next morning with a yawn. After rubbing your eyes you jump off the bed and stretch a bit, ready to start your day.

After your routine shower you trot downstairs, where Emma is waiting for you at her usual spot.

"Good morning, Vale," Emma says, "Did you sleep well? I know I did. Hey, I'm worried about something. Don't you think what happened yesterday was strange?" you're a little confused and ask Emma to continue, "Well, I thought about it a lot before I went to bed, and Miss Rarity is right. It was too easy to find that Piece of Courage yesterday, almost like the Chimera wanted us to find it. I don't know... maybe I'm reading into it a little too much...

How do you respond?
It'll be fine
I'm worried too

"You too, huh?" Emma asks, "Well that's good. Now I feel better. Let's go to Twilight Sparkle and see how she's doing."

You nod and go over to the main study room, where you see Twilight Sparkle standing in front of a book reading it. You go over to her and ask her what she's doing.

"Oh, good morning guys," Twilight says, not looking away from her book.

"What are you doing?" Emma asks.

"Well, I know that the last piece is up in the Pegasi domain, but I don't know where exactly it is. I'm looking for any temples or monuments near Cloudsdale," Twilight explains.

"Cloudsdale?" Emma asks.

"That's the capital city for pegasi in Equestria. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were both born there. Normally only a pegasus can enter Cloudsdale since the whole town is made of clouds, but I have a spell that will fix that. All I need to do is find the darn place," Twilight turns to you, "I'm probably going to be a while here. Why don't you two go into town for a bit?"

"Sure," Emma says, "This is a good chance to finish up anything you want to do before we get the last piece, Vale."

You nod and walk out of the library into town.

~Ponyville~

Once outside you take a look around. It's rather busy around right now, so it shouldn't be too hard figuring out what to do. You walk around until you see three young fillies standing together at the town square. One of them is Applejack's sister, Apple Bloom. You don't recognize the other two, but the unicorn looks a little like Rarity. The pegasus there is leaning on a scooter while the three of them seem to talk about something really important. You decide to go to them first and see what they're talking about.

"So I was thinking," the pegasus with the scooter says, "This time we should try something really big."

"Okay, like what?" the unicorn asks.

"Well, mah sistur wus talkin 'bout this really strong alicorn in Ponyville," Apple Bloom says, "Ah think her name is Vale. She's been wantin ta help her out with sumthin."

"You talking about us?" Emma asks, catching their attention. When they turn to look at you, all three of them look at you in awe.

"Apple Bloom, is that her?" the pegasus asks.

"Yea, that's her alright," Apple Bloom says.

"She's almost as beautiful as Princess Celestia," the unicorn says, making you blush almost as much as Fluttershy.

"You're Applejack's sister, right?" Emma asks.

"Yep, mah name's Apple Bloom. These are mah friends, Sweetie Belle," referring to the unicorn, "and Scootaloo," referring to the pegasus, "and together, we're..."

"THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!" they shout loudly.

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders? What?" Emma asks.

"We go all around Ponyville helping ponies so we can get our Cutie Marks," Sweetie Bell explains. You look at their flanks and see that sure enough, all three of them are without Cutie Marks.

"That's a strange Cutie Mark," Scootaloo says looking at yours, "What does it mean?"

"Oh, Vale's Cutie Mark is her calling card. It let's ponies know that she's the Guardian of Equestria," Emma explains.

"So you are the Guardian?" Sweetie Bell asks, "That's why my sister has been so happy."

"You're sister?"

"Yeah, you met her the other day. Her name is Rarity," Sweetie Bell explains.

"Wow, it's a small world, isn't it?" Emma says looking at you.

"Hey, we wanna help you too!" Scootaloo says, shocking you and Emma.

"Excuse me?" Emma asks raising an eyebrow.

"Yea, we can fight too!" Apple Bloom says.

"We want to help you protect Equestria as well!" Sweetie Bell says.

"Hang on, how old are you three?" Emma asks.

"Well, I'm eight," Sweetie Bell says.

"So am Ah," Apple Bloom says.

"W, well, I just turned nine last week!" Scootaloo says suddenly.

"Yeah, ain't happening," Emma says quickly.

"Aw, come on!" Scootaloo shouts, "Why can't we help?"

"You three are foals!" Emma says, "If we let you three fight, and anything happened to you, then your sisters would have our heads!"

"But we love Equestria too!" Sweetie Bell says, "Shouldn't we also do what we can to help?"

"Besides, this could be our chances ta get our Cutie Marks," Apple Bloom says, "and Ah'm tired of bein called a blank flank."

"Blank flank?" Emma asks.

"We're the last three in our classes to not have our Cutie Marks," Sweetie Bell explains, "That's the term the other kids use to describe us."

"Boy Vale, it sounds like this whole Cutie Mark thing is really important," Emma says to you.

"That's why we have to get ours," Scootaloo says, "So we'll know what we're good at."

"Also, we really want ta help you, Miss Vale," Apple Bloom says.

Looking at these three is breaking your heart. You can feel the strong desire to make a difference in Ponyville, if not all of Equestria, and the need to help their world is strong and respectable. They're young, but there might be other things they can do to help.

"What should we do, Vale?" Emma asks you, "We can't put them in the battle field, but I have to admit, I kind of feel for them."

What do you say to them?
I'd love it if you helped
You can't help us

All three of them look up at you suddenly, and start smiling.

"Really?" Apple Bloom asks.

"We can help?" Sweetie Bell asks.

"As long as the three of you find a none violent way to help that doesn't put any of you in danger, then yes," Emma says. All three of them start jumping up and down happily, and then turn to each other.

"Hey, let's think of ways to help her back at the club house!" Scootaloo says.

"Great idea," Sweetie Bell says. All three of them turn to you.

"Don't worry Miss Vale," Apple Bloom says, "The Cutie Mark Crusaders are on the job!"

"Um, great," Emma says, "Glad to have you three on board."

"THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS ARE GO!" they shout before they dash off at high speed. Emma looks confused.

"What have we gotten ourselves into?" she asks.

You decide to go to Applejack's farm. On your way there, you see Rainbow Dash right in front of the gate. Rather than see Applejack, you decide to go see Rainbow Dash.

"Hey Vale," Rainbow Dash says, "I've gotta say, you've gotten a lot better. You might be ready to take on the fate of the world."

"Uh, yeah! She is the Guardian!" Emma says.

"Hold on, there's still one more test you've gotta pass. So, how about it? Quick race through the apple orchard?"

Challenge Rainbow Dash to a race?
Yes
No

"I ain't gonna go easy on you just cause you're a rookie," Rainbow Dash says.

"Vale, show this arrogant bitch who's boss!" Emma says, making Rainbow Dash laugh.

"Look at that, you've got your own cheer leader! But enough talk, let's do this!" Rainbow Dash says.

You and Rainbow Dash are standing at the entrance of the orchard, ready to begin the race.

"The race is simple," Rainbow Dash says, "Follow this path all the way back here. We'll both get a running start, and then take off at about two feet off the ground. First one bacck here wins. You got all that?"

Do you understand?
Yes
No

Use the left stick to run forward. Once you've reached your top speed, push and hold both L2 and R2 at the same time to fly.

You can push the X button to tackle Rainbow Dash and make her lose balance.

Do you know the controls?
Yes
No

3...

2...

1...

Start!

Vale and Rainbow Dash took off as fast as they could, which in the case of Rainbow Dash, even that was really fast. Rainbow Dash tackled Vale, making her lose balance before she took off with her wings.

"Later!" Rainbow Dash said. Vale began running as fast as she could, until she was fast enough to take off and fly after Rainbow Dash.

The path was turning to the left, making Rainbow Dash have to slow down in order make the turn. This allowed Vale to catch up a bit. Slwoly, she was able to catch up until she was right next to Rainbow Dash. From there she tackled Rainbow Dash, making her fall behind a bit.

"Not bad! But I'm not done with you!" Rainbow Dash called out. She was able to catch up to Vale and returned the favor and tackled her. Both Rainbow Dash and Vale were neck and neck, pushing at each other as they flew.

The path turned to the side again, this time trees and rocks getting in their way. Instead of trying to get past each other, they had to worry a little more about the obstacles in their way. Rainbow Dash ducked and dodged like a pro, while Vale had a little bit more trouble. Eventually they made it past though, Vale a little behind Rainbow Dash.

It was the home stretch, and Vale had to win NOW. She flew as fast as she could until she and Rainbow Dash were right next to each other again. From here, they began shoving each other again, continuing all the way until they saw the gate in the distance. Vale nodded, and took that as her chance. She gave Rainbow Dash one last shove and then made a mad fly over to the gate, making it through mere seconds before Rainbow Dash.

"What!" Rainbow Dash called out, looking absolutely shocked.

(Play Song: Won the Battle)

"I... lost?" Rainbow Dash said falling to the ground as Vale threw her mane to the side.

~End Mini Game~

Back at the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash falls on her back and groans in anger.

"I can't believe you beat me!" Rainbow Dash shouts, "ARGH!"

"Awesome, Vale!" Emma cries out, "You were amazing!"

Rainbow Dash calms down, and then starts laughing, "Okay, I admit defeat. I hate it, really hate it, but you beat me. You earned my respect, Vale. If you want my help, just ask. I'll try and not steal your thunder."

"Ugh, you're incorrigable!" Emma cries out, "For all your talk, you better not suck!"

You figure Twilight's about done with her research now. Maybe it's time to go and check on her. You say your good byes to Rainbow Dash and head back to Twilight's library.

~Twilight's Library~

When you enter the library, you see Twilight and everyone waiting for you.

"Good, I was just about to send Spike to get you," Twilight says.

"Is something up?" Emma asks.

"Yea, that there Piece of Courage," Applejack says.

"So, you found it?" Emma asks.

"Yeah, there's a temple to the far east of Cloudsdale," Rainbow Dash explains, "If the Piece of Courage is anywhere, then it's going to be there."

"Great! So why are all of you here?"

"You can't be serious," Rarity says, "This is the most important moment in all of Equestria."

"There's no way we're going to miss this!" Rainbow Dash says.

"I don't want to be left behind..." Fluttershy says sweetly.

"Ah missed the last one! Ya'll ain't leavin me this time though!" Applejack states.

"But this could get really dangerous," Emma says, "and you guys are civilians."

"Silly, we're friends first though!" Pinkie Pie says, "and I'm bringing cupcakes, and I know you don't want to miss that."

"We're in this now, so you aren't doing this without us," Twilight says.

You look around at the six friends you made on your journey. It's touching to see how much they care about you, even though they just met you. It's going to be dangerous, you can tell, but they're willing to go to the great beyond for you.

"You guys..." Emma says, vocalizing your thoughts.

"So, are you ready?" Twilight asks.

Are you ready to get the last Piece of Courage?
Yes
No

"Pinkie Pie, get the balloon ready!" Twilight commands, getting a salute from Pinkie Pie.

"Yes ma'am!"

"I'll cast the spell so we can all explore the temple. Rainbow Dash, you lead the way," Twilight continues.

"You got it!" Rainbow Dash says.

"Everyone, let's go!" Twilight shouts. Everyone cheers, and you all make your way to the balloon that's going to take you to Cloudsdale Temple, and the last Piece of Courage.

Author's Notes:

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