Book One of the Accedence Cycle. Inspired by the Inheritance Cycle. Twilight Sparkle lives in the small hamlet of Ponyville. One day, when she goes for a walk near the edge of the Everfree, she finds something that sets a grand tale in motion.

Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together. Unfortunately, such a peace could not last. A feud arose and the kingdom was split. A thousand years later, a purple unicorn arrives on a quest.

Twilight Sparkle learns something impossible after an experiment of hers goes bad. Before she knows it, she is visited by someone thought long-dead and is exposed to a secret war. The question that still has yet to be answered... What is the Prize?

Celestia, the Alicorn of the Sun, has ruled for countless years over the ponies of Equestria. Many harrowing ordeals and dangerous crises have followed her through her long life. Now, an ancient foe makes her relive her greatest failures.

When a storm blows two ponies together, they learn more about each other than they thought possible, including the nature of their destinies, their place in the world and the connection between them.