Fen-ka Shal, last of the progenitors of ponykind, seeks sanctuary and rest in Celestia's kingdom after suffering terrible injuries from an ancient war. His granddaughter, Liira-ka accompanies him, and together they learn of the magic of friendship, and in turn teach what the passage of time and too many lives can do to an alicorn. Meanwhile, dark forces are gathering, and a confrontation beyond all imagining leaves the princesses and all of Equestria in the middle of a feud as ancient as time itself. Nopony is safe.