A distress call has been sent from Appleoosa to Canterlot: the magic that knocked the Changelings away has apparently sent them a little too close for comfort to the desert town. They're out of sorts and not all together, but the swarm coming back together is inevitable and Queen Chrysalis is apparently alive and biding time to seek revenge. Their call is not to help destroy the remnants but to help prepare the town for invasion, and it's needed desperately.

Despite being newly married and fresh off a Changeling invasion himself, Captain Shining Armor is enlisted to answer the call. Taking a group of his most trusted soldiers, he makes his way to Appleoosa to help engage the remaining Changeling forces. The town is ill-prepared for an invasion and Shining Armor begins his preparations; among them is convincing the local member of the Apple family - Braeburn - to stand up and fight. But there's something strange about this particular job, something that intrigues Shining Armor more than he wants to admit, and such thoughts could be unhealthy for him.

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Takes place soon after the Season 2 finale.