It has been a while, I know, but school got in the way. Also I needed to come up with more concepts for what happens in the story. I'm going to be adding a few mechanics now that I'm back in the swing of things, just so you'll know. Anyway, here's the next phase.
New and better opening. Tales of Vesperia's opening. Recently started playing it, and I love this song. Both Japanese and English are valid.
Phase 13: What Now?
Three days later...
It's morning in Canterlot, and you've just woken up with a yawn. After rubbing your eyes, you jump off your bed and stretch a bit, ready to start your day.
You walk down the large stairs, where you see Emma waiting for you. She looks really depressed.
"Good morning Vale..." she says sadly. Apparently she's still upset about three days ago. You are too. I mean, it was Princess Celestia who died, the one pony you thought was invincible. You ask her how she's doing.
"I'm okay, just really shocked," Emma says, "Of all the ponies to die, why did it have to be her?" you nod in agreement with her statement, "Not just that, but Fluttershy is being held by Chaos. Do you think she's okay?"
Do you think Fluttershy is okay? She won't be if we don't find her soon
"Glad to see you and I are on the same page on that," Emma says, "But we don't know where they took her."
True, you don't know where they are. You never thought of Chaos as an entire organization, just a force of nature that created monsters. Three days ago proved you wrong when you saw Chaos had minions.
Emma sighs in frustration, "Vale, what are we going to do? Princess Celestia is gone, Fluttershy is who-knows-where, and Chaos is probably stronger than ever!"
Your fairy companion is right, but with no leads you have no way of moving forward. For now, until you have an answer to Emma's question, you decide to go around Canterlot and see everyone. Your first stop is Twilight's room, which when you go inside you find is empty except for Spike.
"Good morning Vale, Emma," Spike says to you.
"Good morning Spike," Emma says, "Um, where's Twilight?"
"I think she's outside at Princess Celestia's monument," Spike replies sadly, "She's taking her death the hardest."
"Were they really that close?" Emma asks.
"Closer, actually," Spike states, "Twilight saw the Princess sort of like an older sister, and after three days ago I think it was the other way around too."
"Really?" Emma asks.
"Well, she would do things that sort of made it seem like she cared about Twilight more than just how a teacher loves their student. I remember one time when I was really young, Twilight got really sick and had to stay in bed. The Princess however, stayed by Twilight's side the whole time until she got better."
"She really loved her, didn't she?" Emma says, looking down in sadness.
"She did. I mean, she loved everypony in Equestria, but her love for Twilight was really strong."
"Poor Twilight," Emma says, "Vale, let's look for her."
"Um, before you go," Spike says, "Princess Luna said she wanted to discuss something with all of us later. While you're out, could you gather everyone and have them meet us in the castle library?"
"Sure thing, Spike," Emma says, you nodding in agreement.
You leave the room and begin searching for Twilight. Where was Celestia's monument? You look around until you find Spitfire walking through a hallway. She seems to spend a lot of time here, so you decide to ask her if she knows where the monument is.
"Oh, hi Vale," Spitfire says, "You look lost."
"We are," Emma says, "We're searching for Celestia's Monument. Do you know where it is?"
"Oh yeah. It's in the courtyard. The door at the end of that hallway should take you there," she explains, pointing to the hallway down to your left.
"Thanks, Spitfire." Emma says.
"No prob. Any friend of Dash's is a friend of mine."
Before you leave, you and Emma decide to ask Spitfire a few more things.
"How is Rainbow Dash," Emma asks Spitfire, "We haven't seen much of her since the funeral."
"She's been out in the fields training. She plans on searching for Fluttershy," Spitfire explains.
"By herself? Vale, we have to find her!" Emma cries out.
"I don't think she's gone too far from Canterlot. You should be able to find her right outside Canterlot."
"Let's go find her as soon as possible," Emma says to you.
After that conversation is over, you decide to go to the courtyard first, as it's closer. You follow Spitfire's instructions like she said, and sure enough you find the Courtyard. In the center of it is a large stone monument with a statue of the sun on top. Sitting in front of it with her head bowed down is Twilight Sparkle; her eyes are closed, and it looks like she either is crying, or she just got finished crying. This may not be the best time to talk to her, but you decide to go over to Twilight anyway to at least say good morning to her.
But you're only reply from her is silence.
"Twilight," Emma says softly, "Princess Luna wants to see us later," Twilight is silent. Did she even hear you and Emma?
"Tw, Twilight?" Emma asks.
"...should have been me..." Twilight says softly, shocking you and Emma.
"What?" Emma cries out. Twilight breaks down and starts crying.
"That blast from Trixie was meant for me, not the Princess! It should have been me who died, not her! Not the Princess! NOT Celestia! ME!" Twilight shouts, crying even harder now. What Spike said was true. She clearly is taking her death the hardest.
"Twilight..." Emma says softly.
"I'm lost now..." Twilight sobs, "I don't know what to do anymore..."
"What we need to do is find where Chaos took Fluttershy," Emma states, "If we do that then-"
"I... can't..."
"What? What do you mean you can't?" Emma asks.
"Without Princess Celestia, I don't think I can..." Twilight says, leaving her thought incomplete, but you know what she's trying to say. Sadly, she's lost her will to fight. That's understandable, but now isn't the time to grieve.
"Twilight, we can't do this without you," Emma says, "You have to come with us!"
"I'm sorry..." Twilight says, "But I can't do anything without her... I'm sorry, Vale..."
You look at Twilight in sadness, and decide to leave it at that for a while. You still need to find everyone else. Hopefully they aren't as bad as she is...
You go back into the castle and begin making your way into town. In Canterlot, the entire atmosphere has changed. Whereas once it was lively and upbeat, now there's a cloud of sadness and despair over the city. You explore a bit, until you find Rarity and Applejack at the fountain in the center of Canterlot. They look like they're talking, so you watch them from a distance for a little while.
"Ah can't believe that Trixie!" Applejack shouts, "First she kidnaps Fluttershy, and then she kills the Princess? When Ah git mah hooves on her, Ah swear, Ah'll... Ah'll..."
"Applejack, calm down," Rarity reasons, "it's uncouth to show this amount of emotion."
"Well 'scuse me for carin!" Applajack shouts, "In case ya forgot, yer so called "best friend" was the one who got captured! Unlike you, Ah don't have to pretend to care!"
That was going a little too far, you think, and apparently Rarity thinks the same thing. She breathes in heavily, walks over to Applejack, and slaps her!
"How DARE you assume I don't care!" Rarity says, still controlled, but clearly upset now, "Fluttershy is my best friend, and I am worried sick about her! I am just as angry at Trixie as you for what she did, especially for killing Princess Celestia, but tell me Applejack, WHAT. CAN. WE. DO?" Rarity shouts at Applejack, who looks down in shame.
"W, well... Ah..."
"Exactly! You don't know, and neither do I! Emoting at nothing will only get us NOTHING! What we need to do now is think about our next move, and how we're going to execute it! THAT'S what I'm doing!"
With that Rarity turns her back to Applejack and sits back down. Applejack sighs in defeat.
"Alright, ya made yer point," Applejack says, "Ah'm sorry, Rarity. Ah shouldn't have assumed nothin. Of course ya care what happened. Ah just ain't good at bein rational in time's like these."
Rarity sighs, "It's alright Applejack. I don't hold it against you. This is an emotional time for all of us."
"One question," Applejack says, "How do you keep yer cool in these times. Ah don't think Ah've even seen ya cry. Even Pinkie Pie was cryin at the funeral."
"Just because you didn't see me cry, doesn't mean I didn't," Rarity says.
It looks like that conversation has ended, so you decide to make your presence known to them. You go over to Rarity first, who now that you think about it, does seem a little too calm about the whole thing.
"Good morning, Vale," Rarity says to you. Rather than ask her the same question Applejack asked (probably to just get the same answer) you tell her about the meeting with Princess Luna, "Ah, I see. I guess it is about time we got moving. I'll start making my way to the castle."
Now that that's done, you go over to Applejack. After saying good morning to her, you tell her about Princess Luna as well.
"So we're finally gonna git movin?" Applejack asks, "Alright then, Ah'll git over there mahself, too. See ya'll there."
Now that that's done, you decide to make your way out of town to find Rainbow Dash, as you have no idea where Pinkie Pie is (probably somewhere random, knowing her). Hopefully she isn't too far out of town.
When you make it outside Canterlot, you see Rainbow Dash kicking a tree. It looks like she's training or something, just like Spitfire said. You also see Pinkie Pie kneeling down on a stone nearby, watching her.
Rainbow Dash lands in front of the tree and breathes out in exhaustion. They must have been out here for a while.
"Still... not... fast... enough..." Dash pants.
"You know what you need Dashie? You need sugar!" Pinkie Pie says reaching into a bag she had nearby, "Thank goodness I still have some cupcakes left over from the funeral."
Rainbow Dash sighs, "How on EARTH is a cupcake going to help?" she asks, making Pinkie Pie giggle.
"Well, sugar makes you hyper, and if your hyper, then you can move faster! Come on Dashie, that one was easy!"
Rainbow Dash laughs, "Alright, alright, you win," she goes over to Pinkie Pie and takes a cupcake from the pack she pulled out of her bag, "You just wanted me to take a break, didn't you."
"Well that was part of it," Pinkie Pie admits with a laugh. You can tell they are really close, those two. They almost look like sisters.
"Why are you so calm?" Rainbow Dash asks Pinkie Pie, who's happily munching on a cupcake (for her, it's more believable than it is for Rarity), "Chaos is running rampant, Fluttershy is AWOL, Princess Celestia is..." she can't even finish that statement, so she shakes her head, "yet here you are still your perky, lovable, self."
"Silly, there's nothing to worry about," Pinkie Pie says simply, shocking Rainbow Dash.
"Nothing to- Did you hear anything I just said?"
"Uh, yeah, I heard you. But come on! It's not like we aren't going to win. Princess Celestia believed in us, and she was the strongest pony is Equestria."
"Well, that's true, but..." Rainbow Dash says looking down.
"Besides," Pinkie Pie begins in a tone softer than what you're used to, "I know you can rescue Fluttershy."
"How can you say that?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"Simple," Pinkie Pie closes her eyes and smiles, "You saved me, remember?"
That statement... was... weird! She saved Pinkie Pie? Apparently Rainbow Dash knows what she means, because she just looks at Pinkie Pie in sadness.
"But that was... I mean... I wasn't even thinking about..."
"None of that matters," Pinkie Pie says, "I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you. I know you can save Fluttershy because saving ponies is just something you do."
"Pinkamena..." Rainbow Dash says, shocking you even more. Is that Pinkie Pie's real name? Why did Rainbow Dash use it? Why doesn't anyone else use it? Are they really that close?
"So shut up and eat your cupcake!" Pinkie Pie says, returning to her usual self. Rainbow Dash laughs and continues to eat her cupcake. After a while, she goes back to the tree and continues to train. You take that as your chance to go over to them. You go to Pinkie Pie first as she's closer to you.
"Hey Vale," she says happily. You explain to her what Spike said, "So time to kick Chaos' butt, right? I'll get the trumpets ready!"
"Um... trumpets?" Emma asks in confusion.
"You never know..." Pinkie Pie says looking around in animated paranoia. What is this pony on? You slowly nod to her (just when you thought you could have a normal conversation with her...) and go over to Rainbow Dash.
"Oh Vale, perfect timing," Rainbow Dash says, "We need to discuss what happened at the party. I'm really worried about Fluttershy, and Chaos is stronger than ever," you explain to her about the meeting with Princess Luna, "So, she feels the same way, huh? Cool. I'll get Pinkie Pie and we'll meet you all there."
Well four out of five isn't so bad. You decide to for now head back to the castle so you can meet Princess Luna. On your way back, you see that Rarity and Applejack are no longer at the fountain. They must be waiting for you back at the castle.
When you get back to the castle you decide to try Twilight Sparkle one last time, so instead of going to the library you head to the Courtyard. Sure enough Twilight is still there. It doesn't look like she moved from her spot at all. You go over to her and ask her one more time to come with you to the library.
"I'm sorry... Vale..." Twilight says sadly, "I... can't..."
You give Twilight a saddened look before you make your way to the library. Once there you see Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and even Spike, all waiting for you.
"Glad ta see ya, Sugarcube," Applejack says when you walk in.
"Where on earth is Twilight though?" Rarity asks, "She needs to be here too."
"Maybe she got lost," Pinkie Pie reasons, "I mean, this place is huge, even I get lost here."
"Honestly, you'd get lost in your own closet," Rainbow Dash jokes.
"She's not lost..." Emma says, getting everyone's attention.
"She's not?" Rarity asks.
"So where is she?" Dash asks.
You then tell everyone about the state Twilight was in when you spoke to her.
"Oh, Twilight..." Spike says. He looks almost disappointed.
"How can she just give up like this?" Rainbow Dash asks, "What about Fluttershy? What about Equestria?"
"She can't be serious!" Applejack shouts, "After ev'rythang that happened we can't jus give up!"
"She's depressed," Emma reasons, "Her teacher died. You can't blame her for being sad."
"I bet I know what'll make her feel better," Pinkie Pie says, suddenly pulling out a bag of streamers out of nowhere (where did they come from?), "Thank goodness I have enough for everypony."
"Come on, Pinkie," Rarity says, "The last thing she needs right now is a party, nor is now the time."
"Yeah... I guess your right..." Pinkie Pie says looking disappointed.
"How are we going to stop Chaos now?" Spike asks, "I mean, we need the Elements of Harmony along with the Element of Courage."
"The answer is, we won't," Luna says out of nowhere, walking into the room now herself, "I was told by Celestia to tell this to everyone, including Twilight Sparkle."
"But what are we going to do?" Emma asks.
"I'll tell you what we're gonna do!" Rainbow Dash says intensely, "We're gonna go find her, and talk some sense into her!"
"Normally, I'd accuse Rainbow Dash of being too rash," Rarity says, "But we already lost Fluttershy. Also, she is our leader after all."
"And it's just not as fun without her," Pinkie Pie says.
"So we're all in agreement?" Applejack asks, "We talk ta Twilight?"
Do you agree? Yes
"I'll wait for you here," Luna says sternly, "Please come back here with Twilight Sparkle."
~Applejack joined your party
~Pinkie Pie joined your party
~Rainbow Dash joined your party
~Rarity joined your party
You lead everyone out to the Courtyard where Twilight was. Thankfully she's still there when you arrive. She doesn't seem to notice you (either that, or she doesn't care) so you and your party approach her.
"Twilight, what's this nonsense Vale and Emma said about you not fighting?" Rarity asks. Twilight remains silent, which makes Rainbow Dash really aggravated.
"Well? We're waiting!" Rainbow Dash says harshly, "Is it true? After everything that's happened are you just going to give up?"
"No way," Pinkie Pie says happily, "Twilight never gives up!"
"It's... true..." Twilight says, shocking everyone who didn't know.
"Wh, what?" Pinkie Pie asks slowly, apparently shocked to hear that.
"Everything that's happened so far is my fault," Twilight says softly, "From the moment I went searching for the Elements of Harmony to take on Night Mare Moon. I was the one who unleashed Chaos, and now the one pony I swore I'd protect died trying to protect me! I was the one who killed Princess Celestia!"
"Naw, naw, Sugarcube..." Applejack says walking up to Twilight and putting a hoof on her shoulder, "What did Ah tell ya about that kind of talk."
"Don't start Applejack!" Twilight shouts pushing Applejack's foreleg away, "It's true and you all know it! If I hadn't started poking my nose in things that were beyond me—"
"Then Equestria would be trapped in an eternal night," Rarity says, "Not only that, but none of us would be friends."
"Well..."
"Are you saying that you regret meeting us?" Rarity asks in a challenging way.
"Of course not!" Twilight shouts looking at Rarity angrily, "I would never say that!"
"Then what are you saying?" Rarity asks Twilight, who's getting more and more upset now.
"I'm saying that I'm scared!" Twilight shouts before collapsing in grief and crying, "I've always had Princess Celestia guiding me! Now she's gone, and I don't know what to do!" she looks in Rarity's eyes, "You seem to have all the answers now, so what should I do? Tell me, Rarity!"
"I..." Rarity looks lost for words. This could get ugly, maybe you should chime in.
What do you say? Make use of the life she protected
"!"
That hit a nerve, and Twilight looks at you shocked.
"Wh, what?" she asks.
"Vale's right!" Rainbow Dash says, "She did die protecting you, but that was because she believed in you!"
"Mopin around like this ain't gonna help nopony," Applejack reasons, "And Ah don't think the Princess would want you to give up, not after all of this."
"Besides, we're going to need your help to saving Fluttershy," Emma says, "And Vale and I don't know Equestria like everyone else."
"Please Twilight," Pinkie Pie says sweetly, "We need you to come with us. I want to throw a big party to celebrate our victory, and I can't have that party without you."
"Please come with us Twilight," Spike says hugging her, "I can't go without you. I need you."
"You guys..." Twilight says looking around. You nod to her, and Rarity just gives Twilight a sweet smile, "Princess Celestia would really be disappointed if she saw me like this, huh?" she chuckles to herself, and then looks up with somewhat renewed spirits, "Right, Equestria is counting on us."
"Damn right!" Applejack says with a smile.
"Now we're talking!" Rainbow Dash says.
"Does this mean I can bring the extra trumpet?" Pinkie Pie asks, confusing the hell out of you.
"Again with the trumpets?" Emma asks.
"Rarity, I'm sorry for yelling at you," Twilight says.
"Oh, water under the bridge, darling," Rarity says sweetly, "We're all upset about what happened, but we can't stop moving. Right now, we have a world to save, and a friend in danger."
"Right, Fluttershy..." Twilight says, apparently thinking about Fluttershy now, "Okay, let's head to the library and meet Princess Luna. I think I need to apologize to her as well," everyone nods and begins making their way back to the library.
~Twilight Sparkle has joined your party
Now that Twilight is back, you gallop back to the library. When you make it back inside, you see Luna standing in front of a desk reading a book. You and the others walk over to her, and she immediately turns to you with that same stern expression.
"Princess, I..." Twilight says looking down.
"I understand you're grieving over my sister's death, but right now we must move forward," Luna explains, "Let's just focus on that."
"Right..." it looks like Twilight is still feeling guilty, but you decide to give Luna your undivided attention as she makes the book she was reading float over to you.
"This book is the full account of the scribe Osiris," Luna turns to you, "Have any of you heard of Osiris?"
"I believe I'm familiar with the name," Rarity says, "He founded many of the great temples in Equestria. It's said that the magical rules we Unicorns live by are all based off of his teachings."
"I didn't take you for a book worm," Rainbow Dash says. Rarity turns her nose up in the air.
"That's common knowledge for Unicorns," Rarity states.
"You also know then that Osiris was the stallion that made the Elements of Harmony?" Luna asks. Rarity looks at Luna in shock.
"That much... I didn't know," she says slowly.
"Ah'm assumin that's got somthin ta do wit us, right?" Applejack asked.
"My sister feels that it would be best for you to go on the same journey as Osiris," Luna says looking away, "At the very least, you may learn something about the Elements of Harmony and Chaos."
"Ooooh, we're going on a pilgrimage," Pinkie Pie says dreamily, "Sounds like fun!"
"What part of "we're trying to save the world" do you not get?" Emma asks.
"What about Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asks, "I'm not going to proceed without her!"
"Truth is, we can't proceed without her," Spike says, "She's the Element of Kindness. Sorry, but I'm not going to be New Fluttershy."
What is he talking about? You decide to leave it alone for now.
"Of course, saving the Element of Kindness is top priority," Luna says, "But until we know more about where she is, all we can do is move forward. Hopefully following the path of Osiris will lead you down the right path."
"Don't worry, Sugar Cube," Applejack says going over to Rainbow Dash, "Ah'm sure we'll find Fluttershy."
Twilight has been reading the book for a long time. She looks up with a serious expression and then turns to everyone.
"Our first step needs to be back to Ponyville," she says, shocking everyone.
"Back to Ponyville?" Emma asks, "Why?"
"There's something in the deepest part of the Everfree Forest. I think Osiris may have constructed one of the Elements of Harmony there," Twilight explains.
"It'll be good to go back home for a little while," Rarity says, "Think we can stop by the town for a little while?"
"I don't see why not," Twilight says. She then turns to Luna, "Thank you Princess. We will be keeping in touch."
"I just want this fight to end," Luna states, "You, Guardian," she's looking right at you, "The Element of Courage may not have been made by Osiris, but it's just as important. Spend this time also learning what your Element means."
She's a lot more up front than Celestia was, but you slowly nod.
"Guess it's homeward bound?" Applejack asks.
"Guess so," Rarity says, "But can we not walk this time?" Everyone laughs, yet no one seems to notice the dejected look on Rarity's face, "I was being serious."
Discord and Trixie are standing in front of a cell door. Discord crosses his arms and looks inside seriously.
"I don't know why the Master wanted this pony," he says, "I tried to convert her once, and that proved to be pointless."
"Don't underestimate the Master," Trixie replies, "The Element of Chaos was strong enough to release you. It's only a matter of time before she cracks."
Trixie was about to walk off, "I have to say though," Discord says stopping her, "You were strong enough to kill Celestia. Not even I'm strong enough to do that."
"It's all thanks to Chaos," Trixie says darkly, "But next time, I won't miss," she walks off, leaving Discord alone in front of the cell.
"Such a sweet girl," Discord says, "It almost seems like a shame what we're doing to her."
Inside the cell, Fluttershy is surrounded with red runes, and she's holding her head in pain.
"NO!" she screams, "I can't do it! I tried, but I can't fight it anymore!" she sobs weakly, "I'm no Guardian! I'm not strong like she is!" she lets go of her head and falls to the ground, "I'm sorry... everyone..."
FYI, this story happens in an alternate universe where Inner Demons doesn't happen. That doesn't mean that I won't draw from it, it just means that there's no connection to these stories.