School Raze - Part 1.After a malfunctioning spell endangers the students, the ponies discover that magic is failing across Equestria. Upon Cozy Glow's suggestion, the Mane Six and Spike travel to Tartarus to interrogate the magic-eating centaur Lord Tirek. Tirek reveals he has been exchanging letters with a protege to help him exact a revenge plot to trick the group into trapping themselves in Tartarus. At the school, Cozy Glow assumes the role of headmare at the school despite Twilight appointing Starlight. Chancellor Neighsay then seizes control from her and detains the Young Six, believing them to be responsible for the failing magic. Faking a betrayal to escape, Sandbar seeks the help of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Underneath the school, they discover that Cozy Glow has been using the school's magical artifacts to imprison Starlight and drain magic from Equestria, intent to rule it as the Empress of Friendship.