The Chimera's defeat has heralded a new time of peace within Equestria. The future looks bright: the Crystal Empire has returned in the north, the devastation wrought by the Chimera has been almost entirely restored, and Twilight Sparkle has become Equestria's newest alicorn princess.
However, not all is perfect within the land. Princess Luna has fallen into a depression as she grapples with the errors of her past, and Sky Streak cannot shake the Chimera's final words about the source of hatred within the land, and the threat of its own return. But now that he is a member of the elite Alicorn Guard, he believes he is more prepared than ever to stand against whatever darkness rises against his home.
But as Sky prepares to once again face down the darkness, he will enter a dangerous game where nothing is as it seems. And when his world is shattered in one tragic moment, he will need to come to grips with his own anger and bitterness. Because if Friendship is the deepest magic, then the only way to conquer the darkness is to spread that friendship...even to your enemies.