A special request from a Canterlot socialite leaves Rarity longing for a rare and beautiful gem. However, the gem can only be found in a particular area in the Everfree forest known as the Scorched Clearing.

As Rarity, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie set out in search of the gem, Fluttershy decides to stay at home, believing she'll do more harm than good. The team find the beautiful emeralds they seek but, unfortunately, they come across a little something extra that they weren't planning on finding.

As each of the friends begin to display strange and uncharacteristic behaviour, it is left to Fluttershy to work out what's happening and how to stop it. A visit to Zecora sets Fluttershy onto the right path. But, as shy and quiet as she is, and even with Zecora's offer of help, she finds it difficult to be the hero her friends need her to be.