Equestria and Ponyville are forced to endure the effects of a deadly drought that will see one-third of the population starve to death. With the only viable supply of food dwindling, the ponies decide the only best solution is to start a giant food-crop-making operation, which would eventually be purchased by the Apple Family. To do so, Ponyland is completely destroyed while Spike and his friends are forced to leave their home. The town will eventually become an empty shell surrounded by mountainside. It will be very difficult to rebuild Ponyville, as the area is too close to a large stream bank and there are not enough water-farms to sustain the population while growing sufficient crops of sugar beet, potatoes, and grass. It is up to the pony family, Spike, Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Rarity, a.k.a. the Candy Kingdom, to rebuild these areas so the population can return.