Twilight Sparkle's come a long way since Princess Celestia took her under her wing. But seven years after the return of Princess Luna, a research breakthrough turns into a nightmare as Twilight discovers that the world's core magics are breaking down - and foremost among them are the Elements of Harmony, Equestria's strongest line of defence against the universe's greater powers. And with Rainbow Dash and her pendant disappearing in a calamitous fire on a journey to discover the Elements' fate, the future looks bleaker than ever.

Three years later, however, the Princesses get word from Rainbow herself. She is alive. The Element of Loyalty is safe. But she's nowhere near her destination. She has discovered the Gate to the World of the Dead - and while it is closed, neither the living or those lost to them can rest easy, for the Gate holds unimaginable power, free for any to grasp.

So begins a desperate race against time. Twilight and her friends are chosen - willing or not - to travel across the Eastern Sea, to the continent of Celagia and its Great Forest beyond civilisation's edge. One of them must take hold of the Gate's incredible might before the enemies of Canterlot can - for if they do, they will surely wage war against the Princesses themselves. But power must come at a price - and the hardest thing for Twilight and her friends will not be the journey - but knowing that they cannot all come back.

This story was planned before season three. Any canon impacting on this story from season three or later is disregarded. I reserve the right to use themes from beyond season two, although will endeavour to justify these if I choose to do so.