Bitter about being kicked out of Wonderbolt Academy, Lightning Dust decides to travel abroad to give herself time to brood about her dreams slipping out from under her hooves. However, when visiting the land of Accithera, she meets a gryphon named Gilda in Australeo, and learns what Loyalty actually is.

John D. Bulbmyn, or 'Dim Bulb', as he's known as with his 'associates', get's transported to Equestria by one of Twilight's experimental spells. When there, he discovers that the currency that the ponies use, bits, are made of solid gold, and begins to find ways to make as much money as he can, to pay off debts he owe back at home on Earth. Will he succeed, and turn Ponyville upside down in the process? Or will he fail, and still turn Ponyville upside down in the process?