A normal evening in Ponyville is disrupted when smoke rises from the White Tail Woods. Through the ruins climbs a strange being, burnt and broken, who needs help, and has no idea where or who he is.

Princess Celestia and Luna try to overcome a strange negative influence that they acquired from something in Tartarus. Only they know what it is, but not even they will speak its' name to each other.

Dark forces are brewing in the Aether, and a lone Spirit of Chaos is tied up in it.

What role does the new arrival have in all of this? Can he piece together his memories and find a way back to where he came, or will he be trapped in Equestria in a time of growing tension? And can the Elements of Harmony solve this problem like all of the others?