Twilight is trying to solve the season metaplot, which is admirable, but probably a dozen episodes too early to see results. She's been reading every book she can find for a clue but even the ones from Canterlot library have nothing. Celestia suggests visiting the ruins of her old castle in the everfree forest to see if its library is still intact. Sure enough, it seems to be the only part of the building that is.

The Everfree Forest doesn't such a big deal anymore, given we're just casually strolling in there to read a book. Spike is scared though. This will presumably be the plot of the episode, Spike learning that the scary ruins in the scary forest isn't scary at all, even though it is

Meanwhile, Dash and Applejack are busy try to out not-be-scared each other. They are both covered in bees, staring each other down. First to blink loses

This is a hurt/comfort fic in the making

It turns out the real most daring pony is Pinkie Pie, who's commentating on their competition. When the beekeeper pony comes to collect his bees, prematurely ending the duel, we see Rainbow Dash and Applejack were wearing beekeeping suits underneath the whole time! It's a good little gag, neither being quite as daring as we were lead to believe, but Pinkie's getting right up in their faces, naked, without a care

But natually the dykes are going to keep this rivalry going

Pinkie skedaddles, but the other two decide to take their game of chicken to the Everfree Forest

Speaking of which, Rarity is casually strolling through there herself, not a care in the world. She's dragged Fluttershy (and Angel) along, who isn't so relaxed. Fluttershy is nervous about star spiders, which we saw in the castle earlier. What a worrier, am I right? Nobody else fears the forest at all apparently. Aside from Spike, but like... he baby.

They're headed to the castle because Rarity wants to see the tapestries. Why she picked today of all days is a mystery to me, but we can already see where this is going. Everyone is going to end up in the same place by coincidence. This feels so very much like when a GM has to wrangle each player character into starting the plot with their individual motives and circumstances catered to

Fitting, given the episode is named after the famous TTRPG 'Metroidvania'

The Pony of Shadows. Applejack says there's a legend that this places is haunted by remenants of Nightmare Moon's dark maic. We did see a mysterious shadow earlier, so this might be the antagonist of the episode!

And hey, that sounds like Lords of Shadows, the name of one of the official modules produced for Metroidvania

It's all coming together