For 3 years The Kingdom of Equestria and The Stratocratic Republic of Gryphus have been preparing for war. Diplomatic tensions rise when Gryphus stopped exporting any raw goods, and blamed Equestria for the shortage. Equestria built up a massive military to force Gryphus into reopening trade. But Gryphus called the bluff and in effect, built up its defenses as well.

In those 3 years, Scootaloo grows up, and joins the Royal Equestrian Air Force, the REAF. She follows the all time Equestrian hero, Rainbow Dash; and is enrolled in the Cloudsdale Air-force Academy.