Before the civil war between Celestia and Luna and during the time of the great and powerful Crystal Empire, the frozen tundra of Northern Equestria was a place of hardship and struggle. The actions of an avaricious unicorn leave one of the villages in ashes and a foal orphaned. One pegasus by the name of Shadowscare begins a journey to redeem himself and protect the innocent life of the foal left in his possession. Rising tensions and dangers will be faced on his path, and eventually he must face the decision of what truly means the most to him in this world.