Ghosts of the past continue to haunt Cozy Glow in more ways than one. Not only does she have to adjust to her fate with her newly adopted mother, Princess Twilight, but she also has to rescue her human counterpart from a coma, thus repaying an old debt. As she investigates why this is happening, she gradually realizes that she isn’t the only one who is recovering from a tragic history.
Note: This story can be viewed as a follow up to my earlier stories "Sky Dancer, the First Flying Unicorn", "The Shadow Queen", and "Here I Am" can even be considered an outright prologue to this story. None of these stories are required reading but be warned that this new story has major spoilers for those earlier stories as early as chapter 1.
Chapters (35)
Why did you delete your own comment?
10599869
That was supposed to go to author's note instead. That comment is reposted there except I added more. I posted it first as a comment on accident.
Is this a sequel to Shadow Queen? If so, shouldn't you be marking that?
It seems that Cozy has a bit more reverence to human Twilight because of the memory transfer thing and she doesn't seem very comfortable about it. It also seems like she's either not being given enough trust to be independent or is still quite cunniving. I wonder how the other two LOD members are doing.
A chance of redemption after only five years? That's a much kinder treatment then what Celestia and Luna used to give. Cozy sure reformed a lot over the years!
10600363
It can be considered a sequal to a lot of my stories, but I'm afraid to post it that way because hardly anyone read "My Little Detour" for exactly that reason. It might get a lot more views if I post this story as if it is a standalone fic, but I did give a disclaimer in the long description that it is a follow up to a bunch of my earlier stories.
Edit: I sit corrected. The long description doesn't warn that it is a followup to my other stories. That is in my blog instead.
10600777
I dunno, without the sequel mark, I think people may get confused at least initially.
10600824
if I do that, people might feel like they have to read all of the previous stories before reading this one, then take a look at the length of those stories and say, "Nah. That project is too daunting. Better to not read any of them at all." Maybe they'll post the story in "read it later" and never actually do it. New readers are especially likely to think this way, but old readers are probably eager for a sequel.
I really think that is what happened to "My Little Detour." Nobody wanted to read a sequel of a story that focuses on an OC. I realize this one doesn't have that problem, but I'm still nervous to post it as an official sequel. Even if I do, it's a sequel to several stories. Not sure if the site would allow me to post it as the sequel to multiple stories.
I am going to pay attention to the audience's reaction, though. If a lot of people agree with you, I may go back and post it as a sequel to "The Shadow Queen." This story is a follow up to that novel most of all.
The Neighsay I'm Equestria is racist towards other species while the Human Neighsay against magic. Well you can't blame him for that, with the examples Magic from Equestria brought nothing but problems. For example
Let’s face it. No matter how much good they do, disaster always appear and endangered human lives
That was an interesting explination as to what is going on. I do wonder if they plan on doing anything with Sombra once human Cozy awakens.
Didn't she corrolate Sombra's return with the trio's?
I wonder how much Twilight knows of this.
Or her past life, or the fact that she probably hated everyone or the fact that she was using a presumably evil magical artifact.
Looks like Neighsay is as much of a dick as ever. I wonder what he would think about his counterpart's story should he ever meet or hear about him. Actually, it's quite odd that he has so much authority over the pony stuff. One would think that proven sentient alien life would warrent diplomatic ties with the verious leaders of each nation.
What if they send her in and out of both worlds through another town or nation? I don't think he or the mayor has any authority outside of this one city.
Secrets that she already knows. Exactly what is he trying to say here?
10610151
I had two objectives for Neighsay when I wrote him in this story. Due to his abrasive attitude, he comes off as an antagonist, and yet he makes some very valid points. I expect a lot of people who read about him in this chapter might be thinking, "Yeah, he's kind of a doosh, but he's also right. Or, at least, I can understand his perspective." So, in a way, he can be an antagonist a reader can also sympathize with.
10610200
You might remember him in my other story, "The Shadow Queen", right? Playing him this way is a means to stay in character. I followed his attitude in the pony world as a model for how to write Neighsay in this world. He's clearly a bigot who has some paranoia over the events of the other world. He wants the two worlds to remain separate because he judges the pony world to be a threat. A threat he is afraid of. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate . . . leads to Neighsay.
10610179
They got to deal with him now. Intentionally or not, he may be in the way. preventing human Cozy from waking up. More precisely, at this point of the story, the heroes have got to find out more about what's going on.
The answer is no, although it is likely Twilight suspected a meeting. In this story, I wrote it in as a fact that Twilight was never able to confirm until now. She knew Triek, Cozy, and Chrysisalsis attacked Equestria together. She knew Discord was also responsible for bringing back Sombra. What Twilight did not know is if the Legion of Doom met Sombra personally or if Sombra immediately went off and did his own thing before he even met the others. According to this story, Cozy never confessed this until now. Twilight or her friends may have even asked over the years, but Cozy is a very suspicious pony by nature. She doesn't tend to be the first to reveal a secret until she really has to.
Cozy can be a good actress and liar, but Twilight is very smart and, at this point, she's lived with Cozy for years. There's an overwhelming chance she knows something is wrong with Cozy. At worst, Twilight might be unaware of exactly why Cozy is upset, but she's got to know that something is wrong. Armed with at least partial knowledge of this fact, how would you predict somepony like Twilight would react? In this story, she adopted Cozy to keep a close eye on her, but what else would the Princess of Friendship attempt to do with this situation?
In the last example, I assume you mean Grogar's Bell? Cozy has proved capable of doing a lot of damage with good artifacts too. The story will address more on this issue later.
There is honestly a lot of reasons for Cozy's previous behavior. Multiple concepts have already been addressed and more over time.
Whatever the case may be, she is currently surrounded by a lot of potentially positive mentors. My aim is to make it clear that there is a lot of hope for Cozy's future now, regardless of her troubled past. For example:
SLAVERY?! Given it's a medieval magic world, I can believe that exists. I guess Celestia's rule had that and is still continuing under Twilight's rule. Who knows if it still happening? I mean the map only shows Friendship problems, not life or death problems.
10611884
My version of Cozy Glow initially didn't grow up in Equestria, so this isn't Twilight and Celestia's fault. The details of her backstory is listed here in my one-shot "Here I Am". Check it out if you want. It can actually be considered a prologue to this story.
But if you want the abbreviated version of her backstory: Cozy Glow used to be a slave owned by Verko (picture of him here) from the MLP Movie in Klugetown. That all changed due to the events of the Mane 6 when they visited that town and also how they dealt with the Storm King. Those events set in motion Cozy's encounter with the Mane 6 later.
10611946
Oh... Sorry, I was making my own theory on Pony Cozy Glow growing up.
HA! I knew that the Changelings who reform would have a flaw to their new forms. I see that their past ability to capture their victims to absorb their love turns out to be an alternative to save lives. Friendship and Thorax's idea of sharing love became their darkest price to pay to no longer absorb love to feed their hunger.
Will Pony Cozy Glow and Sunset will tell Twilight & Thorax about when they lost their slime ability; it could be useful to save lives?
10623450
lol. That puts an interesting spin on things, doesn't it?
When I began reading your comment, I was afraid you were about to point out a continuity error, like saying, "Nah-uh. That's not true. Thorax's pack used that slime ability in some comic you didn't read about."
(shrug) Well, it is what it is.
Got a question for you. Your comment on this chapter and the next was made nearly at the same time. Do you wait to read both chapters on Sunday?
10623483
No. They won't.
Using it for medical purposes is an interesting thought. A positive side effect of that ability. In the meantime, they got the Crystal Stasis spell. It's a better solution since it is more portable and this method totally freezes time on the subject. Both the slime method and the spell need maintenance, except in this case. Due to her attunement, human Cozy's energy is sustaining the spell for them.
10623503
To answer your question; no. I was too busy with my job and too tired to read your chapter before the next one. Also about that Crystal Stasis spell. I think they just got lucky. I mean its nearly impossible to cast the same spell perfectly, even if you're an Alicorn. Casting a spell lost through time can create some failures
10623535
Interesting that you bring that point up. More than likely, none of the occupants in the room heard of that spell until the inventor brought it up. It's not impossible to teach, but in that case, a safer subject should be the target like a brick, then move up to something more complex/expensive like a clock. Eventually they might try on fruit in an attempt to freeze it without killing it. Only after extensive practice should it ever target someone like human Cozy, and even then, only when necessary.
In this case, they were targeting another living sentient subject, Sombra goes like, "It's okay. I got this one, girls. Don't want to mess this up."
10637661
I guess I could, but it's only in there for 3 chapters. That plotline is dropped from chapter 4 onward except for the fact that Sunset Shimmer continues to be a prevalent character. Do you think that warrants the Equestria Girls tag? I find that kind of iffy.
Happy birthday
10643289
Thank you, and I did have a happy birthday.
10687793
It's been awhile since I got a comment on this story. Thanks for that.
This chapter maybe be dark but the facts are true. The era of peace in Equestria maybe be bringing different species together but for all that good, you get the bad as well. I mean Equestria was once an isolated paradise and the pony species was protected by The Alicorn Princesses, The Pillars and Tree of Harmony who repel those who want that harmony and paradise or harm it. I can see that protection can make anyone hate Equestria and want to take down that paradise; those who lived in the hardships of survival, fighting against the dangers of nature and the most dangerous predators gives them a reason to either take it over or fight against those who would refuse to allow them to live in Equestria and this is before The Magic of Friendship.
10689639
In my story, I tried to explain the fact that Cozy came from that environment and that is why she thinks differently than most other ponies. All those things you said certainly affect the mentality of those beyond Equestria, and now that one of the towns is allowing immigrants, it comes with their social constructs which, in turn, affect the pony community. Two sides to every coin. Those who face this situation are awakened to a broader and grimmer reality. If most Equestrian's standard of living is paradise, then nearly anything else will seem darker in comparison. Conversely, the immigrants would see this as a chance for new opportunities. Possibly even loads of innocent dupes to exploit.
The part where history repeats where any villain always lose in an instant is complete bullshit! Pardon my language but I imagine when a villain takes over; the group of heroes take time to take fight and defeat the villain in a matter of weeks or a month but not on the same day or the next time. I say fate is corrupted for siding with Harmony.
You used references from Toy's Story
Chrysalis is refusing to accept Friendship since it stole everything she was born with and Tirek has lost his will since friendship was the reason he wants to absorb Equestria's magic.
10731169
Yep.
10731220
Yeah. They all have their reasons, although in Cozy's case, she was the most sociable of the three members of the Legion of Doom because she had to rely on that to gather her power. Even if it means accepting her enemies (to a point), Cozy would be the most desperate to reach back.
10731443
You're right about that but it took a parallel version of Cozy Glow who wasn't a follow of the Magic of Friendship to see how corrupt and messed up Equestria was under Alicorn Twilight Sparkle's rule. Human Glow saw what happened to her pony version and how those citizens were happy they were about her pony version's fate in stone.
This is just sad. Chrysalis is already in a major breaking point with insanity. Well with the examples of her hive destroyed, all her changelings betrayed her, she's now all alone in the world, Discord used her along with Cozy and Tirek for Twilight's confidence and being turned to stone for more than a decade. Anyone would lose themselves. Discord on the other hand, he never had any sanity
10732343
Sometimes it does take an outsiders perspective to shake things up. Until then, people and ponies can be satisfied with the status quo because it's better than what the villains tried to impress. Not many want to take a risk in life. I suspect they are in the minority overall, but when face to face with some of the consequences it becomes harder to sweep it under the rug.
It makes sense though, right? Doesn't this seem like something Chysailis would do based on the character we've known so far? For her, I think it would take something really special to break through her hard shell. If not, then this is the default course as I see it for her while still staying in character.
Scroll thank you for this story. You really get Cozy Glow and her internal drama and write it so well. I look forward to reading the rest of her journey and her counterparts recovery.
10784954
(fond smile) until now, I wasn't even certain you were reading this story but I suspected you were, and if you were, it would be up your alley if you liked my previous story. Thank you for sharing your thought with me. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
I always suspected that the ones following this story are mainly my fans who put my account on follow.
Nice backstory you got there.
10850114
Thanks. It's what made sense to me. In this chapter, I really tried to emphasize the chill of those times and how difficult it was to hold on to hope in that bleak world.
10850200
can we at least have a story with Princess Twilight freeing Cozy Glow from her prison, please I want a story explaining how we got to a point where she's free thank you
10853279
Wow, this one stings. This very likely is the biggest criticism I ever suffered in all my stories. Others that rank on up there would be technical nitpicks but the review got for "My Little Pony: The Next Generation" was pretty harsh too.
But the wording here is "at least". So, if I gave you what you asked for, it might barely qualify as good quality in your eyes. That sounds like it's not worth the effort because it's too unlikely to please you when compared to your assessment for the rest of this story which I assume you finished considering this comment is posted in the last chapter. If your standards are that high I don't feel as if I have a fair chance. For that, I'm sorry.
I also realize I might be misinterpreting the severity of the wording here. Maybe this was nothing more than a backhanded but otherwise polite request for elaboration. I could give that some thought for maybe a oneshot level fanfic. Right now I am working on another story. I was going to resume it tonight but I might need a moment to calm down.
10853742
I'm sorry man I didn't mean to hurt your feelings I'm just missing some context over here and because of that I can't understand what's going on as easily as other people if someone could tell me how cozy glow got out of the stone I'll be fine
10853742
Not trying to be an ass I'm sorry I just want to at least see cozy glow escape the stone prison because I'm pretty sure she would react like a Fish Out of Water since we don't know how much time has passed it would be an interesting reaction unless you've already done that
10853742 plus I love your story it's just I want to know why cozy glow is free it's making me wonder how long she's been in that prison or what she had to do to escape or did Twilight Sparkle simply have pity on her
10853969
Thank you for explaining yourself. I was confused at your comment but aware just enough to realize there was multiple possibilities. There was no complements in your original comment so my imagination ran with it as often as it tends to do with a creative person.
Btw, you are the first to comment on the last chapter here.
Something occurred to me after you made your comment. There is a sharp drop of views past chapter one which indicates there is a major problem with it. Unfortunately, it may have kept many from the reason the rest of the chapters but, from what I can tell, those that managed to "endure" the tragic start have been pleasantly surprised by the rise of quality of the story, especially after chapter 4 when it returns to the pony world.
Many theories have occurred to me why the first chapter was so bad but, I must admit, until now, it had not occurred to me that people might have been upset at the lack of info of her being first freed. instead, it jumps ahead a few years. In that amount of time I could probably squeeze yet another book in the interim. The story probably is ignoring a lot. Tirek and Chrysalis were freed too at the same time so the drama is likewise multiplied. Cozy's gone from public enemy number one to an adopted daughter of the most powerful mare in Equestria. I wouldn't blame Cozy for suffering whiplash back then. There is also the feelings of everyone else to consider. Even Discord might have popped in with a firm warning to the three, saying that, under no uncertain terms, if they ever hurt Fluttershy again then . . . Well, one might well imagine what he'd do next.
The more I think about it, the more I realize you have a point. The story is overlooking too much. But, until now, I had no feedback that anyone was looking forward to that aspect of the story. it also looks like there might be too much there to support it all as a flashback. its own story is probably a better route.
Well, I'll stew on it. if this idea develops too far then I might consider writing it down. That's typically how it goes for me as a writer. Something grows in my system until I let it out.
P.S: There is one glimpse into the early years of pony Cozy Glow in one of the chapters of "The Shadow Queen". In a way that story, and "Here I Am" was the launching point for this story. This story is a "What happened next?" kind of deal. Back when she first appeared in "The Shadow Queen" I was content to hint at what happened to her then leave the rest to the imagination of the viewers, but now I am wondering if I skipped too much.
10854008 you could make a side story called how cozy glow was freed from her prison
Happy birthday
On sale in the toy isle for $19.99.
10859478
You'll know the date of my birthday if you look at the date of the post for that comment at the bottom of chapter 9 of this story or the author's note of this chapter.