Story Notes: If You Could Read My Mind · 1:44am Jan 25th, 2021
Source: https://derpibooru.org/images/2491599
This story was a bit of an experiment for me. I generally stick to comedies and happy slice of life fics, while this is probably the single most depressing thing I've ever written.
If you haven't already read the story, be forewarned that there be spoilers down this path you've chosen to walk.
Source: https://derpicdn.net/img/2019/11/24/2204360/large.png
I doubt it will surprise anyone to know I was very disappointed by the series finale.
There are plenty of fics involving releasing Cozy Glow (and/or the rest of the trio), and I have several in progress as well. Hopefully someday they see completion, but until then, they shall remain unposted. For the purposes of this story, Flurry Heart argued on her behalf, and eventually Cozy was released. Twilight was looking for an excuse, and Flurry gave her one. In time, the others were also granted their freedom (one at a time).
Instead, this story focuses on what happens in the years after. She did some awful things. She wasn't a very good pony. She still isn't a good pony, but she's trying. And according to the image below, she's also not a morning pony (neither am I):
Source: https://derpibooru.org/images/2499623
It's mentioned in story that Cozy Glow briefly overthrew the Crystal Empire, but couldn't hold the position. With Equestria coming to the aid of their ally and threatening war over the regime change, and the Crystal Empire's own refusal to recognize her legitimacy as ruler, her only option had been to release Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart and beg for forgiveness.
Their response was to exile her to Earth for a decade. She was monitored very closely the first few years, and has had to check in periodically in the years since. While they never threatened to turn her into a statue, knowing the option was on the table was enough motivation to keep Cozy on the straight & narrow.
Source: https://derpibooru.org/images/2517082
For those of you following Buisness Trip and its sequels (particularly 16), this story isn't part of that fictional universe. Originally, I wrote this in December 2019, and had intended it to fit in with 16 (this was written before that story was started), and it was supposed to be released back in January/February 2020 (right before 16 came out). I'm glad I sat on this one, because 16 took a decidedly different turn and I wouldn't have been able to change that story organically if I'd been forced into conforming to the reality of this story. So instead, I revised this story, and it exists as a one-shot, with no connection to that story.
Source: https://derpibooru.org/images/2511165
Cozy Glow was briefly an alicorn and now that she isn't, she's having major magic withdrawal years later. She's trying to fix her mind and her body both, and having more luck with the former than the latter. She's a better pony than she was, but now that she has a conscience, she's punishing herself for her many misdeeds. That's why she's surrounded herself with as many hard luck cases as she can: to understand empathy. As for her body, while she lost her horn, she kept the natural alicorn immortality. Her body's frozen in time since she's no longer an alicorn and hence it no longer works correctly. Hopefully she learns to forgive herself, or she's in for a long life of torment and pain.
Source: https://derpibooru.org/images/2156633
Illinois is one of five states that allow psychologists to prescribe medications. Iowa, Idaho, New Mexico, and Louisiana are the others. Though she should absolutely not be prescribing medications to herself under any circumstances.
I hope there's a similar chance for a semi-kinda-sorta-happy ending for Cozy Heart in the 16 universe.
5441569
Me too. I'll say this now so you don't get your hopes up when Act III rolls around: Cozy is briefly freed, but finds herself in good company when she's resealed in stone (when the time comes I don't want you to think I'm trolling you or any of the other readers).
While it may get worse for her before it gets better, I really like happy endings.
Thank you for writing and for the additional information. :)
5441573
Oh, interesting. I wonder how that's going to work out?
Not asking for more detailed spoilers, though, to be clear, just wondering. :D
But I'm glad there'll eventually be a happy ending there. :)
The one thing we disagree on my dear friend, you like Cozy.
-your faithful editor.
5441778
Someone has to...
Cozy COULD have been an interesting villain, kinda in the vein of Starlight Glimmer before her reformation, they were both regular ponies that made bad decisions instead of powerful monsters (a term I'm using very loosely here) with the goal of taking over or destroying the world. But instead she was played as evil for the sake of evil, the whole saccharine Darla Dimple approach didn't help matters any. Even Starlight Glimmer got a backstory (albeit a cheesy one).
Seems Equestria has a pretty black and white justice system, you're either redeemed via hugs or a rainbow to the face, or you're sent to Tartarus, or imprisonment in solid rock for Faust knows how long.