"C'mon! The rook moves...in an L shape?..."
Cozy looks at me, then at the chess set...then back at me again. She is clearly not understanding a single instruction. I don't blame her. I hardly even know this game myself.
Sighing heavily, I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration. This is never going to work. I don't even know if she can change her cutiemark, and even if it is possible, she is never going to get her original rook cutiemark with an amateur like myself trying to teach her. I barely know the basics of this game...never was a fan of it.
"Just forget it. This is pointless." I mutter, and start putting the pieces away. She makes no objection, instead, opting to munch on a carrot.
I survey her wings. She looks old enough to be using them now, but I have yet to see them lift her an inch off the ground. It may be because there is no magic here...she hasn't spoken a single word, so I wouldn't doubt it also affecting her flying ability. Or, it may simply be because she has been stuck in this room, and has never had the opportunity to learn to fly in a large environment.
I climb into bed, and she hops up next to me, snuggling in close. She does this every night, and it's adorable. I think I've gone soft for a deceptive villain.
"Goodnight, my little Cozy."
..........................................
I sleep restlessly that night, not able to stop thinking about the little pony sleeping soundly next to me.
What am I going to do? Where am I going to put her? She can't keep staying in this room all the time, and her cutiemark is still a padlock...
Sighing, I turn over to my other side to try and get more comfortable.
I could swear there is something by my bed...and Cozy is right next to me, sleeping.
I jolt and lunge for my lamp, turning it on, and waking Cozy up immediately.
I nearly scream when I see what it is. I would have thought it was just my imagination playing tricks on me in the dark, but when I turn the light on, it reveals none other than Princess Celestia. The first thing my sleep addled mind can begin to register when the light goes on though, is "killer in my room!!"
Thankfully, I'm able to catch myself before I scream, and reassure myself that everything is ok...other than the fact that Princess Celestia is in my bedroom.
One of the first things I register is that she is tall. A lot taller than Cozy. Not the size of a normal horse though, or else, she probably wouldn't even fit in my room.
How did she even get in my room? Or in this world for that matter? Same way as Cozy I guess...but Celestia is not a young filly like Cozy was when I found her.
Maybe it is possible for a little magic to be used in this world...just enough to get her here maybe? After all, Cozy did get a cutiemark here...and that had to require magic.
Cozy is looking at the taller pony curiously. She obviously does not recognize her, but is interested in another pony like herself.
There can ony be one reason why the one and only Princess Celestia is in my room right now. I tell myself it's for the best...but is it really? Surely she is not here simply to take Cozy and put her back in stone is she?
"...Hi there." I say awkwardly. "Uhh...what are you doing here?"
She raises an eyebrow, and glances at Cozy.
"Ya...that's what I thought." I sigh. "Look, before you take her, and likely lock her away in stone or in tartarus, or wherever, I just want you to know that...well, I used to think she was only good for being locked away too. But when she showed up in this world...and I don't know how she got here or why...but she was only a young filly. Not like in Equestria, but actually really young...and the more time I spent with her here, which has been about four months, the more I realized she really is just a filly...even in Equestria. Has she ever had anyone actually teach her what is right and wrong? Does she have anyone who truly loves her in Equestria and cares for her? I don't really, and I now want a better life for Cozy than I have...or can give her in this world. I recently realized that she could never stay in this world, so I won't even ask that..." I gesture to her padlock cutiemark. Celestia's eyes widen upon seeing the new cutiemark.
I feel my eyes begin to sting with tears. "I don't know how Cozy will be when you take her back...if she will immediately revert back to her old self or not...but if she does, can you just promise me to work with her? Don't just give up on her. I've had too many people give up on me, and I know what it feels like."
Celestia looks at me for a moment, before slowly nodding.
I turn to Cozy and take her in my arms.
"I think you've probably been able to figure out by now that you never really did belong in this world Cozy." I tell her and stroke her soft fur. "This pony is here from where you originally came from. A better world full of ponies like yourself. Full of color, full of wonder...full of magic, where you can live to your full potential. You're going to be going back with her."
Excitement lit up her face. She immediately jumped down from the bed and went over to the pony princess. She looked at me expectantly.
I shake my head. "I can't go with you...just like you don't belong here in my world, so would I not belong in your world."
Her excitement disappeared immediately and she ran back to me.
"No Cozy, you can't stay here. You need to go to your own homeworld."
She snorted in protest.
"Cozy," I look her in the eye. "I want you to have a better life than being cooped up in my bedroom with nothing to do. You're depressed here, and the proof is on your rump...you need to go."
Her ears droop, and her head lowers.
I hug her close. "I love you, my little Cozy." I whisper.
I let her go finally, and she reluctantly goes back to the princess. There is not an eye in the room that is no longer without tears.
Princess Celestia wraps a wing around Cozy, and gives me one last knowing look, as if affirming her promise to work with Cozy, and not give up on her.
She then touched her horn to Cozy's forehead, and they were suddenly gone...just like that.
I know it's for the best, but I still cry my eyes dry. I feel like I just lost my only friend in the world. But maybe now, thanks to Cozy, I'll finally be able to make some new friends.
How's that for irony? The pony that I thought was the most deceptive character in My Little Pony was the one who taught me how to be a friend.
I get back into bed and turn my light off.
Tomorrow is a new day. I'll live a better life and actually make friends. Sure, life will still be hard, and I'll still have to go to my job everyday. I'll still struggle, but I'll make it. Just like I will make friends, and I hope Cozy will too...real friends, with the right motives this time.
I hope she'll never forget me, just like I'll never forget her...
My little Cozy.