My Little Mages: Academia Ardens

Chapters

Vanishing magic
Headmistress ….Glow?
Empress of Friendship
A Face-turn?
And the sun goes down
New Torch Bearers
Bonus Chapter: A follow up question

Vanishing magic

It was a bright sunny day, a few hours before noon. Brighteyes was flying to make her morning delivery for Princess Twilight’s School of Friendship. It was a bright sunny day, a few hours before noon. Brighteyes was flying to make her morning delivery for Princess Twilight’s School of Friendship.he took the letters out of her bag as she landed in front of the school. She was about to place it in the mailbox, she was meet by a girl about twelve to thirteen years old. The girl had light blue and bluish gray hair done in curls with a pale ribbon around her head and moderate scarlet eyes. She wore a pinkish gray shirt with a purple dress that had overall like straps over her shoulders with the bottom half of the dress looking like a red chess rook with light brown triangles around the dress, breaking up the rook, and around her neck was a blue ribbon with bronze medal of the school’s logo. “Oh good morning Cozy,” Brighteyes said as she handed to the recently identified Cozy the mail.

“Thank you for the mail delivery, Miss Muffins,” Cozy said as she accepted the mail and noticed a ring on Brighteyes’ left index finger. “I see you have engagement right, so did Time Turner say yes?”

Brighteyes blushed, “Actually he proposed, came in the post office yesterday as we were closing, full ‘An Officer and And A Gentleman’.” Brighteyes gave a joyful sigh. “We haven’t set a date yet.”

“Well, I know three girls that would love to be your flower girls, if you want to go outside the family.” Cozy offered. “Am certain I set rearrange Professor Crumbles-Flanks schedule for either a measuring for your own dress or to adjust any dress you already have.”

“Aww, thank you so much. I’ll have to get back to you on that.” Brighteyes thanked the girl with a big smile.

“Well, in any case, I hope you have a wonderful day!” Cozy said with a big smile and a lot of cheer as she and Brighteyes bid each other a due. She then walked into the school. As she walked she put the mail into a pocket into her dress. As she walked in she saw a discarded used juice box with a straw on the floor. Cozy rolled her eyes with a slight smile. She then picked up the box and straw and placed them into their respective bins to be recycled or disposed of. She then revealed herself as a Skyborn with ethereal wings manifested as she started to fly slowly down the rest of the hallway. As she flew she came across a girl about her age with a map of the school. “Hello there.” Cozy greeted, “You're new here, right?” the girl nodded in response. “I'm Cozy Glow, Headmistress Sparkle's friendship assistant. Welcome to our school!” Cozy greeted the girl. The girl then showed Cozy her map and schedule of the day. “Your first class of the day is Lieutenant Colonel Sentry’s Defense of Self and Friends, just down that hall third door on the right.” The girl smiled and headed to the door Cozy indicated. Cozy then continued her route which led her by Silverstream as she was working on a crossword puzzle. The aasimar was struggling with a word. Cozy took a look over Silver’s shoulder, “A seven-letter word for "teamwork".” she read the clue. “Have you tried "synergy"?” she asked Silver.

Silver then used the word and not only did it fit the clue, but it also made more clues for other words. “That's it!” the aasimar shouted and hugged Cozy. “Thanks, Cozy!” she said after the hug. Silverstream then looked at the clock on the wall. “I am going to be late for my class field trip.” Silver then bolted.

Cozy smiled and started back on her flight, “What are friends for?” she asked rhetorically and carried on her route. She arrived at Twilight’s office after about ten minutes later and opened the door. As she closed it, following her entry, “Good morning, Headmistress Sparkle!” Cozy cheered. She then flew up to Twilight’s desk and placed the mail in the ‘mail in’ basket.

Twilight was at the time reading a scroll, she then placed the scroll down and noticed what Cozy placed there in the basket. “The mail's here already?” She asked rhetorically. “What time is it?!” she asked as turned her attention to the clock on her wall. Her eyes widened in horror as she bolted to the locker in her office, “I'm late for my class's field trip to Cumula!” she took out a bag and then started to pant in a panic.

Cozy hovered over to Twilight and patted the princess on the shoulder, “Don't worry.” Cozy said which got her to calm down. “I asked Professor Dash to cover for you.” She said with a smile.

“And she said yes?” Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.

Cozy nodded, “Uh-huh. I told her how busy you are and how much her loyalty meant to you.” Cozy informed as she took a notepad that she wrote on, “I also color-coded your teaching schedule by friendship element and cataloged all the magical artifacts on loan to the school.” She then gave a small gasp, “I hope that's okay.” she said as she dipped her head in guilt.

“Okay?” Twilight asked with great joy as she hovered in the air for a second. “Cozy, that's amazing!” she exclaimed as she landed and gave Cozy a hug. “You're like my right-hand girl! I don't know what I'd do without you. And to think when you arrived you seemed to have such a hard time.” Twilight said as she walked back to her desk and started to read the mail that arrived.

Cozy gave a few giggles as she walked to be in front of the desk, “It's like you and the CMC taught me. Helping is what friendship's all about.”

Twilight nodded, “Exactly.” she agreed, “And hopefully my class is learning that on their field trip right now.” she said as she looked out the window in her office and saw the floating cloud city a few miles away from Magiville airspace.

Cozy began to leave the office, “I heard they might do some sightseeing first.” she informed Twilight. Twilight shook her head with a smile.

Just outside of Cumula on a fairly large cloud able to have about a dozen and a half people on it. Among the people on it were Silverstream, Gallus, Ocellus, Sandbar, Smolder, Yona, Starlight Glimmer and Rainbow Dash. “ Ta-da!” Rainbow said as she hovered in front of everyone and point out the city, mostly at the weather regulation facility, “As Pinkie’s dad would say, Lo and behold! The Skyborn Weather Factory!” Rainbow informed. “Every drop of rain or flake of snow from Cumula comes from there.” Rainbow continued. Most of the students gave an awe. “I know, right?” She then looked and saw a few of the students not paying attention to her speech, “Hey! The cool stuff's over here!” she said.

Ocellus jumped up and down on the cloud, “Wow! I've never stood on a cloud before!” she informed Starlight.

Starlight nodded, “People can't normally.” Starlight then tapped her focus gem, “But for our trip, I bond a few copies of the spell cloudwalking so that we all can walk like Skyborn.” she said as then moved her hands with her magic shown in her hands. She then turned her focus towards Gallus, “Although harpies don’t need such a spell.” she then turned her focus to Silver and then back to Ocellus, “Granted I don’t know about elves and aasimars.”

Gallus walked over the edge and looked over the edge. He smirked looked over his shoulder to see Yona in the fetal position and clinging to one of the Skyborn students. “Hey, Yona! Come check out this view!” he declared. “Unless you're too scared.” he challenged the ork.

Yona causally got to her feet and started to walk towards Gallus, “Yona not scared!” she countered with her teeth chattering, betraying her fear. She took one step and fell through the cloud. “Now Yona scared!” she screamed as she fell to the ground.

Starlight tried to catch and levitate Yona back up but her magic fizzled out and then she and all but Rainbow, Gallus, Silverstream, Smolder, Ocellus (who had changed into a more insectoid form) and the Skyborn students. “We gotta catch 'em!” Rainbow shouted and they all dove down to catch their fellow students. Most noticeable of the saves were Rainbow catching Starlight, Smolder saving Sandbar and last but not least Gallus and Ocellus saving Yona as the ork screamed until she was caught.

As Yona registered that she was saved, “Gotcha!” Gallus declared.

“It's okay, Yona!” Ocellus said as she tried to calm Yona as Yona was hyperventilating from the screams. “You like flying, remember?” she asked as Yona calmed down.

“Flying, not falling!” Yona said with a very clear pout. Ocellus and Gallus, as well as all the other flyers gently lowered everyone to the ground. Yona then dropped to her knees and kissed the ground.

Everyone turned to Starlight, “I don't understand.” she answered the question they were about to ask. “It-It's like my spells stopped working. That's... never happened before.”

“Okay, the field trip is canceled, Class is dismissed.” Rainbow said, “Back to school.”

About an hour later Starlight and Rainbow ran into Twilight’s office, “We have an emergency!” Starlight shouted getting Twilight to look from the papers she was reading and discussing them with Cozy.

“The students dropped out of the sky!” Rainbow added.

Before Twilight could ask them to slow down and clarify, “I bond a series of spells for a modified version of cloudwalking for our field trip, but my magic just failed.” Starlight informed.

“We flyers barely caught everybody in time!” Rainbow added.

Twilight got from behind her desk calmly, “I'm glad you're all okay, but I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, Starlight.” Twilight dismissed. “Maybe you did your spells wrong,” she said which shocked Starlight. “Let's take a look,” Twilight said as she started to levitate a book to the three. The book hovered from the bookshelf for about a foot before the magic bubble around the book faded and it landed with a thud. “I didn't drop that book,” Twilight said in a panic.

Starlight rolled her eyes, “Maybe you did your spell wrong?” she asked with sarcasm supersaturated into her voice.

There was another thud followed by Rarity crying ‘Ow!’ The door was reopened by Fluttershy as the druid flew in, “Rarity ran into the door.” Fluttershy said as Rarity’s looked in with a tearful face.

“My magic is go-o-o-one!” the enchantress sobbed as she walked in slowly, “I even had to use my hands to brush my hair!” she sobbed as she revealed her hair was down with a ribbon and a hairbrush stuck in her hair.

Rainbow turned to Twilight, “Still think there's nothing to worry about?” she asked rhetorically.

Twilight shook her head as she tried to fathom what happened and how “This doesn't make any sense. Magic can't just disappear. Something has to be causing this.” she couldn’t figure out what happened.

“Um, didn't we learn in class about a being that eats magic?” Cozy asked. “I think it was on the ‘Rainbow of Light’. I believe it was Ter, Tee... Tir-something?” Cozy seemed to have a hard time trying to recall the name of the being.

Fluttershy gasped, “Tirek!” she shouted as she concluded what Cozy was trying to say.

Rainbow scratched her head, “I thought he was trapped in Tartarus.” the elementalist questioned more or less.

Before anyone could confirm or deny Rainbow’s assertion the door opened again as a purple dragon, just a little smaller than Smolder, flying alongside the paladin. This was Spike, after going through the molting, he had gained his long prized wings, however, in turn, he had regressed to his quadruple state and in his stature, conservation of mass and such. Spike landed on the ground and started to gag as he huffed out a green flame. “Spike, what's wrong?” Twilight asked.

Spike continued to gag until Rarity stock him hard on the back causing him to belch out a school. He sighed as he grabbed the scroll and flew to be next to Twilight’s shoulders, “Thanks, Rarity.” he said to the enchantress as he flew, “I've never had a letter get stuck before.” he commented before he gave Twilight the scroll.

“It's from Princess Celestia! We've all been called to an emergency meeting in Chantalot!” Twilight said as she tried to levitate the scroll so that the others could see. “Look!” however the magic she used fizzled out and the scroll fell to the ground. “On second thought, I am pretty sure we know what it's about.”

About three hours later in the throne room of Celestia and Luna, Twilight, Starlight et al, stood in front of them with Cadance. “I am glad that you all arrived so quickly. To keep this short, our citizens here in the capital have been reporting that their magic is failing. Noticeably their spells going wrong. Potions not working.”

Luna then spoke, “We even had some difficulty in raising the moon and sun last night and this morning.” She then looked squarely at Twilight, “Are there similar troubles in Magiville?” she asked.

Twilight nodded in confirmation, “We experienced it first-hand.”

Cadance then spoke up, “There are similar stories throughout Krystalopolies.” Cadance then sighed in some relief, “The Crystal Heart seems safe for now, but I worry if this continues.”

The doors to the throne room opened as Skyborn man in the blue Mystican male uniform flew up to the throne. He arrived in front of Luna and Celestia and genuflect in front of them. “Letter for the princess from Star Swirl the Great!” The diarchs nodded and the messenger stood back up and handed Celestia the letter and flew out of the room as fast as he could, least one of the royals shot the messenger.

Celestia opened the leader. She froze after a second of reading it. “This is far worse then I imagined!” the princess exclaimed. “Magic is disappearing all across Mystica!” Everyone else in the room gasped.

“Wise move on the mailman’s part, if Hurricane was present he would have beheaded the poor man,” Luna commented. Only earning her a glare from Celestia.

Celestia cleared her throat and spoke, “Star Swirl believes the power will drain from our land in three days. First, Magicborn will lose their connection to the ethereal plane and thus their magic and spells will fail.” she surmised that what she read.

“That's what's happening now.” Starlight declared.

Celestia continued to read, “On the second day, creatures will lose their magic abilities.” Fluttershy gasped in fright and sorrow about that. Celestia then continued to read, “And finally, magical artifacts will stop working. When the sun sets on the third day, the magic in our world will be gone forever!”

Everyone then gasped save Applejack. “Wait a minute, what about us Earthborns’ and our connection to the Earth and Skyborns’ own connection to the elements?”

Celestia looked at the letter again, “There is nothing in Star Swirl’s letter about it.” Applejack could only roll her eyes response.

“But even without addressing the Earthborn and Skyborn, why is this happening now?” Cadance asked.

“That's the worst part,” Luna replied. “We have no idea.”

Twilight held her chin in thought, as she thought about what Fluttershy and Cozy concluded a few hours ago. “Has anybody checked on Tirek?” the youngest princess asked.

“You mean the guy who eats magic?” Pinkie asked. “Why would we wa— Ohhhh. Riiiiight.” the jester realized.

“If he has found some way to escape his prison or work from within it, he could be responsible for this,” Celestia stated as she acknowledged the outcome.

Luna held her chin in thought for a second, “That is the best explanation so far.” She raised her head and looked back at everyone, “Somebody should investigate.” She declared.

“We'll go,” Twilight answered immediately.

Rarity stepped forward and walked to be right next to Twilight, “Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no.” she said as she shook her head. “Not without us, you wo—” she then stopped as she realized what Twilight actually said. “Wait. Did you say "we"?” she asked as was not sure if she heard Twilight correctly.

Twilight smiled as she stepped to be in front of her friends and turned to face them, “I've finally learned that it's okay to count on your friends for help.” the princess declared. She then looked at her friends somewhat nervously, “Um, you do want to come, right?” she asked almost pleadingly.

“Uh, duh!” Rainbow said as she spoke up for everyone as the others nodded in agreement.

Celestia smiled, “Thank you all.” she thanked the others. “You must move quickly.”

Luna then added, “But you must be careful. Tartarus has changed since you were there. It now holds many dangerous creatures, and you won't be able to rely on your magic.” this was something that needed to be pointed out.

Applejack smirked as she drew her sword, “With her friends by her side, she won't have to.”

A few hours later back at Twilight’s school, Twilight and Starlight exited Twilight’s office, Twilight wore a backpack. “Okay. I left you my lesson plan, all my student files, and my annotated syllabus notes. I am sure everyone else has left notes for their classes. I am sure Trixie, Maud and the other substitutes you might employ.” Starlight nodded in agreement. “If anything goes wrong, get Princess Celestia.” Twilight informed the new acting headmistress of the school.

Starlight placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulder, “Got it!” she said to indicate that she understood the princess.

Stopped before she got to the atrium, “Maybe I should just close the school and send my students home.” she contemplated as she looked around the school with a slight panic.

Starlight sighed as she stepped to behind her, “Would you go save Mystica already?” she asked as she pushed Twilight in a clear form of support in her ‘tough love’ approach.

As the two arrived near the main door where Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Fluttershy with backpacks and Spike, who was without a pack, “We’re all packed and ready to go to bad guy central.”

Cozy then arrived with eight brown paper bags for everyone, “Don't forget the sandwiches.” she said as she started to give the bags to everyone. “I marked whose is whose, just in case.” she said and turned to Spike with a bag with Starlight’s aura mark on it, “Starlight can't stand mustard.”

Starlight smiled and the pat Cozy on the head, “That's so sweet of you, Cozy.” she thanked the girl. She then turned to look at Twilight, “But Twilight has asked me to stay here to run the school.”

“Oh.” Cozy said with a degree of sorrow and dipped her head, “I thought that after what happened last time—” she trailed off.

Spike laughed for about a second, “Once you survived Discord, anything else is a piece of cake.” he pointed out. “Seriously not much can surpass the master of chaos.”

Cozy pouted at that remark with a very distinct whimper as tears started to form in her eyes. Seeing this, “Plus, she'll have you to help her.” Twilight pointed out.

Cozy’s demeanor changed to be extremely cheerful, “Oh, golly, yes!” she said as she did a loop. She then flew up to Twilight and hugged her, “I promise I'll be the best assistant ever!” she declared and then took Starlight by the hand and began to lead her away, “Come on. We can start working on your substitute headmistress plans right now if you like.” She said as the two started to leave.

“Wow. Uh, okay.” Starlight conceded as she went with Cozy.

As the two left and Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were heading out the main door. “See? Nothing to worry about.” Twilight said to Spike. In a panic, she then grabbed Spike and pulled him so that his face was touching hers. “Tell me there's nothing to worry about.” she requested. As she saw Spike glare at her, she let go and brushed Spike off. The dragon only rolled his eyes and face-clawed.

Headmistress ….Glow?

The following morning, in the school of Friendship, the students started to gather in front of the podium for the morning tidings, everyone was chattering about what was going on, namely the Magicborns due to their inability to use their magic yesterday and last night. Just as everyone arrived Cozy flew in and stood behind the podium. “Good morning, fellow friendship students! I know we're all sad Headmistress Sparkle is away.” She said with a slight pout in her voice. “But don't worry, because she left me in charge to do things just the way she would.” she declared in great cheer.

In the front row of the students in front of the podium was Gallus, Yona, Smolder, Ocellus, Silverstream and Sandbar. Gallus raised his hand, “Uh, I thought Starlight Glimmer was gonna be temporary headmistress,” the harp pointed out.

Cozy nodded, “She was,” Cozy then showed a note, which she gave to Gallus, “but she left me this note.” As Gallus read it and passed it, “ I have to go. Twilight needs my help. I know the school is in good hooves with you, Cozy." Cozy said citing the note. Everyone could barely make it out, as the handwriting was… abysmal would be considered a compliment, which was pretty much Starlight’s handwriting in a nutshell. “We won't let Starlight down, will we?” Cozy asked as the note was returned to her.

“Wait for a second, where’s Lieutenant-Colonel Sentry?” Sandbar asked, “Wouldn’t he be the next person after Consoler Glimmer if she is not here?”

“Sadly the Lieutenant-Colonel has other duties as part of the ESM and his last class for the week was yesterday.” Cozy pointed out. This brought a fair amount of agreement from the other students.

As everyone was agreeing, “It's just kind of weird, isn't it?” Smolder asked calling attention to what she seemed to be off.

“I don't know what you mean.” Cozy questioned the dragon.

Smolder shock her head with her concern, “Like, why'd she change her mind?” She asked. “I get Sentry.” she conceded. “But back to Starlight, why did she just write a note instead of saying goodbye to us herself?” she asked pointing out how things were adding up. “Doesn't make any sense,” she concluded which got the better part of the student body to murmur.

Cozy only giggled as she walked up to Smolder, “Oh, Smolder,” she said as she patted the dragon on the head, “you forget. We're not scheming dragons. We're Mysticans.” she informed as she returned to the podium. “Sounds like someone needs to do a little extra friendship homework.” she joked in a fairly sanguine tone.

This resulting in most of the other students laughing, and Smolder to growl with a puff of smoke from her nose. Before anyone could do anything else, Yona placed her hand on Smolder’s folded wing, “Yona ork and ork not Mystican either! If Smolder get homework, Yona get homework.” the proud ork declared in solidarity with her draconic friend.

“Me, too!” Ocellus said as she placed her hand on Smolder’s other wing.

“I'm in!” Sandbar said as he stepped to be closer to his friends, his shoulder brushing Ocellus, getting a slight blush from the elf.

However, this was short lived and went unnoticed as Silverstream swooped in and pulled the other four into a hug, “Yeah!” she shouted with a few laughs. “Homework party!” she cheered.

There was a moment of silence as everyone in the school turned to Gallus, knowing that he was the part of the same group as the other five. Gallus dipped his head in frustration and groaned, “Fine.” he declared.

“What loyalty.” Cozy complemented the group, “Professor Dash would be so proud. You are such good friends.” she declared which brought the other students to applaud the six. “You all are.” Cozy said addressing the other student, “And I'm grateful because it will be awfully hard running a whole school alone until Headmistress Sparkle, our professors and Counselor Glimmer return. Can I count on each of you to help me?” she asked the students. Everyone cheered in agreement. “Thank you so much!” she declared. “It's just like our professors taught us. Together, we can get through anything!” everyone then cheered as they all headed to their work-study classes and projects while the teachers were gone.

Around the same time, Twilight et al were on the road to Tartarus, as they walked they were surrounded by flies buzzing around them. “Why are we walking?” Pinkie whined.

“There is a spell on the gates of Tartarus that prevent it to found expect by foot.” Applejack informed. “Those that try to find it by any other way end up mad or so the stories go.” the paladin added.

“And we’re not risking that because?” Pinkie asked.

“Because my skyboat is in drydock and if Celestia and Luna are having difficulties with guiding the sun and moon, and I own magic failing yesterday…” Twilight pointed out.

“Okay.” Pinkie commented, “But what about asking Discord?” Pinkie pointed out.

“Sorry, but the Smooze has ooze-pox, and Discord is taking care of him,” Fluttershy informed the rest.

“Like during the whole Storm-King thing?” Rainbow asked.

“Actually Discord had Orderitis and it was the Smooze that was nursing him back,” Fluttershy informed.
Pinkie turned to face the readers and shrugged her shoulders, “Yeah it’s a lazy attempt to lampshade those plot-holes but Foxhelm has to work with what he gots.”

Everyone sighed and continued on their track. After a few minutes in the travel, Rarity stopped as she blew and tried to shoo away from her face. Then one fly landed on her nose and she tried to smack it, but before it flew away before her hand made contact causing her to smack her face. “Ow!” she cried. “Ugh! I have had it with these horrible flies!” she complained before tears started to form in her eyes and pout, “I miss my magic!” the enchantress whined.

Twilight and Applejack groaned. It was then that Pinkie reached into her backpack and opened up the bag for food on their trip, “THIS! IS! THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING! EVER!!!” The jester shouted before she rolled into a ball and cried waterfalls.

“I am so sorry about your cupcakes, Pinkie,” Fluttershy said as she pats her friend on the shoulder.

“They were so young, they never had the chance to complete their mission.” the party planner waled.

Rainbow rolled her eyes, “Pfft, ‘Magic’ this, ‘magic’ that.” The elementalist mocked. “We don't need magic to go on a little hike.” she countered both Rarity’s and Pinkie’s complaint. Only for a bolt of lightning to strike nearby and thunder roll from it. Within seconds rain was coming down on them fairly hard.

They all then bolted to a nearby outcropping in the cliff wall, “You were saying?” Rarity whined.

“Y’all just need to think more like us closer to the Earth. Like Fluttershy and me.” Applejack said as she reached into her bag a pulled out a small jar, “Grandpa Apple Core’s ‘No-Bite-No-More’ perfect keeping any arthropod off yah!” Applejack opened the jar and passed it around after taking some the paste in the jaw and applying it to her face. “That'll keep the flies off.”

As Pinkie looked at the paste she gave it a sniff and immediately covered her nose, “Ugh! It smells just like it looks!” she declared.

As everyone was applying the paste, Fluttershy called attention to a nearby blueberry bush, “And these blueberries are still good to eat, so we don’t have to worry about food worse comes to worst.” the druid informed.

Spike, however, looked out to the storm they just escaped and would have to get back into, “Too bad we can't do anything about the storm.” the dragon pointed out.

Rainbow smirked, “I can't stop the rain.” she said before she bolted and returned with a cloud to function as an umbrella for everyone. “But I can still help.” she finished as she looked at the rest.

“I think we have all the magic we need right here,” Twilight said as she commented on all that she observed her group had accomplished without their inherent magic, especial hers and Rarity’s. Everyone then looked at her in shock, “Not that I don't want to get it back. Heh.” she said with a weak laugh. She then went under the cloud Rainbow brought down, “Let's go!” she ordered and they were off again.

Many hours later as night was falling in the area of Magiville, in the School of Friendship, many of the students behaved like the night was any other night. All the while chattering. As Sandbar was heading to the library he came across three girls, one a Magicborn, one an Earthborn and one a Skyborn, “Cozy Glow baked our class cupcakes today!” the Magicborn declared as the trio walked.

The Earthborn showed off her wrist, “And she made all of us friendship bracelets!” she added.

“She's the nicest person I've ever met. I'm so glad she's headmistress!” the Skyborn completed.

“Uh, temporary headmistress? Right, guys?” Sandbar questioned the three as he pointed out that Cozy was not the actual headmistress.

The three rolled their eyes, “Oh, oh, of course. But if Twilight takes her time coming back, I won't mind.” the Magiborn countered as the laughed and continued on their way.

Sandbar rolled his eyes and continued to the library. There he met up with Silverstream, Ocellus, Smolder, Gallus, and Yona. “Finally! We thought you forgot about study club.” Silverstream said as she was the first to notice Sandbar.

Sandbar gave a slight chuckle, “Sorry I'm late. Cozy Glow gave our class tickets to a Sapphire Shores concert in Magiville tonight.” Sandbar said as he joined them at the table.

“You get the feeling Cozy's trying too hard to make us like her?” Gallus asked as Sandbar opened his notebook.

Ocellus showed Sandbar her notebook on Fluttershy’s last class Ocellus attended but Sandbar could not attend due to the professors leaving, “Or maybe she just wants to help us keep our minds off of how scary it is that magic's disappearing,” the elf pointed out.

“I don't trust her,” Smolder said with a huff. “What's she up to behind those big eyes,” she said as brought her talons to her eyes and widened her eyelids. “and bouncy curls?” she said as she brushed the purple frill on her head.

Before anyone could say anyone there was a faint clattering, Yona looked over to another part of the library where the grate to the caves below the library. “And why Cozy coming out of catacombs so late at night?” the ork asked.

Everyone went over to see Cozy leave the library from another door after they saw she leave the caves underground, “Let's go ask her.” Gallus declared and they all silently nodded.

Near the western coast of Mystica with about an hour, before the last light of the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, Twilight et al arrived at an almost impossibly large set of metal doors. “This is the only door to Tartarus,” Twilight said as she walked up to the door. As she looked over it was clear that the door had not been opened. “The good news is the seal isn't broken, so we know Tirek didn't escape.” Twilight informed as she turned to look at the others.

“And three, two, one.” Applejack and Spike counted before as Twilight was about to give the bad news.

Twilight rolled her eyes, “And the bad news is” she stated flatly as she was annoyed about Applejack’s and Spike’s countdown, “the last time I was here, I had to use my magic to get in. And according to Star Swirl, all Magicborn magic was gone by yesterday's sunset.” Twilight pointed out. Before she could be questioned she stepped to have everyone see as struggled and strained as she tried to bring her magic to open the door as only someone that can be killed or die can open the gates from the outside. After about five seconds her magic fizzled out and sigh.

Pinkie placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulder, “Don't worry, Twilight. I got this.” She then pulled a pizza box and was dress like a slice of pizza in a blink of an eye and knocked on the adamantine doors. “Free pizza delivery!” she shouted only to answered with silence. Pinkie turned back to the others, “Huh. Always worked before. Oh, well.” she said nonchalantly and was out of her costume faster than an eye can blink.

Applejack reached into her backpack and pulled out what looked like a diamond in the shape of a cone, “If you’re all done messing around.” she said as she walked to the gate.

“The Key of Unfettered Entrance!?” Twilight asked before Applejack could place it in what looked like a hole that would match the cone.

“Actually it’s one of the minor ones, like least, it’s a one-time-us. So before I put it in, do we have a plan to get out, because once we go it, these doors will shut.” Applejack asked the lot. Everyone was quiet as no-one could think of plan out. “We’re going to have to wing it, Maybe Kerberos has a key on his collar.” Applejack stated with a groan of frustration. They had to open the door, and they didn’t have the time to wait on the outside. So reluctantly Applejack placed the key in and the doors opened followed by the key shattering to dust in the wind. “Let’s go.” Applejack said as she drew her sword as everyone readied their weapons, in the case of Fluttershy the use of her ‘stare’ and they all cautiously entered only for the doors to slam shut behind them. Before they could fully recover they hear the hiss of a cockatrice. Upon seeing the monster they all gasped as they tried to cover their eyes, “Cockatrice!” Applejack said as held her sword in front to reflect the cockatrice’s gaze upon itself.

“Do something, Fluttershy!” Rarity pleaded.

“Don't look at it! It'll turn you to stone!” Rainbow added almost unneeded.

As everyone kept their eyes shut Pinkie opened her and looked around as the cockatrice hissed. “I don't feel like stone.” Pinkie started and then bounced up and down a few times, “Unless it's really bouncy stone.”

Slowly everyone opened their eyes and saw that the cockatrice was in a cage and while their eyes met the beast nothing happened. “I think he lost his magic, too.” Fluttershy surmised and then looked at all the cages near the door, there was a manticore, a chimera, a hydra, a beast bugbear just to list a few. “All the creatures here must have,” she said as she looked at each and every one of the miserable lot.

“Star Swirl said that would happen on the second day,” Twilight said as a sense of true sorrow for these creatures plight sank into the seven.

“I know it should make me feel safer,” Spike said as he flew to be above everyone, “but it just makes me sad. We gotta fix this!” The dragon declared as he stated down the path ahead looking for Kerberos and their target.

At the same time Cozy opened the door to Twilight’s office unaware that she was being followed by Gallus et al. Inside the office she saw that the chair Twilight sat in was turned to face the window. It then creaked as it turned to reveal Chancellor Neighsay in it. An irritated look was on his face “Where is Princess Twilight?!” he deemed to know, electing to get to the core of the matter.

Cozy smiled, “Oh, golly. She's away on a quest. I'm watching the school for her.” the girl answered with a great amount of cheer, not unlike a child that was told she or he was doing a good job at something.

To say that Neighsay was bemused would be the understatement of the day. He almost jumped from the chair as he slammed the desk, “Magic is failing across our land, and she left a child in charge of this facility?” he asked rhetorically. Such a dereliction of duty would be intolerable under M.E.A. guidelines.

“Yes, sir!” Cozy answered with a big open-mouth closed-eye smile. “Is there anything I can do for you?”She asked joyously.

“That won't be necessary,” Neighsay said as he sat down and looked to the ceiling. “While M.E.A seizing control of a school is far from the norm,” he paused as he looked at Cozy, “Twilight's folly stops here. As of now, I am headmaster.” He declared as he slammed the desk once more. “And I have quite a few changes to make,” he added with a smirk growing on his face. Cozy gave an angry pout as Gallus et al looked at each other nervously.

Empress of Friendship

Back in Tartarus as everyone was walking past the various creatures, “If all these monsters lost their magic, then getting past Kerby should be easy-peasy!” Pinkie said as she took a moment to pet what she thought was a dog only for it to reveal itself to be part of the large three-headed warden of the prison. Kerberos snarled at first and then spotted Twilight and tackled her like a big happy puppy seeing its master and started to lick her. “Daww. Ain’t he a big softy.”

“Down, Kerberos,” Twilight ordered between licks. Kerberos obeyed and stepped to the side. “Good boy. Kerberos.” Twilight praised the colossal three-headed dog. “We need to speak with Tirek.” Twilight informed. Kerberos snarled in the direction of the inmate in question and then started to walk guiding the group past beasts to the sapient inmates, which was shockingly vacant until they came to a stone staircase with a cage on the plateau at the top.

It was there that Kerberos stopped as Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie climbed the stairs as Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Spike flew to the top. There in the cage was what looked like the shadow of a man. “Well, if it isn’t the Princess of Friendship.” the man said as he revealed himself to be massively drained Tirek. “Come here for a visit.” He then gave a mock bow. “What have I done to earn the honor of your company?” he chuckled.

Twilight scowled at Tirek and pointed at the spellthief, “We want answers, Tirek. Magic is disappearing from Mystican.”

Tirek took a step back with a massive grin on his face. “I know.” he almost whispered. “What a waste of such…” he paused as he thought about all that magic being drained and how it could just flow down his throat. “... delicious power.” he finished with a clear grin.

“So you are behind this!” Rainbow declared as she was about to draw her bow and shot an arrow at him.

Tirek laughed, “Silly girl if I had all that magic, you think I'd still be locked up in here?” he asked pointing out the massive fault in the girl’s logic. “But I might know something about it…” he added as he looked to the ceiling of his cell and smiled to himself.

Back in Twilight’s office, on her desk were folders with the faces of Smolder, Gallus, Silverstream, Yona and Ocellus and Neighsay brushed them off of the desk into the trash bin to its side.
Cozy scowled at the act as she went to the bin and took the folders out. “What are you doing?!” she asked in wrath, “This are Princess Twilight's student files!” she declared as she went to put them back. However, Neighsay placed his hand on his medallion with the MEA insignia on it and from it send a beam that destroyed the files.

“Not anymore.” Neighsay said as he turned the chair and got to his feet, “With Mystica under attack, we Mysticans must stand together.” He walked to be next to the desk, “Princess Twilight has endangered us all by skipping off on friendship trips while these dangerous foreigners run loose.” He said as he stomped on the ashes of the files.

“You don't think they're the reason magic is disappearing, do you?” Cozy asked in utter shock that anyone could consider accusing the five foreign exchange students with such a crime.

Neighsay turned to look out of the window, “Yes,” he said with a sting of a sorrow as if it pained him to right, “and I came to warn the princess.” He sighed and then turned back to Cozy. “But since she is gone, it falls to me to protect you, children.” He said as he walked to Cozy. He paused as he heard some murmuring. “Did you hear something?” he asked as if he wanted to make sure he wasn’t hearing things.

“It sounded like it came from over there!” Cozy said as she pointed to the door. The two started towards the office’s door and it creaked open as Sandbar et al fell to the floor.

As they grunted in their attempt to recover, “You again.” Neighsay said as he clenched his fist. “As I suspected,” he said as he loosened his grip, with a shocking degree of sorrow in his voice. He then placed his other hand on his medallion and conjured a set of chains that wrapped around the six. The six screamed as the chains tightened around him. A few minutes later at Gallus’ and Sandbar’s room Neighsay opened it, “From now on, this school is Mystican-only!” he declared as he used his medallion’s magic to levitate the chained six into the room and dropped them with a thud. “Since you refuse to explain your plot against Mystica and return the magic you stole, you will stay here while I summon your guardians to take you back from whence you came.” Neighsay turned to leave.

In less than a second, “Wait!” Sandbar said making the chancellor stop. As Neighsay turned to face Sandbar, “You were right about them from the beginning, Chancellor. I see that now.” he said as if he meant it. As the five other gave various what’s and confusions. “I don't want anything to do with anyone that could threaten Mystica!” he said with anger towards his friends in his voice which left the five utterly flabbergasted, tears forming in the corners of Ocellus’ eyes.

Neighsay smiled as he walked back to the group, “Wisely put, son.” He said as he took Sandbar’s hand with his right hand and placed his left on his medallion and was able to pull Sandbar through the chains like he was a ghost. As the two walked out of the room. “If you, the most infected by Princess Twilight Sparkle’s well-meaning but misguided attempt, everyone will come to their senses eventually.” The door closed and Neighsay headed off leaving Sandbar in alone in the hall.

Around half an hour later in the grounds of Sweet Apple Temples, an apple was thrown at Apple Bloom’s window, followed by five more apples. Apple Bloom woke up and opened the window as she yawned. She then saw a sink come her way which she dodged it. “What in tarnation?!” she exclaimed in utter shock.

She then turned down and saw Sandbar with a wide away of items. “Sorry. I ran out of apples,” he said as he rubbed the back of his head and neck. He then lowered his hand and got down to business, “I need the Cutie Mage Crusaders. My friends are in trouble. Chancellor Neighsay locked them up.” he informed the younger mage.

Apple Bloom raised her eyebrow in confusion, “Huh?” she asked in confusion. “I thought Cozy Glow was in charge.” she pointed out in what she knew.

Sandbar shock and dipped his head, “Not anymore.” he informed Apple Bloom, “But you guys are good buddies,” he informed referencing the bond the CMC have with Cozy. “If you can convince her to distract Neighsay, I can break out my friends.” he pitched his basic plan to Apple Bloom, “Will you help me?” he asked.

Apple Bloom smirked as she was about to leave him and get ready, “Do mulberries have seeds?” he asked. There was a moment of silence as Sandbar was trying to answer the question. “That's a yes.” Apple Bloom said as she looked out of her window explaining what she meant.

At the same moment back in Tartarus, “Where is Mystica's magic going, Tirek?” Twilight asked getting down to the brass tacks as she pointed at the spell thief. “What's making it disappear?” she compounded as she sought to learn how to reverse the process.

Tirek stroke his beard, “You know, being locked away in Tartarus really does a number on the mind. Especially being confined to a limited space.” The spell thief knew better than to ask directly, also he had the six that sent him to his current jail where he wanted them.

Rainbow flew to the cage and would have torn him apart if she was not stopped by the bars. “Listen here old fart, how about you tell us what you know or you'll be stuck here forever because we're out of magic keys and nobody can open the door?” she asked as tried to get Tirek to see that there was no way anyone was going to let him out.

As Rainbow seemed oblivious to the implications and inferences that could be made, the other six’s eyes shot wide open. “We're just as trapped as Tirek.” Spike declared as the revelation dawned on Rainbow as she stepped from the cage.

Tirek turned around and chuckled as he walked around his cage, “What a pity.” he then turned and looked squarely at the seven, “Well, for you.” he mocked. He then clenched his right hand in triumphant, “Sweet revenge for me.” He smiled as if he was in on a joke. “It seems my little protege's plan worked after all,” he said as he patted himself on the back. He watched as the seven gasped and before any could ask, “Oh, we've never met, so you can’t expect me to point my protege out of a line-up.” he informed. Before anyone could ask how he interacted, “We're pen pals. You see severing off mail and visits is considered cruel and unusual punishment by even Tartarus standards.” He then chuckled at the sight of the seven’s bewilderment. “Each letter had so many questions about draining magic.” he finished as he started to laugh.

Pinkie then dove at the cage and got into Tirek’s face, “And you answered them?!” she questioned in horror and anger.

Tirek just shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, “Well, I was bored.” he then started to lean forward forcing Pinkie to lean back, “So I simply pointed my pen pal in the right direction.” he told them.

Pinkie let go of the bars and landed on her rear, just as Fluttershy stepped forward and took Pinkie’s hand reassuringly, “Can't you just tell us your pen pal's name?” she asked pleadingly. “I mean since we're stuck here anyway?” she pointed out the fact that all eight were down there and no way out.

Tirek couldn’t help but chuckle for a second, “Oh, why not? The irony is too perfect. My pen pal’s and protege’s name is…” he trailed off.

At that exact second in Twilight’s School of Friendship, “Cozy Glow!” Sandbar shouted as he and the Cutie Mage Crusaders arrived at the grate in the library which led to the caves and roots of the Tree of Harmony that grew there. “I-I could've sworn I saw her come down this way when she left her office.” He said as he moved the grate and he and trio started down the roots into the cave below. After about half an hour they arrived at The four followed the roots in the caves until they found a ledge where they gasped at the sight.

Beyond the ledge was a magic circle with six points with that seems to be six items, one in each point. Above the circle was a massive ball of magic. Inside the ball was both Starlight Glimmer and Flash Sentry, the two looked worn out as if they had been trying to get out of it, Flash was still hacking at the ball with his sword. Upon seeing this Sandbar and the CMC gasped. “Enjoying yourself in there?” asked the voice of Cozy. Sandbar and the CMC ducked to not be seen by Cozy as she walked from the shadows and gave a sorrowful pout. Flash only continued to hack his way out, only for Starlight to roll her eyes at the sentinel's wasted efforts. “I'm sorry I had to push you both in. But what else could I do?” she asked with some guilt as she pouted. That changed into a scowl before she started to walk around the circle “You were going to ruin all my plans.” As she spoke and walk she failed to see Sandbar and the CMC watching her. Cozy stopped and looked at Flash and Starlight. “You might get some company soon if I can't make that annoying Neighsay back off!” as she said ‘back off’ it was clear that she was trying to contain her wrath about Neighsay’s presence. She then inhaled and then exhaled as she tried to calm herself down. “All this magic needs time to drain from Mystica before my vortex sucks it to another realm,” she said almost innocently as if she had no idea what she was doing was wrong. She then giggles as she rubbed the back of her head, “Three days can sure seem like forever, huh?” she asked. She then continued to walk around the circle. “You know, you all got it all wrong,” she said as her pupils constricted. “Friendship isn't magic. Friendship is power!” she smiled with a twisted grin as she clenched her right hand. “With Twilight and her lackeys out of my way, all of Mystica will bow to me!” she then stopped as she looked at her circle. She then looked up to Starlight and Flash as she pulled a tiara with her badge taped to it as the main jewel for the crown. “The future Empress of Friendship!” she said as she crowned herself and started to laugh.

A Face-turn?

At the same time as Cozy was laughing over her apparent victory, back in Tartarus, “Cozy Glow is behind all of this?!” Twilight asked in utter shock as she stepped backward and tripped to land on her rear in other disbelief.

Inside the cage, Tirek fell to the floor and started roll as he laughed at the sight. He was right, the irony was delicious. After about a minute of that he sat back up, “I'm not usually a fan of you Mysticans,” he admitted, “but draining your precious world of magic so she could trap the six of you was inspiring!” he declared praising Cozy before he laughter started a new before it was cut short with a series of coughs.

Spike was about to correct Tirek, but he had spent enough time with Twilight and company to recognize a pointless cause when he comes across one. It was a second later that he noticed Twilight running down the stairs in a panic and everyone joined her, “I knew we shouldn't have left!” she declared as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

“But Starlight's in charge at the school and she can call upon Flash as needed.” Applejack said as she matched Twilight’s pace. “If anybody can stop Cozy Glow, it's her.” she tried to calm Twilight down.

“Cozy Glow outsmarted the six of you!” Tirek shouted while he didn’t hear but more or less surmised what was said. “I doubt this Starlight stands a chance!” he continued to laugh and started to cough as he continued to mock the lot.

“We have to get out of here.” Twilight declared as they all ran toward the gate. “If Tirek is right our students can't handle Cozy on their own.” Twilight surmised her fears as she realized she was played like a fiddle.

Rainbow stopped running and started to fly after she fell back and flew dead on the door making a Sonic Rainboom only to collide with the gate with an otherwise bone break thud. Rainbow slide to the ground, “ow” she groaned “that didn’t work.” she whimpered as Applejack and Fluttershy were weaving healing spells on her.

Rarity placed her hand on the door as she looked at results on the wall from Rainbow’s bold attempt. She sighed as if anything Rainbow’s action made the gates stronger. She turned to the group, her focus on the recovering elementalist, “I am sorry, Dashie, while there are many things that can be done through brute force, but this is not one of those things. We need magic to escape.” Rarity said as she surmised how they were going to get out of the prison.

Pinkie stepped to be next to Rarity as the two looked at the gate. Pinkie stuck her tongue out and thought. After about a second as a light bulb went off, “Maybe there's a way to get out without magic.” she pointed out. She then started to look around the gate, “Like a secret lever or a secret button,” She paused as she looked at Rarity and batted bedroom eyes, “or a secret admirer who knows a secret about you but is all, "Your secret's safe with me because I put it in Tartarus and I have a key!"” she offered.

“Sorry darling,” Rarity said with an eye-roll.

Twilight sighed and looked at the door as she placed her hand on it, “Only the most powerful villains…” Twilight trailed off as she looked around and had to correct herself, “well villain and monsters of all time are trapped here. And without our magic, so are we.” Twilight sighed as she turned away from the door only to see Kerberos arrive next to them and whimper, sad that Twilight was not where she belongs. Twilight placed her hand on the hound’s leg. “Thanks, Kerberos for your concern. But unless we can borrow some of your magic we’re....”

“Look a light bulb!” Pinkie declared as she pointed to what hovered over Twilight’s head.

Twilight turned back and looked at Fluttershy, “These creatures might not be able to use their magical abilities or powers but there is a make that makes their forms. If we can borrow some of that we can get out.” Everyone looked at Twilight in utter bewilderment including Kerberos and all the caged monsters.

Around the same time, Cozy knocked and let herself into Twilight’s office, “Uh, excuse me? Um, Chancellor Neighsay?” she asked politely as she walked to the desk as Neighsay was going over all of Twilight’s notes and commentary on how the school was running.

Not once looking from the task he was performing, “You might as well get used to calling me Headmaster Neighsay. I plan to be here for quite some time.” he said as he place the last sheet of paper he was reading into an office box with Applejack’s aura mark on it and began to write something down, “A real-world manual labor approach, excellent for building and defining teams and great practical experience, Applejack’s curriculum meets M.E.A standards.” he more or less muttered.

Cozy flew to be next to Neighsay, “Gee, it sure is a relief to have someone in charge, what with the magical crisis going on. And we're all so grateful to you for taking care of those…” Cozy trailed off as she tried to find the right phrase. “non-Mysticians.” she settled on. “But doesn't the MEA need you?” she asked hoping that Neighsay would have some sort of ‘eureka’ and leave.

Neighsay only started to read the next batch of papers and began to place them in the office desk box with Rainbow’s aura mark on it. “What the MEA needs is somebody to protect this school from the threat at Mystica's borders instead of gallivanting off on adventures beyond them.” he said before he stopped at particular passage on a page and gave a massive groan, “How in all that’s pure and good in this world did she even pass the Wonderbolt history examine.” He covered his face and wanted to weep, “she’s not even qualified to be an assistant coach for a first-year buck-ball team, how is she a professor.” He then took out a pen and other paper and dictated as he wrote. “An insult to the academic standards of not only Wonderbolt Academy but for Mystican education overall. Rainbow Dash’s lectures must be overhauled and her membership into the Wonderbolts should be terminated.”

After he sighed as he rubbed his forehead, “You know Princess Twilight didn't just run off willy-nilly.” Cozy point out as she stepped on to the desk. “She left me in charge. I'm her right-hand person!” Cozy pointed out with great cheer.

Neighsay only rolled his eyes and looked away, “Another in a long list of mistakes the Princess of Friendship has made.” After he took a breath he looked squarely at Cozy. “Rest assured, from now on, this school shall be run according to strict MEA guidelines,” he said as he placed his hand on his medallion and used it to open the office’s door. He then pointed to the door. “The way it always should've been.” he finished.

Cozy happily flew out of the office and with a massive joyful grin on her face, “Well, that sounds just peachy—” she was cut off as Neighsay used the magic of his medallion to closed the door in her face. “...Headmaster Neighsay.” she hissed as she headed to her room. Day was a few hours away and she needed some sleep.

Back under the school, at the circle that Cozy used to draw the magic out of the world, Sandbar and the CMC looked at the circle and the items used as focal points, “Cozy Glow did all of this? How? Why?” Sweetie Belle asked as she was about to touch the circle only to hear a faint scream of ‘NO!’ from Flash and Starlight from within the orb.

“Can you tell us anything?” Sandbar asked Flash and Starlight as he pulled Sweetie Belle back from the circle. Flash held up his hands and started making a wide array of gestures, Sandbar was at a lose. “Um… do any of you know what’s he doing?” The youth asked the CMC. However, as he turned he saw the CMC utterly shocked. “Um… care to fill me in?”

“It’s standard Mystican sign language,” Scootaloo said as she stopped. “Flash was trying to say that Cozy is using those artifacts, The Dawn Amulet,” Scootaloo said as she pointed to the necklace-like artifact that looked like it was made of silver with sapphire that seemed to look like an eye.

“Amulet of Aurora!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle corrected.

“The Illusionary Talisman.” Scootaloo continued as she pointed to a specter with a massive scarab motive with an orange gem in the mandible.

“Talisman of Mirage!” her fellow CMC corrected again.

“The Helm of Yksler, The Crown of Grover, Knuckerbocker's Shell, Clover the Clever's Cloak,” Scootaloo finished listing off as she pointed to an old worn ork battle helmet, a crown with a series of rubies on it with griffons rendered on it, then to a large conch shell and finally to a green clock upon which appeared to be a spectral blue clover with seven leaves.

“She got four out of six.” Apple Bloom said as she turned to Sweetie Belle with a weak smile.

“That’s still not a passing grade.” Sweetie Belle deadpanned. She then turned back to Sandbar, “What Flash was sighing is that Cozy is using these artifacts to make a vortex to draw the magic of this world into the ether.”

Sandbar rubbed his chin, “If that’s true…” then his eyes shot wide open, “Headmistress Twilight and the others went to Tartarus for nothing!” he declared as the revelation dawned on the CMC. Sandbar looked at the center of the magic circle where a black hole seemed to form. “And if all of Mystica's magic's getting sucked up in there, there's no way for them to get back!” He said as he looked to the CMC and then to the trapped Flash and Starlight. Flash then started to gesture with his hands again. “Um, can I get a translation?” he asked the CMC.

Scootaloo watched and then turned to Sandbar, “Flash sighed that we need to get help!”

Sweetie pointed back to the orb with the trapped adults, “But Starlight's trapped here, and there's no way to get word to Celestia or anybody else!” she pointed out.

“I guess we're on our own.” Apple Bloom added with a depressed sigh.

Sandbar rubbed his chin and then smiled only to yield to a frown, “Actually there is one person.” He then saw a spider, “and spider.”

About half an hour later, in Gallus and Sandbar’s room, the chain had held the five foreign students had vanished. Ocellus was on Sandbar’s bed and clutched the pillow as she cried into it silently. Smolder, Silverstream and Yona were playing a game of war. All the while Gallus was at the door grunting as he struggled to open the door. “Still locked, huh?” Smolder asked sarcastically as she saw Yona make a sandwich and collected the stack.

Gallus groaned as he turned to face the other, “We gotta at least try to get out.” he countered. As he saw Silverstream raise her hand, “I know the walls aren’t closing in, but I can’t just stay in here!”

“Why?” Ocellus asked as she raised her head from the pillow, her eyes red from tears, “If Sandbar's turned his back on us, every other Mystican probably has, too.” she then started to cry again as she buried her face in Sandbar’s pillow.

Yona huffed as Smolder again took the small stack of cards, “Sandbar not turn back!” the proud young ork challenged. “Sandbar is friend!”

“Uh, did you miss the part where he said he didn't want anything to do with us?” Smolder asked as she rolled her eyes and placed another card down to start the round of their game.

“Maybe he just said that so one of us could be free to snoop around and figure out what's going on.” Silverstream pointed out as she placed a card down.

Just Yona spotted a spider crawl along the wall, “Spindle!” Yona shouted as she got up and approached the spider. Spindle stopped and pointed to the window as they all heard and saw the window open from the outside.

“I dunno.” Sandbar said as he got into the room. “That sounds too clever for a Mystican to come up with,” he said as he looked at Gallus with a smirk.

Yona gasped and laughed as she ran to tackled and hug Sandbar, “Yona knew Sandbar was still friend!” the ork shouted only for Spindle to land on her nose and shake his head as he pointed to Ocellus. “Spindle right. Ocellus and Sandbar first.” she acknowledged with a nod.

Sandbar walked cautiously to his bed and held out his right hand with the palm up towards her. “I am sorry Ocellus,” he said with a fair amount of guilt in his tone.

Ocellus raised her head and after looking at Sandbar, tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. Before they were shed, Sandbar used both of his thumbs to wipe the tears away. After about a second the two shared an embrace.

“I’d say get a room, but dude, seriously can you wait until I am outside before you put a sock on the door.” Gallus joke brought the tender moment to a shrinking holt as Smolder, Silver, and Yona laughed as they were joined by the CMC.

The stopped and each gave a nervous laugh. “Well Sandbar isn’t your only friend, we all are. Although not a friendly as he is with Ocellus.” Sweetie pointed out.

“Except for Cozy Glow. That girl is not who we thought she was.” Scootaloo pointed out or rather informed.

“She's the one draining magic out of Mystica!” Apple Bloom added, shorthand informing what the CMC and Sandbar learned.

“What?!” Ocellus, Yona, Silverstream, Gallus, and Smolder asked in shock and horror.

Sandbar headed to the window, “We'll explain on the way.” he said as his left leg was out of the window, “But right now, and I know you’ll not gonna like it, but we gotta get to get to Chancellor Neighsay.” Sandbar said as he prepared to lower himself. Before he could be questioned, “Yes he doesn't like non-Mysticans. But if we tell him what's going on, he'll help.” Sandbar declared as he let himself slow drop out of the window. Reluctantly the others began to follow Sandbar’s lead.

Early the following morning, as the students gathered for the daily morning announcements. All of the students were surprised that Chancellor Neighsay was there with Cozy Glow. After a few seconds of the students murmuring the chancellor spoke, “I am sure you are all concerned about the magic situation. But I want to assure you that this institution is safe, despite the absence of your headmistress. As your new acting headmaster, let me be the first to say that the reign of Princess Twilight is over!” he finished his a little too much force as he stomped the floor. He then presented a copy of the MEA guidebook, “From now on, this school will adhere to MEA doctrine, as it should have from the start!” he finished and placed the book down on the podium with a thud.

After a moment of silent, the students renewed their murmuring as they were unsure what to do. There was then a sudden stop as Cozy started to clap three times. Once she finished, “Thank you, Chancellor Neighsay, for that rousing speech.” she praised Neighsay, “I know you're a man who truly believes what you say. And when you say this school will be run according to MEA doctrine, I know you mean it.” She said as she stepped to be with the other students and seemed to praise Neighsay nodded in agreement. “And when you say there won't be any more lessons from the Princess of Friendship at the School of Friendship, I guess you mean that, too.” Cozy added as she looked to her fellow students. That caught Neighsay off guard as his eyes widened in shock, all the while the students started to murmur amongst themselves again.

Neighsay then stepped forward, “You’re misquoting me, that’s not what—”

However, before Neighsay could finish his point, Cozy cut him off, “But Twilight decided to run her school outside of the MEA guidelines. And even though you tried to stop her, Princess Celestia trusted her enough to support her.” Cozy continued as she pointed out the brief history of the schools founding. It was a very condensed version of the events, but it did relay the key moments subsequently. This got the students to murmur amongst themselves again.

“That’s not exactly how it hap—” Neighsay tried to counter as he started to get nervous as he could see the room changing against him.

Cozy cut him off, “So since I know you mean what you say, my question is really for the students.” she said as she flew to be in his face and turned to face the students. “Are we going to give the man who already tried to wreck Twilight's school once another chance to do it?” she asked the students in attendance. All the students began to chatter amongst themselves as they steeled their resolve to challenge Neighsay. After all the students seemed to have agreed to not grant Neighsay another shot, Cozy smiled as she turned back to Neighsay as she hovered to be above the other students. “I guess things will have to stay the way Twilight wants them. Which includes leaving me in charge,” she said with a smile. She then nodded and the students started to charge Neighsay.

“This—! I can—! Just—!” Neighsay tried to protest as the student began to carry him away towards Twilight’s office, Cozy leading the way.

As the mass passed, a door opened to show Sandbar et al, “Okay. So maybe we need a new plan.” the youth admitted that his plan had gone astray with a weak laugh.

Inside Twilight’s office, the students chained Neighsay to the chair. “Oh, oh, not too tight. We don't want to hurt the Chancellor.” Cozy said before grabbed a padlock lock and closed it locking Neighsay in place. “I'm sure Twilight will know what to do with him when she gets back.” Cozy then pointed to the door, “Now, back to our exercises, everyone.” she ordered as everyone began to leave. “We let the MEA disrupt our friendship studies long enough.” she finished as the last of the students left. She then shut the door leaving only herself and Neighsay in the office.

Neighsay started to grunt as he attempted to escape his trap. “How?”

“You’d be shocked all you can do if you have hypopituitarism, sure it means you die relatively young, you can’t get a drink or several other niceties of adulthood, but near eternal youth does have its perks. Why do you think Lt. Corneal Sentry is AWAL. He was my kohai during his school days.” Cozy said with a giggle.

“Why are you doing this? I thought you wanted to have a fellow Mystican in charge of the school.” Neighsay asked as he continued his futile attempt to free himself

“Oh, I do,” she said as she took off his medallion. “You just aren't who I had in mind.” she then dropped the medallion in the trash basket with a clank. She then went to get a box she had in the office and began to place items on the desk, first a picture of herself, then plushies of Princess Twilight and the other Element of Harmony bearers. “I can't very well have the MEA running the school if I want to run it myself,” she said before she pulled out a skull. Neighsay couldn’t tell if it was a fake or real one. “Of course, that's just the beginning. You see, if there's one thing I've learned here, it's that friendship is the most powerful thing there is.” She then hugged the skull before she placed it on the desk. “And as headmistress of the School of Friendship, nobody will have more friends than me! Making me the most powerful person in Mystrica!” she then started to laugh maniacally as Neighsay could only gulp in horror as Cozy began to leave the office. She finished as she exited the office, but couldn’t help but giggle.

This was overheard by the CMC, who made themselves know as Scootaloo spoke up, “Hey, Cozy Glow! What's so funny?” the monk asked.

“Are you just happy to be running the school?” Sweetie Belle asked as the trio walked up to Cozy.

Cozy swiftly turned with a modest smile, “Oh, I'm just keeping Twilight's seat warm.” she said with a wave of her hand as if it was nothing.

“Still, it's pretty impressive.” Apple Bloom said as she stepped to be beside Cozy and placed her hand on Cozy’s shoulder.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Sweetie asked as she stepped to be on Cozy’s other side.

Cozy had a faint smile and started to lead the way, “You know, there is something I need help with.” She said and the CMC followed her.

As the four left, Sandbar and the others used this to get into Twilight’s office. Once inside they saw Neighsay try to move the chair around the desk to the trash bin. He stopped and looked at the six, “I suppose there is some sort of poetic justice in this, an ironic echo as it were. I shut a door and leave you in chains, you open a door to find me in chains.” The chancellor sighed. “Well, get on with the gloating, I have merited it, and likely worse,” he said as he seemed to reside himself to the mercy of the six and whatever fate they had in store.

Silverstream flew up to him, “Actually, we've come to undo all these chains and free you!

As Silverstream and Gallus tried to break the chain, “But... But why?” Neighsay asked.

“Now that nasty human met an even nastier human, maybe nasty human not be so nasty,” Yona answered as Smolder flew up and used her fire breath to melt a link on the chain breaking and thus freed the chancellor.

As Neighsay stood up as the chair with the chain falling to the floor, “Also, we'd kind of like to stop Cozy before she drains all the magic from Mystica.” Sandbar informed.

“She's behind that as well?” Neighsay asked in utter shock. He then dove for the trash bin and started to reach into it, “I must get word to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

“How?” Sandbar asked as he watched Neighsay pull out the medallion the chancellor wore. “Without magic, it'll take forever to get to them.”

Neighsay showed the medallion to Sandbar and then to the others, “While it's true that my fellow Magicborn and myself have lost our ability to cast spells by more traditional means,” he then put the medallion back on, “This medallion doesn’t house my focus gem, but is, in fact, an artifact. As such it houses some of the most potent magic in Mystica.” He took a breath as he if he was also trying to form a plan as informed the six of the what his artifact can do. “The MEA chancellor medallion allows the chancellor to travel throughout Mystica and allow me to cast spells that pertain to my role as chancellor including but not limited to the protection of students.”

“So you’re thinking that since you used it to chain us up, you can use still use it to get to the princesses?” Gallus asked with a raised eyebrow.

“With any luck, I will be able to return with them swiftly.” Neighsay took a breath and prepared to touch the medallion, “I was wrong about you and what I did was also wrong. I pray that I will get back in time, until then, you’re on your own.” He then touched the medallion as a portal opened. “I hope you have another plan you can implement while I am gone,” Neighsay said as he prepared to walk into the portal. He hesitated for a second, “I am sorry.” he whispered, loud enough for them all to hear not just his works but the pain in his voice. He then finished walking into the portal before it closed behind him.

“What do we do now?” Gallus asked before they all saw Sandbar rush to the door.

“Come on. I have another plan.”

“You’re 0 for 2,” Smolder deadpanned.

“Third time’s the charm.” Silverstream countered as everyone but the dragon caught up with Sandbar. Smolder groaned and followed her friends.

And the sun goes down

Back in Tartarus, at the same time that Sandbar was wiping the tears from Ocellus’ eyes, Rainbow Dash was finally healed fully, Twilight sat down with Fluttershy, “Um, are you sure there's magic in Spot?” the druid asked.

“Um, who’s Spot?” Rainbow asked.

“There is etymological evidence that can lead us to infer that Kerberos means ‘spotted or speckled’, and looking at Kerberos’ coat being speckled with snakes I can see why.” Rarity said as she looked at the massive hound as Applejack and Pinkie were stretching being a couple of his ears.

“Informative but not helpful,” Twilight said before she turned back to Fluttershy. “Yes, there is magic inside Kerberos that allows him to be his size, have three heads and his coat spotted with serpents.” Twilight elaborated, “But even with that, I can’t open the doors, I’ll need to borrow that … well, spark from all the other creatures here.”

“I am not sure it will work. Couldn’t we try Rainbow’s and my connection to the Elements or Applejack’s and Pinkie’s to the Earth?” Fluttershy asked pointing out an alternative.

“I am a demigod, which means I also have a connection to the Elements and the Earth, mine is not as defined as everyone else’ but if I can’t open the gate…” Twilight trailed off to let Fluttershy connect the dots herself.

Fluttershy sighed, “Even if I do convince the other creatures to help, are you sure it will be enough?” Fluttershy asked after she looked at the creatures and the doors that barred their way.

“We need to try everything if we want to get out of here,” Twilight said as she placed both her hands on both of the druid’s shoulders.

“I don't know.” Pinkie said as she took out a stick and marshmallow and went to over to the cage of the chimera and held the marshmallow out, “Tartarus isn't so bad. I could hang out here for a while!” she declared as the chimera burnt the marshmallow and stick and devoured the stick and marshmallow. Pinkie took a step back in some fear, “Maybe not forever though.” she tried to shrug it off.

“But that is just what it will be!” Tirek shouted from his cage. Twilight scowled as she flew back to the cage. “If my protege has followed my instructions, by sunset tonight, every last vestige of Mystican magic will disappear into the ether forever!” he shouted as he started to laugh as if he had won.

Twilight thought for a second and then smiled, “Have you even thought about what losing magic would mean?” She asked the spell thief.

“It means the six of you will be trapped here!” Tirek replied as he was trying to stifle a laugh, “Like me!” he then started to laugh.

“Seven!” Spike shouted in wrath.

Twilight smiled, “Exactly. It means you're trapped here.” She pointed out the obvious, “Forever. With us.” she said as she pointed to her group and then smiled. Tirek was about to speak but as he was counter but he was at a lost until it dawned on him that it was true. Before he could finally articulate his thoughts, “Didn’t think about it that way did yah?” Twilight asked rhetorically with a smirk. As she flew back. “So Fluttershy will you ask these creatures to help?” Before the druid could answer, “Let them know I will put in a word for them to be on parole, I can’t promise anything more.”

“I'll do what I can, but even with all the creatures helping, will it be enough?” the druid asked, repeating a previous question.

“We could ask Tirek?” Spike asked. “He's probably got some magic, too, right?” he pointed out to the spell thief.

Pinkie started skipping over to the cage, “Leave him to me.” she declared.

“It will take a while to convince everyone,” Fluttershy said as she went over to the cage with the cockatrice and started to cluck and hiss as if she was talking to it.

Pinkie appeared in Tirek’s cage and started to sing slightly off-key as pulled birthday party stuff on, “I know it's not your birthday, so
You get a party, even though
We'll sing and dance from one to ten
And then we'll do it all again!” she then blew the candles out the candles on the cake. “More tea, Princess Pudding Rock?” she asked as she pulled out a teapot and set of cups. “Oh! Don't mind if I do!” she said as she moved Tirek’s lips. She then gave a couple of laughs. “I can do this all eternity,” she whispered into Tirek’s ear.

Tirek’s eyes shot open in horror. “Fine!” he shouted in an attempt to make it stop. “I'll help you leave! Just please stop!” he begged.

“Tirek's in!” Pinkie’s shouted from the cage.

Back at the school shortly after Cozy led the CMC from Twilight’s office, “It's just so excitin' to have a girl our age runnin' things.” Apple Bloom cheered, “We should have an ice cream social every day!” she suggested.

Cozy smiled as she neared a door, “That's a splendid idea, Apple Bloom.” she said as she seemed to reach her destination, “But to tell you the truth, the thing I need help with most is cleaning.”

“Say no more. Just take us around the school and show us everything you want cleaned.” Sweetie declared as they all stopped at the destination Cozy was heading.

Cozy then opened a door and pointed inside, “Well, actually, you could start right in here.”

The CMC then entered the room only to find that it was a closet for cleaning supplies, “ It looks pretty clean already.” Scootaloo said as she was at a loss.

Cozy first smiled and scowled at the trio and then slammed the door and locked it from the outside, “Do you three think you can fool me?! I know a diversion when I see it!” she all but shouted and left the three in the office.

About an hour after leaving Twilight’s office, Sandbar et al were climbing the roots of the Tree of Harmony under the grate in the library. “Uh, why Sandbar lead us back down here?” Yona asked as she was the next to get to the bottom as Sandbar was the last down as the other four had flown down.

“We obviously can't handle Cozy on our own.” Sandbar answered as he headed to the front as he was about to lead everyone again, “But we can't just sit around and wait for help.” he continued. “So, there's two more prisoners I think we should free.” Sandbar said as he guided the rest.

“Wait, wait, wait, two more prisoners?” Gallus asked as he stopped.
“Ooh! I guess Starlight is one! Is it Starlight?” Silver asked as she flew to be in front of Sandbar.

Smolder rolled her eyes, “Are all aasimar royals airheads?” she asked sardonically. “Obviously Starlight is one of the prisoners.” she berated the aasimar only to earn a smack from Gallus. “Fine.” she groaned, “You’re not an airhead, Silver.” she wanted to grumble. “But who is the other prisoner?” she asked as she recalled what Sandbar said.

“I am going out on a limb and guess it’s Lt., Corneal Sentry.” Ocellus guessed as the group followed Sandbar through the caves in what seemed like hours.

After a while they found the magic circle Cozy made, there the six found what was going on, “Counselor Glimmer, Corneal Sentry come out!” Yona shouted as she charged the circle only to be barely stopped by Sandbar. “We need help with Cozy!”

“They can't talk to us from in there.” Sandbar said informed, “And unless someone here can read Mystican standard sign language, we'll have to figure a way to get them out on our own.” Sandbar said as the others walked up to the circle. Everyone shook their head with sad frowns. Then almost like moths to a flame, each was dawn to the artifacts related to their peoples. Sandbar to Clover the Clever’s Cloak, Ocellus to the Talisman of Mirage, Gallus to the Crown of Grover, Silverstream to the Amulet of Aurora, Yona to the Helm of Yksler and finally Smolder to Knuckerbocker’s Shell.

Gallus paused and rubbed his chin, then his eyes shot wide open with a ‘eureka’ “Hey! This is just like chapter twelve in ‘Kanthaka's Facts and Artifacts’ from Twilight's class!” Gallus stated as if it was common knowledge, not unlike Twilight has done with her friends. There was a second of silence as everyone looked at him in utter bewilderment that Gallus knew that. Gallus scowled, “What? I've been studying. Finals are coming up, you know?” he deadpanned.

Ocellus then looked at the Talisman in front of her and how the magic of the circle linked to it and by extension all the artifacts, “Cozy must've linked these artifacts to act as a mystical magnet, attracting all the magic in Mystica into that orb.” she concluded given her own understandings.

Smolder took a good long look at the conch, “So, we can shut it down by yanking one of these things out, right?” she asked as she got into the air and was about to grab the shell in question.

“Sure,” Ocellus informed, “though that would probably cause a magical feedback loop and destroy the whole school!” she pointed out a potential disaster that could result from the six acting without thought.

“Destroy the School of Friendship?!” came the voice of Cozy. The six turned to see Cozy with all the other students of the school. “Oh, dear!” she said as if hurt. “Chancellor Neighsay was wrong about a lot of things, but I guess he was right about all of you!” she declared.

At the same time back in Tartarus, Fluttershy walked up to Twilight, “Everyone is willing to help.” the druid informed.

Twilight smiled with a nodded, “All right. Is everybody ready?” she asked her friends as they nodded.

Back at Tirek’s cage, “All eternity!” Pinkie reminded Tirek as she was banging a set of symbols.

Tirek groaned and fell to the floor and wept, “Please, take it, take it all, just make it stopped!” Tirek said as he drew the magic out of his magic and had it sent to Twilight.

Twilight started to grunt and groan as she was pulling the magic from all the creatures, changing them to into the animals that would have made them, the chimera became a lioness, a she-goat, and serpent, the manticore became a lion and a scorpion, the hydra became nine serpents, just to list a few, ending with Kerberos becoming three molossuses. Twilight then directed the magic to the doors and they began to open, “That's it! It's working!” The doors slowly opened, “We don’t have much time.”

Applejack, Rainbow, and Rarity headed to the door first with Twilight slowly following. Fluttershy looked to all the animals that were made from the draining of the magic, “Bye, friends. Hopefully, we'll be able to turn you all back into your normal, wonderful selves soon.” she said as she joined the others as the

Pinkie gave Tirek a kiss, “Thanks for the assist, your evilness!” she said and then zoomed to be with the others. Everyone then exited as the doors were just open enough for the six humans and dragon were able to slip out. After the last of them were out the adamantine doors slammed shut with a resounding thud. “Yay! Twilight did it!” Pinkie cheered.

“I'm not sure she did!” Rarity said as she pointed to the slowly setting sun, it was dusk of the third day.

“No!” Twilight cried as she dropped to her knees, “We failed!”

New Torch Bearers

At the same time, back under the school at the circle that Cozy made. “After everything Twilight's done for you, why would you want to destroy her school?” Cozy asked as if she was utterly shocked at what she saw in front of her.

Gallus clenched his left fist, “We don't!” he counted, his anger getting the better of him. He then pointed at her with his right index finger, “You're the one using these artifacts to drain magic from Mystica!”

“Me?!” Cozy asked as she landed in utter shock and hurt in her voice. She then looked to the other students. “We all just saw you with your hands and talons all over them!” She then gasped. “It all makes sense. They want magic gone from Mystica because it's the only thing Mysticans have that they don't!” she

“Technically, there's magic involved when aasimars transforms from that to their merfolk form and the wide array of transformations that we elves can.” Ocellus pointed out a key flaw in Cozy’s argument.

Yona then stepped to be in front of everyone, “And Yona's friends' friendship is magic! Headmistress Princess Twilight said!” the young ork challenged them.

Cozy then “And you repay her by sending her to Tartarus on a wild goose chase so you could destroy everything she built!” Cozy then gasped before she pointed to the orb in which Flash and Starlight were trapped in. “ They've even trapped Lt. Corneal Sentry and Counselor Glimmer in that-that thing!” she stuttered in horror and shock. She then turned to the student, “We have to defend this school!” she ordered before the students charged the six.

“No! No, don't listen to her!” Sandbar pleaded as he ran to be in front of his friends to be a human shield to little to no avail as the students tried to tackle the five foreigners.

In the struggle, Gallus is able to get away only to bump into the ceiling and fell into the orb, “GALLUS” his five friends shouted as they all managed to break free and attempt to rescue the harpy.

Upon seeing this all the students stopped their charge as if they realized they were wrong. A Magicborn girl spoke up, “They just sacrificed themselves trying to save their friend. Professor Dash always said there's nothing more loyal than that.” she said as she looked to her fellow students. “Shouldn't we try to save them?” she asked.

Cozy shrugged her shoulders and was about to leave, “They brought this on themselves. There's nothing we can do.” Cozy concluded.

“That doesn't seem very generous. Or kind.” an Earthborn girl pointed out as this was massively inconsistent with everything they were taught.

“Yeah, yeah.” Cozy dismissed the concern. “The Elements of Harmony are very important. They're just not applicable in every circumstance.” she tried to finagle. “And with magic gone from Mystica, I'm not even sure the Tree of Harmony will be as helpful as it once was,” she concluded only for six massive crystalline roots grew out of the floor. One glow yellow, white, pink, purple, orange and light blue, much like the Rainbow of Light. “What's happening?!” she questioned as the six roots sent a rainbow into the orb and pulled out Yona, who started to glow yellow, Sandbar who glowed orange, Silverstream who glowed pink, Ocellus who glowed white, Smolder who glowed light blue and Gallus who glowed purple.

“They're glowing like the Elements!” an Earthborn girl shot as she pointed to the six as they floated to the ground. “I think the Tree of Harmony saved them!”

“Guess our friendship is pretty magical after all,” Gallus smirked as he looked at his friends in their current glowing state.

Ocellus then went over to the Talisman of Mirage. “Hurry! Grab the artifacts!” she shouted as she prepared to grab the talisman.

As the other went to the other elements, Silverstream was the most hesitant of the lot, “Um, didn't you say that could destroy the school?” she asked.

“But if we don't try, we could lose magic forever!” Ocellus pointed out that if no action was taken, worst fates await.

Sandbar called to other students, “You all better get clear!” he shouted to them.

The students screamed as they ran leaving Cozy and the trapped adults and the six closest to the circle. Cozy looked around, “Wait!” she ordered. “Where are you going?!” she asked. “Stoooooop!” she screamed.

The six grabbed the artifacts and pulled them from the circle ending the spell. The magic sugared back into the roots of the Tree of Harmony and with a shockingly non-damaging explosion the magic that Cozy attempted to drain was sent back to their owners.

Unlike when Twilight et al had to use the Rainbow of Light to guide the magic back, this time the magic, taking the form of individual orbs and were able to return to their owner by themselves. Even the creatures in Tartarus got their magic returned, but before most could do anything a howl from the reconstituted Kerberos prompted them all to return to their cages.

Outside of Tartarus, everyone got their magic. At the capital, Celestia, Luna, Neighsay and a squad of the ESM lead by Flash Magnus who were matching then used their magic to teleport to the school. In front of the gates, Twilight got access to her full demigod power and used it for long distance teleportation spell back to the school.

Back at the school, Starlight used her restored magic to teleport herself, the six students and Flash Sentry to the school’s open grounds. There the eight landed with a soft thud. Yona was the first to recover as she and her friends still held the artifacts used in Cozy’s spell. She laughed as she ran to Starlight, happy to see her free as she cheered, “Counselor Glimmer!”

Before the excited ork could crush her in an embrace, Starlight caught her in a magic bubble, “It's nice to see you, too, Yona.”

As everyone else recovered with their magic returning, Ocellus stood up with a smile on her face, “I guess magic is back.” the elf said followed by a grin.

As the six students were about to congratulate themselves, “You've ruined everything!” Cozy shouted as she arrived her hair disheveled and her ribbon torn.

“Well good to see you too, senpai!” Flash shouted as he picked up his sword.

“Oh please Sentry-kohai, you’re not going to strike an unarmed civilian.” Cozy dismissed the sentinel’s threat. Cozy then returned her focus to the six before anyone could question “Now Twilight and her ridiculous friends can escape from Tartarus!” she shouted just as before Twilight et al teleported with scowls on their faces. Cozy panicked as she stepped back, “I mean…” she started to correct course.

Applejack stepped in front of the rest, “DON’T YOU DARE!!! WE’VE BEEN TRAPPED IN TARTARUS ON A FOOL’S ERRAND THANKS TAH YAH!!!” the paladin shouted as she pointed to Cozy. Applejack took a breath. “Tirek sang like a canary about your plan!” she said calmed down slightly and stepped back.
Twilight placed her hand on Applejack’s shoulder as she stepped forward, “In reality, the only question that needs to be answered is why?” Twilight asked as her voice betrayed how hurt she felt.

Cozy growled at the question, “Because friendship is power!” she declared. “You might be the Princess of Friendship, but as headmistress of this school, I can collect even more friends than you!” Cozy declared this confused everyone as it seemed that Cozy was mad.

Twilight shook her head in sharrow, “You're the one who doesn't get it, Cozy.” Twilight said as he raised her head to look at Cozy. Twilight pointed to her friends, “Friendship is powerful, but power isn't why you make friends.” she said before she dipped her head again, “I'm sorry I couldn't teach you that.”

“Well, you taught us.” Gallus pointed out he called Twilight’s attention to himself and his friends.

Silverstream then added, “You can't let one bad apple make you think you failed.”

“Ya’ll never had cider made from a batch with a bad apple have yah? There’s a reason why that expression exists.” Applejack deadpanned.

“And we never could've stopped her if we hadn't learned what you taught us about friendship.” Sandbar added as he pointed to the artifacts in each of his friends' hands and his.

“Honesty? Loyalty? Generosity?” Cozy asked rhetorically in spite, “Blah-blah-blah!” she finished and started to hover, “I can make more friends without using any of them! And if I can't do it here, I'll do it somewhere else!” she declared as she started to fly away only to blocked with as a human wall by the other students. Cozy tried another way only for Celestia, Luna and Neighsay to arrive. Cozy then looked to the sky only to the squad of the ESM Royal Guard arrive cutting off any route of escape.

Flash Sentry then walked passed everyone and placed his hand on Cozy’s shoulder, “Sorry, senpai, but you are under arrest.”

About two hours later, Neighsay, Celestia and Twilight were walking from Twilight’s office. The chancellor sighed in relief, “I'm glad you're back in charge of the School of Friendship, Princess.” he said in relief. “It's clear to me now that there is nobody better suited for the job.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said with a smile but then looked down with a soft frown, “but you were right. This school did almost destroy Mystica.”

“What do you mean Twilight?” Celestia asked not sure what she meant and seeing the confused expression on Neighsay’s face she knew she was not the only taken off guard.

Twilight looked up after a breath, “Had I followed MEA guidelines I would have discovered that Cozy Glow was a student at the same school and time as Flash and I wouldn’t have admitted her.” Twilight informed.

Neighsay gave a sad smile as he shook his head, “I might have been right, but for all the wrong reasons.” After about a second they all heard a belch.

They turned to see, “What's going on?” Twilight asked as the three saw Gallus, Yona, Silverstream, Smolder, Ocellus and Sandbar in scholar robes typically used for graduations while Spike belching up a diploma for Smolder to catch and repeat for Sandbar to catch.

Silverstream waved her left hand at Twilight, “Hi, Headmistress Princess Twilight!” the aasimar said with a cheer. “We're just practicing for graduation!” she squealed as Spike belched up another diploma.

The two princesses and the chancellor looked at each other slightly confused, “Graduation?” Twilight asked on the part of the three adults.

Gallus smirked, “Now that we've saved Mystica, we figure we're done with school.” Gallus said as he caught the diploma that Spike belched up.

The three adults then had a laugh at the notation. Once the three finished their laugh, “Saving Mystica is nice, but I'm afraid it'll take more than one term to learn all there is to know about friendship. It took me to grasp enough about it to have a better understanding of its magic than even Star Swirl the Great.” Twilight informed the six.
“Awwww…” the six students complained in dejection as Spike stopped and to right next to Twilight.

“Your headmistress is right.” Neighsay said as he stepped forward to the students with a genuine smile on his face, as he was giving something from his heart, “I thought friendship was something only Mysticans should share with each other.” his head dipped in shame of his past actions, “But you all taught me how wrong I was and for once I am glad to be wrong.” He took a breath and turned to Twilight, “I suppose true friendship can take a lifetime to understand.”

“If it were easy to learn, we wouldn't need a school.” Twilight pointed out.

There was then a crash as the door that Cozy locked the CMC came open as the trio fell out. “We held her off as long as we could!” Apple Bloom yelped as the three regained themselves.

“But she locked us in this closet!” Scootaloo informed the others.

“Is everything alright?” Sweetie asked in a slight panic, “Where's Cozy Glow?” she asked for herself and the other CMC to be caught up to speed.

Celestia walked over to the three and helped them to their feet, “Everything worked out just fine my favorite trio.” She then stepped so that all present could see her and she could see them, “As for Cozy Glow, I can assure you, where she's going, she won't be causing any more trouble.” Celestia declared.

Deep in Tartarus, Kerberos whimpered as he rested next to Tirek’s cage. The extra-dimensional prison was now empty of all but it’s canine warden and the spellthief. This was due to the creatures’ sacrifice of their internal magic was deemed worthy of granting them parole. “Of course it's boring here now!” Tirek scolded the dog in utter frustration, “But at least you're not in a cage!” he continued as he walked to be on the far side of his prison from his jail-keeper. “Stupid dog,” he muttered to himself. In truth he was more angry with his own lack of forethought, the idea of trapping the six mages that sent him down there and no way for them or anyone to use the Rainbow of Light to get them out was so intoxicating that he forgot that he was still down in the hell-spot too.

Just then a magical portal open and Princess Luna stepped out with a handful of guards, The Order of Nox, by the look of their night-sky armor with lunar silver and a dash of lunar eclipse red here and there. “You shan't be alone for long.” Luna declared as one of the Order put a plaque not far from Tirek’s cage as the rest placed a cage down with a clear clang. Luna and the order then left through the portal they came through.

Tirek looked to see who or what was in the cage, only to see Cozy Glow, “Hey, neighbor.” she said cheerfully to Tirek before she grabbed the bars and a menacing smile formed on her face, “Wanna be friends?”

Author's Note

half-way through Dec. 2018, I am up to date with the main story.
Alright lets see what remains,
1) The rest of the answer to Legend of Everfree
2) answer to Mirror Magic
3) answer to Forgotten Friend and
4) the movie

Well I just might cover all this before the Season 9 opener, but definately be up to date for the season 9 finale. I hope you enjoy

Bonus Chapter: A follow up question

Two days later during a staff get-together, Twilight, Spike, et all waited until Flash entered Twilight's office. "Sorry I'm late, paper work." Flash said as he took the open chair, "So what's today's topic?" he asked.

"Well, we already covered everything for the most part," Applejack answered, "The only real matter is how did Cozy get you and Starlight into the orb that Sandbar and the others told us about."

Flash and Starlight looked at each other in slight shock, the two then started to laugh. "I'll go first." Flash said.

A few hours after Twilight and her band left, Flash arrived back at the school, he had only a few hours to give a rundown to Starlight and then back to his post. As he neared Starlight's office, "Lt.-Col. Sentry, come quick. Counselor Starlight is in trouble." came a panicking Cozy Glow. She stopped when she actually took his hand.

Flash instictively reached for his buckler, "What happened? Where?" he asked.

Cozy took his hand and directed him, "Follow me." she said as she lead Flash to the catacombs under the school.

Once the two was there, "Starlight! Starlight! Can you hear me?" he shouted as he started to look around. He then turned to Cozy. "What was she even doing down here?" he asked as he was at a lost of what to do or what was going on.

Cozy then lead him deeper into the catamobs, "Starlight and I heard something weird coming from down here, so we went down to investigate. I can't remember what happened next. It all happened so fast, but next thing I knew. Starlight was gone." Cozy answered as they to continued to run or fly until they came to the spell circle with the artifacts and the massive orb of magic.

Flash spotted a barely conscious Starlight in the magic orb, "Starlight? Starlight? Are you okay?" he asked as he stepped forward to the circle and barely didn't touch the circle itself.

"Why don't you see for yourself?" Cozy asked from behind him before she shoved him into the circle. As Flash tried to catch himself he was captured by the magic and was sucked into the orb. All he do was give an 'Whoa!' before he was silenced in the orb. As he turned back he saw and heard Cozy laugh. "Oh, Sentry-kohai, you haven't changed a bit!" Cozy could not help but laugh as Flash was now stuck in the orb with Starlight. Flash turned to Cozy and looked at her in utter confusion and befuddlement as if he was asking 'Do I know you from somewhere?'. Cozy gave a faked painfilled gasped. "You mean, you don't recognize me?" she asked. "Oh, kohai, I'm hurt." Cozy said as she held her chest in mock emotional hurt. Flash eyes widened and his face dropped in horror as he realized who the girl was or rather he remembered Cozy. Cozy then started to laugh, "Now, with the two of you out of the way, there's no one left in Mystica to stop me." she said and continued to laugh.

"So that was pretty much what happened." Flash explained as he got up and got some water.

Everyone then turned to Starlight. Starlight groaned, "She hit me with chloroform, when we got to Twilight's office."

Flash couldn't help but laugh, "And people think I am pathitic." He then felt a tug at his ear and saw that it was purple magic. "Ow, okay, okay, I'm sorry." He said and Twilight ended her spell.