The Reasonable Reformation

The mane 6, Spike, and Cozy were all trekking up the trail to the lookout point atop Mount Aris. After a long day of beach fun, the ponies were tired, but fortunately, there was a nice path to the top, even though it was steep.

Cozy trailed behind everypony else. Whether she was tired, or disinterested, or both, was tough to say. Twilight thought of a way to get Cozy's interest.

Twilight fell herself to the ground, and begged for help. "Help me, Cozy. I can't quite pull myself up." she said.

"Yeah you can. Quit pretending." Cozy exclaimed.

"Ahh. My wings. You'll... you'll have to come up with something, Cozy." Rainbow Dash said.

"I don't know if we can make it to the end of the trail if we don't work together." Pinkie added. "We're going to need you to use your special talents to help us."

Cozy was hardly amused by their obvious acting.

"Oh please. This is a walk in the park compared to Mt. Everhoof. Seriously, this is just a steep trail. Everhoof was a daring death defying trek to the top that I accomplished. And if you're trying to recreate the "magic" that happened there, I'm afraid you're just grasping at straws." she shouted.

Cozy flew ahead of everypony, presumably just to end the day sooner.

Twilight's friends looked at her, with looks of worry. They all huddled together and spoke within their circle.

"What do we do now?" Applejack asked.

"Well, what are we doing wrong?" Fluttershy asked in return.

"I think she has a point. Perhaps by pretending, we are talking down to her a tad." Rarity said.

"Cozy's obviously a very talented mountaineer, so I think I know what to do." Rainbow Dash said.

Rainbow Dash left the huddle and flew after Cozy..

"Wait, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said.

Rainbow Dash had caught up to Cozy and spoke to her.

"Hey, Cozy." Rainbow Dash said.

"Hmph." Cozy pouted.

"I just wanted to ask. You can't just casually mention that you climbed to the highest and most challenging summit in Equestria without breaking down how you accomplished that.

"Huh. Well, if you must know, I probably could've made it to the top on my own, but that old gate keeper pony wouldn't let me. But when I returned with Tirek and Chrysalis, that's when the real journey began. See, we-"

Twilight and co trailed behind as Cozy and Rainbow conversed. They smiled, as it seemed explaining her accomplishment perked up Cozy.

Finally, with only a few more minutes of sunlight left, everypony reached the end of the trail, where the Hippogriffs built their palace.

"And that's how I made it to the top of Mt. Everhoof." Cozy said.

"Sweet story, Cozy." Twilight said.

"It is. But hey, were you listening in on me?" Cozy asked.

"We couldn't help but overhear just a little bit." Applejack said.

"But we were really impressed by what we heard." Pinkie said.

"Oh? Well... thanks." Cozy said.

"But, you did leave out my favorite part." Twilight said.

Cozy knew exactly what Twilight was referring to.

"Pfft. Whatever. Not like there was anything meaningful there. That's the last time I let myself get carried away on the top of a mountain." Cozy said.

"But, Cozy. We've already reached the top of a mountain." Twilight said, joyfully.

"Oh. So we have. Huh. Well, about time." Cozy said, trying to sound unimpressed.

"So, how do you feel Cozy?" Fluttershy asked.

"I feel... well, I don't know how I feel." Cozy replied. "It was an easy trip, but it actually did feel kind of nice... I mean, no it didn't. I was bored stiff the whole way up."

Spike something

"Cozy Glow, why do you keep insisting on pushing back? You keep correcting yourself like you've got something to hide. Why are you so hesitant to go with the flow." Spike asked.

"Because..." Cozy knew why, but had trouble thinking of a way to say it.

The mane 6 saw more of Cozy's conflicted nature. They weren't sure what to do next. But then Twilight remembered the next step of her plan.

"Well, what are we standing around for? Let's take in the view." she said.

Spike gently nudged Cozy to face the direction of the landscape below. And wow. Cozy looked out and saw all of Equestria, and her breath was taken away at the sight.

"Wow. What a view." she said.

The sun was touching the western horizon, and cast extremely long shadows all throughout Equestria.

"Looks like the sun's going down." Twilight said.

"I can see that. yawn It's been a long day..." Cozy said, with her tiredness showing through her soft voice.

Cozy continued to look out. She could practically see all of Equestria from here. The southern tip of Equestria, the desert. To the grassy midlands where Ponyville sat. The hill which hosted Canterlot stood very tall. Even the summit of Mt. Everhoof could be barely seen poking up from the horizon.

"Equestria's a big, wide place, home to many creatures." Twilight said.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I suppose it is..." Cozy said, still tired.

"But we're glad you're here with us." Spike said.

Cozy had the longest blink she'd ever had, and looked at Twilight and Spike.

"Me?" she asked.

Twilight's friends all nodded.

"But... even after everything I've done, you honestly think that?" Cozy asked.

Her friends all nodded again.

"Of course we do. Now..." Twilight tried to quell her excitement, as she prepared for the highly anticipated question. "Are you ready to be our friend, Cozy?"

Cozy was somehow surprised to hear this question once again. She should've been expecting it, but something about this moment caused her to let her guard down, and hearing the question now somehow got through to her. Cozy put her head down and thought hard.

"Cozy?" Twilight asked.

Shh " She's thinking." Spike said.

Cozy took in her surroundings closely. She had reached the summit of Mount Aris, it was sort of like the time she'd reached the top of Mt. Everhoof. Except while that mountain was at the northern tip of Equestria, this island lay in the southern ocean, practically on the other side of the land. But just like that time spent on Everhoof, she didn't just feel the elevation of the high peak. She felt like she was literally teetering on an edge.

Back then, she chose to follow through with Chrysalis and her backstabbing plan, and never looked back. And all that resulted in was misery and suffering for her. Even before the punishment, her entire alliance was still built on mistrust, and likely would've broken apart once their mission was complete. Yet here she was again, as unlikely as it seemed, on the edge teetering on two pathways. Cozy realized that Twilight and her friends spent the whole day trying to please her, but really, it was all building up to this moment. If she turned away this opportunity, there might not ever be another one like it. Staring once again out to the vast landmass that was Equestria. Was it worth trying to claim all of it, and make it hers? How many friends could she possibly hope to make if she chose treachery? How would she fare living alone in the wilderness? She had nowhere else to go after all.

After some much needed deep thinking, Cozy took a deep breath, and turned around, and for the first time, she smiled at Twilight and said: "Alright, fine."

"Really!!?" Everypony gasped, and looked at Cozy, in amazement, and part in disbelief.

Cozy took a step back, slightly intimidated by everyone's reaction. The mane 6 realized this, and quelled their excitement.

ahem "I mean, you mean it, Cozy?" Twilight asked.

"So, that's it? You're good now?" Spike asked.

"Yeah, I guess I so." Cozy said. "Evildoing just doesn't make much sense any more. I already achieved more power than I could reasonably hope to control. But it never seemed to end well for me. Why bother chasing power if I know it isn't going to end well? And besides, if you are all really willing to give me a chance, who am I to pass it up?"

"Indeed. I'm very proud of you, Cozy. Very well put. There's still one more thing we need to see from you, Cozy." Twilight said.

"Huh? Oh, right." she said.

Cozy cleared her throat.

"I'm... uh..." Cozy started to say something, but she seemed to have trouble getting her thoughts out.

"Go on, Cozy. No need to be shy." Twilight said.

"Okay... I'm *sniff* I'm... I'm sorry." Cozy apologized.

"Thank you, Cozy. But, um, anything else?" Twilight asked.

"And... I'm sorry I trapped you in Tartarus. I'm sorry I tried to drain all the magic. And I'm sorry that I led... *sniff* a direct attack on Canterlot... *sniff* am I forgetting anything?" Cozy's voice choked up the more she apologized.

Twilight giggled slightly at Cozy's question at the end.

"Oh, Cozy. Apology accepted." Twilight said. "Huh?"

It was then that Twilight noticed something about Cozy. She was starting tear up.

Twilight's friends all noticed this too, and jumped in and spoke.

"Apology accepted." Rainbow Dash said.

"Huh?" Cozy heard Rainbow Dash, and looked up, surprised.

In fact, all of Twilight's friends joined in and welcomed her.

"We forgive you, Cozy. You've shown tremendous growth, and we have every reason to believe you." Rarity said.

"Gee. Thanks, guys." Cozy said, still tearing up.

"And you know what, on the subject of apologies, we're sorry for what we let happen to you, Cozy." Rarity said.

"Yeah. We're all sorry for letting all that stuff happen to you, Cozy Glow." Rainbow Dash said.

Applejack removed her hat before speaking. "I suppose we got all caught up in our victory, we didn't take the time to properly think over what ought'a be done about ya."

"Yeah. We're sorry for taking things too far. I believe you deserved better on that day." Spike said.

Twilight's friends all nodded in agreement with Spike's statement.

"You don't have to apologize. I'd say it was honestly pretty necessary." Cozy said.

"Yes we do. Cozy, you were scared you were gonna remain that way forever. You said so yourself." Twilight said.

Cozy turned her head, to hide how sad she felt being reminded of how awful it felt.

"I never figured we'd be leaving you in stone for forever though. I always figured we'd get to you sooner or later." Pinkie said.

"I never thought there was any doubt. I figured Discord was just setting you up to be reformed later, just like how he was." Fluttershy said.

"Mhm. Before, at the School of Friendship, I said that you didn't understand friendship, Cozy. But now I have no doubt in my mind that you not only understand the reason to make friends, you like having true true friends after all." Twilight said.

Twilight held her hoof forward.

Cozy wept, and backed up a little.

She then looked behind her once again, at the vast unknown landscape of Equestria. But in front of her stood Twilight, offering her hoof once again. There was only one choice in Cozy's mind. She lunged forward and hugged Twilight.

Twilight smiled and looked at Cozy warmly.

"There's just one more thing I don't understand. How can you guys possibly forgive me for all I did?" Cozy asked.

"Quite easily, actually. Especially now that you've owned up to your actions." Twilight said.

Twilight and friends then heard Cozy's breath choke up.

"Cozy? Are you okay?" Spike asked.

Cozy moved her head back, and they could see she was crying.

"Are you okay, Cozy?" Twilight asked.

*sniff* "I-I... I just can't believe this is happening. I just assumed we'd be enemies for life. I never suspected I'd be on your radar for redemption. Nor did I think I wanted it. I didn't give much thought to you guys, or your friendship lessons, but now I..." *sniff*

Twilight wiped the tears from Cozy's face, and then stroked her mane.

The sun had disappeared behind the horizon. The sky turned from orange, to red, and it was starting to get a little darker outside.

"You seem very tired, Cozy. Why don't we fly home and have a rest?" Twilight said.

*yawn* "That does sound nice..." Cozy said, still even more tired.

Cozy nudged her head against Twilight, and then collapsed beneath her, and fell asleep.

"Awww. The filly's lost all her energy." Rarity said.

Twilight sat down, rested Cozy onto her lap, and put her hoof to Cozy's mane. Twilight's friends huddled in closely.

"Thank you all for joining me on this journey. I couldn't have done it without you." Twilight said.

"Say no more, Twilight. Making friends is what we're all about, isn't it?" Pinkie said.

"Yeah. I suppose this isn't anything too surprising. Still, it's nice to finally see it happen." Twilight said.

"Yep. It was only a matter of time." Spike added.

Never thought you'd see the day, uh? Yep. Twilight laid her friends out strategically, led me down their path, and had me cornered. Check, and mate. You love to see it though, don't ya? Ahh. Poor, Cozy. Call it cheesy, or sappy, or whatever you want. Me personally, it just warms my heart to see me treated so nicely. It's all I can imagine wanting for myself at this point. I thought that just having ponies follow me in the School of Friendship for the sake of power was what I needed, but Twilight and her friends found a better, less destructive way to fill my needs. Mmm. And although this was the moment I realized it was okay to embrace friendship, it wasn't the end of the growing pains that came along with rejoining Equestria. I'll tell you all about that in the next chapter though. Thanks for reading along so far, everypony. You guys are awesome.