In the lead-up to the Friendship Games, these five shorts each spotlight a different pair or trio of characters: Sunset Shimmer's failed science experiments on magic, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash's botched spy mission on Crystal Prep, Lyra and Sweetie Drops turning tryouts into an absurd rivalry, Photo Finish's chaotic yearbook photoshoot, and the boys' clashing banner designs. They set the stage and build hype for the movie without revealing any of its actual plot.