The Kingdom of Equestria is in a grand time of peace. Both the recent vanquishing of Lord Tirek and the acquisition of her very own kingdom has left Twilight Sparkle and her friends once again saving the world, while simultaneously strengthening their unbreakable bond of friendship.

But, not everypony is ecstatic about her achievement. Alistair, cross-realm traveler and former friend of the lavender mare, has seeped further and further down a path of loneliness and despair, unable to handle what has become of the pony he'd known since first arriving in Equestria so many years before.

Bitter and directionless, the boy has moved from his native Ponyville to the heart of the kingdom’s capital, Canterlot, and has taken the esteemed position of a foreign diplomat for Equestria’s External Affairs. Yet, even with a legitimate career set before him, a lack of purpose still rings true in his mind.

But when a rumored treasure is believed to be buried deep within Griffon territory, an eager Alistair graciously accepts the assignment, finally seeing a chance to steer meaning back into his life. However, what he finds is a rugged and rude griffon friend, savage arctic monstrosities, blinding snowstorms, and a journey into a heart of darkness that he must either choose to destroy…or embrace.