Tartarus

“Cozy Glow is behind all of this?!” Twilight asked.

“I'm not usually a fan of ponies, but draining your precious world of magic so she could trap the seven of you was inspiring!” Tirek said, laughing evilly.

“Um, there's eight of us,” Spike pointed out.

The Mane 7 and Spike rushed to the entrance with haste.

“I knew we shouldn't have left!” Twilight said.

“But Starlight's in charge at the school. If anypony can stop Cozy Glow, it's her,” Applejack replied.

“Cozy Glow outsmarted the seven of you! I doubt this Starlight stands a chance!” Tirek warned, mockingly.

“We have to get out of here. Her students can't handle Cozy on their own,” Twilight said.

Twilight and Storm gasped in unison as they suddenly realized something.

“What is it, you two?” Applejack asked.

“Eric was right!” Twilight replied.

“What do you mean, darlings?” Rarity wondered.

“Eric was suspicious of Cozy Glow from the start, he figured she was up to something and he was right,” Storm said.

“And we didn’t believe him,” Twilight added, “I hope we can get out and apologize to him.”

“Right. But without our magic, we’re doomed,” Storm replied.

“Then I guess we'll just have to bust our way out!” Rainbow Dash suggested.

She then flew straight at the door only to crash into it and fall to the ground.

“That didn't work,” Rainbow groaned.

“Not everything can be solved with brute force. We need magic to escape,” Rarity replied as she helped Rainbow up.

“Maybe there's a way to get out without magic. Like a secret lever or a secret button 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!’” Pinkie said.

“I'm afraid not. The most powerful villains and monsters of all time are trapped here. And without our magic, so are we,” Twilight replied.

“I say we think positive. Eric and his friends are the only hope of stopping Cozy Glow now, we should have faith in them, and maybe they can rally our students to help,” Storm said.

Cerberus just whimpered with one head licking another one.

“Unless… These creatures might be losing their magical powers, but there's still a magic that makes up what they are. Maybe we can borrow some of that,” Twilight suggested as the cockatrice hissed.

“Good thinking, Twily. But even if this works, we still need to put our faith in Eric and his friends to stop Cozy Glow and bring our magic back,” Storm replied.

The others made faces as they were unsure about this.

Back in the catacombs, Sandbar led Eric, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo to the spell circle where Starlight was held.

“I figured that shady filly was up to something and I was right,” Eric said.

“Cozy Glow did all of this? How? Why?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I don't know. But come on, y'all. We gotta get Starlight out of there before she comes back,” Apple Bloom replied.

The three of them rushed to help Starlight only for her to signal them to stop, along with Sandbar and Eric to call out, “Wait!”

Sweetie Belle stepped in the circle, then magic clawed tendrils reached out and grabbed her, trying to suck her in as she screamed.

“Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo shouted.

“Help!” Sweetie Belle called out.

Eric rushed to save his girlfriend, he managed to grab her back legs with Scootaloo grabbing onto Eric, Apple Bloom grabbing onto Scootaloo, and Sandbar grabbing onto Apple Bloom. In a chain, they managed to get Sweetie Belle out of the magical grip and fell on the ground.

“That's gotta be what's suckin' up all the magic in Equestria,” Apple Bloom said.

“But if that's true, then Twilight and the others went to Tartarus for nothing. And if all of Equestria's magic's getting sucked up in there, there's no way for them to get back!” Sandbar replied.

“We need to get help!” Scootaloo said.

“But Starlight's trapped here, and there's no way to get word to Celestia or anypony else!” Sweetie Belle replied.

“Nightshade and the others are currently preoccupied in Canterlot trying to get some dirt on Crimson Mystic and help remove him from the EEA,” Eric added.

“I guess we're on our own,” Apple Bloom said.

Back in the dorm room, Gallus tried to open the door only to fail since it was locked.

“Still locked, huh?” Smolder asked.

“We gotta at least try to get out,” Gallus said.

“Why? If Sandbar's turned his back on us, every other pony probably has, too,” Ocellus replied.

“No need to worry, lovebug. I’m sure he faked it in order to get help,” Bramble said, causing Ocellus to blush.

“Sandbar not turn his back! Sandbar is our friend!” Yona added.

“Uh, did you miss the part where he said he didn't want anything to do with us?” Smolder asked.

“I agree with Bramble. Maybe he just said that so one of us could be free to snoop around and figure out what's going on,” Silverstream replied.

“I dunno. That sounds too clever for a pony to come up with,” Sandbar said as he opened the window.

Yona gasped and laughed happily as she tackled Sandbar, “Yona knew Sandbar was still our friend!” she replied.

“We all are,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Except for Cozy Glow. That pony is not who we thought she was,” Scootaloo replied.

“She's the one draining magic out of Equestria!” Apple Bloom added.

“What?!” the rest of the Student 7 asked in unison.

“It’s true! I knew there was something I didn’t like about her and my suspicions were right,” Eric replied.

“We'll explain on the way. But right now, we gotta get to get to Mr. Neighsay,” Sandbar added.

“Huh?” Gallus asked.

“I know he doesn't like non-ponies. But if we tell him what's going on, he'll help,” Sandbar said.

The next morning

“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 headmare and vice headstallion. As your new headstallion, let me be the first to say that the reign of Princess Twilight is over! From now on, this school will adhere to EEA doctrine, as it should have from the start!” Neighsay announced.

The students murmured among each other upon hearing the announcement.

“Thank you, Mr. Neighsay, for that rousing speech. I know you're a stallion who truly believes what you say. And when you say this school will be run according to EEA doctrine, I know you mean it. 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 Glow replied.

The students murmured again.

“That's not exactly what—” Neighsay tried to say.

“So, since I know you mean what you say, my question is really for the students,” Cozy Glow replied cutting him off, “Are we going to give the pony who already tried to wreck Twilight's school once another chance to do it?”

The students voiced their displeasure against Neighsay.

“I guess things will have to stay the way Twilight wants them. Which includes leaving me in charge,” Cozy Glow said.

The students shouted as they approached Neighsay and carried him off, “ This—! I can—! Just—!” he tried to say, stuttering.

The janitor closet door was opened, revealing the Student 7, Eric, and his fellow CMCs.

“Okay. So maybe we need a new plan,” Sandbar said.

The pony students placed Neighsay in Twilight’s chair and put him in chains.

“Oh, oh, not too tight. We don't want to hurt him,” Cozy Glow said, then secured the chains with a padlock and patted his head, “I'm sure Twilight and Storm will know what to do with him when they get back. Now, back to class, everyone. We let the EEA disrupt our friendship studies long enough.”

The students exited the office and went to their class. Cozy Glow then closed the door and flew up to Neighsay.

“Why are you doing this? I thought you wanted to have somepony in charge of the school,” Neighsay said as Cozy Glow placed a box of her belongings on the desk.

“Oh, I do. You just aren't the pony I had in mind,” Cozy Glow replied with a devious smirk.

She placed his medallion in the waste basket then explained, “I can't very well have the EEA running the school if I want to run it myself. 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. And as headmare of the School of Friendship, nopony will have more friends than me! Making me the most powerful pony in Equestria!”

Cozy Glow laughed maniacally as Neighsay gulped nervously. She then exited the office, giggling evilly.

“Hey, Cozy Glow! What's so funny?” Scootaloo said.

“Are you just happy to be running the school?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Oh, I'm just keeping Twilight's seat warm,” Cozy Glow replied.

“Still, it's pretty impressive,” Apple Bloom said as she, Eric, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo walked down the hallway alongside Cozy.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“We can hang out with you all day if you want,” Scootaloo added.

Eric just kept a close eye on Cozy Glow as she said with a devious smile, “You know, there is something I need help with.”

The CMCs except for Eric cheered as she led them down the hallway. The Student 7 exited a room and entered the office. They found Neighsay struggling in the chair, trying to reach the waste basket and recover his medallion.

“Oh, wonderful. I suppose you've all come to gloat?” Neighsay said.

“Actually, we've come to undo all these chains and free you!” Silverstream replied as she and Sandbar attempted to undo the lock and chains.

“But... But why?” Neighsay asked.

“Now that nasty pony met even nastier pony, maybe nasty pony not be so nasty,” Yona said before rushing towards him.

Yona came to a halt as Neighsay closed his eyes and looked away fearing he would be rammed, only to be relieved once she used one of her horns to pick the lock. She then tipped down the chair, smashing it along with the chains.

“Also, we'd kind of like to stop Cozy before she drains all the magic from Equestria,” Sandbar added.

“She's behind that as well? I must get word to Celestia, Luna, and Emerald,” Neighsay said as he tipped over the waste basket.

“How? Without magic, it'll take forever to get to them,” Sandbar replied.

“While it's true that unicorns have lost their ability to cast spells, the most potent magic in Equestria is housed in our... artifacts,” Neighsay said, recovering his medallion, “The EEA medallion allows me to travel throughout Equestria. Its magic worked when I chained you up. Perhaps it still has enough to send me to the princesses and Lord Emerald.”

Neighsay tapped the medallion once, but nothing happened until he tapped it a second time. Just then, he managed to open a portal and went through it, then it disappeared.

“I hope he makes it,” Ocellus said.

“You and me both,” Bramble replied.

“I hope he doesn't come back and lock us up again,” Smolder said.

“If he comes back,” Gallus added.

“Everything's gonna be fine! Twilight and the others are probably already on their way!” Silverstream replied.

Canterlot

Nightshade, Zuni, Slapstick, Marina, Holly, and Pincer were still trying to get some dirt on Crimson Mystic. They snuck into his office and finally found plans and proposals to double the homework load on all students, to reinstate corporal punishment for all infractions, remove playground equipment from all the grade schools, remove extracurricular and hooves-on activities, and ban non-ponies from attending classes. They also saw a crystal ball. The six of them gasped in horror as they were taken aback by these plans.

“These proposals are way to extreme, hardly anypony will even agree with these!” Nightshade said.

“That’s not all, Nightshade. There’s also mind control collars, along with sacks of bits and gems,” Zuni replied as she looked through a secret compartment.

“He’s also got a crystal ball. Everyone we encountered with one of those has one thing in common,” Pincer added.

“Crimson Mystic is not just extreme, he’s downright evil and judging by the crystal ball, he’s working for Glacio. Brainwashing, embezzlement, and bribery are serious crimes. We need to show this to the princesses and Lord Emerald,” Slapstick said.

“Good thinking. Got any rope and duct tape in your saddlebag, Nightshade?” Marina asked.

“I do. Once we find Crimson Mystic, we’ll tie him up,” Nightshade replied.

“He’s coming our way,” Holly called out in a whisper.

“Quick, hide behind the doors,” Nightshade said.

“Good idea, that way we’ll take him by surprise,” Pincer replied.

The six friends hid behind the doors as Crimson entered his office. It was then that they tackled him to the floor.

“Let me go!” Crimson shouted.

“Tie him up!” Nightshade said.

The others nodded in reply, then tied his legs together. Slapstick put duct tape on Crimson’s mouth, then he and the others took the incriminating evidence and carried him to the palace.

Back at the School of Friendship, the CMCs were with Cozy Glow, walking down the hallway.

“It's just so excitin' to have a foal our age runnin' things. We should have an ice cream social every day!” Apple Bloom said.

“That's a splendid idea, Apple Bloom. But to tell you the truth, the thing I need help with most is cleaning,” Cozy Glow replied as they stopped at the janitorial closet.

“Say no more. Just take us around the school and show us everything you want cleaned,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Well, actually, you could start right in here,” Cozy Glow replied, pointing her hoof.

The three fillies were about to enter the closet, but Eric got in front of them.

“Girls, stop! It’s a trap!” he said, “She’s trying to lock us in!”

“You got that right. I know a diversion when I see it!” Cozy Glow replied.

“You. You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!” Eric said, getting into her face.

He then tackled Cozy Glow to the floor and wrestled her.

“Hey! Get off of me!” Cozy Glow shouted.

“Girls, go! Help the students and free Starlight!” Eric said.

“We’re on it!” Scootaloo replied.

The three fillies left to go rally the students.

Meanwhile, the Student 7 climbed down into the tunnels.

“Uh, why pony lead us back down here?” Yona asked.

“We obviously can't handle Cozy on our own. But we can't just sit around and wait for help. So, there's one more prisoner I think we should free,” Sandbar replied, showing them where Starlight was held.

“Ooh! I guess Starlight! Is it Starlight?” Silverstream asked excitedly.

Just then Yona rushed down to save Starlight, “Counselor pony, come out! We need help with nasty pony!” she said.

Starlight silently gasped from inside the orb and shook her head, attempting to signal Yona not to step on the circle. Sandbar stopped Yona before she could take another step, “She can't talk to us from in there. We'll have to figure a way to get her out,” he replied.

They took a side around the orb holding Starlight and looked at each of the relics.

“Hey! This is just like chapter twelve in "Kanthaka's Facts and Artifacts" from Twilight's class!” Gallus said, the others gave him a confused look, “What? I've been studying. Finals are coming up, you know?”

“Actually, I remember that, too! Cozy must've linked these artifacts to act like a mystical magnet, attracting all the magic in Equestria into that orb,” Ocellus replied.

“So, we can shut it down by yanking one of these things out, right?” Smolder suggested as she tried to grab Knuckerbocker’s shell.

“Sure, though that would probably cause a magical feedback loop and destroy the whole school!” Ocellus replied.

“Guys, look behind you!” Bramble shouted.

Sandbar and the others gasped as they saw a swarm of large spiders headed towards them. The spiders were white with the markings of a garden spider and the hair of a wolf spider. They also had two large fangs, along with four smaller ones and eight big eyes.

“Those are some big spiders!” Sandbar said.

“According to Professor Fluttershy, they’re giant cave spiders. Highly aggressive when they’re hungry or surprised, but they can also be docile if they don’t see you as prey,” Bramble explained, “I’m guessing Cozy Glow must’ve manipulated them into guarding the catacombs to prevent anyone from removing the artifacts from the circle and deactivating the orb.”

Just then, the spiders cut the Student 7 off from the relics and surrounded them, ready to attack.

Meanwhile, Storm and the other Mane 5 rushed out the doors, then Twilight flew out quickly as they closed. She then fell on the ground as they were finally out of Tartarus.

“Yay! Twilight did it!” Pinkie shouted.

“I couldn't have done it without all your help,” Twilight said.

“I'm not sure we did!” Rarity replied, pointing at the sunset.

“No!” Twilight exclaimed, as she and the others looked at the sunset.

“Tirek said all of Equestria's magic would be gone at sunset,” Applejack said, sadly.

“Without magic, there's no way we'll get back to the school in time!” Twilight replied.

“What does that mean?” Fluttershy asked.

“It means... we've failed!” Twilight said.

“We mustn’t lose hope, everypony. I believe Eric and his friends are fixing the problem right now,” Storm replied.

Back at the School of Friendship, the CMCs and the pony students came to aid the Student 7 as they kept the cave spiders away.

“Grab the relics! We’ll hold off the spiders!” Scootaloo said.

“Don’t worry, Eric’s keepin’ Cozy Glow busy,” Apple Bloom added.

Just then, the floor cracked open and released a vortex. The Student 7 were glowing as the Tree of Harmony was signaling them to save all the magic.

“Guess our friendship is pretty magical after all,” Gallus remarked.

“Hurry! Grab the artifacts!” Bramble said.

“Um, Ocellus, didn't you say that could destroy the school?” Silverstream asked.

“But if we don't try, we could lose magic forever!” Ocellus replied.

“You all better get clear!” Sandbar said.

The CMCs and the pony students ran out of the caverns as the Student 7 grabbed the Talisman of Mirage, Amulet of Aurora, Helm of Yksler, Knuckerbocker’s shell, King Grover’s crown, and Clover the Clever’s cloak. They raised the artifacts, which caused the orb to lift out of the vortex, freeing Starlight and restoring all of Equestria’s magic.

In the hallway, Eric and Cozy Glow were still engaged in their kiddie fight. They rolled across the floor until she kicked Eric upside down into the wall.

“Okay. Come on! You want a piece of me?!” Eric said.

Cozy Glow flew towards Eric and slapped him hard on the face, making his head spin. He stopped his head from spinning, then tackled Cozy to the ground on her back while shouting a battle cry. Eric bonked her head, then flipped her over and pulled on her forelegs behind her back.

“OOOOOWWW!” Cozy Glow screamed.

They both noticed the surge as Equestria’s magic was coming back. Cozy Glow was shocked to see this, “What?!” she exclaimed.

“Surrender, Cozy Glow. You’re plan failed!” Eric said.

“No fair!!” Cozy retorted.

Just outside Canterlot, the princesses, Lord Emerald, Neighsay, and the guards were amazed as they got their magic back. Neighsay immediately conjured a portal to the School of Friendship. Inside Tartarus, Tirek, Cerberus, and the other creatures had their magic returned to them as they returned to normal. As they left the entrance of Tartarus, the Mane 7 and Spike had smiles on their faces as they got their magic back. Twilight and Storm immediately teleported them back to the School of Friendship.

The CMCs and the pony students ran to the school courtyard, then Starlight teleported herself and the Student 7 there as well. Yona laughed happily as she rushed up to Starlight, “Counselor pony—!” she said.

“Uh, it's nice to see you, too,” Starlight replied nervously, catching Yona in her magic.

“I guess magic is back,” Ocellus said.

“Thanks to us, lovebug,” Bramble replied as they stared at each other lovingly.

“You've ruined everything! Now Twilight and her ridiculous friends can escape from Tartarus!” Cozy Glow ranted.

The Mane 7 and Spike teleported into the school courtyard, looking at her with angry faces. Eric and his friends also gave her angry looks. Cozy had a nervous look on her face, “I mean... Yay! All my friends are safe!” she said, faking her happiness.

“You can drop the act, Cozy Glow! Your pen pal Tirek told us all about how he helped you suck up all that magic!” Applejack replied.

“But I still don't understand why,” Twilight said as she approached Cozy, who then growled.

“Why?! Because friendship is power! You might be the Princess of Friendship, but as headmare of this school, I can collect even more friends than you!” Cozy Glow replied.

The students murmured among each other as they overheard the evil filly.

“You're the one who doesn't get it, Cozy. Friendship is powerful, but power isn't why you make friends. I'm sorry Storm and I couldn't teach you that,” Twilight said.

“Well, you taught us,” Gallus replied.

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

“And we never could've stopped her if we hadn't learned what you taught us about friendship,” Sandbar finished.

“Honesty? Loyalty? Generosity? Blah-blah-blah! I can make more friends without using any of them! And if I can't do it here, I'll do it somewhere else!” Cozy Glow said as she tried to fly away.

Just then, the pony students cut her off on one side, “Yeah...I don't think so!” the one called Patty Peppermint replied.

Cozy Glow was quickly cut off on all sides by the princesses, Lord Emerald, Neighsay, and the guards. Two of the guards caught her and took her away.

“I’m glad you’re back, mom and dad,” Eric said, hugging them.

“You did it, sport. I knew you could stop Cozy Glow,” Storm replied.

“You were right about Cozy Glow, sweetheart. We’re sorry we didn’t believe you before,” Twilight added.

“I just kept her busy while Bramble and his friends undid her evil scheme,” Eric said, “It’s not your fault, mom. Cozy Glow had all of you fooled.”

“Twilight, we recovered the relics Cozy Glow used to try and drain the magic,” Sweetie Belle spoke up.

“Thank you, Sweetie Belle,” Twilight replied.

Eric then took the Amulet of Aurora and the Talisman of Mirage. He then took out his basilisk fang and stabbed the amulet’s centerpiece. This caused it to magically shatter and disperse its energy harmlessly. He also stabbed the headpiece of the Talisman of Mirage, causing the same effect as they were both destroyed.

“Sorry, mom. It had to be done, because we can’t have anyone trying to drain our magic again,” Eric said.

“It’s alright. We can always make replicas of the Amulet of Aurora and the Talisman of Mirage,” Twilight replied.

The next day, Twilight, Storm, Celestia, Eric, and Neighsay were walking down the school hallway.

“I'm glad you're back in charge of the School of Friendship, Prince and Princess,” Neighsay said, as he opened the door, “It's clear to me now that there are no ponies better suited for the job.”

“Thanks, Neighsay,” Storm replied.

Just then, they noticed the Student 7 were in robes with Spike burping up some scrolls.

“What's going on?” Twilight asked.

“Hi, Headmare Twilight and Vice Headstallion Storm! We're just practicing for graduation!” Silverstream said.

Neighsay and Twilight laughed, “Saving Equestria is nice, but I'm afraid it'll take more than one semester to learn all there is to know about friendship,” she replied.

“Told ya,” Spike said.

“Awwww...” the Student 7 groaned.

“However, your effort does deserve the Pink Hearts of Courage. You proved yourselves as true national heroes,” Storm added.

“Cool! Even better!” Bramble replied.

“Your headmare and vice headstallion are right. I thought friendship was something only ponies should share with each other. But you all taught me how wrong I was. I suppose true friendship can take a lifetime to understand,” Neighsay explained.

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

“Prince Eric, I owe you an apology for everything I’ve said about you last year. Can you forgive me?” Neighsay apologized.

“I forgive you, Mr. Neighsay,” Eric replied.

“Thanks, Prince Eric. I shall be making a lot of apologies today,” Neighsay said.

“Good thinking, Neighsay. I’ve spoken with Vice Chancellor Pearly Flare and in light of seeing the error of your ways, your position as chancellor is hereby restored,” Celestia replied.

“Thank you, Celestia. It seems that I shall amend the EEA guidelines,” Neighsay said, “Twilight and Storm, since your school is functional again and as a sign of my goodwill, I officially grant full EEA accreditation.”

“Thanks…Chancellor,” Twilight and Storm replied in unison.

“What’s gonna become of Cozy Glow?” Eric asked.

“I can assure you. Where she's going, she won't be causing any more trouble,” Princess Celestia replied.

In Tartarus, Tirek was still in locked up as Cerberus whimpered, feeling bored.

“Of course it's boring here now! But at least you're not in a cage!” Tirek said.

Just then, Luna and two guards came in through a portal with Cozy Glow and locked her up next to Tirek. Afterwards, they returned to Canterlot.

“Hey, neighbor. Wanna be friends?” Cozy Glow asked with a smirk.

Back at the School of Friendship, the Student 7 were gathered in the courtyard for a ceremony.

“Attention, students and staff. We are gathered to honor the heroism of these seven friends, Bramble, Sandbar, Yona, Gallus, Silverstream, Ocellus, and Smolder. For they showed true friendship and courage in the face of seemingly unfavorable odds,” Twilight said.

The pony students, as well as the other Mane 5, Spike, and Starlight cheered for the seven friends.

“That’s why for their heroic effort to stop Cozy Glow’s evil plot to strain Equestria’s magic, we are proud to award them the Equestria Pink Hearts of Courage,” Storm added, then turned to Eric, “Care to do the honors, Eric?”

“Consider it done, dad,” Eric replied.

Eric presented the medals to the Student 7 and placed them around their necks.

“Everyone, give it up for Equestria’s newest heroes!” Eric said.

Everyone attending the ceremony cheered and stomped their hooves.

Author's Note

Eric Sparkle will return