After four years of living in Equestria, being the only human, things have been going pretty well. Michael Hoff had integrated with pony society well. Shining Armor was his first and best friend. Teaching him how to fight and encouraged him to join the Canterlot Military. With Shining Armor it seemed their friendship was strong and it would seem the bond would forever hold.

It wasn’t until he received a letter from Shining about the remains of Sombra’s shadow is still lurking outside the Crystal Empire that things began to change. Michael realizes that the journey he now goes on with Shining is like the story plays out very similar to that which he knew from his old world. He knew the story and the plot as it moves to prevent it only to find his actions make the events unfold. He wonders if it was Cadance’s love growing for the human that started pushing Shining Armor over the edge or was it Shining’s love for Cadance and devotion to the empire making him vulnerable to the whispers of corruption. They say the pathway to damnation is paved with good intentions, and no one doubted Shining’s conviction to protect what he cares for. But Michael had always wondered where the line had to be drawn.