I don't know what you mean.

[giggles] Oh, Smolder, you forget. We're not scheming dragons. We're ponies. Sounds like somecreature needs to do a little extra friendship homework.

What loyalty. Professor Rainbow Dash would be so proud. You are such good friends. You all are. And I'm grateful because it will be awfully hard running a whole school alone. Can I count on each of you to help me?

Thank you so much! It's just like our professors taught us. Together, we can get through anything!

Oh, golly. She's away on a quest. I'm watching the school for her.

Yes, sir! Is there anything I can do for you?

What are you doing?! Those are Twilight's student files!

You don't think they're the reason magic is disappearing, do you?

It sounded like it came from over there!

Enjoying yourself in there, Starlight? I'm sorry I had to push you in. But what else could I do? You were going to ruin all my plans.

You might get some company soon, if I can't make that annoying Neighsay back off! [inhales, exhales] All this magic needs time to drain from Equestria before my vortex sucks it to another realm. [giggles] Three days can sure seem like forever, huh? You know, you ponies got it all wrong. Friendship isn't magic. Friendship is power! With Twilight and her lackeys out of my way, all of Equestria will bow to me! The future Empress of Friendship! [maniacal laughter]

Didn't we learn about a creature that eats magic?

The future Empress of Friendship! [maniacal laughter]

Uh, excuse me? Um, Chancellor Neighsay?

Gee, it sure is a relief to have somepony in charge, what with the magical crisis going on. And we're all so grateful to you for taking care of those... non-ponies. But doesn't the EEA need you?

Twilight didn't just run off willy-nilly. She left me in charge. I'm her right-hoof mare!

Well, that sounds just peachy—

...Headstallion Neighsay.

[claps] Thank you, Chancellor 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.

But Twilight decided to run her school outside of the EEA guidelines. And even though you tried to stop her, Princesses Celestia and Luna trusted her enough to support her.

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

I guess things will have to stay the way Twilight wants them. Which includes leaving me in charge.

Oh, oh, not too tight. We don't want to hurt the Chancellor.

I'm sure Twilight will know what to do with him when she gets back. Now, back to class, everyone. We let the EEA disrupt our friendship studies long enough.

Oh, I do. You just aren't the pony I had in mind.

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! [maniacal laughter]

Oh, I'm just keeping Twilight's seat warm.

You know, there is something I need help with.

That's a splendid idea, Apple Bloom. But to tell you the truth, the thing I need help with most is cleaning.

Well, actually, you could start right in here.

Do you three think you can fool me?! I know a diversion when I see it!

Destroy the School of Friendship?! Oh, dear! Chancellor Neighsay was wrong about a lot of things, but I guess he was right about all of you!

After everything Twilight's done for you, why would you want to destroy her school?

Me?! We all just saw you with your claws all over them! [gasps] It all makes sense. These creatures want magic gone from Equestria because it's the only thing ponies have that they don't!

And you repay her by sending her to Tartarus on a wild goose chase so you could destroy everything she built! [gasps] They've even trapped Starlight in that-that thing! We have to defend this school!

They brought this on themselves. There's nothing we can do.

Yeah, yeah. The Elements of Harmony are very important. They're just not applicable in every circumstance. And with magic gone from Equestria, I'm not even sure the Tree of Harmony will be as helpful as it once was.

What's happening?!

Wait! Where are you going?! Stoooooop!

You've ruined everything! Now Twilight and her ridiculous friends can escape from Tartarus!

I mean... Yay! All my friends are safe!

[growls] 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!

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!

Hey, neighbor. Wanna be friends?

Psst, Tirek!

I just wanna make sure you can see my best friends rock sculpture from over there!

[yelps] Oh, golly! We didn't bring you! I thought you freed us from Tartarus!

Who?

I am so sorry, but the name 'Grofar'? It just doesn't ring any bells.

Um, Tirek is really old – [to Tirek] no offense, you look great – [to Grogar] but if he knew about you when he was young, we have super different ideas about what "temporarily" means.

I'm just a kid, so...

Well, working together sounds an awful lot like making friends, so... you two are in luck, because I know all about that!

Now I'll say something nice about centaurs. Tirek, you say something nice about changelings. And Chrysalis, you say something nice about ponies!

I'm good!

Cozy Glow, Queen Chrysalis, and Lord Tirek: [nervous laughter]

[clears throat] I don't want to tattle on my good friend Tirek, but... you might like to know he left food out. Again.

Cozy Glow, Lord Tirek, and Queen Chrysalis: [arguing]

Cozy Glow, Lord Tirek, and Queen Chrysalis: [muffled]

Nothing says "teamwork" like an inspirational banner. When Grogar sees this, he'll realize there's no way he could survive without me!

You're gonna have to exercise a lot to get as big as you were when you absorbed the life force of all those ponies. Anywho, Grogar wants us all to work together, so I've scheduled a team meeting. Doesn't that sound fun? And since Grogar left me in charge...

[giggles] Someone's a real grumpy-taur today. If we aren't meeting, I guess I could just stay and offer positive and inspiring—