SPOILERS!
...
..
Ya been warned! Don’t go any further unless you want to be spoiled!
...
..
.
Fluttershy shows up at Dash's house reading a Daring Do novel, or so it seems. As it turns out, it isn't written by Daring Do, but by an author named Q.Q. Martingale (a clear reference to J.R.R. Martin). The book is about the so-called "truth" about Daring Do from the perspective of her arch nemesis Dr. Cabeleron.
They quickly rush to the Daring Do book signing to warn A.K. Yearling, only to discover a line of fans who aren't fans, but are criticizing her for what she wrote about Dr. Cabaleron, as well as what are clearly a number of lies (Daring Do would never kick a puppy!).
A.K. tells them Q.Q. Martingale is across the street at another book store, signing his book, and Flutters and Dash head over to confront him. They see him at the table dressed in a cap and wearing a grey beard, a DEFINITE reference to J.R.R. Martin, by the way, and he tells them that it's all true.
My favorite exchange happens next:
Cabaleron: "...Take a look, it's in my book."
Rainbow Dash: "I don't have to take your word for it!"
I have been waiting ages for an official Reading Rainbow joke (outside of the title from the actual episode), and this one cinches it. I love it. I love it, I love it, I love it. *dah dah dah!*
Fluttershy being empathetic as she is (something I completely understand) sympathizes with "Q.Q," and wants to help him. By the way, "QQ" is internet slang for crying, so I have no doubt that was intentional, too.
Anyway, Fluttershy asks him if he wants to talk about what happened, and so "Q.Q." goes into detail about what happened to cause his turn on Daring Do. He weaves a story that depicts Daring Do as an artifact thief, keeping them for herself while he wants to put them in a museum. Flutters calls him out on this asking why he tried to sell it to a dealer, and he insists "the museum was closed." Mhm.
Anyway, once Fluttershy seems sympathetic to his plight, he reveals he is Dr. Cabaleron, and Flutters reintroduces herself. She is swept up in his charismatic overtures, and agrees to go with him on an expedition to find out the truth.
Also, it turns out Daring Do did kick a puppy once, but it was an accident.
Dash hurries back across the street to let Daring Do know that Flutters is in danger. Daring surmises they must be out to find the True Talisman of Tuanatil (?) which requires the wings of a pegasus to retrieve it.
Daring and Dash head off to stop them.
Meanwhile, Cabaleron is laying on the gentleness awfully thick for Fluttershy. Of course, Flutters kindness is unexpected, and I love that she keeps that sweetness here. They are set upon by ferocious beasts, but Fluttershy talks them down, and saves the team.
Cabaleron is amazed. Fluttershy is having a blast, and I'm kind of hoping now that she will change their hearts. Maybe? We'll see.
It turns out that the Talisman is used to force the user to tell the truth. Cabaleron wants it because it's made of solid gold.
Anyway, back to the gang, Flutters is having an effect on them, even getting Cabaleron's second in command to smile when she tells him she has faith in him. Also, spider bees are the scariest thing ever. I never wish to see them again.
Suddenly, Dash and Daring are captured by Ahuizotl, but they escape before he can do anything.
Finally, the Cabaleron gang makes it to the temple and reaches the Talisman. Fluttershy volunteers to retrieve it after Cabaleron makes a show of not knowing it required a pegasus.
When a trap is released upon touching the Talisman, the Cabaleron gang rush to save Fluttershy, surprising all of them. Fortunately, they rescue her and Cabaleron puts on the talisman just in time for Dash and Daring to arrive.
When Flutters says that her new friends are only going to put it in a museum, she asks Cabaleron who, forced to tell the truth by the talisman, tells her no. Dash accuses Cabaleron of being a fake friend to Fluttershy in order to get her help, wanting to show Flutters that she was just being used.
Instead, Cabaleron, and his gang, admit that they like Fluttershy, and that she is their first genuine friend. That while they wanted to do that at first, they've come to value her friendship and kindness. The talisman shows this is true.
Ahuizotl shows up right then to attack them, leaving them to get out of the trap he's locked them into, with guardian goyles attacking. Yeah, they're stone pegasi with fangs. It's pretty cool.
Anyhoo, brainstorming, Cabaleron and Daring Do work together to disable the gaurdian goyles using bright lights, and manage to find a way out of the temple trap. As they make their way out of the main temple area, Azhuitol is waiting for them. They keep the Talisman away by tossing it to one another. One of my favorite moments is when Daring throws the Talisman to Dash, who says "I'm going to need the deluxe spa package after this adventure... that doesn't leave this temple."
I knew it.
Anyway, the game of keepaway works long enough for them to crawl into a hiding space. Running out of time, Fluttershy realizes she could just ask Ahuizotl what's bothering him. For anypony else it would be impossible, for Fluttershy? It works flawlessly.
Ahuizotl admits that he must protect the jungle, and that Daring and Cabaleron have taken so many artifacts that he will be in serious trouble if they manage to steal anymore. Both Daring and Cabaleron seem contrite about what they've done, and give Auizhotl the Talisman, vowing never to do it again.
Flutters slams home the great point that every creature deserves kindness (completely agreed, sweetie). As a result, Ahuizotl lets them all go.
Daring says that gives her an idea for her next book, and Cabaleron is surprised when he finds out that she really *is* A.K. Yearling, at which point he gets an idea.
Some time later, we see Dashie entering the bookstore where A.K. and "Q.Q." are sitting, having co-written a story together. There are no lines of ponies, though, because they've been upstaged by another author: Ahuizotl.
Scene.
So yet another legend ends before the series is over! Now Daring Do and Dr. Cabaleron work together, and he has learned the value of friendship. I hope his henchman got to become an opera singer. This was fun from beginning to end, and easily gets an
A. I can't wait to see how everything else is going to be wrapped up before the end. Not too many to go!
