Cozy's Hearthswarming Flurry

Chapters

Prologue
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Epilogue

Prologue

As wistful, sparkling, crystalline snow fell from the moonlit skies above, a pair of proud pony parents pampered their precious pony progeny inside a shimmering, crystal castle. Little Flurry Heart, now old enough to be excited for the Hearthswarming activities planned for the day with her fellow classmates at school, snuggles down into her plush, pleasant and pillowy bed. She whispers a barely-audible "Goodnight" to her beloved parents before drifting off to the Dreamrealm. Although the shimmering castle and the surrounding city in which they resided was plentifully decorated in the spirit of the season, Flurry Heart's dreams were a swirling cascade of ribbons tying themselves into bows atop lovingly-wrapped gift boxes, with gingerbread ponies raining from the sky and snowballs packed into cute piles around every corner. An impossible Hearthswarming paradise stretched as far as the eye could see in every direction, a winter wonderland with candy cane pillars supporting gingerbread castles and a blanket of snow dotted with gifts and jam-packed stockings abound. Flurry would prance and play in the snow, making snowponies and nibbling on nearby gumdrops as she wished that everypony could experience the joy of this wonderful adventure she enjoyed in her times of slumber.

Suddenly, amidst the fun and frolicking, a saddening thought occurred to her amidst her imaginings of bringing others to this place to share. This was the time of Hearthswarming, and her parents have always taught her that "Everypony deserves a gift on Hearthswarming", and yet.... There might be a pony out there, somewhere, that isn't getting one! As the colors began to fade from the nearby candy canes, Flurry knew that this thought was too glum for such a cheery holiday, and it was up to HER to go that extra mile for somepony else! But how was she ever going to see somepony like that? She lived in the wonderful Crystal Kingdom, with her beloved parents, and loveable pony citizens... Surely they had wonderful plans in the works! If only she could find her way into the dreams of somepony far, far away.

"But how in Equestria am I ever going to find the pony that is least likely to get a gift for Hearthswarming....? Oh, Luna... You've been so wonderful to me, bringing me these wonderful dreams filled with joy! I know this is a lot to ask for, but... If you're walking this dream, is there any way you could help me? I'll do anything!" Little Flurry Heart cried out into the snowy night sky of her beloved slumberland and as she heard naught but the echoes of her own plea flee her, her head slumped down in rejection.

"And what, precisely, would this young one with such a heart filled with passion want?" Right before Flurry's very eyes, appeared a familiar midnight purple pony with a mane and tail full of sparkling, shimmering stars akin to the night sky. Stepping out with untold grace and majesty, none other than Luna herself joined the little filly in her dream, all to answer the young one's cry.

"Luna! Luna! It's been so long since I saw you! Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" The little filly leapt up and wrapped her forehooves around the much larger pony of distinct but humble nobility, "I need your help! I want to give a gift the pony that is least likely to receive one for Hearthswarming Eve! We both know that I'm stuck in the Crystal Kingdom, and cannot go find them myself!"

"Stuck, you say...?" A canted head caused the stars in her mane to flicker and a few to shoot across the night sky.

".... Y-you know what I mean, Luna! Mom and Dad won't let me go, so my last hope for making this happen is with your Dreamwalking magic! Oh, please! Pleasepleaseplease help me! It would be the very best Hearthswarming gift you could ever give me!"

"Well...", the midnight pony smiled wide, unable to hide just how touched and inspired she was by the passion and determination that this little one showed before her. It reminded her of herself when she was but a filly, so many, many, many years ago! "I guess I could grant you this gift, though you have yet to tell me whom it is you seek to give your gift to."

"That's easy!" Flurry spouted before she pondered a few moments to herself, "Uhhhhmmm! Wwwweeeelllllllll.... The pony that is least likely to get a giiiiiift... Would likely be a very, very bad pony. Maybe the worst, even!", she exclaimed before a particularly large snowflake landed upon her nose, of which she observed with crossed eyes before shaking if off.

This time, her head canted the other direction, "The worst pony...? I don't believe there is such thing as a 'worst' pony, little Flurry Heart. One thousand years ago, most of Equestria might've agreed that -I- was 'the worst pony'... But look at me now." She stood proudly, her night sky mane and tail lightly bellowed in the gentle breeze that blew through, offering only enough chill to remind of a wintry season. She reached behind her and tugged out a white and orange scarf with her beloved sister's Cutiemark emblazoned upon it. She wrapped it around her neck and smoothed it out to maintain that majestic stature she exuded so effortlessly.

After another few moments of pondering, an idea struck the little filly like an apple falling from a tree. "That's IT!", exclaimed the tiny pony as she bounced around in circles in excitement, "We need to pick a pony who needs a little love so they can have a chance at redemption! Thinking back on the stories that I've been read about Auntie Twilight's adventures with the Elements of Harmony, I know who I'm gonna visit!"

"Oh, this sounds exciting, but also a little worrisome, little Flurry Heart! Pray tell, whom would this creature be?", Luna didn't waver in her regal pose, the wise mare knew that trouble was coming, though she was confident that the little one standing before her deserved the chance to spread Hearthswarming spirit to any whom needed it.

"Cozy Glow! Many ponies believe that she's the pony with the darkest heart, and she's stuck down in Tartarus where no creature is going to get her a gift! THAT'S who I need to visit!"

Once again, the midnight mare tilted her head, this times with ears perked, "Are you suuuuure that's what you want, little one with a big heart? She is quite nasty and will assuredly be quite cross with you for trespassing on her dreams."

"Uh-huuuuh! Sure I'm sure, Miss Luna! She needs a gift most of all for this Hearthswarming Eve! I bet something wonderful and nice would help shine some light on the darkness that her heart is stuck in!"

The mare pondered this proposition again before giving a consenting nod, "I will grant you this Hearthswarming wish, little one. Although this is not something I would normally allow, knowing what it's like having one's heart overtaken by darkness, I understand what you are trying to accomplish, and only wished that I had somepony like you when I was imprisoned upon the moon to give me such a heartwarming consideration. Just be careful, little one! As I said before, she is cunning and will likely lash out at you for trespassing!" And for the first time, the regal mare paused in her speech before giving a smile, "Also... Luna is fine, little one. We're friends, are we not?"

"Heehee! Yaaaaaaaaaay!" little Flurry Heart hopped and skipped and pranced about in glee. Her heart filled with newfound joy for having been given the opportunity to make the holiday she loved so much just that much warmer for somepony else! As her celebrations eventually calmed down, she looked around to thank the majestic mare, only to find her gone, and a snowpony in her place, with the Celestia-colored scarf adorning its neck.

Day 1

Day 1:

In class during the bright and sunshining morning of the next day, Flurry Heart's mind couldn't be farther away than the homework she was assigned over the Winter holidays. Blankly staring at her book, she simply couldn't focus on learning the history of Saddle Arabia as her mind continually drifted over towards precisely what she was going to do when she entered Cozy's dreams. What would she see there?

What would she try to "bring" into the dream? A giant, decorated tree? No! It should be undecorated, so they can decorate it together! And gifts! Every tree needs some gifts! Her mind raced with ideas and inspiration! After all, this was the first time she'd be planning a Hearthswarming party herself! She'd need to make it perfect to make Cozy as happy a possible!

"Oooh! Dinner! A biiiiig, big table full of dinner and desserts! Oohoohooohooh! And a few books of my faaaavorite Hearthswarming bedtime stories!" she accidently exclaimed aloud in her excitement, earning her a few looks of confusion and dismay from her fellow classmates. Realizing what had just happened, she sheepishly excused herself and blushed a crimson hue whilst trying to shrink back into her desk in embarrassment. After a quick, stern look and a clearing of his throat, the teacher continued on with the lesson.

The entirety of the school day played out similarly, with Flurry Heart getting caught daydreaming, time and time again, doodling dinner table setups on her notes and even catching a few buckball shots to the side of the head in her distracted imaginings! Much to her parents' surprise, Flurry was all too eager to finish her chores and hastily hop into bed, leaving Shining Armor with a bit of a shrug and a warm smile as he closed the door to her bedroom, muttering to himself about, "Ahhh, to be her age and so excited about Hearthswarming again...."

Night 1:

It was difficult for Flurry Heart to drift off to sleep, as her heart pounded and her mind raced with excitement to learn what sort of Hearthswarming dreaming she was about to step into. How wonderful it's going to be, to mix her favorite Hearthswarming activities with those of Cozy Glow! This truly is going to be a night to remember!

As her eyes eventually fluttered closed and the outer world around her drifted away, she found herself floating amongst the stars. Gently soaring through the night sky, she couldn't help but giggle and swim a bit, slowly guiding herself in the direction of a recognizable cluster of stars. Upon arrival, the stars moved and spoke as a constellation in the shape of Luna's face nodding towards a particularly sparkly star beside her, "Here is it, little Flurry Heart. This is Cozy Glow's dream. You may now travel to this star each night, until Hearthswarming Day. I give you my final warning that you should tread carefully, as it will likely not be nearly as easy as you hope! Are you ready, little one?"

"Yes! I can't WAIT to share my favorite stories with her! Let's gooooooooooo!", she giggled in joy one more time before swimming through space towards the light of the star until it engulfed her.

She was not prepared for what she saw next.

As the world rematerialized around her like vision being restored from blurry to focused, she saw the lovely town of Ponyville that she recognized... And yet everything was wrong! There was no hustle and bustle, no ponies going about their daily, cheery lives, nor smiles or cheer to be found anywhere. Even the very colors of the entire town themselves seemed dreary and depressed! Instead, all she saw was misery, toil and despair. Nopony was happy, and they all moved with weary limbs and tired eyes. Dozens were working away at chiseling out a gigantic stone statue that was slowly becoming the likeness of Cozy Glow herself. Other forms of art, however lacking in inspiration, were also painted, sewn and shaped all in Cozy Glow's very image, with her decorated with majestic regalia: Crown, staff and cloaks lavishly overflowing with impossibly large jewels.

Overwhelmed by the sorrow and fatigue these ponyfolk suffered, she didn't even hear a stallion demanding that she move aside until moments later, he bodily shoved her out of his way. Losing her balance and getting bowled over by the indifferent manner in which the strong stallion shoved her aside, she gave a surprised yelp and landed into a nearby pile of snow. Clambering back up and out and shaking herself free of the snow that clung to her pelt, she was about to yell at the large, orange-coated stallion but was instead surprised yet again, seeing that pony and 3 others of equal strength and stature carrying the gaudiest palanquin she could imagine!

From inside, Cozy Glow's head popped out with a scowl and looked down at the awestruck pony beneath her, "That's right! Stay outta my way, peon! Don't make me use the staff again!"

Finally seeing Cozy Glow's face, she was suddenly reminded of why she was here in the first place, and disregarding what the sour pony said, Flurry Heart jumped up and smiled, "Happy Hearthswarming, Cozy Glow!" She concentrated and focused with all of her mental might, and with the power of lucid dreaming, she began to manifest all she planned to bring into Cozy's life. A table full of a piping hot dinner feast, with scents swirling about in the night air marking the presence of delicious dishes galore! A well-decorated tree with gifts stacked below, as well as a thick tome of stories that popped into existence and landed right into her hooves! "Look! I came to share Hearthswarming with you! Now you don't have to be alone!"

Reaching back into the cabin of the wheel-free chariot that carried her, Cozy Glow glowered down at the insolent pony that dared not bow before her, "Alone?! Do I LOOK alone, you petulant pony? I am surrounded by a world of ponies that obey my every command, thanks to this!" and she brandishes a staff made of twisted, black branches wrapped amongst themselves, coming to a tip at the base and a trident at the other. She pointed the trident at little Flurry Heart, causing the innocent one to flinch and retreat a step away. "Clearly, you need a reminder of what the Staff of Submission can do, so you can fall back in line!"

A radiant yellow bolt of energy lept from the tri-tipped staff and struck poor Flurry Heart, giving her a mighty jolt and leaving the patch of grass she stood upon now free of snow. Confused, little Flurry Heart looked back up to her, "Hey! That hurt! That's not in the spirit of Hearthswarming! Why don't you put that thing away, and instead I can read you some of my favorite Hearthswarming stories? That'd be SO much more fun!"

Giving a growl of frustration, Cozy leapt out of her vehicle and shot several more bursts of energy at the insolent pony before her. Seeing it didn't have the sought effect, she chucked the staff away over her shoulder, "Stupid stick!" Instead, she kicked over the table full of fyne foods and desserts alike, many of the upturned contents flew over and also knocked over the shimmering, decorated tree. "I am in charge, here! You will obey me! Now, kneel before me, peasant!"

With tears welling up in her eyes, Flurry pouted, "Y-you don't want to enjoy Hearthswarming time with friends...? I just want to be your friend, Cozy Glow! Let me j-"

"No! That's what ruined my life!" Cozy Glow cut her off and lashed out as a new wave of anger welled up inside of her at the mention of that despicable word. She became so enraged that she clenched her teeth and struck out at the poor little one in desperate attempts to prevent her from saying it again, "I don't NEED that! Not yours, not theirs, not anyone's!"

Giving a yelp of surprise as Flurry Heart was struck against the cheek by the pony that seethed before her, she immediately broke down into tears. Unable to keep control of the swirl of emotions that welled up inside of her, she suddenly snapped back awake, back home. Although she was relieved at first, for returning home, safe and sound, she soon continued her weeping. She had failed, and Cozy Glow had a heart darker and more full of pain and hatred than she could even have imagined! Her naivete stung almost as bad as the feeling of that hoofslap against her cheek.

She reached up and gently rubbed her cheek where she was struck... Then fatigue overtook her, and she slept a dreamless sleep for the rest of the night.

Day 2

Day 2:

During breakfast, Flurry's parents could tell that something was clearly wrong, as she didn't enjoy her chocolate chip pancakes with the normal exuberance she did. Nervous of what her parents would think about her "Extra-curricular Activities", she simply told them that she had a really bad dream. That wasn't a lie, right...?

At school, she was even more distracted than the day prior, but she couldn't care any less. She just kept replaying last night's encounter in her mind, over and over and over and over again. She was caught spacing out in math, and only when the teacher sharply called out her name for the third time, did Flurry Heart snap back to reality with a wince, and she reached up to stroke her cheek where she had been struck the night before.

Trying to be a good student, she did her best to pay attention to her lessons, but the trauma of the night prior just kept creeping back up. Through math and social studies and even gym, she was caught, time and time again, unfocused and tripping up in school work, and even tripping over in gym!

Only after the thousandth time the nightmare replayed in her mind, did inspiration finally strike! Cozy Glow has been so mean and angry for so long.... Maybe what she needs is to be reminded of what it was like to be full of joy and wonder? If she won't let Flurry Heart give her NEW reasons to be joyous, then Flurry will just have to help remind her of older times when Cozy must have had some joy, before her heart turned to darkness!

Night 2:

Upon drifting back to sleep and drifting amongst the dreamland cosmos yet again, she felt herself being drawn to that same, sparkling star. Calling out to the starry-filled space, Flurry prayed, "Please, Luna, help me find a dream of her past. Back when things were still warm and happy for her!" A smiling pony face constellation appeared once again, giving a warm smile and a wink before Flurry floated into the star's core, yet again. Not particularly skilled with her magic yet, she still did her best to channel some of her mother's love magic into the star and world around her as it began to come into focus. Every little bit helps!

This time, things were oh so different! Things were as they should have been, for a night treading so close to Hearthswarming Eve! A tree stood proud in a humble home, decorated with glittery bulbs and shining paper folded into the forms of various critters. Lines of popcorn and garland were lovingly wrapped around the tree in a quaint spiral, and the traditional hoof, horn and wing triad sat atop the tree. Beneath the tree were several wrapped gifts of varying sizes, each adorned with ribbons and colorful drawings. Singing echoed from the kitchen as lovely scents billowed forth from it, promising a delicious meal yet to come. The laughter of a child broke out from upstairs before a giggle-filled clip-clopping down the stairs ensued whilst mother and child clamored down the stairs together.

Not wanting to stand in the way of such a joyous moment, Flurry Heart took a few steps back. Only then, did she notice that she wasn't the only onlooker of these heart-felt moments! Off in the corner, a familiar face watched over the scene that played out before her. With eyes glazed over as if lost deep in thought, Cozy Glow stood, detached from the festivities. Flurry stood back for a few moments, a bit unsure as of what to do next. It was a little surreal to her, seeing such a young and joyful little filly bouncing around and laughing with such innocent contentment, only to look over just a few hoofsteps away to see the cold, calculated and menacing pony she had become just years later.

Only after waiting for the playful commotion to die down and the family to takes seats around the table as the father served up the enchanting meal he had so proudly prepared for them, did Flurry decide it was time to make her move. She carefully scooted aside the preoccupied pony in the corner and cleared her throat in attempts to gently rouse her attention. With a bit of a jump, Cozy snapped her attention to the younger pony beside her and tilted her head in confusion at the stranger, "Wh... Who are you? Wh-what are you doing in my house?"

She took a deep breath and stood up to the pony that seemed to have been in better spirits than the night before, "My name's Flurry Heart! I've come to share with you some warm and happy memories so that you can remember what Hearthswarming is meant to be like! Isn't this just wonderful? Look at how happy you were back then!"

Cozy's confusion began to fade as she was bombarded by the young filly's explanation, "... W-wh... You're not supposed to be here! This isn't right! I haven't dreamed of this in so long... You have something to do with this, don't you...?!"

"Yes! I wanted you to be reminded of how happy things can be! Look at all of this! Isn't this just wonderful? Let's enjoy these moments together, like friends!"

Suddenly, Cozy's expression snapped back to a snarl as she turned to face the little pony before her, all of the haze of dreaming washed away from her, "YOU!!! You're that pony that invaded my dream last night!! You still wanna be my friend, huh?!"

Immediately recoiling as Cozy's expression changed for the worst, Flurry took a step back before reaching up to touch the spot on her cheek where she was struck the night before, "B-but... I just wanted to help you feel happy! I forgive you for last night! We can still be friends!"

"No!" Cozy growled aloud, the emotions swirling within her, paired with her growing lucidity began to cause the dream to destabilize all around them, "What don't you understand?! Leave me alone! Stop invading my privacy and trying to mess with me, you little goody four-shoes!"

She continued to rage at the naive little Flurry Heart whose eyes continued to widen in fear, "I don't NEED friendship! I don't need Hearthswarming..." she bucked out and kicked the tree, only for it to shatter into a hundred fragments, floating there like a broken mirror, "I don't need what's left of my family...", she ran towards the ponies enjoying the dinner together, only to look at her with horror as she kicked them into fragments as well. "I don't need happiness....", she yelled as she tore down the hanging wreaths and other decorations from the walls as they, too, turned to broken shards of dreamspace, "And most of all, I don't... Need... YOU!" Cozy screamed this at the top of her lungs at little Flurry Heart that even little Flurry broke into shards with a look of horror upon her face before those shards dissipated into a puff of smoke.

Snorting and seething as she panted from exertion, Cozy Glow now stood alone in a shattered home, full of shattered memories and shattered happiness. Only once her breath caught up with her, did she look around as the world began to slowly fade away. The last thing she saw was the fragments of her family looking back at her with terror in their eyes. The ponies that she cared for so very much had just seen the monster that Cozy had become, and it... Utterly broke her.

Day 3

Day 3:

Snapping awake, she could barely tell it was daytime with the way she was defensively holding her forehooves in front of her face, as if to block another oncoming blow. Only once she opened her eyes from reflexively wincing from the torrential scream levied at her, did the whistling of the weather with wintry winds from outside her window fully wake her from the worrisome dream she had witnessed. Shaking her head to help rouse herself and let the fearsome last moments fade from her mind, she reflexively reached up to touch her cheek where she had been struck two nights before.

Feeling glum and defeated, Flurry had begun to lose hope. Clearly, Cozy Glow was such a bad pony, that it took the Elements of Harmony themselves just to eventually capture her... Why did she think that a little filly like herself could somehow change Cozy of her evil ways? How foolish she had been...

After being pestered by a few of her friends (like Snowy Bluff, a unicorn whom was particularly hyped about getting the next few days off of school!) she eventually relented and explained why she was so down in the dumps. Snowy was a good friend, and even though he was a bit skeptical at first, it soon became clear to him that she was telling the truth. The pure emotional turmoil this all had been putting her through was just so much, and it was evident that her sorrow was genuine. Flurry wasn't that good of a faker, especially when it comes to being sick when she tries to get out of going to school!

"I dunno, Flurry..." Snowy shook his head as they ate lunch together. He took a big bite out of his hay sandwich with tomatoes and thoughtfully chewed for several seconds before giving a deliberate swallow, "It just sounds like she's a giant bully! She's so mean to you, and no matter what you try, she just attacks you? I think that, as per usual, you've bitten off way more than you can chew." He mentions this as he looks to Flurry, whom had crammed one too many cookies into her mouth before attempting to crunch them all.

"Point taken.", she responds around the cluster of chocolate chip cookies, showering crumbs all over her friend as she does so.

"I just... You're really smart and caring, Flurry. I know that your mom is a pony of love, and your father is all about being a knight in shining armor, so... This totally screams 'Flurry heart lost cause', but I just don't want to see you get hurt... Again!" He gave a bit of a sigh and hung his head at the thought as Flurry immediately reached up and touched the spot on her cheek where she was struck just days ago.

"I guess you're right, Snowy... Thanks for being such a good friend. It really means a lot to me that you care so much. I guess that's that, then..."

The rest of the final school day was still full of distractions as Flurry couldn't help but feel sorry for herself and for being a failure. Alas, she made it home and handled her homework all the same. Even her favorite Hearthswarming stories that her parents read to her that evening didn't put the usual fire in her heart. After being asked time and time and time again what the matter was (as parents often do) Flurry told them that she was tired, and just needed to sleep. This was quite true, as all of this effort she had been putting into this dreaming really had done a number on her. Hopefully, a night of normal sleep will do her good, so she could do her best to enjoy the holidays with her family and friends in the upcoming days.

But things rarely ever go as planned, for little Flurry Heart.

Night 3:

Returning to the starry space of the Dreamrealm once again, Flurry hung her head as she was slowly drifting towards that same, sparkling start, yet again. "Wait! But Luna! You must have seen what happened last night! I... I can't do it! I... She's so mean, Luna! Please! Let me just have my own dream tonight!"

Several stars hopped from their places in the night sky and began to dance about until they came together into the familiar shape of the former princess of the night, "Mmmm, she is quite the meanie, isn't she, little one? I did warn you, little Flurry Heart."

The filly hung her head low in defeat, ashamed of her folly and hubris, "I'm sorry, Luna... I didn't know...."

The mare reached out to lift the filly's chin to look her in the eyes, "There is no need to apologize, little one!"

Flurry Heart turned her gaze up to the wise mare, with tears of shame welling up in her eyes, she saw not a face of disappointment, but... A smile? "Th-there isn't...? But I..."

"Although you were a bit naive, you should never feel sorry for wanting to show love and friendship to others! It took a great deal of courage to try helping someone the way you did, and even moreso to go back a second time! I understand that you're feeling disheartened at the moment, but your efforts were worthy of praise! I know that your auntie Twilight and her Element of Harmony friends would all be very proud of you for what you tried to do, little Flurry Heart!"

With a heavy sniffle and a quick wiping of her eyes, Flurry stood a little taller as her eyes began to sparkle as they looked up to the graceful and ever-majestic mare, "Really....?! You think so?!"

Leaning down to offer a nuzzle to the filly, she smiled again and nodded, "I know so! Now, a very important and passionate pony once reminded me that everypony deserves a gift for Hearthswarming. Tell me... Do these words still hold truth within you, little Flurry Heart?" Luna then gestures towards that familiar, sparkling star that stands as one within the millions in the night sky, yet still standing out all the same.

Wiping her eyes one more time and glancing over to the star that almost seems to call out her name, she looks back to the majestic mare whom smiled down to her. Her heart swelled as the wise mare bolstered her passion and determination. She drew one more deep breath and swam her way into the star, letting its light wash over her and carry her to a world unlike she's ever seen before!

Instead of appearing somewhere on the ground, in a room, or outside, Flurry found herself floating... Albeit, not the calm and tranquil sailing through the night sky like she's used to before entering a dream, this time it's fast and chaotic! Feeling the wind scream through her fur and feathers and her body spin and chaotically turn as if she had been unceremoniously chucked through the air by an Ursa Major, her eyes began to water yet again. Quickly fading into view was a deranged slide show of Cozy Glow's face, shifting between varied expressions. Feelings from fear and anger, to jealousy and hatred, almost every negative emotion flew by, like the flipping of pages in a picture book. With Cozy's disembodied face floating in the void, swirling with emotions, Flurry felt herself flying closer and closer. Her young, undeveloped wings were still growing, and proved useless in her attempts to control or even slow the speed at which she was soaring towards this ever-growing face as it growled, cried, gasped and even whimpered.

Right as it seemed Flurry was about to crash directly into the now-giant head of Cozy Glow that towered several stories above her, the mouth opened up to scream only for Flurry to be sent straight down the throat. Flurry attempted to grab onto Cozy's uvula to hold on for dear life, only for the unknown pressure that pushed her onwards proved far too much for her hooved grasp. Her grip slowly slipped further and further until eventually failing, resulting in her dropping down, down, down, tumbling, eartips over tail. She tumbled faster and faster and faster still, until it all became a blur that eventually opened up into a huge chasm of swirling darkness. This swirling, thunderous wind-swept little Flurry up within it and threw her around, swirling and twisting about, as if caught up in the vortex of a tornado!

Being whipped around by centrifugal forces, yet still being pulled down as well, like slowly being flushed down a drain, Flurry was bombarded by visions all around her! Apparitions of Cozy's past berated her, swirling around her, smashing into her, bouncing amongst eachother, each with negative emotions abound, assaulting her every sense as she was helplessly carried along with this torrential storm. Being bumped and scraped and bounced and spun around by collision after collision with this storm of emotion that she had been swept up in was pushing the poor, scared filly close to her breaking point. Only when she finally neared the bottom, did she see her destination: A Cozy Glow, curled up into a tiny ball, being assaulted by swarms of hundreds of these horrible, emotional moments from her past. These manifestations screamed, cried, whined, roared, growled, gasped and shrieked at her, a cacophony of torment, swirling around her and pelting her with misery and sensory overload. As this tsunami of emotions repeatedly crashed into Cozy Glow, it was clear that each one affected her, as she sobbed and fought against the onslaught of jealousy, greed, hopelessness, shame, sorrow, fear, hatred and so many more feelings slammed into her, time and time again.

Flurry Heart couldn't help but feel for the poor pony below her. Luna's words, "Everypony deserves a gift for Hearthswarming" echoed within her mind, and despite getting pushed and knocked around by these horrid emotions that would inevitably crash down upon the pony with a heart of darkness, Flurry's heart swelled with a newfound sense of duty. She grabbed one of the passing visions and kicked off of it, pushing her way down, further and further, faster and faster. Leaping, kicking, jumping, grabbing, all while being assaulted by horrid, hateful emotions, Flurry felt that burning in her chest only burn hotter and hotter, the closer she got the the one suffering below! As the spinning forces increased in ferocity, and the going grew more treacherous, fatigue began to set in to the little filly's body as she eventually collapsed. She couldn't help but be reminded by a few of her own memories as maybe this dream was beginning to tap into her past as well...? First was one of her mother praising her, "My special little filly! You can do anything you set your mind to!" followed immediately after by her father, "My little Flurry Heart! Destiny has great plans for you! Just follow that heart of yours, and nothing will be able to stop you!"

These words of encouragement turned that fire in her chest to a magnificent blaze, she fought to pull herself back up and give one, final leap towards to pony below. Getting bludgeoned by several more emotions on her way down, Flurry eventually crashed onto the "ground" of this dreamspace, panting for breath as she tiredly clambered over to the bawling Cozy Glow, hugging her tightly to her determination-filled chest. Cozy Glow instinctively clung to Flurry Heart, needily holding onto her and sobbed into the smaller pony's neckfur.

They both weathered the storm of emotion for what felt like days. The entire experience was a miserable blur that tormented them both for so very long. Just as Flurry started to feel like even her determination and burning heart was about to break under the torrent of horrid emotions, did Cozy Glow look up to her with tear-stained eyes and whisper, "Thank you... Whoever you are..." before they both felt the world around them begin to wash away...

Day 4

Day 4:

Jolting upwards in her bed, Flurry's heart raced as she was inundated by.... Nothing! As her eyes fearfully darted about, her vision came into focus and she was back in her room, once again. She looked to her favorite plush beside her and immediately yanked it into the tightest hug she could with a squee of excitement! She had finally done it! She got through to Cozy Glow! Maybe, just maybe, tonight they will finally be able to become friends!

"Awwww, it's so nice to see you in better spirits, my little champ!" her father poked his head in with a smile, "It sounded like you were having the most EPIC dream of all time!"

Flurry sheepishly squeezed her Ponypal plush and nodded before leaning against her snow-white father's pelt, "Yes Daddy! I kinda did, I guess! It was really scary, though!"

Shining Armor reached a hoof up to rough up her mane a bit with a playful noogie, "And I'll bet my little champion overcame it despite all odds, right...?"

Flurry nodnodded and smiled as she shook her head in attempts to wiggle out of the noogie from her father, "Ack! Yeah! I did! And tonight's dream is going to be even better!"

"Oh yeah? I'll bet! Let's hope you get the resolution you were fighting for in your dream, cupcake!"

"Yes, Daddy! I think I really helped! Even the ponies with the darkest hearts can have a happy ending!" she beamed up to her father whilst gently touching her cheek. Pondering just how much trouble she'd be in if he knew what she was speaking of was more than "Just a dream", she decided she'd spill the beans once everything was all over, and she had a heroic finish to her story she could tell Mom and Dad.

"That's right, my little savior! Just like Luna! She sure has returned to being a wonderful pony, hasn't she? Though, enough about this... Howsabout we go get some breakfast? Your mother's got some of her wonderful waffles on the way."

Breakfast was SO good today! Somehow, even though Cadence made her usual pre-Hearthswarming Eve waffle breakfast for the family, they had never tasted as good as they did this morning! After coming to the conclusion that victory made breakfast taste even sweeter, Flurry spent the day brushing up on her favorite Hearthswarming stories, as well as coloring up slightly less ostentatious settings for them to enjoy so as to not overwhelm her new friend.

"Redemption arc, here we come!", she almost sang out to herself in her room as she danced about and played with her favorite Hearthswarming decorations, figurines and even tried her hoof at wrapping up the gifts she made all by herself for her parents last week at school.

After spending an embarrassingly long time wrapping and re-wrapping their gifts, she eventually had to call in for reinforcements! After getting help from Dad for Mom's gift, and getting help from Mom for Dad's, things were ready to go, and neatly tucked away under the Hearthswarming tree with the utmost of care!

Night 4:

Visiting with Luna inside of the dreamrealm was something Flurry Heart had quickly grown to cherish. Happily exchanging pleasantries, she stalled swimming over into the star that was Cozy's dreams. She regaled Luna with all of the plans she had come up with, such as ideas to slowly introduce things to Cozy in order to not overwhelm her, along with other ideas and contingencies she had come up with, "just in case"! She even requested that Luna use her magic to help her deliver Cozy Glow's physical gift! A bit hesitant, at first, Luna eventually agreed, after hearing Flurry's very carefully thought-out and heartfelt plan.

"You've done so much growing, and in such a small amount of time, little Flurry Heart! I can see that you've learned so much, not just about friendship, but also about Cozy Glow, and even yourself! I'm very proud of you, little one! I can tell you've spent a lot of time with your Auntie Twilight this year, what with all of this planning and organizing you've done!", the midnight mare smiled wide, a glint of pride glimmered in her eyes.

Bidding their farewells, Flurry Heart gleefully swam towards the star of Cozy's dreams. Her heart aflutter with excitement for a night of joy and friendship, she practiced various swimming strokes along the way, just to add more fun into the mix. Upon entering the event horizon and appearing in the other world, Flurry was met with a grey, sullen Cozy Glow, just slumped over, staring at an immense pile of broken glass shards. Flurry gave Cozy some time to see if she would snap out of it on her own, but eventually waved a hoof in front of her eyes, "Uhhm, Cozy Glow? Are you in there...?"

Slowly, the other filly lifted her head, almost as if in a depressed trance, and looked to Flurry, "Oh... Hello again.... Flutterparts...", so drearily did she speak, Flurry pouted as her mind raced. How could she fix this?

"The name's Flurry Heart! I'm here to give you a little Hearthswarming cheer tonight, if you'd like the company of a friend! We can have treats, play in the snow, or even read stories to eachother!"

After taking some time to process what was offered, Cozy eventually spoke up, her thoughts were torn between the broken memory shards surrounding them, and the potential for something other than the past continuing to haunt her, "Th-that sounds... Nice, actually. Anything... To block out all of the sadness..." and she gestured at the looming piles of shards around them with an exasperated hoof.

"Ooh! I can do that! I've got just the thing!" and with a little concentration and the power of lucid dreaming, she willed a pile of boxes into existence, "Here! Let's spruce this place up with some decorations! There are a lot here, so I'll need a helping hoof!"

Although the going was slow, at first, the glum pony eventually warmed up to the hearty cheer that Flurry shared so enthusiastically, with a modicum of restraint to not overwhelm her new friend. Between setting up and decorating a majestic tree, hanging sparkling snowflake lights, setting a dinner table full of delicious food pulled from a bottomless picnic basket, it was beginning to not only look like Hearthswarming time, but it began to feel as such, as well! For the first time in who knows how long, Cozy Glow smiled as they shared a delicious dinner, and Flurry Heart read aloud some of her favorite, heartwarming stories from her gaudily-decorated book labelled, "Heartwarming Hearthswarming Tales"

With all of the wonderful decorations put up, the girls nibbled on cookies and candy canes and the entire area was filled with a rather cozy glow! The looming piles of shattered memory shards were all but completely blocked from view as the tree, piles of gifts and series of decorations all made this strange dreamspace feel like a quaint little home for the holidays. Flurry pulled out a camera and quickly snapped a selfie with her newfound friend. The picture was, indeed, adorable! Two buds curled up under a fluffy comforter, with a fun book to read and plenty of smiles and snacks between the both of them! Flurry pulled out a picture frame from the box of decorations and stuck the printed-out picture into it and tucked it into the boughs of the tree!

"Perfect!", giggled little Flurry Heart as Cozy just stared at it for a few moments with a warm smile, before reaching out to adjust it, so it was even with the other decorations.

"Yeah... It sure is, isn't it?"

Eventually, the wonderful world around them began to fade away, as it was nigh time to wake. Flurry reached out and gave Cozy one final hug before looking up to her smiling face and said, "Tomorrow, I'll be coming to visit you so I can give you my real gift! I’ll be coming from really far away, so please try to stay awake for me!"

Cozy's eyes widened as even she was beginning to fade within her own dream, "Wait... Wha-REALLY?!" and with that, their world melted away...

Day 5

Day 5, Hearthswarming Eve:

Filled to the brim with so many wonderful activities, the day of Hearthswarming Eve was, to many folks, just as exciting and fun as Hearthswarming Day itself! With family visiting, caroling, baking and decorating gingerbread ponies and the domiciles they lived in, drawing and coloring lovely pictures, playing in the snow and sharing all sorts of interesting stories, the day all passed in a blur! Running about all day to keep playing, giving and helping other out, Flurry was so ablaze with excitement for it all, her parents couldn't help but smile to eachother in pride of seeing their little one so full of joy and Hearthswarming spirit.

Once bedtime came about, Flurry wrapped one of the pictures she had drawn earlier and daintily wrapped it up as best as she could, despite how exhausted she was. The wrapping job was quite wrinkled and messy, but at least she did it on her own! She took the wrapped picture and curled up with it in bed, tucked away under the sheets. With her eyes drooping the moment her head hit the pillow, the little filly could barely whisper the words, "Good night, Mom and Dad..." before her world began to fade away. Her parents both gently tucked her in, gave her forehead a smooch, and smiled to eachother.

"My little champ's all tuckered out. I love just how much she loves Hearthswarming.", Shining Armor took a mental snapshot of this moment and cherished it for several moments before quietly exiting the room with his beloved wife.

"She sure has had a big day! And there's still so much more excitement to come! Ahh, to be that young again, eh darling?"

"I dunno about that... I'm quite happy with where I am, right here, right now.", the loving husband gave her a wink as he ushered her out of the bedroom as well before closing the door.

"Good answer!", chuckled Cadence as they shared a few loving nuzzles before beginning to clean up before tomorrow's big day.

Night 5, The Final Night:

So very eager to see her new friend again and to share her gift, she raced towards that single, sparkling star, giggling along the way. Soon, she was joined by the visage of Luna, once again, this time, wearing a cozy red cap with snowy white fuzz along the brim and a single puffy ball of that same fuzz dangling low on the tip, "Are you ready for this, little one? This is your final night to achieve your Hearthswarming wish! I have faith in you, but I must admit, Tartarus is a terrifying and dangerous place to visit, even if only for a short while! You must be absolutely certain that this is what you wish, before I allow you to physically go there yourself."

Taking a deep breath, and for the first time, Flurry Heart ponders her words before speaking, ".... I have never been so certain of anything in my life, Luna. I have to do this! And, I thank you so very much for going so far out of your way to give me the chance to fulfill this wish of mine. I know that I am asking for a lot, and I will do whatever I can to make it up to you, someday."

The mare constellation smiled wide and bowed her head in respect, the little fluffy bulb at the end of her hat bounced about, "If you can help this pony see the magic of friendship, and help her get one step closer towards finding a happy life, that will be all the thanks I need. Now, go! Your new friend awaits your surprise!"

Giving a respectful bow and a giggle shortly after, the filly swam the rest of the way into the sparkling vortex that was the star leading to Cozy Glow's dreams. This time, the star swirled and hummed with enhanced color and energy, as additional magics powered new, powerful changes to how the entryway worked, making this visit a particularly unusual, yet special one.

Taking her very first hoofstep onto the craggy, jagged stone of Tartarus, Flurry Heart was immediately struck with the sense of dread and fear for her safety as the darkness and forever-reaching crags and pillars of rock stood testament to the evil contained within. Reactively, Flurry touched her cheek before noticing that the staircase leading upwards to what she could only assume would be where Cozy Glow was held. After taking another deep breath and gently taking hold of the gift with Cozy'sname on it in her maw, she began her long and spooky trip up the massive staircase. Every few dozen steps got her higher and higher, revealing to her more and more pillars of stone, each one holding a cage at the center, undoubtedly keeping some unknowable evil locked away. What if she were to fall? What if something broke out right this very minute? What if she was going the wrong way?

She shook her head a few times, clearing her head and trying to keep focused on her goal. She was so close! Just a few more steps, and she was finally going to see her new friend!

Upon breaching the end of the stairs, there was very little for her to see. Just a flat rocky surface, encircled by walls of stone on all sides except for the gap for the stairs. On that barren ground was nary a pebbly, and just a single, massive cage, undecorated and completely overshadowing the tiny prisoner inside.

After clearing her throat and knocking on the huge bars, was Flurry Heart greeting by an utterly astonished Cozy Glow, "F-flurry! Y-you... You came! How... How did you even get here?!" Her eyes were wide in disbelief and she reached through the cage to gently touch Flurry's cheek in that same, fateful spot, desperate to know if she was real. Flurry Heart paused for a few moments in her own bit of disbelief before touching her horn to the cage and casting the royal unlocking spell that her father taught her last year, back when she fell into her own toybox and locked herself in.

With a rather unimpressive keh-tunk, the lock opened and the cage loosely swung wide open with a long, haunting creeeeeeaaaaaaaak! An uneasy lull gripped the moment as they both looked about, half-expecting some sort of alarm or alert for guards or Cerberus to pounce upon! After a few more moments of nervous silence, Flurry Heart gave a smile and a shrug and practically pranced her way in, despite how much working that spell exhausted her limited capabilities. Rarely does her fledgling magic work without a hitch, so it was worth it! Maybe she's finally growing up?

"Woooow! That was awesome, Flurry! I didn't know you had mastered your magic so quickly!", Cozy admitted, eyes wide in bewilderment.

"It was kinda awesome, wasn't it? Normally, things don't work out so smoothly like that, and now I'm rather tired, so... I'm just gonna sit here for a minute...", Flurry Heart plopped her bottom down onto the cold, metallic floor of the cage, looking up, down and around the featureless, empty cage, "Wow... It's really boring in here... There aren't even any spiders in the hard-to-reach corners! Ohh, I almost forgot!" Flurry used the last little bits of her unicorn magic to float in the little package she had put down while focusing on the unlocking spell, hovering it before Cozy Glow's nose, "Merry Hearthswarming Eve, Cozy Glow!"

Taken aback by the gesture, Cozy stared at the package for a few moments before hesitantly accepting it, "But... I have nothing to give you in return...!"

"Your friendship is all that I could ask for, Cozy Glow! I hope that you enjoy it! I made it and wrapped it all by myself!", Flurry dipped a tired bow with a smile.

Cozy nervously opened it, tearing away at the roughly-wrapped gift, with the ribbon simply falling off on it's own. Inside was a folded sheet of paper, "A piece of paper...?"

"Open it! Open it!"

Cozy Glow unfurled the piece of paper and was immediately struck with a surge of feelings that she wasn't used to. On the sheet in her hooves was a child’s-colored pencil recreation of the photo they had taken together from the night prior, with them enjoying giggling and having fun while reading through Flurry's storybook!

Everything that she was experiencing began to overwhelm her, and her eyes began to dart around the rather empty cage, desperately looking for a response! Her mind raced as Flurry Heart sat there, optimistically awaiting Cozy's response. Paralyzed for a few moments, the torrent of emotions welling up within Cozy made her panic! She looked to and fro, as if something in the nearby vicinity could grant her some sort of insight!

Eventually, her eyes set upon the cage door.... The door that was left open, after so many years! Open, at last!

Without a second thought, she bolted through the opening and kicked the door closed on the poor filly inside!

Flurry clutched the cage bars as tears began to well up in her eyes, she reflexively touched her cheek with a whimper, "Noooo! Cozy Glow! You don't want to do this! We can be friends! Please don't do this to me!"

Cozy was free!! The very thing she's wanted for years and years! That naive filly ironically gave her the only thing she's ever wanted for Hearthswarming after all! What a fool!

But it was already too late, as Cozy Glow bolted her way down the myriad of steps, she ran and ran and ran... She kept running, trying to remember the way out, reversing the path she was originally carried in here oh-so-many years ago. It was all a blur to her, though through the ravines, she could hear the echo of Flurry's cries, "Cozy! Come back! Don't you want to give friendship a tryyyy? Just in caaaase?" But her words fell upon deaf ears. Cozy had played nice long enough, and this is precisely the kind of opportunity she had hoped the naive noble would provide her!

Taking a few moments' pause as she knew a constant sprint would fatigue her before she could escape, she noticed something that had gotten lodged in the underside of her hoof. After wiggling it a few times in annoyance, all whilst thoughts of how she would exact her revenge upon those nasty Elements of Harmony wielders, the object flung off without issue and fluttered to the ground.

It was none other than the picture Flurry had drawn of them, albeit beaten and battered after having been trampled over from all of the running. She checked her hoof for imperfections that would've caught the picture, but to no avail. Surely, she wasn't carrying it this whole time! She shook her head free of such thoughts, crumpled up the photo and dismissively tossed it over her shoulder before drawing in a deep breath. Refocusing herself on the prize up ahead, she pushed out that held breath with a newfound sense of finality and took off, once more.

No sooner than she started her heavy gallop, did she harshly ricochet off of.... Nothing? Nursing the sore nose, she slammed into what looked like more of Tartarus ahead of her, she reached out in confusion and felt a solid force blocking her.

Only then, did she notice that everything around her began to melt away.... As the last echoes of Flurry Heart's cries reached her ears, "It's okay, Cozy Glow... I forgive you!" stark realization of the truth of it all hit her like a Hearthswarming tree had fallen upon her, to which she let out an infuriating roar whilst the last bit of this realm dissipated.

This was just another dream!

Snapping awake back in reality within her prison, Cozy Glow raged at everything around her, kicking bars leaving a ringing 'Kung!' to echo throughout the scape, screaming, pouting, grumbling and all things inbetween! She had been had, and worst of all, by a little filly! That little brat had lied to her about coming to see her for real, and was just toying with her emotions! Yeah! That little brat was going to get it once Cozy eventually escapes!

Almost an hour later, as sleepiness set upon her again while she brooded within her cage, something eventually caught her attention outside of her cage. Just within hoofsreach, there was a small envelope right outside of her cage! Upon closer inspection, it had a cute little bow on it, and was clearly labelled as "To: Cozy Glow"

"Great! She left something to further taunt me with! That little whelp!"

Eventually, in what she dismissed as "Mere curiosity", she distastefully grabbed the letter and opened it up, to read it, "Let us see how she gloats..."

It read:
"Dear Cozy Glow,

I am truly sorry that we didn't end up becoming the friends that I so naively hoped we could become over these past five nights. I'm sorry that I invaded the privacy of your dreams, even though I thought it was for the greater good! It was the only option that I had, and I had hoped that I would've been able to make it up to you in some way, in the future. I am sorry that I tricked you like this, even if it was to ensure my own safety.

With the help of a very wonderful pony, I was able to actually come see you and deliver this gift to you. I know it isn't much, but I feel like this might (someday) give you greater joy than any toy or pile of snacks. Just look to the back of this letter to see what it is.

Anyway, I am sorry again that I didn't do a good enough job to make these holidays full of cheer and happy endings for you. Next year, I shall come visit you, and try again, if you'll let me! Until then, I apologize that our friendship didn't work out as well as I'd hoped, though I truly do wish the best for you! I hope that you'll eventually let the magic of friendship back into your heart, whether it's with me, or with somepony else!

Happy Hearthswarming, Cozy Glow!
Your (Hopeful) Friend, Flurry Heart <3"

Rolling her eyes from such a saccharine display, she turned the letter over to reveal the very same colored-pencil drawing of the photo of the two of them enjoying that story book together from the night prior! ... How childish!

".... Yes. How childish, indeed!"

.... Though it was kind of...

"No!", Cozy growled yet again before crumpling up the letter, it rustling out the same 'Crumple-umple' sounds as it did in the dream, "I didn't need your friendship, anyway! I'm perfectly fine being alone!" As she eventually curled back up in her isolation, she faded back into a dreamless sleep for the rest of the night.

Back amongst the myriad of stars, Flurry Heart floated with Luna in full form, instead of just a constellation avatar, plus her festive red hat. Silence surrounded the pair as Flurry clung to Luna's leg and quietly wept, lamenting her failures from the past few days. The mare held her close and gently stroked a hoof through the filly's mane, "I know that it is hard right now, little Flurry Heart. You tried your best, and it didn't work as as you had hoped. You put forth a valiant effort, passionate one, and although it doesn't feel great now, know that in the future, you will look back at these times with pride. You'll take solace in the fact that you had the courage to stand against the darkness, against all odds, and open your heart to try and save someone from the torment they suffer through."

Flurry took these words to heart, but still couldn't hold back the tears. Luna continued to console her, "Take all the time you need, passionate one. Regardless of how it may seem on the outside, I promise you that your efforts weren't in vain. If nothing else, you may take these lessons that you've learned, and apply them in the future! Even your Auntie Twilight had to face several failures on her own journey to become an Element of Harmony, so don't you fret, little one! Life is a journey, and yours is only just beginning!"

Giving a few sniffles before wiping the tears from her eyes, Flurry Heart looked up to the majestic mare and nodded, "Uh-huh! I know... It still stinks, though... But, thank you for helping me write the letter. You made it sound really nice and it was really great to have help with the spelling, and stuff."

The mare smiled down to the filly again, wrapping a large wing around the filly, giving her a final, comforting embrace, "You're very welcome, Flurry Heart! Now, you're about to wake up, so I want to wish you a very happy Hearthswarming, little one! I'm sure you're going to have an absolutely exquisite day, once you wake up! Make sure that you savor every moment that you spend with friends and family today, alright?"

The filly nodded and smiled as she readied herself for the transition back to reality, "Yes Luna! Ohh! And happy Hearthswarming to you, too! Thank you again for everything!" Her final words echoed throughout the stars as everything around her quickly faded away.

Epilogue

Day 6, Hearthswarming Day:

With a gentle stir, her senses soon began to return to little Flurry Heart, the bright sunlight flickering with the shimmer of snow falling from above, the warm and comfortable feeling of the silky sheets she slept curled up beneath, the sounds of laughter from the kitchen, the scent of delicious Biscuits and Hayvy cooking on the stovetop... All of the indicators of her favorite day of the year! Hearthswarming was finally here!

Throwing off her blankets and hopping out of bed so fast she almost fell to the ground, she giggled and screamed as she bolted out of her room to give her greeting to her parents, friends, family and all else whom she would encounter that day during the festivities!

The entire day was such a wonderful blur of joyful playing, laughter, gift giving, spreading cheer and visiting with loved ones, it was truly a day for Flurry Heart to remember for the rest of her life!

Back in the eerie, hollow and desolate cage that she resided within; Cozy Glow brooded away. There were no decorations, no gifts, no tree to tuck them under. She was fine with no caroling, no sparkling lights, no fancy feasts. She plotted and planned and schemed her revenge! She didn't need cookies or candy canes or sappy stories! All she needed was time to plot the perfect escape so she may exact her revenge upon those that humiliated her!

Pacing circles within her prison, she continued to ruminate aloud, "I don't need other ponies or presents or potlucks or pictu...", pausing as her gaze fell upon the previously discarded ball of crumpled up paper that was just outside of her cage.

After a few moments' pause, she slowly moved to stand at the edge of her cage and reached out to the poor letter she had previously wrecked and rejected. Her hoof getting closer and closer to the letter, she pressed her body against the bars of the cage to get every last bit of reach she could manage, yet it felt like it was juuuuust too far away!

"Why did I have to throw you so far, you stupid thing?!", she grumbled to herself as she strained as hard as she could. After exhaling her breath, she felt as though she might soon squeeze through the very bars holding her back, her hoof made purchase, and she laughed in celebration before quickly withdrawing it back into the cage with her, "Hah! Got you!"

She hastily unfurled it once more and placed the crease-covered paper upon the floor of her prison, smoothing it out as best as she could, she gazed upon the colored pencil-covered side and just stared at it.

She stared at it, looking over every stroke, every little erase spot from a mistake, every color used. She just... Stared.

After what felt like an eternity, the echoing of one of Cerberus' long howls shattered the silence, causing Cozy Glow to jump in surprise and grab the photo, possessively squeezing it to her chest.

It was hers, and none shall ever take it from her!

The End

Author's Note

Although I've written thousands of hours of stories for my players at gaming tables, I've only written two small pieces of fanfiction before, and both were very private, personal pieces specifically for certain parts of my games. Never have I posted/published anything like this before, and so the pressure to do my very best was intense (especially with the notion that it's as a gift to fulfill someone -else's- Yuletide wish!) I truly hope that I did you proud, Hazel Skye! This wound up being a little closer to my usual "Epic Writing" style than was intended, but I am very happy with how it wound up, and I hope you are, as well!

I didn't originally set out to make the tone of this story as dark (and traumatic) as it wound up being in a few places, but I do take pride in making my writing stay as true to what I feel the cannon of each character can be. As such, I felt like taking a more dramatic "Charles Dickens"/Yule-esque approach to delving into Cozy Glow's mind and emotions, and how this theme would feel more true to the darkness within Cozy Glow's heart, which should be quite immense, seeing as it takes a lot to make one become as rotten and irredeemable as Cozy wound up being at the end of the show!

This story wound up having a lot more depth than originally intended, like the growth and maturation of Flurry Heart, her getting over a bit of her naivete, as well as the subconscious suffering she experiences after her initial trauma. Lastly, it was a fun challenge, building up and hinting at possible reasons why Cozy wound up as rotten as she did. Bouncing back between moments where Flurry Heart was hurt, and when she was just living life like any other child at school felt quite odd at first, but I know that even kids suffer from nightmares, and they bounce back on a daily basis (as I and I'm sure many of you sure did when you were kids), and I didn't want to deny Flurry such child-like resilience.

It was also quite enjoyable working in some of Luna's Dreamwalking magic, even if only subtly! Long before the show used that idea, in the Inspireland games I run at pony cons, the players can play as many characters whom were written as the previous Elements of Harmony wielders, back when Celestia and Luna were teens (along with a few OCs to fill out a usual medieval fantasy-esque party feel!) I gave Luna the ability to Dreamwalk waaay back when I built the system and guessed at a bunch of old Equestrian lore back when Season 1 just wrapped up. I enjoy offering my players (and now you wonderful readers) a small taste of how my rendition of how Dreamwalking looks!

I'll stop rambling now! This was an incredibly fun but also intense first experience for me! I absolutely LOVED the challenge, and I now wait with baited breath to learn how it will be received!

Merry Yule to all!