When the Crystal Empire reappeared, nopony realised that in its absence

the frozen 'wasteland' where it once was had actually been claimed. Taking

the sudden colony on their land as an act of war, hostile griffins invade

Equestria in retaliation for the loss of territory. King Claw sends spies

to steal the Elements of Harmony so the ponies can't use them, plus

assassins with expertise in both magic and poisons to remove Celestia and

Luna first. In the midst of the invasion Twilight uses every scrap of magic

she can to teleport the injured alicorns, herself, Applejack and Rarity far

away from the danger - a plan that works only up to the point where she

faints and they are flung into the ether with no way of knowing where in

Equestria they'll end up. Separated and not knowing who has survived, the

ponies must reunite and find the Elements to win back their land before it

and its citizens become just a griffin hunting ground. Yet Pinkie Pie can't

remember who she is and must rely on a stranger to protect her, Fluttershy

has to hide her identity, and Rainbow Dash sees an old friend in the

griffin ranks that makes her question where her loyalty lies when she needs

it most.