02x08 - The Sturdy Stone

[bunniefuu]

[strains, yells]

[grunts]

[chuckles]

[singer] ♪ Follow yourself
To the top of a mountain ♪

♪ Answer the call
Yeah, be the believer ♪

♪ Throw your fears like a wish
Into a fountain ♪

♪ Like a warrior ♪

♪ Whatever you might be
Whoever you are ♪

♪ You're a warrior ♪

[Pinecone] "The Sturdy Stone."

[wind whistling]

[Pinecone panting]

-This is it, pal.
-[panting]

Today's the day we prove
how tough we are to Gladys

by finally getting our dragon scale.

[whinnies]

Okay, so the first 40 tries didn't work.

But I think
the dragon's starting to warm up to us.

Maybe we should try
bringing the dragon a present.

Judging from the collection in its cave,
it really likes shiny stuff, eh, Pony?

Pony?

Weird.

I've never seen the moon
look like that before.

We should tell Mom and Dad.
Our quest will have to wait.

[whinnies]

Is it just me,
or is it feeling ominous right now?

-[Garthor grunts]
-All right, everyone. Settle down.

I know you're all worried,

but we've consulted with Gladys,
and there's no reason to panic.

The red moon has appeared
over Sturdystone before,

500 years ago,

and it heralded the arrival of a…

[clearing throat] …stone monster.

-[townsfolk gasp]
-Stone Monster?

This is upsetting.

But we have a plan.

In order to protect everyone,
we're going to evacuate Sturdystone.

Evacuate?

-As in leave town?
-[farts]

Um… yes.

But we'll come back
as soon as the Stone Monster is gone.

-[townsfolk murmuring]
-[villager] Seems a little much.

We must take this threat seriously.

The last time the Stone Monster came,
I managed to drive it off,

but only after it had destroyed
half the town.

[townsfolk gasp, murmur]

The monster will attack
when the red moon eclipses the sun,

so we must depart with haste.

We shall start with the east side of town,
then move…

You all right, Popcone?
I know this is a lot to take in.

[sighs]

Your dad and I have to stay here for a bit
to answer people's questions,

but it's all gonna be okay.

Warrior's word.

I-- I don't get it, Pony.

How can we just leave our town
to be destroyed?

We have to do something.

[whinnies]

Hey, Gladys, what's the real plan?

'Cause Pony and I are ready
to defeat this monster!

-Right, pal?
-[whimpers]

Evacuation is the plan, Pinecone.

The monster is too dangerous to face.

But-- But isn't this
what we've been training for?

To fight?

We're warriors! [grunts]

It is because we are warriors

that our first duty
is to protect our people.

This is not a game.

Now, go pack.

-[Pony nickers]
-Mmm.

Oh, man.
I can't believe we're really leaving.

Right?

Competition season starts tomorrow.

Now how am I supposed to break
my personal record?

Also, the whole town could be destroyed,

which is… much worse.

We are not gonna let that happen.

Gladys said warriors protect.

And the best way to protect our town
is to fight for it.

There must be a way
to stop the Stone Monster,

and we're gonna find it.

You with me?

-Always.
-Of course.

[whinnies]

[Hawthorn groans]

Another dead end.

Everything I've read
about the Stone Monster

says it's unstoppable.

Nothing's unstoppable.

Really?
'Cause this looks pretty unstoppable.

[both yelp]

There's gotta be something!

We haven't checked in here yet,
or in here,

or-- [yelps]

[chuckles] Thanks, pal. I--

Hold up.

There was an actual Sturdy Stone?

According to the legend,

it was supposed to have been
a super powerful magic rock.

Really?

Maybe we could use its magic
to stop the Stone Monster!

I don't think so, Pinecone.

It's just a myth.

The only time anyone claims
to have seen it was a thousand years ago,

when the town was founded.

Feast your eyes on… this!

The slide ruler
you used to conduct us on Freda Day?

What up?

[both scream]

Pinecone, why didn't you tell us

the ghost of Freda the Fierce,
our town founder, lived in your attic?

[chuckles]

Freda likes her privacy.

But Pony and I visit her a lot.

-And bring me tacos!
-[whinnies]

I can't eat 'em, but, ooh, the smell
sure brings back memories. [sighs]

Hey, Freda,
have you ever seen this rock before?

Oh, yeah!

We found that little beauty when we were
looking for supplies to build the town.

[sighs] Its shine was dazzling.

And when we tried to break it,

even our strongest warriors
couldn't put a dent in it.

We knew there was a great power within.

So we called it the Sturdy Stone
and named our town after it.

To keep it safe,

I buried it where it could remain a source
of our unbreakable strength forever.

Freda,
you've gotta tell us where you buried it!

Where no one would ever find it…

at the foot of Town Hall,
next to the bowling alley.

[Hawthorn] Hmm?

Town Hall?
Building with a huge bell on it?

Just east of the river?

There's nothing east of the river
but swamp.

Swamp?

But the Town Hall was
the first building we ever built.

And that bowling alley had
amazing curly fries!

What happened?

Gladys said half of the town
was destroyed.

And that's where we could find the Stone
and use it to defeat the Stone Monster!

Thanks, Freda!

[whinnies]

[stammers] The what monster?

[all panting]

Freda said she buried the Stone
in front of Town Hall,

which had a big bell on it,
so let's get ready to--

I was gonna say "search,"
but you're already doing that.

Good hustle, team.

[Pony nickers]

[sighs] There's no sign of any ruins.

Just a lot of mud.

Stinky, stinky mud.

Maybe Freda had the spot wrong?

She is a pretty ancient ghost.

It's gotta be here. It needs to be.

[horn blows]

That's Gladys's horn.

The evacuation is starting.

We'd better go, Pinecone.

We tried our best.

You go. I-I'll catch up to you.

What? Huh? [stammers] Pinecone, no!

Please?

Just tell my parents I'll be there soon.
Warrior's word.

Hmm.

Okay, but you'd better hurry.

[whinnies]

[blusters]

I understand if you wanna go too, pal.
But I can't stop yet.

[gasps] The Jilly Toads!

How are you all doing?

[all chirp]

I guess that means good?

Hey, I know this is a long shot,

and you might not even understand me,

but have you ever seen any old,
broken buildings around here?

[whinnies]

[nickers]

[chittering]

[gasps]

[gasps]

Ancient Sturdystone.

[all chirp]

Look at all this stuff, Pony!

So old and mysterious.

What kind of horrible monster
would do this to a place?

And how can Gladys and my parents
just let it happen again?

Well, I'm not going to.

When we find the Sturdy Stone,

that monster's gonna wish
it never messed with our town.

Just keep your eyes peeled for a big bell.

-[bell tolls]
-[Pony whinnies]

[Pinecone gasps]

Good find, pal!

[blusters]

[gasps, grunts]

[gasps]

It's gone.

But who took it?

We have no clue where to look next…

and we're almost out of time.

-[rumbling]
-[yelps]

[gasps]

[gasps]

[bellows]

[whimpers]

[growling]

-[screams]
-[whinnies]

[gasps] Huh?

[sighs]

I think the Stone Monster's
looking for the Sturdy Stone too.

[bellows]

Because the Sturdy Stone is part of it!

[shouts]

You're kind of clumsy, aren't ya?

You weren't attacking Sturdystone.

[stammers] You were just looking for
your missing piece.

All that destruction was just an accident.

And I wanted to fight you.

[sighs]

But a warrior's first duty is to protect.

So I'ma protect you, Stoney!

I vow to help you find your missing piece…

-Pinecone!
-…and-- [screams]

What in Freda's name do you think--
[gasps]

[roars]

[growls]

Oh, no.

[shouts]

[bellows]

[grunts]

-[Stone Monster bellowing]
-[sniffles]

No! Gladys, you don't understand!

[crying] It needs us.

[bellows]

[whinnies]

Don't worry, pal.

This isn't over yet.

Gladys! Stop!

You can't ignore me forever!

Hello!

-[all gasp]
-Pinecone! Pony!

-Oh!
-Oh! Thank Freda.

We told your parents where you were.

W-We were worried.

I'm sorry.

I couldn't leave town
without trying to stop the Stone Monster,

but then I learned the truth.

It isn't trying to hurt us.
It needs our help!

It's sad
because there's a piece of it missing,

a piece that was once called
the Sturdy Stone.

I know that if we could find it,
the Stone Monster would leave us alone.

But I thought
that stone was just a legend.

It's not. A ghost told us.

I want to circle back to that.

But first, Gladys, what do you think?

Should we look for this stone?

We do not have time.

Soon the eclipse will be complete,
and the monster will be here.

We must stick to the plan we discussed.

W-What plan? What's going on?

When everyone leaves town,

I shall stay behind to do
what I should have done 500 years ago.

-[gasps]
-[whinnies]

[stammering] You mean you're going to…

I will do what must be done
for the good of our people.

But what about
the good of the Stone Monster?

You said warriors protect!

I watched the Stone Monster destroy
half our village.

I will not let that happen again.

This is the only way, Pinecone.

[sighs]

You're wrong.

-Whoa.
-Oh, my spears.

Maybe you will understand one day

when you are a real warrior.

[sighs]

Come on, bud. It's time to go.

[bell clanging]

Hear ye! Hear ye!

The evacuation of Sturdystone is underway,
and-- and--

and I need a hug!

[sobs]

I shall see you at the meeting spot.

See you soon, sweetknees. Be safe.
[kisses]

[sighs]

-[crash]
-[horse whinnies]

Oh, my stars.

[sighs] This makes no sense.

We live in a town full of warriors.

So why is Gladys
the only one staying behind?

We don't like it either, Popcone.

Your mom and I wanted everyone
to evacuate,

but Gladys insisted on staying to fight.

You try arguing
with a 500-year-old warrior!

But nobody would have to fight
if I could just find the stone.

[sighs] I wish we had more time.

[whinnies]

And… there.

-[cheering]
-Well done, everyone.

But maybe we could make some together.

People of Sturdystone!

We don't have to leave our town
to be destroyed!

[villager] Okay, now I'm confused.

We are a town of warriors,

and I don't just mean people
who like to rumble and get huge.

I mean people who love each other fiercely

and would do anything
to protect one another.

[toy squeaks]

Are we really gonna
leave someone behind to fight?

Do we even have to fight at all?

I think we can find a better way.

A way to protect everyone
like the warriors we are.

Who's with me?

[all cheering]

[toy squeaks]

[grunts, laughing]

[sighs] Oh, our brave girl.

Thank you
for reminding us who we really are.

So, what's the plan?

Yeah, the Stone Monster will be here soon.

Which is why I need everyone
to help stall it

while I look for the Sturdy Stone.

We'll take care of that.

Okay, but you and Pony
can't find the stone alone.

-You're gonna need help.
-[Annabelle] And she's got it.

[Peregrine] Mm-hmm.

So, ready for some questing?

-[rumbling]
-Hmm?

[townsfolk cheering, laughing]

What is the meaning of this?

We're going to defend the town together,
Sturdystone style,

while Pinecone and her friends
look for the Stone.

This is not the plan we agreed upon.

If I see even a hint of danger
come to anyone,

I vow to step in and crush our enemy
with the force of a thousand suns!

-Cool.
-Gotcha.

[sighs] We've checked Wantful Things,
the castle, the Barbarian Bowl,

but it's not anywhere. [sighs]

Anyone else have any ideas?

-I don't know.
-Nope.

-Huh? [gasps]
-Uh-oh.

[Pinecone] Oh, no.

The Stone Monster will be here soon,
and now the whole town's in danger!

Maybe we should've just evacuated.

-[sobbing]
-[nickers]

So, the girl who's tried, like,
30 times to get a dragon scale

is giving up now?

[sniffles]

Actually, it was 40 times.

You're right. I can't give up yet.

I have to-- Wait.

Th-The dragon! It collects shiny stuff!

-I bet that's where the stone is!
-[whinnies]

But the Dragon lives
at the top of the Jagged Mountains.

It would take hours to get there.

-Not with a little magic!
-[children chuckle]

-[whinnies]
-[giggles]

The Wiz Kids have been practicing
our teleportation skills.

If we all tried together,

I bet we can get you and Pony to the top
of the Jagged Mountains in a flash.

-Amazing! We'd love that, eh, Pony?
-[whinnies]

As you do that,

we Rumblers will do our part
to slow down the Stone Monster.

Rumblers, roll out!

-Whoo-hoo!
-Let's do it.

Here for now,

gone without trace,

transport you to another place!

[whinnies]

[gasps, laughs]

Oh, yeah! We made it! Whoo! [chuckles]

This is it, people.

Batten down the hatches!

-You got it, King Arlo!
-[townsfolk cheering]

-What's a hatch, and how do we batten it?
-I don't know.

-[rumbling footsteps]
-[townsfolk gasp]

[roars]

[gasps]

We have to keep it distracted

and stop it from entering the city
till Pinecone gets here.

Annabelle, you ready?

-♪ Rumble, rumble ♪
-♪ Tough and nimble ♪

♪ Little warriors never tremble ♪

♪ We are mighty, we are brave ♪

♪ Now it's time to learn our names ♪

-Annabelle!
-Oatcake!

-Peregrine!
-Rhino!

We're the Lil Rumblers!

[grumbles]

Great distraction, Rumblers!

Ready, Greymoon?

[scoffs] Do you even have to ask?

[exclaims]

[Peregrine] Yeah!

-[Greymoon] Success.
-[bellowing]

[cheering]

Hmm.

The dragon must've gone out
to stretch its wings.

I'm sure it wouldn't mind
if we took a little look around its cave.

Mmm, let's see.

Hmm.

-[gasps]
-[whinnies]

The dragon likes the Smash Punks too?

I knew we had stuff in common.

[snorts, nickers]

-[whinnies]
-Huh?

[grunts, strains]

[gasps]

The Sturdy Stone!

-You did it, pal!
-[whinnies]

-[dragon snarling]
-[Pinecone whimpers]

[chuckles, stammers] Oh, hey, Draggy.

-[dragon roars]
-[Pinecone screams]

Listen, after today,
I promise we'll never bother you again.

But we're not leaving without this.

It belongs to the Stone Monster.

And if we don't give it to them quick,

they'll destroy our town,
and people could get hurt.

I don't care
about getting a scale anymore.

I don't care about proving my toughness.

I just wanna keep everyone safe,
including the Stone Monster.

So if that makes you wanna breathe fire,
then go ahead.

-[gasps, whinnies]
-Breathe fire!

[dragon snorts, growls]

[snarls]

[Stone Monster roars]

[roars]

Moss, what's the ETA on your next batch
of ice cream?

At least an hour.

The Stone Monster's eating ice cream
faster than Moss can make it.

[growls]

[gasps]

[gasps]

The situation has become too dangerous.

Pinecone had her chance,
but now we are doing things my way.

Stone Monster!

[growls]

You and I have unfinished business.

Prepare thyself for honorable battle!

[bellows]

[shouts]

[dragon roars]

Look out!

[roars]

[imitates roar, laughs]

[Lil Rumblers cheering]

-That's my daughter!
-Hold on with both hands!

-Whoo!
-Both hands, honey!

Hey, Stone Monster! Stoney!

I have something of yours!

[bellows]

Whoo!

[townsfolk gasp]

I'm sorry we stole a piece of you.
We didn't know.

I hope you can forgive us.

And maybe next time there's an eclipse,
you can come back

to party with us?

-[Pony whinnies]
-[Arlo chuckles]

-[Stone Monster bellows]
-See ya in 500 years, Stoney!

-[townsfolk cheering]
-[townsperson] We did it!

[sighs]

You were right. There was another way.

And I am ashamed to say
I was too stubborn to see it.

You wanted to protect everyone.
I get that.

I wanted to protect
the people I care about.

But you were brave enough
to look past your fears

and care about your enemy too.

That is the mark of a real warrior.

Thank you for showing me.

[Pinecone] Mmm.

Aw. We gotta get in on this. [chuckles]

[all] Mmm.

Is this necessary?

Just go with it. [chuckles]

[roars]

[singer] ♪ You and I ♪

♪ Adventurers brave and free ♪

♪ Side by side
Together we'll always be ♪

♪ Thick as thieves ♪

♪ Thick as thieves ♪