My Little Cozyby cerealkiller78ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1I never did have a very good home life. Drunk dad, addict mom, and I was the kid at school everyone stayed away from. Not because I was a loser, but a bully. Can't really help it, I'm just living my life the way I know it to be at home. I'm in the tenth grade, and seeing as how my parents don't work, I'm the one who goes to a job after school everyday. It's only part-time, and minimum wage, but it's better than nothing. It keeps me in school for the time being, and pays for our rent... most of the time. If we didn't have such a nice landlady, we would be out on the streets for sure. Many times she has extended the due date for our rent, but I know it can't last forever. In the little down time I get, I enjoy watching My Little Pony on a small tv I have in my room, though I would never admit it to anybody. It's my little escape from reality. It's also shown me some things that my parents never did, like how to make and be a friend...but it doesn't mean I've actually made any friends because of it. I've watched My Little Pony since season 6 of Friendship Is Magic. With the series ending, and a new generation of ponies beginning, I'm not sure i'll follow it. I was hooked on generation 4, but i'm so busy these days, I just don't have the time to be following shows that are meant for children anymore. I'm not sure I really ever was a child. Not in the way that mattered anyway. No getting put to bed by my parents, no goodnight hugs or kisses, no "I love you's", not even any discipline, which most kids would probably be jealous of me for, but I'm the one that envies them. At least they have parents that actually care. But I digress. I kick a can lying on the sidewalk as I make my way back home from my job at the local burger joint. I still have homework to do, and it's 9:00pm. It's gonna be a long night. I pass by old buildings that have long since seen better days. My life feels like Marthy from that old Wizard of Odd movie. I'm stuck living in a dreary black and white world. If only I could escape to that colorful world of Equestria...but this is reality. There's no twisters to take you to a better place, no mirror portal to take you to a new world. I turn a corner, and slow to a stop. In front of me is a cardboard box with holes in it. box with holes?...Great...it's probably an abandoned puppy. It's not like I can do much to help the little mutt, but my curiosity gets the better of me, and I go to my knees to open the box...and proceed to immediately scramble away at what I see inside. I must have accidentally taken my mom's drugs or something, because what I just saw in that box cannot be real. It is physically impossible. I did not just see Cozy Glow from My Little Pony in that box. I slowly go back to the box, and cautiously look inside it again. It's still there...a sleeping Cozy Glow. I can see her chest rising and falling. She looks so peaceful...a sweet little ball of deception. Even if it were somehow physically possible for her to really be here, I would be best off just leaving her to rot in that box. Everyone who has watched the show knows that this filly is bad news. She could be here to take over our world for all I know. But it's a lot more likely that I somehow accidentally took my mom's drugs, and now they are giving me a really bad trip, causing me to hallucinate a Cozy Glow in this box, instead of an abandoned puppy. Maybe I would have been suckered into taking an abandoned puppy home...but a Cozy Glow? No thank you. I've already got enough problems in my life. I get up, and without another glance at the box, I continue walking. .................................... I end up sleeping in the next morning, having stayed up late doing homework. I rush through my daily morning routine, skipping breakfast, and bolting out the door to make it to school on time. If I'm late once more, I'll get suspended. I turn a corner, and trip on something, falling harshly to the ground. Cursing loudly, I look back to see what it was that I had fallen over. My blood goes cold. It's that same blasted box from last night. I knocked it over when I hit it, and a shocked looking Cozy Glow is stumbling around now, looking like she's trying to figure out what just happened. Her eyes suddenly land on me, and she lets out a startled neigh. A really small, filly like one. I stare at her, not being able to comprehend what I'm seeing. Why am I still seeing Cozy Glow?...and in the same exact place I found her last night. This can't still be drugs can it?...Is it possible that she really is here, right now, in reality? It would be just my luck to stumble upon a character from My Little Pony...Only for that character to be Cozy Glow...Why do the gods torment me? Out of all the ponies in that show, it just had to be her. Why couldn't it be Rainbow Dash? Or Applejack, or Rarity? Any other pony but this conniving little brat. How is she even here? She was turned to stone in the show. I guess it could be worse though, it could have been Tirek in that box. Although, I'm not all too sure who's more evil...Tirek, or the deceptive little filly in front of me. I glare at her and point in her direction. "I don't know how you got into this world ya little brat, but I know exactly who you are!" I throw at her harshly. The devil in disguise looks frightened and shrinks away from me, flapping her wings, but failing to take off. "Oh, don't you try and play that game with me ya little creep." I advance towards her, and that's when I really get a good look at her and slow to a stop. Somehow, she's...different than she is in the show. In the show, she is a filly...but, she looks even younger right now. A dark thought suddenly slithers its way into my mind as I survey her...I could sell her...I could sell her to some government lab to be studied and experimented on, and become the richest person in the world. I'd never have to work another day in my life. I wouldn't even need to go to school anymore. Who needs an education when you can afford any and every little thing your heart desires? But as I look at her, she's not exactly the way she is in the show. Sure, if she was her normal age, and had recollection of everything she did in the past, feeling no remorse, I'd have no problem carting her off to be experimented on. The little brat would deserve it. But...could I really find it in me to do that to a truly helpless filly that is too young to even use her wings yet? Her flank is even devoid of her rook cutiemark, meaning she is indeed very young. I can't do that...so what do I do? If I leave her here, and someone else finds her, it's most likely that exact scenario will still happen. A gust of wind picks up, and she shivers. Sighing, I take off my coat, and bend down to pick the little filly up. She tries to scramble away, but I manage to catch her and wrap her in my coat. She whinnies, still trying to escape, until the warmth hits her, and she finally begins to calm down, until...well, there's really no other way to put it...she gets cozy. I can't believe I'm actually taking her home. I turn around to head back the way I came. I'm late already, and as good as suspended anyway. My parents won't care though, whether I go to school or not, and I'm not taking a cartoon pony to school, so I might as well go back home. Home, with a cartoon pony...what am I getting myself into? Chapter 2Thankfully, we didn't run into anybody on the way back home. I'm not sure I would have been able to fully hide a cartoon pony, though I do my best to keep her concealed anyway. Never know when a traffic or security camera, or anything of the like could snap a picture of her. I'm going to have a hard enough time just trying to hide her from my parents. I look down at the sleeping face of the bundled up filly, and I wonder if she can even talk in this world, or was she whinnying and neighing earlier simply because she's too young to talk yet? It's not like there is magic in this world, so I wouldn't be surprised if I never hear a word out of her. "Well Cozy," I say to her absently. "You wanted a world without magic...here it is." I walk through the dead lawn of our little yard... nothing but weeds really, and come to the front door of our house...if it could be called a house. I cautiously crack the door open and peer inside. Not seeing anybody inside, I figure they must still be in bed. It's not unusual for them to sleep in late, so that's not too big of a surprise. I enter the house, and quickly but quietly go to my room and shut the door, locking it. Breathing out a huge sigh of relief at having made it back without complication, I put the bundle down and unwrap its contents. She looks around at her new surroundings, and immediately begins exploring. There's not much to explore in my room, but she wants to see it anyway. It reminds me of a kitten or puppy you bring home, and they want to check out every possible nook and cranny. It's actually kind of entertaining. Of course, eventually she finds the door, and like a little kitten, tries putting her hoof underneath it, like that will open it. When that strategy fails her, she turns and looks at me, cocking her little head. "Sorry." I tell her. "But anywhere outside this room is off limits." She flares her nostrils in annoyance, and continues her exploration of my room, coming to my bed next. She's too small to get up on it, but she's determined. She attempts to climb it, and flaps her wings wildly to help her get to the top. But, as expected, she falls on her rump to the floor. What happens next is nothing short of adorable, as she proceeds to throw a tiny tantrum, whinnying and neighing at the bed as if it just insulted her. I snort, trying not to laugh at the hilarious scene. She turns around, and bucks the bed with her hind legs. "how about a little help?" I suggest. There is a box in the corner of my room. Retrieving it, I put it next to the bed. "There. Maybe this will help." I pat the box. She happily jumps up on the box, and makes it to the peak of Mount Everest. She's so happy up there, I can almost see little fireworks going off next to her. Eventually, she settles down, right on top of my pillow. She curls herself up in a ball on it, not unlike a kitten, and...well, I've said it before, but it really is the best way to describe it. She gets cozy. It doesn't take long before she's entered the Sandman zone. I figure I should go check the kitchen for things I could possibly feed her. What do cartoon ponies eat? Pinkie Pie eats sweets...lots of sweets. But could a pony's digestive system handle that kind of junk here? Is her digestive system the same as it was in Equestria? Or does she have a normal pony's system now? I figure it's probably best to keep her on a normal pony's diet. I could give her carrots...but is she too young to eat solid food like that? Only one way to find out I guess. I quietly leave the room and close the door. ......................................... As expected, I didn't find much in the kitchen that was appropriate for a pony. Even if I had, I don't want my parents getting suspicious because food suddenly starts disappearing quicker than usual. I'll have to buy my own food for her. Grabbing my wallet, I take out a few wads of bills, and leave the house. Once at the store, I purchase various kinds of vegetables and fruits, as well as oats. Should be enough to feed a mini pony for a while. It's not cheap though. I'll have to work extra hours over weekends to be able to provide regular upkeep for Cozy. .......................................... Once back home, I head to my room. My parents are up, but for once, I'm thankful that they pay no attention to either myself, or my bags. I make a beeline for my room, and close the door. Cozy wakes up, and looks at me. "You hungry Cozy? I've got yummy nom noms..." I put the bag down and open it up. Her ears perk up, and she jumps down to the box, then to the floor, to find out the contents of the bags. "How about a carrot?" I ask, as I take a carrot out. "You have teeth for these yet?" Her response is to bite the carrot, and eat it until it's gone. Ok, so that question is answered. I give her a few more carrots, then cut some slices of cucumber for her, and grape tomatoes. She eats them all. "Ok, that's probably enough for now." I say, and put the rest of the food in my closet. I'll have to keep a cooler in here for the food, and continually rotate freezing the ice packs. .............................................. I spend some more time with Cozy, playing with her, and trying to teach her some tricks. She's not interested so far, but we'll work at it. I also got her some water, and brought a small cooler into my room, putting the food in it, and back in my closet, out of Cozy's reach. Later on, I check the time. I need to leave for work. "Ok Cozy, I need to go to my job now. I'll be back later tonight. I'll leave some food out for you." I tell her, going to the closet, and taking some food out of the cooler and setting it on the floor. "You stay out of trouble, and for your own safety, don't try to leave this room. If anyone sees you, you'll end up in some lab. So, PLEASE behave yourself." I plead. In response, she hops back up onto the box, and to the bed, making herself comfortable on my pillow again. "That's a good girl..." I say, and put my hand on the doorknob. "I'll see you later." With that, I open the door and leave, closing it behind me. Chapter 3My mind is on the cartoon filly back in my bedroom as I quickkly head back home from work later that night. I can't help but worry that something went wrong. What if she got out of my window? What if someone saw her? I trample over the front weeds of our yard and re-collect myself before entering inside the house, so as not to appear anxious to my parents if I come across them. I speed walk to my room, still worrying. What if my mom or dad got into my room and found her? I open the door to my room, and close it immediately. What if- ...What if she pooped all over my floor? My room stinks like a sewer. She pooped...a lot. She's currently comfy up on my pillow, right where she was when I left for work...not a care in the world. I sigh heavily, pinching the bridge of my nose. Why can't cartoon ponies poop rainbows and butterflies? I'm going to need to put newspaper all over my floor. I go to my window and open it to let some fresh air inside. Sighing again, I resign myself to a long clean-up. ............................................. One month has passed since I found Cozy. She's pretty bored these days. I try to play with her as much as possible and keep her occupied. But with school and work everyday, it's difficult to actually do so. I really don't have much extra time. As an extra pre-caution, I have blocked off my window from her, to prevent her from getting out, or even looking out and being seen as a result...I didn't want to. I really didn't. It only served to make her depressed. But when you have a cartoon pony, it is imperative that said pony is not seen. ............................................. Birds singing, sun shining into my room, and it is 10:15 AM on a saturday... 10:15AM on a saturday?!! Sweet Celestia's barbequed alicorn wings!! I basically jump out of bed, startling Cozy awake as she tries to figure out what's going on. I scramble to get changed and get my things together. I can't possibly be this late. Tell me this is a bad dream. I was supposed to be at work at 9:00 AM. I get some food out of the cooler for Cozy, and rush out of my room, making sure to close the door. When I open the front door to leave though, I'm greeted by a man in black. "Um, hi..." I say awkardly. "Look, I'm late for work right now, so I've got to-" "Your work shift can wait. I've taken care of it." The man cuts me off. I'm about to protest that there is no way he can even know where I work, when he begins talking again. "I'm going to be needing your mythological pegasus though." He crosses his arms. My blood goes cold. "What in the world are you smoking?" I put on my best confused face. "I assure you, I do not smoke anything. However, I do have video evidence from a street camera of you finding, and taking a pegasus filly. I could hardly believe it myself, but the video does not lie." Suddenly, my dad appears, as if this couldn't get any worse. "What's going on?" He asks gruffly. "Sir, are you aware that there is a pegasus pony in this house?" My dad then proceeds to give the man a trail mix of colorful language, before attempting to slam the door in his face. Unfortunately, the man catches it before it can close. "I know it sounds insane sir, but I have video evidence of your kid finding, and taking a pegasus filly." He looks at me. "I'd say there is a pretty decent chance that said pegasus is in your bedroom." "You want proof that you're a few quarters short of a dollar buddy?? Fine then, I'll go check. But a loony like you is not setting foot in my house. So wait here!" He shuts the door and locks it. "What a crack pot!" He stomps down to my room. "Ya, a real loony like you said!" I hurriedly agree. "Why even check to give the guy the satisfaction?" "Well, I haven't been in your room for a long time. What kind of disaster is it in anyway?" He gets to my door, and opens it. "WHAT. THE. WHAT??!" He basically screams. This cannot be happening... Cozy is sitting innocently on the floor, munching a carrot, before looking up at my dad and I. "What is going on around here?" My mom appears, having heard all the noise, and sees Cozy. "Oh, not again..." She groans and leaves, muttering something about having taken too much again. My dad ignores her, being transfixed on the little cartoon pegasus. He stares at her, pointing, with his jaw moving up and down, but no sound being made. Finally, he finds his voice. "How...how is this possible?" He asks quietly. I sigh. Cat's out of the bag now... "I don't know." I answer honestly. "I just found her one day while going to school." I admit. "So...that guy at the door's not insane?" He asks. "No...he's not." Cozy, by this point, has trotted up to my dad and is sniffing him. He bends down and picks her up, still staring at her and not believing his eyes. "...We are so rich." He says quietly. My heart drops. This is exactly what I did NOT want to have happen. I can almost see the dollar symbols in my dad's eyes. "That man wants this pegasus, he can have her... for a hefty price." He turns and makes his way back to the main front entrance, retrieving a box on the way, and putting Cozy inside it. He opens the door. The man is still waiting there. "My apologies sir. I had absolutely no idea of this." "Oh, that is quite alright." The man assured. "Now, the pegasus, if you please?" "Ah yes, that will be one billion dollars." My dad replied, basically on cloud nine. The man chuckled. "I assure you, the government will reward you for this. In the meantime, take this." He held out a cheque for one hundred thousand dollars, which my dad immediately accepted, despite my attempted protests. "Pleasure doing business with you!" My dad says happily, and hands the box over. The man checks inside to make sure the pegasus is indeed in there. Satisfied, he closes it again. "The pleasure is all mine. Good day." "No!" I shout, lunging for the box. It slips out of the man's grasp, but unfortunately, I don't get a good grip on it either. It tumbles to the ground, coming open as it does so. Cozy hits her head on the edge of our cement step, blood splattering around her. She doesn't move. "Cozy!!" ......................................... I wake up with a start. The soft glow of the moon is shining into my room. A dream. It was only a dream. Nobody knows about Cozy. Nobody came for her. She's fine. Cozy is right here with me...and I am never letting her go. ............................................. It happened four months after I brought Cozy Glow home. She was depressed. There was no other way to put it. Being holed up in my bedroom for so long was not healthy...I was just trying to keep her safe. I...I never wanted this to happen. It was a normal day for me...school, then my job. I really should have seen this coming. With school and work, I don't really see Cozy much. I'm at home to sleep. That's about it. I leave the house at 8:00 Am, and don't return until after 9:00 Pm most of the time. Weekends are no different. Someone has to provide in this house, and it's not my parents. So, I really have no choice. Most of the time, I just leave a bunch of food in my bedroom for Cozy. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I entered my room. Cozy was in a corner of my room, curled up in a ball. It didn't look like she had eaten a single morsel of what I had left for her that morning. But, it wasn't until my eyes fell on her rump, that my heart truly sank, and I realized just how serious this was. She had gotten her cutiemark...but it wasn't a rook. It was a lock...a closed padlock. I quietly swore. Could I even fix this? Can ponies change their cutiemarks once they get them? Or is Cozy now cursed to live with a closed padlock cutiemark all because of me? I realized then and there that this cannot continue. I can't keep her here any longer. But then, what do I do with her? What she really needs, is a way to get back to Equestria. This world is not for her. But even if she could go back, what would happen to her? Would she revert to her original evil self, and be locked away again? I guess that's kind of up to her. Then, there is the issue of her cutiemark. Would it change back to the rook? Would it always be a closed padlock now? How would it affect her if it stayed as a padlock? Would she always feel caged, or locked away? What if they actually did lock her away if she went back? Would her new cutiemark make her feel abandoned? How would this new cutiemark affect her psychologically? How do I fix this? Author's Note The idea for a closed padlock cutiemark came from Reitanna Seishin's Minkie Pie original character. Chapter 4"C'mon! The rook moves...in an L shape?..." Cozy looks at me, then at the chess set...then back at me again. She is clearly not understanding a single instruction. I don't blame her. I hardly even know this game myself. Sighing heavily, I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration. This is never going to work. I don't even know if she can change her cutiemark, and even if it is possible, she is never going to get her original rook cutiemark with an amateur like myself trying to teach her. I barely know the basics of this game...never was a fan of it. "Just forget it. This is pointless." I mutter, and start putting the pieces away. She makes no objection, instead, opting to munch on a carrot. I survey her wings. She looks old enough to be using them now, but I have yet to see them lift her an inch off the ground. It may be because there is no magic here...she hasn't spoken a single word, so I wouldn't doubt it also affecting her flying ability. Or, it may simply be because she has been stuck in this room, and has never had the opportunity to learn to fly in a large environment. I climb into bed, and she hops up next to me, snuggling in close. She does this every night, and it's adorable. I think I've gone soft for a deceptive villain. "Goodnight, my little Cozy." .......................................... I sleep restlessly that night, not able to stop thinking about the little pony sleeping soundly next to me. What am I going to do? Where am I going to put her? She can't keep staying in this room all the time, and her cutiemark is still a padlock... Sighing, I turn over to my other side to try and get more comfortable. I could swear there is something by my bed...and Cozy is right next to me, sleeping. I jolt and lunge for my lamp, turning it on, and waking Cozy up immediately. I nearly scream when I see what it is. I would have thought it was just my imagination playing tricks on me in the dark, but when I turn the light on, it reveals none other than Princess Celestia. The first thing my sleep addled mind can begin to register when the light goes on though, is "killer in my room!!" Thankfully, I'm able to catch myself before I scream, and reassure myself that everything is ok...other than the fact that Princess Celestia is in my bedroom. One of the first things I register is that she is tall. A lot taller than Cozy. Not the size of a normal horse though, or else, she probably wouldn't even fit in my room. How did she even get in my room? Or in this world for that matter? Same way as Cozy I guess...but Celestia is not a young filly like Cozy was when I found her. Maybe it is possible for a little magic to be used in this world...just enough to get her here maybe? After all, Cozy did get a cutiemark here...and that had to require magic. Cozy is looking at the taller pony curiously. She obviously does not recognize her, but is interested in another pony like herself. There can ony be one reason why the one and only Princess Celestia is in my room right now. I tell myself it's for the best...but is it really? Surely she is not here simply to take Cozy and put her back in stone is she? "...Hi there." I say awkwardly. "Uhh...what are you doing here?" She raises an eyebrow, and glances at Cozy. "Ya...that's what I thought." I sigh. "Look, before you take her, and likely lock her away in stone or in tartarus, or wherever, I just want you to know that...well, I used to think she was only good for being locked away too. But when she showed up in this world...and I don't know how she got here or why...but she was only a young filly. Not like in Equestria, but actually really young...and the more time I spent with her here, which has been about four months, the more I realized she really is just a filly...even in Equestria. Has she ever had anyone actually teach her what is right and wrong? Does she have anyone who truly loves her in Equestria and cares for her? I don't really, and I now want a better life for Cozy than I have...or can give her in this world. I recently realized that she could never stay in this world, so I won't even ask that..." I gesture to her padlock cutiemark. Celestia's eyes widen upon seeing the new cutiemark. I feel my eyes begin to sting with tears. "I don't know how Cozy will be when you take her back...if she will immediately revert back to her old self or not...but if she does, can you just promise me to work with her? Don't just give up on her. I've had too many people give up on me, and I know what it feels like." Celestia looks at me for a moment, before slowly nodding. I turn to Cozy and take her in my arms. "I think you've probably been able to figure out by now that you never really did belong in this world Cozy." I tell her and stroke her soft fur. "This pony is here from where you originally came from. A better world full of ponies like yourself. Full of color, full of wonder...full of magic, where you can live to your full potential. You're going to be going back with her." Excitement lit up her face. She immediately jumped down from the bed and went over to the pony princess. She looked at me expectantly. I shake my head. "I can't go with you...just like you don't belong here in my world, so would I not belong in your world." Her excitement disappeared immediately and she ran back to me. "No Cozy, you can't stay here. You need to go to your own homeworld." She snorted in protest. "Cozy," I look her in the eye. "I want you to have a better life than being cooped up in my bedroom with nothing to do. You're depressed here, and the proof is on your rump...you need to go." Her ears droop, and her head lowers. I hug her close. "I love you, my little Cozy." I whisper. I let her go finally, and she reluctantly goes back to the princess. There is not an eye in the room that is no longer without tears. Princess Celestia wraps a wing around Cozy, and gives me one last knowing look, as if affirming her promise to work with Cozy, and not give up on her. She then touched her horn to Cozy's forehead, and they were suddenly gone...just like that. I know it's for the best, but I still cry my eyes dry. I feel like I just lost my only friend in the world. But maybe now, thanks to Cozy, I'll finally be able to make some new friends. How's that for irony? The pony that I thought was the most deceptive character in My Little Pony was the one who taught me how to be a friend. I get back into bed and turn my light off. Tomorrow is a new day. I'll live a better life and actually make friends. Sure, life will still be hard, and I'll still have to go to my job everyday. I'll still struggle, but I'll make it. Just like I will make friends, and I hope Cozy will too...real friends, with the right motives this time. I hope she'll never forget me, just like I'll never forget her... My little Cozy. Author's Note So ya...kind of open ended ending, if anyone wants to write a sequel of Cozy back in Equestria, and if she reverts back, or if she retains the padlock cutiemark, and what that would do. Will I myself write a sequel?...Maybe, maybe not. Not going to promise anything. Hope you all enjoyed!
Chapter 1I never did have a very good home life. Drunk dad, addict mom, and I was the kid at school everyone stayed away from. Not because I was a loser, but a bully. Can't really help it, I'm just living my life the way I know it to be at home. I'm in the tenth grade, and seeing as how my parents don't work, I'm the one who goes to a job after school everyday. It's only part-time, and minimum wage, but it's better than nothing. It keeps me in school for the time being, and pays for our rent... most of the time. If we didn't have such a nice landlady, we would be out on the streets for sure. Many times she has extended the due date for our rent, but I know it can't last forever. In the little down time I get, I enjoy watching My Little Pony on a small tv I have in my room, though I would never admit it to anybody. It's my little escape from reality. It's also shown me some things that my parents never did, like how to make and be a friend...but it doesn't mean I've actually made any friends because of it. I've watched My Little Pony since season 6 of Friendship Is Magic. With the series ending, and a new generation of ponies beginning, I'm not sure i'll follow it. I was hooked on generation 4, but i'm so busy these days, I just don't have the time to be following shows that are meant for children anymore. I'm not sure I really ever was a child. Not in the way that mattered anyway. No getting put to bed by my parents, no goodnight hugs or kisses, no "I love you's", not even any discipline, which most kids would probably be jealous of me for, but I'm the one that envies them. At least they have parents that actually care. But I digress. I kick a can lying on the sidewalk as I make my way back home from my job at the local burger joint. I still have homework to do, and it's 9:00pm. It's gonna be a long night. I pass by old buildings that have long since seen better days. My life feels like Marthy from that old Wizard of Odd movie. I'm stuck living in a dreary black and white world. If only I could escape to that colorful world of Equestria...but this is reality. There's no twisters to take you to a better place, no mirror portal to take you to a new world. I turn a corner, and slow to a stop. In front of me is a cardboard box with holes in it. box with holes?...Great...it's probably an abandoned puppy. It's not like I can do much to help the little mutt, but my curiosity gets the better of me, and I go to my knees to open the box...and proceed to immediately scramble away at what I see inside. I must have accidentally taken my mom's drugs or something, because what I just saw in that box cannot be real. It is physically impossible. I did not just see Cozy Glow from My Little Pony in that box. I slowly go back to the box, and cautiously look inside it again. It's still there...a sleeping Cozy Glow. I can see her chest rising and falling. She looks so peaceful...a sweet little ball of deception. Even if it were somehow physically possible for her to really be here, I would be best off just leaving her to rot in that box. Everyone who has watched the show knows that this filly is bad news. She could be here to take over our world for all I know. But it's a lot more likely that I somehow accidentally took my mom's drugs, and now they are giving me a really bad trip, causing me to hallucinate a Cozy Glow in this box, instead of an abandoned puppy. Maybe I would have been suckered into taking an abandoned puppy home...but a Cozy Glow? No thank you. I've already got enough problems in my life. I get up, and without another glance at the box, I continue walking. .................................... I end up sleeping in the next morning, having stayed up late doing homework. I rush through my daily morning routine, skipping breakfast, and bolting out the door to make it to school on time. If I'm late once more, I'll get suspended. I turn a corner, and trip on something, falling harshly to the ground. Cursing loudly, I look back to see what it was that I had fallen over. My blood goes cold. It's that same blasted box from last night. I knocked it over when I hit it, and a shocked looking Cozy Glow is stumbling around now, looking like she's trying to figure out what just happened. Her eyes suddenly land on me, and she lets out a startled neigh. A really small, filly like one. I stare at her, not being able to comprehend what I'm seeing. Why am I still seeing Cozy Glow?...and in the same exact place I found her last night. This can't still be drugs can it?...Is it possible that she really is here, right now, in reality? It would be just my luck to stumble upon a character from My Little Pony...Only for that character to be Cozy Glow...Why do the gods torment me? Out of all the ponies in that show, it just had to be her. Why couldn't it be Rainbow Dash? Or Applejack, or Rarity? Any other pony but this conniving little brat. How is she even here? She was turned to stone in the show. I guess it could be worse though, it could have been Tirek in that box. Although, I'm not all too sure who's more evil...Tirek, or the deceptive little filly in front of me. I glare at her and point in her direction. "I don't know how you got into this world ya little brat, but I know exactly who you are!" I throw at her harshly. The devil in disguise looks frightened and shrinks away from me, flapping her wings, but failing to take off. "Oh, don't you try and play that game with me ya little creep." I advance towards her, and that's when I really get a good look at her and slow to a stop. Somehow, she's...different than she is in the show. In the show, she is a filly...but, she looks even younger right now. A dark thought suddenly slithers its way into my mind as I survey her...I could sell her...I could sell her to some government lab to be studied and experimented on, and become the richest person in the world. I'd never have to work another day in my life. I wouldn't even need to go to school anymore. Who needs an education when you can afford any and every little thing your heart desires? But as I look at her, she's not exactly the way she is in the show. Sure, if she was her normal age, and had recollection of everything she did in the past, feeling no remorse, I'd have no problem carting her off to be experimented on. The little brat would deserve it. But...could I really find it in me to do that to a truly helpless filly that is too young to even use her wings yet? Her flank is even devoid of her rook cutiemark, meaning she is indeed very young. I can't do that...so what do I do? If I leave her here, and someone else finds her, it's most likely that exact scenario will still happen. A gust of wind picks up, and she shivers. Sighing, I take off my coat, and bend down to pick the little filly up. She tries to scramble away, but I manage to catch her and wrap her in my coat. She whinnies, still trying to escape, until the warmth hits her, and she finally begins to calm down, until...well, there's really no other way to put it...she gets cozy. I can't believe I'm actually taking her home. I turn around to head back the way I came. I'm late already, and as good as suspended anyway. My parents won't care though, whether I go to school or not, and I'm not taking a cartoon pony to school, so I might as well go back home. Home, with a cartoon pony...what am I getting myself into?
Chapter 2Thankfully, we didn't run into anybody on the way back home. I'm not sure I would have been able to fully hide a cartoon pony, though I do my best to keep her concealed anyway. Never know when a traffic or security camera, or anything of the like could snap a picture of her. I'm going to have a hard enough time just trying to hide her from my parents. I look down at the sleeping face of the bundled up filly, and I wonder if she can even talk in this world, or was she whinnying and neighing earlier simply because she's too young to talk yet? It's not like there is magic in this world, so I wouldn't be surprised if I never hear a word out of her. "Well Cozy," I say to her absently. "You wanted a world without magic...here it is." I walk through the dead lawn of our little yard... nothing but weeds really, and come to the front door of our house...if it could be called a house. I cautiously crack the door open and peer inside. Not seeing anybody inside, I figure they must still be in bed. It's not unusual for them to sleep in late, so that's not too big of a surprise. I enter the house, and quickly but quietly go to my room and shut the door, locking it. Breathing out a huge sigh of relief at having made it back without complication, I put the bundle down and unwrap its contents. She looks around at her new surroundings, and immediately begins exploring. There's not much to explore in my room, but she wants to see it anyway. It reminds me of a kitten or puppy you bring home, and they want to check out every possible nook and cranny. It's actually kind of entertaining. Of course, eventually she finds the door, and like a little kitten, tries putting her hoof underneath it, like that will open it. When that strategy fails her, she turns and looks at me, cocking her little head. "Sorry." I tell her. "But anywhere outside this room is off limits." She flares her nostrils in annoyance, and continues her exploration of my room, coming to my bed next. She's too small to get up on it, but she's determined. She attempts to climb it, and flaps her wings wildly to help her get to the top. But, as expected, she falls on her rump to the floor. What happens next is nothing short of adorable, as she proceeds to throw a tiny tantrum, whinnying and neighing at the bed as if it just insulted her. I snort, trying not to laugh at the hilarious scene. She turns around, and bucks the bed with her hind legs. "how about a little help?" I suggest. There is a box in the corner of my room. Retrieving it, I put it next to the bed. "There. Maybe this will help." I pat the box. She happily jumps up on the box, and makes it to the peak of Mount Everest. She's so happy up there, I can almost see little fireworks going off next to her. Eventually, she settles down, right on top of my pillow. She curls herself up in a ball on it, not unlike a kitten, and...well, I've said it before, but it really is the best way to describe it. She gets cozy. It doesn't take long before she's entered the Sandman zone. I figure I should go check the kitchen for things I could possibly feed her. What do cartoon ponies eat? Pinkie Pie eats sweets...lots of sweets. But could a pony's digestive system handle that kind of junk here? Is her digestive system the same as it was in Equestria? Or does she have a normal pony's system now? I figure it's probably best to keep her on a normal pony's diet. I could give her carrots...but is she too young to eat solid food like that? Only one way to find out I guess. I quietly leave the room and close the door. ......................................... As expected, I didn't find much in the kitchen that was appropriate for a pony. Even if I had, I don't want my parents getting suspicious because food suddenly starts disappearing quicker than usual. I'll have to buy my own food for her. Grabbing my wallet, I take out a few wads of bills, and leave the house. Once at the store, I purchase various kinds of vegetables and fruits, as well as oats. Should be enough to feed a mini pony for a while. It's not cheap though. I'll have to work extra hours over weekends to be able to provide regular upkeep for Cozy. .......................................... Once back home, I head to my room. My parents are up, but for once, I'm thankful that they pay no attention to either myself, or my bags. I make a beeline for my room, and close the door. Cozy wakes up, and looks at me. "You hungry Cozy? I've got yummy nom noms..." I put the bag down and open it up. Her ears perk up, and she jumps down to the box, then to the floor, to find out the contents of the bags. "How about a carrot?" I ask, as I take a carrot out. "You have teeth for these yet?" Her response is to bite the carrot, and eat it until it's gone. Ok, so that question is answered. I give her a few more carrots, then cut some slices of cucumber for her, and grape tomatoes. She eats them all. "Ok, that's probably enough for now." I say, and put the rest of the food in my closet. I'll have to keep a cooler in here for the food, and continually rotate freezing the ice packs. .............................................. I spend some more time with Cozy, playing with her, and trying to teach her some tricks. She's not interested so far, but we'll work at it. I also got her some water, and brought a small cooler into my room, putting the food in it, and back in my closet, out of Cozy's reach. Later on, I check the time. I need to leave for work. "Ok Cozy, I need to go to my job now. I'll be back later tonight. I'll leave some food out for you." I tell her, going to the closet, and taking some food out of the cooler and setting it on the floor. "You stay out of trouble, and for your own safety, don't try to leave this room. If anyone sees you, you'll end up in some lab. So, PLEASE behave yourself." I plead. In response, she hops back up onto the box, and to the bed, making herself comfortable on my pillow again. "That's a good girl..." I say, and put my hand on the doorknob. "I'll see you later." With that, I open the door and leave, closing it behind me.
Chapter 3My mind is on the cartoon filly back in my bedroom as I quickkly head back home from work later that night. I can't help but worry that something went wrong. What if she got out of my window? What if someone saw her? I trample over the front weeds of our yard and re-collect myself before entering inside the house, so as not to appear anxious to my parents if I come across them. I speed walk to my room, still worrying. What if my mom or dad got into my room and found her? I open the door to my room, and close it immediately. What if- ...What if she pooped all over my floor? My room stinks like a sewer. She pooped...a lot. She's currently comfy up on my pillow, right where she was when I left for work...not a care in the world. I sigh heavily, pinching the bridge of my nose. Why can't cartoon ponies poop rainbows and butterflies? I'm going to need to put newspaper all over my floor. I go to my window and open it to let some fresh air inside. Sighing again, I resign myself to a long clean-up. ............................................. One month has passed since I found Cozy. She's pretty bored these days. I try to play with her as much as possible and keep her occupied. But with school and work everyday, it's difficult to actually do so. I really don't have much extra time. As an extra pre-caution, I have blocked off my window from her, to prevent her from getting out, or even looking out and being seen as a result...I didn't want to. I really didn't. It only served to make her depressed. But when you have a cartoon pony, it is imperative that said pony is not seen. ............................................. Birds singing, sun shining into my room, and it is 10:15 AM on a saturday... 10:15AM on a saturday?!! Sweet Celestia's barbequed alicorn wings!! I basically jump out of bed, startling Cozy awake as she tries to figure out what's going on. I scramble to get changed and get my things together. I can't possibly be this late. Tell me this is a bad dream. I was supposed to be at work at 9:00 AM. I get some food out of the cooler for Cozy, and rush out of my room, making sure to close the door. When I open the front door to leave though, I'm greeted by a man in black. "Um, hi..." I say awkardly. "Look, I'm late for work right now, so I've got to-" "Your work shift can wait. I've taken care of it." The man cuts me off. I'm about to protest that there is no way he can even know where I work, when he begins talking again. "I'm going to be needing your mythological pegasus though." He crosses his arms. My blood goes cold. "What in the world are you smoking?" I put on my best confused face. "I assure you, I do not smoke anything. However, I do have video evidence from a street camera of you finding, and taking a pegasus filly. I could hardly believe it myself, but the video does not lie." Suddenly, my dad appears, as if this couldn't get any worse. "What's going on?" He asks gruffly. "Sir, are you aware that there is a pegasus pony in this house?" My dad then proceeds to give the man a trail mix of colorful language, before attempting to slam the door in his face. Unfortunately, the man catches it before it can close. "I know it sounds insane sir, but I have video evidence of your kid finding, and taking a pegasus filly." He looks at me. "I'd say there is a pretty decent chance that said pegasus is in your bedroom." "You want proof that you're a few quarters short of a dollar buddy?? Fine then, I'll go check. But a loony like you is not setting foot in my house. So wait here!" He shuts the door and locks it. "What a crack pot!" He stomps down to my room. "Ya, a real loony like you said!" I hurriedly agree. "Why even check to give the guy the satisfaction?" "Well, I haven't been in your room for a long time. What kind of disaster is it in anyway?" He gets to my door, and opens it. "WHAT. THE. WHAT??!" He basically screams. This cannot be happening... Cozy is sitting innocently on the floor, munching a carrot, before looking up at my dad and I. "What is going on around here?" My mom appears, having heard all the noise, and sees Cozy. "Oh, not again..." She groans and leaves, muttering something about having taken too much again. My dad ignores her, being transfixed on the little cartoon pegasus. He stares at her, pointing, with his jaw moving up and down, but no sound being made. Finally, he finds his voice. "How...how is this possible?" He asks quietly. I sigh. Cat's out of the bag now... "I don't know." I answer honestly. "I just found her one day while going to school." I admit. "So...that guy at the door's not insane?" He asks. "No...he's not." Cozy, by this point, has trotted up to my dad and is sniffing him. He bends down and picks her up, still staring at her and not believing his eyes. "...We are so rich." He says quietly. My heart drops. This is exactly what I did NOT want to have happen. I can almost see the dollar symbols in my dad's eyes. "That man wants this pegasus, he can have her... for a hefty price." He turns and makes his way back to the main front entrance, retrieving a box on the way, and putting Cozy inside it. He opens the door. The man is still waiting there. "My apologies sir. I had absolutely no idea of this." "Oh, that is quite alright." The man assured. "Now, the pegasus, if you please?" "Ah yes, that will be one billion dollars." My dad replied, basically on cloud nine. The man chuckled. "I assure you, the government will reward you for this. In the meantime, take this." He held out a cheque for one hundred thousand dollars, which my dad immediately accepted, despite my attempted protests. "Pleasure doing business with you!" My dad says happily, and hands the box over. The man checks inside to make sure the pegasus is indeed in there. Satisfied, he closes it again. "The pleasure is all mine. Good day." "No!" I shout, lunging for the box. It slips out of the man's grasp, but unfortunately, I don't get a good grip on it either. It tumbles to the ground, coming open as it does so. Cozy hits her head on the edge of our cement step, blood splattering around her. She doesn't move. "Cozy!!" ......................................... I wake up with a start. The soft glow of the moon is shining into my room. A dream. It was only a dream. Nobody knows about Cozy. Nobody came for her. She's fine. Cozy is right here with me...and I am never letting her go. ............................................. It happened four months after I brought Cozy Glow home. She was depressed. There was no other way to put it. Being holed up in my bedroom for so long was not healthy...I was just trying to keep her safe. I...I never wanted this to happen. It was a normal day for me...school, then my job. I really should have seen this coming. With school and work, I don't really see Cozy much. I'm at home to sleep. That's about it. I leave the house at 8:00 Am, and don't return until after 9:00 Pm most of the time. Weekends are no different. Someone has to provide in this house, and it's not my parents. So, I really have no choice. Most of the time, I just leave a bunch of food in my bedroom for Cozy. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I entered my room. Cozy was in a corner of my room, curled up in a ball. It didn't look like she had eaten a single morsel of what I had left for her that morning. But, it wasn't until my eyes fell on her rump, that my heart truly sank, and I realized just how serious this was. She had gotten her cutiemark...but it wasn't a rook. It was a lock...a closed padlock. I quietly swore. Could I even fix this? Can ponies change their cutiemarks once they get them? Or is Cozy now cursed to live with a closed padlock cutiemark all because of me? I realized then and there that this cannot continue. I can't keep her here any longer. But then, what do I do with her? What she really needs, is a way to get back to Equestria. This world is not for her. But even if she could go back, what would happen to her? Would she revert to her original evil self, and be locked away again? I guess that's kind of up to her. Then, there is the issue of her cutiemark. Would it change back to the rook? Would it always be a closed padlock now? How would it affect her if it stayed as a padlock? Would she always feel caged, or locked away? What if they actually did lock her away if she went back? Would her new cutiemark make her feel abandoned? How would this new cutiemark affect her psychologically? How do I fix this? Author's Note The idea for a closed padlock cutiemark came from Reitanna Seishin's Minkie Pie original character.
Chapter 4"C'mon! The rook moves...in an L shape?..." Cozy looks at me, then at the chess set...then back at me again. She is clearly not understanding a single instruction. I don't blame her. I hardly even know this game myself. Sighing heavily, I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration. This is never going to work. I don't even know if she can change her cutiemark, and even if it is possible, she is never going to get her original rook cutiemark with an amateur like myself trying to teach her. I barely know the basics of this game...never was a fan of it. "Just forget it. This is pointless." I mutter, and start putting the pieces away. She makes no objection, instead, opting to munch on a carrot. I survey her wings. She looks old enough to be using them now, but I have yet to see them lift her an inch off the ground. It may be because there is no magic here...she hasn't spoken a single word, so I wouldn't doubt it also affecting her flying ability. Or, it may simply be because she has been stuck in this room, and has never had the opportunity to learn to fly in a large environment. I climb into bed, and she hops up next to me, snuggling in close. She does this every night, and it's adorable. I think I've gone soft for a deceptive villain. "Goodnight, my little Cozy." .......................................... I sleep restlessly that night, not able to stop thinking about the little pony sleeping soundly next to me. What am I going to do? Where am I going to put her? She can't keep staying in this room all the time, and her cutiemark is still a padlock... Sighing, I turn over to my other side to try and get more comfortable. I could swear there is something by my bed...and Cozy is right next to me, sleeping. I jolt and lunge for my lamp, turning it on, and waking Cozy up immediately. I nearly scream when I see what it is. I would have thought it was just my imagination playing tricks on me in the dark, but when I turn the light on, it reveals none other than Princess Celestia. The first thing my sleep addled mind can begin to register when the light goes on though, is "killer in my room!!" Thankfully, I'm able to catch myself before I scream, and reassure myself that everything is ok...other than the fact that Princess Celestia is in my bedroom. One of the first things I register is that she is tall. A lot taller than Cozy. Not the size of a normal horse though, or else, she probably wouldn't even fit in my room. How did she even get in my room? Or in this world for that matter? Same way as Cozy I guess...but Celestia is not a young filly like Cozy was when I found her. Maybe it is possible for a little magic to be used in this world...just enough to get her here maybe? After all, Cozy did get a cutiemark here...and that had to require magic. Cozy is looking at the taller pony curiously. She obviously does not recognize her, but is interested in another pony like herself. There can ony be one reason why the one and only Princess Celestia is in my room right now. I tell myself it's for the best...but is it really? Surely she is not here simply to take Cozy and put her back in stone is she? "...Hi there." I say awkwardly. "Uhh...what are you doing here?" She raises an eyebrow, and glances at Cozy. "Ya...that's what I thought." I sigh. "Look, before you take her, and likely lock her away in stone or in tartarus, or wherever, I just want you to know that...well, I used to think she was only good for being locked away too. But when she showed up in this world...and I don't know how she got here or why...but she was only a young filly. Not like in Equestria, but actually really young...and the more time I spent with her here, which has been about four months, the more I realized she really is just a filly...even in Equestria. Has she ever had anyone actually teach her what is right and wrong? Does she have anyone who truly loves her in Equestria and cares for her? I don't really, and I now want a better life for Cozy than I have...or can give her in this world. I recently realized that she could never stay in this world, so I won't even ask that..." I gesture to her padlock cutiemark. Celestia's eyes widen upon seeing the new cutiemark. I feel my eyes begin to sting with tears. "I don't know how Cozy will be when you take her back...if she will immediately revert back to her old self or not...but if she does, can you just promise me to work with her? Don't just give up on her. I've had too many people give up on me, and I know what it feels like." Celestia looks at me for a moment, before slowly nodding. I turn to Cozy and take her in my arms. "I think you've probably been able to figure out by now that you never really did belong in this world Cozy." I tell her and stroke her soft fur. "This pony is here from where you originally came from. A better world full of ponies like yourself. Full of color, full of wonder...full of magic, where you can live to your full potential. You're going to be going back with her." Excitement lit up her face. She immediately jumped down from the bed and went over to the pony princess. She looked at me expectantly. I shake my head. "I can't go with you...just like you don't belong here in my world, so would I not belong in your world." Her excitement disappeared immediately and she ran back to me. "No Cozy, you can't stay here. You need to go to your own homeworld." She snorted in protest. "Cozy," I look her in the eye. "I want you to have a better life than being cooped up in my bedroom with nothing to do. You're depressed here, and the proof is on your rump...you need to go." Her ears droop, and her head lowers. I hug her close. "I love you, my little Cozy." I whisper. I let her go finally, and she reluctantly goes back to the princess. There is not an eye in the room that is no longer without tears. Princess Celestia wraps a wing around Cozy, and gives me one last knowing look, as if affirming her promise to work with Cozy, and not give up on her. She then touched her horn to Cozy's forehead, and they were suddenly gone...just like that. I know it's for the best, but I still cry my eyes dry. I feel like I just lost my only friend in the world. But maybe now, thanks to Cozy, I'll finally be able to make some new friends. How's that for irony? The pony that I thought was the most deceptive character in My Little Pony was the one who taught me how to be a friend. I get back into bed and turn my light off. Tomorrow is a new day. I'll live a better life and actually make friends. Sure, life will still be hard, and I'll still have to go to my job everyday. I'll still struggle, but I'll make it. Just like I will make friends, and I hope Cozy will too...real friends, with the right motives this time. I hope she'll never forget me, just like I'll never forget her... My little Cozy. Author's Note So ya...kind of open ended ending, if anyone wants to write a sequel of Cozy back in Equestria, and if she reverts back, or if she retains the padlock cutiemark, and what that would do. Will I myself write a sequel?...Maybe, maybe not. Not going to promise anything. Hope you all enjoyed!
