The Reasonable Reformation

Twilight gave Cozy Glow a tour of Ponyville. Cozy was still getting used to being in her normal form, after being a statue for so long. She had trouble walking in a straight line at times, so Twilight would nudged her occasionally to help her maintain balance. They'd even sometimes stop take a break in town.

Ponyville citizens were initially excited when they saw Princess Twilight, but would then back track when they saw Cozy Glow was with her.

Cozy noticed the ponies and their behavior. She figured what Twilight said was true. Ponies recognized her, and remembered what she did on that fateful day.

"Can we just leave this place? I don't wanna be seen by any more ponies." Cozy said.

"It's alright, Cozy. Maybe interacting directly with ponies will quell your concerns." Twilight said.

Cozy waved to Bon Bon, who looked at her nervously. Bon chose to keep going the way she was, except at a brisker pace.

Cozy glared at Twilight. A glare which said. 'See? Told you so.'

"I see what you're getting at. Alright, um... let's try, Sugarcube Corner." Twilight suggested. "I heard from the CMC that you have a history with this place."

"I guess you can say that." Cozy said, disinterested.

The two of them entered Sugarcube Corner, and were greeted by Mrs. Cake immediately.

"Oh, Princess! Welcome." Mrs. Cake said, bowing down.

"Thanks, Mrs. Cake. No need for the royal decree. We're friends. And we've been friends since before I was Princess." Twilight said.

"What brings the Princess down to Sugarcube Corner all by herself?" Mrs. Cake asked.

"Actually I'm not alone. There's somepony familiar who'd like to see you." Twilight said.

"Oh? Well who could it be?" Mrs. Cake asked.

Cozy poked her head above the counter and revealed herself to Mrs. Cake.

"Oh, it's uh... it's her." Mrs. Cake said, taking a step back nervously.

Cozy looked at Twilight, with an angry scorn. Twilight nudged Cozy in response.

*ahem* "Golly, Mrs. Cake. Um, how have things been in the time since I've seen you?" Cozy asked.

Mrs. Cake didn't reply, and she appeared frightened.

"You uh... do you still use your rainbow sprinkle shakers?" Cozy asked.

"I can't do this, Princess. I don't feel safe with the alicorn filly in the shop." Mrs. Cake said.

"But she's not an alicorn any more. And she's not evil any more either. Errr um, she never was... I guess..." Twilight said, tripping on her words.

Twilight took some deep breaths, and took a moment to catch herself.

*ahem* "Is there something you'd like to say to Mrs. Cake, Cozy?" Twilight asked.

Cozy stared at Mrs. Cake for a few moments, watching her shake in fear. Cozy then gave a simple side to side nod, signifying a 'no'.

Twilight tried to quell Mrs. Cake's worries, but she wasn't having it. All she could do was sweat nervously, and make excuses.

"Oh! You hear that? I think I can hear Pound Cake crying. I better go check on him. Hehe..." Mrs. Cake zipped away from the scene.

Cozy glared at Twilight once more, and gestured her hoof at her.

"Well, I didn't say this would be easy." Twilight said.

"You talking to me? Or yourself?" Cozy asked.

Twilight let out a hearty sigh.

Yep. Talk about burnt bridges. Those favors I'd done for Bon Bon and Mrs. Cake were totally erased by my heinous actions. I probably could've gotten by okay if the draining spell was the worst of my actions, since few ponies outside of the School of Friendship knew I was responsible for nearly draining all the magic. But on that fateful day, everypony was there! Everypony saw me as an alicorn. Everypony saw me get turned to stone. I don't remember if Mrs. Cake herself was there, but it didn't matter. The word was out, and everypony knew about me. Like it or not, that's what defined me. That's all ponies knew me for now.

Cozy exited Sugarcube Corner, in a bad mood. Twilight followed close behind.

"Now do you know what I have to deal with?" Cozy asked.

"I know you're going through a rough time, but if you want to see things get better, you can't let the past bog you down." Twilight said.

"What about them? They won't let go either." Cozy said.

"Well, why didn't you apologize to her?" Twilight asked.

"Because I'm not sorry." Cozy replied.

"Adjajkldfaj." Twilight had a verbal meltdown. "So you're upset about how ponies are treating you, but you're not actually sorry?" she asked.

Cozy nodded up and down, affirming this.

Twilight bit her hoof in befuddlement. She took a breath, and tried to calm herself.

"But if you don't like how ponies react to seeing you, wouldn't you want to make things better? Apologizing is a way of showing ponies that you're a better pony now." Twilight explained.

Cozy tapped her hoof and thought about Twilight's reasoning. "I suppose that makes sense... but I'm not going back into Sugarcube Corner for a while." she said.

"Alright. Maybe Mrs. Cake just needs more time to cook. However, I remain optimistic. I think it's time to reintroduce you to some more familiar faces." Twilight said, grinning.

Twilight led Cozy Glow to the castle of friendship. Cozy looked up at the tall foreboding Crystal castle. Cozy then looked at Twilight, with her head tilted.

"Remember this place, Cozy?" Twilight.

"I'm not sure if I've ever been so close to this place before..." Cozy answered.

"Oh, yeah. I think you're right." Twilight said.

The two of them made their way to the entrance. The door was being managed by a rather dapper looking dragon, with his fins combed, wearing a bow tie, and held his arms behind his back.

*ahem* "Greetings. To whom does the castle welcome today?" Spike said, in a fancy accent.

"What are you doing, Spike?" Twilight asked.

"I just thought I'd make your arrival at the castle more formal, and important." Spike said.

"Thanks, Spike." Cozy thanked, to the surprise of everyone.

"Well, uh... Anyway, right this way, mah ladies. The Council of Friendship awaits you inside." Spike said.

Spike opened the door and held his arm out, gesturing for them to enter.

"The Council of Friendship is my friends by the way." Twilight whispered to Cozy.

Twilight led Cozy through the large castle hallways. Cozy panned her head from side to side, taking in the sheer scope of the large interior.

They eventually reached the door to the library where Twilight's friends were.

"Now, Cozy. I've invited all my friends together to see you. This will be a good chance to apologize, and start rebuilding friendships." Twilight said.

Cozy turned her head away from Twilight, and didn't reply.

"Hey. Come on, Cozy. It's going to go fine. Just remember, apologizing is meant to show them just how much you've changed." Twilight said.

"Alright..." Cozy said, softly.

"You have changed, right?" Twilight asked.

Cozy looked at Twilight blankly, not giving an answer.

"Here, I'll enter first, and break the ice." Twilight said.

Twilight entered the room, and saw her friends all relaxing. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were slouching together on a large couch. Rarity was knitting. Fluttershy, sat next to Pinkie Pie on a bigger couch. And Starlight was there as well.

"Twilight!" everypony greeted.

"It's so lovely to see you again, Darling. I mean, Princess." Rarity said.

"Darling will do. Err um, Twilight." she said, giggling.

"We're so glad to see you again, Twilight!" Pinkie said.

"Yay." Fluttershy said softly.

"Thanks, everyone. Anyway, how have things been here in Ponyville?" Twilight asked.

"Things are as swell as can be, Twilight." Applejack replied.

"Mrs. Cake says she saw you earlier." Pinkie said.

"Oh, she said that?" Twilight asked.

"How has the royal life been treating you?" Starlight asked.

"Canterlot? Oh, right. Canterlot's been um... things are running smooth, that's for sure." Twilight said. Although she didn't actually know, for she hadn't been in Canterlot for some number of days.

"What brings you here, Twilight? Why have you called us here?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Thanks. I was just getting to that. *ahem* Girls, there's somepony I'd like to reintroduce you all to." Twilight said.

"Ooo. A little reunion." Pinkie said.

"Who might it be?" Applejack asked.

The door swung open, and in came Cozy Glow. She entered slowly, and kept her head was turned the other way, as she seemed nervous.

"Girls, I want you to say hi to Cozy Glow." Twilight introduced Cozy.

Cozy looked up, and put on an uneasy grin.

Everypony's jaws opened wide, as they were in complete shock and surprise as to what they saw. Everypony was shocked.

"You did tell them about this before, didn't you?" Cozy whispered.

"So, you ended up doing it, I can see." Rarity said.

"I see you've been helping out Cozy Glow after all." Fluttershy said.

"Did you even tell them you were going to free me from stone?" Cozy whispered again. But Twilight brushed this off, and spoke to Cozy.

"Yep. I've been with Cozy for some time now. So uh, ahem. Cozy Glow, is there something you'd like to say to our friends?" Twilight said to Cozy.

Cozy kept quiet which made for an eerily awkward mood. Finally she spoke.

“…Them first.” Cozy said.

“Fair enough. We're playing Chess, and Cozy requests that you make the first move.” Twilight said.

Twilight's friends all looked at each other awkwardly, but no one felt like speaking first. Up until Applejack decided to speak.

“Um… long time no see, Cozy Glow.” Applejack said.

Cozy silently nodded her head, glaring at Applejack.

Twilight laughed nervously.

“Okay. Is there something you’d like to say to them now, Cozy?” Twilight asked.

Cozy nodded no.

The silence from both sides was painfully awkward. Twilight once again let out an uneasy laugh.

"So... What have you been up to, Cozy Glow?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Cozy didn't answer, so Twilight answered for her.

"Cozy Glow has spent the past couple of days in the northernmost region of Equestria. I thought that the chilly air of Mt. Everhoof would do her some good. Plus, she has a special connection to the mountain." Twilight said.

"Oh? How so?" Fluttershy asked.

"Well, it's quite the story. But needless to say, I think Cozy knows more about friendship than she's led us to believe." Twilight explained.

"Yeah right..." Cozy said, under her breath.

Pinkie Pie zipped up to Cozy Glow, and glared at her with one protruding eye.

"What are you doing!?" Cozy asked.

Pinkie had finished examining Cozy, and zipped back to Fluttershy's side.

"Well, what did you determine, Pinkie?" Fluttershy asked.

"Inconclusive. With a hint possibility of a possible unwelcome surprise in store." Pinkie answered.

Twilight's friends looked at each other, with dubious, and unsure looks.

"Look, Darling. We can see what you're doing. But, are you sure about this?" Rarity asked.

"I am. Look, I know we've had a rocky time with Cozy Glow in the past, but this is our chance to do what's right." Twilight said. "...Right, Cozy?"

Twilight and Spike looked at Cozy, who was still very quiet.

"Come on, Cozy. Say something. Cozy." Spike whispered.

"But I don't wanna." Cozy whispered back.

"I hate to say this to you, Twilight, but nothing so far has distilled confidence in me to trust her." Starlight said.

"Yeah... I don't feel too safe being anywhere near her either." Rainbow Dash added.

"I'm with her." Applejack added.

Pinkie looked awfully skeptic as well.

"How about you, Fluttershy?" Twilight said.

Fluttershy didn't speak. She merely nodded no, with a tear in her eye.

"What would it take to convince you guys? What if Cozy apologized, and truly felt sorry for what she did, and really wanted to make friends?" Twilight asked.

"A lot." Starlight put simply.

Cozy thought to herself. Hmph. Guess that settles that. Those ponies are undoubtedly my enemies. No point in entertaining the thought of reconciling with them now. So, what’s my next plan?

Yeah. So if you thought my reunions with Mrs. Cake and Bon Bon were awkward, this was a whole 'nother level. Most ponies just saw me as the angry out of control alicorn, but Twilight's friends saw me as something worse. A deceiver. They'd lost all trust in me, and weren't comfortable taking a word I said seriously. What was I supposed to do about that?

Twilight led Cozy down one of the hallways. It was hard to get a read on how Cozy was feeling. Spike followed them from a slight distance.

Twilight opened one of the hallway doors, and led Cozy inside. Cozy found herself in a small little spare bedroom. It was now that Twilight decided to tell Cozy what was on her mind.

"Cozy Glow. What was that?!" Twilight exclaimed.

"What were you expecting? You expecting me to put on a smile, and give those miserable mares a hug!?" Cozy asked, in a sassy demeanor.

"What I expected is that you were going to uphold your end of the deal. That would at least put in some effort and attempt to make up and apologize!" Twilight said.

"I told you, I'm not sorry for what I did." Cozy said.

"And why aren't you sorry!?" Twilight asked.

"Because, I... I'm just not! Okay! Besides, I seriously doubt any of them are ready to accept an apology and forgive me anyway." Cozy said. "I read the room, unlike you, and I could tell immediately they were suspicious of me. They won't ever get over that." Cozy said.

"Cozy, you said you'd give redemption a chance. I think if you took that promise seriously, and gave an honest apology to my friends, you might just be surprised at the outcome." Twilight said.

"Honesty? What good would that do if your friends don't see me as an honest pony to begin with!?" Cozy asked, raising her voice.

"Can't you just think of this as a fresh start, Cozy?" Twilight said.

"Tell that to them." Cozy responded.

Twilight looked down, and didn't know what to say to Cozy next.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I think we're done here. So I'm just going to leave." Cozy said. "You tried, but, it's obvious I'm simply not fit for redemption. So, until next time, Princess."

"I'm afraid I can't allow you to leave. You're grounded, Cozy." Twilight said.

"Wait, WHAT?!" Cozy exclaimed.

Cozy witnessed Twilight close the door to her room, and heard the bolt lock click.

"What the?! You can't ground me! What is this?!" Cozy shouted at the door.

"Like I said, Cozy. I can't grant you your freedom until you've reformed!" Twilight said.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?!" Cozy shouted.

"I'm the Princess of Friendship, and what I say goes! I thought I made this clear earlier! Don't you understand!?" Twilight shouted.

"...I mean, I understand. But that doesn't mean I have to like it." Cozy said.

Twilight groaned. She leaned her back against the door, and then slid and slouched onto the floor.

Spike had followed close behind and had watched the whole scene unfold. He now decided to approach Twilight once she had finished yelling.

"Well, that could've gone better." Spike said.

"Tell me something I don't already know, Spike." Twilight said, irritated.

Spike paused, and took a step back.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean..." Twilight said, feeling choked up.

"It's alright. I get it. You're just frustrated with this." Spike said.

"I thought we were onto something. She seemed fairly cooperative back on Mt. Everhoof. But now... I don't know. I may have to rethink my entire methodology." Twilight said.

"I get she's being difficult, but I can't exactly blame her based on how most folks have reacted to seeing her." Spike said.

"I can't control how ponies react to seeing her. This is the consequence of her actions. I wish she'd own up to it and do something about it." Twilight said.

"Maybe she's just worried that a simple apology won't change anyone's minds." Spike said. "Look, I know a thing or two about what it feels like to be feared by ponies, so maybe I just can't help but give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she still interested in redemption, but is just having a hard time seeing what everyone thinks of her. "

"So then, what do you think we should try next?" Twilight asked.

"Think about this. Who gave Discord a chance? Pretty much only Fluttershy. Why did Discord reform? Because Fluttershy was his friend. You and I are Cozy's friends, but we need to take this a step further. She needs to make more friendships, and it starts with others giving her a fresh start." Spike explained.

"More friendship... fresh start... Hmm..." the gears in Twilight's head started turning.

While Twilight was thinking, Spike looked outside and saw the sun was getting awfully low in the sky.

"Now's probably not the best time to mention this, but um, how much longer are you and I going to be away from Canterlot?" Spike asked.

"Oh right. Let's see. Return to Canterlot when..." Twilight scratched her head and thought for a bit.

"Do you not want to go back until Cozy's reformed?" Spike asked.

"Well... I mean, I feel like we're very close to some kind of breakthrough." Twilight said.

"I'm not disagreeing, but this may take even longer than you anticipate. If you keep saying that, you'll never even be able to do your job as Princess of Friendship." Spike said.

"I AM doing my job as Princess of Friendship!" Twilight exclaimed.

"I suppose you are. But Canterlot needs us back soon, Twilight." Spike said.

"Twilight. The longer you're away from Canterlot, the more out of shape Equestria might become." Spike said.

"I'll return to Canterlot, when I'm finished with business." Twilight said.

Twilight trotted off, leaving Spike to himself, and Cozy still locked in the room.

"I suppose that's as good an answer as I can hope for at this time." Spike said to himself.

The whole time, Cozy Glow had her ear pressed to the door and had listened to their conversation carefully.

Hmm. Twilight's setting aside her Princess duties to help me? And she won't go back until I've been reformed? Hmm... Now there’s a plan. Cozy thought.

Yep. See what I mean by old habits? Not only is she infuriatingly stubborn, that devious filly is always thinking of ways to cause chaos. Anyway, if you were the Princess of Friendship, and were really stubborn as well, what do you think would be the most logical next move? It probably wouldn't be what actually came next.