Given a second chance at life and liberty, Cozy Glow has trouble adjusting to a world now forigen to her.
In a continuation of "What Happens to Golly", Cozy Glow struggles to find her place in the free world, making new friends and possibly some enemies along the way. Hijinx ensues as Astral finds care for an energetic young pegasus is not as easy as she had previously anticipated.
"Thank you for coming in to see me today," said Starlight as she greeted Astral at the door to her office. She motioned to an empty seat while making her way to her own chair behind her desk, "Please, have a seat."
Starlight's office was warmly decorated with kites and office plants. A large window behind the desk reaching from the floor all the way to the ceiling let in enough light that no other lighting was needed during the day. It afforded a great view over the main campus grounds of the School of Friendship from the room's elevated position. The walls were lined with shelves mainly stocked with a variety of books, scrolls and of course, more kite-related items.
Astral took a seat, one of two; the other already occupied by a grumpy-looking salmon-pink filly who looked to have seen better days. Cozy's mane was a tangled mess. She held an ice pack up to her left eye which was slightly swollen. A twisted-up tissue stuck out of her right nostril, stained with dried blood at the end entering her face.
Astral gave her a concerned look before turning her attention back to Starlight. "It's not a problem at all! I rushed over as soon as I heard. I was hoping this was all just a misunderstanding that we could clear up, but it looks like it may be a bit more serious than I thought."
"Serious indeed, thankfully everypony is ok," said Starlight. "As you are well aware, we have a zero-tolerance policy for fighting here at the School of Friendship. There simply is no place for it here."
"Yes, I understand," said Astral.
"Especially with Cozy's past, She needs to understand the predicament we are all in now." Said Starlight.
Astral nodded. Cozy hmphed in a pout.
Starlight continued, "I've decided to wait until you got here before listening to Cozy's side of the story." She turned to address Cozy, "Cozy, you are in a lot of trouble right now. Your enrolment here and possibly your freedom are in jeopardy. Do you understand?"
Cozy continued to pout before she reluctantly replied, "Yes headmare, I understand."
Astral gently brushed some of Cozy's damaged curls out of her face, "You need to tell us the truth, Cozy. What happened today?"
Cozy took offense at Astral, "I don't need to lie! He started it!! It's all that Colt's fault." She waved off Astral's hoof.
"Oh?" asked Starlight. "Please. Tell us how this began."
Cozy took a few deep breaths before starting. "Well, first, he would push me around sometimes. In the hall, or in the yard."
"Did you tell him to stop?" asked Starlight.
"I did. That only made him do it more,” replied Cozy.
"I see," said Starlight.
"Then he started pushing me harder, and sometimes knocking my books down, 'on accident'," continued Cozy, with hoof quotes.
"Go on,” encouraged Starlight.
Astral tended to the filly's mane as she continued to talk. "And then he started pulling on my curls, and my tail when I wasn't looking. He would make me so mad. I would chase him away and he would just giggle and laugh and join up with his buddies in the colt's room where I couldn't go after him."
Starlight and Astral looked at each other with a raised brow, then back to Cozy.
"And then he... he booped me,” said Cozy, getting visibly angrier.
"He booped you?" asked Astral.
Cozy had to restrain herself from yelling. "He did! Right in the nose,” she said, touching a hoof to her nose.
"And then what?" asked Starlight.
"Well, I booped him right back, into a table; as hard as I could."
Starlight made a tight snorting sound before quickly levitating over a tissue from a box in her desk drawer, and using it to blow her nose.
"He tried to boop back, but I could boop harder, and I did. And then after a few more good boops, that's when Professor Scootaloo came and stopped us. But that's what he gets for being so mean to me."
"Oh," said Astral, biting her lip.
"I don't think he was being mean, Cozy. I think... I think that colt likes you. We checked his locker, and found notes, for you, asking you to be his special somepony."
Astral stifled a giggle before clearing her throat.
"He, does?" asked Cozy. "He sure has a funny way of showing it! Colts can be so stupid."
"We know,” said Starlight and Astral together.
"This Colt," Asked Astral, "Is he the one I passed on the way in here?"
"Yes," replied Starlight.
Astral seemed impressed, turning back to Cozy, "Wow, Cozy. I think we should be worried about him, not you!"
Cozy smiled lightly, wincing a little.
Starlight cleared her throat. Both Astral and Cozy straightened up, turning back to face forward. "Yes, well, now having heard what Cozy has had to say, we now must discuss the plan moving forward." Cozy looked down at her lap. "Cozy, if you would please wait outside, hopefully, this shouldn't take too long."
Cozy took a deep breath and sighed as she got up from her seat next to Astral. "Yes, headmare." She made her way to the door, opening it.
"And Cozy?" called Starlight.
"Yes, headmare?" replied Cozy, turning back to face her.
"Be nice,” urged Starlight with pleading eyes.
"Yes headmare," she said as she sulked out of the room, closing the door behind her.
* * *
Just outside the door of the headmare office to one side, there was a bench for two. Its lone occupant, an earth pony, also with his own ice pack and a much more severely bruised face sat silently. He was older than Cozy, but not by more than a grade or two. For the state he was in, his efforts in the careful tending to his mane and tail still showed. He looked over at Cozy before quickly turning away again. Cozy stood there for a moment, hesitant to sit down next to him. He looked back up at her with his one good eye before scooting over, making room for her with all the space in between the two of them that he could afford. Cozy sat down as close to her end as possible. They both look away from each other, not saying a word.
Muffled voices of the two adult ponies could be heard through the door of the office, but nothing that could clearly be made out.
The colt was the first to break the awkward silence, speaking to Cozy without turning his head. "You hit pretty hard."
"You hit like a filly,” replied Cozy.
"That's because... I didn't want to hurt you,” he retorted.
Neither of them looked away from their own direction down the hall.
"Starlight told me about the letters,” said Cozy.
The colt began to blush. "She did?" He started to peek back over at Cozy before quickly looking away again.
"Do you really like me?" asked Cozy.
"Maybe.”
"Then why are you always so mean to me?"
"I don't know.”
"You're weird.”
"You're strong.”
"I know,” dismissed Cozy.
"Listen. I'm... I'm sorry I did those things to you, honest.”
"Well, I'm not sorry I hit you.”
"That's ok."
The two sat in silence for a while. A bell rang and students began to shuffle about through the hallways. Both Cozy and the colt watched the traffic as it went by. Again, the colt was the first to speak. "I hope they don't kick you out. Then I wouldn't be able to see you anymore."
"Are you always this annoying?" asked Cozy.
"Sorry."
The hallway activity began to die down leaving the two in awkward silence for a little while longer. Cozy was the next to speak up. "I hope I don't get kicked out either..."
The two continued to sit together, quietly.
"...'Cause then, I couldn't see you anymore either," finished Cozy after a long moment of thought.
They slowly turned to look at each other.
Cozy began to smile slightly. "You're a strange little colt. I... I think I like it."
The colt smiled back before wincing at the use of his sore, swollen facial muscles. "Allen," he said.
"Allen?" asked Cozy.
"That's my name."
"That's a stupid name."
The door to the office opened. Astral stepped out while saying her goodbyes to Starlight. She turned to Cozy, "Are you ready? come on, we need to go home now."
Cozy got up off of the bench, looking up at Astral, "Am I going back to Tartarus, or st... stone?" she asked, worriedly.
Astral paused abruptly. "Cozy. I would never let that happen to you, ever again. I promise. You're only suspended for a few weeks while you prepare a special assignment to present to the school. Princess Twilight will be there too. Now it's been a long day for both of us. Let's get you home and cleaned up."
The colt spoke up. "Bye, Cozy. I'll see you later, I guess."
Cozy turned to Allen, raising her hoof up. The colt flinched, backing into his corner of the bench as she brought her hoof closer.
"Boop!" said Cozy softly as she made the gentlest of contact with the tip of Allen's nose.
Cozy's time outside the School of Friendship seemed to slow to a crawl. There wasn't much for the young pegasus to do on her own that wouldn't get her into trouble while Astral was away at work. Suspension from the school was bad enough, Astral didn't see it necessary to ground her as well, especially given the circumstances.
It was time for the annual fall festival, and while the School of Friendship had a large part in putting it on this year, it technically wasn't class related, technically... At least, that's how Cozy put it. Astral gave her a hoof full of bits and strict instructions to be back before dark. She knew the fresh air would do the filly some good. How much trouble could she get into in just a few hours?
Cozy gently flew through the crowds, past the vendors, up and over their heads. She was on a mission, it seemed.
"Psst. Cozy! Over here!" called out a voice in a loud whisper.
Cozy looked around, hovering over the groups of ponies. She held a cotton candy treat in her hoof.
"Cozy! This way!", the voice called out to her again, this time somewhat louder than a whisper.
She finally spotted him in the back, holding open a panel on the side of some bleachers just big enough for them to get through, waving her over. She flew down and when nopony was looking, ducked inside, the panel closing it behind her.
It was cold, dark and dusty under the bleachers. Looking forward, Cozy could see through the hooves of the spectators, the field, and the holiday game that the school of Friendship was hosting.
"You made it!" said the colt, Allen, excitedly.
Littering the floor were bits of stale popcorn joined by fresh popcorn falling from the stands above, empty cups, ...and the odd stretched-out, clear balloon shriveled and dried found here and there. Cozy had never seen balloons like that before. They looked like hoof gloves, only smaller.
Cozy looked around, "This is a neat hiding place you found!"
"My older brother told me about it. This is where ponies would go for some privacy sometimes."
Cozy took a bite of her cotton candy, offering some to the new coltfriend.
"Oh, thanks!" he said as he took some. He sat on the ground, backing up to the wall, careful of keeping his tail straight and clean.
Cozy sat on the ground in front of him, brushing away some of the litter. "It's cold under here, though," she said, shivering as a chill ran down her back.
"Here, turn around."
Cozy turned around, backing up to Allen, tensing up suddenly as she felt his touch on her back and wings, but quickly relaxed with the comforting massage she was receiving. "Hey, what... oh. Oh, golly. Wow, you're good at this."
He continued to warm Cozy up, "It's my special talent, I guess."
"Rubbing on little fillies?" smirked Cozy.
"Massaging," he said, quickly adding, "Ponies of all ages."
Cozy closed her eyes at the relieving tension in her back that she didn't even know she had, "Mmm-hmm."
"Pretty magical for an earth pony, huh?"
"...magical, yeah."
"Especially here," he said as he reached to massage under her wings.
Cozy suddenly retracted and kicked out in a flurry of giggles and laughs. "Not there!"
"Where, here?" he asked as he reached and tickled her again.
Cozy laughed and pushed him away, dropping her cotton candy. "Aww, see what you made me do?"
Allen looked down, "I'm sorry. I can get you some more." He leaned back against the wall, sitting on the ground.
"You better!" said Cozy, leaning back on him as he wrapped his forelegs around her. "It's not that bad of a view of the field from here. And the seat is warm." She said, lightly elbowing him in the ribs in a playful manner.
"...It's what I'm good at, apparently."
They sat and watched the game quietly, feeding off of each other's warmth.
"Wing warmers."
"Huh?" asked Cozy.
"My cutie mark."
"Well, it fits."
"Yeah. I guess. My mom says I'll probably work at the Spa or something. I don't know if I want to. What about you?" he asked, reaching down, tracing her cutie mark gently with his hoof.
Cozy batted his hoof away which came back up to hold her close to him. "It's a castle."
"What does that mean?"
"A rook. Like in the chess game. I can only move in straight lines, but I can go as far as I want each time."
"huh... I never noticed."
"I'm just kidding. I'm not sure exactly what it means. I thought I knew, not so much anymore, though. Maybe I'm supposed to protect the ruler. Or maybe I'll invent a new chess move using that piece," shrugged Cozy.
They continued to watch the game, sitting together. Exciting plays would fill the air around them with muffled cheers and a heavy rumbling of stomping hooves, causing dust and popcorn to rain down. Allen would quickly brush it out of his mane, then out of Cozy's mane.
"I'm glad you were able to come to the game, even though you're suspended," said Allen as he finished dusting Cozy's head off.
"I can come back to class once the fall break is over."
"That's good."
"We could eat lunch together."
"yeah."
He tilted his head forward, burying his face in her mane, breathing it in.
Cozy rolled her eyes, "You're so weird."
Suddenly, the panel that gave them access was ripped back, and an adult pony, one of the gym coaches peeked in. "Hey! What are you two foals doing in there? Get out of there before I call your parents!"
The two foals jumped up and bolted out through the hole past the coach, laughing all the way.
"Run!"
"Let's go!"
Cozy took flight while Allen galloped alongside her as they fled, laughing together all the way from the bleachers to the common area by the field. They came to a stop once they had realized nopony was ever chasing them.
"Phew, we made it!" said Allen.
"Look! A game!" pointed Cozy with excitement. "Let's try to win something!" It was a vendor running a simple game. Prizes of all shapes and sizes decorated the walls and under the roof of the temporary tent.
They went up and Cozy put down a couple of bits. The Pony behind the counter handed her three apple-shaped balls made from wood. The object of the game, as explained to Cozy, was to knock down all of the stacked pins, win 4 times in a row, and win the top prize, a life-size plush pony. The smaller prizes were little plush stars and hearts.
Cozy took careful aim and nailed the top pin on the first throw, sending it back into the net. "That's one down!" She wound up and threw the second ball, hitting the remaining two pins right in between them, causing them to tilt and wobble, separating them.
"Oh no!" said Cozy. She thought for a minute, calling on her powers of persuasion and trickery. A mischievous smile crept across her face as she whispered something into Allen's ear. He nodded and put down two bits and received 3 balls to use on his own set of pins on the other side of the stand.
"Hey mister!" she called out. "I bet you 8 bits that when I throw this last ball, all my pins will be knocked down. if I win, I get that!" pointed Cozy. She had eyes for a pony of her very own to love and care for.
The vendor looked and thought about it for a moment. "Ok, you're on!" It would have to be a miracle shot for sure.
Allen took his cue to throw his apple-balls one at a time knocking down the remainder of Cozy's pins. Cozy smiled and casually tossed her ball into the net. "I win," announced Cozy, smugly.
"Well shoot," said the pony, stunned. "A deal's a deal, I guess. Here you go! But you can't play no more, one prize per pony," he said, hoofing the large plushie over. He turned around to reset the pins, grumbling about falling for such an easy trick. He sighed and turned back around, looking down at the adorable filly and her new life-sized companion that very well could actually be bigger than her. She was proudly showing off her prize to her partner in crime. "Here, take one of these too," said the pony, handing over a little red plush heart with a wink.
"Golly! Thanks, Mister!"
Cozy struggled with the plush pony. She couldn't fly with it unless she carried it under her, holding on tightly with all fours, gripping the heart in her teeth. She landed, resting on its back, its firm legs holding strong to support her weight with ease.
"I could carry that for you, you know," said Allen.
"Oh thank you," said Cozy, dismounting the plush.
"That was really good back there. I'm impressed."
"It's my special talent! Plotting, scheming... I get ponies to do things for me."
"Really now?"
"Absolutely! would you carry my prize for me now?"
"Sure!"
"And here. I want you to have this too, from one special pony to another special pony," said Cozy, as she gave him her plush heart.
"Really? do you mean it? Thank you!" he said, excitedly.
They walked around the park grounds, hanging out, eating carnival food, pony plush in tow on his back. The sun began setting and it was time to go home. they nuzzled their goodbyes, booped and went their separate ways, Cozy once again struggling to carry the plush pony on her way home.
* * *
Astral was in the kitchen of the single-room dwelling, busily preparing dinner. The kitchen was in the back of the room with a counter separating it from the living/sleeping area. A single door on the side led to the bathroom while the door directly across from the kitchen, in the center of the wall led to the outside. Cozy's bed stuck out from one wall while Astral's occupied the other. Next to the front door, by Cozy's bed was a small desk for Cozy to study. On the other side of the counter from the kitchen was a small table for two. A window decorated the front wall on both sides of the door.
There was a struggle that could be heard on the outside of the door followed by a loud thump. The door slowly opened and Cozy stepped through.
"Oh, Hi Cozy! Did you have fun at the ga--" said Astral, stopping abruptly as she saw what Cozy was dragging in. "Oh, um... Who's your friend?" she asked.
"Hi. This is... This is Sandy."
"Sandy?" asked astral, confused.
"Yeah, Sandy! It's short for Sandra. Plus she's a sandy color. I won her at the park. It was a lot of fun. But she gets real heavy."
"I see."
"I also got a heart. but I gave that to Allen," said Cozy.
"Allen?"
"My coltfriend!" she beamed. "you know, the one I beat up."
"...who names their foal 'Allen'? It's like alien, without the 'I',"
"Yeah, I thought it was stupid too. But he -is- a strange little colt, anyway," said Cozy.
"He's bigger than you... And you gave him your heart?" asked Astral.
Cozy nodded with a smile Pinkie would be proud of.
Astral just shook her head, "Foals these days."
* * *
Before everypony knew it, the autum break was over. The neighborhood streets were quiet during the day once again as all the fillies and colts were back in class, and normal business resumed. The sky had been overcast all day so Astral had spent most of it inside. She had seen the schedule earlier and knew the pegasi were busy packing the clouds for a good downpour. It was growing late in the day, and Astral had just finished tidying up the living space when the front door slammed open. Cozy stood in the doorway.
Astral was in the kitchen. "Oh, hello Cozy. How was scho-"
Cozy stepped inside and threw her saddlebags onto the ground. She stomped over to her bed, throwing herself onto it burying her face in a pillow and screamed at the top of her lungs.
"-ol... Cozy? Is everything alright?"
Cozy stayed face down, pounding on the bed with all 4's screaming over and over, ruffling up the bedsheets.
Astral was becoming concerned, hesitating whether or not she should make her way over from the kitchen or not. "Cozy... What's wrong?"
Cozy sat up on the bed, looking around, completely ignoring Astral. Spotting Sandra, she leaped towards her, tackling her to the ground and proceeded to pound onto the plush, hooves smashing down over and over with all her might.
Sandra absorbed the blows, not fighting back; her seams beginning to split.
Cozy bent down and bit Sandra on her neck, tugging and pulling as hard as she could with a frustrated growl. Sandra began to tear. Cozy stood up on top of her, and with all her might, grabbed and pulled as hard as she could. With a sickening rip of plushy flesh, the head was removed with white cottony stuffing going everywhere.
"Cozy!" shouted Astral.
Cozy's face contorted from furrowed brows of anger to a deep frown of distraught and raw despair. She threw the head across the room, unintentionally knocking down a small trophy of hers from a shelf, breaking it without even noticing. She finally collapsed onto her haunches on top of what remained of Sandra, tilting her head back and crying ugly.
Astral grabbed Cozy up and sat her down on the bed, sitting down on the edge next to her, giving her a tight side hug. "Cozy, it's ok. Settle down, now. Shhh..."
Cozy reached over with her other foreleg for a full-on hug, crying into Astral's chest. Her muffled wailing was heartbreaking.
"There-there, Cozy. Just relax. Take your time. It's ok," soothed Astral.
The sobbing eventually slowed to a whimper. Cozy pushed off and sat next to Astral, facing forward.
"Feeling better now?" asked Astral.
Cozy nodded lightly.
"Do you mind telling me what this is all about?" she asked, softly.
Cozy breathed for a few moments before starting in a delicately broken voice, "A-after school. I was going to surprise Allen. I went to his locker, but he wasn't there. I saw one of the colts he hangs out with and asked him. He said he was in the gym." Cozy sniffled.
"And then what?" Astral kept a hoof on Cozy's back, keeping a gentle motion.
"So I went to the gym, but nopony was around. But then I found him in the back." Cozy started to get worked up again.
Going back for a side-hug, Astral began to rub Cozy's side in failing attempts to keep her calm.
"A-and... he wasn't alone. There was some other filly there. A-and, and... They were b-booping and nuzzling with each other!" She began to cry again.
"Shh, just relax, breath..." Astral stopped rubbing and pulled Cozy in closer to her.
Cozy had to yell out of her crying in order to form solid words, "A-and he, he, he... he--, he. He, he"
"Breath... He what?"
"He gave her my heart!" she screamed out, going in for another Astral chest cry.
"Oh Cozy, I'm so sorry!" said Astral with another hug, rubbing Cozy's back and wings. There was nothing more she could think of to say. Perhaps there was nothing at all that could be said.
Cozy sobbed and sobbed.
"He's just a stupid Colt, Cozy. Sometimes they do stupid things. Sometimes they're good, but sometimes you just get a bad one, and you don't know until something like this happens."
"Stupid! He's so stupid, with a stupid name!"
"Yes. Stupid colt with a stupid name. You don't need stupid in your life. I'll make it better, I promise."
The beginning sounds of rainfall could be heard outside. Astral found it somewhat fitting. 'If only it could wash away her tears...', she thought.
* * *
All cried out, Cozy went to bed early that evening, without dinner. She wasn't hungry. Sandra lay in a pool of her own fluff on the floor, the head placed next to the body. The trophy sat on the table, cement still curing. Thunder rumbled through the sky as the rain now poured heavily. Cozy was so drained that she peacefully slept right through it.
The front door opened, then closed. Astral looked around to make sure everything was just as it should be. She then washed up and went to her own bed.
***
"Thanks again, for the house call," said Astral.
"Oh, Darling, not at all. This was emergency surgery after all. I just wish you had called me sooner!" said Rarity as she stepped outside. "Do let me know if there is anything else you need."
It was late in the day. The overnight storm had run its course by morning and the sun once again shined brightly in the sky.
"Thanks again," said Astral, as she waved goodbye, closing the door. She stood Sandra back in her place by Cozy's bed, adjusting the new hat made just for her. She nodded in satisfaction, then looked to the clock on the wall. "Any minute now."
A moment later, and Cozy came in. She wasn't happy, but at least she wasn't angry either. Astral was glad.
"Hello, Cozy. Did you have a better day at school today?"
"Hi, Astral. I did," said Cozy as she set her saddlebags in their usual spot. She spotted Sandra and gasped, "You fixed her!" She ran up to her and gave a big plushy hug and nuzzling, "Oh Sandy, I'm so sorry I hurt you!"
"I had her repaired, good as new, with quality thread. You can thank Rarity for that!"
"Oh Sandy, I like your new hat!"
"You should thank Rarity for that too."
"Oh, I will!" said Cozy, spirits lifted.
"Ok, now. Go wash up. We're doing hayburgers tonight."
* * *
Dinner was mostly quiet. Cozy finally spoke up, "He wasn't at school today."
"Oh?" Astral acted surprised. "I wonder why."
Cozy shrugged. "I don't care."
"Nor should you. You shouldn't have to worry about him anymore."
"Some foals were saying he was in an accident. Others said he was just sick. One of his friends said that he just went crazy or something," shrugged Cozy.
"I'm sure he got what he deserves," said Astral, taking another bite of her burger.
"Astral?"
"Yeah?"
"Did you go out last night, in the rain?"
"Oh, um. yeah. I did. I uh, was going to see if Rarity was up, if she could fix Sandra before you woke up. But the botique was already closed. Why?"
"I thought I heard something. Maybe I was dreaming still. I had a dream last night."
"Yeah? What was it about?"
"I dreamed that Stupid was all tied up. He couldn't move or talk, but I could tell he was panicking. Then Princess Luna came and saved him. I asked her why and she said something was wrong. I don't remember the rest," recalled Cozy.
"Do you think it was really her? Or just a dream?"
"I don't know."
* * *
The next several days proved quite uneventful. It was a full week later when Cozy noticed that day, there were strange whisperings and glares from other students. She tried to ignore them at first, but later she realized they were at and about her.
Cozy turned the dial, "17, 1, 15..." she thought to herself. She pulled up on the latch and the locker clicked open. She emptied the school books from her saddlebag into her locker, closed it, and gasped in surprise as she saw Allen right beside her.
"Here," said Allen. He shoved a plush red heart at her. "Take it!"
Cozy stood there staring, shocked, unmoving.
"Take it!" he said, louder. He forcefully pushed the heart onto Cozy, letting it go. It just fell to the floor. There was a sense of urgency and fear in his voice. "Take it and stay away from me," he said as he backed off.
"...What is--" Cozy began to ask.
"Just stay away! ...Freak," he said as he turned and quickly trotted away. The students in the hall stood around and stared at Cozy for a moment before continuing on with their business.
Cozy picked up the heart, looked it over, and slipped it into her saddlebag. "Astral... What did you do?" she said to herself.
* * *
The rain came down in sheets, seemingly blowing in from any given direction, first one and then the next. It pounded the rooftops as well as anything else unfortunate enough to be out under it. There was no natural light save for the occasional flicker of lightning, followed by the booming sound of thunder as it rumbled through the clouds.
In a dark corner of an alley stood a lone figure, a unicorn shrouded in a hooded cloak deep in the shadows. She tilted her head up towards an upstairs window. The tip of her nose and glow from her horn were her only distinguishable visible features. Lightning flashed in her eyes as it jumped through the clouds. There was no light coming from the bedroom window, its occupant having been asleep for quite some time. It was already the first hours of the new day, after all. There was an unsettling presence in the air around our pony.
A loud unnerving scream came from the room of the upstairs window just as a gust of wind blew back the hood of our ...hero?
Astral grinned, turned and headed home.
* * *
"...What do you mean?" asked Astral, playing innocent.
"You did something to him, didn't you?" accused Cozy. "You didn't go to see Rarity at all!"
"Cozy..."
Home. Cozy was agitated, leaving Astral on the defensive. Dinner preparations would have to wait as Astral left the kitchen to meet Cozy in between the two beds. Cozy dug her face into the pouch on her side, pulling out a red plush heart with her teeth, dropping it onto the floor in between them.
"Something happened to him. He's not the same, I can tell. It was you, wasn't it?"
"Oh, he gave it back to you, did he?"
"He practically threw it at me!" Cozy looked down at the heart, "He called me a freak. All the students are talking, saying things. Whispering things."
"I'm sorry, Cozy."
"What did you do to him?"
"I... Took your pain, while you were sleeping. Your anger at him, the hate. The feels. I gave them to him, all at once."
"..." Cozy blinked, shocked.
"I, I felt so bad for you. It hurt me too, to see you like that. So I gave that to him too. It... reminded me of when I was your age, and how ponies treated me. How it felt. And..."
"No..." Cozy was filled with disbelief.
"I gave that to him too. He hurt you. I wanted to hurt him back. For you. For me. I didn't mean to take it too far, but once I started, I couldn't stop myself. It felt. . . good." She stepped forward towards Cozy.
Cozy stepped back, "Astral, you're scaring me."
Tears began to roll down Astral's face, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She stepped closer, but Cozy backed off more, keeping her distance. Astral stopped and turned away.
Cozy continued to back away slowly, "I... I can't. I... Astral, you're... I..." She turned and ran out the door, leaving it open behind her.
Astral picked up the heart and curled up on the floor with it. "Astral... What did you do?"
* * *
It was so very late. There was only trouble to be found out at this hour, so Cozy stepped inside and closed the door quietly behind her. The lights were on, but the house was quiet. Dinner was on the table, cold, dried out. Astral was passed out on her bed, clutching the plush heart to her chest. Salty streaks of dried tears lined her cheeks. Neither place setting had been touched. Cozy quietly moved the plates to the kitchen sink, taking a few bites of the parts that still looked edible, and downed the drink in her cup. She turned the lights down and went to the bathroom to quietly wash up.
Clean and refreshed, Cozy carefully climbed into Astral's bed, sandwiching the plush heart in between them, pulling up the covers. Without waking, Astral instinctively pulled Cozy in closer, a subconscious smile crept its way across her face. Cozy's eyes closed as she lightly smiled too. Her own bed could never feel this warm.
* * *
"Aren't you going to ask me where I went?" asked Cozy, doing her part to tidy up the living space.
"You went wherever you thought you needed to. It doesn't matter. You came back, safe, that's all I cared about." replied Astral. "I was worried, though. So I was glad you were here when I woke up."
Cozy took in Astral's words for thought as she folded laundry that had been draped all over Sandra.
"Cozy, about yesterday, this whole thing, I'm sorry."
Seemingly unphased, Cozy continued with one article of laundry after another, "I'm sorry too, Astral," she said, speaking softly. "It's nice."
"Hmm?" Astral was in the kitchen washing dishes.
"That you look out for me, I mean. It's nice."
"Oh."
"But, I'm not a helpless little filly." She was careful in her tone to sound as non-aggressive as possible. "I may be little, but I'm strong. I know that. I once brought Equestria to its knees before, after all. I survived Tartarus."
Astral listened.
"We've known each other for a long time, now. You should know that too, how strong I can be. And because of you, I know I'm even stronger." Cozy spoke casually, finishing up the last of the laundry. She picked up the heart, holding it close, turning to face Astral in the kitchen from where she stood by her own bed. "Sometimes, I just need you to save me in here. Not out there."
Cozy went over to Astral's bed, gently laying the heart on her pillow.
"I know, I guess. It's hard, strange," said Astral.
"What is?"
"Us." she said, quickly adding "But not in a bad way. I mean... Just," she took a moment to gather her thoughts.
Cozy went to brush Sandra's mane, while she listened.
"We're friends. Close friends. Best friends, I hope. But at the same time, I take care of you too. Not just because it's my job or a condition of your freedom. I don't just feel like I have to, I want to; I need to."
Cozy sat on her bed as she moved on to Sandra's tail, careful not to get the brush stuck on any tangles.
"I don't know what a real mom is like. Maybe you'd make a nice one someday. I hope I'll be a good one, I'd want to be like you." Finishing up, Cozy set the brush down on the nightstand. "There you go, Sandy. You are very pretty today," she said as she adjusted her hat and stroked the plush fur.
Astral smiled from the kitchen, watching Cozy play.
It was Cozy's first Hearth's Warming since the last time when she first met Astral muzzle to muzzle. Years had passed since then, but for Cozy it seemed like it was only yesterday. Everypony except for her was just a little bit older. Twilight was even just a little bit taller than she remembered.
Cozy was invited to Canterlot, to the castle to spend the evening in celebration with Twilight and the rest of her friends. It was a fairly active and entertaining night, though Cozy didn't feel like she really fit in. She stuck next to Astral for most of the night, and Astral at one point even insisted they eat together, hayburgers and ice cream.
The night went on as ponies started to leave, going home one or even two at a time. Astral had stepped outside to talk a little bit with Starlight, leaving Cozy alone with Twilight in the main entertainment hall of the castle. There was an awkward silence and slowly rising tension. Cozy fidgeted in her spot on the floor in front of the fireplace. Hearth’s Warming decorations dressed the walls and furniture while Pinkie Party Perfection™ confetti and streamers littered the floor. The room had been darkened, quiet now as the rowdy festive activities from earlier had finally died for the night.
"Um, Thank you for inviting me, princess," said Cozy.
"It was my pleasure having you here, Cozy. You are living proof that there can be good in every pony."
Cozy nodded lightly to Twilight before turning back to the mesmerizing dance of the flames that warmed them both. They both watched the fire crackle and glow. Periodically, a rainbow streak of blue or green would flare up for a brief moment; the last of the additives burning off. "So... School is good. I met a colt," she said.
"I heard you got into a bit of trouble over him," winked Twilight.
Cozy looked down on the floor, pushing confetti around in a small pile "I'm sorry."
"It's ok. That's not why I wanted to talk to you tonight, Cozy." Cozy blew a puff of air at her small pile, watching the pieces settle back down onto the ground in front of her. "Cozy, I wanted to apologize. For me, for Princess Celestia, for Princess Luna..." Cozy stopped fidgeting, looking up at Twilight. "I must admit, I never agreed with what they did to you, both times. I was still so very new to everything, who was I to argue with over a thousand years of leadership?" explained Twilight. Cozy sat still, her full attention on Twilight. "I was a princess too. I should have said something. I should have stood up for what I thought was right. But instead, I fooled myself into believing that they could do no wrong. I'm sorry, Cozy Glow, I truly am."
Tears began to well up in Cozy's eyes. She fought well to hold them back. "It's ok, Twilight. You forgive me, right? I'm free now. I stopped Sombra for good, and now everypony doesn't hate me, or fear me anymore."
Twilight shook her head. "No, Cozy."
"No?"
"I mean, no. You're the one whose forgiveness I want. There was so much more that I could have done for you but didn't; mistakes I've made in the past have gone uncorrected for far too long. I can't speak for the royal sisters, but I can say from the bottom of my heart, how truly sorry I am for all that you have been through in your lifetime. I may not know all that you have seen, but I can see what it has done to you, and what you've done because of it, but especially what you are doing now."
"Those mistakes. I know I've made mistakes too, now. They're all in the past. Can't we just leave them there? The whole past. All of it. I mean, learn from it. That's what they teach at your school, but... I don't know."
"No."
"No?" asked Cozy, curiously.
Twilight got up and headed over to the tree. Under it was a single, small pink gift box with a simple light-blue ribbon tieing it close and no tag to say who it was for. She brought it over and sat it down in front of Cozy. "There is at least one piece of the past that I think should be with you always." She joined Cozy on the floor in front of the fireplace.
Cozy looked the gift box over, "for me?"
Twilight nodded gently.
"Golly. But why? What did I do to deserve this?"
"Everything, Cozy. Please, open it."
Cozy gently nipped at the ribbon, tugging at the bow, undoing it. The loose ends drifted to the floor as she removed the top of the box. Carefully buried under layers of wadded tissue paper, Cozy froze as she finally saw what had been so lovingly packaged. It was indeed a piece of the past. She bit her lip, beginning to quiver.
"You are a good pony, Cozy. You always were."
Tears began to flow uncontrollably down Cozy's face. She didn't even try to hold them back anymore. She reached into the box, carefully pulling out her gift.
A badge, attached to a purple ribbon. I wasn't just any badge, this one was special. It was the seal of the school. The emblem it displayed resembled Twilight's cutie mark. She had worn it before. She was once Twilight's right-hoof assistant. She had earned it by being the most helpful pony she could. She held the badge close for a moment before putting it down. "Sorry," whimpered Cozy, softly. She didn't feel like she had earned it. It was given to her all based on lies, lies she told and that Twilight, along with everypony else believed. "I can't."
"It's yours, Cozy. You've come such a very long way. I want it to remind you of not just who you were then, but who you are now."
"I'm sorry..." whimpered Cozy, again, just under her breath.
Twilight leaned in closer to hear, asking gently, "What?" She wasn't sure how to gauge Cozy's reaction.
"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" said Cozy, progressively raising her voice. "The school, the magic... Chrysalis and Tirek. The colt." her voice cracked as she sobbed. "Just don't send me there again. I... I... I don't deserve- I don’t want to--"
Twilight reacted without thinking, quickly scooping Cozy up in a warm embrace, and rubbing her back and wings. "There there, Cozy. It's ok. Don't worry about it. You never have to worry about it, ever again. I know better now; we all do." The filly trembled and sobbed in Twilight's embrace. "Shh. It's ok."
Cozy slowly returned the embrace as she began to accept Twilight’s apology and kind gesture and gift. She began to calm down.
"It's ok. We love you, Cozy. We all do. We should have from the beginning, but now, we always will. Ok?" The hug continued on in silence "Cozy? Ok?"
Cozy continued to sit and absorb the moment for all it was worth. Her breathing was finally steady as the stream of tears slowed to a stop. She pulled away slightly, looking up at Twilight, "It's ok. I forgive you. Thank you, Twilight."
* * *
Cozy climbed into bed, pulling heavy blankets up over her. Astral sat on the edge of the bed next to her, "Did you have a good time tonight at the party?"
"Yes, I did," replied Cozy. She pulled the badge necklace up and over her head, removing it and setting it on the nightstand.
"What's that?" asked Astral.
"My past. Present. Future. It's from Twilight."
"Oh, how nice. Did you thank her for it?"
"She knows."
They kissed their goodnights and Astral turned the lights off as she made her way over to her own bed. "Sweet dreams."
"So... I was looking, and I found this spell, and I was wondering, I mean... if you are interested, if you could learn it," said Cozy, hoofing over a scroll from the library to Astral.
The two were at home in the early evening. It was the start of a special weekend: The new year was starting that very night. A festival in the middle of Ponyville's town square was already well underway.
Astral took hold of Cozy's scroll with her magic, "Cozy! You're not supposed to take these from the library!"
"I know! It was really hard to sneak out of there. I'll bring it back when we're done with it... I promise!"
Astral unrolled the scroll and looked it over. "'Your Eyes', huh?"
Moondancer said it allows you to see through somepony else's eyes, but only advanced unicorns, or... ponies like you can do it."
"Ponies like me?" asked Astral with a raised brow.
Cozy nodded, "Because you can read minds and stuff."
"Hmm... I don't know, Cozy. What good could I use a spell like that for?"
"Because I want to show you something tonight. Something special," replied Cozy.
"I don't know, Cozy. This seems kinda like dark magic. We were warned about that at Twilight-- Celestia's school. It can be abused, and corrupt the user."
"You don't have to use it all the time, just when I want you too!"
"Oh, only when -you- want me to?" teased Astral with a wink.
"On me. Please? you won't regret it. I Cozy Promise."
"Cozy Promise, ok. Let's give it a try," said Astral, warming up her horn in a soft glow. She gave the scroll another look over before rolling it back up and setting it aside.
Cozy closed her eyes tightly as Astral cast her spell. Astral's eyes went blank white in a creepy stare into space.
"I... I don't see anything," Said Astral. "...Just a faint shade of pink.
"Oh, really? Maybe it's because my eyes are closed?"
"Well open them, you silly filly!"
Astral's vision slowly flooded with light and colors that began to take form as Cozy opened her eyes. 'oh, pink eyelids. that makes sense,' thought Astral.
"Can you see?" asked Cozy.
"I can! Can you?"
"yes. everything looks the same, except for... a little hazy? I can't describe it."
"Look around!"
Cozy shook her head about, giving Astral a streaky view of the room."
"Woah, slow down, you're making me dizzy! Stop. Look at me," said Astral.
Cozy looked over at Astral.
In Astral's vision, stood a purple unicorn, with a purple and white mane and tail and a yellow bell for a cutie mark, lines radiating from it as if it were ringing. Her eyes were a creepy solid white. "That's me? you're so short, the view is practically from the floor!" she said.
Cozy pouted. "Ok, that's enough, then, or I'll show you real close, what's under your tail! I know I won't like it, but I bet you won't either!" threatened Cozy.
Astral broke the spell and shook her head. "That was so weird! So, what do you want to show me?"
"Tonight," said Cozy. "At the New Year's celebration in town. We're going, right?"
"We're going. Pinkie Pie is putting it on, everypony will be there!"
* * *
Astral opened the door and stepped inside. "Cozy? are you ready to go? The sun is beginning to set, and I hear a lot of ponies are already out there!"
There was no response. The house was quiet.
She looked around, spotting a folded note in Sandra the life-sized plush’s mouth. "Is that for me?" asked Astral, gently taking the note from her mouth with her magic. She opened it and out fell a pink pegasus feather. Astral caught it as it fluttered to the ground.
"dear astral," she read out loud. "please dont wait up for me. i already headed out so i can be at the rite place at the rite time. i hope you can find me. look through my eyes when the fireworks start. i gave you one of my best feathers if that will help. dont worry, it didnt hurt to much, and it will grow back, i hope." She looked the feather over "Best feather, from best filly."
* * *
The festival was in full swing. Everypony was there. The ground shook with bass as music was played by everypony's favorite DJ. The streets were crowded, lined with vendors selling all sorts of carnival fare. Astral worked her way through and opted for the quieter hillside overlooking the lake. Luna’s moon reflected clearly in the softly rippling water. there were few clouds surrounding the area, no doubt strategically placed for the event. Ponies on picnic blankets littered the lawn in a peaceful chatter. Astral found a quiet secluded spot under a tree.
The music stopped as the last song concluded, exciting the crowd. Some announcements were being made, though the lake was too far to hear anything more than smeared echoes. What was clear, however, was the sound of everypony cheering, and beginning to count down from 10.
Astral looked around, but Cozy was nowhere in sight. She leaned back against the tree, closed her eyes and began to concentrate, her horn starting to glow.
Nothing.
"7! 6! 5!"
She pulled out Cozy's feather, holding it close, and giving it a deep whiff. It smelled like Cozy. She closed her eyes and tried again. "There!" She found her.
Dark... A tint of pink. Cozy had her eyes closed.
"1! Happy New Year!" Everypony was shouting at each other while hugs, kisses, nuzzles and boops went around.
The fireworks started, and Astral's vision flooded with bright exploding colors. It was the most amazing, beautiful sight she had ever seen. Her view panned around to see pegasi rushing around, loading cannons and lighting fuses. Others were holding balls with fuses, lighting them and tossing them into the sky below. Cozy was sitting on a cloud. The view stood up and moved to the edge of the cloud, looking down. Astral yelped out, waving her hooves around.
The sky was full of dancing lights and sparkles of all colors going every which way. It was something she never thought in a million years she would ever get to witness, a privilege only for those gifted with flight.
Tears ran down Astral's face.
Fireworks and sparkles were everywhere! It was so beautiful, Astral was seeing and she still couldn't believe. No other pony, earth or unicorn could ever get that close yet here she was with a dynamic front-row seat. Her camera operator bound from cloud to cloud, hanging in the air in the spaces in between. She could almost feel like she herself was floating along. Every once in a while, she would look down and see a set of small pink hooves stepping on pillowy white fluff. For a moment, she wished she was born a pegasus, envying their true freedom. She was growing stronger in her telepathy, but she knew she would never be strong enough to levitate more than an object half her size, let alone herself. She might be able to pull off teleportation if she tried hard enough, but that still came with risks for the average unicorn who didn't specialize in it.
Astral's view then went up to a pyrotechnic pegasus, up into his ear real close. "Huh? Why is she showing me that?" The view backed off and the pony nodded to her. "Oh, she was telling him something. I must find a version of this spell that includes hearing."
The view continued to hop around from cloud to cloud and spin and look at the fireworks. Astral was finally getting used to the disconnect of not feeling motion matching up with her borrowed sight.
Worker ponies began to line up around the edges of the clouds, each strapped with mounts where instead of saddlebags were stacks of tubes. One pegasus few out to the middle, holding colored flags. He waved them around in a fancy pattern at the other worker ponies and then brought them up high. A moment later, he brought them both down quickly, and each pony on the edge of the clouds fired in unison down towards a central space into the sky below.
A huge eruption of brightly colored stars exploded and spread out, some spawning smaller explosions and bursts of their own. It was the big finale.
The lead pegasus looked over at Astral- at Cozy, and circled a flag overhead, then brought it down low quickly.
Cozy took her cue and flew out into the center of the mess of magical stars, diving straight down through it toward the lake. She spun a little bit as she dove watching the stars swirl around her until she had passed them all; the lake was coming up pretty fast.
At the last moment, Cozy pulled up and leveled off, hooves splashing and dragging through the water as she glided over it through the air; too close for comfort. Cozy could fly, but she was nowhere near as skilled as any pegasus athlete. She could very well have made an unexpectedly big splash.
Flying away from the center of the lake, she scanned the shoreline, looking for Astral. There she was, screaming out and hugging the ground; bits of torn-up turf all around her. 'oh, right. this must be terrifying to a pony without wings!' thought Cozy.
She slowed down and glided up to the pale unicorn.
Astral shook her head, breaking the spell. "WOW!" she exclaimed, out of breath. Ponies around her stared at the spectacle. "Cozy, that was amazing!"
"I know!" agreed Cozy. "Did you like it?"
"Cozy, I loved it! Thank you so much! But I thought I was going to die there for a minute."
"Oh," laugh Cozy. "Sorry. It's not scary when you have wings, though. Did my feather help?"
"It was perfect. And it looks like you won't be missing it, either."
"I won't. It's for you! So you can always find me when you need me."
"Aww thank you, Cozy. I'll be sure to keep it somewhere safe," said Astral, pulling Cozy in for a hug. "Happy new year."
"Happy new year, Astral. Maybe we can go flying again sometime."
"You know, I think I might like that. It's too bad I can't share my magic with you."
"I already had magic once. I'll keep my wings."
"Ok, well I'll tell you what. Next time I am feeling too happy, I'll be sure to save some and give it to you when you're down, ok?"
"Ok."
"Let's go home."
"My wings are tired. Can I ride?"
"Yeah."
* * *
Cozy laid on Astral's back as they made their way home. She wasn't used to being so active all the way up in the clouds.
Astral made light conversation with the sleepy filly. "Were you really going to show me my butt?"
"...Maybe." Cozy was too tuckered out to put too much effort into her side of the conversation.
"That's gross, Cozy. My poop comes out of there." A passing pony gave her a strange look.
Cozy laugh, tiredly. "...but why? I poop from there too."
"You poop from my butt?"
Cozy laughed again. "No! Why are you talking about pooping?!?"
"You're the one who wanted to see where it comes from!" teased Astral.
"No I didn't!"
"You were gonna show me!"
"Only because you... Shut up!"
"You shut up!" said Astral, playfully as she shouldered up, nudging Cozy's face that was resting on it. "You're a poop."
"You're a poop!"
"A stinky smelly, wet poop."
"Eww. I only poop ...normal. It doesn't even... stink." Her words were getting quieter and slower.
"Oh, it doesn't now?"
"I used to be conceded, but now I'm perfect," yawned Cozy.
"Cozy, that doesn't even... Cozy?" Astral could feel the filly shifting and sliding to one side. "Hup!" She shifted her over so as to not fall off.
Cozy snored softly on Astral's back. Astral was glad she was a unicorn after all. Levitating Cozy into her bed was going to be a lot easier to do without waking her. She wasn't even sure how the other races did such a thing; if they ever did it at all.
"The bottom line, Cozy, is to be able to attend the School of Friendship, you have to make some friends," said Starlight.
The afternoon sun shone through the window into the headmare's office. Students went about their daily business out in the schoolyard as Cozy peered down at them. Starlight sat at her desk, her chair turned to face Cozy Glow at the window, "Cozy?"
"I'm listening," said Cozy into the window, her eyes following a random pair of students as they journeyed across the yard towards the dorms.
"What are we going to do?"
"I had a friend. Allen." Cozy kept her gaze out into the yard.
"Right, Cozy Glow: 'had'. As I recall, that didn't start out very well, and it ended even worse." Starlight let out a sigh as she turned back toward her desk, gently stroking a leaf on one of her plants. "His parents have finally decided to drop the whole thing, as long as you two stay away from each other. I don't know what you could have done to make everypony so upset."
Cozy turned away from the window to face Starlight. "I didn't! It was A--" She stopped short of opening up a whole other can of worms she previously thought had been dumped.
Starlight looked back at Cozy without turning in her chair, "Say again?"
"Allen. It was his fault," said Cozy as she walked around the desk, taking a seat in front of it.
"Well, either way, you need to have at least one new friend by the end of the grading period, or we might have to re-think your options here."
Cozy looked down into her lap and grumbled, "Stupid colt."
Starlight sighed, "Cozy, you're a good little pony I Just know it. I don't want this chance for you to be wasted. Please. Try harder this time. Make a real friend. One who is a student here, like you."
Cozy continued to grumble under her breath, "Nopony here ever tried to take over Equestria like me."
"I did."
Starlight's announcement certainly caught Cozy's full attention.
* * *
Cozy slowly stepped out of the office into the hallway, gently closing the door behind her. She paused for a moment to think about the conversation she just had and the new information she learned about her headmare's past. It was hard for her to imagine Starlight as being an evil pony. At the same time, she could also understand her motives and see them as not being evil at all. This brought into question her own motives, both past and present. There was a lot for her to think about as she took flight down the hall looking back at Starlight's office as she rounded a corner. "But still..."
*Smack!*
School papers went everywhere as Cozy landed flat on her back. Lightly dazed, she got up and dusted herself off. Laid out on the ground in front of her was a pegasus colt seeming about her age. "Golly. Are you alright?" She asked, lending a helping hoof.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. I totally wasn't looking where I was flying," said the colt.
"You should be more careful next time!" said Cozy. 'So should I,' she thought.
The two scrambled to pick up all of the papers before they got too trampled on in the busy hall traffic.
"I'm still new here, and get kinda lost. My name's Tenderhoof." He held out a booted hoof.
"I'm Cozy Glow," said Cozy as she reached out for a hoof shake. 'boots?' she thought.
"Nice to uh, run into you, I guess. Fly, I mean. ...into, you."
"Yeah, nice too- hey, would you be my friend?" asked Cozy.
"Yeah, sure! If you'll help me find the headmare's office. I'm supposed to drop off this permission slip my parents signed before I go home today." Tenderhoof carefully flattened out a piece of paper from the many sheets he and Cozy had been collecting off of the ground.
"Perfect! You're coming with me!" she said as she grabbed him by the boot and forcefully lead him through the air, losing miscellaneous papers along the way.
* * *
Starlight looked up from her paperwork, "Come in. Oh, hi, Tenderhoof. Cozy Glow? Can I help you with som-"
Cozy was quick to interrupt, "Starlight, I made a friend! See? Here he is!"
"Already?" asked Starlight. She looked suspiciously at the two foals standing in front of her desk. She sighed. "Cozy, you can't just force ponies to be your friend. Do you remember what happened last time?"
"What, Allen? Or the time I tricked the whole school? No, I didn't force him. I asked, nicely."
Starlight turned to Tenderhoof, "Did she?"
"She did," replied Tenderhoof.
"He said yes!" exclaimed Cozy.
Starlight slid her paperwork to the side of her desk, clearing the space in front of her. "Cozy, you two just met. A real friendship takes longer than that to form. And when you rush things, well, yeah, there was Allen."
"Oh, you don't need to worry about that. I'm keeping Tenderhoof in the friend zone. He won't ever be in the boop zone."
Tenderhoof blushed, "uhh..."
"...Right," said Starlight. "Tenderhoof, do you have something for me?"
"Oh, right!" Tenderhoof was relieved the subject had been changed. He dug through his saddlebag pulling out an envelope and hoofing it over along with his carefully flattened slip from earlier, "Here you go, headmare."
"Thank you," said Starlight. "Cozy, Tenderhoof, I'm going to be keeping my eye on you two."
"Yes, headmare," the two said simultaneously.
* * *
"Cloudsdale?" asked Cozy.
School had let out and now Tenderhoof and Cozy walked together through town, both on their way home for the day.
"Yeah. We just finished moving over the weekend," replied Tenderhoof.
Cozy looked quizzically at her companion as they walked, "Why all the way down here?"
Tenderhoof kept his gaze forward. "My parents said it's what I need, to be on the ground right now, not up in the clouds. They say it'll be good for my... well, it'll be good for me."
"Grounded," commented Cozy. "Oh hey, by the way, we don't have to be friends, if you don't want to. I was just trying to get Starlight off my back."
"It's ok. We can just pretend for now. You can help show me around and stuff. And if Starlight asks, I'll still say that we are. Okay?"
"Okay."
They continued to walk down the road together. A passing cart caused Tenderhoof to step out of the way, bumping sides with Cozy. Cozy took it as a challenge and bumped back. Tenderhoof misstepped a little but quickly regained his traction. He bumped Cozy back, harder this time, pushing her to the side. Not to be out-bumped, Cozy put her weight into Tenderhoof, bumping him off the road and over onto his side in the grass. The two laughed as he got up and continued towards an intersection.
"My house is this way," said Tenderhoof as he pointed off down the road with a boot.
"Oh. I'm over here," said Cozy, pointing in the other direction down the road with her nose.
"See you tomorrow?" asked Tenderhoof.
"Yeah, sure."
They began to walk their separate ways. Tenderhoof stopped and turned, "It was nice running into you, uh... Not friend," he called out.
"Bye, Boots," replied Cozy, not stopping or turning.
Tenderhoof smiled, turned and continued down the road toward his house.
* * *
"I met a colt today," announced Cozy, at the dinner table.
"Another one?" asked Astral.
"We're not friends though. We're just going to pretend we are."
"Cozy, you need real friends. Not just me."
"I know," said Cozy, taking another mouthful of food. She chewed for a bit and swallowed. "Boots is just to keep Starlight happy. I'll make some real friends soon."
Astral raised a brow, "Boots?"
"That's what I call him. Boots. Because he wears boots. He's from Cloudsdale."
"That's not really a pony name, Cozy. He's not a cat."
"I know."
"Are you sure you're not friends with him already?"
"I'm sure. We're 'notfriends'. We even pushed each other around a little after school today," said Cozy before digging her face into her bowl again.
Astral took the opportunity to roll her eyes. "Do you want me to... look into him? Tell him to keep his distance if he knows what's best for him?"
Cozy thought for a moment as she chewed. "Maybe?"
"I was just kidding, Cozy."
"Oh! Yeah. Me too," said Cozy, sheepishly.
"Well, you be careful this time. Friends are sneaky sometimes," Astral lowered her voice, leaning in close, "One minute, you're all alone. And then you meet someone. And then suddenly, BAM! Friend."
Cozy's wings flared out as she jumped in her seat. "Oh, ha-ha, Astral. Very funny."
"It's true!" said Astral, sitting upright again. "You just be sure to tell me if Mr. Boots is too nice. I might have to have a word with him about being friendly."
Cozy looked to the side as she pouted lightly at Astral.
"It's good though."
"What is?" she asked, turning back to face her.
"That he's a pegasus, like you. If you two were actually friends, that is. Something in common. You could use that to help fool Starlight. You should see if there is anything else you have in common, get to know him, gather intelligence," suggested Astral.
"Ooh, good idea. Thanks!" Cozy was surprised that Astral was going along with her notfriend plans.
"But tell him about yourself too, so nopony else gets suspicious," she said with a wink.
Cozy formed a devilish grin, "yes, that would be perfect, I think I'll eat lunch with him tomorrow."
"Good idea."
* * *
The lunchroom was relatively crowded, as usual. Students of all shapes and sizes occupied the tables in their own little groups. No single conversation could be easily made out, though the occasional burst of laughter would happen from time to time.
After a bit of looking around, Cozy found what she was looking for and pulled up a chair next to Tender. "Hi, Boots."
"Hi, Cozy." Tender had been sitting alone at a mostly empty table. He had brought his lunch from home, but had yet to open it.
Cozy unpacked her lunch. It was a sandwich; she peeked under the bread. "What are you having today?"
"I made a carrot and apple salad," said Tender as he began to unpack his lunch from its paper bag, and took his first bites.
"You make your own lunch? My m- fr-- guardian makes mine for me. Usually with leftovers from last night."
"Oh. My parents work at the weather factory, so they have to get up extra early, now; especially since we don't live in the clouds anymore."
"Oh," said Cozy. "Hey, I'll trade you!" She quickly swapped Tender's lunch out while he was mid-bite.
"Oh, ok." He picked up the sandwich and was about to take a bite when Allen passed by behind him, knocking the corner of his tray into his head, making him drop the sandwich open on the table, wet-side down.
"Oops!" said Allen, sarcastically before laughing and trotting off "...Weirdo boot-pony."
"Not funny, Allen!" yelled Cozy after him, but he just ignored her and sat at a table with his colt friends. She helped Tender get his sandwich back together. "I'm sorry about him. He's just a big jerk."
"It's ok. I'm... I'm used to it."
Cozy noticed that he was in fact still wearing his boots, even while eating. They were short and featureless. the material was well worn in and flexible. "Do you wear those all the time?"
"What, these? No, not all the time. I take them off to sleep. Or shower and stuff."
"Why, though?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Oh. Ok. You do know that's why ponies think you're weird, right?"
Tender looked up from his new sandwich, "Do you think I'm weird?"
Cozy shrugged, "Yeah. I do, but in a good way."
"I'd rather be weird with the boots than weird without them," mumbled Tender as he took a bite out of the sandwich. It was tastier than he had expected, though he knew he could do better. He missed his salad, but he was glad to see Cozy enjoying it.
They sat and chewed their food together.
"I'm not from Ponyville either," said Cozy. "I'm not even from Equestria."
"Are you... an alien?" asked Tender.
Cozy laughed, "No, silly! There's more to this planet than Equestria!" She looked around, pointing out students: "Yakyakistan, the Changling kingdom, Mount Erris... Those aren't part of Equestria."
"Oh, right."
"I remember when they were all just starting to become friendly with us ponies. The school had just opened up, and we almost went to war.
"What? how could you? That was before we were even born!"
"Oh... Well, I don't want to talk about it."
* * *
Another day, another lunch together. Another meal swapping. Cozy wasn't even asking anymore, she'd just switch out and he'd just let it happen. Another hassling from Allen and his friends, another walk home together. Cozy had everyone fooled; everycreature really thought she and Tenderhoof were actual friends, with all the sharing and caring they did. Tenderhoof was fooled, but Cozy knew better.
It was early in the evening when the final bell rang. Cozy waited out front for her notfriend to show up. 'He's late,' she thought to herself. She paced around on the front walk back and forth, humming to herself. A small group of rowdy students ran through to the far, secluded side of the school. Cozy watched as they rounded the corner. "What's going on over there?" She wandered over to investigate.
There was a gathering of students all circled around an open space in the yard on the side of the building. There was a back door, with the only windows being the small reinforced ones placed high up on the walls of the gymnasium. The students were all facing the center of their gathering shouting out and cheering in an aggressive manner. Cozy tried to push through the crowd of ponies to see what the commotion was all about. After being shoved around a bit, she gave up and decided to fly up and over them. Her airborne view gave her a shock.
Allen and his gang were in the middle. They were shoving around a pony; a pegasus. It was Tenderhoof. Cozy got her view just in time to see them push him down, landing with a thud into a cloud of dust. Cozy couldn't believe what she was seeing. The crowd was feral. They were enjoying themselves, cheering and egging on Allen and his friends as they bullied poor Tenderhoof. Two of the bigger friends held him to the ground while Allen reached down and grabbed a foreleg, pulling on his boot. The remaining bully grabbed his other foreleg and began pulling on that boot at the same time. Tender screamed and pleaded with tears in his eyes for them to stop, but they continued to pull while he held on tight with every ounce of his strength, his tail swishing about.
Cozy flattened her ears and dove from the air into Allen, knocking him back and causing him to let go. "What are you doing? Stop it! You're hurting him!"
"Hey look everypony! It's the marefriend, Crazy Glue!" shouted Allen, looking around. He pushed Cozy down to the ground and grabbed Tender's boot again and pulled.
Cozy coughed in the dust. She looked over to Tenderhoof. He looked back with pleading eyes, "Help me..." he said to her, weakly.
"I... I can't. I can't get in a fight. I'm... I'm sorry." She flew up, out of reach over the crowd, shouting at them to stop.
A boot came off. Allen held his trophy high up in the air. Tenderhoof cried out.
A second boot came off and it was quickly tossed into the crowd.
An eruption of following cheers was quickly being hushed as Cozy and everyone looked onto Tenderhoof.
He was curled up, trying to hide, trying to cry silently, trying not to cry at all.
'noodles?' thought Cozy. What was he holding? 'Brushes?'
The silence that fell on the crowd was quickly replaced by whisperings of the sight that lay before them.
A dirt rock pegged Tenderhoof in the face. It crumbled on impact leaving a cloud of dust as he coughed and choaked on it. The rock came from somewhere in the crowd. One by one, students took their cue and started pelting him with hoof-fulls of what could be picked up or dug from the ground.
"No." said Cozy. "Stop it!" she yelled out, but nopony would listen to her.
Tenderhoof covered his face with stringy hooves, crying out, "Cozy... Help me, please!"
With tears in her eyes and a frown, Cozy could only shake her head, and flew off, away from everypony.
Tenderhoof curled up tighter, waiting for it to all to finally end. He kept his face covered, his wings spread over his body as he lay curled on the ground. He was being covered in dirt clumps and mud. He couldn't believe what was happening. This wasn't supposed to be something that happened at the School of Friendship. Pegasi were never this cruel to their own. One clump of dirt knocked his head pretty hard, leaving him slightly dazed; not dirt, it was a rock. Another glanced off his back, weltingly hard. What the actual buck? He was now sure he was going to die there. With his humiliation, pain and suffering, he almost welcomed it.
A ball of light flashed around him, as two ponies appeared by his side. Starlight put up her shield, to cover herself, Tenderhoof and Cozy Glow who had returned with Starlight, but not fast enough as a larger rock made it through, landing right on her face. She rubbed her face while all the students suddenly stopped and gasped, backing away quickly. They turned to run, but the exits were blocked by professors running in to contain them.
"Enough! Everypony, stop!" shouted Starlight as she dropped her shield. "Sit down!"
The students were quick to obey.
Cozy brushed the dirt off of Tenderhoof. "I got help as fast as I could. I'm sorry I couldn't help more."
Tenderhoof struggled to his hooves, limping on the two unbooted ones. In his shame, he pushed Cozy away, spread his wings and took to the sky, off as fast as he could.
"Boots, ...wait," said Cozy, but he was already well out of earshot.
Starlight ordered everypony into the gym, the professors saw to it that it was an orderly march. She looked around for Cozy, but she wasn't there. It didn't matter, Cozy didn't need the lecture and punishment the native half of the school was about to receive.
Tenderhoof landed in a park far from the school under the shade of a tree. He sat on his haunches bending forward and cried in his unbooted hooves. Nopony was around, so he let it all out. It started as a whimper but grew stronger until he was wailing at the top of his lungs. It almost felt good if it were not for the causing circumstance. With his eyes shut tight, he squeezed out every last tear he had.
When he finally began to settle, he heard a small thud on the grass in front of him, then a second. Then a small voice from above spoke out to him. "Golly, you sure are noisy for such a little pony. I thought colts never cried."
Tenderhoof sniffled and wiped the tears from his eyes, slowly opening them, they were bloodshot red. In front of him were his two missing boots. He looked up to see Cozy above him, laying on a branch, looking down at him. "What do you want? Go away!" he ordered.
"No," she casually said.
"Now you know my secret. Are you happy now? Look! Take a picture already!" he held up his hoof to her. "I'm just a freak!"
"No," she said again, casually as she hopped off the branch and fluttered down to the ground in front of him.
"Then why are you here?" he asked, sniffling and wiping away more tears.
"To bring you your boots back. Duh!" She reached out to grab his hoof but he retracted quickly, though not all the way. She reached out further grabbing hold and pulling it towards her. She looked closely at it for a moment. He looked away, ashamed, but turned back when he felt his boot being fitted over it. Cozy carefully fitted his other boot onto his other hoof. "It looks like those hurt without these, huh."
Tenderhoof adjusted the fit of his boots. "It's my condition. Why we moved out of the clouds," he said softly.
Cozy nodded.
"I'm sorry," said Cozy, equally softly.
"It's ok. It's just something I have to deal with."
"No. I mean... I'm sorry I couldn't help more."
"Oh."
Cozy scooted closer to Tenderhoof, keeping her voice low, looking down at their hooves together. "I've been to Tartarus." She paused for a moment. "Then... I got turned into stone. I'm a bad pony, trying to be good. That's why... why I couldn't fight for you."
"Wait. You're THAT Cozy? The one from the schoolbooks?!"
Cozy slowly looked up from the ground to Tenderhoof. "That's still in the books?"
"The old ones... Wow! That's... That's-" Tenderhoof was at a loss for words.
Cozy frowned.
"I mean... You're not a bad pony, Cozy," he said.
"No!" shouted Cozy. "Not from you. Everypony else, I don't need it from you too--" she said, annoyed and frustrated.
"No, listen to me. You're not a bad pony. You're... You're a badass pony. Cozy Glow. THE Cozy Glow... And I'm frien-- I'm notfriends with her too!" He finally smiled for the first time that afternoon.
Cozy blinked, then turned up a slight smirk. "Yeah... Notfriends." she pat him on the shoulder.
They got up and walked through the park, talking the afternoon away.
"Every pony is born with them, you know. You had them once too."
"Really?" She paused to look at the soft froggy centers of her hooves.
"Yeah. They're supposed to come off when you start walking except... I didn't really start walking so they stayed on. My parents said I would scream and cry whenever I did try walking or standing, so they just carried me, or I flew instead. I grew a little, and they stuck. The clouds were too soft to make them come off, I guess, but they started to hurt more. So my parents got me boots. The doctor said I needed to spend more time on the actual ground or else they might have to do surgery, and that's why we moved down here."
"Oh," said Cozy as she listened intently.
"My parents wanted to give me a fresh start too. Because of the bullies up there. But the ones down here are meaner."
"I wish I could help you more. But I can't get in trouble or I might... go back or... worse."
"It's ok."
They continued to walk and talk until late in the evening before eventually splitting off and heading home.
* * *
Cozy sat alone on the bench outside of Starlight's office. She could Distinctly hear three voices arguing inside. It wasn't a heated debate, though she could tell that nopony was very happy. She swung her rear hooves as they dangled freely from the seat, waiting. Time always seemed to slow down while sitting on that particular bench. She's spent more time on it than she'd care to admit. The voices finished, and the door opened. Cozy quickly sat up straight, looking up to see who would be coming out first.
Neighsay. What was he doing here? he stepped out and silently glared at Cozy and he made his way into the hall before turning and leaving down it. Cozy gulped.
Princess Twilight was next to come out. Cozy looked down in shame, but Twilight gently lifted her chin with a hoof and a warm smile. Cozy could tell it was only a smile on her behalf but she knew they both wanted it to be real. They nodded lightly to each other. Twilight turned, walking partially down the hall before teleporting out in a bright purple poof of princess magic.
"Cozy? You may come in now," called Starlight from her desk.
Cozy got up off the bench and went inside.
Pleasantries were quick, but there was still much ice to be broken as she took a seat in front of Starlight's desk.
"How is he?" asked Starlight.
Cozy shrugged, looking down at the floor.
"He won't talk to counselor Trixie." Cozy didn't respond. "He talks to you, though."
Cozy continued to sit quietly.
Starlight sighed. "Almost half the school is suspended, you may have noticed. ...The pony half. Some are even expelled. Allen is."
Cozy finally broke her silence without looking up from the desk,"Sorry..."
Starlight sighed again. "No cozy. I'm glad. I mean, I'm not glad things turned out this way, but... you did the right thing, getting a grownup, and not fighting. You're not in trouble, Cozy."
"...Ok," said Cozy, softly.
Starlight got up from the desk, pulling the empty seat next to Cozy to sit directly across from her. "Cozy? How are you doing?"
"His hooves... Why he wears the boots. He-"
I know about that, Cozy. ever since he started here. What I didn't know, Cozy was how everypony was treating him when we weren't looking. You should have let us know."
"Sorry."
"No, don't be. Just remember, we can't do anything about it if we don't know about it," said Starlight, reaching forward and patting Cozy on the back. Starlight paused. A thought occurred to her. She got up, turning her back to Cozy as she fiddled with some items on a shelf, "You know, ponies like Allen need to be taught a lesson sometimes. ...A, 'friendship' lesson. One that we can't teach on school grounds."
Cozy finally looked up at Starlight with interest.
"If something were to happen to a pony like Allen, and it didn't happen here, ...and I don't know anything about it. ...There's absolutely nothing I could do. You know?"
"You want me to--"
"You know?" asked Starlight again, turning to face her.
Cozy thought for a moment before nodding slowly, "Yes. I know."
* * *
Earlier.
Starlight was sitting at her desk as she watered her plants and tidied up some. She had already sent for Cozy to stop by after the morning classes. A flash of purple magic and a very angry-looking Twilight appeared in the middle of her office.
"Starlight! What the buck are you doing to my school?!?" shouted Twilight.
Starlight shouted back as she quickly stood up from her chair, "Your school? You may have started it, but I'm finishing it!" She jumped up onto her desk in a defensive stance.
Twilight gasped. "How dare you!" Her horn warmed up, sparkling furiously at the tip.
Starlight jumped down to mere inches from Twilight, lighting up her own horn, and crossing it with Twilight's.
They growled at each other for a moment, Noses pressed. The magic died down as they stared into each other's eyes, building up another kind of magic. They slowly opened their mouths, turning their heads, to slowly go in for a passionate kiss. Closer, closer still...
Twilight was the first to break with laughter, "Ha! You actually would, wouldn't you?"
Starlight smirked a grin as she went back around to her side of the desk, sitting down. "I guess we'll never know if you keep losing now, will we?"
Twilight plopped herself down in the seat in front of the desk, draping herself over as if she had just melted. "What a mess..." she sighed.
"You read my report, huh."
"Is it obvious?" asked Twilight.
"So I take it that's what brings you here today?"
"Neighsay's on his way. I thought you could use some backup."
"Thanks, Twilight. Something tells me I'm gonna need it."
Twilight stretched and sat up straight. "You know, Starlight? Sometimes I wonder... if we're doing the right thing."
"With Cozy?"
"With the school."
There was a knock on the door. Twilight stretched one last time and stood up, making sure her appearance was princess perfect. "Well, here we go," She said.
"Come in," said Starlight.
The door opened, and Neighsay stepped inside.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the encounter dragged on. It was as unpleasant as it was seemingly pointless.
"...Once again, I must state that this never would have happened at an E.E.A. school," Neighsay finally finished his rant. He stood at the desk in front of Twilight as he spoke to Starlight who was sitting and listening patiently.
Starlight looked up at the clock on the wall." Yes, well this is still not an E.E.A. school, and you still have no jurisdiction here."
"Yes, unfortunately, that is the case," said Neighsay. Twilight mouthed his words mockingly behind his back while Starlight struggled to keep from bursting into laughter. "...And I feel I must also warn you about that Cozy Glow. She is nothing but trouble! She would never be admitted to one of my schools, that's for sure."
"Your schools?" asked Twilight, an eyebrow raised.
"Well, the princess and I are both glad that she is attending here, where she is welcome. You, on the other hoof, must have some other matters to attend to if I'm not mistaken," said Starlight.
"Oh, yes," said Twilight. "Very important matters indeed. You should get right on them, now," as she led him to the door.
"Very well, but you both have been warned."
"Yes, warned. We'll take it under advisement," said Starlight, waving bye to him.
Neighsay turned and headed out of the door. Twilight took the opportunity to show a middle feather to the back of his head. Starlight covered a smile with her hoof.
"Starlight," said Twilight. "It was nice seeing you again. Please keep me informed as always. See you at the next Counsel of Friendship? It will be a slumber party!"
"Of course, Twilight. Wouldn't miss it for the world!"
Twilight headed out.
"Cozy? You may come in now."
* * *
Cozy walked down the hall, almost in a daze as she headed to the cafeteria. 'Did she really tell me to... I mean, did she really give me permission to...' she thought to herself. She shook her head and her stomach rumbled. "Nevermind that for now," she said to herself. "Must have food." She stepped into the cafeteria and scanned the crowd for her notfriend. "There you are!"
She pulled up a seat and sat next to him as usual. "Hi, Boots."
"Hi Crazy." he said, as he slid his lunch over.
Cozy pushed the food back, "No, you can keep it today."
Tender pushed it back, "No. You take it. I made it especially for you this time. I uh... I've been watching you eat my lunch, and remembered the parts that you really liked, and the parts that you didn't like. So... you should really like this one all the way through."
"Oh. Thanks?"
Tender smiled, "You're welcome."
A changeling several tables down got up on the table, "Hey look everycreature! Guess who I am!" he said as he transformed into a larger-than-life plate of spaghetti with two meatballs on top. The surrounding students turned and looked at Tenderhoof before bursting into laughter.
Tenderhoof saw and clammed up, frowning, looking down into his lap.
Cozy saw and a fire ignited inside her. Tartarus hath no fury... She slammed down Tender's lunch in front of her, climbed up over the table and marched toward the changeling's direction. She grabbed a utensil off of a tray from a student that stopped in his tracks to make way for her as she stormed through. She pushed him down as she passed anyway. Halfway to the changeling she took to the air at speed. "Hey shapeshifter!" she yelled out as she dove in.
He turned just in time for Cozy to land right on top of the pile of spaghetti.
"Stick a bucking spork in it!" she yelled out, jamming the utensil into one of the meatballs on top.
The changeling cried out as he transformed back into a skittle-colored bug. The spork was nowhere to be seen, but the student was doubled over on his side on top of the table as he kept a very tight cover of his groin, reaching down with his front legs.
Cozy stood rigid, as she stood on the table in front of the downed changeling. Her mane could actually be on fire, she was so hot with rage.
"Cozy?" said Tenderhoof.
Cozy picked up a plastic knife and stared down at the students that had previously laughed, "Who wants seconds?!?" she growled out, wings flared out.
"Cozy!" said Tenderhoof, clopping his boot on the table in front of her.
She shook her head and turned to Tenderhoof. She was still sitting at the table next to her notfriend. She looked over to the changeling's table. A lunchroom monitor had rushed in to scold them.
"Cozy, are you ok?" asked Tenderhoof.
Her wings were up. She looked back to him. "Uh. Yeah... Let's eat outside today, by the tree." She slowly folded her wings back.
Things were much more peaceful outside. They ate quietly together.
Tender turned to Cozy, "...So?"
Cozy said with a mouthful, "Somepony needs to teach that changeling a lesson."
"What? No. My-- Your lunch. How is it?"
Cozy swallowed. "Oh. It's... really good," she said with a smile. "Your best one so far."
"Thank you!" he replied, with an equally large smile.
"Listen, Boots... I'm sorry about Allen."
"Hey, I said it's ok. He's gone now."
"No! It's not. He's just going to be a jerk somewhere else until somepony teaches him a lesson. I'll get him back for you. I promise."
"Cozy... I don't want you getting in trouble just for me. I told you, I'm used to it. It's ok, really."
Cozy just shook her head as she finished the last bite. "I'll get him back. For me too. I got a knife."
* * *
The chase through the neighborhood was a short one. Allen had been caught trying to put the moves on another filly his age, who was clearly not interested. He foalishly cornered himself in an alley. Cozy's shadow loomed large over him as she approached, knife gripped tightly in her teeth as the light glinted off of it.
"What are you going to do to me?" asked Allen in a panic.
"I would take your feathers, except you're not a pegasus. She looked him over with craziness in her eyes. She was uncomfortably close, nearly on top of him, "You're not a unicorn, so no horn. I guess I'm just going to have to cut something else off," she said as she loomed over the cowering colt, his filly-like screams echoed down the alley, but nopony was around to hear him.
* * *
Dinner was quiet. Cozy sat at the table, eating away happily. Astral barely touched her food and just watched Cozy.
"So... How was school?" asked Astral.
"Good," replied Cozy as she continued eating, not stopping to talk.
"...Did anything happen today?"
"I saw Princess Twilight." Cozy had not a care in the world.
"Yeah?"
"She didn't say anything to me, though. She just smiled and then left."
Astral was getting nowhere. Her curious suspicion got the better of her, and she took a peek into Cozy's thoughts.
'Who's a pink pony? I'm a pink pony! Pony, pony, boney baloney. Stoney pony eats macaroni, ain't no phony lecture's droney pony pony mates and moany...'
She quickly tuned out, shaking her head. "Cozy?"
"Yeah?" She kept on eating.
"Cozy... Stop. Look at me."
Cozy put the bowl down. "...What's wrong, Astral?"
"There's something you're not telling me, Cozy," said Astral, sternly.
"Like what?" Cozy tried to play it off with a smile.
Astral rubbed the spot in between her eyes for a moment before sharply asking while pointing to Sandra, "Like WHO's TAIL IS THAT OVER THERE?!?", sounding much more demanding than she wanted to. The stress was getting to her.
"Oh, that's mine."
"No, Cozy! Where did it come from?"
"Allen gave it to me."
Astral rubbed the sides of her head, "Cozy... Why in Equestria would he do that?"
"Because he didn't have any feathers."
Astral's voice began to sound strained, "Cozy? Cozy... Cozy, do I even want to know?"
Cozy shrugged, "Starlight doesn't."
"Cozy... You don't just take a pony's tail."
"It'll grow back. I left the nub thing on."
"Dock."
"yeah, that. It looks really funny, now."
"Oh, Cozy. What am I going to do with you?" Astral was thoroughly defeated.
"Oh! Counselor Trixie's putting on a show this weekend in the park! I was thinking I could go and be a volunteer, and you can use your power to help me mess with her act! In a fun way, not mess it up or anything," said Cozy, excitedly.
Astral sighed, "As fun as that sounds, that's not what I meant."
"Oh. But can we still do that, though?"
"Yes, of course, we will. But Cozy, you need to be careful. I worry about you, a lot. Let the grownups handle the justice."
"I'm older than you, you know."
"Yeah? But only one of us is still ticklish," said Astral as she got out of her seat, taking a menacing step towards the cowering filly.
* * *
"Starlight... My first-period professor thinks I dropped her class because I'm always in here during it. The hall monitor thinks I'm your aid," said Cozy.
"I'll write you a note and talk to them. Cozy... Some strange bit of news came across my desk this morning. Something happened to Allen on his way home yesterday. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
Cozy tensed up some, feeling hot under her own fur. "I uh... Well, I--"
"Because if you didn't, I'd have to just drop it and forget about the whole thing. He's not a student here anymore, after all," said Starlight, casually.
"...Well, I don't think I really know what you're talking about, then, headmare," said Cozy.
"Well, that's that, then. If anypony asks me, it looks like I have nothing to say about it."
Cozy nodded silently.
"He's some other school's problem, he's Neighsay's problem now. Whatever might have happened to him, he's probably learned his lesson. Don't you think?"
"Well... Astral says that Twilight said you could always learn more. 'Any time is a good time to study.'," said Cozy, imitating Twilight's excited teaching voice.
Starlight raised a brow. "Well, Cozy, I know you take your lessons seriously, but a pony like Allen can only learn so much, don't you think? After a while, you're just beating a dead horse, and I don't think anypony wants that."
"Some ponies might." There was a hint of excitement in her voice.
"No, Cozy. I think he's been taught his lesson now."
"All aboard!" The train conductor pony was ready to go.
"Wait for me!" called out Cozy.
"Now departing: Last train to Ponyville, final call! All aboard!" announced the conductor.
"Wait! You can't leave without me!!" Cozy was stuck. "Professor! Anypony! Hold the train!!" she pleaded, but her voice went unheard.
The passenger doors closed and in a hiss of steam, the train began to chug off. The sound of the whistle trailed off into the distance.
"Golly, no!" said Cozy, sadly. All done, minutes too late, she opened the door to the outhouse stepping out into the cool, fresh air. The platform was now empty. It was going to be a long night alone in the Crystal Empire. 'Astral's gonna be so worried...' She thought to herself.
Cozy walked into the station cafe and ordered a hot chocolate with a few of her spending bits. She picked it up on the far end of the counter and sat at the bar in front of the window. With the station being so close to the border, it was much colder than the center of the city. Cozy slowly let the steam from her drink warm her face in between careful sips. She had a good view of the tracks and the frozen landscape through her reflection in the glass.
There was nothing else to do now other than to sit, bundled up in her winter clothes and try and figure out what to do next. She had no friends in the empire. She didn't have any way to reach Astral. Even if Astral tried, Cozy was way too far away for her to find telepathically, at least not without some kind of amplifying artifact or monument. Nopony would realize Cozy didn't make it on the train with the rest of the class until she didn't show up at the station in Ponyville later that night anyway. Even then, Astral knew she was going to spend the weekend with her notfriend, going over to his house straight from the station. It might be days before Cozy was discovered to be missing.
"Missed your train?" asked a young voice from behind.
Cozy saw a bundled-up filly unicorn appear behind her in the reflection; even her face was mostly covered. "It didn't wait for me," she replied, not turning to look.
The unicorn took a seat beside Cozy. "That stinks. Get stuck in the restroom or something?" She leaned forward onto the bar, her many layers of bundling making the perfect pillow.
"Yeah, actually."
The unicorn nodded. "It happens a lot here. What are you going to do now?" she asked.
"I don't know," replied Cozy. "It'll be days before anypony found out I didn't make it."
"You know... on hoof, you could probably get to Ponyville before they realized you were missing. It could be fun," suggested the unicorn.
"I don't know the way," said Cozy, sadly. She sipped her chocolate, the steam already faded as it began to cool.
"That part's easy! Just follow the tracks!" said the unicorn, happily.
"I don't want to go out there by myself!"
"Who said you'd go alone? It's dangerous to go alone. Take me with you!"
Cozy turned to the unicorn finally, "Who are you?" She could see more clearly now, that the unicorn was not a crystal pony.
"Just a friend. I'm Fl-- Flakey. Snowy Flakey. Yeah."
Cozy looked at Snowy suspiciously. She wasn't a snow pony, even through all the layers she could tell it wasn't a snow pony's coat under however many layers she wore. The fact that she needed so many layers to begin with was proof enough. She was being pretty friendly, though, and a friend was something she desperately needed at the moment. "I'm Cozy Glow." She decided that either way, Snowy was an asset, even if she might turn out to be flakey later.
Snowy extended a bundled-up hoof, "Nice to meet you."
Cozy returned the gesture, "yeah."
Snowy motioned to a bundled pile of stuff in the corner. It was all tied to some kind of over-stuffed pack. "I got my hiking and camping gear all ready to go already. I was hoping I'd find a friend or somepony to go with me. I'm glad I found you!" said Snowy.
"You're going to Ponyville?" asked Cozy.
"I'm going anywhere but here," she replied. "Come on, we should head out before it starts to get dark. There's a trading post not far from here, we should be able to make it by nightfall and set up camp there with the vendors."
"You sound like you do this often," remarked Cozy.
Snowy shrugged. "Eh..."
Cozy finished up her drink while Snowy collected her stuff. They left the station together, traveled down the tracks, and through the border shield, into the snow.
* * *
The snow blew in sideways. It was getting dark and the storm was getting worse. Cozy and Snowy pushed through with determination; Snowy was in the lead using her magic to create a shield in front of them.
"Are we having fun yet?" shouted Snowy through the sound of the icy wind.
"This sucks!" Cozy shouted back.
"Just a little further! I can see the light of the outpost from here. Good thing, 'cause I can't feel my horn anymore!"
"Tell me, Flakey, how was this a good idea?"
"I just wanted to get outta there, and you need to get home!"
They continued to shout at each other through the storm.
"I didn't think that there would be a storm coming through, though!" shouted Snowy.
They arrived, stepping in through the magical dome bubble surrounding the campsite. It was nothing like what the crystal heart could provide, but it at least kept the ground dry and the wind out. It was still quite cold, but it was peaceful.
Surrounding the edge of the outpost were the campgrounds. There were tents and wagons all around. Some had small campfires providing a small amount of warmth. Creatures of all shapes and sizes were seen all throughout the area, mostly minding their own business. There were some that Cozy had never even seen in person before. There were even some that she knew would have never been accepted or allowed anywhere near this far into Equestria back in her time.
"We made it!" said Snowy, excitedly. "The storm should pass by morning, and we'll head out again. I'm hungry, are you hungry? Let's see if any of these vendors are cooking anything good! First things first, Let's charge the shield stone, pay our dues."
"Shield stone?" asked Cozy.
Snowy led Cozy to the center of the site where hovering over a monument sort of podium, in the center of a simple fountain, a medium-sized crystal carving spun, emanating the shield which contained the campgrounds.
Cozy watched as Snowy approached it, touching her horn to the edge of the fountain. She produced a soft glow lighting the water that flowed, reaching the spinning crystal. The crystal began to spin faster and faster, the shield surrounding the area beginning to glow brightly.
"Oops! too much!" Giggled Snowy. "That's charge enough for a whole group of travelers." She looked up at the force field, "It might actually start getting warm in here too." She smiled at Cozy.
"What if you're not a unicorn?" asked Cozy.
"You just throw in a few bits. The money goes to help take care of this place."
Cozy peered into the fountain. The bottom was indeed covered in shiny bits. Not all of the coins were Equestrian bit. She recognized a few of the others, but many of them were quite new to her.
"Oh! Don't worry about paying, I think I got both of us covered. It's ok."
They moved from stall to stall, looking at the various wares the trader ponies were offering. A lot of it seemed like mostly junk, but Snowy explained how they could be valuable to the right pony, or creature even. "Sometimes you can even find enchanted artifacts if you know what you're looking at or looking for."
"Have you ever found any?" asked Cozy.
"No, not here. But I have come across a few in my travels. Sometimes they're the most expensive things out here, sometimes they don't even know what they have."
"Oh."
They stopped at a vendor that was tending a large pot hanging over a fire.
"Here!" said Snowy. She exchanged a hoof full of bits for two bowls of steamy vegetable stew. They took a seat on a log by the fire.
The bowl steamed with a hot comforting aroma that was well welcomed by the two filly travelers.
Snowy uncovered her face a little to eat. Cozy could see her eyes were a light blue, matching the streak in her purple mane. She could clearly see now that her coat was light pink. 'Those aren't snow-pony colors.'
The two sat and enjoyed their meal quietly together, feeling the warmth of the stew travel down into their bellies with each bite.
When they were done, they returned the bowls and found a spot to set up camp. Cozy watched as Snowy magically floated each piece of the tent together with grace and ease.
"You're really good at magic," commented Cozy.
Snowy shrugged, "I've always had strong magic for my age. It makes me special or something, I guess."
The tent was completed. Cozy rented a spare sleeping bag from a vendor that Snowy paid for. "You don't have to..." said Cozy.
"It's ok. It's my fault we're out here anyway."
Inside the tent, Cozy stripped off all her winter gear. Snowy suggested that she snuggle up with it in her sleeping bag to keep it warm for when she puts it all back on in the morning. Cozy agreed that it was a good idea and stuffed everything in the bag with her.
Snowy opted to strip off after climbing inside her own bag. "Tomorrow, bright and early. Ok? Goodnight Cozy!"
"Goodnight, Flakey."
* * *
There was a rustling in the tent. Cozy peeked out of her sleeping bag. It was morning already. Snowy's bundled-up face appeared in the narrow gap of Cozy's cover.
"Good morning! Rise and shine!" said Snowy.
Cozy retreated back under deep cover. Her muffled voice could be heard. "Ugh. Too much Flakey, too early."
"Nonsense! Come on out already!" said Snowy, as she levitated a grumpy Cozy out of her sleeping bag, magically dressing her in all the clothes she slept with.
Cozy was greeted with the cold air that filled the inside of the tent, but then noticed just how warm her clothes were and was glad it was good advice to sleep with them. She still didn't like being up so early in the cold if she didn't have to, though. "Okay, okay! I'm up. Now what?" pouted Cozy.
"Now we eat!" Snowy floated over a couple of bowls of steaming hot oatmeal.
They smelled delicious. Cozy couldn't resist. Her first bite was mood-altering. She couldn't help but smile. It was so warm and creamy. She could taste that real honey was used instead of sugar.
"Feeling better?" asked Snowy.
"Cozy nodded. She spoke with her cheeks full, "These are the best oats I've ever tasted."
"I know! I brought them from the empire. Fit for a princess, you could say. I traded some to the soup pony in exchange for her cooking some for us."
They sat together in the tent, enjoying their breakfast.
After breakfast, they broke camp and headed on down the tracks. In the daylight of the clear blue sky, Cozy could finally see where they were; at the base of the mountains. The track cut a valley straight through. Behind her, she could barely see the empire far off in the distance. She was surprised at how much ground they had already covered the night before.
They walked and talked. Cozy told Snowy about the school and the class trip to see the statue of Spike. Snowy just mostly listened and asked questions. As they reached the other side of the mountain, they were out of snow territory and began to shed layers of clothing. Snowy opted to keep her coat on and her flank covered.
"Aren't you getting hot?" asked Cozy.
"No. Don't worry about me," replied Snowy.
"Flakey, I can see you beginning to sweat."
"I'll be ok."
They reached a long section of track on a bridge. It was several stories down to a rushing river of freezing runoff from the mountain.
Snowy changed the subject. "We need to cross, carefully so we don't end up in the river down there."
They started their journey across the bridge. It wasn't until they were well over the river that ran far down below that they realized just how high up they were. Cozy wasn't worried, she could fly at any time.
"That outpost back there, I didn't know something like that existed." Said Cozy hurrying along.
Snowy didn't seem worried at all either. "They're all over. A hold-over from the pioneering days," said Snowy. "Trixie is still at your school, right? You should ask her about them. I'm sure she's been to a few on her travels. Do you hear something?"
"You know Counselor Trixie?"
"Not really. I've been stuck in the empire my whole life. Sometimes I get out, but I always end up back there."
"Oh. I'll try to remember when I get back. Yeah, what is that?"
"It must be nice to be free like you, go anywhere, do anything... There it is again."
"I'm not really as free as you might think. ...I have a history. What is that?" asked Cozy.
The tracks began to vibrate under hooves. They paused and looked at each other both with the same realization of knowing exactly what it was.
"...Run!" said Snowy.
Which way?!?" asked Cozy.
Snowy looked down both directions of the track, "Uh... Uh..." she was panicking.
"Which way, Flakey?!?" Cozy asked again. They were right in the middle of the bridge.
"You, fly! I will try to make it across. GO!" said Snowy as she took off down the bridge as fast as her hooves would carry her.
Cozy kept to her side in the air. As they raced together down the tracks, the train reared its face as it came around the corner towards them, quickly closing the gap from it to the end of the bridge.
"You'll never make it!" shouted Cozy.
Don't worry about me, just go!"
They were getting close to the end of the bridge, but at the same time, so was the train.
Cozy watched as Snowy's horn started to glow as she ran. 'A shield?' she thought. 'What is she doing?'. Snowy had abanded all but her bundling and saddlebags in favor of running faster.
The train's wheels began to squeal. Cozy looked ahead to the train just in time to see it barely lifted off the tracks, being let go back down again in a loud clatter. "Are you crazy?!?" she shouted at Snowy, her voice breaking.
"I got this!" Yelled Snowy as she tried again. The train once again lifted only a few inches before dropping back down in a shower of sparks as the wheels regripped the track.
"You'll crash it!" Yelled Cozy.
"I can do this!" argued Snowy, her horn beginning to glow once more.
Cozy dove in, interrupting Snowy before the train could dangerously lift off again. She Grabbed Snowy by the sides lifting her off her running hooves. Cozy grunted, "You're... a lot... heavier than Sandy!"
"Who?" asked Snowy, struggling to break free, "Don't worry about me, put me down!"
Cozy lost her grip and Snowy tumbled down the track. The open space at the end of the bridge closed as the train continued its approach. They had no chance to make it, now or ever to begin with. "Come on! Get up! I'll carry you down, hurry!" Yelled Cozy.
"I'm stuck! My hoof. I can't move!" Yelled Snowy, pulling on her back hoof.
Cozy flew in grabbing onto Snowy, pulling with all her wing power. The train blew its whistle over and over again. The sound was deafening. Both Snowy and Cozy didn't want to look up to see just how close the train was.
Snowy finally broke loose. Cozy lost her grip and flew up. She looked down just in time to see the train begin to pass under her; she had barely cleared the top of it.
"Snowy? Flakey!" she shouted, her voice lost in the sound of the roaring train as it passed by underneath her. All she could do was watch as the cars zoomed by, one after the other, her eyes filled with tears and panic.
The train passed and went on down through the mountain valley, its whistle periodically blowing.
Cozy looked down at the track. Snowy was nowhere to be seen. She glided down and landed on the spot where Snowy was stuck. "Snowy?" She shouted out, "Flakey? Where are you?" Her voice broke as she tried not to cry. She sat on the cross tie in between the steel rails. "I'm sorry, Snowy. I tried to help. I really did." She sobbed softly to herself.
"Don't worry about it..." Cozy could hear the faint voice of her companion on the gentle breeze. Nature was alive. Some ponies believed it to host the souls of those lost to tragedy.
"Wherever you are, I hope it's a better place now." Cozy said to the wind. She sat quietly, replaying the events in her head, and how she could have done better.
"Not really," the voice replied.
"I'm sorry." Cozy wiped tears from her eyes.
"Don't be. But to tell you the truth, I'm beginning to lose feeling in my withers."
"Is that what it feels like when you die?" asked Cozy.
"I'm not dead!" the voice yelled. "I'm down here, dummy!"
Cozy jumped up and looked around. She peered over the edge of the track and saw her.
Snowy was hanging just a little way down from the track, her hood caught on a protruding board, suspending her over the river below. It wouldn't be so bad to fall and hit the river from that height if she could dive just right; that is, if it wasn't full of cragadiles.
"Flakey!" yelled Cozy. "You're alive!"
"Of course I am! Now come down here and help me back up. I think I can climb it if you can reach me to the--" Snowy's hood tore off, dropping her down towards the water below.
"Snowy!" Cozy dove down to try and catch her, but weaving in and out of the bridge's structure from that angle to catch up was proving difficult. She'd never make it in time.
Snowy rolled through the air and shed her final winter layer in free fall. Cozy saw and flared her wings out, freezing in mid-air, shocked at what was revealed before her.
Snowy spread her wings wide, gliding off effortlessly. Her wingspan was easily double that of Cozy's, and twice as full. She flapped with little effort and flew up to the end of the bridge where it met with the land. Cozy flew up to join her.
"You're a... You're a..." Cozy was speechless.
"An alicorn. Yeah. I got wings." Said Snowy, sheepishly.
"But... the only alicorns in Equestria are... That means... You-- You're..."
Snowy nodded.
"You must be Princess Flury Heart!"
"Yeah." Flurry said lightly. "I kinda am."
Cozy reached up and bopped Flurry on the top of her head.
"Ow!"
"And you didn't bother to tell me?"
"I'm sorry! Princesses attract a lot of attention!"
"Not that! You didn't tell me we could have just caught a train to Ponyville in the morning when it came back!!"
"What?"
"I gotta get home!" Cozy started down the tracks.
"Hey wait! Wait up!" Flurry trotted to catch up to Cozy. "I'm sorry I had to keep it a secret from you. I didn't lie to you though."
"I didn't think I had to ask if you were a princess or not."
"We're still having fun though, right?"
"Princess, you have a weird definition of fun."
"What can I say? I don't get out much. You're not even the least bit curious?"
"About what?" Cozy kept on down the tracks at a brisk pace, not once looking back at Flurry trailing right behind her.
"Me!"
"That's just how it is with you princesses. 'Me, me, me...'" mocked Cozy.
"I didn't mean it that way. Look, there's a shortcut, but we have to leave the tracks."
"I'm listening."
"Up there. See Cloudsdale in the distance?" asked Flurry.
"I see it, yeah?"
"Head towards that. It's right in between us and Ponyville."
They change course and began walking away from the tracks into the fields.
"And... could we... slow down just a little bit?" asked Flurry.
Cozy slowed her pace some. They were both a little out of breath.
* * *
The walk through the fields was an easy one. It was getting to be the middle of the day. The sky was clear, the air warm. On this side of the mountains, the pegasi had precise control of the weather.
"Why didn't you just teleport off the bridge? I know you're strong enough to. In fact... why not just teleport straight to Ponyville?" asked Cozy.
Flurry kept pace side-by-side with Cozy. "Teleporting leaves a kinda scent. A magical one. If you're good enough, you can follow a pony from point to point. Each unicorn has its own, different from each other," explained Flurry. "Any magic use leaves it behind, but popping from place to place is the strongest because you have to clear the space you're going to fill, and you use the most magical energy to sorta open the 'tunnel' to it."
"What happens if you don't clear the space?"
"You just get pushed back. I was afraid at first, thinking I would become part of a wall, or another pony."
Cozy looked in surprise at Flurry, "That can happen? What if you clear a living pony? Or half of one?"
Flurry thought about it for a moment. "I guess you could if you tried hard enough. It's hard to explain. You just know if something is alive or not when you're using magic on it. Living things resist more. You just kinda meet in the middle. The pony or... whatever moves a little, your target destination moves a little. Worst case, you both just end up a little squished, I guess. You could probably concentrate hard enough and vaporize half a pony and teleport into it, but that would be so bad... and messy." Flurry shuddered at the thought. "Or maybe you would fuse with it... The thing is, teleportation kinda hurts."
"It does?"
"A little. It all depends on the destination. The easier it is to clear, the easier on your body, on your magic it is."
Cozy faced forward once again as they walked through the field. "Oh."
"Air is easy. it's more like a static shock. Water is tricky since it's denser, but not as bad as say, dirt or something solid like stone or even something living that refuses to budge." Flurry spoke with unicorn pride, as if she were giving a presentation. "It's all in the feedback, and you just sorta work with it; move it a little, adjust your landing a little, or like I said, just get pushed back. But your magic is still spent if you succeed or fail. Oh! And you have to know your spot! If you've never seen it before, things get really, really hard, or messy, or both." She paused for a moment before finishing, "...But not impossible."
"So this magical scent... this signature?"
"Right. Well um... Mine is sorta on file." said Flurry.
Cozy looked over at Flurry again, "What do you mean?"
"Mom and dad are so used to me getting away, that the empire's most powerful wizards are usually the first to go on watch, before the royal guards even. That's why I had to leave my magical scent on the train, so they'll just track it coming in, thinking I'm still somewhere around there or came back." Flurry looked back in the direction of the Empire, "Though the guards are probably all out in force by now too. If I teleport, it'll lead them right to us and they'll take me back again."
"Oh."
"They'll catch me, eventually. They always do. but until then, I'm free to run around and have some real fun and excitement!"
* * *
They sat at the bank of a small stream to eat their lunch. It was made from a mix of things Flury had bought at the outpost for the both of them before Cozy woke up. Consisting of mostly trail food, it was a mix of nuts and dried fruits, and an extra delicious something called jerky. Whatever it was, they couldn't get enough of it. It was unfortunately the most expensive part, so there wasn't much to go around. The best exotic foods always came from outside Equestria. Flurry loved finding them at the various outposts she'd visit on her little "outings".
Cozy gasped, "Flurry! Your stuff! You left it back there at the bridge, at the river!"
"Oh, that's ok. I'll go back and find it later. You'd be surprised at how much of my stuff I've lost over that bridge."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I should probably find a different way to cross whenever I leave the Empire."
"So what's so bad about the Empire?" asked Cozy.
"What's not bad about it? The weather is always perfect, the crystal ponies are all nice... Everypony knows me and treats me like royalty," answered Flurry.
"You ARE royalty, though," said Cozy.
"Yeah, I know."
"It sounds pretty nice," commented Cozy.
"Doesn't it? That's the problem! Everything is always so perfect all the time. The food, the ponies, the places. ...The expectations. I have to be perfect all the time too. It's all so tiring."
"Golly..."
"I have to walk perfect, I have to talk perfect. I have to eat perfect... See this?" Flurry tosses a dried fruit piece up in the air, catching it in her mouth. "I can't do that," she said as she chewed. "It's un-princess-like," she added in a mocking tone.
"Gee... I never thought being a princess could be so hard. ...and I thought the rules at school were tough." Cozy tried tossing a dried fruit in the air and catching it in her mouth. She missed and it bounced off of her nose.
"I've never been to school. Somepony always came in and taught me," she said, sadly. Flurry lowered her voice and said in a sneaky tone, "Sometimes, I would mess up on purpose, or get all the answers wrong just to make them go over it all over again!" She laughed a little bit, then sighed, losing the smile. "It's so much nicer out here, though."
It sounds like they still treat you like a foal, but you're older than Astral, though. Aren't you?" asked Cozy.
"Astral is your caretaker, right? I listened in on their discussions about her letting you stay free, and in Ponyville, Princess Twilight, Mom and the others."
"You know?" asked Cozy.
"I know you're THE Cozy Glow from the history lessons."
"Oh, You too, huh?" said Cozy, sounding down.
"Of course, I know! That's why I chose to go on an adventure with you! You're Cozy Glow, but you're not the same pony I read about. I just had to get to know the real you. You're cute, lovable!" said Flurry, with a gentle boop.
Cozy rubbed her nose. "But you still look like a foal. You kinda act like one."
"So do you!"
"I've been a statue for a long time. What's your excuse?"
"I've been an alicorn my whole life." Flurry stuck out her tongue at Cozy.
"Yeah? So?" Cozy was not impressed.
"We grow differently," shrugged Flurry. "Nopony really knows since I'm the first in all of Equestria. Even I don't know. But I'm not gonna find out sitting around a stuffy castle. I need to spread my oversized wings and fly!" she said, spreading her wings, purposefully knocking into Cozy, feathers all in her face. "Don't you ever just fly just to fly?"
Flurry gasped. "No? Well, we must do something about that!" She pocketed the rest of her pouch of trail mix into her saddlebag and grabbed Cozy by the hoof, her powerful wings flexed and thrusted grabbing huge gulpfulls of air as she took off into the sky, a very surprised Cozy dangled down from her grasp.
Cozy dangled in the wind as Flurry climbed higher and higher into the sky. "What are you doing?!? Let me go!" she yelled out.
"We're flying!" replied Flurry, continuing to climb straight up.
Their ears popped as the air began to thin. It was starting to become a struggle for Flurry to gain more altitude, the ground was so very far below. Flurry then backflipped in the air, releasing cozy straight up into the sky. Cozy flailed her hooves and wings trying to stabilize herself but was unsuccessful. Her upward momentum faded and she began to fall out of control.
Flurry relaxed her wings and fell with Cozy, keeping pace towards the ground. "Relax! Don't try so hard! Just let the wind carry you," she said.
"I can't! I..." Cozy continued to tumble and panic.
"You act like you've never flown this high before!"
"I haven't!" It was a shouting match just to be heard over the sound of the wind ripping past their ears.
"Here, let me help you." Flurry used her magic to envelop Cozy, stabilizing and steadying her tumbling. "Ok, you got it? Just spread out, and wait for your wings to grab." Flurry gently released her magical hold.
Cozy spread out and held stiff in her descent, the wind threatening to take her into another tumble.
"Just relax!" shouted Flurry. She fell freely, in complete control of her positioning, carefree and casual.
Cozy began to relax as the air thickened, gaining more control. She could feel the pull on her wings as they started to grab hold.
"There you go! Now fly!" said Flurry, as she angled her wings and took off into the distance, leaving a faint pink trail with a purple and light blue streak.
"Cozy angled her wings, and followed, leaving a fainter salmon-pink trail. She struggled to catch up.
Flurry looked back and slowed down to match Cozy and they flew side by side, hooves stretched out, weaving in and out of the turbulent drafts.
Cozy began to smile. Flurry never stopped smiling.
* * *
Cloudsdale was getting closer. Five blue dots appeared on the horizon. They got bigger as they approached leaving their own blue trails behind. Only seconds later they were already passing right through each other.
"Hi Flurry Heart! Hi Cozy Glow!" said one of the blue streaks.
"Hi Dashie!" said Flurry Heart.
The exchange was almost too quick to catch and was over before Cozy even realized it had happened. Moments later, the Bolts' draft caught up to Cozy and Flurry, causing them both to lose control and tumble. They bumped into each other a few times as they slowed down, regaining control. Looks were exchanged and they began to laugh heartily.
It was a soft touchdown onto the clouds. They both got the same idea to let the forward momentum carry them into a tumble, stopping on their backs sprawled out, breathing heavily.
"What... What was that?" asked Cozy with amazement and wonder.
"It was... Something you can't do in the Empire!" said Flurry, rolling to her side to face Cozy. "Are you having fun yet?"
Cozy caught her breath but stayed flat on her back. "Yeah. Fun. Don't do that to me again!" her tone betrayed her seriousness. They laughed together.
A simultaneous sigh later and they were back on their hooves.
"What now?" asked Cozy.
"We made good time. What do you say we hang out for a bit? Have you had cloudcandy? I know a place that sells it here. You gotta try it!"
"Well, ok." said Cozy, looking around. She hadn't visited the city very often, and never really had a chance to explore it. "...Maybe it'll be fun," she said quietly to herself.
* * *
"Your highness..." bowed a citizen.
Flurry acknowledged.
"Your highness..." bowed another.
Flurry acknowledged.
Cozy and Flurry walked through the cloud market.
"Your highness..."
"Your highness..."
"Ugh, I'm not even princess of anything in particular yet!" announced Flurry, frustratedly.
Cozy soaked it in, holding her head up high, nodding to the bowing ponies.
Flurry lowered her voice, "At least they don't seem to have gotten word that I'm not supposed to be here, yet." she said to Cozy.
They ate cloudcandy as they walked along. Cozy's cheeks ached from the sudden burst of rich sweetness that dissolved in her mouth. It was like nothing she had ever had before, and she loved it.
"Your highness..."
"Your highness..."
Flurry began to ignore the bowing ponies. Cozy continued to nod to them, "Your lowness..."
"No matter how far I go, I can never seem to get completely away from it all," said Flurry.
"Your highness..."
"Your lowness..."
"Stop that! You're just encouraging them!" she said, nudging Cozy in the side. Cozy giggled.
* * *
It was nighttime. The edge of the city was dark and quiet. More importantly, there were no ponies to bother and bow to them. Cozy and Flurry lay in their sleeping bags, looking over, down onto the land below. The soft lights from the night lamps and lanterns of Ponyville could be seen in the distance.
"We could go there now, get you home," offered Flurry.
Cozy took a while to respond, looking on at Ponyville in the distance. "...No. I want to sleep on a cloud tonight, under the stars." She didn't want to admit it, but she was having a great time and didn't want to go home. She began to understand the freedom that Flury sought. She also pondered the idea of bringing a cloud home.
"Uh-huh," smiled Flurry.
"I have a bed at home, but it's not as soft as a cloud."
"Yeah... But unless you have an enchanted bed frame, you shouldn't try to keep one for yourself on the ground."
"Really?" Cozy was going to try anyway. Maybe she could find a spell for Astral to use.
"Yeah. I tried it already. It only works for a little while."
"Oh." Cozy seemed disappointed for a moment. "Hey, Flurry?"
"Yeah, Cozy?"
"Thank you." She kept her gaze down at the town in the distance below.
"For what?" Flurry shifted her gaze to Cozy.
"For showing me... everything." Cozy looked over at Flurry, making eye contact.
"Any time I can get away," replied Flurry as she rolled over onto her back. "You know... Most ponies only think they're alive. They never feel it though. They just do the same thing every day. Wake up, eat, go to work or school, go home, eat, sleep... They have to be shown they're alive. They don't realize that the rules are pony-made."
"I see it now." She too rolled over onto her back to look up at the stars. "It's like going out with Tirek and Chrysalis, only... Different. I'm not afraid of anything this time."
"...So it's just pure fun."
"We are having fun," Cozy finally admitted and agreed.
"I knew you would. You should miss the train more often, see what other adventures await you."
"I'm sorry you have to be a princess."
"Don't be. It's not as bad as I made it sound, actually. Only some of it is as bad."
"Aren't you going to be in trouble for all this?"
Flurry waved it off, "Nah. I mean, I am. But it's totally worth it. I'll just be grounded, and castle staff will spin some story explaining my absence so I'm not a runaway."
* * *
Morning once again came too early. They packed up and decided if they hurried, they could skip breakfast and do brunch in Ponyville, or maybe just check in with everypony, and have lunch in Canterlot. Flurry would need to first lay low until she could assemble a new disguise once in Ponyville. She had confidence in Rarity's understanding and keeping of her secrets. Flurry also paid well for Rarity's works, not that Rarity wouldn't have helped out for little to nothing in her generosity.
After a few stretches and warmups, and a quick discussion on the flight path, they were on their way. It was to be a slow descent as they moved forward. They could just make one very long glide if they weren't racing their hunger.
They jumped off the cloud and took flight only to be halted by the sudden swooping in of the Wonderbolts. They looked around and saw they were being surrounded by royal crystal guards showing up in groups.
"I'm sorry, Flurry Heart, Princess, I didn't know," apologized Rainbow, quietly before the guards got too close. "We were summoned to help find you. I didn't know you were missing when I told them. I'm sorry." She backed off as the guards approached.
Flurry gave an understanding nod to Rainbow.
A lead guard spoke up, "Princess Flurry Heart, you are wanted in the throne room, immediately!" He placed a restraining ring on Flurry's horn, taking hold of her hoof.
"It looks like the adventure is over... For now," she said to Cozy, sadly. "Tell Starlight and Sunburst I said 'Hi'."
The guards began to surround Cozy, pointing their weapons at her, their shields up, "You are coming with us."
"What?!?" asked both Cozy and Flurry.
"Cozy Glow, you are under arrest for foalnapping the princess of the Crystal Empire," said a guard as he placed restraints on Cozy.
"What? No!" protested Flurry.
A guard activated a talisman and both he and Cozy popped out of sight.
"Cozy!" called out Flurry.
"Come now. We will escort you," said another guard.
Flurry reluctantly began her flight back to the frozen north.
* * *
Cozy and the guard popped into sight. Cozy had her eyes shut tightly, fearing the worst. The guard poked and prodded at her with his spear. She opened her eyes and looked around, much to her relief that it wasn't Tartarus.
"In!" ordered the guard with another sharp prodding on her flank. She quickly shuffled in and rubbed her flank as the cell door shut with a loud clatter.
"I didn't do anything!" shouted Cozy as the guard removed her restraints through the bars of her cell.
The guard remained silent as he walked off down the corridor, turning the corner.
"I didn't foalnap the princess!" she gripped the bars of her crystal cage.
* * *
"She didn't foalnap me, mother!" argued Flurry in a strong and defiant voice. She stared down her parents from the center of the throne room.
The guards had been dismissed as this was a private royal family matter. Cadence and Shining sat in their respective seats at the top of the steps.
"Well, of course, she didn't, Flurry. We know that. You are much stronger than any pony in the entire empire," said Cadence, calmly. She looked at her daughter with warm, loving eyes and a mother's disappointment that could break nearly any heart.
"Then why has she been taken to the dungeon?" demanded Flurry.
"Your image, Flurry," said Shining. "We can't have our subjects thinking we can't control our own daughter, or that we're raising a Wildheart turning rogue. It's bad for the empire to think such things about its leadership."
"You mean your image, Father," Flurry spat back at Shining.
Shining sighed.
Cadence stood up and stepped down to the floor, up to Flurry "Flurry, daughter, it's for your own good. You'll see. Maybe you'll understand when you're older." She gently touched Flurry's face with her hoof, wiping tears of defiance away.
Flurry stood her ground, stoic and angry, eyes burning with rage, fixed on Shining, not once glancing over at her mother who offered a loving gentle hoof.
Shining spoke, "A pony with a past like Cozy Glow's would be easy for everypony to believe she would be capable of taking you from us, and even demanding a healthy ransom. The castle staff is working on the story now and will have it to the press by morning. Nopony will think twice about it, or any lesser of you or us. By next week, it will all have been forgotten."
"And what about Cozy?" asked Flurry.
"What about her?" replied Shining.
"What will happen to her?"
"Well, as you know, foalnapping is a very serious crime. I don't think you will be needing to worry about her anymore."
"No!" worried Flurry.
Cadence reached over, putting her hoof on Flurry's back, trying to comfort her.
"You can't! She didn't do anything wrong!" said Flurry.
Shining countered, "Nopony has to know. You are safe, back in the empire, and everypony can rest now. That's all that matters. Now please, get cleaned up. Breakfast will be on soon, and I assure you, you'll feel much better after you've eaten. We've had your favorite prepared. Just forget all about that Cozy Glow."
"That's not my favorite! I hate it!! I only said I loved it because I saw how much work the cooks put into it!" screamed Flurry, throwing Cadance's hoof off her back, and angrily stepping toward the thrones. "I'm not a little foal anymore, father. You don't have to treat me like one. I can take care of myself!"
"Flurry, dear, we only want..." said Cadence, softly.
"But what about what I want?" Flurry began to break.
"Daughter, please," begged Cadence, extending a loving warmth from the magic of her horn.
"No!" defied Flurry. "This isn't my empire, not like this. Not if this is how it's going to be. I'm leaving! And I'm taking Cozy with me."
Flurry struggled and strained to use her magic against the restraining ring fixed to her horn.
"Flurry, you'll hurt yourself!" worried Cadence.
"I don't care!" said Flurry, pausing to take another breath. Struggling again, the ring began to glow with magical heat.
"Flurry, think about what you're doing," ordered Shining.
Flurry's voice was strained, "I know what I'm doing." She concentrated harder. The ring began to crack.
"Flurry, baby, we love you..." said Cadence, a mother's tears in her eyes.
The ring split in two, falling to the ground with a clink that reverberated and echoed around the silent room.
"I'm not a baby," said Flurry with fire in her eyes hot enough to melt dragon steel. A poof of pink magic and she was gone.
Shining shook his head in disappointment.
"Flurry..." said Cadance, softly.
"Guards!" called out Shining.
"No. Let her go," countered Cadence. "It's been long since the day we've both feared, I think, when our little Flurry Heart has become not so little anymore."
"It's because I love her, I worry," said Shining, defeatedly.
"I know," said Cadence, walking back up to the throne, and taking a seat beside her husband. She reached out and held his hoof.
"She's not wrong. She does very well on her own out there. I think we should give her the freedom she desires. There is so much more to learn than we or our staff could ever provide."
The doors to the room opened, and a collection of guards marched in, "You called, your highness?"
Cadence eyed Shining.
Shining held up his hoof to address them, pausing for a moment. "Yes. Send word to the press, our statements will be delayed."
"Yes, your highness," said the guard's spokes pony as he bowed.
"And one more thing," added Shining. "Our newest guest will be unexpectedly taking her leave shortly. She is not to be pursued at this time, she was never here."
"Understood, your highness." The guards marched out of the room.
Cadence rubbed her stallion, "I know you've made the right choice. Come now, I think we should stop by the royal bed before we eat."
* * *
Cadance pushed Shining down onto the bed. She used her magic to pull the chains that bound his hooves to the corners. "Are you comfortable?"
Shining nodded.
She put on a devious grin, "Not for long." She opened the nightstand and rummaged through the various items stored inside, setting out an assortment of highly polished clean versions of the tools found in the dungeon, and a changeling mask.
* * *
Cozy jumped in surprise as Flurry popped into her cell. "Flurry Heart?"
"We're going!" said Flurry; another poof of magic and they both were gone.
* * *
Cozy and Flurry popped into a large cave. It was dark and cold. Flurry transferred her magic to an assortment of glow stones positioned around the room. A soft aqua light covered the space revealing its contents.
The cave was filled with all sorts of items collected over the years. Cozy looked around in wonder. "This... This is all yours?"
Flurry took calming breaths, letting her anger reside. "Yes. From all over Equestria. Supplies too. It's my fillycave."
There was no entrance or exit, just small natural vents in the ceiling that presumably snaked their way through the stone. A fresh breeze could be felt coming from them. Icy water trickled in and flowed into a pond in the center of the space.
"Flurry, you teleported. Won't they find you?"
"I know," said Flurry. "Quick, move over." She used her magic to levitate a large boulder into the spot where they appeared. It was covered in a mystical cave moss that illuminated softly with its own shade of aqua similar to the glow stones that lit the room.
"What are you doing?"
"I discovered this when I found this place. The rock, the moss. It runs all throughout the stone and walls. Remember what I said about using magic on the living? It's like, this rock is alive, almost. But it's solid too. They can follow my scent, but they can't jump to it through here, not with this big rock in the way, and without first coming here, they don't even know where here is; they don't know just how big the rock is or how clear it is on any side or in what direction."
"They could just blindly guess at it, though," said Cozy.
"They wouldn't dare. It's too risky. They wouldn't have enough magic to jump out if they miscalculated and could be stuck in the stone."
"...But you dared, huh?"
Flurry grinned real big at Cozy.
Cozy sat on her haunches, watching as Flurry finished moving the stone into position. "What now?"
Flurry wobbled. "Rest. I'm beat." She slumped over onto her side from where she stood. "Just... A little bit. So... Drained. Used too much... Energy back there." She closed her eyes and began to snore softly.
Cozy watched the princess at peace for a while. It wasn't long before curiosity got the better of her as she started to explore the room and its contents.
She tasted the water from the pond. Her face lit up with delight as it was the best water she had ever tasted. It was revitilizing, it seemed to give her a recharge of energy. Cozy looked over at the sleeping princess 'I wonder why she didn't just drink this water...'
Her belly rumbled. Cozy found and sorted through a collection of packaged foodstuffs from around the nation. Some were ready to eat straight from the package, others just needed water. Some even required water and a bit of heat to prepare. She left those alone and tore into a package of trail mix similar to her lunch from the previous day.
The light in the cave slowly changed from a cool aqua to a warmer color. Cozy noticed and flew up to the ceiling to investigate. She could barely see light inside the vents, daylight. She figured the sun must be more directly overhead now.
Bored out of her mind, she went back to looking through everything.
* * *
Flurry began to stir. She stretched and yawned.
"Oh, Hi Flurry!" chimed Cozy.
Flurry rubbed her face, " Hi Cozy. Are you doing--" She stopped mid-sentence, looking around the room.
"Oh. I made pictures! do you like them?" asked Cozy.
Flurry looked around. "Umm..."
"Look! There's Me and you. There's me. There's another one of me. That one is you looking like me. Aren't they nice?"
Flurry smiled. Who could be mad at Cozy? "They're very nice, Cozy. Thank you for making them." She looked around at the scraps on the floor. "I see you've found my emergency rations."
"Yup. They were tasty!" smiled Cozy.
Flurry first went to the pond and drank from it. She let out a refreshed sigh and then went over to a pile of stuff, rummaging through it. She put on a hooded cloak she found. "That should do." She tossed one to Cozy.
"Do what?"
"Let's go. Get some real food. I'm starving!"
* * *
*Poof!*
The air was hot and smelled of sulfur, the land barren. There was nothing but mountain rocks and dirt in all directions. Lava flowed from streams and falls from the cliffs.
Cozy looked around, "The Dragon Lands?"
Flurry nodded. "Yep!"
"Why here?" asked Cozy.
"The empire won't come here. Even for me. It's an agreement with the dragon lord. I mean, they can, but only as guests. Same for the dragons; they can visit the empire, but any aggressive behavior can be considered an act of war. We're safe here."
A shadow swept over the land. Flurry ducked behind a large rock, Cozy saw and followed.
"Well almost," whispered Flurry. "Not every dragon has gotten the memo, or cares. When the coast was clear, Flurry stepped back out onto the path. "Come on, we need to make our visit official."
* * *
"Parents still treating you like a little foal, huh?" commented Ember. She sat high up on her throne of stone, holding her staff. "I can relate. ...Had to become Dragon Lord myself to prove father otherwise."
"I don't think that's an option for me, really," said Flurry.
"And what about you, Cozy? Didn't we defeat you at the battle of Canterlot? Yes, I remember. It was the first transfer of power in Equestria in over millennia."
"Um, I'm just along for the ride, your dragoness." Even Cozy was intimidated by Ember's awesome presence. The columns of flame and lava and the circling full-sized dragon guards overhead helped. "I really just want to get back home to Ponyville."
"I see," said Ember.
"And we're hungry," added Flurry. She felt completely comfortable in her hooves. "We will be going to Canterlot."
"We will?" asked Cozy.
Flurry continued, "I need to speak with my aunt, and I was wondering if we could borrow a dragon escort."
"A dragon escort? Well, you are a princess, after all, but I thought you could take care of yourself now."
Flurry scraped at the ground with a forehoof, "Well, I can, usually. But I think the royal crystal guards might be after us."
Ember laughed heartily, "Oh Flurry Heart. Never change. Whatever's got you in trouble now, you must tell me about it sometime."
"So you'll help us? Just name your price, and I'll pay it, or artifact, and I'll find it."
"No, no. I will help you out of friendship, for you, and your Aunt. I too would like to visit, and also see Spike while I am there." Ember waved her staff in the air. The two circling dragon guards swooped in for a landing with an earth-shaking thump that almost knocked Flurry and Cozy off of their hooves. The dragons bowed to ember.
Ember spoke to the dragons, "We will be traveling to Canterlot, It is a mission of goodwill. I will take the lead. Your job will be to carry and protect these two before me."
"Carry?" asked Cozy looking to Flurry.
"Carry?" asked Flurry to Ember.
"Yes, Carry. Unless you want to flap all the way there. I warn you though, even a Wonderbolt will have trouble keeping up with a dragon at speed over this distance. It's lunchtime now, you do want to get there before dinner, correct?" laughed Ember.
"Oh! Right. Yes, we would like to be carried, please!" agreed Flurry.
"Flurry!" whispered Cozy, fear in her voice. "Look at those claws. They're huge! And Sharp!"
Ember once again laughed heartily. "Silly pony."
"A... A loot bag then?" Cozy was worried.
* * *
"This is amazing!" Cozy held on tight, the dragon saddle just a bit too big to hold her completely securely. She called out to Flurry who rode on the other guard dragon "We're moving so fast!"
The dragons flew through the air with grace, speed and power.
"Tell me, Cozy," called out Flurry. "When you woke up today, did you ever think you'd be riding a dragon to lunch?"
Both Cozy and Flurry were all smiles. The wind ripped through their cloaks as they speeded through the sky. Never before had they covered such distance in such short of time. It was something to remember for ages.
"I can't wait to see the look on Astral's face when I tell her about this one!"
* * *
Cozy and Flurry's dragons held a circling pattern over the castle. Ember hovered in the middle.
"Do you think they know we're here?" asked Cozy.
Castle doors opened up as guards marched out, armed with spears and crossbows, lining up into a defensive formation around the castle.
"I think so," answered Ember.
"It's standard procedure. We didn't tell anypony we were coming," explained Flurry, "We should just hold here. They'll send somepony out to talk to us. I'll talk to him."
A familiar-looking purple and green character walked out onto the tower balcony looking up with a pair of binoculars. He then put the binoculars down and raced up to meet them. "Ember!" called out Spike.
"Spike!" replied Ember. They greeted with a chest bump and spike going in for an awkward hug.
"Ugh, I'll never get used to that," said Ember.
"...Or you talk to him," said Flurry, softly.
The two riders hopped off of their circling dragons and flew to the center to meet with Spike.
"Flurry Heart! You're getting so big! Cozy... You're... here," said Spike. "What's the occasion?"
"We're hungry!" said Flurry, enthusiastically.
"Oh, well come on down! We're just finishing up lunch ourselves, but there's still plenty to eat! Join us! I know a special aunt who would love to see you!"
* * *
The garden was peaceful and quiet. The dragon guards could be seen circling overhead. Ponies sat at wire tables eating and chatting happily. Along the wall were rows of tables and portable containers of prepared food set up buffet style. Some were heated while others were chilled depending on the food inside.
"This is a Canterlot royal lunch?" asked Flurry.
"It is now!" said Spike.
Twilight smiled, "It was Spike's idea. Why eat alone in a stuffy empty dining hall, with a table full of food I'd never be able to finish anyway?"
"This way, we help the Canterlot restaurants out by having them cater lunch here. There's less waste, and other ponies can come eat too when they have business at the castle," said Spike as he ate.
"It gives the kitchen staff a break too," said Twilight.
Ember and Cozy returned to the table, plates piled high with at least one or two of every bit of variety on the day's menu. They sat together on their end of the table, digging away at their food.
Twilight watched for a moment with a smile before turning to Flurry, "So. I hear you've been getting into trouble again?" asked Twilight.
"Me? In trouble? No, never!" said Flurry.
"The scroll Spike burped up earlier would say otherwise, bug."
"Oh. Maybe a little," admitted Flurry.
"Maybe a little," agreed Twilight. "Your mother thought you might come here."
"Oh."
"But I'm not going to send you back. They won't come and take you back either. We promise."
Flurry looked up at Twilight. "Are they mad at me?"
"Well, Flurry, they're not too happy about it. But they might be beginning to understand. To be honest, I don't much like it either, but you are becoming your own filly, now. Go home when you are ready to."
"Thanks, auntie."
Twilight looked over at Cozy who was happily stuffing her face. Speaking to Flurry, "Relax, get your fill, and take some to go. You two should then hurry on to Ponyville. I know another certain pony who might be worried sick over this little filly here."
"Actually, auntie... There's one more thing I wanted to talk to you about. It's why I came here, to see you today."
* * *
Flurry explained as she walked alone with Twilight through the statue garden.
"I see," said Twilight. "That is most unfortunate."
"I don't like having to tell on him. But Cozy didn't do anything. She even saved my life yesterday, that's a good thing. But what father is doing is wrong!"
Twilight looked down at Flurry with a raised brow, "She did?"
Flurry looked away sheepishly, "Well, not really. She didn't know who I was yet, but if I was actually in danger, she would have done her best to help me."
"Well, I am glad you came to talk to me about it, Flurry. I had no idea."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to kill my brother," said Twilight.
Flurry gasped, "Auntie, no!" she took a step back in shock.
Twilight paused and laughed lightly, "No, Flurry. I didn't mean it like that. ...When you have a sibling, you tend to... fight, sometimes. It's a family thing." She sighed. "For you, being an only child has its blessings and its curses. Your parents, they are so strict because you are their only one. They can't lose you. I can't lose you. While I look at you and see my little niece growing up, so big, they see their little baby Flurry, slipping away from them. I will talk to them, both as their family and as their ruler."
"Ok," said Flurry.
"I'll knock some sense into your father too, even if I have to take him to the dungeon and spank him," winked Twilight.
"Flurry giggled. She looked around, "Hey, weren't there a lot more statues around here?"
"Twilight looked around, "Yes, there were. Before moving back to Ponyville and taking young Cozy in full-time, Astral worked to help redeem many of Canterlot's older stone prisoners. Some have paid their due and are free, others, the more difficult ones were moved to a location where they can at least live and eat and learn, and hopefully also earn their freedom. There have been a few that have agreed to live outside of Equestria and never return. Cozy has had so much to teach me, teach us all the real meaning of the elements of harmony, of friendship, so much more than she knows."
They paused reaching the end of the garden, turning to head back when Cozy came up behind them.
"Hey Flurry, Princess Twilight... I just came to let you know the food was--" She looked up and saw the final statue behind Twilight and Flurry, and just paused, falling to her haunches.
Flurry hadn't really been paying attention to the few statues that were left. She turned and saw what it was that could stop Cozy cold so easily.
Queen Chrysalis, reaching out, hissing in anger. Lord Tirek, once strong and powerful, now weak and cowering.
Twilight looked away. She knew what was there, she felt too ashamed to look Cozy in the eye.
Flurry turned to Twilight, "Did, did Astral try..."
Twilight looked down at the ground, "Once."
Flurry walked up to Twilight, touching her wing to hers. "What happened."
"Astral tried her hardest. Some ponies... just don't want to be saved," said Twilight, the sadness in her voice was deep. She cleared her throat, raising her head up high, "Come, Cozy. This is not a place for you, not anymore."
* * *
"It sure was nice of Ember to let us take the dragons to Ponyville!" called out Cozy from her dragon.
"Yeah, she's really cool for a dragon!" called back Flurry. "Where do you want to land?"
Cozy scanned the ground for a good spot. "Everything looks so tiny!" she commented. "There! That dirt field! That should be big enough."
They circled around making a slow descent when Cozy noticed a small dust cloud right in the middle of their landing zone. She squinted trying to get a better look before realizing what she was looking at. "...That little ponut. He still hasn't learned." She pulled back on her dragon, up into the air.
"Change of plans?" called out Flurry.
"New plan." She pat her dragon on the back before hopping off and flying to Flurry, nearly missing. Flurry reached out and grabbed Cozy just in time. Cozy's dragon flew alongside Flurry's dragon keeping pace while Cozy explained the situation.
* * *
"What do you say, Tenderhoof? A tail for a tail?" asked Allen as he stepped menacingly towards the downed colt, Allen's henchponies holding him down.
"I didn't do anything to you! I don't have your tail, just leave me in peace!" Begged Tenderhoof.
"Oh, we'll leave you in pieces, alright. Crazy Glue isn't around to save you this time. First, let's lose the boots, you frea-"
From above, seemingly out of nowhere, Cozy came down on Allen right in the side, hard enough to knock him down and send him sliding. "You were saying?" asked Cozy, landing in between Tenderhoof and Allen. Her head was low, eyes forward and wings up. She was ready to pounce. Her eyes seemed to glow with fire as a shadow crept over and covered the land.
Allen rose to his hooves, dusting himself off. "puh.. You don't scare me, Crazy Glue."
"Uh... Boss?" said one of Allen's friends holding Tender, a deep nervousness in his voice.
"Only one pony can call me that," growled Cozy. "Now how about you let my friend here go before I show you what Crazy can really do?"
"Get lost, small stuff. This doesn't concern you!" ordered Allen.
"Boss! I think we should scram!" said the other pony who was helping hold Tender down.
Allen marched past Cozy towards Tender. "Nopony's going anywhere!" demanded Allen to his friends.
"Oh Allen, you're right about one thing," said Cozy as she slowly turned to face him.
Fire rained down from the heavens surrounding them in a large ring of flames.
"What the..." asked Allen, looking up just as an enormous dragon swooped past, doubling back and landing behind Cozy, shaking the ground and the ponies to the core. In his shock, Allen began to trickle a bit of embarrassment that collect in a puddle under him at his hooves.
Cozy looked, "Oh Golly... Allen..." She smiled deviously. "Hey, Boots! Would you mind joining me and my friend here?"
Allen's friends released Tender and even helped to dust him off. Tender quickly trotted over to Cozy, standing behind her, making sure to step around Allen's puddle. Cozy pulled Tender to stand right beside her, head to head.
"Boss... what do we do? Boss?" The gang grouped up with Allen, but Allen was too stiff with freight. to do more than shake in his hooves while staring at the dragon behind Cozy.
"Now that I have your attention... Let's say we make a deal," offered Cozy. "You and your friends leave boots here alone, and me and my friends will leave you alone."
Allen snapped out of his daze and shook his head. "I'll get you for this, Crazy!"
Cozy sighed and stomped a hoof on the ground.
A second full-sized dragon landed hard behind Allen and his group, the sheer force of the thud in such close proximity knocked Allen down into his own puddle as well as the rest of his group onto the ground.
"New deal." offered Cozy. "Same as before, but now you have to now refer to me as the great and powerful."
Tender whispered in Cozy's ear.
"Oh," said Cozy. "Then the same deal as before, but don't call me Crazy. And I do suggest you take it this time."
"Uh... Yeah. Sure. Deal!" said Allen, growing incredibly nervous.
Flurry hopped off of the second dragon, gliding down and landing in the space between the two. She pulled the hood of her cloak back, revealing herself to the ponies.
"Princess Flurry Heart!" whispered Allen's friends to each other, bowing down. "Allen, she's a princess!" said one of them, tugging on his soggy hoof.
"This isn't the Crystal Empire," he said.
The princess spoke with confidence, "No, but do you really want to make this an international incident? Dragons, the Crystal Empire, Ponyville which falls under Canterlot... Things are about to get real messy for you if you don't make the right decisions here, Tailless."
Allen furrowed his brow, bowing down grudgingly, "Your highness," he said through gritted teeth.
"Very well. I hereby decree and make official and binding this deal struck here on this day, set now and forever that Allen and his friends will ... uh... will... Back off!" announced Flurry, sending a bolt of magic into the sky, exploding like a firework, sprinkling magical stars down. She looked down at Allen, "...Or else!" she said with a stomp of her hoof.
The two guard dragons took deep breaths and simultaneously roared into the sky, a sound heard all the way from Canterlot. Allen and his friends turned pale white and fainted. Cozy and Flurry fell to the ground, rolling around in laughter.
* * *
The flames were put out, and Cozy and Flurry waved farewell to the dragons as they headed back home. Tender was still shakey from the experience.
"Hey, um, Crazy?"
"Yeah, Boots?"
"Did you um, Did you really mean it back there?"
"Mean what?" Cozy turned to face Tender.
"When you called me your friend. Did you really mean it?"
Flurry smiled big at the two of them.
Cozy glanced to flurry, then back to Tender, extending her wing to his back. "Yeah. Friends."
Flurry sat back on her haunches, clopping her hooves together, "Yay!"
Cozy turned to Flurry, "...Did YOU really mean it back there?"
"Mean what?" asked Flurry.
"About making it official? Can you really do that?"
Flurry shrugged.
* * *
The three sat on a hilltop under a large tree, watching the sun reach the horizon. They snacked on the last of the outpost trail mix and jerky.
"So you're home, now," said Flurry. "Just like I said you'd be. "Are you glad I made the train leave early?"
Cozy went slackjawed, turning to Flurry, "You what?!?"
"How else was I going to get you all to myself for a few days?"
Cozy was speechless.
"Relax! I had it all planned out! ...Except for that thing on the bridge. Or you getting arrested. ...Or the trip to the dragon lands, but you gotta admit it was worth it to ride a dragon. ...And I didn't think we'd be visiting auntie Twilight today."
"Cozy threw a nut at Flurry, "You could have just asked!"
"Yeah," replied Flurry. "But this seemed better."
The sun began to touch the horizon and dip below.
"What are you going to do next?" asked Cozy.
Flurry shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I'll go home for a little bit. Mom and dad do seem to worry a lot."
Cozy nodded.
The sun's trip for the day was almost complete. Lanterns were beginning to light up around town as seen from the hilltop. The first stars were beginning to make their appearance in the sky. Tenderhoof sat quietly next to his best friend, enjoying the cool evening air along with the view.
"One more," said Cozy, softly.
Flurry barely caught it. "Huh?"
"Night," said Cozy. "Before you go. Before it's all over, and everything goes back to normal. Just one more, under the stars. Boots should join us too."
Flurry smiled. "You know? I saw a perfect little cloud not too far from here."
"There. That should do it!" said Cozy, emptying the bucket into the room. A heavy fog poured out, joining the rest of the cloud formation that covered the floor of the single-room dwelling. "She's gonna love it!"
The door opened and Astral stepped through.
"Astral! Quick! Close the door!! You're letting it out!!!" yelled Cozy.
Surprised, Astral quickly closed the door, looking around, "Cozy? What is this?"
"Do you like it? I thought that since you can't go up to the clouds, I could bring the clouds down to you!" beamed Cozy.
"Oh, Cozy... How, ...nice of you," replied Astral, lightly stepping around through the cloud. She was still standing on the floor while Cozy could now stand at Astral's height on top of the cloud.
Astral carefully made her way to the kitchen through the cloud, bumping her shins on the now-hidden furniture, "Ow! You didn't ow! Have to ow! Do this just for me."
"I know. I just wanted to!"
Astral finally made it to the kitchen. The fluffy whiteness was into everything. She waved her hoof around clearing a bit of cloud-covered counter space and began to unpack her saddlebags with her magic; groceries. She began to set out on the counter a selection of vegetables, and canned goods.
A carrot rolled off of the counter and disappeared through the cloud somewhere onto the floor. 'Oh. When will I see that one again?' thought Astral.
Cozy bound around the living room at the new height the cloud afforded her. "Isn't this great?"
"Um, yes, Cozy. ...Great." Astral tried her best to not let the filly down. Finished with unpacking the groceries, she released the strap on her saddlebags, and let them fall to the floor before realizing what she had just done. "Oh no. I lost them."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'd help you find them, but I can't really go any lower than the top of the cloud right now until it clears out some."
"That's ok, Cozy," said Astral as she made her way to her bed. "It's been a long ow! Day. I think I'm ow! Going to take a nap."
"I know you can't sleep ON the cloud, but being surrounded by it, you could pretend your bed is just as soft as one. ...even though it isn't," suggested Cozy.
"...Thank you, Cozy. Why don't you go out and play now? I'll start dinner when I wake up."
"Ok!" said Cozy as she went outside, careful not to let too much of the cloud out.
* * *
Astral opened her eyes. She was soaking wet. Her bed was soaking wet. The walls cried with condensation. On the plus side, the cloud was gone. She got up. The floor was wet. "...Oh, Cozy." Her hooves sopped through the carpet on the way to the kitchen. "Oh, there they are," she said as she magically picked up her saddlebags and hung them up on the rack by the door. The carrot was nowhere to be found. She used a hoof to brush drops of water off of her coat, "It's SO muggy in here!" She magically opened the windows and the door, feeling the fresh outside air rush in almost instantly.
Dinner was mostly uneventful. They ate their meals together while Cozy talked about the troubles of cloud collecting, and finding the perfect ones that weren't rainy, or at least too rainy. The chill of the night air had forced Astral to close the windows and door until the sun came back up. Most everything was dry-ish, at least the carpet didn't squish anymore.
* * *
"Astral, wake up!" said Cozy. It was morning already. "The house is really stinky! What's going on?"
Astral stirred from her rest as her senses came back to her. The house did indeed stink.
"It smells like when you don't dry the laundry fast enough!"
"Mildew, Cozy," said Astral, rolling her eyes at the new situation.
"Who's Mill Dew? Somepony should tell him to take a bath, and then dry quickly."
"No, Cozy. It's that smell. Everything is too wet. Open the windows and door. We need to air the house out. And Cozy?"
