The next day after breakfast, Eric put his spell-book and wand in his backpack, alongside his usual lunch, in case of another run-in with Hot Shot, Skywarp, and Thundercracker.
“Have a good day at school, sweetie,” Twilight said as she hugged him, then kissed his head.
“I just hope I get back home without being bullied on the way back, see you later, mommy,” Eric replied.
Once at school, he sat in his usual spot next to his best friends. The first lesson of the day was about the coastal town of Silver Shoals.
Cheerilee saw Eric’s hand raised and said, “Yes, Eric?”
“Is it called Silver Shoals because there were large portions of silver found there?” Eric asked.
“I’m sure that’s part of it,” Cheerilee replied.
Several hours went by and it was the end of class, Cheerilee made an announcement.
She said, “Tomorrow, we are going on a field trip to White Tail Woods, here are your permission forms.”
While on his way home, Eric and his three friends noticed Hot Shot, Skywarp, and Thundercracker headed for him.
“If It isn’t the cheese-headed bean boy,” Hot Shot said.
“That’s Prince bean-boy to you, jerks,” Eric replied.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were shocked to see Eric so courageous. He took out his wand and pointed it at Hot Shot, Skywarp, and Thundercracker.
“Get behind me, girls,” Eric said.
“Stupefy!” he shouted as he stunned his opponent, then he incanted “Expelliarmus!” “Everte Statum!”
Skywarp and Thundercracker were sent crashing into the bushes, then Eric ran straight back to the castle. The three fillies and the towns-ponies were amazed at his magical abilities for they saw the whole thing, he was glowing in a purple aura, much to his surprise. As soon as Eric was back at the castle, he gave Twilight his permission slip for her to sign.
“My class is going on a field trip tomorrow,” Eric said.
“Where to?” Twilight asked.
“Someplace called Whitetail Woods, mommy,” Eric replied.
Shortly after Twilight signed his permission slip, Eric noticed a concerned look on her face.
“Is something wrong, mommy?” he asked.
“I just hope those three colts don’t pick on you like they did yesterday,” Twilight said.
“I may not need to worry anymore, I showed them not to mess with me, with my wand,” Eric replied while showing it to her.
He also showed Twilight his potion and spell books.
“You can use magic?” she asked.
“Yes, there is magic in the world that I came from,” Eric replied.
Afternoon soon became evening and Eric was having his favorite dinner, spaghetti and tomato soup, with his mom and Spike beside him. After dinner, Eric took care of his nightly routine same as always. As usual, Eric was held in the comfort of his mother’s forelegs while they both slept.
The following morning, Eric was eating his usual breakfast, pancakes and scrambled eggs. Soon after he brushed his teeth, Eric put the signed permission slip and spell-book in his backpack along with his usual lunch of an apple and carton of milk, he also had his wand in his pocket.
“Have a good field trip, Eric,” Twilight said.
“See you later, mommy,” Eric replied.
As soon as he got to school, Eric joined his classmates as they set off for Whitetail Woods.
“Alright class, you are to form groups of three or four and report anything of interest to me,” Cheerilee said.
Eric partnered up with Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. Pipsqueak went with Rumble and Featherweight, while Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon went with Snips and Snails, and of course Twist joined Sunny Daze and Peachy Pie. Over a few hours of searching, Eric, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo were now lost.
“Uggghh, how do we find our way through this place?” Scootaloo grumbled.
“You’re telling me, Scootaloo, this is a lot bigger than Green Lake Park,” Eric added.
All of a sudden, they stumbled off a cliff, it was not that big of a drop.
“Hold on to me, girls,” Eric said then incanted, “Arresto Momentum!”
They had just stopped two feet above the ground, then dropped unharmed.
“How’d ya do that?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I can use magic, remember?” Eric replied showing them his wand, “You saw me defending myself yesterday.”
“So you use a stick to channel your magical ability?” Scootaloo asked.
“It’s not a stick, it is a wand, this is how certain humans like me use magic,” Eric explained.
“Thanks, Eric, you saved us,” Sweetie Belle said then kissed him on his cheek.
He blushed at this, since this was new to him. Suddenly, they saw something moving in their direction.
“Girls, there’s a deer over there,” Eric said.
The four friends stood still as the deer approached them, she was a fawn.
“I’m Holly, what’s your name?” the deer asked.
“Hi, Holly, I’m Eric Sparkle, these are my friends, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo and we are lost,” the boy said.
“Hi, Eric, it’s good to meet all of you, my family and I know these woods inside and out,” Holly replied.
“Have you seen some other ponies around?” Scootaloo asked.
“Not that I know of, but maybe my family did, I’ll help you,” Holly said.
“Thank you, Holly,” Eric replied.
As the five young ones walked through the woods in search of Holly’s family, she took the time to get to know her new friends.
“What kind of animal are you, Eric?” she asked.
“I’m a human, a creature not from Equestria,” Eric replied.
He told Holly the story about how he came to Equestria and meeting his new family and first friends.
“Interesting, so you’re Princess Twilight’s son, correct?” Holly said.
“Yes, how do you know about my mommy and her friends?” Eric asked.
“They met my parents, King Aspen and Queen Willow and my big brother, Prince Bramble, on a friendship mission, that was this past summer,” Holly explained.
Soon, Holly’s family was in sight of Eric and the others, “Mom, Dad, Bramble, these are my new friends, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Eric Sparkle,” Holly said. The four friends bowed in respect to the deer king and queen.
“You may rise, young ones,” King Aspen said, they slowly rose.
“Your highnesses, have you seen any other ponies around here besides my three friends?” Eric asked.
“Yes, we saw them headed for the southeastern edge of the woods, Holly knows the quickest way there,” Queen Willow replied.
As Holly led Eric and the fillies to find the rest of their class, they begun to smell something stinky and heard howling in the distance.
“Yuck, what’s that filthy smell?” Scootaloo asked.
“Was that a wolf?” Eric asked in fear.
“Yes, they’re timber-wolves, made of wood, and that stench is their breath, you can smell it a mile away,” Holly replied.
Suddenly a pack of eight timber-wolves came out of the brush and were about to attack.
“All of you, get behind me,” Eric said.
“What for?” Holly asked.
“I’m about to use my magic, you have to trust me,” Eric replied.
Eric got out his wand, then pointed it at the timber-wolves and incanted, “Confringo!”
Two of them were blasted to splinters, “Expulso!” Eric shouted, “Reducto!” The two remaining timber-wolves fled, then Eric and the fillies led by Holly made their way to their destination. Much to Eric and the fillies’ surprise, Holly was glowing in a yellow aura.
“Miss Cheerilee, everyone, this is my new friend, Holly, she’s a deer,” Eric said.
“Hi, Holly,” said the whole class in unison.
Holly gave them a wave, “I need to get back home, see you soon, Eric,” she said.
“Maybe you can visit me in Ponyville sometime, bye, Holly,” Eric replied, then Holly gave him a wave.
Eric, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo explained the details of their adventure on the way back to Ponyville.
“I’m glad you four are safe,” Cheerilee said.
Soon it was time for all the students to head home, Eric was sure eager to get back home. Having returned to the castle, Twilight noticed Eric was in a good mood.
“So how was your field trip to Whitetail Woods?” she asked.
“I enjoyed it, mommy, I made a new friend, her name is Holly and she is a deer,” Eric said.
“That’s wonderful, sweetie,” Twilight replied.
Soon after dinner was over, Twilight and Eric turned in for the night.
Over the course of one month, Eric had memorable bonding experiences with his friends. He was baking with Pinkie Pie and the Cake family every Friday, sewing with Rarity every Wednesday, helping Applejack and her family on their farm every Sunday, went flying with Rainbow Dash every Thursday, helping Fluttershy with her animal friends and having tea with her and Discord every Tuesday, and playing with his fellow CMCs and Holly every Saturday. He also has been having quality time with his mom and Spike, such as playing hide and seek, playing Ogres and Oubliettes, reading Power Ponies comics, and importantly, magic training every Monday after school, Twilight and Storm were going on more dates, Eric had also introduced Holly to the rest of Twilight’s friends. Twilight herself, was enjoying every second of being a mom.
It was a sunny Saturday morning at 11:00 AM, Eric was anxiously waiting for Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Holly.
“Hi, Eric,” the three fillies said in unison.
“Hi, girls,” Eric replied as he gave them a group hug.
Soon Holly came prancing into Ponyville as any deer would.
“Hi, Holly,” Eric said as they came up to each other.
“Hi, Eric,” Holly replied as they were hugging.
They gently broke their embrace and went to go play in the field near the castle with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. After thirty minutes, they went to Sugarcube Corner for some cupcakes. Eric had more than enough bits, since he almost always saved a good portion of his allowance, which was ten per week.
“What can we get for all of you?” Mrs. Cake asked.
“We’ll have five cupcakes please, vanilla for me and Apple Bloom, chocolate for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, and strawberry for our new friend, Holly,” Eric said.
“You got it, coming up,” Mr. Cake replied.
“Here are your cupcakes, have a good rest of the day, little ones,” said Mrs. Cake.
“Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Cake,” Eric replied as he paid them.
“These strawberry cupcakes taste great, I love them,” Holly said.
As soon as they finished their cupcakes, the five friends were taking a stroll through town. Soon Twilight came up to them with a invite letter from Canterlot.
“Who is this letter from, mommy?” Eric asked.
“It’s from my parents, they want us to meet them in for lunch, we’re going to Canterlot,” Twilight replied.
“Is it ok if Holly comes too?” Eric asked.
“Sure, sweetie,” Twilight replied, “All of you, gather around, I’m gonna teleport us to Canterlot.”
“See you in a few hours, girls,” Eric said.
The three fillies waved in response, then Eric and Holly did what Twilight said and she teleported them to Canterlot. Once there, they went to her parents’ residence. Twilight knocked on the door three times and the sound of hoof-steps were getting closer, then the door was open.
“Hey, Twilight, I see you got our letter,” said Night Light.
“Indeed, dad, we teleported here,” Twilight said.
“Hi, Eric,” said Velvet.
“Hi, Grandma, Hi, Grandpa,” Eric replied as he hugged them both.
“Good to see you, kiddo,” Night Light said.
“Grandma, Grandpa, this is my new friend, Holly,” Eric said.
“Great to meet you, Holly,” said Velvet.
“Same here,” Holly replied.
The Sparkle family, joined by Holly, went to eat at the Plaza del Comida. When the waiter came, they all placed their orders, Night Light and Velvet ordered a taco salad topped with rice, Holly ordered the same, Twilight and Eric ordered veggie burritos with a bed of rice and two quesadillas, and they all asked for ice water to drink, plus a mango smoothie for Eric. The waiter took the menus and went to serve them once the food was ready, Eric told his grandma and grandpa about his magical talent while waiting.
After forty minutes, the server came to them with their food. The family, plus Holly started eating right away.
“The veggie burritos here are great, same with the quesadillas, how is your salad, Holly?” Eric said.
“It’s really tasty, my family would love these pony foods,” Holly replied.
In the booth seat across from them were Fancy Pants and his wife, Fleur de Lis, and a kirin colt with a tan coat, golden scales, green eyes, red-orange mane and tail tuft.
“Princess Twilight, I haven’t seen you since the summit a while back,” said Fancy Pants.
“My goodness, you’re Eric Sparkle. I’m Nightshade,” the colt said in a Trottingham type accent.
“Hi, Nightshade. How do you know who I am?” Eric asked.
“I’m Fancy Pants, over here is my wife, Fleur de Lis. Your adoption made the headlines last month in the Canterlot Post, good to meet you,” the white unicorn stallion replied.
“Nightshade, this is my friend, Holly,” said Eric.
“Good to meet you, Holly,” Nightshade replied.
“Same here, Nightshade,” said Holly.
As soon as both parties were finished eating, their bills came.
“No need to fret, princess, we’ve got us covered,” said Fancy Pants as he paid the necessary amount of bits.
“Thanks, Fancy Pants,” Twilight said.
“Our pleasure,” Fleur replied.
“Mummy, can we please go to the park?” Nightshade asked.
“Of course, sweetheart. You’re all welcome to go with us,” Fleur replied.
The combined group made it to the very park that Twilight played at when she was a filly.
“Do you want to go play on the swings?” Twilight said.
“Yes please,” Eric replied.
Twilight gently pushed him, then gained momentum as Eric swung at a medium pace. They went to the slide set next, but once up, Eric was reluctant to slide down. This was due to one incident where a mean kid pushed him down and he fell face down back in Seattle last year, he held on to Twilight’s foreleg shaking.
“It’s okay, I’ll slide with you,” Twilight said.
“Thanks, mommy,” Eric replied.
He got in her lap and they slid down. They did so a second time before he was confident enough to slide in his own.
Soon there was a group of three friends. One was a zebra filly with maroon eyes and a lily symbol for a cutie mark. Another was a pale green hippogriff with a medium green beak, claws and back hooves, and a blonde mane and tail, as well as blue eyes. The third was a satyr with a medium gray coat and yet to grow horns, plus brown eyes.
“Hello, I’m Zuni. Me and my family moved here from Jamareca,” the zebra said in a Jamarecan accent.
“Name’s Slapstick,” said the satyr kid.
“I’m Eric Sparkle, and over here are my friends, Holly and Nightshade,” the boy replied.
“Hi, Eric. I’m Marina, good to meet you, Holly and Nightshade,” the hippogriff replied.
“Same here, Marina. You too, Zuni and Slapstick, you’re the second zebra I met,” said Eric.
“In case you’re wondering, I’m a satyr,” Slapstick said.
“And I’m a hippogriff. What kind of creature are you?” Marina asked.
“I’m a human,” Eric replied.
He told his new friends, plus Nightshade about how he came to Equestria and also about what he did since then.
“Amazing,” Zuni replied.
“Way cool,” Slapstick said.
“How fabulous,” Marina added.
“Who are these three, Eric?” Twilight asked.
“Mommy, these are my new friends, Zuni, Slapstick, and Marina,” Eric replied.
“Good to meet you,” Twilight said.
Eric also introduced his new friends to his grandparents. The six friends played for a few hours until it was evening. It was time for Twilight, Eric, and Holly to return to Ponyville.
Twilight said goodbye to her parents, while Eric and Holly went to see off their new friends.
“Bye, Eric,” Velvet said.
“Bye, grandma, bye, grandpa,” Eric replied.
At the Castle of Friendship, Eric had just brushed his teeth and put his pajamas on.