When a blizzard descended upon the Crystal Empire, everypony felt their fear of the unknown return. Twilight and her friends were instantly on the next train, and found the Crystal Empire almost as if it had never been saved in the first place. Fortunately, the crystal ponies were standing strong against the onslaught, and their city was not in danger.

That did not mean Twilight was not in her own danger, as she walked the short distance to the protected part of the capital.

This story is a sequel to A shadow of what I once was.

After being denied his reward of death, Sombra is resigned to study the Everfree magic and see if it could be useful in the future. But when a curse comes back to life after being banished, Sombra is forced into a situation he never wished for; confront his hidden desire for power, or be consumed by it.