Strange things are afoot in Appleoosa. Iron Spade, a local toolmaker, has turned up dead just outside of town. The unfortunately named Rocky Soil arrives to find that the location of the body has put all residents -pony and non-pony alike- on edge as the Sheriff works himself to the bone trying to keep the peace and prepare for an election. Will he and his new friend Ashes be able to get to the bottom of things before tensions reach the breaking point?