The evil Nightmare Moon is free from her imprisonment, vowing to shroud the world in eternal night, and Princess Celestia has gone missing. Twilight and the her friends must find six magic stones called the Elements of Harmony, hidden in the mysterious Everfree Forest.

Twilight receives two tickets from Princess Celestia to the Grand Galloping Gala. All five of her best friends want to go, but she can only choose one.

With her big brother hurt, Applejack volunteers to harvest the apple crop in her family's orchard all by herself. However, she is too prideful and stubborn to accept any help from the other ponies.

Pinkie Pie bonds with Rainbow Dash over their shared love of pranks, but when Rainbow's old friend Gilda the Griffon visits, Pinkie Pie becomes a third wheel, and notices that Gilda has a mean streak.

A new unicorn called "The Great and Powerful" Trixie arrives in Ponyville, claiming to be the greatest magical pony in Equestria. Spike believes Twilight may be the one unicorn to put the arrogant braggart in her place, but she worries that she will lose the respect of her friends if she shows her true potential.

As a sleeping dragon's smoke begins clouding Equestria's skies, Twilight Sparkle is tasked with getting it to leave. She and all her friends head to the dragon's lair, dragging along fearful Fluttershy, who must find the courage to face the giant dragon.

When a thunderstorm forces Applejack and Rarity to seek shelter in her library, they're invited by Twilight Sparkle to have a slumber party. However, their clashing personalities and preferences may make it difficult for them to get along.

Twilight encounters the mysterious zebra Zecora, who occasionally visits Ponyville and is rumored to be a witch. When she and her friends display a range of bizarre symptoms the next day, they begin to wonder whether Zecora put a curse on them. Applejack's little sister, Apple Bloom, ventures into the Everfree Forest to find the truth.

Everypony is making sure things are perfect for an upcoming visit by Princess Celestia to Ponyville, especially Twilight Sparkle, but trouble arises when a swarm of parasprites, adorable insects with ravenous appetites, invades the town.