Twilight Sparkle has been living in Ponyville for almost a year now, and the long-awaited Grand Galloping Gala is just a few days away. But three strangers have come to Ponyville, bringing with them the promise of great change.

One is the enigmatic Raven, who reveals little of herself beyond vague generalisations but who appears to have some history with Twilight and her friends, even if none of them can ever recall meeting her before.
Making much more of a bang, literally, are Prince Lightning Dawn and his sister Krysta; together they bring astonishing revelations about the history of Equestria, while Lightning also brings a stick lodged in his posterior. But Twilight can see something underneath his often unappealing manner, and as he bends towards her she begins to wonder just what it is she might be feeling towards this stranger from the stars.

Can Twilight open Lightning's eyes to a whole new world, and whole new way of living beyond the grim austere demands of duty and necessity? Or will Lightning's nature drive away not only Twilight but also his best hope of salvation?

Unbeknownst to either of them the fates of worlds and stars and even an entire galaxy are bound to these two, the virtuous princess and the half-made knight; and their journey has just begun.