[knock knock]
Oh! I just stopped by to thank you
for letting me borrow your Daring Do books! I love them.
Wait till you get to "Daring Do and the Riddle of the Sphinx!"
This is actually my second time through.
I've read them all,
from "Daring Do and the Sapphire Statue"
to "Daring Do and the Fallen Idol!"
Fallen Idol? That's not in the series.
Oh, it just came out last week.
Maybe that's why you haven't heard of it?
No way Daring Do's biggest fan, ME,
would miss a book coming out!
Besides, A.K. Yearling always sends me a copy!
Well, I'm happy to let you borrow mine
until yours arrives.
"The true story of the thieving fraud
known as Daring Do?" WHAT?
Why would A.K. Yearling write that about herself?
Oh! It looks like she didn't.
This book says it's by Groom Q. Q. Martingale.
Who?
I guess he's a new writer.
A BAD one.
"The only thing worse than Daring Do's
destruction of temples
is her cruelty to the mild-mannered Dr. Caballeron?"
It was written from his point of view.
I figured it was an artistic choice.
More like a disaster!
Listen: "Daring Do isn't just a fictional character
from over-the-top adventure stories.
I've met her, and she is a real, live pony."
That's supposed to be a secret!
[grunt[
We're the only ones who know Daring Do
is really A.K. Yearling in disguise.
But if other ponies read this book,
how long will it take them to figure that out?
We have to go warn her!
FLUTTERSHY!
Hmm? Oh. Sorry.
♪ My little pony, my little pony ♪
♪ Aaaahhh ♪
♪ My little Pony ♪
♪ I used to wonder what friendship could be. ♪
♪ My Little Pony ♪
♪ Until you all shared its magic with me. ♪
♪ Big adventure! ♪ ♪ Tons of fun ♪
♪ A beautiful heart! ♪ ♪ Faithful and strong! ♪
♪ Sharing kindness ♪ ♪ it's an easy feat ♪
♪ And magic makes it all complete! ♪
♪ To have my little pony ♪
♪ Do you know you're all my very best friends? ♪
♪♪
A.K. Yearling is signing all her books
at the bookstore today.
We can warn her about what's going on!
Don't you think you should read Martingale's book first?
Just to hear both sides of the story?
Uh, why? The only true thing in that pack of lies
is that Daring Do is REAL.
There's also a lot of insight
into Dr. Caballeron's life choices.
Did you know he's actually a history professor
and amateur bird watcher?
Are you serious right now?
A random writer trashes our friend and exposes her secret
and you wanna talk about birds?
Also spider cruelty.
WHAT?
You have to admit Daring Do
wrecks a lot of spider webs in her adventures.
In order to save precious artifacts from the bad guy,
who you seem to have forgotten is Dr. Caballeron!
Are you sure you read the same series I did?
[door opens]
♪♪
Well, at least A.K. Yearling's true fans
know Martingale's book is bogus.
I'm not sure those are all fans.
♪♪
Why didn't your books say Daring Do was real?
This changes everything!
And why do you only write about her good side?
Is she bribing you?
On page 531 it says Daring Do kicks puppies.
She does?
What? No! Look, are any of you here
for my actual book signing?
Nuh-uh.
Frankly, I don't even know how you can call it fiction
if it's all real. You're as much of a fake as Daring Do!
[angry agreement]
I guess we're a little late to warn you
about the new book, huh?
I always feared that someday,
everypony would learn Daring Do was real.
But why? Aren't you proud of your adventures?
Of course! But I'm not in it for the fame.
The stories just seemed too good to keep to myself.
I wish I knew who this "Martingale" author was,
and why he's determined to ruin my character... and me.
Maybe we can ask him.
No way! He's doing a signing across the street?
You'd better go without me.
I can't risk the chance Martingale
might recognize me as Daring Do.
♪♪
Oops. Um, sorry. Excuse us.
That's not Martingale!
It's Doctor Caballeron in disguise!
Now it all makes sense! Daring Do's arch nemesis
created a fake "author" self so he can write books
that make him sound like a hero! Who does that?
Uh, A.K. Yearling?
This is totally different.
Well, well, well. Up to your old tricks again, huh?
Just like in Somnambula!
Spreading lies to make Daring Do look bad!
Would you sign our book?
I am just a simple author, telling it like it is.
Who should I make it out to?
Fluttershy, with two T's.
[grunt]
We know who you REALLY are!
And unless you want us to tell all of them,
you'd better answer some questions!
I'm afraid that's all we have time for today.
Awwww!
But please take a free copy of my book on your way out!
Yeah!
Whoo hoo!
We aren't going to let you get away with this, Caballeron!
Get away with what? I am merely telling my side of the story.
You mean lying!
You think everything in A.K. Yearling's books are true?
In "Daring Do and the Quetzal's Quest"
she states that the Fangthorn Flowers are red.
In fact, they are blue!
It's true. They are.
Pfft! That sounds like more of an editor's mistake.
Still, if that is wrong...
is it not possible that other, bigger things are too?
Take a look. It's in my book.
But I don't have to take your word for it!
C'mon, Fluttershy.
[sob]
Is something wrong?
It is terrible being misunderstood.
It is true, in the past I have not been as nice
to Daring Do as I should. But I have my reasons!
Want to talk about what happened?
My team and I were only ever interested
in researching artifacts.
And taking them to our museum
where other ponies could study them.
♪♪
But Daring Do always seemed to get there first,
with her own plans.
I offered to team up with her, but she refused.
She had her own ideas of where the treasures belonged.
Daring Do did have a lot of artifacts
on her shelves at home.
But didn't you try to sell them to the highest bidder?
Only because I had to.
Since Daring Do kept taking our artifacts,
our museum closed.
We were desperate for money to keep it open.
She does destroy a lot of ancient sites.
Not to mention the homes of the animals that live there.
And I felt it was my duty to tell the world.
Thank you for listening and understanding, Ms...?
Fluttershy. Two T's.
And I am Dr. Caballeron.
Martingale is merely a nom de plume to build my brand.
You know, my team could use an insightful Pegasus
like you, Fluttershy.
Have you ever thought of being an adventurer?
Who, me?
♪♪
[door opens]
Finally! What took you so long?
I decided to find out which author
is really telling the truth,
so I joined Dr. C's Tenochtitlan expedition!
♪ [ominous music] ♪
Say what?
So Daring Do doesn't kick puppies?
That was ONE time. Accidentally!
A.K.! You have to help me!
Groom Q.Q. Martingale is really Dr. Caballeron,
and he has Fluttershy!
The book thing was his new plan
to ruin Daring Do's reputation.
And he's trying to make my friend a criminal!
They're off to Tenochtitlan right now!
He must be after the Truth Talisman of Tonatiuh.
It requires the wings of a Pegasus to retrieve it!
That's gotta be why Caballeron tricked Fluttershy
into joining his gang!
Then it's up to us to stop him!
[whoosh]
Whoa.
♪♪
Watch where you put your hooves, everypony.
We do not want to disturb the fragile jungle ecosystem.
Oh, that's so thoughtful.
Yes, unlike Daring Do, who slashes plants aside
with her cruel machete.
Thank you.
[whack]
Fool! Don't you know that's poison?
I don't want you to get hurt, my friend. Heh heh.
But I'm hungry.
Oh, I can help with that! Here!
You are...willing to share?
Of course! That's part of the fun
of having an adventure with friends!
[eating]
[leaves rustling]
[growl]
[yowl]
[growl]
[gasps]
[yowl]
♪ [tense music] ♪
♪♪
Fluttershy! Run!
These ferocious beasts want to eat us for dinner!
That's a common misconception.
Have you ever tried just talking to them?
That's crazy! You are on your own!
She's a goner.
I can't watch.
[purring]
We're very sorry for coming into your territory.
But we're just passing through.
How...did you do that?
Everycreature likes to be listened to.
You just need to take the time to understand them.
You are more talented than I realized.
Thanks. I'm having the best time with you all!
Fluttershy must be having the worst time
with Caballeron's goons.
We need to catch up to them
before they reach the truth talisman!
Why? What's so special about it?
It has the power to make the pony holding it
tell the truth.
But Caballeron only wants it because
it's made of solid gold.
He'll melt it down and use it to get rich.
So if this talisman is so important,
why didn't you already save it?
You said only a Pegasus can get it, right?
Yes. But the temple traps are far too dangerous
to face without a map. And maybe even with one.
[gulp]
♪ [military snare drum] ♪
Boss, how about we take the shortcut?
How about you be quiet!
Uh, I mean... no thank you, Biff.
Let's just follow the map.
I'm supposed to be Dr. C's second in command.
But he never listens to me.
Well, keep trying! I believe in you.
♪♪
At last!
Now we simply have to wait for the sun
to reach its highest point.
♪♪
And our path will be revealed.
♪♪
Withers. Don't. Move.
[buzzing]
[toot]
[buzzing]
[tooting]
Ah ha ha!
There they are!
We can catch them before they enter the temple!
Gah!
[thud]
Get back, Rainbow Dash! It's Ahuizotl-
[thud]
What! Gah!
[evil laugh]
Daring Do. My old nemesis.
You may have outsmarted my jungle cats,
but you cannot escape me!
We didn't see any cats!
We're just here to rescue Fluttershy!
Hmm. It must be a coincidence that only a Pegasus
can retrieve Tonatiuh's treasure...
And there are two of you here.
[crash]
♪♪
[roar]
♪♪
[zapping]
♪ [adventurous music] ♪
♪♪
[grinding rock]
Quickly! Before the sun moves and it closes!
♪♪
Phew! That was cutting it close.
And without a map, we'll have to guess which way to go.
Oh, no! I knew the truth talisman
could not be moved by magic, but I never realized
we'd have to fly to retrieve it!
Our journey has been for nothing!
Don't be upset, I can get it.
Oh, Fluttershy, you are too kind.
But I could never ask that of you. It might be dangerous!
I want to do it! For all of you, my new friends.
And to protect a historical treasure!
[crashing]
[shrieking]
♪♪
Give me a hoof here!
[grunts]
[cracking]
[crash]
[explosions]
[scream]
[gurgling]
♪ [dark music] ♪
[whoosh]
We did it!
You're safe!
Thanks, everypony.
Give us the talisman, Caballeron!
We're not taking no for an answer!
Wait! You don't understand. My friends are researchers!
They only want to study the talisman
and keep it safe in a museum! Right, Dr. C?
Uh... no.
But... but...you said...
Now that he's holding Tonatiuh's talisman,
he has to tell the truth.
Admit it, Caballeron.
You're only pretending to like Fluttershy
because she has the wings you needed
to steal the truth talisman!
Isn't that right?
No!
I admit, that was the original reason.
But my henchponies and I have come to value
your friendship and kindness.
Didn't see that coming.
[crash and groan]
Or that.
More intruders? And you dare to steal Tonatiuh's talisman?
Guardian-goyles, attack!
[cracking]
[evil laughter]
[crashing]
[roar]
Fluttershy! Can't you ask them to stop, like the jungle cats?
Um, excuse me? Guardian-goyles?
It's no good. They're only stone and magic, not alive.
I encountered some like this in Marapore.
Ah, yes. I seem to recall similar creations
in Flankladesh.
So? How do you get rid of them?
[snap]
I know they don't like bright light.
There's none of that in here.
Not yet... Caballeron.
Do you still have the Diamond of Lapis-Lux?
Yes. I mean, YES. I mean... Ah!
How did you know I stole it?
Lucky guess. Hold it high!
♪ [heroic music] ♪
Wow! You two make a great team!
Yeah, I'm not sure how I feel about that.
Feel later. Now, it's time to escape.
If we want to get out of here,
we're all gonna have to work together.
That's...actually a good idea.
See? Told you he'd listen.
A truce until we escape? But how can we trust you?
I cannot lie. Now, all together!
[grunts]
[crash]
You again?
[shriek]
If I wanted to play games,
I would get out my pinochle deck!
This way!
♪♪
Rainbow Dash!
♪♪
I'm gonna need the deluxe spa package after this adventure.
That doesn't leave this temple!
♪♪
That's it! I'm quitting the henchpony business
to finally follow my dreams of becoming an opera star!
Uh...maybe you should hold this.
[crash]
You cannot hide in there forever! It's a dead end.
Ha ha ha ha!
[crash]
Ahuizotl won't give up until he catches us.
[crash]
I think our problem is the solution.
Uh, did you forget there's a monster out there
that wants to crush us?
But WHY? Nopony ever asked Ahuizotl
what his side of the story is.
He must have a reason for being so upset.
Or maybe he's just a bad guy!
Do I need to remind you he tried to squash Daring Do
like a hundred times?
[crash]
And me as well. I was so scared,
I had to change my ascot. Ah! Curse this truth teller!
Understanding begins with listening.
Prepared to meet your doom?
Um, not really. Just here to ask...
Why are you chasing us, Mr. Ahuizotl?
Well, the thing is,
I'm in charge of protecting this jungle.
If another artifact goes missing on my watch,
I'm going to be in so much trouble
with the other guardian creatures.
Oh! That sounds like a lot of responsibility.
It is! And those two have taken so many relics from my land,
my job is on the line!
So maybe I am a little violent and ferocious.
Can you blame me?
[honk]
The only reason I've been taking the artifacts
is because I thought I was protecting them.
I was stealing them to get rich.
But I never realized you had a noble cause.
I thought you were just being a monster.
[sigh]
I get that a lot.
Maybe there is something to this
whole "listening to everypony" thing.
It doesn't always mean they're telling the truth,
but everycreature deserves kindness.
True. And because you returned the talisman
and took the time to understand me,
I will let you all go.
On one condition!
You swear to never steal artifacts
from the Tenochtitlan basin again.
I promise.
I'll even write that in my next book.
Your next book?
You mean you're actually A.K. Yearling?
Don't tell anypony!
That gives me an idea.
Hey! What's going on?
I thought your first co-written novel
would bring out a ton of fans!
We've been upstaged by a new author.
And so the noble Ahuizotl bravely toiled day and night
to protect the jungle's precious artifacts...