Note: after the present tense of the prologue, the story shifts into past tense, both for present-day action and flashbacks that kick off each chapter. The latter here has Dawn, no longer Celestia's untouchable student but still enrolled at her school, getting dressed down by the Princess after lashing out at some other scholars (namely the latest waifu du jour Moondancer) who were floating at how the mighty had fallen. Celestia expresses regret for her earlier favoritism which had led to this, but all Dawn can think is how Twilight Sparkle "deceived" the Princess....
Speaking of Twilight, we catch up with the newest princess in a flight lesson with Rainbow Dash, which goes well enough until Twi sprains her wing while attempting to keep pace with her teacher, and Rainbow and Fluttershy just manage to keep her from pasting herself outside her new palace in Canterlot, before learning that Celestia has summoned her once again. Twilight unloads to Spike how uncomfortable she is with the increased pomp and circumstance surrounding her (having stayed in Canterlot for the nonce, and her friends with her, because she can't bear to go back to Ponyville and have everypony treat her differently there too).
Celestia informs the pair that ambassadors from a pair of famously secretive zebra nations are traveling to Canterlot and requests her former student's aid in research and preparation, as well as attending to some matters of state during the negotiations, before commiserating with her over her apprehension of how other ponies may see her and convincing her to open up. Twilight takes it to heart and lets her friends know they're free to return to Ponyville, but they insist on sticking around and helping her prepare for the summit- except Applejack, who reluctantly notes her concerns about leaving Sweet Apple Acres and her brother alone for so long. Well, what's one less companion whom you specifically noted after you nearly made yourself into a crater would make a wonderful steward....
We finally catch up with modern-day Dawn just as she's being fired from some kind of clothing store, for reasons apparently unimportant. No, seriously, it's clear enough from the ego and temper we've seen up to this point, and even more so here, that she can easily get herself sacked (apparently repeatedly) and not have it feel contrived at all, so the story knows where to press on. Dawn "quits" in a righteous huff, before breaking dawndown once she's well away and continuing to sob in the company of her Pegasus housemates and might-have-been Element bearers: the aforementioned Razor Wind and Cherry Blossom, who comfort her, reaffirm their friendship and grind the story to a halt for a verse of "You Are My Sunshine". Dawn once again growls that Twilight is to blame for her reversal of fortune and vows to take back what is hers, and the others stand with her (despite Cherry's discomfort at the thought of harming other ponies, which Dawn assures her won't actually be necessary). For this, though, they'll need to put the whole band back together....
