Rarity has been running Carousel Boutique for a year and she’s decided its time to go on vacation and recharge her creative batteries. Hopefully the trip away will inspire new designs, help her to relax and most importantly of all, distract her from the overwhelming disaster that was her first year as a businesspony.

Unfortunately for the designer, her trip doesn’t go as smoothly as she’d planned.

Back before Nightmare Moon and the Elements, Ponyville was still the focus of monstrous attacks and strange goings on. Unfortunately for the Apple family, the most dangerous problems had a tendency to turn up on the farm at the edge of town.

And the family wasn’t as big as it used to be.

Fortunately, some of their neighbours were more than willing to lend a hoof. And an intense fight can be a great way for strangers to become better acquainted.

Fashion and design were just a casual interest that she had no real experience with. While sports were the activity she excelled at. The activity that connected her to her parents. Rarity was on a path to becoming a great sports-pony just like them.

With one little problem… she wasn't happy.

Somepony has disturbed one of the many secure vaults beneath Canterlot Castle and Princess Celestia takes it upon herself to unravel the mystery.

Who would steal an inert dragon egg? And how did they get inside a supposedly impenetrable vault?