Since that last fight was so hard, I'm going to spend some time in tis chapter training. So instead of taking the short cut to Canterlot, I'm taking the long way so I can fight some of the monsters on the way. I just have this feeling the next couple of fights are going to get really hard.

This chapter is also about me showcasing some of their Mystic Artes. I hope you like them, and I hope they match. Most of them are from the actual Tales of series, but I tried to make them original in my own way, and some of the Mane Cast have original Mystic Artes.

Phase 10: Is It Over? - On the Way to Canterlot (long way)

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

This time, after your usual shower and grooming period, you put on the armored pieces that represent the Element of Courage and head downstairs, where as usual, Emma is waiting for you.

"Good morning..." she says with a sigh. She doesn't seem to be her usual chipper self, and that has you worried. You ask her what's wrong.

"The truth is..." she begins, "I can't help but get the feeling that something really bad is about to happen. But that's silly, right? I mean, you have the Element of Courage now, and you're friends with all of the wielders of the Elements of Harmony, so there's nothing to worry about... right?"

She's looking at you expectantly. Truth is, you have your doubts about this whole thing yourself, and that whole dungeon yesterday left a bad taste in your mouth. What do you tell her?

What do you say? You're not being silly

"We should talk to Princess Celestia when we get the chance today," Emma says, "There are a few things we need to clear up."

You nod and go into the living room, where you see Twilight Sparkle sitting at her desk. She has a golden tiara on her head for some reason.

"Um, what are you wearing?" Emma asks.

"Oh, this?" Twilight says turning to you with a smile, "This represents the Element of Magic. I figured it would be a good idea to start wearing these, since the last fight could be soon."

"Do you really think it's going to be that easy?" Emma says, "This just seems a little to convenient. We just got the final Piece of Courage, and now we're getting ready to face Chaos? I don't know. I feel like there's something else we need to do."

"Princess Celestia said we had to get the three pieces of Courage, done, and gather the Elements of Harmony, done," Twilight says with a smile, "It's going to be fine now. Let's just go to Canterlot and have fun."

"Well, okay..." Emma says with a sigh. Even you have to say, Twilight isn't thinking this through enough. Either way, the others will be here any second, so you should get ready to meet them.

You, Twilight, and Emma all walk into the main library, where you see Spike and everyone else already there. They're all wearing armored chest guards with symbols like their Cutie Marks in the center.

"Are you guys ready?" Rarity asks.

"Yep, I'm ready." Twilight says happily.

"Someone got up on the right side of the bed," Applejack says.

"Today we get to tell Princess Celestia that we succeeded," Twilight says, "I think I'm as happy as Pinkie Pie on a normal day right now!"

"Wow, that's pretty happy," Pinkie Pie says, "I mean, I thought I was the only one who could be as happy as Pinkie Pie, since I am Pinkie Pie, but if-"

"Um, let's just get going," Rainbow Dash says cutting her off, "I want to hurry so I don't miss Spitfire."

"Alright, alright," Twilight says, "So how do we get there? I could call a carriage and have it take us there, or we could go on foot."

"Why on earth would we want to go on foot?" Rarity asks, "Do you have any idea how far it is to Canterlot?"

"It ain't that far, Rarity," Applejack says, "Besides, walkin builds character. Ah say we walk it."

"Look, walk or ride, I don't care as long as we get moving in the next few minutes," Rainbow Dash says.

"Yeah, let's go already!" Pinkie Pie urges, "The faster the better."

"Um... I don't mind walking," Fluttershy says, "But I feel like we shouldn't keep the Princess waiting..." she continues when she sees Rarity shoot a look at her. Poor thing...

"Well, I think walking is a good idea," Twilight says, "I can even tell the Princess we're taking the long way, so she's not waiting around for us."

"Well..." Spike says, now looking at a dejected Rarity, "I, I, I think we should call the carriage. I mean, that way Rarity- I mean, we can get there fast."

"Well, I want to see a little of Equestria," Emma says, and it's hard to do that in a carriage."

"So, we've got three for carriage," Twilight says, "Three for walking, and two who are good either way," she sighs, "This isn't going to get us anywhere." Uh oh, everyone's looking at you. Shoot! You're the tie breaker, aren't you?

"Well Vale," Applejack says, "What's it gonna be?"

"Do we call a carriage, or do we..." Rarity shudders at the thought, "go... on... foot?"

Looks like you really are one of them now. It's great that they value your opinion, but why now? Either way, it looks like whatever you decide on is what you do.

Hod do you want to go? Go on foot

"Looks like we're hoofin it," Applejack says with a nod.

"Oh, alright," Rarity says with a sigh, "But if I get a heat stroke then it's your fault!"

"Canterlot is South of Ponyville," Twilight explains, "We won't have to go through the Everfree Forest to get there, so don't worry."

"So are we going yet?" Rainbow Dash asks.

"Yes, Dash, we're going," Twilight says. Everyone walks out, except for Rarity, Fluttershy, and Spike, who all turn to you and glare. Your only response to that is to look down sheepishly. This is going to be a loooooong walk...

Party Formation

Vale (main)

Rarity (main)

Twilight Sparkle (main)

Fluttershy (main)

Applejack (reserve)

Rainbow Dash (reserve)

Pinkie Pie (reserve)

~Ponyville~

You decide to go to the market place before you depart for Canterlot. Your first stop is the Weapon Shop (you didn't even know this place had a weapon shop).

"Got a new shipment of weapons," the pony behind the counter says, "At the request of the Princess herself."

List of purchases

Bronze Horn Guard (Vale): 300 Gald

Encyclopedia (Twilight Sparkle): 300 Gald

Bronze Shoe (Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie) 1200 Gald

Steel Gauntlet (Applejack, Rainbow Dash) 1400 Gald

"Have a good day," the store clerk says.

After that, you go to the Armor Shop.

"It's a shame that you have to cover that beautiful body with armor," the clerk says to you, "But if your plan on traveling, you're going to need armor."

List of Purchases

Leather Saddle (Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie): 2000 Gald (you and Rainbow Dash already have these equipped)

Light Cloak (Rarity, Twilight Sparkle): 1500 Gald

Weighted Reins (Applejack) 900 Gald

Silver Boots (Everyone) 2000 Gald

Pretty Bow (Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity) 1600 Gald

"Come again, sweetheart," she says as you leave.

For your last stop, you go to the item shop to restock on your essentials.

"Don't neglect medicine," the pony behind the counter says, "Just because you have a healer with you, doesn't mean you should just rely on them."

List of Purchases

Apple Gel x15: 1500 Gald

Orange Gel x15: 3000 Gald

Life Bottle x10: 3000 Gald

"Good luck out there," he says before yo leave.

Now you're ready, you think. With that done, you now leave Ponyville, going to the Equestria Fields.

~Equestria~

(Play Song: Land of Sylvarant)

On Twilight's request, you all begin by running south. As you run, you see monsters running around the fields. Looks like this would be a good place to train. You decide to run over to a tree like monster in the distance.

~Battle: Bad Bark, Wolfie x3 (Play Song: Full Force)

"Let's begin the research!" Twilight said gleefully.

Vale and Fluttershy ran forward, Fluttershy fighting two Wolfie's at once, and Vale focusing on the Bad Bark (giant tree monster).

"Beast!" Fluttershy cried out, tackling one of the Wolfies back. She then ran over to the other stray Wolfie that was attacking Rarity and Twilight.

Twilight and Rarity ran back, and began recharging their magic.

"Demon Arrow!" Vale shouted, hitting the Bad Bark back. She ran over to it and began hitting it with her horn darts, while Fluttershy was having a little trouble with the three Wolfie's she was fighting.

"Wind Blade!" Twilight shouted, attacking the group of Wolfies, killing one.

"Field Barrier!" Rarity shouted, raising everyone's defense. She and Twilight went back to casting spells after that.

Fluttershy was about to use Tempest, but then she remembered something her animal friends told her.

"Wait... like this?" she asked, "Omega Tempest!" she cried out, now flipping higher and doing more damage. She killed another Wolfie with that, "I'm so sorry!" she said, actually apologizing to the monster, while going to face the last Wolfie.

"Don't apologize!" Rarity scolded, "You did what you had to!"

Vale felt a power welling up inside of her, and decided to go with it.

"I can't LOSE!" Vale shouted, now glowing with a strange aura (Over Limit). She then rushed over to the Bad Bark and did her Flyine Harpoon attack, but after landing it, something else happened (Twilight used Fire Ball to kill the last Wolfie while all of this was happening).

"It's over for you!" Vale shouted.

~Mystic Arte~

Vale began screaming while a bright aura came out of the ground around her, hitting the Bad Bark in the process. She then pointed her horn at the Bad Bark and a large orb of energy built up at the tip (picture of Vale screaming appears here) "GUARDIAN'S HOWL!" she screamed, letting the energy explode, which it did, causing continuous damage to the Bad Bark.

When the battle resumed, the Bad Bark died.

(Play Song: Victory)

Vale flew around a bit and then landed elegantly, "I will not let Equestria fall!"

~End Battle~

You resumed your trip to Canterlot after the fight. As you run, you and Emma decide to ask Rainbow Dash about that person she named earlier.

Title of Skit: My Own Power

"Hey, Dash, Vale and I were wondering," Emma begins, "Who's Spitfire?"

"She's the current leader of the Wonderbolts, and actually a good friend of mine," Rainbow Dash explains, shocking you a bit.

"Wait a second, you're friends with one of the Wonderbolts, and their leader?" Emma was incredulous, "Why aren't you a Wonderbolt yet? Isn't that sort of a free ticket in?"

"She did offer me a position once," Rainbow Dash says, "But I declined."

"Wh, wh, WHAAAAAAT!" Emma screams, apparently done at this point, "Why on EARTH did you decline? That was your dream!"

"It's not that simple," Rainbow Dash says, looking serious. You think you understand so you decide to speak up.

What do you say? You didn't want a free ride

Rainbow Dash looks up at you shocked, but then smiles.

"Exactly," she says, "I don't want to become a Wonderbolt because I'm cool with their leader. I want to become one with my own power. I have to deserve the title, now just phone it in."

"Oh..." Emma looks embarrassed, "I'm sorry, Dash. I should have thought about what I was saying."

"Nah, it's cool," Rainbow Dash says laughing, "Truth is, everyone thought I was crazy when I turned her down. Spitfire understood though, that's why she and I are okay now."

"You really are an inspiration, Dash," Emma says.

"Of course I am," she gives her usual arrogant smile, "I am Rainbow Dash after all."

"Aaaaannnnnd now you lost me..." Emma says, both her and you giving Rainbow Dash a deadpanned look.

End Skit

As you continue to run, a pack of Wolfies run over to you and your party. Looks like they want to fight.

Battle: Wolfie x3 (Play Song: Full Force)

"Do we really have to fight?" Fluttershy asked.

Fluttershy and Vale charged forward while Twilight and Rarity charged up their magic. Vale took on one Wolfie while Fluttershy tackled two at the same time. Rarity was about to heal Fluttershy from the last fight, but something else happened.

"I got it!" she called out, "Nurse!" she shouted. As Vale and Fluttershy fought, nurse ponies galloped around the field, and a second later, everyone felt rejuvenated.

"Fire Ball!" Twilight shouted, hitting the Wolfie that Fluttershy was focusing on the most, killing it. She then felt that same power that Vale felt, and decided to unleash it.

"That's enough!" Twilight shouted, going into Over Limit. She then began casting a spell, but instead of the normal spell, she activated something much stronger.

~Mystic Arte~

"By the power of Canterlot, arise in the name of Princess Celestia! (picture of Twilight looking serious appears) MYSTIC CAGE!" a large magical orb converged around the remaining Wolfies, crushed them and exploded. Believe it or not, they survived (just barely though).

"Beast!" Fluttershy cried out, tackle the last Wolfie she was fighting and killing it. Vale was about to finish hers off, but...

"Photon!" Rarity shouted, killing it for her.

(Play Song: Victory)

"How awful..." Rarity whined trying to fix her mane, "I think that messed up my mane."

Rarity felt a little stronger.

Twilight felt a little stronger.

Fluttershy felt a little stronger.

~End Battle~

Now you and your party continue to gallop to Canterlot. While running, you and the team start to feel a little hungry. Applejack offers to make food for everyone, but...

Title of Skit: Designated Cook – Applejack

"Alright ya'll, Ah cooked us up somethin real special," Applejack says proudly.

"I can't wait!" Emma says, "The last time you made something for us, it was delicious."

"Oh boy..." Rainbow Dash says rolling her eyes.

"I can't wait to see this..." Rarity says.

"And... here it is, dig in!"

There is silence as everyone looks at the brown... substance in the pot.

"Um... it looks..." Fluttershy begins... "Interesting..."

"That's putting it mildly," Rarity says.

"But it looks like she put a lot of effort into it," Twilight says with a nervous smile, "I'm going to take a bowl."

"Yeah, me too!" Pinkie Pie says.

"Vale, what about you?" Twilight asks you.

Do you want a bowl? Yes

You, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie all take bowls, Applejack smiling expectantly. Once you all take sips though, you and Twilight have to stop. It tastes like something you know, and usually tastes really good, but it shouldn't be made like this. Amazingly, Pinkie Pie is still eating.

"Um... Applejack?" Twilight begins, "What is this?"

"Apple Stew," Applejack says proudly.

"And... what went in said apple stew?" Twilight asks.

"Apples," Applejack says simply.

There's dead silence as you wait for her to continue.

"And?" Rarity urges.

"And what?" Applejack asks.

"What else is in it?" Rainbow Dash asks, a little impatient now.

"What else needs to be in it?" Applejack asks in retaliation, "Apples are the healthiest things ta eat in Equestria, an' those apples came fresh from Sweet Apple Acres."

"Well, I love it!" Pinkie Pie says happily.

"Thank you, Pinkie Pie. I actually just came up with it," Applejack says giving Pinkie Pie another bowl. You all just give her deadpanned looks.

"Leave it to Applejack to make something not supposed to be made out of apples... out of apples..." Rarity says with a groan. You and everyone else sigh in sadness, as you're still hungry.

End Skit

You just make Sandwiches for everyone else, and then continue to make the long trek to Canterlot. You must be getting close because the monsters are changing. Now you even see some bandit earth ponies and unicorns around. Two of them notice you and run over t you.

~Battle: Bandit, Rogue Mage (Play Song: Full Force)

"Why are you wasting out time?" Rarity asked.

This time, Fluttershy rushed in by herself to fight the Bandit, who had a dagger in his mouth to fight back, while Twilight, Rarity, and Vale all began casting magic. The Rogue Mage also began casting.

"Thunder Blade!" Vale shouted, casting it on the Mage, who immediately lost focus on her spell.

"Fire Ball!" Twilight shouted, firing at the Bandit. Now Fluttershy had an opening to attack (while this is happening, Vale runs over to the Mage and fights her close quarter.

"Beast!" Fluttershy cried out, tackling the Bantit and knocking it to the ground. While she did that, Rarity cast First Aid on her, healing her. Fluttershy felt a surge of power, and couldn't hold it in.

"You've pushed me TOO FAR!" Fluttershy shouted, going into Over Limit. She then went to the Bandit, and used Omega Tempest, which led into another move.

"I really didn't want to do this!"

~Mystic Arte~

She closes her eyes and the wind picks up around her, "Oh essence of Celestia... shine a light to protect my friends and push back those who would harm them!" (picture of Fluttershy crying out elegantly) "HOLY FEATHERS!" feathers shot out of her wings and scattered around, hitting the Bandit and the Mage a little (wasn't as close) and also rose everyone's defense and offence.

After that, the Bandit fell down unconscious. Rarity took that as her chance to call on that same power herself.

"This is it!" Rarity called out, going into Over Limit. She then began casting a spell while Vale and Fluttershy fought the mage (who was casting). Even Twilight ran over to the Mage and began hitting her with her book. Rarity saw her chance and used the new power she saw.

~Mystic Arte~

"Do not think you can escape!" Rarity shouted pointing her horn to they sky. It then began glowing brightly (picture of Rarity looking serious), "POUR FORTH OH STARLIGHT!" she shouted, firing a blast in the sky. A barrage of sharp arrows shot down onto the Mage, "ASTRAL RAIN!"

The Mage couldn't survive that attack, and fell down unconscious.

(Play Song: Victory)

"Out, out, out, out, get OOOOOOUUUUTTTT!" Rarity shouted angrily with all her might.

~End Battle~

With that fight done, you continue to make your way to Canterlot, which you can now see in the distance. You're almost there. You decide to make a straight shoot into the capital city, ending the long trip.

This Phase was mostly just game play, because I felt like I needed to train the characters a bit for what's to come. The next few Chapters are going to be really good, you'll see.