It's day three of my new life in Equestria. And also the first day where everything was finally back to normal... sort of.
How did I know? Because one look out the window gave me the sight of the Ponyville streets crawling with life.
As of now, Cozy Glow and I were together in the library practicing spells. I was looking over a spell book, attempting to learn about teleportation. Cozy just watched. Normally, I hate it when younger folks teach me things. But I made an exception. Kinda. I still insisted on reading the book.
Then the doors to the library opened, and Chrysalis and Tirek entered.
"Well... we're off," Tirek announced.
"Where are you two going?" I asked, looking up from my book.
"Getting us signed up for school," Chrysalis explained. "Cozy, I take it you would rather go to the School of Friendship. Correct?"
"Yup!" Cozy nodded.
"I'll do the School of Friendship too," I piped. "Only because I want to hang out with you guys."
"Alright, that saves me a question to ask..." Chrysalis muttered. She and Tirek then turned to the exit. Both looked back at us.
"We'll be back soon," Tirek promised.
And with that, they left the room.
I returned my gaze to the book in my magical grasp, looking over the spell once again. I could still hear Tirek's thundering hoofsteps depart.
"You ready?" Cozy asked about a minute later.
"Eh." I closed the book. "Why not?"
"Perfect! I mean, if it was easy for me to learn quickly, it should be easy for you."
"Yeah, we'll hope so, Cozy."
And so in an attempt to concentrate, I closed my eyes and felt the surge of magic light my horn. My body then began to feel tingly, almost as if it was asleep. Seconds later, I felt my body suddenly compress, and in another second, everything felt as if the magic dissipated.
But when the feeling faded, I heard gasps. And the ground under my haunches felt like grass.
I opened my eyes and found myself smack-dab in the middle of a large crowd of ponies and other creatures. They all stared at me with wide-eyes and unhinged jaws.
I looked at my wings and then felt my horn. Right... they've never seen a male alicorn before. Nor have they existed for God knows how long!
"Shoot!" I yelped. Quickly, I attempted to repeat my spell. Yet again, I felt the tingly feeling, then the compression, then nothing.
I was back in the castle, Cozy's hopeful expression staring right back at me. My heart was still pounding.
"So how did it go?" she chirped.
"Well I didn't appear in my room like we planned..." I huffed. "But instead, I appeared in a large crowd of ponies and creatures, who are now aware of the existance of a male alicorn!"
Cozy just stared at me. Then she broke out in laughter.
I was unamused.
After her fit of laughter, Cozy brought her gaze back and immediatly caught on.
"Oh..." her smile fell. "...you're serious."
I nodded.
In response, Cozy sheepishly elicted a nervous laugh.
Intro...
Chrysalis and Tirek ventured to the School of Friendship. Oddly, there was nopony or creature that they passed on the way. As they made their way, Tirek studied the Ponyville map in order for them to reach their destination.
"This is weird..." Tirek began, breaking the silence the duo had since they left the castle. "Just 20 years ago, we were twisted villains who wanted nothing more than power, revenge, and conquest. And now, we're going to one of the last places we ever thought we'd go to."
"Yeah, it's something, isn't it?" Chrysalis chuckled.
"Can I tell you something I analyzed?" Tirek asked.
"Go for it."
"When we were with Discord and Starlight the day we were sent to Earth, I noticed something about him. He was reformed, but to my knowledge, I still felt bits of his old personality in him. Yet, when we're reformed, we have zero trace of our former selves. Aside from our knowledge."
"I noticed too," Chrysalis replied.
"Do you remember Starlight telling us the story of what she did when she was evil?"
"Yes. In fact, the day she defeated me and turned the hive, she's actually brought up her past a few times. Though I really didn't care at the time. I wonder what she was like when evil, and if she is extremely different now."
Tirek shrugged. "When you see her, you can ask. Anyway, it looks like we're here."
Both Tirek and Chrysalis stopped in front of the large building, with multiple students and creatures having fun, and the water around the small bridge glistining.
"Since you're too big to fit in the building, you want me to bring the headmare out?" Chrysalis offered.
"Only if you need to," Tirek answered. "Hey, I believe I recall Cozy telling us that Twilight was the headmare of this place. Who do you think it is now?"
"Only one way to find out..." Chrysalis muttered. "Wish me luck."
And with that, Chrysalis made her way closer to the School of Friendship.
The Castle...
"Ok. I know this is bad. But those who saw you don't know where you live," Cozy reassured.
"They don't know you're an alicorn, right?" I asked. "Wait... never mind. Even if you reveal yourself to the crowd, they will still be going crazy over my existance."
"Yeah. Plus Princess Twilight told everypony and creature she freed about how we saved Equestria and how our forms advanced," Cozy explained. "She promised me that she would have her guards tell ponies to not react to how I'm an alicorn and vice versa. She also promised to have the guards explain that I have no desire to be a Princess, but rather, just live a normal life, while also putting my past behind me. Judging from how there's nopony or creature coming to our doors, I take it they listened."
"And yet she didn't think they'd agree to not react to my appearence?"
"She wasn't the one who told everyone that's been freed from stone," Cozy said. "She sent her royal guards. She told her guards to tell those they freed that we're now reformed, living here, and in our advanced forms like what happened with the Bewitching Bell. I guess she told the guards to say you went home instead of what really happened. Possibly to avoid the guards overreacting as well."
"And yet there are no worries for the fact that you're a true alicorn now?"
"They've seen female alicorns before. It's still a big deal, but not as big as male alicorns. But then again, Princess Twilight also instructed the guards to say that I had no desire to be a princess and would rather life my life and forget my past."
"She could have just told the guards to not react to me!"
"It would of probably been harder. And since you came out of nowhere and was first seen as an alicorn, ponies will still start asking questions."
"Didn't Twilight instruct you to keep me away from the public until she found a way to reveal me to the world?"
Cozy chuckled.
"Oh yeah..." she sheepishly smiled. "She did... and we forgot to warn you..."
"All three of you?!"
Cozy nervously nodded.
I groaned.
Suddenly, I heard the crash of a window, and something whizzed past my head.
I looked at the broken window, qhen a young pegasus colt suddenly flew up and peeked into the window.
"Sorry! Sorry!" he apologized. "My friends were playing nearby and-"
His eyes suddenly went wide.
"You're the alicorn everyone is talking about!" he exclaimed. "HEY EVERYPONY AND EVERYCREATURE! HE'S HERE! AND COZY! THE REFORMED FILLY THAT SAVED US ALL!!!"
He suddenly ran from the window.
Cozy and I both looked at each other.
And I could already hear the cheers as ponies grouped outside.
...
...
Headmare Starlight Glimmer was busy organizing her papers, getting ready for school to finally start again. Now that everyone has returned to their homes, she could finally get things going.
Knock knock knock
Starlight looked up from her papers and saw her friend (and guidance counselor) Trixie Lulamoon poke her head into the door.
"Hey Trixie," Starlight greeted. "What's up."
"I was making my way back to the counseling room after my great and powerful lunch," Trixie explained, looking a bit like she saw something surprising. "And then I came across somecreature that wanted to speak with you."
"Really? Well then, send them in."
"Alright. Prepare to be shocked."
And then Trixie disappeared behind the ajar door. Starlight could hear her say, "She's ready for you."
And then the door opened all the way. And in walked Chrysalis, the former evil queen of the changelings.
"Chrysalis?" Starlight exclaimed, surprised at her arrival.
"Starlight Glimmer?" Chrysalis was equally surprised. "You're the Headmare?"
"Yeah. Twilight gave me the job after Celestia and Luna retired."
"I should have expected that..." Chrysalis muttered, sitting in the seat across from Starlight.
For seconds, not a single word was broken.
"Well... this is awkward," said Chrysalis. "Considering I used to want to destroy you after my exile."
"Yeah..." Starlight agreed, wincing a little. She cleared her throat. "So what brings you here?"
"Well, you know... I'm reformed along with Tirek and Cozy now. And what better way to start learning true friendship than to go here?"
"Right. Of course. So you would like three forms to get you three signed in?"
"Actually... could I have a fourth?"
Starlight tilted her head.
"What for?"
"We have a fourth guest staying with us," Chrysalis explained. "He chose to come here."
"Interesting..."
"I brought Tirek with me. He's outside. Will you need him to sign anything?"
"Well, it would probably be best."
"If you say so," Chrysalis said before getting off her seat and leaving the room. Starlight followed suit.
The Castle...
The amount of screaming and chatter outside was surreal, as I carefully peaked out the window of my room. A whole crowd was surrounding the base of the castle, and I saw a camera flash as well.
"I feel like all these characters are overreacting..." I muttered. "And maybe they are. But then again, I'm in a cartoon..."
"I thought Twilight told her guards to warn everyone that I don't want to be royalty, and would rather live like a normal pony!" Cozy complained from behind me. "And I find it odd that no one is skeptical that I'm here."
"For the second part, it's because you're a hero. As for the first bit, either the messages the royal guards gave didn't go all the way, or maybe the guards forgot to mention that part, or maybe Twilight herself forgot," I theorized. "Or maybe Twilight purposely didn't tell them because she's doing what Celestia did: diving us a part, a role, a reward, whatever it was that Twilight had to go through. She might have lied about promising to help you live normal."
"I don't know!" Cozy exclaimed. "I wasn't there. Look. The quickest way out is stronger convincing. Obviously, this crowd won't listen to us."
"Can't we tap into the Royal Canterlot Voice?" I asked.
"I doubt it..." Cozy replied. "But Princess Twilight does! If we can get to Canterlot and warn her, she can stop this."
"Even though she caused you to get roped into this as well?"
"I can talk to her about that later."
"Well then how will we get to Canterlot?"
"We fly! Obviously."
"Forget it!" I sat down and crossed my hooves. "I'm staying here."
"Why?" Cozy asked.
"I'm afraid of heights! And I can't fly!"
"I can just carry you."
"Still high up in the air."
"Well what are we going to do? We can't go through there without getting mobbed, and you're scared of heights!"
"What about disguises?"
"Remember when we pretended to be humans?" Cozy cocked her brow.
"It was one time," I assured. "We can get away again."
"If we disguise ourselves and take trains, Chrysalis and Tirek may return to all of this madness! And considering that colt mentioned how we reformed and saved Equestria, I have a feeling those two will be hounded as well."
"Funny... just 20 years ago you three nearly destroyed Equestria and now you're getting fame for reforming and saving it?" I snarked.
Cozy suddenly got all mad and flew up to my face.
"Don't... ever... bring that up... again!" she hissed.
"Ok, ok. Jeez..." I muttered.
"You think you can just bring it up? Here I thought that since you harbored us in your home and favored us, you would understand how it makes us feel when you bring up our past like that!"
"I was caught up in the moment. Give me a break!"
"You know what? If you don't want to fly to Canterlot, fine! I'll go. I may be a kid, but I know what I'm doing. I don't even fear heights, despite being younger than you!"
Cozy then ran out of the room, and I heard her hoofsteps depart.
Normally, when I get into arguments with folks like my sister, I have a hatred for that person that lasts for a bit before subsiding.
But this felt different.
The people I argued with never tried to destroy a world, only to make up for it years later. But Cozy did. And I snarked about it right in front of her. For no reason.
I just sighed and looked back out the window.
"I wonder if Twilight had it this rough..." I muttered. "Or if it's just my dumb luck."
...
...
Starlight and Chrysalis made their way outside. Tirek, who was looking at the ground, brought his gaze to those venturing to him.
"So... I take it I'm needed for this?" he asked.
Chrysalis nodded and took her seat next to Tirek.
"So... you two want to enroll into the School of Friendship, along with enrolling Cozy Glow and another guest," Starlight analyzed. "Correct?"
Chrysalis and Tirek nodded.
"If I may ask..." Starlight began. "What is their name?"
"His name is Leo," Tirek replied.
"Where is he from?"
"It's private," Chrysalis replied.
"Ok then..." Starlight was confused at why Leo's original home was private, but she moved on. "So... we usually require the signatures of guardians or parents for folks to enroll here. Would you two consider yourselves guardians of Cozy and this 'Leo' character?"
Chrysalis and Tirek looked at each other. Then back at Starlight.
"I... guess," Chrysalis answered.
"Ok. And since you two are enrolling, but your parents and guardians are either long gone, or not even alive, I'll be nice and allow you two to skip the parent/guardian issues. But the rest you'll sign yourself."
"If you think that's best, then go for it," Tirek agreed.
"Right. Now all I need you two to do is fill out these four forms." Starlight brought over four large stapled packets, along with two quills and two ink bottles. Tirek and Chrysalis each grabbed a quill and got to signing.
Twilight's Castle...
I heard foot- I mean hoofsteps come from behind me. I turned my head and saw Cozy Glow come closer to me.
I was about to do something I never thought I would to to someone after a fight.
"Listen, kid..." I began. "I shouldn't have snarked like that."
"No need to apologize," said Cozy. "If anything, with the fact you're an alicorn colt, you have it worse. It jsut doesn't seem like it because the crowds are mixed. I... just decided to come back for no reason."
"Yeah..." I muttered. I sighed. "So... are we just gonna stay here?"
"The news will come to the Princess eventually. In the meantime, we'll stay here."
Cozy and I looked out the window, only to see a chariot landing. There, the whole crowd turned aroudn to see a chariot driven by two guards.
And Princess Twilight stepped out the chariot. The whole crowd bowed.
"CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE!" she bellowed in, what was probably her Royal Canterlot Voice. "I CAME HERE TO INFORM YOU OF COZY GLOW, WHO IS NOW A TRUE ALICORN, AND LEO, OUR NEW ALICORN ARRIVAL THAT IS ALSO A COLT!"
"Yes, Princess," I heard the faint voice of a mare say. "This colt alicorn suddenly showed up in the middle of town. Who knows if there ever has been at all!"
"And Cozy Glow became a true alicorn without that Bewitching Bell," a random stallion said. "And since she is reformed, meaning she is worthy! And, I can't believe I'm saying this, but she is a hero, along with Chrysalis and Tirek.Though the colt alicorn you called 'Leo' is a little more exiting."
I patted Cozy's head for reassurance. She didn't bat my hoof away.
"I AM ENTIRELY AWARE!" Twilight bellowed. "HOWEVER, EVEN IF THESE FOUR ARE SPECIAL, THEY WOULD RATHER BE LEFT ALONE! I AM ALLOWING COZY AND LEO TO NOT HAVE TO STEP UP AS A PRINCESS OR PRINCE! SO WITH THAT, DON'T TREAT THEM LIKE ROYALTY, BUT RATHER ONE OF YOU!"
"But Princess-"
"THAT IS MY DECREE! NOW RETURN TO YOUR HOMES AND DAILY LIVES AT ONCE! I'LL BE MAKING SURE NO PICTURES OF THEM ARE TAKEN FOR THE HAY OF IT!"
I saw the whole crowd begin to dissipate, and I heard them mumble in disappointment. Twilight just stood there, as if waiting for us to come out.
Finally, when the crowd was completely gone, Twilight came up and knocked on the door.
Cozy grabbed my hoof and teleported us outside. We appeared behind the stair steps Twilight stood on. When we appeared, the Princess yelped before turning around.
"Heh..." she rubbed the back of her head. "I suppose I have to apologize for forgetting to tell my guards to be more specific on how you want to be left alone... and I do. I apologize"
"Hey, even Princesses forget," Cozy said. "And besides... what you did was AWESOME!"
Princess Twilight chuckled.
"It was nothing," she replied. "I remembered you wanted to be treated normally."
"That's actually something I don't get," I began. "When you were a Princess, you had to be one. It was your fate. There were moments that you wanted to be normal, but you still were mostly unable to at times. And Celestia just encouraged you to embrace it at times. So I have to ask: why are you helping us live normal lives instead of what you had to go through?"
"That, my friend is a good question..." Twilight turned around. "For another time."
Princess Twilight returned to her chariot, and the guards at the help flew off, carrying the chariot with it.
"Do you think she's helping us because we have no part?" Cozy asked as the trailer flew off. "Or maybe because we didn't ascend like she did, giving us no role?"
"I don't know," I responded. "But something is scratching at the back of my head about this... yet I don't know what."
"As she said, that will be something for another day."
We then heard a set of hoofsteps, one set more thundering than the other. Cozy and I turned.
"What are you two doing outside?" Chrysalis questioned with a hint of worry. "You three might cause an uproar!"
"Already did," Cozy explained. "And the Princess fixed it."
"Okay..."
"Anyway," Tirek piped. "Great news. All four of us are now enrolled at the School of Friendship."
"Really? It was that easy?" I asked.
"Please! I got in with the click of a hoof," Cozy said. "But then again, my evil deeds probably brought upon safety precautions."
"Our first day starts on Monday," Tirek announced.
"Alright. We might as well get prepared," I proclaimed. "But for now, let's just enjoy the rest of our normal day."
A ball suddenly tapped Cozy in the hoof.
"What the-"
"Sorry again! Sorry again!" the colt from earlier suddenly ran up to us. "I... won't bother you."
"Now hold on a second," Cozy piped before he turned to leave. "Maybe I could join in with you?"
The colt looked behind him, meeting eye-contact with a young griffon and a young hippogriff, both a yard and a half away from us. They both shrugged. He looked back at Cozy.
"Are you sure?" the colt asked.
"It's something a normal filly like me would do," Cozy smiled.
"Well..." the colt thought for a moment befor he smiled. "Okay."
And the two kids ran off to play.
"Heh... cute," Chrysalis admired.
"Well that's something I never thought I'd hear Chrysalis say..." I mumbled.
"At least half of things she said you'd never thought you'd hear her say!" Tirek rebutted.
I shrugged. "True."
And we smiled as Cozy played with the other kids.