Mateo and Elena try to free Mateo's grandfather Alacazar from an enchanted book.
Tropes:
- Anti-Villain: Although Esteban has cemented his Face–Heel Turn at the end of "Dreamcatcher", he's still immensely reluctant to hurt his former friends and family. Ash and Zopilote call him out on this, since they've abandoned him and clearly aren't holding back on him like he is towards them.
- Back for the Dead: Alacazar's return ultimately has him bite the dust.
- Bittersweet Ending: Alacazar sacrifices himself to save Mateo, and Ash and Esteban are still out there, now planning to create an alliance against Elena with other villains. On the other hand, Zopilote has been caught (for now) and Mateo now has access to the advanced spells in his abuelo's biblioteca.
- The Bus Came Back: Alacazar finally returns since his debut in Elena and the Secret of Avalor, now that Elena and Mateo are trying to free him from his book.
- Call-Back: In perhaps one of the biggest references back to Sofia the First, Elena mentions that Alacazar is stuck in a book back in Enchancia and asks them to send it to Avalor so that she and Mateo can try to free him. The Previously on… segment also has a reanimated scene of Alacazar appearing in the Secret Library.
- Continuity Nod: Just like in "To Save a Sunbird", our heroes have to race against time to save their dying friend, only to encounter numerous self-placed roadblocks by said dying friend. Fortunately, they succeed in saving them... if only temporarily for Alacazar, anyways.
- Died in Your Arms Tonight: Alacazar dies in Mateo's arms.
- Doting Grandparent: Alacazar is elated to learn that he has a grandson and absolutely adores him. The feeling is mutual.
- Forgot About His Powers: When Zopilote announces that the entrance to Takaina has been sealed shut, none of the villains think to use Esteban's teleportation power to get them to the Crystal Forge anyways.
- Hero Killer: Zopilote ends up killing Alacazar while trying to kill Mateo.
- Incorruptible Pure Pureness: The Scepter of Light only works in the hands of the good and righteous. In the hands of an evil being, it will not allow them to harm an innocent.
- Never My Fault: While trying to persuade Esteban to use lethal force against his estranged family and friends, Ash says that she needs him to do it so that he can avenge their master Zopilote and her daughter Carla because Elena is the reason why she's lost them both... ignoring that she herself estranged herself from Carla by petrifying Victor and deliberately left her on the side of the road. Esteban gives her a strange look as she says this.
- Never Say "Die": While dying, Alacazar says that he has to go to the Spirit World now. Ash later tells Esteban Elena won't stop until they're captured or "worse".
- No Body Left Behind: Alacazar's body disappears into light after he dies.
- Noodle Incident:
- Alacazar and Zopilote are old enemies.
- Alacazar tells Elena, Mateo, and Flo about his first confrontation with Fiero.
- Obi-Wan Moment: Alakazar very much knew this foray was The Last Dance for him, and sacrifices himself to save his grandson, embracing his end gracefully.
- Taking the Bullet: Alacazar takes a blast from Zopilote that was meant for Mateo.
