A redemption story for Cozy Glow after the events that take place in "A Test For Cozy" where the CMC and the young six help her through her dilemma of conquest and evil
After the young six learn that Cozy Glow has written to Tirek they put a stop to it and go to their professors about the issue. The professors now have to try to figure out a solution to their newfound problem.
How would that story go? Would Cozy truly change her ways or will she still try to gain power to be the most adored empress in all the land? Will the young six or the CMC be able to convince her that her skills lie elsewhere? Only time will tell.
"Wait hold on... What happened down there?" Gallus questioned as Ocellus, Smolder, and Cozy Glow tried to sneak off to the side.
They had woken up a while ago tired and sore from sleeping on the ground. After a disorienting recap of what most of them went through they decided it was best to tell the teachers and headmare. After all, near-death and trauma was a good excuse for missing the test. As they went to leave however, Cozy Glow tapped on Smolder's shoulder and hurriedly whispered into the other's ear. Ocellus seemed to perk up in realization and joined the two to the side. When asked where they were going all they could really say at the moment was that they needed to talk... privately. Their concern was mostly about the dark tests they were made to endure last night.
"A... A lot of things happened down there." Smolder admitted as she turned to face the griffin, "But it's a bit personal."
Sandbar stepped forward, "Aren't you going to come with us to tell Headmare Twilight about the tree?"
Ocellus glanced over at the other two beside her, "Um... We're going to have to catch up with you some other time. There's something the three of us need to talk about before we take this to Twilight. Do you mind letting her know that we have something important to tell her? We'll be with her later."
"Does it have to do with Cozy?" Silverstream asked as she pointed a talon at the pink filly.
Cozy Glow, who was embarrassingly hiding behind Smolder, perked up and let out a sigh, "Yes... It does." She confessed as she fluttered out into the open, "But we can talk about it later, okay? Not now! It's... It's not good."
Yona seriously considered the young pegasus, "Yona understand. Underground tests were very scary! Knew lots about us and our fears! Little pony don't have to talk about it with us if she don't want to."
"Thanks Yona..." Cozy smiled with relief, "But before you all go, I want to apologize. I haven't been the best lately... I shouldn't have said all those things I did earlier. I shouldn't have suggested we check out that grate. I'm sorry... can you ever forgive me for that? It was downright rotten." Her eyes went wide like a puppy's as she begged the young six for forgiveness.
Towards the end of Cozy's apology Smolder gave the little filly an uncertain stare.
The others however, even Ocellus, seemed to coo at this as Silverstream went up with a caring smile, "Oh Cozy! Don't worry about that. Sure some things you said were... a little hurtful, but none of us could've expected something like that down there."
"And besides, we all came out pretty okay. Even learned something. I think through this you learned something too! So you know, maybe getting into some mythical, magical danger was worth it." Sandbar shrugged with a simple smile.
"Excuse you I almost got crushed!" Gallus raised his wings towards Sandbar before turning towards the others, "But um... I'm not blaming you for all that Cozy. I still feel like we really need to talk about some of this stuff later on though."
"Yona think little pony has been through enough trouble today! Just like Yona and other friends! Let's not be mad at one another. Let's figure this out together!"
"Yeah!" Ocellus chirped before turning to the little pegasus, "Cozy listen, you really cared about me and Smolder down there... If it weren't for what you did I probably wouldn't believe you now but... I forgive you, and I'm sure every other creature here does too! Because you're our friend."
Cozy looked up to Ocellus with wide eyes before smiling back, "Gee... Thanks every creature! You really are the best!"
"Yeah well, we should really get to talking to Headmare Twilight right about now," Gallus walked up to the three, "Are you sure you'll be alright?"
Smolder nodded, "Mhm. Don't worry about us. We'll be with you all again soon."
Gallus nodded before leaving through the door with Silverstream, Yona, and Sandbar following behind.
"See you all soon! Try not to fall in more deadly traps without us~!" Silverstream chirped before she dashed out into the hallway.
Then from there it was only three. Cozy and Ocellus were smiling and waving goodbye towards the door until they both looked to the side. They were surprised to spot Smolder now glaring at the two of them with narrowed eyes.
Cozy was the one who decided to break the uneasy tension, "What?"
"Okay, look. Not trying to be rude or anything but after what you told us and after everything I now know that cute act is... starting to get on my nerves." The orange dragon crossed her arms with a huff.
Ocellus gave a confused glance towards Cozy, "Cute act?"
Cozy sheepishly smiled back, "Ahah... um... Listen. It's like second nature, alright? I have to! No pony or creature would like me if I didn't!"
"So wait- that apology wasn't genuine?" The changeling questioned.
"Well... It was still an apology! But... after what I did... and what they're going to find out later..." The pink filly tapped her hooves together as she slowly lowered herself back down onto the library floor, "I just want to get on their good sides again because after we tell them everything they'll hate me... but if I don't tell them anything they're just going to be even more upset with me..."
Smolder's glare softened into a look of concern, "Hey. Why're you so worried about what we think about you?"
"Huh?" Cozy looked up at the other.
"I mean- It's true you have to apologize when you can... and you did! Good on you! But you sound like you did it just to keep us happy. Why're you so focused on keeping us happy? We're already your friends. And right now, as your friend, I'm more concerned about you and your... partnership with Tirek. Which- by the way- we still need to talk about that." Smolder had crouched down to set a claw on the filly's shoulder.
Cozy looked up at Smolder- and suddenly let out a snrk. She pressed a hoof to her mouth but even then she couldn't hold back the laughter she felt bubbling up within her.
"What's so funny?" Ocellus uneasily asked.
"Ahah.. it's just- I just realized something is all. But- well... you’ll understand later. I guess I should start from the beginning, shouldn’t I?” She turned and fluttered deeper within the library.
Ocellus and Smolder glanced at one another with quiet worry before trailing after the filly.
Cozy Glow rounded one of the bookshelves as she continued on, "After Tirek's terrible attack on Equestria I did get curious... I wanted to know more about the magic he had and how to gain that much power for myself."
The two tried to follow but were surprised to find her already going behind another shelf. They hurried after her, looked down another aisle, and saw her disappearing at the end once again. Both were getting skeptical as they continued their chase.
"Uh- Cozy? Slow down!" Smolder shouted out as she turned a corner only to see the small pegasus disappear behind another bookshelf. Was she going in circles?
"I wrote to him and didn't expect a letter. He was in Tartarus, after all. Yet somehow, my message came through! And he responded..." The filly giggled, "It was my lucky day I guess!"
Both dragon and changeling came to a stop by a bookshelf full of large hard-covered history books when they lost sight of Cozy completely. They both scanned the area before looking at one another in concern.
The filly's voice seemed to come from either side of them. "You see, I at first just wanted to know how. Then it became why. Then- as my pen-pal continued I began to understand everything! Power. Control. Friendship. It's what makes you above it all! It's what made Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Twilight herself the rulers of Equestria!"
"How long ago was this Cozy?" Smolder found herself asking as she instinctively pulled Ocellus close to her.
"Oh way before I met you all! Way before the school was even made! It was perfect when Twilight founded the school of friendship! I used it as a good excuse to come all the way over here~! Where I was closer to it all. But gee, all that shouldn't concern you, really. You might've figured out what goes on behind the scenes but golly! I think we should just put an end to this already, don't you?"
Suddenly, a loud THUMP was heard just before the bookshelves surged forward. They tilted and fell right over the unfortunate dragon and her friend. Not wanting to burn the editions ablaze, Smolder instead opted to try and pull Ocellus away, but the two of them would suddenly find books toppling on top of them and the heavy shelf pinning them to the ground. They roughly landed on the floor with their teeth clattering together and their heads spinning.
"Agh! Cozy!" Smolder growled as she tried to push herself back up.
"Cozy what're you doing??" Ocellus coughed out as she tried to do the same.
Cozy Glow flew up into view with a large heavy book in hoof. On the cover was a blue faucet and some pipes, "Aw~ I'm doing what I need to." She smiled innocently down at them, "I can't have you both running around knowing my deepest darkest secrets! Oh no no no! Tirek wouldn't be too happy to hear that I got caught, especially before the plan has even gone off! And I am NOT giving up that easily!" She then abruptly swung the book down on Ocellus's head, managing to knock her out entirely. Great Celestia this filly could hit!
"Ocellus!" Smolder gasped before pushing up with all her strength to let out a blast of fiery flame towards Cozy and the book she held.
"Ah!" The pegasus jumped back in surprise as she dropped the burning book. She quickly backed out of the way before her feathers could get scorched as well, "Why you-"
With a flap of her wings Smolder suddenly popped right out from the shelf she was underneath and flew up high above Cozy, "What're you doing??? I thought you wanted to fix all this! To be honest and to be our friend!"
"I only agreed to be honest." The pegasus growled, "I still have plans... and I can't have you two getting in my way!"
Cozy turned and flew down to the other side of the library. Smolder followed in hot pursuit and from there it was a game of cat and mouse. The dragon repeatedly attempted to grab the slippery pegasus but the filly always managed to somehow get away at the last second! It was really started to get on the dragon's nerves. Meanwhile Cozy was trying to anxiously search for some way to deal with Smolder. She could run but not for long! It was then that she spotted one of the hanging lights up above. With a new idea now blooming in her head she made one final loop around the room and hurriedly grabbed the dangling lights as she passed them. Smolder, who was right behind her, was surprised by what the filly was doing and tried to slow down, "Wait wait wait-!"
"What's-?" Ocellus slowly stirred from the bookshelf she was under.
"-GOING ON?!"
Cozy Glow yelped in surprise at the new voice and turned to see Headmare Twilight at the library's door along with the rest of the young six, the counselor, and two other teachers. By then it was too late to stop the momentum of the hanging lantern from swinging straight into the orange dragon.
Smolder shouted out as a she was knocked out of the air and into the fallen bookshelves down below next to Ocellus. She landed with a groan and couldn't even raise her head.
Cozy blinked and realized how much damage she caused to the room around her. Ocellus was buried under a shelf, Smolder was down for the count, books and shelves had been knocked over with a fire just nearby, and now... she was in serious trouble. The filly looked down at the others with a sheepish smile, "Ahahah... Oops..?"
“Let me speak, Cozy!” Twilight hated being firm with her students in such a way but what she just witnessed had been surprising to say the least. One of her most exceptional students had been found fighting her friends and destroying school property! The headmare was fairly shocked disappointed by this news. It wasn't long before she took Cozy Glow straight to her office. Starlight and Spike both stood off to the side as Twilight began her scolding. “I can’t believe this. Fighting with your friends? Especially after going through a test from the Tree of Harmony itself?? Cozy, you’re better than this! Whatever you three had a disagreement about, it couldn’t have been worth the damage you just caused!”
Cozy Glow averted her gaze and looked downtrodden at the ground beneath her hooves, “I’m really sorry headmare Twilight...”
“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.” Twilight made her way back to her desk while sternly glaring at her student, “If somepony hadn’t hurt Ocellus and Smolder they would both be here to hear your explanation for why you felt it was right to do what you just did. Instead they’re being treated at the school’s clinic so I’m afraid that’s all going to have to wait. But that apology is mandatory, Cozy. I should have you suspended for this but first I want to know why. Why did you hurt them?”
Fear threatened to take over but Cozy soon buried those feelings deep inside her. Her mind began to reel as she tried to figure out how she could turn the tables in her favor and keep herself out of trouble. How could she be the innocent one in all this? “Well...” Cozy fiddled her hooves together as she tried to spin up a tale that began to take shape. She had to hold back from smirking as her mind was set on a devious plan for herself to take. “I had to. They were trying to hurt me, Professor! I was just trying to keep them off me. I don’t know what’s gotten into them, the moment we were alone they started harassing me and trying to grab me! Ocellus slammed into a shelf while chasing me and Smolder tried to burn me! I’m so sorry Headmare Twilight but I only did what I thought I had to when another creature started attacking me...”
Twilight’s eyes seemed to widen at this. Unsure how to respond she gave Starlight a concerned glance.
“What? Smolder wouldn’t just attack another creature!” Spike countered, “She’s nothing like that!”
“Can you tell us exactly what they were harassing you about?” Starlight inquired as she turned to the filly.
Cozy hesitated and lowered her head. Her mind whirled as she tried to come up with something. What could those two harass her over? What would make sense? Then it hit her. The most obvious solution of all stared right at her during her own test, “They... they harassed me because of my fear...”
“Your fear?” Twilight leaned over the desk.
“That’s what our test was about. It was about our fears and trying to overcome them. M-Mine wasn’t good. I feared... them.” Her ears lowered, “I feared my friends and I feared other creatures. Smolder and Ocellus didn’t like that so we got into an argument and no matter how much I tried to reason with them they attacked me! I don’t know what for but I was so scared... I didn’t want to get hurt...” She sniffed and looked up with wide eyes full of sorrow and fear.
A silence flitted through the room as the other three stared at one another in confused surprised.
Twilight sat up at this and considered the filly’s words, “Cozy Glow, this is a very serious claim. We will all be looking into this and if we find you’re lying about any of it I’m afraid that suspension might not be enough for you. However, if you’re telling the truth, then we will handle this problem as best as possible. I have my doubts Smolder and Ocellus would do such a thing but I’m going to have to hear all sides of the story and see some proof before I can be completely certain on who did what. For now the three of you all have detention and are to stay in your rooms until this mess has been sorted.”
The little filly gave a small nod, "Okay headmare Twilight... I understand..." However as she lowered her head a small smile quirked up at the corners of her lips. She was interested to see how this would go~
Smolder let out a groan as a claw went up to her head, "What happened..?"
"You got knocked out by a hanging light." Gallus commented, "Seriously Smolder I thought you had tougher skin than that-"
She sat up at that, "Hey! I oughta- ow..." Smolder paused and rubbed the back of her head, "Are you sure it was a hanging light..?"
"Oh no, it wasn't just the light." A soft voice appeared to Smolder's right, "You landed on some hard books. It's not too serious but it'll ache for a bit."
Smolder blinked and finally looked around. She found herself in the school's clinic. A small room with white and light purple walls. She sat on a cot of some sort that was, honestly, pretty comfortable. Besides her was one of the teachers, Fluttershy, and her other four friends. Gallus, Silverstream, Sandbar, and Yona. She spotted Ocellus on a similar white cot nearby. She looked tired but awake, at least. "Ocellus! Are you doing alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." The changeling smiled to her friend, "My head hurts but it's not that bad. And the bookshelf didn't squish me that much."
"Ugh..! That Cozy Glow!" The dragon puffed out a small flame through her nostrils, "I can't believe she'd do that to us!"
"Why would little pony hurt friends?" Yona asked.
Smolder angrily flapped her wings, "Because she's working with Lord Tirek, that's why!"
Fluttershy and the rest of the group gasped at this, "What?!"
"Smolder..." Ocellus gave her friend a concerned look.
"I might've promised to keep it to myself for now but Cozy broke our trust, Ocellus! Everyone deserves to know why she did what she did!" The angered dragon crossed her arms in annoyance.
"She's working for Lord Tirek..?" Fluttershy whimpered, "That's very hard to believe..! She doesn't seem like the type to go to Tirek for anything."
"And how can she? Tirek is locked all the way up in Tartarus!" Sandbar added.
"She's written letters to him! We can prove it!" Smolder insisted.
Her changeling friend meanwhile looked unsure. "We can..?"
"Yeah! She must have some of his letters in her room! We gotta check."
Fluttershy raised a wing, "Now hold on. We need to talk to Twilight about all this first. Maybe she's almost done talking with Cozy Glow by now..."
Smolder seemed to stiffen at this, "You let Twilight talk to Cozy Glow first?!"
The pegasus yelped and inched back, "W-Well..."
The dragon disregarded her annoying headache and got up, "We have to talk to the headmare about this. It's really important!"
"I'm with you there." Sandbar soon got up from his seat.
"We believe you Smolder." Silverstream assured, "Twilight needs to know, now!"
Gallus gave a firm nod, "Yeah. We can't waste another second!"
"Alright then lets go!" Smolder urged before dashing through the door along with three of her other friends.
"W-Wait..!" Fluttershy called after the retreating group. Only Ocellus and Yona had stayed behind. The three looked at one another with concern before the yellow pegasus muttered out a quiet, "Oh dear..."
The small group hurried down the vast halls of the school. They anxiously raced through the carpeted building with the fall of Equestria on their minds. Smolder had taken the lead and guided the three other creatures through the maze-like hallways to get to the headmare's office. They didn't go far however before running straight into a purple and green baby dragon. Rounding a corner, Smolder and Spike had both collided into one other and went stumbling backwards. Silverstream swiftly caught her draconic friend while Spike used his wings to hover back up off the ground.
"Spike??"
"Smolder?? I was just looking for you!" The smaller dragon announced as he flew up to the four students, "What're you doing running through the halls like that?"
"We need to talk to Twilight about Cozy Glow!" Silverstream squawked as she accidentally dropped Smolder.
"Apparently Cozy works for Tirek." Sandbar explained.
"Cozy Glow works for Tirek?! That's... Really?!" Spike, though uncertain, was still shocked, "How? She's been with us in the school this entire time and Tirek is all the way out in Tartarus!"
"They've been talking through letters." Smolder quickly answered.
"Somehow..." Gallus added in, "Whoever decided to make it so there was some sort of mailing-system in Tartarus really screwed up."
The orange dragon sighed, "Listen, Spike. I can explain everything I just need to talk to the headmaster first. Is Cozy still with her?"
"No. After Cozy told us you were the ones who attacked her, which I hardly believe, Starlight went to take her back to her dorm room. I was actually just about to get you to see if you were ready to talk with Twilight."
Smolder blinked at that, "Wait wait wait- hold on... She's saying we fought her??"
"Ocellus and Smolder wouldn't just attack somepony!" Silverstream insisted, "Especially after everything we all went through!"
"She said you two did it because her fear was about other creatures." Spike elaborated, "And that after you two saw that you got upset with her."
Smolder huffed, "Her fear was about everyone knowing the truth!" She urged, "And that truth is she wants to work with Tirek to take over all of Equestria!"
Spike hesitated and tapped his claws together, "Well... no offense but- that sounds pretty unbelievable. She's Cozy Glow. She's really kind and helpful around the school! You gotta find some proof! And if you're serious, we have to as soon as possible."
"Then let's go find some proof." Sandbar prompted as he stepped up to Smolder's side.
Gallus hopped up with flapping wings, "Yeah! Let's stop standing around! We gotta do something if Smolder is telling the truth!"
"And we believe you are!" Silverstream added, "So tell us what to do. Where should we start?"
Smolder glanced between the three and gave them all a determined smile, "Silverstream you're coming with me to the headmaster's office. We gotta convince her we're telling the truth! Gallus, Sandbar, you two go to Cozy's room and tell Starlight about the letters! We have to find them before she tries to get rid of them or something!"
"On it!" Gallus saluted before abruptly dashing down the hallways with a beat of his feathered wings. Sandbar swiftly followed behind, able to somehow catch up with his flying friend.
"Spike, can you go get Ocellus? If Twilight doesn't believe me by myself then I'm going to need her. Maybe she'll have better luck convincing the headmare..." She hoped.
Spike nodded, "Alright. I'll meet up with you in Twilight's office soon! But, hey... Though both stories are very hard to believe, I want to believe you... but I also can't imagine Cozy Glow wanting to work with Lord Tirek. He sucks up magic! If I can't imagine it I don't think Twilight would."
"Can you imagine me and Ocellus trying to fight Cozy Glow unprovoked?" Smolder questioned.
"No. I can't imagine that either... But there is the burnt books. It's not looking good for you so far," Spike mentioned, "I hope your friends can find those letters, if they are real." He gave a concerned glance before he turned and left for the school's clinic.
"Do you think he believes you?" Silverstream worriedly asked.
"Honestly I probably wouldn't believe me. I don't blame him." Smolder shook her head before rushing down the halls, "Come on! Let's go talk to Twilight!"
Cozy Glow's eyes stayed glue to the ground as the two walked through the empty courtyard. Most students were all already in class seated at their desks and learning a new friendship lesson the professors provided. That made this walk back to the dorms more quiet than the filly honestly preferred. Hah... honestly. By her side was the school's counselor pony, Starlight Glimmer. It was clear from her expression that the older mare was trying to figure out a way to start a conversation. Whenever she did previously, Cozy would generally try to change topics or dodge the question entirely. The young pegasus didn't seem to be in the mood to talk. Instead she seemed... focused. There was this look in her eyes that was decisive and serious. Her mind was set on something but the counselor couldn't tell what it was for the life of her. Sometimes she'd briskly walk a bit faster and Starlight would have to catch up and slow the filly down with a few words.
"It's not that far from the dorms, why're you in a rush?"
"Uh. Gee I don't know. I just want to get to my room faster I guess." The filly shrugged before joining Starlight's side once again. Her hooves were just itching to get back to her room. In fact she was happy to be locked in it for a while, hopefully by herself; this could give her just a little bit more time to do what she needed. However as her thoughts formed inside her head and tried to spin up some more plans for the aftermath of this unforeseen path she made for herself she was surprised to find herself a bit... lost. Something was distracting her from her usual mindset. That tree. It must've done something to her. That's what she was starting to suspect at least. Her thoughts kept going back to Smolder and Ocellus. Every time it did there was this gripping feeling in her chest. She hated it but she couldn't ignore it. Something about it didn't sit right with her. It all felt wrong. Not only that but it was really getting in the way of her process...
Starlight was just about to speak when she saw Cozy's face shift from a neutral expression to a look of frustration. This made the counselor once again hesitate. With a sigh she turned her gaze away. Something was clearly wrong... if only she could figure out a way for Cozy to tell her about it. As the Starlight silently tried to figure out ways to get Cozy to open up about her feelings; the young pegasus heard a familiar voice from one of the open classrooms nearby. One of her professors...
"Well ya know some creatures learn differently. I got a good example-" Applejack smiled to her class as she gently strummed her guitar, "Ya'll know Cozy Glow right? Real nice little filly she is! She was one of the first ta talk to the counselor however about an issue regarding honesty! Now let me tell ya about that."
As Starlight silently struggled to find the right words Cozy had drifted away with her full attention on her professor. The southern pony sat on a block of hay and held an acoustic in her hooves. It was assumed that they must've been singing songs right before Cozy arrived. Or maybe they were getting ready to? Either way, somehow the little filly’s encounter with the CMC became part of an honest story time in an honest class.
"Cozy Glow met my sister and two of her friends, the Cutiemark Crusaders I'm sure most ya know. They wanted nothing more but to be part of this school before they became tutors. So, Cozy tried to help. She let them tutor her and then lied to her professors and told them how they taught her all the wrong things. That they didn't know much about friendship at all!"
"Why would she do that?" A young colt curiously asked.
"Apparently to make us see that those three didn't know all that and needed friendship classes just like her. Instead, it got them the opposite. They got in serious trouble and were banned from the school! Poor Cozy was so distraught that she went straight to Starlight and told the truth because all her lying ever did was make things worst... and do ya'll know what happened after she told the honest truth?"
"Did things get better?" A pegasus asked with a smile.
"Yeup! In telling the truth, the crusader's ban was lifted and Twilight offered to make them tutors. They all were able to go to our school together after that. You should've seen their smiles, those four were as excited as a bag of kernels over a fire!" She giggled into her hoof, "Honesty was a very valuable lesson to them that day."
Cozy was surprised. Out of all the ponies to be mentioned in an honesty lesson, she didn't expect them to be her... It felt strange. The feeling in her chest began to tighten again and her crestfallen gaze dropped back down to grassy floor as Starlight trotted back up to her. The counselor gave Applejack's class a small glance.
The counselor smiled, "Missing class?"
"Well- I might have a lot to catch up on after all this." Cozy answered with another shrug, "Professor Applejack was just talking about something. I just wanted to hear the lesson is all..."
A strum of music could be heard within the classroom as Applejack began to play the first verses of a song.
Starlight gestured for the small filly to walk with her, "You know, no matter what lesson you miss I still think you'll be able to catch up easily. You’re one of our best students here at the school. You learn pretty fast! It's really impressive. And no matter what happens next... I think you and your friends can fix whatever is going on between you three."
"I don't think it'll be that easy." Cozy Glow guaranteed. Not like she'd want to try and fix it anyways, right..? They know about her secret, what's the point in trying to be good around them?
"Of course not everything is going to be easy, but there's still a chance for all of us to figure out exactly what happened. I'm not entirely sure what went down but I know who you are and I know Ocellus and Smolder. Ocellus is cautious but caring and Smolder is very protective of others. You meanwhile want the best for every creature and friend. Like for Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. If what you're saying is true then we should talk to them about it together when we all get the chance. Figure out why they really wanted to fight you and be kind to them... Let them know there's another way. Let them know they shouldn't be taking their anger out on you," Starlight chuckled, "At least, that's what Twilight did for me when I attacked her a long time ago. I guess they’ll kinda be like me. They might seem rude and bad but trust me, there’s a lot of good in them too. And just like Twilight did for me, I want you to give them a chance."
"Huh..." Cozy Glow blinked at what Starlight said and found it... funny. Funny in a strange sense. It was almost like a piece of advice that wasn't really for her. It felt like it was for Ocellus or Smolder to have. It felt like what the counselor said should be the other way around and honestly it was weird. She was walking by Starlight's side being put in the victim's horseshoes. Er- claws. The reality of it all was that Cozy was actually like Starlight... and the other two were more like Twilight...
...
"... You attacked Princess Twilight?" The pink filly suddenly blurted out in hopes to change topic once again.
Starlight perked at that and responded with a nervous grin, "Ah- well... Ahaha... Yeah, I might've. You see it's a funny story-"
"Starlight!" A familiar voice called from the other side of the courtyard.
Both ponies looked up to see Sandbar and Gallus heading their way, "Starlight!!" The blue griffon yelled as he dived for the counselor.
"Ah-" Starlight quickly stopped Gallus with her magic before he could crash into her, "Gallus? Sandbar? What's going on?"
"Wow okay-" Gallus blinked as the counselor held him up with blue magic, "Smolder wanted us to get you."
"She told us that Cozy and Tirek are teaming up!" Sandbar explained as he came to a halt next to his friend.
"What??" Starlight gaped, "Cozy and Tirek? Lord Tirek? Magic-sucking prisoner of Tartarus Tirek?"
"Yeah, that's the one." Gallus nodded before he was suddenly let go. He easily caught himself with a flap of his wings.
"Wha- but- I'm sorry but are you sure?" The counselor urged, "How would they even talk to each other in the first place?"
"Through letters." Sandbar went on to say, "Smolder thinks Cozy could still have Tirek's letters inside her room somewhere! It's our only proof!"
"Cozy is this true-" Starlight began but was surprised to find no little pink filly besides her. She looked around in surprise and was able to catch a hint of Cozy's tail dashing away into the dormitories. "Cozy Glow!"
She hurriedly flapped her little wings as she dashed through the hallways and came up to her room. Without hesitating she easily barged right in and locked the door behind her. This wasn't good. If those six had been together and were now telling each other about her team up with Tirek then things weren't looking that great on her part. She had to be quick! She had to get rid of everything before Starlight came demanding to be let in. Quick as a rabbit she rushed to her desk where a plethora of unusual items currently sat waiting for her return. There was an open journal full of spells and incantations, a jar of some blue powder, sticky notes full of drawn-on symbols and markings, and broken pieces of crystal that looked suspiciously similar to the tree roots below the school. Cozy Glow swiped all the sticky notes, tossed them in-between the pages of her journal, and slammed the book shut. Then, after grabbing the glowing powder and glimmering shards she went up to a poster and pulled it back to reveal an indent in the wall all cracked and jagged. Seeing it now she remembered how difficult it was for her to pull back the plaster in order make a hole big enough to contain any of her valuables. She was definitely glad that her past self thought this far ahead in case an emergency like this ever came up. Carefully, the pegasus slid the items into the opening and firmly placed the poster back in place. Now all she had to do was grab the letters from her drawer and-
"Cozy Glow?" Starlight called as she knocked on the room's door, "Cozy? Can you please open up?"
"Uh... Uh- be right there!" The filly called as she pressed Tirek's letters against her chest. As much as she wanted to tear them to pieces right then and there; she also desperately wanted to keep them. They were her notes and plans! They were filled to the brim with knowledge on how to dispose of all magic from Equestria! She couldn't just part with them now. Especially when she was so close..! She had to think of something fast.
Another knock rang out throughout the room.
"Cozy Glow teamed up with Tirek??" Twilight shook her head in surprise, "That's-That's an even bigger claim."
"I know it sounds crazy," Smolder acknowledged, "But I'm telling the truth! Me and Ocellus didn't want to fight her, she attacked us! She didn't want us to tell you any of this."
"Not to mention the Tree of Harmony DID warn us about Cozy Glow like- several times." Silverstream piped in, "It was REALLY not happy with her!"
The headmare looked to Smolder with concern, "I'm sorry but that's really hard for me to believe."
"I know, I understand! But I think we can find some proof. She's talking to Tirek through letters. Gallus and Sandbar are going to Starlight right now about those letters in hopes to find them!" She hovered up to Twilight's desk, "Geez I sound like a broken record- Point is, we're trying to help Cozy. We're trying to get her to stop whatever it is she's trying to do!"
"Listen- Until I see those letters myself I really can't believe something like this. Smolder I trust you but this?? This sounds like- like you're lying to me. I can't imagine Cozy Glow teaming up with Lord Tirek. She's been nothing but a sweet, knowledgeable student during her time here. Well- except for that moment in the library..."
"Ah... Spike did say something like that." Smolder slowly lowered herself back onto the ground, "I know. If I was you I definitely wouldn't believe me either. Hey! This sweet little soft-looking child is now best friends with a demon from Tartarus who brutally attacked Equestria by sucking up all our beloved magic! I get it, I sound crazy. Her story is more believable then mine..! But please, all I'm asking for is a chance. When Sandbar and Gallus get back I'm sure they'll have the letters with them. We can prove it!"
"And uh... if they don't then maybe we could talk to the Tree of Harmony again?" Silverstream suggested, "I'm sure it will definitely vouch for Smolder if she's telling the truth! Fair warning though, it likes to look like you for some reason."
Twilight looked between the two and considered their words. Her attention curiously went elsewhere at the mention of the tree roots below the school, "Smolder I still can't see Cozy doing something like that but if your friends trust you then I'm willing to give you and Ocellus a chance... But while we're here, I am curious about something." She pulled out an empty notepad and held up a quill, "Can you tell me a bit more about the tree roots and the tests you all went through? Especially Cozy's if you don't mind..."
Smolder and Silverstream gave a confident nod, "It all started yesterday after your class..."
The door to Cozy Glow's room opened to allow Starlight, Sandbar, and Gallus to come in. From entering it looked like any other dorm room that'd belong to an unsuspecting young pegasus. It had posters, a colorful bed, some stuffed animals in the corner, and several recommended textbooks. There in the middle of it all sat Cozy who greeted them with a small and anxious smile. "Sorry for running off like that Starlight... I really shouldn't have, but Gallus dived for us and I got scared. I won't do it again, promise."
Gallus narrowed his eyes at the filly while Starlight gave him a concerned glance, "Oh, uh... It's fine. Hey Cozy um- you don't have any letters on you, do you?"
"Oh. Just some from my parents!" She chirped as she flew up to her desk and dug out an old, opened envelope, "Here, they're just checking up on me and all!"
Starlight curiously glanced over the note as Gallus and Sandbar began to search the room much to Cozy Glow's distaste. Sandbar wasn't trying to make it obvious but Gallus didn't give a flying feather. He raised pillows, opened drawers, and checked underneath everything. Cozy was very upset with his uncaring attitude towards her privacy. "Hey! What're you doing?"
"Looking for those letters Tirek sent you!" Gallus grumbled as he plucked up a disoriented-looking stuffed animal to inspect the floor underneath it. Nothing but bits of fuzz.
The pink filly stiffened a bit and glanced over at Starlight, "L-Letters to Tirek? Um... I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Yeah right! Something's going on. The Tree of Harmony itself said so!" Gallus hopped up in Cozy's face with a talon pointed at her.
The counselor went up to the two, "Gallus, it's alright." Starlight assured as she gently nudged him away from the young pegasus, "If she doesn't have the letters then she doesn't have them..."
"But what if she's just hiding them from us?" He argued.
"Listen, I can understand wanting to help get your friend out of trouble but stringing up a whole lie like that isn't the best way to go about it."
"Lie? Smolder doesn't lie! Especially to us!"
As the two went back and forth with Cozy sometimes getting dragged back into the conversation, Sandbar was busy casually scouring the room for proof. He already had checked the closet and now made his way over to the bed. At first he saw nothing of interest and was just about to turn away to calm down Gallus when he suddenly spotted something sticking out from the stuffed animals nearby. Cotton... The young colt made his way over to a stuffed animal that looked a bit off, picked it up, and noticed a loose string haphazardly tied to it's back. He tugged at the string with his teeth and opened it to reveal more white fluff and a strange rolled up parchment. Hesitantly, Sandbar took it out and unrolled it. What he found made his sea-green eyes bulge in surprised shock.
"Uh... Starlight?" The colt called out towards the others.
"Yes, what is it-" Starlight paused as she spotted the opened parchment and the doll in his hooves.
