//------------------------------// // CMC to the rescue // Story: Knight, Rook and Princess // by Communist_Egor //------------------------------// So, it's been a week since the "reconciliation" between Twilight and Cozy. During this time, Flash, who regularly played chess with Cozy, earned the trust of the mare (you could say they had already become friends, only Cozy didn't admit it), while the Princess of Friendship and her friends worked on a plan to rehabilitate the pegasus. "So, let me get this straight: you want to grant the most dangerous manipulator a second chance, despite the fact that she betrayed friendship itself, endeavored to seize control of Equestria with the most dangerous and evil villains in history, and hath nearly brought about our demise? Do you truly believe she is not plotting revenge at this very moment?" protested Rainbow Dash. "Sugarcube, I’m sure Cozy can still be influenced? It seems like she's just obsessed with manipulation and power-grabbing, and friendship to her is just a tool for satisfying personal ambitions. As soon as she gets the chance, she'll stab us in the back. Cozy is an incorrigible liar!" Applejack backed up the rainbow pegasus. "Plus, Cozy didn't spend much time in stone. We're already too merciful, allowing Cozy to be under house arrest in the palace room," Rarity added. Sighing, Twilight replied: "I know the risk is great. I'll be frank: she still hates Celestia, Luna, and Discord for their punishment. But she's still a pony: I'm sure Cozy can still understand the value of true friendship with the right approach. And Flash has already achieved great success. Even if Cozy plans to manipulate him, she genuinely welcomes his visits. In her heart, there is both love and kindness. We just need to show it to Cozy herself. Will you help me with this?" Glancing at each other, her friends replied: "Count on me, sugarcube!" "Of course, darling!" "I'm sure my forest friends will help melt Cozy's heart." "Oh, I'm already prepared to surprise her with a party!" "If you art confident in thy decision, then I shall give Cozy a chance. Nevertheless, it shall not be simple for her to earn my trust," spoke up Rainbow Dash last. "Thank you, girls!" Twilight hugged her friends. "So, first things first...…" *** A knock on the door distracted Cozy from studying chess theory. The pegasus opened the door, ready to challenge Flash with a new strategy she had learned. But this time, her guard friend didn't come alone. "Miss Glow! You have visitors," Flash announced the prisoner and stepped aside, letting the guests in. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders?!" Cozy exclaimed in surprise. "Hey, Cozy!" "Long time no see!" "How've you been?" Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo greeted their old friend. "Golly! What are you doing here?!" the mare exclaimed. "We came to help our lost friend!" "Friend?! But I locked you in the pantry and trapped your sisters in Tartarus! Shouldn't you hate me?!" Cozy couldn't understand how the Crusaders could be friendly after everything. "Well, to be honest, I'm still mad," Scootaloo admitted. "But our sisters decided to give you a second chance. And we decided that it's not too late to make things right and be friends again. Besides, forgiving our enemies is nothing new to us," Apple Bloom explained. "Plus, you weren't always bad: when we first met, we helped you learn about friendship, and in return, you helped us become teachers at the Friendship School," Sweetie Belle smiled, reminding Cozy. "Only, if you weren't manipulating us back then to quickly gain Twilight's trust and respect," Scootaloo voiced her doubts. Cozy sighed. "I know it's hard to believe, but I really wasn't pretending. Everyone was out for themselves in the shelter. And even though I already had some skills in manipulating others, I really needed help learning about friendship. You really did help me get into the Friendship School, and I decided to repay you." "Cozy, but why did you still betray us? Why are you so eager for power? Were you unhappy at the Friendship School? And do you still want to rule now?" the CMC asked. After some thought, Cozy decided to answer honestly: "All right, I'll point out the obvious things to you. Ruling Equestria is my destiny. Look at my cutie mark: you'd think I have a talent for chess. But in reality, I got my rook because I outsmarted a bully in the shelter. That's when I was basically recognized as the leader of the group. And soon, through manipulation (scheming, deception, blackmail), I practically became the top mare in the shelter. The more followers I had, the more opportunities I had. And I liked it. So, I decided that my fate was to rule others. "But why are you willing to do anything for power? The first time, you nearly depleted all the magic, and the second time, you agreed to give 2/3 of the country to terrible villains. Why do you want to rule?" the CMC asked. "Because I deserve it more than the princesses!" Cozy exploded. "They have everything: strong magical talent, friends, and family. But my life in the shelter was far from sweet until I got my cutie mark. That's when I had a dream: I wanted everyone in Equestria to be my friends." "You meanest servants?" Scootaloo clarified. "Same thing. But my plan failed. And then, hatred blinded me. So, I decided to ally with Chrysalis and Tirek. I'll be honest: I wanted to be friends with them, but they were too stubborn," Cozy recalled. Despite their difficult relationship, deep down, the mare valued her allies, although she feared betrayal from them. After thinking, the pegasus continued. "Perhaps, victory over Equestria would have brought us closer. But in the end, we lost. And now, everyone knows me as a cunning and insane (some even say demonic) mare. My main weapon - words, is now powerless. Running away, seeking revenge, and trying to seize power alone is the dumbest idea. That's why I gave up. "But you're glad Twilight gave you a chance, aren't you?" Apple Bloom asked. The question made Cozy think. On one hoof, the mare was angry with Twilight for allowing the princesses to first send her to Tartarus and then imprison her in stone. But on the other hand, she understood perfectly well that thanks to the mercy of the Princess of Friendship (even if she gave her a chance to improve her image), she was free from the bonds of cold stone and not locked forever in her own thoughts. "Yes, I'm really grateful to her for a second chance. Including the opportunity to apologize and truly become friends with you. Thank you for coming!" Cozy thanked the Crusaders, bowing her head and closing her eyes. In response, the CMC hugged the pegasus (although Scootaloo reluctantly accepted it: like Rainbow Dash, she still didn't trust Cozy). "We're always happy to help friends!" Apple Bloom declared. "Even though you became a villain and tried to take over the world, I always believed that there's goodness in you," Sweetie Belle confessed. "All right, I'll trust you too. But dare to betray us again, and I'll personally hoof you in the face," Scootaloo threatened. "I promise that this time everything will be different. So, how about a game of chess?" *** "So, girls: do you think Cozy really sincerely wants to be friends with you again?" "Did she threaten you?" "Did she ask for anything? Did she try to manipulate you?" Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash asked their sisters two hours later in one of the palace rooms. "Nope, as i expected, Cozy behaved friendly.," Apple Bloom began to answer. Of course, she might try to manipulate us… "But this time we'll be on guard and won't let her deceive us!" Scootaloo confidently stated. "Perhaps Cozy really befriended us to gain Twilight's trust and get out of house arrest. But she genuinely seemed happy about our visit," Sweetie Belle said. "And we had a great time! Although it's a bit unfortunate that we lost to her not only in chess but also in 'Monopoly' and 'Ogres and Oubliettes'," Scootaloo added. "But most importantly: we understood why Cozy is so eager for power. She believes that her cutie mark means she should rule ponies. But she completely forgets that with her talent, she can help others. First, she got her cutie mark by teaching a bully a lesson. And also, she helped us get into the Friendship School, despite the awkwardness with Twilight," the group leader spoke up. "So, we decided to introduce her to our friend who can understand her problem - Diamond Tiara!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "And we're sure she'll convince Cozy that true happiness comes not from power or wealth, but from friendship," Sweetie Belle concluded. "Sugarcube, Ah, I'm so proud of you!" "I couldn't have come up with a better plan, well done!" "I knew you could handle it, little sis!" Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity praised their younger sisters before heading to Twilight. And so, the Cutie Mark Crusaders began working with Cozy. Hopefully, everything will work out for them, and the cunning mare won't outsmart them again."