> Fate of the Legion: Light and Dark
>  by SamSwordsman123
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Light: Chapter 1: Imprisoned
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The evil trio of Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow had been broken out of their stone prisons by the real Grogar a short time ago. They'd kidnapped Starlight Glimmer's daughter Luster Dawn and exchanged her for Grogar's Bewitching Bell with the Mane 6. They'd tried to outsmart the evil ram and put a trap in the bell's magic that he absorbed. But he'd been one step ahead of them and now he'd taken their main enemies, Twilight Sparkle and her friends, to some place where he would deal with them himself. Now things looked hopeless for the trio as they stood in the ruins of the Castle of Two Sisters surrounded by enemies. Starlight, her husband Sunburst and friend Trixie Lulamoon, the Young Six (now adults), Thorax and other changelings, Ember, Spike, and many other dragons. They were heavily outnumbered, but many ponies were down from fighting with the monsters. It would have been unclear of who would win if not for Discord being there and at full power.  

“Give it up!” Starlight ordered. “You can’t win against all of us. Your army is gone! Discord has his powers back!”

Chrysalis bared her teeth. She would not give up. She couldn’t give up. Everything, she had to have everything! She was a Queen. It was her destiny to rule! But now, her very life was in the hands of the Spirit of Chaos.

Tirek and Cozy Glow looked uncertain.

“Maybe we should give up,” Cozy Glow said.

“We can’t!” Chrysalis said. “If we give up, they’ll send us all to Tartarus!”

“Well, at least we’d be alive!” Cozy Glow said. “Maybe they’ll release me at some point. I’m still a filly after all!”

“That didn’t stop them from turning you to stone for twenty years like us!” Tirek reminded her.

“Which was rather unfair!” Cozy said. 

“It doesn’t have to be that way!” a voice said.

A changeling stepped forward out of the crowd. It was Thorax’s wife, Cricilinas. She looked at Chrysalis with pleading eyes.

“Chrysalis, please, listen to me. A fellow changeling.”

Chrysalis frowned, “Why should I listen to you?”

“Because I want you in the hive again!”

The words of her former subject stunned her.

“I know that you always craved power above all else,” Cricilinas said. “But I also know that you also cared about the hive! You provided for us, nurtured us when we were hatchlings, fed us love! We were always hungry, starving! But everything you did, you did to keep us alive, and for that, many of us were grateful. But now, we don’t have to take love! We can share it with others! We’d even being willing to share some with you, if you just let us in!”

Chrysalis hesitated, the words of the changeling affecting her dark heart.

Starlight Glimmer suddenly came forward. She frowned at Chrysalis,

“I once made you an offer to be a ruler your subjects deserved. You refused. Where did it get you? Defeat and being trapped in stone for twenty years! You could have had your hive, but instead, you turned your back on it. I… I might never be able to forgive you for kidnapping Luster… but I offer you one last chance for redemption! That goes for you two as well!” she said, pointing to Tirek and Cozy. “It might take some time, but after serving some time you could return to your hive if they are willing to take you, Chrysalis.”

Chrysalis made an expression like the one that she had when Starlight first offered. Then Cricilinis walked forward, offering a hoof.

Chrysalis looked at the hoof, the words of Cricilinis and Starlight seeming to cut deeper than any blade. If she had accepted Starlight’s offer back then, she could have remained the leader of the changelings as they went through a new age. She had instead turned her back on it, just as she had accused Thorax of doing so. It had felt awful, being alone and without the hive she had done everything for. She had wanted power, and she had lost everything in her pursuit of it. She’d wanted to be Queen of the Changelings, to control all other creatures. But was the last part really necessary? Without her hive, she had just felt so incomplete… Tirek and Cozy had filled in the void even if they got on her nerves every so often. If she could just have her hive back, maybe… that would be enough?

Chrysalis then felt an urge. She clutched her teeth then-

Closing her eyes, she took a breath, letting go of the evil urge, and looked at Cricilinis’s hoof. Then slowly… she reached out… Starlight Glimmer also clutched her teeth nervously. Then… Chrysalis took it with tears starting to form in her eyes.

“I… I missed the hive!” Chrysalis said.

And with those few words, Chrysalis shared love. Her body glowed as she took on a new form. The armor around her body broke, her black skin turning white. Her eye color remained the same but seemed to shine brighter with a love to share with others rather than the usually greedy or sinister look.

“Wow, you look beautiful, Chrysalis,” Cricilinas said. “Or should I say… mother?”

Chrysalis looked at her. Technically she’d been the mother of all the changelings, like a colony of ants. Many of the changelings had feared her, and as such, not viewed her as a mother figure.

“I don’t deserve to be called that,” she said. “Not by any changeling. I… I don’t want to even be Queen anymore.”

She looked up at the tiara on her head, then slowly levitated it off and smashed it into pieces. Every creature looked at her in astonishment. Then Chrysalis turned to her former comrades.

“Well, Lord Tirek? Cozy Glow?” Chrysalis asked. “What will you do?”

“I’m done!” Cozy Glow said. “I’m helpless against the Magic of Friendship! I wanted to use it so I wouldn’t feel helpless like I was against my parents!”

Starlight remembered Cozy Glow’s story with a sad expression. She had been abused by her parents and sent to the School of Friendship in the hopes it would help her recover through making friends. But in the end, her dark past had affected her too deeply. The world could be a cruel place.

Cozy sobbed slightly. “There’s no point in fighting a lost battle!”

“Agreed,” Tirek said. “We’ve tried time and time again to win against the Magic of Friendship, but it's proven futile! I wanted all the power for myself so that I could prove to my father I was not some useless runt!”

“Aha! I was right!” Discord said.

Tirek shot him a look of disdain but sighed. He then let out a long breath releasing the magic he had taken from the ponies and other creatures the day they’d taken Luster. He even released the magic Grogar had given him, shrinking back to his weakest form so that he could be escorted back to Tartarus to serve his sentence. 

In the Treehouse of Harmony, Luster Dawn and her friends and the others smiled as they felt their strength return.

Cozy Glow looked at her horn. She wasn’t sure how to get rid of it. But Discord simply snapped his fingers and it was gone. She was a filly again, a filly that was going to spend the rest of her childhood and likely teen years in Tartarus or some dungeon.

“Well… I’m glad you three decided this,” Starlight said. “I will have to wait until Twilight gets back to hear her decision, but for now… take them to Tartarus.” 

Escort parties took the villains to prison… but one day… they would be free and hopefully start a new life. Or so they hoped. 

The villains, or former villains now, were put in prison with Cerebrus watching over them. The three headed black dog let out excited pants. He hadn't had any company here since Tirek and Cozy Glow had been summoned by Discord when he posed as Grogar. 

"Uh hey there Cerberus!" Cozy Glow said with a semi sweet smile. 

The party that taken them here (consisting of various members of races in Equestria, pony, dragon, and changeling) lead the trio to cages that waited in the prison. All three of them were put inside and locked in. They did not resist, for it would be futile as they would eventually be caught and defeated again. They wanted to reform this time.  

"We will wait to hear from Princess Twilight until she makes a decision regarding what will happen to you," one of the pegasus ponies said. 

"Fine, fine," Tirek said with folded arms. 

Chrysalis sighed and simply lay down. She wasn't sure about anything anymore, she'd just have to wait and accept her fate when it happened. She would at least have her hive back, even if she wasn't queen anymore. 

"We'll be making sure some creatures are stationed here to guard you," a changeling said. "We can't have you disappearing to come back and cause trouble." 

"Don't worry, we're done with that," Chrysalis promised. 

The party left them with only Cerberus for company. Perhaps an hour or two later a Unicorn entered Tartarus and informed them of good news. 

"Princess Twilight has survived." 

The former villains sighed in relief. 

"Never thought I'd be happy to hear that news," Tirek said. 

"So, what happens now?" Cozy Glow asked. 

"She will need time to recover from her battle with Grogar. Her student Luster Dawn apparently was the one to defeat him though," the Royal Guard Unicorn said. "Once she is recovered, she will come and see you. I'd advise you to think on what you say when she does. Starlight Glimmer has informed her of your redemption, though I don't think I'd hold your breath if you hope to be released." 

He walked away and left the Legion of Doom alone again. Only time could tell what fate had in store for them.
> Light Chapter 2: Meeting With Twilight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The villains waited as time went by in their prison. It was incredibly boring with them being stuck in cages, only able to tell the time of day by how much light was in the prison. For them a few days felt like a month, then she finally came. Twilight Sparkle, an alicorn of equal stature to Celestia back in her day. Her mane flowed behind her as she made her way up to her former archenemies that had been recaptured. She stopped a few feet away from them as they all stood in their separate cages. 

“I heard you three agreed to change,” Twilight said. 

“Yes,” Chrysalis was the first to speak. “Of course, I’ve changed on the outside as well.” 

Her stomach suddenly rumbled. She looked at the bowl in her cage that was full of shrubs and plant food. Even though she fed on love, she was no stranger to physical food, as she was able to eat cupcakes and other forms of it. Though love had been where she got her true strength. Now she didn’t need to feed on love to grow stronger anymore. By sharing the love that she had still held deep down for her hive, she’d become the same as the rest of them. 

Twilight looked at Cozy Glow and Tirek as well. 

“Yes, I’ve agreed to change,” Tirek said. “I know when I’m beaten and have no desire to fight a lost battle.” 

“Me neither,” Cozy Glow said. 

Twilight’s frown didn’t falter. “While I’m glad you all have surrendered and agreed to change, you must know how difficult it is for me to consider letting you go free someday.” 

They could understand that, if they were in her position then they would have felt the same way. 

“But I believe in the power of redemption,” Twilight said. “Even after all you three have done I’m willing to give you a chance after you serve some time.” 

“Thank you, Twilight,” Chrysalis said. “And, I’m sorry for all that I’ve done. Turning your brother and friends against you at the wedding, kidnapping you and all the others, Luster Dawn, and trashing the Canterlot Castle and trying to kill you.” 

Twilight looked at Chrysalis, her frown lessening as she thought back upon those things as well. 

“I’m sorry as well,” Tirek said. “For turning Discord against you, destroying your library, taking your friends hostage and all the other trouble I caused you.” 

“Me too,” Cozy Glow said. “I betrayed your trust and teachings at the School of Magic and attacked you and your friends as well as Celestia and Luna.” 

Twilight looked at them with a narrowed set of eyes. She then walked up to Cozy Glow who bowed her head. 

“If you want to keep me locked up in here for life, I won’t blame you and you’ll never have to see me again,” Cozy Glow said. 

Twilight took the filly’s chin through the bars. Her wary expression looked into Cozy’s remorseful eyes and she smiled. 

“I missed you Cozy Glow,” Twilight said. “It hurt a lot when I lost you as a student and had to send you to Tartarus. You were so helpful as my Friendship Assistant but I could not see that your wound from your parents abuse was still affecting you.” 

Cozy Glow sobbed and shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault. I didn’t exactly open up to anypony about it and just decided to focus on getting power so I wouldn’t feel helpless. But I see now that power is nothing without having a strong bond with ponies or other creatures that care about you. I’m so sorry Twilight!”

Twilight smiled and hugged the small filly as best she could through the bars.

"I’m glad you finally learned the true value of friendship,” Twilight said. 

Tirek sighed. “When the three of us retrieved Grogar’s bell from Mount Everhoof I felt regret at taking power from ponies. I’ve thought of another way that could possibly work in the future, maybe if ponies would share some of their magic with me it would work instead. But only if they are willing. No more stealing!” 

Twilight was surprised to hear this. But it seemed like a good solution. “Hmm, I suppose that could work. Maybe.” 

Chrysalis spoke now, she sighed. “I should have accepted Starlight’s offer to become a better leader rather then choosing to run away and seek revenge. It only led to my own defeat. I know I can’t undo the past, but if I have the chance, I will work to make a better future.” 

Twilight smiled at them now. “I’m glad to see all of you have seen the light. But you still have to serve time here. I’ll have some things delivered to allow you to not be entirely bored here.” 

“Like a game of chess?” Cozy Glow asked. “I always liked playing that game. But-

She looked at her cutie mark which showed a tower. “My talent was always manipulating others for power. My parents said I was destined to be successful when they saw my cutie mark and would beat me whenever I failed a test.” 

Twilight walked over to the filly. “Everything can symbolize something Cozy. Towers are said to symbolize power, success, wealth and strength. But they can also be places of defense. Just as stars can be fall from the sky and cause damage to our lands surface. Its how you choose to use your talents that count.” 

Cozy looked at her and back at her cutie mark. “You’re right, I never thought of it that way. Oh, if I’d been less focused on the power aspect and more on actual friendship, I could have used my abilities for good and help those in need.” 

“You can start that when you get out if you wish,” Twilight said. 

“I will,” Cozy promised. “It’s the least I can do to make up for all that I’ve done.” 

Twilight smiled. “That’s a very noble cause. I’m proud of you for finding it, Cozy. And Chrysalis, I heard you destroyed your crown.” 

Chrysalis nodded. 

“I don’t deserve to be queen anymore,” she said. 

“You’ve changed,” Twilight reminded her. “You let love in. That’s something I thought you’d never do. But if you still want to be a leader that your subjects deserve there may still be a chance.” 

Chrysalis looked at her. “Isn’t Thorax leader right now?” 

Twilight nodded. “Yes, but he said he’s thinking of setting up a system where the changelings will select different leaders every few years. It’s a stressful job being a leader. No creature can do it forever. Not even Celestia though she lasted for a long long time.” 

Chrysalis had to agree being leader was a stressful job. 

“If I can earn their love and respect then maybe I can be a good leader then,” Chrysalis said. “That’s what I’ll do when I get out of here. Thank you, Twilight.” 

“I suppose I will return to my kingdom and see my brother and father,” Tirek said. “I don’t know how they will react but I feel like it's something I have to do.” 

Twilight gave a small smile. “I’ll be back to free you in a few years. Once that happens I wish you luck. Goodbye.” 

She walked back the way she’d come. The doors of Tartarus opened and she stepped out, leaving the former villains to their time to serve for their crimes. Their hearts were filled with regret as they thought of the ways they could have handled things better, but they also had hope now that they could be better creatures when they got out of here.
> Light Chapter 3: Going Separate Ways
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Days in Tartarus stretched into weeks, the weeks stretched into months, the months years. Boredom was mostly satisfied for the three former villains by playing chess or other board games and crafts that Twilight had been kind enough to send to them. That made it somewhat bearable at least, along with the thoughts (or at least hopes) that they could make amends to those that they had wronged or betrayed.

Finally, a now fully grown Cozy Glow woke up to the light from the outside world coming in from the door in the distance. She was truly an adult now, not a filly that Grogar had made temporarily full grown with his magic. Princess Twilight made her way to them, levitating a key in her magic. Behind her were Spike, Gallus and several Pegasus members of the Royal Guard. Cozy Glow stood up in her cage eagerly. She looked around and saw her neighbors and prison-mates were still asleep. 

“Tirek! Chrysalis! Wake up!” 

The centaur opened his eyes, he’d slept standing up while Chrysalis had curled up in her cage and wrapped the green blanket she’d been provided with around herself. The changeling yawned and got up as well. 

“Morning you three,” Twilight greeted them. 

“Uh right, morning,” Tirek said in as courteous a tone as he could manage. 

Twilight took a breath, then said, “Your time is up and I’m releasing you.” 

She approached Cozy Glow first and slowly levitated the key into the keyhole and twisted. The door opened and Cozy Glow stepped out as Twilight moved onto Chrysalis. Gallus and the royal guards kept their eyes on the villains as they were released. Once Tirek was out of his cage they began to walk to the doors. Cerberus ran over and barked, his three heads throwing slobber everywhere as he panted excitedly. 

“Bye Cerberus!” Cozy Glow said using her hoofs to rub the middle head. 

They walked outside, leaving the three headed dog to whine as he was left in the now completely empty prison. 

“Will he be okay?” Gallus asked looking back. 

“He should be, but maybe now that this place is empty again, I’ll let him go out and wander a bit,” Twilight said. 

As they stepped outside, Cozy Glow tried to use her wings to fly but found herself plopping back to the ground. Spending so much time in Tartarus had depleted her magic, which would take a while to return and allow her to fly again. The last time had only been a few weeks before Discord freed her, so it hadn’t affected her then, and Discord giving Tirek a magic sample had restored his strength. 

“That will come back in time Cozy Glow,” Twilight promised. 

Cozy nodded and gave a small sincere smile. From now on she was determined to act like the good pony she’d pretended to be at the School of Friendship. That would be her true personality, but a little more mature now. They gathered in a spot just outside Tartarus and Twilight levitated a basket full of food in front of them. Inside were cupcakes and hayburgers. Chrysalis licked her lips at the sight of the sweets, which were perhaps the closest thing physical food could get to tasting like love. Of course, she didn’t need to eat that anymore, but she hadn’t lost her sweet tooth. 

The former queen tried to levitate the cupcakes but found her magic was also disabled. This left her to use her holed teal hooves to pick up the food. 

It was an awkward picnic to say the least, the Princess of Equestria, her Friendship Advisor, Royal Guards and their former enemies. Few could have ever imagined this would have ever occurred. 

Finally, Chrysalis broke the silence, “Well Twilight how are things going with being the ruler of Equestria? Your subjects still happy?” 

“Yes,” Twilight said. “We have the Festival of the Two Sisters coming up soon and I plan to abdicate the thrown to Luster Dawn soon.” 

Cozy Glow’s eyes widened. “You’re giving up the throne already? But you’ve only had it about thirty years or so by now!” 

Twilight smiled. “It's not as though I have to rule for a thousand years like Celestia.” 

Cozy Glow was surprised but assumed that was fair. “So, what? You and Luster are going to take turns ruling?” 

Twilight shook her head. “I’m going to retire to Silver Sholes after she takes the throne.” 

“But you’re still going to live for a thousand years, aren’t you?” Tirek asked. 

Twilight hesitated, not sure she wished to share the secret of the true source of her immortality with them even if they weren’t her enemies anymore. “I have… a plan of sorts.” 

The centaur shrugged. “Hmph! Well, its not up to me to say how you ponies should operate your government.” 

“No, it isn’t,” Spike spoke for the first time. “But perhaps we might be open to hearing any suggestions centaurs have in the future. I mean Twilight has me as an advisor and we’ve managed to promote good relationships with the other lands, but even so your kind has still maintained its isolated policies.”

“Eh, we prefer to keep to ourselves. I see that hasn’t changed,” Tirek said. “My father always made sure to keep his most loyal soldiers strong so only they could learn magic. Speaking of which, would you be willing to share some of your alicorn magic as per our agreement?” 

Twilight nodded and summoned a big of magic to her horn, levitating it out in the form of a lavender ball toward Tirek like Discord and Grogar had at one point each. Tirek took it in his hands and ate it. He grew to his second form and kissed his bigger muscles. 

“Alright, and this time I’m gonna use these for good!” Tirek promised. 

Twilight nodded, then told him in a matter-of-fact statement, “You better cause you know I can always take that away just like I did the other two times. And I’ll do more if you go back on that promise this time.” 

Tirek and the others chuckled nervously as they recalled how close Twilight had been to killing them in the Battle of the Castle of Two Sisters while under the influence of absorbing Grogar’s dark magic. They certainly didn’t want to repeat that scenario. 

They ate the rest of their picnic and Twilight rose to her hooves, “Goodbye. I wish you all luck in your endeavors to make yourselves better creatures.” 

“Thank you, Twilight,” Chrysalis said then as a show of respect, bowed her head to Twilight. “You were a worthy foe back in the day, for a pathetic pony princess.” 

She smirked to let her former foe know she was teasing and Twilight smirked back. 

“If I’m pathetic you’re helpless,” Twilight said. 

“Yes, a queen without her hive is no queen at all,” Chrysalis admitted. 

“You have all the magic in the world, and the treasure of friendship,” Cozy Glow said. 

“Without a purpose and comrades, there is nothing worth using power for,” Tirek said. “I hope I can make peace with my family.” 

Twilight nodded. “Goodbye.” 

She, Spike, Gallus and the Royal Guards all flew off back to Canterlot. That left the three former villains there.  Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow faced each other. 

“I guess this is goodbye,” Cozy Glow said. “I’m going to go around Equestria and do what I can to redeem myself among my own kind. You both are gonna head back to your homes, right?” 

Both of them nodded. 

“It was a long dark road that turned out to be a waste of time,” Chrysalis said. “But I hope that I can find something fulfilling at the end of this new road to light.” 

“I guess this is where our fiendship breaks apart,” Tirek said. “Now we might as well call ourselves friends.” 

He extended his hand and the two females put their hooves on top of it. 

“Goodbye, friends,” Chrysalis said. 

“I guess we might as well admit it huh?” Cozy Glow said. 

The other two sighed and as Discord had long ago did so with Cozy. 

As one, they all said the famous words of their enemies. “Friendship is Magic.” 

As they said it, all of them glowed faintly in white magic and Tirek grew to his third form. 

“What’s happening?” Chrysalis asked as her horn suddenly glowed. “Ah! My magic is back!” 

“I’m in my third form!” Tirek said. “And I didn’t need to absorb magic!”  

“Admitting we were friends must have canceled out Tartarus’s effects and made us stronger!” Cozy said as she flapped her wings and flew. “Yeah!” 

Both of the females flew in excitement and laughed, finally able to stretch their wings after so long in that prison. Tirek watch with a small smile as they circled him for a moment. 

Then they landed. “Guess we got a better way to go that doesn’t have to be bad huh?” Cozy asked. 

“Yes,” Chrysalis said. “A new way to go.”

“Goodbye,” Tirek said. 

With their little surprise over, the three of them turned their own directions, flying for both the females and jumping immense distances for the lone male centaur. They headed off into their own paths of redemption in their homelands.
> Light Chapter 4: The Queen's Return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chrysalis flew back to her old kingdom but found it had changed a great deal. The hive had been covered with moss and other plants. That gave it a much better appeal to visitors, and her. 

Chrysalis hummed uncertainly. “I probably would have hated looking at this if I’d come here any other time.” 

She flew to the top which was still wide open from when Starlight had defeated her and stolen… no… enlightened her hive. Yet Chrysalis had just been too stubborn to change and listen to a better way. She landed and found the place empty. There was a throne here as well, one made of a still alive tree surrounded by vegetation. They didn’t have any need for an ancient rock that prevented non changelings from using their magic. Chrysalis vaguely wondered what happened to the remains of her throne in this day and age? Maybe they were still at Canterlot? Ah well, it didn’t matter. They would probably rarely ever be used now. 

She looked around and found the top empty for the moment. Where were everyone of her… subjects? No that wasn’t the right word now. They might be subjects in the future, but only if they would elect her as leader, and Chrysalis knew that would be a long shot. But she would try her best, and become a leader that would lead the changelings proudly if they accepted her. 

For a moment everything seemed quiet, there were just a bunch of rocks and vegetation around. Then suddenly the rocks sprang to life as a bunch of cragadiles! They weren’t extremely big ones but they were still good sized. Chrysalis screamed for a moment as she saw the predators surrounding her! Once she’d considered herself scarier than most of the monstrous creatures, except for Grogar and very few others. But now she wasn’t sure what she was anymore. A pathetic ex-queen who kept losing to ponies, that’s what she was. 

Suddenly there were flashes of light from the cragadiles who all transformed into changelings. 

“Whoops!” Thorax said as he appeared directly in front of her. “Sorry Chrysalis, didn’t mean to scare you there! We just needed to blend in with the environment to surprise you!” 

Two changelings held up a banner that read Welcome Back Chrysalis! The former queen took a few deep breaths as she recovered from her fear and surprise. 

“Well, this is certainly a- warm welcome,” Chrysalis said. “In spite of the momentary scare.” 

She looked down for a moment, pondering what to say. 

“Well, this place is certainly prettier than when I last saw it,” she said. 

Cricilinas stepped forward now. “We no longer have to take love from plants or anything that grows here now.” 

Chrysalis didn’t reply right away. She looked around and saw the beauty of the hive, the flowers and other vegetation. Such a beautiful thing that she’d not been here for. Thinking back to that day when Starlight had extended her hoof in friendship, and she stubbornly refused and chose to run away and seek revenge. She could have stayed and presided over the growth this place had gone through. Before it had been so barren and ugly, just like Chrysalis’s heart. 

She then gulped. It was time. 

Chrysalis sighed. “I’m… sorry for everything. I know I was queen but I was… wrong. I abused you all as my subjects when I ruled and scared you into doing whatever I wanted.” 

A black and red changeling came forward. Pharynx “You were taught to be that way, as you taught us. Some of us took our time. But we came around.” 

“You were the one that was the toughest, Pharynx,” Thorax said to his brother. “But you became the protector of the hive once you did.” 

“Yeah, I was stubborn, not unlike Chrysalis here,” Pharynx said. 

Chrysalis nodded. “Yes, I was stubborn. Too stubborn and trapped in the ways that we had adhered to for thousands of years since our former queen’s time. I suppose my age makes it even harder to change when one may require to.” 

Of course, being a changeling, and a chosen royal one at that, Chrysalis had the immense magic power which allowed her to live for many millennia. She was currently over three thousand years old. Someone younger might have had an easier time opening up to new possibilities. Chrysalis sighed, there was no point in dwelling on the past. 

“I’m sorry,” she repeated. “I never thought there could have been another way. But I see now that this world can be full of possibilities and it doesn’t have to be just one way. I made all of you do terrible things when I was ruler. I know you’ll probably never want me as ruler again. But if you are still willing to accept me back into the hive, I would do my best to be a good changeling, ruler or not, that will work to share love with you… and other creatures.”

Her former subjects looked at her and Thorax stepped forward. 

“Of course, we’ll accept you back into the hive Chrysalis. I admit it wasn’t easy, but I think that everycreature deserves one last chance,” the current leader said. “And you might have heard but I’m planning to step down as leader and let someone else have a turn ruling.”

“I heard, Twilight told me when she let me and the other two out of Tartarus,” Chrysalis said. “I know I have a lot to make up for in a short time, but-

“We know you’ve changed Chrysalis,” Pharynx said. “You’ve transformed just like the rest of us. That’s like a mark around here that shows every changeling that you’ve changed.” 

Chrysalis smiled at them with tears in her eyes. She knew it would not be an easy thing to do, but she would work to redeem herself in not only the changelings eyes but the rest of Equestria as well. She looked out across the land that was her old kingdom, if she did well, it could be again, for a time at least. She might only be a temporary queen with this new system, but just being back with her hive… that was good enough for her.
> Light Chapter 5: Father and Sons
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tirek leapt and galloped to a land far away from Equestria. It took him over a week to get there, but finally he saw it. The Centaur Kingdom, and overlooking it on a hill was the palace of his father, King Vorak. He walked among the streets, passing other centaurs and a few gargoyles who looked at him. Many of them were faces unfamiliar to him. But there were quite a few who recognized him and frowned. Tirek couldn’t blame them. He’d preyed on helpless ponies, taken their power, and nearly conquered their land three times. 

He approached the palace were a group of centaurs in armor stood with spears in their hands. 

“I am Lord Tirek here to see my father,” Tirek said. 

He half expected them to turn him away. 

“Your father has been expecting you. Princess Twilight sent word that you were going to be released. He was not happy at first. But your brother convinced him to at least see you once.” 

The doors opened and Tirek stepped in slowly. He walked through the hallways of his old home and soon came to the throne room where his father sat. King Vorak wore a great deal of gold on his hooves, with a gold tunic covering his chest, and the gold crown on his head that had a pair of antlers attached, lastly his kings robe was red with a white trim and black spots. He looked at his eldest son with narrowed eyes. By his side was Tirek’s brother Scorpan, a brown gargoyle. 

Tirek slowly approached the throne and bowed to his father. 

“My son,” King Vorak said curtly. “You have been away for a long time. I can see the weight of your travels and imprisonments have changed you.”

“Yes Father, it has,” Tirek said. 

“I cannot say how disappointed I am in you!” Vorak roared. “You began taking magic from other creatures so that you could be strong! You became a monster and a… a… well I guess there are few words that are worse than that. But also, a thief and destroyer.”  

Tirek looked down. “I did what I thought would please you! You said you always wanted me to be strong so I could follow in your footsteps as King of the Centaurs!” 

Vorak sighed. “Yes. I did not acknowledge your abilities in magic. I had tried to guide you on the right path as a proper prince. But you spent all that time chasing the hermit Sendak and learning from him. I was too cold, and it was that attitude that caused you to become the power-hungry monster you did. I’m sorry, Tirek.” 

Father and son looked at each other and there was a moment of silence. Tirek said nothing in response to his father’s apologies.  

Vorak looked over his son and broke the silence. “I heard you had agreement with Princess Twilight to have ponies share their magic with you rather then you stealing it. How many did you have to borrow from in order to get that strong?”

He gestured to Tirek’s third form.

“Only one really,” Tirek said honestly. “I’ve learned that real power is not worth having, without comrades or family to have with it. I’ve somehow learned to use the same friendship magic that Twilight Sparkle and the ponies of Equestria use. It grew me to my strongest form and now I don’t need to feed on ponies or other creatures with magic.” 

Vorak was surprised but managed a smile as he walked up and felt his son’s biceps. 

“Now that’s a strong Centaur. If you had done something like this back before everything turned bad, I might have been very proud of you. I don’t know… about us. But I am glad you have found a better way.” 

Tirek then turned to Scorpan who finally approached and held something. 

“Brother,” Tirek said. 

“Brother,” Scorpan replied. “I’m glad you’re back and finally seen the error of your ways. I have something for you.” 

He held out a medallion like Tirek’s old one. 

“I heard you lost the one I gave you a long time ago.” 

Tirek shook his head and told his brother. “I gave it away in order to trick Discord. I don’t know what happened to it after that. But I did miss it... somewhat. You were right to betray me when I began my first conquest.” 

“I’m just happy you’re back. Perhaps now we can be as close as we used to,” Scorpan said as he extended the medallion. 

Tirek took it and smiled as he put it around his neck. “I hope so as well. That is, if Father is alright with me staying.” 

Vorak hesitated. “I… am unsure. I regret my treatment of you and what it caused you to become, but perhaps it would be better if you didn’t stay here. Many are uneasy here in the kingdom with the thought of you returning.” 

Tirek sighed. “I suppose I can resume traveling the world and maybe see my old friends in Equestria from time to time.” 

The thought of seeing Chrysalis and Cozy Glow gave him a small smile. They could be annoying sometimes, but they were his friends and fellow former fiends. He’d reconciled with his father and brother but wouldn’t stay in the kingdom. Perhaps that was for the best, though Tirek might have liked to be able to stay. 

He walked out of the Centaur Palace and looked at the medallion around his neck. Some of his former subjects glared at him, but he paid them little mind. He crossed the mountains to where his old mentor, Sendak used to live. He was gone now, passed away of old age, which took a long time for a Centaur to do. He’d fled after they had failed to conquer Equestria the first time. There was a grave at the old campsite which was now abandoned. Tirek had spent many nights here learning about magic, he looked at the grave that read Sendak, a reclusive sorcerer and hermit. 

Tirek put his hands together in a form of honor prayer. 

“I have returned Sendak. I learned a lot of what I learned from you. You taught me to drain magic from ponies. But I have learned another way that doesn’t require stealing. True power can come from within yourself, and the bonds you have with others,” Tirek said. “At least I can learn something you didn’t.” 

He looked at the grave for a moment. Even if Sendak hadn’t been a good centaur, he would always have a place in Tirek’s heart for the things he’d taught him, even if they were bad. Tirek put his hands together and bowed before turning away and beginning to prepare the campsite for his own use as a hermit. He’d visit his family and friends every now and then, but this was where he would stay.
> Light Chapter 6: A Brighter Glow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cozy Glow flew around Equestria. Unlike her comrades she didn’t have a place to return to. Her parents had both abused her and while she had lived in Ponyville it had been for a few months, and not enough to feel like an actual home. She traveled around Equestria for now, unsure of where she would settle… if she did at all. Her wings carried her with difficulty. Being trapped in Tartarus, she hadn’t had much chance to stretch her wings and build up the muscles in them to support her weight over the years. She struggled to stay airborne for long. It would take her some time to get her wings to used to flying. 

She flew in a random direction, just letting the wind take her. She was a lone pony, not sure where she would go. But there was one thing she knew she wanted. To make her destiny a brighter one, to make up for past misdeeds. 

Her wings grew tired and she had to set back down on the ground. But as she did so, she saw something ahead. The city of Manehattan. It was huge, with immense buildings that dwarfed Ponyville. 

Cozy Glow walked and after about an hour entered the city which was filled with traffic. Carriages pulled ponies through the streets while others walked on the sidewalks. Cozy Glow walked and looked around. Maybe this could be a place where she could start a new life and make up for past sins. 

She wandered the streets for a while until fate seemed to guide her once again. She found a sign outside a building that read Police Station. The police? That could be a good way to make up for her past crimes. But would they take a pony like her? She wasn’t certain of the process, but she decided it was worth a try and stepped inside. 

…

“Get out!” 

The chief of police threw her out as soon as she said her name. Cozy Glow landed on the pavement outside with a grunt. 

“We don’t take ponies who have a record! Much less ponies that were once national enemies!” 

He was a strong light stallion with a darker blue hat and sash with a gold-colored badge on it. 

“I’ve changed!” Cozy said. “I want to use my abilities for good now!” 

“Well you won’t be getting in my department! Maybe you can get a job picking up trash and helping the environment. You probably belong with the trash anyway.” 

Cozy felt the urge to cry at being compared to trash. But it was true somewhat. She had one of the worst of the worst. How could she ever hope to clean up the bad she’d done? The door to the station closed behind and she resumed walking, albeit in a more depressed state, her head facing to the ground, a tear threatening to leak out down her cheek. She turned an alley way that was just her luck, full of trash. She sighed and sat down on the filthy area. It certainly fit her. She looked at her cutie mark. 

The tower, a symbol of success, strength, power, and wealth. But she hadn’t been successful today. She couldn’t manipulate anypony to do what she wanted, not that she wanted to manipulate them anymore. But-

Looking around at the trash around her that she’d just been associated with, Cozy Glow wondered if this would be her life now. Maybe she could just be a beggar? Use her talent to garner pity if nothing else? It would be pathetic but she might survive. Her stomach rumbled. She was about to head back out into the streets and start a begging career, when-

“Aah!” 

A scream sounded from behind her and she looked over her shoulder. A female Earth ponies in a small amount of clothing, which was typical for city ponies, rounded the alleyway. She was an attractive pony with a green coat and a red mane, like a rose. Her cutie mark was of one as well and she had a rose in her mane.  But right after her was a light purple Pegasus with a beard and a smirk that sent a shiver down the former villainesses spine. He flew after the Earth Pony and grabbed her hind leg, pulling her back. 

“Come on Rose you know none of the other stallions are good enough for you!” the Pegasus said. 

“Get off me Bruton!” the mare named Rose said. 

“Give it up! You know you love me!” Bruton said.

“I don’t! I never have!” 

“Why you ungrateful, after all the stuff I did for you-“ 

He raised a hoof and Cozy Glow flapped her wings. She caught the hoof just in time to prevent it from landing on the mare’s head. 

“She said she doesn’t want to be with you!” Cozy Glow said. “Now leave her alone!” 

She stared at him with a menacing pair of eyes that were just like when she’d been bad. The stallion glared back at her. 

“Don’t know who you are curly! But you picked the wrong stallion to get in the way of!” 

“We’ll see about that!” Cozy said. 

They pushed each other back and flapped their wings. It was time for a Pegasus duel! They flew at each other, their hooves colliding. Cozy flew a little higher, but felt her wings getting tired already. She had to end this quickly or he’d have the air advantage! She managed to get on top of him and land a swift descending hoof to his back. He went down and fell in the garbage. She followed up with a dive and landed on him, striking several blows. He was now bruised and had a bloody nose and a tooth knocked out. 

“And now for your complete-“ Cozy stopped herself as she was about to say the word destruction. 

She lowered her hoof. Even if she was trying to change, there was still a part of the psycho filly she’d been within her. She would not give in to it!

“No. I’ll never come close to doing something like that again,” she said before turning to the mare who was watching with wide eyes. “Are you alright?” 

“Yes,” the mare said. 

“Good,” Cozy Glow said. “Rose is it?” 

“Yes, Rose Growthspurt. Thank you, you probably saved my life! What’s your name?” 

“I’m…” Cozy hesitated before saying, “Cozy Glow.” 

“Cozy Glow, the same one that tried to conquer Equestria three times?” Rose asked. 

Cozy nodded sadly and scratched her forehoof in shame. “I served my time and got released. Now I want to make up for the things I did.” 

Rose looked at her in complete surprise. But before either of them could say anything else, a siren suddenly sounded and a black and white police carriage arrived pulled by two earth ponies with the Chief on board. He narrowed his eyes as he saw her standing there over a beaten pony!” 

“Ah huh! I knew you couldn’t be trusted villain! Prepare to be put back in prison for-

“Wait!” Rose suddenly said. “No! She saved my life! That stallion was about to hurt me!” 

The chief had gotten out a pair of hoof cuffs and advanced toward Cozy Glow but stopped as he heard the words. He took Bruton instead and threw him in a cell in the station where he brought them all. 

“You’ll stand trial for assault,” he said before turning to Cozy Glow. “I may have been wrong about you, seems you may have changed. Trash wouldn’t have stopped a criminal like him.” 

He handed her a badge. “Welcome to the Manehattan Police Force, Deputy Glow!” 

Cozy Glow smiled. “Thank you, Chief!” 

She and Rose left the station. 

“So do you have a place to stay Cozy?” Rose asked. 

“No, I only just got into town like an hour ago. Crazy one too!” Cozy said. 

“Well if you want I am in need of a roommate!” Rose said. 

Cozy grinned. She’d certainly had success today, shown strength by protecting this mare, acquired a job that could give her at least a modest amount of wealth, and one that came with the power of law enforcement. She would now be a defender of the innocent, like a strong tower’s wall. 

She smiled as she followed Rose to her apartment. She’d changed her destiny for the better, and would continue to work along this path.
> Light Chapter 7: Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Years went by as the three former villains lived their lives in their own ways. Once a moon however, they decided to get together and catch up. They occasionally visited their former enemies though that was rare. 

Chrysalis had tried to make peace with Starlight. Unfortunately, her past crimes had been great, as Chrysalis had kidnapped Starlight’s own daughter. Starlight acknowledged that she was glad Chrysalis had finally seen the light, but any time where they might have been able to be friends had passed after that. Chrysalis had nodded and agreed but thanked Starlight for showing her a better way even if it was too late. 

Chrysalis participated in the activities of her former subjects and even saved two young changelings from a Bug Bear that was in the woods nearby. She managed to rebuild her connection to the others and was elected as the new ruler to last for a few decades like Thorax had. She smiled as she stood on the stage looking at her newly reacquired subjects. But this time, she would lead them well and kindly. 

Tirek lived out his days as a hermit, traveling the world. He didn’t do much in the way of protecting ponies or other creatures, but he did help out once and a while when he happened upon a pony with a broken cart or something like that. He even took in a baby bird that had fallen out of its nest and been left behind by its mother. He fed it and gave it water until it was old enough to fly and let it go out to be free. Tirek smiled as the bird flew off, though was sad. 

Cozy Glow continued her work as a police deputy and managed to save many over the years in various things that went on when criminals, fires, or other bad things happened. She was even given a statue of herself in Manehattan in acknowledgement of her heroism. It depicted her in her police uniform with the badge on her chest. She smiled at it when it was unveiled, feeling that she had finally made up for all the things she had done as a filly. 

One day though, in the distant future, she Chysalis, and Tirek all gathered in Canterlot for a large funeral. The joint funeral of their former enemies, Twilight and all her main friends including Spike and Discord had passed away. Discord had bound all their life forces together so that when one of them died all of them would. From what the former villains had gathered Twilight had been working to get rid of her immortality so she wouldn’t outlive her friends. She had done it when she transferred her power over the sun and moon to Luster Dawn who was now the ruler of Equestria addressing the crowd for the funeral. 

“The journey of my mentor, Twilight Sparkle, as well as her closest friends has come to an end. But even though they are gone, we shall carry on their mission and tell their story for generations to come. Whenever you need to be reminded of the importance of friendship, look back at their story and remember them. They will live forever in the lessons of the Magic of Friendship.”

It was a beautiful speech. Many ponies wore forlorn expression as the greatest heroes of their age were laid to rest. Chrysalis looked around and saw Starlight in the crowd. The now elderly unicorn nodded to Chrysalis who nodded back. They didn’t approach each other but the acknowledgement was enough for them. The ponies and other creatures went up to the graves of the Mane 6 as well as Spike and Discord. The villains waited until everypony else had left. Luster Dawn was the last to go with her husband Prince Gallop, their children Sunrunner and Dawnfry, and her student Evening Tide. Once they were alone, they approached the graves, looking at Twilight’s mainly.

“Well, you are finally gone, huh Twilight?” Tirek said. 

“I wanted to be the one to do it a long time ago,” Chrysalis said. “But now that you are gone, I’m a little sad. Never thought I’d say that.” 

Cozy Glow sniffed slightly. “Goodbye, Professor Sparkle. Thank you for everything and making me see the light. I hope we’ll see you again in the next life. If there is one and I’m not sent to the place where bad ponies go.” 

“You’ve probably done more good than I have,” Tirek said. “You two are more likely to be forgiven in the afterlife.” 

“Well, whatever comes… I’m happy with the way things turned out,” Chrysalis said. “I have my hive back and I’ll be ruler for a time.” 

“And I’m gonna keep defending ponies, until the day I can’t,” Cozy said. 

They looked up at the sky, wondering if their former adversaries were watching them from the heavens. Then they turned away and went their separate ways once again. One day their time would come too, but until then they would continue to do good in their own various ways.
> Dark Chapter 1: Imprisoned Alone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The evil trio of Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow had been broken out of their stone prisons by the real Grogar a short time ago. They'd kidnapped Starlight Glimmer's daughter Luster Dawn and exchanged her for Grogar's Bewitching Bell with the Mane 6. They'd tried to outsmart the evil ram and put a trap in the bell's magic that he absorbed. But he'd been one step ahead of them and now he'd taken their main enemies, Twilight Sparkle and her friends, to some place where he would deal with them himself. Now things looked hopeless for the trio as they stood in the ruins of the Castle of Two Sisters surrounded by enemies. Starlight, her husband Sunburst and friend Trixie Lulamoon, the Young Six (now adults), Thorax and other changelings, Ember, Spike, and many other dragons. They were heavily outnumbered, but many ponies were down from fighting with the monsters. It would have been unclear of who would win if not for Discord being there and at full power.

"Give it up!" Starlight ordered. "You can't win against all of us. Your army is gone! Discord has his powers back!"

Chrysalis bared her teeth. She would not give up. She couldn't give up. Everything, she had to have everything! She was a Queen. It was her destiny to rule! But now, her very life was in the hands of the Spirit of Chaos.

Tirek and Cozy Glow looked uncertain.

"Maybe we should give up," Cozy Glow said.

"We can't!" Chrysalis said. "If we give up, they'll send us all to Tartarus!"

"Well, at least we'd be alive!" Cozy Glow said. "Maybe they'll release me at some point. I'm still a filly after all!"

"That didn't stop them from turning you to stone for twenty years like us!" Tirek reminded her.

"Which was rather unfair!" Cozy said.

"It doesn't have to be that way!" a voice said.

A changeling stepped forward out of the crowd. It was Thorax's wife, Cricilinas. She looked at Chrysalis with pleading eyes.

"Chrysalis, please, listen to me. A fellow changeling."

Chrysalis frowned, "Why should I listen to you?"

"Because I want you in the hive again!"

The words of her former subject stunned her.

"I know that you always craved power above all else," Cricilinas said. "But I also know that you also cared about the hive! You provided for us, nurtured us when we were hatchlings, fed us love! We were always hungry, starving! But everything you did, you did to keep us alive, and for that, many of us were grateful. But now, we don't have to take love! We can share it with others! We'd even being willing to share some with you, if you just let us in!"

Chrysalis hesitated, the words of the changeling affecting her dark heart.

Starlight Glimmer suddenly came forward. She frowned at Chrysalis,

"I once made you an offer to be a ruler your subjects deserved. You refused. Where did it get you? Defeat and being trapped in stone for twenty years! You could have had your hive, but instead, you turned your back on it. I… I might never be able to forgive you for kidnapping Luster… but I offer you one last chance for redemption! That goes for you two as well!" she said, pointing to Tirek and Cozy. "It might take some time, but after serving some time you could return to your hive if they are willing to take you, Chrysalis."

Chrysalis made an expression like the one that she had when Starlight first offered. Then Cricilinis walked forward, offering a hoof.

Chrysalis looked at the hoof, the words of Cricilinis and Starlight seeming to cut deeper than any blade. If she had accepted Starlight’s offer back then, she could have remained the leader of the changelings as they went through a new age. She had instead turned her back on it, just as she had accused Thorax of doing so. It had felt awful, being alone and without the hive she had done everything for. She had wanted power, and she had lost everything in her pursuit of it. She’d wanted to be Queen of the Changelings, to control all other creatures. But was the last part really necessary? Without her hive, she had just felt so incomplete… Tirek and Cozy had filled in the void even if they got on her nerves every so often. If she could just have her hive back, maybe… that would be enough?

Chrysalis then felt an urge. She clutched her teeth then-

She swatted Cricilnis’s hoof away as she had Starlight’s long ago.

“Never! I’ll never settle for anything less than ruling over everything!” Chrysalis shouted.

She flew back and looked at the pony who had taken everything from her. This was it… if it was the last thing Chrysalis did… she would get her revenge on Starlight Glimmer. Glaring with pure hatred, Chrysalis charged up her magic to prepare a fatal attack. She unleashed it as Starlight shot her own spell to counter. Starlight’s spell quickly began to get pushed back, and she let out a look of fear. Then Thorax added his own magic, then Sunburst and Trixie joined as well. The combined strength of three unicorns and a changeling was enough to completely overpower Chrysalis even in her enhanced form. She didn’t have time to stop it like she had against the combination of Spike and Rarity. The spells hit her, knocking her to the ground.

With a growl, she got back up again. No matter what… she would never give up.

Starlight looked at her archenemy with a sad frown.

“You leave me no choice!” she said as her horn glowed a darker blue than usual.

Her spell hit Chrysalis directly above the heart, the changeling froze, her mouth falling open. Then she fell to the side and lay still.

“So ends the Queen,” Thorax said sadly as he gazed upon the lifeless body black as its heart.

“No!” Tirek screamed.

Overcome with rage for the loss of his comrade, he roared and prepared to charge an attack of his own. Discord flinched and instinctively snapped his fingers. Tirek vanished in a flash. For a second, everyone wondered where he’d gone. Then a loud scream sounded from above as a massive form plummeted toward the ground. Tirek had been sent a mile into the sky… and the force he hit the ground with was enough to cause a small earthquake.

“Tirek!” Cozy screamed.

Her comrades were defeated. She knew she had no chance… the villainous filly bowed her head, sobbing. Discord snapped his fingers again. Her horn vanished.

Starlight looked at Cozy Glow. “Take her away!”

As Occellus and Silverstream took hold of her with the rest of the Young 6 staying close by, Cozy Glow shot them a look of pure hatred. It was clear to Starlight they were never going to redeem this filly now. She could only watch as the psychotic child was escorted away.

She was put in a cage in Tartarus, all alone. Cerberus had been let out since there was no one here to guard. But he would called be back now as he was needed. Cozy Glow glared at the retreating figures of most of the Young 6. Hatred erupted in her as the grief passed. 

“I’ll get out of here!” she screamed. “And I will have my revenge somehow!”
> Dark Chapter 2: Escape
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Days in Tartarus stretched into weeks, the weeks stretched into months, the months years. Boredom was mostly satisfied for Cozy Glow by imagining ways to get revenge on her enemies. She wished she had some board games or something else as well. But she had no one to play them with. Ah well, the boredom only served to increase her hatred of the ones who’d taken her comrades, the closest thing she had to friends or family, from her. No, they had been friends, truly. They’d just been reluctant to admit it and called themselves fiends instead.

Finally, a now fully grown Cozy Glow woke up to the light from the outside world coming in from the door in the distance. She was truly an adult now, not a filly that Grogar had made temporarily full grown with his magic. She was muscular from working out in her cage, which was getting just a little bit too small for her. She had to slouch down to avoid her head hitting the top of it. But soon her plan could be come to fruition. She’d had to be switched out of her old filly sized cage when she’d gotten too big for it years ago. Now the time would come again for that soon. This time, she would be ready. 
Cozy Glow began to do push ups and wing ups, using her wings to pull her body up to the top of the cage. It would hopefully help to maintain her flight muscles, which would have suffered drastically otherwise and been unable to support her if she hadn’t developed them. 

The door to Tartarus entered and a trio of guards entered, a unicorn, an earth pony with a spear, and pegasus. The unicorn levitated her new cage which was large enough for her to stand in freely. But she didn’t care. Her eyes, bloody and deranged, softened for a moment as the guards approached. They continued with disciplined, focused, steps. Their expressions held no emotions for her to read. She doubted she could fool them into thinking her docile. But she could still use them to escape. 

The guards walked past Cerberus who barked eagerly and wagged his tail, only to whine in disappointment when they didn’t acknowledge him. 

The unicorn levitated her new cage in front of the door to her current one. The pegasus guard flew above her cage to open the door from above while the earth pony stood back. Cozy Glow quickly looked at the distance between the cages. It was only a few inches wide, not long enough for her to slip between. But an idea quickly occurred to her just in time. 

“Here’s your new cage, get in,” the pegasus said as he inserted a key into her cage’s lock. 

The new cage was opened by the unicorn’s magic. Cozy Glow looked at the small gap that could be expanded to be her way out. Her plan from only moments ago clicked in her head and leapt not out of the cage’s open door, but the back on the other side. She hit with all her weight, making the cage roll, the Pegasus guard grunted in surprise as he latched onto the cage and was rolled over. It wasn’t hard enough to flatten him but it didn’t cause him a good deal of pain and he was forced to let go. Cozy stopped the cage as the open door was pointed up at the ceiling. She grinned evilly, her bloodied eyes lighting up in excitement as she flapped her wings and finally got out. Tartarus should have disabled her flying magic, but she was operating on pure rage now that seemed to empower her.  

“She’s out!” the unicorn yelled as he charged up his horn and shot a beam of blue magic at her. 

Cozy dodged as she flapped in midair and avoided the attack. At the same time the Earth Pony threw his spear up at her and she somehow caught it under her foreleg. She grinned at it. 

“Well thanks for the toy!” she called as she flew off toward the still open door. “I’ll be sure to put it to good use!”

This spear could be just what she needed to get her revenge on those who had taken her comrades from her. It would run red from tip to shaft with their blood. 

The unicorn tried to throw more magic beams at her which she dodged, looking over her shoulder to watch. Then a growl sounded from ahead as the three head dog leapt at her. Cozy screamed, unable to suppress the fear even in in her currently unhinged state at the sight of those three heads all opening with razor sharp teeth and a mouth large enough to swallow her whole. She rose up frantically, the teeth narrowly missing her hoof ends. Then she was out of the prison and into the bright sunlight of Equestria. She flew high into the sky so to avoid Cerberus possibly following her scent if she remained close to the ground. The pegasus was delayed by the pain of his injuries of being rolled over by her cage. It wouldn’t take long for him to recover though. She flapped with all her might, moving in the direction of Ponyville in hateful determination. 

She wasn’t going to run. She wasn’t going to hide. At least not anymore then she could manage. She was moving forward, it was time for a direct assault, or perhaps sneak attacks? Whatever it took to get her revenge. Even if it killed her. 

“It’s time for revenge! For Chrysalis! For Tirek!” Cozy Glow said, brandishing her new spear.
> Dark Chapter 3: Attack On the Great and Powerful
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cozy Glow seemed to have lost any pursuers that might have been following her. She was nearly there. 

“Almost at Ponyville,” she said to herself. “But what am I gonna do? Huh Chrysalis?” 

“Destroy Starlight Glimmer! That’s what you must do Cozy!” Cozy said in an imitation of Chrysalis. 

“I can’t do that!” Cozy objected to herself. “Starlight’s way too powerful! And so is Discord. I may be a real grown up now but I’m not stupid.” 

“Grow some backbone! Avenge us! Even if it kills you!” She said as Chrysalis. 

“You’re right! I don’t care if I live anymore! I just want to make everyone who took you guys suffer!” 

“Then I suggest you target their loved ones!” She said pulling her mane in a way that it resembled Tirek’s horns. “Make them suffer! Make them wish they were destroyed!” 

“Yes!” Cozy grinned. “Then I’ll grant their wishes!” 

She laughed evilly. Then she saw Ponyville. It was time to begin her quest of revenge. But who to target first? Starlight and Discord were the ones that had taken Chrysalis and Tirek from her. But she would target their loved ones first like she’d said. Cozy knew that Starlight had a daughter in Luster Dawn, but Luster had been the one to defeat Grogar by herself. That one was out as well. There was also Sunburst, which could work and… Trixie! 

“Ha, Trixie is probably the easiest victim!” Cozy said. 

Cozy stayed a distance outside of Ponyville for a while. After nearly conquering Equestria three times it was a safe bet that most if not every pony or creature would recognize her. She didn’t have Sombra and Grogar to cast an illusion or aging spell on her now to help her avoid detection. She snuck around and hid in the trees of the Everfree forest. Finally, she made it to some that were close to the School of Friendship. Trixie was here, and so was Starlight and the Young 6 most likely. Cozy growled at the thought of them. They’d been the ones to defeat her back when she’d first tried to conquer Equestria. If it weren’t for them, she would be the Empress of Friendship right now and ruling Equestria herself. 

“I’ll add them to my revenge list as well!” she stated before looking. “Okay, the sun is getting low on the horizon so school should be letting out pretty soon. I’ll wait till Trixie comes out and then get her!”  

A few minutes later the bell rang and students began to flood the pathway leading up to the school. Cozy spotted members of the Young 6 coming out as well. Though Trixie was not among them. Cozy growled. She was probably staying late to talk with Starlight and/or Sunburst. She needed to find a good place to ambush Trixie. But where? 

Looking around, Cozy saw the Castle of Friendship. Trixie was living there with Starlight now if she recalled correctly. She grinned. She’d go there and wait. Cozy flew over and quickly got in through the windows. 

She listened carefully, hearing no creature nearby. Checking the open side of the castle she’d flown through she saw no creature looking up either. She was safe. Checking the doors, she found one with an old magician hat that she recognized as Trixie’s from years ago. The blue mare didn’t wear it anymore but kept it as a memento. Cozy grinned and entered the room, her spear getting caught for a moment in the doorway. She grunted and readjusted it so she could enter then closed the door. This was Trixie’s room, so she just had to lie and wait until her prey arrived. It might be soon, or it might be a couple hours. 

It turned out to be the latter. Cozy was tapping her hoof impatiently, almost ready to go and hunt for anyone in the castle until a set of voices nearby. 

“You’re sure about this Luster?” the voice asked. 

“Yes, Aunt Trixie,” Luster Dawn’s voice said. “Princess Twilight said that Cozy Glow has escaped!” 

Cozy Glow frowned. Those guards must have reported to Twlight she had escaped. 

“And your coronation as the next ruler is just a few weeks away!” Trixie said. 

“What?” Cozy exclaimed. “Luster Dawn is gonna be a ruler?” 

“I hope this doesn’t cause any trouble for that!” Luster’s voice said. “I mean, I’m not sure that I should be the one to take over for Princess Twilight, but she says I can do it.” 

“I’m sure you can manage,” Trixie said. “Well, I’m sure we’ll find Cozy Glow sooner or later. See you at dinner.” 

The hoof falls were right outside the door which glowed blue as they opened. Trixie Lulamoon entered the room with a smile that vanished upon seeing the pony in her room. Cozy grinned. 

“Hello Counselor Trixie!” Cozy Glow said as she launched the spear. 
…
A scream sounded from behind Luster as she walked toward the kitchen of the castle to make a few snacks. Her friends were on their way here to hang out and she wanted them to have something to eat. But the sound drove her attention away from that. 

“Aunt Trixie?” she asked in concern turning back toward her Aunt/Godmare’s room just in time to see it spring open. 

A cream-colored mare with a curly light blue mane and a red tower for a cutie mark emerged. Luster Dawn felt her blood freeze as she saw one of the villains that had kidnapped her before her battle with Grogar years ago. Cozy Glow, here? The mare carried a spear that was like those used by the royal guards of Canterlot and it was dripping blood! Cozy didn’t look at Luster, instead running the other way where the castle was open and could be flown into. As she saw the blood, horror entered Luster’s heart. 

“Aunt Trixie!” Luster screamed in fear. 

She ran into her Aunt’s room and saw her on the floor of her room, bleeding badly from a stab wound. 

“No!” Luster screamed as tears fell from her eyes. 

Her Aunt was still breathing faintly, but that was Luster’s only comfort. The Alicorn ran to Trixie’s side, hoping she could still save her.
> Dark Chapter 4: Attack on Kindness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luster tried desperately to stop the bleeding of her Aunt Trixie with her magic. Then there was a knock on the door far away that echoed through the castle halls. That had to be her four friends! She couldn’t leave her aunt! But- maybe with the magic of friendship she could heal Trixie!

Struggling to use the first aid spell she’d been taught while also teleporting herself and Trixie to the door. She opened the door and her friends, River Song the Kirin, Yelena the Yak, Georgia the Griffon, and Gallop J. Fry the Earth Pony and her coltfriend, entered. They looked happy seeing her for a split second, but it vanished as they saw Trixie in her current state. 

“Luster, what happened to Trixie?” River Song screamed. 

“Cozy Glow escaped from Tartarus and did this!” Luster said. “Quick we need to use the magic of friendship!” 

All her friends nodded and stood beside her. Luster called upon the magic of their bond, the one that had taken a little time to create and grow confidence in. Grogar had given her a spark that finally allowed her to use it years ago when she’d defeated him. But now she could call upon it at will. Rainbow magic flew from them into Trixie, they urged it to heal her. The stab wound vanished, though there was still a small mark. But the bleeding stopped and Trixie was still breathing. She might need a blood transfusion! 

“We need to get her to the hospital!” Luster said. “I’ll take her, can you guys alert my mom?” 

They nodded again and Gallop, being the fastest of them, ran off. Luster then teleported off with her aunt to make sure she received any help she needed. 

…

Cozy Glow grinned. Trixie was down, now she needed to get someone close to Discord. 

“You see that Chrysalis! I destroyed Starlight Glimmer’s best friend!” she yelled. 

“I’m so proud of you!” Chrysalis spoke through her. 

“Now I’m gonna go get revenge for you Tirek!” Cozy promised. 

“It’s Lord Tirek! But you better!” 

“Oh, I’m gonna!” Cozy said. 

She found the place she was bound for next. Fluttershy’s animal sanctuary. It was filled with deer, rabbits, birds and others. 

“First, I’m gonna cause Fluttershy some pain! By hurting her animals! Then I’m gonna hurt her!” Cozy yelled as she swooped down at the sanctuary spear ready. 

Evil laughter filled the air and spooked many of the animals who began running around. Cozy thrusted her spear at a baby rabbit who just barely hopped away in time. The critters ran and she chased after them, throwing her spear at a deer. It struck and injured but didn’t kill. Cozy grinned, her bloody eyes lighting up. 

“What is happening?” A familiar voice asked in surprise nearby. 

Cozy turned, her psychotic grin intensifying. Fluttershy’s mouth fell open in in terror. 

“Cozy Glow?” she asked. 

“That’s right!” Cozy said as she pulled her spear out of the wounded deer. 

The animal cry caused Fluttershy to tear up. “Why are you doing this?” 

Cozy’s only response to was to point the tip of her weapon at the former Element of Kindness. Or was she still an element? It was hard to say since the elements had been destroyed, yet she’d been able to do without one. Ah well didn’t matter, cause when Cozy was done with her she’d be a dead pony. 

Fluttershy looked at the spear and realization hit her as to what Cozy Glow wanted. The younger pegasus flew while the more middle aged one did as well. Fluttershy tried to flee in order to save her own life, but just as Cozy had told her in the battle of the bell, she was not the fast one. Cozy easily caught up with her, her spear thrusting into her former professor’s wing. Fluttershy screamed in pain and fell to the ground only a few feet below. Cozy grinned as she saw her next intended victim. 

“You’ve always been the timid one, haven’t you?” She asked, knowing it to be true. “Always staying low to the ground unless you had absolutely no choice. Well, it looks like you’re going to be one of the few Pegasi to ever fall to their demise!” 

She put her spear on the ground and then seized Fluttershy, hoisting the older mare up with her well-developed muscles that she’d acquired in prison. Flapping upward, she ascended high into the sky as Fluttershy struggled, blood coming out her wounded wing that could no longer support her. Cozy easily held on, and Fluttershy shook in fear as she looked down. 

“This looks like a good spot to let you off at! Sayonara!” Cozy screamed in delightful vengeance. 

And she released Fluttershy who screamed as she plummeted toward the ground to her inevitable demise. 

Or what should have been inevitable. 

Out of nowhere, two creatures appeared. Ocellus and Silverstream! The changeling and hippogriff caught the pegasus before she could collide with the ground. 

“We’ve got you Fluttershy!” Silverstream said.

“Don’t worry!” Ocellus said. 

They set her down the grass safely. 

“Oh, thank you,” she said to her former students. 

Cozy growled and flew off, living to fight another day and cause more suffering to her enemies. She vanished into the Everfree as the Young 5 looked after her. 

"I think we're gonna need Gallus to come and help us out!" Silverstream said. 

"This time Yona and friends defeat Cozy Glow for good!" Yona said. 

Ocellus looked down. "I hate to have to take some creature's life. But from what we heard from Luster and saw just now we might have no choice. Cozy is much more dangerous now. That look in her eyes!" 

"She's gone madder than a dragon who had his gem horde robbed!" Smolder said. 

We got to stop her before she hurts any creature else. Come on, Starlight can contact Twilight and have her send Gallus!" 

The Young 5 flew back to the Castle of Friendship to pass the news onto Starlight.
> Dark Chapter 5: Plan of Defense
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Five of the Young 6 and Fluttershy made their way back to the Castle of Friendship, they took Cozy Glow’s stolen spear as well, not wanting to give her the chance to pick it up again and use it to stab somecreature. Ocellus tended to Fluttershy’s wound, wrapping her former professors wing in bandages. It wasn’t a serious wound, but it would keep her from flying for a few weeks.  Starlight returned after a time looking sad. But she offered them a small smile as she saw them. 

“Trixie’s okay. She’ll just need some rest,” Starlight said. 

That caused the Young 5 to sigh in relief. Then Starlight noticed that a certain yellow pony was with them. 

“Oh, hi Fluttershy, what are you doing here?” Starlight asked before noticing her bandaged wing. “And what happened to your wing?”  

“Cozy tried to kill me too!” Fluttershy exclaimed, tears forming in her eyes. 

“WHAT?!” Starlight exclaimed.

“It’s true we saw the whole thing!” Ocellus said.

“We need to stop Cozy Glow!” Smolder declared punching her fists together. 

“I think we should call Gallus in!” Silverstream said. 

Starlight looked at them then nodded. “I agree. We can’t let Cozy Glow wander around freely. She nearly put Trixie in a body bag first, and now Fluttershy! She needs to be stopped! I’m sending a message to Twilight!” 

She took a scroll of parchment and began writing with her magic. After only a few minutes she levitated the scroll and shot it with the spell to cause it to go to Twilight through Spike. 

…

In Canterlot, Spike and Twilight were both enjoying a meal together in the royal dining room. With them were their old Canterlot friends, Moon Dancer, Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts. Gallus was there as well standing guard with an Earth Pony guard. Then Spike suddenly belched out a scroll. Twilight took it in her magic and her mouth fell open as she saw its contents. 

“Cozy Glow, she’s in Ponyville, and she attacked both Trixie and Fluttershy!” Twilight exclaimed. 

“What?” Spike and many of the others present exclaimed, with Lemons Heats spitting out her lemon juice.

They’d already gotten the word that Cozy had escaped from Tartarus through the Royal Guards that gone there and come back to alert them. She’d become stronger in prison by working out, now on a level of athleticism similar to Rainbow Dash or maybe even greater. 

“She must be out for revenge,” Twilight said. “Starlight and Discord were the ones to kill Chrysalis and Tirek. So., she’s targeting those close to them.”  

“Well, what are we going to do?” Spike asked nervously. 

Twilight took a breath and looked at the scroll then at Gallus. “Starlight is saying that Ocellus, Smolder and all your friends have volunteered to find and stop her. They’ve requested that you join them.” 

Gallus thought for a moment. “Hmm. Well, I am captain of the Royal Guard so I have a duty here, but I’m also their friend and I can’t let them go into danger without me.” 

Twilight nodded. “I give you permission to go. Find Cozy and bring her to justice.” 

Gallus nodded and saluted the Princess. 

“Search the area around Ponyville for clues, maybe Ocellus can track Cozy,” Twilight suggested.

Gallus nodded. With Ocellus able to transform into other creatures, she was bound to be able to have something that could have a good sense of smell. 

“In the meantime, I’ll have Luster Dawn and her friends keep a watch out in Ponyville in case Cozy comes back,” Twilight said as she began writing her reply to Starlight. “Also, my friends will guard Trixie at the hospital. Don’t want Cozy to be able to come after her again.” 

…

The reply came quickly, Starlight had assembled her husband Sunburst, daughter Luster, Luster’s friends, as well as the Young 5, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Discord. Rarity was currently away in Manehattan dealing with who would take over the shop there since she was getting ready to retire.  

“Okay, Gallus is on his way!” Starlight said as she read the note. “When he gets here you six are heading out to find Cozy and stop her!” 

She gestured to Ocellus then looked at her daughter.

“Luster, you and your friends are gonna keep watch around Ponyville! We need to be ready in case Cozy Glow tries to attack some pony or creature again!”

“Uh, what about us?” Rainbow Dash asked. 

“You guys are gonna guard Trixie at the hospital,” Starlight said. “Except you Fluttershy. You should probably just head home and get some rest.” 

“I’ll stay with her! You know, I could just snap Cozy Glow right to us!” Discord said holding his fingers up in a snapping position. “Then we could easily destroy her!” 

His eyes glowed red in anger, the Spirit of Chaos was ready to unleash his wrath on the pony who’d attempted to murder the love of his life. 

“No Discord, you’re too angry right now,” Fluttershy said. “You’re not trying to achieve justice you want revenge!” 

“Of course, I do!” Discord confirmed. “She tried to kill you!” 

“Well as much as I would like revenge, I know its not gonna end well,” Rainbow Dash said. 

“That’s right, revenge is never a good reason,” Applejack said. 

“You betcha not! Remember how Twilight came close to destroying all of them back in our last fight?” Pinkie said. 

They all shook at the thought as they recalled the Battle of the Castle of Two Sisters when they’d fought the whole Legion for the Last time. Well, Twilight had been the only one among the Mane 6 to fight, and she’d taken all three of them at once! Then when Grogar teleported their whole group to his location, Starlight and Discord had defeated Chrysalis and Tirek for good and the Young 5 had captured Cozy Glow and locked her up. 

Discord sighed. “Very well. I will still my hoof… or hand, either one, and let you heroes deal with this. But if Cozy Glow comes near Fluttershy again I’m snapping her to oblivion like I did Tirek!” 

Fluttershy and Discord stepped through a portal that led to her house. No doubt he’d probably make all her furniture stand guard or something else chaotic. Luster Dawn and her group went out outside while Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Applejack headed to the hospital to guard Trixie. The Young 5 meanwhile waited with Starlight and Sunburst who would stay in the castle to coordinate the defense. 

They waited and soon Gallus appeared, coming in through the front doors. 

“Hey guys!” Gallus waved a claw. “Ready to go villain hunting?” 

“Yeah!” they said with enthusiasm. 

…

Cozy Glow arrived at her destination. She had left her spear behind in her rush to escape. She needed a new weapon to get her revenge. Fortunately, a place where she could get one came to mind after a while. The Castle of Two Sisters. It still lay in ruins but inside were ancient tapestries, suits of armor and more spears. She grinned as she grabbed one. Now she was ready for another strike. 

She yawned, feeling tired from a day of hard work being evil. But her now more deranged than ever mind wouldn’t allow her to sleep. 

“I’m going to get one last shot at revenge!” she declared. “Even if it kills me!”

She no longer cared about her own survival. This would likely be her final strike. But by the vengeance in her heart, she would make a lasting wound on those that took her friends from her. She looked around the structure, it was here where it had all happened, where she’d lost them. Then a new idea occurred to her. They’d be looking for her, and she would be waiting. This would be a fitting place to make her last stand. Maybe even have some traps ready!

She grinned and got to work.
> Dark Chapter 6: Cozy's Last Stand
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Young 6 made their way out of the castle. They had looked through the crime scene for an hour and found no evidence that might lead them to Cozy. They moved onto Fluttershy’s cottage, they already took the spear, and the animals that had been injured were already being tended to by Luster Dawn’s griffon friend Georgia who was to take over the sanctuary once Fluttershy retired. Georgia had since then joined her friend in keeping watch around Ponyville and all Fluttershy’s animals were safe in her cottage with her and Discord. Trixie was still recovering in the hospital. 

That left the Young 6 to find Cozy Glow. But so far, they weren’t having any luck looking for physical clues that might lead them to her. 

“Well, I guess there’s always Plan B,” Gallus said. “Ocellus, think you can transform into something and track her by scent.” 

Ocellus nodded. “I can transform into a Bugbear, they have a good sense of smell and can fly.” 

She did so, turning into a large bear like creature with bee wings and a stinger. She sniffed the air and growled softly then turned back. 

“There are too many animal scents around here! I can’t pick up Cozy’s scent!” Ocellus said. 

“Yona got idea! We use Cozy’s spear! That will have her scent!” the Yak said. 

They went back to the Castle of Friendship where they left the weapon with Starlight and Sunburst. Ocellus (back in bear form) sniffed the weapon then gave them a claw up to say she had the scent. It was mixed with the guard who’d this belonged to, but she could smell the difference between a good pony and a rat. She led them outside, back to the sanctuary and into the Everfree Forest. Cozy had gone all over the place, but the scent eventually got stronger. It led them to-

“Here!” Ocellus said coming back into her regular form.

“The Castle of Two Sisters!” Silverstream said. 

“Where her comrades fell,” Smolder said. 

“Cozy must be sad… and mad! Yona is too! Cozy hurt Trixie!” Yona declared. “Now we gonna stop her!” 

“Careful Yona, we can’t do this out of revenge,” Sandbar said putting a hoof on his wife. “Or it will make us no better than her.” 

Yona breathed steam through her nostrils. But she knew Sandbar was right. They slowly walked forward, toward the ruined castle. It had been even more damaged in the last battle when many in Equestria had faced Grogar’s army. There wasn’t much covering it anymore. Finding Cozy shouldn’t be too hard, right?

…

Cozy watched from a barely standing tower.

“They’re here, now to spring my traps!” she grinned. “Although this place has so many, I only had to make a few new ones! Ah well, I found some that will make good escape routes! That should get them separated and alone! Now just gotta make them chase me! Divide and conquer!” 

…

The Young 6 were almost to the entrance when-

"Hey, looking for me?” a familiar voice called. It was older but unmistakable.

Cozy Glow flew out of a nearby tower, grinning down at them with evil eyes that had doubled in potency. 

“Cozy Glow!” Gallus stated. “You are under arrest for jailbreaking, assault, animal cruelty, abuse, and attempted murder!” 

“Yeah yeah, you wanna arrest me? You have to catch me first!” Cozy said as she flew off. 

“After her!” Gallus ordered. 

He, Ocellus, Silverstream and Smolder flew up after Cozy. Sandbar and Yona, being non-flyers, had to run inside. But they fell as they moved forward just a few feet. They screamed and Sandbar (thankfully) landed on top of Yona. If it had been the reverse she might have crushed him under her weight accidentally. 

“Uh! A pitfall trap!” Sandbar exclaimed. 

“Cozy must want to separate Sandbar and Yona from friends!” Yona said. “And probably separate friends from each other!" 

...

Gallus led his fellow flying friends after the villain who despite her time in Tartarus had managed to stay in decent shape. As a captain of the royal guard though he was in even better shape. He flew faster than the others and was catching up to Cozy. She flew through the ruined and barely standing hallways of the castle. She turned a corner, a new spear in her hooves. Gallus rounded the corner and looked but- she was gone! 

“Where’d she go?” Gallus asked looking around in suspicion. 

Cozy watched from a hole in the wall, she’d found a secret passage in a wall by an old suit of armor. She heard the voices of her enemies as the other three flyers joined Gallus. 

“I don’t see her anywhere!” Silverstream’s voice said. 

“Me neither! Hey, where are Yona and Sandbar?” Smolder asked. 

“Oh no! We left them when we chased Cozy!” Ocellus said. 

Cozy grinned. Her plan had worked! She’d made a pitfall trap at the entrance and flown off to buy time in order to make sure the four flying members distanced themselves. Now she had two options, wait and see if they would separate further and she had only one nearby to take out, or take these four all at once. 

Her madness and cunning wrestled for an instant, but her madness and bloodthirst won out. With the group split even by a couple members they couldn’t use the magic of friendship to obliterate her. That took away their greatest weapon. Now was the time to strike. It would have been even more ideal to face them one at a time, but this was good enough in her twisted mind. 

She pushed the door next to the suit of armor open and saw them. Their eyes all widened as they saw her as well. And one strategic mad question went through her mind. Who to kill first? 

Ocellus and Smolder! They were the biggest threats being the ones who could not only fly but had magic or dragon fire as well. They had to go first! Cozy screamed and charged at Ocellus who shook in fear as the spear came toward her face! 

“Ocellus!” Smolder yelled as she dove in front of her friend to protect her.

She put herself in front of the changeling. The spear hitting her in the face instead. Fortunately, her scales protected her. If Cozy had aimed a little lower at her belly where she was vulnerable it would have hurt much more. Cozy hissed and tried to pull the spear back, but Gallus took the opportunity to grab it with his talons before she could. Silverstream joined and grabbed with her own talons. Cozy tugged as she kept it under her forehoof. Ocellus came out from behind Smolder and shot a beam of magic at Cozy who yelled and let go of the spear. The insane pegasus flew up into the open sky as the four friends went after her. 

…

Yona and Sandbar managed to pull themselves out of the hole and ran into the castle. For a while they found nothing but empty passages. But then they heard the sound of magic in one direction and a yell. Looking up they saw Cozy Glow rise into the air quickly followed by their friends. Sandbar and Yona ran in that direction. 

“Yona wish Yona had wings!” Yona said. 

Sandbar likewise felt so helpless down here, unable to help their friends in the air. But maybe…

“Ocellus!” he called. “Down here!” 

The shout drew the attention of Ocellus and the others. 

“Yona! Sandbar!” the changeling called. 

“Make us some wings to get up there!” Sandbar yelled. 

Ocellus nodded. She’d managed to learn quite a few spells at the School of Friendship under Starlight’s supervision. That included how to make temporary wings. She flew toward her earthbound friends, her horn lighting up. 

“Oh no you don’t!” Cozy yelled as she tried to go after Ocellus. 

Only to have her path blocked by Gallus who took her hooves in his talons. They wrestled in midair with the other two while Ocellus flew down. She shot both her friends with the spell at once, granting them butterfly like wings. They’d done this once or twice before, so they didn’t have much problem. The three of them flew back up as Cozy smacked Gallus who was caught by Silverstream before he could hit the ground. Smolder meanwhile shot a burst of flame at Cozy, it missed mostly, but it did hit the feathers on her wings. Cozy screamed as the burning pain went over her wing and she fell, grabbing a broken ledge for support. She struggled to hold on as the Young 6 flew around her, with Ocellus coming close.  

“Cozy give me your hoof!" Ocellus said reaching out.

Cozy glared at her. "What?" 

"I'll help you!" Ocellus said. 

Cozy looked from the hoof to the fall below that was sure to be fatal. She glared at Ocellus and gave a wicked smirk as she swatted the hoof away like Chrysalis had done twice before. 

"I'm never going back to Tartarus!" she yelled. 

And she let go of the ledge, grinning up at her enemies who didn't react in time to save her. Not that she wanted them to. She hit the ground, her body breaking as she did so. 

It was done. The Young 6 descended to the ground, looking at the body of their former friend turned worst enemy with pity and remorse as they saw a mare driven to madness by all the abuse and loss she’d suffered. If only things could have been different, but there was no use dwelling on it. 

Smolder put a clawed hand on Ocellus as she looked at Cozy in sadness. 

"You did all you could," the dragon said to her friend. 

“I guess we should bury her,” Gallus said sadly. 

“Put her with Chrysalis and Tirek!” Silverstream suggested. “They were her friends!” 

As much as they hated and pitied Cozy Glow, that was probably the best place to put her. 

There wasn’t much of a funeral. No one would come to one for this pony anyway. The bodies of her comrades were buried here at the castle of two sisters outside. The Young 6 dug the grave then put Cozy’s body inside and covered her. 

They erected a stone and carved Cozy’s name on it. The sunset there as this villain’s reign of terror came to an end. 

…

Darkness filled Cozy’s eyes as she entered what had to be the afterlife. Then she saw them. Chrysalis and Tirek.

"You failed,” Chysalis stated as she looked at her friend's face. 

“No surprise there,” Tirek said. 

“So, what happens now? Is this where we villains go?” Cozy asked. “There’s nothing but darkness here!” 

“Oh, we were waiting for you,” Tirek said. “Guess we’re all going to hell together!” 

At that moment flames lit up around them and intense pain burned their souls. They screamed and everything vanished into flame. This was their existence, everlasting pain in hell for all their crimes. But one good thing was they were together forever, that was something they’d be fine with, or at least Cozy would.