No Sweeter Innocence

Cozy Glow should be happy.

After nearly twenty years of obscurity and humiliation as just another failed villain, she has another chance to be great again. This time, with one of Harmony's own at her side.

No plan is without risk, of course, but Cozy knows she won't get a fourth opportunity, and it's not as if she has anything to lose. She would be a fool to turn it down.

So why isn't she happy?

Cozy moves her black queen to check, forcing a response from white. A few more moves and the chess puzzle is solved, freeing her to work on the next one in the book.

She’s still staying in the safe house. It’s getting increasingly difficult to accept how pathetic her own home is, but she doesn’t have the energy to do anything about it. She thinks to herself that in a couple days, she could be living in the palace. Literally all she needs to do is nothing for that to happen.

And yet, the thought doesn’t make her feel less empty. And somehow, she knows it’ll be the same for Flurry.

Because she’s tried it twice, and what broke her finally was understanding that absolute power still wouldn’t make her whole. And now, she knows that breaking Flurry won’t fix her either.

But hey, better to wallow in luxurious misery, right?

Yeah, that was the best option. Just keep sitting here, solving chess puzzles to keep herself entertained until the deed was done. Not acting is making a choice, and Cozy is a strong mare who makes the choice that’s best for her.

She isn’t one to succumb to weakness.

And when the day ends, she makes the strong mare’s choice.

Cozy Glow isn’t present when Flurry teleports into the storeroom to enact her master plan. She doesn’t have to be— would only be a distraction, really.

Which is why she has to learn secondhand about how the youngest princess fell to her knees and wept into her mother's embrace when she learned that she’d been betrayed by the one who’d stolen her heart.

"It may please you to know that there was no fight. Princess Flurry Heart surrendered the moment she understood that her machinations had been thwarted."

Cozy makes a noncommittal grunt. "Well, duh. She's not stupid. What else is she supposed to do against four alicorns without thousands of years of experience?"

"Not all are graceful in the face of certain defeat," Luna points out. "I would not have been, once upon a time."

"Yeah, well, like I said, Flurry's not stupid."

Luna snorts. "I was told you were more charming."

"There's nothing I want that you can give me," Cozy replies simply. She glances around the opulent palace sitting room that she's been sequestered in. It's not entirely correct to say that she's a prisoner here, but she's certainly not free to leave without consequence. Then again, it's not as if she has anywhere to go.

"Just as there was nothing to be gained by informing us of Flurry Heart's plans," Luna points out, looking so damnably casual for a mare who nearly met her end today. "And yet, here we stand, having ne'er drawn our last breaths."

"I gained not having to spend the rest of my life having to serve under a whiny brat,” Cozy retorts. “I’d say that’s worth it.”

“So you say.” The scepticism is clear on Luna’s face. “As if one as cunning as yourself could not have gained the upper hoof once again in time.”

“What happens now?” Cozy asks, deflecting. “Have you princesses decided what my punishment is going to be?”

“You and Flurry Heart are to be separated until further notice,” Luna informs her. “You will both be assigned community service to atone for the crimes you have committed. Beyond that…” Luna shakes her head. “We cannot help those who do not wish to be helped. You will be monitored for the rest of your days, but we will demand no more from you.”

“And what about Flurry?”

“Her cry for help fell upon the wrong ears first, but we will care for her now as best we can.” Luna smiles. “But she is a strong mare, and one who understands more than most, even if she is misguided at times. I have faith that she will heal in time from the scars you’ve inflicted on her.”

Cozy doesn’t even bother trying to defend herself. “I guess that’s it, then.” She laughs bitterly. “And they all lived happily ever after.”

“This is the end of one story,” Luna says. “A dark tale of a fall from grace that could have been darker. But it can be the beginning of another as well, a tale of redemption and hope.”

Cozy scoffs. “No thanks. I’ll do my time and then stay away from you alicorns for the rest of my life.”

“Very well, then you may leave.” Luna gestures towards the door. “So long as you report tomorrow for your penance. And when you are ready to speak to me again, I will be there to help you as best I can.”

“You seem very sure of yourself, Princess.” Cozy glares as she makes her way out of the room.

“You may claim selfishness in your decision, but the heart does not lie," Luna replies, smirking. "You saved a soul today, and if you ever want to feel the sting of doing good again, simply call to me in your dreams."

"That's not creepy at all," Cozy mutters as closes the door on the princess behind her.

She manages to maintain her haughty demeanour until she reaches her home.

And then, for the first time in over two decades, Cozy Glow weeps.