"Never in the realm of mortality can true perfection be achieved. Never in the minds of this world's inhabitants can absolute happiness reside. For every ripe crimson apple there is a wilted sapling. For every vein of gold in the earth, there is a thundercloud in the sky. And for every sunlit mountain, there lies an ominous shadow on its opposite face."

Eight months following the appearance of a strange alicorn named Arthur in Ponyville, a dark magic has affirmed an adamant grip on the humble town. The sky is overcast with black clouds, and crops have refused to grow. Plague has erupted, spreading its formidable potency to all corners of the land. Yet, despite the rampant famine and pestilence scarring her home, the pegasus Rainbow Dash is more concerned about the voices ringing out from the Everfree Forest, calling her name. According to Princess Celestia, all of these omens point to one possibility: something has arisen, something possessing a power of hellish caliber…