The goblins are a dying race, having been one of the first to evolve to sentience, predating even ponies. They have done well to survive this long despite their limited intelligence, how susceptible they are to various forms of madness, and especially their infertility. They have disappeared for the most part, leaving a single smoldering ember where there was once a great flame. In fact, almost everyone in the world believes they died out a long time ago. This is the story of the final days of one tribe of goblins, the last to ever exist. They have long had a deal with the queen of the changeling swarm, but when a sudden change in leadership destroys their alliance, they are about to face the death of their species.

Sentience. A trait possessed only by intelligent creatures. A trait thought impossible to find in any automaton, even with the most cutting-edge technology and the most advanced magics. A trait that, when mixed with immortality and solitude, can make someone quite the weapon. A weapon which a pony would do anything to get.

Princess Cadence feels a surge of powerful magic energy coming from the lower crystal wilds and, feeling concerned for the well being of her subjects, asks for help from the Princesses, who in turn send out the elements of harmony to investigate. What they find is what nobody could have ever expected.

This story takes place right after king Sombra's defeat, so Twilight is not a princess.