Equestria has recovered from the tumultuous coronation of Princess Twilight and the union between ponies and the other creatures of Equis promises to start a new age of peace and prosperity. Suddenly Discord begins to lose control of his chaos magic as he falls into a mysterious illness.

In an alternate Earth following the failure of the Congress of Vienna in 1848, an uneasy peace is threatening to collapse. In the Balkans, The Germans desperately try to maintain the status quo as the Italians and Russians wish to carve up the Ottoman Empire. Edward VII is dead and his young grandson Albert must quickly learn to hold the burden of ruling the vast British domain. The Bourbon Empire is dead set on taking revenge on the Germans who so brutally humiliated it during the Wars of European Unification. America is emerging as a new global superpower, its vast economy giving rise to a wealthy elite that wishes to expand American influence no matter the cost. The Great Qing is on the verge of collapse and the Japanese Empire wishes to expand its influence, emboldened by its recent victory against the Russians.

Twilight must balance her desires with the wobbling house of cards that is human geopolitics following a botched Congress of Vienna to ensure the safety of Equestria and foster a positive relationship with her kingdom's new neighbors.