Back in the library, Discord was getting a bit bored about not being able to do anything fun while the filly's were asleep and Jack was still knocked out for eighteen more hours.
"Eric's sure is taking his time on his scouting isn't he?" he asked himself looking at a sundial wrist watch that now appeared on his right wrist, seeing it's been over an hour.
Just as he was bringing it to his ear, tapping it, the doors flung open and in ran Eric carrying a struggling yellow filly, the main six, Cadence and Shining Armor and a few other ponies. Waking up Ruby and Jade who straight away ran over to their parents.
Slowly Eric placed down Amber who just glared up at him and turned away, anger on her face.
"Looks like the scouting went well then Eric?" Discord said zapping up blankets, food and drinks for everyone.
"There were ups and downs," Eric said undoing his belt and placing the sword on the closet table before going over to a beanbag chair rubbing his face trying to block out the lights of the library.
"More precise... There was bad news, good news, better news, worse news and 'I don't want to talk about it' news." he said, then after taking a deep breath not caring everyone was listening with confused eyes.
"The bad news, A few minutes into my scouting I was tricked by Chyssy and plunged down into the caves. Good news, when I got there I immediately came across the six. Better news after a while and from help by Sarah screaming in pain we found the others. Worse news, she was only screaming in pain because Sombra was, I don't know he just did something to her..." Eric said pausing to get his breathe Ruby and Jade, not being there totally afraid and right up close to him eyes wide hanging on to every word he said.
"And the 'I don't want to talk about it' news?" They both said.
"We've lost Sarah to Sombra's dark magic. As we left she was screaming in so much pain." Eric said freeing his face but still not looking at anyone. "Sombra's right. 'What kind of Knight am I when I can't even protect my Princess?'"
"And the secret about Sarah-ling may of slipped out at some point." he added changing the tone of his voice directing it as a hint to Discord who nodded and snapped his talons zapping up the Changeling from before making everyone stare and back away slightly and Ruby and Jade press themselves against Eric for safety.
"So what are going to do with her Twilight?" Discord said leaving the Changeling still struggling to free herself, putting up a wall around her so Pinkamena can't get to her, for she may be their only hope of getting Sarah back apparently.
After some thought, Twilight answered. "We take her, and everyone else back to the castle," she said. "A lot has happened today, and even though some of us might want to do something about it straight away, we need to talk to Celestia and Luna, and form a new plan." she concluded stomping her hoof to set the order.
Everyone agreed, so as soon as Eric had retrieved his sword, and had a still knocked out Jack on his back, Discord snapped his talons and they were all back at the castle of the Two Pony Sisters, stunning Abby at how many there were she just let them though, as the six went off to Celestia and Luna.
***
Eric wasn't with the others as the stories of that day were retold to the Princesses who were trying to understand it all.
Instead he was in the courtyard letting his anger out on some wooden dummies he asked Discord to make for him, only stopping when he ran out of steam and sinking to the ground now looking up at the sky.
"Some anniversary..." he said closing his eyes sighing.
"Um... Eric?" a voice said making him open his eyes and turn to see Amethyst by the door coming over to him.
"Er... Yes Mrs Gemstone?" he said getting in a sitting position not sure what to say.
"Well we were just going over the stories of the day," she said sitting next to him. "And I'd like to personally thank you for protecting Ruby and Jade from the Changeling and looking after them while they were in the library."
"Oh... You're welcome." Eric said a smile on his lips. "But I would of done the same for anypony if they were in the same situation." he admitted.
"Well, just thank you anyway." Amethyst said lying down now. "And when this gets all sorted out, if I don't get to see Sarah before you leave, can you thank her for me for helping to make Amber feel better in the caves?"
"I will." Eric said wondering if this will get sorted out.
Up in Canterlot, Sarah was just getting to know who she was now working with better, and about her new powers.
Sarah was down in Canterlot Castle's courtyard training with Chrysalis's Changelings feeling the boost these new powers have given her.
At the moment she was blindfolded standing in the center of the courtyard hands raised ready to attack, anything that made the slightest sound. After a minute a couple of Changelings started creeping up behind her, trying to see how far they could get, not even making it ten steps before they were slashed back by her.
Next another two tried out in front of her. Dodging them by leaping in to the air somersaulting and landing in a crouch position Sarah kicked her leg out tripping them up by making their hooves come out from underneath them.
Finally three Changelings came towards her each choosing a different way to come to her. One above from the sky, one behind, one in front.
Cupping her hands together, Sarah concentrated focusing all her power into this last 'Will End Any Battle' trick, letting them come closer and closer. Then just as they were about to attack, Sarah released the ball of energy making an ever expanding bubble around her knocking out those last three Changelings.
Listening to see if it was over, Sarah thought she could hear someone applauding her. Lifting the blindfold Sarah looked around to see Chrysalis and Sombra on the balcony over looking the yard pleased with her work.
"Good work Sarah," Sombra said after she curtsied to them and then stood to attention. "Nice, very nice. What is your purpose?" he asked.
"To destroy all love, hope, and dreams and spread fear and darkness." Sarah said loudly eyes on her new king and queen.
"What have we taught you?"
"Twilight Sparkle and those whimppy ponies are the enemy."
"And what must you do?"
"I must kill them." Sarah finished narrowing her eyes to show determination grinning that she'll get a chance to do so, as Chrysalis and her Changeling buzzed their wings in their form of cheering her on and congratulating her on her training.