//------------------------------//
// Arc 4(Cozy Glow's New Home): Far From her Friend 
// Story: My Little Pony: One as a Family.  "Trials of Friendship" 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


Arc 4: Cozy Glow’s New Home


Far From Her Friend



It was the middle of the night at Canterlot Castle.  A portal opened up before Princess Luna and Cozy Glow stepped out.  As soon as they were on the castle floor, the portal disappeared.
“So how will Mr Banks handle not having his daughter and my friend Golden Lace?” Cozy Glow asked.
“Silver Banks, despite his stubbornness,” Princess Luna said. “Has a heart of gold.  He’s been rediscovering that heart since Golden Lace saw the error of her ways.  But his own wife Gold Banks, as mean spirited as she is, did everything in her power to keep Silver Banks in check.  As much as I hate to say this, Gold Banks is the real problem when it comes to the Banks family.”
“And poor Lace had to be put through the ringer just because that mean ol Gold Banks wanted it,” Cozy Glow said.
But before Luna could say anything, she overheard the sound of Princess Celestia saying “Luna, are you back already?”  Luna turned to see Princess Celestia walk in levitating a candle with her horn.
“Yes I am, sister,” Luna said. “And we have someone brought in from Daisy Joy Tech.”
Princess Celestia looked down to see Cozy Glow hide behind Princess Luna.  Celestia’s eyes popped open a bit as she walked towards the filly.
“Cozy Glow,” Princess Celestia said.  “I didn’t expect you to be here at this time of night.”
But before Cozy Glow could open her mouth, Luna said “She smuggled herself into the school just to keep an eye on Golden Lace.  But when I found out that the Headmare was on to her, Lace suggested that I take Cozy out of the school just to keep her safe.”
Celestia lowered herself down to Cozy Glow’s level and said “That was a dangerous thing to do.  But at the same time, it’s understandable.”
“Oh?” Cozy asked.
“You’re willing to do that for a friend,” Celestia said.  “To ensure that she’s safe and happy.  But it seems at Daisy Joy Tech, friendship is not allowed there.”
“Anyway,” Princess Luna said.  “It’s very late.  So I think it’s time we all went to bed.”
“Oooh,” Cozy Glow said.  “Maybe I can greet Wanda and Sunset.”
“Actually,” Princess Celestia said. “I would like for you to sleep with us tonight.  I want to keep this a secret from Wanda and Sunset until they get home from school tomorrow.”
Aww,” Cozy Glow said as she slumped down in a disappointed look.
“Don’t worry,” Luna said. “When they see you, they will be excited.”
“But for now, come with me,” Celestia said as she walked down the hallway.
Princess Luna and Cozy Glow followed Princess Celestia down the hallway towards the royal bedroom.  Cozy Glow turned towards Princess Luna with a solemn look on her face.
“What about my mother Creme Dream?” Cozy Glow asked.  “I’m worried that she could find out.”
“We’re fully aware of how Creme Dream treats you, Cozy Glow,” Luna said.  “So don’t you worry.  We will keep you safe and protected.”
And with that, Celestia, Luna and Cozy Glow walked into the royal bedroom as the night continued on through Equestria.

But later that night, Cozy Glow was fast asleep right next to Princess Luna.  Despite that, her face began to twitch as if she were suffering in a way.  In a flash of light, Cozy Glow was now in the middle of a dark and dreary field, running away as fast as possible.
“Don’t get near me,” Cozy Glow yelled.  “I don’t want anything to do with you.”
“Oh but I want everything to do with you, my daughter,” a voice said echoing through the void.  “After all, you’re nothing more than a major disappointment in my family.”
“How am I a disappointment to you?” Cozy Glow cried as she continued to run.  “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Just then, Cozy Glow ran into the leg of a pony, knocking her to the ground.  She shook her head and looked up to see Magistrate Creme Dream look down at her.
“It’s because of who you are,” Creme Dream said.  “A failure.  A fraud.  Nothing more than a pony who’s not worthy of even being a pony, let alone an Alicorn.”
Cozy Glow picked herself up and began to back away.  She stared in fear at Magistrate Creme Dream and said “Then maybe I don’t want anything to do with you.”
Suddenly, Cozy Glow was grabbed by a pair of arms.  She looked up to see Majesty hold her close, causing the curly-maned alicorn filly to scream
“LET ME GO!” Cozy Glow yelled.  “I DON’T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU!”
“Quit being such a crybaby, sister,” Majesty gloated.  “After all, you’re not the favorite of mommy dearest.”
Majesty held a struggling Cozy Glow tightly as Magistrate Creme Dream marched closer and closer towards the curly-maned filly.  Cozy Glow looked up at her mother, looking like she’s on the verge of breaking down.  
“Do not worry,” Magistrate Creme Dream said as she pointed her glowing horn at Cozy Glow.  “This won’t hurt a bit.”
But as Cozy Glow held her head away from Magistrate Creme Dream, she overheard some pony call her name out.  Immediately, a flash of light emitted in the room, causing both Creme Dream and Majesty to disappear in a puff of colored smoke. Cozy Glow fell on her tummy, confused by everything that transpired around her.
“What’s going on?” Cozy Glow said as she got up.
Cozy Glow looked in front of her to see Princess Luna approach the filly with a warm smile.
“Do not worry, Cozy Glow,” Princess Luna said.  “I have ended your nightmare for the time being.”
“My nightmare?” Cozy Glow said.
“Unfortunately, it’s as I feared,” Princess Luna said. “I have received rumors about you being neglected by Magistrate Creme Dream and your sister Majesty.  And sadly, the dream world tells harsh truths about the very ponies, and this is no exception.”
Cozy Glow just turned her head back in shame, dropping a single tear from her eye.  Luna placed her hoof on Cozy Glow’s face cheek, causing the pony to look up at her.
“You’ve suffered for a long time, Cozy Glow,” Princess Luna said.  “Here.  I will turn your nightmare into a pleasant dream so that you can heal from your emotional wounds.”
With a flick of Princess Luna’s magic, the environment transformed from a barren and cold place to the middle of the School for Gifted Unicorns.  Cozy Glow’s face turned to amazement as she looked around her dream.
“It’s beautiful,” Cozy Glow said.
“Yes it is,” Princess Luna said.  “But it is just the beginning.  For the next few nights, I plan on introducing a dream therapy to help you cope with your own stress and abuse.  And to get you started, there is one pony that will visit you.”
Princess Luna pointed her horn at the nearby door and fired off a blast of magic.  When that door opened, Golden Lace emerged from it.  She looked completely surprised at the presence around her.
“One more I drifted into dreamland after Princess Luna helped out with those dishes for me and Argyle Starshine,” Golden Lace said.  “The next moment I’m here.”
“And with good reason,” Luna said to Golden Lace.  “You’re here to see a familiar face.”
Golden Lace looked at Cozy Glow, who just stood there in the middle of the field with a surprised look on her face.
“Cozy?” Golden Lace said as she ran up to her friend.  “Is that you?”
“It is,” Cozy Glow said. “But how did you know I was here?”
“It is because of my ability as a dream walker,” Princess Luna said.  “Not only can I look into the dreams of individuals, but I can also reunite them within the dream world.  Here, you little ones will be safe from the dangers of the waking world.”
With that, Cozy Glow reached up to Golden Lace and gave her a big hug.
“So does that mean we can see each other again in the dream world?” Cozy Glow asked.
“If what Luna said is true,” Golden Lace said.  “Then yes.  I’m glad to be by your side once more.”
Princess Luna laughed as she approached both Cozy Glow and Golden Lace.
“Well,” Luna said.  “While this dream is but a small taste of what’s to come, I will leave you two to talk once more before you wake up.”
“Thanks Princess Luna,” Cozy Glow said.  “Even though I know this is a dream, it feels so real.”
“And that, my dear Cozy Glow,” Luna said.  “Is the power of dreams in Equestria.”

The next morning, Cozy Glow lay asleep in Princess Luna’s bed.  Other than the little filly, there was not a soul within the vicinity.  The only sounds were the birds chirping outside.  Cozy Glow opened her eyes before she got up and yawned.
“Wow,” Cozy Glow said.  “Did I oversleep?  I think seeing Golden Lace again in my dreams must have done it in.  I hope she’ll be okay without me.”
Immediately, Cozy Glow jumped out of bed and walked up to the mirror.  As she observed herself in her reflection, she noticed how messy her mane was and how her alicorn horn was exposed.
“Yuck,” Cozy Glow said to herself.  “This will not do.”
Cozy Glow’s horn glowed brightly as its magical aura surrounded her mane.  With a quick poof, Cozy Glow’s mane was as curly as it was before, covering up her alicorn horn completely.
“There,” Cozy Glow said as she touched her mane with her hooves.  “Much better.  I may not like using alicorn magic in front of others.  But at least I can find ways to put it to good use.”
Cozy Glow stepped away from the mirror and walked towards the entrance of the royal bedroom.  She looked a bit confident, but also a bit worried.
“I wonder what Golden Lace is doing now that I no longer see her at Daisy Joy Tech,” Cozy Glow said to herself.  “I sure hope she’ll be alright.”
Cozy Glow stepped outside the room and walked down the hallway.  But she suddenly came to a stop as she saw Majordomo Kibitz walk towards her.
“Excuse me, Miss Glow,” Kibitz yelled out to her.  “Majordomo Kibitz at your service.”
“Err, uhh,” Cozy Glow said in an odd tone.  “Nice to meet you.”
“Princess Celestia instructed me to look at you during her time at the School for Gifted Unicorns,” The Majordomo said.  “She will be back in the afternoon.”
“Well where’s Princess Luna and Cadance?” Cozy Glow asked.  “And Wanda and Sunset?”
“They are unfortunately also at the school,” Majordomo Kibitz replied. 
“Well nuts,” Cozy Glow said.  “Guess it’s going to be awhile before I can see Wanda and Sunset again.”
“Do not worry,” Kibitz said.  “I will keep you entertained until the Princesses return.  First, I believe you are due for breakfast, and I know just the thing.  Follow me.”
Kibitz immediately turned around and walked down the hallway.  Cozy Glow followed from behind, curious by Kibitz’s words.
“By the way, young lady,” Kibitz said.  “Do you like pancakes?”
“Oh I do love pancakes,” Cozy Glow said.  “But I haven’t had them in a long time.”
“Then what kind of pancakes do you enjoy?” Kibitz asked. “Strawberry?  Blueberry?  Chocolate chip?  Or do you like Banana?”
Cozy Glow smiled and said “I wouldn’t mind a mix of Chocolate Chip and Banana.”
“Excellent choice,” Kibitz said.

A bit later in the day, Cozy Glow was sitting at the table, enjoying a plate of scrumptious chocolate chip banana pancakes while Majordomo Kibitz sat next to her, enjoying a plate of buckwheat vanilla pancakes.
“So,” Cozy Glow said after swallowing a piece of pancake.  “How long have you been serving Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?”
“A long time since my uncle passed away,” Kibitz said.  “He taught me everything to know about the Princesses, about their way of life, and about their compassion for those who need it.”
“Such as the orphans?” Cozy Glow asked.
“Correct,” Kibitz said.  “In fact, Wanda, Sunset and Cadance were not the first orphans that Princess Celestia adopted, nor was Chancellor Abacus Cinch.”
“Wait,” Cozy Glow said.  “Chancellor Cinch was one of Princess Celestia’s adopte daughters?”
“As was her surrogate sister: Fizzlepop Berrytwist,” Kibitz said.  “Until that fateful day at the town of Harvestia, where bandits and thieves let loose an Ursa Major onto the town, where it chased the two sisters towards a waterfall, and knocked poor fizzy off.  Princess Celestia had to put the beast down.  But little Abby was not the same pony after that event, and it was that tragedy that took her down a dark path into who she became.”
“Oh geez,” Cozy Glow said as she looked a bit pale.  “After hearing that, I’m feeling uneasy.”
“I’m terribly sorry,” Kibitz said.  “I never meant to traumatize you, Cozy Glow.”
“It’s okay,” Cozy Glow said.  “Maybe sometimes getting that stuff out of your system, despite how sad it is, is a good idea.”
Kibitz smiled and said “I know.  But I didn’t mean to worry you.  Perhaps I could tell you more about Celestia and Luna, and the orphans they raised.”
 “What about the princess’s filly hood?” Cozy Glow asked.
Kibitz laughed before he said “I may be old.  But I am not that old.”
Cozy Glow laughed with Kibitz before she took another bite of pancake.
“But that being said,” Cozy Glow said.  “I think it’s time you heard about my story.”
Kibitz stopped laughed before he brushed off his moustache and said “Very well.  What is your tale, Ms Glow?”
“Well,” Cozy Glow said.  “There is one thing I must show you.”
Cozy Glow leaned forward and moved a bit of the front of her mane, revealing her unicorn horn.  Kibitz’s face beamed with surprise.
“Good gracious,” Kibitz said.  “You’re an alicorn?”
“I am,” Cozy Glow said before she covered her horn back up with the front of her curly mane. “But unlike my sister and mother, I don’t appreciate being an Alicorn.”
“Well why not?” Kibitz asked.  “After all, I’ve seen how wonderful Alicorns like Celestia, Luna and Cadance truly are.”
Cozy Glow took a deep breath and said “Well unlike Celestia, Luna or Cadance, I have an abusive mother by the name of Creme Dream.”
Kibitz was aghast by Cozy Glow’s words.  He looked down at the little filly and asked “I forgot.  Your mother is the very pony who many say is the de facto ruler of Equestria.”
“De facto ruler?” Cozy Glow asked.
Kibitz lowered his head down before he said “Long ago, when Celestia and Luna lost their mother Queen Eternia, they were able to stake it out on their own thanks to the help of Starswirl the Bearded, along with a harsh trial that they had to go through.  But one day after they founded the kingdom of Canterlot, they met with another Alicorn by the name of Creme Dream.  She served as a surrogate mother to them until they were ready to rule Equestria with a warm, and yet solemn, heart.”
“But why would you claim Creme Dream was the de facto ruler of Equestria?” Cozy Glow asked.
“Though Celestia and Luna were the Monarch rulers of Equestria and there was an established Democracy,” Kibitz said.  “Creme Dream called the shots in private.  She used her advice to push not just her agenda on Celestia and Luna, but also on the very Senate that was established almost a thousand years ago, along with the courts.”
“So in a way,” Cozy Glow said.  “She was basically invincible?”
“Invincible is an understatement,” Kibitz replied.  “If anyone spoke out against her, they say Creme Dream would just smile and make that individual a pariah.  The citizens were taught how to mock and torment the one who would protest, and they would run away in shame.  Even criticizing the Princesses for their inability to hold Creme Dream accountable is the same as criticizing the shadow ruler of Equestria.”
“So,” Cozy Glow said.  “Does that mean Celestia and Luna are nothing more than puppet rulers of Equestria?”
“Not quite,” Kibitz said.  “There has been word about Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s recent questioning of Magistrate Creme Dream, the very pony that has been their advisor since Canterlot’s founding.  In fact, this has been going on even before Creme Dream became chancellor of Equestria, which was long before you were born.”
Cozy Glow let out a sigh and said “The more I learn about my own mother, the more disturbed I am about her.  To think, she verbally berates me for not being as great as Majesty.”
“And that explains why you’ve run away from her,” Kibitz said.  “Celestia and Luna told me all about it.”
“Wait,” Cozy Glow said, startled by Kibitz’s words.  “How did they know about how my mother treats me?”
Kibitz got out of his seat and said “It’s more on Princess Luna’s part.  Believe it or not, she’s a dream walker: A pony who can enter the dreams of any individual during the night.”
“A dream walker?” Cozy Glow said.  “So I take it that she saw my dreams one night?”
“Yes,” Kibitz said.  “Princess Luna made her sister and I aware of your own nightmare about your mother and sister.  About how they taunt and torment you and you don’t know why.  But Luna also told me about her ability to reunite individuals with one another.”
“Yeah,” Cozy Glow said.  “Now I can’t wait to fall fast asleep again tonight.  Maybe I’ll get to speak with Wanda and Sunset in their own dreams.”
“Sunset, yes,” Kibitz said.  “But lately, Luna has had a problem trying to fix up Wanda’s dream.  For some reason, Wanda keeps getting the same nightmare involving the Pony of Shadows.”
“The Pony of Shadows?” Cozy Glow asked.
“We refer to it as the Shade of Hate,” Kibitz said.  “Long ago, this Shade of Hate took possession of Princess Celestia, turning her into a being known as Daybreaker.  She turned against her own people with the intent to traumatize and torment them for eternity.  Princess Luna was able to take up the Elements of Harmony, six gemstones that possessed a magic far greater than an alicorn.  It was these Elements that Luna freed her sister Princess Celestia from the Shade of Hate, before banishing it to the moon.”
“So why does this Pony of Shadows continue to taunt Wanda’s nightmares?” Cozy Glow asked.
“Princess Luna has had a theory on why that’s been happening,” Kibitz said.  “Revenge.  Revenge for what happened that fateful day one thousand years ago.  Revenge for taking away his chance of ruling Equestria.  But as long as the Shade of Hate is sealed away on the moon, he won’t be going anyway.”
“I hope so,” Cozy Glow said.  “I wouldn’t want to see the visage of that monster.”
Kibitz laughed before he sat down and said “Don’t worry.  Neither do I.”
The two laughed as they enjoyed their pancakes together.

Later that day, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna emerged from the front entrance of the castle.  Celestia wiped the sweat off her brow as her younger sister entered into the Grand Foyer of the palace.
“Controlling Sunset’s demon side was hard work,” Celestia said. 
“But I’m still surprised that it popped up when we least expected it,” Princess Luna replied.  “At least Starlight Glimmer and Danged Spell are alright.”
“And that was mighty reckless of Spell to stand up to Sunset,” Celestia replied.
“Admit it, sis,” Luna said.  “If you were in Spell’s horse shoes, you would have done the same.”
“You’re right, I would,” Princess Celestia said.  “But then again, I too have the Wolf’s Breath Curse.”
Both Celestia and Luna laughed as the former closed the front door of the palace.  They both walked down the Grand Foyer, towards one of the nearby rooms.
“Cozy Glow,” Celestia yelled. “Majordomo Kibitz.  We’re home.”
In the palace library, Cozy Glow and Kibitz were busy playing chess together on one of the tables when they overheard Princess Celestia’s voice.
“That’s Princess Celestia,” Cozy Glow said.  “She and Luna must be back.”
“Then we should put our game on pause and greet them,” Kibitz said.
Immediately, Cozy Glow and Kibitz got up and walked away from their chess game, heading towards the entrance of the library. 
“Heads up, my lady,” Kibitz yelled.  “We’re coming out.”
Outside in the Grand Foyer, Kibitz and Cozy Glow emerged from one of the doors where they saw Princess Celestia and Princess Luna look up at them.  Luna waved at the duo while Celestia nodded.
“I was wondering when you would wake up from your dream world, Cozy Glow,” Luna said.
Cozy Glow giggled as she flew down from the second floor of the Grand Foyer towards Princess Luna, who she proceeded to give a big hug.
“I wished that dream lasted forever,” Cozy Glow said.  “But Golden Lace said she had things to do today at that horrible Daisy Joy Tech school.”
“If only there was a way to get Golden Lace out of that horrible place,” Celestia said.  “Unfortunately, Gold Banks would waste no time demonizing us on the Stallion News Network, and we wouldn’t see the end of that.”
“I can never understand why you both have to suffer through what my mother is putting you though,” Cozy Glow said as she pulled away from Princess Luna and flew up to Celestia.
“Well if it makes you feel better,” Celestia said.  “We could hire you to steal all the magic in Equestria using powerful artifacts, and hide them away in another dimension.”
Cozy Glow glares at Celestia before shouting “HEY!”
Celestia just laughed and said “Kidding, kidding.”
Kibitz walked down the staircase before he said “It’s good to see you in high spirits.  But I take it that something happened today at the School for Gifted Unicorns.”
“It did,” Luna said.  “Majesty said something horrible to Wanda Young about being alone, and then Sunset’s demon side decided to take hold of her again.”
“My word,” Kibitz said.  “It’s pretty typical for Majesty to pick on other ponies.  But to hear what happened to Sunset, I feel sorry for the little princess.”
“At least everything worked out in the end,” Princess Luna said.  “Though surprisingly, Majesty decided to help keep Sunset under control, despite what she did.”
Celestia just laughed before she said “At least today can’t get any worse than it did.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door, catching the attention of everyone.  A voice from behind the door said “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, it’s me: Magistrate Creme Dream.”  Everyone in the vicinity looked like they had seen a ghost.
“Kibitz,” Celestia said.  “Take Cozy Glow to Wanda and Sunset’s room for the moment.  We will address Creme Dream.”
“At once, your majesty,” Kibitz said as he bowed to Princess Celestia.  He turned to Cozy Glow and said “Come with me, Miss Glow.”
“I’m way ahead of you,” Cozy Glow said as she followed Kibitz up the stairs and through another doorway.
Luna looked at Celestia and said “Let’s get this over with.  I have a feeling Creme Dream is here because of Cozy Glow.”
“That, I will keep in mind,” Celestia said.



	To Be Continued in…


	A Sisterly Problem