Two weeks after the return and permanent defeat of King Sombra, Eric was in the library trying to figure out how the evil king came back. He tried looking through every book on the shelves, but couldn’t find anything on dark magic.

“Mom? Dad? Starlight? Spike?” Eric called out, but got no reply.

He searched the castle, hoping to find either of his parents or his foalsitter. It wasn’t long before he noticed Twilight putting Midnight down for his nap.

“Mom, is it okay if I lull Midnight to sleep?” Eric asked with a whisper.

“Sure,” Twilight replied quietly, as she gave Midnight to him.

Eric gently rocked Midnight and sang softly.

(Credit for this song goes to Disney/Pixar)

Eric then set Midnight onto his bed and put the blanket over him.

“Thanks for helping me put your brother to sleep, Eric,” Twilight said.

“No problem,” Eric replied, then asked, “Can I please go to the Canterlot Library and do some research?”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Twilight said.

“Later, mom,” Eric replied, hugging her.

He then exited the castle and went to find his friends. It wasn’t long before he reached the Carousel Boutique and knocked on the door. Just then, Rarity answered the door and opened it.

“Hello, Eric,” Rarity said.

“Afternoon, Rarity. Is Sweetie Belle here?” Eric asked.

“Yes. She’s upstairs,” Rarity replied, then called out, “Sweetie Belle, your boyfriend is here!”

It was then that Sweetie Belle came down to the door and opened it.

“Hi, Eric,” Sweetie Belle greeted, as she hugged and kissed him.

“Hi, Sweetie Belle,” Eric replied.

“You here to take me out for a date?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Maybe later, but there’s something I need your help with and from the others as well,” Eric replied.

“What’s that?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“We need to go to the Canterlot Library and see if we can find any books on dark magic. It’s so we can find out how King Sombra came back,” Eric explained.

“Ok. Later, Rarity,” Sweetie Belle said.

Soon enough, they picked up Apple Bloom from Sweet Apple Acres and Scootaloo from Rainbow Dash’s cloud condo. They also met up with Zuni, Marina, Slapstick, Holly, and Pincer. Eric got on his broomstick while Pincer transformed into a roc and the others climbed on his back.

It wasn’t long before they reached Canterlot. Sweetie Belle and the others got off of Pincer as he returned to his own form.

“Can you please wait here while I go find Nightshade?” Eric asked his friends.

Sweetie Belle and the others nodded in reply, while Apple Bloom went with Eric. Once they reached Fancy Pants’ mansion, Eric knocked on the door. It was then that Clockwork answered the door.

“Hello, Eric,” Clockwork said.

“Hi, Clockwork. We’re here to see Nightshade,” Eric replied.

It wasn’t long before Nightshade came down and exited the door.

“Howdy, Nightshade,” Apple Bloom greeted in a sweet tone.

“Hello, Apple Bloom,” Nightshade said as they shared a kiss.

Eric and Apple Bloom explained to him about the need to do some research at the library and the three of them went to rejoin the others. Soon enough, Eric and his friends reached the library. They went inside to try and find some books about dark magic. They looked in every book about magic they could find in the magic section.

“Uggh, we looked all over the magic section and there’s nothing about dark magic,” Scootaloo groaned.

“You’re telling me, Scoots. I don’t see anything,” Slapstick said.

“I can’t seem to find anything either,” Marina added.

“I think we should try looking in the restricted section,” Eric suggested.

“Are you kidding, Eric? I don’t know if we’re allowed in there,” Nightshade replied.

“The library has a restricted section?” Zuni asked.

“Yes, Zuni. It’s important that we find out how and why King Sombra returned so we can improve our chances of stopping Glacio,” Eric said.

“Good point,” Nightshade replied.

“How are we supposed to find the restricted section?” Holly asked.

“I believe there’s a secret passageway somewhere on the right side of the library,” Eric replied.

Eric and his friends searched for the restricted section until they came across a bookshelf at the wall. On the shelf were two books with a sun and moon symbol on them. Eric tried pulling them out, only for the secret passageway to open up.

“You found the secret passageway, Eric!” Sweetie Belle said.

“How’d you know that the books would open it?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I’ve seen secret passages with mechanisms like this in a few movies,” Eric replied, “Come on.”

Eric entered the passageway with his friends following him. Once they reached the door, Eric and his friends entered the restricted section and began looking for books about dark magic. They looked through every single book until Pincer found a book on dark magic spells.

“I found something!” Pincer said, “You might want to take a look at this, Eric.”

“Good job, Pincer,” Eric replied.

Pincer then brought the book to Eric, who took out his journal to take some notes. Eric looked through the book until he found some information regarding a necromancy spell. He wrote down important details about that particular spell before closing the book.

“Now we know how Glacio would’ve brought back King Sombra. This spell explains it,” Eric said, showing the others what he wrote in his notes.

Once Pincer returned the book to its shelf, he, Eric, and the others exited the restricted section. Upon exiting the library, Eric got on his broom while Pincer transformed into a roc and the others got on his back. It wasn’t long before they returned to Ponyville and reached the Castle of Friendship. It was then that Eric came up to his parents who were on the couch with Midnight.

“Mom, Dad, my friends and I found out how King Sombra came back,” Eric said.

“What did you find?” Twilight asked, while holding Midnight.

“Glacio must’ve used this spell to bring him back,” Eric replied, showing his notes to his parents.

“Your mom and I have only seen books about dark magic such as necromancy located in the library’s restricted section,” Storm replied.

“Eric, we told you a while back you’re not supposed to go in there. It’s restricted for a reason,” Twilight added.

“My friends and I wouldn’t normally go in there without a good reason, but we just had to investigate King Sombra’s return and we found the answer for you,” Eric explained.

“Since you found the answers we wanted, we’re gonna let this slide. From now on, we want you to ask us before going into the restricted section,” Twilight said.

“Alright, mom. I’m going on a date with Sweetie Belle now, I’ll be back by family reading time,” Eric replied as he walked out with his friends.

Meanwhile, at the Crystal Mountains ice fortress, Glacio gathered Chrysalis, Tirek, Cozy Glow, and his officers for a meeting. It was then that his best assassin, Shadow Swift took a seat.

“Anything to report, Shadow Swift?” Glacio asked.

“The traitor, Tempest managed to elude me, but I found this book at the Vanhoover Library,” Shadow Swift replied, showing him a book on magic relics.

“Let’s see what’s in it,” Glacio said as he took the book with his magic. He noticed the title ‘Magical Relics of the Known World’ and opened it.

Glacio looked through the book until he saw a picture and information about a powerful magic bell.

“You did well to bring me this book, Shadow Swift,” Glacio said, “Although your failure to deal with Tempest Shadow is most unfortunate.”

“Thank you, my lord. I assure you that I will kill her or bring her to you soon enough,” Shadow Swift replied.

“My Alicorn Amulet may be gone, but I believe Grogar’s bell will be most useful for our cause,” Glacio said, laughing evilly.

Next Chapter: Chapter 4: The Best Gift Ever Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 7 Minutes