Separated by fickle chance and stranded far from home, Twilight and her friends struggle with a world collapsing around them. At a school of magic, ancient history becomes terrifying reality in the furnace of ambition. In the far western frontier, a mysterious plague seeps into body and soul and leaves blood-soaked madness in its wake. Civil war looms in the griffin Sky Kingdom with an invasion of Equestria as the prize. And the city of Manehattan is cut off and suffocating under a shroud of fear. Behind it all, a patient creature waits for the final proof that Celestia and Luna are unfit to rule.

Equestria is never at peace. It only endures.

Warning: Contains harsh language and some violence.

My profound thanks and eternal gratitude to NejinOniwa, PoisonClaw, Gog Toxic, ArgonMatrix Idylia, and AlicornPriest for their aid in making this story readable. Go and shower accolades upon them. After you read this, of course. And also, credit to Aeros the Unsure of DeviantArt for the cover art. Honorable mention to Xaldon Ajide for help with the description.

October 2015: No, I haven't stopped writing. I'll never stop writing. I just tend to write about other things than ponies these days. Mostly college papers. But once I start something, I finish it. Another rewrite is in the works, and this should be the last one, knock on wood. Third time's the charm, right? I won't promise updates in a certain time because I'd just have to keep pushing them back, but they will come eventually. Maybe once I'm out of college next year. In the meantime, I hope my returning readers at least get a little enjoyment out of the re-heated introduction.