The worst part of a betrayal is often not the act itself, but everything that lingers after. Trying to piece together the motivations of someone you once trusted, sifting through memories for some sign you might have missed.

Wondering if, somehow, they had a good reason behind it all.

Seeking closure, Twilight tries to find answers in Cozy Glow's abandoned possessions, but the truth she discovers is one that will make her question everything.

Written for the 3rd Annual Cozy Glow Short Story Contest.

Prompts used:
-Twilight Sparkle gathers Cozy’s belongings for disposal. One object surprises her.
-Cozy’s got a secret!

Sequel to Only A Filly.

Cozy Glow, the filly scourge of Equestria, was snatched from her stone prison mere moments before her destruction. Twilight Velvet tried to recover the innocent filly hiding within the hardened shell of the brutal Cozy Glow, but Cozy Glow cannot change so easily. She's convinced that Twilight Velvet must be using some kind of mind magic to make her feel things that she thought she had repressed long ago.

Now Cozy Glow must contend with the dangers of the forest as well as the dangerous Princess of Friendship who still pursues them. But the most dangerous risk of all may be learning to trust another pony ... and Cozy Glow isn't sure she'll make it out alive.

Written for the Cozy Glow Short Story Contest #3, with the same prompt as before - "Cozy Makes an Unusual Friend."

Author's Note: Although this is a sequel, my intention is for it to function as a stand-alone story as well. There is a little bit of catch-up in the first chapter so we can be reminded of some of the events of of the first story, but keep in mind that Cozy Glow is an unreliable narrator! You may prefer to read Only A Filly before this story, but I hope you will enjoy it as a stand-alone as well. A lot of people asked for a sequel, and I really hope you all enjoy it!

Featured September 23-26, 2022

Cozy was never in Tartarus. Cozy never met Grogar nor Chrysalis. Cozy is not in prison, except the one in her mind.

This story is a sequel to Set In Stone

I don't know how long it's been. I just know one thing: I'm not alone in this stony prison. No, I'm not talking about Chrysalis and Tirek.

She speaks of me.

It made me relive my life countless times; it made me relive my greatest failure.

Why?

To get you where you are now, Cozy Glow.

Cover art by dankPegasista

With feedback from Thesmokinguy, Sword Tune, and GoldenWing

Aryanne is a proud Equestrian, proud wife, and proud mother-to-be. After starting her day, she recalls a note reminding her of some neo-Equestrian obstetrics she'd promised to participate in. Aryanne is a traditional manner of mare, but how weird could it really be?

This story was originally released on July 16th of 2020, for the Marenheit 451 art pack. This story was also read in the After Charity Stream beginning at 01:54:50, for those who would rather have it read to them. The cover art is by Evan555alpha, from the same pack.

This story is a sequel to Like Clockwork

It has been approximately three years since Cozy Glow passed into the tender loving care of Paul the human and she has, in spite of these dire circumstances, done quite well for herself. Indeed, it may be fair to say she has thrived, becoming if not a wholly normal teenager then at least a more well-rounded and settled one. She is happy.

By contrast Paul has, if anything, regressed. The man who felt his life had not amounted to much and what little remained would amount to even less has instead thrown himself - in his own way - wholeheartedly into trying to set up Cozy for her own life, with very little thought given to what is left of his own. While she moves forward, he has slipped backwards, and the gulf widens or so Cozy fears.

The situation is untenable, both sides have the best of intentions, and mistakes are made.

Pretty hilariously stupid mistakes.

(Also the only story of mine ever to have been pre-read (in places) beforehand by someone else. How exotic!)

The last thing Cozy Glow knew, she was about to be stoned; suddenly, she's in a mountain cabin, with Twilight Velvet asking her to color. What's the meaning of this?! Is Cozy Glow going to be ... redeemed? Or punished?!

Twilight Velvet knows one thing that her daughter Princess Twilight Sparkle has forgotten; that Cozy Glow might be a wannabe despot, a power-hungry pegasus who allied herself with Chrysalis and Tirek, but in the end ... she was only a filly. Twilight Velvet is determined to see just what kind of filly Cozy Glow really is, at her core. But can she be saved? Or is Cozy Glow truly irredeemable?

Written for the 2021 Cozy Glow Short Story Contest, for the prompt of "Cozy makes an unusual friend."

Contest: The 2021 Cozy Glow Short Story Contest

Second Place winner!

Somewhere, in Twilight Sparkle’s heart, there was a nagging doubt. Buried under what could only be described as years of study, devotion to the Princesses, and her friends, there was a tiny seed of it. It nipped at the bottom of her soul occasionally, but never badly enough where she regretted a decision. 

Twilight Sparkle is attempting to ease her own mind, but she just can't seem to escape the memories of a certain pink, pegasus filly.

Written for the 2021 Cozy Glow short story contest! The prompt was: Twilight Sparkle gathers Cozy’s belongings for disposal. One object surprises her. Editing help, and English help from the lovely Ishi!! Thank you so much Ishi!!

I've spent the majority of my life tilling the desolate land in which I live. Every day, I wake up to move useless rocks from one location to another. This is an archaic line of work that my family has clung to for generations. It is a dull, grey existence.

Today, I have woken up in a strange room, lying in a bed that isn't mine. I'm surrounded by five mares whom I've never seen in my life. They claim to be my friends, and expect me to bring joy to the hearts of everypony.

Joy? I don't think I've ever experienced this for myself, so how am I supposed to thrust it upon others?

My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, and I'm not sure what to make of this situation.

To escape from Tartarus is nearly impossible, even for one of great magical power. When you've lost your powers and are little more than a withered old centaur, it's even harder. But Tirek has a plan, one that will draw in a creature from a world where life is cheap, hats are plentiful, and gravel is king. Will the Spy take the opportunity to enjoy a well-earned vacation in this new world, or will he see the population of friendly, innocent ponies as just a fresh selection of backs to stab? It could be both!

(Takes place before the beginning of Season 9.)