When Rarity meets a famous fashion photographer, she realizes that this is her chance to promote her newest dresses, but her idea backfires when the pony is more interested in Fluttershy, whom Rarity chose to model her dresses. Both tell Twilight they aren't happy about this but don't want the other to know, and she is faced with a dilemma of keeping their secrets.
To create jewel-encrusted clothing at the request of a famous pony, Rarity decides to find a new lode of gems with Spike's assistance. But when a group of creatures called the Diamond Dogs abduct Rarity and force her to find gems for them, Spike and the other ponies head underground to rescue her. In the end, who will be the one that truly needs saving?
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.
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.