From across the multiverse, a distress call is issued in the form of a summons spell; its target is six very specific beings: Each must be a bearer of an Element of Harmony, they must be similar enough to each other's acquaintances that the Magic of Friendship will work between them, and they must all be changelings.
- Twilight Sparkle, a.k.a. Princess Amaryllis, daughter of Queen Chrysalis
- Rarity, having finally reconciled with her estranged "sister" Chrysalis
- Rainbow Dash, liberator of the hive and just awakening from metamorphosis to Hive Queen and deposer of Queen Chrysalis
- Applejack, immature queen of the Everfree Hive and enemy to her aunt, Queen Chrysalis
- Pinkie Pie, rogue queen, and sister to Chrysalis
- Fluttershy, mother of the Ponyville hive, who is unaware even of the existence of other hives
They will be tasked with a mission familiar to them all, but in an alien world, with strangers that are almost their friends, in a hostile nation, and the fate of an entire world in their hooves.