Here we have reached the end of another season of MLP: FiM. This time a lot of planning had been put into it. A while back there was a story arch in the IDW comics where they came across a pony who was erasing Equestrian history because of a dark character in his family's past. The Mane 6 managed to set him right and the comic ended with a pony in an shop knocking over a barrel, spilling it's contents. He says to himself that he needs to clear some of that junk out. Among that junk in the barrel was a mysterious book. In our last episode Twilight and Sunburst bought a barrel of blind buys from the antique shop. That was the very same barrel and the last shot was of that secret, mysterious book. Comics may not necessarily be canon but it was nice to tie the comics to the season finale. I've read the synopsis for the finale so I know the basic premise so I am anticipating this one! However, it's going to take almost a week to watch it so I can have my review ready. I'm actually typing this on the Thursday before the last episode I just mentioned. On the bright side, I'm ahead of schedule and should have no problem making the con (Nightmare Nights) on the 27th while being able to put this into journal form the night before. As like last time, this will be broken into two parts with probably one intro (this one) for both. However, I have a song I want to attach to this review that ties in perfectly and if I can't find a natural place to enter it in the Stream Of Conscience typing, I will use it as a brief intro. So without further ado, here is Shadow Play Part 1!
*There it is, The Book Of Secrets!
*Oooooo! Who be this narrator?!
Who*Well look at that! All the heroic characters of the past from this season as well as the infamous Starswirl!
*Perhaps this is Starswirl talking?
*Power does tend to corrupt.
*I understand, I have to have more than water to quench my thirst. Though I usually settle for tea or soda.
Water*This must be the Pony Of Shadows mentioned in the synopsis.
*That looks Wicked awesome!
*This would be pretty epic if it weren't so stylized.
*Give up cable TV?
*So that's how the Tree Of Harmony came to be!
*Big Mac responds to my last bullet point.
*Eh, it's a start!
*Like an old oak table! Vanish Percy, not varnish (Blackadder reference).
*Dun dun duuuuuunnnn!!!
*From worry to happy in two seconds flat!
*Fluttershy is laughing at Twilight's sudden wing boner! So am I!!!!
*I take it you've heard of him.
Heard*And now you're too old to do anything about it! Once again it's time for Twilight and Friends!
*Yeah AJ, haven't you been paying attention! I defend you all the time and you embarrass me like this!
Attention*Thank you Pinkie!
*Nopony (body) Knows!
*There's always hope, even in hopeless!
Hope*That's Twilight's department!
*Yeah, nopony cares College!
*Isn't she just too adorkable?!!!
*Something tells me Spike hears her brag about that all the time.
Spike*Will you put on a private show for them?
*Oh Twilight, you're too cute!
*Well you better get started then shouldn't you?!
Started*I wasn't able to get any of these in last episode and we already have Nose Boop O'clock motherbuckers!!!!!!
*When Twilight does it, it's adorkable. You on the other hoof, it's... is pathetisad a word?
*"Is this dork for real?"
*She's screwed.
Screwed*Let me put it this way RD. Bring a pillow.
Pillow*Or all time. Probably somewhere in between.
All*And the crowd goes wild!
*There goes The Candle!
*She might be asleep.
*No, but that would have been funny.
*That you are useless for an all night bender.
*Did you break a Pinkie Promise?
*Rarity's not amused.
*Perhaps it is. Occam's Razor!
*Doesn't that hurt? Especially with your eyes already sore from being open for so long.
*Derp O'clock motherbuckers!!!!
*Three days?! That's a long time to be up! Also, straight? So none of you are lesbians?
TBH, I did this review a week ago so I have no idea what the joke was supposed to be.*Well at least you can read something other than a story you like. Even though you couldn't bother to read when trying to become a Wonderbolt.
*A Day of Difference is always possible.
*Doesn't take much for her to get wing boners does it?
*Where do you feel it? You could just have indigestion.
*Told you it was another language! Luckily Starlight is there to save your flank. Ponehenge? Sounds like Stonehenge.
*You don't know? What good are you?!!
*No, she got it telepathically. Of course she can read it!!!!
No*You sound like the Swedish Chef!
*The Last Stand, I can't stand no more.
*Spike getting his bed ready like a cat!
*Gather round everypony, it's story time!
*There be Ponehenge!
*It's funny, you live your entire life in Equestria and you never visit these places unless it's important to the plot.
*Crixi Krums?
Crixi*Oh, Crixi Rnums!
*I imagine you've never seem many stuff before. Nopony has seen everything.
*She can't contain her excitement!
*A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away!
Galaxy*Some pony's hungry!
*This is no time for goofing around Rainbow Dash!
Goofing*Well good thing you guys aren't here to do some gardening.
*Huh?!!! You've broken it Flutters!
*Don't worry, with your good behavior and kind nature, I'm sure they'll waive the death penalty.
*Well the solution is simple. Give up and go home!
Solution*Maybe for an insignificant slave like you, but she is a princess! This is a failure!.
*She's not bound to be excited by the prospect of writing a paper. Who am I kidding?
*How long have you been doing this? It's never that easy.
*Of course that did it.
*The infamous Starswirl I presume!
*I'd say I made a good guess, but it was obvious to the most casual MLP fan.
*"You have reached Starswirl The Bearded. I can't answer the spell right now but please leave your message with the recording and I will get back to you later."
*If that's how she reacts to a hologram, imagine when Twilight meets the real thing!
*Welcome to The Hall Of Holograms!
*You are tresspassing, time to be vaporized!
*You better hope that is a hologram too!
*Flutters, I think Pinkie wants your attention.
*That is one badass villain!
*Behold the Descending Darkness!
*VERY badass!
*They came here to trap you!
*It's always the power of six with this show isn't it? BTW, notice how Rainbow Dash, Apple Jack and Rarity are standing behind the pillars featuring the ponies each one talked about in Campfire Tales.
*The classic Mane 6!
*You're boned dude!
Boned*Something tells me he didn't like that.
*Those are some loud holograms!
*Would that be considered book sex?
*Inappropriate Pinkie Pie comment in 3... 2... 1...
Inappropriate*Blast off!!!!
*The Great Mystery has been solved, haven't you been paying attention?!
*Does it matter? A great evil has been locked away, everypony is safe. Don't meddle in something that could potentially put Equestria in danger.
Matter*They are heroes and should be remembered as such. Don't make their sacrifice for nothing by trying to "fix" things.
*Obligatory shot of Lyra and Bon Bon.
*NEVER underestimate Twilight!
Never*See!
*Well la de freakin' da!
*You know, Raindbow Dash worries about you.
*So many damn adorkable Twilight moments this episode and we aren't even half way through part one!
*Like your levels of adorkableness!
*Even her snorts are adorkable!
*Like your human handwriting?
*Gives new meaning to the phrase "nose in the book"! We can't see it so no Nose Boop O'clock here.
* AJ didn't appreciate you hitting her in the face with that book.
*Yeah, certainly not a nose boop. Looks like it hit her mouth more.
*More like obsessed than excited.
*In other words, as usual, you are talking over everypony's head.
*An Amazing Flight In Space!
*No confusion with this one, no debate: It's Nose Boop O'clock motherbuckers!!!!!
*Everypony love to limbo!!!!
*They held a pole low to the ground and walked upside down under it. And they kept lowering it until only one could go under it without touching the pole.
*You're going to be sorry you asked.
Asked*Of course she made a visual aid.
*Inside what exactly?
*You may need a little bit of sleep Twilight.
*Eh, I'm sure she can bring it back.
Back*Of course she did, of course she did.
*See AJ, you're not as dumb as some make you out to be!
*Did you not see the hologram earlier Flutters? That is an understatement!
Not*Ha, I did the limbo joke before you! I am the true Element of Laughter!!!!!
*And that there is pushing it with the shipping. Control yourself Pinkie, don't give perverts like me more material!
*Yeah, and unleash the most powerful evil Equestria has ever known!
Yeah*No, she's Alicorn.
*Well, no offense but you are no Twilight.
*You've done it too.
*You are getting offended at a perfectly sensible question Twilight.
Question*Ok Twilight, that was below the belt. Just because she made a mistake in the past (that you KNOW she feels bad about) doesn't mean her asking if it's safe isn't a legitimate concern.
*If in the process you release the Pony Of Shadows, then you dishonor the sacrifice him and the other ponies made.
*No, only the one SHE cares about. It's all about her you know.
*Like Purgatory!
*Enough with the models Twilight!
*Thank you RD!
*Commit her to an institution should do the trick.
Commit*Bingo! Yatzee!!! Gold fish!!!!!!!!
*Those loud hologram items earlier should do the trick.
Items*"What she said."
*He was so much like you!
*Don't look now, but there is a Light From Above!
*I don't think she's doing it on purpose.
*What do you know! They are exactly items I metioned!
*Yup, exactly!
*BTW, it's the power of the map that is doing this. Map
*That place has seen better days.
*Another one shot character return!
*Or maybe it's just as spittoon?
*Way to crush her spirit bitch!
*Got news for you, the legends ARE real!
*Is that an Indiana Jones pony?
*No, John Cena's golden shovel! Wrestling fans should get that reference.
*This is coming from AJ, The Element Of Honesty, she don't lie!
*Excuse me! You live in a land where two princesses raise the sun and moon, pegasai control the weather, and mythical creatures roam the world.
Land*Yup, Indiana Jones!
*Don't just stand there and get crushed, run!
*Sorry, you were talking about strength?
*Big Mac would be proud!
Proud*Well, you better believe!
*That's my girl AJ! I knew you were one of my favorites for a reason!
Girl*Ah, smug mode!
*I think I know where you will find your shovel!
Shovel*AJ, I dub thee Shovel Knight!
*Well duh!
*So much for the lush garden! Now it's more like a... brush garden!
*A simple warning would do!
*And you treat others better than that you old bat! Treat
*Were they all as crotchety as you?
*What are you going to do, stab her to death with a spade?
*This is Rarity you are talking to! She can make anything lovely!
Rarity*Generations of only being able to keep on flower blooming and here she fixes everything in a matter of seconds. You are not very good with your vocation,
*Now apologize to the young lady for your rude and violent outburst!
*Looks like another job for Nelson!
*She's the Element of Generosity, it's what she do!
*Item number 2, check!
*A dragon flying a pony? Preposterous!
*Yeah, yeah and the hero of the Crystal Empire. We know!
*Hang 8! You know, because they only have four claws on each hand!
*You sound like an old crone.
Crone*I think RD will have something to say about that!
Rd*Here we go!
*Come on Spike, why'd you stop her?
Come*Yeah, that's kinda the point.
*Well look who's got the shield!
*Way to go Dash, now he KNOWS it's valuable to you! Good luck getting it!
*Oh no, that kind of abuse can't stand!
*A sound argument... and he will have nothing to do with it.
*If you're talking a straight up race, your ass is grass. RD is the fastest thing in the sky.
*Of course... you coward!
Coward*No pressure Spike.
*Things aren't looking too good there... but we know it will all work out in the end.
*Again, Nelson.
*Um, I'm pretty sure that was implied.
*Way to go Rainbow Dash!
*Ain't that Sweet!
*Highly doubt it, he'd have to eat your rainbow.
*What's this here? Why, it's Nose Boop O'clock mother buckers.
*She could have beat him, but decided to use his stupidity against him. Remember kids, work smarter, not harder!
*Ah, smug mode!
*Hey, it's the Rastafarian stallion!
*Look at Flutters, bossing him around!
*Only in Equestria would snakes and gators be cute.
*Well Flutters, nothing gets... bayou!
*Still the cutest giggle in all of Equestria!
*Look at that, Daring Doo making amends! Also that lovely blue haired background mare from that last episode!
*Uh, Pinkie? That's the item you are looking for.
*That's gross. And probably not healthy.
*I hope they aren't erotic, the dude is ancient!
*I'm glad to see the guilt trip Twilight put on her hasn't stopped her from questioning the folly of this endeavor.
*The fact that they aren't the only ones who are going to come through that dumbass!
Fact*Yeah, the wings you originally didn't want.
Want*As long as you are willing to live with the consequences for anything that can go wrong (and will because, it's this cartoon after all).
*Looks aren't everything.
Looks*That's because you are willing to do the dirty work.
*It's doom or destiny!
*You don't have to participate in this if you don't want to.
*Too late.
*Look on the bright side Starlight, if this goes south, you will have the mother of all "I told you so(s)"
*Say hello to your greatest admirer and the pony that possibly screwed Equestria!
Greatest*Starlight was right, bad juju!
*Yeah, but they aren't the only ones you brought back!
*Bring Forth Ye Shadow!
I was waiting to put this song on the review! When I first read the synopsis, I had this in mind. Very dark, yet beautiful song.
*Such badassery!!!!!
*You're doooooooooooooomed!!!!!
*Oh yes! You done fucked up!!!!
Well Twilight, you should have listened to Starlight. Now the consequences may be dire. However, you all will find a way to fix it and I will be there to document your progress, make sarcastic remarks and make jokes and pop culture references. SoC: Shadow Play Pt. 2
Before we move onto the next part of the SoC, let's lighten the load with some bonus shots:
"Go to your room young one and think about what you've done!"
"But a time out wasn't enough so they banished him."
"That was a boring book, I think I'll just wait for the movie."
"Once all this is over, can we banish Pinkie?"
"I'm just glad nopony knows about Twilight's Starswirl dakimakura."
"I'm sleeping with this book tonight!"
"I'm going to have to write a clopfic about her obsession with books."
"Since I'm a baby dragon, does that mean Twilight should get in trouble for violating child labor laws?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, I never touched your filly! I mean... what time is it?"
"Was that just a dream or did we all go to Whinny Land on a magic carpet surrounded by singing clouds?"
"No Applejack, that was real, this is the dream. Go back to sleep."
"Starswirl wrote a clopfic about Celestia and Luna?!!!!"
"So, he was a dirty old guy, we all have strange fantasies."
"Twilight? Why are these pages stuck together?"
Awwwww!!!!! Ain't Spike adorable?!
"Is that twig sticking out of her..."
"This ain't the time to be playing around Rainbow Dash, this is serious!"
Don't have anything for this one.
"Either that is a glow in the dark book or someting magical is happening."
"G...g...g... ghosts!!!!!!"
"Well that was something!"
"Starswirl was pretty hot for an old guy wouldn't you say Twilight"
"Probably not the best time to bring this up Twilight, but I kind of broke you favorite antique vase in the main hallway."
"About time you two showed up, we were about to start the orgy without you!"
"They're always better with Starlight, she's VERY flexible!"
"Yeah, this is bad stuff, but there's more!"
"You haven't been to one in a while, we've missed your lasso trick!"
"Of course, the one of us who we thought liked mares has never joined us!"
"Ok, that's enough of the orgy jokes!"
"They are making Fluttershy uncomfortable."
"To be honest, they were making me uncomfortable as well."
"I'm just glad someone finally resisted making a lesbian joke about me."
"Even though from personal experience I know she is."
"Did you just cut a bit one young lady? Tell your mom to stop feeding you so much cabbage."
"That old, decrepit, skanky bitch ruined my hooficure!"
"Who are you calling decrepit?!"
"That better be one of your spikes I feel digging into my back!"
"Spike told me you were an ugly wart covered asshole with breath that could kill a Diamond Dog, but I say he undersold it!"
"You know, Spike is pretty sexy for a little dragon. Rarity is pretty lucky!"
"I have every card ever printed of you! My whole family took up smoking so we could complete the set!!! My grandmother smoked herself to death so we could afford the album!!!!!!"
SoC: Shadow Play Pt. 2Pt. 1
SoC: Shadow Play Pt. 1
Due to Twilight's OCD and her total dissmiss of Starlight's concerns, Starswirl and the Legends Of Equestria have been rescued from limbo. Unfortunately they are not alone as The Pony Of Shadows has been freed from his prison and is ready to reek havoc on the world. Twilight, you done bucked up! Let's see how she fixes this mess she put everypony in.
*He may be evil, but at least the guy has a sense of humor.
*Actually, it worked for over a thousand years.
*His magic went limp. Get this guy a Viagra™!
Viagra
*Sorry, I don't think she can get the toothpaste back into the tube.
Toothpaste
*In other words, "We're boned!"
*Well, you should have thought about that in case something went south.