//------------------------------// // Six Straight Truths // Story: Holiday Parole // by libertydude //------------------------------// The rest of the day seemed like a hazy dream. Part of this came from the change in the snowfall, which went from a constant downpour to a softer powder. This milder weather held seemingly endless snowflakes that shimmered in the sunlight. The effect made the entire Hearth’s Warming Festival sparkle. To what degree this change in weather affected Cozy and Tempest’s moods was indiscernible. What was noticeable was the vigor Cozy Glow seemed to approach each and every stand that she came across. Food vendors for snowcones and funnel cakes got a good amount of her attention, though she did eventually ask Tempest for something a tad more filling in the form of a hayburger. Tempest made no disapproving glares or scoffs at these requests, merely producing the necessary bits for the thankful vendors and looking on as Cozy gorged herself on the treats. The game stands likewise earned Cozy’s attention. Slovenly carnies barked their challenges to the crowd, each with more arrogance than the last. Tempest merely rolled her eyes at the boasts, but Cozy Glow seemed to light up at each dare and rush forward. The Snowy Slingshot game was her first attempt. A simplistic firing game, the goal was to use a snowball slingshot to knock over a group of evergreen trees dashing across the opposite wall. Cozy played three times before she managed to finally land a hit, but the filly gave no indication of frustration. Instead, she bounced back over to the watching Tempest and squealed her delight. “Very good,” Tempest said. “You might become a Snow Empress yet.” “Thanks!” Cozy said giddily. A multitude of other games soon followed, each eliciting a similar feeling of joy from the ever-more energetic filly. But the vigor started to fade the more the sun settled toward the horizon. Each new activity seemed more like a chore, and the unmistakable expression of drowsiness began to fill Cozy's drooping eyes. “Want to go on one of the rides?” Tempest asked. “That might wake you up.” “Not really,” Cozy said, stifling a yawn. “I don’t like fast rides.” “What about the Ferris Wheel?” Tempest pointed toward the center of the Festival grounds, where the circulating structure turned at a leisurely pace. Yellow cars hung and bobbed from the ever-rotating circular frame. “Okay,” Cozy said. “It’d be nice to sit down for a bit anyway.” Tempest led the way, Cozy half-stumbling through the snow to follow. They came to the Wheel and its operator, a thin stallion with a goatee and a long blonde mane. He sat at a little podium with his front hooves grasping both sides of the stand. “You and the little one going for a ride?” he said. “Yes,” Tempest said, tossing him the necessary bits. “Hard day. Need to sit down.” “I understand,” he said. He flipped a switch and the Wheel stopped. “Working all day can be hard work, but having fun all day can be even harder.” He winked at Cozy Glow. “Know what I mean?” “Um…yeah,” Cozy said, stepping uneasily past him into the waiting compartment. Tempest followed and the two sat down. It was then that both Cozy and Tempest noted the strong metal wires lining the car. The top and bottom of the car was merely yellow plastic, but the open-air middle section was choked by chain-links that stretched from top to bottom. Only insects would’ve been able to squeeze through the spaces left. “Sorry the car’s all boxed up,” the operator said. “They were open for several years, but we kept getting a bunch of pegasi colts who dodged the fee by just flying into the cars. You can see the view just fine though.” “That’s alright,” Tempest said. “We’re not claustrophobic.” “Good,” he said. He shut the door, whose thin windows shook with the impact. “Have a fun ride!” he called, breath fogging the glass. A moment later, the car groaned and began to lift upward. Cozy looked out the window to see the Festival stretched out in all its glory. The shimmering snowflakes filled every inch of what she could see, and the added light of the rides seemed to make the twinkles ever more brilliant. So enveloped was Cozy that she didn’t feel the pressure pulling against her neck until it was too late. She looked down and gasped. The Medallion was gone. Cozy looked across the car to Tempest, who held both Medallions in her hoof. “I figured you’ve been good enough to get this off,” Tempest said. A small grin sat on her face, and she twirled the Medallions in her hoof. “Oh…okay,” Cozy said. “Besides, you’re not going anywhere.” “Because the car’s all chained up?” Tempest cocked her head. “Is that why you think I did it?” “Yeah.” Tempest chuckled. “You’re right. The second we get out, you’re putting it back on.” Cozy huffed. “I should’ve known you still wouldn’t trust me.” “Should I?” “Yes! I mean, I only tried to escape three times today!” “Only three?” “Yes! If I really wanted to escape, I would’ve kept trying all day!” Tempest shrugged. “Maybe you were biding your time. Maybe you were trying to butter me up to get me to drop my guard. Maybe you swiped a magical chisel to work on your cage in Tartarus.” “No, I-!” Cozy turned away, looking back at the open countryside. “I was just having fun. I mean, I thought about escaping for that first hour or so, but…” She gave a mighty sigh. “I started having such a good time that I forgot all about escaping.” “Forgot, or just didn’t want to anymore?” Cozy stayed silent for several moments. The fair echoed its merriment as the Wheel passed near the ground again. “It doesn’t matter,” Cozy said, sitting down and crossing her front legs. “You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you the truth.” To Cozy’s surprise, Tempest didn’t react in shock or anger. Instead, the unicorn crossed her own front hooves and stared defiantly. “There might be a way to convince me,” Tempest said. She had that wry smile on her face again, and Cozy couldn’t help but shiver at the gesture. “Yeah? How?” “We play a little game. Just like the ones you were playing down there.” Cozy unfolded her hooves. “What kind of game?” “It’s called Three Truths in a Row. You’ve know Truth or Dare, right?” Cozy nodded. “Well, the game we’re going to play is like that, only there’s no Dares. Only Truths.” Cozy furrowed her brow. “What’s the catch?” “The catch is that both of us have to tell three truths in a row. We ask the questions to each other, and you have to answer no matter how awkward the question is. If one of us lies or refuses to answer, we have to start all over again.” “How will we know if the other is lying?” “We’ll know,” Tempest said. Her eyes gleamed with a wolfish intensity. “So…first pony to tell three truths in a row wins?” “Normally, yes. This time, however, we’re going to do a Perfect Run. That’s when the game isn’t over until both of us have told three straight truths. So I guess you could call it Six Truths in a Row.” “Is there a prize?” That sharp gleam filled Tempest’s eyes once more, and Cozy couldn’t hide her nervous gulp. “Yes. If I win, you put that Medallion back on and I take you back to Tartarus. No screaming, no crying, no escapes. If you win…” Her eyes wandered to the shut door of the car. “If you win, I open this door and let you escape.” Cozy stared at Tempest like something was growing on her face. “You’re…you’re serious?” “As a Yak playing a Yovidaphone.” Cozy shuffled in her seat. Her face locked into a pondering trance for several seconds. Tempest stared at her with unblinking eyes. The Wheel turned them round and round all the while. “Okay,” Cozy finally said. “I go first though.” “Sure,” Tempest said, leaning back on her seat. “Have you ever…?” Cozy’s face filled with a devilish smirk. “Have you ever kissed a stallion?” “Yes,” Tempest said without hesitation. “Several.” "Oh..." Tempest chuckled at Cozy’s consternation. “You’re not going to embarrass me that easily, little one. My turn.” She leaned forward. “What’s your favorite food?” Cozy’s face filled with even more confusion. “Um…waffles, I guess.” Tempest nodded. “Now me. Do you miss being a Commander?” “Sometimes. Power is a nice thing to have and a lousy thing to lose.” Tempest shrugged. “But it’s better some ponies don’t have it.” “Hmm,” Cozy murmured. “What’s the highest you’ve ever flown?” “Uh, about five thousand feet. It was somewhere outside Ponyville.” “Very cool.” “Last question. Um…do you want to be my friend?” Tempest leaned back into her seat and took a deep breath. The wind rushed by them while the Wheel turned upwards once more. “Depends on what kind of friend you mean. Do you mean a friend like the ones you made at the Friendship School? The ones you manipulated in order to become Empress of Friendship?” Cozy looked away. Tempest leaned forward. “Or do you mean an actual friend? One you care about because you can and want to?” Cozy scratched the back of her head. “I had a lot of fun today.” “Answer the question.” “You were a big part of it, okay? I appreciate all-” “Answer.” “I don’t…” Cozy sagged into her seat. “I don’t know.” Tempest shook her head. “That’s a lie. It wasn’t your question though, so we don’t have to start over. Ask me another.” Cozy looked at Tempest. Her face twisted into disgusted anger. “Were you always a big meanie?” “No,” Tempest said. “I was a happy little filly until I ran into an Ursa Minor. Then I lost my horn and my friends abandoned me. Hard to come out of that with a sunny personality.” Cozy scoffed. “I can’t believe I used to look up to you. You were never a cool conqueror. You were just a sad sack compensating for a lost horn.” “And what’s your excuse, girlie? Lose your puppy? Get mad at your mommy and daddy and run away?” “It doesn’t matter.” Tempest smacked her hooves together. “Now that’s a lie. We’re starting over.” Cozy slammed her hooves on her lap. “I don’t want to play anymore!” “Tough. Next question: Where are you from?” “Tartarus.” “Your actual home.” “Some small town. I don’t remember the name.” Tempest stared long and hard. “Alright. You’re lying about the name, but you did come from a small town. I’ll let you slide with that one.” Cozy sneered. “My turn. All those stallions you kissed. Did they leave you because you were the biggest jerk in the world?” If there was any emotion detectible upon Tempest's face, she hid it well. “No, Cozy, they didn’t leave me. I left them because I was such a…what did you call me? A sad sack.” Cozy huffed. “Figures.” “What made you go to the Friendship School?” “Because I wanted to learn about Friendship.” “Don’t be a smart aleck. Little fillies like you would have regular school or parents or somepony to keep them occupied. Why did you really go to the school?” “I…I wasn’t wanted anymore. Where I was originally, I mean.” Tempest nodded. “I suspected something like that.” Cozy crossed her arms. “Now it’s my turn. Do you feel bad about all the ponies you hurt? When you were in the Storm King’s Army?” “Who said it was just ponies?” Tempest waited a few moments for a laugh that never came. “Yes, I feel bad about it. And I’m trying to fix it however I can. Maybe it won’t ever be enough for the creatures I’ve hurt, but I’m still going to try." She gave a small wave of her hoof. "That’s all you can do.” Tempest looked off at the fair still bustling below. “What was your favorite part about today?” Cozy stared off at the distant mountains. “Dunno. The snowball fight, I guess.” She shot a look toward Tempest. “Final question: Why did Luna send you to do this?” “She didn’t.” Cozy’s eyes shot open. “At least, not entirely. I wasn’t lying when I said I owed Luna a favor. I did turn her into a statue for a while. And she was the one who gave me the Medallions and opened the portal to Tartarus. But it was me who thought of taking you here. Giving you a regular Hearth’s Warming for once.” “Why?” Tempest wagged her hoof. “That’s another question.” “Just tell me, Tempest! Please...” Tempest smiled. “Because I saw a little bit of myself in you, Cozy.” The filly stared at her in confusion. “Think about it. Little filly lost in the world, angry at something they can’t control. Unloved, or at least thinking they aren’t loved. Starting a campaign to take over Equestria because they think they’ll get what they always wanted if they do.” Tempest put her hooves behind her head and closed her eyes. “That’s why, Cozy. Because I think whatever it is that’s missing from your life, whatever’s driving this whole ‘Take Over Equestria’ mindset you got, it’s not something you need to keep. You can have friends who care about you for who you are. Not the power you offer, but just you. You, Cozy Glow, the goofy little filly who builds the greatest snowponies in Equestria and is learning to ice skate.” She opened her eyes and looked at Cozy. “That’s the pony I wouldn’t mind being friends with.” Cozy looked down at the floor. Her lips were pursed and her hooves fidgeted with her scarf. The Wheel stopped for a moment, their car directly at the top. Passengers below swapped with new riders. THUNK! The car door sat open. Tempest’s hoof kept it from sliding shut. “We both answered all three of our questions truthfully. You’re free to go.” Cozy stepped toward the open door. The entire Festival and wilderness stretched out before her. Her wings buzzed instinctually when the wind hit her body, practically begging her to take off. “One more question,” Cozy whispered. “Mmm?” Tempest said, lounging. “If I stay and go back to Tartarus…would you take me here again next Hearth’s Warming?” Tempest stared long and hard at the little filly. Her lips opened and shut like words were supposed to come out. Below them, the operator closed the door for the new riders. “Yes,” she finally said. Cozy shot toward the unicorn. Wrapping her arms around her neck, Cozy dug herself into Tempest’s fur. So fast was her dash that Tempest’s leg pulled back and let the door slide shut. “Then I’ll stay!” she cried. “I’ll stay in Tartarus if that means I'll have you!” Her tears were already streaming down her face. Tempest wrapped the filly in her own hug and patted her back. “It’s alright, Cozy.” “Visit me every Heath’s Warming!” Cozy bawled. “Every holiday you can!” “Yes,” Tempest said soothingly. “I will.” “Thank you! Thank…” The words devolved into incomprehensible sobs and sputters. Tempest continued patting the filly’s back, rocking her back and forth in a firm rhythm. She remained there in the car until the sun was set and the Festival ebbed as the other visitors began to leave. Then, when the filly in her arms began to breathe the deep gasps of sleep, and the Festival glowed with unmatched beauty, she signaled to the operator for their ride to end.