Redemption chance for Cozy Glow

Chapters

Is there any hope for me?
Getting started
The only prison is in your head
Making amends - part one

Is there any hope for me?

Author's Note

So this is an idea I recently came up with and decided to write this story
New chapters are likely to appear every week, maybe two.

Is there any hope for me?

Twilight Sparkle was in her bedroom, pacing around because princesses announced their retirement, and she was the one to be their successor. But that wasn't her only worry.
Her thoughts were also on the magic disappearing incident that happened a month ago and discovering who was behind it.

How could Cozy Glow do this to me? Or to her friends? We all trusted her, she was even my assistant, and that's how she pays back?!

Soon, she was trying to figure out why could make her do such a horrible thing

No! There must be something more about her - I know that

Twilight all of the sudden shouted "Spike!"

"What is it Twi?"

Twilight ordered - "Write a letter to the Elements, Celestia, Luna, and Starlight to come to the Cutie Map room. It's urgent"

Spike didn't have to be told twice - he sat at the desk and started writing letters to mentioned ponies with his quill.

20 minutes later

Her friends were gathering in the Cutie Map room, only Starlight hadn't arrived yet.

"Twilight, if there is something more you need to know about ruling Equestria, then just tell us" - Celestia said, worried about her.

"It's not about that"

"Then what?" - Luna asked

"I will tell you everything, but Starlight also has to be here"

After 5 minutes, Starlight appeared in the room

"Phew! Sorry for being late, but things in school are hectic because of final exams"

"Alright! Since everyone I asked is here, we can proceed" - Twilight spoke - "It's about Cozy Glow"

Princesses winced slightly at the mention of this pegasus' name.

"Ugh! What 'bout her, Twi?" - Applejack asked angrily.

"I know you may not like it but putting her in Tartarus was too severe in my opinion, even after what she has done..."

"Twilight, with all the respect, but she tri-" - Luna tried to convince her to stop thinking about it, but Twilight cut her off

"Wait, let me explain" - she took a deep breath - "Cozy Glow is too young to be locked up in Tartarus despite her crimes against Equestria - Tartarus is not an appropriate place for ponies, especially that young, trust me - I've been there myself. Besides, her mind is also young and she still learns new things about the world and herself - what if we show her a better way? I believe that she can be reformed, just like Discord or Starlight, all she needs is some guidance in friendship"

"She doesn't seem to be reformable darling" - Rarity said

"How do you know that? How do we know if she's not just some misguided filly? I knew something was wrong with her after failing her test on purpose, but I ignored it. I partially feel responsible for what happened that day with magic vanishing"

"Twilight" - Celestia spoke softly - "It is not your fault - you couldn't predict Cozy's betrayal"

"Yet again - I could have done something, like talk to her when she was feeling down, or maybe even control her more when she became my assistant, so she wouldn't try to steal all the magic from Equestria"

"But...what are you going to do" - Fluttershy asked

"We all will go visit her in Tartarus and talk to her. Something tells me she's not a lost cause"

Everyone was shocked by Twilight's idea. Princess Luna knew this purple alicorn was up to something, but she certainly didn't expect this. She was unsure and afraid her idea might get out of hoof, but she knew Twilight and her friends were facing bigger threats during their adventures,

"Art th...I mean - are you sure this is a good idea?" - Luna asked

"I am" - her expression turns into more stern - "By the way, Luna. From what I've heard you put Cozy Glow in a cage near Tirek. Do you think this is a good idea to put her close to someone who taught her step-by-step how to steal magic?"

Luna thinks about it for a while

"It was not the best idea when you put it like that" - she facehoofs herself - "Fine, I admit it - I messed up..."

"So what do you say?" - Starlight asks Luna

"I guess it is worth trying" - she said - "but let me ask you one more thing, Twilight"

"What is it?"

"Why do you even want to reform Cozy Glow?" - Luna asked - "Um...it's not like I don't like your idea, but I want to know your motive"

"Since Celestia sent me to Ponyville, I've been learning friendship with my 5 best friends" - she smiles warmly at mentioned ponies and resumed speaking - "but often we were teaching others about friendship and show villains that there's a better way than serving the Darkness. Sure - some creatures were rotten to the core and so - irreformable like King Sombra, Tirek, or Chrysalis, but Cozy's different. If we can reform powerful creatures like a time-traveling dictator" - she points at Starlight, making her look away in embarrassment - "or even Discord - the god of chaos, then I'm pretty sure we can handle little pegasus filly"

Twilight glances at Celestia and looks at all of them again.

"Princess Celestia sent me to Ponyville to learn friendship. We solved many problems and made Equestria way better place than it used to be before Nightmare Moon returned from her banishment and we got Princess Luna back when Nightmare Moon was gone. So, if I'm the one to take their place, I want to show that I've got what it takes to spread the true message of friendship"

Everypony in the room felt very touched by her words, especially Princess Celestia. They all remained silent until Starlight spoke.

"So...when do you want to go?"

"We can go now if nopony has anything to do. This shouldn't take long. Do you want to go there now?" - she glanced at princesses, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie - they all nodded. Twilight turned her head to Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Starlight - they also nodded.

"Alright. I will teleport us to Tartarus."

With that being said, Twilight lit her horn up and enveloped all her friends with the magenta glow. Soon, they all disappeared from Cutie Map room and were standing in front of Tartarus' gate.

Princess Celestia used her magic to open the gate and everyone stepped inside.

When they were trotting towards the island where Tirek and Cozy were imprisoned, Cerberus blocked their way and stared at these 9 ponies, but he quickly stepped aside.

Tirek was first to spot his enemies walking towards them.

"Cozy look! We have visitors" - he informed, making her look at them - "What do you think they want?"

"Who knows? Maybe we'll have a new inmate..." - she replied

Two villains remained silent. When Twilight and her group approached Cozy's cage, princess Luna greeted her with a cheerful tone.

"Hi, Cozy Glow! How art thou doing today?"

Little pegasus gave the night ruler the death stare, then turned around and looked at the ground.

"What do you want?! Gonna bully me again?!" - she asked bitterly

"Bully...?" - Twilight repeated and looked at princess Luna with a confused frown

"Again...?" - now it was Celestia, who looked at her younger sister with a raised eyebrow - "Luna, what is she talking about?"

Princess Luna didn't answer her sister's question - "Cozy, I know you hate me and us all, but please listen"

Cozy Glow turned to her visitors with a less angry expression on her face - "Whatever"

Twilight approached her cage and started talking

"Cozy, what you have done was terrible and you put Equestria in great danger-"

"Oh this again..." - Cozy said annoyed, Twilight ignored what she's just said and resumed

"-but I'm sure there's some good in you and deep inside you're at least a bit sorry for your deeds" - her expression turned to more serious - "Cozy Glow, you are to be reformed"

Cozy didn't say anything trying to process what her former headmare said

"However, it depends on you - if you don't want to change, then you will simply stay here - I won't punish you for refusing my help"

"Reformed? Is this a joke? If so, then it's not funny at all!" - she snarled and glanced hatefully at princess Luna before looking down at the floor

"I assure you this is not a joke, little one" - Celestia said with a kind gaze and a smile

"Why do you insist on reforming me now? I'm not a powerful magic wielder like Discord, Starlight, or Luna - I'm a mere pegasus, so I have no use for you to reform me"

"It's not about having magic or not - you're jumping to conclusions. We really want to reform you"

"How come?"

"Because we all were wrong. Tartarus is not a place for ponies - I've been here on my own, yet I let princess Luna lock you up here"

She looked at other visitors, all of them smiling warmly at her.
This was a completely new experience for evil Cozy Glow. These expressions, which used to be nothing more than fake smiles of contempt, were now filled with love. This made Cozy more at ease.

"If you want to reform me then I want you to do so"

"Great!" - Twilight exclaimed. Then she used her magic to open her cage and walked inside.

"You'll see - being good pony is not that bad - it's way better than trying to dominate the world and manipulating others" - she said and put her hoof on Cozy's back

"What's the catch?" - Cozy asked suspiciously

"Only one - you will have to cooperate with us" - Twilight informed

"Fair enough" - Cozy said smiling. This was the first time she seemed to be happy after Twilight's group visited her.

Starlight also stepped inside Cozy's cage - "Alright Cozy, let's go. There's a lot of work ahead of us"

"Oh how sweet" - Tirek taunted

Shortly after that, Cozy was freed from her cage and walked with them towards the exit. But Tirek told them.

"So ponies get a second chance, but a centaur doesn't - that's unfair"

Princess Celestia turned around to give him an extremely harsh glare.

"Don't you remember that it was you who taught Cozy how to steal magic? Or when you stole my, Luna's, and Cadence's magic and then put us in here? Or when you destroyed Twilight's old house? Forget it - you're staying here for all eternity."

"But...the magic of friendship!" - he mocked

"Are you deaf? No means no!" - Rainbow Dash scolded, clearly fed up with Tirek's behavior and even his presence, making him quiet.

When they all made their way outside, Cozy took a deep breath, inhaling fresh air into her nostrils and sighing.

"It feels nice to be outside. I don't wanna go back to Tartarus."

"Then be nice and you will remain on freedom" - Twilight said softly

"I promise I will be good from now on"

To be continued...

Getting started

It's been two days since Cozy Glow was freed from Tartarus and given a chance to become a better pony. As soon as it was done, princesses and Twilight announced it to everyone in Equestria. This news had mixed reactions - while some ponies were happy with it and glad that they showed her mercy and some ponies, who highly disapproved of their idea and were sure Cozy is beyond saving and should rot in Tartarus, the majority of Equestria's citizens didn't care about it and were completely indifferent to this news.

As for Cozy Glow, she was temporarily given a room in Twilight's Castle. Leaving the castle without any supervision was strictly forbidden for her - both for Cozy's and Equestria's safety. At Princess Luna's request, Twilight and Starlight also cast a special spell on Cutie Map, which shows the current location of Cozy's Cutie Mark - if she escaped, it would be easy for them to track her down. Twilight was skeptical of this idea, but since Princess Luna had more authority than her, she had no other choice but to obey the night ruler and inform Cozy that she will be tracked by the map.

The same day - evening

Twilight and her friends' work at School of Friendship was over and everypony went their own way.

Meanwhile Twilight was getting ready for one important task for this day - talk with Cozy Glow, find out her motive, and try to talk sense to her. Therefore she was getting ready for this conversation, thoroughly thinking about necessary questions, and preparing for Cozy to be manipulative once again.

When Twilight was ready, she flew to Cozy's room and knocked on the door.

"Come in" - Cozy's voice echoed and Twilight went in.

"Hi Cozy! How are you doing today?" - she asked

"Fine. But the weather is even better, may I go outside for a while, please?" - Cozy said with a pleading tone of voice and with the cutest smile she could make

"Listen, I know that you want to go and fly without caring about anything, but for now you mustn't until I know you won't cause any trouble. For now, however, I want you to come with me"

The filly asked "Where?"

"To my office in this castle. We need to talk."

Cozy shivered at Twilight's statement. She thought the alicorn is going to scold her or do something even worse than that.

After 5 minutes, they both entered Twilight's office. Purple alicorn sat on her chair, while Cozy was given a seat right in front of her.

"Cozy, the very first thing to do in reforming a villain is knowing their motives. We only know that you think of friendship as power and about that whole "Empress-of-Friendship" thing. Could you explain that?"

"I just wanted power - that's it" - Cozy reluctantly answered

"Are you sure? Cozy, I know it's not just about the power. You can tell me"

She didn't want to do it, but she also knew that lying would only make it worse, so she decided to tell Twilight the truth.

"As I said - I wanted power. I saw what magic wielders are capable of, like Starlight with removing Cutie Marks or by traveling in time - I wanted that, I desired that. Using magic makes unicorns' lives easier because they don't have to grab things with their hooves. But I'm just a pegasus - all that my useless form can do is flying. That made me jealous and I thought to myself - if I can't have magic, then no one will! That's why I contacted Tirek" - Cozy's eyes got watery after finishing her outburst.

Twilight was completely shocked by what Cozy has just said.

"No Cozy, you don't understand. Everyone has their tasks in their life, no matter if that's a unicorn, earth pony, pegasus, or non-pony creature. But what also matters, mostly for you, is that you also have your very own magic"

"I don't! I can't cast spells, except that for stealing magic, but actually, it doesn't count, because it was a scroll enchanted by Tirek."

"Magic isn't only about casting spells. Controlling weather - the main pegasi task - also requires magic. Even tending land is earth ponies' magic. It's impossible to grow crops using spells - it makes food inedible." - Twilight explained

"Wait! You're saying that flapping my wings, moving clouds, and making rain and snow is thanks to magic?"

"Yes. You see - your pegasus magic lets you fly up in the air, but also lets your wings swing correctly and balance your flight. When it comes to controlling the weather...well - some unicorns also can do it, but results, compared to pegasi work, are far from good"

Cozy was speechless for a while, but then she asked

"So, if my scheme was successful and all the magic disappeared from Equestria, would there be no magic at all?"

"Exactly. Not only rendering unicorns useless, but also pegasi wouldn't be able to control the weather, and earth ponies won't be able to grow crops. Magic was predicted to vanish after the sunset. So, if you managed to destroy all the magic, Equestria would be covered in eternal night, with extreme weather anomalies like a thunderstorm with golfball-sized hail rain and everything combined with widespread famine - it wouldn't be the best place to live in or rule, would it?

Cozy Glow was once again speechless. She didn't know about the other consequences of her action. Tirek only wrote that unicorns and alicorns won't have their magic, but what she didn't realize was removing other ponies' magic. The feeling of nearly crushing guilt appeared in her mind.

"Oh! I mean - wow. I didn't want to. I thought the only magic that I tried to get rid of would be this for casting spells. Tirek swore it will only do that, not wipe out all the magic." - She looked at her former headmare with a really sad expression - "Twilight, I'm so sorry!"

At this point, Cozy Glow couldn't hold it anymore - she jumped onto the floor and laid on her belly while covering her face with her forelegs and wept. Now she realized just how wrong she was. Vision with her almost destroying all the Equestria - her home, her motherland, dooming her friends, teachers, and herself for some wicked desires were going round and round in Cozy's head.
Twilight was surprised by her sudden change of demeanor, but she was glad that Cozy realized her mistakes. Or it seemed like that.

She walked to still-bawling filly to check whether she's not acting - just in case - but she wasn't. These were real sobs of pure sadness and regret. As for Cozy, except for crying her heart out, she was also tearfully mumbling for forgiveness.

Cozy didn't have time to react before Twilight reached for her, picked her up, and wrapped her forelegs around this filly in a loving embrace. Cozy was still babbling unintelligible sentences. After a while, she calmed down enough to speak.

"I-I'm so...so sor-ry, I-I...I re-really ah-eh-h-m!..."

"Shhh...I've got you, Cozy." - Twilight soothed stroking her mane

Eventually, Cozy stopped wailing but was still held close by Twilight

"I know you hate me for what I've done, but I'm really sorry"

"Cozy, I don't hate you. If I did, would I hug you like that? I have never hated you - when I found out your scheme, I was disappointed and felt betrayed, but hate is a very strong word, don't you think?" - Twilight said and released Cozy from the embrace

"Maybe you're right. Once again - I'm sorry. I really didn't know it would doom Equestria"

"I see you are. But apologizing isn't enough to make up for your deeds. You also have to work for forgiveness. Luckily, we won't do that today. I just want you to explain one more thing before we finish"

"I'm listening"

"Just how it was possible for you to contact Tirek. I mean Equestrian Postal Service doesn't send letters to Tartarus, mainly because there's magic that blocks access for delivery ponies - so how did you do that?"

Cozy was more than eager to tell her - mostly because she was mad at Tirek for fooling her and nearly making her destroy Equestria.

"I got a letter from him, just after Hearth's Warming. He explained that there's some lack of security in Tartarus which allows to send letters from there. He didn't explain how did he get paper or quills to write them though. I still have every letter he sent to me - you can read them if you want."

"I can't do that - these are your private messages, if I did, I would basically violate the secrecy of your correspondence" - Twilight said

"You have my permission to check them. It might help prevent magic from disappearing and maybe even improve security in Tartarus, so he won't try to contact anyone again." - Cozy reassured

"If you want that, then I will check them. Where do you have these letters?"

"In my dormitory at the school. Can we go there now?"

"Sure. Just let me take the keys."

With that being said, Twilight and Cozy Glow headed towards the School of Friendship. When they arrived, Twilight used the key to open Cozy's dormitory - it was mostly clean, with several books lying on the floor and thin layer of dust on the floor, bed and desk. It wasn't any surprise for Twilight and Cozy, because this room was locked for over a month.

"Here are these letters" - Cozy said while giving small box to Twilight - "I promise they aren't forged"

Twilight grabbed the box with her magic and opened it, revealing some parchments.

"Look - that's very least I can do for you. I know I won't be going back to your school" - Cozy said

"I never said that" - Twilight replied, confusing Cozy - "actually, you're still a student"

"B-but how? Wasn't I expelled?"

"You were only thrown into Tartarus. Why do you think I was visiting you every 3 days and giving you exercises and taking your already finished tasks?"

"To prevent me from being bored?" - she tried to guess

"Well yes, but actually to prevent you from having backlogs in your studies. And honestly you were doing great!"

"Really?" - Cozy asked. Twilight didn't respond, only nodded and glanced at the watch.

"Okay Cozy. I think it's time to go back to the castle. It's getting quite late and you need some sleep"

"What am I going to do tomorrow?" - Cozy asked

"You will see..." - Twilight relied with soft smile, but quickly reassured her - "don't worry - nothing bad is going to happen to you."

After a while, they both returned to Twilight's castle and were getting ready to sleep.

When Cozy Glow laid on the bed, she was thinking about the recent events.

"Golly, Twilight is very nice to me after everything I've done - she gave me a room in her castle, comforted me when I bursted into tears at her office" - she smiled - "she really believes I can change and I will show her she's right about that!"

Within 5 minutes Cozy Glow was already asleep.

Author's Note

Well, that was tough to write, but I somehow managed to write it.

UPDATE - spelling/interpunction fixes

The only prison is in your head

It was the middle of the night and Cozy Glow was plagued with nightmares for the first time since she was freed from Tartarus. They all had one thing in common - they began very well, like a dream, but then they quickly morphed into true horror.
Her current nightmare wasn't an exception from this.

Cozy found herself standing on the pavement in, what seemed to be, some large park. She noticed many creatures playing with each other, enjoying beautiful weather, and happy spending time with their friends. When she wanted to move forward, some pony stood in front of her, covered by a black cloak. A dark-gray snout, completely white, glowing eyes, and a strand of white mane were the only protruding from the cover, gently smiling at her. Cozy quickly figured out it was a mare.

Cozy stared at the mysterious pony when suddenly the figure tilted her head, then pointed at Cozy with a hoof, and her smile changed into a sly smirk.

"You don't belong here" - she spoke

Quickly after that, the park surrounding them both disappeared and was replaced with barren wasteland. Also, time was replaced with night and everything was dimly lit by moonlight.

"Where are we" - Cozy asked the mare, but she quickly vanished, leaving Cozy alone.

Soon, some pony-shaped shadows appeared and were approaching Cozy. They were getting closer to get with every second. They started shouting.

"You monster!"

"Demon!" - yelled another one

"Fiend!"

"Terrorist!"

"GER HER!" - ordered another unknown shadow

Now it was clear for Cozy Glow - whoever those shadows were, they had no good intentions. She ran away from the crowd, but she met another crowd of hostile shapes wherever she tried to escape.

"Nowhere to run, criminal!" - exclaimed a shadow standing in front of her. It reached its hooves to tackle her, but Cozy was quick enough to dodge them.

Cozy Glow realized that she can fly away from them. However, when she flew up, pegasi shadows blocked her way. Instantly, one of them pushed her back down. She fell onto the ground with a thud, which made her disoriented. The filly shook her head to recover her bearings and when she was no longer stunned, the crowd was very close to her.

Cozy knew that there was where she meets her end. She covered her eyes with forelegs and awaited the worst, whimpering and trembling. Suddenly, surroundings were again switched, but this time she was floating in a dark-blue void.

"Cozy Glow" - a familiar voice called her. She uncovered her face and looked forward.

"P-princess Luna? Where am I?" - Cozy asked

"It is only a nightmare, Cozy Glow. Be at ease" - she reassured, landing on some invisible ground - "This might be only a dream realm, but your feelings are very real."

"I guess you're right. I still feel bad for everything I've done..." - Cozy replied, landing right in front of Luna

"I know that and that is why I am here. I only saw the crowd of pony-shaped shadows, but I did not see what was earlier. Can you tell me what happened?"

"I was in some park and I saw many creatures being happy with each other - it was like a paradise. But somepony told me I don't belong there and I was surrounded by shadows, who called me a monster, terrorist and other mean stuff. What's the meaning of this?" - Cozy explained

"Hmmm..." - she hummed, thinking about the best answer- "I think you are still afraid society hates you and will reject you no matter what you will do to be accepted once again. Those shadows were reflections of your fear and insecurities"

Cozy was speechless, just like when Twilight told her about the consequences of draining magic

"So...how do I get them off my head?"

"This will take some time before this happens. You committed a heinous crime and you cannot just pretend it never happened. However, if you are willing to change, you may count on me, Twilight, and her friends."

"I really want to change - I just don't know how"

"You must face your past and learn from it. We gave you a chance and accepted your coming back. Now it is your turn to trust us and the rest of society, but what you must do first is trusting yourself that you can change."

"I don't think I can do this. I still can't stop thinking about what I tried to do. Twilight told me everything that could happen. I think I should still be in Tartarus"

"If you don't try, then it will make you feel worse and worse. You must believe in yourself and try your best to be accepted by society. Otherwise, you will never overcome your insecurities. Here..." - she reached her hoof and put it on Cozy's forehead - "...is your real prison. No one will release you from there, except you"

"So you say that my mind is also my prison?" - the filly asked

"It is, but figuratively. This kind of 'prison' is so bad, because technically you are free, but deep inside, you still feel imprisoned and cast out. It destroys pony's psyche day by day and makes them only worse, and eventually, they commit another crime because they can't stand it anymore. Though I believe we can guide you to the right path"

"Thank you, Luna. Thank you for believing in me" - Cozy said smiling.

"Just one more thing. When Twilight sent me a letter where she described your reaction to the potential consequences of draining magic, I was surprised, and I think I owe you an apology for how poorly I treated you. I let my anger cloud what is right and that is why I came that day to gloat and harass you in Tartarus, calling you very awful stuff like "disgrace to society". I hope that one day you will forgive me" - Princess Luna raises her head to look sadly at the sky - "...maybe one day"

Night ruler suddenly felt a gentle pressure on her chest. She moved her eyes and there she saw Cozy hugging her.

"You know what, princess? I think we both realized our mistakes today. And considering my crime against Equestria, I think I somewhat deserved to be treated like that in Tartarus. But for now, we all should move on and be better versions of ourselves. Hating each other won't heal the wounds from the past."

This took Luna off-guard. Did Cozy Glow forgive her right on the spot? Soon she hugged Cozy back.

"Well, Cozy. I am glad that things went like this. Twilight was right that you can be reformed."

"I'm also happy that I'm not in Tartarus. It's an awful place" - Cozy said removing herself from Luna and taking a step back

"I must be off now. Just promise me one thing"

"I'm listening"

"Whenever you feel down or uncertain and need guidance or just talk, let us know about it. We are all here for you after all" - Luna said, then put her hoof under Cozy's chin and lifted it, making filly's scarlet eyes meet Luna's turquoise eyes - "can you do it for me?"

"Yes - I can" - Cozy replied

Princess Luna let Cozy go and created an exit from her dream

"Good night, Cozy" - this was the last thing Luna said, before stepping into the portal and leaving her alone.

Meanwhile, Cozy Glow was processing everything Princess Luna said. She knows that she is right because Luna used to be a villain once as a Nightmare Moon and could relate to the filly, especially when she was also rejected by society after her 1000-year banishment to the Moon and finally accepted during some Nightmare Night when she met young colt named Pipsqueak.

Okay Cozy - calm down. They want you to be good, so you simply show them you can change. They won't harm you. - Cozy thought, before darkness surrounded her and she spent the rest of a night in a dreamless state

Author's Note

Yeah, Cozy is no longer angry at Princess Luna

Making amends - part one

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.